y reward."

"Master, I will obey!--But--the four years--"

The trembling question halted; for, heeding his voice no longer, the
Divine Figure passed beyond sight. And presently Ivan, lost in new
meditation, perceived that he was floating softly upward, through space.
About him, close as in his long-past babyhood, were clasped his
mother's arms; which drew him at last into that peace that passeth
understanding.

* * * * *

It was nine o'clock when the little household of Maidonovo was thrown
into a ferment over the unexpected arrival of Princess Feodoreff, who
came without either luggage or maid. After she had entered the little
library, Piotr and young Ivan held a hurried conference in the hall, the
question of which the Princess herself speedily solved. Coming out of
the room, she bade the young man conduct her, without ceremony, to the
retreat of her ogre.

Five minutes later she ceased to bruise her knuckles upon that locked,
unyielding door.--What in the world was Ivan about?--Never, truly, had
man slept through such noise as this!--And Ivan's sleep was notably
light!

With a chill of premonition, she ran down the hall to call the men.

When at last Piotr, young Ivan, and Makar, working in a frenzy of dread,
had torn the door from its hinges, Nathalie passed through, alone, into
that inner room over which Ivan reigned no longer. She was the first to
look upon his dead face, illumined by the candle-light--and by something
more. It was also she--the one great love of his loveless life--who
closed, at last, those staring, questioning eyes.

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