He walked about the room once or twice, and at last paused in
front of her.

"Stella," he whispered, while his eyes blazed again, "I cannot
bear it, little sweetheart, to stay all alone with you here. Will
you forgive me, if I leave you until Anastasia has arrived? Go and
rest in your room, darling, and I will go to the station to meet
her. Ivan will remain outside your door and you will be quite
safe."

But Stella put out her hands like a frightened baby.

"Oh. must you leave me?" she cried, pettishly. "You are very
cruel! You make me almost wish I had not come."

From having swum with love and passion his eyes suddenly gave
forth a flash of steel, and his voice was like ice as he answered:

"If that is so, mademoiselle, it is not too late. I would not
exact any unwilling sacrifice. Shall I take you back again?"

And then Stella's childishness melted and fell from her, and she
became a real woman as she looked into his stern face.

"No--" she said, "I will not go back. I am sorry I was so
uncontrolled, but I am nervous--and I do not know exactly what I
am--Sasha, please take care of me," and she held out her hands
with a piteous gesture of asking for his protection, and moved
beyond all power of further control he folded her in his arms.