To what lengths our conversation on that subject might have gone I will

never know, for at that instant we were interrupted by Prince Michael,

who was seeking my companion. I had only time to utter one admonition: "Extremities should never be resorted to until the necessity arises,

nor is it wise for one to burn a bridge until it has been crossed;

besides, you have an engagement at noon to-morrow which should be

kept."

"Which will be kept," she murmured, in reply. Then Prince Michael came

upon us.

The prince reported that many of the guests were calling for their

hostess and so I utilized the opportunity to take my leave, which I

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did notwithstanding the protests of my friend. He told me to make use

of his sanka, which would return and wait for him after it had

deposited me at my door; but when I left the house the storm had lulled

almost to stopping and as the distance was not great I decided to walk.

That decision very nearly cost me my life, and very materially altered

my views regarding the princess as well as my intentions concerning

her. As I passed through the house on my way to the street I met

Captain Durnief, who stopped me for a moment.

"I feel like a boy who is dressed in his first trousers," he said to me

with a laugh. "You cannot comprehend the delight of returning to this

place after the experiences I have undergone in Siberia, for even the

life of an officer there is little better than that of a convict. I

shall have the pleasure of meeting you often, Dubravnik, for I

understand that you are frequently at the palace."

"Shall you be there?" I asked.

"Yes; I am detailed to the palace guard. Have you enjoyed the evening

here?"

"Hugely."

"Of course you have met the princess frequently."

Durnief had a way of half closing his eyes when he talked. He evidently

intended it to give him the appearance of indifference, but it had a

directly opposite effect upon me, for it was palpably a mask to conceal

the intensity of his gaze--to hide the interest he felt in whatever he

uttered at the time.

"No," I said, "this is my first acquaintance with her."

"Then you should consider yourself greatly honored."

"I do." Possibly my monosyllabic reply was even shorter than it needed

to have been for he gestured an almost imperceptible shrug, and

hesitated while he again bestowed upon me that half quizzical glance

which seemed to conceal a sneer, or which might have been intended to

suggest that I should have understood some obscure meaning behind his

words; but I chose not to see it. Then, as we shook hands at parting he

honored me by a pressure or his thumb which Morét had taught me to

understand as the very faintest kind of an interrogation. I have

already mentioned it as often given by a nihilist to one whom he

believes may be one with him. It was so faint and so uncertain that it

might easily have been mistaken for an accident, and like the glance I

permitted it to pass unnoticed.




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