Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/175

 a word. I conquered myself the moment I encountered his calm gaze, and colored guiltily, fearing I had betrayed my knowledge of his secret. He did not speak a word as he took the empty glass from my hand and put it on a table near by. Then he sat down quietly beside me, saying, "We are to wait here for Alice. She is saying good-night to some half dozen friends."

"And Judith?" I inquired.

"Is with her. Where have you kept yourself all the evening? None of us have seen you since you deserted us to go off with Novissilsky."

"I don't know where I have been, nor who I have seen, nor what I have done," I answered wearily. "It has all been a tremendous noise and confusion. Jewels, footmen in livery; and every one whom I ever knew talking to me at once."

"Tiresome, is it not? I fancy you are glad to have a chance to sit down."

"Yes. Mr. Novissilsky would not allow me to sit when I was with him."

He laughed, and it seemed to me there was a touch of contempt in his amusement.

"Sacha is punctilious," he remarked quietly.

"Is he truthful?" I cried abruptly, turning an anxious face on my companion.

He did not immediately return my look, but he answered carelessly,—

"I have no reason to think otherwise. Have you?"

"Perhaps not," I said musingly. "Perhaps not,"