Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/101

 My companion looked pleased.

"And I suppose you have seen a great many palaces, mademoiselle?"

I was at a loss what to reply, for it had not occurred to me until that moment that this was the first palace I had ever entered. I hid my confusion, and answered carelessly, "Oh, yes! quantities."

Here, to my surprise, George presented himself. Judith having a gentleman on each side of her, perhaps he thought he could not do better than join me. He was in uniform, and looked very handsome, as I could not but acknowledge.

"I hardly recognized you, Miss Romilly," he said.

"I was about to make the same remark to you, Count Piloff."

"I feel like a monkey," he whispered confidentially. "I have had so little occasion to wear this dress for the last few years that I cannot forget my clothes for one instant."

"I am in the same state of mind. This train is nearly breaking my arm, and I am tormented with thoughts of how soiled my dress is getting, sweeping over these wooden floors. And, worst misery of all, my slippers are too tight."

"You unfortunate little woman!" he murmured. "That last fact is enough to ruin your pleasure for the day. You can stand on one foot and rest the other while the ceremony is going on."

"What a bond there is in affliction!" said I. "It is an unspeakable comfort for me to know that you are