Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/66

 "He did n't mind it. I knew he would ask in a moment where Judith was."

"Indeed!" skating slowly round my chair. "Is he so fond of her society?"

"I think he is. But I must go in and warm my feet."

My companion made some polite remonstrance, but I refused to stay longer, and waited in the house on the shore of the lake for the rest of the party, reading Mr. Tremaine's letter meanwhile, to pass away the time.

When the others returned to the house to divest themselves of skates, and start for home, Tom called out to me,—

"We are going to the opera to-night; but I will tell you about it later."

I was willing to wait for my information, and resisted Tom's efforts to make me share my sledge with him.

"No, Tom. There is only room for one."

"But it is not proper for you to go alone!"

"Neither is it proper for a young man to go with me. Whichever way you arrange, it is highly improper," said I, laughing; "and as Judith is younger and handsomer than I, she has more need of a protector."

"I forgot Judith."

"I did n't, you see. Some one must tell my istvostchik to follow yours."

George gave the necessary instructions, and he and Mr. Thurber brought up the rear.

On reaching the house, they consented to come in and lunch with us; and when we were seated at table, I