You Belong to Me

Yo u Be lo ng to M e J o ha nna Lind s e y

1 Uk r a ine P r o vinc e , Rus s ia , 1 8 3 6 C o ns ta ntin Rub lio v s to o d a t the wind o w his d r a wing r o o m, his ha nd s c la s p e d b e hind his b a c k , wa tc hing the d us t c lo ud in the d is ta nc e s lo wly a p p r o a c hing. The wind o w, lo c a te d a t the fr o nt o f his ho us e , lo o k e d o ut o n the r o a d tha t wo und p a s t his c o untr y e s ta te a nd le d to the Dnie p e r Rive r in the e a s t. F r o m the s e c o nd flo o r o f the ho us e , yo u c o uld jus t ma k e o ut the r ive r o n a c le a r d a y. F r o m his va nta ge p o int in the d r a wing r o o m, the r o a d to the we s t wa s vis ib le a s fa r a s the e ye c o uld s e e , a nd tha t wa s whe r e the d us t c lo ud wa s a p p r o a c hing fr o m. I f he ha d n' t k no wn tha t the r e wa s go ing to b e a ho r s e r a c e to d a y, the s ight o f a ll the p e o p le c r o wd ing b o th s id e s o f the r o a d jus t b e yo nd his ho us e wo uld ha ve to ld him. His C o s s a c k s lo ve d a go o d r a c e a s muc h a s the y lo ve d a go o d fight. The y we r e a to ugh, vo la tile , high- s p ir ite d p e o p le , a lwa ys la ughing, s inging, o r fighting— a nd fie r c e ly lo ya l. But the y we r e n' t e xa c tly his , a ltho ugh he ha d a lwa ys tho ught o f the m tha t wa y b e c a us e the y ha d b e e n s o lo ng a s s o c ia te d with his fa mily. And the y, to o , tho ught o f him a nd his a s the ir s . But C o s s a c k me a nt "fr e e wa r r io r , " a nd the s e C o s s a c k s we r e c e r ta inly tha t. S inc e his gr e a t- gr e a t- gr a nd fa the r ha d give n the m p e r mis s io n to s e ttle o n his la nd a nd r a is e the ir fa milie s in p e a c e , the y ha d wo r k e d fo r the Rub lio vs in wha te ve r c a p a c ity wa s r e q uir e d . The y s ta ffe d C o ns ta ntin' s ho us e , the y b r e d his ho r s e s , the y gua r d e d him a nd his fa mily in the ir tr a ve ls . The s e ttle me nt the y ha d s ta r te d a ll tho s e ye a r s a go wa s no w a thr iving to wn le s s tha n a q ua r te r mile to the we s t o f his e s ta te . The Ra zins , who ha d s up p lie d the to wn with its le a d e r s fo r a ll the s e ye a r s a s we ll a s p o p ula te d thr e e - fo ur ths o f the to wn with the ma ny b r a nc he s o f the ir fa mily, ha d gr o wn a s p r o s p e r o us a s the Rub lio vs . W ith the ir he lp , C o ns ta ntin no w s up p lie d ho r s e s to the C za r ' s a r my, a nd tho r o ughb r e d s to a r is to c r a ts who c o uld a ffo r d the m. His s uga r b e e t c r o p s fille d the ma r k e ts o f K ie v a nd the s e ttle me nts a lo ng the Dnie p e r , a nd his whe a t b r o ught fine p r ic e s a lo ng the Bla c k S e a c o a s t. He wa s gr o wing r ic he r b y the ye a r s inc e he ha d ta k e n a n a c tive inte r e s t in his ho r s e s a nd fie ld s . Eve r s inc e his wife ha d d ie d te n ye a r s a go , he ha d s to p p e d J b ging a n a b s e n- te e la nd lo r d , a s mo s t o f the Rus s ia r Tno b ie s - we r e . O nly his s is te r s till ma d e us e o f the ir to wn ho us e in M o s c o w a nd the Rub lio v p a la c e in S t. P e te r s b ur g. "Yo u a r e n' t go ing to lik e this , d a r ling. " C o ns ta ntin d id n' t gla nc e a t the wo ma n who ha d s p o k e n. Anna Ve r io vk a s to o d o nly s e ve r a l fe e t a wa y a t the ne xt wind o w, wa tc hing the s a me s c e ne in fr o nt o f the ho us e . Anna wa s o ne o f tho s e r a r e wo me n who ne ve r s e e me d to a ge . To

lo o k a t he r with he r d a r k b r o wn ha ir a lwa ys p e r fe c tly c o iffe d a nd he r e ve n d a r k e r b r o wn e ye s , the fine b o ne s tr uc tur e tha t wa s go ing to ma k e he r a n e te r na l b e a uty, no o ne c o uld gue s s s he ha d s e e n thir ty- five ye a r s . Right no w it wa s he r to ne , r a the r tha n he r wo r d s , tha t ma d e C o ns ta ntin b r a c e his ha nd s o n the wind o w le d ge a nd s ta r e mo r e inte ntly a t the o nc o ming ho r s e s . De e p in his gut, he k ne w wha t he wo uld s e e . I t wo uld n' t b e the fir s t time , o r , he fe a r e d , the la s t. But fo r a mo me nt a ll he c o uld s e e wa s tha t d us t c lo ud , ne a r ly r e a c hing the ho us e no w, a nd in its mid s t the va gue s ha p e o f s ix tho r o ughb r e d s c r o wd ing o ne a no the r o n the na r r o w r o a d . F ur ha ts , lo ng c o a ts fla p p ing, s le e k le gs s tr e tc hing fo r the finis h line a t the ne a r b y villa ge , a nd the la r ge white wo lfho und r a c ing a lo ng b e s id e the r o a d , b a r k ing, ur ging the a nima ls to a little mo r e s p e e d . And whe r e ve r tha t d o g wa s . . . "Ale x will win, " Anna s a id in a s mug vo ic e . "O f c o ur s e Ale x will win, " C o ns ta ntin gr umb le d , wa tc hing the le a d r id e r c r a wl up o n the s a d d le , s q ua t the r e , s lo wly r is e to s ta nd ing, the n to s s o ff a fur c a p , la ughing, with the o the r r id e r s fo llo wing s uit. His e ye s we r e s q ue e ze d s hut a s he a d d e d , "S he a lwa ys wins — a nd I wis h yo u wo uld n' t c a ll he r tha t. I t o nly e nc o ur a ge s he r to a c t the ho yd e n. " His lo ngtime mis tr e s s me r e ly c luc k e d he r to ngue , b ut a fte r a fe w mo r e mo me nts he fe lt he r b r e a s ts p r e s s a ga ins t his b a c k a nd he r a r ms c ir c le his wa is t. "Yo u c a n lo o k no w, d a r ling. S he d id n' t b r e a k he r ne c k . " "Tha nk Go d , " he whis p e r e d , a nd the n the a nge r c a me , fo r the s c a r e he ' d jus t ha d wa s no le s s s e ve r e tha n it a lwa ys wa s . "I ' m go ing to b e a t he r this time , I s we a r I a m. " Anna c huc k le d . "S o yo u a lwa ys s a y, b ut yo u ne ve r d o . Be s id e s , the Ra zin b o ys wo uld n' t le t yo u. " "The n I ' ll ge t the ir fa the r to d o it. Er ma k will d o a nything I a s k o f him. " "Exc e p t hur t a ha ir o n tha t s we e t c hild ' s he a d . He a d o r e s Ale x a s muc h a s yo u d o . " C o ns ta ntin s ighe d a s he tur ne d a r o und to d o s o me hugging o f his o wn. "Anna , my lo ve , tha t ' s we e t c hild ' is twe nty- five ye a r s o ld , to o o ld fo r the fo o lis hne s s we jus t witne s s e d . Yo u k no w it a s we ll a s I d o . S he s ho uld b e ma r r ie d a nd nur s ing b a b ie s . He r two s is te r s ha d no d iffic ulty in tha t r e s p e c t. Lyd ia ha s give n me five gr a nd d a ughte r s . Eliza ve ta ha d thr e e b e fo r e s he wa s wid o we d . W hy ha s it b e e n s o imp o s s ib le to ge t my yo unge s t d a ughte r ma r r ie d ? " Anna tho ught it p r ud e nt no t to me ntio n Ale xa nd r a ' s o utr a ge o us fr a nk ne s s tha t ha d c a us e d s uc h a s tir a nd ha d ma d e C za r N ic ho la s uno ffic ia lly b a n he r fr o m S t. P e te r s b ur g. I f Anna r e mind e d C o ns ta ntin o f tha t, s he wa s a fr a id s he wo uld la ugh, whic h s he d id e ve r y time s he r e c a lle d tha t s c e ne a t the Ro ma no v- s k y d inne r , whe n P r inc e s s O lga ha d la me nte d to the twe nty o r s o gue s ts s itting ne a r he r tha t, ho we ve r muc h s he tr ie d , s he c o uld n' t k e e p fr o m ga ining we ight tha t s e a s o n. Ale xa nd r a , he a r ing he r , ha d s ugge s te d q uite he lp fully a nd with c o mp le te

s inc e r ity, "W hy, ma ' a m, if yo u wo uld jus t s to p s tuffing yo ur mo uth with b linis a nd s o ur c r e a m, yo u might lo s e a p o und o r two . " S inc e the p r inc e s s ha d b e e n s tuffing he r mo uth with tho s e ve r y things a t tha t ve r y mo me nt, it wa s n' t s ur p r is ing tha t a go o d ma ny o f the gue s ts ha d s ud d e nly b e gun c o ughing into the ir na p k ins o r lo o k ing b e ne a th the ta b le fo r s o me thing the y ha d s up p o s e d ly d r o p p e d , jus t to hid e the ir s nic k e r s . Anna , who ha d b e e n the r e a s Ale xa nd r a ' s c ha p e r o ne , ha d tho ught it hila r io us he r s e lf, b ut O lga Ro ma - no vs k y ha d n' t; s he ' d go ne s tr a ight to the r o ya l e a r the ne xt d a y with he r c o mp la int, lik e ly a s k ing fo r o utr ight e xe c utio n. Anna tho ught it fo r tuna te fo r Ale xa nd r a tha t the C za r ha d nhe r e ly p o lite ly s ugge s te d tha t C o ns ta ntin ta k e his d a ughte r b a c k to the c o untr y, whe r e he r wa ywa r d to ngue wo uld d o no mo r e tha n o ffe nd the p e a s a nts . Unfo r tuna te ly, Ale xa nd r a ha d n' t le a r ne d fr o m he r mis ta k e . He r o uts p o k e nne s s ha d no t b e e n c ur b e d the ne xt s e a s o n in M o s c o w, o r la te r in K ha r k o v, a nd c e r ta inly no t c lo s e r to ho me , in K ie v. S he ha d ma na ge d , s ingle - ha nd e d ly, to ma k e he r s e lf a s o c ia l p a r ia h. And Anna s us p e c te d , mo r e tha n o nc e , tha t s he ha d no t d o ne it a ll in igno r a nc e o r b y a c c id e nt. Afte r a ll, Ale xa nd r a wa s a fa ir ly inte llige nt gir l, a nd s he ha d c o nfe s s e d a fte r tha t fir s t d is a s tr o us s e a s o n in S t. P e te r s b ur g tha t s he wa s in lo ve with the Ho no r a b le C hr is to p he r Le ighto n, who m s he ha d me t the r e , a nd s he me a nt to ma r r y him a nd no o ne e ls e . Ho w b e tte r to wa it fo r the la gging Englis hma n tha n to e ns ur e tha t no o the r yo ung ma n wo uld b e a s k ing fo r he r ha nd in the me a ntime . W hic h wa s wha t ha d ha p p e ne d , r e ga r d le s s © f whe the r Ale xa nd r a ha d inte nd e d it. / As fo r C o ns ta ntin' s q ue s tio n, Anna d e c id e d to r e mind him a b o ut the ma n who jha d s to le n his d a ughte r ' s he a r t a ll tho s e ye a r s a go . "Yo u d o n' t think s he c o uld s till b e wa iting fo r tha t Englis h d ip lo ma t, d o yo u? " C o ns ta ntin s no r te d . "Afte r s e ve n lo ng ye a r s ? Do n' t b e a b s ur d . " "But he le ft the c o untr y o nly thr e e ye a r s a go , " s he p o inte d o ut. "And Ale xa nd r a ha s n' t me ntio ne d his na me a ga in, s inc e I r e fus e d to le t he r fo llo w him to Engla nd a t the time , " he r e p lie d . "I s n' t tha t whe n s he to ld yo u s he wa s n' t go ing to ma r r y a nyo ne , e ve r ? " C o ns ta ntin flus he d , r e c a lling the a r gume nt he ' d ha d with his . lo ve ly d a ughte r , whic h ha d b e e n o ne o f the ir wo r s t. "S he d id n' t me a n it. S he wa s jus t a ngr y. " Anna lifte d a b r o w. "Ar e yo u tr ying to c o nvinc e me o f tha t, o r yo ur s e lf? O r ma yb e it' s s lip p e d yo ur no tic e tha t Ale x igno r e s e ve r y yo ung ma n yo u b r ing ho me fo r he r to me e t, a nd s he ha s n' t tr a ve le d a ny fa r the r tha n K ie v in the p a s t thr e e ye a r s , a nd s he ma d e tha t tr ip o nly to s ho p . Eve n the n, s he ma na ge d to c o me up with o ne e xc us e a fte r a no the r to r e ma in c o o p e d up in yo ur ho te l s uite . " I t wa s a c tua lly a r e lie f to C o ns ta ntin to he a r Anna vo ic e his o wn s us p ic io ns , a r e lie f a nd a n e a s ing o f the guilt he ' d b e e n living with this p a s t we e k . Tr ue , Ale xa nd r a ' s e xc us e s we r e a lwa ys lo gic a l a nd s o und e d s inc e r e , b ut the y we r e s till e xc us e s . And whe n s he ha d c o me up with o ne o f the m la s t we e k in o r d e r to r e fus e to tr a ve l with him to Va s ilk o v to vis it he r s is te r a nd nie c e s , he ha d c o me to the s a me c o nc lus io ns Anna ha d jus t d r a wn, a nd go t mo r o s e , think ing

a b o ut his yo unge s t d a ughte r wa s ting he r life p ining fo r tha t d a mne d fo r e igne r . Unfo r tuna te ly, he ha d a ls o go t q uite d r unk a nd d o ne s o me thing he ne ve r wo uld ha ve if he ha d b e e n s o b e r . Anna fe lt the c ha nge in his b ig b o d y, whic h wa s no lo nge r r e la xe d a ga ins t he r s , s a w the flus h c limb ing his c he e k s , a nd no te d ho w his d e e p mid night- b lue e ye s r e fus e d to me e t he r s . Anna k ne w him e xtr e me ly we ll. The ir s p o us e s ha d d ie d within a ye a r o f e a c h o the r . The fo ur o f the m ha d b e e n d o s e fr ie nd s b e fo r e tha t. S he a nd C o ns ta ntin ha d c o ntinue d tha t fr ie nd s hip , a nd e ight ye a r s a go , the y ha d b e c o me e ve n c lo s e r . S he lo ve d him d e a r ly, tho ugh s he r e fus e d to give up he r wid o we d ind e p e nd e nc e to ma r r y him. N o r wa s it ne c e s s a r y to we d him whe n s he live d in his ho me a s his ho us e k e e p e r a nd ho s te s s , a nd a s c o mp a nio n- c ha p e r o ne to his yo unge s t d a ughte r whe ne ve r tha t d uty wa s r e q uir e d , whic h wa s r a r e ly the s e d a ys . Right no w s ha me wa s fa ir ly o d zine fr o m him, a nd s he d e ma nd e d a s b a ld ly a s Al d r a wo uld ha ve , "C o ns ta ntin Rub lio v, wha £ ha ve yo u d o ne ? " He mo ve d o ut o f he r e mb r a c e witho ut a ns we r ing, wa lk ing s tr a ight to the ma ho ga ny c a b ine t whe r e nume r o us c r ys ta l d e c a nte r s we r e a lwa ys k e p t full o f his fa vo r ite s p ir its . Anna c a me up b e s id e him while he fille d o ne o f the la r ge r gla s s e s to the b r im with vo d k a . I mme d ia te ly he lifte d it to his lip s . "I t' s tha t b a d ? " s he a s k e d ge ntly. At his b a r e ly p e r c e p tib le no d , s he s a id , "M a yb e yo u s ho uld p o ur me o ne o f tho s e . " "N o , " he r e p lie d , s e tting the gla s s d o wn, b ut k e e p ing his ha nd a r o und it. Ha lf the c o nte nts wa s go ne . "Yo u' ll lik e ly thr o w it in my fa c e , the n the gla s s a t my he a d , the n c o me a fte r me with the d e c a nte r . " His fa mily might b e p r o ne to tha t s o r t o f te mp e s tuo us r e a c tio n, b ut s he wa s n' t. But s he wa s d e finite ly ge tting wo r r ie d no w. "Te ll me . " He s till wo uld n' t lo o k a t he r . "I ha ve fo und Ale xa nd r a a hus b a nd . " Tha t ga ve he r p a us e , b e c a us e it wa s no thing s he ha d n' t he a r d b e fo r e . He ha d b e e n tr ying to d o jus t tha t fo r the p a s t s e ve n ye a r s . S o whe r e in la y the s ha me he wa s p r e s e ntly e xhib iting? "A hus b a nd ? " s he s a id c a r e fully. "But Ale x will o nly r e fus e him, a s s he ha s a ll yo ur o the r s ugge s tio ns . " He wa s s lo wly s ha k ing his he a d . "S he c a n' t r e fus e him? Ho w is tha t— ? " S he d id n' t finis h, a nd la ughe d ins te a d . "Do n' t te ll me yo u think yo u c a n ins is t a t this la te d a te . C o me no w, d a r ling, yo u k no w tha t d o e s no go o d with this p a r tic ula r d a ughte r o f yo ur s . S he ' s mo r e s tub b o r n tha n yo u a r e , if yo u ha ve n' t no tic e d . Yo u wo uld e nd up r a is ing the r o o f with yo ur s ho uts , the n give in to he r a s yo u a lwa ys d o . " Aga in he wa s s ha k ing his he a d , a nd lo o k ing e ve n mo r e unha p p y a b o ut it. And he s till wo uld n' t me e t he r e ye s . His c o lo r wa s a ls o s till high. He wa s a ma n ge nuine ly wa llo wing in guilt. F e a r ful no w, s he r e p e a te d he r q ue s tio n. "W ha t ha ve yo u d o ne ? " His he a d d r o p p e d s o lo w o n his c he s t, s he c o uld b a r e ly he a r the wo r d s : "Give n my d a ughte r no c ho ic e . " S he wa ve d he r ha nd d is mis s ive ly a t tha t a ns we r . ' The r e a r e a lwa ys c ho ic e s — "

"N o t whe n I ha ve invo lve d fa mily ho no r , whic h is the o ne thing s he wo n' t igno r e — a t le a s t s he ' s go ing to think it is invo lve d . " "W ha t d o e s tha t me a n? " "Tha t I s a c r ific e d my o wn ho no r , my inte gr ity, my p r inc ip le s , e thic s , ho ne s ty —" "W ha t ha ve yo u d o ne ? " Anna ne ve r r a is e d he r vo ic e . S he wa s the e p ito me o f a ll tha t wa s gr a c io us a nd d e mur e . Eve n whe n s he wa s a ngr y s he wo uld ma k e he r p o int q uie tly, a nd c a us e he r a nta go nis t to fe e l lik e a n o gr e in the p r o c e s s . Tha t s he wa s s ho uting no w b r o ught C o ns ta ntin' s e ye s to he r , no t in s ur p r is e b ut in d r e a d . He c o uld we ll lo s e he r whe n s he le a r ne d ho w lo \y he ha d s unk in his d e s ir e to give his yo unge s t d a ughte r the s a me ha p p ine s s a nd fulfilk ne nt he r s is te r s ha d fo und . He lo o k e d s o mis e r a b le , s o utte r ly guilt- r id d e n a nd d e s p o nd e nt, tha t Anna ga ve a little c r y a nd thr e w he r a r ms a r o und his ne c k . "I t c a n' t b e a s te r r ib le a s yo u' r e le tting o n, " s he whis p e r e d b y his e a r , whic h wa s no e a s y fe a t s inc e he to we r e d o ve r he r b y a fo o t. "Te ll me . " "I ha ve a r r a nge d fo r a b e tr o tha l. " "A b e tr o tha l? " His r e s p o ns e wa s a ntic lima c tic , to s a y the le a s t. S he r e la xe d a ga ins t him, le a ning b a c k jus t e no ugh s o s he c o uld s e e his fa c e . "Tha nk Go d , " s he s a id with fe e ling, "I wa s b e ginning to think yo u ha d k ille d s o me o ne . " His e xp r e s s io n d id n' t c ha nge ; he lo o k e d jus t a s mis e r a b le , a ltho ugh he wa s fina lly lo o k ing a t he r . "I b e lie ve I wo uld fe e l the s a me if I ha d k ille d s o me o ne , " he a d mitte d . Anna ' s e ye s fla r e d . S he c o uld ha ve hit him a t tha t mo me nt, s o me thing s he wo uld ne ve r in he r life ha ve c o ns id e r e d d o ing— until no w. "Da mmit, C o ns ta ntin, ge t to the he a r t o f it b e fo r e yo u d r ive me ma d ! " He flinc he d b e c a us e s he wa s ye lling a ga in. Ye lling fr o m Ale xa nd r a he c o uld ta k e ; he e ve n e xp e c te d it, a nd c o uld give it b a c k with e q ua l fe r vo r e ve r y time , b ut he c o uld n' t b e a r it fr o m his little Anna . Ye t he d e s e r ve d it, a nd he r s c o r n a s we ll. He fina lly s a id , "I s e nt a le tte r to C o unte s s M a r ia P e tr o ff. " The na me b r o ught a tho ughtful fr o wn to Anna ' s fa c e . "W hy d o e s tha t na me s o und fa milia r to me ? " "Be c a us e yo u ha ve he a r d me s p e a k s o o fte n o f S ime o n P e tr o ff. " "Ah, yo ur go o d fr ie nd who d ie d — wha t wa s it, thir te e n o r fo ur te e n ye a r s a go ? " "F o ur te e n. " W he n he s a id no mo r e , s he fr o wne d a ga in, this time in a nno ya nc e . O b vio us ly s he wa s go ing to ha ve to d r a g the fa c ts o ut o f him b it b y b it. "M a r ia wo uld b e S ime o n' s wife , o r r a the r , his wid o w. W ha t ha s s he to d o

with Ale x' s b e tr o tha l? And whe n d id yo u a r r a nge this ? " "La s t we e k . " S he ha d ho p e d , fo r the s a k e o f he r mo unting e xa s p e r a tio n, tha t he wo uld ha ve a ns we r e d mo r e tha n o ne o f he r d ir e c t q ue s tio ns . "But yo u we r e he r e la s t we e k , " s he p o inte d o ut. "And we ha ve ha d no vis ito r s — " "The b e tr o tha l is with S ime o n' s s o n. I r e mind e d M a r ia o f it, a nd s ugge s te d tha t it wa s high time s he s e nd he r s o n to c o lle c t his b r id e — b ut no t in tho s e wo r d s . I wa s q uite d ip lo ma tic a b o ut it, tho ugh the e s s e nc e wa s the s a me . " Anna wa s inc r e d ulo us , mo r e tha n inc r e d ulo us , ha ving ne ve r he a r d a wo r d o f this b e fo r e . "W hy d id yo u ne ve r me ntio n this b e tr o tha l? I a s s ume it mus t b e lo ng- s ta nd ing, a t the ve r y le a s t ma d e b e fo r e S ime o n' s d e a th. And why ha ve we b e e n p us hing e ligib le me n a t Ale x a ll the s e ye a r s , with the ho p e tha t o ne might inte r e s t he r , whe n s he is a lr e a d y b o und in c o ntr a c t to this — he wo uld b e C a r d inia n, wo uld n' t he ? " Aga in he a ns we r e d o nly he r la s t q ue s tio n. "Ye s . " S he o ffe r e d a s mile . "S o why the lo ng fa c e , d a r ling? This ma tc h mus t d e light yo u. " And the n s he p a us e d , d r a wing he r o wn c o nc lus io n. "Do n' t te ll me yo u a c tua lly fo r go t a b o ut it until la s t we e k . " "N o , it wa s n' t fo r go tte n. " C o ns ta ntin tur ne d to d r a in his gla s s a nd the n p o ur e d in mo r e vo d k a b e fo r e he a d d e d , ' I t wa s n' t e ve n c o nc e ive d . " Anna ga s p e d . "W ha t a r e yo u s a ying? " He wo uld n' t me e t he r e ye s a ga in, a nd he ha d to ta k e ye t a no the r s wa llo w o f his d r ink b e fo r e he s a id , "W ha t I wr o te to the c o unte s s wa s mo s tly lie s , with o nly a fe w tr uths thr o wn in. S ime o n a nd I d id d is c us s a b e tr o tha l o f o ur c hild r e n b a c k whe n Ale xa nd r a wa s b o r n. At le a s t tha t is tr ue . W e d is c us s e d it a t le ngth. W e b o th tho ught it wa s a s p le nd id id e a . But we ne ve r ma d e it o ffic ia l. The r e we r e ye a r s to d o s o , a fte r a ll. Ale xa nd r a wa s no t e ve n a ye a r o ld ye t; S ime o n' s b o y wa s o nly s ix. S o — s o no w yo u k no w wha t I ' ve d o ne . " Anna le t o ut a s igh. I t wa s n' t ne a r ly a s b a d a s s he ha d tho ught, a nd c o uld b e c o r r e c te d with a no the r le tte r tha t c o uld b e d is p a tc he d imme d ia te ly. But jus t to b e s ur e s he und e r s to o d the e ntir e ma tte r , s he s a id , "Yo u ma d e c la im to a b e tr o tha l tha t wa s ne ve r s e ttle d , a nd yo u d id s o b e c a us e yo ur fr ie nd is d e a d a nd c a n' t d is p ute it. I s tha t wha t yo u' ve ta k e n s o lo ng to te ll me ? " "I wa s d r unk a t the time I d id it. I t wa s the night yo u s ta ye d in the villa ge to he lp with tha t b ir thing. W he n it o c c ur r e d to me , it s e e me d lik e the p e r fe c t s o lutio n fo r Ale xa nd r a . I n fa c t, I ha ve no t the s lighte s t d o ub t tha t ha d S ime o n live d , o ur c hild r e n wo uld ha ve we d e a c h o the r s e ve n ye a r s a go . " "Tha t ma y b e s o , b ut it d id n' t ha p p e n tha t wa y, a nd yo ur wis hing it we r e o the r wis e is no t go ing to ma k e it ha p p e n no w. Yo u mus t wr ite C o unte s s P e tr o ff imme d ia te ly with the tr uth, b e fo r e s he d o e s s e nd he r s o n he r e . " "N o . " "N o ? " "I t is s till a p e r fe c t s o lutio n. "

Anna ' s e ye s na r r o we d o n him. "S o tha t is why yo u a r e fe e ling s o guilty? Yo u ha ve no inte ntio n o f c o r r e c ting wha t yo u' ve d o ne ? " "Tha t will b e my c r o s s to b e a r , " C o ns ta ntin s a id with the s tub b o r nne s s inhe r e nt in his fa mily. "But think , Anna . W ha t if the y a r e id e a lly s uite d to e a c h o the r ? W ha t if this o ne little lie — " "Little ? " s he c ut in. "Ha r mle s s , the n, " he ins is te d , c o ntinuing. "W ha t if it b r ings to ge the r two p e o p le who wo uld ne ve r ha ve me t o the r wis e , a nd the y a r e s o ta k e n with e a c h o the r tha t the y c a nno t he lp b ut fa ll in lo ve ? " S he s ho o k he r he a d . "Yo u a r e d r e a ming. O r is it me r e ly wis hful think ing to a b s o lve yo ur guilt? " "I t' s no t imp o s s ib le — " "W ith o ur Ale x? " He r s k e p tic a l to ne a nno ye d him. He , mo r e tha n a nyo ne , k ne w his d a ughte r ' s fa ults . I gno r ing tho s e fa ults , he s tr e s s e d the o ne thing in Ale xa nd r a ' s fa vo r . "S he ' s b e a utiful. " "N o o ne c a n d e ny tha t, d a r ling, b ut ha s it ga ine d he r a lo ng lis t o f s uito r s ? Yo u k no w a s we ll a s I tha t s he o ffe nd s mo r e tha n s he c ha r ms , a nd me n d o n' t us ua lly ma k e a ha b it o f c o ur ting e mb a r r a s s me nt. I f s a wo nd e r tha t Englis hma n a tte nd e d he r a s lo ng a s he d id in S t. P e te r s b ur g, a nd c o ntinue d to c o r r e s p o nd with he r a ll the s e ye a r s . The Englis h a r e s tic k le r s fo r p r o p e r b e ha vio r , a fte r a ll. " He d id n' t lik e r e mind e r s o f the fo r e igne r who ha d s to le n his d a ughte r ' s he a r t with no inte ntio n o f nur tur ing it. W e r e the ma n s till in Rus s ia , C o ns ta ntin wo uld s e r io us ly c o ns id e r s ho o ting him. But tha t b o und e r wa s no lo nge r a t is s ue , a nd the s a ints b e p r a is e d fo r tha t. "S ime o n wa s a to le r a nt ma n jus t lik e me . He a d mir e d fr a nk ne s s , s c o ffe d a t hyp o c r is y, a nd wa s c e r ta inly no s no b . I t is n' t unr e a lis tic to think tha t his s o n will ha ve inhe r ite d his q ua litie s . " "Did n' t yo u a ls o o nc e te ll me tha t yo ur fr ie nd wa s a wo ma nize r ? " Anna wo uld ha ve to r e me mb e r tha t. "S ime o n ne ve r c o nfe s s e d a gr e a t lo ve fo r his wife , " he e xp la ine d . "The ir s wa s a n a r r a nge d ma r r ia ge . " Anna ga ve him a p o inte d lo o k . "W hic h is e xa c tly wha t yo u' r e tr ying to fo is t o n his uns us p e c ting s o n— a n a r r a nge d ma r r ia ge . Do yo u ho ne s tly e xp e c t the s o n to b e a ny mo r e fa ithful tha n the fa the r , o r fo r Ale x to s ta nd fo r a nything le s s tha n c o mp le te fa ithfulne s s , c o ns id e r ing ho w p o s s e s s ive s he is o f wha t' s he r s ? " C o ns ta ntin flus he d b r ight r e d . "Da mmit, Anna , it' s no t a t a ll the s a me . W ha t I e xp e c t, o r r a the r ho p e fo r , is tha t the s e c hild r e n will find lo ve to ge the r . I f S ime o n ha d lo ve d his wife e ve n a little , he wo uld ha ve b e e n fa ithful to he r . I e xp e c t no le s s fr o m his s o n. " "But the r e in lie s the c r ux o f the ma tte r . //. Yo u a r e p utting a ll yo ur ho p e o n

a n ' if, ' whe n yo u ha ve ne ve r e ve n me t this yo ung ma n. And fo r tha t ma tte r , he ' s no t a ll tha t yo ung if he ' s a b o ut s ix ye a r s o ld e r tha n Ale x. He wo uld b e thir ty- o ne , mo r e tha n lik e ly a lr e a d y ma r r ie d — " "He ' s no t. " "Ho w d o yo u k no w? " "Bo hd a n c a me thr o ugh C a r d inia o n his wa y b a c k fr o m d e live r ing the filly the Aus tr ia n d uk e r e q ue s te d . Bo hd a n k ne w I wo uld a p p r e c ia te wo r d o f the P e tr o ffs . " S he c o nc e d e d tha t p o int with a s hr ug. "S o he ' s no t ma r r ie d , b ut yo u c a n' t d e ny he ' s o ld e no ugh to k no w his o wn mind a nd ma k e his o wn d e c is io ns . W ha t ma k e s yo u think he will a c c e p t a b e tr o tha l to a wo ma n he d o e s n' t k no w jus t b e c a us e his fa the r might ha ve a r r a nge d it? He ' s no lo nge r a c hild who mus t d o his fa the r ' s b id d ing, e ve n if his fa the r we r e s till a live . And a no the r thing— wo n' t the P e tr o ffs wo nd e r why the y d id no t find a c o p y o f this c o ntr a c t in S ime o n' s p a p e r s a fte r he d ie d ? " "P o s s ib ly, b ut I ha ve a c o p y to s ho w the yo ung c o unt whe n he a r r ive s . He wo n' t d o ub t his fa the r ' s s igna tur e . " "Yo u fo r ge d it? " "I t wa s n' t d iffic ult, with a little p r a c tic e . As fo r the c o unt a nd Ale x a c c e p ting the b e tr o tha l— " C o ns ta ntin p a us e d , the n a d d e d a lmo s t b le a k ly, "I t c o me s d o wn to ho no r . Tho ugh I ha ve mis p la c e d mine , the y will b e tr a p p e d b y it. " "W ha t if yo ur C a r d inia n ha s no ne ? " "He is S ime o n' s s o n, " C o ns ta ntin s a id , a s if tha t we r e e no ugh to e xp la in his c o nfid e nc e . Anna s ighe d . I t wa s b e c o ming q uite o b vio us tha t no thing s he s a id wa s go ing to ma k e a d iffe r e nc e . Tha t d a mn Rub lio v s tub b o r nne s s . The y a ll p o s s e s s e d it b ut no ne s o muc h a s the fa the r — a nd the yo unge s t d a ughte r . O nc e invo k e d , it wa s uns ha k a b le . Eve n tho ugh C o ns ta ntin wa s s ic k with guilt o ve r wha t he ' d d o ne , he wo uld c ling te na c io us ly to his r e a s o n fo r d o ing it. He wa nte d his d a ughte r to find ha p p ine s s . Anna c o uld n' t fa ult him fo r wa nting wha t a ll p a r e nts wa nte d fo r the ir c hild r e n, b ut ha p p ine s s c o uld b e d e fine d in a hund r e d d iffe r e nt wa ys . Afte r the e ight ye a r s the y ha d s p e nt to ge the r , a nd the d o ze ns o f time s s he ha d tur ne d d o wn his p r o p o s a ls , he s ho uld ha ve r e a lize d b y no w tha t ma r r ia ge wa s no t e ve r y wo ma n' s fo nd e s t d e s ir e . S he p la c e d a ha nd ge ntly o n his a r m, d e te r mine d to tr y to ma k e him und e r s ta nd tha t a t le a s t. "P e r ha p s yo u ha ve n' t no tic e d tha t Ale x is n' t e xa c tly unha p p y. S he e njo ys the fr e e d o m yo u a llo w he r . S he e njo ys wo r k ing with the ho r s e s , whic h a hus b a nd wo uld ne ve r p e r mit he r to d o . S he ha s fr ie nd s he r e . And s he a d o r e s yo u— whe n yo u two a r e no t fighting. F r a nk ly, I think s he e ve n e njo ys yo ur a r gume nts . Ha ve yo u e ve r c o ns id e r e d tha t Ale x jus t wa s n' t me a nt to ma r r y? M a r r ia ge wo uld mo r e tha n lik e ly c o ns tr a in he r , might e ve n s tifle he r — unle s s s he c a n me e t a ma n who d o e s n' t give a d a mn fo r c o nve ntio n a ny mo r e tha n s he d o e s , a r a r ity— "

"O r o ne who lo ve s he r e no ugh to a llo w he r c e r ta in fr e e d o ms , " he c ut in, "b ut a ls o is c a p a b le o f d e nying he r tho s e in whic h s he r is k s he r d a mn ne c k . " He s o und e d s o e xa s p e r a te d with tha t s ta te me nt, Anna a lmo s t la ughe d . "I s tha t o ne o f yo ur mo tive s ? Yo u r e a lly think a hus b a nd will b e a b le to c o ntr o l Ale x' s r e c k le s s na tur e e ve n tho ugh yo u ha ve fa ile d ? " Tha t go t he r a glo we r . "P e r ha p s no t, b ut k e e p ing he r p r e gna nt c e r ta inly will. " S he c o uld n' t a r gue with tha t. M o the r ho o d wo uld ma k e a d iffe r e nc e in Ale xa nd r a ' s life . At the ve r y le a s t it wo uld k e e p he r fr o m r a c ing he r ho r s e s s o e ne r ge tic a lly. And Ale xa nd r a wa s ve r y go o d with c hild r e n. Tho ugh s he ha d ne ve r s a id s o , s he p r o b a b ly d id wa nt s o me o f he r o wn. And s he ha d b e e n willing to ma r r y tha t Englis hma n, in fa c t ha d d e s ir e d it gr e a tly, s o s he wa s no t o p p o s e d to ma r r ia ge . Anna s ighe d . I f s he wa s n' t c a r e ful, s he wo uld b e a p p la ud ing wha t C o ns ta ntin ha d d o ne . "W e ha ve go tte n a wa y fr o m the p o int, " s he s a id . "W ha t yo u a r e d o ing is fo r c ing Ale x a nd S ime o n' s s o n into a ma r r ia ge tha t ne ithe r o ne wa s e xp e c ting. I f s lik e ly tha t the y will b o th p r o te s t it, b ut I a m a b s o lute ly c e r ta in tha t Ale x will. And wha t ha p p e ns if the y d o n' t ta k e to e a c h o the r ? I f the y a r e b o th a ga ins t the ma r r ia ge , the y wo n' t e xa c tly me e t und e r the b e s t o f te r ms . Ale x c o uld e nd up ha ting the ma n, whic h wo uld ha r d ly p r o d uc e the ha p p y life yo u e nvis io n fo r he r . " "P ur e ly s up p o s itio ns , Anna . " "But mo r e lik e ly tha n tho s e yo u a ntic ip a te . " "The tr uth will b e c le a r whe n the y me e t, " he r e p lie d s tub b o r nly. "And if I a m r ight? " "I f if s o b vio us tha t the y wo n' t s uit, the n o f c o ur s e I will r e le a s e the m fr o m the b e tr o tha l a nd c o mp e ns a te the c o unt fo r his tr o ub le in c o ming he r e . " "W e ll, tha nk Go d yo u' r e no t go ing to b e p ighe a d e d a b o ut this to the ve r y e nd . " He flinc he d a t he r s a r c a s m a nd r e ta lia te d b y s a ying, "Ac tua lly, I ' m fe e ling muc h b e tte r a b o ut it, no w tha t yo u' ve r a is e d is s ue s tha t ha d n' t o c c ur r e d to me a nd I ha ve s uc c e s s fully p ut the m a s id e . " S he wa s a b o ut to r e p ly q uite s c a thingly to tha t r e ma r k whe n the fr o nt d o o r s la mme d , a nd a mo me nt la te r , Ale xa nd r a a p p e a r e d in the d o o r wa y. S he d id n' t no tic e the m ye t, a s s he wa s b us y s la p p ing d us t fr o m he r s le e ve s with he r e q ua lly d us ty fur c a p , s p r e a d ing a fine c o a ting o f it o n the flo o r a t he r fe e t whe r e he r Bo r zo i wa s ma k ing a b igge r c lo ud o f it with his wa gging ta il. A s ingle lo c k o f a s h- b lo nd ha ir ha d e s c a p e d he r c o iffur e a nd fe ll o ve r he r s ho uld e r to he r wa is t. S he lo o k e d lik e a C o s s a c k , a ma le C o s s a c k , in he r b a ggy p a nts whic h we r e tuc k e d into k ne e - high b o o ts , he r b r ight r e d s a s h tie d a r o und he r na r r o w wa is t, he r no - lo nge r - white s hir t with the fine b lue e mb r o id e r y d o wn the fr o nt, a nd he r k ne e - le ngth c o a t with the wid e s k ir t. This wa s he r c us to ma r y d r e s s fo r r id ing a nd wo r k ing with the ho r s e s . He r b e d r a ggle d a nd filthy a p p e a r a nc e wa s

no thing ne w to he r fa mily. "M uc h, muc h b e tte r , " C o ns ta ntin s a id in a s o ft whis p e r tha t o nly Anna c o uld he a r , a r e ite r a tio n o f wha t he ha d s a id mo me nts b e fo r e . "And fo r tuna te it is tha t a ma n with a ne w wife will la y d o wn the la ws e a r ly in the ir ma r r ia ge a nd s e e tha t the y a r e o b e ye d . " Anna ' s no s tr ils fla r e d wid e a s s he gr itte d he r te e th. But b e c a us e o f Ale xa nd r a ' s p r e s e nt, s he c o uld n' t a d d r e s s tha t s ta te me nt in the ma nne r tha t it s o r ic hly d e s e r ve d , s o s he p ic k e d up C o ns ta ntin' s s e c o nd gla s s o f vo d k a , whic h s till ha d e no ugh liq uid in it fo r he r p ur p o s e , a nd witho ut the s lighte s t he s ita tio n tip p e d it o ve r his he a d . W itne s s ing o nly the d unk ing a nd he r fa the r ' s s p utte r ing, Ale xa nd r a la ughe d d e lighte d ly. "Anna ? Yo u ha ve give n in to te mp e r ? But the n, I to ld yo u I wo uld b e a b a d influe nc e o n yo u e ve ntua lly, d id n' t I ? " "I nd e e d , d a r ling— a nd yo u k no w whe r e to find the b uc k e t a nd mo p , d o n' t yo u? " Gla nc ing d o wn a t the tr a il o f d us t s he ha d tr a c k e d into the ha ll, Ale xa nd r a wa s s till gr inning whe n s he a s k e d , "Be fo r e o r a fte r Bo jik a nd I b a the ? " W ith vis io ns o f the d is a s te r tha t the Rus s ia n wo lfho und wa s go ing to le a ve in the b a thho us e , Anna s a id , "I d o n' t b e lie ve it ma tte r s . " Ale xa nd r a fla s he d o ne o f the s mile s tha t c o uld s o e a s ily tur n gr o wn me n into mus h if s he o nly k ne w ho w to utilize it, a nd ma r c he d o ff to wa r d the k itc he n, Bo jik fo llo wing a t he r he e ls a s us ua l. I t ha d b e e n unne c e s s a r y to me ntio n the mo p a nd b uc k e t. The gir l a lwa ys c le a ne d up a fte r he r s e lf— a nd he r o ve r la r ge p e t. The y might ha ve a d o ze n s e r va nts o n ha nd to wa it o n he r , b ut s he r a r e ly ma d e us e o f the m. "Anna ? " The wo r d c a me s o ftly fo r a ll tha t it wa s a gr o wl— a s if s he c o uld fo r ge t the und o ub te d ly fur io us ma n s ta nd ing b e hind he r r e e k ing o f vo d k a . S he c r inge d inwa r d ly a t wha t s he ' d d o ne . N e ve r , e ve r , ha d s he s to o p e d to s uc h a lo w le ve l o f b e ha vio r . I t s imp ly wa s n' t in he r na tur e . "S ha ll I p o ur yo u a no the r gla s s ? " s he o ffe r e d witho ut lo o k ing a r o und . S he he a r d a s no r t. "W ill I ge t to d r ink it? " Afte r a mo me nt' s tho ught, Anna s a id , "P r o b a b ly no t, " a nd ma r c he d o ut o f the r o o m he r s e lf.

2 S te fa n Ba r o ny, the r e igning K ing o f C a r d inia , ha d to la ugh. He ha d fo und e xa c tly wha t he ha d e xp e c te d to find in the Gyp s y c a mp — his c o us in lying b e ne a th a tr e e with a lo ve ly yo ung wo ma n c linging to him. Ac tua lly, the r e we r e thr e e wo me n c linging to him, whic h wa s no t e xp e c te d , b ut no t s ur p r is ing e ithe r . Va s ili ha d o ne tuc k e d und e r e a c h a r m, a nd a thir d wo ma n s a t b e hind him,

o ffe r ing he r a mp le b r e a s ts a s a p illo w fo r his go ld e n he a d . The c a mp wa s a t its mo s t b o is te r o us a t night, na k e d c hild r e n wr e s tling a t the fe e t o f the ir d a nc ing mo the r s , s inging a nd s to r yte lling a t e a c h c a mp fir e , p ilfe r e d fo wl a nd r a b b its s te a ming in c a uld r o ns . This p a r tic ula r tr ib e s p e c ia lize d in ho r s e tr a d ing. O the r b a nd s might o ffe r r e p a ir s e r vic e s a nd b la c k s mithing, a nd s till o the r s s tr ic tly p r o vid e d e nte r ta inme nt with the ir C a r p a thia n b e a r tr a ine r s , s na k e c ha r me r s , fine mus ic ia ns , a nd d a nc e r s . M o s t o f the tr ib e s tha t p a s s e d thr o ugh C a r d inia , ho we ve r , we r e c a ttle b r e e d e r s who tr a ve le d with the ir la r ge he r d s o f wa te r b uffa lo o r r e gula r c a ttle . But a ll the tr ib e s o ffe r e d the ir wo me n fo r a p r ic e , a nd ha d the ir o ld o ne s who c o uld he a l with the ir he r b s wha t to wn d o c to r s ha d give n up o n, a nd o f c o ur s e the y ha d the ir fo r tune - te lle r s a nd c ha r m- s e lle r s . "Did n' t I te ll yo u we ' d find him he r e ? " s a id La za r , who wa s o n S te fa n' s r ight. "He s till c r a ve s the wild ne s s . " O n S te fa n' s le ft, S e r ge s no r te d b e fo r e giving his o wn o p inio n. "I f s a n a b und a nc e o f wo me n tha t he c r a ve s , a nd the Gyp s ie s ne ve r fa il to s up p ly tha t. " S te fa n c o uld n' t a r gue with tha t s ta te me nt, s inc e he ' d s p e nt a fa ir a mo unt o f time in Gyp s y c a mp s hims e lf. At le a s t he ha d whe n he ha d b e e n o nly the C r o wn P r inc e o f C a r d i- nia with fe w r e s p o ns ib ilitie s , r a the r tha n the k ing. N o w, the r e wa s s imp ly s o me thing no t q uite d ignifie d a b o ut a k ing c a vo r ting with Gyp s y we nc he s a nd d a nc ing b y fir e light. N o t tha t he wa nte d to a ny lo nge r . The o nly c a vo r ting he d id the s e d a ys wa s with his q ue e n. But the s ight o f the c a mp b r o ught b a c k fo nd me mo r ie s . "I s up p o s e yo u two will wa nt to r e ma in he r e with Va s ili, " S te fa n s a id to his fr ie nd s in a humo r o us to ne . F o r a ll the ir d e r o ga to r y r e ma r k s , the y b o th he ld e q ua lly fo nd me mo r ie s o f Gyp s y c a mp s . "Yo u me a n we a r e n' t d r a gging him b a c k to the c ity? " La za r a s k e d . "M y a unt me r e ly r e q ue s te d tha t I lo c a te Va s ili, no t d e live r him. As lo ng a s he ma k e s a n a p p e a r a nc e s o me time to night, tha t will s uit he r we ll e no ugh. " S e r ge wa s gr inning no w. "I t' s a go o d thing o ld M a x wo n' t le t jus t the thr e e o f us p r o te c t yo u a nymo r e , o r we wo uld b e fo r c e d to e s c o r t yo u b a c k to the c ity. " O ld M a x wa s M a ximilia n Da ne ff, C a r d inia ' s p r ime minis te r , who wa s lik e a s e c o nd fa the r to S te fa n. And M a x to o k his d utie s q uite s e r io us ly, inc lud ing ins is ting tha t a full c o mp le me nt o f s o ld ie r s a c c o mp a ny S te fa n whe ne ve r he le ft the p a la c e . Tho s e s o ld ie r s we r e wa iting o n the o uts k ir ts o f the Gyp s y c a mp s o a s no t to c a us e a la r m. But S te fa n' s a p p e a r a nc e wa s s till c r e a ting a s tir , fo r the Gyp s ie s r e c o gnize d him. Altho ugh he ha d n' t b e e n k ing the la s t time this tr ib e ha d p a s s e d thr o ugh his c o untr y, its me mb e r s wo uld ha ve fo und o ut imme d ia te ly up o n the ir a r r iva l a b o ut a ny c ha nge s in go ve r nme nt a nd whe the r the y we r e s till we lc o me . S uc h k no wle d ge wa s p e r tine nt to the Gyp s ie s ' c o ntinuing go o d he a lth. The b ulub a s ha ha d b e e n s ummo ne d a nd wa s wa iting wa r ily in fr o nt o f his te nt with a numb e r o f e ld e r s . But S te fa n d id n' t c a r e to b e d e la ye d b y the

time - c o ns uming r itua l o f gr e e tings a nd ho no r - b e s to wings whic h c o uld la s t s e ve r a l ho ur s , no t whe n his Ta nya , who wa s wa iting fo r him b a c k a t the p a la c e , ha d te a s e d him with the p r o mis e tha t s he might d a nc e fo r him to night. He tur ne d to wa r d S e r ge a nd s a id , "As s ur e the ir le a d e r tha t this is no t a n o ffic ia l vis it, me r e ly a fa mily e r r a nd . " And with a r e s p e c tful no d to a c k no wle d ge the b ulub a s ha a nd p ut the ma n a t e a s e , he he a d e d to wa r d his c o us in. Tha t s ingle no d ha d p ut the who le c a mp a t e a s e , a nd the s inging a nd d a nc ing r e s ume d . M o r e tha n a d o ze n wo me n, yo ung a nd o ld , imme d ia te ly c o nve r ge d o n S te fa n. The y wo uld a c tua lly fight, to the d e a th if ne c e s s a r y, fo r the o p p o r tunity to p e r fo r m a s e r vic e fo r him, a ny s e r vic e , b e c a us e his ge ne r o s ity wa s s o we ll k no wn a nd s o p r o d igio us tha t e ve n a fa mily o f te n o n who m it ha d b e e n b e s to we d wo uld n' t ha ve to wo r k o r s te a l fo r a ye a r . S te fa n wa s o nly va gue ly a wa r e tha t La za r wa s k e e p ing him fr o m b e ing b o the r e d b y to s s ing o ut ha nd fuls o f c o ins a nd wa ving the wo me n o ff. W ha t he ld his fa s c ina tio n wa s his c o us in Va s ili' s va lia nt e ffo r t to d ivid e his a tte ntio n a mo ng thr e e wo me n. And S te fa n wa s c lo s e to la ughing o utr ight b e c a us e a s fa r a s he c o uld te ll, Va s ili wa s a c tua lly ma na ging it, k is s ing fir s t o ne e a ge r we nc h, the n a no the r , while his ha nd s r o a me d o ve r a ll thr e e . But the wo me n we r e n' t c o mp e ting with o ne a no the r a s o ne might e xp e c t; the y ha d p r o b a b ly a lr e a d y b e e n a s s ur e d tha t Va s ili wo uld s e e to e a c h o f the m b e fo r e the night wa s o ve r , if no t a ll thr e e o f the m a t the s a me time , whic h s e e me d to b e the c a s e a t the mo me nt. Ea c h o f tho s e wo me n p r o b a b ly ha d a hus b a nd s o me whe r e in the c a mp , b ut Va s ili wa s n' t in d a nge r o f ge tting a k nife in his b a c k b e fo r e he d e p a r te d . Giving the ir b o d ie s to me n fo r p a yme nt wa s b us ine s s a nd a n a c c e p te d p r a c tic e fo r the wo me n— a s lo ng a s tho s e me n we r e n' t Gyp s ie s . Ye t le t o ne o f tho s e wo me n lo o k a t a no the r Gyp s y ma le with a llur e in he r e ye s , a nd he r hus b a nd wa s mo r e tha n lik e ly to k ill he r . But Gyp s ie s live d a nd d ie d b y the ir o wn p e c u lia r r ule s , whic h we r e e nfo r c e d b y e a c h tr ib e ' s b ulub a s ha . Va s ili wa s s o invo lve d in his lo ve ma k ing tha t he ha d n' t e ve n no tic e d the e a r lie r q uie ting o f the c a mp o r the r e s ump tio n o f no is e . He d id n' t he a r his fr ie nd s ' a p p r o a c hing ho r s e s e ithe r , s o S te fa n a nd La za r jus t s a t the r e fo r a while , me r e fe e t a wa y, e njo ying the p e r fo r ma nc e . S te fa n wa s s till fa s c ina te d , s inc e he ha d ne ve r wa tc he d his c o us in wo r k his s e ns ua l ma gic b e fo r e , a t le a s t no t to this d e gr e e . He ' d a lwa ys b e e n b us y with s o me we nc h o f his o wn whe ne ve r he a nd the s e thr e e c lo s e s t fr ie nd s o f his ha d p ur s ue d the ir p le a s ur e s to ge the r . But Va s ili wa s s o fa r a d va nc e d in his e nd e a vo r s — c lo the s we r e b e ing r a p id ly d is c a r d e d — tha t it wa s q uite p o s s ib le he ha d fo r go tte n tha t he us ua lly d id this s o r t o f thing with a little mo r e p r iva c y. O r p e r ha p s he ' d r e a c he d the p o int whe r e it d id n' t ma tte r to him o ne wa y o r the o the r . O nly o ne o f the wo me n ha d no tic e d tha t the y ha d a n a ud ie nc e , a nd s he d id n' t s e e m to c a r e , a s s he wa s to o b us y c a r e s s ing the wid e ma le c he s t tha t a no the r o f the wo me n ha d jus t b a r e d . O f c o ur s e , Va s ili d id te nd to ha ve tha t k ind o f e ffe c t o n wo me n. He ma d e the m fo r ge t mo r a ls , mo d e s ty, a nd the s tr ic tur e s o f a life time . W he r e ve r he we nt, wha te ve r he wa s d o ing, wo me n c la mo r e d to me e t

him, a nd , up o n me e ting him, c la mo r e d to ge t into his b e d . W he r e a s o the r me n ha d to wo r k lo ng a nd ha r d a t s e d uc tio n, Va s ili me r e ly ha d to wa lk into a r o o m a nd c r o o k a finge r . Ac tua lly, he ha d to d o no thing a t a ll b ut b e the r e , a nd wo me n we r e d r a wn to him. His ha nd s o me ne s s ha d a lwa ys b e e n the lur e , a nd his fr ie nd s b e ne fite d fr o m his e ffe c t o n wo me n, s o the y ha r d ly b e gr ud ge d him his go o d fo r tune o r his e xc e p tio na l go o d lo o k s . And a ltho ugh it might a p p e a r o the r wis e a t the mo me nt, Va s ili d id n' t d e vo te his life to the p ur s uit o f s e xua l gr a tific a tio n— a t le a s t no t the gr e a te r p a r t o f it. He wa s we ll ho ne d in the milita r y a r ts — a ll fo ur o f the m we r e — a nd he ha d b e e n give n nume r o us o ffic ia l d utie s up o n S te fa n' s c o r o na tio n. But the d uty he to o k mo s t s e r io us ly wa s b e ing a me mb e r o f the r o ya l gua r d , S te fa n' s p e r s o na l gua r d , a nd Va s ili wo uld n' t b e he r e to night if he ' d k no wn S te fa n wa s go ing to le a ve the p a la c e . Tha t S te fa n wo uld n' t b e he r e if Va s ili we r e n' t wa s a mo o t p o int. Va s ili a lwa ys ma d e s ur e he wo uld n' t b e ne e d e d b e fo r e he p ur s ue d his o wn inte r e s ts . At the mo me nt, the r e we r e thr e e yo ung wo me n in d iffe r ing s ta ge s o f ne e d who we r e a b o ut to b e s a tis fie d . F o r the s a k e o f futur e p e a c e — La za r wo uld n' t b e a b le to r e s is t r ib b ing Va s ili a b o ut his s ud d e n la c k o f mo d e s ty, whic h wo uld le a d to b lo ws b e fo r e the two o f the m wo uld la ugh to ge the r o ve r it— S te fa n c le a r e d his thr o a t. I t d id n' t wo r k . I t s till d id n' t wo r k whe n he tr ie d a ga in. S o La za r r e ma r k e d q uite lo ud ly, ' The Gyp s ie s wo uld b e r ic h if the y ha d tho ught to s e ll tic k e ts . " And S e r ge ha d r id d e n up b y the n to a d d , "I t d o e s n' t lo o k lik e Va s ili wo uld mind , a nd this s ur e a s he ll b e a ts the ne w p la y tha t o p e ne d la s t we e k a t the Gr a nd . " Va s ili ha d r o lle d o ve r a nd no w gla r e d up a t the m, his gr o a n c a us e d no t b y e mb a r r a s s me nt, b ut b y b e ing inte r r up te d . "Ho w the d e vil d id yo u find me ? " "Yo u to ld F a tima whe r e yo u we r e go ing, " S te fa n e xp la ine d , the n a d d e d with a gla nc e a t the wo me n, who ma d e no e ffo r t to c o r r e c t the ir va r ying s ta te s o f und r e s s a nd we r e s till c ur le d a ll a r o und Va s ili, "S he d o e s n' t mind ? " "F a tima d o e s n' t o wn me a ny mo r e tha n I o wn he r . I ga ve he r he r fr e e d o m. W ha t mo r e c a n I d o ? " "F ind he r a hus b a nd . " "S he c r ie s e ve r y time I s ugge s t it. " Va s ili s o und e d s o d is gus te d , a ll thr e e me n la ughe d , no t the le a s t b it s ymp a the tic . The c o nc ub ine ha d b e e n a gift to Va s ili fr o m the Tur k is h Gr a nd Ve zir , a nd s he wa s a lo ve ly, s e ns ua l c r e a tur e tr a ine d in e ve r y a s p e c t o f p le a s ing a ma n. Va s ili might ha ve fr e e d he r , b ut the y d o ub te d tha t he ma d e the o ffe r to find he r a hus b a nd ve r y o fte n. Va s ili d id n' t mind the ir humo r , b ut in his p r e s e nt p hys ic a l c o nd itio n, whic h wa s n' t s ub s id ing with mo r e tha n o ne p a ir o f na k e d b r e a s ts p r e s s e d a ga ins t him, he s till mind e d lik e he ll the ir s ud d e n a p p e a r a nc e . "J us t wha t a r e yo u d o ing he r e , S te fa n, a nd why wa s n' t I info r me d tha t yo u inte nd e d to le a ve the p a la c e

to night? " S te fa n gr inne d a t him. "I f yo u ha d b o the r e d to r e c e ive yo ur mo the r ' s me s s e nge r the s e p a s t thr e e d a ys , ins te a d o f ha ving him info r me d tha t yo u we r e n' t ho me whe n yo u we r e , s he wo uld n' t ha ve fo und it ne c e s s a r y to c o me to me to d e ma nd to k no w whe r e I ha d s e nt yo u. Ho w d id yo u a vo id he r a t the p a la c e , b y the wa y? " Va s ili r a n a n a gita te d ha nd thr o ugh his go ld e n ma ne . "I t wa s n' t e a s y. I s up p o s e yo u to ld he r yo u ha d n' t s e nt me a nywhe r e . " "N o , I me r e ly s a id I wo uld lo c a te yo u a nd s e nd yo u a lo ng to he r p o s tha s te . W hy a r e yo u a vo id ing he r , c o us in? " "Be c a us e a nytime s he s e nd s me a n ' o ffic ia l' s ummo ns , a s this o ne wa s , it' s a lmo s t gua r a nte e d I wo n' t lik e wha te ve r it is s he ha s to s a y. Eithe r s he ' s go ing to ha r p a t me a b o ut ge tting ma r r ie d — it' s b e e n thr e e mo nths s inc e the la s t time , s o s he ' s d ue — o r s he ' s go ing to b la s t me a b o ut my la te s t a ffa ir . " "W hic h a ffa ir ? " S te fa n a s k e d c ur io us ly. "W hic he ve r o ne s he ' s fo und o ut a b o ut. " S inc e Va s ili ha d no t o ne mis tr e s s b ut thr e e a t p r e s e nt in the c ity— no t inc lud ing F a tima , who wa s ins ta lle d in his o wn ho us e , o r the o the r wo me n who c o ns ta ntly thr e w the ms e lve s a t him— the fa c t tha t he wa s s p r e a d ing hims e lf a r o und a mo ng the Gyp s ie s ha d to b e wo nd e r e d a t. Va s ili lik e d va r ie ty a s we ll a s a ny ma n, a t le a s t a ny ma n no t in lo ve , a s S te fa n wa s , b ut he a lr e a d y ha d mo r e va r ie ty tha n a ny ma n c o uld wa nt. "W hy d o n' t yo u s e nd me s o me whe r e ? " Va s ili s ud d e nly s ugge s te d . S te fa n la ughe d . "W he n Aunt M a r ia ma na ge d to ge t me to a s s ur e he r tha t I wo uld d e live r yo u p e r s o na lly if ne c e s s a r y? Yo u' ll ha ve to ta k e the ha r p ing o r b la s ting this time , my fr ie nd . N e xt time give me p r io r wa r ning, a nd I ' ll s e nd yo u o ff to Aus tr ia o r F r a nc e fo r a fe w mo nths , tho ugh I d o n' t s e e wha t go o d it will d o , s inc e s he ' ll s till b e he r e o n yo ur r e tur n. Ha ve yo u tho ught a b o ut d o ing wha t s he wa nts ? " "Yo u me a n ge t ma r r ie d ? " Va s ili s no r te d . "Do n' t b e r id ic ulo us . I c o uld n' t b e s a tis fie d with jus t o ne wo ma n. " "W ho s a ys yo u ha ve to b e ? " Va s ili ga ve S te fa n a s o ur lo o k . "Yo ur q ue e n p r o b a b ly wo uld . S he ' s go t o ld - fa s hio ne d id e a s a b o ut fa ithfulne s s , if yo u ha ve n' t no tic e d . J e s us , if I ma r r ie d , I wo uld n' t p ut it p a s t Ta nya to ma k e it a r o ya l c o mma nd tha t my b e d is o ff limits to a ny wo ma n b ut my c o unte s s . " S e r ge a nd La za r we r e la ughing b e fo r e he ha d finis he d s p e a k ing. S te fa n wa s n' t q uite a mus e d a nd a s k e d his c o us in, "Ha s Ta nya s a id s o me thing to yo u? " "M e r e ly tha t I o ught to d e vo te a s muc h time to find ing the r ight wo ma n a s I d o to p ur s uing a ll the wr o ng o ne s . F o r s o me r e a s o n, s he ' s go t it into he r he a d tha t I ' m no t ha p p y. C a n yo u ima gine tha t? W he n I c o uld n' t b e ha p p ie r . " "But s he ' s a wo ma n in lo ve , " La za r r e ma r k e d . "W o me n in lo ve lik e to s e e e ve r yo ne in lo ve . "

"Eithe r tha t, o r my mo the r ' s b e e n c o mp la ining to he r a b o ut me , a s s he d o e s to a nyo ne who ' ll lis te n, " Va s ili s a id . ' I f s a d a mn c ur s e , b e ing a n o nly c hild , a nd ha ving a mo the r wo r r ie d a b o ut the c o ntinua tio n o f the line . " "Tr y ha ving a r o ya l fa the r wo r r ie d a b o ut it, " S te fa n s a id d r yly. The y a ll la ughe d , b ut it ha d b e e n no la ughing ma tte r la s t ye a r whe n S te fa n ha d b e e n s e nt to Ame r ic a to c o lle c t his p r inc e s s b r id e . He ' d b e e n fur io us a b o ut it a nd ha d d r e a d e d his ma r r ia ge . But fo r tuna te ly, he ' d b e e n s mitte n b y the r o ya l he ir e s s , a nd e ve n mo r e fo r tuna te , s he ha d c o me to lo ve him a s we ll. "I ha ve the a ns we r , " Va s ili s a id s ud d e nly. "W hy d o n' t yo u o r d e r my mo the r to r e ma r r y, S te fa n? Tha t o ught to give he r s o me thing e ls e to think a b o ut b e s id e s gr a nd c hild r e n. " S te fa n s ho o k his he a d , tho ugh he wa s gr inning. "I ' m to o fo nd o f my a unt to o r d e r he r to d o a nything s he d o e s n' t wa nt to d o , a nd we ll yo u k no w it. N o w, wha t a r e yo u d o ing he r e b y yo ur s e lf? Yo u us ua lly d r a g La za r a nd S e r ge a lo ng with yo u— fo r this s o r t o f e nte r ta inme nt. " Va s ili fina lly s mile d . "Ac tua lly, I ha d n' t p la nne d o n this s o r t o f e nte r ta inme nt. I c a me he r e to p ur c ha s e a ne w ho r s e . Dinic u ha d s e nt his b o y to te ll me he ha d a fine s ta llio n to s e ll. " La za r p e r k e d up a t tha t, fo r his p a s s io n fo r fa nc y ho r s e fle s h wa s a s k e e n a s Va s ili' s . "Did yo u b uy it? " "I t wa s n' t s o fine a fte r a ll. " "Ah. " La za r no d d e d . "S o yo u a r e c o mp e ns a ting yo ur s e lf fo r a wa s te d tr ip ? " "C e r ta inly. Yo u a r e we lc o me , o f c o ur s e , to jo in me , a nd S e r ge a s we ll— b ut no t yo u, S te fa n. " "As if I wo uld a c c e p t. " S te fa n gr inne d . "I ' m no t ta k ing a ny c ha nc e s , " Va s ili a s s ur e d him. "I ' m s ta ying o n the q ue e n' s go o d s id e the s e d a ys , no w tha t s he ' s d e igne d to fo r give me . " S te fa n q uir k e d a b r o w a nd te a s e d , "Ar e yo u s ur e s he ha s ? S he s till c a lls yo u a p e a c o c k , yo u k no w. " "Ye s , " Va s ili r e p lie d r a the r s mugly. "But s he s a ys it fo nd ly no w, a nd le a ve s o ff the ' ja c k - a s s e d ' tha t us e to go with it. " S te fa n c huc k le d . His wife ha d ne ve r b e e n o ne to minc e wo r d s , a nd b e ing the Q ue e n o f C a r d inia a nd und e r a lmo s t c o ns ta nt a tte nd a nc e c e r ta inly d id n' t he lp to c ur b he r to ngue . But his c o ur t wa s b e c o ming us e d to he r Ame r ic a nize d wa ys , a nd he r utte r la c k o f d ip lo ma c y. Think ing a b o ut his wife r e mind e d him tha t s he wa s wa iting fo r him— a nd wha t s he ha d s e e me d to p r o mis e . "W e a r e fo r ge tting a b o ut yo ur mo the r . " "I wa s tr ying to , " Va s ili gr umb le d , a nd a s his a r ms s lip p e d a r o und the two c lo s e s t Gyp s y we nc he s , he a d d e d , "Ha ve a he a r t, c o us in. Te ll he r yo u c o uld n' t find me . " "I wo n' t go tha t fa r , b ut I ' ll give yo u two ho ur s to p r e s e nt yo ur s e lf a t yo ur o ld ho me . La za r a nd S e r ge will ma k e s ur e tha t yo u' r e no t o ne minute la te . I n the me a ntime , e njo y, my fr ie nd s . "

La za r a nd S e r ge we r e a lr e a d y d is mo unting with e a ge r a ntic ip a tio n. But a s S te fa n le ft the m to r id e o ut o f c a mp a lo ne , Va s ili le a p t up a nd s ho ute d fo r him to wa it. W he n he ya nk e d his s hir t o ut fr o m und e r a nic e ly s ha p e d hip , the wo me n s ta r te d p r o te s ting, lo ud ly, a nd La za r , r e a lizing tha t Va s ili wa s le tting d uty c o me b e fo r e p le a s ur e , a s a lwa ys , d id s o me p r o te s ting o f his o wn. "Do n' t b e r id ic ulo us , Va s ili. He ' s go t twe nty me n wa iting fo r him. " "N o t go o d e no ugh, " wa s a ll Va s ili s a id a s he fo und his c o a t a nd to s s e d it o ve r his s ho uld e r s . S e r ge r o lle d his e ye s . I t wo uld n' t d o a ny go o d to p o int o ut tha t S te fa n wo uld fe e l ins ulte d tha t Va s ili d id n' t think he c o uld ta k e c a r e o f hims e lf fo r the s ho r t tr ip b a c k to the p a la c e . S te fa n wo uld fe e l ins ulte d , b ut he ' d b e a mus e d , to o , tha t Va s ili wo uld le a ve s uc h a c c o mmo d a ting we nc he s whe n he d id n' t ha ve to . S e r ge s ighe d a nd s ta r te d to r e mo unt, b ut Va s ili s to p p e d him. "He ne e d s o nly o ne o f us . Yo u two go a he a d a nd e njo y. The la d ie s a r e a lr e a d y wa r me d up . " "Ye s , b ut yo u d id the wa r ming. " "S o tha nk me . I ' m no lo nge r in the mo o d , a nywa y, think ing a b o ut tha t a p p o intme nt with my mo the r a nd ha ving to e nd ur e o ne o f he r le c tur e s . I f yo u ins is t o n c o ming a lo ng, I ' ll ins is t yo u e nd ur e it with me . " "I n tha t c a s e , we ' ll s e e yo u to mo r r o w. " 3 Va s ili' s mo the r wa s n' t we a r ing the c o r r e c t e xp r e s s io n whe n s he jo ine d him in he r p a r lo r la te r tha t night. At le a s t he r e xp r e s s io n wa s n' t the o ne he ' d c o me to a s s o c ia te with he r le c tur e s . I n fa c t, he r e xp r e s s io n wa s s o p le a s e d a nd ha p p y, he ha d to wo nd e r if he ' d mis ta k e n the r e a s o n fo r he r s ummo ns . Lo ng e xp e r ie nc e a s s ur e d him tha t go o d ne ws wo uld ha ve b r o ught he r to him, a nd he wo uld n' t ha ve e ve n c o ns id e r e d tur ning he r a wa y a t his d o o r a s he ha d he r me s s e nge r . Afte r a ll, he d id lo ve he r , a nd d id tr y to p le a s e he r whe n it wa s r e a s o na b ly p o s s ib le to d o s o . I t wa s o nly fo r the s c o ld ings a nd the le c tur e s , whe n s he a ntic ip a te d a r gume nts fr o m him, tha t s he wa nte d him in he r o wn te r r ito r y, whic h wa s he r e in the ho us e he ha d gr o wn up in. I t d id n' t ma tte r tha t he ' d mo ve d o ut o f the fa mily ho me s o me twe lve ye a r s a go , fir s t into the p a la c e to b e c lo s e r a t ha nd fo r S te fa n' s imp r o mp tu o utings , the n into his o wn to wn ho us e a fte r he ha d ta k e n the gr a nd Eur o p e a n to ur . His mo the r s till fe lt tha t this ho us e , a nd he r o wn p a r lo r in p a r tic ula r , s o me ho w e nha nc e d he r a utho r ity. The he ll o f it wa s , it d id . The e ve ning wa s yo ung e no ugh tha t he ha d c a ught the c o unte s s b e fo r e s he le ft fo r whic he ve r p a r ty s he wa s a tte nd ing to night. Tha t wa s e xa c tly wha t he ha d c o unte d o n, s o he c o uld ge t this o ve r with a nd e njo y the r e s t o f the night hims e lf. He ho p e d he r p a r ty wa s a n imp o r ta nt o ne fo r whic h s he wo uld n' t wa nt to a r r ive la te , the r e b y k e e p ing this me e ting s ho r t. He r c lo the s we r e no ind ic a tio n, no r the a mo unt o f je we ls s he wa s we a r ing, fo r s he ne ve r a tte nd e d a ny s o c ia l e nga ge me nt witho ut b e ing d e c k e d o ut in gr a nd s tyle .

M a r ia P e tr o ff wa s a ha nd s o me wo ma n in he r la te r ye a r s , p e r ha p s mo r e ha nd s o me no w tha n s he ha d b e e n in he r yo uth, fo r no o ne ha d e ve r c o ns id e r e d he r a b e a uty. He r thr us ting c hin a nd p a tr ic ia n no s e , whic h we r e n' t e xa c tly fe minine , e nd o we d he r with a c lo s e r e s e mb la nc e to he r b r o the r S a nd o r , the la te k ing, a nd s he ' d ne ve r b e e n fa r fr o m r o b us t a nd s to c k y o f b uild , whic h no w c o uld k ind ly b e te r me d ma tr o nly. I t ha d a lwa ys b e e n a s o ur c e o f b e wild e r me nt to he r , a s we ll a s fie r c e p r id e , tha t s he ha d p r o d uc e d a s o n lik e Va s ili. But the n he to o k a fte r his fa the r in his lo o k s . All tha t he ha d fr o m he r we r e the Ba r o ny e ye s , e ye s s o light a b r o wn tha t s tr o ng e mo tio n tur ne d the m go ld e n. O n C a r d inia ' s yo ung K ing S te fa n, with his r a ve n- b la c k ha ir a nd d a r k c o mp le xio n, p e o p le c a lle d the m d e vil' s e ye s . But o n Va s ili, with his go ld e n ha ir a nd s k in to ne , the y we r e me r e ly b e a utiful, a c o mp le me nt to the fine b o ne s tr uc tur e tha t ma d e him s o ve r y ha nd s o me . "Yo u lo o k d is gr a c e ful, " wa s the fir s t thing Va s ili' s mo the r s a id to him. S inc e he ha d n' t b o the r e d to go ho me a nd c ha nge b e fo r e ma k ing his a p p e a r a nc e , his s hir t a nd ja c k e t we r e b o th und e r s ta nd a b ly wr ink le d . His ha ir wa s a ls o a me s s , a fte r s o ma ny ha nd s ha d te s te d its s o ftne s s to night, b ut o n Va s ili, a nything le s s tha n imp e c c a b le o nly ga ve him a r a k is h lo o k tha t wo me n fo und inc r e d ib ly s e ns ua l. But his mo the r ' s r e ma r k ma d e him ins ta ntly ne r vo us , fo r s he ' d b e e n s miling whe n s he ' d s a id it. S o me thing wa s d e finite ly no t r ight he r e . His e ye s na r r o we d s us p ic io us ly no w, he d e ma nd e d , "W ha t a r e yo u glo a ting a b o ut, M o the r ? " S he a c tua lly la ughe d . "W ha t a d is ta s te ful wo r d , a nd s o me thing I wo uld ne ve r d o , o f c o ur s e . " And with a no the r s mile : "W hy d o n' t yo u p o ur us a d r ink ? " He r e tur ne d he r s mile , d e c id ing to go a lo ng with he r fo r the mo me nt. "An e xc e lle nt id e a , " he s a id , b ut a s he he a d e d fo r the s id e b o a r d whe r e a va r ie ty o f s p ir its we r e k e p t o n ha nd fo r gue s ts , he a d d e d und e r his b r e a th, "O b vio us ly I ' m go ing to ne e d it. " "I ' ll ha ve s o me o f tha t fine Rus s ia n vo d k a I k e e p s to c k e d jus t fo r yo u, " s he s a id b e fo r e he b e ga n to p o ur e xa c tly tha t fo r hims e lf. The r e q ue s t a r r e s te d his ha nd a nd ma d e him fr o wn. "Yo u d o n' t lik e vo d k a , " he r e mind e d he r . "Tr ue , " s he r e p lie d with a s hr ug. "But it s e e ms . . . a p p r o p r ia te to night. " S he wa s s miling a ga in. He b r o ught he r a s ma ll a mo unt o f the p o te nt liq uo r , b ut he we nt b a c k to ge t the b o ttle fo r hims e lf a nd to o k it with him to the c ha ir o p p o s ite the s o fa s he ha d s e ttle d o n. He ha d fille d his gla s s twic e , d r a ining it b o th time s , b e fo r e he fe lt fo r tifie d e no ugh to s a y, "All r ight, M o the r , le t' s ha ve it. W ha t a r e yo u s o d is gus tingly thr ille d a b o ut? " "Yo u' r e go ing to ha ve to le a ve within the we e k fo r a tr ip to Rus s ia . " "And tha t d e lights yo u? " S he no d d e d , he r s mile p o s itive ly glo wing no w. "I nd e e d it d o e s , s inc e yo u will b e c o lle c ting yo ur b r id e while yo u' r e the r e . "

Va s ili we nt ve r y s till, a nd the o nly thing he c o uld think to s a y to tha t a la r ming s ta te me nt wa s , "I ' m no t S te fa n, M o the r . He ha d to go a nd c o lle c t a b r id e . I d o n' t ha p p e n to ha ve o ne , tha nk Go d . " "Yo u d o no w. " He s ho t o ut o f his c ha ir a nd c a me to s ta nd o ve r he r , the ve r y ima ge o f b r is tling ma le c ha gr in. He c o uld n' t r e me mb e r whe n he ha d e ve r b e e n this a nno ye d with his mo the r . I nte r fe r ing in his life wa s una c c e p ta b le . S he k ne w tha t a nd ha d a lwa ys r e s p e c te d it. Le c tur e s a nd s e r mo ns s he wa s a llo we d , wo r r y a nd c o nc e r n s he wa s p e r mitte d , b ut s o me thing lik e this ? W ha t the d e vil ha d ma d e he r think s he c o uld ge t a wa y with it? "W ha te ve r yo u ha ve d o ne , M o the r , yo u c a n jus t und o . W ha te ve r e mb a r r a s s me nt yo u' ll ha ve to s uffe r fo r it, yo u' ll s uffe r o n yo ur o wn. I d o n' t e ve n wa nt to he a r a no the r wo r d a b o ut it. " I nc r e d ib ly, s he wa s s till s miling, a nd s he d id n' t k e e p him in s us p e ns e a s to why. "Yo u might ha ve to he a r o ne o r two mo r e wo r d s a b o ut it, d e a r e s t— " "M o the r — " he tr ie d to c ut in wa r ningly. "— s inc e I ha ve n' t d o ne a nything, s o I ha ve no thing to und o . " "Tha t' s a b s ur d . O f c o ur s e yo u— " "N o , no t me . The fa c t tha t yo u ha ve a b r id e wa iting fo r yo u is e ntir e ly yo ur fa the r ' s d o ing. " W ith tha t p ie c e o f the p uzzle s up p lie d , Va s ili b e ga n to r e la x. I t wa s n' t lik e his mo the r to ind ulge in a p r a c tic a l jo k e , b ut he s up p o s e d the r e wa s a fir s t time fo r e ve r ything. "And ho w wa s he s up p o s e d to ha ve a r r a nge d this ma r r ia ge ? F r o m the gr a ve ? " S he d r e w in he r b r e a th s ha r p ly. "Tha t wa s unc a lle d - fo r , Va s ili. " "S o is this jo k e o f yo ur s , " he r e to r te d . "A jo k e ? Yo u ins ult me e ve n to think tha t I wo uld jo k e a b o ut s o me thing lik e this . " "But it' s b e e n fo ur te e n ye a r s — " "I k no w e xa c tly ho w lo ng it' s b e e n s inc e yo ur fa the r d ie d . " He r to ne wa s c lip p e d , he r d is p le a s ur e with him s till s tr o ng. "But a c c o r d ing to the le tte r I r e c e ive d , yo ur b e tr o tha l wa s ma d e fifte e n ye a r s a go . Tha t wo uld ha ve b e e n the la s t time yo ur fa the r wa s in Rus s ia . " "Yo u e xp e c t me to b e lie ve he d id s o me thing lik e this witho ut te lling yo u a b o ut it— o r me ? " "I d o n' t k no w why he ne ve r me ntio ne d it, b ut he mo s t d e finite ly d id a r r a nge it. I c a n o nly a s s ume he fe lt the r e wa s a mp le time to a p p r is e us o f it. Afte r a ll, yo u we r e s o yo ung b a c k the n— " "I wo uld ha ve b e e n s ixte e n, ha r d ly in the c r a d le , " he s na p p e d . As if he ha d n' t inte r r up te d , s he c o ntinue d . "But he d ie d the ne xt ye a r . " Va s ili' s e ye s we r e glo wing b y no w. This wa s s o und ing to o s e r io us b y ha lf fo r

him to me r e ly fe e l a nno ye d . "I f s a lie , " he s ta te d e mp ha tic a lly. "The r e is no c o nc e iva b le r e a s o n why he wo uld d o s uc h a thing. " He r s mile wa s b a c k , giving him c le a r wa r ning tha t he wa s n' t go ing to lik e he r a ns we r . "The r e is o ne . Yo ur b e tr o the d is the d a ughte r o f yo ur fa the r ' s ve r y d e a r fr ie nd , Ba r o n Rub li- o v. Eve n yo u c a n r e me mb e r ho w o fte n S ime o n s p o k e o f the b a r o n, ho w highly he tho ught o f him. S e ve r a l mo nths o ut o f e ve r y ye a r yo ur fa the r we nt to Rus s ia to vis it him. " Va s ili d id r e me mb e r , a nd r e me mb e r e d r e s e nting the time his fa the r ha d s p e nt a wa y fr o m ho me . O f c o ur s e , whe n he a nd his fr ie nd s ha d ha d the ir gr a nd to ur , it ha d inc lud e d Rus s ia a nd the I mp e r ia l C o ur t, a nd he ha d le a r ne d fir s tha nd wha t his fa the r wo uld ha ve fo und s o a p p e a ling a b o ut Rus s ia . The la d ie s the r e , a t le a s t the a r is to c r a ts , we r e inc r e d ib ly b o ld in the ir p r o mis c uity. The y d id n' t e ve n wa it fo r ma r r ia ge to ta k e lo ve r s , vir ginity a p p a r e ntly no t b e ing a s highly p r ize d the r e a s it wa s in the r e s t o f the wo r ld . "I , fo r o ne , c a n ima gine yo ur fa the r s igning this b e tr o tha l c o ntr a c t, " the c o unte s s we nt o n. "Afte r a ll, the r e wa s no o ne he r e in C a r d inia who m he lik e d ha lf a s muc h a s he d id C o ns ta ntin Rub lio v. He wo uld ha ve b e e n d e lighte d to ha ve his fa mily jo ine d to Rub li- o v' s . " Tha t wo r d "b e tr o tha l" wa s ma k ing Va s ili s e e r e d , a nd s ta r ting to ma k e him p a nic . "But Rub lio v wa its fifte e n ye a r s to b r ing it to o ur a tte ntio n? " M a r ia s hr ugge d . "F r o m the to ne o f his le tte r , I wo uld s a y he d id n' t think he wa s te lling us a nything we d id n' t a lr e a d y k no w. " "But why wa it fifte e n ye a r s , o r — wha t is the gir l, jus t b a r e ly o ut o f the s c ho o lr o o m? W a s he jus t wa iting until s he gr e w up ? " "He d o e s n' t me ntio n he r a ge , b ut it d o e s n' t s o und a s if s he ' s tha t yo ung, fo r he d o e s me ntio n tha t s he wa s in no hur r y to ma r r y, whic h is why he ha d n' t wr itte n a b o ut the b e tr o tha l b e fo r e no w. He a ls o s a ys tha t he wa s wa iting fo r yo u to wr ite , b ut s inc e yo u ha ve n' t. . . " "Le t me s e e tha t d a mn le tte r . " S he d id n' t ha ve to le a ve the r o o m to r e tr ie ve it. O b vio us ly s he ha d e xp e c te d the d e ma nd , a nd no w p ulle d the le tte r o ut o f a p o c k e t in he r s k ir t. Va s ili to r e it o p e n to p e r us e the fine F r e nc h s c r a wl. He ha d b e e n ho p ing it ha d b e e n wr itte n in Rus s ia n. His mo the r c o uld ha ve mis inte r p r e te d Rus s ia n, b e c a us e e ve n tho ugh the y b o th s p o k e it flue ntly, ne ithe r o f the m c o uld r e a d o r wr ite it ve r y we ll. But jus t a b o ut e ve r yo ne in the C a r d inia n c o ur t c o uld r e a d a nd wr ite F r e nc h, a nd the le tte r le ft no thing fo r mis inte r p r e ta tio n. F o r a ll its d ip lo ma c y, it wa s a d e ma nd fo r him to ho no r a b e tr o tha l c o ntr a c t tha t ha d p r o mis e d he wo uld ma r r y o ne Ale xa nd r a Rub lio v. Va s ili c r ump le d the le tte r in his fis t a nd thr e w it a c r o s s the r o o m. I t b o unc e d o ff a va s e o f flo we r s a nd r o lle d to the flo o r . He fe lt a n ur ge to gr ind it into the c a r p e ting with the he e l o f his b o o t. I ns te a d he we nt to the b o ttle o f vo d k a he ' d le ft b y his c ha ir a nd tilte d it to his lip s , unc a r ing tha t his mo the r wo uld find s uc h s willing the he ight o f c r ud e ne s s . He r ts fc ing p r o ve d it, b ut tha t d id n' t s to p him fr o m d r a ining ha lf the b o ttle b e fo r e he tur ne d to a c k no wle d ge he r d is a p p r o va l with a mo c k ing b o w. C a s ua lly no w, a s if he we r e n' t s e e thing ins id e , he s a id , "Ans we r his le tte r ,

M o the r . Yo u c a n te ll him tha t I ' ve a lr e a d y ma r r ie d . O r te ll him I ' ve d ie d . I d o n' t c a r e wha t yo u te ll him, a s lo ng a s yo u ma k e s ur e he und e r s ta nd s I c a n' t ma r r y his d a ughte r . " He r b a c k s tr a ighte ne d . He r lip s p ur s e d fo r b a ttle . "Yo u mo s t c e r ta inly c a n. " "But I wo n' t. " Be fo r e the b o ttle c o uld r e a c h his lip s a ga in, s he s a id , "But yo u will. " "N o ! " He s ho ute d it, s ur p r is ing the m b o th. He ne ve r r a is e d his vo ic e to he r , no ma tte r ho w ir r ita te d he wa s ; a t le a s t he ne ve r ha d b e fo r e . But no w he wa s fe e ling a nge r , gut- c hur ning fur y, a nd it s te mme d fr o m the s e ns a tio n o f ha ving a tr a p d o o r s la m s hut o n him. S o fte r , tho ugh no le s s e mp ha tic a lly, he a d d e d , "W he n I a m r e a d y to ma r r y, I will, b ut it will b e my d e c is io n, a nd my c ho ic e . " He wo uld ha ve lik e d tha t to b e the e nd o f it. I t s ho uld ha ve b e e n the e nd o f it. He e ve n s ta r te d to le a ve the r o o m, ta k ing the b o ttle o f vo d k a with him. He d id n' t ge t ve r y fa r b e fo r e his mo the r ' s wo r d s s tr uc k his b a c k lik e s ha r d s o f gla s s , la c e r a ting, d r a wing b lo o d . "Eve n yo u, d is r e p uta b le s c a mp tha t yo u a r e , wo n' t d is ho no r yo ur fa the r ' s na me . " 4 Ta nya lifte d he r ve il s lightly, jus t e no ugh s o tha t he r to ngue c o uld te a s e the fla t ma le nip p le s he ha d e xp o s e d o n he r hus b a nd ' s c he s t. He gr o a ne d a nd r e a c he d fo r he r , b ut s he ma d e a wa r ning s o und a nd his ha nd s r e tur ne d to the ir d e a th gr ip o n the b a c k o f the c ha is e lo unge he wa s lying o n. N o t b e ing a b le to to uc h his wife wa s d r iving S te fa n c r a zy, e s p e c ia lly with he r s tr a d d ling his lo ins a nd ha ving no s uc h r e s tr ic tio n p la c e d o n he r . But the y' d ma d e a d e a l. S he wo uld d a nc e fo r him a s lo ng a s he s wo r e to c o ntr o l his r e s p o ns e this time . He ' d s wo r n, a nd s he ' d a lr e a d y d a nc e d , b ut no w he wa s ha ving the d e vil' s o wn time k e e p ing his wo r d , a nd his s we e t little witc h ha d d e c id e d to d o s o me te a s ing while s he ha d the c ha nc e . The night the y' d fir s t me t, in a ta ve r n in M is s is s ip p i, s he ' d d a nc e d the p r o vo c a tive ha r e m d a nc e , a t le a s t he r ve r s io n o f it, fo r a r o o mful o f a vid r ive r r a ts . He ' d tho ught he c o uld b uy he r fo r a fe w c o ins a nd ha d tr ie d to d o s o . He ha d n' t k no wn a t the time , a nd ne ithe r ha d s he , tha t s he wa s the mis s ing p r inc e s s he ' d b e e n s e nt to find a nd b r ing ho me , the b r id e he ' d b e e n b e tr o the d to fr o m the ve r y d a y s he wa s b o r n. Ta nya ha d d a nc e d jus t fo r him o nc e b e fo r e a t his r e q ue s t, no t lo ng a fte r the y we r e ma r r ie d . He r s e ns ua l, tho ugh no t ve r y r e ve a ling, o utfit fo r the d a nc e ha d b e e n le ft b e hind in Ame r ic a , s o s he ' d wo r n o ne o f he r s ilk y ne glige e s ins te a d . S te fa n' s r e s p o ns e ha d b e e n une xp e c te d , his d e s ir e s o infla me d tha t the ir lo ve ma k ing, while inc r e d ib ly s a tis fying, ha d b e e n r a the r b r uis ing a s we ll.

