Part 27 (1/2)

During most of the time he sat behind the Princess, and whispered whatever conversation he had in her ear; but every now and then he would move to Princess Sonia or Countess Olga, and lastly subsided close to Tamara, and bending over leaned on the back of her chair.

He did not speak, but his close proximity caused her to experience the exquisite physical thrill she feared and dreaded. When her heart beat like that, and her body tingled with sensation, it was almost impossible to keep her head.

His fierceness frightened her, but when he was gentle, she knew she melted at once, and only longed to be in his arms. So she drew herself up and shrank forward away from him, and began an excited conversation with Stephen Strong.

Gritzko got up abruptly and strode back to the Princess. And soon tables and supper were brought in, and there was a general move.

Tamara contrived to outwit him once more when he came up to speak. It was the only way, she felt. No half-measures would do now. She loved him too much to be able to unbend an inch with safety. Otherwise it would be all over with her, and she could not resist.

They had been standing alone for an instant, and he said, looking pa.s.sionately into her eyes:

”Tamara, do you know you are driving me crazy--do you think it wise?”

”I really don't care whether my conduct is wise or not, Prince,” she replied. ”As I told you, tonight, and from now onward, I shall do as I please.” And she gathered all her forces together to put an indifferent look on her face.

”So be it then,” he said, and turned instantly away, and for the rest of the time never addressed her again.

The long drive in the cold had made every one sleepy, and contrary to their usual custom, they were all ready for bed soon after one o'clock, and to their great surprise Gritzko made no protest, but let the ladies quietly go.

Tamara's last thoughts before she closed her weary eyes were, what a failure it all had been! She had succeeded in nothing. She loved him madly, and she was going back home. And if she had made him suffer, it was no consolation! She would much rather have been happy in his arms!

Meanwhile, Gritzko had summoned Ivan, his major domo, and the substance of his orders to that humble slave was this. That early on the morrow the stove was to be lit in the hut by the lake, where at the time when the woodc.o.c.k came in quant.i.ties he sometimes spent the night waiting for the dawn.

”And see that there is fodder for the horses,” he added. ”And that Stepan drives my troika with the blacks, and let the brown team be ready, too, but neither of these to come round until the grays have gone. And in the hut put food--cold food--and some brandy and champagne.”

The servant bowed in obedience and was preparing to leave the room.

”Oil the locks and put the key in my overcoat pocket,” his master called again. And then he lit another cigarette and drawing back the heavy curtains looked out on the night.

It was inky black, the snow had not yet begun to fall.

All promised well.

CHAPTER XVII

Tamara had just begun to dress when her G.o.dmother came into her room next day.

”There is going to be a terrible snow storm, dear,” she said. ”I think we should get down fairly early and suggest to Gritzko that we start back to Moscow before lunch. It is no joke to be caught in this wild country. I will send you in Katia.”

Tamara's maid had been left in Petersburg, and indeed her G.o.dmother's, an elderly Russian accustomed to these excursions, had been the only one brought.

”I won't be more than half an hour dressing,” she said. ”Don't go down without me, Marraine.”

And the Princess promised and returned to her room.

”It has been a real success, our little outing, has it not?” she said, when later they were descending the stairs. ”Gritzko has been so quiet and nice. I am so happy, dear child, that you can go away now without that uncomfortable feeling of quarreling. There was one moment when he got up from behind your chair last night I feared you had angered him about something, but afterward he was so gentle and charming when we talked I felt quite rea.s.sured.”

”Yes, indeed,” feebly responded Tamara. ”The party has been positively tame!”