The Black Cross

stands the palace of the Grand-Duke Stepan, a huge, granit

g on marble columns, was encircled by a balcony, narrow and sculptured, from which the music of the band rose and fell, soft, entrancing, invisible, as from the clouds.

plashes of colour, radiant, vivid, like clusters of rose leaves strewn on the steps. The perfume was intoxicating, l

was at it

rved balustrade; the scarlet and gold of his uniform shone against a green background of palms

roamed carelessly over the throng. As the groups approached the head of the stair-case, one after the oth

ancing to the foot of the stair-case, eagerly watching as the form came nearer and nearer

t-Prince

of the palms and they swayed slightly, t

lack eyes swiftly, fiercely on the

ing his lips, "How you come creeping

t! Spea

urmur of crickets on a hot sum

t! The dev

message came from the Tsar hims

bowed to a couple ascending the stair-case. His lips

d is receiving alone. No one suspects, not ye

you shake the leaves like

e. Could you start

ountess is late, unaccountably late! Is the snow heavy to-night

officer leaned forward, his sword clanking, his eyes cro

et like a lily, a flower!" The Prince waved his hand; his sword clanked again. "No,

crowd, lost for a moment at the bend, then reappearing again. The man, evidently a general, was magnificent in his uniform; his bre

ke a young queen, charming and gracious, bowing to right and to left. As the groups drew aside to let

tchers behind saw how the Countess paused, hesitated, and then, at a few whispered words from the Prince, pla

he sculptured gallery the sound came mysterious, ench

elf away from the arm of the Prince and her lashes dro

altz. With a sudden, swift movement the scarlet and white seemed

, the music broke into the measure of the mazurka. A cry went up from the throng. In a twinkling the floor was cleared, th

gowns of their partners were brocade and velvet, purple and crimson, lilac and pearl. Then from the

e floor. One by one the couples retreated, the last left alone; and then interchanging. The music grew faster.

o late?" he whisper

e ice. She drew it away and dan

ht? He is not here! Why is th

erchange

ced?-Don't speak. He has gone to t

has-

d? Come nearer. Hush!-The Tsar sent for him, bu

ook at her and yet to look past her; they were crossed. She shivered slightly and turned her head. Her white figure, slender and light as thistledown, floated away from him, and

ot to-night. Boris told me. The Secret Service men are everywhere, watching. Don't be frightened, Counte

n does he

Dance faster, fast

tion of sound, pulsing, penetrating, overpowering. The white figure twirled in the Prince's arms, her gold

dreamy, sudden, caught them as in a leash; the steps faltered, slower, more lingering; slower, still

ess swaye

nd big, with black shadows sweeping her cheeks. Others stepped forwar

e Prince, "Are you ill? Co

He was swaying a little himself

quiet place," she whispered

ssed under the archway into a salon beyond. The Prince raised a curtain:

Duke's room. There was a desk in the corner littered with papers, a lamp s

-go, Prince, leave me. My head is on fire! See, my ch

ll as they approached it, b

ng her hands, trying to draw them down from her face. "Kaya, what is the ma

yes were wide open now and dilated; the hair fell disordered in golden rings and waves about the oval of her face. She drew her breath heavily; her bosom ris

as if to a child in trouble, "Drink it slowly. It is wine, not water, and will bring back your strength. It was the dance; ah, it was so fast,

said the girl faint

s, we ar

e Duke c

you are pale like a broken flower. Listen-do you hear the violins in the distance? Your feet move li

y! Don't look at me; I tell you, don't look at me. In the dusk it might be the Duke himself, his very self! Go-Leave me a little. If he were good like you-but you will

the young officer, her eyes wild and di

! Get up off your knees Prince. Leave me-leave me for

cushions. One hand was still clasped to

ine is so strong when one is giddy. Let me put my arms about you-come! I love you. Ah, you

ied, "Already you are cowardly. You are strong and you think I am weak." Her head was

s. "Leave you!" he cried, "N

me-le

faint? Will you rest and let

ave

will return. When the clock strikes, Kaya, it will be our dance. Yo

ave

ll guard the curtain so no one will enter, unless it is the Duke himse

el, go-I

his arms. He hesitated; then he moved towards the curtain; hesitated agai

lds, then she put her hands to her eyes

sobbed to herself in little broken words, catching her breath: "I vow-I vow

the desk. Something white fluttered and fell from he

e cried,

ing dark and hard. She gave a startled glance about the room, co

the Black Cross

wider, and some one came in. The form was that of a man. He looked about him. The room was still, deserted, and he gave a sigh of relief, hurrying over to the desk. When he

is grey, upturned mustache, his eyes small and crossed. They w

as a slip of paper. There was nothing on the p

s eyes seemed fairly to start from his head; his knees knocked toget

sitation, or mercy, by mine o

is ears? He cowered backwards

swe

a moan. The Duke stood motionless for a second; then he falt