el,
who was seeking my companion. I had only time to utter one admonition:

"Extremities should never be resorted to until the necessity arises,
nor is it wise for one to burn a bridge until it has been crossed;
besides, you have an engagement at noon to-morrow which should be
kept."

"Which will be kept," she murmured, in reply. Then Prince Michael came
upon us.

The prince reported that many of the guests were calling for their
hostess and so I utilized the opportunity to take my leave, which I
did notwithstanding the protests of my friend. He told me to make use
of his _sanka_, which would return and wait for him after it had
deposited me at my door; but when I left the house the storm had lulled
almost to stopping and as the distance was not great I decided to walk.
That decision very nearly cost me my life, and very materially altered
my views regarding the princess as well as my intentions concerning
her. As I passed through the house on my way to the street I met
Captain Durnief, who stopped me for a moment.

"I feel like a boy who is dressed in his first trousers," he said to me
with a laugh. "You cannot comprehend the delight of returning to this
place after the experiences I have undergone in Siberia, for even the
life of an officer there is little better than that of a convict. I
shall have the pleasure of meeting you often, Dubravnik, for I
understand that you are frequently at the palace."

"Shall you be there?" I asked.

"Yes; I am detailed to the palace guard. Have you enjoyed the evening
here?"

"Hugely."

"Of course you have met the princess frequently."

Durnief had a way of half closing his eyes when he talked. He evidently
intended it to give him the appearance of indifference, but it had a
directly opposite effect upon me, for it was palpably a mask to conceal
the intensity of his gaze--to hide the interest he felt in whatever he
uttered at the time.

"No," I said, "this is my first acquaintance with her."

"Then you should consider yourself greatly honored."

"I do." Possibly my monosyllabic reply was even shorter than it needed
to have been for he gestured an almost imperceptible shrug, and
hesitated while he again bestowed upon me that half quizzical glance
which seemed to conceal a sneer, or which might have been intended to
suggest that I should have understood some obscure meaning behind his
words; but I chose not to see it. Then, as we shook hands at parting he
honored me by