rifted again into my own life, she interrupting with pointed
questions, and making me repeat again and again the stories I told her of
our humble home. She must learn them herself to tell them to her own
people, she said. It was all so strange and new to her, so simple and so
genuine. With the coffee she fell to talking of her own home, the
despotism of Russia, the death of her father, the forcing of her brothers
into the army. Still holding her cup in her hands, she began pacing up and
down, her eyes on the floor (we were alone, Polaff having retired). Then
stopping in front of me, and with an earnestness that startled me:--

"'Do not go to Berlin. Please come to Cracow with me. Think. I am alone,
absolutely alone. My house is in order, and has been for months, expecting
me every day. It is so terrible to go back; come with me, please.'

"'I must not, madame. I have promised my friends to be in Berlin in two
days. I would, you know, sacrifice anything of my own to serve you.'

"'And you will not?' and a sigh of disappointment escaped her.

"'I cannot.'

"'No; I must not ask you. You are right. It is better that you keep your
word.'

"She continued walking, gazing still on the floor. Then she moved to the
mantel, and touched a bell. Instantly the curtains of the door divided,
and Polaff stood before her.

"'Bring me my jewel-case.'

"The man bowed gravely, looked at me furtively from the corner of his eye,
and closed the curtains behind him. In a moment he returned, bearing a
large, morocco-covered box, which he placed on the table. She pressed the
spring, and the lid flew up, uncovering several velvet-lined trays filled
with jewels that flashed under the lighted candles.

"'You need not wait, Polaff. You can go to bed.'

"The man stepped back a pace, stood by the wall, fixed his eye upon his
mistress, as if about to speak, looked at me curiously, then, bowing low,
drew the curtains aside, and closed the door behind him.

"Another spring, and out came a great string of pearls, a necklace of
sapphires, some rubies, and emeralds. These she heaped up upon the white
cloth beside her. Carefully examining the contents of the case, she drew
from a lower tray a bracelet set with costly diamonds, a rare and
beautiful ornament, and before I was aware of her intent had clasped it
upon my wrist.

"'I want you to wear this for me. You see it is large enough to go quite
up the arm."

"For a moment my astonishment was s