Part 22 (2/2)

The next half-hour was agony, in which, with a white face and fixed smile, Tamara played her part, and then just before the Mazurka was going to begin Gritzko came in.

It seemed as if her knees gave way under her for a moment, and she sat down in a seat. The relief was so great. Whatever had happened he at least was safe.

She watched him securing two chairs in the best place, and then he crossed over to where she sat by the door to the refreshment room.

”Bon soir, Madame,” he said. ”Will you take me as a subst.i.tute for your partner, Count Varishkine?” and he bowed with a courtly grace which seemed suited to the scene. ”He is, I regret to say, slightly indisposed, and has asked me to crave your indulgence for him, and let me fill his place.”

For a moment Tamara hesitated; she seemed to have lost the power of speech; she felt she must control her anxiety and curiosity, so at last she answered gravely:

”I am so very sorry! I hope it is nothing serious. He is so charming, Count Varishkine.”

”Nothing serious. Shall we take our places? I have two chairs there not far from Olga and your friend,” and the Prince prepared to lead the way. Tamara, now that the tension was over, almost thought she would refuse, but the great relief and joy she felt in his presence overcame her pride, and she meekly followed him across the room.

They pa.s.sed the Princess on the way, and as she apparently gave some laughing reply to the Amba.s.sador she was with, she hurriedly whispered in Tamara's ear:

”Pour l'amour de Dieu! Be careful with Gritzko tonight, my child.”

When they were seated waiting for the dance to begin Tamara noticed that the Prince was very pale, and that his eyes, circled with blue shadows, seemed to flame.

The certainty grew upon her that some mysterious tragic thing had taken place; but, frightened by the Princess' words, she did not question him.

She hardly spoke, and he was silent, too. It seemed as though now he had gained his end and secured her as a partner it was all he meant to do.

Presently he turned to her and asked lazily:

”Have you been amused since the Moravian reception? How have you pa.s.sed the time? I have been at Tsarskoi again, and could not come to see Tantine.”

”We have been quite happy, thanks, Prince,” Tamara said. ”Jack Courtray and I have spent the day studying the lovely things in the Hermitage.

We must see what we can before we both go home.”

Gritzko looked at her.

”I like him--he is a good fellow--your friend,” and then he added reflectively: ”But if he spends too much time with you I hope the bears will eat him!”

This charitable wish was delivered in a grave, quiet voice, as though it had been a blessing.

”How horrible you are!” Tamara flashed. ”Jack to be eaten by bears!

Poor dear old Jack! What has he done?”

”Nothing, I hope,--as yet; but time will tell. Now we must begin to dance.”

And they rose, called to the center by the Master of the Ceremonies to a.s.sist in a figure.

While the Prince was doing his part she noticed his movements seemed languid and not full of his usual wild _entrain_, and her feeling of unease and dread of she knew not what increased.

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