It was written from Milasláv the day they had left Moscow. It was short
and to the point, and her eyes dilated as she read.
It began thus: "To Madame Loraine, "Madame,--I write to ask you graciously to accord me the honor of your
hand. If you will grant me this favor I will endeavor to make you
happy.
"I have the honor, Madame, to remain, "Your humble and devoted serviteur, "Gregoir[Footnote 1: "Gritzko" is the diminutive of "Gregoir."]
Milaslávski."
And as once before in her life Tamara's knees gave way under her, and
she sat down hurriedly on the bed--all power of thought had left her.
"The messenger waits, ma'am," her maid said, stolidly, from the door.
Then she pulled herself together and went to the writing-table. Her
hand trembled, but she steadied it, and wrote her answer.
"To Prince Milaslávski,-"Monsieur,--I have no choice. I consent "Yours truly, "Tamara Loraine."
And she folded it, and placing it in the envelope, she sealed it with
her own little monogram seal, in tender blue wax, and handed it to her
maid, who left the room.
Then she stared in front of her--her arms crossed on the table--but
she could not have analyzed the emotions which were flooding her being.
Her godmother found her there still as an image when presently she came
to ask after her health.
"Tamara! dearest child. You worry me dreadfully. Confide in me, little
one. Tell me what has happened?" and she placed her kind arms around
her goddaughter's shoulders and caressed and comforted her.
Tamara shivered, and then stood up. "I am going to marry Gritzko,
Marraine," she said. "I have just sent him my answer."
And the Princess had too much tact to do more than embrace her, and
express her joy, and give her her blessing. All as if the news
contained no flaw, and had come in the most delightful manner.
Then she left her alone in her room.
Yes, this was the only thing to be done, and the sooner the ceremony
should be over the better. Lent would come on in a few short weeks;
that would be the excuse to hasten matters, and this idea was all
Tamara was conscious of as she finished dressing.
At twelve o'clock, with formal ceremony, Prince Milaslávski sent to
ask if the Princess Ardácheff could receive him--and soon after he was
shown up into the first salon, where the hostess awaited him.