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158 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.

would, and before the day was over, in response to a tele- gram, Agnes had called and left cards, and this morning we had her ladyship's acceptance ; and here is her letter ; a firm, sharp hand, is it not ? "

Dick handed the letter to Philip, who looked earnestly at it, and returned it.

" Yes, what I should call a fine, cultured hand, rather pointed in style ; but a noble signature."

" You seem to be both worshippers at this Russian shrine," said Mrs. Chetwynd, " I hope I shall not be dis- appointed. Now you are going to smoke, so I shall leave you ; we will meet again, Mr. Forsyth, in the drawing-room at ten, and later I will tell you what I think of Madame la Russe."

Philip opened the library door for the hostess, who passed out with a bow and a smile, and presently he and Dick over cigars and coffee continued to discuss the Coun- tess Stravensky.

" How old do you think she is ? " asked the artist.

"Thirty or more," said Dick, "and a widow. Not too old to make a certain young lady jealous."

" Do you think she will sit for me ? " Philip asked, dis- regarding Dick's badinage.

" Not if she is leaving London to-morrow."

" You think she is going away ? "

" No, I don't."

"Why?"

" Because she spoke of leaving town as if she were in doubt about it j and when a woman is in doubt she does not do what she says she thinks she will."

" If she sat for me of course I need not show her my sketch."

" Why not ? "

" Because she would be entirely out of sympathy with it. It would be like asking Lady Salisbury to sit for the heroine of an Irish eviction."