The Point of View

, came forward to meet her, saying respectfully in French, would mademoiselle be pleased to mount directly to the rooms reserved for the Princess Urazov?

r come! She could not sit still, she walked from bouquet to bouquet of roses and carnations, sn

or her, then-her lover. Bu

stless pacing again, when, with a gentle tap,

d advanced toward him

hich disturbed her greatly, she knew not why, and his voice

ar! And so you are re

ple as she was she knew very well that otherwise he would have taken her

, "I have left them all-for you.

pon her with passionate love. "There is an hour yet to wait. I had hop

osure. "I was shut into my room and watched by a servant. It was awful! But do-you

the back of the chair, and his

esides, I have taken care that no one at the Grand Hotel knows where we have gone, and it will take them quite a

d then, nervously, "wo

ike, when she saw his agitation, her own lessened, and she assumed

f a little hostess she handed him the cup. Th

hill-and the gay little speech that had been bubbling to her lips died there, and a silence fell upon them fo

all about what we shall do presently, and see if it pleases you." He did not even take her hand, and Stella felt rather aggrieved and wounded. "I propose that as soon as the formalities can be go

ed her hands and a thrill ran through her. What, what did it all mean? The idea of her marriage with Eustace Medlicott had always appeared as an ugly vision, an end to everything, a curtain which was yet drawn over a view which could only be al

f honor. Not the slightest advantage must be taken of the situation while Stella was alone and unchaperoned, although the very fact of their propinquity and the know

e three weeks, I am afraid, before we can be legall

of the desire. She wondered vaguely-was it then very wicked to make love, since Sasha, too, like Eustace, seemed as if he were r

and yours is beyond. I have had only roses put

id not like this new lover of hers to be sitting there constrained and aloof, talking in a stiff voice unlike his usual easy grace. It w

vement and action had the unconscious coquetry of a woman's methods to gain her e

ovski rose

manded with imperious love, and indicated the stiff Louis

strange delight, and she shyly took her seat at one end of the sofa,

you explain

you in my arms," and his voice trembled, while his blue eyes glowed. "That I do not know how to resist the wild

e burning passion she read in his made her drop her eyes. This was too much for him. He understood perfectly, and, with a little cry, h

teach you every shade of love and its meanings. I will kiss those lips and unloosen that hair; I will suffocate you with caresses and make you thrill as I

d it be so very wrong for you to kiss me? I-I-" her small rueful face, with its sweet childlike irregular curves, looked almost p

he said. "It is not wr

u do understand, you wi

d you

ting-and got up restless

ssy?" she asked. "Could they really take me

so-if you are

m not a bit afraid of them, but

your aunt, and tell where you are and what a

ould come, don't

arling," he answered, f

e so incompreh

once or twice, and at las

with you here. Will you forgive me, if I leave you until Anastasia has arrived? Go and rest in your room, dar

t her hands like

pettishly. "You are very cruel! You

eyes suddenly gave forth a flash of steel

too late. I would not exact any unwillin

nd fell from her, and she became a real

now exactly what I am-Sasha, please take care of me," and she held out her hands with a piteous gestur

her hair. But his iron will reasserted itself in a few se

and shall be quite in time, I hope. We might have parted then and spoilt both our lives. Won't you believe me that I love-I adore you!" he went on tenderly. "I am madly longing to be for you the most passionate lover

in its deep notes of pleadi

wicked to have tempted you. If it would be wrong for you to kiss me, whic

and he held her so tightly it seemed as if he must crush out her

e. "Ivan will guard your room, and my sister will come to you

the sofa quivering with a strange joy and perplexity-a