Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/205

 George said no more, and I gave my attention to the music. Massini sang poorly; so did Albani. There was no applause, etiquette forbidding.

A few opera-glasses were levelled at the imperial box, but few were bold enough to commit such a flagrant breach of etiquette. I must confess that I took a few surreptitious glances from the back of our lôge.

When the curtain went down, the imperial party retired to a drawing-room. Tea, ices, and cakes were served to the guests by servants in the imperial livery. In the foyer, tables were spread with various costly dishes and wines, and ornamented with plants and flowers. The walls of the room were lined with evergreen trees.

Having taken a look at this with the ambassador, I returned to my place, but there were so many gentlemen gathered about that I proposed to my companion to return to the foyer. He acceded to my request with apparent eagerness.

I really felt wretchedly ill, and the draughts set me to shivering. I could hardly keep my teeth from chattering, and was thankful that the ambassador talked on without noticing the state I was in.

After a time George passed me. He stopped short, and looked at me piercingly.

"You are ill!" he exclaimed. "What is the matter?"

"Only a cold which I have had for two or three days."

"Come with me," he said authoritatively.

I hesitated, and looked at the ambassador, who had