His Hour

It was written from Milasláv the day they had left Moscow. It was short

and to the point, and her eyes dilated as she read.

It began thus: "To Madame Loraine, "Madame,--I write to ask you graciously to accord me the honor of your

hand. If you will grant me this favor I will endeavor to make you

happy.

"I have the honor, Madame, to remain, "Your humble and devoted serviteur, "Gregoir[Footnote 1: "Gritzko" is the diminutive of "Gregoir."]

Milaslávski."

And as once before in her life Tamara's knees gave way under her, and

she sat down hurriedly on the bed--all power of thought had left her.

"The messenger waits, ma'am," her maid said, stolidly, from the door.

Then she pulled herself together and went to the writing-table. Her

hand trembled, but she steadied it, and wrote her answer.

"To Prince Milaslávski,-"Monsieur,--I have no choice. I consent "Yours truly, "Tamara Loraine."

And she folded it, and placing it in the envelope, she sealed it with

her own little monogram seal, in tender blue wax, and handed it to her

maid, who left the room.

Then she stared in front of her--her arms crossed on the table--but

she could not have analyzed the emotions which were flooding her being.

Her godmother found her there still as an image when presently she came

to ask after her health.

"Tamara! dearest child. You worry me dreadfully. Confide in me, little

one. Tell me what has happened?" and she placed her kind arms around

her goddaughter's shoulders and caressed and comforted her.

Tamara shivered, and then stood up. "I am going to marry Gritzko,

Marraine," she said. "I have just sent him my answer."

And the Princess had too much tact to do more than embrace her, and

express her joy, and give her her blessing. All as if the news

contained no flaw, and had come in the most delightful manner.

Then she left her alone in her room.

Yes, this was the only thing to be done, and the sooner the ceremony

should be over the better. Lent would come on in a few short weeks;

that would be the excuse to hasten matters, and this idea was all

Tamara was conscious of as she finished dressing.

At twelve o'clock, with formal ceremony, Prince Milaslávski sent to

ask if the Princess Ardácheff could receive him--and soon after he was

shown up into the first salon, where the hostess awaited him.