nd patient Alexei up
and down the Tverskaia, while, the other presents long since selected,
he went from shop to shop, dismayed anew at every place by the price
asked for those gems which alone seemed fitting for the object of his
gift. Still, in the end, he was comparatively satisfied; nor was his
choice one likely to displease any feminine soul the world over. For
the little, pearl-studded bracelet that lay in a blue-velvet case in the
breast-pocket of Ivan's coat was, considering the boy's inexperience, in
astonishingly appropriate taste; and well calculated to recall him to
the mind of the girl of whom he had dreamed through nine long months.

The remainder of the day belonged to the gods; for Ivan managed to
devote more than two hours in the penning of a moderately long, rather
stiff little letter addressed to his cousin Nathalie, at the Catherine
Institute for the Daughters of Nobility, in Petersburg. Moreover, this
done, there was still the bracelet to be wrapped, tied and stamped.
Then, after his return from the nearest official registry, there
remained the dear delight of dusk-dreams, which, to-day, concerned the
probable reception of his gift, the reading of his letter, and, climax
of climaxes, the probability of an acknowledgment!

Ivan's holiday week passed slowly, and there came no word from
Petersburg. On each of the last three mornings he rose tremulous with
hope; on each of the nights retired praying for a speedy morrow. But
instead of any joy, these days brought him only unexpected trials. His
father, it seemed, had suddenly become much interested in his son's
straight, strong presence, and took opportunity to keep him, for long
periods every day, in his company, discussing with him the details of
his life at the Corps, and the possibilities of the future. Each
conference brought only strengthened conviction of his father's
insistence upon a military-diplomatic career for him, and of the
futility of the slightest hope of leading that musician's life for which
he had been created. To-day, the least suggestion of his secret desires
might bring upon him a storm which would, then and there, forever
annihilate them. At this day his own, spiritual guide had become a thing
of little importance, in Ivan's mind, compared with the relentless
strength which his father could exhibit at an instant's warning. And,
because he had not yet learned that supreme faith in destiny to which he
afterwards did attain, Ivan ca