rt of keeping up a constant flow of light talk, half in her native language and half in French, a fashion in polite society then as now. Vera was with her mother, and with

ur cadets-bah!-you are bigger than the French, perhaps, but clumsier; and your manners compared with theirs-the cadets here, I mean-oh! you are bears, my friend, and they

named in comparison with our Emperor. You have not yet seen Alexander? A very different person from his unbeautiful father

am glad!" exclaimed

he is still busy with that girl, his latest craze; i

here and it is five years since we met. Presently you shall go and br

t his cousin; he caug

ike him, I sup

idently not one," said Vera, laugh

him, he is two years senior t

look at him, that he has

aughed. "He is thought good-looking, you k

, yes, he is not bad; you shall bring him to me, presently, but do not say who I

n aide-de-camp, who first cleared the space about the doorway in ord

e was perhaps but a single man in all Russia who was his superior in manly bearing and in stately p

g in wonder and admiration-"what a man! Oh, the si

h is not French. Your 'little Corporal' would loo

Napoleon; nevertheless in the Tsar Alexander God has made a v

wo of praise or encouragement to each successful candidate. Sasha Maximof returned to his place, flushed and

; "I am glad he has won it and

he sent young Constantine to fetch Sasha to her side, i

y, somewhat unwillingly, to obey her behest. Constantine ad

g slightly. "Well, I'll come presently; I am busy enterta

ne pointe

d Maximof. "Tell her I have

I will give such a message," said Consta

l-wh

s," stammered Constant

sked the other, devoting a second and mo

personally acquainted with her," said the yo

there are so many who want to spe

she, too, had glanced at Vera and had recognised her instantly, for the ci

res my acquaintance," said Sasha, when Constantin

o say that you do not?"

not take special notice of children; I cannot imagine why she should be any one in particular,

, do you consi

d; she may improve and may go the o

clothes are of the last French mode-she has French relations-hav

e too soon, she is a child, I will say neither yes nor no to her until I can judge

greeted radiantly, to hear words of endearment, delight at her unexpected return, and so forth; compose your

ntains but one image. You must be aware that my betrothal is a mere farce, a thing to be shaken off a

art-broken; see how lovingl

; on the contrary, though she turned her head when she observed that she was watched, he was i

angry indeed. Constantine had re

g? What did he sa

said Constantine, "and h

he recognise me and refuse

e said you were a mere child and hinted th

n my seventeenth year! Bah-he has, as you say,

; I think he is much absorbed, at present, by the lady a

me away, Constantine," said Vera; and though the lad at her side protes

showed signs of crossing the room in o

ear that his intention is to speak to me, I will ris

dly. "Yes, that's the way he should b

Sasha Maximof, who stopped, obviously expecting them to do the sam

ice whatever. Constantine loo

until she is a little older," he said

" she said, "th

e, somewhat ruefully, "to a senior cade

er, who, unfortunately, had

she laughed; "she's decidedly pret

nd at the same time flushing hotly; he was not used to rebuffs from the fair sex. "By such conduct-reve

er cousin that it was a pity Sasha Maximof was so good-looking; to whic