urtly grace as distinguished in its
gesture, as was her reception of him. One wondered why such a man as
this had been contented to endure five idle hours of waiting upon her
serene pleasure; and yet if one had looked past him to her, one might
have ceased to wonder, and have thought a lifetime of waiting would be
as nothing, if possession of her at the end of it could be its reward.

"It was kind of you to come to me so quickly after my arrival," she
said to him in a low voice that was perfectly modulated.

"It was kinder of you to receive me, princess," he responded, stepping
back again to the center of the room and standing tall and
straight--before her in his commanding manhood. He was a handsome man,
past fifty, distinguished, and like the princess he greeted, had about
him the unquestionable air of authority.

"I am afraid I kept you waiting."

"One does not consider moments of waiting, if Princess Zara be the
object of it," he retorted, smiling.

"Won't you be seated?"

"Thank you; yes."

He drew a chair forward so that they sat nearly facing each other
across a low table upon which many of the princess' personal effects
had already been arranged. Among them was a box of Russian cigarettes
which she now indicated by a gesture, while with a smile which lighted
her face wonderfully and gave to it that added charm that is
indescribable, she said:

"There are some of your favorite cigarettes, Saberevski. I had you in
mind when I included them among my personal baggage, having no doubt
that I should encounter you when I should arrive in this country; but
little thinking that you would be the first to greet me. You will
pardon me for not indulging in one of them myself, for you know that I
have never acquired the habit. Nevertheless they will perhaps suggest
to you the flavor of home, and may transport you for a moment to the
scenes which I know you are longing for."

"Thank you, princess," he replied, and lighted one. Then he leaned back
in his chair, closed his eyes, and for a time there was utter silence
between these two. The man seemed indeed to have been transported in
thought, to his native environment, not so much by the odor and flavor
of the cigarette he puffed with such calm enjoyment, as by the presence
of this magnificent creature who confronted him so daintily, and who
received him so simply and yet so grandly. "You knew, then, that I was
here in New York, princess?" he asked of her presently,