Part 19 (1/2)

”You see, Gritzko is quite an exceptional person, he is no type of a Russian or any other nation that one can reckon with, he is himself, and he has the most attractive magnetic personality a man could have.”

”Well, then?”

”And if you knew the simple unsophisticated atmosphere in which your G.o.dchild has been brought up----.”

”Stephen, really,”--and the Princess tapped her foot impatiently.

”Please speak out. Say what you mean.”

”She is no more fitted to cope with him than a baby, that is what I mean.”

”But why should she cope with him? Are not men tiresome!” and the Princess sighed. ”Can't you see I want them to love one another. It is just that--if she would not snub and resist him--all would be well.”

”It did not look much like resistance last night,” said Stephen Strong.

”And if Gritzko is only playing the fool, and means nothing serious, then I think it is a shame.”

”You don't suggest, surely, that I should interfere with fate?”

”Only to the extent of not giving him unlimited opportunities. You remember that season in London--and your brother Alexis--and her mother, and what came of that!”

The Princess put her hands up with a sudden gesture and covered her eyes.

”Oh! Stephen! how cruel of you to bring it back to me,” she said; ”but this is quite different--they are free--and it is my dearest wish that Tamara and Gritzko should be united.” Then she continued in another tone. ”I think you are quite wrong in any case. My plan is to throw them together as much as possible--he will see her real worth and delicate sweetness--and they will get over their quarrelling. It is her reserve and resistance which drives him mad. Sometimes I do not know how he will act.”

”No, one can never count upon how he will act!” and Stephen Strong smiled. ”But since you are satisfied I will say no more, only between you don't break my gentle little countrywoman's heart.”

”You hurt me very much, Stephen!” the Princess said. ”You--you--of all people, who know the tie there is between Tamara and me. You to suggest even that I would aid in breaking her heart.”

”Dear Vera, forgive me,” and he kissed her plump white hand. ”I will suggest nothing, and will leave it all to you, but do not forget a man's pa.s.sions, and Gritzko, as we know, is not made of snow!”

”You all misjudge him, my poor Gritzko,” the Princess said, hardly mollified. ”He has the n.o.blest nature underneath, but some day you will know.”

It was late in the afternoon when Tamara appeared, to find a room full of guests having tea. Her mind was made up, and she had regained her calm.

She would use the whole of her intelligence and play the game. She would be completely at ease and indifferent to Gritzko and would be incidentally as nice as possible to Jack. And so get through the short time before she must go home. ”For,” she had reasoned with herself sadly, ”If he had loved me really he would never have behaved as he has done.”

So when the Prince and Lord Courtray came in together presently, her greeting to both was naturalness itself, and she took Jack off to a distant sofa with friendly familiarity, and conversed with him upon their home affairs.

”By Jove! you know, Tamara, you are awfully improved, my child,” Lord Courtray said, presently. ”You've acquired some kind of a look in your eye! If I wasn't so taken with that darling little Countess Olga I should feel inclined to make love to you myself.”

”You dear silly old Jack!” Tamara said.

It was Lord Courtray's fas.h.i.+on, when talking to any woman, even his own mother, to lean over her with rather a devoted look. And Tamara glancing up caught sight of Prince Milaslavski's face. It wore an expression which almost filled her with fear. Of all things she must provoke no quarrel between him and dear old Jack, who was quite blameless in the affair.

At the same time there was a consolation in the knowledge that she could make him feel.

She thought it wiser soon to rise and return to the general group, while Jack, on his own amus.e.m.e.nt bent, now took his leave.

She sat down by Stephen Strong, she was in a most gracious mood it seemed.

”You have heard of our excursion to Moscow, Mr. Strong,” she said. ”The Princess says you must come too, I am looking forward to it immensely.”