"I do not know a single figure or a step--but I
hope we shall have some fun. I am looking forward to it."
"More than fun!" the young man said, with devotion, as he kissed her
hand.
Then they walked to say goodnight to the hostess, and Gritzko seemed to
disappear. But when they got down into the hall they saw him already in
his furs.
The Princess' footman began to hand Tamara her snowboots and cloak, but
Gritzko almost snatched them from the man's hand. She made no protest,
but let him help her to put them on and wrap her up, while her
godmother thought it advisable to walk toward the door.
"Tonight was your moment, Madame," he said, in a low voice. "But the
gods are often kind to me, and my hour will come!"
Tamara summoned everything she knew of provokingness into her face as
she looked up and answered:
"Tant pis! et bon soir! Monsieur le d?mon de Lermontoff!"
Then she felt it prudent to run quickly after the Princess and get into
the automobile!
CHAPTER XIV
It was twenty-four hours later. The night of the Ard?cheff ball had
come. The glorious house made the background of a festive scene. The
company waited all round the galleries for the arrival of the Grand
Dukes and the foreign King and Queen.
And Tamara stood by her godmother's side at the top of the stairs, a
strange excitement flooding her veins.
Since the night before they had heard nothing of the Prince.
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