"Maman! we will have Gritzko to tea! I love him!--Je l'aime!" and the
poor crippled tiny Marie nearly strangled her friend with a frantic
embrace.

"You see, Maman, we defy you!" the Prince said, when he could speak.

The little boy now joined his sister, and both soon shrieked with
laughter over some impossible tale which was being poured into their
ears; and Princess Sonia said softly to Tamara:

"He is too wonderful with children--Gritzko--when he happens to like
them--isn't he, Olga? All of ours simply adore him, and I can never
tell you of his goodness and gentleness to Marie last year when she had
her dreadful accident. The poor little one will be well some day, we
hope, and so I do not allow myself to be sad about it; but it was a
terrible grief."

Tamara looked her sympathy, while she murmured a few words. Princess
Sonia was such a sweet and charming lady.

More visitors now came in, and they all drank their coffee and tea, but
the Prince paid no attention to any one beyond casual greetings; he
continued his absorbing conversation with his small friends.

Tamara was surprised at this new side of him. It touched her. And he
was such a gloriously good-looking picture as he sat there in his
scarlet coat, while Marie played with the silver cartridges across his
breast, and Peter with his dagger.