dance."

And they rose, called to the center by the Master of the Ceremonies to
assist in a figure.

While the Prince was doing his part she noticed his movements seemed
languid and not full of his usual wild _entrain_, and her feeling
of unease and dread of she knew not what increased.

Tamara was very popular, and was hardly left for a moment on her chair
when the flower figures began, so their conversations were disjointed,
and at last almost ceased, and unconsciously a stiff silence grew up
between them, caused, if she had known it, on his side, by severe
physical pain.

She was surprised that he handed all his flowers to her but did not ask
her to dance, nor did he rise to seek any other woman. He just sat
still, though presently, when magnificent red roses were brought in in
a huge trophy, and Serge Grekoff was seen advancing with a sheaf of
them to claim Tamara, he suddenly asked her to have a turn, and got up
to begin.

She placed her hand on his arm, and she noticed he drew in his breath
sharply and winced in the slightest degree. But when she asked him if
something hurt him, and what it was, he only laughed and said he was
well, and they must dance; so away they whirled.

A feverish anxiety and excitement convulsed Tamara. What in heaven's
name had occurred?