She looked a
slender drooping girl, in a clinging dove-colored gown, and she hardly
raised her eyes from the carpet. Her trembling hand was cold as death
when the Princess took it and placed it in Gritzko's, and as they stood
receiving her blessing she kissed them both, and then hurriedly made
her exit.
When they were alone Tamara remained limp and still, her eyes fixed on
the ground. It was he who broke the silence--as he took her left hand,
and touched it with his lips.
He drew from her finger her wedding ring and carelessly put it on a
table--while he still held her hand--then he placed his gift in the
wedding ring's place, a glittering thing of an immense diamond and
ruby.
Tamara shivered. She looked down at her hand, it seemed as if all safe
and solid things were slipping from her with the removal of that plain
gold band. She made no remark as to the beauty of the token of her
engagement, she did not thank him, she remained inert and nerveless.
"I thank you, Madame, for your consent," he said stiffly, "I will try
to make you not regret it." He used no word of love, nor did he attempt
any caresses, although if she had looked up she would have seen the
passionate tenderness brimming in his eyes, which he could not conceal.
But she did not raise her head, and it all seemed to her part of the
same thing--he knew he had sinned against her, and was making the only
reparation a gentleman could offer.
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