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She hardly knew what he said, or she said, until the Mazurka was at an end, all the impression it left with her was one of tension and fear. Then the polonaise formed, and they went in to supper. Here they were soon seated next their own special friends, and Gritzko seemed to throw off all restraint. He drank a great deal, and then poured out a glass of brandy and mixed it with the champagne.
"Tamara, you saw I talked last night with Valonne, and this morning I sent for Serge Grekoff, but he would not come, so I got Valonne again." She paused an instant. "I was extremely worried last night about Gritzko. I dare say you were not to blame, dear, but " "Please tell me, Marraine," and poor Tamara sat up and pushed her hair back.
In the general chatter and chaff no one noticed that Gritzko had never once spoken directly to Tamara, but she was conscious of it, and instead of its relieving her, she felt a sudden depression. "You will be quite safe with Olga and your friend, dearest," the Princess whispered to her as she got into the first troika which came round. "And we shall be only just in front of you."
On duty he was evidently a different creature from the wild Gritzko of gipsy suppers. But there was no use arguing with herself he attracted her in every case. Then the procession advanced, and she looked at it with growing amazement. This wonderful nation! so full of superstition and yet of common sense.
"It is a jolly thing, a snowstorm!" Lord Courtray said to Gritzko. "Isn't it? 'Pon my soul I have never enjoyed the smell of cows and hay so much in my life!" But upstairs in the stiff hotel bedroom Tamara sobbed herself to sleep. The journey back to Petersburg passed in a numb, hopeless dream for Tamara.
"I am going to ask you to let us take Katia with us, we have only the one maid, and must have her in Moscow when we arrive," she said. So thus it was arranged. The Princess and Stephen Strong and Katia were to start first, and Sonia and her husband would take both Serge and Valonne, leaving Gritzko to bring Tamara, Olga and Lord Courtray last.
She sat down by the table and tried to think. These outside things could still look right, but nothing could restore her untarnished pride. How could she ever take her blameless place in the world again. Once more it hurt Gritzko terribly to see the woebegone, humbled, hopeless look on her face as he came in and put some food on the table.
And if she had made him suffer, it was no consolation! She would much rather have been happy in his arms! Meanwhile, Gritzko had summoned Ivan, his major domo, and the substance of his orders to that humble slave was this.
She had to use every bit of her force to keep her head turned to Prince Solentzeff-Zasiekin, and when Gritzko did address her, only to answer him in monosyllables, stiffly, but politely, as a stranger guest should. By the end of dinner he was again wild with rage and exasperation.
The little boy now joined his sister, and both soon shrieked with laughter over some impossible tale which was being poured into their ears; and Princess Sonia said softly to Tamara: "He is too wonderful with children Gritzko when he happens to like them isn't he, Olga?