But Ta nya ha d n' t c o mp la ine d tha t time . S he ha d a c tua lly la ughe d a fte r wa r d , d e lighte d tha t s he c o uld d r ive him s o wild . His mis tr e s s e s us e d to c o mp la in if he ha p p e ne d to le a ve the s lighte s t b r uis e o n the m, b ut his Ta nya ' s p a s s io n wa s a lwa ys e q ua l to his . And the ve r y fa c t tha t s he ha d c r e a te d a ne w d a nc ing o utfit, o ne d e s igne d to b r ing o ut the s a va ge in a ma n o f S te fa n' s lus ty p r o c livitie s , p r o ve d tha t s he e njo ye d p r o vo k ing him. The p r o mis e s he ha d ins is te d o n, ho we ve r , ha d no thing to d o with he r o wn p r e fe r e nc e a nd e ve r ything to d o with he r ne w c o nd itio n, whic h o nly r e c e ntly ha d b e e n c o nfir me d . To the d e light o f the e ntir e k ingd o m, his q ue e n wa s a lr e a d y c a r r ying the r o ya l he ir , a nd ta k ing e ve r ything the c o ur t p hys ic ia ns to ld he r a s go s p e l. And fo r S te fa n tha t me a nt no mo r e lo s ing c o ntr o l, ins te a d ha ving to ma k e p r o mis e s he c o uld b a r e ly k e e p . "Yo u k no w I ' m go ing to ge t e ve n with yo u fo r this . " He tr ie d to s o und c a s ua l, b ut the r e wa s no thing c a s ua l a b o ut wha t he wa s fe e ling. Ta nya r a is e d he r he a d a nd he c o uld ma k e o ut a gr in b e ne a th the s he e r ma te r ia l o f he r ve il, who s e c o lo r ne a r ly ma tc he d he r p a le gr e e n e ye s . "Ho w? " "I k no w a me r c ha nt who s e lls fine s ilk e n c o r d s , " he to ld he r . "Yo u wo uld tie me d o wn a nd d o this to me ? " The r e wa s s o me ve r y c le a r inte r e s t in he r to ne tha t wo uld n' t b e the r e if s he d id n' t tr us t him imp lic itly. "I ' m think ing a b o ut it, " he r e p lie d in a ha lf gr o wl, ha lf gr o a n. He r gr in wa s p o s itive ly imp is h. "W he n yo u ma k e up yo ur mind , le t me k no w. " He r he a d d ip p e d a ga in a nd s he s c o o te d b a c k s o tha t he r to ngue c o uld tr a il d o wn the c e nte r o f his c he s t to wa r d his na ve l. He s uc k e d in a b r e a th. His lo ins lifte d invo lunta r ily, ne a r ly uns e a ting he r . ' Ta nya — I c a n' t— b e a r a ny mo r e , " he ga s p e d o ut. S he to o k p ity o n him ins ta ntly. "The n yo u d o n' t ha ve to , " s he s a id s we e tly. S he s a t up to to s s o ff the d o ub le ve ils tha t ha d c o nc e a le d he r lo we r fa c e a nd lo ng b la c k ha ir . The to p o f he r two - p ie c e o utfit d e fie d d e s c r ip tio n in its tr a ns p a r e nc y a nd s e c r e ts . He wa nte d to r ip it o ff he r . He wa nte d to k is s he r r ight thr o ugh it. But the p r o mis e he ' d ma d e p r e ve nte d him fr o m d o ing e ithe r . He wa s c o mp le te ly a t he r me r c y. F o r tuna te ly, tha t d id n' t wo r r y him in the le a s t. W ith a s mile tha t p r o mis e d tha t e c s ta s y wo uld s o o n b e his , Ta nya r e a c he d fo r the c o r d o n his lo unging p a nts . But he r finge r s s tille d whe n s he he a r d the c o mmo tio n o uts id e the ir d o o r , fir s t r a is e d vo ic e s , the n the s o und s o f s c uffling, the n a ve r y c le a r thud . "W ha t the — ? " S te fa n b e ga n, b ut his unfinis he d q ue s tio n wa s a ns we r e d b y the d o o r o p e ning a nd his c o us in s to r ming into the r o o m. Ta nya ga ve a s tr a ngle d s hr ie k a nd r o lle d o ff S te fa n a nd the lo unge , to c r o uc h o n the flo o r , c o nc e a ling he r s e lf the r e while s he s na tc he d he r r o b e fr o m the e nd o f the c ha is e whe r e s he ha d d is c a r d e d it b e fo r e the d a nc e . S he ya nk e d it o n, gla r ing o ve r S te fa n' s b e lly a t the intr ud e r . Va s ili d id n' t no tic e , a s he ha d n' t ye t lo c a te d the m in the r o o m. The r o ya l b e d c ha mb e r wa s s o la r ge , he wa s s till c r o s s ing it a nd s a ying in no p a r tic ula r

d ir e c tio n, "S te fa n, I ' m s o r r y to d is tur b yo u a t this ho ur , b ut I ha ve a p r o b le m tha t ha s me s o fur io us , I fe a r I will mur d e r s o me o ne if I c a n' t find a s o lutio n. " "Yo u d id n' t s ta r t with my gua r d , d id yo u? " Va s ili tur ne d to wa r d the s o und o f tha t d r y vo ic e . "W ha t? N o , o f c o ur s e no t. I me r e ly k no c k e d him o ut. Da mne d fo o l r e fus e d to le t me p a s s . " "P e r ha p s b e c a us e I d id n' t wis h to b e d is tur b e d , a nd fo r a r e a s o n. " Ta nya r e jo ine d S te fa n o n the c ha is e a s he s a t up , his a r m imme d ia te ly c o ming a r o und he r to p ull he r c lo s e . The ir s ta te o f s e mi- und r e s s ma d e c le a r wha t tha t "r e a s o n" wa s . But Va s ili a c k no wle d ge d it with a me r e "S o r r y, b ut this s imp ly c o uld n' t wa it, S te fa n. I f s wo r s e tha n a nightma r e . I f s s o ins a ne yo u wo n' t b e lie ve it. I s till c a n' t b e lie ve it mys e lf. " "I s he d r unk , d o yo u think ? " Ta nya whis p e r e d in S te fa n' s e a r . "S hh, " he to ld he r . To Va s ili, he s a id , "I a s s ume yo u' ve s e e n yo ur mo the r ? " "O h, ye s , b ut ha d I e ve n the s lighte s t wa r ning a b o ut wha t s he wa s go ing to r e ve a l to me — with a b s o lute r e lis h, I might a d d — I wo uld b e ha lfwa y to the b o r d e r b y no w, va nis he d , ne ve r to b e s e e n a ga in. Did s he te ll yo u? S o he lp me , S te fa n, if yo u k ne w a nd d id n' t wa r n me — " "Yo u k no w b e tte r tha n tha t. " Va s ili d id , a nd fo r the thir d time he s a id , "I ' m s o r r y. M y r e a s o ning ha s go ne to he ll, whic h is whe r e my life will b e go ing if s o me thing d r a s tic d o e s n' t ha p p e n to c ha nge wha t ha s b e fa lle n me . " "I t wo uld b e nic e if yo u wo uld te ll me wha t we ' r e ta lk ing a b o ut. " Va s ili wa s mo me nta r ily s ta r tle d . "Did n' t I ? " Be fo r e S te fa n c o uld a ns we r , he c o ntinue d . "I ha ve jus t le a r ne d tha t my fa the r s igne d a b e tr o tha l c o ntr a c t fifte e n ye a r s a go with my na me o n it. A b e tr o tha l c o ntr a c t! M y mo the r d id n' t e ve n k no w. O nly the gir l a nd he r fa the r ha ve k no wn a ll the s e ye a r s , a nd o nly no w, whe n s he is a p p a r e ntly r e a d y to ge t ma r r ie d , d o the y b o the r to wr ite a nd te ll us . " " "W ho is s he ? " "I s tha t a ll yo u ha ve to s a y? " Va s ili fa ir ly s ho ute d in his a gita tio n. "W ho the he ll c a r e s who s he is , whe n I ha ve no wis h to ma r r y he r ! " "Yo u k ne w yo u wo uld ha ve to ge t ma r r ie d e ve ntua lly, " S te fa n s a id r e a s o na b ly. "N o t fo r a no the r te n ye a r s a t le a s t, a nd tha t is ha r d ly the p o int. S ud d e nly I ha ve a b e tr o the d I ' ve ne ve r la id e ye s o n, a nd d o n' t r e mind me tha t yo u fa c e d the s a me a p p a lling c ir c ums ta nc e , b e c a us e yo u gr e w up k no wing a b o ut yo ur b e tr o tha l, whe r e a s I gr e w up a s s uming the d e c is io n wo uld b e mine . " "C o ns id e r ing ho w s p le nd id ly my o wn b e tr o tha l ha s wo r k e d o ut, yo u c a n' t e xp e c t me to d r e d ge up muc h s ymp a thy fo r yo u, c o us in. " "The he ll I c a n' t, " Va s ili s na p p e d . "K ind ly r e me mb e r ho w yo u fe lt b e fo r e yo u me t yo ur lo ve ly wife . "

W ith a s q ue e ze fo r s a id wife to a s s ur e he r tha t tha t ha d b e e n the n a nd no t no w, S te fa n s a id , "P o int ta k e n. " "And he ir s to the c r o wn r a r e ly ha ve a c ho ic e a b o ut who the y ma r r y, " Va s ili c o ntinue d he a te d ly, "b ut I ' m me r e ly a k ing' s c o us in. N o o ne b e s id e s me ha s the s lighte s t inte r e s t in who I ma r r y, a nd I k no w d a mn we ll I wo uld ne ve r ha ve c ho s e n a Rus s ia n. " "S he ' s Rus s ia n? " S te fa n s a id in s ur p r is e . "A Rus s ia n b a r o ne s s , a nd yo u k no w ho w d a mn p r o mis c uo us tho s e la d ie s a r e . This o ne ha s p r o b a b ly a lr e a d y ha d a d o ze n lo ve r s , a nd I wo uld n' t b e the le a s t s ur p r is e d if I ' m s ud d e nly b e ing s ummo ne d to ma r r y he r b e c a us e s he ' s fo und he r s e lf with c hild . " "The n ho p e tha t is the c a s e , a nd wa it to ma r r y he r until yo u b r ing he r he r e , " S te fa n s ugge s te d . "By the n yo u will k no w if s he is p r e gna nt, whic h will give yo u le gitima te gr o und s to b r e a k the b e tr o tha l. " Va s ili' s r e lie f d id n' t la s t lo ng e no ugh fo r him to c o mp le te the s mile he ha d s ta r te d . "I c a n' t d e p e nd o n tha t a nd e nd up c o mmitte d if it is n' t s o . I wo uld p r e fe r no t to go to Rus s ia a t a ll, whic h is why I ' m he r e . Yo u ha ve b e e n fa c e d with this d ile mma yo ur s e lf, S te fa n. W ha t id e a s d id yo u c o me up with to ge t o ut o f yo ur b e tr o tha l? " "Yo u e xp e c t me to a ns we r tha t no w? " Va s ili lo o k e d a t Ta nya fo r the fir s t time . "W o uld yo u mind — ? " "N o t o n yo ur life . " He ga ve he r a s o ur lo o k , whic h s he igno r e d . S he wo nd e r e d wha t he wo uld d o if s he la ughe d , whic h wa s wha t s he fe lt lik e d o ing: s he wa s no t the le a s t b it s ymp a the tic to his p r o b le m. But S te fa n wo uld n' t a p p r e c ia te he r a mus e me nt a t his c o us in' s e xp e ns e , s o s he jus t lis te ne d to the m d is c us s a fe w o p tio ns tha t the y b o th c o nc lud e d we r e n' t r e a lly o p tio ns . And s he wa tc he d Va s ili b e c o me mo r e a nd mo r e up s e t. S he tho ught he r hus b a nd wa s e xc e p tio na lly ha nd s o me , b ut no t lik e Va s ili. N o o ne wa s a s me s me r izingly ha nd s o me a s Va s ili. But s he ' d ne ve r s e e n him lo o k ing s o ha r r ie d , o r s o a ngr y. And s he ' d ne ve r s e e n his e ye s glo w jus t a s b r ightly a s S te fa n' s c o uld , a s the y we r e no w. He wa s p a c ing— p r o wling wo uld b e a b e tte r wa y to d e s c r ib e ho w he wa s mo ving— lik e a tr a p p e d ta wny lio n, go ld e n a nd fur io us . I t wa s fa s c ina ting to wa tc h s ix fe e t o f ma s c uline gr a c e s ud d e nly r e ve a l this vo la tile , ne a r ly s a va ge s id e o f his o the r wis e s to ic a l na tur e . O f the fo ur me n who ha d gr o wn up to ge the r a nd we r e s uc h c lo s e fr ie nd s , Va s ili wa s the o ne who a tta c k e d ve r b a lly a nd with d e a d ly a c c ur a c y, r a the r tha n with b r ute s tr e ngth. But o b vio us ly he wa s a s c a p a b le o f vio le nc e a s the r e s t o f the m. Ta nya ha d o nc e b e e n to ld tha t he wa s the ma n s he wo uld ha ve to ma r r y, b e c a us e S te fa n ha d wa nte d he r to c o me a lo ng with the m to C a r d inia witho ut a ny fus s , a nd he ' d tho ught s he , lik e e ve r y o the r wo ma n, wo uld p r e fe r Va s ili. But Va s ili ha d ins ulte d he r fr o m the fir s t, think ing he r a ta ve r n who r e , a nd s he ha d d e s p is e d him fo r tha t, a nd fo r his utte r c o nte mp t. Be s id e s , e ve n with his s c a r s a nd his "d e vil' s e ye s , " S te fa n ha d b e e n the o ne s he ha d b e e n a ttr a c te d to

fr o m the fir s t night the y ha d me t, no t the to o ha nd s o me , go ld e n Ad o nis . "W ha t a r e yo u go ing to d o ? " S te fa n fina lly a s k e d his c o us in. "I d o n' t k no w. " "Ye s , yo u d o , " S te fa n s a id q uie tly. "Ye s , I d o . " Va s ili s ighe d . "But the r e wo n' t b e a we d d ing, no t if I c a n he lp it. O ne o f the m, e ithe r the gir l o r he r fa the r , will c a ll this r id ic ulo us thing o ff, e ve n if I ha ve to s ho w the m wha t I ' m r e a lly lik e . " "W ha t yo u' r e r e a lly lik e ? " Ta nya ne a r ly c ho k e d o n tha t o ne . "Yo u me a n, wha t yo u c a n b e lik e whe n yo u d o n' t wa nt p e o p le to lik e yo u. " S inc e s he s p o k e fr o m e xp e r ie nc e , he ha d to c o nc e d e he r the p o int. "I f yo u s a y s o , Yo ur M a je s ty. " I t wa s Ta nya ' s tur n to give him a s o ur lo o k . S te fa n b it b a c k a c huc k le a nd s a id , "Go ho me , Va s ili. A go o d night' s s le e p is b o und to ma k e yo ur s itua tio n lo o k le s s d is a s tr o us . Afte r a ll, e ve n if yo u ha ve to ma r r y the gir l, yo u d o n' t ha ve to — " "The he ll he d o e s n' t, " Ta nya c ut in ind igna ntly. "I to ld yo u s he ' d ma k e fid e lity a r o ya l c o mma nd , " Va s ili gr o wle d a nd s to mp e d o ut o f the r o o m. Ta nya b a r e ly wa ite d fo r the d o o r to c lo s e b e fo r e s he s a id , "O h, Go d , I lo ve it. The p e a c o c k is fina lly go ing to ge t his fe a the r s p ulle d . " "I tho ught yo u ha d fo r give n Va s ili fo r the wa y he b e ha ve d to wa r d yo u o n yo ur tr ip to C a r d inia . " "I ha ve , " s he a s s ur e d he r hus b a nd . "I und e r s ta nd he wa s o nly tr ying to k e e p me fr o m fa lling in lo ve with him. But he s ho uld ha ve figur e d o ut r ight a wa y tha t tha t wa s n' t go ing to ha p p e n, ins te a d o f b e ing s uc h a n utte r a s s ne a r ly the e ntir e tr ip . But he ' s s till a p e a c o c k , a nd I c a n' t te ll yo u ho w muc h I ' ve ho p e d tha t s o me wo ma n wo uld b r ing him d o wn a p e g o r two , tho ugh I wis h it we r e o ne he wa s inte r e s te d in. Va s ili' s p r o b le m is tha t wo me n d o n' t te ll him no . The y d o n' t wa it to ge t to k no w him, the y fa ll ins ta ntly fo r tha t fa c e o f his , a nd ima gine wha t tha t' s d o ne to him. I fs no wo nd e r he ' s s o ins uffe r a b ly a r r o ga nt. He c a n' t ge t thr o ugh a d a y tha t s o me wo ma n is n' t tr ying to s e d uc e him. " S te fa n la ughe d a t he r lo o k o f d is gus t. "Yo u wo uld b e s ur p r is e d , Ta nya mine , ho w a nno ying Va s ili find s tha t c ir c ums ta nc e . " S he s no r te d . "O h, s ur e he d o e s , a b o ut a s muc h a s I d o n' t lik e b e ing p r e gna nt. " S inc e s he wa s a b s o lute ly thr ille d a b o ut he r p r e gna nc y a nd e ve r yo ne k ne w it, s he ' d jus t d is mis s e d his r e ma r k . "But ifs tr ue , " he ins is te d , his s he r r y- go ld e ye s glinting with la ughte r . "The r e is , a fte r a ll, o nly s o muc h o ne ma n c a n d o in o ne d a y. " The r e wa s no wa y s he c o uld r e s tr a in he r s a r c a s m no w. "W e ll, tha t e xp la ins it. He ge ts a nno ye d whe n he c a n' t a c c o mmo d a te e ve r y wo ma n who a s k s . I c a n' t te ll yo u ho w s o r r y I fe e l fo r him. I ' m p r o b a b ly the o nly wo ma n he ' s e ve r me t who a c tua lly, s e r io us ly, d is lik e d him, b ut tha t d o e s n' t c o unt, s inc e tha t' s

jus t wha t he wa s s tr iving fo r in my c a s e . But I ho ne s tly think it wo uld d o him a wo r ld o f go o d to me e t a wo ma n who igno r e s him. Unfo r tuna te ly, I d o ub t we ' ll e ve r s e e it ha p p e n. " "And yo u s a y yo u' ve fo r give n him? " S he s ighe d . "I ' m s o r r y, S te fa n. I s up p o s e I d o s till ha ve tr o ub le s e p a r a ting the Va s ili I me t fr o m the Va s ili I k no w no w. I k no w he ' s us ua lly c ha r ming. I k no w he c a n b e te r r ib ly s we e t a t time s . And , o f c o ur s e , I k no w ho w fie r c e ly lo ya l he is to yo u, a nd I lo ve him fo r tha t. But the a r r o ga nc e a nd c o nd e s c e ns io n, the d e r is io n a nd s c o r n— tha t d id n' t c o me fr o m no whe r e . He ha s a ll tho s e tr a its , tho ugh I will a llo w, no t in the a b und a nc e I fir s t tho ught. " "I ' ll go a lo ng with the a r r o ga nc e , b ut tha t' s a ll, " he r e p lie d lo ya lly. S he s ta r te d to a r gue , b ut his r a is e d b r o w s to p p e d he r . Va s ili wa s , a fte r a ll, no t jus t his o nly c o us in, b ut a s c lo s e to him a s a ny d e a r ly lo ve d b r o the r c o uld be. "O h, ve r y we ll, " s he c o nc e d e d . "But he ' s d r e a ming if he think s he c a n ge t this Rus s ia n gir l to c r y o ff fr o m ma r r ying him, a nd yo u k no w it. S he ' s go ing to fa ll ins ta ntly in lo ve with him, a nd no ma tte r ho w na s ty he tr ie s to b e , it wo n' t ma k e a ny d iffe r e nc e in the e nd . He ' ll b r e a k he r he a r t, b ut s he ' ll s till wa nt him fo r he r o wn. " And the n Ta nya s ighe d . "I p ity tha t p o o r gir l, I r e a lly d o . " 5 Two mo nths la te r , the gir l Ta nya ha d p itie d wa s s till b lis s fully una wa r e tha t s he ha d a b e tr o the d , o r tha t his a r r iva l wa s immine nt. Anna wa s with C o ns ta ntin whe n Bo hd a n b r o ught the ne ws tha t the C a r d inia n wa s o nly a fe w ho ur s a wa y. The b a r o n ha d s ta tio ne d a numb e r o f me n a lo ng the r o a d s le a d ing to his e s ta te fo r jus t tha t p ur p o s e , s o he wo uld n' t b e c a ught una wa r e s , a nd b e c a us e , d e s p ite Anna ' s p le a d ing to d o o the r wis e , he wa s wa iting until ne a r ly the la s t minute to a p p r is e his d a ughte r o f the up c o ming nup tia ls . "He ha s c e r ta inly d r a gge d his fe e t a b o ut ge tting he r e , " C o ns ta ntin fe lt c o mp e lle d to gr umb le . "The c o unte s s ' s le tte r info r ming me tha t he wa s c o ming a r r ive d mo r e tha n a mo nth a go . He s ho uld ha ve b e e n r ight b e hind it. " "And wha t d o e s tha t te ll yo u? " Anna a s k e d , r e c e iving no mo r e tha n a s c o wl fo r a n a ns we r . "Exa c tly. I t s a ys he d o e s n' t wa nt to ge t ma r r ie d . " C o ns ta ntin wa s ne r vo us , e xtr e me ly ne r vo us , no t o nly b e c a us e C o unt P e tr o ff wa s fina lly a b o ut to a r r ive , b ut b e c a us e he ha d ye t to info r m Ale xa nd r a tha t s he ha d a b e tr o the d . Anna r e a d his tho ughts c o r r e c tly. "W he n a r e yo u go ing to te ll he r , a fte r he ' s a r r ive d he r e ? " "Yo u d o n' t think tha t might he lp , le tting he r me e t him witho ut k no wing who he is ? " "Ar e yo u ma d ? He ' ll me ntio n the b e tr o tha l a nd s he ' ll la ugh in his fa c e , a nd

tha t will s ta r t things o ff wo nd e r fully, wo n' t it? " His s c o wl gr e w d a r k e r . Anna ha d d o ne no thing b ut na g him a b o ut his d e c is io n s inc e he ' d fir s t to ld he r a b o ut it. P e r ve r s e ly, the mo r e s he infla me d his guilt o n the s ub je c t, the mo r e s tub b o r n he tur ne d . N o w, whe n he ma d e no mo ve to s ummo n Ale xa nd r a to fina lly b r e a k the ne ws to he r , Anna s ighe d in e xa s p e r a tio n. "At le a s t give he r time to c ha nge , o r d o yo u wa nt him to me e t he r whe n s he ' s in he r b r itc he s ? " S he wa s r ight, tha t wo uld n' t d o a t a ll, a nd he ha d n' t e ve n tho ught o f it. Ale xa nd r a wo uld ne e d a t le a s t a n ho ur to wa s h the s tink o f the s ta b le o ff he r a nd to ma k e he r s e lf p r e tty, a nd the r e wa s no te lling ho w lo ng the ir a r gume nt wa s go ing to la s t b e fo r e the n. N o t o nc e d id he c o ns id e r the p o s s ib ility tha t the r e wo uld n' t b e a n a r gume nt. He k ne w his d a ughte r to o we ll. I mme d ia te ly he le ft the d ining r o o m, whe r e he a nd Anna ha d b e e n s ha r ing a la te b r e a k fa s t. He s e nt a s e r va nt s tr a ight o ut to the s ta b le , the n r e tr e a te d to his s tud y to wa it. Anna p o k e d he r he a d a r o und the d o o r , a nd d e s p ite the o d d s the y ha d b e e n a t o ve r this s ub je c t, s he ga ve him a fo nd s mile a nd s a id , "Go o d luc k , d a r ling. " S o me o f the te ns io n e a s e d o ut o f him. He wa s a ve r y fo r tuna te ma n whe n it c a me r ight d o wn to it. He ha d thr e e he a lthy c hild r e n, a b r o o d o f gr a nd c hild r e n — a nd Anna . "N o w tha t we ma y ha ve this ho us e to o ur s e lve s , " he s a id , "will yo u ma r r y me ? " He r s mile wid e ne d jus t a b it. "N o . " He c huc k le d a s s he we nt o ff to a no the r p a r t o f the ho us e . O ne o f the s e d a ys s he wa s go ing to s ur p r is e him a nd give him the a ns we r he wa nte d . I n the me a ntime , it wa s c e r ta inly no ha r d s hip b e ing a lo ve r r a the r tha n a hus b a nd . A fe w minute s la te r , Ale xa nd r a ma r c he d into the s tud y with he r us ua l b r is k e ne r gy. ' This is n' t go ing to ta k e lo ng, is it? I ha ve to e xe r c is e P r inc e M ic ha . " S he wa s r e fe r r ing to o ne o f he r o wn s ta llio ns , o ne o f he r "b a b ie s , " a s s he c a lle d a ll the o ffs p r ing fr o m he r o wn p e r s o na l s to c k . "Yo u might wa nt to le t o ne o f the Ra zins e xe r c is e him to d a y. " S he lifte d a fine ly a r c he d b r o w. "I t' s go ing to ta k e tha t lo ng? " "Q uite p o s s ib ly. " S he r e mo ve d he r ha t, s tic k ing it in the p o c k e t o f he r c o a t, a nd p lo p p e d into the c ha ir a c r o s s fr o m his d e s k with a s igh. "All r ight, wha t ha ve I d o ne no w? " "W ha t yo u c o uld d o is s ho w me tha t yo u k no w ho w to s it lik e a la d y r a the r tha n a — " "I t' s s o b a d yo u' r e go ing to p r e va r ic a te ? " He r fe igne d lo o k o f s ur p r is e b r o ught his b r o ws to ge the r . W he ne ve r Ale xa nd r a wo uld r a the r b e d o ing s o me thing e ls e , s he ma d e s ur e p e o p le k ne w the y we r e wa s ting he r time . He d e c id e d to ta k e a le a f fr o m he r b o o k a nd ge t to the he a r t o f the ma tte r . "Yo u ha ve n' t d o ne a nything, Ale xa nd r a , b ut wha t yo u will b e d o ing is ge tting

ma r r ie d , p o s s ib ly in the ne xt fe w d a ys . Yo ur b e tr o the d will b e he r e in le s s tha n two ho ur s , a nd I wo uld a p p r e c ia te it if yo u wo uld b e o n yo ur b e s t— " "Yo u c a n s to p r ight the r e , P a p a . W ha te ve r yo u ha ve p r o mis e d this ma n to ma r r y me , yo u c a n go a he a d a nd give it to him b e fo r e yo u s e nd him b a c k whe r e he c a me fr o m. M y mind ha s n' t c ha nge d s inc e the la s t time we ha d this d is c us s io n. " S he ha d n' t r a is e d he r vo ic e a nd d id n' t e ve n lo o k the le a s t b it a nno ye d with him. O f c o ur s e , s he ha d n' t ye t gr a s p e d the full me a ning o f wha t he ' d s a id . He d id no t ma k e a ha b it o f lying to his d a ughte r . He c o uld n' t r e me mb e r the la s t time he ha d d o ne s o . Tha t he wa s go ing to no w ma d e the c o lo r r is e in his c he e k s . F o r tuna te ly, s he mis to o k it fo r his us ua l high te mp e r . "This ha s no thing to d o with o ur la s t d is c us s io n o n the s ub je c t o f ma r r ia ge , " he to ld he r . "This ha s to d o with a b e tr o tha l c o ntr a c t tha t S ime o n P e tr o ff a nd I s igne d fifte e n ye a r s a go , b e fo r e he d ie d . And it is a b ind ing c o ntr a c t, Ale xa nd r a . I t p r o mis e s tha t yo u will we d S ime o n' s s o n, C o unt Va s ili P e tr o ff. " S he c a me to he r fe e t a nd le a ne d o ve r his d e s k , he r c o lo r no w a s high a s his , b ut the r e wa s no mis ta k ing tha t he r s wa s fr o m te mp e r . ' Te ll me yo u' r e lying! " At the he s ita nt s ha k e o f his he a d , s he e mitte d a s hr ie k o f r a ge . "Yo u a r e , I k no w yo u a r e ! Yo u c a n' t te ll me I ' ve ha d a b e tr o the d fo r mo r e tha n ha lf my life a nd yo u ne ve r b o the r e d to me ntio n it b e fo r e no w. I t d e fie s r e a s o n. Yo u wo uld ha ve thr o wn this ma n in my fa c e whe n I to ld yo u I wa s go ing to wa it fo r C hr is to p he r ' s p r o p o s a l. Yo u wo uld n' t ha ve le t me go o n wa iting s e ve n ye a r s if I we r e p r o mis e d to a no the r . And wha t a b o ut a ll tho s e o the r me n yo u ho p e d I wo uld ta k e a n inte r e s t in? " "I f yo u will c a lm d o wn fo r a mo me nt, I c a n e xp la in. " S he d id n' t s it d o wn, d id n' t c a lm d o wn, b ut s he he ld he r to ngue , whic h wa s n' t e a s y whe n a ll s he wa nte d to d o wa s s c r e a m. C o ns ta ntin wa s a wa r e o f tha t fa c t, b ut he ha d ha d a mp le time to c o me up with a r e a s o na b le e xp la na tio n fo r his s o - c a lle d "s ile nc e " a ll the s e ye a r s . "I c a n' t d e ny I wa nte d yo u to ma r r y S ime o n' s s o n, jus t a s he wa nte d it. He wa s my c lo s e s t fr ie nd , a s yo u k no w. And yo u we r e s o yo ung the n, s o — b id d a b le . The r e wa s no wa y to k no w tha t yo u wo uld gr o w to b e s o willful a nd a s s e r tive , a r gume nta tive , o b s tina te — " "I ge t the p o int, P a p a , " s he p r a c tic a lly gr o wle d . He gr unte d b e fo r e c o ntinuing. "I r e a lize d whe n yo u ha d yo ur fir s t s e a s o n tha t yo u wo uld b a lk a t ha ving a hus b a nd c ho s e n fo r yo u. S o with yo ur ha p p ine s s in mind , r a the r tha n my ho no r , I d e c id e d to give yo u time to c ho o s e fo r yo ur s e lf — a nd ho p e d C o unt P e tr o ff wo uld tur n o ut to b e d is ho no r a b le a nd ma r r y s o me o ne e ls e , the r e b y b r e a k ing the b e tr o tha l. " "And wha t if I ha d ma r r ie d s o me o ne e ls e ? " He wa s we ll p r e p a r e d fo r tha t q ue s tio n. "F ir s t, yo u ne e d to k no w tha t yo ung Va s ili ne ve r wr o te to me , whic h c a us e d me to wo nd e r if S ime o n ha d go tte n a r o und to te lling his fa mily a b o ut the b e tr o tha l b e fo r e he d ie d . I t wa s a s lim p o s s ib ility tha t he ha d n' t, b ut o ne I wa s b e ginning to c o unt o n b a c k the n, e s p e c ia lly whe n yo u s ho we d s uc h inte r e s t in tha t Englis hma n. " "C o unt o n? Yo u d e s p is e d C hr is to p he r ! " "But if he wo uld ha ve ma d e yo u ha p p y— " "N e ve r mind tha t, " s he c ut in imp a tie ntly. "I f yo ur fr ie nd ' s fa mily

ne ve r k ne w— " "I d id n' t s a y tha t, " he c ut b a c k in, "o nly tha t it wa s p o s s ib le the y might no t k no w. But in e ithe r c a s e , if yo u ha d a c c e p te d s o me o ne ' s p r o p o s a l, I wo uld ha ve ha d to wr ite Va s ili P e tr o ff to info r m him o f it, a nd I wa s fully p r e p a r e d to b e g him to r e linq uis h his c la im o n yo u. " W he n C o ns ta ntin ha d r e he a r s e d this c o nve r s a tio n in his mind , he ha d d e c id e d the wo r d "b e g" wa s b r illia nt, d e s igne d to le t he r k no w tha t he ha d b e e n c o mp le te ly o n he r s id e in this b e fo r e s he b e c a me unr e a s o na b le in he r r e fus a l to ma r r y. But he r e xp r e s s io n s a id s he c o uld n' t ha ve c a r e d le s s . "S o whe n d id he wr ite to yo u? " s he d e ma nd e d . He ha d b e e n d r e a d ing tha t q ue s tio n, ha d ho p e d s he wo uld n' t ha ve tho ught o f it. N o w a ll he r r a ge wo uld c o me s q ua r e ly d o wn o n his he a d , b e c a us e he c o uld n' t lie a b o ut this whe n s he wa s lik e ly to ge t the tr uth fr o m C o unt P e tr o ff. "He d id n' t. " "Yo u d id ? ! " "Yo u ha ve give n me no c ho ic e , " he s a id d e fe ns ive ly. "Yo u' r e twe nty- five ye a r s o ld a nd s till witho ut a hus b a nd . I f yo u ha d ma d e the s lighte s t e ffo r t to c ha nge tha t fa c t— " "I d o n' t ne e d a hus b a nd ! " "Eve r y wo ma n ne e d s a hus b a nd ! " "W ho s a ys s o ? " "Go d in His wis d o m— " "Yo u me a n C o ns ta ntin Rub lio v in his ! " The y we r e d o wn to a r gume nts the y' d ha d b e fo r e , gr o und he fo und muc h mo r e fa milia r . "Yo u ne e d a hus b a nd to give yo u c hild r e n. " "I d o n' t wa nt c hild r e n! " The lie wa s s o b la ta ntly o b vio us , he ha d to s a y s o , tho ugh his vo ic e ge ntle d to a ne a r whis p e r . "Yo u k no w tha t is n' t tr ue , Ale x. " Ale xa nd r a wa s c lo s e to te a r s in he r fur y— a t le a s t s he to ld he r s e lf tha t he r a nge r wa s r e s p o ns ib le fo r he r up s e t e mo tio ns a nd no t the fa c t tha t s he wa s c hild le s s a nd s o fa r b e yo nd a ma r r ia ge a b le a ge tha t it wa s la ugha b le . At time s lik e this , s he a c tua lly ha te d the ma n s he ' d s wo r n to wa it fo r . Altho ugh C hr is to p he r s till wr o te to he r fr e q ue ntly s inc e he ' d le ft Rus s ia thr e e ye a r s a go , no t o ne o f his le tte r s ha d c o nta ine d the ma r r ia ge p r o p o s a l s he lo nge d fo r . S he ha d ne a r ly r e a c he d the p o int o f fina lly giving up o n C hr is to p he r , tho ugh s he ha d n' t to ld he r fa the r s o . O b vio us ly s he s ho uld ha ve . P e r ve r s e ly, wha t he r fa the r ha d d o ne ha d jus t c ha nge d he r mind . But e ve n if s he we r e n' t in lo ve with s o me o ne e ls e , s he wo uld n' t a c c e p t a c o mp le te s tr a nge r fo r a hus b a nd . Be tr o tha ls we r e a r c ha ic . Tha t he r fa the r ha d a r r a nge d o ne fo r he r wa s n' t me r e ly into le r a b le , it wa s o utr a ge o us . S he tr ie d to mo d e r a te he r to ne a nd wa s o nly s lightly s uc c e s s ful. "W he n tha t ma n a r r ive s , d o the b e gging yo u wo uld ha ve d o ne a nd ge t r id o f him. Yo u c a n give him S ulta n' s P r id e fo r his tr o ub le in c o ming he r e . "

S he ' d ma na ge d to s ho c k him. "Yo u wo uld give a wa y yo ur p r ize s tud ? " "Do yo u b e gin to s e e tha t I d o n' t wa nt a s tr a nge r fo r a hus b a nd ? " s he c o unte r e d , tho ugh the wo r d s we r e a lmo s t s tic k ing in he r thr o a t. S he ' d r a is e d S ulta n' s P r id e fr o m a c o lt a nd lo ve d him p a s s io na te ly. "He wo n' t b e a s tr a nge r o nc e yo u me e t him. F o r Go d ' s s a k e , Ale xa nd r a , S ime o n' s s o n is fir s t c o us in to K ing S te fa n o f C a r d inia . Do yo u r e a lize wha t a p r ime c a tc h he is ? " "I s tha t s up p o s e d to ma tte r to me ? " He c a me to his fe e t, fa c ing he r a ngr ily a c r o s s the d e s k . "Ye s , a nd it mo s t c e r ta inly ma tte r s to me . Be s id e s , yo u a r e d e lib e r a te ly igno r ing the fa c t tha t a b e tr o tha l is a s b ind ing a s a ma r r ia ge . This o ne wa s a r r a nge d in go o d fa ith, with the b e s t o f inte ntio ns , a nd d uly s wo r n to b y S ime o n a nd me . And , my gir l, a fte r a ll the s e ye a r s , Va s ili P e tr o ff is s till unwe d . Yo u a r e s till unwe d . S o we c a n no lo nge r in go o d c o ns c ie nc e d e la y the nup tia ls . " "Yo u c o uld a t le a s t a s k him to te a r up tha t d a mn c o ntr a c t! " s he c r ie d . "Yo u c o uld a t le a s t give the ma n a c ha nc e . He is c o ming he r e to ma r r y yo u, the r e b y ho no r ing his fa the r ' s wo r d . Ho w c a n yo u d o a ny le s s ? " "Ho no r , " s he c ho k e d . "Yo u wo uld ma k e this a ma tte r o f ho no r ? " C o ns ta ntin he s ita te d . He ' d k no wn s he wo uld b e a ngr y, b ut no w s he lo o k e d a s if s he we r e a b o ut to c r y, a nd he c o uld n' t s ta nd to s e e he r c r y. I t wa s tha t d a mn Englis hma n, he tho ught fur io us ly. S he wa s s till ho p e ful tha t he wo uld ma r r y he r . S uc h mis p la c e d lo ya lty. But it wa s a fa the r ' s d uty to p r o te c t his d a ughte r fr o m he r o wn fo o lis hne s s . Ho we ve r , he wo uld e nd the b e tr o tha l, e ve n if he ha d to c o nfe s s the tr uth to d o it, if the r e wa s no c ha nc e tha t P e tr o ff c o uld ma k e he r ha p p y. But he wa s n' t go ing to e nd it b e fo r e tha t c o uld b e a s c e r ta ine d . "I t a lr e a d y is a ma tte r o f ho no r . I ga ve my wo r d whe n I s igne d the b e tr o tha l c o ntr a c t. " He r finge r s c ur le d into fis ts , a nd s he s la mme d b o th a ga ins t his d e s k b e fo r e s he tur ne d he r b a c k o n him. F o r go o d me a s ur e , s he k ic k e d the c ha ir s he ha d va c a te d , to p p ling it o ve r . ' The r e ' s no c a ll to wr e c k my s tud y, " he r fa the r s a id s tiffly. "Yo u' r e wr e c k ing my life , " s he r e p lie d b itte r ly. "W ha t life ? All yo u c a r e a b o ut is the ho r s e s . Yo u s p e nd ne a r ly yo ur e ve r y wa k ing mo me nt in the s ta b le s . Ha lf the time I think tha t yo u fo r ge t yo u' r e a wo ma n. " Tha t c o mme nt b r o ught fo r th the te a r s tha t s he ' d b e e n fighting to ho ld b a c k . But s he vo we d he r fa the r wo uld n' t s e e the m. He ' d b e tr a ye d he r . I t d id n' t ma tte r tha t he ' d d o ne it fifte e n ye a r s a go — with the b e s t o f inte ntio ns . And wha t he s c o r ne d , he r s o - c a lle d la c k o f fe mininity, wa s wha t a llo we d him to win. Ho w ma ny wo me n c a r e d a b o ut ho no r ? But s he d id , a nd he k ne w s he d id . "Ve r y we ll, I wo n' t r e fus e to ma r r y yo ur p r e c io us C a r d inia n. " S he wa s ha lfwa y to the d o o r whe n s he a d d e d , fo r he r b e ne fit a lo ne , But I p r o mis e yo u he will r e fus e to ma r r y me .

"The n yo u' ll ma k e yo ur s e lf p r e s e nta b le ? At le a s t c ha nge yo ur c lo the s . " "O h, no . I f he wa nts to ma r r y me , he c a n s e e me a s I a m, no t a s I r a r e ly a m. " Re d - fa c e d , C o ns ta ntin s ho ute d fo r he r to c o me b a c k , b ut s he ma r c he d o ut o f the r o o m a nd s la mme d o ut o f the ho us e . He s lump e d b a c k in his c ha ir , wo nd e r ing if he ' d wo n, a nd wo r r ie d b e c a us e s he ha d n' t a r gue d a s muc h a s he ' d e xp e c te d . Ale xa nd r a wa s no t to b e tr us te d whe n s he ga ve in e a s ily. 6 Ale xa nd r a r o d e p a s t the villa ge , p a s t the to wn, b e yo nd the fie ld s to the gr a zing me a d o ws , whe r e s he fina lly ga ve P r inc e M is c ha his le a d . O ne o f the Ra zin b o ys wa s b e hind he r a s a lwa ys , b ut s he ha d n' t no tic e d whic h o ne ha d fo llo we d he r , no r d id s he lo o k b a c k no w. I t wa s p r o b a b ly K o nr a d , who a t the a ge o f thir ty wa s the o ld e s t a nd the mo s t r e s p o ns ib le o f the thr e e b r o the r s , limo fe e a nd S te nk a , the twins , o nly s c o ld e d he r whe ne ve r s he we nt o ff o n he r o wn witho ut te lling the m, b ut K o nr a d wo uld give he r he ll a nd ma k e he r fe e l it. S he ha d gr o wn up with the Ra zin b o ys a nd s p e nt a s muc h time in the ir ho me a s s he d id in he r o wn. The y we r e lik e the b r o the r s s he ne ve r ha d , the y we r e he r fr ie nd s , a nd s o me time s the y we r e p a ins in the ne c k . The ir o nly s is te r , N ina , who wa s s up p o s e d to b e he r ma id , wa s r e a lly he r d e a r e s t fr ie nd . S he wa s a ye a r yo unge r tha n Ale xa nd r a , b ut e ve n s he ha d ma r r ie d , tho ugh he r hus b a nd ha d d ie d two ye a r s a go . M a r r ia ge . The c hill a utumn wind ha d d r ie d Ale x' s te a r s , a fo o lis hne s s s he s o r a r e ly ga ve in to , b ut he r ur ge no w wa s n' t to c r y a ny mo r e , b ut to k e e p o n r id ing a nd ne ve r r e tur n ho me . K o nr a d , o f c o ur s e , wo uld n' t le t he r . Eve n whe n he fo und o ut wha t he r fa the r ha d d o ne , he wo uld n' t le t he r ta k e the c o wa r d ly r o ute . He ' d b e a ngr y, jus t a s a ngr y a s s he wa s , b ut C o s s a c k s d id n' t r un fr o m b a ttle s , a nd he ' d vie w this b e tr o tha l a s a b a ttle . S he wo uld , to o , o nc e s he s to p p e d hur ting a nd fe e ling s o b e tr a ye d . M a r r ia ge . Da mn C hr is to p he r Le ighto n, why ha d he no tic e d he r a t he r fir s t b a ll in S t. P e te r s b ur g? W hy ha d he c o ur te d he r s o d ilige ntly a nd c la ime d he lo ve d he r ? He wa s a n a s s is ta nt to the Englis h a mb a s s a d o r , s o wo r ld ly, s o s o p his tic a te d , s o ha nd s o me . S he ' d go tte n he r he a d tur ne d r o ya lly. S he lo ve d him— s he mus t lo ve him to wa it s e ve n ye a r s , whic h e ve n s he k ne w wa s a r id ic ulo us a mo unt o f time to r e ma in lo ya l to a ma n who ha d ye t to p r o p o s e ma r r ia ge to he r , a nd who s e ima ge s he c o uld n' t e ve n r e c a ll c le a r ly a nymo r e , it ha d b e e n s o lo ng s inc e s he ' d la s t s e e n him. But his le tte r s we r e a l wa ys s o full o f p a s s io n a nd his d e p th o f fe e ling fo r he r , e ve n the la s t o ne , whic h s he ha d r e c e ntly r e c e ive d . Alwa ys he wr o te o f his lo ve a nd ho w muc h he mis s e d he r . And s inc e he ha d r e tur ne d to Engla nd , he ha d b e e n a s s ur ing he r tha t he wa s tr ying to ge t his

d ip lo ma tic p o s ting s witc he d b a c k to Rus s ia s o he c o uld b e ne a r he r a ga in. But in a ll his le tte r s , no t o nc e ha d he e ve r me ntio ne d ma r r ia ge . And fo r a ll he r b o ld ne s s , s he ha d ne ve r b e e n a b le to wr ite the fe w wo r d s tha t wo uld ha ve e lic ite d fr o m him a r e p ly tha t wo uld ha ve e ithe r s tr e ngthe ne d he r ho p e o r e nd e d it. S he s imp ly c o uld n' t b r ing he r s e lf to a s k him o utr ight if he inte nd e d to ma r r y he r . S he s ho uld ha ve , s he r e a lize d no w. S he a ls o s ho uld ha ve fo llo we d him to Engla nd whe n s he ' d wa nte d to , ins te a d o f giving in to he r fa the r ' s r e fus a l. I f s he c o uld jus t s e e C hr is to p he r o nc e mo r e . . . Ale xa nd r a ma d e up he r mind the n a nd the r e . S he wo uld go to Engla nd a s s o o n a s s he go t r id o f the C a r d inia n a nd the ma tte r o f ho no r wa s s a tis fie d . Afte r a ll, s he ha d a s iza b le a mo unt o f mo ne y s a ve d up fr o m the s a le o f he r ho r s e s . All s he ha d to d o wa s figur e o ut a wa y to le a ve the c o untr y s o tha t he r fa the r wo uld n' t imme d ia te ly tr y to s to p he r . W ith s o ma ny r o ute s to Engla nd , o nc e s he wa s o n o ne o f the m, he ' d ha ve the d e vil' s o wn time find ing he r . W ith tha t d e c is io n ma d e , s o me o f the tightne s s le ft he r c he s t a nd s he p ulle d up o n the r e ins , a llo wing K o nr a d to c a tc h up to he r . But it wa s S te nk a Ra zin who d r e w up b e s id e he r a nd gla r e d a t he r b e c a us e o f the ma d r id e he ' d ha d tr ying to k e e p up with he r . "Yo u we r e tr ying to k ill us b o th, r ight? O r jus t the ho r s e s ? " "I wa s tr ying to o utr un a fe w d e mo ns , if yo u mus t k no w, " s he r e p lie d . "Any I k no w? " "M y fa the r , fo r o ne . " "Ah, a no the r fight with yo ur p a p a , " he s a id with a k no wing gr in. O f the thr e e Ra zin b r o the r s , S te nk a wa s the o ne who d id n' t ha ve a s e r io us b o ne in his b o d y. He lo ve d life a nd fo und p le a s ur e , a nd mo r e o fte n tha n no t humo r , in jus t a b o ut e ve r y a s p e c t o f it. W he ne ve r Ale xa nd r a wa s a ngr y, o r hur t, o r jus t p la in mo o d y, he a lwa ys ma na ge d to ma k e he r la ugh. S he wa s a fr a id he wa s n' t go ing to ma na ge it this time if he tr ie d . His b r o the r Timo fe e wa s o nly s lightly le s s c a r e fr e e . The twins we r e s o a lik e it wa s unc a nny, a nd no t jus t in the ir id e ntic a l fe a tur e s . The y we r e twe nty- s e ve n, ha d the b la c k ha ir a nd b lue e ye s tha t r a n in the ir fa mily, a nd wa nte d the e xa c t s a me things , inc lud ing wo me n, whic h wa s why the y c o ns ta ntly c o mp e te d with e a c h o the r — a nd fo ught. I t d id n' t ta k e muc h to s e t tho s e two o ff, a nd it wa s n' t unus ua l fo r o ne o r the o the r to s p o r t a b la c k e ye o r a s p lit lip fr o m the ir tus s le s . "I d o n' t k no w why yo u le t the s e a r gume nts with yo ur p a p a up s e t yo u, s inc e yo u a lwa ys win, " S te nk a r e ma r k e d . "I d id n' t win, " s he mumb le d . "Yo u d id n' t win? " His d e lib e r a te ly inc r e d ulo us lo o k d id n' t b r ing the gr in he wa s lo o k ing fo r . "I d id n' t win! " "I s up p o s e the r e is a fir s t time fo r e ve r ything. " He s ighe d . "S o wha t d id n' t yo u win? "

"He ha s b e tr o the d me to a C a r d inia n. " The r e wa s no thing fe igne d a b o ut his ne w inc r e d ulo us lo o k . "He wo uld n' t d o tha t to yo u. " "He d id it fifte e n ye a r s a go . " "Ah, whe n yo u we r e s till a b a b y, " he s a id , a s if tha t e xp la ine d it. "A te n- ye a r - o ld b a b y? " He wa ve d his ha nd d is mis s ive ly. "S o wha t a r e yo u go ing to d o ? " "Ho ne s ty wo uld b e the b e s t s tr a te gy, I think , " s he s a id ma tte r - o f- fa c tly. "I ' ll s imp ly te ll this C a r d inia n c o unt tha t I d o n' t wa nt to ma r r y him. " S te nk a ga ve he r a n a s s e s s ing lo o k tha t r a n fr o m he r fur - to p p e d he a d to he r b o o te d fe e t a nd , in his o p inio n, p a s s e d o ve r a gr e a t ma ny a s s e ts in b e twe e n. "He c o uld b e a s ho me ly a s he ll, ta k e o ne lo o k a t yo u, a nd think he ' s d ie d a nd go ne to he a ve n. Yo ur ho ne s ty wo n' t ma tte r in tha t c a s e . " Ale xa nd r a gr o a ne d o ve r tha t p o s s ib ility. "Yo u a r e n' t he lp ing, S te nk a . " "W a s I s up p o s e d to ? " "I t wo uld b e a p p r e c ia te d . " "W e ll, the n, " he s a id c he e r fully, "Timo fe e a nd I c o uld a mb us h him, b e a t him up , a nd wa r n him o ff. " "Exc e p t he ' s p r o b a b ly a r r iving e ve n a s we s p e a k , " s he p r e d ic te d , the n a d d e d , jus t in c a s e he ' d mis ta k e n he r r e s p o ns e to his s ugge s tio n a s p e r mis s io n, "a nd we ' r e no t go ing to b e a t up a k ing' s c o us in— e xc e p t a s a la s t r e s o r t. " He whis tle d s o ftly. "A k ing' s c o us in? S o why d o n' t yo u ma r r y him? " He r mid night- b lue e ye s to o k o n a d e e p p ur p le hue whe n s he gla r e d , whic h s he wa s d o ing no w. "Be c a us e I ha p p e n to lo ve C hr is to p he r . " "Him! " S te nk a s a id with s uc h d e r is io n tha t s he ne a r ly winc e d . The y a ll k ne w a b o ut he r Englis hma n a nd the y' d b e e n ha p p y fo r he r — until the ye a r s ha d s ta r te d to p a s s with no r ing fo r thc o ming fo r he r finge r . "Tha t no - go o d la gga r d ! " "I d o n' t wa nt to he a r it. " "Yo u' r e s ur e ? " "Ye s . " "But it wo uld d o me a wo r ld o f go o d to ge t it o ff my c he s t. " His e xp r e s s io n wa s s o e a r ne s t, s he c o uld n' t he lp c huc k ling. He gr inne d , ha ving fina lly go tte n the r e s ult he wa s a fte r . "S o le t' s go a nd me e t yo ur b e tr o the d , " he s ugge s te d . "Yo u ne ve r k no w, yo u might lik e him. " W he n s he jus t s no r te d , he a d d e d , "I t' s no t imp o s s ib le . " "But it wo uld n' t ma tte r . " He d id n' t ha ve to a s k why, a nd tha t wa s the he ll o f it, S te nk a tho ught, fe e ling d is gus t no w. The ir Ale x wa s to o d a mn lo ya l, e ve n whe n he r lo ya lty wa s mis p la c e d . And he r p a p a ha d the r ight id e a . S te nk a ' s o wn fa the r , Er ma k , ha d he a r d the b a r o n r e p e a t it mo r e tha n o nc e , a nd e ve r y o ne o f the Ra zins

s e c o nd e d the o p inio n. S o me o ne s ho uld ha ve s ho t tha t Englis hma n a lo ng time a go . 7 Ale xa nd r a ha d ta k e n a le is ur e ly r id e ho me , • s o b y the time s he a nd S te nk a a p p r o a c he d the ho us e , it wa s lo ng p a s t the ' le s s tha n two ho ur s " tha t he r fa the r ha d p r e d ic te d fo r he r b e - tr o the d ' s a r r iva l. C o unt Va s ili P e tr o ff s ho uld ha ve b e e n s e ttle d in he r ho me , e ithe r in his r o o m o r a lr e a d y in c o nfe r e nc e with he r fa the r . I n e ithe r c a s e , s he wo uld n' t b e lik e ly to b ump into him if s he e nte r e d fr o m the b a c k o f the ho us e a s s he ha d p la nne d . S he ha d d e c id e d to le t he r fa the r a s s e s s him fir s t, the n d e ma nd fr o m him a n ho ne s t o p inio n b e fo r e s he me t the ma n he r s e lf. Tha t ha d b e e n he r p la n, a nd a go o d o ne , s he ha d tho ught— the r e wa s a lwa ys the p o s s ib ility tha t he r fa the r wo uld n' t b e a b le to to le r a te the ma n a nd wo uld s e nd him p a c k ing, s o s he wo uld n' t ha ve to d e a l with him a t a ll— b ut it d id n' t ta k e into a c c o unt tha t he r b e tr o the d might no t b e in a ny hur r y to a r r ive . S e e ing the e ight me n who we r e no w d is mo unting in fr o nt o f he r ho us e p r o ve d tha t. Ale x wa s n' t thr o wn o ff k ilte r , ho we ve r , b y ha ving to a b a nd o n o ne p la n fo r a no the r . Afte r a ll, the r e wa s a lo t to b e s a id fo r c o nfr o nta tio ns , a nd inte r e s ting things c o uld b e le a r ne d whe n yo u to o k s o me o ne b y s ur p r is e . All in a ll, it might b e b e tte r if s he d id me e t him fir s t, b e fo r e he r fa the r ha d a c ha nc e to wa r n him a b o ut s o me o f he r mo r e "o utr a ge o us " ha b its , a s he te r me d the m. S e e ing wa s b e lie ving, a nd s he wa s ne ve r a t he r b e s t in he r wo r k c lo the s . W ho m, a fte r a ll, d id s he ha ve to imp r e s s in the s ta b le s ? S he ha d n' t e xp e c te d the C a r d inia n to a r r ive with a full e nto ur a ge , tho ugh. The r e we r e e ight me n, b ut a d o ze n ho r s e s , the r id e r le s s o ne s b o gge d d o wn with b a gga ge . O b vio us ly he r b e tr o the d d id n' t tr a ve l lightly, whic h to ld he r r ight the r e tha t he wa s p r o b a b ly o ne o f tho s e s p o ile d a nd p a mp e r e d a r is to c r a ts , the k ind who wo uld b e a p p a lle d a t the id e a o f s le e p ing o utd o o r s a nd a lwa ys ha d to ha ve s e r va nts o n ha nd to s e e to his s imp le s t ne e d s . Ale xa nd r a ha d ne ve r in he r life a s k e d s o me o ne to d o s o me thing fo r he r tha t s he wa s n' t a b le a nd willing to d o he r s e lf, a nd , in fa c t, s he p r e fe r r e d d o ing fo r he r s e lf. N ina might ma k e s ur e he r c lo the s we r e a lwa ys ne a t a nd c le a n, b ut tha t wa s a b o ut the e xte nt o f the ma id ' s d utie s tha t Ale xa nd r a a llo we d he r fr ie nd to p e r fo r m. Ale xa nd r a a nd S te nk a r o d e up b e hind the vis ito r s witho ut b e ing no tic e d . The C a r d inia ns ha d b e e n inc o ns id e r a te in no t ta k ing the ir ho r s e s a r o und to the s ta b le s . Two o f the ho us e s e r va nts ha d c o me o ut to ta k e c ha r ge o f the a nima ls , b ut the y we r e n' t ha ving muc h luc k . S e ve r a l o f the ho r s e s we r e tho r o ughb r e d s , no t a s fine a s tho s e the Rub lio vs b r e d , a nd no t a s we ll tr a ine d e ithe r . I n fa c t, the y we r e c a us ing q uite a d is tur b a nc e a mo ng the mo r e p la c id a nima ls . O ne wa s a s ta llio n a t whic h P r inc e M is c ha s no r te d a nd to s s e d his p r o ud he a d , b ut a s o ft wo r d fr o m Ale xa nd r a a nd he s tille d , a llo wing he r to d is mo unt a nd igno r e him, s ur e tha t he wo uld n' t e mb a r r a s s he r with a ny ma le the a tr ic s . He r e ye s ha d a lr e a d y s e ttle d o n the ma n s he a s s ume d to b e he r b e tr o the d , his

fine c lo the s giving him a wa y. S he ha d n' t e xp e c te d him to b e s o ha nd s o me . Da r k b r o wn ha ir , b a b y- b lue e ye s , a nd gr o o ve s in his c he e k s tha t p r o mis e d d imp le s whe n he s mile d . S he wa s fur the r s ur p r is e d to find his e xp r e s s io n s o o p e n, ma k ing him s e e m a c c e s s ib le — e ve n lik a b le . Right no w, he wa s a b o ut the o nly o ne o f his gr o up who ha d he a r d he r a r r iva l a nd who ha d tur ne d in he r d ir e c tio n. But his e ye s ne ve r r e a c he d Ale xa nd r a . The y lit o n P r inc e M is c ha a nd we nt no fur the r . I t wa s a r e a c tio n Ale xa nd r a wa s q uite us e d to , e xp e c te d e ve n, a nd und e r s ta nd a b ly fille d he r with no s ma ll a mo unt o f p r id e . But the n he r two s ta llio ns , P r inc e M is c ha a nd his s ir e , S ulta n' s P r id e , we r e b o th p ur e white tho r o ughb r e d s , with luxur io us lo ng ma ne s a nd ta ils , d e e p b lue e ye s , a nd no ne o f the us ua l p a tc he s o f p ink s k in s ho wing thr o ugh the ir d e ns e , s mo o th c o a ts . The ir o ffs p r ing we r e in c o ns ta nt d e ma nd a nd c o mma nd e d r id ic ulo us ly high p r ic e s , b ut Ale xa nd r a ne ve r s o ld he r "b a b ie s " to a nyo ne who wa s n' t a c o nno is s e ur o f fine ho r s e fle s h. I f the p r o s p e c tive b uye r s we r e n' t go ing to p a m p e r the m the wa y s he d id , the n the y we r e n' t go ing to o wn the m. He r b e tr o the d , a p p a r e ntly, wa s jus t s uc h a c o nno is s e ur . F igur a tive ly, he wa s p r a c tic a lly d r o o ling o ve r he r ho r s e . S he wa s a mus e d . S he wa s r e lie ve d . Tho ugh it wa s go ing to k ill he r to d o it, s he jus t might b e a b le to b uy him o ff with P r inc e M is c ha . O f c o ur s e , s he wo uld o ffe r o ne o f he r ma r e s o r ge ld ings fir s t. All o f he r b r e e d ing s to c k a nd the ir o ffs p r ing we r e o f s up e r io r q ua lity. But fr o m the lo o k s o f the ma n, he wa s a lr e a d y in lo ve with P r inc e M is c ha . Ale xa nd r a d is mo unte d , a nd jus t to b e s ur e s he ha d n' t ma d e a mis ta k e in id e ntifying he r b e tr o the d , s he d e ma nd e d , lo ud e no ugh fo r the e ntir e gr o up to he a r he r , "W hic h o ne o f yo u is Va s ili P e tr o ff? " Va s ili tur ne d fr o m his e xa mina tio n o f the la r ge c o untr y ho us e a nd e ye d the — fe ma le ? He wa s n' t q uite s ur e until his ga ze d r o p p e d to a p r ime p a ir o f b r e a s ts tha t a c tua lly wid e ne d the o p e ning o f the o ld wo o le n c o a t s he wa s we a r ing. I t wa s a s ha me the b r itc he s we r e s o b a ggy, b ut the s k in- hugging b o o ts r e ve a le d nic e ly s ha p e d c a lve s . He wa s a ttr a c te d , no d o ub t a b o ut it. Br e a s ts lik e tho s e a lwa ys d id the tr ic k fo r him. But the r e wa s mo r e , fo r s he ha d q uite lo ve ly fe a tur e s , to o , fla wle s s s k in tha t s till r e ta ine d a s umme r ta n, whic h a tte s te d to he r p e a s a nt o r igins — no la d y wo uld e xp o s e he r s e lf to tha t muc h s un— with high c he e k b o ne s p r e s e ntly p ink e ne d b y the wind a nd a s lim, s tr a ight no s e tha t s e e me d to o fine , a lmo s t a r is to c r a tic . He r mo uth wa s lus c io us , full, p r o vo c a tive , ne a r ly a s te mp ting a s tho s e b r e a s ts . The s tub b o r n lift o f he r s ma ll c hin wa s d is c o nc e r ting, b ut c o uld b e igno r e d . W ha t he c o uld s e e o f he r ha ir b e ne a th the fur ha t tha t c o ve r e d he r he a d wa s a lmo s t lighte r tha n he r ta nne d s k in. The nic e ly c ur ve d b r o ws we r e d a r k e r , tho ugh, a light b r o wn, a nd the lo ng, thic k la s he s tha t s ur r o und e d a lmo nd - s ha p e d e ye s we r e d a r k e r s till, ma k ing fo r a ve r y a r r e s ting, e xo tic c o m b ina tio n. P e r ha p s his s ho r t s ta y he r e wo uld n' t b e c o mp le te ly unp le a s a nt a fte r a ll, Va s ili d e c id e d , a nd he wa s gr inning b y the time he s a id , "Tha t wo uld b e me , s we e the a r t. And who might yo u b e ? "

Ale xa nd r a ' s e ye s le ft the d a r k - ha ir e d ma n, who ha d b a r e ly s p a r e d he r a gla nc e a t he r q ue s tio n, a nd s wung to the o ne who ha d jus t s p o k e n. S o s he ha d ma d e a mis ta k e . . . The tho ught d e s e r te d he r , a lo ng with e ve r y o the r o ne in he r he a d . He r e ye s gr e w e no r mo us . He r mo uth d r o p p e d o p e n. S he fo r go t a b o ut b r e a thing. And he r s to ma c h fe lt a s if it we r e tr ying to d r o p to he r fe e t. Time p a s s e d witho ut he r no tic ing it, until fina lly s he wa s d r a wing in a s ta r ve d b r e a th jus t b e fo r e s he tur ne d b lue . S he tur ne d b r ight c r ims o n ins te a d . He r c he e k s ha d to b e giving o ff s mo k e . And his gr in wid e ne d a t he r r e a c tio n to him. W a s it s ho c k ? W a s tha t wha t ha d jus t ma d e a fo o l o f he r ? And s till wa s , fo r s he s till c o uld n' t s e e m to find he r to ngue . I t mus t b e s ho c k , b ut the n no o ne ha d e ve r wa r ne d he r tha t me n c o uld lo o k lik e this o ne . He wa s go ld e n a ll o ve r , ha ir o f mo lte n go ld tha t c ur le d s o ftly o ve r his te mp le s a nd e a r s , ta wny- go ld s k in, ho ne y- go ld e ye s . He wa s a b s o lute ly b e a utiful, b ut it wa s a ma s c uline b e a uty, with fe a tur e s p e r fe c tly s ymme tr ic a l: le a n c he e k s , a s tr a ight, a q uiline no s e , thic k , s la s hing b r o ws , s tr o ng c hin, a nd we ll- s ha p e d lip s tha t we r e e ntir e ly to o s e ns ua l. The c o mb ina tio n wa s me s me r izing. But s o me ho w Ale xa nd r a ma na ge d to p ull he r s tunne d s e ns e s to ge the r . He wa s Va s ili P e tr o ff? S he wa s s up p o s e d to ma r r y him? Go d , wha t a jo k e . M a r r y a ma n mo r e b e a utiful tha n s he wa s ? N o t in this c e ntur y, s he wo uld n' t. N o w tha t he r mind wa s wo r k ing a ga in, s he r e c a lle d he r p la n a nd s he ma r c he d o ve r to him, b e la te d ly no ting tha t he wa s ta ll, a go o d s ix fe e t ta ll. And his k ne e - le ngth, fur - e d ge d c o a t tha t wa s wr a p p e d a nd b e lte d a r o und a le a n wa is t s ho we d a milita r y p hys iq ue tha t s he fo und a b it d is c o nc e r ting. He r fa the r wa s ta lle r a nd muc h s to c k ie r , b ut the whip c o r d s tr e ngth o f the ma n who s to o d b e fo r e he r wa s s o me ho w mo r e intimid a ting. But Ale xa nd r a wa s no t o ne to s ho w he r fe a r to a nyo ne if s he c o uld he lp it, a nd s he wa s n' t a c tua lly a fr a id o f the ma n. He wa s n' t he r hus b a nd , a fte r a ll, me r e ly he r b e tr o the d — a nd s o o n he wo uld n' t e ve n b e tha t. "I ' m s o r r y I s to o d the r e lik e a ha lf- wit, C o unt P e tr o ff, " s he to ld him ma tte r - o f- fa c tly, "b ut I wa s a b it— s ur p r is e d . Afte r a ll, if s no t e ve r d a y tha t I s e e a ma n who ' s p r e ttie r tha n la m. " S he va gue ly he a r d s o me c huc k le s fr o m the me n s ta nd ing b e hind him a nd fr o m the b lue - e ye d ma n s he ha d fir s t tho ught wa s he r b e tr o the d . S he wa s q uite d is a p p o inte d tha t he wa s n' t C o unt P e tr o ff, fo r it wo uld ha ve b e e n fa r e a s ie r to d e a l with him. S he ga ve him a b r ie f, wis tful gla nc e tha t he mus t na ve mis inte r p r e te d — he wa s fina lly lo o k ing he r wa y lo ng e no ugh to s e e it— fo r it wip e d the humo r o us e xp r e s s io n fr o m his fa c e . Re tur ning he r a tte ntio n to the go ld e n Ad o nis , s he no te d his he ighte ne d c o lo r . I t wa s a ma zing ho w s he a lwa ys ma na ge d to p r o d uc e tha t e ffe c t in me n o nc e s he o p e ne d he r mo uth— a t le a s t in me n who d id n' t k no w he r . S he ha d n' t inte nd e d to s ho c k him with he r fr a nk ne s s , b ut s he wa s una c c o unta b ly p le a s e d tha t s he ' d ma na ge d it a nywa y. And ha ving go tte n r id o f his gr in a t le a s t, s he fe lt mo r e in c o ntr o l. Re me mb e r ing his q ue s tio n, s he wa s a b o ut to intr o d uc e he r s e lf whe n, b e twe e n

o ne tho ught a nd the ne xt, s he a ls o r e c a lle d wha t he ' d c a lle d he r . "S we e the a r t? " W itho ut k no wing who s he wa s ? S he a lmo s t la ughe d the n, a s s he r e a lize d tha t the ma n ha d b e e n flir ting with he r , o r r a the r , with a n unk no wn fe ma le , a nd o n the d o o r s te p o f his b e tr o the d ' s ho us e . And tha t to ld he r mo r e a b o ut his c ha r a c te r tha n s he wa s lik e ly to le a r n fr o m a ny c o nve r s a tio n with him. S he d id n' t la ugh, b ut s he c o uld n' t q uite k e e p the c o r ne r s o f he r mo uth fr o m tur ning up . This r e a lly wa s a s tr o k e o f luc k fo r he r . S he c o uld n' t wa it to te ll he r fa the r a b o ut this p a r a go n o f ho no r a nd vir tue he ' d ho p e d to s a d d le he r with. S he c o ns id e r e d to ying with him fo r a mo me nt, jus t to s e e ho w fa r he c o uld b ur y hims e lf b e fo r e s he r e ve a le d who s he wa s . I t wa s a c tua lly ve r y te mp ting, no t tha t s he r e a lly k ne w ho w to to y with a ma n. But s he wa s n' t go ing to r e s o r t to tr ic k e r y whe n ho ne s ty wo uld s e r ve jus t a s we ll. S he wa s s till gr inning s lightly, ho we ve r , whe n s he s a id , "Le t me intr o d uc e mys e lf, C o unt. I ' m Ale x Rub lio v. " "Ale x— a s in Ale xa nd r a ? " "Ye s . " The mo me nt he ha d he r a ns we r , his who le d e me a no r c ha nge d . His ho ne y- go ld e ye s tr a ve le d d o wn he r lo ng le ngth, b ut this time the y we r e fille d with utte r c o nte mp t, with a he a vy d o s e o f d is gus t thr o wn in. And Ale xa nd r a c o uld n' t ha ve b e e n mo r e p le a s e d . To p r o ve it, s he ga ve him a d a zzling s mile tha t, unb e k no wns t to he r , ma d e him c a tc h his b r e a th. "I t' s r a the r o b vio us tha t ne ithe r o f us is wha t the o the r e xp e c te d , b ut d o n' t d e s p a ir . As it ha p p e ns , I d o n' t wa nt to ma r r y yo u. " S inc e s he ' d jus t ta k e n the wo r d s r ight o ut o f Va s ili' s mo uth, s o to s p e a k , he wa s r e nd e r e d ne a r ly s p e e c hle s s . "Yo u d o n' t? " "N o t e ve n a little , " s he r e a s s ur e d him. "But I a m s o r r y yo u ha d to wa s te yo ur time in c o ming he r e . Yo u mus t ins is t tha t my fa the r ma k e it up to yo u whe n yo u b r e a k o ur b e tr o tha l. And if I d o n' t s e e yo u a ga in b e fo r e yo u le a ve , we ll, if s b e e n— inte r e s ting me e ting yo u. " W ith tha t, s he s wung a r o und a nd a p p e a r e d to le a p into the s a d d le o f the white s ta llio n, s he mo unte d him s o fluid ly. Ho r s e a nd r id e r the n tr o tte d o ff a r o und the c o r ne r o f the ho us e , a b r ute o f a C o s s a c k fo llo wing b e hind the m. I t wa s n' t o fte n tha t Va s ili P e tr o ff wa s d umb fo und e d , p a r tic ula r ly b y a wo ma n. This o ne d id n' t lo o k b a c k o nc e in his d ir e c tio n. S he ' d s a id he r little s p e e c h, the n s e e me d to ha ve s umma r ily d is mis s e d him fr o m he r mind . But wo me n d id n' t d o tha t to him. La za r c a me to s ta nd ne xt to Va s ili a nd a ls o s ta r e d in the d ir e c tio n in whic h Ale xa nd r a Rub lio v ha d va nis he d . W itho ut gla nc ing a t him, Va s ili s a id , "I f yo u la ugh, I ' m go ing to p ut my fis t in yo ur mo uth. " La za r d id n' t la ugh, b ut he wa s c e r ta inly gr inning. "Yo u think tha t wo uld s to p me ? " The two fr ie nd s ha d b e e n k no wn to te a r into e a c h o the r with ve r y little p r o vo c a tio n. S te fa n ha d s e nt La za r a lo ng with Va s ili to k e e p him o ut o f

tr o ub le . But he ha d jo k ingly a d mo nis he d tha t the y no t k ill e a c h o the r b e fo r e the y r e tur ne d to C a r d inia . And the s ix gua r d s , who a c c o mp a nie d the two fr ie nd s a t S te fa n' s ins is te nc e , we r e to s e e to tha t, a s we ll a s to p r o te c t the ir b a c k s o n the b a nd it- infe s te d mo unta in p a s s e s . "I t wo uld ma k e it d iffic ult fo r yo u to c o ntinue , " Va s ili p r o mis e d . ' Tr ue — b ut wha t a r e yo u gr o wling a b o ut? Yo u s ho uld b e d e lighte d . N o w yo u wo n' t ha ve to s ho w he r wha t a b a s ta r d yo u c a n b e . S he ' s to ld yo u e xa c tly wha t yo u wa nte d to he a r , a nd witho ut a ny e ffo r t o n yo ur p a r t. " "Exa c tly? " Va s ili s a id with ir r ita tio n. "Yo u mus t no t ha ve b e e n lis te ning c a r e fully, La za r . The little p e a s a nt d o e s n' t wa nt to ma r r y me , b ut s he e xp e c ts me to b r e a k the b e tr o tha l. As muc h a s I ' d lo ve to , yo u k no w I c a n' t d o tha t. " "Ye s , b ut lo o k ho w muc h c lo s e r yo u a r e to a c hie ving yo ur go a l, tha nk s to he r une xp e c te d r e ve la tio n. Yo u' ve a lr e a d y wo n ha lf the b a ttle witho ut fir ing a s ingle s ho t. Ho w ha r d c a n it b e to ge t he r to b r e a k the b e tr o tha l, o nc e yo u e xp la in tha t yo u c a n' t? S he ' s o n yo ur s id e , my fr ie nd . S he d o e s n' t wa nt yo u. " Ha ving s a id tha t, La za r fina lly c o uld n' t r e s is t la ughing. I t r e a lly wa s inc r e d ib ly funny, a nd Va s ili' s glo we r wa s funnie r s till. W ho wo uld ha ve tho ught tha t the o ne wo ma n who a c tua lly ha d a n o p p o r tunity to ma r r y Va s ili, o r a t le a s t a s s ume d s he d id , wo uld n' t wa nt to , whe n hund r e d s o f o the r s wo uld ha ve k ille d to b e in he r p o s itio n? "By the wa y, " La za r a d d e d , jus t to r ub it in, "I d o n' t think s he wa s the le a s t b it imp r e s s e d b y tha t s p le nd id d is p la y o f c o nte mp t yo u tr e a te d he r to . I c a n' t s a y tha t I b la me he r , b ut the n I s a w the wa y yo u we r e lo o k ing a t he r b e fo r e yo u k ne w who s he wa s . " He ha d to p a us e fo r a no the r la ugh. "J e s us , I c a n' t wa it to te ll S te fa n a nd S e r ge a b o ut this . The y s imp ly a r e n' t go ing to b e lie ve it. " 8 “C o me , s it d o wn, Va s ili— yo u will p e r mit me to c a ll yo u s o ? " C o ns ta ntin d id n' t wa it fo r a n a ns we r , r e s uming his s e a t b e hind his d e s k . His s tud y wa s wha t o ne might e xp e c t fr o m a ma n o f his ye a r s , s e d a te , a nd la c k ing a ll fla mb o ya nc e . I t r e mind e d Va s ili o f his fa the r ' s s tud y, b e fo r e M a r ia ha d tur ne d it into a s e wing r o o m a fte r his d e a th. "Tho ugh we ha ve ne ve r me t, I fe e l a s if I ha ve k no wn yo u a ll yo ur life , " C o ns ta ntin wa s e xp la ining. "But the n, yo u we r e a ll yo ur fa the r e ve r ta lk e d a b o ut. He wa s s o p r o ud o f yo u a nd yo ur a c c o mp lis hme nts . He wa nte d to s ho w yo u o ff, yo u k no w, to ta k e yo u with him o n his tr a ve ls a nd hunting tr ip s , b ut he fe lt yo ur s c ho o ling wa s mo r e imp o r ta nt, p a r tic ula r ly s inc e yo u s ha r e d the r o ya l tuto r s with the c r o wn p r inc e . He wa s p r o ud o f tha t, to o , s inc e he ne ve r ha d s uc h a d va nta ge s hims e lf, ha ving no c o nne c tio n with the r o ya l fa mily until he ma r r ie d yo ur mo the r . But I d o k no w he inte nd e d to b r ing yo u with him to Rus s ia a fte r yo u tur ne d e ighte e n. I r e me mb e r whe n he . . . " C o ns ta ntin c o ntinue d r e minis c ing fo r mo r e tha n a n ho ur . Va s ili wa s r e q uir e d to ma k e fe w c o mme nts in r e p ly, me r e ly to lis te n, a nd he d id tha t a vid ly, he a r ing things a b o ut his fa the r he ' d ne ve r k no wn. Lo ng b e fo r e the b a r o n ha d

finis he d s p e a k ing, the r e s e ntme nt Va s ili ha d ha r b o r e d a ga ins t the ma n fo r mo s t o f his life wa s b e ginning to le s s e n, a nd b y the time C o ns ta ntin finis he d with "I s till mis s him, yo u k no w, " it wa s go ne c o mp le te ly. Rid ic ulo us ly, Va s ili fe lt c lo s e to te a r s , d a mn c lo s e . He ha d n' t c r ie d s inc e he wa s a s ma ll c hild , a nd the ur ge he fe lt no w wa s a ll b ut c ho k ing him. He mis s e d his fa the r , to o , a nd until no w he ha d n' t r e a lize d ho w muc h. O nc e his a nge r o ve r his fa the r ' s untime ly d e a th ha d p a s s e d , he ' d fe lt a go o d d e a l o f r e gr e t, in p a r tic ula r tha t he ' d ne ve r ha d the o p p o r tunity to b e fr ie nd s with S ime o n, the wa y S te fa n ha d b e c o me fr ie nd s with his o wn fa the r , S a nd o r , a fte r he ' d r e a c he d his ma nho o d . This wa s c e r ta inly no t the wa y Va s ili ha d a ntic ip a te d his inte r vie w with the b a r o n to go . O f c o ur s e , no thing wa s go ing the wa y he ha d a ntic ip a te d , e s p e c ia lly his fir s t e nc o unte r with his b e tr o the d . He r r e ma r k tha t s he wa s n' t wha t he ha d e xp e c te d wa s a n und e r s ta te me nt. He ha d p ic tur e d a p a mp e r e d a nd fr ivo lo us a r is to c r a tic wo ma n who m he c o uld e a s ily intimid a te . But he c o uld n' t ima gine intimid a ting the a ud a c io us we nc h he ' d jus t me t. S he s p o k e he r mind with b r a ze n d is r e ga r d fo r d e c o r um. S he d r e s s e d lik e a p e a s a nt, a ma le p e a s a nt a t tha t. And s he r o d e a ho r s e a s tr id e , a s if s he ha d b e e n b o r n in a s a d d le . The r e d id n' t s e e m to b e a s hy b o ne in he r b o d y. And why the he ll d id n' t s he wa nt to ma r r y him? Va s ili wa s n' t s ur e ho w he fe lt a b o ut tha t, b ut he wa s n' t r e lie ve d , a s La za r tho ught he ' d b e . He ha d b e e n r e je c te d . Re je c te d . I t wa s a uniq ue e xp e r ie nc e fo r him— we ll, no t q uite . Ta nya ha d a ls o r e je c te d him o ut o f ha nd whe n s he ' d b e e n to ld he wa s the k ing s he wo uld ha ve to ma r r y. "I wo uld n' t ma r r y yo ur k ing if yo u p a id me , " wa s the wa y s he ha d p ut it. O f c o ur s e , s he ha d n' t b e lie ve d tha t s he wa s P r inc e s s Ta tia na J a na c e k , o r tha t s he ha d b e e n b e tr o the d a t b ir th to the p r e s e nt K ing o f C a r d i- nia . I t wo uld n' t ha ve ma d e a d iffe r e nc e if s he ha d b e lie ve d it, tho ugh, s inc e s he ha d s c o r ne d Va s ili a t the time , jus t a s he ha d s c o r ne d he r . But e ve n the n he ha d n' t fe lt r e je c te d . N o r ha d he fe lt wha te ve r it wa s tha t ha d him s o ir r ita te d no w. And his ina b ility to id e ntify e xa c tly wha t wa s b o the r ing him o nly a d d e d to his ir r ita tio n. He wa s c a r e ful, ho we ve r , to c o nc e a l his fe e lings fr o m the b a r o n. O r igina lly he ha d inte nd e d to p r e s e nt hims e lf to C o ns ta ntin Rub lio v a s a c o mp le te ly und e s ir a b le s o n- in- la w. He ha d a s s ume d , b a s e d o n his e xp e r ie nc e with wo me n, tha t his b e tr o the d wo uld b e p le a s e d to ha ve him, a nd s o wo uld b e the mo r e d iffic ult o f the two Rub li- o vs to d is s ua d e fr o m this ma r r ia ge , whe r e a s he r fa the r c o uld b e e a s ily o utr a ge d . But a fte r lis te ning to the b a r o n s p e a k s o highly a nd with ge nuine a ffe c tio n a b o ut his fa the r , he k ne w he c o uld n' t d o it— a t le a s t no t in the mo r e o b vio us wa ys he ha d p la nne d . He ' d a lr e a d y lie d a b o ut why he ha d b e e n d e la ye d in a r r iving, b la ming it o n a n illne s s in his p a r ty, whe n in fa c t he ha d d e lib e r a te ly wa s te d time , s ta ying o ve r in e a c h to wn fo r d a ys , o nc e fo r a full we e k — b e c a us e o f a p r e tty little r e d he a d — ins te a d o f jus t fo r the night. The d e la y wa s to a llo w the c o ld o f the a p p r o a c hing winte r to hind e r tr a ve l. I f fo r s o me r e a s o n he ha d to ta k e Ale xa nd r a Rub li- o v b a c k to C a r d inia with him, he wa nte d the we a the r to give he r a n a d d e d inc e ntive to tur n b a c k . He wa s , o f c o ur s e , go ing to give he r a

gr e a t ma ny r e a s o ns to e nd this r id ic ulo us b e tr o tha l, b ut he wo uld utilize a nything e xtr a tha t might a id his c a us e , inc lud ing the we a the r . But no w the r e s t o f his c a mp a ign, a t le a s t whe r e the b a r o n wa s c o nc e r ne d , ha d to b e s e t a s id e . He wa s n' t go ing to d is gr a c e his fa the r in this ma n' s e ye s b y b e ha ving lik e a n utte r ly d e te s ta b le s o n. But he d id n' t ha ve to b e p e r fe c t e ithe r . P e r ha p s he c o uld d is a p p o int him b y no t ha ving— o r p r e te nd ing no t to ha ve — c e r ta in q ua litie s o r a ttitud e s the ma n wa s ho p ing to find in him. He jus t ha d to figur e o ut wha t the y might b e . "Ab o ut yo ur d a ughte r , s ir ? " "Ye s , I wa s wa tc hing fr o m the d r a wing r o o m whe n yo u me t he r . " And C o ns ta ntin c o uld n' t ha ve b e e n mo r e p le a s e d whe n he ' d witne s s e d fir s tha nd Ale xa nd r a ' s r e a c tio n to the yo ung c o unt. I t wa s a ll he c o uld d o to c o nta in his r e lie f no w, it wa s s o gr e a t. S o me ho w he ma na ge d . "I r e gr e t tha t s he wa s n' t a t he r b e s t, " he c o ntinue d . "But yo u s e e , s he s p e nd s mo s t o f e a c h d a y wo r k ing with the ho r s e s , a nd s o s he d r e s s e s fo r c o nve nie nc e , r a the r tha n— " "W o r k ing with ho r s e s ? " Va s ili' s s ur p r is e wa s ge nuine , giving him no time to a s c e r ta in whe the r he s ho uld a p p r o ve o r d is a p p r o ve . His to ne s a id it a ll, a nd tur ne d C o ns ta ntin d e fe ns ive . "This is a ho r s e - b r e e d ing fa r m, a fte r a ll, " he e xp la ine d . "And Ale xa nd r a wa s the o nly o ne o f my thr e e d a ughte r s who s ho we d a ny inte r e s t a t a ll in the ho r s e s . I p r o b a b ly s ho uld n' t ha ve e nc o ur a ge d he r , b ut I d id , a nd o nc e I d id , the r e wa s no tur ning b a c k . " Va s ili wa s r e lie ve d to s e e tha t he ha d ta k e n the c o r r e c t to ne , a t le a s t fo r his p ur p o s e s . The fa the r o b vio us ly a llo we d the gir l he r unus ua l o c c up a tio n, a nd Va s ili wo uld no t b e o ut o f line in e xp r e s s ing d is a p p r o va l o f tha t. The b a r o n' s q uic k d e fe ns e to ld him the o ld e r ma n ha d p r o b a b ly a ntic ip a te d tha t he wo uld d is a p p r o ve . And jus t s o the r e wo uld b e no mis ta k ing tha t he wa s s c a nd a lize d , a lb e it mild ly, Va s ili s a id , "Yo u a c tua lly p e r mit this ? " As if I c o uld s to p he r , C o ns ta ntin tho ught b ut r e fr a ine d fr o m r e p lying. He wo uld jus t a s s o o n Va s ili no t find o ut ho w willful a nd s tub b o r n his b e tr o the d c o uld b e , a t le a s t until a fte r the we d d ing. "I s a w no ha r m in this , a nd s he is highly s k ille d with the a nima ls , " he r e p lie d . "S he d o c to r s the m, tr a ins the m, b r e e d s the m— " "I b e g yo ur p a r d o n? " C o lo r r o s e in C o ns ta ntin' s c he e k s , a nd he b e c a me d e fe ns ive a ga in. "N o w s e e he r e . Ale xa nd r a is no t s o me p a mp e r e d , igno r a nt c ity gir l who ne ve r ge ts he r ha nd s d ir ty. S he wa s r a is e d he r e in the c o untr y— " C o ns ta ntin s to p p e d , fo r Va s ili' s e xp r e s s io n wa s e lo q ue nt. W e ll, tha t e xp la ins it, he might a s we ll ha ve s a id a lo ud , a nd in the d r ie s t to ne s . The b a r o n' s s igh wa s jus t a s e lo q ue nt, the s o und o f a fa the r a t his wit' s e nd . "I will c o nc e d e tha t my d a ughte r ' s a c tivitie s ne e d to b e c ha nne le d in a ne w

d ir e c tio n. And a s with a ny ne w b r id e , a hus b a nd a nd c hild r e n s ho uld s e e to tha t nic e ly. " Va s ili gr o a ne d inwa r d ly, wo nd e r ing no w if his a ttitud e wa s n' t jus t wha t the b a r o n ha d b e e n ho p ing fo r . He s a id c a r e fully, "Yo u d o r e a lize tha t I live in the c a p ita l c ity, ne a r the p a la c e . W ith the c o ur t func tio ns s he will b e e xp e c te d to a tte nd , he r life will b e q uite d iffe r e nt fr o m wha t s he is a c c us to me d to . " "The c ha nge will d o he r go o d , tho ugh I wa r n yo u, s he wo n' t give up he r d a ily r id ing. " Tha t wa s s uc h a mo o t p o int, Va s ili s a id ind iffe r e ntly, "M o s t no b le wo me n r id e fo r p le a s ur e . " "W ha t a b o ut r a c ing? " "P r e p o s te r o us . N o la d y r a c e s — s he r a c e s ? " "O c c a s io na lly. " "N o t a nymo r e , " Va s ili s a id s tiffly. "S p le nd id . " Va s ili s lump e d a b it in his c ha ir . He wa s s up p o s e d to b e hitting o n the things tha t wo uld no t p le a s e the b a r o n, no t tur n o ut to b e the id e a l s o lutio n to the ma n' s a p p a r e nt p r o b le ms with a n unna tur a l d a ughte r . Tr ying fo r a d e s p e r a te a b o ut- fa c e , Va s ili s a id , "I d o , o f c o ur s e , o wn s e ve r a l c o untr y e s ta te s no t to o d is ta nt fr o m the c a p ita l. I s up p o s e s he c o uld b e a llo we d to p ur s ue he r . . . ho b b y the r e . " C o ns ta ntin s mile d . "Ale xa nd r a will b e d e lighte d to he a r tha t. " Va s ili gr itte d his te e th, giving up . His la s t ho p e , with the b a r o n a t le a s t, wa s tha t the ma n might b e lying a b o ut this b e tr o tha l. I t wa s a s lim ho p e , b ut Va s ili wa s fe e ling d e s p e r a te a ga in. "I wo uld lik e to s e e a c o p y o f the b e tr o tha l c o ntr a c t, s ir . Ap p a r e ntly my fa the r ' s c o p y wa s mis p la c e d o r lo s t, s inc e it wa s ne ve r fo und . " "C e r ta inly. " Va s ili flus he d s lightly, s e e ing tha t the c o ntr a c t ha d b e e n lying the r e o n the d e s k b e twe e n the m. C o ns ta ntin ha nd e d it o ve r , o b vio us ly ha ving a ntic ip a te d the r e q ue s t, a nd it d id n' t ta k e lo ng fo r Va s ili to p e r us e the b r ie f d o c ume nt— a nd find his fa the r ' s s igna tur e o n it. S o muc h fo r s lim ho p e s . "M ight I a s k why yo u wa ite d s o lo ng to wr ite ? " Va s ili a s k e d a s he ha nd e d the c o ntr a c t b a c k . "Yo ur d a ughte r is q uite b e yo nd the a ge whe n mo s t gir ls ma r r y. " "Tha t wa s s e lfis hne s s o n my p a r t, wa nting to k e e p he r with me fo r a b it lo nge r , " C o n- s ta ntin s a id . "And s he wa s c o nte nt with he r life he r e . " "I d o n' t d o ub t it. Ar e yo u a wa r e tha t s he d o e s n' t wa nt to ma r r y me ? " "S he to ld yo u tha t? " "S he d id . " C o ns ta ntin tho ught fr a ntic a lly fo r a mo me nt b e fo r e he wa ve d his ha nd d is mis s ive ly. "N e r vo us ne s s , a nd the tho ught o f c ha nge . I t ha p p e ns to ma ny

b r id e s — a nd gr o o ms . " "Us ua lly s uc h fe e lings a r e k e p t to o ne s e lf, " Va s ili r e p lie d in a ne a r gr umb le . C o ns ta ntin c huc k le d . "Ah, yo u' ve d is c o ve r e d my d a ughte r ' s p r o p e ns ity fo r fr a nk ne s s . I ' ll a d mit it c a n b e d is c o nc e r ting a t time s , b ut r e fr e s hing a t o the r s . Ale xa nd r a will ne ve r wa s te yo ur time ge tting to the p o int, yo u c a n b e s ur e o f tha t. But yo u ne e d n' t ta k e he r r e ma r k to he a r t. I f s no t yo u s he d o e s n' t wa nt to ma r r y, b ut a nyo ne . As I s a id , s he wo uld ha ve b e e n p e r fe c tly ha p p y go ing o n a s s he ha s b e e n— ind e finite ly. But s he will ma r r y yo u. I ha ve he r wo r d o n tha t. " Tha t wa s no t wha t Va s ili wa s ho p ing to he a r . "W ith a ll d ue r e s p e c t, s ir , a r e yo u s ur e yo u wa nt to fo r c e yo ur d a ughte r to ma r r y a ma n s he d o e s n' t wa nt? " "C o me no w, d o e s n' t wa nt? " C o ns ta ntin s mile d in s uc h a k no wing wa y tha t Va s ili ne a r ly b lus he d . "I s a w wha t ha p p e ne d whe n s he fir s t b e he ld yo u, a nd I a s s ur e yo u, no ma n ha s e ve r r e nd e r e d he r s p e e c hle s s b e fo r e . " N o t e ve n tha t d a mn Englis hma n. Va s ili wa s b lus hing no w— una c c o unta b ly, b e c a us e it wa s n' t a s if he we r e n' t us e d to r e nd e r ing wo me n s p e e c hle s s . "S he c la ims I s ur p r is e d he r . " "N o d o ub t yo u d id . " "I t wa s mutua l. " "N o d o ub t it wa s . M y yo unge s t d a ughte r is no thing if no t uniq ue , " C o ns ta ntin s a id with a go o d d e a l o f fa the r ly p r id e . "I a ls o ha ve no d o ub t tha t a ma n o f yo ur ye a r s a nd e xp e r ie nc e will ha ve little d iffic ulty in winning he r a ffe c tio ns — a nd e a s ing he r fe a r s . " N o t if Va s ili c o uld he lp it. And he wa s ge tting no whe r e with the b a r o n. The ma n ha d a c c e p te d him who le he a r te d ly, wo uld a p p a r e ntly us e a ny e xc us e to c o ntinue to d o s o . Va s ili k ne w he ne e d e d to c o nc e ntr a te his e ffo r ts o n Ale xa nd r a , a nd the r e wa s no time to s p a r e . He a s s ur e d the b a r o n, "I will ma k e e ve r y e ffo r t whe r e yo ur d a ughte r is c o nc e r ne d . " I t wa s n' t e xa c tly a lie , jus t a s ta te me nt tha t wa s o p e n to d iffe r e nt inte r p r e ta tio ns . He s to o d up to e nd the inte r vie w. "Be c a us e o f my d e la y in a r r iving, I ' m a fr a id we ' ll ha ve to le a ve ve r y s o o n, p r e fe r a b ly to mo r r o w, b e fo r e the we a the r ma k e s tr a ve ling to o d a nge r o us . " He ' d ma na ge d to s ur p r is e the o ld e r ma n. "But a r r a nge me nts a r e n' t finis he d fo r the we d d ing. " Va s ili fe igne d a lo o k o f r e mo r s e . "I ' m s o r r y, b ut d id I fo r ge t to me ntio n tha t my c o us in ins is ts the we d d ing ta k e p la c e in C a r d inia , in the p a la c e ? I t wa s the q ue e n' s s ugge s tio n, a nd S te fa n d o e s lo ve to give he r a nything s he d e s ir e s . " C o ns ta ntin ha d no c o mme nt fo r tha t a nd c o uld think o f no thing b ut the d ile mma this une xp e c te d d e ve lo p me nt wa s go ing to c a us e . "But I ' ve ma d e no p r o vis io ns to tr a ve l a t this time . " "Yo u c a n a lwa ys wa it until s p r ing ne xt ye a r a nd b r ing he r to C a r d inia the n, " Va s ili wa s q uic k to s ugge s t. To o q uic k , C o ns ta ntin no te d , whic h wa s why he s a id , "N o , it is n' t ne c e s s a r y fo r me to witne s s he r we d d ing. W ith the b e tr o tha l, yo u a r e a lmo s t a s go o d a s

ma r r ie d . I ' ll wa it a nd vis it whe n s he ha s he r fir s t c hild . " J e s us , the ma n a lr e a d y ha d him ma r r ie d a nd s o o n to b e a fa the r , Va s ili tho ught with d r e a d . "But s ur e ly s he ' ll b e d is a p p o inte d ? " As a ngr y a s s he wa s with C o ns ta ntin? He b a r e ly k e p t fr o m s no r ting. "N o t a t a ll. I f a nything, s he ' ll b e gla d to b e o ut fr o m und e r my a utho r ity. " And ins te a d b e und e r mine , Va s ili r e a lize d , the tho ught intr iguing him— until the c o ns e q ue nc e s r e a r e d up to ho r r ify him. S e d uc ing the little we nc h wa s no lo nge r a p o s s ib ility, in fa c t, it wa s a b s o lute ly fo r b id d e n. But it wo uld b e e a s ie r to ge t he r to b r e a k the b e tr o tha l if he r fa the r wa s n' t the r e to s e e ho w utte r ly d e s p ic a b le he inte nd e d to b e — if he c o uld n' t ge t he r to c r y o ff b e fo r e to mo r r o w. 9 C o ns ta ntin s a t b a c k b e hind his d e s k a nd wa ite d , a lmo s t p o s itive tha t Ale xa nd r a wo uld jo in him a s s o o n a s s he s a w tha t he wa s a lo ne . I t to o k le s s tha n two minute s fo r he r to a r r ive . S he mus t ha ve b e e n wa tc hing fo r the c o unt to le a ve the s tud y. S he wo uld tr y to a vo id Va s ili. C o ns ta ntin wo uld n' t b e tha t luc k y. S he s till ha d n' t c ha nge d o ut o f he r wo r k c lo the s a nd lo o k e d a nything b ut a la d y. Afte r wha t Va s ili ha d to ld him s he ha d s a id to him, C o ns ta ntin wa s a fr a id the o ve r s ight wa s d e lib e r a te . I t wo uld b e he r wa y o f p r o te s ting, a nd he k ne w fr o m e xp e r ie nc e tha t s he c o uld b e q uite s tub b o r n a b o ut it. He a lmo s t wis he d he c o uld ma k e the tr ip with the m, jus t to wa tc h he r r o ugh e d ge s b e ing s o fte ne d b y a ma n who , b y the lo o k o f him, wa s no d o ub t a n e xp e r t whe r e wo me n we r e c o nc e r ne d . C o me to think o f it, the c ha nge in e ve nts c o uld b e q uite b e ne fic ia l, he c o nc lud e d . Ha d p la ns go ne a p a c e , the p a ir wo uld ha ve b e e n we d in le s s tha n a we e k , whic h wa s no t ve r y muc h time fo r the m to ge t to k no w e a c h o the r . But tr a ve ling to C a r d inia fir s t, whic h c o uld ta k e c lo s e to a mo nth, d e p e nd ing o n ho w e nc umb e r e d the y we r e , wo uld give Va s ili the o p p o r tunity to c o ur t Ale xa nd r a a nd win he r o ve r c o mp le te ly b e fo r e the y we r e a c tua lly ma r r ie d . K no wing his d a ughte r , C o ns ta ntin ha d a fe e ling s he wo uld n' t b e ve r y a p p r e c ia tive o f tha t p o s s ib ility, no t ye t a nywa y. And , a s e xp e c te d , s he go t r ight to the p o int o f he r vis it. "W he n is he le a ving? " s he d e ma nd e d . "Yo u a r e b o th le a ving to mo r r o w. " "Bo th? The n he d id n' t c r y o ff? " "W ha t ma d e yo u think he wo uld ? W ha t yo u to ld him? Yo u d is a p p o int me , Ale xa nd r a . I tho ught ho no r me a nt mo r e to yo u tha n— " "Eno ugh! " s he s na p p e d . "I me r e ly tr ie d to e nd this fa r c e b y te lling him the tr uth. But if he wa nts a wo ma n who wa nts no thing to d o with him— I s ho uld ha ve k no wn it wo uld ma k e no d iffe r e nc e . "

