"It would be in a
piece with all the rest."
He raised his head with an angry toss, and then they looked at each
other like two fighting cats, when fortunately the door opened, and the
Princess came in.
In a moment he had laughed, and resumed his habitually insouciant mien.
"Madame has been reading me a lecture," he said. "She thinks I am
wasted in the Emperor's escort, and a circus is my place."
Tamara did not speak.
"Why do you seem always to quarrel so, Gritzko?" the Princess said,
plaintively. "It really quite upsets me, dear boy."
"You must not worry, Tantine," and he kissed the Princess' hand. "We
don't quarrel; we are the best of friends; only we tell one another
home truths. I came this afternoon to ask you if you will come to
Milasl?v next week. I think Madame ought to see Moscow, and we might
make an excursion from there just for a night," and he looked at Tamara
with a lifting of the brows.
"Then, Tantine, she could see how I cow my peasants with a knout, and
grind them to starvation. It would be an interesting picture for her to
take back to England."
"I should enjoy all that immensely, of course," Tamara said,
pleasantly. "Many thanks, Prince."
"I shall be so honored," and he bowed politely; then, turning to the
Princess: "You will settle it, won't you, Tantine?"
"I will look at our engagements, dear boy.
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