le and by Vera Demidof, now a beautiful girl of nineteen. The Baron was proud of his pret

ade acquaintance with Vera Demidof, Paul had looked upon women as toys created for the delectation and amusement of mankind; he was always glad to play with them, to have his pleasure in their society, but not to take them seriously. He h

somehow, was extremely difficult to handle. Paul found that he was unable to have his way with this little Russian; she was unlike the French girls he was accustomed to; she took life more ser

nce with Vera, before De Tourelle realised that his heart was in danger; "Vera is not like our F

ng boisterously-"Mademoiselle Demid

that I added 'after a fashion'. She was b

ever mentioned to me this young bear of hers. You spea

in love with my cousin, if you like. I would rather she mated with a

to the letter, and fell so completely in love with Vera Demidof that he was himself astonished, for he had always boasted that to fall in love was not in his line, and was, indeed, a mistak

love but confessed the fact to V

object of much admiration in the gay city. But whereas Vera had listened and simply thanked each aspirant for his flattering declaration, regretting

h things," she said, "for

he had been informed a month o

again," said Paul; "I have heard the story. For God's sake, Made

Vera coldly. "There is much that stands betw

o regard that betrothal as binding, M

g betrothed, I must not permit myself to liste

owed more discretion, and took nothing for granted. He did not retire from his position as suitor, but bet

ked very much better than any other youth of his standing; but on the rare occasions when Paul hinted that

his fingers about the throat of your big Emperor; we shall soon be en route for Moscow. Be sure that I sha

ncer!" said Vera, looking ou

would rather fight a m

, and I pray God you may not," said Ve

eard nothing of what he said; her mind was entirely absorbed by this new and overwhelming idea: t

ancé must run? Indeed, i

ak of-this horrible quar

conscription is in full swing; Russia may yield, of course; if sh

The French must wade through a sea of Russian blood before Mosc

a; all the world will tell you that po

Vera was a patriotic Russian, and was well aware that war with France must end disastrously for her beloved country. She was French enough to fe

aul that she was already a fiancée and must therefore refuse

that he had had the good sense to keep the contract of betrothal intact. It had only now occurred to him, however, that he had either neglected or forgot

a, which visit is likely to take place sooner than you had intended, if political prophets speak truly; for the horizon is dark indeed, and in case of a rupture between the Tsar and the Emperor, your father would doubtless leave Paris together with the Ambassador Kurakin. May I add, that I look forward with particular

er that circumstances might possibly arise which would cause her to regret that Alexander Maximof had not torn up their silly contract, as he had agreed to do. Paul de Tourelle had not greatly appealed to Vera's fancy at first