The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-04-06

:
me. That good Steinmetz' confound
his cheek! He hopes that his dear
prince will waive ceremony and bring
his charming princess to dine in the
Champs Elysees. He guarantees that
only his sister, the marquise, will be
present, and he hopes that that good
Steinmetz' will accompany you and
also the young lady, the cousin of the
princess
Steinmetz threw the letter down on
the table, left it there for moment,
and then, picking it up, he crossed the
room and threw it into the fire.
(Which MEANS" he explained chat
NJ. Vassili knows we are here, and un-
less we dine with him we shall be sub
jected to annoyance and delay on the
frontier by a stupid-a singularly and
suspiciously stupid-minor official. If
we refuse, Vassili will conclude that
we are afraid of him. Therefore we
must accept, especially as Vassili has
his weak points. He loves lord, this
Vassili.' If you accept on some of that
stationery l ordered for you with a CO.
be of some effect
Paul laughed. 1t was his habit either
to laugh or to grumble at Karl Stein
metzs somewhat subtle precautions.
''Of course" he said, Il leave these
matters to you. Let us show Vassili.
at all events, that we are not afraid Of
him.
'"Then sit down and accept
That which NJ. Vassili was pleased to
call his little dog hole in the Champs
Elysees was in fact a gorgeous house
in the tawdry style of modern Paris.
Respondent in the iron ratings and
high gateposts, surmounted by green
cactus plants cunningly devised in cast
iron.
The heavy front door was thrown
open by a lackey, and others bowed
In the halls as if by machinery. Two
maids bounced upon the ladies with the
self assurance Of their kind and coun-
try and led the way upstairs, while
the men removed fur coats in the hall.
1t was all very princely and gorgeous
and Partisan.
Vassili and his sister the marquise-.
stout lady in ruby velvet and anne
thysts, who invariably caused Maggie
Delaields mouth to twitch whenever
she opened her own during the even
ing-received the guests in the drawing
room. They were standing on the
white fur hearth rug side by side when
the doors were dramatically thrown
open, and the servant rolled the names
unctuously over his tongue.
Steinmetz, who was behind, saw
everything. He saw Vassili's mask
like face contract with stupefaction
when he set eyes on Eta. He saw the
self contained Russian give a little
gasp and mutter an exclamation before
he collected himself sufficiently to bow
and conceal his face, but he could not
see Etta's face for a moment or two
until the formal greetings were over
When he did see it he noted that it was
as white as marble.
"Aha, my good Steinmetz!' cried
Vassili, with less formality, holding
out his hand with frank and boyish
good humor.
:. "Aha, my dear Vassili!'' returned
Steinmetz, taking the hand.
1T is good Of you, NJ. lie Prince, and
you, madame, to honor us in our small
house," said the marquise.
49," said Vassili, with a comprehen-
sive bow to all his guests-"so you
are bound for Russia. But envy you,
I envy you. You know Russia Nine.
la Princesse?'
Eta met his yelled gaze calmly.
"A little,' she replied.
There was no sign Of recognition in
his eyes now, nor pallor on her face.
"A beautiful country, but the rest of
Europe does not believe it. And the
estate Of the prince is one of the vast
est, if not the most beautiful. 1t is a
sporting estate, is it not, prince?'
'Essentially So" replied Paul.
"Bears, wolves, deer, besides, of course,
black game, capercailzie, ptarmigan-
everything one could desire"
speaking as sportsman" suggest
ed Vassili gravely.
Speaking as sportsman"
"Of course"-Vassili paused and with
little gesture of the hand included
Steinmetz in the conversation; it may
have been that he preferred to have
him talking rather than watching-"of
course, like all great Russian landhold-
ers, you have your troubles with the
people, though you are not strictly
speaking, within the famine district"
"Not quite; we are not starving, but
we are hungry said Steinmetz blunt
~.
Vassili laughed and shook gold eye
glass chidingly.
"Ah, my friend, your old pernicious
habit of calling spade spade! 1t is
unfortunate that they should hunger a
little, but what will you? They must
learn to be provident, to work harder
and drink less. With such people expe.
rience is the only taskmaster possible
1t is useless talking to them. 1t is dan.
gerous to pauperize them. Besides, the