Princess Zara

Alexis Saberevski and I had many such conversations as that one, after

that, in which we discussed pro and con the suggestion he had made.

It grew upon me and grew upon me until I became obsessed by the idea

although I did not think that he guessed my eagerness.

He remained in New York, and virtually became my guest at the club,

during more than two months, and we were as constantly together as was

possible and convenient.

One afternoon while we were chatting as usual, I called his attention

to a paragraph I had seen in the Herald of that morning which

announced the arrival in New York of a Russian princess. The fact had

not interested me, but recalling at the instant the idea that she was

most likely known to my friend, I said: "Saberevski, one of your countrywomen, a princess whose name escapes me

for I did not notice it particularly, arrived in the city this morning,

and is at one of the hotels. I mention it because you may not have seen

the notice, and might like to pay your respects to her. You will find

her name and a column or more of other information concerning her, in

this morning's Herald."

"Thank you," he said, "I will look it up."

More than a week later while I was walking down Fifth avenue, a hansom

cab stopped at the curb beside me, and Saberevski's face looked out.

"Jump in, Dan," he said. "I want you to take a ride with me;" and with

no thought of hesitation, I complied. I did not even ask to be told our

destination and was somewhat surprised when our conveyance stopped at

one of the North river steamship piers.

"You are not leaving the country, are you, Alexis?" I asked, as we got

down.

"No," he replied; "but someone I know is leaving. Will you walk to the

end of the pier with me, or will you wait here?" I recalled, later,

that even then he left the choice to me.

I accompanied him to the end of the pier. I asked no question

concerning the person he had referred to, as sailing that day, and

thought it rather strange that he seemed to seek no one, and expressed

no desire to go aboard the vessel then about ready to steam away.

When it had swung into the stream I ran my glance along the decks of

the vessel from stem to stern, seeking a waving hand or a gesture of

farewell directed towards my friend. But I saw none to which he seemed

to respond, until the ship was well into the current, when he suddenly

raised his hand and waved it.

At the same instant he took me by the arm and we returned to our

conveyance.