of Grovno to care for a
great soldier who was not even your countryman. In my own name and in
the name of my country, I wish to thank you for your service to General
Alexis."

Then Barbara observed Mildred flush a beautiful, warm crimson, and
stammer something in response. Almost immediately after they were again
standing outside in the big antechamber.

Afterwards General Alexis and Lieutenant Orlaff and several of the
palace servants showed the three girls over certain portions of the
palace that could be exhibited to visitors. On the desk in the hall was
an ikon, carefully preserved under glass, which was said to have been
painted by St. Luke.

However, in spite of their honors, as soon as possible the three girls
were glad to return to their lodgings. Yet Mildred promised that they
would allow General Alexis to send his sleigh to them the following day.
The great general looked haggard and worn, but appeared to be quickly
recovering his strength. Indeed, Barbara afterwards assured Mildred that
she considered him extremely good looking and not half so old as she had
supposed.

CHAPTER XVI

_The Unexpected Happens_

One afternoon a short time after the visit to the Winter Palace, General
Alexis and Lieutenant Orlaff came to the girls' lodgings to have a drive
in the sleigh with them.

It was a cold, brilliant afternoon, and they were to undertake a more
interesting excursion than usual. Nevertheless, Barbara Meade refused to
go.

There were letters which she must write, she pleaded. However, this was
not Barbara's real reason: that fact she kept in her own head. Both
Mildred and Nona she assisted to get ready, insisting that they both
dress as warmly as possible, no matter how stuffy they might feel before
starting.

"You are both blondes and a blonde is never so homely as when she is
cold," she added sententiously, "for her face is much more apt to get
blue than red, except the end of her nose."

Mildred had purchased a lovely fur hat to match her sable coat. And in
spite of her poverty Nona had been unable to resist a set of black fox.
Furs were so much cheaper in Russia than in the United States that it
really almost seemed one's duty to buy them.

When General Alexis' sleigh arrived, Barbara would not even go
downstairs to see the others start. But she managed by pressing
her nose against the window to observe that the arrangements for
the drive were satisfactory.

The sleigh was a beaut