sia: would it end in war? Napoleon's threat-he had made it several times-that he would march into Moscow, was it s

ttitude of his great rival must be regarded seriously, for he budged not an inc

vlovna, he considered that he had been slighted; for Napoleon had displayed too obvious a readiness to end the negotiations for

yet France had lately annexed the little State, whose sovereign, with his Imperial wife, had been forced to take shelter in St. Petersburg. In addition to these semi-personal matters, there was an open sore in Poland; and again, the arbitrary deman

l secretary, were busy from morning to night, interviewing, explaining, bargaining, smoothing and glossing the sturdy obst

Napoleon. He brought with him the offer of certain concessions with regard to Oldenburg in exchange f

d will I give your master," said he

that his great opponent intended war, the Ts

taries and attachés packed up their trap

wanton injustice of Napoleon, and swelled in a suddenly awakened passion of patriotic love and enthusiasm for her own country. Napoleon and h

th her cousins the D'Estrevilles; "horrible because utterly use

deceive yourself. If Napoleon has said that he will march to Moscow,

st be reckoned with, even by a Napoleon. Be sure, Henri, that thi

" laughed Henri. "We

in, cousin, than meet you there,"

said Henri, still laughing; "fie, Vera,

notice of the allusion to Paul, but a moment lat

y, at least, if never before, I am all a Russian; I am none the less so because I happen to have French cousins. Hen

. "But neither should you think ill of us who are also patriots from the other side of the hedge. Political aspects depe

ged at the expense of Russian bears, autocrats, barbarous moujiks, knouts, serfs and kindred matters. In such arguments Vera had often, to the delight of Henri and her other cousins, almost lost herself in indignant defence of her countrymen. Now, he knew, great fires of patriotic fervour must be ablaze within her, since the picture before her mind's eye

d of his cousin and Paul was his chief friend, that these two were in love with

p, man; Vera is a ripe fruit, ready to fall

id Paul; "you know that. She used to

enri laughed. "Well, ha

ioned it, certain

ted one. My argument is that she requires an excuse no l

hated to be preached at and interfered with, but he was alw

half-dismantled embassy. "It is time you allowed me to know how I s

part in friendship. If matters had been otherwise, I know not but that in

ontract of affiance. Mademoiselle Vera,

Monsieur; be sure that contract or no contr

me hope; with the other you take it away again. What is between us, Mademoiselle? I am rich

at sigh. "You say you love me; God forgive me, for I know well

im away. "Why, what do you mean, Vera?" he continued impatiently. "Why must God forgive yo

emy of my country; what will be said of me if it is known that I have done this shameful t

e you. Am I not to be loved again because I am a soldier of Napoleon? As soon I might say that I must not love a su

s possible that one day I may be able to say that I love you. I am youn

u-caress you-release you only when the last moment a

receding a step or two from him, for Paul had approached and held her te

uld never see you again than meet you, as you suggest, in Moscow. Do you think I do not rea

said; "of course I should not have permitted myself to use so f

is not the time to speak of love. I will not shame myself a second time

l. "You are cruel, Vera; I do not understa

y, of which you are a member. It is hateful of me to have spoken of love with a French soldier. Go, Paul,