His Hour

The next day was the last of the Russian old year--the 13th of January

new style--and when Tamara appeared about ten o'clock in her

godmother's own sitting-room, a charming apartment full of the most

interesting miniatures and bibelots collected by the great Ardácheff,

friend of Catherine II., she found the Princess already busy at her

writing table.

"Good-morning, my child," she said. "You behold me up and working at a

time when most of my countrywomen are not yet in their baths. We keep

late hours here in the winter, while it is dark and cold. You will get

quite accustomed to going to bed at two and rising at ten; but

to-night, if it pleases you to fall in with what is on the tapis for

you, I fear it will be even four in the morning before you sleep.

Prince Milaslávski has telephoned that he gives a party at his house on

the Fontonka, to dine first and then go on to a café to hear the

Bohemians sing. It is a peculiarity of the place these Bohemians--we

shall drink in the New Year and then go. It will not bore you. No? Then

it is decided," and she pressed a lovely little Faberger enamel bell

which lay on the table near, and one of the innumerable servants, who

seemed to be always waiting in the galleries, appeared. She spoke to

him in Russian, and then took up the telephone by her side, and

presently was in communication with the person she had called.

"It is thou, Gritzko? Awake? Of course she is awake, and here in the

room. Yes, it is arranged--we dine--not until nine o'clock?--you cannot

be in before. Bon. Now promise you will be good.--Indeed, yes.--Of

course any English lady would be shocked at you--So!--I tell you she is

in the room--pray be more discreet," and she smiled at Tamara, and then

continued her conversation. "No, I will not talk in Russian, it is very

rude.--If you are not completely sage at dinner we shall not go on.--

I am serious! Well, good-bye,"--and with a laugh the Princess put the

receiver down.

"He says nothing would shock you--he is sure you understand the world!

Well, we must amuse ourselves, and try and restrain him if he grows

too wild."

"He is often wild, then?" Tamara said.

The Princess rose and stood by the window looking out on the thickly

falling snow.

"I am afraid--a little--yes, though never in the wrong situation; above

all things Gritzko is a gentleman; but sometimes I wish he would take

life less as a game. One cannot help speculating how it can end."