"We're a deuced cold-blooded race, aren't we, Tamara?" Jack Courtray
said, and he grinned his happy grin.

The little party looked so merry and content Princess Ardácheff hardly
liked to disturb them, but was impelled to by a look in Gritzko's face.

"Tamara, dear," she said, as she joined them, "I am so very tired after
last night, for once shall we go home reasonably early?"

And Tamara rose gladly to her feet.

"Of course, Marraine, I too am dropping with fatigue," she said.

The Prince spoke a few words to Stephen Strong, and Jack joined in; so
that the three were a pace or so to one side when the two ladies wished
them goodnight.

"Come and see me early tomorrow, Jack," Tamara said. "I want to show
you Tom's letter from home," and she looked up with an alluring smile,
feeling the Prince was watching her; then, turning to Count Boris, "I am
sure you will regret your bargain in having asked me to dance the Mazurka
tomorrow night," she said. "I do not know a single figure or a step--but I
hope we shall have some fun. I am looking forward to it."

"More than fun!" the young man said, with devotion, as he kissed her
hand.

Then they walked to say goodnight to the hostess, and Gritzko seemed to
disappear. But when they got down into the hall they saw him already in