W he n s he s a id no mo r e , he a s k e d he s ita ntly, "But yo u will ma r r y him? " "I wo n' t b e the o ne to c r y o ff, " s he r e p lie d with a ll the b itte r ne s s s he wa s fe e ling. "But yo u think he will? " "O nc e he ge ts to k no w me — " "Da mmit, Ale x, I k no w yo u a r e a ttr a c te d to the ma n. I s a w tha t mys e lf. " S he ga ve a s hr ug tha t wa s s up p o s e d to ind ic a te he r ind iffe r e nc e , b ut he r to ne wa s ve he me nt. "I c a n' t d e ny he c o me s in a ve r y p r e tty p a c k a ge , s o p r e tty he ' s mo r e tha n lik e ly a s va in a s a p e a c o c k , b ut with the p e r s o na lity o f a wo r m— a le c he r o us wo r m. " "Yo u ha ve s o me r e a s o n fo r p hr a s ing tha t r e ma r k jus t s o ? " he a s k e d s te r nly. "M e r e ly tha t he flir te d with me — b e fo r e he k ne w I wa s his b e tr o the d . " "And yo u ha ve s o muc h e xp e r ie nc e with me n tha t yo u k no w the d iffe r e nc e b e twe e n flir ting a nd b e ing fr ie nd ly? " Ale xa nd r a s no r te d . "F r ie nd line s s d o e s n' t c a ll fo r e nd e a r me nts lik e ' s we e the a r t. ' " I ns te a d o f the fa the r ly o utr a ge s he ha d c o unte d o n, he s mile d . "I a m d e lighte d to he a r tha t he wa s a ttr a c te d to yo u, e ve n d r e s s e d a s yo u a r e . And s inc e we ha ve a ls o e s ta b lis he d tha t yo u a r e e q ua lly a ttr a c te d to him— " "W e d id n' t e s ta b lis h tha t, " s he c ut in ho tly. But C o ns ta ntin igno r e d he r to finis h, "— yo u c o uld a t le a s t tr y to lik e him. " S he ma d e him wa it a lo ng, te ns e mo me nt b e fo r e s he s a id , "Ve r y we ll, I ' ll tr y. " C o ns ta ntin b link e d in s ur p r is e . "Yo u will? " I t ha d b e e n s uc h a b a ld - fa c e d lie , s he c o uld n' t r e p e a t it, s o s he a s k e d ins te a d , "W ha t wa s tha t yo u s a id a b o ut le a ving to mo r r o w? " "An une xp e c te d d e ve lo p me nt, I ' m a fr a id . I ha d a s s ume d yo u wo uld b e we d he r e , within a ma tte r o f d a ys , b ut a p p a r e ntly yo u' r e go ing to ha ve a gr a nd c e r e mo ny a t the r o ya l p a la c e in C a r d inia — a t the ir k ing' s ins is te nc e . " "W e ll, is n' t it fo r tuna te tha t I c a n ma na ge to p a c k in s o little time . " S he s a id it s o d r yly, he r o p inio n o f the s itua tio n wa s o b vio us , a t le a s t to he r fa the r . Afte r a ll, wo me n we r e k no wn to ta k e d a ys , we e k s e ve n, to p r e p a r e fo r a jo ur ne y. And a ltho ugh Ale xa nd r a us ua lly tr a ve le d lightly, e ve n s he b e ga n p a c k ing s e ve r a l d a ys b e fo r e a s c he d ule d tr ip . "Yo u' r e wr o ng, Ale x. He ' s no t tr ying to inc o nve nie nc e yo u. I t' s me r e ly the time o f ye a r . His d e la y in ge tting he r e ma k e s it imp e r a tive tha t yo u tr a ve l q uic k ly no w, to a vo id the ha r s h s no ws to r ms in the mo unta ins . " He r b r o ws s ud d e nly r o s e with inte r e s t. "I ha p p e n to lik e s no w. Yo u me a n he d o e s n' t? " The fa c t tha t s he gr inne d a s s he s a id it ma d e C o ns ta ntin gr o a n. "Yo u wo uld n' t inte ntio na lly d e la y the jo ur ne y, wo uld yo u? "

"To p o s tp o ne the we d d ing? " He r gr in go t wid e r . "W ha t d o yo u think ? Be s id e s , it' s o nly fa ir tha t he find s o ut wha t life with me will b e lik e . " "Ale xa nd r a , I ins is t tha t yo u b e ha ve o n this — " "Yo u' ve a lr e a d y go tte n the o nly p r o mis e yo u' ll ge t fr o m me , P a p a , a nd yo u we r e luc k y to ge t it. " His fa c e wa s tur ning r e d a s he b e c a me up s e t. "Yo u s a id yo u wo uld tr y to lik e him. " "O h, I will, a nd I ' ll ha ve lo ts o f time to d o s o b e fo r e the we d d ing. N o t to night, ho we ve r , s o yo u' ll ha ve to e nte r ta in o ur gue s t this e ve ning b y yo ur s e lf. I ha ve s o muc h p a c k ing to d o , a fte r a ll, tha t I ' m q uite c e r ta in I ' ll ne e d a wa go n fo r a ll my tr unk s . " "Yo u' ll p a c k lightly, d a mmit, jus t a s yo u a lwa ys d o . I wo n' t ha ve yo u c a ught in o ne o f tho s e s to r ms in the mo unta ins b e c a us e o f yo ur s tub b o r nne s s . I ' ll s e nd the b ulk o f yo ur things a s s o o n— " "M a k e tha t two wa go ns , " s he to s s e d o ut a s s he he a d e d fo r the d o o r . "Ale x! " S he c lo s e d the d o o r q uie tly b e hind he r . S he wo uld ha ve p r e fe r r e d to s la m it, to thr o w things , to s c r e a m, b ut the r e wa s no p o int whe n s he ha d a lr e a d y lo s t the b a ttle , a t le a s t with he r fa the r . S he s till fe lt hur t a nd b e tr a ye d , a nd d o ub te d s he ' d e ve r fo r give him fo r tha t. And to think s he ha d a wa k e ne d this mo r ning to a n o r d ina r y d a y. N o w he r who le wo r ld ha d b e e n tur ne d up s id e d o wn, a nd it wa s n' t go ing to b e e a s y to r ight it. But s he wo uld . I t might ha ve b e e n a jo lt to he a r tha t the we d d ing wa s s till o n, whe n s he ha d tho ught s he ha d s e ttle d the ma tte r to he r s a tis fa c tio n, b ut s he wa s no t d e fe a te d ye t whe r e the C a r d inia n wa s c o nc e r ne d . The a nge r s till s imme r ing ins id e he r wa s no lo nge r jus t fo r he r fa the r . S he wa s no w infur ia te d with tha t p r e tty- fa c e d p o p inja y. Ho w d id he d a r e to s till wa nt he r a fte r wha t s he ha d to ld him? And ho w d id he d a r e to d r a g his fe e t in ge tting he r e , s o tha t s he ha d to b e r us he d in le a ving? He r ha nd s we r e c le nc he d a s s he ma r c he d up the s ta ir s , a nd s till tightly fis te d a s s he p o und e d o n the d o o r to the gue s t r o o m s he a s s ume d the c o unt ha d b e e n p ut in. Va gue ly s he no te d tha t thr e e o f the up s ta ir s ma id s we r e lo ite r ing a t the e nd o f the c o r r id o r , b ut s he ga ve it no tho ught, una wa r e tha t he r b e tr o the d wa s lik e a fla me to mo ths in the wa y he d r e w fe ma le s to him. S inc e s he wo uld r a the r b e d o ing a nything e xc e p t ha ving to d e a l with him a ga in, it wa s n' t s ur p r is ing tha t s he fa ile d to ma k e the c o nne c tio n. S he ' d p ic k e d the r ight r o o m, tho ugh. Ab r up tly Va s ili P e tr o ff s to o d b e fo r e he r , ha lf d r e s s e d , his c o a t a nd b o o ts r e mo ve d , his white s hir t o p e n, the wr ink le d ta ils p ulle d o ut o f his p a nts , a wid e s tr e tc h o f c he s t a nd b e lly s ho wing. He r e ye s go t e ns na r e d , c o uld mo ve no fa r the r tha n his c he s t, whic h wa s s p a r s e ly s p r ink le d with ha ir s o light it wa s b a r e ly no tic e a b le . He r e a lly wa s go ld e n a ll o ve r , lik e a ta wny lio n, a nd lik e a lio n, he wa s a p r e d a to r , a nd ve r y, ve r y d a nge r o us . S he k ne w this ins tinc tive ly. "J us t the little we nc h I wa nte d to s e e . " His to ne wa s utte r ly c o nd e s c e nd ing a nd c o nte mp tuo us o f he r . I t wa s n' t

d iffic ult to gue s s why. S he wa s s till we a r ing he r wo r k c lo the s , minus he r ha t a nd c o a t. S he ha d n' t e ve n b o the r e d to r e p a ir he r ha ir a fte r r e tur ning fr o m he r r id e . The tight c o iffur e s he ha d s ta r te d with tha t mo r ning wa s no w q uite s tr a ggly, a nd witho ut he r ha t to s tuff the lo o s e e nd s into , s he ha d a numb e r o f e r r a nt, s ilk y s tr a nd s s tr e a ming d o wn he r b a c k a nd s ho uld e r s . The p e o p le who k ne w he r we r e us e d to s e e ing he r this wa y, s he te nd e d to p a y s o little a tte ntio n to he r a p p e a r a nc e . Gue s ts we r e no t. W he n s he lo o k e d up a t his fa c e , s he wa s s ta r tle d to s e e tha t he wa s s miling. And wha t a s mile . He r s to ma c h s e e me d to tur n o ve r , whic h wa s s uc h a funny fe e ling, s he wa s a p p a lle d b y the ur ge to giggle . S he ne ve r giggle d . S he wa s ne ve r a t a lo s s fo r wo r d s e ithe r , b ut fo r the s e c o nd time tha t d a y, wo r d s d e s e r te d he r . I nc r e d ib ly, in the s p a c e o f a fe w ho ur s , he r me mo r y d id n' t d o him jus tic e . He wa s s o b e a utiful, s he fo und it ha r d to lo o k a t him with a ny c a lm, muc h le s s c o he r e nt tho ughts . F o r Go d ' s s a k e , wa s s he go ing to ha ve to me nta lly p ull he r s e lf to ge the r e ve r y time s he s a w the ma n? Ge tting ya nk e d into the r o o m a nd he a r ing the d o o r c lo s e b e hind he r b r o ught he r b a c k to he r s e ns e s r e a l q uic k . W ith s o me c o nte mp t o f he r o wn, s he c o c k e d he r b r o w a nd s a id , "I s this whe r e yo u tr y to s e d uc e me ? " His e ye s ha d b e e n ins p e c ting e ve r y inc h o f he r , ye t it s till d is c o nc e r te d he r to he a r him igno r e he r q ue s tio n a nd r e ma r k with c o ns id e r a b le s ur p r is e , "J e s us , yo u lo o k lik e yo u' r e fr e s h o ut o f b e d . " O n to p o f his c o nd e s c e ns io n, tha t o b s e r va tio n wa s mo r e tha n s he c o uld e a s ily to le r a te , a nd r e c a lle d to he r e ve r y b it o f the a nge r s he wa s fe e ling— fo r him. "I t will b e a wo nd e r if I find my b e d to night a t a ll. Tha nk s to yo ur inc o ns id e r a tio n, I ' ll b e p a c k ing a ll night. " He s to p p e d lo o k ing a t he r a s if he ' d lik e to s e e he r b a c k in b e d , his in p a r tic ula r , a nd s a id with a n ind iffe r e nt s hr ug, "To a ns we r yo ur q ue s tio n, this is whe r e I te ll yo u tha t I ' m o n yo ur s id e . I ha ve no wis h to ma r r y, e ithe r , s o if yo u' ll jus t info r m yo ur fa the r tha t yo u wo n' t ha ve me , I ' ll b e a b le to le a ve he r e to mo r r o w witho ut yo u, a nd yo u ne e d n' t lo s e a ny s le e p to night p a c k ing. " "Yo u e xp e c t me to b r e a k the b e tr o tha l? " "C e r ta inly, " he s a id , his to ne p a tr o nizing. "W o me n a r e k no wn to b e no to r io us ly fic k le . " "I wo uld n' t k no w. But in this c a s e , the r e is a little ma tte r o f ho no r a nd s wo r n o a ths tha t ha p p e ns to me a n s o me thing to me , muc h a s I wis h it d id n' t. S o yo u' ll ha ve to b e the fic k le o ne a nd d o the c r ying o ff, a nd I wo uld a p p r e c ia te it if yo u go t a r o und to it b e fo r e yo u wa s te my time with a tr ip to C a r d inia . " "I mp o s s ib le , " he r e p lie d , his e xa s p e r a tio n b e ginning to s ho w. "J us t te ll yo ur fa the r tha t yo u d o n' t wa nt me . Ho w d iffic ult c a n tha t b e fo r yo u? " "I ' ve a lr e a d y to ld him tha t, yo u d o lt, c le a r ly witho ut r e s ult. But I ' ve a ls o give n my wo r d tha t I wo uld ma r r y yo u— if yo u d o n' t c r y o ff. " And the n s he s ighe d . Ge tting into a s ho uting ma tc h with him wa s no t go ing to he lp . S he fo r c e d he r s e lf to us e a r e a s o na b le to ne . "Lo o k , a s lo ng a s we ' r e b e ing ho ne s t with e a c h o the r , C o unt P e tr o ff, a nd a r e a gr e e d tha t ne ithe r o ne o f us wa nts to ma r r y the o the r , why d o n' t yo u us e the mo s t o b vio us e xc us e a nd s imp ly te ll my

fa the r tha t I wo uld n' t ma k e a s uita b le wife fo r yo u? " "An e xc e lle nt id e a , e xc e p t it wo uld b e a lie . As a b a r o ne s s , yo u a r e , unfo r tuna te ly, q uite s uita b le . Tha t I d o n' t wa nt to ma r r y yo u, o r a ny wo ma n fo r tha t ma tte r , is no r e a s o n to go a ga ins t my fa the r ' s wis he s — a t le a s t, tha t is wha t my mo the r a s s ur e s me . " S he ga ve him a lo o k o f d is gus t. "Yo u le t yo ur mo the r d ic ta te yo ur life ? " S he ' d ma na ge d to ge t to him with tha t. He flus he d , s na r ling, "Yo u le t yo ur fa the r d ic ta te yo ur s ! " "M y fa the r is o ne o f the two p a r tie s who a r r a nge d this r id ic ulo us ma r r ia ge . I c o uld n' t fa c e him a ga in if I fa ile d to k e e p his wo r d . But yo ur fa the r is deceased." "All the mo r e r e a s o n I c a n' t ge t o ut o f this d a mne d tr a p . M y fa the r is no t a va ila b le to b e a r gue d o ut o f it, b ut yo ur s is . S o c ha nge yo ur mind , we nc h— o r d o yo u ne e d to he a r ho w it will b e if we ma r r y? I p r o mis e yo u tha t yo u will ne ve r b e a nything to me b ut a nuis a nc e , tho ugh o ne tha t I will e nd e a vo r to igno r e . To p le a s e my mo the r , I ' ll ha ve a n he ir fr o m yo u, a nd the n yo u will b e fr e e to p ur s ue yo ur o wn a mus e me nts , a s I inte nd to d o . M y life wo n' t c ha nge o ne b it, b ut yo ur s mo s t c e r ta inly will. Do e s tha t s o und a c c e p ta b le to yo u? " Ale xa nd r a ha d to gr it he r te e th fo r a mo me nt b e fo r e s he c o uld ma na ge a s mile . "C e r ta inly, a s lo ng a s yo u d o n' t mind e mb a r r a s s ing p ub lic s c e ne s . " "I b e g yo ur p a r d o n? " "Be wa r ne d . I f yo u fo r c e me to ma r r y yo u, yo u will b e mine , a nd I d o n' t s ha r e wha t' s mine . And yo u wo n' t b e a b le to igno r e me , I p r o mis e yo u tha t. " And the n s he thr e w his wo r d s b a c k a t him. "Do e s tha t s o und a c c e p ta b le to yo u? " He to o k a s te p to wa r d he r s o tha t his he ight wo uld intimid a te he r , b ut s he d id n' t b ud ge a n inc h. "I d o n' t lik e thr e a ts , we nc h. " "W ho ' s thr e a te ning? Yo u to ld me ho w it' s go ing to b e , a nd I me r e ly to ld yo u ho w I ' ll r e a c t. I ' d s le e p o n it if I we r e yo u, P e tr o ff. I t' s lia b le to b e the la s t night o f untr o ub le d s le e p yo u' ll ge t. " 10 Ale xa nd r a ma na ge d to c lo s e Va s ili' s d o o r q uie tly, jus t a s s he ha d c lo s e d he r fa the r ' s d o o r , b ut s he c o uld n' t q uite ma na ge to d o the s a me with he r o wn, whic h wa s jus t d o wn the c o r r id o r . S he wa s s o a ngr y s he c o uld s p it a nd c he w na ils . Ho w d id tha t ma n d a r e to thr e a te n he r with a lo ve le s s ma r r ia ge , with mis tr e s s e s — s he ha d n' t mis und e r s to o d his a mus e me nts — a nd with b a b ie s ? Ba b ie s ! He wa s te mp ting he r a nd d id n' t e ve n k no w it, the c a d , the a r r o ga nt s wine ! to me ntio n the o ne thing s he d id wa nt. But no t fr o m him. F r o m a nyo ne b ut him. He r r o o m wa s n' t e mp ty. He r lo ud e ntr a nc e s ta r tle d b o th N ina , who ' d b e e n b e nd ing o ve r a va lis e o n the b e d , a nd Bo jik , who ga ve a s ho r t gr o wl b e fo r e he r e a lize d who it wa s a nd c ha r ge d Ale xa nd r a with a d e mo ns tr a tio n o f a p o lo gy.

S he ha d lo c k e d him in he r r o o m tha t a fte r no o n o ut o f ha b it, b e c a us e the y wo uld b e ha ving gue s ts in the ho us e , a nd he d id n' t ge t a lo ng we ll with gue s ts he d id n' t k no w. S he s ho uld n' t ha ve . S he s ho uld ha ve le t him r un lo o s e to d o wha t he d id b e s t to uns us p e c ting s tr a nge r s . A c hunk mis s ing fr o m the p o p inja y' s b a c k s id e might ha ve ma d e tha t inte r vie w s he ' d jus t s uffe r e d thr o ugh e nd mo r e to he r lik ing. The tho ught vind ic tive — a t we a p o n o the r ima gining tha t

c a lme d he r s o me wha t. S he ha d n' t r e a lize d s he c o uld b e le a s t in he r tho ughts . To o b a d s he ' d ne ve r us e a n a nima l a s a tha n fo r d e fe ns e , b e c a us e it ha d b e e n a r e a lly s a tis fying tho ught, C a r d inia n ho wling with p a in.

Afte r a s s ur ing the la r ge wo lfho und tha t s he wa s n' t a ngr y a b o ut the wa y he ha d fir s t gr e e te d he r , s he gla nc e d o ve r a t N ina , the va lis e , a nd the p ile o f c lo the s s tr e wn a c r o s s he r b e d . "S o yo u' ve he a r d ? " "Eve r yo ne ha s he a r d , " N ina s a id ne utr a lly. "W ha t we d o n' t k no w is wha t yo u' r e go ing to d o . S o I s ta r te d p a c k ing in c a s e yo u d e c id e to ma r r y the ma n, b ut I c a n jus t a s q uic k ly p ut a ll this a wa y. " N ina d id n' t b e tr a y b y the s lighte s t e xp r e s s io n whic h a ns we r s he ' d lik e to he a r , e ve n if s he wa s s tr o ngly o p inio na te d a nd ha d a lr e a d y d e c id e d whic h a ns we r Ale xa nd r a o ught to ma k e . Lo ya lly, s he ' d s up p o r t wha te ve r Ale xa nd r a d e c id e d to d o , tho ugh it wa s lik e ly tha t the r e wo uld b e s o me a r gume nts fir s t if N ina tho ught Ale xa nd r a ha d ma d e the wr o ng d e c is io n. Ale xa nd r a lo ve d he r fo r tha t. S o c ia lly the y we r e n' t e q ua ls , a nd the y we r e the e xa c t o p p o s ite in lo o k s . N ina ' s b la c k ha ir wa s a r io t o f c ur ls , a nd he r light b lue e ye s we r e huge , giving he r a n o wlis h a p p e a r a nc e tha t c o uld b e d is c o nc e r ting whe n s he wa s s e r io us . O the r wis e , s he wa s a s we e t d ump ling with he r s light c hub b ine s s , he r s ho r t s ta tur e , he r d imp le s , a nd he r b a wd y s e ns e o f humo r . And the y we r e the d e a r e s t o f fr ie nd s . Ale xa nd r a s a t o n the e d ge o f the b e d a nd finge r e d a p a le ma uve b a ll go wn, r e c a lling the o ne time s he ' d wo r n it. S he ' d r e c e ive d he r fir s t k is s tha t night— fr o m C hr is to p he r , a nd it ha d b e e n e ve r ything s he ' d e ve r ima gine d a k is s to b e . S he he ld up the s k ir t o f the o ld go wn a nd a s k e d N ina , "W ha t we r e yo u p a c k ing this fo r ? " "Yo u' ll ne e d s o me thing to ge t ma r r ie d in, " the gir l s a id p r a gma tic a lly. Ale xa nd r a p r a ye d it wo uld n' t ge t to tha t p o int, a nd if it d id , s he ' d ins is t o n ha ving a gr a nd we d d ing go wn ma d e in o r d e r to b uy he r s e lf mo r e time . P e r ha p s s o me thing in b la c k . "Yo u c a n fo r ge t a b o ut the va lis e , " s he s a id d e c is ive ly. "I wa nt tr unk s , a nd lo ts o f the m. Ha ve s o me o ne d ig o ut wha te ve r is in the a ttic , a nd the n b e g, b o r r o w, o r s te a l s o me mo r e fr o m to wn. I wa nt e no ugh to fill a t le a s t two wa go ns . " N ina no lo nge r c o nta ine d he r o p inio n. He r gr in wa s s e lf- e xp la na to r y. "S o yo u' r e a c tua lly go ing to ma r r y a k ing' s c o us in? " Ale xa nd r a igno r e d he r fr ie nd ' s d e light. "N o . I ga ve my wo r d I wo uld , b ut tha t d o e s n' t me a n if s go ing to ha p p e n— no t if I c a n he lp it. M y b e tr o the d think s he

c a n' t b r e a k the b e tr o tha l— I k no w I c a n' t— a nd a r guing with him a b o ut it is n' t go ing to ge t me a nywhe r e . S o I ' ll jus t ha ve to s ho w him tha t I ' ll ma k e him a te r r ib le wife . " "But yo u' d ma k e him a n e xc e lle nt wife , " N ina c o ntr a d ic te d lo ya lly. "N o t him I wo uld n' t. But e ve n if it we r e s o , he ' s ne ve r go ing to k no w it, a nd he c e r ta inly is n' t go ing to think it b y the time I ' m d o ne with him. " N ina s a t d o wn b e s id e he r a nd a s k e d he s ita ntly, "W hy d o n' t yo u ma r r y him ins te a d ? " "And b e tr a y C hr is to p he r ? " "C hr is to p he r o ught to b e b e tr a ye d , " N ina mutte r e d . Ale xa nd r a s ighe d , no t p r e p a r e d to a r gue with he r fr ie nd a b o ut the lo ve o f he r life — a ga in. N o ne o f the Ra zins ha d a nything go o d to s a y a b o ut C hr is to p he r a nymo r e — e s p e c ia lly no t N ina — a nd s he wa s tir e d o f ta k ing his s id e whe n s he ha d no thing to s ho w to s up p o r t he r lo ya lty. "Eve n if I we r e n' t in lo ve with s o me o ne e ls e , I wo uld n' t ma r r y tha t a r r o ga nt C a r d i- nia n. And b e fo r e yo u b uild up to a r e a lly go o d p r o te s t, yo u might a s we ll k no w he d o e s n' t wa nt to ma r r y me e ithe r . " N ina wa s inc r e d ulo us , no t to me ntio n ind igna nt. "He s a id tha t? " "He d id . But he s till p la ns to s a c r ific e hims e lf a nd me , e ve n tho ugh his fa ttie r is n' t a live to b e d is gr a c e d b y his b r e a k ing the b e tr o tha l. And wo uld yo u Ek e to he a r wha t he ha s p la nne d fo r o ur ma r r ia ge ? To ge t a c hild fr o m me a nd the n to igno r e me . He thr e w it in my fa c e tha t he ' s go t mis tr e s s e s a nd will c o ntinue to k e e p the m. O f c o ur s e , he ' ll b e ma gna nimo us a nd a llo w me s o me lo ve r s . " "He s a id tha t? " "He d id . " N ina b r is tle d . "W e ll, yo u a r e n' t go ing to ma r r y him. I wo n' t le t yo u. And ne ithe r will yo ur p a p a , o nc e yo u te ll him a b o ut this . " To tha t, Ale xa nd r a s no r te d . "Tha t' s wha t yo u think . I to ld him tha t the ma n flir te d with me b e fo r e he k ne w who I wa s , a nd he wa s d e lighte d . P e tr o ff p r o ve s hims e lf to b e a d a mne d lib e r tine , a nd a ll my p a p a s e e s in tha t is tha t he wa s a ttr a c te d to me . S o P a p a ' s no t go ing to b e lie ve the r e s t o f this , no t whe n he k no ws I d o n' t wa nt this ma r r ia ge . He ' ll think I ' ve ma d e it up a nd p r o b a b ly b e to o e mb a r r a s s e d to c o nfr o nt P e tr o ff a b o ut it. Eve n if P a p a d id me ntio n it, I ' d wa ge r e ve n mo ne y tha t the a r r o ga nt c o xc o mb wo uld ta k e the c o wa r d ' s r o ute a nd d e ny it. Afte r a ll, the y' ve ha d the ir little me e ting a nd s e e m to b e ge tting a lo ng wo nd e r fully. I f the ma n d id n' t a d mit his tr ue fe e lings whe n he ha d the c ha nc e , he wo n' t no w. O nly / wa s p r ivile ge d to b e info r me d o f the m. " N ina s ta r e d b r o o d ingly a t the flo o r fo r a mo me nt b e fo r e s he r e p lie d , "I t s o und s a s if yo u will ha ve a n . . . a r is to c r a tic ma r r ia ge . " Ale xa nd r a d r o p p e d b a c k o n the b e d , la ughing. N ina tur ne d to s c o wl a t he r . "I f s no t funny, " the yo unge r gir l s a id . "I k no w. " But Ale xa nd r a wa s s till gr inning. "I wa s n' t b lind a t a ll tho s e b a lls a nd p a r tie s I a tte nd e d in the c itie s , in S t. P e te r s b ur g e s p e c ia lly. M o r e tha n ha lf

the ma r r ie d p e o p le I me t we r e ha ving a ffa ir s . And , a p p a llingly, the wo me n d is c us s it, e ithe r b y go s s ip ing a b o ut s o me o ne e ls e o r b y b r a gging a b o ut the ir o wn c o nq ue s ts . W ha t the C a r d inia n s ugge s te d is s ta nd a r d p r a c tic e in his c ir c le s , I wo uld ima gine . I jus t d o n' t b e lie ve he tho ught I wa s a wa r e o f it, s inc e he wa s tr ying to s ho c k me into b r e a k ing the b e tr o tha l, no t to p r o p o s e to me a no r ma l ma r r ia ge . " "But yo u d o n' t wa nt tha t k ind o f ma r r ia ge . Yo u' r e to o p o s s e s s ive to to le r a te —" "I a m no t. " "I k no w yo u, Ale x. Yo u' d ta k e a ho r s e whip to a hus b a nd who wa s n' t fa ithful to yo u. " "I wo uld no t, " Ale xa nd r a p r o te s te d ve he me ntly. S he wa s a wa r e tha t s he ' d s a id s o me thing q uite d iffe r e nt to Va s ili. But tha t ha d b e e n fo r e ffe c t. S he c e r ta inly ha d n' t me a nt it. S he a d d e d fo r go o d me a s ur e , "I c o uld n' t c a r e le s s who tha t ma n s le e p s with b e fo r e o r a fte r the — ne ve r mind , the r e is n' t go ing to b e a ny we d d ing a nywa y. I to ld yo u, I ha ve no inte ntio n o f ma r r ying him. " " I f yo u c a n he lp it' we r e yo ur e xa c t wo r d s , a nd jus t ho w d o yo u inte nd to d o tha t? " Ale xa nd r a d r o p p e d a n a r m o ve r he r e ye s b e fo r e s he s ighe d . "I d o n' t k no w. De la ying this jo ur ne y with the wa go ns wa s a s fa r a he a d a s I ' ve tho ught. " "Tha t might a nno y him, b ut it wo n' t ma k e him r e fus e to ma r r y yo u, " N ina p o inte d o ut. "I k no w, s o he lp me think . W ha t wo uld ma k e a ma n r e fus e a ma r r ia ge he ' s a lr e a d y a gr e e d to ? " "Re p ugna nc e , " N ina s ugge s te d . "S ha me , " Ale xa nd r a a d d e d . "Dis gus t— " "W a it, I c a n ha nd le tha t o ne , " Ale x s a id e xc ite d ly a s s he s a t up . "Go o d , b e c a us e yo u c o uld n' t ha ve ma na ge d r e p ugna nc e , no ma tte r ho w ha r d yo u tr ie d . And I c a n' t s e e yo u ma na ging to d is gus t him e ithe r , fo r tha t ma tte r . " "I a lr e a d y ha ve . " Ale xa nd r a gr inne d . "As to p lo fty a nd d is d a inful a s he is , he to o k e xc e p tio n to the wa y I ' m d r e s s e d , fo und me q uite d is gus ting, o r s o his e xp r e s s io n s a id . And yo u c a n b e s ur e he d id n' t lik e my fr a nk ne s s o ne b it e ithe r . S o tha f s it, N ina . " "W ha t is ? Yo u' r e s till b e tr o the d to him, s o ho w d id tha t wo r k ? " "I t ha s n' t ye t, b ut the n, he ' s o nly me t me , he ha s n' t me t the ne w me . " "Ah, a little p r e te ns e . " N ina no d d e d . "I s tha t wha t yo u ha ve in mind ? " "N o , a lo t o f p r e te ns e , " Ale xa nd r a s a id , wa r ming to the id e a . "He mus t a lr e a d y c o ns id e r me a p r o vinc ia l, b ut I ' ll b e the wo r s t p r o vinc ia l he ' s e ve r e nc o unte r e d . I ' ll b e c o a r s e a nd vulga r , ill- ma nne r e d , a n utte r e mb a r r a s s me nt to him. He ' ll b e ho r r ifie d a t the ve r y tho ught o f intr o d uc ing me to his fa mily a nd

fr ie nd s . And he ' ll q uic k ly c o nc lud e tha t e ve n his fa the r wo uld ha ve b r o k e n the b e tr o tha l if he c o uld ha ve s e e n ho w I tur ne d o ut. " "This s o und s lik e fun. " N ina gr inne d . "The n yo u' ll c o me a lo ng with me ? " "Yo u tho ught yo u c o uld le a ve me b e hind ? " Ale xa nd r a la ughe d a nd hugge d he r fr ie nd . "I t s ho uld n' t ta k e mo r e tha n a we e k fo r him to s e nd me b a c k , s o we wo n' t b e go ne tha t lo ng. I ' m s till go ing to c a r t a lo ng e ve r ything I o wn, tho ugh. " "Yo u s till think yo u' ll ne e d the d e la y the wa go ns will c a us e ? " "I ho p e he ' ll c o me to his s e ns e s in o nly a we e k , b ut I ' m no t le a ving a nything to c ha nc e . I f I d o ne e d mo r e time to c o nvinc e him he ' d b e a fo o l to ma r r y me , the n I ' ll ha ve it. But d o n' t wo r r y a b o ut the p a c k ing. J us t s tuff e ve r ything in the tr unk s whe n the y ge t he r e . I ' ll s e nd him a b ill fo r wha te ve r is r uine d b e c a us e the r e wa s no time to p a c k p r o p e r ly, a s s o o n a s this b e tr o tha l is o ve r . " "Tha t will b e thr o wing s a lt o n a n o p e n wo und , " N ina p r e d ic te d . "I ' m c o unting o n it. " N ina le ft to s ta r t ga the r ing the tr unk s , b ut Ale xa nd r a ha d o nly a fe w mo me nts a lo ne to r e fle c t o n wha t s he ha d d e c id e d to d o . Anna a r r ive d , a nd the fe e lings o f hur t a nd b e tr a ya l tha t Ale xa nd r a ha d b e e n tr ying to igno r e r e tur ne d with a ve nge a nc e . "Yo ur fa the r te lls me yo u wo n' t b e jo ining us fo r d inne r , " Anna b e ga n. "I ' ll b e to o b us y p a c k ing. " Anna c o uld n' t mis s the b itte r ne s s in he r to ne . "I ' m s o r r y, Ale x. I k no w yo u' r e a ga ins t this ma r r ia ge r ight no w, b ut yo u mus t a d mit yo ur fa the r p ic k e d a n e xc e e d ingly ha nd s o me ma n fo r yo u. " An e xc e e d ingly ha nd s o me , r o tte n ma n, who m s he wa s n' t go ing to d is c us s . "S o yo u d id k no w a b o ut the b e tr o tha l? " Ale xa nd r a s a id ins te a d , a s if it we r e n' t a fo r e go ne c o nc lus io n, c o ns id e r ing ho w c lo s e Anna wa s to the b a r o n. Anna winc e d . "Ye s , a nd yo ur fa the r lis te ne d to e ve r ything I ha d to s a y a b o ut it, whic h wa s a gr e a t d e a l. He jus t wo uld n' t a gr e e with my o p inio n. " "Yo u c o uld ha ve wa r ne d me , Anna . " "I ' m yo ur fr ie nd , d a r ling, b ut yo u k no w my fir s t lo ya lty is to yo ur fa the r . " Ale xa nd r a d id k no w it, a nd s he ha d ne ve r r e s e nte d Anna ' s r e la tio ns hip with he r fa the r . S he e ve n ho p e d tha t Anna wo uld give in o ne d a y a nd ma r r y him, whic h s he k ne w wa s his ho p e a s we ll. And s he s ho uld ha ve k no wn tha t Anna wo uld n' t ha ve a p p r o ve d o f s o me thing a s a r c ha ic a s a b e tr o tha l, tha t s he wo uld ha ve b e e n o n he r s id e . "I b e lie ve yo ur fa the r wa s a fr a id yo u wo uld r un a wa y if yo u k ne w b e fo r e ha nd , " Anna c o ntinue d . I f Ale xa nd r a ha d k no wn a nd ha d n' t r un a wa y, s he wo uld b e wis hing r ight no w tha t s he ha d , ins te a d o f wis hing s he ' d b e e n give n tha t o p tio n. But s he r e la xe d he r to ne a nd e ve n o ffe r e d Anna a s mile . I t c e r ta inly wa s n' t the o ld e r wo ma n' s

fa ult tha t a ny o f this ha d c o me a b o ut. "Do n' t wo r r y a b o ut it. I ' ve a lr e a d y a c c e p te d wha t I mus t d o , " Ale xa nd r a s a id tr uthfully, s inc e s he wa s n' t r e fe r r ing to ge tting ma r r ie d . "S o ta k e c a r e o f my papa." "Yo u k no w I will. " "Yo u might a ls o p r e p a r e him fo r my r e tur n. " Anna wa s s ta r tle d b y tha t r e ma r k , b ut a fte r a mo me nt s he la ughe d . "N o w, why d o n' t I think tha t yo u a r e r e fe r r ing to a vis it? " All o f the b itte r ne s s Ale xa nd r a ha d b e e n fe e ling r e tur ne d a b r up tly, a nd with a n a c hing he a r t s he p r o mis e d , "I f I d o ha ve to vis it, P a p a wo n' t b e fo r give n. " "O h, Ale x. " Anna s ighe d . "He o nly wa nts wha t' s b e s t fo r yo u. " "The n it' s to o b a d we c o uld n' t a gr e e o n wha t tha t is , is n' t it? " Anna s ho o k he r he a d s a d ly. "I f yo u c ha nge yo ur mind a b o ut d inne r — " "I wo n' t. " But Ale xa nd r a d id ; a t le a s t s he d e c id e d to ma k e a n a p p e a r a nc e whe n it o c c ur r e d to he r tha t a little r ud e ne s s a nd a vulga r d is p la y o r two , ma d e in the p r e s e nc e o f b o th the C a r d in- ia n a nd he r fa the r , wo uld give Va s ili the p e r fe c t e xc us e to p r o te s t this ma r r ia ge . O f c o ur s e , s he ' d d o no thing to o o utr a ge o us , no thing s he ha d n' t d o ne b e fo r e , s o he r fa the r c o uld n' t c la im he r b e ha vio r wa s o ut o f the o r d ina r y jus t fo r the ir b e ne fit, e ve n tho ugh it wo uld b e . And it wo uld a ls o give he r fa the r the o p p o r tunity to s e e ho w Va s ili d is d a ine d he r a nd tha t wha te ve r a ttr a c tio n C o ns ta ntin ha d d e lud e d hims e lf into think ing Va s ili ha d fe lt whe n he ' d fir s t s e e n he r c e r ta inly wo uld n' t withs ta nd s uc h d is gus t a nd c o nte mp t. S he c o uld n' t ha ve a s k e d fo r b e tte r timing. The la vis h d inne r tha t he r fa the r ha d p la nne d in o r d e r to imp r e s s the C a r d inia n wa s we ll und e r wa y, the ma in c o ur s e jus t ha ving b e e n s e r ve d . Anna ha d d o nne d he r fine s t go wn; C o ns ta ntin lo o k e d gr a nd hims e lf in his fo r ma l e ve ning we a r . And C o unt P e tr o ff— s he wa s go ing to ha ve to k e e p he r e ye s o ff him. O ne b r ie f gla nc e a t tha t s up e r b b o d y, a t tha t b e a utiful fa c e , a nd s he ne a r ly fo r go t wha t s he wa s d o ing the r e . He wa s imp e c c a b ly gr o o me d , o f c o ur s e . S he ha d e xp e c te d no thing le s s fr o m the fa s tid io us p o p inja y. S o wa s his c o mp a nio n, the o ne with the fr ie nd ly b lue e ye s , who ha p p e ne d to b e the fir s t to no tic e he r in the d o o r wa y. He d id n' t a p p e a r s ho c k e d , me r e ly s ur p r is e d , tha t s he ha d n' t c ha nge d fo r d inne r a nd wa s s till in he r wo r k c lo the s , he r ha ir e ve n mo r e s tr a ggly tha n b e fo r e s inc e s he ha d p ur p o s e ly p ulle d lo o s e a fe w mo r e lo c k s . But the n, s he wa s n' t the r e to ha ve d inne r . "Do n' t mind me . I ' ve jus t c o me fo r a b ite to e a t, s inc e I d o n' t ha ve time fo r d inne r to night. " S he ho p e d s o me o ne wa s e mb a r r a s s e d o ve r tha t r e ma r k , tho ugh s he d id n' t lo o k to find o ut. S he s tr o lle d fo r wa r d a nd s na tc he d a n a lr e a d y b utte r e d s lic e o f ho t b r e a d fr o m the b lue - e ye d C a r d inia n' s p la te . Tha t s he ha d n' t b e e n intr o d uc e d to him ma d e it a ll the wo r s e , b ut s he figur e d he wa s the o nly o ne the r e who wo uld n' t s a y a nything a b o ut he r b e ha vio r .

A gla nc e d o wn a t him s ho we d him mo r e o n the s ho c k e d s id e no w tha n s ur p r is e d . S he me r e ly fla s he d him a s mile in e xc ha nge fo r the fo o d , the n gla nc e d a c r o s s the ta b le . Anna ha d a ha nd o ve r he r mo uth. W e ll, it wo uld n' t d o to la ugh o ut lo ud , whic h s he s ur e ly wa s tr ying to a vo id . C o ns ta ntin' s c he e k s ha d go ne r e d , a nd no t jus t with e mb a r r a s s me nt. Ale xa nd r a a nd he r fa the r wo uld r e a lly ha ve ha d a r o o f- r a is ing a r gume nt o ve r this la te s t unr e fine d d is p la y o f he r s — if s he we r e a r o und fo r it. But s he wo uld n' t b e a r o und fo r a ny mo r e fights with him . . . "Ale xa nd r a — " C o ns ta ntin ma na ge d in a c ho k e d vo ic e . S he ga ve him a n inno c e nt, inq uir ing lo o k , whic h a s s ur e d him tha t s he wa s ho p ing fo r a d is p la y o f te mp e r , e a ge r fo r it, a nd q uite willing to ma tc h it. Re a lizing tha t, he d id n' t o b lige a nd ha d to s wa llo w his r a nc o r a nd ho p e tha t s he wo uld n' t fur the r e mb a r r a s s him. S he wo uld ha ve , e xc e p t he r ne we s t p la n b a c k fir e d o n he r a t tha t p o int. C o unt P e tr o ff, ins te a d o f ta k ing a d va nta ge o f this go ld e n o p p o r tunity s he wa s o ffe r ing him, ha d r is e n fr o m the ta b le a nd wa s no w s ta nd ing b e hind he r . "I a m d e lighte d yo u d e c id e d to jo in us , Ba r o ne s s , ho we ve r b r ie fly. I t a llo ws me to c o r r e c t a n o ve r s ight. W ill yo u give me yo ur ha nd , p le a s e ? " S he tur ne d to fa c e him, s us p ic io us . Give him he r ha nd ? I f he tho ught he wa s go ing to s la p he r ha nd fo r p ilfe r ing tha t s lic e o f b r e a d , a s if s he we r e s o me na ughty c hild , s he p r o mis e d he r s e lf s he ' d give him b a c k muc h wo r s e . But whe n s he he s ita ntly o ffe r e d he r fr e e ha nd , he igno r e d it a nd to o k up the o ne gr a s p ing the b utte r y r o ll. W ith two finge r s a nd a n ins c r uta b le e xp r e s s io n tha t wa s s ur e ly hid ing his d is gus t, he to o k the b r e a d fr o m he r a nd s e t it a s id e ; the n, b e fo r e s he c o uld s na tc h he r ha nd b a c k , he wa s s lip p ing a r ing o n he r finge r . I t d id n' t go o n e a s ily, p r o b a b ly wo uld n' t ha ve go ne o n a t a ll if he r finge r s we r e n' t c o a te d with b utte r . S he s ta r e d a t the r ing fo r a mo me nt, b e mus e d to find it s o lo ve ly. I t wa s a n e no r mo us s p a r k ling d ia mo nd s ur r o und e d b y a twink ling a r r a y o f s a p p hir e s , e me r a ld s , a nd r ub ie s . "N o w tha t I ' ve s e e n to my d uty, yo u c a n r un a lo ng a nd finis h yo ur p a c k ing, " Va s ili s a id . "I r e a lize it is a n imp o s itio n, fo r whic h I a p o lo gize , b ut we r e a lly mus t le a ve to mo r r o w. I d o ho p e yo u will ge t s o me s le e p to night, tho ugh, s o d o hur r y with the c ho r e . " His a p o lo gy r a ng a s fa ls e a s his ho p e tha t s he wo uld b e a b le to ge t s o me s le e p — a t le a s t to he r e a r s . To the o the r s , he p r o b a b ly s o und e d s inc e r e . And s he wa s e ve n mo r e fur io us with the ma n no w, fo r his d up lic ity, fo r p r e te nd ing in fr o nt o f he r fa the r , whe n s he k ne w his tr ue fe e lings . Tha t s he ha d c o me d o wn he r e to d o s o me p r e te nd ing o f he r o wn wa s a mo o t p o int. S he ' d o b vio us ly wa s te d he r time . S he p ic k e d up the s lic e o f b r e a d a ga in s imp ly b e c a us e s he wa s hungr y, a nd le ft. 11

Va s ili wa s up a t d a wn the ne xt mo r ning, no t b e c a us e he ' d p la nne d to le a ve a t s uc h a n ungo d ly ho ur , b ut b e c a us e he ' d s p e nt s uc h a r e s tle s s night, ma na ging to ge t o nly a fe w ho ur s o f s le e p o ff a nd o n, a nd ha d b e e n q uite a wa k e whe n the s un fina lly a p p r o a c he d the ho r izo n. He c o uld n' t r e me mb e r the la s t time he ha d s p e nt s uc h a he llis h night. Ale xa nd r a ' s r e ma r k tha t he s ho uld s le e p o n wha t s he ' d to ld him, tha t it' s lia b le to b e the la s t night o f untr o ub le d s le e p yo u' ll ge t, wa s p a r tly r e s p o ns ib le . W ha t the he ll ha d s he me a nt b y tha t? W ha t s he ' d to ld him wa s d e s igne d to ma k e him lo s e s le e p , ye t s he ' d p r e d ic te d he ' d ha ve wo r s e nights . The o the r r e a s o n fo r his s le e p le s s ne s s wa s , s ur p r is ingly, Ale xa nd r a he r s e lf. Va s ili ha d r a r e ly e ve r b e e n a r o und a wo ma n who wa s in s uc h a to us le d s ta te o f a p p e a r a nc e a s s he ' d b e e n in, unle s s he ' d b e e n r o mp ing in b e d with he r . And tha t d a mn r e d s a s h o f he r s tha t c inc he d in he r wa is t s o tightly s ho we d jus t ho w s ha p e ly s he r e a lly wa s . And white line n ha d ne ve r lo o k e d s o go o d a s it d id d r a p ing a nd c o nto ur ing tho s e la r ge , he a ve nly b r e a s ts o f he r s . He ' d b e e n a r o us e d . And d e s p ite the he a te d wo r d s the y' d ha d in his r o o m, a nd the e xa s p e r a ting s ub je c t ma tte r , he ' d s till b e e n a r o us e d whe n s he ' d le ft him. The n d a mne d if it ha d n' t ha p p e ne d a ga in whe n s he ' d b r ie fly jo ine d the m in the d ining r o o m, lo o k ing jus t a s to us le d . He s ho uld ha ve d o ne s o me thing a b o ut it, s o ught o ut o ne o f tho s e giggling ma id s who ha d k e p t b o the r ing him ye s te r d a y with the p r e te ns e o f a s k ing if he ne e d e d a nything. Any o ne o f the m wo uld ha ve b e e n willing to a c c o mmo d a te him. The y' d ma d e tha t p e r fe c tly c le a r . But he ha d a lr e a d y d e c id e d to b e o n his b e s t b e ha vio r fo r C o ns ta ntin Rub lio v' s b e ne fit, a nd tha t e xc lud e d b e d d ing o ne o f the s e r va nts whe n his b e tr o the d s le p t jus t d o o r s a wa y. F o r tuna te ly, the b a r o n wo uld n' t b e ma k ing the r e tur n tr ip with him, s o Va s ili' s ve r y c o r r e c t b e ha vio r wo uld e nd a s s o o n a s he a nd his me n p a r te d fr o m Rub lio v' s c o mp a ny. And the r e ha d b e e n tha t gir l— he ' d fo r go tte n he r na me a lr e a d y— who ha d s ha r e d his b e d a t the p o s ting inn the o the r night. The y' d b e s ta ying the r e a ga in to night, a nd he ' d mo s t c e r ta inly ma k e us e o f he r c ha r ms a ga in, a nd ma k e s ur e tha t Ale xa nd r a k ne w it. The s o o ne r s he to o k o ffe ns e a nd d e ma nd e d tha t he r e tur n he r to he r fa the r , the s o o ne r he wo uld r id hims e lf o f the fe e ling o f b e ing tr a p p e d . S inc e Va s ili wa s a lr e a d y up a nd wid e a wa k e , he d e c id e d the y might a s we ll ge t a n e a r ly s ta r t, a nd he le ft his r o o m to r o us e the o the r s in his p a r ty. He s inc e r e ly ho p e d tha t Ale xa nd r a ha d b e e n k e p t up a ll night p a c k ing a s s he ' d p r e d ic te d . F o r c ing a la d y to r is e s o o ne r tha n s he ' d inte nd e d us ua lly r e s ulte d in s a id la d y' s b e ing in a s o ur mo o d , a nd his o wn mo o d wa s s o ur e no ugh to wa nt c o mp a ny. He wa s d is a p p o inte d , ho we ve r , in his ho p e to fur the r inc o nve nie nc e his b e tr o the d . F ind ing the ho us e ho ld a lr e a d y a s tir a t tha t ho ur , he s e nt o ne o f the ma id s to wa k e Ale xa nd r a , a nd wa s info r me d tha t "Ale x" wa s a lr e a d y o uts id e , mo s t lik e ly a t he r s ta b le . He wa s s ur p r is e d e no ugh a t he a r ing a s e r va nt r e fe r to the la d y o f the ho us e s o info r ma lly tha t the ma id ' s c a lling the s ta b le he r s b a r e ly r e gis te r e d with him. As it ha p p e ne d , his o wn mo o d wo r s e ne d b e c a us e Ale xa nd r a ha d go tte n a he a d s ta r t o n him, a nd he r us he d a gr umb ling La za r d o wn to b r e a k fa s t with the

b a r o n, o nly to find tha t his b e tr o the d wa s n' t go ing to b e jo ining the m fo r the me a l— a ga in. P e r ve r s e ly, he to o k his time a fte r d r a wing tha t c o nc lus io n, wa s ting a go o d ho ur unne c e s s a r ily, until La za r wa s c le a r ing his thr o a t r e p e a te d ly a nd r o lling his e ye b r o ws to wa r d the d o o r , a ll o f whic h Va s ili igno r e d . W he n he d id fina lly le a ve the d ining r o o m, the s a me thr e e ma id s who ha d b e e n s uc h a nuis a nc e ye s te r d a y c o nve r ge d o n him, o ne c a r r ying his ha t, o ne his c o a t, a nd the thir d his glo ve s . His o wn s e r va nt, Bo r is , who m Va s ili ha d b r o ught a lo ng fo r hims e lf a nd La za r , s to o d b e hind the wo me n, s hr ugging his s ho uld e r s a s if to s a y he ' d b e e n he lp le s s in the fa c e o f the ir c o mb ine d d e te r mina tio n. F o r tuna te ly, it wa s a s itua tio n Va s ili fo und s o no r ma l, he b a r e ly no tic e d , a c c e p ting the a r tic le s o f c lo thing a nd the ma id s ' a s s is ta nc e in d o nning the m, igno r ing the ha nd s tha t linge r e d . But tha t wa s ho w Ale xa nd r a fo und him whe n s he c a me thr o ugh the fr o nt d o o r to d is c o ve r wha t wa s k e e p ing the C a r d inia ns . The thr e e wo me n s ur r o und ing Va s ili we r e to uc hing him a s if s o me s ha r e d intima c y ga ve the m the r ight to d o s o . W hic h ha p p e ne d to b e the e xa c t c o nc lus io n Ale xa nd r a c a me to , a nd q uite p o s s ib ly why s he r e ma r k e d with s uc h b la ta nt s a r c a s m, "I c o uld ha ve s wo r n s o me o ne to ld me yo u we r e in a hur r y to r e tur n to C a r d inia , P e tr o ff. O f c o ur s e , I s ho uld ha ve k no wn a ma n o f yo ur p r o c livitie s c o uld n' t ge t his a r s e o ut o f b e d a t a d e c e nt ho ur . " W itho ut giving him a c ha nc e to a ns we r , s he wa s b a c k o ut the d o o r b e fo r e he ha d e ve n tho ught o f o ne . The thr e e ma id s ha d s c a tte r e d a t the fir s t s o und o f he r vo ic e . La za r wa s ma k ing no is e s into the p a lm o f his ha nd . The b a r o n, ho we ve r , s to o d in the d o o r wa y to the d ining r o o m a nd lo o k e d tr uly p a ine d in his e mb a r r a s s me nt— b ut no mo r e tha n he ' d b e e n la s t night whe n he ha d a p o lo gize d fo r his d a ughte r ' s b e ha vio r . "S he — a h— s he — " Va s ili to o k p ity o n the ma n. S o me o ne o ught to , c o ns id e r ing he ha d a d a ughte r lik e tha t. "N o ne e d fo r e xp la na tio ns , s ir . As yo u s a id , s he r e q uir e s . . . c a r e ful ha nd ling. " And he wa s lo o k ing fo r wa r d to it no w, d a mne d if he wa s n' t. Rid ic ule him, wo uld s he ? He ' d ha ve tha t little we nc h in te a r s b e fo r e the e nd o f the d a y. Afte r a ll, c o nte mp t wa s a s k ill, a nd c o uld b e c o me a we a p o n in the r ight ha nd s , a nd his wa s d e ve lo p e d to p e r fe c tio n fo r us e whe ne ve r he ne e d e d it. Ale xa nd r a wa s mo unte d o n he r white s ta llio n whe n Va s ili a nd his me n r e a c he d the s ta b le ya r d , o r r a the r , o ne o f the s ta b le ya r d s . Ha ving d e c line d a to ur o f the e s ta te ye s te r d a y, Va s ili ha d n' t r e a lize d tha t the Rub lio vs ma inta ine d no t o ne b ut five la r ge s ta b le s , whic h we r e s p r e a d o ut fr o m the ho us e to the ne a r b y villa ge . He s till wa s n' t c ur io us a b o ut the Rub lio v e s ta te . N o w he wa s inte r e s te d o nly in the o b je c t o f his p r e s e nt r a nc o r . Aga in s he wa s we a r ing a s hir t a nd tho s e uno r tho d o x b r itc he s , a lb e it c le a n o ne s , a nd with a b lue s a s h to d a y, a nd a muc h fine r c o a t, this o ne tr imme d in b la c k fur to ma tc h the ha t tha t c o mp le te ly c o nc e a le d he r ha ir .

He wa s s till s imme r ing o ve r he r la te s t e ffr o nte r y, ye t he fo und hims e lf a nno ye d a b o ut he r c lo thing fo r a n une xp e c te d r e a s o n— b e c a us e he ' d a c tua lly b e e n lo o k ing fo r wa r d to s e e ing he r p r o p e r ly go wne d . Eve n if s he ha d wo r n a r id ing ha b it, it wo uld ha ve b e e n a fe minine r id ing ha b it. He ha d a ntic ip a te d s e e ing he r d r e s s e d in fe minine a ttir e b e c a us e he ha d b e e n to ld the b r itc he s we r e he r wo r k c lo the s . And s inc e s he wo uld n' t b e wo r k ing o n the tr ip , s he s ho uld n' t b e we a r ing the m. Ye t the r e s he s a t in he r ma le fine r y, lo o k ing imp a tie nt— a nd vib r a ntly b e a utiful in the e a r ly mo r ning light. He lo o k e d a t he r le ft ha nd a nd no tic e d s he wa s n' t we a r ing the r ing. W hy wa s n' t he s ur p r is e d ? N o d o ub t s he ' d wa it fo r the r ight mo me nt to thr o w it in his fa c e . I t to o k him s e ve r a l mo me nts to no tic e the wa go ns , b ut whe n he d id , his e ye s na r r o we d s us p ic io us ly. W ha te ve r wa s in the m wa s p ile d high und e r c a nva s c o ve r s . The y lo o k e d e xtr e me ly c umb e r s o me , a nd c e r ta inly to o he a vy fo r the me r e fo ur ho r s e s hitc he d to e a c h o f the m. He d id n' t q ue s tio n his b e tr o the d , who wa s wa tc hing him s ile ntly. He mo ve d s tr a ight to the wa go n b e d s to e xa mine the ir c o nte nts . O ne wa s fille d with a t le a s t a d o ze n tr unk s . The o the r he ld a fe w mo r e tr unk s a lo ng with a gr e a t d e a l o f ta c k , s a d d le s a nd the lik e , a nd a gr e a t ma ny s a c k s o f gr a in. Did s he think he wa s n' t go ing to fe e d he r ? Ale xa nd r a le d he r mo unt o ve r to him, s to p p ing r ight b e hind him. S he wa s s till s ile nt, wa tc hing him c lo s e ly, wa iting fo r the e xa c t mo me nt whe n he r e a lize d wha t s he wa s up to . I t d id n' t ta k e a ll tha t lo ng. He tur ne d , lo o k e d up a t he r a nd s a id s imp ly, une q uivo c a lly, "N o . " S he d id n' t e ve n tr y to mis ta k e his me a ning, me r e ly lifte d a s lim b r o w a s s he to ld him, "W e a r e n' t ma r r ie d ye t, P e tr o ff. Yo u d o n' t r e a lly think yo u c a n d ic ta te to me until we a r e , d o yo u? " He d id n' t lo s e his te mp e r a nd his e xp r e s s io n d id n' t r e ve a l ho w he r wo r d s go a d e d him. I ns te a d he r a is e d a b r o w b a c k a t he r — he d id it s o muc h b e tte r tha n s he — a nd c o unte r e d , "Yo u d o n' t r e a lly think I c a n' t, d o yo u? " S he ga ve him a tight little s mile . "I c a n s e e yo u' r e go ing to tr y. But in this c a s e , yo u' r e wa s ting yo ur time . This is n' t a b r ie f vis it yo u' r e d r a gging me to , b ut a ne w life . I ' m no t a b o ut to le a ve my b e lo ngings b e hind . I f yo u tho ught I wo uld , yo u we r e d e lud ing yo ur s e lf. " "N o o ne is s ugge s ting yo u d o a nything o f the k ind , " he r e p lie d . "The n the r e is no thing mo r e to s a y. " "O n the c o ntr a r y. I will gr a nt yo u fifte e n minute s to ga the r wha te ve r e s s e ntia ls yo u will ne e d fo r the tr ip , whic h, b y the wa y, d o e s no t inc lud e s a c k s o f gr a in, a nd the n— " S he inte r r up te d him with a n e xp la na tio n. "The gr a in is to p - gr a d e a nd is fo r my b a b ie s . I d o n' t tr us t the fo d d e r o ffe r e d a t p o s ting ho us e s . " S inc e tho s e fe w wo r d s ma d e no t the le a s t b it o f s e ns e to him in r e la tio n to the s ub je c t, a nd a c tua lly c o nfo und e d him, he wa s luc k y to ge t o ut, "Ba b ie s ? " But s he d id n' t ha ve to a ns we r him. At tha t mo me nt thr e e p ur e white

tho r o ughb r e d s we r e b e ing le d b y a gr o o m o ut o f the s ta b le . Be hind the m c a me thr e e mo r e with a no the r gr o o m, a nd a no the r thr e e a fte r tha t, a nd . . . W he n Va s ili s to p p e d c o unting, the r e we r e s ixte e n o f the ma gnific e nt a nima ls filling the s ta b le ya r d . "Yo ur s ? " he a s k e d fla tly. "Eve r y o ne o f the m, " s he r e p lie d , unmis ta k a b le p r id e in he r vo ic e . "Yo ur fa the r is fo o lis hly ge ne r o us , " he c o uld n' t r e s is t p o inting o ut. "M y fa the r gifte d me with S ulta n' s P r id e o n my s ixte e nth b ir thd a y. " S he lo vingly p a tte d the a nima l s he s a t s o he ' d k no w jus t who S ulta n' s P r id e wa s . "The r e s t o f my b a b ie s I p ur c ha s e d mys e lf, tr a d e d fo r , a nd b r e d . " A he ll o f a n a c c o mp lis hme nt, if he c a r e d to a d mit it. He d id n' t. All he s a w wa s tha t s he e xp e c te d to tr a ns p o r t the m o ve r the mo unta ins , with winte r a p p r o a c hing, with b a nd its a r o und e ve r y c o r ne r who wo uld s e ll the ir o wn mo the r s fo r jus t o ne o f tho s e a nima ls . "This is r id ic ulo us , " he s a id . "Yo ur b a b ie s , a s we ll a s yo ur b e lo ngings , c a n fo llo w us if yo u ins is t, b ut we a r e n' t go ing to b e he ld b a c k b y the m. " S he s mile d , te lling him s he ' d ho p e d he ' d s a y s o me thing lik e tha t. "Yo u' r e we lc o me to go o n witho ut me . I c e r ta inly d o n' t ne e d yo ur e s c o r t. O f c o ur s e , if I ge t lo s t a lo ng the wa y a nd e nd up in a no the r c o untr y ins te a d o f C a r d inia , I ' m s ur e I wo n' t mind . " Va s ili c o uld n' t b e lie ve the y we r e ha ving a s ta nd o ff. As muc h a s he wo uld lik e to go o n witho ut he r a t tha t p o int, he c o uld n' t c o nvinc e he r to e nd the b e tr o tha l if the y we r e n' t tr a ve ling to ge the r , s o the y ha d to tr a ve l to ge the r . But he r r e fus a l to o b e y him wa s una c c e p ta b le . The b e tr o tha l ga ve him c o mp le te a utho r ity o ve r he r , whic h s he o b vio us ly ha d n' t r e a lize d ye t. But until the y le ft he r fa the r ' s a utho r ity, whic h to o k p r e c e d e nc e o ve r his , he c o uld n' t e nfo r c e his will a s he wo uld lik e — ye t. He r fa the r . . . S ud d e nly he s mile d . "Yo ur fa the r wo n' t find tha t s ugge s tio n a c c e p ta b le , we nc h, a nd yo u k no w it. S o I b e lie ve I ' ll le t him e xp la in to yo u the me r its o f fo llo wing my s ugge s tio n ins te a d . " "Ho w typ ic a l, " s he s ne e r e d . "The little b o y d o e s n' t ge t his wa y, s o he r uns to P a p a , mine in this c a s e . But b y a ll me a ns , wa s te s o me mo r e o f the time yo u' r e s o c o nc e r ne d a b o ut b y e nlis ting his a id — o r tr ying to . Yo u' ll find , ho we ve r , tha t he a lr e a d y k no ws he ' s go tte n a ll the c o o p e r a tio n fr o m me tha t he ' s go ing to ge t. O r we r e yo u und e r the mis ta k e n imp r e s s io n tha t I ' m a n o b e d ie nt d a ughte r ? " He wa s a ngr y e no ugh to ya nk he r o ff he r ho r s e a nd s ha k e he r . S he k ne w it a nd d id n' t a p p e a r the le a s t b it c o nc e r ne d , p r o b a b ly b e c a us e o f the la r ge wo lfho und tha t wa s s ud d e nly the r e b e twe e n the m. The s ta llio n s he s a t d id n' t mo ve a mus c le , a p p a r e ntly a c q ua inte d with the b e a s t. S he wa s o b vio us ly e ve n b e tte r a c q ua inte d , b e c a us e s he o r d e r e d , "S it, Bo jik , " a nd the d o g imme d ia te ly c o mp lie d . Va s ili ne a r ly gr o wle d , "S o me thing e ls e yo u think to b r ing a lo ng? " "C e r ta inly. M y p e t go e s whe r e ve r I go . "

"Anything e ls e I s ho uld k no w a b o ut? " He wa s b e ing s a r c a s tic , b ut s he a ns we r e d , "J us t my ma id a nd my me n. " "Yo ur me n? " S he no d d e d to wa r d the s ta b le . He lo o k e d in tha t d ir e c tio n to find the e ntr a nc e no w fille d with thr e e mo unte d C o s s a c k s , la r ge b r ute s b y the lo o k o f the m, c r a ggy- fa c e d , e a c h he a vily a r me d a nd e a c h lo o k ing b a c k a t him with— he wa s n' t q uite s ur e . The me n we r e s o ugly, it wa s ha r d to r e a d the ir e xp r e s s io ns a c c ur a te ly, to d is c e r n ho s tility fr o m a mus e me nt a nd a mus e me nt fr o m me r e c ur io s ity. "The y will s e e to my s a fe ty o n the jo ur ne y, " Ale xa nd r a info r me d him. S tiffly, he lo o k e d b a c k a t he r . "I b e lie ve tha t is my r e s p o ns ib ility. " S he a c tua lly la ughe d . "Do n' t b e a b s ur d . Yo u tr a ve l with yo ur o wn gua r d s b e c a us e yo u o b vio us ly c a n' t s e e to yo ur o wn s a fe ty, muc h le s s a nyo ne e ls e ' s . " And the n s he a d d e d , with the c o nte mp t tha t he s ho uld ha ve b e e n utilizing, "But tha t' s q uite und e r s ta nd a b le , P e tr o ff. I t' s b e e n my e xp e r ie nc e tha t yo u c o ur t d a n d ie s a r e p r e tty muc h us e le s s fo r a nything o the r tha n go s s ip a nd who r ing. " He wa s c r ims o n- c he e k e d b y the time s he ha d finis he d , a nd s o fur io us he b a r e ly go t o ut, "I s tha t fir s tha nd e xp e r ie nc e ? " C o lo r b lo o me d in he r c he e k s no w, a nd with a he a te d gla r e s he r e tr e a te d , tr o tting o ff with tho s e thr e e b r ute s fla nk ing he r , the o ve r s ize d Rus s ia n wo lfho und r a c ing a he a d o f the m, the wa go ns fo llo wing, a nd five gr o o ms le a d ing the he r d o f p r ize d s to c k . Va s ili s to o d the r e s ta r ing a fte r the m, s e r io us ly think ing a b o ut he a d ing o ut in the o p p o s ite d ir e c tio n hims e lf. 12 I t wa s a lo ng fir s t d a y o n the r o a d , e xc e e d ingly s o . The s ta llio n in Va s ili' s p a r ty tur ne d o ut to b e his a nd wa s a high- s tr ung a nima l tha t r e fus e d to k e e p to the s e d a te p a c e o f the wa go ns , a t le a s t d ur ing the mo r ning. Va s ili wa s c o ntinuo us ly fo r c e d to r id e a he a d o f the gr o up a nd b a c k , tho ugh Ale xa nd r a wa s s ur e a fe w o f tho s e r id e s we r e me r e ly to d e mo ns tr a te his imp a tie nc e with the s lo w p r o gr e s s the y we r e ma k ing. He r two s ta llio ns we r e muc h b e tte r b e ha ve d . The y ye a r ne d fo r s o me b r is k e xe r c is e the ms e lve s , b ut whe n d e nie d , the y d id n' t ma k e a fus s a b o ut it. Eve n whe n Va s iH d r e w a b r e a s t o f he r in the e a r ly a fte r no o n, to info r m he r tha t the y wo uld n' t b e s to p p ing fo r lunc h o r e ve n to r e s t, S ulta n' s P r id e igno r e d the b ig r o a n he wa s r id ing, while Va s ili ha d to fight to k e e p his ho r s e fr o m nip p ing a t he r s . As fo r the ir no t s to p p ing, Va s ili ha d d e live r e d the ne ws s mugly, a nd Ale xa nd r a r e c e ive d it with a go o d d e a l o f a mus e me nt, whic h s he ma na ge d to k e e p to he r s e lf. S he ha d b e e n info r me d tha t the y ne e d e d tha t e xtr a time to r e a c h the fir s t p o s ting ho us e . The y s ho uld ha ve a r r ive d b y e a r ly e ve ning. As it wa s no w, e ve n witho ut the s to p fo r lunc h, the y wo uld n' t a r r ive until la te tha t

night. I t wa s n' t d iffic ult fo r Ale xa nd r a to figur e o ut tha t Va s ili tho ught he wa s ge tting e ve n with he r fo r the d e la y the wa go ns we r e c a us ing the m, b ut s he ha d p la nne d fo r jus t s uc h a c o ntinge nc y. All o f he r p e o p le ha d p a c k e d fo o d tha t d id n' t r e q uir e c o o k ing, b ut Va s ili' s gr o up ha d n' t b e e n give n the s a me . His o wn e mp ty b e lly wo uld n' t le t him k e e p up tha t p lo y fo r mo r e tha n a d a y o r two , s he d id n' t d o ub t. As fa r a s Ale xa nd r a wa s c o nc e r ne d , s he ha d wo n the fir s t r o und ha nd s d o wn a nd wa s fe e ling p le a s e d a b o ut tha t, whic h wa s fo r tuna te , b e c a us e s he ne e d e d s o me p o s itive fe e lings to c o unte r a c t the tight k no t o f mis e r y he r le a ve - ta k ing wa s c a us ing. He r la s t glimp s e o f he r fa the r ha d b e e n a ll to o b r ie f, b ut he r me m o r y o f it wa s e ngr a ve d in he r mind . S he ' d p a us e d mo me nta r ily in fr o nt o f the ho us e , whe r e he ' d b e e n s ta nd ing o n the p o r c h, b ut o nly to give him o ne la s t o p p o r tunity to p r e ve nt he r fr o m le a ving ho me . S he ha d n' t e ve n d r a wn c lo s e , ha d r e ma ine d o n the r o a d , a nd whe n it wa s a p p a r e nt tha t he wa s n' t go ing to s a y the wo r d s tha t s he ne e d e d to he a r , s he s a id , "Go o d - b ye , P a p a , " s o s o ftly tha t it wa s d o ub tful he ' d he a r d . And tha t ha d b e e n a ll s he ' d s a id , no hug, no k is s , no p le a d ing fo r him to c ha nge his mind . He r fa the r ha d b e e n hur t b y he r unfo r giving a ttitud e . S he ' d s e e n it in his fa c e b e fo r e s he ha d r id d e n o n, a nd it ha d b r o ught s uc h a tightne s s to he r c he s t tha t s he ' d tho ught s he wo uld s uffo c a te fr o m it. But he r o wn hur t ha d fo r b id d e n he r to s o fte n a nd b id him a p r o p e r go o d - b ye . And he r o wn hur t wa s ma k ing he r d e c id e tha t s he wo uld ne ve r s e e him a ga in a fte r to d a y. S he ' d ge t the c o unt to e nd the d a mn b e tr o tha l in o r d e r to s a tis fy he r ho no r , b ut s he wo uld n' t go b a c k ho me . S he ' d go to Engla nd ins te a d . Tha t wa s wha t s he s ho uld ha ve d o ne thr e e ye a r s a go . Ale xa nd r a wa s tir e d b y the time the y fina lly r e a c he d the p o s ting ho us e . I t wa s la te a t night, jus t a s Va s ili ha d p r e d ic te d it wo uld b e , a nd a ltho ugh s he wa s s a tis fie d with the wa y the d a y ha d go ne , s he wa s n' t go ing to r e p e a t the a r d uo us p a c e to mo r r o w. The wa go ns we r e s up p o s e d to d e la y the tr ip , no t k e e p e ve r yo ne in the s a d d le lo nge r to ma k e up fo r lo s t time . Be s id e s , s he d id n' t lik e he r a nima ls tr a ve ling in the d a r k , whe r e uns e e n p o tho le s might c r o p up to c a us e injur y. I f the y c o uld n' t r e a c h the ne xt p o s ting ho us e , to wn, o r villa ge b e fo r e d a r k to mo r r o w, the y wo uld c a mp b e s id e the r o a d , with o r witho ut he r b e tr o the d ' s p e r mis s io n o r p r e s e nc e . S he d id n' t wa it fo r his p r e s e nc e no w b e fo r e e nte r ing the p o s ting ho us e . S he ' d b e e n the r e b e fo r e o n a tr ip we s t to p ur c ha s e o ne o f he r ma r e s , s o s he k ne w the p r o p r ie to r a nd to o k it up o n he r s e lf to o r d e r the ne c e s s a r y numb e r o f r o o ms fo r the night. S he ' d b e s ha r ing he r s with N ina . The me n c o uld d ivid e the r e ma in ing fo ur ho we ve r the y lik e d . S inc e Va s ili wo uld b e p a ying the b ill, s he wo uld ha ve o r d e r e d mo r e r o o ms if the y ha d b e e n a va ila b le . As it wa s , with twe lve in he r p a r ty, he ha d a lo t mo r e mo uths to fe e d tha n he ' d c o unte d o n, a nd s he a ls o to o k it up o n he r s e lf to o r d e r fo o d fo r e ve r yo ne . S he d id n' t go o ve r b o a r d the r e , b e c a us e s he c o uld n' t s e e

fo o d go ing to wa s te . But ho w nic e it wo uld b e if Va s ili r a n o ut o f mo ne y b e fo r e he go t ho me . S he wa ite d fo r the o the r s in the c o mmo n r o o m. N ina wa s the fir s t to jo in he r the r e . The ma id ha d r id d e n o n o ne o f the wa go ns b e c a us e s he wa s no t a s c o mfo r ta b le r id ing fo r lo ng ho ur s o n ho r s e b a c k a s Ale xa nd r a wa s . S o the y ha d n' t ha d a c ha nc e to ta lk a ll d a y, b ut Ale xa nd r a wa s n' t a ll tha t s ur p r is e d b y wha t wa s p r o mine ntly o n he r fr ie nd ' s mind . "Yo u d id n' t te ll me he ' s the mo s t ha nd s o me ma n yo u' ve e ve r s e e n in yo ur life , " N ina s a id a c c us ingly a s s he s a t d o wn a t Ale xa nd r a ' s ta b le . Ale xa nd r a r a is e d a b r o w. "Ho w d o yo u k no w I ha ve n' t s e e n b e tte r ? " "Be c a us e no ma n c a n b e mo r e ha nd s o me tha n tha t, " N ina s a id with a b s o lute c o nvic tio n. Ale xa nd r a ha d a lr e a d y d r a wn tha t c o nc lus io n fo r he r s e lf, s o s he d id n' t b o the r to a r gue a b o ut it. "I s tha t s up p o s e d to ma k e s o me s o r t o f d iffe r e nc e ? " "I t wo uld to me . " Ale xa nd r a s ighe d . "N ina , the ma n is to o ha nd s o me . I f yo u ha ve n' t r e a lize d wha t s ignific a nc e tha t ha s , the n I ' ll b e p le a s e d to te ll yo u. I t' s a lr e a d y go t yo u lo o k ing o n him fa vo r a b ly a ga in, whe n la s t I he a r d , yo u we r e o n my s id e . And it go t o ne , two , o r a ll thr e e o f the ho us e ma id s to s le e p with him la s t night, e ve n tho ugh the y k ne w he wa s my b e tr o the d . " N ina ga s p e d . "Ho w d o yo u k no w tha t? " "Be c a us e I fo und a ll thr e e o f the m c r a wling a ll o ve r him this mo r ning. " "W hic h d o e s n' t me a n he s le p t with the m, " N ina wa s q uic k to p o int o ut. "N o , b ut it p r o ve s he ' s ir r e s is tib le to wo me n, a t le a s t to mo s t wo ma n. I t a ls o p r o ve s tha t e ve n if he ' s ma r r ie d , wo me n will s till b e c ha s ing him. Am I s up p o s e d to live with tha t? I d o n' t think s o . " N ina s till wa s n' t c o nvinc e d . "C ha s ing d o e s n' t me a n c a tc hing. " "But it d o e s me a n c o ns ta nt te mp ta tio n c o ming his wa y, " Ale xa nd r a r e p lie d . "And I d o n' t inte nd to tur n into a je a lo us s hr e w fo r a ny ma n. " N ina gr inne d . "Yo u' r e s a ying yo u c o uld lo ve him if yo u ga ve it a tr y. " "I ' m s a ying no s uc h thing, a nd b e q uie t, yo ur b r o the r s a r e c o ming. " S te nk a to o k the c ha ir ne xt to Ale xa nd r a a nd , lik e his s is te r , s k ip p e d a gr e e ting in o r d e r to ge t s tr a ight to his o wn c o mp la int. "I t wo uld ha ve b e e n s imp le r a nd le s s e xha us ting to b e a t him up a nd wa r n him o ff, Ale x. " Timo fe e a r r ive d to c a tc h o nly the e nd o f tha t c o mme nt. As he to o k his s e a t, he a s k e d , "Ar e we go ing to b e a t the C a r d inia n up ? W e s ho uld ha ve d o ne it this mo r ning, b e fo r e I d e ve lo p e d s a d d le s o r e s . " And K o nr a d , the la s t to a r r ive , a d d r e s s e d o nly the p o r tio n he c a ught. "S a d d le s o r e s , Ale x? Yo u? Yo ur a r s e s ho uld b e to ugh a s — " "Tha t' s e no ugh, " Ale xa nd r a inte r r up te d , a nd s he lo o k e d a t e a c h o f the m s e p a r a te ly a s s he s a id , "N o , no , a nd no , " in a ns we r to the ir r e ma r k s . "I ' ve a lr e a d y e xp la ine d my p la n to yo u, a nd yo u a gr e e d it' s a go o d o ne . W e ' ll give it

a c ha nc e b e fo r e I c o ns id e r a ny o the r o p tio ns . But b e a ting him up is n' t go ing to b e o ne o f the m. " "A s ha me , " S te nk a s a id with a s igh. S he ga ve him a s te r n lo o k b e fo r e c o ntinuing. "Re s t a s s ur e d , we wo n' t ha ve a no the r d a y lik e to d a y. He ' s tr ying to k e e p us o n his s c he d ule , a nd e ve n if we c a n ma na ge it muc h e a s ie r tha n he c a n, I wo n' t wa it fo r him to give it up , no t with my b a b ie s a lo ng. S p e a k ing o f whic h, ha ve the y b e e n s e ttle d in fo r the night? " "The y' r e r igging up a s e p a r a te c o r r a l fo r the ma r e s , s inc e the y a r e n' t e q uip p e d fo r s o ma ny ho r s e s he r e , " Timo fe e to ld he r . "I t will d o fo r o ne night. " The y we nt o n to d is c us s a fe w o the r ma tte r s p e r tine nt to tr a ve ling, b ut we r e inte r r up te d whe n Va s ili fina lly ma d e a n a p p e a r a nc e with his fr ie nd , La za r Dimitr ie ff. Tha t o ne ha d a p p r o a c he d Ale xa nd r a e a r lie r in the d a y to intr o d uc e hims e lf. S he ha d n' t b e e n a b it s ur p r is e d to find o ut tha t he ' d p ur c ha s e d o ne o f he r fa the r ' s white s a nd wa s r id ing him, a ge ld ing s he k ne w to b e o f e a s y te mp e r a me nt. O r d ina r ily s he wo uld ha ve d is c us s e d the me r its o f the a nima l with him, wo uld ha ve e njo ye d d o ing s o a nd a t le ngth, b ut s he ha d d e c id e d no t to b e fr ie nd ly to a nyo ne in Va s ili' s gr o up , a nd tha t inc lud e d C o unt Dimitr ie ff, whic h wa s a s ha me , b e c a us e he s e e me d q uite lik a b le , a nd the y o b vio us ly ha d a lo ve o f fine ho r s e fle s h in c o mmo n. I t d id n' t ta k e him lo ng, tho ugh, to give up tr ying to ins tiga te a c o nve r s a tio n with he r whe n s he a ll b ut igno r e d him. S he ha d d e igne d to s ha r e a fe w wo r d s with him o nly b e c a us e he ' d a s k e d a b o ut N ina . "W ho ' s the little c he r ub ? " ha d b e e n his e xa c t q ue s tio n. "M y ma id , N ina Ra zin. " "Re la te d to tho s e C o s s a c k s ? " "The ir o nly s is te r , " s he ha d to ld him. He r r e p ly ha d p r o d uc e d a d r a wn- o ut s igh. "And he r e I tho ught I jus t might e njo y the tr ip ho me . " S he ha d wa nte d to la ugh a t his fo r lo r n e xp r e s s io n, it wa s s o funny. I ns te a d s he ha d wa r ne d him, "Yo u' ll s ta y a wa y fr o m N ina — unle s s s he wa nts to b e b o the r e d . " And s he ha d s a id no mo r e . S he wo nd e r e d no w if he ha d info r me d Va s ili o f he r r ud e ne s s . S he c e r ta inly ho p e d s o . S he wa nte d him to k no w tha t he r c o nte mp t wa s n' t r e s e r ve d jus t fo r him, a nd tha t his fr ie nd s a nd fa mily we r e n' t go ing to b e immune fr o m it. Va s ili ga ve he r o nly a c ur s o r y gla nc e up o n his e ntr a nc e . The r e wa s o ne s e a t le ft a t he r ta b le , b ut s he wa s s ur e he wo uld n' t ta k e it. But the n, a s lo ng a s he c o uld witne s s he r ta b le ma nne r s , whic h we r e go ing to b e a tr o c io us fo r his b e ne fit, it d id n' t ma tte r whe r e he s a t. He s to p p e d to s p e a k to the p r o p r ie to r fo r a fe w mo me nts , p r o b a b ly find ing o ut tha t the r e wa s no thing le ft fo r him to a r r a nge , tha t s he ' d ta k e n c a r e o f e ve r ything. S he ho p e d tha t wo uld a nno y him, whic h wa s why s he ' d d o ne it. M e n d id ha ve a ha b it o f lik ing to think the y we r e in c ha r ge . W a tc hing him c lo s e ly, s he c o uld d is c e r n no ind ic a tio n tha t he wa s he a r ing

a nything tha t might d is tur b him. The n the r e wa s a s q ue a l a c r o s s the r o o m, ma d e b y o ne o f the two s e r ving gir ls , this o ne ha ving jus t no tic e d him. And the gir l a p p a r e ntly k ne w him, b e c a us e the p le a s e d no is e wa s fo llo we d b y he r r us h ing a c r o s s the r o o m to him. Ale xa nd r a ' s b r o ws we nt up , the n c a me a b r up tly to ge the r whe n s he s a w the s mile Va s ili b e s to we d o n the gir l, a s mile s o b e a utiful tha t Ale xa nd r a d r e w in he r b r e a th, a nd s he wa s n' t e ve n the r e c ip ie nt o f it. The gir l wa s n' t e xc e p tio na lly p r e tty, b ut the wa y Va s ili wa s lo o k ing a t he r , yo u' d ha ve tho ught s he wa s the lo ve lie s t c r e a tur e he ' d e ve r s e e n. W he n s he r e a c he d him, he le a ne d c lo s e to whis p e r s o me thing in he r e a r . S he la ughe d a nd p la c e d a ha nd intima te ly o n his c he s t b e fo r e a ns we r ing him. His ha nd c a me to he r d e r r ie r e fo r a p a t b e fo r e s he s a unte r e d a wa y to r e tur n to he r wo r k , tho ugh s he c a s t mo r e tha n o ne s ultr y gla nc e b a c k o ve r he r s ho uld e r a t him. Any ha lf- wit c o uld ha ve figur e d o ut tha t the y' d jus t ma d e a n a s s igna tio n fo r la te r . Ale xa nd r a le ft he r ta b le a nd c a ught up with the gir l a s s he wa s a b o ut to le a ve the r o o m fo r the k itc he n. W itho ut wa r ning— Ale xa nd r a ha d n' t k no wn wha t s he wa s go ing to d o whe n s he s ta r te d a c r o s s the r o o m— s he gr a b b e d a fis tful o f the gir l' s ha ir a nd je r k e d he r a r o und . The tr a y s he wa s ho ld ing we nt flying fr o m he r finge r s . I f p e o p le ha d no t b e e n lo o k ing in the ir d ir e c tio n b e fo r e , the y we r e no w. "Tha t' s my b e tr o the d yo u we r e think ing a b o ut b e d d ing, " Ale xa nd r a s a id , he r vo ic e a c tua lly q uite c a s ua l fo r s uc h a vo la tile s ub je c t. "Go a nywhe r e ne a r him a ga in a nd I ' ll c ut o ff yo ur e a r s a nd ma k e yo u e a t the m. O r p e r ha p s yo u c o ns id e r him wo r th the lo s s ? " "N o , Ba r o ne s s , " the gir l s q ue a k e d , he r e ye s wid e a nd he r c o mp le xio n go ne white . Ale xa nd r a fr o wne d . "Yo u k no w me ? " "Y- ye s , Ba r o ne s s . " "S o yo u k no w I me a n wha t I s a y? " "Ye s ! " "Go o d . The n le t us ho p e I d o n' t ha ve to s p e a k to yo u a ga in. " Ale xa nd r a r e tur ne d to he r ta b le . S he d id n' t gla nc e a t Va s ili a s s he p a s s e d him. S he wa s r a the r a ma ze d a t he r s e lf, no t fo r wha t s he ' d s a id , b ut fo r ha ving b e e n a b le to c a us e a s c e ne lik e tha t witho ut fe e ling the le a s t b it e mb a r r a s s e d . P r o ving to he r b e tr o the d tha t s he wa s fa r b e lo w his s o c ia l s tr a tum wa s go ing to b e muc h e a s ie r tha n s he ' d tho ught. "W a s he s ho c k e d ? " s he whis p e r e d to S te nk a a s s he r e s ume d he r s e a t. "I c o uld n' t s a y, " he a ns we r e d ho ne s tly, his e ye s twink ling. "I c o uld n' t ta k e my e ye s o ff yo u a nd s uc h a s p le nd id d is p la y o f je a lo us y. " "Do n' t b e a b s ur d , " s he s a id ir r ita b ly. "I o nly d id it fo r his b e ne fit. " Tha t go t he r a s no r t a nd a s c o ffing to ne a s he r e p lie d , "This is S te nk a , Ale x. I k no w jus t ho w p o s s e s s ive yo u c a n b e . I wa s the r e , r e me mb e r , whe n yo u to o k a ho r s e whip to tha t a r my lie ute na nt whe n he a b us e d the ho r s e yo u le t him

b o r r o w. Yo u ne ve r he s ita te d to light into K o nr a d with b o th fis ts whe ne ve r he ma d e N ina c r y with his te a s ing. Yo u b lis te r e d my fa the r ' s e a r s the la s t time he to o k a s tr a p to me — le t me k no w whe n yo u' ve he a r d e no ugh. " Tha t go t him a s c o wl. "Yo u a nd yo ur fa mily a r e d iffe r e nt. S o a r e my a nima ls . " "W e a r e yo ur s , a nd wha t' s yo ur s is yo ur s . Eve r yo ne who k no ws yo u k no ws tha t, Ale x. And until o ne o r the o the r o f yo u b r e a k s tha t b e tr o tha l, the C a r d inia n is a ls o yo ur s , s o whe r e is the d iffe r e nc e ? " "The d iffe r e nc e is , I d o n' t wa nt him to b e mine . " And the n s he lo o k e d a t the r e s t o f he r fr ie nd s . "Did a t le a s t o ne o f yo u no tic e his r e a c tio n? " "I d id , " K o nr a d a d mitte d , a p a r tia l gr in to uc hing his lip s . "And it wa s n' t s ho c k he W a s e xp e r ie nc ing. Ange r wa s mo r e lik e it. " Ale xa nd r a s till d id n' t lo o k fo r he r s e lf to s e e it, b ut s he s a t b a c k , q uite s a tis fie d . "Tha t will d o jus t a s we ll. I wa r ne d him wha t to e xp e c t. N o w he k no ws I wa s n' t s p o uting e mp ty thr e a ts . " "I ' d s a y he ' s figur e d tha t o ut, " Timo fe e p ut in with a c huc k le . "I t' s go ing to b e inte r e s ting to s e e wha t he d o e s a b o ut it. " "W ha t c a n he d o ? " s he c o unte r e d witho ut c o nc e r n. "W e a r e n' t ma r r ie d ye t. " The thr e e me n jus t s ta r e d a t he r . N ina d id the o p p o s ite a nd lo o k e d in a no the r d ir e c tio n. Ale xa nd r a b e ga n to s q uir m in he r s e a t. "W ha t? " s he d e ma nd e d . "A b e tr o tha l is n' t lik e yo ur us ua l e nga ge me nt, Ale x, " K o nr a d to ld he r . "I t' s d a mn c lo s e to a c tua lly b e ing ma r r ie d . S wo r n o a ths we r e ma d e . Eve n yo u ga ve yo ur wo r d yo u' d ma r r y him, a nd yo ur fa the r lik e ly a p p r is e d him o f it. Tha t give s the ma n s o me d e finite a utho r ity whe r e yo u' r e c o nc e r ne d , o r d id n' t yo u k no w tha t? " "W ha t k ind o f a utho r ity? " K o nr a d d id n' t minc e wo r d s . "The s a me a utho r ity a hus b a nd wo uld ha ve . " "N o ns e ns e . I a lr e a d y to ld him he c o uld n' t d ic ta te to me , a nd he d id n' t tr y to p r o ve o the r wis e . " S he d id n' t b o the r to me ntio n tha t he ha d ins is te d tha t he c o uld , in fa c t, d o jus t tha t. "Yo u we r e s till a t ho me whe n yo u s a id it, und e r yo ur fa the r ' s r ule . N o w yo u' r e no t. " S he r e a lly d id n' t lik e the s o und o f this . "I t ma k e s no d iffe r e nc e whe r e I wa s , " s he ins is te d . "He c a n r a il a t me a nd c o mp la in a ll he wa nts . I ' m q uite e xp e r ie nc e d b y no w a t igno r ing a ngr y me n. " "An a ngr y fa the r , ye s , b ut no t a n a ngr y b e tr o the d , " K o nr a d p o inte d o ut. "I ha te to s a y it, Ale x, b ut the two a r e no t the s a me . " "All r ight, d a mn it, " s he p r a c tic a lly gr o wle d . "J us t wha t a r e yo u ge tting a t? " "W ha t ha p p e ns if he s ta r ts giving yo u s o me ' o r e ls e s ' a nd b a c k s the m up ? " He r e ye s na r r o we d a t tha t, b ut he r to ne tur ne d e xc e s s ive ly d r y. "Yo u a r e n' t b y a ny c ha nc e s ugge s ting tha t the ma n might tr y to b e a t me , a r e yo u? " "Ac tua lly— ye s . "

"And yo u' d s imp ly s ta nd a r o und a nd le t him, I s up p o s e ? And Bo jik wo uld n' t r ip his thr o a t o ut if he tr ie d ? " "Bo jik is n' t go ing to b e a t yo ur he e ls e ve r y mo me nt o f the d a y, " K o nr a d info r me d he r . "M o s t nights he ' ll b e p ut in the s ta b le , whe r e he is no w, s inc e mo s t inns wo n' t a llo w him ins id e . And we a r e n' t go ing to b e a t yo ur s id e c o ns ta ntly e ithe r . W e might b e a b le to ma k e the C a r d inia n r e gr e t wha te ve r he d o e s to yo u, b ut tha t wo uld b e a fte r the fa c t. And a k ing' s c o us in, r e ga r d le s s o f the le s s - tha n- imp r e s s ive title he c a r r ie s , r a nk s highe r tha n a ny o f o ur p r inc e s , a nd yo u k no w ho w p o we r ful the y a r e . I t wo uld n' t b e a ll tha t d iffic ult fo r him to ge t us to s s e d in ja il. He ll, he c o uld ha ve us s ho t, a nd no o ne wo uld d o a nything to him fo r it. Tha t' s the k ind o f a utho r ity he c a n wie ld . " Ale xa nd r a wa s s imme r ing b y no w. "I s the r e a p o int to a ll o f this ? " K o nr a d fina lly gr inne d a t he r , no w tha t he ' d r uine d he r mo o d . "J us t d o n' t ge t him to o ma d , Ale x. F ind o ut yo ur limit a nd d o n' t o ve r s te p it, e ve n if yo u ha ve to give in to his d e ma nd s o c c a s io na lly— a nd ho p e he ha s n' t r e a lize d ho w muc h p o we r he ha s o ve r yo u no w. " I t wa s to o la te to ho p e fo r tha t, s he wa s a lmo s t c e r ta in. And if s he ha d b e e n na ive in think ing he r fr ie nd s c o uld p r o te c t he r in a ny give n s itua tio n, the y we r e fo r ge tting tha t s he d id n' t d o s o b a d a t p r o te c ting he r s e lf. Give in, ind e e d . S he ' d s ta r t c a r r ying a ho r s e whip fir s t. 13 The fo o d ha d b e e n s e r ve d , b ut it s a t unto uc he d in fr o nt o f Va s ili. La za r , who wa s s ha r ing his ta b le , ha d no tr o ub le ma k ing he a d wa y thr o ugh the p la in b ut filling me a l. Va s ili wa s ma k ing he a d wa y thr o ugh a b o ttle o f vo d k a ins te a d . He ' d b e e n a ngr y a ll d a y a fte r b e ing una b le to ge t Ale xa nd r a to le a ve tho s e d a mn wa go ns b e hind , b ut wha t he wa s fe e ling no w wa s a b it mo r e o n the e xp lo s ive s id e . His a nge r ha d e s c a la te d whe n the me a l a r r ive d , the gir l d e live r ing it b a r e ly lo o k ing a t him, hur r ying a wa y, te r r ifie d tha t s he might d r a w his no tic e . The o the r we nc h— he s till c o uld n' t r e c a ll he r na me — ha d d is a p p e a r e d c o mp le te ly, no r d id he e xp e c t to s e e he r a ga in. He r e c o gnize d a b s o lute fe a r whe n he s a w it. At the mo me nt, he ' d lik e to s e e it o n the fa c e o f his b e tr o the d . I t wa s b e yo nd b e lie f wha t he ' d witne s s e d , wha t the e ntir e r o o m ha d witne s s e d . S uc h b a r b a r o us b e ha vio r , s uc h vic io us ne s s . S he c o uld n' t b r ing he r c o mp la int to him, c o uld s he ? S he c o uld n' t ma k e he r thr e a ts in p r iva te , a s a ny c ivilize d p e r s o n wo uld ha ve . S he ha d to d e mo ns tr a te fo r o ne a nd a ll wha t a little s a va ge s he wa s . And this wa s the wo ma n his fa the r ha d c ho s e n fo r him to ma r r y. Va s ili a nd La za r ha d b e e n fr ie nd s lo ng e no ugh fo r La za r to k no w wha t wa s o n Va s ili' s mind witho ut a s k ing. But he jus t c o uld n' t s ymp a thize , a nd a c tua lly wa s q uie tly a mus e d . Be c a us e o f his inc r e d ib le lo o k s , Va s ili ne ve r ha d tr o ub le with wo me n, a t le a s t no t this k ind . I t wo uld d o him a wo r ld o f go o d to find o ut wha t o the r me n ha d to d e a l with fr o m the fa ir e r s e x. "Yo u might a s we ll fo r ge t it, " La za r o ffe r e d , his to ne ne utr a l.

