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To Nina's surprise, the young Russian came forward with both hands outstretched. "Ah, you are back? What was the news in Monte Carlo?" "Nothing much. They still talk of the coup that Tornik " But before Nina could hear the end of the sentence, the old Princess Malio handed her a five-lire note for tea, and Nina had to get change.
But the Contessa Masco, taking her cognac at a swallow, glanced at Tornik with a laugh. "Oh, lord, no! Nothing so dull, I hope, in this house!" Derby joined Nina, and she looked up at him with pride. "I am glad you are here to-night; I seem to be especially glad " She broke off, but her intonation conveyed unspoken thoughts. Derby's eyes kindled. "Why especially?
But the Contessa Zoya showed neither sympathy nor credulity, and there was no misinterpreting her meaning as she said: "It is true, Princess, you know the Potensi well, and I only slightly but if my husband offered a diamond ornament " "He would never give her another! Is that it?" put in Tornik. "No nor any one!"
He kissed his wife's hand and began, at great length, to tell her exactly where and how he had spent the afternoon. After a while, however, as one or two other friends dropped in, Sansevero talked aside with Tornik. "You were not at Savini's last night, were you?" he asked. Tornik looked interested. "No," he said, "but I hear they had a very high game." "Yes.
But "Shut up, Jenkins, you ass!" was all the latter got for a retort courteous. On the evening of the first court ball, the Sanseveros gave a small dinner, after which they went to the opera. The guests were the Count and Countess Olisco, Count Tornik, Don Cesare Carpazzi, and Prince Minotti. Don Cesare Carpazzi, a thin swarthy youth, sat just across the corner of the table from Nina.
Queen Margherita and King Humbert always opened the ball by the quadrille d'honneur, with the ambassadors and important court ladies and gentlemen. But the present King abolished all that." At the end of the waltz Tornik managed to find Nina and announced supper. In the stampede for food there was such a crush that people stepped on her slippers and literally swept up the floor with her train.
A little later she noticed Tornik, who was cantering ahead of her: his figure was not unlike John's he was strong and masculine. She wondered aimlessly if they might be in any other way alike. Supposing, in some unaccountable situation she were to be thrown upon his chivalry for protection, what would he do? Shrug his shoulders and look bored?
"The Contessa Potensi inherited some very good jewels from her mother's family, I am told." "Her mother was an Austrian, a cousin of mine," Tornik drawled. "I never heard of that branch of the family's having anything but stubble lands and debts. However, it is evident she has got the jewels! I felicitate her on her valuable possessions. Elle a de la chance!" He shrugged his shoulders.
The coryphées, who had seemingly danced well before, were now so awkward by comparison that Nina and Tornik laughed aloud. "They look like cows," commented Tornik. "Or nailed to the ground," Nina rejoined. She leaned forward, eager for Favorita's reappearance. To make a background for the second dance, the stage hands had moved in folding wings or screens of sea green.
She smiled graciously upon the prince as he pressed her hand to his lips, and bestowed the left-over remnant of the same smile, upon Tornik. She also kissed the air on either side of the princess with much affection, and shook hands cordially with two other ladies who were present, but she directed toward Nina the barest glance.
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