always wanted to, only she is of such a severity I have been too
frightened. May I, Tantine?" And his voice sounded coaxing and sweet,
and Tamara felt sure he was caressing the Princess' hair with his free
hand, for that lady kept murmuring.

"Tais toi!--Gritzko--have done! How can I bind your arm if you conduct
yourself so! Not a moment of stillness! Truly what a naughty child--
keep still!" Then she spoke more severely to him in Russian, and he
laughed while he answered, and then presently the bandage was done, and
standing on tip-toe he looked full at Tamara.

"And you think I must not kiss her? Oh! you are a most cruel Tantine!
She is sound asleep and would never know, and it would be just one of
the things which could cool my fever and help my arm."

But the Princess interposed, sternly, and getting really annoyed with
him, he was forced to go. But first he kissed her hand and thanked her
and purred affection and gratitude with his astonishing charm, and the
Princess' voice grew more and more mollified as she said: "There--
there--what a boy! Gritzko, dear child, begone!"

And all this while, with her long eyelashes resting upon her cheek,
Tamara apparently slept peacefully on.

But when the door was safely shut and bolted, the Princess addressed
her.

"You are not really asleep, Tamara, I suppose," she said. "You have
heard? Is he not difficult. What is one to do with him? I can never
remain angry long. Those caresses! Mon Dieu! I wish you would love each