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Updated: May 5, 2025
6 February. The queer epidemic of "gathered fingers" continues here. Having two I am in the fashion. They make one awkward, and more idle than ever. A lot of people come in and out of my sitting-room to "cheer me up," and everyone wants me to tell their fortune. Mrs. Wynne and Mr. Bevan are still at Baku. Last night I went to Prince Orloff's box to hear Lipkofskaya in "Faust."
She was satisfied, the great, the sublime empress satisfied with the work Alexis Orloff had accomplished, and with the manner in which it was done. In the presence of her confidential friends she permitted Orloff's messenger, Joseph Ribas, to relate to her all the particulars of the affair from the commencement to the end, and to the narrator she nodded her approval with a fell smile.
Had Count Orloff come in person to bring the diamonds, she would undoubtedly have more admired him, apparently been more pleased with his presence than with his costly gift; but, as he was not there, there was no necessity for dissimulation. She read Count Orloff's billet with a satisfied smile; but soon laid it aside for the delight of examining the jewels.
"He also swore to me that he would one day place an imperial crown upon my head, and elevate me to great power! I understood him as little as I understand you!" A slight scornful smile momentarily passed over Orloff's features. "Catharine has therefore rightly divined," thought he, "and her wise mind rightly understood this Rasczinsky.
"Ha, that is better!" shouted the great man, apparently relieved of a vast weight. "We shall go home now and eat a good dinner. But first " his silver-rimmed spectacles twinkled upon me, and he bent his Brobdingnagian back in a bow which against my will reminded me of the curtseys performed by Orloff's dancing bears "first let me speak some words for myself.
La Salle, with flushed face and eyes lighted up with due resentment of the other's curiosity, answered, "You seem to have read for yourself." Orloff's manner changed at once. "A thousand pardons, monsieur, but I have a good reason for asking the lady's name." "Pauline H. Randall, as you may see for yourself," was the quiet reply. "One more question, sir. Do you know her middle name?"
It is scarcely possible that another week will be as favorable to us as this has been, and no risk must prevent us from reaching the first sail in sight." Orloff's final observation, at about ten o'clock on the night of the 19th, judging by the position of the North Star, gave the wind as about west-south-west, blowing pretty sharply, and closing the scattered pack well together.
Orloff's eyes flashed, and he seemed about to make some angry reply, but with a visible effort to restrain himself, signed to La Salle to follow him, and went out of the hut. La Salle found him on the summit of the lookout, gazing out over the star-lit sea.
"It's a long story, Charlie, and black. You should have known it before we started. I'm a marked man in this coast country. It's Orloff's work, the renegade. 'Father, he calls himself. Father to these devils he rules and robs for himself in the name of the Church. His hate is bitter, and he'd have my life if these watery-livered curs didn't dread the sound of my voice. God help him when we meet."
In vain did Domanski, who was still by her side, warn her against the smooth-tongued envoy. She was flattered by such unexpected homage, her eyes were dazzled by the near prospect of the coveted crown which was to be hers, at last, just when hope seemed dead. She would accept Orloff's invitation to go to Pisa to meet him. "As for you," she said, "if you are afraid, you can stay behind.
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