Part 33 (1/2)

But after he was gone Tamara loathed the moments. She was overwrought and overstrung. Hara.s.sed by the wailing and expostulations of her family for what they termed her ”rash act,” worried by dressmakers and dozens of letters to write, troubled always with the one dominating fear, at last she collapsed and for two days lay really ill in a darkened room.

Then Gritzko returned, and there were only five days before the wedding. He had sent her flowers each morning as a lover should, and he had loaded her with presents,--all of which she received in the same crushed spirit. With the fixed idea in her brain that he was only marrying her because as a gentleman he must, none of his gifts gave her any pleasure. And he, with immense control of pa.s.sion had played his part, only his time of probation was illumined by the knowledge of coming joy. Whereas poor Tamara, as the time wore on, lost all hope, and grew daily paler and more fragile-looking.

Her father had a bad attack of the gout, and could not possibly move; but her brother Tom and her sister, Lady Newbridge, and Millicent Hardcastle were to arrive three days before the wedding.

CHAPTER XXI

The night of the bear-hunter's return there was to be a small dinner at the Ardacheff house. The Princess had arranged that there should be a party of six; so that while the four played bridge the fiances might talk to one another. She was growing almost nervous, and indeed it had required all Stephen Strong's a.s.surance that things eventually would come right to prevent her from being actually unhappy.

”Let 'em alone!” the old man said. ”Take no notice! you won't regret it.”

Tamara had only got up from her bed that afternoon and was very pale and feeble. She wore a white clinging dress and seemed a mere slip of a girl. The great string of beautiful pearls, Gritzko's latest gift, which had arrived that morning, was round her neck, and her sweet eyes glanced up sadly from the blue shadows which encircled them.

Gritzko was already there when the Princess and Tamara reached the first salon, and his eyes swam with pa.s.sionate concern when he saw how Tamara had been suffering. He could not restrain the feeling in his voice as he exclaimed:

”You have been ill!--my sweet lady! Oh! Tantine, why did you not send for me? How could you let her suffer?”

And a sudden wave of happiness came over Tamara when he kissed her hand. She was so weak the least thing could have made her cry.

But her happiness was short-lived, for Gritzko--afraid yet of showing what was in his heart--seemed now colder than ever; though he was exulting within himself at the thought that the moment would come soon when all this pretence should end.

Tamara, knowing nothing of these things, felt a new sinking depression.

In five days she would be his wife, and then when he had paid the honorable price--how would he treat her?--

He was looking wildly attractive tonight, his voice had a thousand tones in it when he addressed the others, he was merry and witty and gay--and almost made love to the Princess--only to his fiancee did he seem reserved.

The food appeared impossible to swallow. She almost felt at last as though she were going to faint. The hopeless anguish of the situation weighed upon her more than ever; for alas! she felt she loved him now beyond any pride, every barrier was broken down. She had no more anger or resentment for the night at the hut. All his many sins were forgiven.

Dinner was an impossible penance, and with a feverish excitement she waited for the time when they should be alone.

It seemed an eternity before coffee was finished and the four retired to their bridge. Then the two pa.s.sed out of the room and on into the blue salon.

It was extremely difficult for both of them. The Prince could scarcely control his mad longing to caress her. Only that strange turn in his character held him. Also the knowledge that once he were to grant himself an inch he could never restrain the whole of his wild pa.s.sion, and there were yet five days before she should be really his--.

Tamara looked a white, frozen shape as she almost fell into the sofa below the Falconet group. Cupid with his laughing eyes peeped down and mocked her. Gritzko did not sit beside her. He took a chair and leant on a table near.

”We had good sport,” he said dryly. ”Your friend can hit things. We got two bears.”

”Jack must have been pleased,” Tamara answered dully.

”And your family--they arrive on Monday, isn't it?” he asked. ”Your brother and sister and the estimable Mrs. Hardcastle?” and he laughed as he always did at the mention of Millicent. ”They will wonder, won't they, why you are marrying this savage! but they will not know.”

”No!” said Tamara. ”They must never know.” Gritzko's face became whimsical, a disconcerting, mischievous provoking smile stole into his eyes.

”Do you know yourself?” he asked.

She looked up at him startled. It was her habit now never to meet his eyes. Indeed, the sense of humiliation under which she lived had changed all her fearless carriage of head.

”Why do you ask such questions? I might as well ask you why are you marrying me. We both know that we cannot help it,” and there was a break in her voice which touched him profoundly.