resignation. Whenever I come here I feel of what use is strife, and
yet after a while they make one melancholy."

They were waiting by the house of the Romanoffs, for their guide to
open the door, and just then a batch of beggars passed, their wild hair
and terribly ragged sheepskins making them a queer gruesome sight. They
craved alms with the same patient smile with which they thanked when
money was given. Misery seemed to stalk about a good deal.

"How could a great family have lived in this tiny house?" Tamara asked.
"Really, people in olden times seem to have been able to double up
anywhere. Pray look at this bedroom and this ridiculous bed!"

"It will prepare you for what you are coming to at Milasláv," Gritzko
said. "A row of tent stretchers for everyone together in the hall!"

Tamara made no answer, she contrived to move on directly he spoke, and
her reply now was to the general company, as it had been all day.

If she had looked back then she would have seen a gleam in his eyes
which boded no peace. She thought she was doing everything for the
best, but each rebuff was adding fuel to that wild fire in his blood.

By the end of the day, after walks through the Treasury and museums,
and what not, and never having been able to speak to Tamara, his temper
was at boiling point. But he controlled it, and his face wore a mask,
which disarmed even the Princess' fears.

Their dinner was very gay, and the Russians asked Lord Courtray what
had impressed him most.