Three Weeks

She flung herself on the tiger couch, and writhed there for some moments, burying her clenched fists in the creature's deep fur. Then she opened wide her arms, and drew Paul to her in a close, passionate embrace.

"Moi-Lioubimyi--My beloved--my darling one!" she whispered in anguish. "If we were lesser persons--yes, we could hide and live for a time in a tent under the stars--but we are not They would track me, and trap us, and sooner or later there would be the end, the ignominious, ordinary end of disgrace--" Then she clasped him closer, and whispered right in his ear in her wonderful voice, now trembling with love.

"Sweetheart--listen! Beyond all of this there is that thought, that hope, ever in my heart that one day a son of ours shall worthily fill a throne, so we must not think of ourselves, my Paul, of the Thou, and the I, and the Now, beloved. A throne which is filled most ignobly at present, and only filled at all through my birth and my family's influence. Think not I want to plant a cheat. No! I have a right to find an heir as I will, a splendid heir who shall redeem the land--the spirit of our two selves given being by love, and endowed by the gods. Ah! think of it, Paul. Dream of this joy and pride, it will help to still the unrest we are both suffering now. It must quiet this wild, useless rage against fate. Is it not so, my lover?"

Her voice touched his very heartstrings, but he was too deeply moved to answer her for a moment. The renewal of this thought exalted his very soul. All that was noble and great in his nature seemed rising up in one glad triumph-song.

A son of his and hers to fill a throne! Ah! God, if that were so!

"I love the English," she whispered. "I have known the men of all nations--but I love the English best. They are straight and just--the fine ones at least. They are brave and fair--and fearless. And our baby Paul shall be the most splendid of any. Beloved one, you must not think me a visionary--a woman dreaming of what might never be--I see it--I know it. This will come to pass as I say, and then we shall both find consolation and rest."

Thus she whispered on until Paul was intoxicated with joy and glory, and forgot time and place and danger and possible parting. A host of triumphant angels seemed singing in his ears.