Princess Zara

She did not leave her chair when this man was taken into her presence,

but extended one small and perfectly formed hand upon which gleamed a

solitary ring; the only jewel she wore that afternoon save a small pin

in the lace at her throat, which was fashioned precisely after the same

pattern as the ring.

The man lost no time in raising that beautiful hand to his lips, and he

bowed low over it, with a courtly grace as distinguished in its

gesture, as was her reception of him. One wondered why such a man as

this had been contented to endure five idle hours of waiting upon her

serene pleasure; and yet if one had looked past him to her, one might

have ceased to wonder, and have thought a lifetime of waiting would be

as nothing, if possession of her at the end of it could be its reward.

"It was kind of you to come to me so quickly after my arrival," she

said to him in a low voice that was perfectly modulated.

"It was kinder of you to receive me, princess," he responded, stepping

back again to the center of the room and standing tall and

straight--before her in his commanding manhood. He was a handsome man,

past fifty, distinguished, and like the princess he greeted, had about

him the unquestionable air of authority.

"I am afraid I kept you waiting."

"One does not consider moments of waiting, if Princess Zara be the

object of it," he retorted, smiling.

"Won't you be seated?"

"Thank you; yes."

He drew a chair forward so that they sat nearly facing each other

across a low table upon which many of the princess' personal effects

had already been arranged. Among them was a box of Russian cigarettes

which she now indicated by a gesture, while with a smile which lighted

her face wonderfully and gave to it that added charm that is

indescribable, she said: "There are some of your favorite cigarettes, Saberevski. I had you in

mind when I included them among my personal baggage, having no doubt

that I should encounter you when I should arrive in this country; but

little thinking that you would be the first to greet me. You will

pardon me for not indulging in one of them myself, for you know that I

have never acquired the habit. Nevertheless they will perhaps suggest

to you the flavor of home, and may transport you for a moment to the

scenes which I know you are longing for."