Tho s e "F o r ge t lo o k ing tha t my

go ld e n e ye s , p r e s e ntly glo wing, c a me to me e t La za r ' s b lue o ne s . tha t my b e d is go ing to b e e mp ty a ga in to night, whe n I ha d b e e n fo r wa r d to s ha r ing it with tha t ve r y a c c o mmo d a ting we nc h? O r fo r ge t b e tr o the d is a wa lk ing, b r e a thing s c a nd a l? "

La za r ne a r ly c ho k e d a s he tr ie d to c ut o ff the la ughte r tha t Va s ili' s la s t c o mme nt ha d p r o mp te d . "F o r ge t b o th, " he ma na ge d to s ugge s t. "Yo ur b e d wa s fille d to its us ua l c a p a c ity ne a r ly the e ntir e tr ip he r e , s o a little a b s tine nc e o n the wa y b a c k is n' t go ing to k ill yo u. " Va s ili wa s n' t s o s ur e o f tha t, c o ns id e r ing the wa y he ' d b e e n fe e ling s inc e la s t night, b ut he r e p lie d , "C e r ta inly it wo n' t, b ut yo u' r e o ve r lo o k ing the fa c t tha t my d a llia nc e wa s fo r Ale xa nd r a ' s b e ne fit mo r e tha n fo r my o wn. I t wa s s up p o s e d to e nr a ge he r e no ugh to c r y o ff, no t to a llo w he r to d e mo ns tr a te a n une xp e c te d te nd e nc y to wa r d vio le nc e . " "O r b luffing. " "I wis h I c o uld b e lie ve tha t, La za r . I r e a lly d id think e xa c tly tha t whe n s he fir s t ma d e the thr e a t to d o wha t s he d id to night. But s he ' s d o ne jus t wha t s he s a id s he ' d d o if I a tte mp te d to e nte r ta in mys e lf with a no the r wo ma n— c a us e a n e mb a r r a s s ing p ub lic s c e ne . C a n yo u ima gine he r d o ing s o me thing lik e tha t a t S te fa n' s c o ur t? " La za r gr inne d . "S te fa n might find it a mus ing. I k no w Ta nya wo uld . " "And my mo the r wo uld c o lla p s e fr o m the s ho c k . I ha ve go t to ge t r id o f the little b a r b a r ia n b e fo r e we r e a c h C a r d inia . But te ll me ho w I ' m to d o tha t whe n s he ha s e ffe c tive ly ta k e n a wa y o ne o f my b e tte r me a ns o f a c c o mp lis hing it. " "But yo u d o ha ve o the r me a ns , " La za r r e mind e d him. "W hic h, b y the wa y, yo u c a n' t p ut to us e whe n yo u' r e s itting a c r o s s the r o o m fr o m he r . " "I f I we r e s itting ne xt to he r , I wo uld ha ve thr o ttle d he r b y no w, " Va s ili r e p lie d . "I s till ma y. " He wa s no t e xa gge r a ting. W hile he s till fe lt s uc h a s tr o ng ur ge to wr ing he r p r e tty ne c k , he ha d b e e n a vo id ing e ve n gla nc ing in he r d ir e c tio n. Ye t think ing a b o ut it, he d id jus t tha t. He d id n' t e xp e c t to b e a s to nis he d , ho we ve r , o r mo me nta r ily to fo r ge t his a nge r . Ale xa nd r a ha d a c hic k e n le g in o ne ha nd tha t s he wa s wa ving a r o und a s s he s p o k e to he r c o mp a nio ns . The r e wa s a le a f o f b o ile d c a b b a ge in he r o the r ha nd , a r a the r la r ge le a f, tha t s he ma na ge d to s tuff into he r mo uth with he r finge r s . S he wa s d r ink ing the wine s he ha d o r d e r e d s tr a ight fr o m the b o ttle . Eve n the b r e a d s he a te s he d ip p e d into the b utte r ins te a d o f s p r e a d ing it with a k nife . I n the five minute s tha t he s ta r e d , utte r ly a ma ze d , s he d id n' t o nc e r e a c h fo r the ute ns ils tha t la y unus e d b e s id e he r p la te . I t c a me to him the n, with s wift a nd thr illing r e lie f, tha t the a ns we r to his d ile mma wa s Ale xa nd r a he r s e lf. And it wo uld n' t e ve n ha ve o c c ur r e d to him if he ha d n' t jus t me ntio ne d his mo the r a nd the s ho c k s he wa s go ing to s uffe r if s he ha d to witne s s a s c e ne lik e the o ne he ha d vie we d to night. But tha t a nd this c o mb ine d , a nd he a ve n k ne w wha t e ls e , we r e go ing to s o r e vo lt his mo the r , the r e wo uld b e no q ue s tio n o f a we d d ing. S he wo uld a b s o lute ly fo r b id it. "J e s us , La za r , I ma y no t ha ve to d o a no the r thing e xc e p t ta k e he r ho me a nd

le t he r d ine with my mo the r . Lo o k a t he r . S he ha s the ta b le ma nne r s o f a p ig. " "I ' d a lr e a d y no tic e d , jus t fo r b o r e me ntio ning it, " La za r r e p lie d , humo r in his to ne . "I ta k e it yo u' r e no t e xc e s s ive ly a p p a lle d ? " "Ar e yo u jo k ing? I c o uld n' t b e mo r e d e lighte d . I ' m no t go ing to ha ve to b r e a k o ff this b e tr o tha l, a nd ne ithe r is s he . I f my mo the r c a n s p e nd jus t o ne d a y with he r , a nd I ' ll ma k e s ur e s he d o e s , s he will r e fus e to le t me ma r r y he r , a nd tha t' ll b e the e nd o f it. " "Ar e yo u go ing to d e p e nd o n tha t whe n M a r ia ' s fo nd e s t wis h is to s e e yo u we d ? " Va s ili fr o wne d a t tha t d e p r e s s ing r e mind e r . "A go o d p o int. I will p r o c e e d a s p la nne d , ye t I ' m ha p p y to s a y the ur ge nc y is go ne . I no lo nge r ha ve a ny d o ub t tha t this ma tte r will r ight its e lf. " "Yo u ha d d o ub ts ? " "I wa s c lo s e to te r r ifie d , if yo u mus t k no w, " Va s ili s a id with little e xa gge r a tio n. La za r s no r te d . "I d o n' t s e e why. I f yo u ha d to ta k e a wife , this o ne is a t le a s t e a s y o n the e ye s , full o f s ur p r is e s , whic h is no t a b a d thing, a nd yo u c o uld a lwa ys te a c h he r s o me p r o p e r ma nne r s . S he a ls o glo ws with go o d he a lth, whic h me a ns s he ' d ha ve no tr o ub le s up p lying yo u with a gr e a t ma ny he ir s . " "// I wa s lo o k ing fo r a wife , e ve r ything yo u' ve s a id is tr ue , I s up p o s e . But yo u' ve le ft o ut a fe w imp o r ta nt fa c ts . Ale xa nd r a ' s a ttitud e ha p p e ns to r e a lly ir r ita te me , I d o n' t p a r tic ula r ly lik e he r , a nd I c a n na me a d o ze n wo me n who wo uld s uit me b e tte r a nd who wo uld n' t te ll me the y d o n' t wa nt to ma r r y me . " La za r c o uld n' t r e s is t c huc k ling. "I s tha t s till twis ting the s c r e w? " "Do n' t b e a b s ur d , " Va s ili r e p lie d a nd we nt o n to ins is t, "He r r e luc ta nc e wa s me r e ly a s ur p r is e , a nd a s it ha p p e ns , a fo r tuito us o ne . I ha d b e e n d r e a d ing the p o s s ib ility o f ha ving to d e a l with he r hur t fe e lings b e fo r e s he go t a ngr y e no ugh to c a ll this o ff. " La za r no d d e d , a s if he tr uly b e lie ve d tha t. "N o w yo u' ll e a r n he r e te r na l gr a titud e fo r p r o ving to b e s o una c c e p ta b le to he r tha t s he ha s the e xc us e s he ne e d s to e nd it. I wo uld n' t b e s ur p r is e d if s he la ughs a ll the wa y ho me . " Tha t r e ma r k ha d Va s ili s c o wling, tho ugh he wa s n' t e ve n a wa r e he wa s d o ing it, a nd he s till s a id , "I ' m the o ne who will b e e te r na lly gr a te ful tha t s he ' s s uc h a b a c k wa te r p r o vinc ia l. He r fa the r s a id s he wa s uniq ue , he jus t d id n' t s p e c ify ho w. Do yo u think tho s e thr e e C o s s a c k s a r e he r lo ve r s ? " The q ue s tio n wa s s o une xp e c te d , La za r c ho k e d , lite r a lly, his fo o d go ing d o wn the wr o ng wa y. I t to o k him a full minute o f c o ughing a nd thr o a t- c le a r ing b e fo r e he wa s a b le to gla r e a t Va s ili a nd s a y with r a nc o r , "J us t b e c a us e yo u think no thing o f p le a s ur ing thr e e wo me n a t the s a me time d o e s n' t me a n yo ur b e tr o the d wo uld c o ns id e r tr ying the s a me . " Va s ili ha d me a nt no thing o f the k ind a nd wa s a mus e d tha t La za r tho ught he ha d . "O h, I d o n' t k no w. C o unte s s Eva ma na ge d fo ur o nc e — o r s o I ' ve he a r d . " La za r b link e d . "F o ur ? Ho w? "

"O ne c a n o nly ima gine . But tha t c e r ta inly wa s n' t wha t I me a nt a b o ut Ale xa nd r a . I t ta k e s a d e gr e e o f s o p his tic a tio n to e ve n think o f s uc h a mus e me nts , whic h we c a n una nimo us ly a gr e e s he la c k s . I me a nt ind ivid ua lly, s ingly— ho w s ha ll I p ut this ? — o ne a t a time . " La za r wa s gla r ing a ga in. "S a ve the s a r c a s m fo r the little la d y, will yo u? W ith me it' s lia b le to ge t yo u a b lo o d y no s e . " Va s ili wa s in the ha b it o f b e ing p r o vo c a tive with his fr ie nd s r e ga r d le s s o f c o ns e q ue nc e s , s o he igno r e d La za r ' s thr e a t a s he a lwa ys d id . Ho we ve r , he wa s to o inte r e s te d in the s ub je c t he ha d intr o d uc e d to c o ntinue ne e d ling La za r a s he might ha ve d o ne o the r wis e . "Le t' s ge t b a c k to my q ue s tio n, s ha ll we ? " he s a id . "Tho s e thr e e C o s s a c k s might b e ugly a s s in, b ut we k no w ho w ins ignific a nt lo o k s a r e whe n the r e is a ne e d . And it wo uld s up p ly o ne mo r e r e a s o n why s he d o e s n' t wa nt to ma r r y, if s he ' s go t he r o wn s tud s wo r k ing fo r he r . " "Da r e I me ntio n tha t ' if is a s up p o s itio n? " "Yo u c a n me ntio n it, b ut I wo uld n' t b uy it— a nd ne ithe r d o yo u. " La za r s hr ugge d , inc line d to a gr e e a fte r the ir to ur o f S t. P e te r s b ur g. He d id n' t think the thr e e b ur ly me n we r e tha t ugly, ho we ve r , b ut tha t wa s a mo o t p o int. "W ha t d o e s it ma tte r if s he ' s s le p t with o ne o f the m o r a ll? " "I t d o e s n' t, e xc e p t tha t if s he ' s go ing to c o ntinue to c ur ta il my a mus e me nts , a nd I ha ve little d o ub t tha t s he inte nd s to d o jus t tha t, I ' m d a mne d if I ' ll a llo w he r a ny o f he r o wn o n this tr ip . " "I s up p o s e tha t' s o nly fa ir . " The n La za r gr inne d , his humo r r e s to r e d . "Do yo u p la n to thr e a te n the m the wa y s he thr e a te ne d the s e r ving we nc h? " "I f I ha ve to , " Va s ili gr o wle d . And s inc e La za r ha d o nly b e e n te a s ing, he gr o a ne d a nd s a id no mo r e . 14 I t wa s n' t e a s y to a b a nd o n twe nty- five ye a r s o f r e fine d b r e e d ing. The r e we r e time s whe n a little d ir t wa s a c c e p ta b le , whe n o ne ' s jo b wa s a d ir ty jo b . The n the r e we r e time s whe n o ne ha d to r e ma in s p o tle s s ly c le a n. Ale xa nd r a k ne w b o th time s ve r y we ll, b ut b r inging the two to ge the r to o k c o ns ta nt c o nc e ntr a tio n o n he r p a r t. He r fr ie nd s we r e n' t he lp ing in tha t r e s p e c t. Timo fe e k e p t lo o k ing a s if he we r e go ing to b ur s t into la ughte r a t a ny mo me nt. S te nk a wa s te a s ing Ale xa nd r a b y c o p ying he r a c tio ns . K o nr a d c o uld n' t k e e p the d is a p p r o va l fr o m his e xp r e s s io n, b ut fo r tuna te ly, he wa s n' t s itting whe r e Va s ili c o uld s e e him. S o me ho w s he ma na ge d jus t fine , a nd o nly ha d o ne ne a r b lund e r whe n s he s ta r te d to r e a c h fo r he r na p k in a t the e nd o f the me s s y me a l. But s he c a ught he r s e lf in time a nd lic k e d he r finge r s ins te a d , the n wip e d he r s tic k y ha nd s o n he r c lo the s , me nta lly gr ima c ing a s s he d id s o . I t wa s a nic e to uc h, ho we ve r . S he might e ve n we a r the s a me c lo the s to mo r r o w, p o s s ib ly e ve n lo nge r .

Ac tua lly, tha t wa s n' t a b a d id e a a t a ll. By the e nd o f the we e k , s he o ught to b e r e e k ing. The o h- s o - imp e c c a b ly gr o o me d c o unt fr o m C a r d inia wo uld ha ve to s ta nd up wind o f he r if he wa nte d to ha ve wo r d s with he r . S he c o uld c o nvinc e him tha t s he fo und b a thing unhe a lthy a nd ne ve r b a the d mo r e tha n o nc e a mo nth. As fo r c o nvinc ing, s he wa s s ur e s he ' d d o ne a s p le nd id jo b o f it with the me a l. S he ha d k no wn to the s e c o nd , witho ut lo o k ing to c o nfir m it, whe n Va s ili ha d s ta r te d wa tc hing he r . I t ha d b e e n a d is tur b ing s e ns a tio n, to a c tua lly fe e l tho s e ho ne y- go ld e ye s o n he r . But he ha d to b e d is gus te d , ma yb e e ve n r e vo lte d . S he k ne w s he wo uld ha ve b e e n if s he ' d b e e n a b le to wa tc h he r s e lf. P e r ha p s s he we nt a little to o fa r whe n s he le ft the c o mmo n r o o m with he r fr ie nd s , s till no t gla nc ing in Va s ili' s d ir e c tio n, p a s s ing ne a r his ta b le ye t p o inte d ly igno r ing him. C o mmo n c o ur te s y d e ma nd e d a t le a s t a n a c k no wle d gme nt o f his p r e s e nc e , whic h s he ha d n' t give n him a ll e ve ning. He wa s he r b e tr o the d , a fte r a ll. But fo r the time b e ing, c o mmo n c o ur te s y wa s o n the lis t o f p r o hib itio ns s he ha d ma d e fo r he r s e lf, a nd s he ha d to b e s c r up ulo us ly c o ns is te nt a b o ut a d he r ing to it if s he wa nte d he r p la n to wo r k . Ye t s he ha d to wo nd e r , whe n he s ho we d up a t he r d o o r a while la te r , if tha t la s t b it o f r ud e ne s s o n he r p a r t ha d n' t go a d e d him to vis it he r . S he c e r ta inly ha d n' t e xp e c te d his s ud d e n a p p e a r a nc e . S he wa s a lr e a d y d r e s s e d fo r b e d in o ne o f he r p la in white c o tto n nightgo wns . N ina ha d a lr e a d y b r us he d o ut he r ha ir a nd wa s s till mumb ling und e r he r b r e a th a b o ut the b a th s he ' d o r d e r e d tha t Ale xa nd r a ha d r e fus e d to ma k e us e o f. N ina wa s p r e s e ntly b r us hing the d us t fr o m the ir c lo the s with a fe w e xtr a gr umb le s a b o ut the fo o d s ta ins s he ' d b e e n to ld to le a ve a lo ne . S he d id n' t e ve n he a r the k no c k a t the d o o r , no t tha t Ale xa nd r a e xp e c te d he r to a ns we r it. S he a ns we r e d it he r s e lf, b y ha b it p ulling o n the d a r k b lue ve lve t r o b e tha t ha d b e e n la id o ut fo r he r . M o d e s t b y na tur e , s he wa s gr a te ful fo r the r o b e whe n s he s a w who s to o d the r e . S he e ve n d r e w the ga r me nt c lo s e r to he r thr o a t a nd he ld it the r e with b o th ha nd s , a r e fle xive d e fe ns e a ga ins t the p o te nt ma s c u linity tha t e xud e d fr o m the ma n who wa s he r b e tr o the d . He s a id no thing a t fir s t, his e ye s mo ving s lo wly o ve r he r — the y s e e me d lighte r in c o lo r tha n s he r e me mb e r e d — fina lly r e s ting o n he r ha ir , whic h flo we d o ve r he r s ho uld e r s in s hining wa ve s . Tho s e fe w mo me nts o f s ile nc e unne r ve d he r , a nd s he wa s fur the r uns e ttle d whe n it s e e me d he ha d to fo r c e his e ye s a wa y fr o m he r to s c a n the r o o m. W he n he s a w N ina , he s a id to he r , "Yo ur mis tr e s s a nd I r e q uir e a fe w minute s o f p r iva c y. " N ina r e s p o nd e d to his c o mma nd ing to ne with a q uic k no d a nd he a d e d s tr a ight fo r the d o o r . Ale xa nd r a b r is tle d a t his p r e s ump tio n a nd he r fr ie nd ' s d e fe c tio n. The la s t thing s he wa nte d wa s to b e le ft a lo ne with him, e s p e c ia lly a fte r a ll tho s e glo o my p r e d ic tio ns the Ra zins ha d ma d e . S o he r vo ic e wa s a b it s ha r p whe n s he s a id , "Yo u d o n' t ha ve to le a ve , N ina . " N o o ne p a id he r the le a s t a tte ntio n. Va s ili s te p p e d into the r o o m, he ld the d o o r fo r N ina ' s e xit, a nd c lo s e d it b e hind he r . Ale xa nd r a c o ns id e r e d s ho uting b e fo r e N ina go t o ut o f e a r s ho t, fo r he r no t to go fa r , b ut tha t s ma c k e d to o muc h o f c o wa r d ic e .

Be s id e s , wha te ve r wo r r y s he fe lt wa s o ve r r id d e n b y p ur e a nno ya nc e , whic h wa s unmis ta k a b le in he r to ne . "C o uld n' t this wa it until to mo r r o w, P e tr o ff? " His e ye s c a me b a c k to he r . W e r e the y e ve n b r ighte r no w? I mp o s s ib le . "N o , it c a n' t wa it, no t if I ' m go ing to ge t a ny s le e p , " he r e p lie d a s he to o k the s te p tha t na r r o we d the d is ta nc e b e twe e n the m a nd fo r c e d he r to tilt he r he a d if s he wa nte d to ma inta in e ye c o nta c t with him. "Yo u d o wa nt me to ge t s o me s le e p , d o n' t yo u, Ale xa nd r a ? " His to ne s o und e d to o o mino us b y ha lf. "Ar e yo u a c tua lly a s s uming it ma tte r s to me o ne wa y o r the o the r ? " "I t s ho uld . " His to ne b e c a me e ve n s o fte r . "Yo u s e e , I ' ve jus t d is c o ve r e d I ' m r a the r p e r ve r s e a nd s e lfis h in tha t r e s p e c t. I f my ne e d s a r e n' t s e e n to , why, the n, I a s k mys e lf, s ho uld yo ur s b e ? " Ale xa nd r a ha te d to s a y it, b ut ha d to . "Ar e we ta lk ing a b o ut s le e p ? " "Ar e we ? " As he s a id it, he r e a c he d fo r a lo c k o f he r ha ir tha t r e s te d o n he r s ho uld e r , a nd r ub b e d it b e twe e n his finge r s . "S o this is wha t it lo o k s lik e , " he a d d e d to hims e lf. S p un mo o nb e a ms c a me to mind . Va s ili wa s n' t s ur e wha t he wa s d o ing. Ange r ha d b r o ught him he r e a nd it wa s s till with him, b ut no w it wa s mo r e s e lf- d ir e c te d , a nd no t the o nly e mo tio n he ha d to d e a l with. Tha t d a mn d inne r . He ' d ne ve r fo r ge t it, a nd ho w he ' d go ne fr o m fur y to s a tis fa c tio n a nd b a c k to fur y a ga in, e nd ing up fur io us with hims e lf r a the r tha n he r . He s ho uld n' t ha ve c o ntinue d to wa tc h Ale xa nd r a a nd he r a p p a lling e a ting ha b its . He s ho uld ha ve ta k e n his s a tis fa c tio n a nd r e lie f to b e d with him, a nd the s e r ving we nc h, to o , d e s p ite the fa c t tha t he no lo nge r fo und he r a p p e a ling. But he ha d n' t le ft the c o mmo n r o o m s o o n e no ugh. And s o he ' d witne s s e d the ve r y s e ns ua l wa y Ale xa nd r a ha d lic k e d he r finge r s , whic h ha d ins ta ntly s tir r e d his s e ns e s to vib r a nt life . He ' d gr o a ne d the n. He gr o a ne d a ga in no w, tho ugh s ile ntly, b e c a us e he s till d id n' t ha ve his d e s ir e und e r c o ntr o l. I t wa s into le r a b le tha t he c o uld wa nt he r a ga in whe n he d e s p is e d e ve r ything a b o ut he r : he r ma nne r s , he r mo r a ls , he r a p p a r e nt vic io us te nd e nc ie s . He r e c a lle d tho s e vic io us te nd e nc ie s a nd tha t e mb a r r a s s ing s c e ne he ha d s uffe r e d thr o ugh, a nd r e ma r k e d no ne to o p le a s a ntly, "W ha t a little s a va ge yo u a r e , s we e the a r t. " Ale xa nd r a s ho uld ha ve b e e n p le a s e d , d e lighte d , e ve n la ughing o ve r his d e r is io n, s o s he ha d no b us ine s s b lus hing, ye t tha t wa s wha t s he wa s d o ing. And it go t wo r s e whe n he a d d e d with a d e lib e r a te s ne e r , "Te ll me , d o yo u b r ing tha t k ind o f p a s s io n to yo ur b e d ? " S tiffly, s he r e p lie d , "Yo u d o n' t e xp e c t me to a ns we r tha t, d o yo u? " "M a yb e I e xp e c t to find o ut fir s tha nd . " Ha d s he b e e n b lus hing b e fo r e ? S he c o uld s we a r s he wa s giving o ff s te a m no w. "I wo uld n' t ha ve tho ught yo u' d b e in s uc h a hur r y to s e a l o ur fa te . "

He c o c k e d a b r o w a t he r in a lo o k tha t wa s d e s igne d to p r o vo k e b y its ve r y a r r o ga nc e . "I s tha t r e ma r k s up p o s e d to b e p e r tine nt to a nything? " "Yo u' d b e fo r c ing this ma r r ia ge , whic h wo uld p ut a n e nd to a ny mind - c ha nging fo r e ithe r o f us . " He a c tua lly la ughe d b e fo r e he to ld he r , "Do n' t b e a b s ur d , Ale x. W ha t' s o ne mo r e lo ve r to yo u whe n yo u' ve a lr e a d y ha d s o ma ny? " By his e xp r e s s io n, s he r e a lize d he wa s n' t me r e ly tr ying to o ffe nd he r this time . He r e a lly b e lie ve d wha t he ' d jus t s a id — whic h ga ve he r a ho r r ib ly c o ntr a d ic to r y fe e ling. S he wa s gla d , s he tr uly wa s , tha t he c o uld think s uc h a thing a b o ut he r , b e c a us e it c o uld a id he r o wn p la n. S o why d id s he fe e l ins ulte d ? S he tr ie d , d e s p e r a te ly, to c ha nge the s ub je c t b y p ic k ing o ne wo r d o ut o f wha t he ' d jus t s a id . "O nly my fr ie nd s ge t to c a ll me tha t, " s he s ta te d , in r e fe r e nc e to the "Ale x" he ' d us e d . His s mile wa s c o nd e s c e nd ing, a s if he we r e a b o ut to e xp la in s o me thing to a s imp le to n. "But I ' m mo r e tha n a fr ie nd . I ' m s o o n to b e yo ur hus b a nd , with a ll the r ights tha t e nta ils . S ha ll we ha ve a d e mo ns tr a tio n o f s o me o f tho s e r ights ? " "The o nly d e mo ns tr a tio n yo u' ll b e giving is ho w to le a ve a r o o m in a hur r y. Yo u c a n b e gin no w. " His a ns we r wa s to gr a b he r s ho uld e r s a nd s lo wly p ull he r to wa r d him. The une xp e c te d mo ve b r o ught he r ha nd s a wa y fr o m he r thr o a t to b r a c e fla t a ga ins t his c he s t s o s he c o uld p us h. He r e ffo r t wa s us e le s s . He d id n' t b ud ge . O nly he no tic e d tha t he r r o b e fe ll o p e n. W ith he r e xc e s s ive ly mo d e s t nightgo wn it s ho uld n' t ha ve ma tte r e d , a nd it wo uld n' t ha ve if s he d id n' t ha ve s uc h la r ge b r e a s ts tha t we r e no lo nge r hid d e n b e ne a th he r a r ms . His e ye s we r e d r a wn to the unb o und p a ir ins ta ntly. He d r e w he r c lo s e r to him. He r b r a c e d a r ms we r e a c tua lly b e nd ing . . . "W ha t the he ll d o yo u think yo u' r e d o ing, P e tr o ff? " s he d e ma nd e d , gr a te ful no t to he a r the p a nic s he wa s fe e ling in he r vo ic e . He he a r d it, a nd igno r e d it. "I ' m think ing I ' m go ing to find o ut wha t yo u ta s te lik e . " "N o ! " He r r e fus a l wa s n' t to o la te , it wa s me r e ly igno r e d . His s tr o ng a r ms we r e d r a wing he r s o c lo s e no w tha t s he wa s flus h with his b o d y, fe e ling mo r e o f it tha n s he ' d e ve r ho p e d to fe e l. And wa r m lip s to o k c a r e o f a ny mo r e p r o te s ts s he ' d b e e n a b o ut to ma k e , a t le a s t te mp o r a r ily. S ho c k to o k c a r e o f the r e s t. N o t o nc e ha d s he c o ns id e r e d tha t this might b e o ne o f the d a nge r s o f this tr ip . Ho w c o uld s he ha ve , whe n s he k ne w e xa c tly ho w Va s ili fe lt a b o ut ma r r ying he r , a nd he k ne w s he fe lt e xa c tly the s a me ? Ye t he r e s he s to o d , wr a p p e d in his a r ms , b e ing k is s e d b y him. The s ho c k c a me fr o m d is c o ve r ing imme d ia te ly tha t C hr is to p he r ha d n' t ta ught he r a ll the r e wa s to k no w a b o ut k is s ing, a s s he ' d na ive ly tho ught. S he ' d b e e n thr ille d with C hr is to p he r ' s k is s e s b e c a us e s he lo ve d him, b ut the tr uth wa s , he k ne w ne xt to no thing a b o ut k is s ing c o mp a r e d with this ma n. This

ma n c o ns ume d he r s e ns e s a nd c o ntr o lle d e ve r y o ne o f the m, a nd no t jus t with his mo uth, b ut with his b o d y. The ha nd he p la c e d o n he r b a c k k e p t he r fr o m r e tr e a ting fr o m the s lo w r ub a nd p r e s s o f his c he s t, whic h ga ve he r the o d d e s t fe e ling, a s if he r b r e a s ts we r e b e ing c a r e s s e d a nd k ne a d e d b y tur ns . The p o s itio n o f his o the r ha nd o n the s o ft c ur ve o f he r b e hind wa s e ve n wo r s e , lift ing he r a s it d id until the ha r d b ulge o f him wa s s e ttle d d ir e c tly a t the junc tur e o f he r le gs . S he wa s a s s a ile d o n e ve r y s e ns ua l fr o nt, o ve r whe lme d b y s e ns a tio ns ne wly d is c o ve r e d , a nd a ll the while his to ngue ma d e a d e e p , e r o tic fo r a y into he r mo uth to c o mp le te the d e s tr uc tio n o f he r will. Va s ili wa s no le s s c a ught in the s to r m o f his o wn c r e a tio n. W ha t ha d s ta r te d a s a me a ns to c o e r c e he r into b a c k ing d o wn fr o m he r thr e a t o f p ub lic s c e ne s b e c a me s o me thing e ls e e ntir e ly. The s e c o nd he fe lt the we ight o f tho s e lus c io us b r e a s ts a ga ins t him, s he b e c a me s imp ly a ve r y d e s ir a b le wo ma n. And Va s ili ne ve r d e nie d hims e lf d e s ir a b le wo me n, e s p e c ia lly whe n a b e d wa s ne a r a t ha nd a nd the d o o r fir mly c lo s e d . . . The d o o r o p e ne d a b r up tly, s la mme d o p e n, a c tua lly. Va s ili a nd Ale xa nd r a s e p a r a te d jus t a s a b r up tly, s he in s o me wha t o f a d a ze , he s c o wling a t the intr ud e r . "S o r r y, " N ina o ffe r e d fo r the no is e , b ut the r e a s o n fo r it wa s a p p a r e nt whe n the y no te d s he ha d he r ha nd s full tr ying to r e s tr a in the huge wo lfho und tha t wa s d e te r mine d to c ha r ge Ale xa nd r a with a gr e e ting. "He wa s whining a nd d is tur b ing a ll the ho r s e s , " s he s a id b y wa y o f e xp la na tio n fo r Bo jik ' s p r e s e nc e . I t wa s a b la ta nt lie a nd Ale xa nd r a k ne w it, s o s he fo r ga ve N ina fo r he r e a r lie r d e fe c tio n— until the gir l a d d e d , a lb e it inno c e ntly, "He ' s no t go ing to b e ha p p y until he ' s s le e p ing with yo u, Ale x. " The y a ll thr e e b lus he d within s e c o nd s a fte r tha t la s t s ta te me nt, e a c h o f the m think ing o f a "he " o the r tha n Bo jik — a nd tha t the y we r e a ll think ing the s a me thing, a nd k ne w it, ma d e it s o muc h wo r s e . Ale xa nd r a we nt d o wn o n o ne k ne e to s ummo n he r p e t, a nd the wa y he fle w o ut o f N ina ' s gr ip p r o ve d ho w little c o ntr o l s he ' d a c tua lly ha d o f him. Ale xa nd r a hid he r ho t c he e k a ga ins t Bo jik ' s ne c k a s s he s a id fr o s tily, "Go o d night, P e tr o ff. And in the futur e , if yo u wis h to s p e a k to me , yo u will d o s o in p ub lic , a t a d e c e nt ho ur . " "Do n' t c o unt o n it— Ale x. " Afte r the d o o r c lo s e d a ga in, lo ud ly, N ina r e ma r k e d in a s ub d ue d to ne , "Yo u' r e luc k y yo u d id n' t s e e his fa c e whe n he s a id tha t. " Ale xa nd r a gla nc e d up no w, b ut s till ma d e a q uic k s c a n o f the r o o m to a s s ur e he r s e lf he wa s r e a lly go ne , b e fo r e s he a s k e d , "W hy? " "Be c a us e a s e xp r e s s io n go , his s a id he me a nt it. " 15 I f Va s ili a c c o mp lis he d a nything d ur ing his vis it to Ale xa nd r a ' s r o o m, it wa s e ns ur ing tha t Ale xa nd r a s ha r e d his a ntic ip a te d la c k o f s le e p tha t night. S he

c o uld no t s to p think ing a b o ut his k is s a nd the une xp e c te d fe e lings it ha d p r o d uc e d in he r , s e ns a tio ns s he ha d ne ve r k no wn s he c o uld fe e l. S he a ls o b e r a te d he r s e lf fo r s ta nd ing the r e lik e a ha lf- wit a nd le tting him d o tha t to he r , r e ga r d le s s o f the fa c t tha t s he k ne w p e r fe c tly we ll s he ' d b e e n to o s tunne d to d o a nything b ut le t him. W hic h wo uld n' t ha p p e n a ga in, s he p r o mis e d he r s e lf. N o t tha t the r e wo uld b e a ny mo r e k is s ing with him a t a ll, s he a ls o p r o mis e d he r s e lf. M o s tly, tho ugh, s he s p e nt lo ng ho ur s tr ying to figur e o ut why Va s ili ha d k is s e d he r a t a ll, b e c a us e s he c e r ta inly d id n' t b e lie ve tha t it ha d ha d a nything to d o with k e e p ing he r a wa k e , a s he ' d s ugge s te d , e ve n if tha t wa s e xa c tly wha t it ha d d o ne . And wha t, he a ve n he lp he r , wo uld ha ve ha p p e ne d if N ina ha d n' t c o me b a c k whe n s he ha d ? Ale xa nd r a wo uld ha ve lik e d to think s he wo uld ha ve c o me to he r s e ns e s a nd s ho ute d fo r the Ra zin b r o the r s , who we r e s le e p ing in the r o o m ne xt to he r s . But s he c o uld n' t b e s ur e o f a nything la s t night. This mo r ning, ho we ve r , with a la c k o f s le e p ma k ing he r ir r ita b le , s he wa s muc h mo r e s ur e a b o ut wha t s he wo uld ha ve d o ne . S he wo uld n' t ha ve d o ne a ny s ho uting, b ut wo uld ha ve s la p p e d tha t p r o fliga te r a k e s o und ly fo r his e ffo r t, the n wa r ne d him gr a p hic a lly wha t wo uld ha p p e n if he e ve r tr ie d it a ga in. S he ha d a ne w ima ge to up ho ld , a fte r a ll, a nd the ne w, ill- ma nne r e d , c r ud e , o utla nd is h Ale xa nd r a wo uld n' t to le r a te b e ing tr ifle d with b y tha t ma s te r s e d uc e r , e ve n if he d id think he ha d s o me r ights whe r e s he wa s c o nc e r ne d . Ha d n' t s he p r o ve d jus t tha t the p r e vio us e ve ning in the c o mmo n r o o m? S he ha d p ulle d tha t p ub lic s c e ne o ff b e a utifully, ye t s he wis he d s he ha d n' t ha d a n und e r lying fur y go a d ing he r . His p r o p o s itio ning a no the r wo ma n, r ight in fr o nt o f he r , s ho uld n' t ha ve a ffe c te d he r . S he ' d b e e n wa r ne d it wo uld ha p p e n, a nd it me r e ly c o nfir me d tha t he wa s the d e s p ic a b le ma n s he ha d a lr e a d y gue s s e d him to b e . But tha t, to o , a c c o unte d fo r s o me to s s ing a nd tur ning la s t night. Ale xa nd r a wa s the la s t to a r r ive a t the s ta b le s fo r d e p a r tur e , whic h d id n' t he lp he r d is p o s itio n a ny. I f tha t go ld e n p o p inja y ha d go tte n a go o d night' s s le e p a fte r d is tur b ing he r s , s he ' d ha ve a s c o r e to s e ttle tha t ha d no thing to d o with he r p la n to ge t r id o f he r b e tr o the d . The wa go ns ha d a lr e a d y b e e n s e nt o n the ir wa y a nd we r e fa r d o wn the r o a d , a s we r e mo s t o f he r ho r s e s . S te nk a he ld P r inc e M is c ha in r e a d ine s s fo r he r . Va s ili, who wa s mo unte d o n his r o a n s ta llio n, wa s c lo s e e no ugh to he r ho r s e tha t it wa s o b vio us he wa s wa iting fo r he r . To ha ve mo r e wo r d s ? S he ' d b e ha p p y to o b lige him. The lo o k he ga ve he r c o uld ha ve b e e n me r e ly inq uir ing, b ut s he s a w mo r e in it tha n tha t— glo a ting s mugne s s , to b e e xa c t. S o the mo me nt s he mo unte d s he tur ne d to him a nd a s k e d , "W hy d id yo u k is s me la s t night? " Va s ili s a id no thing fo r a mo me nt, a nd no t b e c a us e he wa s wa iting fo r S te nk a to mo ve o ut o f he a r ing d is ta nc e . He wa s gr itting his te e th a ga ins t his s ur p r is e . He wo uld ge t us e d to he r b luntne s s . The a d va nta ge it ga ve he r b y c a tc hing him o ff gua r d lik e this wa s into le r a b le . F ina lly, tight- lip p e d , he ga ve he r a n a ns we r . ' The little we nc h I wo uld ha ve b e e n k is s ing la s t night to o k fr ight a nd d is a p p e a r e d . "

W he n he e nd e d the r e , s he wa s fo r c e d to d r a w he r o wn c o nc lus io n. "Ah, I s e e . I f yo u d o n' t ge t yo ur fir s t c ho ic e , yo u s e ttle fo r s e c o nd ? But I ha ve a thir d o p tio n fo r yo u tha t yo u wo uld b e wis e to c o ns id e r . K e e p yo ur p a nts o n, P e tr o ff— a t le a s t until yo u b r e a k this b e tr o tha l. " S he s mile d a s s he s a id the la s t p a r t. He s mile d r ight b a c k a t he r a nd le a ne d fo r wa r d to r e a c h fo r he r ne c k . S he k ne w e xa c tly wha t he me a nt to d o — d r a w he r fo r wa r d to k is s he r a ga in, to p r o ve he wo uld n' t b e d ic ta te d to . W ith a nud ge a nd a ya nk fr o m Ale xa nd r a , P r inc e M is c ha r e a r e d up o n his hind le gs . Va s ili wa s fo r c e d to c o ntr o l his r o a n, whic h s hie d a wa y. Ale xa nd r a r o d e o ff b e fo r e he ha d q uite ma na ge d it. S he c o ns id e r e d tha t r o und he r s — fo r a ll o f five minute s . Tha t wa s ho w lo ng it to o k Va s ili to c a tc h up with he r a nd lite r a lly lift he r o ff he r ho r s e a nd o nto his . The a c tio n wa s to o une xp e c te d a nd no t the le a s t b it p le a s a nt. By the time he wa s d o ne s itua ting he r fo r his c o mfo r t, s he wa s ne s tle d fir mly b e twe e n his thighs , his a r ms c a ging he r s id e wa ys a ga ins t his c he s t. And b e ing tha t c lo s e to him, s ur r o und e d b y him, r e c a lle d to he r to o ma ny s e ns a tio ns o f the p r e vio us night. S he p us he d tho s e fe e lings a s id e to gla r e up a t him. "And wha t a r e yo u go ing to d o no w, P e tr o ff— b e s id e s ma k e a n a s s o f yo ur s e lf? " "Go a d me a ny fur the r , s we e the a r t, a nd we ' ll r id e o ff to lo c a te s o me p r iva te p la c e to find o ut. " S he wo uld a s s o o n no t, b ut d id n' t s a y s o . Bo jik wa s a lr e a d y b a r k ing a t the r o a n' s fe e t, ma k ing the s ta llio n s id e s te p a nd d a nc e ne r vo us ly. All thr e e Ra zin b r o the r s r o d e up b e hind the m to ma k e the ir p r e s e nc e fe lt, S te nk a ha ving ta k e n up P r inc e M ic ha ' s r e ins . The y wo uld n' t s a y a nything, a t le a s t no t ye t. S he d id n' t wa nt the m inte r fe r ing a nywa y, a nd ge tting o n Va s ili' s b a d s id e . This wa s no t a n a la r ming s itua tio n, a fte r a ll— e xc e p t to he r e mo tio ns . "Ab o ut my q ue s tio n? " s he p r o mp te d . His a ns we r wa s a c ur t "C a ll o ff the d o g. " S he wo uld ha ve la ughe d , if s he we r e in a ny o the r p o s itio n. S he lie d ins te a d . "Bo jik wo n' t lis te n a s lo ng a s he think s I ' m in d a nge r . " "Yo u ha ve the b e s t- tr a ine d ho r s e s I ' ve e ve r s e e n. Yo u e xp e c t me to b e lie ve yo u wo uld n' t give the s a me d is c ip line to yo ur d o g? " He wa s p la ying unfa ir ly, ma k ing a c o mme nt tha t s he ha d to a c c e p t a s a c o mp lime nt. He r ho r s e s we r e he r p r id e a nd jo y. S he c o uld n' t he lp b e ing p le a s e d tha t he ' d no tic e d ho w s up e r b ly the y ha nd le d . Be s id e s , s he wa s n' t go ing to r is k injur y to a ho r s e , e ve n his , jus t b e c a us e s he ' d lik e to ge t o ff his la p imme d ia te ly. S o s he s a id Bo jik ' s na me in a to ne the a nima l r e c o gnize d a nd ins ta ntly he e d e d . The b a r k ing s to p p e d . The b ig s ta llio n s e ttle d d o wn s o o n a fte r . And Va s ili s a id , "N o w yo u c a n d o the s a me with yo ur C o s s a c k s . " O ne c o nc e s s io n o n he r p a r t wa s e no ugh a s fa r a s s he wa s c o nc e r ne d . "W he n the y s ta r t b a r k ing, I will, " s he r e p lie d in a lo w gr umb le .

"I ' m go ing to p r e te nd I d id n' t he a r tha t. " "And I ' ll p r e te nd yo u ha ve n' t lo s t yo ur mind , " s he s ho t b a c k . S ud d e nly s he fe lt his c he s t r umb ling with la ughte r . I t ha d n' t b e e n he r inte ntio n to a mus e him, a nything b ut, ye t wha t s he wa s he a r ing wa s the s o und o f ge nuine humo r . And it ha d him s to p p ing his mo unt. "I t' s a b o ut time , " s he s a id , b ut a p p a r e ntly s he ha d s a id this to o s o o n. He wa s n' t p utting he r d o wn, he wa s tur ning to a d d r e s s the Ra zins . "M y b e tr o the d a nd I a r e go ing to ta lk , to ge t to k no w e a c h o the r b e tte r . Rid e a he a d . W e d o n' t ne e d yo ur e s c o r t fo r c o nve r s a tio n. " The y d id n' t r id e a he a d , o f c o ur s e . The y s ta r e d a t Va s ili fo r a mo me nt, the n the y s ta r e d a t Ale xa nd r a , a nd s he wa s c lo s e to gr o wling, s he wa s s o infur ia te d . Va s ili wa s go ing to fo r c e he r to ma k e this c o nc e s s io n, to o , o r p it him a ga ins t he r me n, whic h c o uld ha ve r e p e r c us s io ns s he d id n' t wa nt to find o ut a b o ut. Did he k no w s he wo uld give in, o r wo uld he b a c k d o wn if s he d id n' t? S he wa s n' t go ing to r is k it. S he ga ve the no d tha t a llo we d he r fr ie nd s to d e p a r t witho ut wo r r y, b ut s he d id it s o imp e r c e p tib ly, s he ho p e d Va s ili ha d n' t no tic e d . And s he tho ught he might no t ha ve whe n he tur ne d to fo llo w the Ra zins a nd the r e s t o f the ir p a r ty, tho ugh a t a muc h mo r e le is ur e ly p a c e . But a s s o o n a s the y we r e b e yo nd s ho uting d is ta nc e , he s a id , "A wis e c ho ic e . " S inc e s he ha d no d e s ir e to find o ut wha t he me a nt b y tha t, s he igno r e d it a nd s a id ins te a d , "Yo u d o n' t wa nt to ge t to k no w me , P e tr o ff, a ny mo r e tha n I wa nt to k no w yo u a ny b e tte r , s o wha t wa s the p o int o f this ? " ' To p r o ve tha t yo u a r e s ub je c t to me , whe the r yo u lik e it o r no t. " "W e ll, yo u c e r ta inly ma d e yo ur p o int, d id n' t yo u? " s he r e p lie d s o ur ly. "But no thing ha s b e e n p r o ve d , s inc e yo ur a utho r ity r e q uir e s my c o o p e r a tio n, a nd my c o o p e r a tio n is in no wa y gua r a nte e d . " His a r ms c lo s e d a little tighte r a r o und he r a nd his he a d b e nt fo r wa r d until his lip s we r e ve r y ne a r to he r e a r . "The n p e r ha p s I s ho uld e xtr a c t a fe w p r o mis e s fr o m yo u, " he s a id in a vo ic e s he r e c o gnize d a s s e d uc tive b e c a us e o f wha t it ma d e he r fe e l. He r e lb o w to his b e lly wo r k e d to ga in he r s o me b r e a thing s p a c e , b ut o nly b e c a us e he wa s n' t e xp e c ting it. "N o p r o mis e s , P e tr o ff. N o t a s ingle o ne . And we ' ve ha d e no ugh p o int- p r o ving a nd ta lk , s o p ut me d o wn. " "W he n yo u s a y p le a s e , ve r y, ve r y nic e ly, " he s a id in a s o ft his s . S he ' d ma na ge d to ma k e him a ngr y, p r o b a b ly with he r e lb o w. But s he wa s jus t a s a ngr y tha t he ' d ma d e he r p a nic e no ugh to hit him. "Go to he ll, " wa s he r c ur t r e p ly, b ut it d id n' t ge t he r p ut d o wn. He c o ntinue d a t a me r e wa lk , s till ma inta ining a fa r d is ta nc e fr o m the r e s t o f the ir gr o up . He r s ile nc e s a id he wa s n' t go ing to ge t the "p le a s e " he ' d r e q ue s te d , s o s he wo nd e r e d ho w lo ng he wo uld ma k e the m s uffe r this unc o mfo r ta b le r id e b e fo r e jo ining the o the r s . C o uld he b e a s s tub b o r n a s s he wa s ?

"I b e lie ve it wa s me ntio ne d tha t yo u ha ve s is te r s , " he s a id s ud d e nly, p r o ving tha t he wa s c ur io us a b o ut he r , if o nly mild ly. "Ar e the y . . . lik e yo u? " C ur io s ity? O r wa s he p a ving the wa y fo r mo r e ins ults ? "The y a r e no thing lik e me , " s he a ns we r e d he s ita ntly. "I wa s ne ve r a ll tha t c lo s e to e ithe r o f the m. The y ha d the ir inte r e s ts , a nd I ha d mine . " "And yo ur inte r e s t wo uld b e b r e e d ing ho r s e s . " S he d e te c te d the c e ns ur e , a nd r e p lie d d e fe ns ive ly. "J us t b e c a us e I ' m a wo ma n d o e s n' t me a n— " "I wa s n' t c r itic izing yo u, " he c ut in. "W e r e n' t yo u? I d o ub t tha t. But it c e r ta inly d o e s n' t ma tte r to me wha t yo u think . " N o w his to ne tur ne d d r y. "S o I ' ve ga the r e d . " W he n he fe ll s ile nt a ga in, s he d e c id e d s he might a s we ll c a tc h up o n s o me lo s t s le e p . He r b a c k wa s s up p o r te d b y his a r m. S he jus t ha d to le a n he r he a d a ga ins t his c he s t. . . "Us ua lly whe n a wo ma n is this c lo s e to me , I a m c o mp e lle d to to uc h he r , " Va s ili r e ma r k e d o ffha nd e d ly. "S inc e mo s t o f the time yo u d o n' t lo o k lik e a wo ma n in yo ur r id ic ulo us a ttir e , e xc e p t fo r tho s e lo ve ly b r e a s ts o f yo ur s , I c a n p r o b a b ly r e s tr a in mys e lf— fo r a while . " Ale xa nd r a ' s e ye s r o und e d inc r e d ulo us ly. All tho ughts o f s le e p we r e go ne , a ll tho ughts o f e s c a p e p r e va le nt. But s he wa s n' t r e a d y to s a y "P le a s e " ye t. "Tha t is n' t funny, P e tr o ff. " "Ac tua lly, it' s s o me thing o f a jo k e , a nd I d o n' t find it a mus ing e ithe r , s inc e it' s o n me . " S he r e fus e d to a s k fo r a n e xp la na tio n tha t s he wa s s ur e s he wo uld n' t lik e . "P ut me d o wn. " "S a y p le a s e . " "Da mmit, p ut me d o wn! " I t lo o k e d lik e he wa s go ing to whe n he p ut b o th r e ins in the ha nd who s e a r m wa s s up p o r ting he r . Tha t le ft his o the r ha nd fr e e , b ut ins te a d o f us ing it to lo we r he r to the gr o und , he lifte d he r c hin s o tha t s he wa s s ta r ing a t him a s his he a d b e ga n to lo we r . "I d id tr y, " he s a id in a hus k y whis p e r . S he wa s me s me r ize d , fo r a ll o f two b r e a thle s s s e c o nd s . The n the fe a r o f b e ing lo s t to tho s e s a me s e ns a tio ns s he ha d e xp e r ie nc e d la s t night ha d he r b ur s ting o ut with "P le a s e , p le a s e , p le a s e . " F o r a b r ie f mo me nt, he lo o k e d d is a p p o inte d tha t s he ' d give n in. And the n he fo und s a tis fa c tio n in winning. Ano the r mo me nt a nd s he wa s o n the gr o und , a nd ha d to s uffe r tha t s mug s mile lo o k ing d o wn a t he r . "The r e is a le s s o n to b e le a r ne d he r e , s we e the a r t, " he s a id with a he a vy d o s e o f a r r o ga nc e . "I t p a ys to give in s o o ne r , b e c a us e d e la y will c a us e no thing b ut unp le a s a ntne s s . "

Le s s o n, o r wa r ning? But s he d id n' t ha ve to wo nd e r whe the r he ha d c ha nge d the s ub je c t a nd wa s ta lk ing a b o ut the b e tr o tha l no w, r a the r tha n the "p le a s e s " he ' d jus t go t. "The n it' s a le s s o n yo u s ho uld he e d yo ur s e lf, P e tr o ff, " s he r e p lie d , a nd the n c a lle d s ha r p ly, "Bo jik ! " The wo lfho und wa s a t he r s id e a lmo s t ins ta ntly, b a r k ing s o lo ud a nd vic io us ly tha t Va s ili' s s ta llio n to o k fr ight this time a nd r a c e d o ff a t a b r e a k ne c k s p e e d , no t d o wn the r o a d , b ut a c r o s s a ne a r b y fie ld . Ale xa nd r a gr inne d a s s he wa tc he d Va s ili tr y to b r ing the a nima l und e r c o ntr o l, a nd no t ve r y s uc c e s s fully. S he might ha ve to wa lk a while until o ne o f the Ra zins no tic e d s he wa s o n fo o t a nd c a me b a c k fo r he r , b ut s he d id n' t mind in the le a s t. S he e ve n la ughe d a s s he r uffle d he r d o g' s ha ir a nd s ta r te d d o wn the r o a d . "He wa nts to ma k e p o ints , Bo jik , b ut I d o n' t think he ' s go ing to lik e o ur s , is he ? " 16 A full we e k p a s s e d witho ut a ny fur the r inc id e nts , p o s s ib ly b e c a us e Va s ili a nd Ale xa nd r a to o k p a ins to a vo id ta lk ing to e a c h o the r . Bo th wo uld ha ve p r e fe r r e d to a vo id s e e ing e a c h o the r a s we ll, b ut tha t wa s imp o s s ib le to ma na ge , tho ugh Va s ili c e r ta inly ga ve it his b e s t e ffo r t b y c o ntinuing to r id e fa r a he a d o f the p a r ty e a c h d a y. Twic e the y ha d c a mp e d o ut in the c o untr ys id e , a nd a ltho ugh Ale xa nd r a ha d e xp e c te d a fight a b o ut d o ing s o fr o m the fa s tid io us p o p inja y, s he d id n' t ge t o ne e ithe r time . Ha d s he b e e n p r ivy to Va s ili' s tr ue fe e lings , s he ' d ha ve k no wn ho w c lo s e s he ' d c o me to inc iting o ne . But Va s ili ha d c o me to und e r s ta nd in the s ho r t time he ' d k no wn he r tha t he r ho r s e s we r e o f p a r a mo unt imp o r ta nc e to he r a nd tha t s he c o uld n' t b e b ud ge d o n the is s ue o f the ir s a fe ty. And tr uth b e k no wn, he d id n' t lik e tr a ve ling in the d a r k a ny mo r e tha n s he d id . Ha d he o b je c te d , he wo uld ha ve d o ne s o o ut o f s he e r c o ntr a r ine s s , whic h wa s n' t to s a y tha t a n o b je c tio n wa s n' t highly p r o b a b le in his p r e s e nt s ta te o f mind . He wa s n' t ha p p y with the p r o gr e s s he wa s ma k ing. La za r wa s r ight: he c o uld n' t le a ve his fa te e ntir e ly in his mo the r ' s ha nd s . He d id b e lie ve s he wo uld fo r b id the ma r r ia ge o nc e s he s a w ho w fa r fr o m a la d y Ale xa nd r a a c tua lly wa s , b a r o ne s s o r no t. But the r e wa s a s lim c ha nc e tha t s he might think s he c o uld c o r r e c t Ale xa nd r a ' s fa ults ins te a d . And a ltho ugh Va s ili vie we d s uc h a n und e r ta k ing a s a n imp o s s ib ility, he k ne w his o p inio n wo uld n' t b e ta k e n into a c c o unt if his mo the r ma d e up he r mind to tr y. I gno r ing Ale xa nd r a ha d s e e me d a no the r id e a l s o lutio n to his d ile mma whe n it ha d fir s t o c c ur r e d to him. Any o the r wo ma n who m he wa s invo lve d with wo uld n' t ha ve s to o d fo r s uc h la c k o f a tte ntio n o n his p a r t. S he wo uld ha ve s ho wn him e xtr e me s o f e mo tio n in r e ta lia tio n. But Ale xa nd r a wa s no t a ny wo ma n. And tha t s he s e e me d ha p p y tha t he wa s a vo id ing he r a nno ye d him in the e xtr e me . P e r ha p s he s ho uld ha ve s e d uc e d he r fir s t a nd the n igno r e d he r . Da mne d wo ma n, c o uld n' t s he e ve n r e a c t p r o p e r ly? Did s he ha ve to b e d iffe r e nt in e ve r y wa y?

Eve n the r a r e fe w time s the y d id ha p p e n to ha ve wo r d s , a nd he tur ne d o n his c o nte mp t full b la s t, it s e e me d to jus t r o ll o ff he r . Va s ili wa s e ve n b e ginning to s us p e c t tha t s he s o me ho w fo und his d e r is io n a mus ing. I t wa s no thing tha t he c o uld p ut his finge r o n, no tur ning o f the lip s ho we ve r s light, no c r ink ling o f tho s e p r e tty b lue e ye s . I t wa s mo r e a n utte r ly b la nd lo o k s he ga ve him tha t wa s s o d e vo id o f e xp r e s s io n tha t it ha d to b e s us p e c t. The fa c t wa s , he wa s o ut o f his e le me nt whe r e his b e tr o the d wa s c o nc e r ne d . He wa s to o us e d to d e a ling with wo me n in o nly o ne wa y, with p r a c tic e d c ha r m a nd s e d uc tio n, ne ithe r o f whic h wa s a n o p tio n with Ale xa nd r a if he wa nte d he r to d e s p is e him. I t ha d b e e n a mis ta k e to k is s he r , a nd to ne a r ly k is s he r a ga in, e ve n if it ha d b e e n a n a tte mp t to ma k e he r b a c k d o wn fr o m he r thr e a t o f "p ub lic s c e ne s . " The mis ta k e ha d b e e n a s e r io us o ne fo r him, b e c a us e he wo uld r a the r no t ha ve fo und o ut ho w p e r fe c tly he r b o d y fit to his . And he c o uld d e finite ly ha ve d o ne witho ut d is c o ve r ing tha t the ta s te o f he r wa s lik e a mb r o s ia , he r ha ir lik e s p un s ilk , he r s k in wa r m ve lve t. And to k no w the fe e l o f tho s e ma gnific e nt b r e a s ts c r us he d a ga ins t him. . . I t ha d b e e n a n e ve n wo r s e mis ta k e no t to e xp lo r e tho s e b r e a s ts tho r o ughly whe n he ' d ha d the c ha nc e , b e c a us e no w he d r e a me d o f fo nd ling the m, lic k ing the m, b iting the m. He d r e a me d o f he a r ing he r mo a n with p le a s ur e b e ne a th him. He ha d no b us ine s s d r e a ming o f he r a t a ll. "I c a n' t te ll whe the r the y' r e tr ying to s a ve yo u fr o m the e mb a r r a s s me nt o f Ale xa nd r a ' s c a us ing a no the r s c e ne , " La za r r e ma r k e d o ffha nd e d ly, "o r if the y' r e a b e tting he r in k e e p ing the we nc he s a wa y fr o m yo u. " The y we r e s e a te d in a p r iva te d ining r o o m to night, a t Va s ili' s r e q ue s t, ye t it wa s o nly a s ma ll a lc o ve tha t wa s o p e n o n o ne s id e to the c o mmo n r o o m, whe r e the r e s t o f the ir p a r ty wa s ga the r e d . Va s ili gla nc e d o ut no w to s e e wha t La za r wa s ta lk ing a b o ut, a nd no tic e d tha t the C o s s a c k twins , S te nk a a nd Timo fe e , we r e b o th vying fo r the a tte ntio ns o f the c o o k ' s a s s is ta nt. And the c o o k he r s e lf wa s b e ing whis p e r e d to b y the o ld e r b r o the r , K o n- r a d , o n the o the r s id e o f the r o o m. This wa s a s ma ll p o s ting ho us e tha t e mp lo ye d no s e r ving we nc he s . Ye t the o nly two wo me n who wo r k e d o n the p r e mis e s we r e b e ing e nga ge d . I t ha d b e e n ha p p e ning a ll we e k . W ha te ve r fe ma le s we r e a va ila b le , the C o s s a c k s go t to the m fir s t a nd mo no p o lize d the ir time . Va s ili ha d b e e n b r o o d ing to o muc h to r e a lly no tic e o r c a r e . "W ha te ve r the y' r e d o ing, yo u c a n b e s ur e it' s no t to my b e ne fit, " Va s ili gr umb le d in r e p ly. "W hy d o n' t yo u r id e a he a d to mo r r o w to the ne xt to wn a nd ge t it o ut o f yo ur s ys te m? " La za r s ugge s te d . "I might e ve n jo in yo u. " "An e xc e lle nt id e a , e xc e p t I d o n' t tr us t Ale xa nd r a to s ho w up in the ne xt to wn if I d o tha t. " And he wa s n' t a b o ut to le t he r c a mp in the c o untr ys id e witho ut his b e ing the r e to p r o te c t he r . He d id ha ve a d uty to he r , a fte r a ll, whe the r he wa nte d it o r no t. Va s ili a d d e d in d is gus t, "Eithe r tha t, o r s he will s ho w up a nd te a r the to wn

a p a r t until s he find s whic he ve r we nc h I b e d d e d s o s he c a n c ut he r e a r s o ff. " La za r b ur s t o ut la ughing. Va s ili s c o wle d , b e c a us e it wa s n' t the le a s t b it funny. "Ac tua lly, " La za r s a id , "I ' ve he a r d s he d o e s muc h b e tte r with a ho r s e whip tha n a k nife . " "W ho to ld yo u tha t? " "O ne o f he r gr o o ms . S o me thing a b o ut a yo ung lie ute na nt who a b us e d o ne o f he r ho r s e s . " Va s ili gr o a ne d . "S o s he r e a lly is p r o ne to vio le nc e . " "O nly in d e fe ns e o f wha t' s he r s . " La za r s ta r te d la ughing a ga in b e fo r e he go t o ut, "And yo u, my fr ie nd , s he c o ns id e r s he r s . " Va s ili ga ve tha t r e ma r k the s ile nc e it d e s e r ve d , b ut a while la te r , he wo nd e r e d a lo ud , "Ha ve yo u ha d a ny luc k yo ur s e lf, La za r ? " As us ua l, La za r ha d no d iffic ulty fo llo wing the d r ift o f Va s ili' s tho ughts , e ve n whe n the y we r e n' t fully e xp r e s s e d . "I ' ve b e e n tur ne d d o wn twic e d ue to a s s o c ia tio n, " La za r a d mitte d , s inc e it wa s wo me n the y we r e s till d is c us s ing. "M ind yo u, I ' m no t c o mp la ining. I ' m ha ving mo r e fun wa tc hing yo u p ulling ha ir s a nywa y. " "Do n' t think I ha ve n' t no tic e d , " Va s ili r e p lie d d r yly. "F o r a fr ie nd , yo ur go o d c he e r wa r ms my he a r t, it' s s o o ffe ns ive . " La za r gr inne d unr e p e nta ntly. "At le a s t o ne o f us is b e ginning to e njo y this tr ip . " Va s ili wa ite d a while b e fo r e he a s k e d , "And is my ne me s is e njo ying he r s e lf to night? " "W hy d o n' t yo u lo o k fo r yo ur s e lf? " "Be c a us e it tur ns my s to ma c h to wa tc h he r whe n s he ' s e a ting, " Va s ili lie d . The tr uth wa s , the wa y Ale xa nd r a fe d he r s e lf with he r finge r s , the n lic k e d the m a fte r wa r d , wa s to o d a mn e r o tic fo r him to wa tc h witho ut b e c o ming a r o us e d e ve r y time . He ' d s to p p e d wa tc hing. "Ac tua lly, tho s e mus ic ia ns who wa nd e r e d in a fe w minute s a go ha ve he r full a tte ntio n no w. " Va s ili' s e ye s imme d ia te ly s o ught the mus ic ia ns s e tting up in a c o r ne r o f the r o o m. He r e la xe d o nly a fte r no ting tha t a ll thr e e o f the m we r e b e yo nd the ir mid d le ye a r s , with no thing a b o ut the m to inte r e s t a yo ung wo ma n o the r tha n the e nte r ta inme nt the y c o uld o ffe r . . . Va s ili s lump e d in his c ha ir , inc r e d ulo us o ve r wha t he ' d jus t d o ne . W ha t the he ll d id he c a r e who m Ale xa nd r a might b e a ttr a c te d to ? He d id n' t c a r e . To p r o ve it, he tur ne d to La za r a nd s a id , "W hy d o n' t yo u s e d uc e he r ? " "W hy d o n' t I wha t? " "N o t s o lo ud , d a mmit, " Va s ili c o mp la ine d . "I wa s n' t jo k ing. " "Ye s , yo u we r e , " La za r r e p lie d e mp ha tic a lly.

"W he n it wo uld give me le gitima te gr o und s to ta k e he r b a c k to he r fa the r , yo u k no w I ' m no t jo k ing. I d o n' t k no w why I d id n' t think o f it s o o ne r . " "But this is no t o ne o f yo ur fo r ge t- the - ne xt- d a y wo me n yo u d o n' t mind s ha r ing, Va s ili. W e ' r e ta lk ing a b o ut yo ur b e tr o the d , c ho s e n b y yo ur fa the r , a p p r o ve d b y yo ur mo the r — a t le a s t until s he me e ts he r — yo ur s o o n- to - b e wife . " "A fa c t I ' m tr ying to c ha nge with a little c o o p e r a tio n fr o m a fr ie nd . " "Tha t' s d ir ty. N e xt yo u' ll te ll me yo u' d d o the s a me thing fo r me . " "Yo u k no w I wo uld . " La za r d id k no w it. He a ls o k ne w Va s ili d id n' t ha ve a je a lo us b o ne in his b o d y, a t le a s t whe r e wo me n we r e c o nc e r ne d , s o tha t wa s n' t wha t b o the r e d him. I t wa s tha t Ale xa nd r a wa s n' t lik e a ll tho s e o the r wo me n, e ve n tho ugh Va s ili wa s d e te r mine d to give he r no s p e c ia l d is tinc tio n. "I t wo uld ne ve r wo r k , whe n s he k no ws s he c a n ha ve yo u ins te a d , " La za r p o inte d o ut. "S he d o e s n' t e ve n lo o k a t me , a nd if s he lo o k s a t me , s he d o e s n' t s e e me . I ' ve ne ve r b e e n q uite s o uniq ue ly igno r e d b y a wo ma n b e fo r e . " "Yo u c o uld a t le a s t tr y. " La za r gr ima c e d , b ut no d d e d . "W he n a m I s up p o s e d to a c c o mp lis h this mir a c le ? To night? " Tha t q ue s tio n s e e me d to s ta r tle Va s ili. I t c e r ta inly b r o ught a fr o wn to his b r o w. "N o — yo u d o n' t wa nt to r uin yo ur c ha nc e s b y b e ing to o ha s ty. Ta k e s o me time to c o ns id e r yo ur s tr a te gy fir s t. S le e p o n it. " S inc e La za r wa s n' t lo o k ing fo r wa r d to the r e je c tio n he a ntic ip a te d , he s a id , "By a ll me a ns . " The mus ic ia ns ha d s ta r te d p la ying a live ly fo lk s o ng b y the n. Thr e e me n go t up fr o m the ir ta b le a nd b e ga n to d a nc e o ne o f the Rus s ia n d a nc e s tr a d itio na lly r e s e r ve d o nly fo r me n. The C o s s a c k twins lo o k e d o n d is d a infully. Ale xa nd r a wa s a p p a r e ntly te a s ing the m, b e c a us e the y s ud d e nly go t up a nd jo ine d the d a nc e , a nd Va s ili ha d to a d mit the y we r e d e finite ly mo r e e xub e r a nt, a s we ll a s a d e p t a t it. He k ne w the d a nc e hims e lf, tho ugh it ha d b e e n ye a r s s inc e he ' d tr ie d it. I t r e q uir e d s tr o ng thighs a nd e xc e lle nt b a la nc e fo r the k ic k s a nd . . . He d id n' t b e lie ve it. Ale xa nd r a wo uld n' t d a r e . . . S he wo uld . S he wa s a c tua lly d a nc ing with the me n, a nd the y d id n' t s e e m to mind . M o r e o f he r o wn me n jo ine d in. The s ho uts we r e b e c o ming d e a fe ning. Be s id e him, La za r s a id , "I ' ll b e d a mne d — s he ne ve r c e a s e s to a ma ze ! " Va s ili wa s n' t lis te ning. He wa s wa tc hing ho w tho s e b a ggy p a nts o f he r s tighte ne d with e a c h s q ua t a nd k ic k , ho w he r b r e a s ts b o unc e d whe n s he le a p t, ho w he r fa c e glo we d with e njo yme nt. He ha d to ge t a c lo s e r vie w. He d id n' t ha ve to d a nc e to d o s o , b ut tha t wa s wha t he d id . La te r tha t night, in the b e d the y we r e s ha r ing b e c a us e o f the s ho r ta ge o f r o o ms — a p r o b le m the y we r e o fte n e nc o unte r ing b e c a us e o f the s ize o f the ir p a r ty— La za r wa s s till c huc k ling to hims e lf o ve r Va s ili' s une xp e c te d p a r tic -

ip a tio n in tha t d a nc e . He ha d a c q uitte d hims e lf we ll, a nd Ale xa nd r a c o uld n' t ha ve he lp e d b ut b e imp r e s s e d . I t wa s p r o b a b ly the fir s t a gr e e a b le inte r a c tio n the y' d ha d , a nd witho ut a wo r d s p o k e n. To o b a d the y' d b o th b e e n e mb a r r a s s e d whe n it wa s o ve r . Va s ili wa s n' t s le e p ing ye t e ithe r , b ut it wa s n' t the d a nc e he wa s think ing a b o ut. He s ud d e nly c le a r e d his thr o a t to s a y, "F o r ge t I me ntio ne d it. " O nc e a ga in, La za r k ne w e xa c tly wha t wa s o n his fr ie nd ' s mind , in this c a s e the s e d uc tio n o f his b e tr o the d . "I f s a lr e a d y fo r go tte n, " La za r a s s ur e d him with a gr e a t d e a l o f r e lie f. Va s ili d id n' t le t the s ub je c t d r o p the r e . "Yo u we r e n' t r e a lly c o ns id e r ing it, we r e yo u? " "I wa s me r e ly humo r ing yo u. " "Go o d . " S o me ho w La za r k e p t fr o m la ughing o ut lo ud , b ut d a mn, it wa s n' t e a s y. 17 S no w gr e e te d the m the ne xt mo r ning. The flur r ie s d id n' t la s t lo ng a nd d id n' t s tic k to the gr o und , b ut the te mp e r a tur e d r o p p e d c o ns id e r a b ly fr o m wha t it ha d b e e n the d a y b e fo r e . And the y we r e n' t a nywhe r e ne a r the mo unta ins ye t, whe r e it wa s go ing to b e muc h, muc h c o ld e r . Ale xa nd r a lo ve d s uc h we a the r , b ut s he ha d to o ma ny things o n he r mind to e njo y it. He r p la n wa s n' t wo r k ing a s s wiftly a s s he ha d tho ught it wo uld . Ac tua lly, it d id n' t s e e m to b e wo r k ing a t a ll. N o t o nc e ha d Va s ili r e ma r k e d o n he r d is gus ting e a ting ha b its . The twins ha d fo ught o ne night, a nd ins te a d o f s to p p ing the m with a wo r d , a s s he us ua lly d id whe n s he witne s s e d the ir tus s le s , s he ' d p r e te nd e d to b e fa s c ina te d a nd e nc o ur a ge d the m. But Va s ili ha d n' t c o mme nte d o n he r b lo o d thir s ty b e ha vio r . He ha d n' t no tic e d ye t tha t s he wa s b e ginning to s tink , e ithe r , tho ugh N ina c e r ta inly ha d a nd fr e q ue ntly c o mp la ine d a b o ut it. He ha d n' t e ve n b e e n p r o p e r ly s c a nd a lize d la s t night whe n s he ha d d a nc e d a s tr ic tly ma le d a nc e , a nd s he wa s n' t go ing to think a b o ut ho w muc h fun s he ' d ha d , e ve n with him jo ining in, p a r tic ula r ly a fte r he ' d jo ine d in. The o nly thing Va s ili ha d a llud e d to a t a ll wa s he r uniq ue wa y o f k e e p ing him fa ithful. I f s he tho ught tha t wa s a ll it wo uld ta k e to ma k e him b r e a k the b e tr o tha l, s he c o uld r e la x, b ut he ha d n' t b e e n ne a r ly a ngr y e no ugh the fir s t time s he ' d us e d tha t p lo y, p r o ving tha t muc h mo r e wa s ne e d e d to fina lly ma k e him d is gus te d e no ugh to s e ve r the ir a s s o c ia tio n. N o t tha t s he wa s n' t go ing to c o ntinue to c ur ta il his s e xua l p e c c a d illo s , p ub lic ly a nd p r iva te ly. Do ing s o p r iva te ly wa s n' t a s s a tis fying o r a s s c a nd a lo us a s ma k ing a p ub lic s c e ne , b ut he ha d b e e n c a r e ful no t to p r o p o s itio n a ny mo r e wo me n in fr o nt o f he r . Be c a us e the e mb a r r a s s me nt ha d b e e n wo r s e tha n his s e xua l fr us tr a tio n? I f tha t wa s the c a s e , p e r ha p s a no the r "s c e ne " wa s in o r d e r . M a yb e a s imp le d e mo ns tr a tio n o f te mp e r this time , s o me thing c o mp le te ly unr e la te d to Va s ili, to

s ho w him tha t e ve n if he wa s o n his b e s t b e ha vio r , s he c o uld s till b e a n e mb a r r a s s me nt to him. The id e a ha d s o me d e finite me r it, a nd whe n s he d is c us s e d it with the Ra zins tha t d a y, the y a gr e e d it c o uld n' t hur t to give it a tr y. Timo fe e vo lunte e r e d to b e the c a us e o f he r a nge r , b ut S te nk a a r gue d tha t he wa nte d the p r ivile ge , s o s he a s s ur e d the m it wo uld b e a p le a s ur e to s c o r c h b o th the ir e a r s . And the r e a s o n? S he d e c id e d tha t o ne wa s n' t ne c e s s a r y a nd tha t if Va s ili a s k e d a b o ut it, s he wo uld me r e ly te ll him it wa s no ne o f his b us ine s s . S he wo uld ha ve p r e fe r r e d to s ta ge the "s c e ne " in a to wn, whe r e it wo uld b e e ve n mo r e p ub lic , b ut whe n the y d id n' t r e a c h o ne b e fo r e d a r k tha t night a nd e nd e d up ma k ing c a mp a ga in, s he wa s to o e a ge r to s e e Va s ili' s r e a c tio n to p o s tp o ne the d e mo ns tr a tio n. S he s till ha d to wa it, ho we ve r , b e c a us e a s us ua l, he wa s r id ing fa r in a d va nc e o f the p a r ty a nd it wo uld ta k e a while fo r him to r e a lize the y we r e n' t go ing to c a tc h up with him. But it to o k Va s ili mo r e tha n a n ho ur a fte r d a r k ha d fa lle n to r e tur n, lo ng e no ugh to ma k e Ale xa nd r a b e gin to s us p e c t tha t he ha d fo und hims e lf a willing wo ma n s o me whe r e up a he a d . S o whe n he r o d e into c a mp a nd s he imme d ia te ly b e ga n c ur s ing the twins a t the to p o f he r lungs , s he r e a lly wa s a s a ngr y a s s he s o und e d . Unfo r tuna te ly, he r k no wle d ge o f vulga r itie s wa s r a the r limite d . And no t ha ving c o ns id e r e d tha t la c k b e fo r e ha nd , Ale xa nd r a wa s fo r c e d to p a us e in he r d ia tr ib e to whis p e r to the twins , "I ' ve r un o ut o f na me s to c a ll yo u. Q uic k ly, give me s o me mo r e . " Timo fe e wa s to o b us y c o ve r ing a n unr e p e nta nt gr in with his ha nd s , b ut S te nk a wa s ha p p y to o b lige , a nd Ale xa nd r a ' s e ye s wid e ne d a nd he r c he e k s b lo o me d with c o lo r a s s he s ho ute d the ne w na me s a t him. But with he r b a c k to Va s ili, he c o uld n' t s e e he r r e a c tio n, c o uld me r e ly he a r he r o utr a ge o us ne s s , s o s he wa s n' t wo r r ie d a b o ut his no tic ing he r o wn e mb a r r a s s me nt. S he wa s imp a tie nt to k no w his r e a c tio n, ho we ve r , a nd c o uld n' t r e s is t a no the r whis p e r to S te nk a . "I s he p r o p e r ly s c a nd a lize d ye t? " "I ha te to s a y it, Ale x, b ut he ' s la ughing. " S he wa s to o s ur p r is e d to a ns we r fo r a mo me nt, b ut the n he r s ho uld e r s d r o p p e d a nd s he s a id in d is gus t, "W e ll, he ll, wha t d o e s it ta k e to s ho c k tha t ma n? " S te nk a c o uld no lo nge r ho ld b a c k his o wn c huc k le s . "Yo u c o uld tr y d a nc ing na k e d a r o und the c a mp . Tha t o ught to ge t a r e a c tio n o ut o f him, a nd the r e s t o f us wo uld , o f c o ur s e , lo o k the o the r wa y. " "O f c o ur s e yo u wo uld , " s he r e p lie d d r yly b e fo r e to s s ing o ut a fe w mo r e inve c tive s fo r e a c h o f the m, this time q uite s inc e r e ly. S he ma r c he d o ff the n, a nno ye d with the m, a nno ye d with he r s e lf fo r s o me ho w fa iling a t he r o b je c tive — a ga in— a nd fur io us with Va s ili fo r no t r e a c ting a s he o ught to . W hy wo uld he b e a mus e d to he a r s uc h te r r ib le la ngua ge c o ming o ut o f he r mo uth? Did n' t he r e a lize tha t if s he c o uld d o s o me thing lik e this he r e , s he c o uld a s e a s ily d o it in a d r a wing r o o m whe r e his k ing might b e p r e s e nt? He s o ught he r o ut a mo ng the ho r s e s , whe r e s he ha d go ne to ta k e a d va nta ge

o f the s o o thing e ffe c t the y us ua lly ha d o n he r . Us ua lly. I t wa s n' t wo r k ing to night. S he c o ntinue d to mo ve a mo ng the m, tho ugh, igno r ing the p r e s e nc e s he fe lt b e hind he r , k no wing ins tinc tive ly who it wa s . And tha t wa s a no the r thing tha t k e p t he r fr o m c a lming d o wn. S he d id n' t lik e it tha t s he wa s a b le to s e ns e Va s ili, jus t a s he r ma r e s c o uld s e ns e whe n o ne o f the s ta llio ns c a me ne a r . He d id n' t wa it fo r he r to tur n a r o und a nd a c k no wle d ge him. "P e r ha p s yo u will te ll me why yo u we r e s o a ngr y with yo ur C o s s a c k s . " "W hy s ho uld I ? " "Be c a us e I a s k . " S he c ha nge d he r mind a b o ut s a ying it wa s no ne o f his b us ine s s , fo r the ho r s e s ga ve he r a n a d e q ua te lie . S he tur ne d to give it to Va s ili, b ut, a s ha p p e ne d to o fr e q ue ntly, s he wa s d is tur b e d b y his ha nd s o me ne s s . Anytime s he wa s this c lo s e to him, s he fo und it d iffic ult to b r e a the , muc h le s s ha ve a c o nve r s a tio n. But s he fina lly go t o ut, "The y le t P r inc e M is c ha c o ve r o ne o f the ma r e s to d a y. " "S o ? " "S o the y k no w I a m to b e p r e s e nt fo r e ve r y b r e e d ing, " s he e xp la ine d , a nd tha t muc h wa s tr ue . "Yo u a c tua lly wa tc h? " F r o m his e xp r e s s io n, s he r e a lize d s he ha d fina lly s ho c k e d him, a nd b y s o me thing s he d id d o , r a the r tha n wha t s he ' d b e e n d o ing o nly fo r his b e ne fit. "O f c o ur s e I wa tc h. The s e a r e my b a b ie s , a nd I ha ve b e tte r c o ntr o l o ve r the m tha n a nyo ne e ls e . I ha ve to a s s ur e tha t the ma r e s a r e n' t hur t— e xa c tly a s a ny o the r c o ns c ie ntio us b r e e d e r wo uld d o . " "But— " "Ye s ? " He r to ne d a r e d him to o b je c t b e c a us e s he wa s a wo ma n, e s p e c ia lly whe n s he ' d b e e n d o ing he r d a mne d e s t to a p p e a r a nd a c t unwo ma nly fo r him. And he mus t ha ve r e me mb e r e d jus t tha t, b e c a us e he d r o p p e d tha t s ub je c t to a d d r e s s a no the r . "W he r e we r e yo u tha t yo u d id n' t witne s s it? " S he s mile d a t him. "Did n' t yo u k no w? Yo u a r e n' t the o nly o ne who go e s r id ing o ff a lo ne — " S he s ta r te d to a d d , "in s e a r c h o f a mus e me nt, " b ut he d id n' t give he r a c ha nc e to . "Yo u d id wha t? " "O f c o ur s e , whe n I r id e , " s he c o ntinue d , "I d o n' t s tic k to the r o a d a s yo u d o . I find the c o untr ys id e muc h mo r e — e xhila r a ting. " S he ma na ge d the ins inua tio n this time , b ut ins te a d o f p o unc ing o n it, he s a id with c o mp le te c o nfid e nc e , "Yo u' r e lying, Ale x. " S he gr o und he r te e th b e fo r e r e to r ting, "O f c o ur s e I a m, b ut wha t ma d e yo u think s o ? "

He wa s s ud d e nly fr o wning. "W ha t d o yo u me a n, ' O f c o ur s e I a m' ? Do yo u ma k e a ha b it o f lying? " "C e r ta inly, " s he r e p lie d o ffha nd e d ly. "I t ma k e s life s o muc h mo r e inte r e s ting, d o n' t yo u think ? " "N o , I d o n' t, " he s a id s te r nly. "Life is inte r e s ting e no ugh witho ut c o mp lic a ting — N e ve r mind . Yo u' r e a gr o wn wo ma n. F a r b e it fr o m me to c ha nge a ny o f yo ur — ha b its . " His c o nd e s c e ns io n infur ia te d he r this time , a nd s he ' d muc h r a the r ta k e o ut s o me r e a l a nge r o n him tha n p r e te nd to b e a ngr y a t he r fr ie nd s . And s he d id it with a s mile . "Ho w p o s itive ly ma gna nimo us o f yo u, P e t- r o ff. Do n' t e xp e c t me to b e a s ge ne r o us , tho ugh. But the n, we a lr e a d y k no w wha t ha b its o f yo ur s I ' m c ha nging, d o n' t we ? " He d id n' t ta k e the b a it, b ut his s mile wa s a s fa ls e a s he r s . "Ha b its yo u think yo u' r e c ha nging. But a s fo r ho w I k ne w yo u we r e lying, if s b e c a us e o ne o f my me n wo uld ha ve fo und me to te ll me if yo u' d r id d e n o ff o n yo ur o wn, a nd a no the r wo uld ha ve fo llo we d yo u. " "I ' m b e ing s p ie d o n? W e ll, the n, I ' ll ha ve to r e tur n the fa vo r , wo n' t I ? And I ' ll s ta r t b y find ing o ut to mo r r o w wha t yo u we r e d o ing to d a y. " His b r o ws r o s e . "Yo u me a n a t the fa r mho us e I d is c o ve r e d — " "Yo u p hila nd e r ing— ! " "N o w, no w, wha t a r e yo u a c c us ing me o f? " He wa s a lmo s t la ughing, he wa s s o p le a s e d b y wha t s he wa s think ing. "As it ha p p e ns , it wa s a lr e a d y ge tting d a r k whe n I fo und the p la c e , s o I d id n' t ha ve time to d a lly. But a s lo ng a s we ' r e o n the s ub je c t, le t me r e mind yo u tha t yo ur o wn b e ha vio r ha d b e tte r r e ma in c o mp le te ly vir tuo us — a t le a s t until a fte r yo u' ve b o r ne me a n he ir . The n yo u c a n d o wha te ve r yo u lik e . " "O h, I inte nd to d o wha te ve r I lik e , b ut I wo n' t wa it until I ha ve yo ur p e r mis s io n. Yo u, o n the o the r ha nd , ha ve ha d yo ur la s t ta wd r y lia is o n. " He wa s no lo nge r p le a s e d , b ut fr a nk ly inc r e d ulo us . "I n o the r wo r d s , yo u c a n, b ut I c a n' t? " "Yo u me n ha ve ha d a mo no p o ly o n tha t s e ntime nt fo r fa r to o lo ng. Yo u s ho uld ha ve k no wn tha t s o me d a y a wo ma n wo uld tur n the ta b le s o n yo u. " "But it is n' t go ing to b e yo u, s we e the a r t, " he s a id with a c o ld , s ha r p e d ge to his to ne . "Yo u' r e fo nd o f c utting o ff e a r s ? I ' ll c ut o ff a he ll o f a lo t mo r e tha n tha t fr o m a ny ma n who p uts his ha nd s o n yo u— a t le a s t until a fte r — " "Ye s , ye s , yo u' ve a lr e a d y s a id tha t, " s he s na p p e d , o ut o f p a tie nc e . "W ha t ma k e s yo u think I c a n e ve n b e a r c hild r e n? M a yb e I ' ve a lr e a d y tr ie d a nd fa ile d . " S he s tr uc k a ne r ve with tha t b a r b . "The n ma yb e we o ught to find o ut b e fo r e ha nd . " "Do n' t e ve n think it, P e tr o ff, o r I ' ll c ut o ff mo r e tha n e a r s . " The y we r e gla r ing a t e a c h o the r ne a r ly no s e to no s e . S ta le ma te s we r e s o

uns a tis fying, b ut the y e a c h k ne w tha t the y' d r e a c he d o ne . And the n Va s ili' s no s e s ud d e nly twitc he d a nd he le a ne d b a c k to s a y, "Da mn, wha t is tha t s me ll? I tho ught it wa s the ho r s e s , b ut it' s c o ming fr o m yo u. " Ale xa nd r a b link e d , the n s to p p e d he r s e lf jus t in time fr o m la ughing. "M e ? " S he tr ie d to s o und ind igna nt. "I d o n' t s me ll a ny d iffe r e nt tha n I a lwa ys d o . " He wa s r e a lly s c o wling no w. "W o ma n, yo u d id no t s tink whe n I me t yo u. " S he s hr ugge d . "I ha d jus t ha d my mo nthly b a th whe n yo u me t me . " "M o nthly? " he c ho k e d o ut. S he o p e ne d he r e ye s wid e . "Yo u think tha t' s to o o fte n? I a lwa ys tho ught s o , b ut P a p a ins is te d . " Va s ili wa lk e d a wa y in d is gus t. Ale xa nd r a gr inne d fr o m e a r to e a r . 18 Ale xa nd r a ' s e mb a r r a s s me nt la s te d fo r two d a ys . S he s ho uld ha ve ta k e n Va s ili a t his wo r d , b ut no , s he ' d ha d to s to p a t tha t fa r mho us e he ' d me ntio ne d — a nd find o ut tha t the o nly inha b ita nts we r e a n o ld c o up le a nd the ir two gr a nd s o ns . W he the r he ha d d a llie d o r no t, it wo uld n' t ha ve b e e n with the o ld wo ma n the r e unle s s he wa s r e a lly d e s p e r a te , a nd a p p a r e ntly he wa s n' t, b e c a us e he ha d b e e n la ughing whe n Ale xa nd r a ha d c o me b a c k o ut to mo unt he r ho r s e . And he ' d b e e n s miling e ve r s inc e , o r s o it s e e me d . Tha t r o und ha d d e finite ly b e e n his , d a mn him. But he ha d go ne o ne b e tte r . W he n the y' d s to p p e d a t a n inn la s t night, he ha d s e nt a b a th to he r r o o m with a me s s a ge s he c o uld n' t igno r e . Us e it o r I will b e p le a s e d to a s s is t yo u. And the ins uffe r a b le p o p inja y ha d s niffe d he r whe n s he ha d c o me d o wn to d ine a fte r wa r d . But whe n a n o p p o r tunity c a me fo r he r to ge t e ve n, s he p o unc e d o n it, no t r e a lizing jus t ho w e ffe c tive it wo uld b e . The to wn the y a r r ive d a t la te r tha t we e k ha d a s ma ll b ut e le ga nt ho te l, a nd a s us ua l, it wa s a n e s ta b lis hme nt tha t Va s ili wa s a lr e a d y fa milia r with, s inc e the y we r e r e tr a c ing the r o ute he ha d ta k e n to he r ho me . S he ha d a t fir s t wo r r ie d tha t the ho te l wo uld ha ve to o ma ny wo me n o n s ta ff fo r he r to k e e p tr a c k o f the m a ll, s o s he d e te r mine d tha t s he wo uld ha ve to k e e p tr a c k o f Va s ili ins te a d . But s he fo und o ut tha t he ha d s p e nt o nly o ne night a t the ho te l the la s t time he ' d b e e n the r e , e ve n tho ugh the r e s t o f his p a r ty ha d s ta ye d muc h lo nge r . This wa s whe r e the y ha d s to p p e d fo r a n e ntir e we e k , a nd no t b e c a us e a me mb e r o f his gr o up ha d b e e n ill. Va s ili ha d lie d to he r fa the r . He ha d c a us e d he r to p a c k a nd le a ve he r ho me with le s s tha n a d a y' s no tic e . W hy? The la d y' s na me wa s C la ud ia S he vc he nk o , a yo ung wid o we d c o unte s s , a nd Va s ili ha d s p e nt the e ntir e we e k in he r b e d , o r no t fa r fr o m it. He r ho me wa s d o wn the s tr e e t fr o m the ho te l, a nd he ha d me t he r the night o f his a r r iva l in

to wn, whe n s he ha d b e e n a t the ho te l d ining with fr ie nd s . The s to r y ha d b e e n e a s y e no ugh to o b ta in b e c a us e the two ha d c r e a te d q uite a s c a nd a l. I t wa s n' t a la r ge to wn, a fte r a ll, a nd the wid o w wa s we ll k no wn he r e — a nd s up p o s e d ly p io us ; a t le a s t s he us e d to b e , b e fo r e s he ha d me t o ne e xtr e me ly ha nd s o me C a r d inia n who c o uld s e d uc e a n a nge l if he c a r e d to tr y. O r s o the s to r y we nt. S o Ale xa nd r a wa s s ur p r is e d tha t Va s ili d id n' t o nc e tr y to le a ve the ho te l the night the y s p e nt the r e , tha t he we nt to b e d a nd a c tua lly s ta ye d in it, a c c o r d ing to the r e p o r t s he ha d fr o m limo fe e a s s o o n a s s he le ft he r r o o m the ne xt mo r ning. W ha t d id n' t s ur p r is e he r wa s to find him a b s e nt whe n s he jo ine d e ve r yo ne o uts id e the ho te l to le a ve . I t wa s La za r , lo o k ing e xtr e me ly unc o mfo r ta b le , who ha d a p p a r e ntly b e e n c ho s e n to te ll he r , "Va s ili ha s a lr e a d y d e p a r te d . " "Ha s he ind e e d . Ho w lo ng a go ? " "Te n minute s . " S he d id n' t d o ub t tha t La za r ha d a numb e r o f e xc us e s r e a d y to e xp la in this c ha nge in r o utine if s he c a r e d to he a r a ny o f the m. S he d id n' t. S he lo o k e d to K o nr a d fo r c o nfir ma tio n o f the time tha t ha d p a s s e d s inc e Va s ili ha d le ft. At his a ffir ma tive no d , s he s imp ly s mile d a nd r o d e o ut o f to wn. S he d e c id e d s he wo uld give Va s ili twe nty minute s a nd no mo r e . I f he d id n' t s ho w up to jo in the m b y the n, s he wo uld r e tur n a nd find him, b e c a us e s he d id n' t b e lie ve fo r a s e c o nd tha t he wa s o n the r o a d , me r e ly r id ing a he a d o f the m, a s ha d b e c o me his ha b it. Va s ili wa s a t tha t ve r y mo me nt k no c k ing o n the d o o r o f the r e d he a d who ha d e nte r ta ine d him s o we ll the fir s t time he ' d p a s s e d thr o ugh this to wn. And a s his luc k wa s ho ld ing, s he ha p p e ne d to b e the o ne to o p e n the d o o r , ins te a d o f o ne o f he r s e r va nts — a nd s la mme d it a b r up tly in his fa c e . "Go a wa y! " he he a r d he r s ho ut hys te r ic a lly fr o m the o the r s id e o f tha t s o lid , a nd no w lo c k e d , b a r r ie r . "I lik e my e a r s jus t a s the y a r e ! " F o r the b r ie fe s t mo me nt, he d o ub te d his he a r ing. But the n his finge r s s lo wly c ur le d into fis ts , his fa c e s uffus e d with he a t, a nd a lo w gr o wl r umb le d fr o m his c he s t. And he r e a c he d Ale xa nd r a in muc h le s s tha n the twe nty minute s s he ' d figur e d o n. S he he a r d him ga llo p ing up b e hind he r a nd s wung S ulta n' s P r id e a b o ut to fa c e him. The y ne a r ly c o llid e d . I t wa s d a mn c lo s e . "O ve r the r e , " he s a id o mino us ly. "N o w! O r the r e will b e he ll to p a y. " He ' d p o inte d to a lo ne tr e e tha t wa s a t le a s t a q ua r te r mile a wa y, a nd he r o d e d ir e c tly to it witho ut wa iting to s e e if s he wo uld fo llo w. As a ngr y a s he a p p e a r e d , s he c o ns id e r e d s ta ying r ight whe r e s he wa s — b ut no , s he wa s to o ho p e ful tha t this wa s it, the e nd s he ha d b e e n wo r k ing to wa r d . He r fr ie nd s we r e n' t a s o p timis tic . S he ha d to o r d e r the m to r e ma in with the wa go ns . O n S ulta n' s P r id e , s he r e a c he d Va s ili in no time a t a ll. He ha d a lr e a d y d is mo unte d a nd wa s p a c ing b e ne a th the tr e e . He d id n' t give he r a c ha nc e to

d is mo unt he r s e lf, b ut d r a gge d he r o ff he r ho r s e , the n le t go o f he r ins ta ntly to r e s ume his p a c ing. S he ' d ne ve r s e e n him lik e this , ne ve r ima gine d tha t a p o p inja y lik e him wa s c a p a b le o f s uc h fur y. And the r e wa s no mis ta k ing tha t he wa s fur io us . W a r ily, s he tr ie d to p ut s o me d is ta nc e b e twe e n the m, d e c id ing s he c o uld wa it to he a r wha te ve r he ha d to s a y. But a s s o o n a s s he mo ve d , he c lo s e d the d is ta nc e in a fla s h a nd wa s to we r ing o ve r he r , a nd his e ye s — he a ve n he lp he r — s e e me d a glo w with a n inne r fir e . "I wo n' t s ta nd fo r it a ny lo nge r , " he s a id , a nd he wa s jus t s ho r t o f s ho uting. "The r e will b e no mo r e thr e a ts fr o m yo u, Ale xa nd r a . I will b e d a ny wo ma n I p le a s e , whe n I p le a s e , a nd if yo u c a us e o ne mo r e to hid e fr o m me in te r r o r , I ' ll b e d yo u ins te a d . " Tha t wa s n' t wha t s he ha d ho p e d to he a r , b ut it wa s n' t a s b a d a s it c o uld ha ve b e e n e ithe r . S o s he c r o s s e d he r a r ms a nd r e p lie d c a lmly, "N o , yo u wo n' t. As lo ng a s yo u b e lo ng to me , yo u' ll b e fa ithful to me . I d o n' t k no w why yo u k e e p ma k ing me r e p e a t tha t. And yo u wo n' t b e b e d d ing me until a fte r we ha ve a we d d ing. I f yo u wa nt yo ur wo me n b a c k , Va s ili, yo u k no w wha t yo u ha ve to do." "And yo u think I ' ll a b id e b y tha t? " This time he wa s s ho uting, a nd q uite lo ud ly. S he k ne w it wo uld b e a n ins ult to him if s he c o ntinue d c a lmly in the fa c e o f his fur y, b ut tha t wa s wha t s he d id . "N o o ne s a ys yo u ha ve to a b id e b y it, P e tr o ff. Yo u' ll jus t ha ve to a c c e p t the c o ns e q ue nc e s if yo u d o n' t. " Tha t s ta r te d him p a c ing a ga in. He wa s r e a lly q uite fa s c ina ting lik e this , s o vo la tile , e ve n unp r e d ic ta b le . S he o ught to b e fr ighte ne d , b ut s he wa s n' t. N e r vo us , ye s , b ut tha t wa s a ll— until it o c c ur r e d to he r tha t the y wo uld n' t b e ha ving this d is c us s io n if he ha d n' t go ne to tha t wo ma n. And he ' d go ne to he r to b e d he r , a nd wo uld ha ve d o ne s o if Ale xa nd r a ha d n' t b e e n to ld a b o ut he r a nd s e nt a lo ng tha t little me s s a ge . He wa s guilty b y inte nt. W ha t s he fe lt a b o ut tha t d id n' t b e a r d e s c r ib ing. S ud d e nly he d e ma nd e d , "Ho w the he ll d id yo u find o ut a b o ut— a b o ut— ? " "C la ud ia ? " s he p r o mp te d . "Ye s , C la ud ia , o r wha te ve r he r na me is . " Tha t he wa s n' t s ur e wha t the wo ma n' s na me wa s s ho uld ha ve a p p e a s e d Ale xa nd r a s o me wha t, b ut it me r e ly d is gus te d he r a ll the mo r e . The ma n o b vio us ly ha d s o ma ny wo me n tha t he c o uld n' t k e e p tr a c k o f the m. S he ' d a lr e a d y figur e d a s muc h, b ut ha te d s e e ing p r o o f o f it. But he wa s n' t go ing to k no w ho w d is tur b e d s he wa s , s o s he s hr ugge d b e fo r e a ns we r ing. "Yo u' d b e a ma ze d a t the k ind o f info r ma tio n yo u c a n ga in with a fe w c o ins p la c e d in the r ight p o c k e ts . " "And yo u p a id he r a vis it? W he n? Yo u d id n' t le a ve the inn. " Ap p a r e ntly his s p ie s ha d n' t go tte n muc h s le e p la s t night e ithe r . "I d id n' t b o the r s e e ing to it mys e lf, " s he s a id , s tr iving fo r a to ne o f ind iffe r e nc e . "I s e nt s o me o ne with my me s s a ge . I t mus t ha ve b e e n d e live r e d a c c ur a te ly. "

