Princess Zara

sumed his former position gazing between half closed eyelids toward Princess Zara. It was quite evident that he had gone to her with a

as 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 under

the announcement of your inte

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

be quite frank wi

ankness is always b

I will begin a

be better-

untry I decided that I would be the first to welcome you

es

know, Zara, how I have always regarded you, and how I do so now. Your father was my best

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

uld be wise for me to tell you, or agreeable for you to hear; but in the admiratio

that, my

prehend perfectly where I stand, and because I do not wish you to misconstrue any ass

may be assu

yed to me in the same manner, and by the same message. It had no direct significance, and beyond the mere statement of the fact, there was no comment. I was not directed to call upon you, and in fact there was no suggestion ma

my fr

emperor in many secret ways which our little world at St. Petersburg does not know or appreciate. The fact that I am at present an expatriate, as you have so aptly stated, is due to reasons which I need not explain, and which do not concern us just no

I know of your personal interest in me, and I honor you and thank you for it. But it is not like Alexis Saberevski to hesitate over a statement he has

smile, "but your straight-forward methods, and my resolute purpose, make my

is b

nforms you now that he knows you to be

cement. And yet it might well have affected her most deeply; might have startled her even into a cry of terror; should have filled her with instant fear, because this man who made it was one, who in his former official capacity could have condemned almost any person in Russia to exile by a gesture, or a word. And Zara did not doubt that his official capacity still obtained. She knew him to be an expatriate as she had announced. She understood that for some reason, not apparent, he had become a voluntary exile from his native country and city, and might never again return to the scenes he loved best. But she also knew that he was no less closely in

perfectly motionless and silen

our present pursuits. Whatever the purpose of your visit to America may be, I beg that you will forego it. I do not seek any confession, or even a statement from you, upon this subject. Indeed I should prefer that you make none. You cannot please me better than by list

eless expression of impersonal interest, as if she were listening to

in the city of New York, as it is in Moscow or St. Petersburg, so far as its requirements demand. I warn you, not in behalf of your party, the principals of which I despise and abhor; not in behalf of any individual member of that revolutionist sect, but wholly in behalf of Zara de Echeveria, the daughter of my best friend, the offspring of the only woman I ever

reached down and took one of her hands, pre

you life. I shall never plead with you again. My duty will probably nevermore call me into your presence. When we part this day, it is likely to be for the last time. If danger befalls you because of the conditions yo

her. Indeed, my child, this very scene reminds me of it, and renders all the more imperative the duty I am seeking to perform. Let the terrible fate of that poor girl appeal to you. Let the awful end of Stanislaus be a warning. Vengeance should have no part or place in your heart, even though you believe that they cry out to you from their graves to undertake it. But they do not do that, Zara, and if ei

ted from her chair with an eagerness that was impetuously expressive. But Saberevski retained his cla

d, and nothing remains to be said. In a few moments I will leave you, and when I do so

r glowing depths, but she took him at his word, and with a visible effort brought back th

while he helped himself to another cigarette. "You know what my

easures, and of conquest. Adorers waiting

he but known however, it was no recollection of that young officer of the czar's household, to whom reference has already been made and to whom Zara was once betrothed, that affected her

tatement would have be

se wrongs I seek to redress, the victims whose wandering souls cry out for vengeance, and the women exiles in frozen Siberia

more, but she restrained herself;

low tone that was full of suppressed

art I thank you, and if it should be as you say, that we may never meet again, although I see no reason for such a thing, I wi