His Hour

Tamara asked to be excused from going on to supper and the ball which

was taking place. And she kept close to her godmother while going out,

and so contrived that she did not say a word alone with Gritzko. It was

because he acquiesced fully in this line of conduct that she was able

to carry it through, otherwise he would not have permitted it for a

moment.

He realized from this night that the situation could only be made

possible if he saw her rarely and before people--alone with her, human

nature would be too strong. So with the most frigid courtesy and

ceremony between them the days wore on, and toward the beginning of the

following week Gritzko went off with Jack Courtray on the bear-hunt. He

could stand no more.

But after he was gone Tamara loathed the moments. She was overwrought

and overstrung. Harassed 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 passion 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.