This possibility, however, brought no comfort, only increased regret.
The first thing now to be done was to restrain herself in an iron
control. To meet him casually. To announce to her godmother that she
must go home, and as soon as the visit to Moscow should be over, she
would return to England. She must not be too sudden, he would think she
was afraid. She would be just stiff and polite and serene, and show him
he was a matter of indifference to her, and that she had no intention
to be trifled with again!
At last, aching in mind and body, she lay still. Meanwhile, below in
the blue salon, the Princess Ardácheff was conversing with Stephen
Strong.
"Yes, mon ami," she was saying. "You must come--we go in a week--the
day after my ball, to show Tamara Moscow, and from there to spend a
night at Milasláv. Olga and Sonia and her husband and the Englishman,
and Serge Grekoff and Valonne are coming, and it will be quite
amusing."
"Think of the travelling and my old bones!" And Stephen Strong smiled.
"But since it is your wish, dear Princess, of course I must come."
They were old and very intimate friends these two, and with him the
Princess was accustomed to talk over most of her plans.
He got up and lit a cigarette, then he walked across the room and came
back again, while his hostess surveyed him with surprise. At last he
sat down.
"Vera, tell me the truth," he said. "How are things going? I confess
last night gave me qualms."
The Princess gazed at him inquiringly.
"Why qualms?"
"You see, Gritzko is quite an exceptional person, he is no type of a
Russian or any other nation that one can reckon with, he is himself,
and he has the most attractive magnetic personality a man could have."
"Well, then?"
"And if you knew the simple unsophisticated atmosphere in which your
godchild has been brought up----."
"Stephen, really,"--and the Princess tapped her foot impatiently.
"Please speak out. Say what you mean."
"She is no more fitted to cope with him than a baby, that is what I
mean."
"But why should she cope with him? Are not men tiresome!" and the
Princess sighed. "Can't you see I want them to love one another. It is
just that--if she would not snub and resist him--all would be well."