"O h, I d o n' t d o ub t tha t, " he s ne e r e d . "Yo ur p e o p le a r e tho r o ugh. " "I t' s c a lle d lo ya lty. " "Ar e yo u imp lying tha t I ha ve no ne ? " S he ga ve him a tight little s mile . "Yo u s a id it, I d id n' t. " He b r is tle d a t tha t, to o , tho ugh he s o und e d me r e ly ind igna nt. "I ' ll ha ve yo u k no w my lo ya lty is b e yo nd r e p r o a c h, b ut r e s e r ve d fo r o nly a s e le c t fe w. " S he k ne w the a ns we r , b ut s till wa nte d c o nfir ma tio n. "And I ' m no t o ne o f the fe w? " "Yo u s a id it, I d id n' t, " he s ho t b a c k a t he r with a na s ty s mile . S he c o uld no lo nge r k e e p he r vo ic e fr o m r is ing. "N o t e ve n if I b e c o me yo ur wife ? " "Yo u' d b e tte r ho p e yo u c o me to yo ur s e ns e s b e fo r e the n, " he gr o wle d . "Yo u' d b e tte r ho p e yo u d o , P e tr o ff! " O nc e a ga in, the y we r e s ta nd ing ne a r ly no s e to no s e , s he gla r ing up a t him, he s c o wling d o wn a t he r . He r b o s o m wa s he a ving. He no tic e d , a nd the r e wa s no unus ua l o d o r to d is tr a c t him this time . P a s s io n wa s a fic k le e mo tio n, e a s ily r e d ir e c te d . S ud d e nly Va s ili fe lt he wo uld d ie if he c o uld n' t k is s he r . S ud d e nly Ale xa nd r a c o uld n' t ta k e he r e ye s o ff his s e ns ua l mo uth. And the n, a s if s he ' d wille d it, s he ha d the ta s te o f him, fie r y ho t, wild . I t wa s b e tte r tha n s he r e me mb e r e d . He wa s c r us hing he r a ga ins t him a nd tha t wa s a ls o b e tte r tha n s he r e me mb e r e d . He r finge r s gr ip p e d his a r ms , p r e s s ing into his mus c le s , b ut no t to p us h him a wa y. A ha nd o n he r b o tto m lifte d he r , lo c k e d he r to his he a t, a nd s he wa s me lting, d is s o lving, mind le s s ly wa nting s o me thing jus t b e yo nd he r r e a c h a nd und e r s ta nd ing. S he wa s a r c he d to the p o int o f b r e a k ing, Va s ili wa s b e nt o ve r he r s o fa r , a s if he wo uld ta k e he r to the gr o und b y his lip s a lo ne . His wa nting to ma k e lo ve to he r s o b a d ly ma d e him fo r ge t e ve r y go ld e n r ule o f s e d uc tio n tha t he ha d a d he r e d to in the p a s t. This wa s no s e d uc tio n whe r e he c o ntr o lle d e ve r y mo ve a nd nua nc e to a d e s ir e d e nd . He ha d no c o ntr o l, wa s in the gr ip o f p ur e e mo tio n, the ta s te a nd s c e nt o f he r filling his s e ns e s , the fe e l o f he r into xic a ting him, d r iving him b e yo nd wha t he k ne w a s r a tio na l. And the n the y we r e s ud d e nly o n the gr o und , ne ithe r o f the m the le a s t b it a wa r e o f it. Va s ili wa s d r ive n to wa r d a s ingle go a l; Ale xa nd r a wa s c o ns ume d o nly b y the s e ns a tio ns c la mo r ing ins id e he r , the s he e r p le a s ur e d e r ive d fr o m his to uc h, his we ight no w c o ve r ing he r , his ha nd s lid ing up he r thigh, until. . . He r mo a n wa s lo s t in the d e p th o f his k is s , his ha nd no w c up p ing he r he a t s e nd ing he r s o c lo s e to the e d ge — a nd he k ne w, a nd ha d ne ve r fe lt s uc h k e e n s a tis fa c tio n in a wo ma n' s yie ld ing r e s p o ns e b e fo r e . He wo uld ha ve ta k e n he r r ight the r e o n the gr o und , a nd s he wo uld ha ve le t him. Tha t wa s the ho r r ifying r e a liza tio n tha t d a wne d o n b o th o f the m whe n

S ulta n' s P r id e nud ge d the m a fe w b r e a thle s s mo me nts la te r , a nd the y b o th s c r a mb le d to the ir fe e t. Ale xa nd r a wa s mo r tifie d b y wha t Va s ili ha d ma d e he r fe e l, a ga in, a nd he r r e a c tio n wa s to s la p him this time , ha r d . S he s ho uld ha ve give n it mo r e tho ught fir s t, b e c a us e his r e a c tio n wa s to s la p he r b a c k , no t ha r d , b ut jus t e no ugh to s ho c k he r tha t he wo uld . "W e ll, tha t c e r ta inly s e r ve d no p ur p o s e , " s he r e ma r k e d d r yly. Va s ili wa s s till tr e mb ling, wa nting no thing mo r e tha n to ya nk he r b a c k into his a r ms . Ho w d id s he d a r e to s ta nd the r e a nd a p p e a r to ta lly una ffe c te d b y wha t ha d jus t p a s s e d b e twe e n the m? As fo r tha t s la p , s he s ho uld n' t ha ve c a ught him whe n he wa s s o — no t hims e lf. "Ye ll a t me a ll yo u lik e , s we e the a r t, o nly the ne xt time yo u wa nt to ge t p hys ic a l, yo u c a n b e s ur e I wo n' t hit b a c k , " he p r o mis e d . "Yo u wo n' t? " He s ho o k his he a d s lo wly. "N o . I ' ll ta k e yo u o ff in the b us he s a nd ma k e lo ve to yo u ins te a d . " S he ha d to b e c r a zy no t to tr y to c ha nge this s ub je c t. "W hy d id n' t yo u this time ? " "I b e lie ve in fa ir wa r ning— whe n yo ur c ho ic e in the ma tte r will b e ta k e n fr o m yo u. " "Yo u' d d o it e ve n if I fight yo u? " His s mile wa s c hilling. "Exa c tly. " "Yo u k no w wha t tha f s c a lle d , d o n' t yo u? " s he s a id with b iting s c o r n. "W he n yo u' ve b e e n give n fa ir wa r ning? I wo uld c a ll it a n invita tio n. " I t wa s his s e xua l fr us tr a tio n tha t ha d le d him to ma k e this a la r ming thr e a t, s he wa s s ur e . And s he c o uld think o f no wa y to ga in b a c k the up p e r ha nd whe n his p r o mis e d c o ns e q ue nc e fa r s ur p a s s e d he r o wn. But s he wa s n' t wo r r ie d a b o ut s la p p ing him a ga in. S he c o uld r e s tr a in he r s e lf fr o m d o ing tha t— s o me ho w. I t wa s the k is s ing s he ha d to k e e p fr o m e ve r ha p p e ning a ga in, the k is s ing c a us e d b y his fr us tr a tio n, the k is s ing tha t s he ha d s uc c umb e d to s o c o mp le te ly. S he wa s go ing to ha ve to c o nc e d e o r r is k ha ving his fr us tr a tio n ge t wo r s e , r is k ha ving him s ta r t think ing a b o ut his r ights a ga in. He a ve n he lp he r , he might e ve n tr y s e d uc tio n o n he r if he go t d e s p e r a te e no ugh, a nd s he c o uld s till r e me mb e r the s p e c ia l s mile o f his tha t he ha d tur ne d o n tha t ta ve r n we nc h. S he d id n' t wa nt to find o ut if s he c o uld withs ta nd its b e ing tur ne d o n he r . But s he ha te d giving in, a nd s he d id it no w with ill gr a c e , s na p p ing, "Go , the n! Go b a c k to the la s t to wn a nd find yo ur s e lf a who r e . S p e nd the who le d a y with he r . W e ' ll wa it fo r yo u in the ne xt to wn. " W he the r tha t wa s wha t Va s ili wa nte d to he a r , he wa s d a mne d if he wa s go ing to go with he r p e r mis s io n. "N o , I d o n' t think s o , " he s a id tho ughtfully, his e ye s d r o p p ing d e lib e r a te ly to he r b r e a s ts . "I think I ' ll wa it until yo u s la p me a ga in. " Ale xa nd r a gr itte d he r te e th a ga ins t the b lus h s he fe lt r is ing, b ut it mo unte d

he r c he e k s a nywa y. S la p p ing him a ga in wa s jus t wha t s he fe lt lik e d o ing. S he ha d ne ve r k no wn a nyo ne who d e s e r ve d it mo r e . I ns te a d s he thr e w c a utio n to the wind a nd ta unte d him. "A wis e d e c is io n, P e tr o ff, o ne tha t wo n' t b e ne fit yo u, o f c o ur s e , b ut no ne the le s s wis e — b e c a us e I p r o b a b ly wo uld ha ve c ha nge d my mind a s s o o n a s yo u le ft. And think ho w e mb a r r a s s ing it wo uld ha ve b e e n whe n I inte r r up te d yo u a nd yo ur who r e — ho p e fully a t a c r uc ia l mo me nt. " "Did a nyo ne e ve r te ll yo u wha t a b itc h yo u c a n b e , s we e the a r t? " he a s k e d in a d e c e p tive ly la zy to ne . The glo w wa s b a c k in his e ye s . S he inje c te d s o me s we e tne s s into he r o wn to ne , jus t a s fa ls e . "I d o tr y. " S he the n tur ne d a b r up tly to wa r d he r ho r s e . Va s ili r e a c he d o ut to s to p he r , tho ugh s he d id n' t no tic e it. But wha te ve r might ha ve ha p p e ne d ne xt d id n' t ha p p e n a t a ll, b e c a us e the y we r e b o th d is tr a c te d . Ale xa nd r a fir s t s a w why S ulta n' s P r id e ha d nud ge d the m e a r lie r . He ' d wa nte d to ge t he r a tte ntio n b e c a us e Va s ili' s s ta llio n wa s e nc r o a c hing to o c lo s e a nd ta k ing nip s a t his ha unc he s . The n s he s a w s o me thing e ve n wo r s e , b ut s o me thing s he s ho uld ha ve e xp e c te d . The Ra zin b r o the r s ha d s ta r te d a fte r he r . And a p p a r e ntly Va s ili' s gua r d s ha d r id d e n a fte r the m to p r e ve nt the ir inte r fe r e nc e , b e c a us e the lo t o f the m we r e ha lfwa y b e twe e n the r o a d a nd the tr e e , lite r a lly r o lling o n the gr o und a s the y p o und e d o ne a no the r . Va s ili s wo r e b e ne a th his b r e a th b e fo r e he c a s t Ale xa nd r a a b la c k lo o k . "N o w lo o k wha t yo u' ve d o ne , " he gr o wle d a c c us ingly. "M e ? Did yo u think my C o s s a c k s wo uld jus t s it the r e a nd d o no thing whe n the y s a w yo u hit me ? " "I d id n' t hit yo u. " "The n wha t wo uld yo u c a ll it? " s he d e ma nd e d e ve n a s s he mo unte d . "A ta p o n the c he e k to ge t yo ur a tte ntio n, " he s a id , a ls o mo unting. "I f I ha d hit yo u, yo u wo uld ha ve b e e n k no c k e d fla t o n yo ur b a c k — whic h is n' t a b a d id e a , a c tua lly. " Tha t wa s the la s t s tr a w. "C o ns id e r yo ur s e lf luc k y tha t Bo jik d id n' t fo llo w me , o r yo ur me n wo uld b e s p e nd ing the r e s t o f the mo r ning b ur ying yo u ins te a d o f a tte nd ing to the ir b la c k e ye s . And ge t c o ntr o l o f yo ur d a mn ho r s e ! " S he wa s s ho uting a t him no w, s inc e the y we r e b o th r id ing b a c k to b r e a k up the fight, a nd s he ha d e a s ily ta k e n the le a d . "I f he nip s a t mine a ga in, I ' m go ing to le t S ulta n' s P r id e ha ve a t him— a nd I ho p e yo u' r e o n him a t the time ! " "Ale x? " "W ha t? " "I ' ll c o ns id e r a ny vio le nc e fr o m yo u o r a t yo ur ins tiga tio n a s la p . " S he s hut up . 19

“The he ll o f it is , " Va s ili wa s te lling La za r a s the y r o d e a he a d o f the p a r ty, "I ha d no d e s ir e to b e d he r . I me r e ly wa nte d to p r o ve to mys e lf, a nd to my little b a r b a r ia n, tha t I c o uld . " La za r no d d e d , no t the le a s t b it s ur p r is e d . But the n, La za r und e r s to o d Va s ili b e tte r tha n mo s t p e o p le d id b e c a us e he k ne w a ll o f his q uir k s a nd fo ib le s , a ll o f his fa ults a nd vir tue s . Va s ili ha d me t C la ud ia S he vc he nk o no t lo ng a fte r the y' d c o me d o wn fr o m c r o s s ing the C a r p a thia ns , whe n he wa s s till b o iling with r e s e ntme nt tha t he wa s e ve n ma k ing this tr ip . He ha d n' t s ta ye d with the la d y a we e k b e c a us e he c o uld n' t r e s is t he r . He ' d s ta ye d to p r o ve the b e tr o tha l wa s n' t go ing to c ha nge his s e lf- ind ulge nt life s tyle . Lik e mo s t me n, Va s ili e njo ye d two k ind s o f wo me n, the o ne s he wa s a c tua lly a ttr a c te d to a nd tho s e who we r e me r e ly a va ila b le fo r the ta k ing. He ha d the la tte r in a b und a nc e b e c a us e o f his lo o k s . The s e we r e mo s tly wo me n who o ffe r e d the ms e lve s witho ut b e ing a s k e d . And Va s ili a c c o mmo d a te d mo s t o f the m b e c a us e he wa s , a fte r a ll, us e d to o ve r ind ulge nc e . C o unte s s S he vc he nk o fe ll into the la tte r gr o up . S he wa s p r e tty e no ugh, b ut s he wa s d e finite ly o n the s k inny s id e , a nd Va s ili p r e fe r r e d a mo r e vo lup tuo us , full- figur e d fo r m— lik e Ale xa nd r a ' s . La za r s a id no w, "W e ll, o ne thing d id c o me o ut o f tha t no ns e ns e . Yo u fo und o ut tha t the b a r o ne s s k no ws ho w to us e a ho r s e whip . " La za r go t a gla r e fo r tha t r e mind e r . He wo uld ha ve b e e n d is a p p o inte d b y a ny o the r r e a c tio n. F ive d a ys ha d p a s s e d s inc e the inc id e nt tha t he wa s n' t lik e ly to e ve r fo r ge t ha d o c c ur r e d , a nd he ' d b e e n me ntio ning it a t le a s t o nc e a d a y jus t to r ile Va s ili. O ne o f Ale xa nd r a ' s C o s s a c k s ha d s uffe r e d a b r o k e n finge r fr o m the fight, whic h wa s ho w it wa s no w b e ing r e fe r r e d to b y a ll o f the m. J e s us , it ha d b e e n hila r io us , no t the b r o k e n finge r , b ut the fight its e lf, a nd La za r ha d s a t b a c k a nd e njo ye d the e ntir e s p e c ta c le . And it ha d o nly go tte n b e tte r o nc e Ale xa nd r a ha d d is c o ve r e d the C o s s a c k ' s injur y. S he ha d go ne a fte r Va s ili' s ma n with a ho r s e whip , a nd Va s ili ha d b e e n the o nly o ne d a r ing e no ugh— o r a nno ye d e no ugh— to ge t ne a r he r while s he wa s wie ld ing tha t vic io us thing, to ya nk it o ut o f he r ha nd s . S he ha d b e e n giving the gua r d , a nd Va s ili, k illing lo o k s e ve r s inc e . Afte r tha t d is p la y, it wa s e a s y to s e e tha t Ale xa nd r a lo ve d the Ra zins lik e fa mily. S he tr e a te d the m a s if the y we r e he r b r o the r s , d e fe nd e d the m lik e b r o the r s , ins ulte d the m lik e b r o the r s . Ho w Va s ili c o uld e ve r ha ve go tte n the no tio n tha t the y ha d b e e n he r lo ve r s wa s b e yo nd La za r , b ut his fr ie nd ha d no t b e e n a c ting lik e hims e lf s inc e he ha d me t his "little b a r b a r ia n. " La za r wo nd e r e d if Va s ili k ne w ho w p o s s e s s ive he wa s b e ginning to s o und whe ne ve r he me ntio ne d Ale xa nd r a . F o r tha t ma tte r , he wo nd e r e d if Va s ili wa s e ve n a wa r e o f ho w o fte n he gla nc e d b a c k thr o ugho ut the d a y jus t to lo o k a t he r .

He ha d s to p p e d r id ing o ff b y hims e lf a s o fte n, to o , a nd s to p p e d c o mp le te ly whe n the y r e a c he d the mo unta ins . But the n, the C a r p a thia ns we r e n' t k no wn to b e fr ie nd ly te r r ito r y to tr a ve le r s , we a the r - wis e o r o the r wis e , a nd e s p e c ia lly if tho s e tr a ve le r s a p p e a r e d to b e c a r r ying a nything o f va lue . The y ha d ma na ge d to c r o s s the s e mo unta ins o nc e witho ut inc id e nt. Twic e wa s mo r e tha n the y c o uld ho p e fo r , p a r tic ula r ly with the a d d itio n o f two b ulging wa go ns a nd a he r d o f p r ize tho r o ughb r e d s . The y we r e ta k ing p r e c a utio ns , p o s ting e xtr a gua r d s a t night. But s ho r t o f hir ing mo r e me n fr o m o ne o f the mo unta in villa ge s , whic h Va s ili r e fus e d to d o , give n the o d d s we r e a b o ut ha lf tha t the y' d b e hir ing the thie ve s the ms e lve s , the r e wa s no thing e ls e the y c o uld d o . S o me things ha d c ha nge d , ye s , b ut e ve n with the a d d itio na l d a nge r in c r o s s ing the mo unta ins , Va s ili ha d n' t le t up o n his p e r s o na l c a mp a ign. I f a nything, he s e e me d to b e inc r e a s ing his e ffo r ts to ins ult a nd r id ic ule Ale xa nd r a a nd to p r o vo k e he r te mp e r a t e ve r y o p p o r tunity. The fa c t tha t the y wo uld r e a c h C a r d inia in a no the r we e k o r s o , d e p e nd ing o n the we a the r , wa s lik e ly the r e a s o n. But who wo uld ha ve tho ught it wo uld go o n this lo ng? La za r wa s a c tua lly find ing the who le thing highly a mus ing, tho ugh he wa s q uite p o s s ib ly the o nly o ne who d id . He ' d b e e n b o r e d fo r a while whe n Va s ili a nd Ale xa nd r a ha d b e e n tr ying to a vo id e a c h o the r . But no w the y we r e ha ving b lo wup s a t le a s t o nc e a d a y. And s till ne ithe r o ne s a id the ma gic wo r d s tha t wo uld e nd the b e tr o tha l. I ns te a d the y we r e b o th giving ne w me a ning to the wo r d "s tub b o r n. " The we a the r wa s fr igid , d e s p ite the s un' s p e r io d ic a p p e a r a nc e s , b ut the y ha d n' t ye t e nc o unte r e d a s no ws to r m, whic h Va s ili wa s ho p ing wo uld s e nd Ale xa nd r a r unning fo r ho me . And this wa s a no the r e xa mp le o f Va s ili' s d e s p e r a tio n. W hile C a r d inia ha d its s ha r e o f s e ve r e winte r s jus t lik e e ve r y o the r c o untr y in this a r e a o f the c o ntine nt, Va s ili r a r e ly ve ntur e d fa r fr o m a wa r m fir e d ur ing this time o f ye a r . I f a nyo ne wa s go ing to s uffe r d ur ing the e xtr e me c o ld o f a s no ws to r m, it wo uld b e he , r a the r tha n Ale xa nd r a . O f c o ur s e , to give Va s ili his d ue , he a nd La za r ha d b o th a s s ume d tha t his b e tr o the d wo uld b e a la d y o f no r ma l s e ns ib ilitie s . The r e ha d b e e n no wa y fo r the m to k no w tha t s he wa s a c r e a tur e o f na tur e , mo r e c o mfo r ta b le o utd o o r s tha n in, a nd a p p a r e ntly tha t wa s tr ue a t a ny time o f the ye a r . S he wo uld n' t c o mp la in o f a s no ws to r m a ny mo r e tha n s he ha d o f b e ing c o ntinuo us ly in the s a d d le fo r the p a s t thr e e a nd a ha lf we e k s . I t wa s s till e a r ly in the a fte r no o n the d a y the y fina lly r e a c he d the mo unta in p a s s a nd b e ga n the ir d e s c e nt. The s un ha d b e e n s hining fo r mo s t o f the mo r ning d ur ing the la s t o f the ir c limb . And with the wo r s t o f the d a nge r a t le a s t ha lf o ve r no w, the y a ll b e ga n to r e la x s o me wha t, d e s p ite the glo o my c lo ud s tha t b le w in a nd ho ve r e d o ve r the we s te r n fa c e o f the mo unta in. But the s no w a r r ive d le s s tha n a n ho ur la te r a nd e nd e d the ir r un o f go o d luc k . W ithin thir ty minute s , it wa s s no wing s o ha r d the y c o uld no lo nge r s e e the tr a il in fr o nt o f the m a nd we r e fo r c e d to ma k e c a mp . W hile the te nts we r e b e ing e r e c te d , Ale xa nd r a wo r k e d fr a ntic a lly to c r e a te a wind b r e a k a nd s he lte r fo r the ho r s e s , whic h we r e he r ma in c o nc e r n. S he ma d e us e o f the wa go ns , a ll o f the ir c o nte nts , a nd a t le a s t ha lf o f the e xtr a b la nk e ts

s he ha d b r o ught a lo ng fo r p r e c is e ly s uc h a n e me r ge nc y. And s he c ur s e d Va s ili b e ne a th he r b r e a th a ll the while , b la ming him a nd his wa s te d we e k with C o unte s s S he vc he nk o fo r s tr a nd ing the m o n to p o f a mo unta in, fa r fr o m a ny d e c e nt s he lte r . S he wa s give n p a us e , ho we ve r , a nd r e a s o n to think s he mus t b e go ing s no w- b lind , whe n s he s a w Va s ili he lp ing he r r a the r tha n s e e ing to his o wn te nt a nd c o mfo r t. S he c o ntinue d to c ur s e him, b ut s he d id n' t ge t a s muc h p le a s ur e o ut o f it a s s he us ua lly d id , a nd s to p p e d a lto ge the r whe n s he fe lt s o me thing s us p ic io us ly lik e guilt. S o he c o uld p e r fo r m o ne uns e lfis h a c t. Tha t d id n' t ma k e muc h o f a d e nt in a ll o f his b a d q ua litie s — e xc e p t he wa s he lp ing he r to p r o te c t he r ho r s e s , he r b a b ie s . S he ' d ha ve to a t le a s t tha nk him— whe n s he ha d the time . The s to r m c o ntinue d to unle a s h its fur y a ll a fte r no o n, a nd Ale xa nd r a c o ntinue d to wo r r y a b o ut he r ho r s e s . The y we r e a s us e d to the c o ld a s s he wa s , b ut the y us ua lly ha d a wa r m s ta b le to r e tur n to a fte r b e ing o ut in it. This s itua tio n wa s d iffe r e nt, a nd he r ne e d to r e a s s ur e the m a s muc h a s he r s e lf wa s why s he c o uld n' t r e ma in in he r te nt fo r lo nge r tha n a n ho ur witho ut c he c k ing o n the m. S he ' d a lr e a d y d o ne s o twic e . The thir d time s he fo und s o me o ne e ls e the r e a he a d o f he r a nd he a r d him s a y, "O h, J e s us , " b e fo r e s he r e a lize d it wa s Va s ili hud d le d in a lo ng fur c lo a k . S he tho ught he wa s gr umb ling o ve r the we a the r until s he r e a c he d his s id e a nd s a w tha t the s he lte r s he ' d fo ught to e r e c t wa s ha lf e mp ty. "W ha t ha ve yo u d o ne ? " s he a s k e d in a ho r r ifie d whis p e r , b la ming him a uto ma tic a lly. "I wis h I c o uld ta k e c r e d it, b ut I c a n' t. " The d e r is io n in his vo ic e wa s a ls o a uto ma tic , b ut a t he r s tr ic k e n lo o k , Va s ili wis he d he c o uld ta k e it b a c k . "Da mn, I k ne w this wa s go ing to ha p p e n. Yo u c a n' t e xp e c t to b r ing s uc h va lua b le ho r s e s into the s e b a nd it- infe s te d hills a nd no t lo s e a fe w o f the m, " "A fe w? All my white s a r e go ne ! " s he c r ie d , a nd the n: "O h, Go d , this is my fa ult. I c a lle d in the gua r d s . " I d id n' t think the r e wo uld b e a ny tr o ub le in the mid d le o f a s to r m. " "W he n a ll this s no w o ffe r s the p e r fe c t c o ve r a nd the s e mo unta in p e o p le a r e us e d to it? " He might a s we ll ha ve s a id he ' d ne ve r he a r d o f a nything s o s tup id . S he go t the me s | s a ge . S he e ve n a gr e e d . S he ha d n' t b e e n think " ing a b o ut b a nd its , o nly a b o ut the s to r m, a nd s he ' d wa nte d to s p a r e he r me n, a s we ll a s his , | fr o m s ta nd ing gua r d d ur ing the wo r s t o f it, a t ' < le a s t until e ve ning, whe n it might ha ve b lo wn o ve r . But tha t d is mis s e d r e s tr a ine d whe r e the

wa s no e xc us e , s o s he d id n' t b o the r e xp la ining. And s he ' d a lr e a d y Va s i- li fr o m he r mind a s s he b e nt und e r the r o p e J tha t ha d the a nima ls a nd mo ve d to i the b a c k o f the te mp o r a r y c o r r a l r o p e ha d b e e n c ut.

N o ne o f the r e ma ining ho r s e s ha d b o the r e d to wa nd e r o ff, p r e fe r r ing to s ta y c lo s e to wha t little s he lte r ha d b e e n p r o vid e d . And with a s ma ny tha t we r e s till the r e , inc lud ing the r o a n s ta llio n, it a p p e a r e d tha t o nly he r r a r e white s ha d

b e e n the ta r ge t. The tr a il wa s wid e , b ut b a r e ly d is c e r nib le , a nd filling up with ne w s no w e ve n a s s he s ta r e d a t it. I t wo uld b e go ne in a ma tte r o f minute s . The r e wa s no time to s ummo n he r p e o p le o r his . Eve n a s ho ut wo uld n' t b e he a r d o ve r the k e e ning o f the wind . S he ha d to fo llo w the tr a il to find o ut whe r e the ho r s e s ha d b e e n ta k e n, the n c o me b a c k . . . "W he r e d o yo u think yo u' r e go ing? " S he ha d s ta r te d to mo unt o ne o f the ho r s e s — a ll tho s e tha t ha d b e e n we a r ing s a d d le s s till ha d the m o n fo r a d d e d wa r mth— whe n Va s ili ya nk e d he r b a c k to the gr o und to a ns we r his id io tic q ue s tio n. "The r e ' s no time fo r this , P e tr o ff. " "I ' ll ge t yo ur ho r s e s b a c k . " "Ho w? " "I ' ll b uy the m b a c k . M y c o us in a nd I ha ve ha d r un- ins with the s e hill b a nd its b e fo r e , o r a t le a s t with s imila r o ne s . The y' r e a lwa ys willing to tur n a p r o fit. " "Do n' t b e a b s ur d , " s he r e p lie d . "And le a ve me b e ho ld e n to yo u? I ' ll ge t the m b a c k , a nd it wo n' t c o s t a nything b ut a fe w live s — the ir s . " "The o d d s a r e , yo u' r e ta lk ing a b o ut a who le villa ge o f thie ve s , Ale x, no t jus t a fe w. " "I ' m ta lk ing a b o ut ge tting my ho r s e s b a c k , my ho r s e s , my r e s p o ns ib ility. And the tr a il the y' ve le ft is d is a p p e a r ing e ve n a s we s p e a k . I f yo u wa nt to he lp , ge t the o the r s a nd fo llo w, b ut I ' m le a ving no w. " S he ha d to s ho ve him s lightly to ge t him to le t go o f he r . And it wa s infur ia ting to k no w tha t the s ho ve wo uld n' t ha ve wo r k e d if he ha d n' t lo s t his b a la nc e in the s no w the y' d jus t tr a mp le d . His high- ha nd e d ne s s wa s into le r a b le , a nd s he wis he d s he ha d time to te ll him s o , b ut s he d id n' t. Va s ili d id n' t fa ll, b ut b y the time he s te a d ie d hims e lf, Ale xa nd r a wa s a lr e a d y a t the e nd o f the c o r r a l, d is a p p e a r ing into the s wir ling white b e yo nd the c a mp . He s ho ute d fo r the o the r s , b ut o nly in the time it to o k him to mo unt his s ta llio n a nd r id e a fte r he r . W he the r a nyo ne he a r d him wa s d o ub tful, b ut he d id n' t p a r tic ula r ly c a r e a t the mo me nt. W he n he c a ught up with tha t fo o l wo ma n, he wa s go ing to wr ing he r ne c k , a nd he d id n' t ne e d a ny he lp fo r tha t. 20 Va s ili c o uld n' t q uite ma na ge to c a tc h up to Ale xa nd r a . He wa s n' t fo llo wing the tr a il a s s he wa s ; he wa s k e e p ing he r in his s ights ins te a d . But mo r e tha n o nc e the s no w b e c a me s o thic k , s he wa s lo s t fr o m his vie w a nd he p a nic k e d a nd s ho ute d a t he r , e ve n tho ugh he k ne w d a mn we ll s he c o uld n' t he a r him. Altho ugh the mo unta in r o a d wa s no mo r e vis ib le tha n a nything e ls e , Va s ili wa s s ur e the y we r e o n it a nd tha t the thie ve s ha d c ir c le d a r o und the c a mp to ge t b a c k to it. Afte r a ll, it wo uld b e the s a fe s t r o ute fo r the m to ta k e , e s p e c ia lly if the y tho ught no o ne wa s fo llo wing the m, a nd with nightfa ll c o ming

o n fa s t. W he n it d id s ta r t to ge t d a r k , he p a nic k e d a ga in b e c a us e he ha d no thing to light a to r c h with, e ve n if he c o uld find s o me thing d r y to us e , a nd no time to d o e ithe r . He tr ie d to c o a x a little mo r e s p e e d fr o m the r o a n, b ut the d e s c e nt wa s to o s te e p in p la c e s , ma k ing it to o tr e a c he r o us b e c a us e o f the s no w. The s ta llio n b a lk e d , ha ving a lr e a d y go ne to his k ne e s o nc e , whe r e he a c tua lly s lid s e ve r a l fe e t. He r e fus e d to go a ny fa s te r . W he n night fina lly d id fa ll, Va s ili fo und tha t he ha d p a nic k e d fo r no r e a s o n. The o nly a d va nta ge tha t the s no w p r o vid e d him wa s tha t the p r is tine white la nd s c a p e k e p t c o mp le te d a r k ne s s a t b a y, a llo wing him to s till s e e a he a d — whe n the s wir ling gus ts we r e n' t b lind ing him. Ho ur s p a s s e d ; he d id n' t k no w ho w ma ny. But he k ne w he wa s go ing to d ie . He wa s s lo wly fr e e zing to d e a th, his e xtr e mitie s a lr e a d y numb . He r e ma ine d in the s a d d le o nly b y s he e r d e te r mina tio n, k e e p ing o ne thing in mind : he wa s go ing to mur d e r tha t fo o l wo ma n . . . no , he wo uld ma k e lo ve to he r fir s t a nd the n mur d e r he r . And the n the wind s ud d e nly s to p p e d , a nd within mo me nts , the s no w a ls o s to p p e d fa lling. The te mp e r a tur e might ha ve b e c o me le s s s e ve r e , to o , b ut Va s ili wa s in no c o nd itio n to te ll. W ha t wa s o b vio us wa s tha t the gr o wth o f o a k a nd fir tr e e s o n e ithe r s id e o f him ha d b e c o me thic k e r . S o me ho w he ha d ne a r ly r e a c he d the fo o thills o n the lo we r s lo p e s . P e o p le live d in the fo o thills , e ntir e villa ge s , with fir e s a nd wa r m, c o zy huts , ho t fo o d a nd d r ink . I f he c o uld jus t c o ntinue fo r a mile o r s o mo r e , he might no t d ie a fte r a ll. Be fo r e he ha d e ve n finis he d the tho ught, he s a w Ale xa nd r a ve e r a b r up tly s o uth o ff the r o a d , a nd he gr o a ne d . M o me nts e a r lie r , he might no t ha ve no tic e d , might ha ve go ne r ight p a s t whe r e the tr a il le ft the r o a d a nd lo s t he r e ntir e ly. W ith the wind q uie t no w, he tr ie d s ho uting a ga in, b ut s he wa s a lr e a d y go ne fr o m s ight. W he n he r e a c he d the s a me p o int, he c o uld s e e he r a ga in, b ut s he wa s a s fa r a he a d o f him a s s he ha d b e e n a ll a lo ng. And s he wa s no lo nge r d e s c e nd ing. The tr a il wa s a c tua lly r is ing gr a d ua lly a s it fo llo we d a na r r o w p a th a lo ng the s lo p e . Aga in he s ho ute d he r na me . S he he a r d him this time . He r he a d tur ne d . S he lo o k e d r ight a t him. But s he d id n' t s to p . S he d ug he r he e ls into he r ho r s e ins te a d . Tha t d id it! He r e a lly wa s go ing to mur d e r he r a s s o o n a s he go t his ha nd s o n he r — if the y b o th d id n' t fr e e ze fir s t. F o r tuna te ly, he r b o r r o we d ho r s e wa s n' t a ny mo r e e a ge r fo r a ga llo p tha n his s ta llio n wa s , s o s he d id n' t ga in o n him. But s he c o ntinue d to ma inta in the s a me d is ta nc e tha t k e p t him fr o m r e a c hing he r . He wo nd e r e d if a s ho t fr o m the p is to l he ' d s tuc k in his b e lt e a r lie r wo uld s to p he r o r s p ur he r o n. I f he ' d b r o ught mo r e tha n o ne , he ' d b e te mp te d to find o ut. The n a ga in, s he might ha ve o ne o f he r o wn a nd fir e b a c k a t him, think ing he wa s tr ying to k ill he r . S he ha d go o d r e a s o n to think s o . Be s id e s , he d id n' t tr us t he r no t to s ho o t a t him in r e ta lia tio n. He r ho r s e s we r e invo lve d , a fte r a ll, a nd the r e wa s no d o ub t wha ts o e ve r tha t the y me a nt mo r e to he r tha n he d id .

Da mne d ho r s e s . He wo uld n' t b e o ut he r e fr e e zing if— To r c he s s ud d e nly flic k e r e d fa r a he a d . Eithe r the y' d fo und the thie ve s o r a villa ge , o r b o th. But Ale xa nd r a d id n' t s lo w d o wn to le t him c a tc h up to he r . S he k e p t c ha r ging s tr a ight fo r the lights , a nd a fte r a no the r fe w mo me nts , he c o uld s e e why. He r ho r s e s . S he ' d s e e n he r ho r s e s , a nd s he wa s p r o b a b ly to o fur io us e ve n to think o f the d a nge r tha t la y a he a d , a nd s he wa s c e r ta inly to o fur io us to b e s e ns ib le . And , b e c a us e he c o uld n' t s to p it o r he r , he ha d to wa tc h he r r id e r ight into the mid s t o f a ha lf- d o ze n me n a nd s ta r t wie ld ing the ho r s e whip tha t s he ha d ta k e n to c a r r ying o n he r hip e ve r s inc e the fight. S he s c a tte r e d the me n. Ho r s e s we r e r e a r ing. O ne ma n wa s thr o wn fr o m his mo unt a nd s lid a nd tumb le d d o wn the s lo p e a go o d twe nty fe e t. Ano the r r a is e d a p is to l a nd ha d it whip p e d fr o m his ha nd . The r e s t we r e d is mo unting. The p a th wa s to o na r r o w a s p a c e fo r s o ma ny ho r s e s to c o nve r ge , a nd the me n o b vio us ly inte nd e d to b r ing Ale xa nd r a d o wn b e fo r e s he d id a ny s e r io us d a ma ge . Va s ili d r e w his p is to l a nd fir e d , b ut it wa s go o d fo r o nly o ne s ho t, a nd o nc e it wa s d is c ha r ge d , he thr e w it a wa y to d r a w his s wo r d . He wa s s till to o la te to k e e p Ale xa nd r a fr o m b e ing ya nk e d o ff he r mo unt, a nd with the to r c he s ha ving b e e n d r o p p e d to the gr o und a nd the s no w s wiftly e xtinguis hing the m, he c o uld n' t s e e wha t ha d ha p p e ne d to he r . Ano the r s ho t wa s fir e d , this o ne a t Va s ili. But he wa s s till s o numb with c o ld tha t he d o ub te d he ' d fe e l it if he we r e hit. He tr us te d he wa s n' t, a nd whe n he fina lly r e a c he d the gr o up o n the gr o und , he s ta r te d s winging his s wo r d to p r o ve it. The b a nd its s c a tte r e d a ga in, a b it mo r e le e r y o f his s wo r d tha n the y' d b e e n o f the whip , tho ugh the y d id n' t go fa r . The y b r a nd is he d a n a s s o r tme nt o f we a p o ns tha t he to o k no te o f— a d a gge r , two s wo r d s , a c lub , b ut no o the r p is to ls tha t he c o uld s e e . And he c o uld a ls o s e e Ale xa nd r a no w. S he wa s o n the gr o und , fighting with o ne o f the me n, who wa s tr ying to ho ld he r d o wn a nd ge t a r o p e a r o und he r . Tha t he ha d his ha nd s o n he r a t a ll ma d e Va s ili a little c r a zy, a nd witho ut c o ns id e r ing tha t he ' d b e giving up his a d va nta ge o n ho r s e b a c k , he d o ve a t the ma n, s la mming a ga ins t him, r o lling o n the gr o und until he ma na ge d e no ugh p ur c ha s e to s ma s h his s wo r d hilt a ga ins t the fe llo w' s he a d . He go t b a c k to his fe e t s wiftly, s lip p ing o nly a little in the s no w, a nd fa c e d thr e e mo r e me n. The fo ur th ha d ta k e n o ve r with Ale xa nd r a b e fo r e s he ' d ha d a c ha nc e to ge t up ; he ha d he r fa c e d o wn in the s no w with a k ne e in he r b a c k , tying he r ha nd s . He ' d b e jo ining the fr a y in mo me nts . Va s ili ha d his s ho c k ing b ur s t o f r a ge und e r c o ntr o l no w. He wo uld n' t e ve n ha ve mind e d the o d d s he wa s fa c ing; he c o ns id e r e d the m p a ltr y a ga ins t his o wn s wo r d s k ill. But s lip p e r y gr o und ha d a wa y o f e ve ning o d d s , a nd he c o uld n' t he lp b ut r e me mb e r the o ne time he ' d tr a ine d with S te fa n in s no w, a nd ho w the y' d s p e nt mo r e time o n the ir b a c k s id e s tha n o n the ir fe e t, a le a r ning e xp e r ie nc e whic h he c o uld n' t us e to his a d va nta ge whe n fa c ing mo r e tha n o ne o p p o ne nt. He wa s s till r e a d y a nd e a ge r fo r the fir s t a s s a ult, a nd it c a me s wiftly. Va s ili

he ld his gr o und , d e c id ing tha t the le a s t mo ve me nt wo uld b e the b e s t d e fe ns e und e r the s e c ir c ums ta nc e s , a nd it wo r k e d fo r a while . He d is a r me d o ne ma n, wo und e d a no the r , a nd ha d fo und a n o p e ning o n the thir d whe n he wa s fo r c e d to s to p , to go p e r fe c tly s till. The b la d e d igging into his b a c k — s wo r d o r d a gge r , he c o uld n' t te ll— ha d p ie r c e d thr o ugh his c lo a k , ja c k e t, a nd s hir t, te lling him witho ut a d o ub t tha t he wa s n' t to o numb to fe e l a wo und a fte r a ll. 21 “A wis e c ho ic e , C o unt P e tr o ff. N o w te ll me , T' will my go o d fr ie nd S te fa n b e jo ining us a s we ll? " Va s ili k ne w tha t d e e p vo ic e . P a ve l, the ma n wa s c a lle d , a nd he wa s a nything b ut S te fa n' s fr ie nd . He wa s a s ta ll a s Va s ili b ut mo r e mus c ula r , with r a w- b o ne d fe a tur e s a nd a s wa r thy c o mp le xio n, a nd a p e r p e tua lly b e llige r e nt a ttitud e . And whe n Va s ili gla nc e d b a c k to c o nfir m the s p e a k e r ' s id e ntity, he s a w tha t P a ve l wa s n' t a lo ne , tha t ne a r ly a d o ze n me n we r e r a nge d b e hind him, s o me s p o r ting fir e a r ms tha t we r e tr a ine d d ir e c tly a t Va s ili. "A p le a s ur e to s e e yo u a ga in, P a ve l, " he s a id s o d r yly tha t o nly a n id io t wo uld b e lie ve him, "a nd no , S te fa n d id n' t jo in me o n this tr ip . " "I ' m d is a p p o inte d , " P a ve l r e p lie d , a nd he d id , in fa c t, s o und it. "W he n I r e c o gnize d yo u jus t no w, I ha d s uc h ho p e fo r a no the r c ha lle nge — b ut p e r ha p s yo u will s ta nd fo r yo ur c o us in, e h? " Va s ili wa s n' t s ur p r is e d . P a ve l' s a ttitud e ha d n' t c ha nge d . "P e r ha p s , " wa s a ll he wo uld c o mmit to . "But fir s t I ' d lik e to ta k e a d va nta ge o f yo ur fa mo us ho s p ita lity. I tr us t yo ur villa ge is n' t fa r ? " "N o t fa r a t a ll, o r we wo uld n' t ha ve he a r d tho s e s ho ts a nd c o me to inve s tiga te . " And Va s ili c o uld b la me Ale xa nd r a fo r tha t. I f s he ha d s to p p e d , the y wo uld ha ve s e e n whe r e he r ho r s e s we r e b e ing ta k e n, he wo uld ha ve r e c o gnize d the villa ge , a nd the y c o uld ha ve r e tur ne d with the o the r s in the ir p a r ty, in a p o s itio n o f p o we r r a the r tha n a s p r is o ne r s . At le a s t La tzk o , the le a d e r o f the s e hill b a nd its , wa s a n e a s y ma n to d e a l with. Gr e e d wa s his guid ing p r inc ip le , a nd e ve r ything ha d a p r ic e . "W o uld yo u mind ge tting tha t k nife o ut o f my b a c k , P a ve l? La tzk o wo n' t a p p r e c ia te d a ma ge d go o d s . " "La tzk o is no t yo ur wo r r y. He ' s go ne to Aus tr ia to the b itc h' s we d d ing. I a m yo ur wo r r y, a r is to . I r ule in La tzk o ' s a b s e nc e . " J us t wha t Va s ili ne e d e d to he a r . He ha d a ma d ma n to d e a l with ins te a d o f the r e a s o na b le La tzk o . The "b itc h" he a s s ume d wa s La tzk o ' s d a ughte r , Ar ina . P a ve l ha d lo ve d he r a nd lo s t he r to S te fa n a numb e r o f ye a r s a go , whic h wa s o ne r e a s o n P a ve l ha te d S te fa n s o muc h. The o the r r e a s o n wa s b e c a us e S te fa n ha d fo ught him a nd b e a t him, twic e . And tha t wa s why P a ve l ha te d a ll a r is to c r a ts .

"C o ngr a tula tio ns o n the p r o mo tio n, P a ve l, b ut c a n we c o ntinue this d is c us s io n in yo ur villa ge , p r e fe r a b ly b e fo r e a wa r m fir e ? I ha p p e n to b e fr e e zing. " P a ve l la ughe d . At le a s t ha lf o f his me n jo ine d in. But the k nife wa s fina lly r e mo ve d fr o m Va s ili' s b a c k . A fe w o r d e r s we r e give n a nd Va s ili' s s wo r d wa s ta k e n. The n P a ve l no tic e d Ale xa nd r a . "Ano the r wo ma n? " P a ve l c a me a r o und a nd a p p r o a c he d Ale xa nd r a until he wa s s ta nd ing in fr o nt o f he r . But a fte r o ne q uic k lo o k , he gla nc e d b a c k a t Va s ili fo r a little glo a ting. "This d a y' s wo r k ha s tur ne d o ut muc h b e tte r tha n I e xp e c te d . W ill s he b e wo r th a s muc h a s the o the r o ne ? " He wa s r e fe r r ing to Ta nya , who ha d b e e n c a p tur e d la s t ye a r a nd who s e r e tr ie va l ha d c o s t S te fa n five hund r e d r ub le s . Va s ili wa s a lr e a d y go ing to ha ve to p a y a fo r tune to ge t Ale xa nd r a ' s ho r s e s b a c k . The ir va lue wa s o b vio us . He r s wa s n' t, a nd he ne e d e d to e s ta b lis h he r wo r thle s s ne s s the n a nd the r e , no t o nly to k e e p he r c o s t d o wn, b ut b e c a us e P a ve l wa s a ve nge ful b a s ta r d . But he wo uld n' t ha ve d o ne it the wa y he d id if s he ha d n' t b e e n gla r ing a t him a t tha t e xa c t mo me nt. He wa s a lr e a d y a ngr y with he r , a nd tha t o nly infla me d him. W ith jus t e no ugh a nno ya nc e in his vo ic e to s o und s inc e r e , he s a id , "K e e p he r . Yo u' d b e d o ing me a fa vo r . " Eve n with s e ve r a l fe e t s e p a r a ting the m, Va s ili he a r d Ale xa nd r a d r a w in a s ha r p b r e a th. P a ve l c o uld n' t he lp b ut he a r the ind igna nt s o und hims e lf. I t wa s o b vio us he ' d ha d no r e a l inte r e s t in he r . Bund le d up in he r C o s s a c k ga r b , s he ha r d ly p r e s e nte d a n a llur ing p a c k a ge . But the s o und d r e w his a tte ntio n b a c k to he r , a nd he lifte d he r c hin fo r a b e tte r lo o k a t he r . N o thing s ho uld ha ve ha p p e ne d . He r ha nd s we r e tie d b e hind he r b a c k . S he wa s s ur r o und e d b y b a nd its . But s he k ic k e d him, ha r d . P a ve l ho wle d . S o me o f his me n la ughe d , a d d ing ins ult to injur y. W he n he go t d o ne ho p p ing a r o und o n o ne le g while he ma s s a ge d his a c hing s hin— it wa s inc r e d ib le ho w he d id it witho ut s lip p ing— he lo o k e d p o s itive ly mur d e r o us , a nd Ale xa nd r a wa s go ing to c a tc h the b r unt o f his fur y. Va s ili ha d b e gun s te p p ing c lo s e r , b ut no t s o o n e no ugh. He wa s n' t c lo s e e no ugh to s to p P a ve l' s r a is e d fis t fr o m c o nne c ting with Ale xa nd r a ' s fa c e . He ha d to ta c k le him to ma na ge it, whic h wa s wha t he d id . W he n the y s to p p e d s lid ing in the s no w, P a ve l wa s lo o k ing up a t him inc r e d ulo us ly. Va s ili fe lt e xa c tly the s a me . The c o ld ha d o b vio us ly numb e d his mind a s we ll a s his e xtr e mitie s . The r e wa s no o the r e xc us e fo r d o ing s o me thing s o s tup id . The o nly r e a s o n he ha d n' t b e e n s ho t a lr e a d y wa s b e c a us e P a ve l' s me n c o uld n' t b e lie ve he wa s tha t s tup id e ithe r , a nd we r e immo b ilize d b y s ur p r is e . Tha t ga ve him time to he lp P a ve l to his fe e t, d us t him o ff a b it, a nd s a y, "S o r r y, b ut no o ne hits he r e xc e p t me . An id io s ync r a s y o f mine . " He s ho uld ha ve s witc he d to C a r d inia n, whic h P a ve l und e r s to o d we ll e no ugh, b e c a us e Ale xa nd r a c ho s e tha t mo me nt to p r o ve s he ha d n' t lo s t he r vo ic e . "Yo u' r e go ing to r e gr e t tha t, P e tr o ff. "

He d id n' t gla nc e he r wa y whe n he r e p lie d , "Yo u' ve b e e n s ile nt until no w, we nc h. K e e p it tha t wa y. " P a ve l wa s gla r ing b e twe e n the two o f the m, b ut s ud d e nly his humo r to o k a n up wa r d s wing a nd he wa s a lmo s t s miling whe n he to ld Va s ili, "Tha t— wha te ve r yo u c a lle d it— is go ing to c o s t yo u, C a r d inia n. " Va s ili s ighe d . "I figur e d a s muc h. " 22 The fo o d wa s he a r ty, b ut Va s ili wa s o nly inte r e s te d in its wa r mth. He wa s s till c hille d to the b o ne , d e s p ite the c la y- mo und e d o ve n in the c e nte r o f the r o o m tha t s e e me d to b e k e e p ing e ve r yo ne e ls e wa r m. La tzk o ' s ho us e wa s a la r ge , o ne - r o o m b uild ing tha t s e r ve d a s a s o r t o f me e ting ha ll fo r the villa ge a nd a b a r r a c k s fo r the s ingle me n in the villa ge . Va s ili' s ha nd s we r e no lo nge r numb , b ut s no w ha d s e e p e d into his b o o ts to s o a k his fe e t, whic h we r e s till fr e e zing. He wa s n' t go ing to fe e l tr uly wa r m until he c o uld ge t o ut o f his d a mp c lo the s , a nd he d o ub te d Ale xa nd r a wa s , e ithe r . N o t tha t s he ' d ma d e a ny c o mme nt a b o ut it. S he wa s igno r ing e ve r yo ne , inc lud ing him, e s p e c ia lly him. S he wa s s itting c r o s s - le gge d o n o ne o f the ma ny c o ts in the r o o m. S he wa s ho ld ing he r p la te o n he r la p , p ic k ing a t the fo o d o n it with he r finge r s . The s p o o n tha t ha d b e e n s up p lie d fo r he r la y o n the b la nk e t b y he r k ne e . He a ve n fo r b id s he s ho uld a c tua lly k no w wha t to d o with it. Va s ili wa s a lmo s t a c c us to me d to he r e a ting ha b its b y no w, b ut s he ha d s ur p r is e d the ir ho s ts . Eve n hill b a nd its ha d b e tte r ta b le ma nne r s tha n his b e tr o the d . But fo r o nc e he wa s gla d it wa s s o , b e c a us e the y to o k he r fo r a p e a s a nt a nd d is mis s e d he r a s unimp o r ta nt. He wo uld ha ve wr ung he r ne c k if s he ha d s ud d e nly d e ve lo p e d p r o p e r ma nne r s . S he wa s s till we a r ing he r thic k wo o le n c o a t fa s te ne d up to he r ne c k . W ith a mp le light in the r o o m, he c o uld s e e tha t the fr o nt o f it wa s s o a k e d fr o m whe n s he ' d b e e n s ho ve d fa c e d o wn in the s no w. He r lo ve ly b r e a s ts ha d to b e ic y c o ld b e ne a th tha t d a mp ne s s , the nip p le s ha r d little nub s jus t wa iting fo r him to . . . Va s ili c o ve r e d his e ye s with his ha nd , gr o a ning inwa r d ly. W ha t the he ll wa s he d o ing? He ha d P a ve l s itting a c r o s s fr o m him, two o f his me n o n e ithe r s id e o f him, o ne o f the villa ge wo me n mo ving a r o und b e hind the m, filling mugs with a le a nd c o ngr a tula ting the lo c a ls o n the ir b r a ve r y a nd c unning. And wha t wa s he d o ing ins te a d o f lis te ning fo r a p ie c e o f info r ma tio n he c o uld us e to his a d va nta ge ? The o nly thing o f inte r e s t tha t he ' d he a r d s o fa r wa s tha t the b a nd its ha d n' t jus t s tumb le d a c r o s s his p a r ty, a s might b e s up p o s e d , b ut ha d k no wn a b o ut the tr a ve le r s a nd the ho r s e s we ll in a d va nc e . Ap p a r e ntly the y ha d me n in the ir p a y who live d in the villa ge o n the o the r s id e o f the mo unta in, whe r e Va s ili' s gr o up ha d ta k e n s he lte r the p r e vio us night. I t wa s a n id e a l a r r a nge me nt tha t k e p t the b a nd its info r me d whe ne ve r a r ic h p a r ty wa s c r o s s ing the mo unta ins . S ho r tc uts c o nne c te d the two villa ge s in a ma tte r o f ho ur s . And to d a y, the s to r m ha d me r e ly b e e n a n a d d e d b o o n,

a llo wing the m to ta k e wha t the y wa nte d witho ut a c o nfr o nta tio n. "W ha t is s he to yo u? " Ale xa nd r a wa s s ud d e nly lo o k ing s tr a ight a t Va s ili, p r o ving s he ' d b e e n lis te ning to e ve r y wo r d e ve n if he ha d n' t b e e n. But he wa s n' t go ing to ma k e the mis ta k e o f giving a n infla mma to r y a ns we r in Rus s ia n a ga in. S he wa s to o unp r e d ic ta b le . He c o uld n' t d e p e nd o n he r to he lp the m ge t o ut o f this me s s s he ha d go tte n the m into . M a k e he r a ngr y, a nd s he ' d jus t a s s o o n a tta c k him a s the b a nd its . S o Va s ili s witc he d to C a r d inia n to s a y, "He r fa the r ga ve he r to me . I ' ve d e c id e d to a mus e mys e lf with he r fo r a while . " The lo o k Ale xa nd r a ga ve him b e fo r e he r e ye s r e tur ne d to he r fo o d s a id s he d id n' t a p p r e c ia te o ne little b it b e ing e xc lud e d fr o m tha t a ns we r . Va s ili wa s r e lie ve d . The r e ha d b e e n the p o s s ib ility tha t s he might k no w C a r d inia n. I t ha d n' t b e e n lik e ly, b ut it wa s p o s s ib le . "And yo u a mus e yo ur s e lf b y b e a ting he r ? " P a ve l wa s s tic k ing with Rus s ia n, d e lib e r a te ly to d is c o mfit Va s ili, he d id n' t d o ub t. And Ale xa nd r a ' s he a d ha d s na p p e d b a c k up . Va s ili c o uld tr y a ga in in C a r d inia n, he s up p o s e d , b ut a s P a ve l ha d a lr e a d y give n the wr o ng imp r e s s io n with tha t q ue s tio n, the o d d s we r e he ' d d o the s a me a ga in, s o Va s ili might a s we ll s tic k with Rus s ia n. I f Ale xa nd r a wa s go ing to b e fo o lis h e no ugh to d r a w a tte ntio n to he r s e lf with a n inte r r up tio n, it wo uld b e he r o wn fa ult. Va s ili' s go ld e n e ye s s e ttle d o n P a ve l a nd s ta ye d the r e , r e fus ing to lo o k in Ale xa nd r a ' s d ir e c tio n a ga in. "I b e lie ve my e a r lie r wo r d s we r e tha t no o ne hits he r e xc e p t me . I d o n' t find a mus e me nt in tha t, me r e ly ne c e s s ity. S he d o e s s o o fte n d e s e r ve it, a fte r a ll. " "But yo u me a n to k e e p he r , e h? " "I ' m no t b o r e d ye t, s o ye s , fo r a little while lo nge r I ' ll k e e p he r . But d ur ing tha t time s he r e ma ins mine e xc lus ive ly— o r I lo s e inte r e s t. " P a ve l' s s hr ug s a id he und e r s to o d p e r fe c tly. Us e d go o d s lo s t the ir va lue . And no w the y c o uld ge t d o wn to the b us ine s s a t ha nd . "F ifty r ub le s , no mo r e , " Va s ili o ffe r e d , a nd his e xp r e s s io n imp lie d tha t he wa s b e ing ge ne r o us . The n he s a t b a c k , lifting o ne a r m o ve r the b a c k o f his c ha ir . "W a s n' t tha t the p r ic e S te fa n ha d to p a y to ge t Ar ina b a c k tha t time ? " I t wa s a c a lc ula te d r is k , b r inging Ar ina into the c o nve r s a tio n. But he ' d a lr e a d y gue s s e d tha t the wo ma n s e r ving the m wa s P a ve l' s wo ma n, s imp ly b y the e xp r e s s io ns p a s s ing b e twe e n the m, a nd b e c a us e the o the r me n k e p t the ir ha nd s o ff he r . P a ve l c o uld e ithe r e xp lo d e with je a lo us y a s he us ua lly d id whe ne ve r Ar ina wa s me ntio ne d , o r q uic k ly ge t the s ub je c t o f wo me n o ut o f the wa y, s inc e his o wn wa s lis te ning. "Yo u wo uld c o mp a r e La tzk o ' s d a ughte r with this p e a s a nt? " he d e ma nd e d , wa ving a ha nd to wa r d Ale xa nd r a . I nd igna tio n? Va s ili c o uld n' t ha ve a s k e d fo r a b e tte r r e a c tio n. "Yo u' r e r ight, o f c o ur s e . W ha t wo uld yo u s ugge s t, the n? Twe nty- five ? " "F o r ty- five , " P a ve l r e p lie d , o b vio us ly ha ving r e a lize d his mis ta k e .

"I s up p o s e tha t k e e p s a nyo ne fr o m b e ing ins ulte d , " Va s ili r e ma r k e d d r yly. Exc e p t fo r Ale xa nd r a . "Agr e e d , a nd b y the wa y, who is Ar ina ma r r ying? " P a ve l s p it o n the flo o r b e fo r e he s a id in d is gus t, "S he go t tir e d o f he r Aus tr ia n d uk e a nd to o k up with a c o unt. He ' s c r a zy e no ugh to ma r r y he r . " Va s ili k ne w he s ho uld n' t, b ut he s imp ly c o uld n' t r e s is t r ub b ing it in a little . "La tzk o mus t b e p le a s e d to ha ve a c o unt in the fa m- ily. " "La tzk o jus t wa nts he r ma r r ie d , " P a ve l ha lf gr o wle d , ha lf mumb le d . "He d o n' t c a r e to who . N o w fo r yo u, C o unt P e tr o ff. I k no w my go o d fr ie nd S te fa n will p a y p le nty fo r yo u. The ho r s e s , o f c o ur s e , I k e e p fo r mys e lf. But yo u— " "Ho r s e s lik e tha t wo uld b e us e le s s in the s e mo unta ins a nd yo u k no w it, P a ve l. I ' ll give yo u thr e e hund r e d fo r the lo t o f the m. " P a ve l la ughe d . "Yo u think I d o n' t k no w ho r s e s tha t fine a r e fo r yo ur c o us in? I f he wa nts the m, he ' ll ha ve to p a y the p r ic e I a s k , o r I k e e p the m. " Va s ili c o uld n' t ima gine whe r e tha t no tio n ha d c o me fr o m, b ut he ' d ha ve to d is a b us e him o f it q uic k ly o r he ' d ne ve r ge t the ho r s e s b a c k . "The y ha p p e n to b e a gift to me fr o m my b e tr o the d . S te fa n d o e s n' t e ve n lik e white s . He c a lls the m b lo o d le s s , te mp e r a me nta l c r e a tur e s , no t wo r th the e ffo r t to fe e d the m. Ha ving tr a ve le d with the m, I ' m inc line d to a gr e e , tho ugh I ma y s till s ta r t a b r e e d ing fa r m with the m, a s I ha d p la nne d to d o . Ho we ve r , s inc e the y c o s t me no thing, I r e a lly d o n' t c a r e o ne wa y o r the o the r . Thr e e hund r e d r ub le s fo r the lo t, a nd no t a r ub le mo r e . " "O ne tho us a nd r ub le s e a c h, a nd no t a r ub le le s s , " P a ve l c o unte r e d b e llige r e ntly. Va s ili c o uld fe e l Ale xa nd r a ' s mid night e ye s s lic ing into him lik e d a gge r s . He ' d jus t ins ulte d he r "b a b ie s . " He wa s s ur p r is e d s he ha d n' t thr o wn he r p la te a t him. And he wa s n' t finis he d . "Ab s o lute ly r id ic ulo us , " he s a id in his mo s t d e r is ive to ne . "I f yo u c a n' t b e s e r io us , the n we ha ve no thing fur the r to d is c us s . " "I t is S te fa n who will p a y, a r is to , " P a ve l r e p lie d c o nfid e ntly. "As fo r wha t he will p a y fo r yo u, five tho us a nd r ub le s , I think — no , te n tho us a nd . " "Yo u' r e c r a zy. " P a ve l' s fis t s la mme d d o wn o n the ta b le . "He o we s me ! I f he d o e s no t p a y, b e lie ve me , I will b e ha p p y to s e nd yo u b a c k to him in p ie c e s . " Va s ili ha d tr ie d to b e r e a s o na b le . He wa s tir e d . He wa s c o ld . N o w he wa s a ngr y. He le a ne d fo r wa r d , his a r ms c r o s s e d o n the ta b le , p inning P a ve l' s e ye s with the he a t in his . And he s a id ve r y s o ftly, "Yo u s ho uld n' t ma k e thr e a ts yo u d o n' t d a r e fo llo w thr o ugh with, P a ve l. I t we a k e ns yo ur p o s itio n. " "And why wo uld n' t I d o a s I s a y? " "Be c a us e we b o th k no w tha t if a nything ha p p e ns to me , S te fa n will c o me he r e with his s o ld ie r s a nd this villa ge will b e no mo r e . De a th o r p r o fit. W hic h wa s it yo u ha d in mind whe n yo u s to le my ho r s e s ? " P a ve l ha d go ne r e d in the fa c e , e ithe r fr o m fur y o r fr o m e mb a r r a s s me nt,

b e c a us e he wa s go ing to ha ve to b a c k d o wn. The p o we r o f b e ing le a d e r fo r a while might ha ve go ne to his he a d , b ut La tzk o wo uld b e r e tur ning, a nd La tzk o wo uld d e ma nd a n a c c o unting. Va s ili d e c id e d to ma k e it a little e a s ie r fo r him to b a c k d o wn. "F o r ge t a b o ut S te fa n, P a ve l. I t' s I who will p a y, no t S te fa n, a nd it' s me yo u a r e d e a ling with, no t S te fa n. I wo uld s ugge s t yo u s le e p o n tha t, a nd p e r ha p s we c a n ge t b a c k to ne go tia tio ns in the mo r ning. I n the me a ntime , the we nc h a nd I r e q uir e q ua r te r s whe r e we c a n d r y o ff— in p r iva te . " O ne o f the o the r me n c huc k le d , a r e a c tio n Va s ili ha d c o unte d o n. P a ve l wa s s till r e d - fa c e d , tho ugh, a nd it wa s a lo ng, te ns e mo me nt b e fo r e he jo ine d in the la ughte r , a lb e it with a ho llo w s o und . "By a ll me a ns . Yo u will wa nt to b e d r y while the r e s t o f us c e le b r a te o ur go o d fo r tune . " 23 The y we r e s ho wn to a r a ms ha c k le , va c a nt hut tha t b e lo nge d to o ne o f the me n who ha d a c c o mp a nie d La tzk o o n his jo ur ne y to Aus tr ia . I t c o nta ine d the b a s ic s — a fe w c ha ir s a nd a ta b le , a na r r o w b e d , s o me d is he s , a nd s o me b la nk e ts — b ut no thing o f a p e r s o na l na tur e , s inc e the o wne r ha d n' t s e e me d to tr us t his c o mr a d e s e no ugh to le a ve his va lua b le s b e hind . I t wa s a ls o ne a r ly a s c o ld ins id e the o ne - r o o m hut a s it wa s o uts id e , b e c a us e the o ve n ha d n' t b e e n us e d fo r s e ve r a l we e k s . The r e wa s o ne wind o w, b ut it wa s b o a r d e d up fr o m the o uts id e . The d o o r ha d no lo c k , s o the ir e s c o r t ha d na ile d a p la nk to it b e fo r e he d e p a r te d . I t wo uld n' t b e o p e ne d a ga in until it wa s p r ie d lo o s e in the mo r ning. The b e s t Va s ili c o uld s a y fo r the a c c o mmo d a tio ns wa s tha t the y we r e p r iva te . The o ne c a nd le the y' d b e e n le ft with ga ve o ff a wa r m glo w. The r e wa s a s ma ll s ta c k o f fir e wo o d in a c o r ne r , a nd the r e a s o n it wa s s o s ma ll wa s b e c a us e the o ve n wa s s ma ll. I t wa s go ing to ta k e ho ur s fo r a fir e to ta k e the c hill o ff the r o o m, a nd he d id n' t inte nd to wa it tha t lo ng to ge t d r y. But a fir e wa s his fir s t p r io r ity. As s o o n a s he wa s a s s ur e d a gua r d ha d n' t b e e n le ft o uts id e , Va s ili he a d e d fo r the fir e wo o d . A wo o d e n b o wl gla nc e d o ff his s ho uld e r b e fo r e he go t the r e . "W ha t the — ? " He s wung a b o ut, b ut ha d to d uc k a s a p la te fle w p a s t his he a d . Ale xa nd r a ha d mo ve d to a c up b o a r d a ga ins t the wa ll whe r e s he ha d a wid e a s s o r tme nt o f mis s ile s a t he r d is p o s a l, a nd s he ga ve the imp r e s s io n tha t s he inte nd e d to us e e ve r y o ne o f the m. C o ns id e r ing the d is ta nc e s e p a r a ting the m, Va s ili d e c id e d to ta lk q uic k ly. "W ha te ve r I s a id a b o ut yo ur ho r s e s , Ale xa nd r a , it wa s me r e ly to ge t P a ve l' s p r ic e d o wn. O r d o n' t yo u wa nt yo ur a nima ls b a c k ? " He r a ns we r wa s a gla s s mug tha t c a me d a mn c lo s e to his c he e k . S o it wa s n' t the ho r s e s ?

He s ta r te d mo ving s lo wly to wa r d he r a s he tr ie d a ga in. "I a ls o ha d to s a y wha t I d id a b o ut yo u, a nd it ha d no thing to d o with p r ic e . I f P a ve l tho ught yo u me a nt s o me thing to me , he c o uld we ll d e c id e to hur t yo u b e fo r e s e lling yo u b a c k to me , he ' s tha t unp r e d ic ta b le a nd vind ic tive . I n his mind , wha t hur ts me wo uld hur t S te fa n, a nd he ' ll d o a nything to hur t S te fa n, who m he ha te s . " Va s ili ha d to d uc k a ga in, b ut he s e ns e d tha t he wa s ge tting c lo s e r to wha t wa s b o the r ing he r . Ho we ve r , he o b vio us ly ha d n' t to uc he d o n he r s o r e p o int ye t, a nd he r a im wa s imp r o ving. His vo ic e d r o p p e d to a me na c ing to ne . "S p it it o ut, Ale x, b e fo r e I lo s e my p a tie nc e . " Ano the r p la te c a me a t his he a d , b ut a ls o the s ho ute d r e mind e r : "Twe nty- five r ub le s ? " J e s us , he s ho uld ha ve k no wn tha t wa s wha t s he wo uld ta k e e xc e p tio n to the mo s t. W o me n a nd the ir d a mn s e ns ib ilitie s . And he ' d tho ught he r s we r e n' t no r ma l— b ut, o f c o ur s e , the y we r e o nly no r ma l whe n he c o uld ha ve wis he d the y we r e n' t. "Yo u a ls o he a r d tha t S te fa n p a id o nly fifty fo r Ar ina , " he p o inte d o ut. "Ar ina o b vio us ly ge ts p a s s e d a r o und a lo t, s o tha t ha r d ly c o unts . W ho wa s the o the r wo ma n, a nd ho w muc h d id yo u p a y fo r he r ? " Tha t q ue s tio n wa s a c c o mp a nie d b y a b r e a d b o a r d hitting him s q ua r e ly in the c he s t. He wa s s o s ur p r is e d b y the imp a c t, it to o k him s e ve r a l mo me nts to r e a lize tha t Ale xa nd r a ha d le ft the a r e a o f the c up b o a r d a nd wa s he a d ing fo r we ightie r mis s ile s in the fo r m o f fir e wo o d . Va s ili s ho t a c r o s s the r o o m a nd c a ught he r fr o m b e hind , lifting he r o ff he r fe e t, his a r ms tight a r o und he r wa is t. S he s c r e e c he d . He s ho o k he r . S he k ic k e d b a c k wa r d , a iming fo r his k ne e s . He s ho o k he r a ga in. He r ha t ha d c o me o ff, he r ha ir s p illing into his fa c e . I t wa s c o ld a nd s ilk y a nd s me lle d o f s p r ing flo we r s . He d id n' t d a r e ho ld he r fo r lo ng. "W ha t o the r wo ma n a r e yo u ta lk ing a b o ut? " "P ut me d o wn! " "W he n yo u' ve c a lme d d o wn, I will, " he r e p lie d . "W ha t o the r wo ma n? " "The o ne yo ur fr ie nd me ntio ne d — " "He ' s no t my fr ie nd . " "— whe n he a s k e d if I will b e wo r th a s muc h a s the o the r o ne ! " S he s o und e d s o fur io us , it fina lly o c c ur r e d to him why s he might ha ve b e e n gla r ing a t him o ut in the s no w whe n P a ve l ha d p o s e d tha t q ue s tio n. "W e r e yo u je a lo us , Ale x? " he a s k e d s o ftly b y he r e a r . He ima gine d he c o uld fe e l he r s q uir ming in his a r ms ; ho we ve r , he r r e p ly, whe n it c a me , wa s a s tub b o r n "Ans we r my q ue s tio n, P e tr o ff. " "Ans we r mine fir s t— o r I might r e c a ll a p r o mis e I ma d e to yo u a b o ut inflic ting vio le nc e up o n me — " "Yo u s o n o f a — ! " His a r ms tighte ne d a r o und he r wa is t jus t e no ugh to s hut he r up s o he c o uld

a d d , "I wa s go ing to s us p e nd tha t p r o mis e te mp o r a r ily, s inc e the s e d o ha p p e n to b e unus ua l c ir c ums ta nc e s , b ut— " "I wa s n' t je a lo us , " s he c ut in q uic k ly. "I t' s o nly the wo me n yo u a tte mp t to b e d no w who will fe e l the p o int o f my b la d e . And I to ld yo u why. " "Ye s , ye s , b e c a us e I ' m yo ur s , " he s a id in a to ne tha t imp lie d he ' d he a r d tha t to o o fte n. "Tha t s ma c k s o f je a lo us y to me , s we e the a r t. " "W ha t it is , is yo ur lo s s , " s he gr o wle d . "N o w, who wa s s he ? " "Q ue e n Ta tia na . " "W ho ? " "M y c o us in' s wife , tho ugh s he wa s me r e ly a p r inc e s s a t the time . S he wa s r a is e d in Ame r ic a , wa s lo s t the r e in fa c t, b ut tha t' s a lo ng s to r y I ' m s ur e yo u' r e no t inte r e s te d in. N o w, a r e n' t yo u a s ha me d o f yo ur s us p ic io ns ? " "O f a ma n who ha s no s ha me ? I d o n' t think s o , " s he r e to r te d . "Ho w muc h wa s p a id fo r he r ? " Va s ili s ighe d . "F ive hund r e d r ub le s , a nd b e fo r e yo u go c o mp a r ing yo ur s e lf with a p r inc e s s , yo u s ho uld k no w tha t tha t wa s a r id ic ulo us ly high p r ic e to d e ma nd fo r a wo ma n a nd tha t La tzk o e xp e c te d to ha ve it ha ggle d d o wn. M y c o us in, ho we ve r , wa s to o a ngr y to ha ggle . He jus t wa nte d his b r id e b a c k . But he s e t a b a d p r e c e d e nt b y p a ying it, whic h is why P a ve l is b e ing r id ic ulo us in his o wn d e ma nd s . " He r to ne b e c a me e xc e s s ive ly ha ughty. "The p r ic e he a s k s fo r my ho r s e s is no t r id ic ulo us . " "Yo u' r e mis s ing the p o int, Ale x. The s e a r e s imp le p e o p le with s imp le ne e d s . The r e a s o n the y s ur vive up he r e in the mo unta ins is tha t the y ne ve r ta k e to o muc h. The p e o p le the y r o b o r r a ns o m a r e me r e ly a nno ye d b y the inc o nve nie nc e . But if the b a nd its s ta r t ta k ing to o muc h, s o me o ne will ge t a ngr y e no ugh to d o s o me thing a b o ut the m. La tzk o und e r s ta nd s tha t. P a ve l d o e s n' t ha ve e no ugh s e ns e to . " "Ar e yo u s a ying the r e is no d a nge r ? " "I f La tzk o we r e he r e , I might s a y tha t. Ho we ve r , with P a ve l in c ha r ge , no thing is c e r ta in, p a r tic ula r ly whe r e we ' r e c o nc e r ne d . And tha t' s a s I s a id , b e c a us e he ha te s S te fa n s o muc h. " "Yo u c a n p ut me d o wn no w, P e tr o ff. " Va s ili c e r ta inly ho p e d s o . Ho ld ing he r this lo ng wa s giving his b o d y id e a s tha t his mind wa s tr ying d e s p e r a te ly to igno r e . "N o mo r e thr o wing things ? " "I b e lie ve I c a n r e s tr a in mys e lf fo r a while . " The s a r c a s m in he r to ne wa s a c tua lly mo r e r e a s s ur ing tha n a s tr a ight a ns we r wo uld ha ve b e e n, a t le a s t fr o m he r . He ha d fo und tha t whe n s he wa s a ngr y, s he wa s e xtr e me ly d ir e c t in he r r e s p o ns e s . He s e t he r d o wn c a r e fully. W ith the lo s s o f he r wa r mth, a c hill we nt thr o ugh him, a nd he tur ne d imme d ia te ly to wa r d the fir e wo o d a ga in.

He wa s n' t s ur e ho w s he wa s go ing to ta k e his ne xt s ugge s tio n, b ut it ha d to b e ma d e . "W e ha ve to ge t o ut o f the s e we t c lo the s . " "I k no w, " s he s a id in a s ma ll vo ic e b e hind him. S he c o uld b e s e ns ib le ? Tha nk Go d fo r s ma ll fa vo r s . And the n it hit him. S he wa s go ing to ta k e he r c lo the s o ff. And the y we r e in a lo c k e d r o o m, a lo ne — with a b e d . He wa s fully a r o us e d within s e c o nd s a nd gr o a ning. "W ha t' s wr o ng? " s he a s k e d . "N o thing, " he r e p lie d , b ut he ha d go ne p e r fe c tly s till, b e nt o ve r the fir e wo o d . "The fir e , P e tr o ff, " s he p r o mp te d imp a tie ntly. "O r d o yo u think we c a n s ur vive the night witho ut o ne ? " He wa s n' t go ing to s ur vive the night e ithe r wa y, s o wha t d id he c a r e ? But he go t a gr ip o n hims e lf a nd we nt thr o ugh the mo tio ns o f s ta r ting the o ve n. ' Te ll me why P a ve l d is lik e s yo ur c o us in s o muc h, " s he s a id . Exc e lle nt. S o me thing e ls e to think a b o ut— b e s id e s wha t s he wa s go ing to b e d o ing s o o n. "P a ve l wa s in lo ve with La tzk o ' s d a ughte r , Ar ina , a nd p o s s ib ly s till is . But s he ha d highe r a s p ir a tio ns . S he me t S te fa n s o me e ight ye a r s a go whe n he wa s the C r o wn P r inc e , a nd s he b e c a me his mis tr e s s fo r a time . The n the y ha d a fight a nd s he c a me b a c k he r e . S te fa n fo llo we d he r to ma k e a me nd s , a nd e nd e d up ha ving to p a y La tzk o the fifty r ub le s b e fo r e he wo uld a llo w he r to le a ve with S te fa n. P a ve l a ls o ins is te d tha t S te fa n fight fo r the p r ivile ge . " "Did he ? " "Ye s . " "Tha t s o und s r a the r r o ma ntic . " Va s ili s no r te d . "The r e wa s no thing r o ma ntic a b o ut it. P a ve l fo ught d ir ty, b ut s till lo s t. The tr o ub le wa s , he ' s a b a d lo s e r . W he n Ta nya wa s c a p tur e d — " "W ho is Ta nya ? " He igno r e d the fa c t tha t he r vo ic e ha d go ne s ha r p a ga in. " ' Ta nya ' is wha t Ta tia na ins is ts s he b e c a lle d . As I s a id , s he wa s r a is e d in Ame r ic a a nd tha t wa s the na me s he wa s k no wn b y the r e . S he d id n' t le a r n he r tr ue na me until we fo und he r la s t ye a r . . . b ut I d igr e s s . As I wa s s a ying, whe n s he wa s c a p tur e d , S te fa n ha d to c o me he r e a ga in, a nd P a ve l s a w it a s a n o p p o r tunity to ha ve r e ve nge . He c ha lle nge d S te fa n a ga in, this time with k nive s , with the s o le inte nt o f k illing him. " "I ' m go ing to a s s ume he lo s t tha t fight, to o ? " "I nd e e d , b ut yo u he a r d him. He ' s s till no t s a tis fie d , e ve n tho ugh La tzk o wa r ne d him the la s t time tha t he ' d k ill him hims e lf if he e ve r c ha lle nge d S te fa n a ga in. " "Ah, b ut La tzk o is n' t he r e to e nfo r c e tha t wa r ning a nd . . . yo u think he ' s go ing to c ha lle nge yo u b e fo r e this is o ve r , d o n' t yo u? " Did he he a r c o nc e r n in he r vo ic e ? J e s us , no w he wa s ima gining things . Ale xa nd r a c o nc e r ne d fo r him? M a yb e whe n c o ws le a r ne d to d a nc e .

"He ' d b e a n id io t to c ha lle nge me , " Va s ili s c o ffe d . "He s tr ik e s yo u a s ha ving s o me s o r t o f inte llige nc e , d o e s he ? " He r to ne wa s s o d r y, he a lmo s t c huc k le d . And tha t s ur p r is e d him. W he n the he ll ha d he s ta r te d to find he r wit a mus ing? The fir e ha d fina lly c a ught, a nd it wa s n' t a s we a k a s he ' d fe a r e d it wo uld b e . The c la y o ve n wo uld s till ta k e a while to wa r m the r o o m c o mp le te ly, b ut s ur e ly no t the ho ur s he ' d fir s t tho ught. He tur ne d to s ugge s t tha t Ale xa nd r a mo ve c lo s e r to the o ve n b e fo r e s he to o k o ff he r c lo the s . He wa s n' t p r e p a r e d to find he r a lr e a d y with a b la nk e t wr a p p e d a r o und he r , he r c o a t, p a nts , a nd s hir t d r a p e d o ve r the b a c k o f o ne o f the two c ha ir s ne xt to he r , e ve n he r fe e t b a r e . He wa s b r e a thle s s . His mind we nt b la nk , the n a b r up tly fo c us e d o n o ne thing. W a s s he c o mp le te ly na k e d und e r tha t b la nk e t, o r d id s he s till ha ve o n s o me s o r t o f und e r we a r ? Did s he e ve n we a r und e r we a r ? He wa s a b o ut to e mb a r r a s s hims e lf b y a s k ing, whe n he k ne w d a mn we ll he d id n' t d a r e find o ut. He lo o k e d a wa y fr o m he r , b ut he c o uld n' t find a nything to s e ttle his ga ze o n tha t wo uld he lp him to igno r e the r e a c tio n o f his b o d y. Ha d he b e e n the o ne to a s k fo r p r iva te q ua r te r s ? He mus t ha ve b e e n o ut o f his mind . "Yo u c a n ta k e the b e d , " he b lur te d o ut. "I ' ll s le e p o n the flo o r . " "Do n' t b e a b s ur d . I ' m no t go ing to ma k e a ny p r e te ns e o f lik ing this s itua tio n —" He whip p e d his he a d b a c k a r o und a nd inte r r up te d he r with a n e mp ha tic "W e a r e in c o mp le te a c c o r d . " "— b ut we a r e a d ults , the r e is o nly o ne b e d , a nd o nc e yo u r e mo ve yo ur b o o ts , yo u will d is c o ve r tha t the c o ld ha p p e ns to b e s e e p ing thr o ugh the flo o r b o a r d s . Yo u wo uld b e e xtr e me ly ill c o me mo r ning if yo u a tte mp te d — " "I ge t the p o int, Ale x! " he s na p p e d , a lb e it a b it to o lo ud ly. S he d r e w he r s e lf up s tiffly b e c a us e o f his to ne . "Yo u c a n tr y to ge t s o me o ne ' s a tte ntio n to a s k fo r s e p a r a te q ua r te r s , b ut fr o m the d is ta nt s o und s o f r e ve lr y a nd mus ic , o ur b a nd its a r e a p p a r e ntly b a r r e l- d e e p in the ir c e le b r a tio n. I s e r io us ly d o ub t a nyo ne will he a r yo u. " He d o ub te d it a s we ll, b ut this wa s n' t go ing to wo r k . He wa nte d he r — we ll, he d id n' t, c e r ta inly he d id n' t, b ut his b o d y d id , a nd he wa s a ma n who to o o fte n a llo we d his b o d y to go ve r n him. But he c o uld n' t a llo w it this time . He a b s o lute ly r e fus e d to le t he r find o ut ho w inte ns e ly s he ' d a r o us e d him. "Yo u' r e r ight o n a ll c o unts . I s imp ly d id n' t e xp e c t yo u to b e — s o p his tic a te d a b o ut this . " The s tiffne s s d id n' t le a ve he r p o s tur e . I f a nything, he r c hin ha d go ne up a no tc h, a nd he r s p ine wa s a c tua lly a little mo r e s tiff. "The r e ' s no thing s o p his tic a te d a b o ut ha ving the s e ns e to s ha r e b o d y he a t o n a night lik e this , " s he info r me d him. "S o d o n' t ge t the wr o ng id e a , P e tr o ff. I ' d muc h r a the r s le e p ne xt to a ny o the r b o d y tha n yo ur s , b ut s inc e yo ur s ha p p e ns to b e the o nly o ne he r e — "

"Ge t in the d a mn b e d a nd go to s le e p , " he gr o wle d . "M o r ning c a n' t c o me s o o n e no ugh fo r me . " 24 Va s ili fe lt he r e ye s o n him a s he s to o d ne a r the o ve n, a b o ut to d is r o b e . He k ne w it wa s n' t s o , tha t his ima gina tio n wa s r unning a mo k , b e c a us e Ale xa nd r a ha d no inte r e s t wha ts o e ve r in his b o d y. And s he s ho uld b e a s le e p . He ' d wa ite d lo ng e no ugh to e ns ur e tha t s he wo uld b e . Ye t he ima gine d he r wa tc hing him a nd he b e c a me s o ha r d he a c he d . I t wa s p ur e s e lf- to r tur e , ge tting in tha t b e d to lie b e s id e he r . S he wa s tightly wr a p p e d in he r b la nk e t, ha d p ile d e ve r y o the r o ne s he ' d b e e n a b le to find o n to p o f the b e d , a nd the s e c o nd he la y d o wn, he c o uld fe e l the he a t r a d ia ting fr o m he r b o d y. As c hille d a s he s till wa s , he wa s d r a wn to tha t he a t a s s tr o ngly a s he ' d e ve r b e e n d r a wn to a fe ma le b o d y, a nd it wa s n' t s e xua l a ttr a c tio n. The s e xua l ne e d wa s the r e , to o , p ulling jus t a s s tr o ngly, b ut this wa s a no the r ne e d , jus t a s b a s ic , a s imp le ne e d fo r wa r mth. And ye t he d id n' t d a r e gr a tify tha t ne e d . S he ' d s a id the y mus t s ha r e b o d y he a t, s he ' d . s a id it, no t he . But b e c a us e o f the s ta te o f his a r o us a l, if he ga ve in to the o ne ne e d , he ' d lo s e c o ntr o l o f the o the r . S o he la y the r e , b e ginning to s hive r , gr itting his te e th to k e e p the m fr o m c ha tte r ing, b e ing to r n a p a r t b y b o th ne e d s . Lo gic a lly, Va s ili k ne w tha t he wo uld e ve ntua lly wa r m up jus t a s Ale xa nd r a ha d . Eve ntua lly his a r o us a l wo uld q uie t d o wn, to o . And e ve ntua lly he might e ve n fa ll a s le e p . I n the me a ntime , he wa s go ing to s uffe r thr o ugh the wo r s t night o f his life ; wha t he wa nte d wa s within his r e a c h, ye t it might a s we ll b e mile s a wa y b e c a us e he wa s una b le to ta k e it. But he c o uld a t le a s t ge t a s c lo s e to he r a s p o s s ib le witho ut a c tua lly to uc hing he r . The b e d wa s na r r o w. Lying o n his s id e , fa c ing he r , he wa s a lr e a d y c lo s e . J us t a fe w inc he s mo r e . . . Ale xa nd r a s uc k e d in a b r e a th a nd s a t b o lt up r ight whe n his fo o t a c c id e nta lly b r us he d a ga ins t he r s . "Go d , yo ur fe e t a r e fr e e zing! " I n the ne xt mo me nt, s he r e a c he d b e ne a th the c o ve r s , p ulle d his ne a r e s t fo o t o nto he r la p , a nd b e ga n to r ub it b r is k ly with he r wa r m ha nd s . He r b la nk e t o p e ne d in the fr o nt, he ld o nly b y he r s ho uld e r s , b ut he wa s in the wr o ng p o s itio n to s e e wha t it r e ve a le d . "Did n' t yo u ha ve s e ns e e no ugh to s tic k the m in fr o nt o f the fir e ? " s he c o ntinue d , he r to ne a b r a s ive . "Do n' t yo u k no w tha t if yo ur fe e t a r e c o ld , the r e s t o f yo u d o e s n' t s ta nd a c ha nc e o f wa r ming up ? " The r e wa s a p a r t o f him tha t wa s b ur ning ho t, c o mp le te ly d is p uting tha t r e ma r k . He d id n' t me ntio n it to he r . He a ls o d id n' t me ntio n tha t he ha d s a t b e fo r e the fir e , s till in his d a mp c lo the s , a nd tha t the wa r mth ha d fa ile d to p e ne tr a te the m, r e a c hing o nly a fe w p a r ts o f him.

