Page:In the name of a woman (1900).djvu/63

 "I can think of no cause for such a feeling of obligation," said I, speaking indifferently to hide the tingling glow of delight at his words.

"Oh, of course. By Jove, I was nearly forgetting," he exclaimed, with a jerk, as he plunged his hand into his pocket and brought out a packet of papers. "Are you engaged for to-morrow night?"

"I? No indeed."

"Then you'll be able to come all right. I've got you a card for the ball at the Assembly. It's a big do; and most of the folks worth knowing will be there, if you want to know them."

"Is this from the General?"

"Well, not exactly, though he'll be glad enough for you to go. Mademoiselle Broumoff put me up to it."

"Then I may have the pleasure of seeing her there?"

"Of course, she's going, rather; and the Princess too. You'll come?"

"I shall be very pleased. It is just the chance I shall welcome."

Was this another little personal attention from the Princess, or merely a development of the policy of winning me to the Russian side? I was turning this over, and thinking how far I could get the answer from Spernow, when a servant came to say that the two officers who had called earlier in the day had returned.

I told the man to show them in, and explained matters to Spernow. He knew them, he said, but not their errand.

This was soon explained, and caused me no little surprise.

"We come from Lieutenant Ristich," said Captain Dimitrieff, speaking very formally and stiffly.