So she and the ex-dancer were in the same boat?--but she at least would
not try to commit suicide and be restored by--salad oil!

"How perfectly ridiculous!" she said, with rather a bitter little
laugh. "What complete bathos!"

"It was unfortunate, was it not?" Valonne went on, and he glanced at
Tamara sideways.

He guessed that she was interested in the Prince; but Valonne was a
charming creature with an understanding eye, and in their set was in
great request. He knew exactly the right thing to talk about to each
different person, as a perfect diplomat should, and he was too tactful
and sympathetic to tease poor Tamara. On the contrary, he told her
casually that Gritzko had been on some duty these three days, in case
she did not know it.

From the beginning Tamara always had liked Valonne.

Then into the box came the same good-looking Chevalier Garde, Count
Varishkine, whom she had talked to on the last occasion of Gritzko's
visit, and the spirit of hurt pride caused her to be most gracious with
him. Meanwhile the Princess Ardácheff watched her with a faint
sensation of uneasiness, and at last whispered to Stephen Strong:

"Does not my godchild seem to be developing new characteristics,
Stephen? She is so very stately and quiet; and yet to-night it would
almost seem she is being flirtatious with Boris Varishkine.--I trust we
shall have no complications. What do you think?"