But the c o ld ha d n' t b e e n o n his mind the n; s he ha d . He ha d b e e n think ing o f he r lying na k e d in tha t b e d , think ing a b o ut jo ining he r the r e , jus t a s na k e d , ima gining he r tur ning to him— a nd wha t wo uld na tur a lly o c c ur a fte r tha t. He ha d n' t tho ught o f he r s c o ld ing him, a nd s itting the r e wa r ming his fo o t with he r ha nd s , a s if it we r e the mo s t na tur a l thing in the wo r ld fo r he r to b e d o ing. I t wa s a b it o f a s ho c k , b e ing tr e a te d lik e a c hild . But the me r e fa c t tha t s he wa s to uc hing him, a lb e it in a no ns e xua l wa y, ga ve him a nything b ut c hild lik e tho ughts . And it wa s e ve n mo r e o f a s ho c k tha t s he wa s to uc hing him a t a ll. He c o uld n' t figur e o ut why s he wa s d o ing it. F o r tha t ma tte r , why ha d s he p r a c tic a lly ins is te d tha t the y s ha r e the s a me b e d ? Ha d s he me r e ly s us p e nd e d the ir d iffe r e nc e s fo r the d ur a tio n o f this mis a d ve ntur e , o r . . . The o the r r e a s o n tha t o c c ur r e d to him s ta r te d his he a r t p ump ing to a ne a r ly a ud ib le te mp o . C o uld Ale xa nd r a wa nt him, ye t b e to o b a s hful to s a y s o a fte r a ll tha t ha d p a s s e d b e twe e n the m? The numb ne s s wa s r a p id ly r e c e d ing fr o m his fo o t. Afte r a fe w mo me nts mo r e , s he s a id in tha t imp a tie nt to ne o f he r s , "Give me the o the r o ne . " He wa s q uic k to c o mp ly, a nd it wa s n' t lo ng b e fo r e he fe lt wa r m a ll o ve r , fr o m e ithe r he r minis tr a tio ns o r his o wn tho ughts . "Tha nk yo u, " he s a id whe n s he fina lly s to p p e d . All s he d id wa s give him a c ur t no d o f a c k no wle d gme nt b e fo r e s he la y d o wn a ga in, tur ning a wa y fr o m him a s s he ' d b e e n b e fo r e . Va s ili thr e w c a utio n to the wind a nd lie d . "I ' m s till c hille d , Ale x. I b e lie ve yo u s a id s o me thing a b o ut s ha r ing b o d y he a t— " S he tur ne d o nto he r b e lly a nd p o und e d he r p illo w. S he wa s a ls o gr o a ning. I r o nic a lly, Va s ili fo und tha t to b e q uite a n e nc o ur a ging s ign. "Yo u' ve c ha nge d yo ur mind ? " he q ue r ie d , tr ying fo r a b le nd o f ind iffe r e nc e a nd d is a p p o intme nt, no e a s y fe a t. S he s ighe d . "N o , go a he a d . " And the n s he a d d e d s te r nly, "As lo ng a s yo u k e e p yo ur ha nd s to yo ur s e lf. " N o w, tha t wa s n' t e nc o ur a ging. But s he tur ne d o nto he r s id e a ga in a nd mo ve d s lightly b a c k wa r d , while he mo ve d fo r wa r d . The y c o nne c te d , b a c k to c he s t. S he wo uld ha ve give n no mo r e , b ut he wa nte d it a ll, b utto c k s to lo ins , thigh to thigh. He e d ge d c lo s e r until the y we r e a p e r fe c t fit. S he p r o te s te d b y s c o o ting a wa y. He fo llo we d until s he c o uld mo ve no fa r the r a nd ga ve up . S he s ighe d a ga in. He ha d to fight d o wn his o wn s ighs o f p le a s ur e . He a ls o ha d to k e e p his ha nd s tightly fis te d , o r he ' d b e to uc hing he r a ll o ve r . But if he c o uld n' t us e his ha nd s a s he wa nte d to , he c o uld a nd d id us e his b o d y, tho ugh he wa s n' t o b vio us a b o ut it, wa s in fa c t q uite d e vio us . I t wa s a s ub tle s e d uc tio n. A c a r e s s he r e , a r ub the r e , a s hift, a s tr e tc h, wa r m b r e a th o n he r ne c k , no thing o ve r t, no thing thr e a te ning. And it wa s wo r k ing. He c o uld fe e l he r r e la xing into him— until tha t p a r t o f him tha t ha d a mind o f its o wn p r e s s e d a ga ins t he r b utto c k s . S he s tiffe ne d . "I t o c c ur s to me tha t yo ur b o d y ha s wa r me d up s uffic ie ntly,

P e tr o ff. " Tha t wa s a n und e r s ta te me nt, b ut he ma ne uve r e d hims e lf to whis p e r in he r e a r , "The n why a m I s till tr e mb ling? " "I d o n' t fe e l— " He wa s q uic k to inte r r up t. "O f c o ur s e yo u d o n' t, b und le d up in tha t b la nk e t a s yo u a r e , whe n a ll yo u ne e d a r e the to p o ne s — a nd me . " "P e tr o ff— " He c ut he r o ff a ga in. "I f yo u d o n' t b e lie ve I ' m tr e mb ling, c o me c lo s e r . " "N o , I ' ll ta k e yo ur wo r d fo r it. " "W hic h is wha t I d id , to o k yo u a t yo ur wo r d , ye t yo u' r e no t giving me a ll o f yo ur he a t. " His vo ic e s o und e d a c c us ing no w. "O r is it tha t yo u d o n' t ha ve a nything o n und e r ne a th tha t b la nk e t? " "Ye s , b ut— " "The n wha t' s the d iffe r e nc e if yo u r e mo ve it? I d o n' t c a ll tha t s ha r ing— " "All r ight! " Be ne a th the to p b la nk e ts , s he s ho ve d d o wn the o ne s he ' d b e e n wr a p p e d in, b ut no lo we r tha n he r hip s . Ac tua lly, s he d o ub le d it o ve r he r b a c k s id e , a s a s o r t o f s hie ld a ga ins t wha t s he ' d fe lt. Va s ili a lmo s t la ughe d . S he no w k ne w tha t he wa nte d he r , s he c o uld n' t no t k no w, b ut s he wo uld n' t me ntio n it. He k ne w this ga me ve r y we ll. I ns te a d o f le a ving the b e d , o ffe nd e d o r o utr a ge d , s he wa s p la ying the ga me , ma k ing the tr a d itio na l huffs a nd p uffs o f s up p o s e d p r o te s t. The mo ve s wo uld c o ntinue to b e his , while s he c o ntinue d to p r e te nd s he d id n' t k no w wha t he wa s d o ing. I t wo uld b e a ga me we ll p la ye d , with a s a tis fa c to r y c o nc lus io n fo r the m b o th. And he r e fus e d to lis te n to the vo ic e tha t wa r ne d him tha t his Ale xa nd r a wa s to o d ir e c t a nd s tr a ightfo r wa r d to c o unte na nc e s uc h ga me s . I ns te a d he r a n thr o ugh his fa vo r ite line s fo r s e d uc tio n— a nd r e a lize d tha t no ne we r e a p p r o p r ia te fo r this p a r tic ula r wo ma n. Ho ne s ty, p la in a nd s imp le , wa s wha t wa s ne e d e d a nd fo r o nc e , ho ne s ty wa s go ing to win the ga me . But no t ye t, tha t vo ic e c a utio ne d . This wo ma n r e q uir e d p a tie nc e , e ve n if it k ille d him, a nd it jus t might. S till witho ut to uc hing he r , he s ur r o und e d he r with his b o d y. He ha d n' t s e e n wha t s he wa s we a r ing, b ut he c o uld fe e l it no w, s o me s o r t o f s le e ve le s s c a mis o le , thic k a nd s tur d y, no thing fr illy. He ima gine d he r in s ilk a nd la c e a nd ne a r ly gr o a ne d . Afte r a mo me nt mo r e , he p r e s s e d his fa c e to the b a c k o f he r ne c k , r ub b ing it a ga ins t he r ha ir a nd s k in. He fe lt he r s hive r a nd p o unc e d o n this r e a c tio n. "I f yo u' r e ge tting c o ld , " he s a id hus k ily, "my a r ms might he lp . " "N o ! I ' m no t! " s he a s s ur e d him. "I n fa c t, I ' m ge tting to o wa — " "I c a n' t te ll yo u ho w muc h I a p p r e c ia te this , Ale x, " he r e p lie d . Ano the r s igh, e xa s p e r a te d in to ne . He wa nte d he r r e la xe d a ga in, b ut s he

wa s n' t c o o p e r a ting. "Am I ma k ing yo u ne r vo us ? " "O f c o ur s e no t. " "Go o d , b e c a us e I d o n' t think this is go ing to wo r k until yo u— " Va s ili s a id no mo r e , wa iting fo r he r c ur io s ity to ge t the b e tte r o f he r . Ta c tic s lik e the s e r a r e ly fa ile d , a nd the y d id n' t no w, b ut it to o k ne a r ly te n s e c o nd s , muc h lo nge r tha n he wo uld ha ve figur e d . "W ha t? " "Until yo u lie o n to p o f me . " The te ns io n wa s a lmo s t p a lp a b le , r ight up until s he e xp lo d e d with "Tha t d o e s it! " a nd s a t up , thr o wing b a c k the b la nk e ts to ge t o ut o f b e d . De s p e r a tio n ma d e Va s ili muc h q uic k e r , his a r m s na k ing a r o und he r wa is t to p ull he r b a c k d o wn, his c he s t mo ving o ve r he r s to ho ld he r the r e , his mo uth c a tc hing he r p r o te s t, hus hing it fo r the mo me nt. He ha d o nly s e c o nd s to win he r o ve r , he k ne w; he c o uld fe e l he r p us hing a ga ins t his s ho uld e r s . I f he lo s t this time . . . Ale xa nd r a wa s lo s t. S he ' d fo ught it fr o m the mo me nt he ha d r e mo ve d his s hir t a nd r e ve a le d a ll tha t go ld e n s k in, a nd c o nto ur s mo r e ma s c uline tha n s he c o uld ha ve ima gine d . S he ' d c lo s e d he r e ye s to fight it, a p p a lle d b y wha t the me r e s ight o f his na k e d c he s t ha d d o ne to he r . And s he ' d a lmo s t to ld him to s le e p o n the flo o r a fte r a ll. But s he ha d n' t. S he s ho uld ha ve , b ut s he ha d n' t. And whe n he ' d c ur le d his b o d y to he r s , the d e s ir e ha d b uilt ins id e he r , ha d ne a r ly ta k e n o ve r twic e , a nd no w wa s b e yo nd he r c o ntr o l. And he ha d n' t le t he r r un fr o m it. Ha d he k no wn wha t s he wa s fe e ling, wha t he ' d ma d e he r fe e l? He he ld he r c he e k s with b o th ha nd s while he k is s e d he r . He wa s ge ntle . He wa s tho r o ugh. He wa s a t his p e r s ua s ive b e s t. And he wa s d r iving he r ma d with ... "Yo ur b o d y is d r iving me ma d , s we e the a r t. I ' m s o r r y, b ut I c a n' t lie he r e b e s id e yo u a nd no t ma k e lo ve to yo u. " Ha d s he s a id tha t? N o , he ha d . And fo r o nc e his "s we e the a r t" ha d n' t s o und e d mo c k ing; it ha d s o und e d lik e the e nd e a r me nt it wa s s up p o s e d to b e . But he wa s n' t giving he r a c ha nc e to a ns we r him. He wa s k is s ing he r a ga in, mo r e d e e p ly no w, a nd s he wa s d r o wning in s e ns a tio ns , the he a t, the c hur ning— him. S he wa s d r o wning in him, with him. "Ye s , " s he ga s p e d o ut whe n s he c o uld . "W ha t? " "Ye s , no w. " "O h, Go d , tha nk yo u, " he whis p e r e d , c o ve r ing he r fa c e with k is s e s , no t mis s ing a n inc h o f it. S he s mile d , no t s ur e wha t Go d ha d to d o with it. He d id n' t no tic e , mo ving o n to he r ne c k , he r s ho uld e r s , le a ving a mo is t, ho t tr a il tha t c a us e d s hive r a fte r s hive r to p a s s d o wn he r a r ms , d o wn he r s p ine , d o wn he r le gs .

The c o ve r s we r e go ne . He wa s he r c o ve r no w, a nd s he d id n' t fe e l the c o ld a t a ll. O n the c o ntr a r y, s he wa s s o ho t, a d o us ing in the s no w wo uld ha ve b e e n we lc o me . Va s ili wa s mo r e we lc o me , tho ugh, whe n he mo ve d fa r the r o ve r he r a nd s e ttle d b e twe e n he r le gs , no t his hip s b ut his wa is t, b e c a us e he ' d mo ve d d o wn a s his mo uth ha d , fo llo wing the d e e p s c o o p o f he r c a mis o le , his te e th p ulling a t the s tr ings tha t la c e d it to ge the r , o p e ning it inc h b y a go nizing inc h. He r o wn ha nd s we r e no t id le , we r e le a r ning the te xtur e a nd ha r d ne s s o f his s k in, the b r o a d ne s s o f his s ho uld e r s , the thic k ne s s o f his ne c k , the unr uly ha ir tha t wa s s o s o ft r unning thr o ugh he r finge r s . "O h, J e s us , tha nk yo u. The y' r e mo r e p e r fe c t tha n I ima gine d , " he s a id r e ve r e ntly. He ha d r e ve a le d he r b r e a s ts c o mp le te ly, wa s s ta r ing a t the m in s o me thing a k in to a we , a nd s he wa s fina lly e mb a r r a s s e d , b e c a us e s he c o ns id e r e d the m he r wo r s t fe a tur e . The y we r e to o la r ge , fr e q ue ntly ha ving to b e b o und whe n s he wo r k e d a nd e xe r c is e d he r ho r s e s , c e r ta inly mo r e tr o ub le tha n the y we r e wo r th. Ye t Va s ili d id n' t s e e m to think s o , a nd s he s ta r e d a t him o d d ly a s he b ur ie d his fa c e b e twe e n the m, tur ning s lo wly fr o m s id e to s id e to s ha r e his lip s with e a c h. And the n his wo r d s p e ne tr a te d . He d id n' t find he r b r e a s ts unus ua l, he fo und the m b e a utiful, a nd he p r o ve d tha t o ve r a nd o ve r a ga in in the minute s tha t fo llo we d . He he ld the m, he c a r e s s e d a nd s uc k le d o n the m, he wo uld n' t le a ve the m a lo ne . And wha t tha t s e ns ua l o ns la ught d id to Ale xa nd r a , c o up le d with his ha r d b e lly p r e s s e d to the c e nte r o f he r lo ins , wa s to ta k e he r s o ne a r the p r e c ip ic e , the tinie s t p us h wo uld ha ve s e nt he r o ve r . Va s ili wa s a wa r e o f tha t. He k ne w the fe ma le b o d y a s we ll a s his o wn, k ne w a ll the p le a s ur e p o ints a nd ho w to ma ximize a wo ma n' s e njo yme nt. And he k ne w tha t Ale xa nd r a ha d go ne b e yo nd tha t. He r b r e a thing to ld him, he r finge r s d igging into his s c a lp , the a r c hing, the thr us ting, he r le gs s q ue e zing a ga ins t his wa is t with mo r e s tr e ngth tha n he ' d e ve r fe lt b e fo r e . M uc h a s he wo uld ha ve lo ve d to c o ntinue his e xp lo r a tio n o f he r b o d y, he wa nte d e ve n mo r e to fe e l he r c lima x s ur r o und ing him. And if he d id n' t e nte r he r no w, s he ' d ha ve it witho ut him. His lip s r e tur ne d to he r s to tr y to c a lm he r with light nib b le s while he r e mo ve d the r e s t o f he r und e r we a r , b ut s he wa s b e yo nd c a lming. And s he wa s a s d e ma nd ing a nd p a s s io na te in lo ve ma k ing a s s he wa s in e ve r ything e ls e , p ulling him to he r a s s o o n a s s he wa s b a r e , he r ha nd s gr ip p ing his b utto c k s , p r e s s ing him fo r wa r d . I t wa s me r e luc k tha t he wa s p o s itio ne d a c c ur a te ly, b e c a us e s he wa s n' t wa iting, wa s a lr e a d y thr us ting up wa r d , a nd he s lid ho me , into s o muc h mo is t he a t, s uc h inc r e d ib le tightne s s , a nd a n une xp e c te d b a r r ie r tha t he b r o k e thr o ugh b e fo r e the r e wa s e ve n time fo r him to r e a lize wha t it wa s . The r e wa s a b a r e ly p e r c e p tib le s tiffe ning o f he r b o d y tha t d id n' t la s t, a ga s p tha t s he c ut o ff. He le a ne d up wa r d , d is b e lie ving, b ut wha te ve r he wo uld ha ve s a id wa s fo r go tte n a s he wa tc he d the p le a s ur e s ud d e nly wa s h o ve r he r , fe lt the p uls e b e a t s ur r o und him a nd d r a w him d e e p e r into he r , a nd in the ne xt he a r tb e a t, inc r e d ib ly, he s o a r e d o ve r the e d ge hims e lf, c a ught in the mo s t p o we r ful c lima x o f his e xp e r ie nc e .

25 I t d id n' t ta k e lo ng fo r the m to fe e l the c hill in the r o o m a ga in o nc e the ir b o d ie s c o o le d . Va s ili wa s the fir s t to r e tr ie ve the b la nk e ts tha t ha d b e e n k ic k e d a s id e . Ale xa nd r a s a id no thing whe n he c o ve r e d he r . S he wa s in a s ta te o f s ho c k o ve r wha t s he ' d d o ne , a nd it go t wo r s e whe n s he r e a lize d tha t no t o nc e ha d s he tho ught o f C hr is to p he r to night. N o t o nc e ha d s he c o ns id e r e d tha t s he wa s b e ing unfa ithful to him. Tho s e d a mn fe e lings ha d jus t ta k e n o ve r , le a ving he r unc a r ing o f a nything e xc e p t gr a tifying the m. S he ' d ne ve r k no wn tha t p a s s io ns c o uld b e s o p o we r ful a nd a ll- c o ns uming. S he wis he d s he ' d ne ve r fo und o ut. S he wis he d a ls o tha t s he c o uld b la me Va s ili in s o me wa y, b ut s he c o uld n' t. S e d uc ing wo me n wa s wha t he d id . As fa r a s s he c o uld te ll, it wa s his o nly o c c up a tio n. S he ' d k no wn tha t. And a s fo r his b e ing ir r e s is tib le , tha t wa s Go d ' s gift, no t s o me thing he ' d a r r a nge d fo r p e r s o na lly. The b la me wa s he r s a nd he r s a lo ne . S he ' d k no wn e xa c tly wha t he wa s d o ing, fo ught it a s lo ng a s s he c o uld , the n give n up a nd e njo ye d it. And the e njo yme nt — s he wa s n' t go ing to think a b o ut tha t. P le a s a nt fe e lings ha d no p la c e b e s id e he r p r e s e nt s e lf- lo a thing. But, o h, Go d , it ha d b e e n nic e , b e tte r tha n nic e , to o nic e . F o r a fir s t e xp e r ie nc e o f s uc h things , Ale xa nd r a ha d to a llo w s he ' d ha d the b e s t, c e r ta inly mo r e tha n s he c o uld e ve r ha ve ima gine d . But s he wis he d tha t we r e o the r wis e , to o . At le a s t s he ' d b e fe e ling b e tte r r ight no w if it ha d n' t b e e n s o d a mne d wo nd e r ful. Va s ili c o uld n' t s to p think ing a b o ut it, a nd no wo nd e r , s inc e he ' d ne ve r e xp e r ie nc e d a nything lik e it b e fo r e . I f he ha d n' t b r o k e n a ll r e c o r d s o n the s p e e d o f his fir s t c lima x, the r e wa s no c o mp a r is o n o n the s e c o nd o ne . But tha t fir s t time , to c o me a fte r o nly o ne thr us t, whe n ha d tha t e ve r ha p p e ne d to him b e fo r e ? F o r tha t ma tte r , whe n ha d it e ve r b e e n tha t p o we r ful b e fo r e ? But wha t he s till fo und unb e lie va b le wa s tha t it ha d n' t e nd e d the r e . W hile he ha d la in o n to p o f he r , tr ying to r e c o ve r , tr ying to figur e o ut wha t ha d jus t ha p p e ne d , it ha d ha p p e ne d a ga in, witho ut a ny e ffo r t o n his p a r t, witho ut wa r ning, me r e ly b e c a us e he ' d s till b e e n b ur ie d in tha t tight, ho t s he a th. N o , no t me r e ly. Tha t in its e lf wa s to o o r d ina r y to ha ve a nything to d o with it. I t ha d to b e tha t vir gin b a r r ie r tha t he ' d fo und s o s timula ting, the o ne thing in his va s t s e xua l e xp e r ie nc e tha t he ' d a lwa ys d e nie d hims e lf. And tha t wa s a no the r thing. Ho w c o uld he no t ha ve k no wn? Vir gins we r e to o e a s y to s p o t. The y ha d q ua litie s tha t we r e uniq ue ly the ir o wn. Ale xa nd r a wa s to o b o ld , to o fr a nk , to o p a s s io na te in he r e mo tio ns , a nd the r e wa s no thing e ve n r e mo te ly vir gina l in the wa y s he k is s e d . The typ ic a l s igns ha d n' t b e e n the r e a nd he fe lt— d e c e ive d , tr ic k e d , a nd a b o ut a s gullib le a s a s ixte e n- ye a r - o ld . But a t the s a me time , the r e wa s a no the r fe e ling tha t wa s to o p r imitive e ve n to e xa mine , a nd c e r ta inly ma d e no s e ns e . As if it wo uld ma tte r to him tha t no ma n ha d e ve r b e e n the r e b e fo r e him. Tha t ne ve r ma tte r e d to him, o nly the p le a s ur e ma tte r e d .

W ith s uc h tur b ule nt tho ughts o n b o th s id e s o f the b e d , the te ns io n in the r o o m wa s b uild ing fa s t. Va s ili fe lt the ne e d to c o mp la in a b o ut the gift he ' d b e e n give n, a gift he wo uld ha ve r e fus e d ha d he b e e n o ffe r e d a c ha nc e to — a t le a s t he wa nte d to think he wo uld ha ve r e fus e d it. And Ale xa nd r a k ne w s he ' d ne ve r b e a b le to s le e p until s he a s s ur e d Va s ili tha t the ir ma k ing lo ve c ha nge d no thing b e twe e n the m— a t le a s t s he wa nte d to think it d id n' t. F o r he r , the e a s ie s t wa y wa s to te ll him. "W ha t I s a id o nc e a b o ut this s e a ling yo ur fa te — fo r ge t I s a id it. " He r e a r e d up o n his e lb o w s o q uic k ly, it wa s o b vio us he ' d b e e n a b o ut to ma k e s o me p r o vo c a tive s ta te me nt o f his o wn. S he wa s r e lie ve d to k no w s he ' d b e a te n him to it. He wa s n' t. "Am I a ls o s up p o s e d to fo r ge t yo u we r e a vir gin? " he d e ma nd e d . "Ye s . " An imp o s s ib ility if he ' d e ve r he a r d o ne . "W hy the he ll d id n' t yo u te ll me , Ale x? W ha te ve r yo u might think o f me , I a m no t in the ha b it o f b e d d ing vir gins . I n fa c t, I ne ve r ha ve , a nd I d o n' t a p p r e c ia te yo ur ha p p e ning to b e the fir s t. " Tha t s ta te me nt c a me o ut s o und ing s o ind igna nt, s he ne a r ly la ughe d . As r e d e e ming q ua litie s we nt, this o ne s he c o ns id e r e d minus c ule , b ut wis he d to he ll he d id n' t ha ve it a t a ll. He s ho uld n' t c a r e , d a mmit. "W hy d id n' t I te ll yo u? W hy d id I ha ve to ? " s he c o unte r e d . "W ha t ma d e yo u a s s ume o the r wis e whe n I ' ve ne ve r b e e n ma r r ie d ? " "Yo u' r e Rus s ia n, " he s a id witho ut think ing, b ut r e a lize d his mis ta k e imme d ia te ly. I f tha t wa s n' t a n ins ult to ge t hims e lf s ho t o ve r , he d id n' t k no w wha t wa s , a nd he q uic k ly a me nd e d his wo r d s . "Tha t is to s a y, I ' ve b e e n to yo ur Rus s ia n c o ur t. I fo und o ut fir s tha nd ho w p r o mis c uo us yo u la d ie s a r e , inc lud ing the unwe d o ne s . I f the r e wa s a vir gin the r e , s he wa s k e p t we ll und e r wr a p s . " "O r hid d e n fr o m yo u fo r o b vio us r e a s o ns , " s he r e p lie d d r yly. Ale xa nd r a wis he d s he c o uld b e mo r e o ffe nd e d tha n s he wa s , b ut in fa c t, s he ' d b e e n to the s a me c o ur t a nd k ne w jus t ho w ja d e d a nd lic e ntio us s o me o f the a r is to c r a ts we r e . His k ind o f p e o p le . He mus t ha ve fe lt r ight a t ho me . "But o f c o ur s e , " s he c o ntinue d in the s a me d r y to ne , "I s o r e mind e d yo u o f tho s e c o ur t la d ie s yo u me t, wha t e ls e we r e yo u to think ? " Eve n in the d im light, s he c o uld s e e the c o lo r mo unting his c he e k s , b e c a us e he ' d jus t r e a lize d his mis ta k e , a nd it wa s s o o b vio us a n id io t c o uld ha ve s e e n it. S he might c a r r y the title , b ut whe n ha d s he e ve r b e ha ve d lik e a la d y o r , fo r tha t ma tte r , e ve n lo o k e d lik e o ne ? He d id n' t a p o lo gize , ho we ve r . S he wo uld ha ve b e e n a ma ze d if he ha d . "As I r e c a ll, " he s a id , "yo u ha d yo ur c ha nc e to c o r r e c t tha t imp r e s s io n. " S he r e me mb e r e d the time he wa s r e fe r r ing to , whe n he ' d a s k e d he r wha t o ne mo r e lo ve r c o uld me a n to he r , s inc e s he ' d a lr e a d y ha d s o ma ny. S he a ls o r e c a lle d why s he ha d n' t c o r r e c te d him. I mp r e s s io ns . S he ' d wa nte d a ll o f his imp r e s s io ns o f he r to b e b a d , a nd tha t wa s jus t o ne mo r e to a d d to the lis t. But to b e c a lle d o n the c a r p e t fo r it no w? S he c e r ta inly d id n' t wa nt him think ing

tha t if he ' d b e e n wr o ng a b o ut o ne , he might b e wr o ng a b o ut o the r s . S o s he s a id , ind iffe r e ntly, "W hy wo uld I b o the r c o r r e c ting yo u? I t' s no t a s if I c a r e wha t yo u think o f me . " And the n to b e o n the s a fe s id e , s he lie d to p ut the fa ult b a c k in his c o r ne r . "Be s id e s , I d id n' t think yo u r e a lly b e lie ve d tha t no ns e ns e a b o ut my ha ving lo ve r s . " S he might a s we ll ha ve s a id tha t no o ne c o uld b e tha t s tup id . W hic h wa s e xa c tly ho w he wa s fe e ling. He ' d la b e le d he r b e fo r e he ' d e ve n me t he r , the n fo r go t to c ha nge tha t o p inio n o nc e he d id me e t he r . O f c o ur s e , the la b e l fit no w, d id n' t it? Tha nk s to him. And he s till d id n' t lik e tha t fa c t. But s he wa s n' t giving him muc h c ha nc e to e xp r e s s his d is p le a s ur e , a nd s he we nt o n the a tta c k a ga in. "By the wa y, I ' ve b e e n me a ning to a s k , P e tr o ff. W ha t is it yo u d o , b e s id e s s e d uc e wo me n? " The fa c t tha t he ' d ma na ge d to give he r s uc h a lo w o p inio n o f him s ho uld ha ve d e lighte d him. S o why d id he fe e l lik e d e fe nd ing hims e lf? He wo uld n' t. He wo uld us e he r o wn lo gic , a nd he to ld hims e lf tha t it wa s n' t a s if he c a r e d wha t s he tho ught o f him. S o he r e ta lia te d ins te a d . "I ge t invite d to s ha r e the ir b e d s witho ut a s k ing fo r the fa vo r . C a r e to e xp la in why yo u ma d e tha t o ffe r ? " "N o t fo r the r e a s o n yo u' r e think ing, yo u c o nc e ite d p o p inja y, " s he r e to r te d . He to o k it a s a go o d s ign tha t s he wa s r e s o r ting to na me - c a lling— tho ugh he r e s e nte d "p o p inja y" a s muc h a s he ha d r e s e nte d Ta nya ' s c a lling him a p e a c o c k . But if s he ha d no a ns we r — tha t s he wa s willing to o wn up to — the n he ha d his a ns we r , a nd he wa s n' t go ing to le t he r a vo id it. "W e ll? " he p r o mp te d . "Yo u k no w e xa c tly why. S o s to p lo o k ing fo r ulte r io r mo tive s . The r e we r e no ne . " "W e r e n' t the r e ? " S he gla r e d a t him no w, b ut jus t a s q uic k ly s he s hr ugge d , the n s ighe d . "I wa s tr ying to s p a r e yo u, b ut if yo u wa nt it s p e lle d o ut, b y a ll me a ns yo u c a n ha ve it. This k ind o f c o ld is no thing to ta k e lightly. P e o p le ha ve b e e n k no wn to d ie fr o m e xp o s ur e to te mp e r a tur e s lik e the s e , a nd I ' m s o r r y, b ut yo u d o n' t s tr ik e me a s a ha r d y ind ivid ua l. Yo ur b o d y s e e ms s tr o ng e no ugh, b ut yo u c o ur t d a nd ie s a r e to o us e d to b e ing p a mp e r e d b y yo ur s e r va nts a nd yo ur luxur ie s . And d ying is n' t ho w I wa nt to ge t r id o f yo u. " Tha t wa s no t wha t he wa s e xp e c ting to he a r , a nd it infur ia te d him tha t s he ha d a le gitima te e xc us e tha t s o und e d to o tr ue to b e a nything b ut the tr uth. A p a mp e r e d c o ur t d a nd y? S he ' d s a id it o nc e to o o fte n. "I s ho uld ha ve le t the m ha ve yo u, " he gr o wle d a s he go t up a nd s ta lk e d to the o ve n, whe r e his c lo the s we r e d r ying. "I c a n' t ima gine why I d id n' t. " Ale xa nd r a s a t up to wa tc h him ya nk his p a nts o n. The s ight o f tho s e lo ng le gs a nd fir m b utto c k s b e fo r e the y we r e c o ve r e d he ld he r b r e a thle s s fo r a mo me nt. And fo r he r to b e c a ught lik e tha t a ga in, a fte r wha t ha d ha p p e ne d , wa s ga lling in the e xtr e me . S o the d is gus t in he r vo ic e wa s ve r y r e a l, if jus t fo r he r s e lf, whe n s he s a id ,

"Do n' t wo r r y, P e tr o ff. I t will ta k e mo r e tha n yo ur b lund e r ing into a b unc h o f b a nd its a nd ge tting c a ught yo ur s e lf fo r me to s e e yo u in a he r o ic light. Yo u' r e s till a d e s p ic a b le le c he r a s fa r a s I ' m c o nc e r ne d . " He tur ne d to give he r a mo c k b o w. "Ho w go o d o f yo u to s a y s o . " S he s a t the r e b r is tling, una b le to think o f a r e jo ind e r tha t wo uld b e ins ulting e no ugh fo r him. But b y the time he ha d his c o a t o n a nd wa s r e a c hing fo r his b o o ts , s he fe lt a s mid ge n o f unwa nte d c o nc e r n. I f he wa s s till think ing a b o ut s le e p ing o n the flo o r . . . "J us t wha t d o yo u think yo u' r e d o ing, P e tr o ff? Tho s e c lo the s c a n' t b e c o mp le te ly d r y ye t. " "I t d o e s n' t ma tte r , " he r e p lie d , s to mp ing his fo o t into o ne o f the b o o ts , "s inc e I ' m le a ving. " He r b r o ws a ngle d up wa r d . "O h? Yo u k no w ho w to wa lk thr o ugh wa lls , d o yo u? " "I n a ma nne r o f s p e a k ing. " F ully d r e s s e d no w, he s ta lk e d to the d o o r a nd , witho ut b r e a k ing s tr id e , s la mme d his s ho uld e r into it. N o thing ha p p e ne d , o f c o ur s e . He mus t ha ve b e e n r a the r d e fla te d . Ale xa nd r a gr inne d s mugly to he r s e lf. S he wa s a b o ut to ma k e s o me ta unting r e ma r k whe n his s ho uld e r hit the d o o r a ga in. To he r d is gus t, the na ile d p la nk ga ve wa y this time a nd the d o o r wo b b le d o p e n. O ld wo o d , o b vio us ly. "Yo u c o uld n' t ha ve tho ught o f tha t s o o ne r ? " s he s a id s c a thingly. "S o r r y, b ut I wa s n' t a ngr y e no ugh the n. " He gr itte d his te e th a ga ins t the b la s t o f c o ld a nd s te p p e d o uts id e to ha ve a lo o k a r o und . La tzk o ' s ma in ha ll wa s lit up , b ut no ne o f the o the r b uild ings we r e . Ap p a r e ntly e ve r yo ne wa s s till c e le b r a ting. Va s ili c a me b a c k to s ta nd in the o p e n d o o r wa y. "Ar e yo u c o ming? " "I ' m c e r ta inly no t s ta ying he r e with a b r o k e n d o o r , " s he s a id a nd s ta r te d to thr o w o ff the b la nk e t b e fo r e s he c a ught his e ye s o n he r . "Do yo u mind ? " "As a ma tte r o f fa c t, I d o . " And he c r o s s e d his a r ms , le a ne d a ga ins t the d o o r fr a me , a nd gr inne d . "C a ll it r e c o mp e ns e fo r my ge tting yo u o ut o f he r e — s o unhe r o ic a lly. " S o tha t d ig ha d s tr uc k ho me ? W e ll, wha t d id s he c a r e if he wa tc he d ? He ' d a lr e a d y d o ne muc h wo r s e . "Ha ve it yo ur wa y, " s he s a id with b la ta nt unc o nc e r n a nd he a d e d fo r he r c lo the s , no t e ve n b r inging a b la nk e t a lo ng fo r p a r tia l mo d e s ty. Be fo r e s he go t he r d r a we r s o n, Va s ili ha d tur ne d a wa y. He wa s go ing to a d d "N o s ha me wha ts o e ve r " to his lis t o f he r b a d p o ints . S he wa s fo r c e d to a d d o ne mo r e r e d e e ming q ua lity to he r s , b ut ho p e d tha t wo uld b e the la s t o ne . Be fo r e lo ng, the y we r e tr o mp ing thr o ugh the s no w a ga in. The s ta b le wa s e a s y to lo c a te , b ut it wa s a n o ld b uild ing, with c r umb ling wa lls tha t d id no thing to k e e p o ut the c o ld . Va s ili' s r o a n wa s the r e . S o wa s the ho r s e Ale xa nd r a ha d b o r r o we d , a nd mo s t o f the villa ge r s ' mo unta in p o nie s . But no t o ne o f the white

he r d . "W he r e wo uld the y ha ve ta k e n the m? " s he a s k e d . Va s ili wa s s till s ma r ting o ve r ho w e a s ily his ma nho o d ha d c o me to life a ga in a t the s ight o f he r na k e d b o d y, whic h wa s why he r e p lie d c ur tly, "I c o uld no t c a r e le s s . " "I ' m no t le a ving he r e witho ut my ho r s e s , P e tr o ff, " s he wa r ne d . "S uit yo ur s e lf. " "Do n' t think I wo n' t, " s he s na p p e d a nd le d he r mo unt o ut o f the s ta b le . Va s ili gr itte d his te e th a nd fo llo we d . "Da mmit, tha t c e le b r a tio n c o uld b r e a k up a t a ny minute . W e d o n' t ha ve time to go s e a r c hing. " "N o b o d y' s a s k ing yo u to he lp . " He fe lt lik e s ha k ing he r , b ut k ne w it wo uld n' t d o a ny go o d . And it wo uld ta k e le s s time to find he r ho r s e s tha n it wo uld to a r gue with he r , s he wa s s o d a mn s tub b o r n. "All r ight, " he c o nc e d e d . "The r e will b e a ne w s ta b le a r o und he r e s o me whe r e . I t' s d o ub tful tha t the o ld o ne is e ve n us e d a nymo r e , e xc e p t fo r e me r ge nc ie s lik e this . Lo o k to the o uts k ir ts — " S he ' d a lr e a d y s p o tte d it. "O ve r the r e , o n the e d ge o f the villa ge fa r the s t fr o m the d ir e c tio n we e nte r e d . " "I t wo uld b e , " he gr umb le d , lo o k ing in the s a me d ir e c tio n. "W e ll, le f s a t le a s t b e q uic k a b o ut this . " He ne e d n' t ha ve b o the r e d with the s ugge s tio n. S he wa s a lr e a d y he a d ing tha t wa y, le a ving him to fo llo w a ga in. The ne w s ta b le wa s c lo s e d up tight, a nd a ya nk o n the d o o r s p r o ve d it wa s a ls o b a r r e d fr o m the ins id e , whic h me a nt the a nima ls we r e b e ing gua r d e d . S o muc h fo r le a ving witho ut no tic e . But this time Va s ili d id n' t b o the r to p o int o ut to the s tub b o r n wo ma n a t his s id e tha t he ' d ha ve to d o s o me b o d ily ha r m to s o me o ne in o r d e r to ge t he r ho r s e s b a c k . He k ne w b y no w tha t s he ' d jus t te ll him to ge t o n with it. S o he p o und e d o n the d o o r a nd c a lle d o ut in a to ne tha t wo uld n' t c a r r y b e yo nd the imme d ia te a r e a , "O p e n up . " I t to o k a mo me nt b e fo r e a vo ic e c a me fr o m the o the r s id e . "W ho is tha t? " Va s ili ma d e a gue s s a t a c o mmo n na me fo r the a r e a a nd s up p lie d it. Ap p a r e ntly it wo r k e d , b ut it d id no t yie ld the r e s ults the y wa nte d . "Ain' t yo u he a r d ? " the gua r d s ho ute d b a c k . "P a ve l, he s a id I d o n' t o p e n to no o ne b ut him, a nd yo u a in' t him. Yo u' ll ha ve to wa it until mo r ning to ge t a lo o k a t the s e b e a utie s , jus t lik e e ve r yo ne e ls e . " "He think s yo u' r e o ne o f the villa ge r s , " Ale xa nd r a whis p e r e d . "P la y o n tha t. " Va s ili c o ns id e r e d it a wa s te o f time , b ut ma d e o ne mo r e e ffo r t. "Yo u' r e mis s ing the c e le b r a tio n, " he c a lle d o ut. "I ' ve c o me to r e lie ve yo u. " The r e wa s a c huc k le . "N ic e tr y, b ut I ' ve go t my o wn jug o f a le a nd my orders."

The la s t wo r d s we r e b a r e ly he a r d a s the gua r d mo ve d fa r the r b a c k into the s ta b le . "Do s o me thing, " Ale xa nd r a o r d e r e d . "W ha t wo uld yo u s ugge s t? " "Yo u go t thr o ugh the la s t d o o r . " Va s ili s no r te d . "F o r ge t it. This ha p p e ns to b e ne w wo o d , no t o ld , a nd I ' m no t d a ma ging my s ho uld e r fo r yo ur d a mn ho r s e s . W e tr ie d ; no w we ' r e le a ving. And yo u c a n b e to te d o ut o f he r e if yo u ins is t. " "But— " "Yo ur ho r s e s a r e n' t go ing a nywhe r e , a nd , I might a d d , the y' r e a he ll o f a lo t wa r me r tha n we a r e . The y' ll b e he r e in the mo r ning, Ale x. N o w, we c a n e ithe r r e tur n to tha t s ha c k the y s tuc k us in a nd c o ntinue a t a d is a d va nta ge , o r s ho w up to mo r r o w with a n a r me d e s c o r t a nd ge t yo ur ho r s e s b a c k — o ne wa y o r a no the r . Yo u c ho o s e . " S he to o k he r time d e c id ing, b ut fina lly s a id , "I d o n' t lik e le a ving my b a b ie s with s tr a nge r s fo r e ve n o ne night, b ut I s up p o s e it wo uld n' t hur t to s ta r t the b a r ga ining to mo r r o w with s o me le ve r a ge o n o ur s id e . Ve r y we ll, le t' s find o ur p e o p le . " Va s ili s ighe d . C o ns id e r ing tha t the c o ld wa s ge tting to him a ga in, he ' d a lmo s t ho p e d s he wo uld ha ve c ho s e n to r e tur n to the s ha c k ins te a d . 26 As it tur ne d o ut, the y might ha ve b e e n r e s c ue d if the y ha d s ta ye d in the villa ge a little while lo nge r . At le a s t tha t wa s wha t Ale xa nd r a wa nte d to think , b e c a us e s he ha te d b e ing b e ho ld e n to Va s ili fo r ge tting the m o ut o f the r e . But La za r a nd thr e e o f Va s ili' s gua r d s me t the m o n the na r r o w mo unta in p a th no t fa r fr o m the villa ge . "I t to o k yo u lo ng e no ugh, " wa s Va s ili' s s ur ly gr e e ting, whic h ha d his fr ie nd ' s b r o ws s ho o ting up . "W a s I s up p o s e d to fo llo w a tr a il b ur ie d und e r a ha lf fo o t o f s no w? Eve n tha t Rus s ia n wo lfho und o f Ale xa nd r a ' s c o uld n' t p ic k up yo ur s c e nt. W ha t ma k e s yo u think I c o uld ? " "The n wha t le d yo u this wa y? " "I r e me mb e r e d whe r e La tzk o ' s villa ge wa s . I wa s go ing to a s k fo r his he lp , o r b uy it, a s wa s mo r e lik e ly to b e the c a s e . I d id n' t e xp e c t to find yo u he r e . " "I d o n' t k no w why no t, " Va s ili r e p lie d . "He d o e s c o ns id e r the s e hills his te r r ito r y, a fte r a ll. " "But I d id n' t think he wa s c r a zy e no ugh to p r o vo k e C a r d inia ' s r o ya l ho us e a ga in. " Va s ili wa s fo r c e d to a gr e e . "He ' s p r o b a b ly no t, b ut P a ve l s ur e a s he ll is , a nd unfo r tuna te ly, P a ve l' s r uling the r o o s t te mp o r a r ily. " "W e ll, tha t e xp la ins it, " La za r s a id . "I s up p o s e he wa s ho p ing S te fa n wa s in

o ur p a r ty? " "Ac tua lly, a ll he wa s a fte r wa s the ho r s e s . He ha d no id e a who wa s tr a ns p o r ting the m. " La za r fr o wne d . ' The n ho w d id he ge t yo u a nd Ale xa nd r a a s we ll? " Va s ili' s go ld e n ga ze lit o n Ale xa nd r a b e fo r e he a ns we r e d s a r d o nic a lly, "Be c a us e my s we e t little b e tr o the d he r e tho ught no thing o f a tta c k ing s ix b a nd its s ingle - ha nd e d ly, r ight o n the ir d o o r s te p . " "I d id n' t k no w we ha d r e a c he d the ir villa ge , " Ale xa nd r a mumb le d in he r d e fe ns e . Va s ili s a id no thing to tha t, whic h wa s s a ying a lo t, s inc e he c o ntinue d to s ta r e a t he r . La za r ma d e a n a tte mp t to c o nc e a l his gr in, b ut ga ve up whe n he s a w tha t the gua r d s we r e d o ing the s a me thing. Ale xa nd r a wa s a wa r e o f it, a nd the he a t a lr e a d y c limb ing he r c he e k s we nt up a fe w mo r e d e gr e e s . La za r c le a r e d his thr o a t to r e ga in Va s ili' s a tte ntio n. "S o whe r e , a r e the ho r s e s ? " "Lo c k e d up fo r the night. " "But no t fo r lo ng, " Ale xa nd r a a d d e d . "Be twe e n the five o f yo u— " "Give it a r e s t, Ale x, " Va s ili c ut in, c le a r ly a t the e nd o f his p a tie nc e . "Yo u ma y no t b e e xha us te d a fte r fighting thr o ugh tha t s to r m to d a y, b ut I mo s t c e r ta inly a m. " "I t figur e s , " s he r e p lie d in d is gus t. The b la c k lo o k s he go t fo r tha t r e ma r k s ho uld ha ve k no c k e d he r o ff he r ho r s e . S he me r e ly r a is e d he r c hin a no tc h a nd glo we r e d r ight b a c k . Va s ili wa s to o c o ld to wa s te time s ta r ing he r d o wn— if it we r e e ve n p o s s ib le . He s ighe d . "I ' ll a llo w tha t P a ve l might b e to o d r unk to no tic e tha t we a r e s o fe w in numb e r , b ut he ' ll a ls o b e to o d r unk to ha ve the s e ns e to lo we r his p r ic e . And if yo u think I ' m go ing to p a y wha t he ' s a s k ing fo r tho s e a nima ls , yo u' r e o ut o f yo ur mind . " S he d id n' t wa nt him p a ying a nything tha t wo uld ma k e he r a ny mo r e b e ho ld e n to him. "W ha t ha p p e ne d to ge tting the m b a c k ' o ne wa y o r a no the r ' ? " "J e s us , s he a the yo ur c la ws , wo ma n. C a r d i- nia ha p p e ns to b e o ne o f the r ic he s t c o untr ie s in Eur o p e . W e ' r e in the ha b it o f us ing mo ne y fir s t, a r ms o nly a s a la s t r e s o r t. And we ha ve n' t r e a c he d o ur la s t r e s o r t ye t. Re tur ning in the mo r ning, whe n the y' d r a the r b e s le e p ing o ff a ll the a le the y d r a nk to night, is s till o ur b e s t b e t. " "And if I ha p p e n to d is a gr e e with tha t? " s he a s k e d s tub b o r nly. "W o uld n' t yo u p r e fe r tha t yo ur b a b ie s s p e nd the night in tha t nic e wa r m s ta b le the y' r e p r e s e ntly e njo ying, r a the r tha n b e e xp o s e d to the e le me nts ? " I t wa s r o tte n o f him to p la y o n he r c o nc e r n a ga in, b ut he wa s n' t finis he d ma k ing his p o int. "W e c a n r e a c h o ne o f S te fa n' s hunting lo d ge s b y to mo r r o w night, s o we ' ll ha ve s o me p r o p e r s he lte r a ga in. This is the la s t night tha t we ' ll ha ve to r o ugh it o utd o o r s , b ut this ha p p e ns to b e the c o ld e s t night we ' ve s e e n ye t, whic h yo u p o inte d o ut to me , if yo u' ll r e c a ll. And fo r a ll we k no w, tha t s to r m

c o uld r e tur n b e fo r e mo r ning. " All s he ' d he a r d wa s tha t his c o us in o wne d p r o p e r ty ne a r he r e . And jus t a s the he a t o f he r e mb a r r a s s me nt ha d go ne und e te c te d in the d a r k a fe w mo me nts a go , s o d id the a b r up t lo s s o f a ll he r c o lo r ing no w. "W e ' r e tha t c lo s e to C a r d inia ? " s he whis p e r e d . He d id n' t no tic e he r s ub d ue d to ne . "Ano the r fe w d a ys s ho uld s e e us the r e , a s lo ng a s we d o n' t e nc o unte r a ny mo r e s to r ms — o r b a nd its . N o w we ' r e go ing to find o ur te nts a nd ge t s o me s le e p , a nd I r e a lly d o n' t wa nt to he a r a ny mo r e a r gume nts a b o ut it. " He tur ne d to La za r . "I ho p e to he ll yo u' r e no t c a mp e d whe r e we le ft yo u. " La za r wa s s ta r tle d to b e d r a wn b a c k into the c o nve r s a tio n s o a b r up tly, ha ving b e e n e ngr o s s e d in tha t fa s c ina ting e xc ha nge . "W e ' r e a b o ut thir ty minute s fr o m he r e , whe r e this p a th le a ve s the ma in tr a il. " But the n he c o uld n' t r e s is t go a d ing. "Ar e yo u c e r ta in yo u wa nt to he a d in tha t d ir e c tio n? " W he n Ale xa nd r a imme d ia te ly p e r k e d up up o n he a r ing tha t, Va s ili his s e d , "He wa s jo k ing! " a nd ga ve La za r a lo o k tha t p r o mis e d he ' d ge t e ve n with him fo r tha t, b e fo r e he he a d e d fo r the ir c a mp . 27 Ba r e ly the ne xt mo r ning, the y le ft o ne ma n b e hind with N ina a nd the wa go ns . The r e s t o f the p a r ty, a ll fully a r me d , r o d e into La tzk o ' s villa ge , a nd Ale xa nd r a ha d to a d mit the y we r e a n imp r e s s ive s ight. S he a ls o ha d to a d mit, tho ugh gr ud gingly a nd o nly to he r s e lf, tha t Va s ili ha d ha d the r ight id e a . Re tur ning tr iump ha nt, s o to s p e a k , ins p ir e d c o nfid e nc e . S he wo uld ge t he r ho r s e s b a c k , "o ne wa y o r a no the r . " O nly a fe w o f the villa ge r s we r e up a nd a b o ut a fte r the ir lo ng night o f c e le b r a tio n, b ut tha t q uic k ly c ha nge d a s Va s ili' s me n s lo wly a p p r o a c he d the ma in b uild ing. S o me o ne ha d r un a he a d to info r m P a ve l o f the ir a r r iva l, b e c a us e he s tumb le d o ut o nto the p o r c h jus t a s the y d r e w a b r e a s t o f it. N o o ne d is mo unte d . Guns we r e he ld a t the r e a d y. P a ve l wa s s till s hr ugging a c o a t o n. Tha t he ha d no s hir t o n und e r it a nd wa s b a r e fo o t ind ic a te d he ' d b e e n p ulle d fr o m his wa r m b e d . He c e r ta inly d id n' t s e e m to b e ha p p y to s e e Va s ili mo unte d a nd s ur r o und e d b y his o wn p e o p le , ins te a d o f ho w he ' d le ft him la s t night. "W ho le t yo u o ut? " he d e ma nd e d . "I le t mys e lf o ut— a nd no w I wa nt the ho r s e s , " Va s ili r e p lie d . The r e mind e r tha t a ll wa s no t lo s t c ha nge d P a ve l' s d e me a no r a b r up tly. "Ah, ye s . " He fla s he d a to o thy gr in. "K ing S te fa n' s ve r y va lua b le ho r s e s . I c a n a s s ume the y d id n' t le t the ms e lve s o ut? " Va s ili wa ite d while the b a nd it a nd his c o ho r ts la ughe d o ve r his little jo k e . He wa s n' t a mus e d . He wa nte d to ge t this o ve r with. The s o o ne r the y we r e o ut o f the s e mo unta ins , the s o o ne r the y' d b e b a c k to te mp e r a tur e s he c o uld a t le a s t to le r a te . N e ve r a ga in wo uld he c r o s s the C a r p a thia ns this la te in the ye a r .

"The ho r s e s a r e n' t fo r S te fa n, a s I b e lie ve I a lr e a d y to ld yo u, " Va s ili info r me d the b a nd it. "Ho we ve r , I d id s tr e tc h the tr uth a b it ye s te r d a y, s inc e the y a r e n' t mine e ithe r — a t le a s t no t ye t. The y b e lo ng to the we nc h he r e , a nd s he d o e s n' t ha ve the a mo unt yo u' r e a s k ing. But I ' ve p r o mis e d to ge t the m b a c k fo r he r . O ne hund r e d r ub le s e a c h— a nd no o ne d ie s . Think a b o ut it b e fo r e yo u a ns we r . " P a ve l d id n' t ta k e tha t a d vic e , s a ying imme d ia te ly, "Do ub le o r no thing a nd yo u a c c e p t my c ha lle nge . " "Ho w fo r tuna te tha t I c a n a ffo r d no t to wa s te my time , " Va s ili r e p lie d in a b o r e d to ne . "Yo u fight me , a r is to , o r I k e e p o ne o f the ho r s e s fo r mys e lf. " Va s ili ne a r ly r o lle d his e ye s . W hy ha d he k no wn this wa s c o ming? Be c a us e P a ve l wa s s o d a mn p r e d ic ta b le in s o me wa ys , a nd this wa s c e r ta inly o ne o f the m. He lo o k e d a t Ale xa nd r a , b ut he r mulis h e xp r e s s io n s a id s he wa s n' t go ing to le a ve a s ingle o ne o f he r p r e c io us b a b ie s b e hind , a nd tha t d id n' t s ur p r is e him e ithe r . But s he d id ma na ge to d o the une xp e c te d b y inte r fe r ing, te lling P a ve l, "The ho r s e s a r e mine . The c ho ic e o f who fights yo u s ho uld b e mine . " P a ve l gla nc e d a t the thr e e C o s s a c k s s ur r o und ing he r a nd la ughe d . "P a ve l is no t s tup id , wo ma n. " Tha t wa s c e r ta inly d e b a ta b le a nd s he s ta r te d to s a y s o . Va s ili, gue s s ing a s muc h, s a id q uic k ly, "All r ight, P a ve l, b ut ind o o r s , if yo u d o n' t mind . And the c ho ic e o f we a p o ns is mine , s o ha ve s o me o ne fe tc h the s wo r d tha t I s ur r e nd e r e d la s t night. " W he n P a ve l jus t s ta r e d a t him, lo o k ing a little gr e e n a r o und the gills , he r e ma r k e d , "N o s wo r d s k ill? W e ll, ne ve r le t it b e s a id I to o k a d va nta ge . Yo u c ho o s e , the n, b ut I s ho uld wa r n yo u, S te fa n a nd I s ha r e d the s a me ins tr uc to r s . Ho w is yo ur s ho uld e r , b y the wa y? " P a ve l ha d b e c o me r e d in the fa c e b y tha t p o int. Va s ili s up p o s e d he ' d go ne a little o ve r b o a r d , r e mind ing P a ve l o f the k nife wo und S te fa n ha d give n him. But he wa s a ma n s o e a s y to go a d , Va s ili ha d n' t b e e n a b le to r e s is t. Ho we ve r , he r e gr e tte d it in the ne xt mo me nt. "W hip s , " P a ve l s a id . The r e we r e s o me c o lle c tive ga s p s o ve r the b a nd if s une xp e c te d c ho ic e . Va s ili b a r e ly ma na ge d to c o nta in his . "Yo u c a ll tha t a we a p o n? " "M ine is go ing to c ut yo u to r ib b o ns . Yo u d o n' t c a ll tha t a we a p o n? " P a ve l c o unte r e d with a c huc k le . "The c ho ic e o f we a p o ns wa s yo ur s , P e t- r o ff, " Ale xa nd r a inte r je c te d . "Ta k e it back." Va s ili k ne w s he d id n' t think he c o uld win with whip s . Tha t wa s o b vio us . He ll, s he ha d n' t tho ught he c o uld win a ga ins t the b r a wny b a nd it p e r io d , no ma tte r the we a p o n, whic h wa s why s he ha d tr ie d to inte r fe r e e a r lie r . J us t a s he ' d la b e le d he r p r o mis c uo us , s he ' d la b e le d him a us e le s s , he lp le s s c o ur t d a nd y, a nd r e fus e d to s e e him a ny o the r wa y. And tha nk s to his mo me nt o f ge ne r o s ity with P a ve l— he s ho uld ha ve s tuc k with s wo r d s — he wa s n' t go ing to b e a b le to p r o ve o the r wis e , b e c a us e he , to o , d o ub te d he c o uld win with a we a p o n he ' d

ne ve r ha d o c c a s io n to us e b e fo r e . But he c o uld n' t, ho no r a b ly, d o a s s he wa s s ugge s ting e ithe r , muc h a s he ' d lik e to . Tha t s he tho ught he wo uld wa s s till a no the r ind ic a tio n o f ho w lo w he r o p inio n o f him wa s . Tha t wa s fine , e xa c tly wha t he ha d b e e n s tr iving fo r . But he s e r io us ly o b je c te d to the la b e l o f c o ur t d a nd y. Da mn P a ve l a nywa y, a nd his q ue s t fo r o ne - up ma ns hip . W hip s , fo r Go d ' s s a k e . Ho w we r e yo u s up p o s e d to fight with whip s ? Ta k e tur ns s la s hing a t e a c h o the r a nd s e e who c o uld withs ta nd the p a in the lo nge s t? P a ve l ha d a lr e a d y s e nt s o me o ne fo r whip s a nd ha d r e e nte r e d La tzk o ' s ha ll to wa it. O n Va s ili' s r ight, La za r c a ught his fr ie nd ' s a r m a s he s ta r te d to d is mo unt. "This is r id ic ulo us . He ' s us ing yo u a s a s ub s titute fo r S te fa n. " "Te ll me s o me thing I d o n' t k no w, " Va s ili r e p lie d with a s o und o f d is gus t. "Ho w a b o ut, ' Yo u d o n' t ha ve to d o this ' ? " Va s ili wa s q uite a wa r e o f tha t. He wa s willing to p a y the r a ns o m, e ve n tho ugh he ' d e nd up with no thing to s ho w fo r it o nc e the b e tr o tha l wa s b r o k e n a nd Ale xa nd r a to o k he r s e lf a nd he r ho r s e s b a c k to Rus s ia . He c e r ta inly wa s n' t a fte r he r gr a titud e , whic h c o uld o nly hur t his c a mp a ign. And to s a y tha t he r e fus e d to le t P a ve l ta k e o ne o f the tho r o ughb r e d s wa s p r e tty la me . S o why ha d he a c c e p te d the c ha lle nge ? P a yme nt fo r tha t gift he ' d r e c e ive d la s t night? Dis gus te d with hims e lf a nd the who le s itua tio n, Va s ili d is mo unte d . But he c o nfid e d in a n a s id e to La za r , "Re la x, my fr ie nd . I f it ge ts to o p a inful, I ' ll c o nc e d e a nd p a y the d o ub le r a ns o m. " "W e ll, a t le a s t yo u ha ve n' t go ne c o mp le te ly c r a zy, " La za r r e ma r k e d . Tha t wa s a no the r thing tha t wa s d e b a ta b le , b ut Va s ili d id n' t s a y s o a nd he a d e d fo r the ho us e . Ale xa nd r a ha d a ls o s lip p e d o ff he r mo unt, a nd s he wa s p r a c tic a lly b lo c k ing the e ntr a nc e to the ha ll a s he ne a r e d it. S he ha d n' t he a r d his e xc ha nge with La za r , whic h wa s fo r tuna te , s inc e he d id n' t fe e l lik e a r guing a nymo r e , a nd s he ' d no d o ub t ins is t he ha ng in the r e until the b itte r e nd . "P e tr o ff— " "C o nc e r ne d fo r me , s we e the a r t? " He ' d c ut he r o ff, the s a r c a s m in his to ne s a ying he wo uld n' t b e lie ve it if s he tr ie d to p r e te nd s he wa s . And tha t s a r c a s m ha d he r his s ing, "C e r ta inly no t, " r e ga r d le s s o f he r tr ue fe e lings . "The n s ta y o ut o f it. W he the r I win o r lo s e , yo u s till ge t yo ur ho r s e s b a c k . " He s a id no mo r e , s te p p e d a r o und he r to e nte r the ho us e , a nd p r o mp tly c lo s e d the d o o r in he r fa c e . But if he tho ught tha t wo uld k e e p he r o ut, he s ho uld ha ve k no wn b e tte r . S he ' d wa nt to s e e him lo s e the fight, to ha ve s o me thing to glo a t o ve r . I f La za r ha d n' t fo llo we d he r in, a lo ng with a ha lf- d o ze n o the r s , Va s ili wo uld ha ve ma d e a n is s ue o f it, ins is ting s he le a ve . N o w he me r e ly s hr ugge d me nta lly. M a yb e s he d e s e r ve d this , to o , fo r la s t night. P a ve l ha d r e mo ve d his c o a t a nd wa s p r e s e ntly s ho ving the s le e p ing c o ts o ut o f the wa y to c le a r a n a r e a . He wa s a p p a r e ntly go ing to r e ma in s hir tle s s . A p r e r e q uis ite ? W he the r it wa s o r no t, Va s ili s up p o s e d he o ught to s tr ip d o wn

hims e lf, jus t to k e e p things s p o r ting. He ha d s e e n P a ve l fight twic e b e fo r e with S te fa n, a nd e a c h time he ha d fo ught d ir ty. Va s ili' s a d va nta ge wo uld ha ve b e e n tha t P a ve l ha d ne ve r s e e n him fight. W ith whip s , tho ugh, he ha d no a d va nta ge , a nd wa s r e a lly a t a d is a d va nta ge . W hy the he ll ha d he a gr e e d to this ? K illing P a ve l wo uld ha ve b e e n a n id e a l s o lutio n, b e c a us e he d id n' t ha ve La tzk o ' s s e ns e o f ho no r a nd c o uld n' t b e tr us te d to s ta nd b y his wo r d if he lo s t. But Va s ili s imp ly d id n' t fe e l lik e k illing him, e ve n if the y we r e go ing to us e no r ma l we a p o ns . The b a nd it wa s a b itte r ma n, a nd a wo ma n ha d ma d e him tha t wa y. Va s ili c o uld c e r ta inly s ymp a thize with him a b o ut tha t. K no c k ing him o ut wa s a no the r s o lutio n, s inc e the r e wa s the p o s s ib ility tha t if P a ve l lo s t— fo r the thir d time to a n a r is to c r a t— a nd wa s s till c o ns c io us a t the e nd , he might b e e nr a ge d e no ugh to o r d e r the m a ll s ho t. S o me o f the b a nd its wo uld n' t fo llo w tha t o r d e r , b ut s o me might, a nd the r is k wa s n' t wo r th the ta k ing. S inc e his s k ill with a whip wa s n' t lik e ly to ge t him e ithe r o f tho s e s o lutio ns , it s e e me d his o nly o the r a lte r na tive , inte ntio na l o r no t, wa s to lo s e , le t P a ve l ha ve his mo me nt o f glo r y, a nd ge t the he ll o ut o f the r e . And he ' d a lr e a d y a s s ur e d La za r tha t he wo uld c o nc e d e if it lo o k e d lik e he c o uld n' t win. But this o p tio n we nt a ga ins t e ve r y ins tinc t he p o s s e s s e d . . . "F ina lly, " P a ve l s a id . Va s ili tur ne d to s e e a ma n c o ming thr o ugh the d o o r , ho ld ing a c o ile d whip in e a c h ha nd . The whip s s e e me d ne a r ly id e ntic a l, b ut the y we r e n' t. He d id n' t k no w ho w he r e c o gnize d it, s inc e he ' d ne ve r give n it mo r e tha n a c ur s o r y gla nc e whe n s he ' d wo r n it, b ut he k ne w whic h o ne wa s Ale xa nd r a ' s . A gla nc e he r wa y p r o ve d s he ha d no tr o ub le id e ntifying it e ithe r . W itho ut q ue s tio ning why he wa nte d it, Va s ili s te p p e d fo r wa r d to s a y, "I b e lie ve the c ho ic e o f we a p o ns is mine a ga in, a nd I ' ll ta k e the we nc h' s whip . " "W ha t we nc h? " P a ve l d e ma nd e d , b ut his e ye s s o ught o ut Ale xa nd r a e ve n a s he a s k e d the q ue s tio n. "Yo u we r e n' t to ld it wa s ta k e n fr o m he r la s t night? " Va s ili c o unte r e d . The fr o wn wa s the r e b e fo r e P a ve l' s s us p ic io us ga ze r e tur ne d to Va s ili. "Did yo u te a c h he r ho w to us e it, a r is to ? " I t wa s a to s s - up b e twe e n lying to b e ne fit hims e lf in the fight a nd lying to b e ne fit his c a mp a ign a ga ins t Ale xa nd r a . Va s ili fo und the c ho ic e a n e a s y o ne . "Luc k y fo r yo u, " he to ld the b a nd it, "I ha ve n' t k no wn the we nc h lo ng e no ugh to te a c h he r a nything— o f imp o r ta nc e . " I t wa s a d ig fo r Ale xa nd r a a lo ne . Va s ili d id n' t lo o k a t he r a ga in to s e e ho w s he ha d r e c e ive d it, whic h wa s fo r tuna te , b e c a us e he might ha ve ma d e a n a s s o f hims e lf a nd a p o lo gize d if he ha d . To ins inua te tha t wha t ha d p a s s e d b e twe e n the m wa s no thing s ignific a nt wa s no mo r e tha n Ale xa nd r a he r s e lf ha d d o ne , ye t to he a r him s a y it s tr uc k he r p a infully, a nd he r e xp r e s s io n b r ie fly r e ve a le d tha t e mo tio n b e fo r e s he ma na ge d to c o nc e a l it b e ne a th a ma s k o f ind iffe r e nc e .

F o r tuna te ly, no o ne e ls e r e a d a nything into Va s ili' s r e ma r k , a nd whe n he a d d e d , "S ha ll we ge t this o ve r with? " P a ve l wa s q uic k to c o mp ly. W hip s in ha nd , unc o ile d a nd d r a gging o n the r o ugh flo o r , the y c ir c le d e a c h o the r , Va s ili wa iting to b e s ho wn the r ud ime nts b y e xa mp le , P a ve l wa iting fo r the id e a l o p e ning s o tha t his fir s t s tr ik e wo uld b e a n e xc r uc ia ting o ne . N e ithe r go t wha t he wa s a fte r . W he n P a ve l fina lly r e le a s e d his fir s t s na p , Va s ili wa s to o b us y d o d ging to no tic e ho w it wa s d o ne . The c r a c k o f tha t whip wa s d e mo r a lizing, tho ugh, e ve n with its o nly s tr ik ing a ir . And his o wn fir s t s wing wa s la ugha b le . His c o il wa s d r o p p ing to the flo o r b e fo r e it e ve n go t c lo s e to P a ve l. Va s ili d id n' t k no w it, b ut he wa s ho ld ing his whip a s if it we r e a s wo r d , a nd a ls o s winging it lik e a s wo r d , whic h might ha ve wo r k e d if his ta r ge t ha d r e ma ine d s ta tio na r y. Tha t wa s n' t the c a s e , ho we ve r . Ap p a r e ntly the o b je c t wa s fo r him to hit, a nd fo r him to a vo id ge tting hit in r e tur n. S o fa r he wa s ma na ging to d o o ne , b ut no t the o the r . Ale xa nd r a wa s d is gus te d , wa tc hing the m d a nc e a r o und e a c h o the r . P a ve l d id n' t k no w muc h a b o ut wie ld ing a whip , b ut he s ur e a s he ll k ne w mo r e a b o ut it tha n Va s ili, a nd it wa s o nly s he e r luc k a nd q uic k r e fle xe s tha t ha d k e p t Va s ili o ut o f the whip ' s p a th thus fa r . And the n he wa s hit. I t wa s n' t a s o lid hit. P a ve l' s c o il c ur ve d o ve r Va s ili' s b a c k , a r o und his s id e , a nd up his c he s t, whe r e the wo r s t d a ma ge wa s inflic te d b y the ta il, le a ving a r e d , d ia go na l s tr e a k to ma r his go ld e n s k in. He b a r e ly winc e d , b ut Ale xa nd r a ha d n' t c o unte d o n wha t the s ight o f tha t ma r k wo uld d o to he r . The ur ge tha t c a me o ve r he r , ne a r ly o ve r whe lming he r , wa s to s na tc h he r whip fr o m Va s ili a nd ma k e minc e me a t o ut o f the b a nd it. To d o tha t wo uld ta k e he r o nly a minute o r two . S he k ne w e ve r y p la c e o n the b o d y tha t wa s mo s t s us c e p tib le to p a in, a nd he r a im wa s une r r ing. P a ve l wo uld b e wr ithing o n the flo o r in s e c o nd s . . . S he lite r a lly ha d to s tuff he r ha nd s in he r c o a t p o c k e ts a nd c o nc e ntr a te o n k e e p ing the m the r e . S he ha d to s p a r e s o me o f tha t c o nc e ntr a tio n to r e ma in s ta nd ing whe r e s he wa s . But s he wa s to o a ngr y to k e e p q uie t. "The s na p is in yo ur wr is t! " s he s ho ute d a t Va s ili. "Hic k it! " Va s ili he a r d he r . He c o uld n' t he lp b ut he a r he r . And it wa s ga lling to r e a lize tha t if s he we r e p a r tic ip a ting in this fight ins te a d o f him, it wo uld p r o b a b ly b e o ve r a lr e a d y. O f a ll the we a p o ns P a ve l c o uld ha ve c ho s e n, why d id he ha ve to p ic k he r we a p o n, he r s p he r e o f e xp e r tis e ? And Va s ili ha d no id e a wha t s he wa s ta lk ing a b o ut. The s e c o nd s tr ik e s na k e d a c r o s s his te nd e r b e lly. He fe lt a s if he ' d b e e n r ip p e d o p e n a nd his guts we r e a b o ut to s p ill o ut, b ut whe n he gla nc e d d o wn he s a w no mo r e tha n a r e d we lt r a is e d a c r o s s his s k in. Ye t tha t wa s e no ugh fo r him to p ut a n e nd to this , mo r e tha n e no ugh. He wa s a b o ut to te ll P a ve l jus t tha t whe n Ale xa nd r a s ho ute d a t him a ga in. "Tha t' s no t a s wo r d , d a mmit! Do n' t us e it lik e o ne ! "

Va s ili gr itte d his te e th a nd tr ie d a ga in. But his la s h s till d id no mo r e tha n b r us h te a s ingly a ga ins t P a ve l, lik e a wo r r is o me gna t r a the r tha n a s tinging b e e . P a ve l, o f c o ur s e , d id n' t ha ve tha t p r o b le m, a nd he go t in a no the r two fla s hing, b ur ning ho t s tr ik e s , the o ne o n the b a c k o f Va s ili' s s ho uld e r d r a wing b lo o d . At tha t p o int, Ale xa nd r a ye lle d , "Give it up , P e tr o ff— yo u c a n' t win! " And a t tha t p o int, Va s ili d e c id e d to p r o ve he r wr o ng. N o t with a whip , ho we ve r . He c o uld n' t b e e xp e c te d to us e the d a mn thing with a ny p r o fic ie nc y witho ut the b e ne fit o f a fe w le s s o ns fir s t, a nd in the mid d le o f a fight wa s no time to ge t the m. S o his whip c o ile d ne xt to his fe e t a nd s ta ye d the r e in s up p o s e d r e a d ine s s , a nd whe n P a ve l' s ne xt s wing c a me a t him, Va s ili d id n' t tr y to d o d ge it. He c a ught it ins te a d , ga ve it a ha r d je r k , d r o p p e d his o wn whip a t the s a me time , a nd s la mme d his fis t into P a ve l' s fa c e . P a ve l' s fe e t we nt up a s he we nt d o wn. His no s e wa s d e finite ly b r o k e n, b ut he wa s n' t a wa r e o f it a t the mo me nt. He wa s o ut c o ld , a nd Va s ili fe lt c o mp le te ly vind ic a te d , ha ving d o wne d the ma n with o nly o ne p unc h— a t le a s t he fe lt tha t wa y until he r e c a lle d his o wn thr o b b ing a c he s . "I f yo u we r e go ing to d o tha t, P e tr o ff, why the he ll d id n' t yo u d o it s o o ne r ? " Ale xa nd r a ha d c o me up b e hind him, a nd he r to ne wa s a b o ut a s c a s tiga ting a s it c o uld ge t. He d id n' t tur n a r o und , wa s go ing to igno r e he r c o mp le te ly, b ut the wo r d s c a me o ut a nywa y whe n s he a p p e a r e d o n his le ft s id e . "S hut up , Ale x. " La za r c a me a r o und his o the r s id e . "The s ho uld e r is n' t b le e d ing b a d , b ut yo u s ho uld ha ve it c le a ne d a nd b a nd a ge d b e fo r e we le a ve . " Ale xa nd r a ha d r e tr ie ve d he r whip fr o m whe r e Va s ili ha d d r o p p e d it, a nd he k ne w it wa s to o muc h to ho p e tha t s he wo uld ha ve he e d e d his a d vic e . "And this is a flic k , " s he s a id a nd d e mo ns tr a te d . The c o il fla s he d a c r o s s the r o o m, the ta il c ur ling a r o und the le g o f a c ha ir , a nd the c ha ir c a me s lid ing a c r o s s the flo o r , to b ump into Va s ili' s k ne e s . His fr o wn wa s tur ning thund e r o us , b ut s he d id n' t s e e m to no tic e . "S it d o wn a nd le t yo ur fr ie nd te nd yo u, " s he to ld him, o r d e r e d wa s mo r e lik e it, a nd s till in tha t b o s s y, c ha s tis ing to ne . "S hut up , Ale x! " S he wa s tr e a ting him lik e a c hild a ga in, a nd in fr o nt o f La za r a nd e ve r yo ne e ls e this time . And he r a ngr y a d vic e d ur ing the fight might no t ha ve c o me o nly b e c a us e s he tho ught him s o ine p t, a s he ha d a s s ume d a t the time . I t c o uld a ls o ha ve c o me fr o m c o nc e r n, a nd the me r e p o s s ib ility, unlik e ly a s it wa s , wa s ma k ing him p a nic , whic h d id n' t he lp him ha nd le the s itua tio n a t a ll we ll. I f s he s ho we d the le a s t b it o f gr a titud e o n to p o f the r e s t, he ' d p r o b a b ly mur d e r he r . Ale xa nd r a wa s e xp e r ie nc ing he r o wn e mo tio na l up he a va l tha t wa s two - thir d s p a nic , b ut he r s ha d s ta r te d la s t night, whe n s he ' d he a r d the y we r e s o c lo s e to C a r d inia . W ha t wa s tur ning he r ir r a tio na l a nd b itc hy no w wa s he r a c tua lly ha ving b e e n a fr a id fo r Va s ili d ur ing the fight, a nd tha t a b s o lute ly infur ia te d he r . And it d id n' t he lp tha t s he wa s d e finite ly b e ho ld e n to him no w. F e e lings o f gr a titud e in c o nne c tio n with this ma n jus t d id n' t s it we ll with he r . And tha t s he wa s go ing to ha ve to o wn up to it wa s ga lling.

But the wo r s t o f it wa s he r k no wing tha t he wa s in p a in, a nd ha ving the r id ic ulo us ur ge to e a s e it fo r him s o me ho w, no t k no wing ho w, a nd no t d a r ing e ve n to tr y. All in a ll, he r e mo tio ns we r e ma k ing he r c r a zy, a nd s he ha d a b o ut a s muc h c o ntr o l o f the m a s he d id r ight no w, whic h wa s no ne . I f it we r e o the r wis e , s he might ha ve no tic e d tha t he wa s n' t hims e lf, tha t it wa s n' t the p a in ma k ing him te s ty, b ut Ale xa nd r a he r s e lf. S he r e a lly s ho uld ha ve he e d e d him a nd s a id no mo r e . S tub b o r nne s s d e finite ly ha d its p itfa lls . "I ha ve to tha nk — " Va s ili s to p p e d he r b e fo r e s he we nt a ny fur the r . He k ne w o ne s ur e wa y to ge t r id o f the gr a titud e he d id n' t wa nt fr o m he r , a nd s ho r t o f mur d e r ing he r , a s ha d b e e n his e a r lie r tho ught, he d id n' t he s ita te to us e it. "Be fo r e yo u s a y s o me thing yo u' ll r e gr e t, Ale x, yo u s ho uld k no w tha t I d id n' t ge t tho s e ho r s e s b a c k fo r yo u. I f the wo r s t c o me s to p a s s a nd we e nd up ma r r ie d to e a c h o the r , I wa s n' t go ing to lo s e the p r o fit the y' ll b r ing me whe n I s e ll the m. " S he to o k tha t ne ws e xa c tly a s he ' d e xp e c te d . F o r a mo me nt, he wa s in d a nge r o f he r us ing the whip in he r ha nd o n him, a nd with a s k ill he wa s n' t lik e ly to a p p r e c ia te . He k ne w it. Eve n La za r k ne w it. Va s ili ha d ne ve r s e e n he r mo r e fur io us . Ye t a ma zingly, s he a ns we r e d him with a d e gr e e o f c a lm, fo r a ll tha t e a c h wo r d wa s gr itte d o ut. "Yo u' r e no t s e lling my ho r s e s . " "I d o n' t b e lie ve yo u' ll ha ve a ny s a y in the ma tte r , " he r e p lie d . The d a m b r o k e the n, he r vo ic e r a is e d to the r a fte r s . "I ' ll s e e yo u in he ll fir s t! " He r e s p o nd e d in k ind . "Yo u' ll b e p utting me in he ll if yo u d o n' t e nd this d a mn b e tr o tha l! " "I to ld yo u, I c a n' t. I ma d e a p r o mis e ! " "J e s us , wo me n b r e a k p r o mis e s e ve r y d a y. W ha t ma k e s yo u s o d iffe r e nt? " "Ho no r , " s he s a id a c id ly. "S o me thing I ' m no t s ur p r is e d yo u a r e n' t fa milia r with. " Ha ving d e live r e d tha t d e a d ly ins ult, Ale xa nd r a s ta lk e d o ff. La za r ha d to p ull Va s ili b a c k whe n his fur y ma d e him s ta r t a fte r he r . "F o r Go d ' s s a k e , le t it go , b e fo r e yo u e nd up with wo r s e we lts tha n yo u' ve a lr e a d y go t. " Va s ili tur ne d o n him, d e ma nd ing, "Did yo u he a r wha t s he s a id ? " "Ye s , a nd yo u a s k e d fo r it, if yo u wa nt my o p inio n, " La za r s a id b luntly. "W ha t the he ll p o s s e s s e d yo u to te ll he r yo u' d s e ll he r ho r s e s ? " "Tha t wa s ne c e s s a r y, o r d id n' t yo u he a r he r ? S he wa s a b o ut to s ho we r me with gr a titud e . " "W e ll, he a ve n fo r b id . " "Gr a titud e a nd ha te d o n' t go ha nd in ha nd , " Va s ili s a id , tr ying to e xp la in his r e a s o ning, b ut the n he s ighe d . He e ve n s a t d o wn in the c ha ir Ale xa nd r a ha d

fe tc he d fo r him, s ud d e nly e xha us te d . "Yo u k no w, La za r , this d a mn fe e ling I ha ve o f b e ing tr a p p e d is n' t go ing a wa y. " The c ha nge in s ub je c t a nd Va s ili' s s ud d e n d e fla tio n ma d e La za r wa r y, ye t he r e p lie d , "P o s s ib ly b e c a us e yo u' r e d e p e nd ing o n yo ur mo the r to no w s e ttle this ma tte r , a nd yo u d o n' t q uite tr us t he r to r e a c t to Ale xa nd r a a s yo u ho p e . " "N o , s he ' ll b e ho r r ifie d b y Ale x, I ha ve no d o ub t, s o it' s no t tha t. I f s a s if s o me thing' s tr ying to te ll me I ' m ne ve r go ing to e s c a p e the we nc h. " 28 The r o ya l c ity o f C a r d inia wa s a je we l in a fo g- s hr o ud e d va lle y, glitte r ing b r ightly d e s p ite its p r e s e nt glo o my s e tting. Tha t wa s ho w Ale xa nd r a s a w it fr o m a fa r , a nd the d is ma l we a the r o n the d a y o f the ir a r r iva l ma tc he d he r mo o d p e r fe c tly. Eve n whe n the fo g lifte d lo ng b e fo r e the y r e a c he d the fir s t c o b b le d s tr e e ts , a nd the s un a c tua lly ma d e a n a p p e a r a nc e , he r mo o d d id n' t imp r o ve . I t wa s a la r ge c ity tha t ha d s p r e a d fa r b e yo nd its o r igina l wa lls , whic h we r e s o o ld the y we r e c r umb ling in p la c e s a nd s ho we d e vid e nc e o f r e mo va l r a the r tha n r e p a ir . O ut with the o ld , in with the ne w. To o b a d b e tr o tha ls d id n' t fa ll into tha t c a te go r y, s he mus e d . The fo g ha d a p p e a r e d the mo r ning the y' d le ft the C a r p a thia n fo o thills , a fte r ha ving s p e nt the night in K ing S te fa n' s p r iva te hunting lo d ge . "P r iva te " d e s c r ib e d tha t d we lling we ll, s inc e it tur ne d o ut to b e a p la c e the k ing vis ite d whe n he wa nte d to b e a lo ne , a nd its o ne a nd o nly b e d r o o m a s s ur e d he wo uld n' t b e b r inging fr ie nd s o r fa mily a lo ng with him. He ha d o the r lo d ge s , o f c o ur s e , tha t we r e muc h la r ge r , b ut this o ne wa s ne a r e s t to the mo unta ins . The s ta b le ha d n' t b e e n la r ge e no ugh to a c c o mmo d a te a ll o f the ho r s e s , b ut the s no w ha d n' t r e a c he d the lo we s t fo o thills , whe r e the lo d ge wa s ne s tle d , a nd the c lima te wa s n' t muc h wo r s e tha n wha t the y ha d e xp e r ie nc e d o n the Rus s ia n p la ins . As fo r s o ma ny p e o p le to b e d d o wn, it ha d b e e n fo r tuna te the ha ll o f the lo d ge wa s la r ge . Ale xa nd r a , s till in a s imme r ing r a ge o ve r Va s ili' s r e ve la tio n a b o ut s e lling he r ho r s e s , ha d n' t a s k e d if s he c o uld ha ve the s ingle b e d r o o m fo r the night; s he ' d s imp ly info r me d him s he wa s ta k ing it. He ha d n' t b e e n in the b e s t o f mo o d s hims e lf a nd ha d s e e me d inc line d to a r gue . "I s tha t s o ? " "Yo u might a s we ll ge t us e d to b e ing inc o nve nie nc e d , " s he ' d to ld him. "Yo u' ll ha ve a wife s o o n. " "At whic h time we ' ll s ha r e — " "Do n' t c o unt o n it! " And s he ' d s la mme d the d o o r in his fa c e . S he ha d n' t s p o k e n to him s inc e . But he r a nge r ha d n' t la s te d ve r y lo ng a nd ha d s o o n tur ne d into d e je c tio n. The p a s t fe w d a ys ha d b e e n glo o my, with the fo g fo llo wing the m a nd he r mo o d a t its lo we s t p o int s inc e s he ' d b e gun the jo ur ne y to C a r d inia .

N ina a nd he r b r o the r s ha d n' t b e e n a b le to c he e r he r up e ithe r , e ve n tho ugh K o nr a d wa s o f the o p inio n tha t Va s ili ha d n' t me a nt wha t he ' d s a id a b o ut he r ho r s e s . "He ' s to o r ic h to ne e d o r wa nt the p r o fit the white s wo uld b r ing. W hy wo uld he s e ll the m? " "To ge t e ve n with me fo r no t s a ving him fr o m a fa te wo r s e tha n d e a th/' ha d b e e n he r r e jo ind e r . K o nr a d ha d s imp ly s a id , "I f he wa nts to b e s a ve d , he c a n d o the s a ving hims e lf. " "Yo u think I ha ve n' t p o inte d tha t o ut to him? " And N ina ha d n' t he lp e d ye s te r d a y b y info r ming he r , "La za r a s k e d me why yo u d o n' t wa nt to ma r r y Va s ili. " "Yo u d id n' t te ll him, d id yo u? " W ith the mo s t inno c e nt o f e xp r e s s io ns , N ina ha d r e p lie d , "W a s it s up p o s e d to b e a s e c r e t? " "I t' s no ne o f the ir d a mn b us ine s s . " To whic h N ina ha d s no r te d . "I t mo s t c e r ta inly is Va s ili' s b us ine s s , a nd yo u s ho uld ha ve to ld him. " "He ne ve r a s k e d — yo u d id n' t te ll La za r e ve r ything, d id yo u? " "Yo u me a n a b o ut a ll tho s e wa s te d ye a r s — ? " At Ale xa nd r a ' s b lus h, N ina ha d lie d , "O f c o ur s e no t. I to ld him to a s k yo u. " And Ale xa nd r a ha d to a s s ume tha t s inc e he ha d n' t a p p r o a c he d he r , he ' d lo s t inte r e s t in the ma tte r . And s he c o uld o nly ho p e he wo uld n' t me ntio n it to Va s ili. But s he wa s n' t e ve n s ur e why s he fe lt tha t wa y. I t wa s n' t a s if Va s ili' s le a r ning a b o ut C hr is to p he r wo uld ma k e a ny d iffe r e nc e . I f he wa s go ing to d o the no b le thing a nd b o w o ut b e c a us e o f a no the r ma n, he wo uld ha ve d o ne it fo r his o wn s a k e . And it wa s n' t a s if s he wa s wo r r ie d tha t he might c a r e . He wo uld n' t. S he s up p o s e d it wa s he r o wn e mb a r r a s s me nt. S he s imp ly d id n' t wa nt him to k no w tha t s he ' d wa ite d s e ve n ye a r s fo r a ma n— a nd wa s s till wa iting. N o w, a s the y r o d e thr o ugh the c ity tha t Ale xa nd r a ha d b e e n s o s ur e s he wo uld ne ve r r e a c h, s he wa s mo r e d e s p o nd e nt tha n e ve r . S he ha d d o ne e ve r ything s he c o uld think o f to ge t Va s ili to c r y o ff, b ut s he wa s s till b e tr o the d to him, a nd he r time wa s r unning o ut. S he wa s b e ing ta k e n to his fa mily ho me . S o me o ne ha d me ntio ne d tha t to he r , s he wa s n' t s ur e who . But s he k ne w s he ' d b e me e ting Va s ili' s mo the r the r e , a nd s he wa s d r e a d ing the me e ting b e c a us e it wa s go ing to ma k e the b e tr o tha l s o fina l. And s he ha d n' t d e c id e d ye t if s he wa s go ing to c o ntinue he r r us tic r us e fo r the c o unte s s o r give it up , s inc e it c e r ta inly ha d n' t ma d e muc h d iffe r e nc e to Va s ili tha t s he a c te d lik e a n unc o uth p r o vinc ia l. W o uld it ma tte r to his mo the r ? I f it d id , d id s he ha ve e no ugh s wa y with he r s o n to ge t him to c ha nge his mind ? P r o b a b ly no t, b ut Ale xa nd r a s up p o s e d tha t if the r e wa s e ve n the s ma lle s t

c ha nc e , s he ' d ha ve to ta k e it. Ye t it wa s go ing to b e s o muc h mo r e d iffic ult to b e o utr a ge o us ly ill- ma nne r e d in the p r e s e nc e o f a no the r no b le wo ma n, r a the r tha n jus t Va s ili a nd his me n. And this no b le wo ma n ha d b e e n the wife o f he r fa the r ' s b e s t fr ie nd . And the n the r e wa s a s ma ll, wic k e d vo ic e ins id e he r tha t ha d b e e n intr ud ing e ve r s inc e the y' d le ft the b a nd it villa ge in the mo unta ins , te lling he r tha t s he o ught to s to p fighting it a nd ma r r y the ma n. O f c o ur s e , s he r e fus e d to lis te n. The r e we r e a hund r e d r e a s o ns s he c o uld n' t ma r r y him o r d id n' t wa nt to , a nd o nly o ne r e a s o n s he wo uld n' t mind d o ing tha t, a nd tha t r e a s o n s he s ho uld n' t ha ve le a r ne d a b o ut a t a ll, a t le a s t no t b e fo r e the we d d ing. S he c o uld c hid e he r s e lf fo r think ing a b o ut it, e ve n igno r e it— mo s t o f the time — whe n Va s ili k e p t his d is ta nc e . But whe n he wa s ne a r , o r whe n s he c a ught he r s e lf s ta r ing a t him, s he wo uld r e me mb e r his lo ve ma k ing s o vivid ly, it wo uld a lmo s t r e nd e r he r b r e a thle s s . And a t night, with no thing e ls e to d is tr a c t he r , s he wa s a s s a ile d b y the me mo r y. W ha t wa s inc r e a s ing he r d e s p o nd e nc y wa s he r fe a r tha t if the wo r s t ha p p e ne d a nd s he wa s fo r c e d to ma r r y him, s he might fo r ge t a b o ut a ll the r e a s o ns he wo uld ma k e a te r r ib le hus b a nd , a nd c o mp r o mis e he r s e lf fo r me r e p le a s ur e . S he c o uld te ll he r s e lf it wo uld n' t ha p p e n, b ut s he wo uld ha ve b e e n the fir s t to d e ny tha t s he ' d e ve r s uc c umb to the te mp ta tio ns o f the fle s h, ye t s he ' d a lr e a d y d o ne s o o nc e . S o it c o uld ha p p e n, a nd no t wa nting it to d id n' t s e e m to b e muc h c o ns o la tio n fo r he r la te ly. S he d id n' t wa nt to b e in C a r d inia e ithe r , ye t he r e s he wa s , s o o n to b e ma r r ie d . W he n wo uld the we d d ing ta k e p la c e ? S he d id n' t e ve n k no w tha t. I n d a ys , o r a we e k ? N o ma tte r whe n, it wa s go ing to b e to o s o o n fo r he r . And wha te ve r d e la ys s he c a me up with wo uld n' t la s t fo r lo ng. O ne o f tho s e d e la ys wa s mo r e tha n lik e ly go ing to b e le gitima te , b e c a us e s he wa s a c tua lly ma k ing he r s e lf s ic k , wo r r ying a b o ut it. O r wa s it ne r vo us ne s s o ve r me e ting Va s ili' s mo the r ? I f tha t la d y we lc o me d he r with o p e n a r ms , s he ' d p r o b a b ly p uk e a ll o ve r he r . Ale xa nd r a s hud d e r e d , ima gining it, a nd d e c id e d tha t the me e ting, a t le a s t, c o uld b e d e la ye d r ight no w with a little d e to ur . W ith tha t o b je c tive in mind , s he mo ve d S ulta n' s P r id e up b e s id e Va s ili' s r o a n. "Do yo u live with yo ur mo the r , P e tr o ff? " He lo o k e d s ur p r is e d , whic h wa s fe igne d , s he wa s s ur e . "Yo u' r e s p e a k ing to me a ga in? " S he c o uld p la y tha t ga me . "Yo u a c tua lly no tic e d tha t I wa s n' t? " He ga ve up to o q uic k ly, s ighing. "I wis h I ha d n' t no tic e d tha t yo u a r e a ga in. " "M y q ue s tio n? " "N o , I d o n' t live with he r . " "The n s ho w me whe r e yo u live . " This time he lo o k e d ge nuine ly s ur p r is e d . "N o w? " "C e r ta inly no w. "

