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222 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.

could not realize the truth of it, starting up as it did amidst the prosaic surroundings of the railway platform, ot which she now became conscious.

With the persistence that belongs to railway travelers in search of seats two minutes before the train starts, Philip looked longingly and inquisitively into the engaged compartment, and his eyes met those of the occupier. He stood at the window as if transfixed. She smiled at him a dreamy recognition, and then suddenly came forward, and at a wave of her white hand the guard opened the carriage door. Philip stepped inside, and the next moment the Dover express was gliding on its way.

"Why, my dear countess," exclaimed Philip, "what a delightful surprise ! I thought you were in St. Petersburg, How glad I am that I was late, and could not find a seat. How very kind of you to take pity on me."

" I shall be rewarded for my compassion in your plea- sant companionship."

She looked at him, as she spoke, with what seemed to Philip to be an inviting sympathy of interest. He felt the olood rush into his cheeks.

" You are very good," he stammered ; "and so is Fate. I don't know what I have done to be so highly favored."

" By Fate ? " she said, interrogatively.

" By Fate," said Philip, " and by you."

" Fate and me," she said thoughtfully, and with her pretty accent, " what a partnership ; but it is a strange world, and it might be Fate that brought us together here in this carriage, without our consent or our interposition."

" Fate is not always kind."

" Is it kindness to bring us together again when we had parted for ever ? "

" Had we parted for ever? " Philip asked.

" I thought so," said the countess.

" Did you hope so ? " he asked.