Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/69

 "Mademoiselle," he exclaimed earnestly, "I would change my whole nature to please her. But it is useless for me to play a game against George. He has money, rank,—"

I interrupted him hastily. "Those things count for little with Judith."

Sacha shook his head. "He is fascinating."

"Fascinating!" I cried, looking at George more critically. "Is he? I know he has had a great success in society. People urge him to come to their houses, he is asked to lead the dances at the palace; but I should never think of calling him fascinating. I grant that his manners are irreproachable, he is good-looking, bright, and entertaining; but it seems to me he is rather spoiled."

Tom had been making various pantomimic gestures for the last minute, so I stopped to ask him what was the matter.

"You talk too much," he said severely. "You disturb every one in the box."

After this rebuke I kept quiet until, at the end of the act, we adjourned to a small room adjoining, where tea and sandwiches were awaiting us. A box of bonbons was also produced by Nicolas, who said that a Russian lady never appeared at the theatre without that article.

When we had once more taken our seats in front of the box, Mr. Thurber murmured to me, "I fancy you would call that a flirtation in America," looking at Judith and George, who were almost lost in the shadow behind us.