He tho ught o f F a tima a nd he r e xub e r a nt we lc o me s whe ne ve r he ha d b e e n a wa y fo r e ve n a s ho r t time , a nd s ho o k his he a d . "I f s a b a c he lo r r e s id e nc e . I t wo uld n' t b e p r o p e r to ta k e yo u the r e b e fo r e we ' r e ma r r ie d . " Be ing to ld no o nly ma d e Ale xa nd r a mo r e d e te r mine d . "I f yo u we r e wo r r ie d a b o ut ' p r o p e r / yo u wo uld n' t b e ma r r ying me . S ho w me yo ur ho us e o r I ' ll c a mp r ight he r e in the s tr e e t. " "Tha t will ge t yo u a r r e s te d . " "Re a lly? " s he a s k e d with inte r e s t. "Yo u think I wo uld n' t p r e fe r a ja il c e ll— " He wa s ge tting a ngr y. "Ho w a b o ut a d unge o n c e ll? Tha t c a n b e a r r a nge d . " C a r d inia d id n' t ha p p e n to ha ve a ny d unge o ns , b ut a t the mo me nt, Va s ili wa s think ing a b o ut ha ving o ne b uilt jus t fo r he r . And s he wa s b e ginning to ge t s us p ic io us o f the p r e va r ic a ting he wa s d o ing o ve r a s imp le little r e q ue s t. "I s the r e s o me thing a b o ut yo ur ho us e yo u d o n' t wa nt me to k no w? " "I me r e ly ha ve a gr e a t ma ny things to d o to d a y, no w tha t I ' m ho me , a nd the y d o n' t inc lud e giving yo u a guid e d to ur — " "F ine ! " s he c ut in s ha r p ly. "The n I ' ll vie w it s o me o the r d a y, whe n yo u' r e no t a r o und to b e b o the r e d . I ' m s ur e s o me o ne a t yo ur mo the r ' s ho us e c a n d ir e c t me . " Any o ne o f his mo the r ' s s e r va nts c o uld d o jus t tha t, a nd no thing might ha p p e n if Ale xa nd r a s ho we d up a t his ho us e whe n he wa s n' t the r e . The n a ga in, s he ha d thr e a te ne d to c ut o ff to o ma ny e a r s fo r him to ta k e the c ha nc e . "Ar e yo u a lwa ys go ing to b e this d iffic ult? " he a s k e d , no t tr ying to hid e his ve xa tio n. S he ga ve him a tight little s mile . "F o r yo u, P e tr o ff, I will c e r ta inly tr y. " "The n b y a ll me a ns , we lc o me to my humb le a b o d e , " he s a id d r yly, a nd his e xte nd e d a r m ind ic a te d the ho us e the y ha d jus t p a s s e d . S he ga ve him a s o ur lo o k a t tha t p o int. "This wa s r e a lly go ing to ta k e s o muc h o f yo ur time , wa s n' t it? " s he s a id with fr o s ty s a r c a s m, a nd tur ne d he r mo unt to wa r d the no t- s o - humb le to wn ho us e . Va s ili d id n' t a ns we r . He wa s s ho uting a t La za r , who ha d r id d e n up a he a d , to c o ntinue with the wa go ns a nd the ho r s e s . W he n Ale xa nd r a r e a lize d s he wa s go ing to b e le ft the r e a lo ne with him, s he ne a r ly c ha nge d he r mind . But the la r ge , thr e e - s to r y ho us e und o ub te d ly c o nta ine d s e r va nts . Anyo ne who c la ime d to b e a s we a lthy a s Va s ili wo uld n' t d is mis s his r e ta ine r s jus t b e c a us e he wa s go ing to b e go ne fo r a mo nth o r two . And s he wa s p r o ve n c o r r e c t whe n he jo ine d he r a t the fr o nt d o o r a nd k no c k e d fo r e ntr a nc e . W hile the y wa ite d , s he s e ns e d tha t he wa s mo r e tha n jus t a nno ye d a b o ut he r p utting him to this b o the r . He s e e me d . . . ne r vo us ? W a s he a c tua lly wo r r ie d a b o ut wha t s he wo uld think o f his ho me ? Highly d o ub tful. S he mus t b e ima gining it, a nd wha t d id s he c a r e a nywa y? S he wa s to o d is a p p o inte d tha t his ho us e ha d b e e n s o c lo s e a nd tha t vis iting it wo uld n' t ta k e a s muc h time a s s he ha d ho p e d it wo uld . He r d e s p o nd e nc y wa s r e tur ning, a nd with it, s o me s e lf- d e fe ns ive a p a thy. W ha t d iffe r e nc e d id it ma k e

if his mo the r d id n' t lik e he r ? W ha t d id it ma tte r if he r fa the r wa s mo r tifie d whe n he le a r ne d o f he r b e ha vio r ? S o wha t if C hr is to p he r wo uld b e lo s t to he r if this ma r r ia ge to o k p la c e ? The d o o r o p e ne d , a nd Va s ili wa s b e ing gr e e te d b y a c r us ty- vo ic e d s e r va nt who s ur p r is e d Ale xa nd r a b y his ve r y s ize . He wa s the ta lle s t, la r ge s t ma n s he ' d e ve r e nc o unte r e d , a gia nt, r e a lly, a nd a nc ie nt, with white ha ir a nd wr ink le s . By the lo o k o f him, he s ho uld ha ve b e e n r e tir e d twe nty o r thir ty ye a r s a go . He wa s c e r ta inly to o o ld to b e a b utle r , whic h he a p p a r e ntly wa s s inc e he b e ga n d ir e c ting s e ve r a l wa iting fo o tme n, inc lud ing s e nd ing o ne o ut to s e e to the ho r s e s . But s he ha d to a llo w tha t in his d a y he mus t ha ve ha d no p r o b le m k e e p ing o ut unwa nte d vis ito r s — W ha t wa s s he think ing? He s till wo uld n' t ha ve a ny p r o b le m. Va s ili wa s te lling him— M a ur us , he c a lle d him— tha t he wa s n' t s ta ying no w, b ut wo uld b e b a c k la te tha t e ve ning. He d id n' t b o the r to intr o d uc e Ale xa nd r a , s o s he igno r e d the m a nd gla nc e d a r o und o ne o f the lo ve lie s t e ntr a nc e ha lls s he ' d e ve r s te p p e d into . The white ma r b le flo o r r e fle c te d the je we l to ne s o f the ma mmo th s ta ine d - gla s s wind o w a b o ve the d o o r , whic h c a s t a r a inb o w o f c o lo r s tha t tur ne d e ve n the thr e e la r ge c r ys ta l c ha nd e lie r s ha nging fr o m the s e c o nd - flo o r c e iling into glitte r ing ge ms . I t wa s a lo ng ha ll, a nd q uite wid e , with a gr a nd s ta ir c a s e c e nte r e d a t the e nd a nd c o r r id o r s o n e ithe r s id e o f it go ing d e e p e r into the ho us e . M a ny c lo s e d d o o r s line d the le ft s id e o f the ha ll; o nly two s e ts o f d o ub le d o o r s we r e o n the r ight, the fir s t s e t o p e n, r e ve a ling a glimp s e o f white c a r p e ting. S he c o uld a ls o s e e a fe w p ie c e s o f fur nitur e in r o s e wo o d , a nd light- b lue - a nd - go ld up ho ls te r y o n a s o fa a nd s o me c ha ir s , ind ic a ting a d r a wing r o o m. Alo ng with a n a r r a y o f p a intings in a ll s ize s tha t fille d the high wa lls , the r e we r e a numb e r o f o r na te mir r o r s in thic k fr a me s , with ho tho us e flo we r s o n p e d e s ta ls o r lo ng wa ll ta b le s s e t b e fo r e the m. The flo we r s we r e s uc h a we lc o me s ight in winte r . Ab o ve s o me p ink r o s e s , Ale xa nd r a c a ught a glimp s e o f he r s e lf in o ne o f the mir r o r s a nd winc e d . S he wa s n' t a s d us ty a s us ua l— the r o a d s the y ha d tr a ve le d s inc e ye s te r d a y ha d b e e n we ll ma inta ine d — b ut a s a lwa ys with he r fine lo c k s , s he ha d ha ir e s c a p ing fr o m und e r he r fur ha t. S he ' d a ls o p ic k e d up a b la c k s mud ge o n he r c hin, s he c o uld n' t ima gine fr o m wha t. He r c lo the s , o f c o ur s e , we r e wr ink le d , a nd s he lo o k e d tir e d — e xha us te d , a c tua lly— b ut tha t wa s n' t s ur p r is ing e ithe r . A tr ip tha t c o uld ha ve ta k e n thr e e we e k s ha d ta k e n five b e c a us e o f the wa go ns , b ut Va s ili ha d s till ma na ge d to k e e p the m o n the r o a d fo r mo s t o f the d a ylight ho ur s o f e a c h d a y. The c ir c le s und e r he r e ye s , tho ugh, we r e c a us e d b y la c k o f s le e p — tha t little vo ic e tha t ha d b e e n b o the r ing he r the p a s t c o up le o f d a ys d id s o mo s tly la te a t night. S he wo nd e r e d whe the r s he s ho uld b e gla d tha t s he lo o k e d s o te r r ib le fo r he r fir s t me e ting with Va s ili' s mo the r , o r if s he o ught to ta k e a fe w minute s while s he wa s he r e to imp r o ve he r a p p e a r a nc e . S he c o uld n' t d o a nything a b o ut the c ir c le s und e r he r e ye s , b ut Va s ili a p p a r e ntly ha d a typ ic a l s ta ff whic h wo uld inc lud e s o me o ne who c o uld give he r c lo the s a q uic k p r e s s . And he r ha ir wa s

e a s y to — "M a s te r ! " Ale xa nd r a tur ne d a b r up tly. S he fir s t s a w Va s ili r o lling his e ye s , the n fo llo we d the s o und o f the r us hing fo o ts te p s to the s ta ir c a s e , whe r e a s ma ll, b la c k - ha ir e d wo ma n in a flo wing s ilk c a fta n o f flo r a l p r int— a thin ga r me nt mo r e s uite d to the b e d r o o m— wa s r unning d o wn the s ta ir s . S he a p p e a r e d to b e in he r e a r ly twe ntie s a nd wa s e xq uis ite ly lo ve ly, he r lo ng b la c k ha ir ne a r ly r e a c hing he r k ne e s , he r d a r k b r o wn e ye s la r ge , he r b o d y d e lic a te , gr a c e ful e ve n in he r r us h, he r fe a tur e s e xo tic a nd s e ns ua l. Ale xa nd r a me r e ly lifte d a b r o w a nd s a id to Va s ili while the wo ma n wa s s till a d is ta nc e a wa y, "M a s te r ? " "F a tima wa s a s la ve whe n s he wa s give n to me , " he s a id in e xa s p e r a tio n. "I fr e e d he r , b ut s he wa s b o r n in a ha r e m a nd p e r s is ts in c a lling me — " Ale xa nd r a ha d to inte r r up t a t tha t p o int b e c a us e F a tima ha d r e a c he d the m a nd wa s a b o ut to thr o w he r s e lf a t Va s ili. "Ho ld it r ight the r e , " s he s a id , he r vo ic e s o c o mma nd ing it wo uld ha ve s to p p e d a b a tta lio n. The e x- s la ve o b e ye d ins ta ntly. O d d ly e no ugh, Ale xa nd r a wa s n' t a ngr y, tho ugh the wo ma n' s p o s itio n in the ho us e wa s p r e tty o b vio us . S he s ho uld ha ve b e e n a ngr y, p r o b a b ly wo uld ha ve b e e n me r e d a ys a go . But to d a y he r mo o d wa s s o glo o my with ho p e le s s ne s s tha t it d id n' t le a ve muc h r o o m fo r a ny o the r e mo tio ns . I f s he d id n' t ha ve to r e ma in c o ns is te nt fo r Va s ili' s b e ne fit, s he might no t ha ve s to p p e d the gir l a t a ll, might ha ve jus t q uie tly le ft s o the two lo ve r s c o uld e njo y the ir ha p p y r e unio n. At le a s t s he und e r s to o d no w why he ha d n' t wa nte d to b r ing he r he r e . And s he c o uld s e e tha t he wa s b r a c e d fo r he r a tta c k , e xp e c ting the wo r s t. S he s ur p r is e d him ins te a d , me r e ly te lling F a tima , "Yo u' ll ha ve to find s o me whe r e e ls e to wo r k . " "But I live he r e , mis tr e s s . " "N o t a nymo r e . Yo ur ma s te r is ge tting ma r r ie d . " F a tima tur ne d to Va s ili, a p p a r e ntly think ing tha t, a s the ma n, he wa s go ing to ha ve the la s t wo r d o n the s ub je c t. And to ma k e s ur e his d e c is io n wo uld b e in he r fa vo r , gr e a t fa t te a r s a p p e a r e d in he r p r e tty e ye s . Tha t wa s whe n Ale xa nd r a go t a ngr y. O f a ll the r o tte n, fe ma le things to d o , to us e te a r s to a p p e a l to his p r o te c tive ins tinc ts . As if he ha d a ny. I t wa s his r utting ins tinc ts tha t we r e go ing to b e s wa ye d , b ut no t while Ale xa nd r a wa s the r e to witne s s it. Va s ili s a w he r unho o k the whip fr o m he r b e lt, b ut s he ' d a lr e a d y s na p p e d it o nc e b e fo r e he c o uld r e a c h he r . The s o und b r o ught b a c k to him the p a inful me mo r y o f the we lts he s till wo r e , b ut tha t wo uld n' t ha ve s to p p e d him if he r inte nt ha d b e e n to d o d a ma ge . S inc e a ll s he ' d d o ne wa s c r a c k the la s h to r e ga in F a tima ' s wid e - e ye d a tte ntio n, a nd wa s e ve n no w r e wind ing it, he d e c id e d no t to te mp t he r fur the r . . . the he ll he wo uld n' t. He s na tc he d the whip fr o m he r ha nd , b ut s he me r e ly ga ve him a d is gus te d

lo o k a nd c hid e d , "Yo u s ho uld r e c a ll tha t I a lwa ys give fa ir wa r ning fir s t, P e tr o ff— a nd I ha ve o the r whip s . " The n he r e xp r e s s io n tur ne d p o s itive ly me na c ing a s s he fixe d he r d a r k b lue ga ze o n F a tima to s a y, "Yo u wa nt to s ha r e his b e d s o me mo r e , yo u' r e go ing to p a y a p r ic e fo r it. Ar e yo u s ur e yo u wa nt to ? " F a tima wa s to o fr ighte ne d to a ns we r . S he s imp ly s hr ie k e d a nd r a n to wa r d the b a c k o f the ho us e . Va s ili wa s to r n b e twe e n go ing a fte r he r to a s s ur e he r tha t s he wa s n' t in d a nge r o f lo s ing a ny s k in, a t le a s t no t ye t, a nd wr inging Ale xa nd r a ' s ne c k . He to o k a s te p to wa r d Ale xa nd r a . S he b a c k e d up , b ut he r e xp r e s s io n d id n' t c ha nge . I f a nything, s he lo o k e d lik e s he wa s a b o ut to s c r a tc h his e ye s o ut no w tha t the y we r e a lo ne , b ut it wa s a ve r b a l a tta c k s he unle a s he d fir s t. "Yo u a r e the mo s t p e r fid io us , le c he r o us , d e s p ic a b le ma n in c r e a tio n! Yo u we nt to c o lle c t a b r id e , b ut k e p t yo ur mis tr e s s ins ta lle d in yo ur o wn ho us e ? Yo u c o uld n' t e ve n mo ve he r to a no the r ho us e ? " S he wa s s ho uting a t him. He a ns we r e d he r a lmo s t to o q uie tly a s he fo r c e d he r to r e tr e a t a no the r s te p . "I we nt to Rus s ia to ge t r id o f a b r id e , no t b r ing he r ho me with me . Yo u we r e s up p o s e d to ha ve s e ns e e no ugh to s e e tha t we wo uld n' t p o s s ib ly s uit. But r e s t a s s ur e d , my o the r mis tr e s s e s a r e in o the r ho us e s , a nd F a t- ima will b e ins ta lle d e ls e whe r e b e fo r e the e nd o f the d a y. " "But yo u wo n' t ge t r id o f the m? " "I wa r ne d yo u I wo uld n' t, s we e the a r t. S o why d o n' t yo u r e jo ic e a nd r e a lize tha t tha t give s yo u gr o und s to e nd this thing? " "I ' m no t jus t b o und b y tha t b e tr o tha l c o ntr a c t, yo u fo o l, I ' m b o und b y my o wn wo r d to ma r r y yo u. W he n a r e yo u go ing to r e a lize tha t tha t me a ns it' s go ing to ha p p e n no ma tte r wha t yo u d o , with o nly o ne e xc e p tio n? Re fus e to ma r r y me , a nd tha t will e nd it. " Ano the r s te p ha d he r b a c k e d up a ga ins t a wa ll, a nd he b r a c e d his a r ms o n b o th s id e s o f he r . "I ' m b e ginning to lo o k fo r wa r d to this ma r r ia ge , jus t s o I c a n s p e nd the r e s t o f my life ma k ing yo u mis e r a b le . " Ale xa nd r a wa s to o a ngr y to b e intimid a te d . "M is e r y lo ve s c o mp a ny, s we e the a r t, " s he s ho t b a c k . "S o d o n' t think I ' ll b e s uffe r ing mine a lo ne . " S he s lip p e d o ut fr o m und e r his a r m a nd ma r c he d o ut the d o o r . 29 Bo jik ha d b e e n wa iting o n Va s ili' s d o o r s te p fo r Ale xa nd r a to a p p e a r . S he c hid e d he r s e lf fo r fo r ge tting a b o ut him. Eve r s inc e the s no ws to r m whe n he ha d b e e n una b le to find he r , he ha d n' t le t he r fa r fr o m his s ight. . . a nd wha t c o uld ha ve p o s s e s s e d he r to lo s e he r te mp e r lik e tha t a ga in? S he r e a lly d id n' t c a r e ho w ma ny wo me n Va s ili ha d . O the r s ? He ' d s a id o the r s , the s o n o f a . . . no , d a mmit, s he d id n' t c a r e . I t wa s ne c e s s a r y to d o s o me thing, ye s , to r e ma in c o ns is te nt, b ut s he d id n' t ha ve to me a n it. S he c o uld o nly b e tha nk ful tha t he ha d n' t r e me mb e r e d wha t he ' d wa r ne d he r he wo uld d o if s he e ve r thr e a te ne d a no the r o ne o f his wo me n. S he c o uld a ls o b e tha nk ful s he ha d go tte n o ut o f

the r e jus t in time , b e c a us e he ha d b e e n to o c lo s e p hys ic a lly. Tho s e fe e lings tha t no w s e e me d to we ll up within he r a nytime he c a me ne a r he r ha d d e finite ly b e e n o n the r is e . And s he wa s a fr a id s he k ne w wha t wo uld ha p p e n if s he lo s t c o ntr o l o f the m a ga in. Va s ili k e p t his e ye s s q ue e ze d s hut, b ut he c o uld s till s me ll the s c e nt o f he r , s till s e e the fur y in he r mid night- b lue e ye s , s uc h p a s s io n, s uc h. . . He gr o a ne d a nd b a nge d his he a d o n the wa ll a ga in; he ha d n' t mo ve d fr o m the r e s inc e s he ' d s lip p e d a wa y fr o m him. He c o uld c o ntr o l this , he r e a lly c o uld . He jus t ha d to k e e p his d is ta nc e fr o m he r . He ' d ma na ge d to until to d a y. And wha t ha d p o s s e s s e d him to give in to he r d e ma nd ? He s ho uld ha ve c a lle d he r b luff a nd le t he r c a mp in the s tr e e t. I f s he go t a r r e s te d , he wo uld n' t s a y a wo r d to p r e ve nt it. But whe n s he c a me b e fo r e the ma gis tr a te , he ' d a r r a nge to ha ve he r p la c e d in his c us to d y— a nd the fa nta s y tha t tha t ins p ir e d ha d him gr o a ning a ga in. His mo the r wa s his o nly ho p e no w, a nd this he ll he wa s c a ught up in c o uld c o nc e iva b ly b e o ve r b y the e nd o f the d a y. M a r ia ' s fir s t e nc o unte r with Ale xa nd r a c o uld d o it a nd . . . J e s us , s he ' d le ft, s la mme d o ut o f he r e , a nd s he wa s to o a ngr y to wa it fo r him o uts id e . He ha d vis io ns o f he r lo s t in the c ity. The wa y s he wa s d r e s s e d , a nd a lo ne , me n wo uld n' t think twic e a b o ut a c c o s ting he r . And he ha d he r whip . He ' d le ft he r d e fe ns e le s s . He fe lt s uc h fe a r , he b r o k e o ut in a s we a t, a nd s ur e e no ugh, whe n he go t o uts id e he s a w tha t the fo o tma n he ld o nly his ho r s e . Ale xa nd r a ' s wa s go ne . "Did the la d y a t le a s t a s k yo u fo r d ir e c tio ns to my mo the r ' s ho us e ? " he a s k e d the ma n a s he mo unte d , b ut wa s me t with c o nfus io n. "The la d y? " "The we nc h who a r r ive d with me ! " Va s ili s na p p e d . "N o , s ir — b ut I he a r d he r te ll he r d o g to find N ina , who e ve r tha t is . " Tha t ne ws d id n' t e xa c tly r e lie ve Va s ili, a nd he to o k o ff, ho p ing he c o uld c a tc h up with Ale xa nd r a b e fo r e s he go t into tr o ub le . But he a r r ive d a t his fa mily ho me witho ut s ighting he r , a nd b y the time he lo c a te d his mo the r in the c o ns e r va to r y, he wa s o ut o f b r e a th fr o m r unning. He a ls o s ho ute d witho ut r e a lizing it. "W he r e is s he ? " M a r ia , wid e - e ye d a nd ind igna nt, s a id , "Thr e e mo nths ' a b s e nc e a nd this is the gr e e t- ing I - " "M o the r , is Ale xa nd r a he r e ? " "N o , s he is n' t, " s he huffe d . "And why is n' t s he with yo u? O nly he r s e r va nts ha ve a r r ive d s o fa r , the la s t o ne jus t minute s a go . " Tha t ga ve him p a us e . "W a s the la s t o ne a wo ma n? " M a r ia fr o wne d . "I s up p o s e tha t' s p o s s ib le . I me a n, no w tha t yo u me ntio n it, ye s . " The fe a r wa s go ne ins ta ntly, le a ving him s o we a k he ha d to s it d o wn o n a ne a r b y b e nc h. M a r ia , o b s e r ving him c lo s e ly, s a id s us p ic io us ly, "Yo u a r e n' t go ing to te ll me tha t wo ma n wa s Ba r o ne s s Rub lio v. "

Ange r s ho uld ha ve o ve r ta k e n him b y no w, fo r wha t he ' d jus t go ne thr o ugh, b ut ins te a d Va s ili fo und hims e lf gr inning. "I ' m a fr a id s o . " M a r ia wa s ho r r ifie d . "And I s e nt he r to the s e r va nts ' q ua r te r s ! " At whic h p o int he s ta r te d to la ugh. "I ' ve ne ve r b e e n s o e mb a r r a s s e d /' M a r ia la te r to ld Va s ili. "W hy d id n' t s he s a y a nything? " The y we r e in the d r a wing r o o m, wa iting fo r Ale xa nd r a to jo in the m fo r d inne r . Va s ili ha d go ne to the p a la c e to le t his c o us in k no w he wa s b a c k , b ut S te fa n ha d b e e n in c o nfe r e nc e with his minis te r s , s o he ' d le ft wo r d tha t he wo uld s e e him to mo r r o w. By the n, he ' d ha d o nly e no ugh time to r e tur n ho me a nd c ha nge fo r d inne r with his mo the r , whic h he wa s n' t go ing to mis s fo r the wo r ld , a nd to tr y to c a lm F a tima . Tha t ha d b e e n a le s s o n in e xa s p e r a tio n. S he ha d n' t s to p p e d c r ying, a nd while he ' d a lwa ys give n in to he r te a r s b e fo r e , he c o uld n' t this time , no t whe n he k ne w Ale xa nd r a ha d he r wa ys o f find ing o ut things — he r p e o p le we r e to o c le ve r b y ha lf. And he ' d fo und it muc h e a s ie r to s e nd F a tima a wa y fo r the time b e ing tha n to d e a l with Ale xa nd r a ' s te mp e r a ga in. Ye t e ve n whe n he ' d to ld F a tima tha t he r le a ving wo uld jus t b e te mp o r a r y— he ho p e d — s he ha d no t b e e n r e lie ve d . He s up p o s e d the e a s ie s t wa y to ha ve a s s ur e d he r tha t e ve r ything wo uld b e a ll r ight wo uld ha ve b e e n to ma k e lo ve to he r , b ut inc r e d ib ly, he c o uld n' t d r e d ge up the le a s t d e s ir e to d o s o . F a tima ' s s ma ll, d e lic a te b o d y s imp ly d id n' t te mp t him the wa y it us e d to , no t whe n a ll he c o uld think o f wa s lus h c ur ve s a nd b r e a s ts s o la r ge his ha nd s c o uld n' t c o nta in the m . . . J e s us , no t a ga in! He d r a gge d his mind b a c k to his mo the r ' s q ue s tio n. "Ale xa nd r a d id n' t s a y a nything b e c a us e s he d o e s n' t c a r e a b o ut s uc h things . Yo u p r o b a b ly c o uld ha ve p ut he r in the s ta b le a nd s he wo uld ha ve b e e n ha p p y. " "W ha t a r id ic ulo us thing to s a y, " M a r ia a d mo nis he d . "And why wa s s he d r e s s e d tha t wa y? Did s o me thing ha p p e n to he r c lo the s ? " He s hr ugge d . "S he c a me with a mo unta in o f tr unk s , b ut if the r e ' s a d r e s s in o ne o f the m, I wo uld n' t k no w. The wa y yo u s a w he r is the o nly wa y I ' ve e ve r s e e n he r d r e s s e d . " M a r ia na r r o we d he r e ye s s o he wo uld n' t mis ta k e he r d is p le a s ur e with him. "Yo u' r e d e te r mine d to p e r s is t in te a s ing me , a r e n' t yo u? Re a lly, Va s ili, I d o n' t find it the le a s t b it a mus - ing. " "I c a n' t te ll yo u ho w gla d I a m to k no w tha t, M o the r . I n fa c t, I c a n gua r a nte e tha t yo u a r e n' t go ing to find a nything a mus ing to night. " "And jus t wha t is tha t s up p o s e d to me a n? " "He wo uld b e r e fe r r ing to me , ma d a m, " Ale xa nd r a s a id fr o m the d o o r wa y. "S inc e he c a n b a r e ly to le r a te me , he . mus t a s s ume tha t yo u wo n' t b e a b le to e ithe r . " "M y d e a r gir l, wha te ve r ga ve yo u tha t. . . id e a ? " Va s ili b a r e ly ma na ge d to k e e p fr o m la ughing. His mo the r ' s he s ita tio n c a me fr o m fina lly no tic ing tha t Ale xa nd r a wa s s till we a r ing the c lo the s s he ha d

a r r ive d in, minus the c o a t a nd ha t. And M a r ia wa s r e me mb e r ing wha t he ' d s a id a b o ut ne ve r s e e ing he r in a d r e s s , if the s ha r p gla nc e s he ga ve him wa s a ny ind ic a tio n. But Ale xa nd r a igno r e d the ir s ile nt c o mmunic a tio n to a d d r e s s M a r ia ' s q ue s tio n. "I f yo u d o n' t b e lie ve me , ma d a m, yo u ha ve o nly to a s k him. He q uite d e s p is e s me . " Va s ili s ho uld ha ve k no wn tha t this e ve ning wo uld n' t go e ntir e ly a s he ha d ho p e d it wo uld . Ale xa nd r a ' s fr a nk ne s s wa s go ing to s ho c k his mo the r , ye s , b ut he wa s n' t go ing to e s c a p e uns c a the d fr o m it. M a r ia wa s no w ind igna nt a ga in. "Va s ili, te ll he r tha t is n' t tr ue . " He o b lige d . He e ve n d id s o with a la zy s mile . "O f c o ur s e it is n' t tr ue . W ha te ve r I fe e l fo r yo u, Ale x, I c o uld ne ve r d e s p is e yo u. Tha t' s s uc h a c o ld e mo tio n, a nd mine r un muc h— wa r me r — whe r e yo u' r e c o nc e r ne d . " S he igno r e d his a llus io n to p a s s io n c o mp le te ly, a nd p r o vo k e d him with a n a r c he d b r o w. "S o we a r e to lie fo r yo ur mo the r ' s s a k e ? " "I d o n' t d e s p is e yo u, d a mmit! " "Va s ili! " M a r ia a d mo nis he d . He s ighe d . I f he wa s go ing to lo s e his te mp e r this s o o n, he ' d ne ve r ge t thr o ugh the e ve ning. And Ale xa nd r a ' s s mug lo o k wa s d e s igne d to ma k e him lo s e it a ga in. The little witc h. S he wa s d e lib e r a te ly p utting him o n the s p o t. "F o r give me , M o the r . W hy d o n' t we a s s ume the s ub je c t is e xha us te d a nd go in to d inne r ? " M a r ia q uic k ly a c q uie s c e d . "An e xc e lle nt s ugge s tio n— e xc e p t, Ale xa nd r a , wo uld n' t yo u lik e to c ha nge fir s t? " Va s ili ha d ne ve r s e e n a mo r e fe igne d lo o k o f inno c e nc e a s the o ne Ale xa nd r a wo r e whe n s he r e p lie d , "C ha nge wha t? " And his mo the r a c c e p te d it. "Yo ur c lo the s , d e a r . W e d r e s s fo r d inne r he r e . " Ale xa nd r a gla nc e d d o wn a t he r s e lf. "But I a m d r e s s e d . " "N o , I me a n— " "Give it up , M o the r , " Va s ili c ut in. "I ho ne s tly d o n' t think s he o wns a ny dresses." "O f c o ur s e I d o , " Ale xa nd r a s a id . "W ha t d o yo u think wa s in a ll tho s e tr unk s we c a r te d he r e ? " "W hip s a nd d a gge r s , " he s a id , s tr a ight- fa c e d . S he a c tua lly la ughe d . Tha t it wa s ge nuine s ur p r is e d him. I t a ls o wa r me d him a nd b r o ught a s mile to his o wn lip s . M a r ia wa s n' t a mus e d . S te r nly, s he s a id , "W e will c o ntinue this d is c us s io n o f c lo the s to mo r r o w, Ale xa nd r a . F o r no w, Va s ili, e s c o r t us to the d ining r o o m. " He d id , b ut he wo nd e r e d if ma yb e he s ho uld ha ve give n his mo the r s o me p r e vio us wa r ning o f Ale xa nd r a ' s e a ting ha b its . I f M a r ia ha p p e ne d to ins ult Ale xa nd r a in he r s ho c k , the gir l c o uld lo s e he r te mp e r with he r , a nd the r e wa s no te lling whe r e tha t wo uld le a d .

As it ha p p e ne d , he ne e d n' t ha ve wo r r ie d a b o ut it. He s ho uld ha ve r e c a lle d tha t Ale xa nd r a r a r e ly to o k o ffe ns e a b o ut he r unus ua l ha b its . And s o me time a c tua lly p a s s e d b e fo r e M a r ia no tic e d tha t Ale xa nd r a wa s e a ting with he r finge r s . W he n s he d id , s he wa s n' t s o muc h s ho c k e d a s e mb a r r a s s e d , tho ugh s he wa s n' t ve r y c a r e ful a b o ut b r o a c hing the s ub je c t. M a r ia c o uld b e d ir e c t a t time s he r s e lf. "Did n' t a nyo ne te a c h yo u p r o p e r ta b le ma nne r s , d e a r ? " Ale xa nd r a s hr ugge d . "I s up p o s e the y d id , b ut it' s b e e n s o lo ng, I fo r ge t. " "W hy d id n' t yo u c o ntinue the le s s o ns ? " "Yo u mus t b e jo k ing. " Ale xa nd r a la ughe d . "To d e a l with s o ma ny ute ns ils is a wa s te o f time , whe n I c o uld b e s p e nd ing tha t time with my b a b ie s ins te a d . " N o w M a r ia wa s s ho c k e d , a nd he r ho ne y- go ld e ye s tur ne d o n Va s ili. "He r b a b ie s ? " "Ho r s e s , M o the r . " M o r e s ho c k . "Yo u c a ll he r b a b ie s ho r s e s ? " "N o , " he r e p lie d p a tie ntly. "S he c a lls he r ho r s e s he r b a b ie s . S he b r e e d s the m. " "Tha t is n' t funny, Va s ili. " "I t wa s n' t me a nt to b e . " Ale xa nd r a c o uld fe e l M a r ia ' s inc r e d ulo us ga ze o n he r a ga in, b ut s he d id n' t c a r e . K e e p ing up the p r e te ns e fo r M a r ia ' s b e ne fit wa s muc h e a s ie r tha n s he ' d tho ught it wo uld b e , with Va s ili p r e s e nt. O f c o ur s e , he wo uld n' t r e ma in he r e . Afte r d inne r , he wo uld r e tur n to his o wn ho us e a nd . . . "J us t ho w ma ny o the r s d o yo u ha ve b e s id e s tha t c o nc ub ine a t yo ur ho us e , P e tr o ff? " M a r ia ga s p e d . Va s ili ne a r ly c ho k e d . He c o uld n' t b e lie ve tha t e ve n Ale xa nd r a , a s fr a nk a s s he wa s , wo uld b r ing up s uc h a to p ic in fr o nt o f his mo the r , a nd whe r e the he ll ha d it c o me fr o m a nywa y? But a t le a s t s he wa s lo s ing he r te mp e r with him, a nd no t with his mo the r . He r e a lly c o uld n' t ha ve a r r a nge d it b e tte r hims e lf. This wa s go ing to b e the c r o wning to uc h, the c o in to tip the s c a le s . "O nly thr e e o the r s , " he a ns we r e d , a wa r e tha t his mo the r ' s ga ze ha d jus t s wung b a c k to him, b ut he k e p t his o wn e ye s o n Ale xa nd r a . And Ale xa nd r a wa s glo r io us ly fur io us . This c o uld o nly ge t b e tte r . And it d id . "O nly thr e e o the r s ? And yo u k e e p the m a ll, p a y fo r the m a ll, fo r nic a te with the m a ll? " He ne a r ly c ho k e d a ga in. His mo the r s o und e d a s if s he we r e a ls o c ho k ing. He d id n' t d a r e lo o k in he r d ir e c tio n. Eve n e xp e c ting s o me thing o f the s o r t, he c o uld s till fe e l he a t r is ing in his c he e k s . And he ' d tho ught Ale xa nd r a c o uld n' t s ho c k him a nymo r e . S o me ho w he ma na ge d to a ns we r c a lmly, "S o me thing lik e tha t. " "I ' ll find the m, P e tr o ff, e a c h o ne o f the m, d o n' t think I wo n' t. Yo u wo n' t b e e njo ying the m muc h lo nge r . "

"The n I s up p o s e I will b e vis iting yo u q uite o fte n, wo n' t I ? " "I n yo ur mo the r ' s ho us e ? " s he c o unte r e d tr iump ha ntly. "I d o n' t think s o . " "Yo u r e a lly d o n' t think tha t will s to p me fr o m k e e p ing my p r o mis e , d o yo u, Ale x? " he a s k e d in a s o ftly wa r ning to ne . "F o r a le c he r lik e yo u, no , I s up p o s e no t. But Bo jik will, a nd he ' ll b e s le e p ing with me fr o m no w o n. " M a r ia fina lly fo und he r vo ic e , a nd it c a me o ut q uite lo ud ly. "W ho . . . is . . . Bo jik ? " M o r e c o lo r mo unte d Va s ili' s c he e k s . Ale xa nd r a s o a ggr a va te d him, he ha d a c tua lly fo r go tte n, b r ie fly, tha t his mo the r wa s s till s itting the r e with the m. And fina lly lo o k ing a t he r , he wa s a fr a id tha t he ' d ma na ge d to s ho c k he r a s muc h a s Ale xa nd r a ha d . "Bo jik is he r d o g, M o the r . " "The r e will b e no d o gs in my— o n s e c o nd tho ught— o h, Go d . " M a r ia s ta r te d fa nning he r s e lf. "Yo u will no t go s ne a k ing into he r r o o m, Va s ili, until a fte r the — o h, Go d . This c a n' t b e — s he ' s — o h, Go d . " "I k no w, M o the r , " Va s ili c o mmis e r a te d . "Did yo u k no w? " He r vo ic e wa s a c c us ing. "N o t e ve r ything, c e r ta inly. The tr ip wa s q uite a n e ye - o p e ning e xp e r ie nc e . " "And yo u d id n' t r e tur n he r ? " "I b e lie ve yo u to ld me tha t wa s n' t a n o p tio n, " he r e mind e d he r . "N o , o f c o ur s e , b ut— o h, Go d , this is to o une xp e c te d . A la d y who think s ho r s e s a r e mo r e imp o r ta nt tha n— " Va s ili wis he d his mo the r ha d n' t b e gun he r c o mp la ints the r e , b e c a us e no w he ha d to s to p he r b e fo r e s he go t to o fa r a lo ng. But he k ne w Ale xa nd r a wo uld n' t to le r a te a ny c o mp la ints tha t inc lud e d he r ho r s e s . "S he ha s a mind o f he r o wn, M o the r . " And the n he gr inne d a t Ale xa nd r a . "I s n' t tha t r ight, s we e the a r t? " "I mus t ha ve mis p la c e d it, to b e s itting he r e lis te ning to yo u two d is s e c t me , " Ale xa nd r a r e p lie d a s s he s to o d up . But the r e wa s no a nge r in he r to ne . S he e ve n lic k e d he r finge r s , lo ud ly, b e fo r e a d d ing, "I f yo u ha ve a nything mo r e to s a y to me , P e tr o ff, I ' ll b e in the s ta b le . Do n' t b o the r if it' s no t wha t I wa nt to he a r . " At tha t mo me nt, wa tc hing he r le a ve the r o o m, he r e a lize d tha t s he e xp e c te d him to e nd the b e tr o tha l to night, tha t jus t a b o ut e ve r ything s he ' d s a id to night ha d b e e n d e lib e r a te . J e s us , ha d s he figur e d o ut wha t he ha d , tha t his mo the r c o uld e nd this thing fo r the m? N o , s he wa s gue s s ing, te s ting the wa te r s , s o to s p e a k . W he n he r e c a lle d s o me o f the la ngua ge he ' d he a r d he r us e " o n the tr ip , he k ne w s he c o uld ha ve b e e n e ve n mo r e o utr a ge o us tha n s he ' d b e e n. P e r ha p s s he ' d me r e ly b e e n tr ying to s ho w M a r ia he r wo r s t s o s he wo uld n' t b e s ho c k e d b y he r o n a r e gula r b a s is — a s he ' d b e e n. "M y Go d , Va s ili, tha t gir l is b a r b a r ic /' M a r ia s a id a s s o o n a s the y we r e a lo ne .

"Ye s , s p le nd id ly s o . " "Yo u c a n' t ma r r y he r a s s he is . " "C a n' t I ? " "O f c o ur s e no t. S he ' d d is gr a c e us b o th. S he ' ll ha ve to b e ta ught p r o p e r b e ha vio r fir s t. " He wa s n' t e xp e c ting tha t. But his s ur p r is e q uic k ly tur ne d to a mus e me nt. Te a c h Ale xa nd r a to b e a la d y? I t wo uld ne ve r ha p p e n. "Yo u d o n' t k no w wha t yo u' d b e le tting yo ur s e lf in fo r , M o the r . Do n' t yo u think s e nd ing he r ho me wo uld b e the wis e s t c o ur s e ? " S he tho ught fo r a mo me nt, he ' d give he r tha t. But he k ne w the wa y he r mind wo r k e d . This wa s the c lo s e s t s he ' d e ve r c o me to ge tting him ma r r ie d . S he wa s n' t go ing to give up ye t. "N o , the gir l ne e d s a little he lp is a ll. S he wa s und o ub te d ly ta ught b e tte r a t s o me p o int— s he ' s a b a r o ne s s , a fte r a ll. S he ' s jus t fo r go tte n, a s s he s a id . He r fa the r mus t ha ve le t he r r un wild a fte r his wife d ie d . " He r fa the r ha d a live - in mis tr e s s . W hy ha d n' t s he d o ne s o me thing a b o ut Ale xa nd r a ' s b e ha vio r ? "S he s we a r s lik e a d r unk e n s a ilo r , s he wie ld s a whip , s he thr e a te ns to c ut o ff the e a r s o f a ny wo ma n who c o me s ne a r me . And yo u' r e go ing to tur n he r into a la d y? " He c o uld te ll b y his mo the r ' s e xp r e s s io n tha t s he d id n' t b e lie ve a wo r d he ' d jus t s a id . S he wo uld n' t e ve n a d d r e s s it, a s k ing ins te a d , "W hy ha s Ale xa nd r a go ne to the s ta b le a t this time o f night? " He s ighe d . "Be c a us e s he s p e nd s e ve r y s p a r e mo me nt with he r ho r s e s . I wa s n' t jo k ing whe n I s a id s he b r e e d s the m. S he a ls o tr a ins the m a nd c a r e s fo r the m, a nd s he ' s b r o ught he r who le he r d with he r . " "W e ll, tha t will ha ve to s to p . I ' ve ne ve r he a r d o f a nything mo r e unla d ylik e . " "Tho s e ho r s e s me a n e ve r ything to he r , M o the r . S he ge ts vio le nt whe r e the y' r e c o nc e r ne d . Go a he a d a nd tr y to tur n he r into a la d y, b ut I wo uld a d vis e yo u no t to e ve n me ntio n k e e p ing he r fr o m he r b a b ie s . " "W e ' ll s e e a b o ut tha t, " M a r ia huffe d , b ut o nly to ma inta in he r p o s itio n. S he wo uld ta k e his wa r ning to he a r t a nd wo r k a r o und the a nima ls fo r the time b e ing. But s he wa s n' t go ing to wo r k a r o und him, s o s he a d d e d s te r nly, "And yo u, my b o y, will s ta y o ut o f he r b e d r o o m. Do n' t think I d id n' t und e r s ta nd tha t b yp la y b e twe e n yo u. " He s mile d , r e me mb e r ing he r a b o r te d "o n s e c o nd tho ught. " "I f yo u ha ve n' t s e e n he r d o g ye t, M o the r , I a s s ur e yo u, I ' m no t go ing to ta ngle with it. " "S e e tha t yo u d o n' t. " And the n s he s ighe d . "Do gs in my ho us e . The things I d o to . . . " S he d id n' t finis h. S he d id n' t ha ve to . 30

Va s ili ha d no t inte nd e d to go to the s ta b le . Ale xa nd r a ha d s a id no t to b o the r if he wa s n' t go ing to te ll he r wha t s he wa nte d to he a r , a nd he wa s n' t. But ins te a d o f s e nd ing a s e r va nt a r o und to c o lle c t his ho r s e a s he a lwa ys d id , he we nt hims e lf. I t wa s a la r ge s ta b le , tho ugh it s till wo uld n' t ha ve b e e n a b le to a c c o mmo d a te a ll o f Ale xa nd r a ' s white s , p lus he r s e r va nts ' mo unts , if his mo the r d id n' t k e e p s o fe w a nima ls he r s e lf, no mo r e tha n he r c a r r ia ge ho r s e s , a nd a fe w e xtr a s fo r r unning e r r a nd s . The s ta b le wa s s o la r ge tha t, s ta nd ing jus t ins id e the d o o r , he c o uld n' t s e e a nyo ne d o wn the d imly lit a is le , a nd c o uld b a r e ly he a r vo ic e s d e e p ins id e , the n la ughte r . F o llo wing the s o und , he s o o n r e a lize d the la ughte r wa s Ale xa nd r a ' s , a nd it ga ve him a wa r m fe e ling, jus t a s it ha d e a r lie r a t d inne r . He ha d s o r a r e ly he a r d he r la ugh, a nd us ua lly s he d id s o o nly in mo c k e r y. But this wa s a s we e t s o und , full o f r e a l humo r , a nd he wis he d . . . Va s ili tur ne d a r o und a b r up tly whe n he r e a lize d the d ir e c tio n o f his tho ughts . He ha d to b e c r a zy to c o me in he r e to s e e he r whe n he d id n' t ha ve to . And s he wa s e njo ying he r s e lf. He wo uld o nly r uin tha t a nd . . . who the he ll wa s s he e njo ying he r s e lf with? He tur ne d a r o und a ga in a nd , ta k ing lo ng, a ngr y s tr id e s , r e a c he d the la r ge , we ll- lit s ta ll in mo me nts . W ha t he fo und , ho we ve r , d e fla te d the ho t e mo tio ns tha t ha d jus t a s s a ile d him. F o ur o f he r ma r e s we r e in the s ta ll, a nd Ale xa nd r a wa s a p p lying a p o ultic e to the fo r e le g o f o ne o f the m, o n a s c r a tc h tha t a p p e a r e d to o mino r to fo o l with. O f c o ur s e , this wa s o ne o f he r b a b ie s a nd s he tr e a te d the m a ll a s s uc h. And he lp ing he r wa s the C o s s a c k S te nk a , who wa s d o ing a nything b ut he lp ing, whic h wa s why s he wa s la ughing. He wa s lifting the ma r e ' s le g, b ut ma ne uve r ing it s o tha t e ve r y time s he tr ie d to p la c e the p o ultic e , the le g wo uld mo ve o ut o f he r wa y. "Eno ugh, S te nk a , " Ale xa nd r a s a id , s till c huc k ling. "Go a wa y no w, o r I will p ut this o n yo u ins te a d , a nd the n yo u will s tink s o b a d , no ne o f the ma id s will —" S he d id n' t finis h. O ne o f the ma r e s ha d gr e e te d Va s ili with a nic k e r , a nd s he tur ne d in tha t d ir e c tio n a nd s a w him s ta nd ing a t the e ntr a nc e to the s ta ll. He r e ntir e d e me a no r c ha nge d , a s he ' d k no wn it wo uld , the humo r go ne , he r e xp r e s s io n b e c o ming c a r e fully b la nk . "I t' s o ve r , the n? " s he a s k e d . I t ha d n' t o c c ur r e d to him tha t s he wo uld imme d ia te ly a s s ume tha t b y his p r e s e nc e . "S o r r y, s we e the a r t, b ut we ' r e s till ve r y muc h b e tr o the d . " Ale xa nd r a c o uld b r e a the a ga in. I t ha d fe lt a s if the b o tto m ha d d r o p p e d o ut o f he r s to ma c h whe n s he ' d s e e n him the r e . N o w s he fe lt q ue a zy, a s if s he ' d jus t e xp e r ie nc e d fe a r . But tha t ma d e no s e ns e . S he tur ne d b a c k to the ma r e . S he wa s go ing to igno r e him. He wa s p r o b a b ly he r e o nly to c o mp la in a b o ut he r b e ha vio r a t d inne r , a nd s he c o uld d o witho ut tha t.

"Le a ve us . " He r he a d s na p p e d b a c k a r o und . Va s ili wa s s ta r ing a t S te nk a , a nd S te nk a wa s n' t b ud ging. He r fr ie nd wa s a ngr y, a nd no wo nd e r . He ' d jus t s p e nt the b e tte r p a r t o f the p a s t ho ur tr ying to lighte n he r mo o d with the mo s t r id ic ulo us a ntic s , a nd ha ving fina lly ma na ge d it, he d id n' t a p p r e c ia te Va s ili r uining the e ffe c t. But s he ' d s uc c e e d e d in k e e p ing Va s ili a nd he r fr ie nd s fr o m o ne a no the r ' s thr o a ts fo r the p a s t five we e k s . S he wa s n' t go ing to le t the m ha ve a t e a c h o the r no w. "I t' s a ll r ight, S te nk a , " s he s a id , he r vo ic e fir m. "I ' ll s e e yo u in the mo r ning. " S te nk a no d d e d c ur tly a nd s he finis he d a p p lying the p o ultic e to the ma r e . S o s he mis s e d the lo o k s tha t p a s s e d b e twe e n the two me n. S te nk a ' s e xp r e s s io n s a id c le a r ly, Hur t he r a nd I ' ll k ill yo u. Va s ili' s s a id , jus t a s c le a r ly, S he b e lo ngs to me no w, s o d o n' t inte r fe r e . N o t tha t he r e a lly fe lt tha t wa y. He c e r ta inly d id n' t. But he ' d b e e n c o mp e lle d to give tha t imp r e s s io n to the C o s s a c k . His ga ze c a me b a c k to Ale xa nd r a a s s o o n a s the C o s s a c k le ft the s ta ll. And Va s ili ha d to wo nd e r why s he ' d le t the ma n go whe n he k ne w s he d id n' t lik e to b e a lo ne with him. But the y we r e d e finite ly a lo ne no w. His a r o us a l c a me imme d ia te ly with the tho ught. O d d ly, it d id n' t a nno y him this time . He mus t b e ge tting us e d to it. But the n, wa nting he r wa s s o e a s y— a nd it ha p p e ne d s o d a mn o fte n. Ale xa nd r a wa s he d he r ha nd s in a b uc k e t o f wa te r . W he n s he d e igne d to no tic e Va s ili a ga in, s he s ighe d . "Yo u might a s we ll ge t it o ve r with. " C o uld s he p o s s ib ly ha ve b e e n ha ving the s a me tho ughts a s he ? "W ha t? " "The c o mp la ints , " s he s a id . "Tha t' s why yo u' r e he r e , is n' t it? " "Ac tua lly, no , " he r e p lie d . "I tho ught the d inne r we nt r a the r we ll, a ll things c o ns id e r e d . " "Yo ur mo the r ' s no t fur io us ? " " ' De te r mine d ' wo uld b e tte r d e s c r ib e he r . " He d id n' t e la b o r a te , b ut he s mile d , a nd s he wa s a lwa ys s us p ic io us o f a s mile fr o m him. "The n why d id yo u c o me ? " "To ge t my ho r s e . " "Yo u c a me to ge t yo ur ho r s e , ins te a d o f s e nd ing s o me o ne ? " s he s a id , he r to ne go ing b e yo nd s k e p tic a l to the r e a lm o f d is b e lie f. "Do n' t ma k e it s o und a s if I ne ve r d o a nything fo r mys e lf, Ale x. " "Yo u d o n' t. " N o w he s ighe d . "Do yo u think we c o uld ha ve a c o nve r s a tio n fo r o nc e witho ut a r guing? " "P r o b a b ly no t. " "C o uld we tr y? " He r lo o k wa s wa r y, b ut a fte r a mo me nt s he s hr ugge d ind iffe r e ntly a nd a s k e d , "Do yo u ha ve s o me thing in p a r tic ula r yo u wa nt to ta lk a b o ut? "

He d id n' t. He s imp ly d id n' t wa nt to le a ve ye t. But he k ne w why, o r tho ught he d id . His b o d y wa s ho p ing he ' d d o s o me thing a b o ut the s ta te it wa s no w in. He wa s n' t go ing to . M a k ing lo ve to he r a ga in c o uld b e no thing b ut a b a d id e a , le a d ing to c o mp lic a tio ns — a nd a d d ic tio n. But fo r wa nt o f a s ub je c t, he s a id , "I no tic e d the wa go ns o uts id e a r e s till full. Ar e n' t yo u go ing to unp a c k ? " "I to o k a fe w tr unk s into the ho us e . I d o n' t s e e a ny r e a s o n to unp a c k the r e s t. " S he wa s ma k ing it ve r y e a s y fo r he r s e lf to le a ve o n the s p ur o f the mo me nt. He fo und he d id n' t lik e tha t id e a . His b o d y lik e d it e ve n le s s , go ing into s o me thing o f a p a nic a s he tho ught o f he r ne ve r b e ing a va ila b le a ga in to — "I s ho uld go , " he s a id a b r up tly. "Ab o ut to d a y, " s he s a id a t the s a me time , b ut s he ' d he a r d wha t he ' d s a id . "N e ve r mind . " He ' d tr ie d , he r e a lly ha d . But if s he wa s go ing to b r ing up his p r o mis e o f ma k ing lo ve to he r if s he c o mmitte d a ny vio le nc e , wha t c ha nc e d id he ha ve o f le tting it p a s s ? "C o me ho me with me , Ale x, no w. " He r e ye s fla r e d , no t s o muc h b e c a us e o f the une xp e c te d r e q ue s t, b ut b e c a us e he ha d s lo wly s ta r te d to mo ve to wa r d he r . S he s ta r te d to b a c k a wa y. "W hy? " "Be c a us e I d o n' t wa nt to ma k e lo ve to yo u in a s ta b le . " "S to p it, P e tr o ff! I wa s go ing to a p o lo gize . I wo uld n' t ha ve lo s t my te mp e r this a fte r no o n if tha t wo ma n ha d n' t us e d te a r s to tr y a nd s wa y yo u. " "A c o mmo n e no ugh p lo y, tho ugh I s up p o s e it' s no t o ne tha t yo u wo uld us e , is it? " He wa s s till c o ming fo r wa r d . "C e r ta inly no t. But the p o int is , I wa s no t go ing to thr e a te n he r . I wo uld o nly ha ve to ld he r s he ha d to le a ve , whic h I tr ie d to d o — " "And yo u e nd e d up thr e a te ning he r a nywa y. " "But tha t wa s n' t my inte ntio n! Yo ur r id ic ulo us p r o mis e s ho uld n' t a p p ly! " "Ye t wha t I s a w wa s wha t yo u ha ve r e p e a te d ly to ld me . Yo u d o n' t wa nt me , b ut no b o d y e ls e c a n ha ve me . I s n' t tha t a b o ut the gis t o f it? " I f s he wa s n' t p a nic k ing— he r b a c k ha d c o me up a ga ins t the wa ll, a nd he wa s ne a r ly up o n he r — s he wo uld n' t ha ve go tte n a ngr y e no ugh to s na p a t him. "Exa c tly! I d o n' t wa nt yo u, b ut fo r the time b e ing, yo u' r e mine . " He wa s b e ginning to lik e the s o und o f tha t. "Tha t c a n go b o th wa ys . " "But it d o e s n' t. " "W ho s a ys it d o e s n' t? " And he le a ne d into he r , ho ld ing he r the r e a ga ins t the wa ll with his b o d y, his mo uth s e e k ing he r s , le a ving he r s o little r o o m to a vo id it, ta k ing wha t he c o uld ge t whe n s he d id . And s he s till ne a r ly lo s t it.

F o r lo ng, b r e a thle s s mo me nts s he wa s o ve r c o me b y the fe e l o f his ha r d mus c le s , his r a mp a nt d e s ir e , his lip s o n he r c he e k , a nd he r o wn unb r id le d r e s p o ns e . F o r lo ng mo me nts s he s a vo r e d the fe e l o f him, a nd tho s e thr illing, wild s e ns a tio ns tha t o nly he c o uld ins p ir e . S he wa nte d s o muc h to give in, to p r e te nd . . . But s he d id n' t lo s e c o ntr o l this time . S he r e ta ine d the p a inful k no wle d ge tha t this wo uld le a d the m no whe r e , wo uld s e r ve no p ur p o s e o the r tha n b r ie f— a lb e it wo nd e r ful— gr a tific a tio n. And tha t wa s no t s o me thing s he wa nte d to ge t us e d to , whe n he ha d no inte ntio n o f tur ning this into a ha b it fo r e ithe r o ne o f the m. S o s he s a id the o ne thing tha t wo uld s to p him, b e fo r e s he lo s t the will to s a y it. And s he s p o k e in a to ne gua r a nte e d to ge t r e s ults . "Bo jik ! " The d o g gr o wle d ins ta ntly. Va s ili ha d n' t e ve n no tic e d the wo lfho und , s inc e it ha d b e e n c ur le d up o n the o the r s id e o f the ho r s e s . But he k ne w no w why Ale xa nd r a ha d n' t b e e n wo r r ie d a b o ut b e ing le ft a lo ne with him. He le a ne d a wa y fr o m he r to s a y, "Yo u d o n' t p la y fa ir , s we e the a r t. " "N e ithe r d o yo u, P e tr o ff. " He a r ing tha t, he gr inne d , und e r s ta nd ing tha t it ha d n' t b e e n e a s y fo r he r to r e s is t him. S he ' d ha d a ha r d time jus t ge tting tha t r e p ly o ut. And he wa s n' t go ing to le t the m b o th s uffe r whe n a little c ha r m a nd s k illful p e r s ua s io n wo uld c r umb le he r d e fe ns e s — o r s o he tho ught. As his luc k wo uld ha ve it, he d id n' t ge t the c ha nc e to find o ut. His na me wa s s ho ute d fr o m the fr o nt o f the s ta b le , a nd he r e c o gnize d tha t b lus te r ing to ne a s b e lo nging to his fr ie nd S e r ge Le ha r , who m he wo uld ha ve b e e n d e lighte d to s e e a ny time — e xc e p t no w. S tifling a s o und o f fr us tr a tio n, he c a lle d o ut, "I ' ll b e the r e in a mo me nt, S e r ge . " To whic h a r e p ly c a me . "The y' r e a s ma gnific e nt a s La za r s a id . " "A fr ie nd o f mine , " Va s ili s a id in a whis p e r to Ale xa nd r a . "He ' s c o me to a d mir e yo ur ho r s e s , a p p a r e ntly. " "I wo n' t s e ll to him if he a s k s . " The une xp e c te d s ta te me nt d id n' t s ur p r is e Va s ili a s muc h a s the s tub b o r nne s s he he a r d b e hind it. "W hy no t? " "Be c a us e I r e me mb e r e ve r y ho r s e I ' ve s o ld a nd s till think o f the m o fte n, a nd think o f the ir o wne r s c a r ing fo r the m. I wo n' t wa nt to think o f o ne b e lo nging to a fr ie nd o f yo ur s , b e c a us e I wa nt no r e mind e r o f yo u o nc e I le a ve he r e . " C o ns id e r ing wha t ha d jus t p a s s e d b e twe e n the m, he fo und he r r e a s o ning a mus ing. "Yo u d o n' t think we ' r e go ing to b e ma r r ie d , d o yo u? Yo u' ve ne ve r r e a lly tho ught s o . " Tha t might ha ve b e e n tr ue a fe w we e k s b a c k , b ut the ho p e le s s ne s s Ale xa nd r a ha d c a r r ie d with he r into to wn to d a y ha d d e s tr o ye d tha t c o nfid e nc e . S he wa s n' t go ing to a d mit tha t to him, tho ugh. "I k no w wha t k ind o f ma n yo u a r e , P e tr o ff, " s he to ld him p la inly. "A le c he r

lik e yo u M a r r ie d ? Yo u' ll p a nic a t the la s t minute a nd d o wha t yo u s ho uld ha ve d o ne b e fo r e yo u to o k me fr o m my ho me . " "I t' s inte r e s ting tha t yo u s ho uld think s o , " he r e p lie d , his finge r s b r us hing s o ftly a ga ins t he r c he e k b e fo r e he s te p p e d b a c k e ve n fa r the r . "I r a the r think we ' r e go ing to b e ma r r ie d — o r no t. But the d e c is io n wo n' t b e ma d e a t the a lta r , I c a n p r o mis e yo u tha t. " He le ft he r with tho s e c r yp tic wo r d s . He c o uld ha ve to ld he r wha t his mo the r inte nd e d . He c o uld ha ve to ld he r tha t if s he d id n' t c o o p e r a te a nd le a r n s o me p r o p e r b e ha vio r , s he ' d ge t he r wis h, tha t the r e wo uld b e no ma r r ia ge . But he d id n' t te ll he r . He le ft it to fa te , a nd he wa s d a mne d if he k ne w why. 31 The ne xt mo r ning, Va s ili fo und hims e lf in his mo the r ' s s ta b le a ga in, b ut with S te fa n this time . "Yo u we r e r ight/' S te fa n wa s s a ying a s he mo ve d to a no the r s ta ll d o wn the a is le . "I ' ve ne ve r s e e n fine r b lo o d e d white s . Ar e yo u s ur e s he wo uld n' t s e ll me o ne fo r Ta nya ? " "I k no w my Ale x, " Va s ili r e p lie d . "S he ' s a s s tub b o r n a s a mule . I ' d lo ve to ha ve o ne fo r mys e lf, b ut I k ne w fr o m the b e ginning tha t I d id n' t d a r e a s k . S he d o e s n' t e ve n k no w ho w muc h I a d mir e he r b a b ie s , a nd I c e r ta inly wo uld n' t le t he r k no w ho w muc h I wa nt P r inc e M ic ha . " "But yo u, c o us in, a r e a me r e c o unt, while I ha p p e n to b e a k ing. W ith a ll the he a d a c he s the title give s me , it o ught to a ffo r d me a fe w b e ne fits to go with it. " S te fa n might b e te a s ing, b ut Va s ili to o k the s ub je c t s e r io us ly. "Do n' t c o unt o n it. I t s he wa s n' t imp r e s s e d b y my b e ing r e la te d to r o ya lty, wha t ma k e s yo u think s he ' ll b e imp r e s s e d b y yo u? And I ' d r e a lly ha te to s e e yo u a s k , S te fa n, a nd ge t to ld no . " S te fa n c huc k le d . "Do n' t ma k e it s o und a s if it ne ve r ha p p e ns . I ' ll ha ve yo u k no w Ta nya ha s no q ua lms a b o ut te lling me no q uite fr e q ue ntly. " "Ah, b ut Ta nya ha s s p e c ia l p r ivile ge s . I ne ve r he a r d the r e s t o f us d a r ing to s o o ffe nd yo u, Yo ur M a je s ty. " F o r tha t, Va s ili go t a p unc h tha t p r o d uc e d o nly a ha lf- jo k ing winc e . "And who a r e yo u tr ying to imp r e s s with tha t b ull? S ha ll I na me yo u time s a nd d a te s whe n yo u ha ve r e fus e d to d o wha t I o r d e r e d ? " "O nly in yo ur b e s t inte r e s t. " S te fa n s no r te d . Va s ili gr inne d a nd r ub b e d his s ho uld e r . The y ha d s p e nt the mo r ning to ge the r , c a tc hing up . But La za r ha d go tte n to S te fa n la s t night, a nd he ' d fille d him in o n a numb e r o f things Va s ili wo uld r a the r no t ha ve ha d r e p e a te d . As a r e s ult, he ' d b e e n s uffe r ing q uite a b it o f r ib b ing this mo r ning, a nd S te fa n ha d d e c id e d he ha d to me e t this "little b a r b a r ia n" who tho ught o ne o f his e lite p e r s o na l gua r d s wa s no mo r e tha n a c o ur t d a nd y. But a r r iving a t the ho us e , Va s ili ha d fo und tha t a ltho ugh Ale xa nd r a ha d s a t thr o ugh s e ve r a l ho ur s o f his mo the r ' s le c tur ing this mo r ning, s he ' d fina lly e s c a p e d to the s ta b le . And a t the s ta b le , he ha d b e e n to ld s he a nd the Ra zin

b r o the r s we r e e xe r c is ing s o me o f he r ho r s e s a t the ne a r b y p a r k . "I s up p o s e I c a n wa it until yo u ma r r y the gir l, " S te fa n s a id no w, "the n b uy o ne o f the ma r e s fr o m yo u. " "N o t a c ha nc e . //1 e nd up ma r r ying he r , the ho r s e s will r e ma in s o le ly he r s . " "Tha t' s no t the wa y La za r te lls it. " "La za r k no ws d a mn we ll I d id n' t me a n wha t I to ld he r a b o ut s e lling the m, a nd yo u k no w me b e tte r tha n tha t, S te fa n. Be s id e s , my life wo uld b e in d a nge r if I ma d e a ny c la im to tho s e ho r s e s , a nd d o n' t think I ' m jo k ing. I ' m no t. " "S he c a n' t b e tha t— we ll, ne ve r mind . " S te fa n s hr ugge d . "I s up p o s e if I wa nt o ne , I c a n b uy o ne fr o m he r fa the r , a s La za r d id . " "He r s a r e b e tte r , " Va s ili s a id with a n unmis ta k a b le no te o f p r id e . "Do n' t r ub it in, whe n yo u' ve a s s ur e d me I c a n' t ha ve o ne . N o w, if I ' m go ing to me e t the la d y, I s up p o s e we s ho uld ta k e a r id e thr o ugh tha t p a r k o n the wa y b a c k to the — J e s us , is tha t he r ? " Va s ili s wung a r o und , a nd he ha d to wo nd e r jus t ho w lo ng Ale xa nd r a ha d b e e n s ta nd ing b e hind the m. C o ns id e r ing s o me o f the things he ' d s a id to S te fa n, he ha d c o lo r mo unting his c he e k s . Ye t he r e xp r e s s io n wa s c o mp le te ly b la nd . S he c o uld n' t ha ve he a r d a nything, o r s he ' d b e s ho wing s o me d e finite s igns o f a nge r . S te fa n' s s ur p r is e wa s fo r o b vio us r e a s o ns . He ' d b e e n to ld s he wo r e no thing b ut b r e e c he s , b ut s e e ing a wo ma n o f he r a ttr ib ute s s o a b und a ntly d is p la ye d wo uld give a ny ma n p a us e . S he ha d r e mo ve d he r c o a t a nd wa s ho ld ing it o ve r o ne s ho uld e r with a finge r . He r o the r ha nd wa s thr us t in a p o c k e t. He r c he e k s we r e r o s y fr o m the c o ld o uts id e . And a s us ua l, lo ng s tr a nd s o f he r a s h- b lo nd ha ir ha d e s c a p e d fr o m und e r he r ha t. S he lo o k e d a d o r a b ly d is r e p uta b le — fo r a b a r o ne s s . "C o me he r e , Ale x, a nd me e t my illus tr io us c o us in, " Va s ili s a id . S he s te p p e d c lo s e r , tho ugh s he d id s o r a the r s lo wly. "Do I c a ll yo u Yo ur M a je s ty, o r , s inc e we ' r e a p p a r e ntly go ing to b e r e la te d thr o ugh ma r r ia ge , d o I c a ll yo u S te fa n? " "I wo uld p r e fe r S te fa n. " "W ha t a b o ut c ur ts ying? " Va s ili a ns we r e d . "W itho ut a s k ir t? P e r ha p s a b o w wo uld s uit yo u b e tte r . " S he d id n' t r is e to the b a it, a nd S te fa n s a id q uic k ly, "N e ithe r is ne c e s s a r y. I ' ve b e e n lo o k ing fo r wa r d to me e ting yo u, Ale xa nd r a . M y wife is e ve n mo r e e a ge r a nd ha s invite d yo u to c o me to the p a la c e this a fte r no o n. " "I ' ll b e b us — " "S he ' ll b e the r e , " Va s ili c ut in, a nd his lo o k wa s full o f wa r ning fo r he r no t to c o ntr a d ic t him. S he d id n' t b o the r , tho ugh s he ha d no inte ntio n o f c o mp lying. I t wo uld b e to o e mb a r r a s s ing to ma inta in he r r us tic r us e a t the C a r d inia n c o ur t. Be s id e s , jus t a s s he ha d he ld he r s e lf a lo o f fr o m his fr ie nd s o n the tr ip , s he inte nd e d to ma inta in a d is ta nc e fr o m his r o ya l r e la tive s . At le a s t s he wo uld tr y. But s he

wa s n' t c r a zy. S he ha d a s muc h he a lthy wa r ine s s fo r r o ya lty a s a nyo ne with a ny s e ns e d id . And K ing S te fa n o f C a r d inia , with tho s e s c a r s o n his c he e k a nd his go ld e n e ye s , whic h we r e s o muc h mo r e p r o mine nt tha n Va s ili' s , wo uld ha ve intimid a te d he r e ve n if he we r e n' t a k ing. The le s s s he ha d to d o with him a nd his wife , the b e tte r . He mus t ha ve s e ns e d he r wa r ine s s , o r wa s s o a c c us to me d to ins p ir ing it tha t he ha d ma d e it a ha b it to k e e p intr o d uc tio ns b r ie f. He to o k he r ha nd — he ha d to lift it fr o m he r p o c k e t— a nd k is s e d the k nuc k le s , s a ying, "I t is my ho p e tha t I will s o o n we lc o me yo u to the fa mily, Ale xa nd r a . But no w I mus t r e tur n to the p a la c e , tho ugh I wo uld lik e to vie w yo ur s ta llio ns fir s t. I a s s ume the y ha ve r e tur ne d with yo u? " S he me r e ly no d d e d , a nd with a p a r ting s mile , S te fa n he a d e d o uts id e to whe r e the s ta llio ns we r e b e ing wa lk e d a fte r the ir b r is k r id e . S he s ta r e d a fte r him, unc o mfo r ta b le with the fe e ling tha t s he c o uld lik e him if s he le t he r s e lf. I t to o k he r a mo me nt to r e a lize tha t Va s ili ha d n' t fo llo we d him o ut. S he wis he d tha t we r e n' t the c a s e . S he wa s n' t a t a ll ha p p y with him a t the mo me nt, tho ugh whe n ha d s he e ve r b e e n? But no w s he wa s c o nfus e d b y wha t s he ' d o ve r he a r d . He ' d lie d a b o ut inte nd ing to s e ll he r ho r s e s . He ' d c o nc e a le d fr o m he r his a d mir a tio n fo r the m, a nd tha t he wa s a s muc h a c o nno is s e ur o f fine ho r s e fle s h a s La za r wa s . Ha d he gue s s e d tha t it wo uld r a is e him in he r e s tima tio n if s he ' d k no wn, tha t s he c o uld ne ve r ha te a nyo ne who lo ve d ho r s e s a s muc h a s s he d id ? S he wa s n' t go ing to me ntio n wha t s he ' d he a r d . S he ne e d e d time to figur e o ut his mo tive s fo r d e c e iving he r . And s he ha d to wo nd e r wha t e ls e a b o ut him wa s n' t tr ue . Eve n he a r ing him c a ll he r "my Ale x, " whic h wa s wha t ha d s to p p e d he r in he r a p p r o a c h, ma d e no s e ns e to he r , a nd s he wa s a la r me d b y the thr illing p le a s ur e it ha d give n he r . Re fus ing to e xa mine he r fe e lings fo r him, s he c o uld o nly c o nc lud e tha t it ha d b e e n s o muc h e a s ie r whe n s he ha d b e e n a b le to ho ld him in c o mp le te c o nte mp t. "Yo u' ll ha ve to d ig o ut o ne o f tho s e d r e s s e s yo u c la im to ha ve fo r this a fte r no o n, " he to ld he r . "N o , I wo n' t. C o nve y my a p o lo gie s — " "Yo u' r e go ing, Ale x. Yo u d o n' t r e fus e a n invita tio n fr o m a q ue e n a ny mo r e tha n yo u wo uld o ne fr o m a k ing. Eve n yo u ha ve to k no w tha t. " Aga in s he d id n' t r is e to the b a it, whic h his c o nd e s c e nd ing to ne o nly ma d e mo r e te mp ting. "Yo ur mo the r is d e te r mine d to mo no p o lize my mo r nings with no ns e ns e , P e tr o ff, le a ving me no time to wa s te o n vis iting. Yo u c a n te ll tha t to yo ur q ue e n. " "I ' ll te ll he r no s uc h thing. Did yo u lo s e yo ur te mp e r with my mo the r ? " "N o , I wa s k ind e no ugh to humo r he r , tho ugh I d o n' t k no w ho w lo ng I ' ll b e a b le to k e e p my p a tie nc e . F o r no w, s he think s s he ma d e s o me p r o gr e s s . " "Did s he ? " Ale xa nd r a s no r te d . "W ha t d o yo u think ? " He gr inne d a t he r . "I think yo u will d o wha t yo u wa nt, d e s p ite we ll- me a ning

a d vic e — e xc e p t fo r to d a y. Be r e a d y a nd d r e s s e d a p p r o p r ia te ly, Ale x, b y two o ' c lo c k . I ' ll p ic k yo u up in my c a r r ia ge — " "N o — " "O r S te fa n' s s o ld ie r s c a n e s c o r t yo u. " 32 Ale xa nd r a c o mp r o mis e d . S he wa s r e a d y to le a ve a t the a p p o inte d ho ur , b ut s he wa s d r e s s e d in he r us ua l a ttir e . S he ha d a n e xc us e fo r Va s ili whic h wa s n' t e xa c tly the tr uth, b ut s he wa s s ur e s he c o uld ma k e him b e lie ve it. And s he ga ve it to him the mo me nt he a r r ive d , b e fo r e his e xp r e s s io n tur ne d to o thund e r o us . "I t' s yo ur fa ult, P e tr o ff. " He r to ne wa s d e lib e r a te ly a c c us a to r y. "N o t a llo wing me e no ugh time to p a c k p r o p e r ly. I t' s no wo nd e r a ll my go wns a r e r uine d . Eve n yo ur mo the r wa s s c a nd a lize d whe n I to ld he r ho w yo u r us he d me into le a ving with le s s tha n a d a y' s no tic e . Yo u o we me a ne w wa r d r o b e . " Tha t b it a b o ut he r te lling his mo the r wa s a n und e r ha nd e d ta c tic a nd it a c tua lly ha d him b lus hing. W hy ha d he ne ve r c o ns id e r e d tha t Ale xa nd r a ' s fr a nk ne s s c o uld e xte nd to his o wn o utr a ge o us b e ha vio r o n the tr ip ? S he c o uld , if s he r e a lize d it, win M a r ia c o mp le te ly o ve r to he r s id e , a nd he ' d ne ve r he a r the e nd o f it if tha t ha p p e ne d . But tha t wa s n' t wha t Ale xa nd r a wa nte d . S he ha d to b e a wa r e o f tha t. F o r no w, he a d d r e s s e d o nly he r d e ma nd fo r c lo the s . "I f yo u we r e ho p ing I wo uld b a lk a t s up p lying yo u with a ne w wa r d r o b e , I ' ll ha ve to d is a p p o int yo u. I t will b e my p le a s ur e . But fo r to d a y, c o uld n' t my mo the r give yo u s o me thing . . . ? " At he r lifte d b r o w, Va s ili wa s fo r c e d to c o r r e c t hims e lf. "N o , I s up p o s e yo u a r e to o d is s imila r in s ize . " But the n he s na p p e d , "Da mmit Ale x, s to p lo o k ing s o p le a s e d a b o ut this ! I t d o e s n' t c a nc e l yo ur tr ip to the p a la c e , no t whe n the q ue e n is wa iting. " "I d id n' t ima gine it wo uld . " "The n yo u' r e p r o b a b ly think ing this is go ing to e mb a r r a s s me , b ut yo u' r e wr o ng, " he s a id a s he us he r e d he r o ut the d o o r . "Yo u' r e the o nly o ne who is go ing to fe e l c o ns p ic uo us , d r e s s e d a s yo u a r e . I ha p p e n to e njo y lo o k ing a t yo u no ma tte r wha t yo u' r e we a r ing. " Va s ili ha d n' t me a nt to s a y tha t, c o uld n' t ima gine whe r e it ha d c o me fr o m. But b e fo r e he p ut his fo o t fur the r in his mo uth, he d r o p p e d the s ub je c t c o mp le te ly. And b e c a us e Ale xa nd r a ha d b e e n d is tur b e d b y his r e ma r k a s we ll, b o th o f the m we r e s ile nt d ur ing the ir tr ip to the p a la c e , whic h wa s fo r tuna te ly o nly a fe w b lo c k s a wa y. Ale xa nd r a ha d b e e n to a r e c e p tio n a t the C za r ' s p a la c e in S t. P e te r s b ur g, b ut no thing c o uld ha ve p r e p a r e d he r fo r the o p ule nc e o f the C a r d inia n p a la c e . I t c o ve r e d a n e ntir e c ity s q ua r e a nd wa s thr e e s to r ie s high; the ha lls a lo ne c o nta ine d mo r e s o lid go ld in fr a me s a nd s ta tue s tha n s he ' d e ve r ima gine d to s e e in a life time . Eve r y flo o r wa s p o lis he d ma r b le , e ve r y wind o w a d o r ne d in

r ic h ve lve t o r s ilk , e ve r y wa ll la mp tie r e d with c r ys ta l, a ll in q uie t e le ga nc e r a the r tha n the Rus s ia n p r e fe r e nc e fo r gr a nd io s e d is p la y. I t wo uld n' t ha ve b e e n s o b a d if the lo ng ha llwa ys the y ha d to tr a ve r s e ha d b e e n e mp ty, b ut the y we r e n' t. Be s id e s the live r ie d s e r va nts s ta nd ing o n d uty o uts id e d o o r wa ys , the r e we r e c o ur tie r s in a b und a nc e , c o ming a nd go ing, ga the r e d in gr o up s ta lk ing, a ll in the ir fa nc y c o ur t fine r y. And e ve r y s ingle o ne s e e me d to s ta r e r ud e ly a t Ale xa nd r a , e ithe r in a vid c ur io s ity o r in o utr ight d is d a in. But e ve n tha t wo uld n' t ha ve b e e n s o b a d if the la d ie s , o ne a fte r the o the r , ha d n' t gr e e te d o r ha ile d Va s ili with s uc h p le a s ur e , a nd to o ma ny o f the m d id s o with a n intima te fa milia r ity tha t s p o k e o f p a s t a s s o c ia tio n. Ale xa nd r a wa s a b le to r e ma in q uie t the fir s t two time s Va s ili wa s s to p p e d , b e c a us e he b r o k e a wa y q uic k ly with the e xc us e tha t the q ue e n wa s wa iting fo r the m. But the thir d time s he s a w a wo ma n r e a c hing fo r him to d e ta in him, Ale xa nd r a s te p p e d b e twe e n the m a nd d e c la r e d , "He ' s s o o n to b e ma r r ie d , ma d a m. Yo u c a n s till ta lk to him, b ut fr o m no w o n yo u will r e fr a in fr o m p utting yo ur ha nd s o n him, ho we ve r inno c e nt yo ur inte nt. " Va s ili wa s whis k ing he r a wa y fr o m the o p e nmo uthe d wo ma n b e fo r e s he ha d go t the la s t wo r d o ut. "And he r e I tho ught yo u we r e a c tua lly go ing to b e ha ve yo ur s e lf, " he s a id . "I t' s go ing to ge t wo r s e if the y d o n' t k e e p the ir ha nd s o ff yo u. " "I s up p o s e yo u' r e go ing to te ll me no w tha t o nly yo u ha ve the r ight to to uc h me . " "I s e e we und e r s ta nd e a c h o the r . " The n whe n the he ll a r e yo u go ing to s ta r t? he wo nd e r e d , b ut to he r , he k e p t in fo r m b y c o mp la ining, "Yo u' r e p us hing it, Ale x. " "Yo u we r e give n fa ir wa r ning, P e tr o ff. " "S o we r e yo u, " he r e mind e d he r , a nd wa s p le a s e d to no te tha t wha te ve r s he ' d b e e n a b o ut to r e p ly to tha t, s he tho ught b e tte r o f it. "And , " he a d d e d , "yo u' ll ha ve to d e a l with my mo the r whe n s he he a r s a b o ut this , a nd I c a n gua r a nte e yo u tha t s he will. I d o n' t think s he ' ll a c c e p t je a lo us y a s a n e xc us e fo r s c a nd a l. " "Yo u k no w ve r y we ll je a lo us y d o e s n' t c o me into this , " Ale xa nd r a s a id c r o s s ly. "C e r ta inly, b ut no o ne e ls e is go ing to b e lie ve tha t, s we e the a r t, le a s t o f a ll my mo the r . And s he ha p p e ns to b e o f the o ld s c ho o l tha t a gr e e s a wife s ho uld igno r e he r hus b a nd ' s little ind is c r e tio ns , a nd je a lo us y is the he ight o f fo o lis hne s s . " "I ' m no t je a lo us ! " "I think e no ugh p e o p le he a r d yo u— b ut the y s till wo n' t b e lie ve it. " "N o w who ' s p us hing it? " s he gr itte d o ut. He c huc k le d , a ma ze d tha t he wa s a c tua lly e njo ying this ve r b a l b a ttle , p r o b a b ly b e c a us e , fo r o nc e , he wa s c o ming o ut a he a d with he r . "I wo uld s ugge s t yo u c o nta in tha t te mp e r o f yo ur s , Ale x. Yo u' r e a b o ut to

me e t the q ue e n. " "Tha nk s to yo u, I ' ll p r o b a b ly e nd up ins ulting he r , " s he r e to r te d . "I ha te to s a y it, b ut wha t yo u' r e we a r ing is go ing to ins ult he r . " "Da mn yo u, P e tr o ff! " "S hh. W e ' ve a r r ive d . " The y ha d ind e e d , a nd he a p p a r e ntly d id n' t ha ve to b e a nno unc e d , b e c a us e he o p e ne d the d o o r to the q ue e n' s r e c e iving c ha mb e r a nd wa lk e d r ight in, the gua r d s a t the d o o r me r e ly no d d ing a t him. And s inc e he wa s s till ho ld ing Ale xa nd r a ' s a r m fr o m whe n he ' d fo r c ib ly p ulle d he r a wa y fr o m tha t wo ma n, s he d id n' t ge t the o p p o r tunity to ha ng b a c k s o s he c o uld tr y to c o mp o s e he r s e lf. The r o o m wa s n' t a s la r ge a s s he might ha ve e xp e c te d , a nd the thr e e wo me n in it we r e info r ma lly d r e s s e d in d a y go wns tha t we r e o b vio us ly o f fine q ua lity. Two o f the wo me n we r e Ta nya ' s fa vo r ite la d ie s - in- wa iting, Ale xa nd r a wa s to le a r n, b o th ma r r ie d a nd in lo ve with the ir hus b a nd s a s the q ue e n wa s with he r s , whic h wa s p r o b a b ly why Ale xa nd r a s e ns e d imme d ia te ly tha t s he wo uld n' t ha ve to d o b a ttle he r e , a nd s he b e ga n to r e la x. The two la d ie s me r e ly no d d e d a t Va s ili a nd Ale xa nd r a o n the ir wa y o ut, b ut Ta nya ha d n' t s e e n Va s ili s inc e his r e tur n, a nd he r gr e e ting in Englis h wa s wa r m a s s he a p p r o a c he d him with o p e n a r ms . I t wa s a uto ma tic fo r him to a c c e p t he r hug, whic h he s ta r te d to d o until he r e c a lle d who wa s with him a nd b a c k e d o ff in a la r m. Ale xa nd r a no tic e d , a nd s a id in Englis h fo r the q ue e n' s b e ne fit, "S he c a n. " He d id n' t ha ve to a s k he r wha t s he wa s ta lk ing a b o ut, b ut a fte r the a la r m he ' d jus t e xp e r ie nc e d , he wa s a nno ye d e no ugh to d e ma nd , "W hy c a n s he ? " "Be c a us e s he ' s ha p p ily ma r r ie d a nd d o e s n' t ha ve d e s igns o n yo u. " Ta nya lifte d he r b r o ws . Va s ili s a id , "Yo u d o n' t wa nt to k no w, Ta nya , b e lie ve me . " Ale xa nd r a s ho t him a b a le ful lo o k fo r tha t. Ta nya la ughe d a nd s a id , "M a yb e I d o n' t. S o intr o d uc e us ins te a d . " He d id , a nd a fte r a mo me nt o f s tud ying Ale xa nd r a , s he a d d e d , "Yo u' r e luc k ie r tha n yo u d e s e r ve , Va s ili. S he ' s b e a utiful. " The s ta te me nt ma d e b o th Ale xa nd r a a nd Va s ili unc o mfo r ta b le . He k ne w Ale xa nd r a wa s b e a utiful, b ut he wa s n' t a b o ut to o wn up to it in he r p r e s e nc e . And s he ne ve r d id lik e he a r ing it. But Ta nya d id n' t no tic e , a nd we nt o n to s a y, "C o me , I ' ve o r d e r e d r e fr e s hme nts a nd — " "W e ' ve b o th e a te n, " Va s ili s a id s o fa s t, Ta nya r a is e d a b r o w a ga in. Ale xa nd r a ha d to b ite b a c k a la ugh tha t he wa s s o ho r r ifie d a t the tho ught o f he r e a ting in fr o nt o f the q ue e n, a nd s he d e c id e d to te a s e him. "Ac tua lly— " "Yo u' r e no t hungr y, Ale x, b e lie ve me yo u' r e no t, " he s ta te d e mp ha tic a lly. At whic h p o int Ta nya p la c e d b o th ha nd s o n he r hip s a nd d e ma nd e d , "W ha t is go ing o n? "

"N o thing, jus t a p r iva te jo k e , " he a s s ur e d he r , a nd to c ha nge the s ub je c t, he a d d e d , "I mus t s a y yo u' r e lo o k ing p le a s a ntly p lump — q uite d iffe r e nt fr o m the la s t time I s a w yo u. " I t wa s a s ub je c t gua r a nte e d to lighte n the q ue e n' s mo o d a nd s he gr inne d . "I a m, a r e n' t I ? W hic h r e mind s me . Be fo r e I ge t a ny mo r e p lump , I wa nt to a r r a nge a b a ll to intr o d uc e Ale xa nd r a to — " "N o ! " He ' d a c tua lly s ho ute d , a nd Ta nya s a id in e xa s p e r a tio n, "W hy e ve r no t? " He d id n' t b o the r to p r e va r ic a te this time . "Be c a us e Ale x wo uld find s o me r e a s o n to s ho w up jus t a s s he is . " "O h, c o me no w, " Ta nya s c o ffe d , b ut s he lo o k e d a t Ale xa nd r a to d e ny it, a nd fo und a n e xp r e s s io n tha t wa s jus t to o ins c r uta b le . Afte r a tho ughtful mo me nt, Ta nya s ugge s te d , "Va s i- li, why d o n' t yo u go find S te fa n? I b e lie ve he ' s o n the tr a ining fie ld — a nd fr o m wha t I ' ve he a r d , yo u c o uld us e s o me p r a c tic e yo ur s e lf. " "La za r a nd his b ig mo uth, " Va s ili gr umb le d . "Yo u ma k e it s o und a s if I c ho s e whip s . And b e s id e s , I d o n' t d a r e le a ve yo u a lo ne with— " "Run a lo ng, P e tr o ff, " Ale xa nd r a c ut in d r yly. "I ' m no t go ing to mur d e r yo ur q ue e n, b ut yo u a r e n' t go ing to b e s o luc k y if yo u s a y a no the r wo r d . " He winc e d , a nd s he wa s r ight. By tr ying to k e e p he r fr o m e mb a r r a s s ing he r s e lf, he wa s d o ing it fo r he r , whic h ha d n' t b e e n his inte ntio n. He tr ie d to ma k e a me nd s . "I ' m s o r r y, Ta nya , if I ' ve give n the wr o ng imp r e s s io n. S he ' s r e a lly ve r y . . . " He ha d to p a us e to think o f s o me thing nic e to s a y o the r tha n "k ind to a nima ls . " "Go ! " Tha t fr o m Ta nya , in c o mp le te a nno ya nc e no w, a nd he s ighe d a nd we nt. The two wo me n s ha r e d a mo me nt o f s ile nt c o mmunio n, ha ving fo und s o me thing in c o mmo n— e a s y e xa s p e r a tio n whe r e Va s ili wa s c o nc e r ne d . And ye t the y we r e s till s tr a nge r s , Ta nya ho p ing to c ha nge tha t, Ale xa nd r a wa r y o f tr ying. Ac c o r d ingly, Ale xa nd r a o ffe r e d a n inno c uo us s ub je c t a s Ta nya le d the m to a gr o up o f c o mfo r ta b le c ha ir s . "Yo u s p e a k Englis h ve r y we ll. " "I wa s r a is e d in Ame r ic a . I f s p r e tty c o mmo n o ve r the r e . And yo u? " "M y tuto r ins is te d I le a r n F r e nc h a nd Englis h, tho ugh my Englis h wa s no t s o go o d until— muc h la te r . " Ta nya d id n' t no tic e the p a us e a nd s a id , "W ha t little F r e nc h I k no w, I le a r ne d fr o m the p a tr o ns whe r e I us e d to wo r k , tho ugh no t e no ugh to ma na ge a d e c e nt c o nve r s a tio n. But I ' m d e lighte d we wo n' t ne e d a n inte r p r e te r . S o o fte n I d o r e q uir e o ne , tho ugh I ' m le a r ning C a r d inia n. I und e r s ta nd it' s ve r y s imila r to Rus s ia n, s o yo u s ho uld ha ve muc h le s s d iffic ulty le a r ning it tha n I . " Ale xa nd r a ha d no inte ntio n o f le a r ning it, b ut s he d id n' t s a y s o , a nd he r c ur io s ity ha d b e e n a r o us e d d e s p ite he r d e te r mina tio n to r e ma in a lo o f. "Yo u us e d to wo r k ? " "Did n' t Va s ili te ll yo u? I wa s r a is e d in a ta ve r n witho ut a ny k no wle d ge o f

who I wa s . W he n S te fa n a nd his fr ie nd s fo und me a nd tr ie d to c o nvinc e me I wa s a p r inc e s s fr o m this c o untr y, b e tr o the d fr o m b ir th to the C r o wn P r inc e , I d id n' t b e lie ve a wo r d o f it. I tho ught the y we r e p la ying s o me e la b o r a te p r a c tic a l jo k e a t fir s t, a nd the n whe n the y ins is te d I c o me a lo ng with the m, I ' m a fr a id I tho ught the y we r e p la nning to s e ll me to s o me b r o the l. S uc h things we r e k no wn to ha p p e n a lo ng the M is s is s ip p i. " Ale xa nd r a ' s e ye s ha d go ne wid e d ur ing Ta nya ' s s to r y, b ut no w s he b ur s t o ut la ughing. "A b r o the l? " Ta nya gr inne d . "I k no w ho w fa r fe tc he d tha t s o und s , b ut it ha p p e ne d to b e muc h mo r e b e lie va b le tha n my ma r r ying the k ing o f s o me c o untr y I ' d ne ve r he a r d o f. " "I s e e yo ur p o int. W ha t fina lly c o nvinc e d yo u the y we r e te lling the tr uth? " "W he n the y ha d me o n a s hip b o und fo r Eur o p e , the y fina lly a d mitte d tha t S te fa n wa s the k ing, r a the r tha n Va s ili. " "Va s ili? " Ta nya s no r te d in r e me mb r a nc e . "Tha t wa s S te fa n' s id e a . I wa s giving the m tr o ub le r ight fr o m the b e ginning, a nd he tho ught I ' d c o me a lo ng with the m mo r e willingly if I wa s to ld Va s ili wa s the k ing I wa s to ma r r y. " "I c a n' t ima gine why. " "N e ithe r c o uld I . I p o s itive ly d e te s te d the ma n a t the time , he wa s s o c o nd e s c e nd ing a nd d o wnr ight ins uffe r a b le , b ut I ha ve to a d mit I ' m q uite fo nd o f him no w. " "Yo u me a n it' s p o s s ib le to ge t us e d to his a r r o ga nc e ? " Ale xa nd r a a s k e d d o ub tfully. Ta nya c ho s e no t to a ns we r tha t, a t le a s t no t until s he ha d c la r ifie d wha t s he ha d b e gun to s us p e c t. "C a n I a s k yo u why he d id n' t wa nt yo u to e a t a nything? " "W ill my a ns we r ge t b a c k to him? " "N o t if yo u d o n' t wa nt it to . " "Ve r y we ll. He d id n' t wa nt yo u to s e e me e a t a nything. He think s I e a t lik e a p ig. " S he s a id it with e no ugh a mus e me nt in he r to ne tha t Ta nya fe lt fr e e to a s k , "Do yo u? " "O nly whe n he ' s a r o und . " "I b e gin to und e r s ta nd . La za r to ld us a b o ut the tr ip , b ut mo s tly a b o ut Va s ili' s b e ha vio r . Yo u r e a lly d o n' t wa nt to ma r r y him, d o yo u? " "W o uld yo u wa nt to ma r r y a le c he r lik e him? " Ale xa nd r a c o unte r e d . Ta nya la ughe d . "I a gr e e he ind ulge s in e xc e s s , b ut he ' s to o ha nd s o me fo r his o wn go o d , a nd wo me n te nd to ma k e fo o ls o f the ms e lve s o ve r him. I ha d inte nd e d to wa r n my la d ie s tha t he is no lo nge r a va ila b le . " "W e ll, tha t will s a ve me the tr o ub le o f c utting o ff a ny mo r e e a r s . " Ale xa nd r a s no r te d . Ta nya wa s s ta r tle d . La za r ha d n' t me ntio ne d tha t, me r e ly tha t the r e ha d b e e n

thr e a ts . "W o uld yo u r e a lly? " "N o , b ut wo me n te nd to p r e fe r no t to find o ut. " Ta nya la ughe d a ga in. "I s up p o s e no t. But, yo u k no w, Va s ili ha s ne ve r ha d a r e a s o n no t to b e a lib e r tine . And a s I und e r s ta nd it, yo u to ld him yo u d id n' t wa nt to ma r r y him whe n yo u fir s t me t him, whic h wo uld n' t ha ve e nc o ur a ge d him to c ha nge tha t a s p e c t o f his na tur e . " "I ha d o nly le a r ne d o f this d a mn b e tr o tha l a fe w ho ur s b e fo r e I me t him. " "Yo u mus t b e jo k ing! " "N o t a t a ll, " Ale xa nd r a s a id in r e me mb e r e d d is gus t. "M y fa the r k e p t it a we ll- gua r d e d s e c r e t. He wa s a fr a id tha t if he ga ve me p r io r wa r ning, I wo uld n' t b e the r e to me e t Va s ili a t a ll, whic h wa s lik e ly, c o ns id e r ing ho w fur io us I wa s . " "W a s tha t the o nly r e a s o n yo u d id n' t wa nt to ma r r y him— b e c a us e yo u we r e a ngr y? " Ta nya a s k e d ge ntly. "N o . . . b ut I ' d r a the r no t d is c us s the o the r r e a s o n. " Ale xa nd r a wa s a lr e a d y b lus hing, jus t ima gining the q ue e n' s r e a c tio n to s o me o ne ' s wa iting s e ve n ye a r s fo r a ma n to ge t a r o und to p r o p o s ing. "I t' s — we ll, I find it e mb a r r a s s ing. " "The n d o n' t think o f it. But I ha ve to a s k , s inc e I ' m s o fo nd o f Va s ili, if yo u s till fe e l no thing fo r him. " Ale xa nd r a wa s n' t s ur e ho w to a ns we r , c o ns id e r ing tha t the wo ma n wa s s o fo nd o f him. "I ha ve s e ns e d , jus t r e c e ntly, tha t he might ha ve a fe w go o d q ua litie s , tho ugh he r a r e ly s ho ws the m. But— wha te ve r I fe e l fo r him, it d o e s n' t ma tte r . Yo u s a id it yo ur s e lf, ho w c o nte mp tuo us a nd ins uffe r a b le he c a n b e , a nd tha t' s a b o ut a ll I ' ve s e e n fr o m him. I c o uld ne ve r ge t a lo ng with s o me o ne lik e tha t. " "And ho w d o e s he ge t a lo ng with yo u— a s yo u a r e ? " Ale xa nd r a b lus he d . "I ma y ha ve p r e te nd e d to b e s o me thing I ' m no t, b ut I wa s tr ying to ma k e it e a s y fo r him to e nd the b e tr o tha l, s inc e I c a n' t. " And tha t p ut Ta nya in s o me thing o f a d i le mma , wo nd e r ing if s he s ho uld te ll Ale xa n d r a the tr uth a b o ut Va s ili, o r if it wo uld n' t ma k e a ny d iffe r e nc e if s he k ne w. La za r ha d to ld the m s o me s ur p r is ing things , a b o ut Va s ili c a lling he r "his " witho ut r e a lizing it, a nd a s k ing La za r to s e d uc e he r , the n c ha nging his mind , a nd d is p la ying s o me o b vio us s igns o f je a lo us y o ve r the gir l. Tha t p o inte d to s o me thing o the r tha n ind iffe r e nc e a s fa r a s Ta nya wa s c o nc e r ne d . "W o uld yo u b e s ur p r is e d to k no w tha t Va s ili ha s d o ne e xa c tly wha t yo u ha ve ? " "W ha t d o yo u me a n? " "He ha s n' t s ho wn yo u his tr ue s e lf. W he n I s a id I d e te s te d him— a nd I r e a lly d id — it wa s b e c a us e he wa s d o ing e ve r ything p o s s ib le to ma k e me d e te s t him, a nd he d id it a ll d e lib e r a te ly. "

"W hy? " "Be c a us e wo me n te nd to fa ll in lo ve with him b e fo r e the y e ve n k no w him— it' s tha t fa c e o f his — a nd he wa s a fr a id I wo uld d o the s a me whe n I wa s to b e S te fa n' s wife , no t his . He lo ve s S te fa n, yo u s e e . The y a r e mo r e lik e b r o the r s tha n c o us ins . And he ' d d o a nything to a s s ur e S te fa n' s ha p p ine s s , inc lud ing a c ting lik e the mo s t d e s p ic a b le , c o nd e s c e nd ing ja c k a s s ima gina b le , whe n he ' s no t lik e tha t a t a ll. " Ale xa nd r a ha d go ne ve r y s till. "He ' s no t? " "N o t a t a ll— we ll, p e r ha p s a little a r r o ga nt— no , ma k e tha t ve r y. I b e lie ve a r r o ga nc e r uns in the fa mily. And ma yb e he d o e s o c c a s io na lly b e little things tha t he d e e ms unwo r thy with tha t d ia b o lic a l wit o f his , b ut he mo r e tha n ma k e s up fo r tha t with his lo ya lty a nd d e d ic a tio n to d uty. " "W ha t d uty? He ' s no mo r e tha n— " "O ne o f the k ing' s p e r s o na l b o d ygua r d s , his e lite gua r d , a nd q uite d e a d ly with nume r o us we a p o ns , whic h yo u c a n s e e fo r yo ur s e lf if yo u c a r e to ta k e a s tr o ll b y the tr a ining fie ld b e fo r e yo u le a ve . Yo u k no w"— Ta nya to o k a mo me nt to r e fle c t— "Va s ili d id n' t lik e me e ithe r whe n we fir s t me t. He tho ught I wa s n' t go o d e no ugh fo r S te fa n. But whe n he c o uld ha ve le t me e s c a p e — I tr ie d to mo r e tha n o nc e — he d id n' t. ' Duty b e fo r e p r e fe r e nc e ' wa s ho w he p ut it, a nd he me a nt it. And the r e ' s s o me thing e ls e yo u p r o b a b ly d o n' t k no w. He ' s a ls o inc r e d ib ly c ha r ming whe n he ' s no t tr ying to b e na s ty. " "Yo u' r e r ight, I wo uld n' t k no w, " Ale xa nd r a s a id in a ho llo w to ne . "P le a s e , yo u we r e n' t s up p o s e d to b e hur t b y wha t I ' ve to ld yo u. " "I ' m no t, " Ale xa nd r a ins is te d , if a little s tiffly. "I f Va s ili ha s s ho wn yo u the wo r s t he c a n b e , it' s b e c a us e he d id n' t wa nt to ge t ma r r ie d . He wa s ve r y up s e t whe n he le a r ne d o f this b e tr o tha l. He we nt to Rus s ia to — " "Ge t r id o f me . " Ta nya winc e d . "He to ld yo u? " "Ye s ; he ' s b e e n q uite ho ne s t a b o ut tha t a t le a s t. " "But the p o int I wa s tr ying to ma k e wa s , I ' m no t s o s ur e he s till fe e ls tha t wa y. Ye t he ' s lo c k e d hims e lf into this r o le he ' s p la ying fo r yo u— jus t a s yo u ha ve . " Ale xa nd r a wa s n' t s o s ur e Va s ili wa s p la ying a r o le , b ut if s he wa s to b e lie ve it, the n tha t ma d e the who le thing e ve n wo r s e . He wa s s o a ga ins t ma r r ia ge he ha d to p r e te nd — jus t a s s he d id . And wha t wo uld ha p p e n if s he s ho we d he r tr ue s e lf? W o uld it ma tte r ? N o , he ha d b e e n a ga ins t ma r r ia ge b e fo r e he ' d me t he r , a nd a ga in a fte r , a nd Ta nya might no t b e s ur e , b ut s he wa s — he wa s s till a ga ins t it. And he wa s a le c he r . The q ue e n ha d n' t c o ntr a d ic te d tha t. And s he ha d to b e c r a zy e ve n to think a b o ut it. "Va s ili might ha ve s o me no b le vir tue s I wo uld ne ve r ha ve gue s s e d a t, " Ale xa nd r a s a id . "But he ' s s till a le c he r . " "Ye s , a nd p r o b a b ly will b e — until he fa lls in lo ve . "

33 Ale xa nd r a d e c id e d s he wa s n' t go ing to wa it fo r Va s ili to c o lle c t he r fr o m the r e c e iving c ha mb e r . S he wo uld us e his c a r r ia ge , the n s e nd it b a c k fo r him, a nd ho p e fully s he wo uld n' t s e e him a ga in fo r a while . S he ne e d e d time to d ige s t e ve r ything s he ' d b e e n to ld b e fo r e s he s p o k e with him a ga in— if s he e ve r s p o k e with him a ga in. At the mo me nt, s he c o uld n' t ima gine he r r e a c tio n if s he ha d to lis te n to a no the r ta unting, d e r is ive r e ma r k fr o m him, whe n s he k ne w no w tha t it wa s a ll fo r e ffe c t, b e c a us e he wa nte d he r to d e s p is e him. But it wa s n' t a ll lie s . W ha t he ' d to ld he r a b o ut the wa y the ir ma r r ia ge wo uld b e wa s und o ub te d ly the tr uth. As N ina ha d p o inte d o ut, mo s t a r is to c r a tic ma r r ia ge s we r e e xa c tly lik e tha t, tho ugh us ua lly the te r ms we r e n' t s p e lle d o ut, jus t mutua lly und e r s to o d . And e ve r y time he ' d p us he d he r to b r e a k the b e tr o tha l, he ' d b e e n e xp r e s s ing his tr ue fe e lings . And his le c he r o us inc lina tio ns we r e a ls o a ll tr ue . S he d id s to p b y the tr a ining fie ld b e fo r e s he le ft the p a la c e . S he ' d b e e n una b le to r e s is t, a nd in the s p a c e o f minute s , s he wa tc he d Va s ili d e fe a t o ne o p p o ne nt a fte r a no the r with his s wo r d s k ill. S o me c o ur t d a nd y, s he tho ught in d is gus t. And ye t the s igns tha t he wa s r e a lly q uite d iffe r e nt fr o m tha t ha d b e e n the r e a ll a lo ng, the milita r y p hys iq ue a nd b e a r ing, the wa y he r o d e a ho r s e , his q uic k r e fle xe s , ho w e a s ily he ' d e nd e d tha t fight with P a ve l whe n he ' d go t fe d up , e ve n the wa y he ' d ga lla ntly d e c line d the us e o f s wo r d s , b e c a us e he ' d k no wn P a ve l wo uld n' t ha ve s to o d a c ha nc e with the m. S he ' d s e e n o nly wha t s he ' d wa nte d to s e e b e c a us e s he ha d n' t wa nte d to b e imp r e s s e d . S he r e a lly wis he d the q ue e n ha d n' t fe lt the ne e d fo r c o nfe s s io ns . O n the r e tur n tr ip to the P e tr o ff ho me , s he r e c a lle d the ir p a r ting wo r d s . "I ' d lik e yo u to b e o ne o f my la d ie s , " the q ue e n ha d to ld he r . "I tha nk yo u fo r the o ffe r , b ut I c o uld n' t p o s s ib ly a c c e p t. I ha ve a n ima ge to ma inta in fo r Va s ili, a nd it is n' t e xa c tly la d ylik e . " Ta nya ha d fr o wne d . ' The n yo u' r e no t go ing to te ll him the tr uth? " "I d o n' t s e e a ny p o int in d o ing s o . I t wo uld c a us e o ne he ll o f a fight. He ' d b e fur io us with me ; the n I ' d thr o w it b a c k a t him tha t he ha s n' t b e e n ho ne s t e ithe r . And we ' d s till b e r ight whe r e we a r e no w, ne ithe r o f us wa nting to ma r r y the o the r . " The q ue e n ha d n' t b e e n ve r y ha p p y with he r d e c is io n, b ut Ale xa nd r a wa s n' t go ing to b e b ud ge d fr o m it. N o r wa s s he go ing to d e lve a ny fur the r into he r o wn fe e lings . Ho w s he fe lt a b o ut Va s ili s imp ly d id n' t ma tte r whe n he s till d id n' t wa nt to ma r r y he r . I t o c c ur r e d to he r tha t the r e wa s o ne mo r e thing s he c o uld d o to he lp the m b o th ge t o ut o f this a p p r o a c hing ma r r ia ge . S he c o uld r e fus e to c o o p e r a te with his mo the r ' s tr a ining p r o gr a m. M a r ia wa s a lr e a d y d is p le a s e d with he r . "Dis gus te d " might b e a b e tte r wo r d . And it wa s Va s ili' s mo the r who ' d to ld him he c o uld n' t go a ga ins t his fa the r ' s wis he s . Tha t wa s the r e a s o n he ' d give n fo r b e ing una b le to b r e a k the b e tr o tha l. But if M a r ia c ha nge d he r mind . . .

