Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/172

 I arose, with a sigh.

"What nonsense all these rules are! No one would have noticed me."

I still felt half-dazed, after my interview with Judith. I wished to think about it; but that was an impossibility, with all this bustle and noise around me. I resolved to shake off the spell which Judith's words had cast over me, and enjoy myself as much as I could. Sacha began to talk earnestly to me, on the same old subject.

"I am engaged to her for the third quadrille," I heard him saying, "and I shall take that opportunity."

Poor fellow! He never could get his courage up to propose to Judith; but he was always threatening it. I began to talk with him about George. Perhaps he would tell me that secret now, I thought; but it would be too late to save my darling girl, for she loved him. Somehow, my heart was very heavy.

"You once began," I said, "to tell me something about Count Piloff; but you did not finish it."

He looked at me vacantly; then a gleam of recollection lighted up his dark eyes.

"Yes, I remember," he answered. "I don't know whether I had better tell you or not."

"You are the best judge of that," I made answer indifferently. "Of course, if you tell me, it will go no further."

After a moment of apparent hesitation, Sacha said, in a low and confidential tone:—

"Mademoiselle, it is something startling I am about