His Hour by Elinor Glyn
page 102 of 228 (44%)
page 102 of 228 (44%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
that the Prince was the cause of it. She could not look ahead; she was
full of fear. She knew now that when he was near her she experienced certain emotion, that he absorbed far too much of her thoughts. He did not really care for her probably, and if he did, how could one hope to be happy with such a wild, fierce man? No, she must control herself; she must conquer his influence over her, and if she could not she could at least go away. England seemed very uninteresting and calm--and safe! Filled with these sage resolutions she tried to fix her eyes on the stage, but unconsciously they continually strayed to a tall blue figure which was seated in the front row of the stalls with a number of officers of the Chevaliers Gardes. And when the curtain went down,--and instead of the Prince joining them in the box, as she fully expected he would do, he calmly leaned against the orchestra division and surveyed the house with his glasses--she felt a sudden pang, and talked as best she might to the many friends who thronged to pay the Princess court. Gritzko did not even glance their way! he stood laughing with his comrades, and it would have been impossible to imagine anything more insouciant and attractive and provoking than the creature looked. "No wonder Tatiane Shébanoff is in love with him--or that actress--or-- the rest!" Tamara thought. And then a wave of rage swept over her. She at least would not give in and join this throng! To be his plaything. _She would_ be mistress of herself and her thoughts! But alas! all these emotions not unmixed with pique, spoilt the |
|