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Updated: May 1, 2025
And a sudden wave of happiness came over Tamara when he kissed her hand. She was so weak the least thing could have made her cry. But her happiness was short-lived, for Gritzko afraid yet of showing what was in his heart seemed now colder than ever; though he was exulting within himself at the thought that the moment would come soon when all this pretence should end.
"You all misjudge him, my poor Gritzko," the Princess said, hardly mollified. "He has the noblest nature underneath, but some day you will know." It was late in the afternoon when Tamara appeared, to find a room full of guests having tea. Her mind was made up, and she had regained her calm. She would use the whole of her intelligence and play the game.
When they had finished and were seated again she plucked up courage to ask him: "Prince, I feel sure Count Varishkine is not really ill. Something has happened. Tell me what it is." "I never intended you to dance the Mazurka with him," was all Gritzko said. "And how have you prevented it?" Tamara asked, and grew pale to her lips. "What does it matter to you?" he said.
A ghastly terror shook Tamara. This man whom she loved, to whom in happier circumstances she might have ceded all that he asked, now only filled her with frantic fear. But she would not give in, she would rather die than be conquered. "Gritzko oh, Gritzko! please please don't!" she cried, almost suffocated. But she knew as she looked at him that he was beyond all hearing.
When it was over she sought in vain for her godmother or Jack or Stephen Strong. The Princess was engaged with the Royalties and could not be approached, and neither of the men were to be seen. The next half-hour was agony, in which, with a white face and fixed smile, Tamara played her part, and then just before the Mazurka was going to begin Gritzko came in.
"In Egypt! they had met before then!" the Princess exclaimed, surprised; "how like Gritzko to pretend he did not know her, and be introduced all over again! They had already quarreled, I suppose, and that accounts for the cat and dog like tone there has always been between them." "Probably," said Stephen Strong; but now I think we can leave it to chance.
"Why do you seem always to quarrel so, Gritzko?" the Princess said, plaintively. "It really quite upsets me, dear boy." "You must not worry, Tantine," and he kissed the Princess' hand. "We don't quarrel; we are the best of friends; only we tell one another home truths. I came this afternoon to ask you if you will come to Milasláv next week.
It is merely by fits and starts always from the point of view of if he feels inclined, never from the observance of any social law, or from obligation." "Why on earth do you put up with such manners?" Tamara exclaimed with irritation. "I do not know. We might not in any one else, but Gritzko is a privileged person," the Princess said.
I have always wanted to, only she is of such a severity I have been too frightened. May I, Tantine?" And his voice sounded coaxing and sweet, and Tamara felt sure he was caressing the Princess' hair with his free hand, for that lady kept murmuring. "Tais toi! Gritzko have done! How can I bind your arm if you conduct yourself so! Not a moment of stillness! Truly what a naughty child keep still!"
And the Princess sighed as she refuted the gossip it caused. "Oh, my poor Gritzko! if he might only even for a while remain in a state of grace," she said. And Tamara's interest in him, in spite of her shocked contempt, did not decrease. And so the time went on. She was gradually growing to know the society better, and to get a peep at the national point of view.
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