CHAPTER VII


When Stella found the automobile drawing up at a strange hotel's
doors her tremors broke out afresh, until she saw the face of
Ivan, who, with the porter, came forward to meet her, saying
respectfully in French, would mademoiselle be pleased to mount
directly to the rooms reserved for the Princess Urazov? And soon,
without anyone questioning her, she found herself being taken up
in the lift, and finally ushered into a charming sitting-room full
of flowers.

Here she sat down and trembled again. The wildest excitement
filled her veins. Would Sasha never come! She could not sit still,
she walked from bouquet to bouquet of roses and carnations,
sniffing the scent, and at last subsided into a big armchair, as
the waiters brought in some tea.

He thought of everything for her, then--her lover. But oh, why did
he not come!

She had finished her tea and had begun her restless pacing again,
when, with a gentle tap, the door opened, and Count Roumovski
appeared.

"Sasha!" she cried, and advanced toward him like a frightened
child.

His usually calm blue eyes were blazing with some emotion which