Alexis Saberevski leaned forward in his chair to secure another of the
cigarettes, and having lighted it with studied deliberation, resumed
his former position gazing between half closed eyelids toward Princess
Zara. It was quite evident that he had gone to her with a distinct
purpose in view which he meant to fulfill before his departure; and it
was plain to be seen that Zara appreciated the fact. While he was
silent, she waited, but with a half smile upon her beautiful face, that
was quizzical and somewhat whimsical, as if in her secret heart she was
aware of the purpose of his errand but for reasons of her own did not
wish to anticipate it. And he read her correctly, too. He believed that
she understood him even better than he knew her; but viewed from his
own standpoint he had a duty to perform in regard to her, and he had
gone there to fulfill it.
"Zara," he said, "when I saw the announcement of your intended visit to
this country----"
"Pardon me, Saberevski," she interrupted him; "but did the knowledge of
my expected visit come to you through a printed announcement, or were
you informed of it even before the printers had set the type?"
"I see that I must be quite frank with you," he laughed.
"Between friends frankness is always best," she retorted.
"In that case I will begin again, princess."
"It would be better--and wiser."
"When I was informed of your anticipated visit to this country I
decided that I would be the first to welcome you here, and in making
that decision I had a double purpose."
"Yes."
"One of them only, need interest us at this moment, and that is purely
a personal one. You know, Zara, how I have always regarded you, and how
I do so now. Your father was my best friend; your mother--it is perhaps
unnecessary that I should be more explicit regarding her."
"Yes, Saberevski," said Zara in a low tone. "I know that you loved my
mother, and that all your life you have remained true to your adoration
of her, even though she never returned it; but go on."
"I love you, Zara, more perhaps than I admit to myself; more profoundly
than it would be wise for me to tell you, or agreeable for you to hear;
but in the admiration and esteem I feel for you, there is included no
sentiment which could offend you."
"I know that, my friend."
"I would like to talk with you quite openly for once, Zara, in order
that you may comprehend perfectly where I stand, and because I do not
wish you to misconstrue any assertion I shall make, or to attribute to
any one of them, another motive than I intend."