His Hour

All through the early lunch, which was now brought in, nothing could

have been more lamblike than their host. He exerted himself to be

sweetly agreeable to every one, and the Princess, generally so alert,

felt tranquil and content, while Tamara almost experienced a sense of

regret.

Only Count Valonne, if he had been asked, would have suggested--but he

was not officious and kept his ideas to himself.

The snow now began to fall, just a few thin flakes, but it made them

hurry their departure.

In the general chatter and chaff no one noticed that Gritzko had never

once spoken directly to Tamara, but she was conscious of it, and

instead of its relieving her, she felt a sudden depression.

"You will be quite safe with Olga and your friend, dearest," the

Princess whispered to her as she got into the first troika which came

round. "And we shall be only just in front of you."

So they waved adieu.

Then Princess Sonia's party started. The cold was intense, and as the

team of blacks had not yet appeared, the host suggested the two ladies

should go back and wait in the saloon.

"Don't you think our way of herding in parties here is quite

ridiculous," he said to Jack, when Olga and Tamara were gone. "After

the rest get some way on, I'll have round the brown team too. It is

going to be a frightful storm, and we shall go much better with only

two in each sleigh."

Jack was entirely of his opinion, from his English point of view, a

party of four made two of them superfluous. Countess Olga and himself

were quite enough. So he expressed his hearty approval of this

arrangement, and presently as they smoked on the steps, the three brown

horses trotted up.

"I'll go and fetch Olga," Gritzko said, and as luck would have it he

met her at the saloon door.

"I had forgotten my muff," she said, "and had just run up to fetch it."

Then he explained to her about the storm and the load, and since it was

a question of duty to the poor horses, Countess Olga was delighted to

let pleasure go with it hand in hand. And she allowed herself to be

settled under the furs, with Jack, without going back to speak to

Tamara. Indeed, Gritzko was so matter of fact she started without a

qualm.

"We shall overtake you in ten minutes," he said. "The blacks are much

the faster team." And they gaily waved as they disappeared beyond the

bend of the trees. Then he spoke to his faithful Ivan. "In a quarter of

an hour let the blacks come round." And there was again the gleam of a

panther in his eyes as he glanced at the snow.