Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-21
CHAPTER VIII.
To Meet the Emperor.

There are some periods which offer to
the backward glance of memory rather q
blur of blended color than a distinct pic
ture. rich and shining tapestry in
which no one thread can be distinguish
ed. So always to Allard seemed that
first week in the country he learned to
call home. The stately ceremonies OF
Stanief's reception and assumption OF
the regency; the dazzle and pageantry
of the court even when thus subdued by
mourning: his own sudden Importance
as the favorite of the actual sovereign,
all merged into a glittering confusion
through which he moved automatically.
But there were two incidents which de-
tached themselves from the bright back
+! ground and always remained with him.
The first was the first morning when
Stanef formally met the emperor at the
| palace; and as he had stopped to the
salute, Adrian had deliberately given him
an embrace SO markedly affectionate that
even Allard felt the significant thrill that
ran through the room. And then. even
while the unusual color still flushed Stan
| iefs dark cheek. Adrian shot glance
at a sharp-fac man opposite. a glance
so sneering. SO bitterly triumphant. that
| the Straightforward American actually
shank from the revelation OF dual
| sSS
given less to please Stanief than to an
noy this other. Seeing the mans rfgidly
| held face beneath the ordeal. he knew
without question that this was the Baron
Dalmorov. whose desire In lie was to
prevent this very friendship between the
cousins.
Never again did Allard make the mis-
take of measuring Adrian by his few
years.
The second event was near the end OF
xx-IA Stanfaf
| home from a visit to the palace and
| found Allard alone.
.sDo you remember the trust You Of
/ fered to take for me?' he asked, abrupt
lly And without waiting an assent, you
are summoned to II already.
"Monseigneur?"
| THE emperor this morning asked me
to add you to his household. 1t Is more
than / hoped to gain. that he should
| himself make the request: yet
tied and half dismayed, Staniefs velvet
eyes less tranquil than usual.
"Yet / shall miss you, JOHN, he con-
cluded, his voice caress.
| The regret and the tone lay unforgot-
ten in the closed room q Allard's heart
Years after he could turn ana ma them
there.
regent one man passed to the still more
gorgeous palace. Vasili and Count Rosal
| regarded HlIn with iCSQSSeAo s SAs' ~
was elected to membership Of the two
clubs of the capitals jeunesse doree. and
overwhelmed with friends and invita-
| lions.
But the emperor was. not at all inclined
| to let hts new companion remain away
| from him very much. and Ailard was
lquite as willing to stay at what ne pr.
vately considered the post of duty. So II
happened that he went riding with Adrian
more frequently than he went motoring
/ cd n IL
tine which left him few hours unoccu-
pied.
1t was not possible to live at the
palace without learning many things. But
III required just one day for Ailard tc
learn enough Of Adrian to make him
| smile at ever having thought Stanief Inn
perious. The desire for absolute domin.
ION and power over those near him was
the most obvious characteristic of this
descendant of hundred autocrats
Moreover. he tolerated no contradiction
no evasion of q resolve.
J You are not rich ir your own right