Princess Zara

Alexis Saberevski leaned forward in his chair to secure another of the

cigarettes, and having lighted it with studied deliberation, resumed

his former position gazing between half closed eyelids toward Princess

Zara. It was quite evident that he had gone to her with a distinct

purpose in view which he meant to fulfill before his departure; and it

was plain to be seen that Zara appreciated the fact. While he was

silent, she waited, but with a half smile upon her beautiful face, that

was quizzical and somewhat whimsical, as if in her secret heart she was

aware of the purpose of his errand but for reasons of her own did not

wish to anticipate it. And he read her correctly, too. He believed that

she understood him even better than he knew her; but viewed from his

own standpoint he had a duty to perform in regard to her, and he had

gone there to fulfill it.

"Zara," he said, "when I saw the announcement of your intended visit to

this country----"

"Pardon me, Saberevski," she interrupted him; "but did the knowledge of

my expected visit come to you through a printed announcement, or were

you informed of it even before the printers had set the type?"

"I see that I must be quite frank with you," he laughed.

"Between friends frankness is always best," she retorted.

"In that case I will begin again, princess."

"It would be better--and wiser."

"When I was informed of your anticipated visit to this country I

decided that I would be the first to welcome you here, and in making

that decision I had a double purpose."

"Yes."

"One of them only, need interest us at this moment, and that is purely

a personal one. You know, Zara, how I have always regarded you, and how

I do so now. Your father was my best friend; your mother--it is perhaps

unnecessary that I should be more explicit regarding her."

"Yes, Saberevski," said Zara in a low tone. "I know that you loved my

mother, and that all your life you have remained true to your adoration

of her, even though she never returned it; but go on."

"I love you, Zara, more perhaps than I admit to myself; more profoundly

than it would be wise for me to tell you, or agreeable for you to hear;

but in the admiration and esteem I feel for you, there is included no

sentiment which could offend you."

"I know that, my friend."

"I would like to talk with you quite openly for once, Zara, in order

that you may comprehend perfectly where I stand, and because I do not

wish you to misconstrue any assertion I shall make, or to attribute to

any one of them, another motive than I intend."