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BY ORDER OF THE CZAR, 281

It is quite possible that even in this direction of pleasant companionship she might not have had to find fault with Philip Forsyth, had not that erratic genius had the mis- fortune to meet the Countess Stravenski.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

PETRONOVITCH AND THE COUNTESS.

COMEDY indeed walked hand in hand about Venice this night, the strange beauty of which the Milbankes were contemplating.

Already, as we have seen, the shadows of Philip's mad passion for the mysterious countess had begun to fall thick and heavy upon his betrothed, without anything more to justify the girl's forebodings of trouble than the instinct that governs the judgment of women.

The gloom of coming trouble also began to cloud Philip Forsyth's fancy, and to check once more the better sen- timents of his nature.

Paul Petroski's double face, however, almost contrived to wear a smile all over it. He had been closeted with Ferrari during the day; had been shown over the Fazio Palace ; had inspected the countess' boudoir, and ex- pressed much admiration for the adjacent room that