Va s ili r e c e ive d ye t a no the r s ummo ns fr o m his mo the r . He ' d ma na ge d to igno r e it fo r a d a y a nd a ha lf, b ut M a r ia ' s me s s e nge r s k e p t s ho wing up a t his ho us e , a nd fina lly o ne wa s s e nt to the p a la c e a nd c a ught him whe n he wa s with his c o us in. And S te fa n' s s a ying, "I ho p e s he ' s no t go ing to a p p e a l to me a ga in, " to ld him he ' d b e tte r ta k e c a r e o f it b e fo r e s he d id . But he k ne w wha t the c o unte s s wa nte d this time . Afte r he r fir s t no te o f c o mp la int ha d b e e n d e live r e d to him two we e k s a go , te lling him, "The gir l is imp o s s ib le , " a nd , "Yo u' r e go ing to ha ve to ta lk to he r , " he ha d n' t b o the r e d to r e a d the o the r s tha t ha d b e e n s e nt ne a r ly e ve r y o the r d a y. He ' d me r e ly jo tte d o ff e nc o ur a ging r e p lie s s uc h a s "Yo u c a n d o it, M o the r , " a nd "I ' m c o unting o n yo u, M o the r . " And o nc e , s till witho ut r e a d ing the me s s a ge , b ut b e c a us e he k ne w Ale xa nd r a a nd he wa s s ta r ting to b e a mus e d b y the who le thing, he ' d a d vis e d , "I gno r e he r te mp e r , it' s mo s tly ho t a ir . " His o nly s ur p r is e wa s tha t Ale xa nd r a ha d n' t s e nt him s o me c o mp la ints a s we ll. But e xp e c ting the m wa s o ne o f the r e a s o ns he ha d d e c id e d to s ta y a wa y fr o m he r until he r tr a ns fo r ma tio n wa s c o mp le te — o r ha d fa ile d . Ha ving to d e a l with he r te mp e r wo uld mo s t lik e ly p r o vo k e his o wn, whic h wo uld le a d to his wa nting he r a ga in— a nd he wa s ha ving e no ugh d iffic ulty d e a ling with tha t witho ut s e e ing he r . F a te wa s go ing to d e c id e this thing, o ne wa y o r a no the r . But his mo the r wa s d e te r mine d to inte r fe r e with wha t he ' d tho ught wa s a n e xc e lle nt p la n. S till, it wa s p o s s ib le tha t he might b e a b le to s e e his mo the r , lis te n to he r ha r a ngue , c o nvinc e he r tha t s he c o uld n' t e xp e c t mir a c le s in o nly two we e k s , the n le a ve b e fo r e r unning into Ale xa nd r a . N o w, if he c o uld jus t r e s is t the ur ge to s e e he r . . . At le a s t his mo the r wa s a lo ne whe n s he jo ine d him in he r d r a wing r o o m. He ' d ha lf e xp e c te d he r to ha ve Ale xa nd r a in to w, d r e s s e d in o ne o f he r ne w go wns tha t s he wo uld ha te we a r ing. But the s c e ne wa s mo r e r e minis c e nt o f the night he ' d fir s t le a r ne d o f the b e tr o tha l, e xc e p t it wa s a fte r no o n a nd M a r ia wa s n' t d r e s s e d fo r a s o c ia l e nga ge me nt— a nd s he d e finite ly wa s n' t s miling this time . He tr ie d to fo r e s ta ll his mo the r ' s c o mp la ints b y a s k ing, "Ho w is the ne w wa r d r o b e c o ming a lo ng? " Unfo r tuna te ly, tha t to p ic ha p p e ne d to b e o n M a r ia ' s lis t. "The gir l r e fus e s to ' wa s te a ny mo r e time , ' a s s he p uts it, with fittings , a nd s he wo n' t we a r the s e ve r a l go wns tha t ha ve b e e n c o mp le te d fo r he r a lr e a d y. " "W hy no t? " "The y a r e e ithe r the wr o ng c o lo r , o r to o tight, o r to o lo o s e — s he ne ve r la c k s fo r e xc us e s . " Va s ili ma na ge d to k e e p fr o m gr inning. "I ha ve the fe e ling s he ' s wo r n he r b r e e c he s a nd s hir ts to o lo ng. S he p r o b a b ly find s d r e s s e s to o c o ns tr a ining no w. " "A la d y c a nno t go a b o ut d r e s s e d a s s he d o e s ! " "I k no w, M o the r . " "S he c a n' t ho ld a fo r k o r a k nife witho ut d r o p p ing it. The mo s t d is gus ting wo r d s c o me o ut o f he r mo uth whe n s he ge ts the le a s t b it fr us tr a te d . And s he thr e a te ne d to r o a s t my c o o k ! "

Tha t o ne c a ught his inte r e s t. "S he go t a ngr y with M o ns ie ur Ga r r a r d ? W hy? " "Be c a us e I tho ught s he c o uld b e ne fit fr o m the e xp e r ie nc e o f a s e ve n- c o ur s e me a l, " M a r ia r e p lie d s tiffly. "But tha t wo uld ta k e ho ur s , " he p o inte d o ut. "Exa c tly, a nd b e fo r e the s ixth c o ur s e a r r ive d , s he ma r c he d into the k itc he n a nd to ld M o ns ie ur Ga r r a r d tha t if he s e nt o ut o ne mo r e c o ur s e , s he ' d ma k e s ur e he wa s in it. He q uit. " "I ne ve r lik e d his s o uffle a nywa y, " Va s ili ma na ge d to s a y s tr a ight- fa c e d b e fo r e he b ur s t o ut la ughing. M a r ia gla r e d a t him, b ut tha t d id n' t c ur b his a mus e me nt. He wis he d he c o uld ha ve s e e n Ale xa nd r a in the k itc he n. S he mus t ha ve b e e n ma gnific e nt with he r mid night e ye s fla s hing, he r b r e a s ts he a ving. . . "Ho w c a n yo u la ugh? " M a r ia d e ma nd e d . "S he ' s no lo nge r e ve n p r e te nd ing to tr y to c o r r e c t he r b e ha vio r . S he c la ims we ha ve no r ight to c ha nge he r . " Tha t s o b e r e d him, a nd he s a id q uie tly, "S he ' s r ight, yo u k no w. W e d o n' t ha ve the r ight to tr y to c ha nge he r . " Ap p a r e ntly tha t wa s n' t wha t his mo the r wa s ho p ing to he a r , b e c a us e s he s a id , in a n o ffe nd e d to ne , "Yo u' r e go ing to ma k e me s a y it, a r e n' t yo u? " "W ha t? " "Tha t I ma d e a mis ta k e , tha t I ne ve r s ho uld ha ve ins is te d yo u c o lle c t a b r id e s ight uns e e n. " "I s tha t wha t yo u' r e s a ying? " "I ' m te lling yo u tha t yo u c a n' t ma r r y this gir l. S he d o e s n' t wa nt to le a r n ho w to b e a la d y. All s he wa nts to d o is muc k a b o ut in a s ta b le . S te fa n will a gr e e . W e c a n' t ha ve s o me o ne lik e tha t in the fa mily. " "S te fa n wo n' t c a r e o ne wa y o r the o the r — wha t a b o ut my fa the r ' s ho no r ? " "Va s ili, I p r o mis e yo u, yo ur fa the r wo uld b r e a k tha t b e tr o tha l hims e lf if he we r e a live to d a y. He ma d e a c o ntr a c t in go o d fa ith, b ut Ba r o n Rub lio v b r o k e tha t fa ith b y a llo wing his gir l to tur n o ut a s s he ha s . And yo u ne e d n' t hid e yo ur r e lie f fo r my s a k e . I k no w this is wha t yo u' ve b e e n wa iting to he a r . " I t wa s ind e e d , b ut no w tha t he ' d he a r d it, he wa s n' t r e a c ting a s he ' d ima gine d he wo uld . I ns te a d he fe lt a s if the b o tto m ha d d r o p p e d o ut o f his b e lly. "W he r e is s he ? " "Lo c k e d in he r r o o m, " M a r ia r e p lie d . "S he ha s b e e n the r e s inc e e a r ly ye s te r d a y mo r ning, whic h is why I s e nt fo r yo u. S he wo n' t o p e n the d o o r . S he wo n' t e ve n a ns we r inq uir ie s . I ' ve ne ve r k no wn a nyo ne who c o uld b e s o willfully s tub b o r n. " N e ithe r ha d he . "I ' ll ta k e c a r e o f it, " he s a id o n his wa y o ut o f the r o o m. "Go o d , " s he huffe d . "And yo u c a n a ls o ma k e the a r r a nge me nts to s e nd he r ho me . I ' ve a lr e a d y to ld . . . " He d id n' t he a r the r e s t o f wha t s he wa s s a ying b e c a us e he ha d a lr e a d y s ta r te d to r un. Eve n a s a c hild , he ' d ne ve r r e a c he d the up p e r flo o r s s o q uic k ly.

Tha t he d id n' t k no w whic h r o o m wa s Ale xa nd r a ' s d id n' t s lo w him d o wn, b ut it wa s fo r tuna te tha t a n up s ta ir s ma id a p p e a r e d to p o int him in the r ight d ir e c tio n, o r he wo uld ha ve b r o k e n d o wn e ve r y c lo s e d d o o r in the ho us e , lo c k e d o r no t. He r s wa s s till lo c k e d a nd s he wo uld n' t a ns we r his d e ma nd s to o p e n it. I t d id n' t ta k e him lo ng to b r e a k it d o wn, b e c a us e his fur y wa s mo unting a t wha t he k ne w he wo uld find . His Ale x ha d to o muc h c o ur a ge to hid e b e hind lo c k e d d o o r s . And he wa s r ight. S he wa s n' t the r e . The r o o m wa s e mp ty o f he r p o s s e s s io ns , to o . The n he s a w the le tte r p r o p p e d a ga ins t the p illo ws o n the b e d . And ne xt to it la y the r ing he ha d give n he r . Yo ur mo the r ha s to ld me tha t yo u c a n' t ma r r y me , P e tr o ff, s o I a m r e le a s e d fr o m my p r o mis e . I n yo ur ha p p ine s s o ve r this ne ws , I ho p e yo u will gr a nt me a fa vo r . I t is to o s o o n fo r my ho r s e s to tr a ve l a ga in, s o I a s k tha t yo u a llo w the m to r e ma in in yo ur s ta b le until I s e nd fo r the m. I ha ve le ft the ir gr o o ms to s e e to the ir c a r e . I f yo u d o n' t a gr e e , info r m the he a d gr o o m, Bula vin, a nd he will ma k e o the r a r r a nge me nts . N o w I mus t te ll yo u ho w s o r r y I a m fo r a ll the tr o ub le I p ut yo u thr o ugh. P le a s e b e a s s ur e d tha t I b e a r yo u no gr ud ge . I n fa c t, I wis h yo u we ll, P e tr o jf. Va s ili r e a d the le tte r a s e c o nd time , the n a thir d , b ut it s till d id n' t s o und lik e Ale xa nd r a . The wo r d s we r e to o s tiff, a nd the s e ntime nt? S he b o r e him no gr ud ge , wa s s o r r y, a c tua lly wis he d him we ll? N o t his Ale x. And ho w d id s he d a r e to le a ve ? Ho w d id s he d a r e to a s s ume tha t his mo the r ' s wo r d wa s the fina l wo r d ? He ha d n' t r e le a s e d he r fr o m he r p r o mis e . To he ll with fa te . Give it a c ha nc e , a nd d a mne d if it d id n' t s uit yo u. 34 S he le ft he r ho r s e s with me , e ve n the two s ta llio ns , " Va s ili s a id , his vo ic e s till e xp r e s s ing d is b e lie f. "The y me a n e ve r ything to he r . Ho w c o uld s he le a ve the m? " S te fa n le d Va s ili to a c ha ir in the a ud ie nc e r o o m, whe r e his c lo s e s t fr ie nd s we r e ga the r e d ; he e ve n p us he d him d o wn into it, b ut this wa s the s e c o nd time he ha d d o ne s o , a nd he d o ub te d his c o us in wo uld r e ma in the r e fo r lo ng this time e ithe r . Va s ili wa s a ngr y, ye t he wa s b e wild e r e d , to o , a nd it wa s n' t a c o mb ina tio n tha t s a t we ll with him. "Tr y think ing a b o ut it lo gic a lly, " S te fa n s ugge s te d . "S he wo uld le a ve the m b e c a us e s he d o e s c a r e s o muc h fo r the m, a nd it' s the mid d le o f winte r . " S te fa n ha d b e e n a llo we d to r e a d the no te Ale xa nd r a ha d le ft; he ' d ha d it thr us t into his ha nd s , a c tua lly. The y ha d a ll r e a d it, tho ugh Va s ili ha d n' t no tic e d it b e ing p a s s e d b e twe e n S e r ge a nd La za r , he ' d b e e n p a c ing s o ha r d . "Be s id e s the we a the r , " La za r a d d e d , "the r e a s o n s he give s is a s o und o ne . I t' s to o s o o n to ta k e the m o n a no the r lo ng, gr ue ling tr ip . " Va s ili s ho t b a c k to his fe e t fo r s o me mo r e p a c ing. "The n s he wo uld ha ve s ta ye d with the m until the y c o uld tr a ve l with he r . "

"W he n yo ur mo the r to ld he r tha t the r e wo uld b e no ma r r ia ge ? " S e r ge r e mind e d him. "The gir l p r o b a b ly a s s ume d s he wa s no lo nge r we lc o me . " "The n p e r ha p s s he d id n' t go fa r , " S te fa n s a id . "S he c o uld s till b e in the c ity. " Va s ili s ho o k his he a d . "N o , he r ma n, Bula vin, s a id s he le ft C a r d inia , tha t s he wo n' t b e b a c k , no t e ve n to c o lle c t the ho r s e s . S he ' s go ing to s e nd fo r the m. " Ta nya ha d jus t finis he d r e a d ing the no te a nd lo o k e d up . "O b vio us ly Ale xa nd r a tr us ts yo u to k e e p the m s a fe fo r he r , Va s ili. " He s no r te d . "S he d o e s n' t. " "I ha ve r e a s o n to b e lie ve s he d o e s , " Ta nya s a id . Tha t a r r e s te d him, a nd his go ld e n e ye s s e ttle d o n he r inte ntly. "W ha t r e a s o n? " "I t' s jus t a n . . . imp r e s s io n I go t, a fte r ta lk ing to he r , " s he s a id e va s ive ly. "Yo u me a n s he d id n' t d r a g my na me thr o ugh the mud ? " he a s k e d s a r c a s tic a lly. S he s mile d ge ntly a t his r e ma r k . "Ac tua lly, yo ur na me might ha ve go tte n a fe w s p r ink le s o f d ir t o n it. Afte r a ll, s he c a n' t he lp think ing yo u' r e a le c he r , whe n it' s a we ll- e s ta b lis he d fa c t tha t yo u a r e . " His r e p ly wa s ind igna nt. "I ' ll ha ve yo u k no w I ha ve n' t to uc he d a no the r wo ma n s inc e I me t he r . " I t wa s S e r ge who c a ught the imp lic a tio n in tha t. "Ano the r wo ma n? " "O h, Va s ili. " Ta nya s ighe d no w in d is a p p o intme nt. "Do n' t te ll me yo u s e d uc e d tha t inno c e nt gir l whe n yo u ha d no inte ntio n o f ma r r ying he r . " And fr o m La za r : "J e s us , Va s ili, whe n d id yo u ma na ge tha t, a s c r a mp e d a s the a c c o mmo d a tio ns we r e o n the who le tr ip ? " Va s ili wa s flus hing with he a t b y the n. "I t wa s ha r d ly a s e d uc tio n whe n— ne ve r mind . I t d o e s n' t ma tte r , s inc e I a m go ing to ma r r y he r . " "Yo u a r e ? " mo r e tha n o ne o f the m a s k e d inc r e d ulo us ly. And S te fa n s a id c a lmly, if a b it d r yly, "I s up p o s e this me a ns yo u' r e le a ving a ga in. " Va s ili no d d e d . "W ithin the ho ur . I o nly c a me he r e to te ll yo u. " "I t' s la te a fte r no o n, " La za r s a id . "S ho uld n' t we wa it until mo r ning? " "N o t whe n s he le ft e a r ly ye s te r d a y— a nd I wa s n' t inviting yo u, " Va s ili r e to r te d . "But yo u' ll ta k e him, " S te fa n s a id in a to ne tha t wo uld b r o o k no a r gume nt, "a nd a n e xtr a c o mp le me nt o f me n with him. The r e ' s no p o int in inviting mo r e tr o ub le fr o m o ur a nno ying fr ie nd s in the mo unta ins . " "Tha t' s if s he ' s go ne ho me , " Va s ili s a id . "W ha t ma k e s yo u think s he ha s n' t? " S e r ge a s k e d . "Be c a us e he r gr o o m wo uld n' t give me a s tr a ight a ns we r a b o ut it, e ve n a fte r I thr e a te ne d to r e a r r a nge his fa c e fo r him. And s he le ft he r tr unk s b e hind , e ve r y o ne o f the m. S he ' s tr a ve ling light this time , ta k ing o nly the C o s s a c k s a nd he r

ma id with he r . " "W hic h c o uld me a n s he ' s me r e ly in a hur r y to ge t ho me , " S e r ge s a id . "The n why no t ma k e a r r a nge me nts to ha ve the wa go ns fo llo w he r ? " "I wo uld n' t s a y tha t' s c o nc lus ive , " S te fa n p o inte d o ut. "I k no w, " Va s ili a gr e e d . "W hic h is why I ' ll b e lo o k ing fo r he r tr a il. I wis h s he ha d ta k e n the s ta llio ns , tho ugh. At le a s t p e o p le no tic e a nd r e me mb e r the m. " "Yo u' r e no t s ugge s ting s he k ne w yo u wo uld fo llo w he r , a r e yo u? " La za r a s k e d in s ur p r is e . "Tha t s he ' s go ing to b e c o ve r ing he r tr a c k s ? " "S he k no ws we ' r e no t finis he d . M a yb e s he wo n' t a d mit it, b ut d e e p d o wn s he —" "Va s ili, s he d o e s n' t wa nt to ma r r y yo u, " La za r c ut in to r e mind him. "And s he a s s ume d yo u fe lt the s a me wa y, s inc e tha t' s the o nly imp r e s s io n yo u' ve give n he r . I f s he ' s think ing a nything, it' s tha t yo ur mo the r d id yo u b o th a fa vo r . Tha f s wha t yo u we r e c o unting o n, if yo u' ll r e c a ll. " The r e mind e r jus t go t La za r a glo we r , a t whic h p o int Ta nya a s k e d , "Va s ili, d o yo u k no w why s he d id n' t wa nt to ma r r y yo u, e ve n b e fo r e s he me t yo u? I a s k e d he r , b ut s he s a id the r e a s o n wa s to o e mb a r r a s s ing fo r he r to me ntio n. " Va s ili wa s s ha k ing his he a d , b ut La za r s up p lie d the a ns we r . "S he ' s in lo ve with s o me Englis hma n s he me t o n he r c o ming o ut in S t. P e te r s b ur g— o r a t le a s t s he s a ys s he is . " Va s ili r e c e ive d tha t ne ws with a mixtur e o f inc r e d ulity a nd r a ging je a lo us y, a nd b o th ha d him s ho uting, "Ho w the he ll d o yo u k no w tha t? " "Unlik e yo u, I wa s c ur io us why s he d id n' t fa ll a t yo ur fe e t the wa y mo s t wo me n d o , s o I a s k e d . " "S he to ld yo u tha t? " "O f c o ur s e no t, " La za r r e p lie d . "Yo u k no w s he r a r e ly e ve n s p o k e to me in p a s s ing. N o , I a s k e d he r ma id , N ina , o ne d a y, a nd s he tr e a te d the s ub je c t a s if it we r e a lo ng- s ta nd ing p o int o f c o nte ntio n. " "M e a ning? " "He r d is gus t wa s p r e tty o b vio us . N ina think s tha t wha te ve r it is Ale xa nd r a fe e ls fo r this C hr is to p he r Le ighto n, it c e r ta inly c a n' t b e tr ue lo ve . And s he ' s o f the o p inio n tha t it' s o nly Ale xa nd r a ' s s tub b o r nne s s tha t ha s ha d he r ma inta ining lo ya lty to this fe llo w a fte r s o ma ny ye a r s . " "Did the ma id give a r e a s o n fo r the s e o p inio ns , La za r ? " S te fa n q ue s tio ne d . "Be c a us e Ale xa nd r a s imp ly we nt o n with he r life , witho ut a s ingle b it o f p ining. " "J us t ho w ma ny ye a r s a r e we ta lk ing a b o ut? " S e r ge a s k e d ne xt. "S e ve n. " "J e s us , " Va s ili gr o a ne d . "W e ll, tha t e xp la ins he r e mb a r r a s s me nt, " Ta nya s a id . "And I ' m inc line d to a gr e e with the ma id . "

Va s ili gla nc e d he r wa y. "W hy? " "O h, jus t the imp r e s s io n I go t/' Ta nya s a id e va s ive ly o nc e a ga in. "N o w, d o n' t b e giving my wife ho t lo o k s , c o us in, " S te fa n s a id , tr ying no t to find a ny humo r in Va s ili' s p r e d ic a me nt, tho ugh it r e a lly wa s p r ic e le s s . The ma n who c o uld ha ve a lmo s t a ny wo ma n he wa nte d c o uld n' t k e e p tr a c k o f the o ne he ha d d e c id e d to s e ttle d o wn with, o r ge t a d e c la r a tio n fr o m he r o the r tha n tha t s he d id n' t wa nt him. "I f Ta nya fo und o ut s o me thing in c o nfid e nc e , yo u c a n' t e xp e c t he r to te ll yo u a b o ut it. " The he ll he c o uld n' t. Va s ili d e ma nd e d , "W ho s e s id e is s he o n, a nywa y? " "Yo ur s , " Ta nya a s s ur e d him with a gr in. "W hic h is why I ' m d e lighte d tha t yo u' ve d e c id e d yo u wa nt to ma r r y he r . I think s he ' ll ma k e yo u a s p le nd id wife , Va s ili. " He ga ve he r a r e p r o a c hful lo o k . "But yo u a r e n' t go ing to te ll me why yo u think s o , a r e yo u? " "N o . But I ' m s ur e it wo n' t ta k e yo u lo ng to find o ut fr o m Ale xa nd r a — if yo u c a n find he r . " 35 Ale xa nd r a fo und a no the r mo nth o f tr a ve ling a d a unting p r o s p e c t. Tha t wa s a b o ut ho w lo ng it wa s go ing to ta k e he r to r e a c h Engla nd . N o r d id s he lik e r id ing unfa milia r ho r s e s o n this tr ip . The y' d no s o o ne r le ft C a r d inia tha n s he b e ga n to mis s he r o wn. S o s he wa s a s r e lie ve d a s N ina wa s to me e t up with La d y Be a tr ic e Ha ve r s ha m in W a r s a w a nd b e invite d to c o ntinue the ir jo ur ne y in he r c a r r ia ge . La d y Be a tr ic e wa s in he r mid - fo r tie s , wa s wid e o f gir th, a nd s till wo r e he r b lo nd ha ir in the fa s hio n o f he r yo uth, whic h wa s n' t a s r id ic ulo us - lo o k ing a s it might ha ve b e e n, tha nk s to he r la ughing gr a y e ye s . Ama zingly, s he ha d r e c o gnize d Ale xa nd r a fr o m he r o ne s e a s o n in S t. P e te r s b ur g. The Englis h la d y a nd he r hus b a nd , who wa s no w d e c e a s e d , ha d b e e n vis iting the c ity with fr ie nd s a t the time , a nd s he ha d no te d Ale xa nd r a a t s e ve r a l func tio ns , inc lud ing O lga Ro ma no vs k y' s la vis h d inne r p a r ty, the d is a s tr o us o ne whic h ha d le d to Ale xa nd r a ' s uno ffic ia l o us ting fr o m S t. P e te r s b ur g. But it wa s tha t ve r y p a r ty tha t wa s r e s p o ns ib le fo r La d y Be a tr ic e ' s r e c o gnizing Ale xa nd r a . To he a r he r s a y it, "I ' ve ne ve r la ughe d s o ha r d , my d e a r , a nd I ho p e yo u d o n' t mind , b ut I r e ga le d a ll my fr ie nd s a t ho me with tha t s to r y. Yo u we r e s o wo nd e r fully inge nio us to s o und s o s inc e r e whe n yo u to ld P r inc e s s O lga ho w s he might lo s e s o me we ight. All my fr ie nd s fo und it hila r io us , a nd I d o s o lo ve to ma k e p e o p le la ugh. " Ale xa nd r a d id n' t b o the r to me ntio n tha t s he ha d b e e n s inc e r e in he r s ugge s tio n, no r d id s he r e la te the r e p e r c us s io ns tha t ha d fo llo we d . And a ltho ugh s he ha d no me mo r y o f the Englis hwo ma n he r s e lf, s he gr e w fo nd o f he r a s the y tr a ve le d to Engla nd to ge the r . Be a tr ic e r e a lly d id lo ve to la ugh, a nd s he fo und humo r in jus t a b o ut e ve r ything. S he e ve n mis to o k Ale xa nd r a ' s fr a nk ne s s fo r a d r o ll wit a nd c la ime d the to n wa s go ing to a d o r e he r . And a no the r b e ne fit

the la d y s up p lie d wa s tha t he r p r e s e nc e p ut a n e nd to , o r a t le a s t s ub d ue d , a ll the c o mp la ints Ale xa nd r a ha d b e e n r e c e iving fr o m N ina a nd he r b r o the r s a b o ut he r d e c is io n to find C hr is to p he r , c o mp la ints s he r e fus e d to lis te n to . Be a tr ic e o nly va gue ly r e me mb e r e d me e ting C hr is to p he r while in Rus s ia , a nd d id n' t k no w him p e r s o na lly. Ye t s he a s s ur e d Ale xa nd r a tha t s he wa s a c q ua inte d with p e o p le who wo uld k no w him; a nd a s it ha p p e ne d , it to o k he r o nly two d a ys a fte r the y fina lly a r r ive d in Lo nd o n to s ho w up a t Ale xa nd r a ' s ho te l with his a d d r e s s . C he c k ing with the e mb a s s y he r s e lf, s inc e tha t wa s the o nly a d d r e s s he ha d e ve r us e d o n his le tte r s fr o m Engla nd , ha d ga ine d Ale xa nd r a no thing. He wa s p r e s e ntly b e twe e n a s s ignme nts , wa s a ll s he c o uld ge t o ut o f the ha r r ie d c le r k s he ' d s p o k e n to , a nd no , the y we r e n' t in the ha b it o f ha nd ing o ut p e r s o na l info r ma tio n a b o ut the ir d ip lo ma ts . Tr y the to n d ir e c to r y, lik e e ve r yo ne e ls e . Tha nk s to La d y Be a tr ic e , s he d id n' t ha ve to d e a l with a ny mo r e r ud e o ffic ia ls . And s o o ne r tha n s he might ha ve e xp e c te d , s he wa s o n he r wa y to C hr is to p he r ' s a unfs ho me , whe r e he wa s living, whic h wa s fo r tuna te ly r ight the r e in Lo nd o n. N ina ha d s ugge s te d s he wa it until the ne xt mo r ning to go , b e c a us e it wa s e ve ning b y the time s he wa s r e a d y, b ut Ale xa nd r a c o uld n' t a ffo r d to wa it. Be fo r e the y ha d le ft the C o ntine nt to s a il fo r Engla nd — whic h ha d b e e n a night ma r e o f s ic k ne s s fo r he r — s he ha d k no wn s he wa s go ing to ha ve Va s ili' s b a b y. And tha t b a b y ne e d e d a fa the r . S he wo uld , o f c o ur s e , b e ho ne s t a b o ut it with C hr is to p he r . And a ltho ugh tha t might c o mp lic a te things , s he d id n' t fo r a mo me nt r e gr e t he r c o nd itio n. S he wa s , in fa c t, a b s o lute ly thr ille d a b o ut it. The a unt' s to wn ho us e wa s a b la ze with lights , a nd the nume r o us c a r r ia ge s d r o p p ing o ff the ir o c c up a nts ind ic a te d tha t s o me typ e o f e nte r ta inme nt wa s go ing o n, the fa nc y c lo the s s ugge s ting s o me thing fo r ma l. Ale xa nd r a ha d ha d s e ve r a l d a ys to s ho p while wa iting fo r the ir s hip to s a il, a nd ha d fo und thr e e p a r tia l- ma d e d r e s s e s to a d d to the fe w s he ha d s tuffe d into he r va lis e fo r the tr ip . N ina ha d finis he d the m o n the vo ya ge — he r o wn s e wing s k ills we r e a tr o c io us . O ne wa s a lo ve ly e ve ning go wn in r o s e a nd na vy s ilk . S he ha d n' t tho ught s he wo uld ne e d it to night, ho we ve r , a nd s he wa s b a r e ly le t in the d o o r in he r gr e e n wo o l d r e s s , d e s p ite the s a b le fur tr im o n he r c o a t. The d r e s s wa s s uita b le fo r vis iting, b ut no t fo r a b a ll, whic h wa s wha t the Le ighto ns we r e giving. I t go t he r s tiffly e s c o r te d to a n e mp ty r o o m a wa y fr o m the gue s ts , a lib r a r y b y the lo o k s o f it, whe r e s he wa s to ld to wa it. And s he wa ite d . An ho ur p a s s e d a nd s till s he wa ite d . But s he d id n' t mind . N o w tha t s he wa s a b o ut to s e e C hr is to p he r a ga in a fte r a ll the s e ye a r s , s he wa s n' t imp a tie nt. S he wa s n' t muc h o f a nything, a c tua lly, no t ne r vo us , no t e ve n e xc ite d . S he fo und tha t r a the r s tr a nge , b ut a ttr ib ute d it to the d e e p me la nc ho ly s he ha d fa lle n into s inc e le a ving C a r d inia , a nd s he a ttr ib ute d tha t to ha ving to le a ve he r ho r s e s b e hind . I t c e r ta inly wa s n' t b e c a us e s he mis s e d Va s ili, b e c a us e s he d id n' t. S he r a r e ly e ve n tho ught o f him mo r e tha n a d o ze n time s a d a y a nymo r e . But c o ns id e r ing the ho p e le s s ne s s s he ha d e xp e r ie nc e d in C a r d inia a nd the me la nc ho ly s he wa s fe e ling no w, it wa s no wo nd e r s he wa s d r a ine d o f e mo tio n.

La d y Be a tr ic e ha d k e p t Ale xa nd r a ' s s a d ne s s a t b a y with he r gr e ga r io us go o d c he e r , a nd s o d id Ale xa nd r a ' s o wn tho ughts o f the b a b y. But no t muc h e ls e d id . Ye t the fa c t tha t s he wa s a b o ut to s e e C hr is to p he r a ga in s ho uld ha ve give n he r s uc h jo y. W hy d id n' t it? "Ale xa nd r a , is tha t r e a lly yo u? " S he ha d n' t he a r d the d o o r o p e ning a nd c lo s ing b e hind he r , b ut s he tur ne d to find C hr is to p he r c o ming to wa r d he r with o p e n a r ms , his e xp r e s s io n p r o c la iming his d e light a t s e e ing he r a ga in. The ye a r s ha d b a r e ly c ha nge d him, tho ugh he wo uld b e thir ty- five no w. And he wa s p e r ha p s e ve n mo r e ha nd s o me tha n s he r e me mb e r e d , the e xtr a fullne s s in his fa c e a nd b o d y imp r o ving his a p p e a r a nc e — he ' d b e e n to o le a n b e fo r e . He lo o k e d a s d is tinguis he d a s s he r e c a lle d , with his d a r k b r o wn ha ir a nd e ye s , a nd his imp e c c a b le b la c k e ve ning a ttir e . But his he ight o f five fe e t te n inc he s s e e me d no t s o ta ll to he r no w, a nd . . . He wa s hugging he r to o tightly. And b e fo r e s he ha d c a ught he r b r e a th fr o m tha t, he wa s k is s ing he r , a nd a ll s he wa nte d to d o wa s p us h a wa y fr o m him. W ha t wa s wr o ng with he r ? This wa s C hr is to p he r , who m s he lo ve d , a nd a p p a r e ntly he wa s o ve r jo ye d tha t s he ha d c o me to him, s o e ve r ything wa s go ing to b e a ll r ight. The n why d id n' t s he fe e l a s if it wa s ? And s he ha d a lwa ys b e e n thr ille d b y his k is s e s , ye t no thing s tir r e d within he r , no t e ve n a flic k e r o f the d e s ir e Va s ili c o uld s p a r k . But s he wo uld n' t think o f him no w— no t no w. S he ma na ge d to e xtr ic a te he r lip s lo ng e no ugh to a s k , "S o yo u s till lo ve me ? " "O f c o ur s e I s till lo ve yo u, d a r ling. Ho w c o uld yo u d o ub t it? " S he c o uld give a numb e r o f r e a s o ns , b ut d e c id e d s a r c a s m wa s n' t c a lle d fo r . He r fr a nk ne s s wa s , ho we ve r , a nd s he a s k e d the q ue s tio n tha t s ho uld ha ve b e e n a s k e d ye a r s a go . "The n a r e yo u p r e p a r e d to ma r r y me ? " He le t go o f he r in s ur p r is e , b ut the n he la ughe d . "I s e e yo u ha ve n' t c ha nge d . Yo u s till s a y e xa c tly wha t' s o n yo ur mind , no ma tte r the c o ns e q ue nc e s . " S he c o uld ha ve to ld him tha t wa s n' t e xa c tly tr ue a nymo r e . S o me things s he ' d b e e n ma na ging to k e e p to he r s e lf r e c e ntly. The Ra zins d id n' t k no w a b o ut the b a b y ye t. And Va s ili ne ve r k ne w ho w s he r e a lly fe lt a b o ut him— S he wa s d o ing it a ga in, le tting him into he r tho ughts whe n he s ho uld b e the fa r the s t thing fr o m he r mind r ight no w. "Yo u ha ve n' t a ns we r e d my q ue s tio n, C hr is to p he r . " "But yo u c a n' t b e s e r io us , " he s a id in a ge ntle , tho ugh no le s s s c o ffing, to ne . "I wa s ho p ing yo u we r e go ing to te ll me yo u we r e ma r r ie d , s o we c o uld fina lly b e to ge the r . " S inc e tha t d id n' t ma k e the le a s t b it o f s e ns e to he r , s he wa s fo r c e d to a s k , "W ha t e xa c tly d o e s tha t me a n? " "C o me no w, Ale xa nd r a , yo u k no w lo ve a nd ma r r ia ge a r e r a r e ly c o mp a tib le . And I le a r ne d fir s tha nd ho w p r o mis c uo us a nd a mo r a l yo u Rus s ia n la d ie s a r e . I ha d ho p e d yo u wo uld ma r r y s o we c o uld ha ve a n a ffa ir . I tho ught yo u und e r s to o d we c o uld o nly b e lo ve r s . " S he d id n' t ne e d him to c la r ify tha t, s inc e it wa s p e r fe c tly c le a r , b ut the mild s ho c k s he e xp e r ie nc e d ma d e he r r e ma r k , "Ac tua lly, I e xp e c te d us to ma r r y. " "Go o d Go d , yo u c a n' t b e tha t s tup id . " S he winc e d . "O h, b ut I — wa s , o b vio us ly. "

"But, my d e a r , yo u mus t k no w yo u' r e to o unc o nve ntio na l. Tha t ha b it yo u ha ve o f s a ying e xa c tly wha t yo u think o r fe e l wo uld b e r uino us to my c a r e e r . " "I mus t s till b e r a the r s tup id , b e c a us e I d o n' t und e r s ta nd why yo u c o ntinue d to wr ite me , to s e nd me p o e tr y a nd wo r d s o f lo ve . " He ha d the gr a c e to b lus h. "I d o n' t b e lie ve in b ur ning my b r id ge s , d a r ling. I s till ho p e d we wo uld o ne d a y e nd up in b e d to ge the r . " W hy wa s n' t s he fur io us , o r s la p p ing him, o r c r ying? "Yo u s ho uld ha ve s a id s o , " s he r e p lie d fla tly. "I p r o b a b ly wo uld ha ve b e e n q uite willing a t the time . " "But yo u we r e a n inno c e nt a nd I d o n' t— " He p a us e d , a nd his e xp r e s s io n c ha nge d to a c ur io us , ho p e ful lo o k . "Ar e yo u s till? " Ale xa nd r a d e c id e d a lie wa s a p p r o p r ia te a t tha t p o int. "Ye s . " "A s ha me . " He s ighe d . "But te ll me , wha t a r e yo u d o ing he r e in Lo nd o n? I ho p e yo u d id n' t c o me a ll this wa y jus t to s e e me . " Ano the r lie , fo r he r p r id e ' s s a k e . "N o , I d id n' t. I jus t e nd e d a n e nga ge me nt to a C a r d inia n c o unt a nd d e c id e d to tr a ve l a while b e fo r e r e tur ning ho me . " "A C a r d inia n? " He wa s s ud d e nly e xc ite d . "I s the r e no ho p e o f p a tc hing tha t up ? " "W hy? " "Be c a us e tha t wo uld b e id e a l fo r us , d a r ling. I ' ve jus t le a r ne d tha t I ' m go ing to b e a s s igne d to the e mb a s s y in C a r d inia in a fe w mo nths . And if yo u' r e the r e , a nd ma r r ie d — " "Tha t wo uld b e a n e xc e lle nt id e a , C hr is to p he r , e xc e p t . . . e ve n if I d id ma r r y my C a r d inia n, a nd d id find the ne e d fo r a lo ve r , whic h wo uld , in fa c t, b e lik e ly"— s he p a tte d his c he e k b e fo r e e nd ing— "I a m a b s o lute ly c e r ta in tha t I wo uld n' t c ho o s e yo u. " And s he wa lk e d o ut o f the r o o m with he r p r id e inta c t, if a little b r uis e d . 36 N ina wa s wa iting fo r he r whe n s he r e tur ne d to he r ho te l r o o m, a nd o ne lo o k a t Ale xa nd r a ' s e xp r e s s io n ma d e N ina s a y, "He wa s n' t the r e , wa s he ? " Ale xa nd r a r e mo ve d he r c o a t a nd s a t d o wn c a r e fully o n the b e d . "O h, he wa s the r e , " s he r e p lie d d r yly. "And we ha d q uite a n inte r e s ting c o nve r s a tio n. Ap p a r e ntly le c he r s a r e n' t e xc lus ive to C a r d inia . " "I ne ve r tho ught the y we r e . " The n N ina ' s e ye s fla r e d in und e r s ta nd ing. "Yo u me a n the Ho no r a b le C hr is to p he r Le ighto n is n' t s o ho no r a b le ? " Ale xa nd r a no d d e d a nd , a s b r ie fly a s s he c o uld ma na ge it, r e la te d wha t ha d ha p p e ne d . W he n s he ha d finis he d , N ina wa s fur io us . "Tha t r o tte n b a s ta r d ! Tha t mis e r a b le d e c e ive r , to give yo u no ind ic a tio n o f his tr ue mo tive s , to d e lib e r a te ly le t yo u think — " "He s a id he a s s ume d I und e r s to o d . "

"Tha t' s a lie a nd yo u k no w it, Ale x— a nd d o n' t yo u e ve n think a b o ut tr ying to d e fe nd him. " "I wa s n' t. " "Go o d , b e c a us e — " N ina b r o k e o ff whe n s he fina lly r e a lize d tha t s he wa s d o ing a ll the ye lling a nd Ale xa nd r a wa s n' t d o ing a ny. "W hy a r e n' t yo u a ngr y? " "I s up p o s e I a m. " The la c k lus te r a ns we r ha d N ina r o lling he r e ye s . "Yo u d o n' t s o und it. Yo u d o n' t e ve n s o und up s e t. I n fa c t, yo u s o und no d iffe r e nt fr o m whe n yo u le ft he r e . " "I ' m s till a d jus ting to the fa c t tha t C hr is to p he r is n' t the ma n I tho ught he wa s . " And the n Ale xa nd r a fr o wne d tho ughtfully. "But yo u' r e r ight, I s ho uld b e mo r e up s e t a b o ut this tha n I a m, s ho uld n' t I ? Afte r a ll, I ' ve lo ve d him fo r s o lo ng— " N ina ' s s no r t a nno unc e d he r o p inio n o n tha t, ye t s he r e s p o nd e d , "Yo u s a y tha t fr o m ha b it o nly. " "N ina — " Ale xa nd r a b e ga n d e fe ns ive ly, b ut tha t, to o , wa s o ut o f ha b it, a nd he r fr ie nd wa s n' t go ing to le t he r tr o t o ut the s a me o ld , la me e xc us e s this time . "I ' m te lling yo u, yo u d id n' t lo ve him! " N ina inte r r up te d ho tly. "N o t the n a nd no t no w. I ' ve a lwa ys s a id it, b ut no w yo u' r e go ing to b e lie ve it. " The n s he s a id , le s s s e ve r e ly, "Yo u wa nte d him whe n yo u me t him, b ut yo u we r e yo ung a nd r o ma ntic the n, a nd yo u ne e d e d a na me fo r wha t yo u we r e fe e ling, s o yo u c a lle d it lo ve . " "And a ll the s e ye a r s — " "All the s e ye a r s yo u s imp ly ha ve n' t c a r e d o ne wa y o r the o the r , Ale x, o r yo u wo uld ha ve d o ne s o me thing a b o ut it. Think a b o ut it. I f yo u ha d r e a lly lo ve d him, wo uld yo u ha ve b e e n c o nte nt to s it a t ho me a nd wa it? " P ut tha t wa y, the q ue s tio n d e ma nd e d a n o b vio us a ns we r . Ale xa nd r a d id n' t ha ve the te mp e r a me nt to b e tha t p a tie nt, no t if he r e mo tio ns we r e invo lve d . S o why ha d s he b e e n d e c e iving he r s e lf? F r o m ha b it, a s N ina ha d s a id ? O r b e c a us e s he ha d mis ta k e n infa tua tio n fo r lo ve a nd wa s to o s tub b o r n to a d mit s he ' d ma d e a mis ta k e ? But N ina wa s n' t finis he d . "Eve n if yo u d id n' t lo ve him, yo u s till o ught to b e a ngr y a b o ut wha t he ' s d o ne to yo u. I f it we r e n' t fo r him, yo u wo uld ha ve b e e n mo r e fa vo r a b ly d is p o s e d to C o unt P e tr o ff a nd wo uld b e ma r r ie d to him b y no w. " W o uld s he ? N o , wha t s he wo uld ha ve b e e n wa s a ngr ie r a t Va s ili fo r no t giving the m a c ha nc e , b e c a us e his s e ntime nts wo uld n' t ha ve b e e n a ny d iffe r e nt. He wo uld ha ve tur ne d o n his c o nte mp t no ma tte r ho w s he ' d fe lt a b o ut him. "M y b e ing mo r e a gr e e a b le to him, N ina , wo uld o nly ha ve le d to hur t. " And ha d n' t s he b e e n hur t? Ha d n' t s he b e e n s ic k with r e gr e t? I n a to ne o f a nno ya nc e s he s a id , "I ' m go ing to b e d . M a yb e to mo r r o w I ' ll b e a ngr y. N o w I ' m jus t tir e d . " But the ne xt d a y d id n' t b r ing a nything e xc e p t a r e tur n o f he r me la nc ho ly— with the a d d itio n o f k no wing tha t s he ha d to ma k e a d iffic ult d e c is io n. S he wa s

s till p r e gna nt, a nd s he s till ne e d e d a hus b a nd , q uic k ly. And with C hr is to p he r no lo nge r a c a nd id a te fo r the p o s itio n, s he wa s go ing to ha ve to s e ttle fo r a s tr a nge r . Tha t a c tua lly wa s n' t a s d a unting a s it s o und e d . Ale xa nd r a ha d b e e n q uite ha p p y with he r life the s e p a s t fe w ye a r s , with o nly o ne e xc e p tio n— he r d e s ir e fo r c hild r e n. But s he ha d he r b a b y no w, a nd s he s till ha d he r ho r s e s , a nd s he c o uld b e c o nte nt with tha t. And the r e wa s e ve n the p o s s ib ility tha t s he might lik e who me ve r s he c ho s e to ma r r y, might e ve n o ne d a y c o me to lo ve he r hus b a nd . I t wa s n' t tha t unlik e ly. But it d id n' t r e a lly ma tte r to he r if lo ve ha p p e ne d o r no t. S he wis he d s he d id n' t ne e d a hus b a nd jus t b e c a us e s he wa s p r e gna nt. I t wo uld b e s o muc h e a s ie r if s he c o uld s e ttle s o me whe r e a nd r a is e he r c hild b y he r s e lf. He r ho r s e s wo uld s up p o r t he r q uite a d e q ua te ly, wo uld e ve n ma k e he r r ic h if s he d e c id e d to r a c e the m. But he r c hild wo uld s uffe r fo r tha t, wo uld b e b r a nd e d ille gitima te , a nd tha t wa s no t a n o p tio n s he c a r e d to e xe r c is e . S he d id n' t e ve n c o ns id e r go ing ho me , s inc e s he ha d n' t fo r give n he r fa the r a nd d o ub te d tha t s he e ve r wo uld . I t s till hur t e ve n to think a b o ut him a nd wha t he ' d d o ne to he r — wha t s he wa s no w s uffe r ing b e c a us e o f it. He r o nly o the r o p tio n wa s Va s ili. I f the d is ta nc e we r e n' t s o gr e a t, s he ' d r e tur n to C a r d i- nia a nd ins is t tha t he ma r r y he r . But s he wa s a lr e a d y s e ve n we e k s a lo ng in he r p r e gna nc y. I t wo uld ta k e a no the r mo nth jus t to ge t b a c k to C a r d inia ; the n mo r e time wo uld b e wa s te d a r guing with Va s ili in o r d e r to ge t him to a gr e e , whic h wo uld n' t b e e a s y a fte r he ' d b e e n r e p r ie ve d fr o m the "ha te d s ta te o f ma tr imo ny. " S he wo uld p r o b a b ly b e s ho wing he r c o nd itio n b y the n. O f c o ur s e , a b a b y b e ing o n its wa y b e fo r e ma r r ia ge wo uld b e no mo r e tha n a nyo ne wo uld e xp e c t fr o m him. The s tir r ing o f e xc ite me nt s he fe lt fr o m me r e ly c o ns id e r ing the id e a infur ia te d he r . S he s till d id n' t wa nt the k ind o f ma r r ia ge he wo uld give he r . I f s he ha d n' t fo und o ut ho w wo nd e r ful tho s e ma r ita l r ights c o uld b e with him— whic h he inte nd e d to d e ny he r — he r d e c is io n might ha ve b e e n d iffe r e nt. But s he d id k no w, a nd s he wo uld c o me to ha te him a fte r a while , might e ve n to s s he r p r id e a wa y a nd . . . no ! A s tr a nge r wa s muc h b e tte r . N o e mo tio na l invo lve me nt a nd s o me thing in c o mmo n, b e c a us e the ma n wo uld ha ve to b e a n a vid ho r s e ma n, a nd fr o m c o nve r s a tio ns s he ha d o ve r he a r d , s he k ne w tha t ma ny Englis hme n we r e . He wo uld a ls o ha ve to ha ve a s tr o ng p e nc ha nt fo r ho r s e r a c ing, s inc e tha t wa s p r o b a b ly the o nly thing tha t wa s go ing to ge t he r a hus b a nd q uic k ly. Altho ugh s he ha d e no ugh mo ne y to k e e p he r c o mfo r ta b le fo r s o me time to c o me , e ve n if s he d id n' t s e ll a no the r ho r s e , s he c o uld in no wa y b e c la s s ifie d a s a r ic h c a tc h. And s he wa s n' t go ing to c o unt o n he r mino r title o f b a r o ne s s to a id he r e ithe r . He r tho r o ughb r e d s we r e the te mp ta tio n s he wa s c o unting o n. W ho me ve r s he p r o p o s e d to wo uld n' t jus t ge t a r e a d y- ma d e fa mily; in a ll lik e liho o d he ' d ge t s o me wins a t the r a c e tr a c k s a s we ll. He ' d ha ve to wa nt tho s e wins , d e s p e r a te ly, to a c c e p t he r p r e gna nc y, a nd he r te r ms . De c id ing o n a c o ur s e o f a c tio n wa s o ne thing, b ut imp le me nting it wa s

a no the r . I n tha t, La d y Be a tr ic e he lp e d imme ns e ly, o b ta ining invita tio ns fo r he r , s p r e a d ing the wo r d a b o ut he r ho r s e s a nd tha t s he wa s in the ma r k e t fo r a hus b a nd . Afte r o nly a fe w d a ys , e ve r yo ne wa s wo nd e r ing a b o ut the Rus s ia n b a r o ne s s who ha d c o me to Lo nd o n to find a hus b a nd . As it tur ne d o ut, he r title wa s a b igge r d r a w tha n s he ha d s up p o s e d it wo uld b e , e s p e c ia lly s inc e s he c a me with a gua r a nte e d inc o me fr o m he r b r e e d ing s to c k . But the n, he r lo o k s a lo ne tur ne d o ut to b e a n e q ua l e ntic e me nt. S he wa s a ttr a c ting to o ma ny me n who we r e n' t ho r s e fa nc ie r s , a nd a ltho ugh s he wo uld ha ve d is c o ur a ge d the m in he r fr a nk wa y, La d y Be a tr ic e r e c o mme nd e d tha t s he no t d o s o . "Go s s ip , my d e a r , " Be a tr ic e e xp la ine d . "Right no w it is in yo ur fa vo r , b ut r e je c te d s uito r s c a n tur n it a ga ins t yo u o ve r night. " "But wo n' t to o ma ny s uito r s d is c o ur a ge the o ne s I ' m inte r e s te d in? " Be a tr ic e la ughe d . "N o t a t a ll. The o ne s yo u wa nt will b e e ve n mo r e intr igue d b y yo ur p o p ula r ity. I f a gir l ha s thr e e me n b us s ing a b o ut he r , s he ' ll s o o n ha ve te n. I f s huma n na tur e to s e e wha t a ll the fus s is a b o ut, a nd me n a lwa ys wa nt wha t o the r me n wa nt. " Tha t c o nve r s a tio n to o k p la c e , inc r e d ib ly, o n Ale xa nd r a ' s fir s t e ve ning o ut in Lo nd o n s o c ie ty, he r a c c e p ta nc e b y the to n wa s tha t q uic k . By the s e c o nd e ve ning s he ha d me t a t le a s t thr e e ge ntle me n who fit he r p ur p o s e s e xa c tly, a nd s inc e s he wa s in no p o s itio n to wa s te time tip to e ing a r o und the s ub je c t, s he to ld e a c h wha t he r r e q uir e me nts we r e . The fir s t s he to o k a s id e to s p e a k with p r iva te ly wa s a p p a r e ntly to o s ho c k e d b y he r d ir e c tne s s in d o ing the p r o p o s ing to s tic k a r o und to he a r the r e s t o f wha t s he wa s o ffe r ing, whic h wa s jus t a s we ll. I f he c o uld n' t ha nd le a s imp le thing lik e he r p r o p o s a l, he p r o b a b ly wo uld ha ve fa inte d whe n s he go t a r o und to te lling him a b o ut the b a b y. Afte r tha t e xp e r ie nc e , s he wa s a little mo r e c a r e ful with the s e c o nd ma n, le a d ing into the s ub je c t a b it mo r e s lo wly, ma k ing s ur e tha t he wa s a wa r e tha t s he wa s s e e k ing ma r r ia ge b e fo r e s he a s k e d if he wa s inte r e s te d . He wo uld n' t give he r a n imme d ia te a ns we r , ne e d e d time to c o ns id e r he r p r o p o s a l, tho ugh he ha d n' t c o unte d o n r a is ing c hild r e n s o s o o n— he wa s o nly twe nty- s ix. The thir d ma n he ld the highe s t s ta nd ing a s a vis c o unt, tho ugh he wa s the le a s t a ttr a c tive , a b it o n the p o r tly s id e . Ho we ve r , he fa ir ly d r o o le d whe n s he me ntio ne d ho w ma ny ho r s e s s he o wne d , a nd ha r d ly b a tte d a n e ye o ve r the fa c t tha t s he wa s p r e gna nt. He d id , in fa c t, give he r a r e s o und ing ye s , s a ying he wo uld b e d e lighte d to ma r r y he r . I t wa s Ale xa nd r a ' s tur n to b e s ho c k e d . S he r e a lly ha d n' t tho ught it wo uld b e this e a s y, o r this q uic k , a nd s he p ut him o ff, s ugge s ting the y s p e nd a fe w d a ys ge tting to k no w e a c h o the r b e fo r e the y c o mp le te ly c o mmitte d a nd s e t a we d d ing d a te . But a t le a s t the p r e s s ur e wa s o ff. S he ' d s o lve d he r p r o b le m. O nly no w tha t s he no lo nge r ha d to wo r r y a b o ut a fa the r fo r he r b a b y, he r me la nc ho ly r e tur ne d . S he s p e nt a go o d p o r tio n o f the ne xt d a y with he r vis c o unt, Go r d o n W ha te ly, whic h inc lud e d r id ing thr o ugh o ne o f Lo nd o n' s ma ny p a r k s . He b r o ught o ne o f his o wn tho r o ughb r e d s fo r he r to r id e — s he ha d the imp r e s s io n it wa s a te s t o f

s o r ts , s inc e the ma r e wa s high- s p ir ite d , whic h c o nd itio n s he ha d no d iffic ulty c o ntr o lling— a nd the y e nd e d up ta lk ing ho r s e s a nd no thing e ls e . At le a s t the y wo uld ne ve r la c k fo r c o nve r s a tio n a s a ma r r ie d c o up le . He wa s ha ving no s e c o nd tho ughts — whic h ha d b e e n a p o s s ib ility— a nd b e lie ve d e ve r ything s he c la ime d a b o ut he r a nima ls . S he c o uld n' t a ffo r d to ha ve s e c o nd tho ughts he r s e lf. S inc e it lo o k e d a s if s he wo uld b e s ta ying in Engla nd , s he wo uld s o o n ha ve to vis it a d r e s s ma k e r fo r c lo thing o the r tha n the c o mp le te d , unc la ime d d r e s s e s s he ha d b e e n a b le to b uy with a minimum o f a lte r a tio ns . Tha t wa s ho w s he ha d b e e n s ur viving s o fa r with he r e ve ning a p p a r e l, b ut s he wo uld s o o n r un o ut o f d r e s s ma k e r s who c o uld a c c o mmo d a te he r s o q uic k ly. And with a ll the invita tio ns tha t Be a tr ic e ha d line d up fo r he r — whic h the o ld e r wo ma n ins is te d Ale xa nd r a mus t s till a tte nd to b r o a d e n he r a c q ua inta nc e s , e ve n tho ugh s he ' d a lr e a d y a c c o mp lis he d he r go a l— s he wa s go ing to ne e d a muc h la r ge r wa r d r o b e . Tha t night the r e wa s a b a ll fo r whic h Be a tr ic e wa s p ic k ing he r up . Go r d o n wo uld n' t b e a tte nd ing, s inc e he ha d a p r e vio us e nga ge me nt he wa s una b le to c a nc e l, b ut Ale xa nd r a wa s n' t d is a p p o inte d . To o muc h o f his c o mp a ny ga ve he r a he a d a c he . S he ' d fo und a go wn s uita b le fo r a b a ll la te tha t a fte r no o n, a fa nc y c o nc o c tio n in d e e p b ur gund y a nd b la c k la c e tha t s ho we d o ff mo r e o f he r b o s o m tha n s he wa s us e d to , tho ugh s he k ne w it to b e the fa s hio n. S till, s he wo uld ha ve p r e fe r r e d no t to go , ha ving no mo r e d e s ir e to s o c ia lize no w tha n s he ' d ha d the s e p a s t s e ve n ye a r s . But s he we nt, a nd s he e ve n ma d e a n e ffo r t to e njo y he r s e lf. S he wa s n' t s uc c e e d ing ve r y we ll, tho ugh, with vis io ns o f he r futur e d a mp e ning he r mo o d . Ha ving s p e nt s o muc h time with Go r d o n to d a y, s he r e a lly c o uld n' t ima gine s p e nd ing the r e s t o f he r life with him. And s he c e r ta inly c o uld n' t ima gine ma k ing lo ve with him. Ye t wha t c ho ic e d id s he ha ve ? S he wa s d a nc ing whe n the b uzzing s ta r te d , c o nve r s a tio ns e ve r ywhe r e p ic k ing up in vo lume , a s if e ve r yo ne we r e s ud d e nly ta lk ing a t o nc e . He r p a r tne r wa s tr ying to lo o k a r o und to s e e wha t wa s ha p p e ning, b ut he wa s no ta lle r tha n s he wa s , a nd he c o uld find no thing a mis s . S he wa s n' t c ur io us he r s e lf, a ltho ugh s he c o uld n' t he lp he a r ing s o me o f the ta lk go ing o n a r o und he r a s the y c o ntinue d to twir l p a s t the o the r c o up le s o n the d a nc e flo o r . "I s it the q ue e n? " "O ve r the r e b y the . . . " ". . . ne ve r s e e n a nyo ne s o . . . " "Go o d Go d , who is . . . " ". . . s o ha nd s o me . . . " ". . . s o ha nd s o me . . . " ". . . s o ha nd s o me . . . " He r p a r tne r ha d a c tua lly s to p p e d d a nc ing, e ve n tho ugh the mus ic c o ntinue d to p la y. He d id n' t r e me mb e r to a p o lo gize , he wa s s o c ur io us . But e ve r yo ne

e ls e a r o und the m wa s d o ing the s a me thing, a nd the b uzzing wa s ge tting e ve n lo ud e r . Ale xa nd r a s ighe d a nd e xc us e d he r s e lf to le a ve the flo o r . W ho e ve r ha d s o imp r e s s e d the s e p e o p le wa s o f no inte r e s t to he r . S o ha nd s o me ? The y' d ha ve to go to Rus s ia , to C a r d inia to b e e xa c t, to s e e r e a lly ha nd s o me . And the n the c r o wd wa s s ud d e nly p a r ting b e fo r e he r , c le a r ing a p a th fo r the ma n s lo wly wa lk ing a c r o s s the r o o m. And in the o p e ne d s p a c e s he c o uld n' t mis s him, c o uld n' t b e lie ve he r e ye s e ithe r , a nd c o uld n' t ta k e a no the r s te p . Va s ili in Lo nd o n? I mp o s s ib le . Ye t the r e he wa s , c o ming s tr a ight to wa r d he r , his ho ne y- go ld e ye s , a s b r ight a s s he ' d e ve r s e e n the m, lo c k e d o n he r s . Eve r yo ne e ls e s a w a n ins c r uta b le e xp r e s s io n, b ut s he k ne w wha t tha t go ld e n b r ightne s s ind ic a te d , tha t he wa s a ngr y e no ugh to thr o ttle he r , a nd s he c o uld n' t d e c id e whe the r s he o ught to r un, fa int, c r y— o r la ugh fo r the s he e r jo y tha t wa s o ve r whe lming he r s e ns e s a t the ve r y s ight o f him.

37 W e c a n d is c us s this fo r e ve r yo ne ' s d e le c ta tio n, o r yo u c a n c o me with me , " Va s ili s a id with fo r c e d e ve nne s s . "I ha ve a c a r r ia ge wa iting o uts id e . " Tha t wa s n' t a t a ll wha t Ale xa nd r a wa s e xp e c ting to he a r . I f s he ha d b e e n a s a ngr y a s s he s us p e c te d Va s ili wa s , s he wo uld n' t ha ve he ld o ff wha te ve r "this " wa s , jus t to a vo id ma k ing a n e mb a r r a s s ing s c e ne . O f c o ur s e , s he wa s us e d to c a us ing s c e ne s a nd — a nd s he ' d b e tte r a ns we r him b e fo r e he ma d e the d e c is io n fo r he r . "I wa s jus t a b o ut to le a ve a nywa y, " s he to ld him, he r o wn to ne c a r e fully ne utr a l. I t wa s n' t tr ue , e ve n if it wa s wha t s he ' d wa nte d to d o e ve r s inc e a r r iving. But s he figur e d if s he d id n' t go with him, he ' d jus t b e c o me a ngr ie r , b e c a us e the n he ' d b e ma k ing tha t s c e ne s he k ne w he d id n' t wa nt to ma k e . Ho we ve r , s he ne a r ly c ha nge d he r mind a b o ut go ing a nywhe r e with him. Altho ugh he ha d he r c o mp lia nc e , s he s till fe lt a s if he we r e d r a gging he r o ut o f the r e . But b e fo r e s he c o uld ma k e up he r mind whe the r it wo uld b e in he r b e s t inte r e s t to r e ma in whe r e the r e we r e p e o p le , the y we r e o uts id e , a nd s he wa s b e ing s ho ve d into his wa iting c a r r ia ge . "I s it yo ur inte ntio n to fr e e ze me ? " s he a s k e d , he r to ne s a r c a s tic . He ha d n' t s to p p e d lo ng e no ugh to r e tr ie ve he r e ve ning c lo a k , a nd the winte r night a ir wa s d a mp a nd fr igid . I ns id e the la r ge , we ll- a p p o inte d c a r r ia ge , it wa s no t muc h wa r me r . But r a the r tha n go b a c k fo r he r wr a p , he to s s e d a c a r r ia ge b la nk e t a t he r b e fo r e he s a t d o wn. The ve hic le d e p a r te d imme d ia te ly with the s la mming o f the d o o r , je r k ing Ale xa nd r a ne a r ly o ff the e d ge o f the s e a t. I t wo uld n' t ta k e muc h mo r e fo r he r to b e lo s ing he r te mp e r .

"Exp la in yo ur s e lf, P e tr o ff. I f I ha d k no wn yo u ha d a tr ip to Engla nd s c he d ule d , I wo uld ha ve go ne e ls e whe r e . " "W o uld yo u? I d o ub t tha t. " He wa s s itting o p p o s ite he r with his a r ms c r o s s e d , his le gs s tr e tc he d o ut a nd a ls o c r o s s e d , his e ye s s till a glo w a s he s ta r e d a t he r . W ha te ve r p le a s ur e s he ha d fe lt up o n fir s t s e e ing him wa s fa s t d is s ip a ting, ir r ita tio n ta k ing its p la c e . And tha t he s a id no mo r e a fte r his s a r d o nic r e ma r k le ft a s ile nc e tha t unne r ve d he r . S he b r o k e it, d e ma nd ing, "W e ll? I a s s ume the r e is s o me p a r tic ula r r e a s o n yo u ha ve s o ught me o ut— o r d id we ha ve the mis fo r tune to tur n up a t the s a me func tio n a s we ll a s in the s a me to wn? " "W e ' ll ge t to tha t in a mo me nt, Ale x. Right no w I ' m ha ving a little tr o ub le a d jus ting to s e e ing yo u, fo r a ll inte nts a nd p ur p o s e s , lo o k ing lik e a la d y. O r d o yo u ha ve yo ur b r itc he s o n und e r ne a th tha t go wn? " S he c o uld n' t ima gine why tha t q ue s tio n ma d e he r b lus h, b ut it d id . "I f yo u fa ile d to no tic e , tha t wa s a b a ll yo u d r a gge d me o ut o f. I d o ha p p e n to k no w wha t the r e q uir e d d r e s s is fo r s uc h a n o c c a s io n. " "N o b r itc he s , the n? " S he gla r e d a t him in a ns we r . Va s ili wa s n' t a mus e d . He wa s , in fa c t, e ve n mo r e inc r e d ulo us no w tha n whe n he ' d fir s t s p o tte d he r o n the d a nc e flo o r . S ilk a nd la c e . He ' d ha d fa nta s ie s o f he r we a r ing jus t tha t, b ut he c o uld ne ve r ha ve ima gine d a nything lik e this . The a r tfully a r r a nge d c o iffur e , the lo ng e ve ning glo ve s , the d e e p s c o o p o f he r ne c k line — J e s us , he r b r e a s ts , he r ma gnific e nt b r e a s ts o n d is p la y fo r a ny ma n who c a r e d to lo o k . Eve n a s tha t infur ia te d him, Va s ili ha d to a llo w tha t he ha d ne ve r s e e n Ale xa nd r a lo o k ing mo r e b e a utiful. And he r e s e nte d tha t s he ha d a lwa ys d e nie d him this s o ft, fe minine s id e o f he r , tha t he ha d n' t k no wn s he e ve n ha d a s id e lik e this — e xc e p t in b e d . S he c o uld d a nc e . S he c o uld a p p a r e ntly c o nve r s e with he r p e e r s fo r a while witho ut s we a r ing o r s ho c k ing the m. And o b vio us ly s he wa s c a r e ful no t to a tte nd ga the r ings whe r e d inne r wa s inc lud e d , o r s he wo uld ve r y q uic k ly b e c o me e xc lud e d fr o m gue s t lis ts . But a p p a r e ntly s he ' d b e e n a b le to fo o l the s e Englis h into b e lie ving s he wa s a la d y, o r tha t s he k ne w ho w to a c t lik e o ne . He wa s a ls o fur io us tha t he ha d n' t b e e n a b le to c a tc h up with he r b e fo r e s he s a ile d fo r Engla nd , tha t it ha d ta k e n him mo r e tha n a mo nth to fina lly find he r . The y' d lo s t he r tr a il twic e , fir s t whe n s he ha d b e gun he a d ing fo r the mo unta ins , a s if s he we r e go ing ho me , the n ha d c ha nge d d ir e c tio ns to tr a ve l no r th. He ' d s e nt ho me mo s t o f the me n he ha d with him a t tha t p o int, s inc e it a p p e a r e d the y wo uld n' t b e ne e d e d . The n the y ha d lo s t Ale xa nd r a a ga in, whe n s he s witc he d he r mo d e o f tr a ve ling to a c a r r ia ge . But b e twe e n him a nd the e ight me n le ft in his p a r ty, it ha d ta k e n o nly a fe w ho ur s a fte r the ir a r r iva l in Lo nd o n to lo c a te he r ho te l. And he r ma id , N ina , ha d o b ligingly to ld him whe r e s he c o uld b e fo und to night. And no w he wa s n' t s ur e ho w to ha nd le he r . His fir s t ur ge , a s a lwa ys , wa s to ma k e lo ve to he r , a nd tha t ur ge wa s s tr o nge r tha n e ve r . J us t b e ing ne a r he r

a ga in ha d him ha r d a nd r e a d y. His s e c o nd ur ge wa s to thr o ttle he r fo r a ll the tr o ub le s he ha d p ut him thr o ugh. But he ha d a thir d ur ge , jus t to ho ld he r a nd te ll he r — wha t? Tha t he ' d b e e n wo r r ie d s ic k tha t s he wo uld ma r r y Le ighto n b e fo r e he fo und he r ? Tha t he wa s in the la me nta b le p o s itio n o f find ing hims e lf in lo ve fo r the fir s t time in his life ? S he ' d ne ve r b e lie ve it a fte r the a ttitud e he ha d d e mo ns tr a te d jus t fo r he r . And wha t a b o ut he r Englis hma n? I f he ha d fo und Le ighto n the r e with he r , he p r o b a b ly wo uld ha ve c ha lle nge d him o n the s p o t. I f s he lo ve d the ma n, if s he r e a lly lo ve d him, he wo nd e r e d if he ha d the d e c e nc y to b o w o ut a nd le t he r ha ve him. His je a lo us y s a id no , tha t he a nd the Englis hma n c o uld n' t live o n the s a me p la ne t. But this d a mn lo ve he wa s fe e ling wa nte d he r to b e ha p p y. The two fe e lings wo uld n' t r e c o nc ile . He s up p o s e d he o ught to find o ut fir s t if he ha d a r r ive d to o la te . "I s the r e a we d d ing p la nne d , Ale x? " Ale xa nd r a d r e w in a s ha r p b r e a th o f s ur p r is e . Ho w c o uld he p o s s ib ly ha ve fo und o ut a b o ut he r p o r tly vis c o unt? He c o uld n' t k no w. "W ha t we d d ing? " s he a s k e d c a r e fully. "Be twe e n yo u a nd Le ighto n. " This wa s e ve n wo r s e . "Ho w d id yo u le a r n a b o ut C hr is to p he r ? " "F r o m La za r . Yo u s ho uld ha ve to ld me . " "I t wa s no ne o f yo ur b us ine s s — " "W e a r e to b e ma r r ie d ! " he c ut in, his a nge r fina lly the r e b e twe e n the m. "I t d a mn we ll is my b us ine s s if yo u a r e in lo ve with a no the r ma n! " "W e a r e to b e wha t? " "F ic k le a fte r a ll, a r e n' t yo u? " he s ne e r e d . "O r ha ve yo u fo i«go tte n tha t yo u a s s ur e d me yo u wo uld n' t b r e a k yo ur wo r d ? A ma tte r o f ho no r , o r s o yo u c la ime d . " His a tta c k ha d he r ha c k le s r is ing. "Did n' t yo u ge t my no te ? Yo ur mo the r s a id yo u c o uld n' t p o s s ib ly ma r r y me , tha t I wa s a d is gr a c e , ho p e le s s — " "M y mo the r d id n' t a r r a nge o ur ma r r ia ge . S he ha s no s a y in the ma tte r . " "Tha t wa s n' t the imp r e s s io n yo u ga ve the fir s t time we d is c us s e d e nd ing the b e tr o tha l, " s he s a id s tiffly. "W he n s he to ld me wha t s he d id , I a s s ume d — " "Yo u a s s ume d wr o ng, Ale x, a nd yo u le ft witho ut e ve n c o nfir ming tha t a s s ump tio n with me . And I r e p e a t, it wa s n' t up to my mo the r . W he the r we ge t ma r r ie d o r no t is up to us , a nd d e p e nd s o n whe the r o r no t we a r e go ing to ho no r wha t o ur r e s p e c tive fa the r s c o mmitte d us to . " "Yo u' r e s a ying we ' r e s till b e tr o the d ? " "Yo u' r e d a mne d r ight we a r e . " And b e fo r e s he k ne w wha t he wa s d o ing, he ha d he r ha nd in his a nd wa s s lip p ing the wa r m me ta l o f he r b e tr o tha l r ing o n he r finge r . "Do n' t r e mo ve it a ga in, Ale x. Yo u b e lo ng to me . I wa nt yo u we a r ing the p r o o f o f tha t. " The la s t wa s s a id a s if it we r e a wa r ning, a nd s he he a r d s o me d is tinc t

p o s s e s s ive ne s s in his to ne tha t c o nfus e d a nd thr ille d he r a t the s a me time . S he s a t b a c k , a s s a ile d b y r e lie f a nd d r e a d , a nd fo ught to igno r e the m b o th. S he ' d ne ve r ge t thr o ugh this d is c us s io n if s he d id n' t k e e p he r e mo tio ns o ut o f it. But, o h, ho w wo nd e r ful it fe lt to ha ve tha t r ing b a c k ! Te a r s ha d a c c o mp a nie d he r r e mo va l o f it. W he n s he ha d le ft it b e hind with he r no te to him, it ha d fe lt a s if s he we r e le a ving he r he a r t b e hind , to o . S he wo uld n' t r e mo ve it a ga in— b ut no t b e c a us e he ' d to ld he r no t to . "W o uld yo u mind e xp la ining to me why? " s he s a id , r e fe r r ing to his a s s e r tio n tha t the b e tr o tha l wa s s till o n. "I ga ve yo u a n o ut. And a s I r e c a ll, yo u d id n' t wa nt to ma r r y me , s o why d id n' t yo u ta k e it? " Be c a us e I lo ve yo u! N o w wa s a n e xc e lle nt time to te ll he r . But s he wo uld la ugh a nd s c o ff a nd p r o b a b ly s a y s o me thing s a r c a s tic lik e "S ur e yo u d o , P e tr o ff. Yo u p r o ve it to me e ve r y time yo u o p e n yo ur mo uth. " And s inc e he wa s s till ha ving d iffic ulty b e lie ving it hims e lf, ho w wa s he go ing to c o nvinc e he r ? "Yo u d id n' t give me a n o ut, Ale x. Yo u r a n o ff und e r a mis c o nc e p tio n. Tha t d id n' t r e le a s e me fr o m the b e tr o tha l, it me r e ly p ut me to the b o the r o f b r inging yo u b a c k . Ho we ve r , if it wa s yo ur inte ntio n to b r e a k yo ur wo r d , s a y s o no w a nd tha t will b e the e nd o f it. " "Tha t wa s ne ve r my inte ntio n a nd yo u k no w it, " s he his s e d a t him. "I d id n' t think s o , s o the r e yo u ha ve yo ur a ns we r . W e a r e s till b o und b y tha t c o ntr a c t, s till ve r y muc h b e tr o the d , a nd s till go ing to b e ma r r ie d . O r d o yo u d is a gr e e with tha t? " "N o , " s he s a id in a lo w mumb le . "The n yo ur c o ming to Engla nd ha s n' t c ha nge d yo ur vie ws a b o ut ho no r ? " "N o , " s he s a id with mo r e vo lume a nd a gla r e . "I ' m gla d to he a r it. " S he s no r te d a t tha t. "C a r e ful, P e tr o ff, o r yo u' ll a lmo s t ha ve me think ing yo u wa nt to ge t ma r r ie d no w. " "P e r ha p s I d o , " he s a id s o ftly. "W he n p igs fly, " wa s he r r e to r t. He gr inne d . He jus t k ne w his Ale x wo uld s a y s o me thing lik e tha t. "Ac tua lly . . . " He p a us e d s o s he wo uld think he wa s o nly jus t c o ming to this c o nc lus io n. "S inc e I ha ve to ge t ma r r ie d e ve ntua lly a nywa y— fo r a n he ir , yo u und e r s ta nd — it might a s we ll b e to yo u. Afte r a ll, I ' ve a lr e a d y d e vo te d mo r e e ffo r t to yo u tha n I e ve r ha ve to a no the r wo ma n— a nd I a b s o lute ly a d o r e yo ur b r e a s ts , Ale x. " He e xp e c te d a no the r ho t r e to r t, a b lus h, a nything e xc e p t the s ub d ue d e xp r e s s io n he wa s ge tting. And he c o uld ha ve k ic k e d hims e lf fo r think ing tha t wha t he ' d s a id wo uld b e mo r e a c c e p ta b le to he r tha n the tr uth. "Ale x— " "Yo u d o n' t ha ve to e xp la in, " s he inte r r up te d him. "I ' ve a lwa ys k no wn yo ur p o s itio n o n the s ub je c t. And yo u' ve a lwa ys k no wn mine . "

Re mind ing him tha t s he ha d n' t wa nte d to ma r r y him b e c a us e s he wa s in lo ve with s o me o ne e ls e wo r k e d to b r ing b a c k the a nge r he ' d d is p la ye d e a r lie r , a nd to ge t his mind o ff te lling he r a ny mo r e a b o ut ho w wo nd e r ful life wa s go ing to b e with him. S he c o uld ha ve to ld him a b o ut the b a b y no w a nd he c o uld s ta r t igno r ing he r b e fo r e the y we r e e ve n ma r r ie d . But s inc e tha t wo uld p r o b a b ly d e light him, s he d e c id e d to b e p e r ve r s e a nd k e e p the ne ws to he r s e lf. He might ha ve c o me a fte r he r , b ut o b vio us ly no thing ha d c ha nge d . S o why d id tha t "fo r a n he ir , yo u und e r s ta nd " ma k e he r fe e l lik e c r ying? "Yo u' ve s e e n Le ighto n? " he a s k e d tightly. "Ye s . " "I ' ll k ill the b a s ta r d if he to uc he d yo u, Ale x, " he fa ir ly gr o wle d . W ha t wa s this , je a lo us y b y d e fa ult? "Do n' t b o the r . He ne ve r wa nte d to ma r r y me . He wa s wa iting fo r me to ma r r y s o me o ne e ls e s o he c o uld the n b e c o me my lo ve r . He tho ught the s a me thing yo u d id , e xc e p t he k ne w I wa s a vir gin a nd he wa s jus t wa iting fo r me to c ha nge tha t fa c t. " "He ' s d e a d , " Va s ili s a id s imp ly. Ale xa nd r a s ighe d . "I ' m the o ne who wa s ins ulte d , P e tr o ff, no t yo u. J us t b e c a us e yo u' r e think ing o f me a s yo ur wife no w d o e s n' t me a n I wo n' t s till fight my o wn b a ttle s . " "He hur t yo u— " "N o , he d id n' t— whic h ma d e me r e a lize it wa s r a the r te p id , wha te ve r I fe lt fo r him. " Va s ili' s s mug s mile a t tho s e wo r d s wa s ir r ita ting in the e xtr e me , ma k ing he r c ha nge the s ub je c t a ga in. "W he r e , e xa c tly, a r e yo u ta k ing me ? " "To my s hip . I d id n' t lik e this c o nge s te d , o ve r c r o wd e d c ity the fir s t time I vis ite d it, a nd I s till d o n' t. W e ' ll b e le a ving imme d ia te ly. " "N o , we wo n' t. M y p e o p le "S ho uld b e a b o a r d b y no w, I ima gine , with s o me — fr ie nd ly— p e r s ua s io n. " "Yo u' r e p us hing it, P e tr o ff. " "Afte r a ll the tr o ub le yo u' ve p ut me to , s we e the a r t, I ' d s a y I ' m a llo we d . " 38 The r e tur n to C a r d inia s e e me d to ta k e no time a t a ll, b ut the n, Ale xa nd r a wa s s o s unk in he r unha p p ine s s tha t s he b a r e ly no tic e d the p a s s ing o f time . O n the s hip , s he s p e nt the e ntir e we e k ne a r a b uc k e t, fe e ling ha lf d e a d . S he s up p o s e d s he wa s fo r tuna te , tho ugh, c o ns id e r ing the s to r ie s s he ' d he a r d fr o m o the r p r e gna nt wo me n, tha t d ur ing the s e a vo ya ge wa s the o nly time s he wa s s ic k . O nc e s he wa s b a c k o n la nd , he r he a lth b lo o me d . I n fa c t, s he ' d ne ve r fe lt b e tte r — p hys ic a lly. S he d id n' t e ve n c a tc h the c o ld s a nd c o ughs tha t the r e s t o f he r c o mp a nio ns we r e s uffe r ing a s the y tr a ve le d thr o ugh the wo r s t p a r t o f winte r , p la gue d b y s no w o r fr e e zing wind s .

He r s p ir its p ic k e d up o nly whe n the y we r e ne a r ing C a r d inia a nd s he r e a lize d s he wo uld s o o n b e b a c k with he r ho r s e s . I t wa s the n tha t s he b e ga n to no tic e the unus ua l lo o k s s he wa s ge tting fr o m Va s ili, a s if he might b e r e gr e tting s o me thing. S he c o uld jus t ima gine wha t. Ho we ve r , he ha d to ld he r e a r lie r in the jo ur ne y tha t he wo uld give he r time to ge t us e d to the fa c t tha t the y we r e ge tting ma r r ie d . He s e e me d a b s o lute ly a d a ma nt a b o ut it no w. And to give he r tha t time to a d jus t, he ha d a p p a r e ntly d e c id e d tha t k e e p ing the ir c o nve r s a tio ns d o wn to a minimum wo uld he lp . Afte r a ll, it wa s a r a r e o c c a s io n whe n the y c o uld ta lk a nd no t ha ve the ir wo r d s p r o gr e s s into a he a te d e xc ha nge . O ne time in p a r tic ula r s ho uld ha ve b e e n the a r gume nt o f the c e ntur y, the fir s t time the y c a me to a n inn a nd e nd e d up d ining to ge the r . Ale xa nd r a ha d a lr e a d y d e c id e d the r e wa s no p o int in c o ntinuing he r r us tic r us e . I t ha d ne ve r wo r k e d o n Va s ili a nywa y. And no w tha t s he wa s r e s igne d to ma r r ying him— jus t fo r the b a b y' s s a k e — s he wa s d o ne with s c he me s to tr y to ge t o ut o f it. Va s ili ha d r a is e d his b r o ws d ub io us ly a t the d r e s s e s s he c o ntinue d to we a r s inc e le a ving Engla nd , tho ugh he d id n' t a s k a ga in if s he ha d he r b r itc he s o n b e ne a th the m. But the night the y s a t a t the s a me ta b le , a nd he o b s e r ve d he r no r ma l e a ting ha b its fo r the fir s t time , s he tho ught he wa s go ing to go into s ho c k . Ye t it d id n' t ta k e lo ng b e fo r e his e ye s ha d na r r o we d o n he r . "S o a ll tho s e ho r r id , d is gus ting ma nne r s we r e o nly fo r my b e ne fit? " he gue s s e d . S he d id n' t tr y to p r e va r ic a te , b ut a ns we r e d s imp ly, "O f c o ur s e . " "The s we a r ing? " "I ha d he lp — a nd imp r o vis e d . " "Yo ur s k ill with a whip wa s n' t fa k e d . " "K o nr a d ta ught me whe n we we r e c hild r e n. " "And the thr e a ts yo u ga ve my wo me n? " S he s hr ugge d . "S o r r y, b ut tho s e we r e ge nuine . I ne ve r ha ve b e e n a b le to s ha r e wha t' s mine . " He a c tua lly gr inne d a t tha t p o int b e fo r e te lling he r , "I ' ve d is c o ve r e d I wo n' t e ithe r , a t le a s t no t whe r e yo u' r e c o nc e r ne d . " S he d id n' t ta k e tha t d e c la r a tio n s e r io us ly. And s he figur e d he ha d r e a lize d tha t he c o uld n' t ge t a ngr y o ve r wha t s he ' d d o ne to fo o l him b e c a us e he ha d d o ne the ve r y s a me thing. Ta nya Ba r o ny ha d wa r ne d he r , b ut s he he r s e lf ha d b e e n tr e a te d to Va s ili' s tr ue c ha r a c te r o n the r e tur n tr ip fo r the p r o o f o f it. N o mo r e ta unting, d e r is ive r e ma r k s . N o mo r e c o nte mp tuo us lo o k s . And to o ma ny s e ns uo us s mile s fo r he r he a r t to ha nd le with a ny d e gr e e o f ind iffe r e nc e . He wa s ge tting to he r witho ut e ve n tr ying, a nd tha t fr ighte ne d he r . S he c o uld jus t ima gine ho w p a inful it wa s go ing to b e whe n he go t a r o und to igno r ing he r , a nd tha t wo uld ha p p e n a s s o o n a s he figur e d o ut tha t s he wa s a lr e a d y c a r r ying his d e s ir e d he ir , whic h wo uld n' t b e muc h lo nge r . I t a ls o hur t he r e ve n mo r e to d is c o ve r tha t he r e a lly wa s lik a b le whe n he wa s n' t d e lib e r a te ly tr ying to b e

o the r wis e , jus t a s Ta nya ha d c la ime d . I f s he c o uld o nly ha te him, s he c o uld ge t thr o ugh ma r r ia ge to him with e a s e . But tha t wa s n' t the c a s e , wa s s o fa r fr o m it tha t it wa s la ugha b le . And to o ma ny time s s he c a me c lo s e to s e tting a s id e he r - p r id e a nd b e gging fo r his a ffe c tio n— a t the ve r y le a s t, fo r his b o d y. I t wa s d e p lo r a b le ho w o fte n tho s e c a r na l fe e lings we r e a s s a iling he r the s e d a ys . And s he ho p e d tha t s he wo uld b e ma r r ie d b e fo r e he r c o nd itio n wa s d is c o ve r e d , b e c a us e s he wa s d e te r mine d to ha ve he r we d d ing night, whic h wa s p r o b a b ly go ing to b e the o nly night with him s he wo uld ge t. S he wo uld d e ma nd it, in fa c t, if ne c e s s a r y, b e c a us e Va s ili o we d he r tha t muc h a fte r intr o d uc ing he r to the p le a s ur e s o f the b o d y, the n le a ving he r ye a r ning fo r mo r e . I t wa s r a ining the d a y the y a r r ive d in the r o ya l c ity o f C a r d inia . Va s ili a nd La za r ha d c ho s e n to jo in he r in the c a r r ia ge whe n it s ta r te d . Va s ili ha d s up p lie d the ve hic le fo r he r thr e e we e k s a go , whe n he ' d s e e n he r le a ve the s hip in a d r e s s r a the r tha n he r b r itc he s . S he ha d b e e n b r o o d ing to o muc h a t the time e ve n to b e a wa r e tha t he r d r e s s wa s n' t s uita b le fo r r id ing. But s he ha d n' t o b je c te d to the c a r r ia ge , o r tha t, b e c a us e o f it, s he wa s n' t s up p lie d with a ho r s e to d o s o me r id ing. S he wa s n' t s ur e tha t s he s ho uld r id e a nymo r e , no w tha t s he wa s two a nd a ha lf mo nths into he r p r e gna nc y. Until a d o c to r c o uld a d vis e he r o n the ma tte r , s he p r e fe r r e d no t to ta k e a ny c ha nc e s , no ma tte r ho w muc h s he might mis s he r d a ily r id e s . Va s ili ha d wa ite d until the la s t minute , until the y' d a c tua lly e nte r e d the c ity, to te ll Ale xa nd r a s he wo uld b e s ta ying with his mo the r a ga in. The wa y he s a id it le d he r to b e lie ve he wa s e xp e c ting a n a r gume nt. S he d id n' t give him o ne , d e s p ite the fa c t tha t s he wa s d r e a d ing fa c ing the c o unte s s a ga in. S he s up p o s e d s he o we d the la d y a n a p o lo gy. S he wo uld ha ve s e e n to it whe n the y a r r ive d , a nd M a r ia me t the m no s o o ne r tha n the y ha d wa lk e d in the d o o r , e xc e p t Va s ili ha d s o me things to s a y to his mo the r tha t mo me nta r ily s ur p r is e d Ale xa nd r a . "S o yo u fo und he r , " M a r ia b e ga n. "I to ld yo u I wo uld , M o the r . And s inc e we will b e ma r r ie d to mo r r o w, Ale xa nd r a will b e s ta ying he r e o nly to night. But k ind ly d o me the fa vo r o f no t me ntio ning he r p r e vio us b e ha vio r to he r . I t wa s a ll a p r e te ns e a nywa y, s o yo u c a n s to p wo r r ying tha t— " "Ye s , ye s , I k no w a ll a b o ut tha t, " M a r ia c ut in, s ur p r is ing b o th him a nd Ale xa nd r a . "Ho w? " Va s ili a s k e d . "He r fa the r a r r ive d no t lo ng a fte r yo u le ft. He e xp la ine d tha t a ltho ugh s he is a tr ifle unc o nve ntio na l in c e r ta in a r e a s — he r ho r s e s , fo r o ne — s he is e ve r y b it the la d y we we r e e xp e c ting he r to b e . I wa s , o f c o ur s e , q uite s ho c k e d . S o wa s the b a r o n whe n I r e la te d — " "Le t' s no t d is c us s it, M o the r , if yo u d o n' t mind . Did he r e tur n to Rus s ia ? " "W ith his d a ughte r mis s ing? " s he r e p lie d , he r to ne imp lying he s ho uld k no w p a r e nts we r e n' t tha t c a va lie r . "He wa s go ing to go a fte r he r hims e lf, until I a s s ur e d him tha t yo u wo uld b r ing he r b a c k . O f c o ur s e , I o ffe r e d him my

ho s p ita lity. " "He ' s he r e ? " "Ye s , up s ta ir s , a nd yo u might a s we ll k no w, Va s ili, he c o nfe s s e d tha t the r e ne ve r wa s a . . . " Ale xa nd r a d id n' t he a r a ny mo r e . S he ' d s ta r te d b a c k ing up the mo me nt Va s ili' s mo the r ha d me ntio ne d he r fa the r , a nd s o o n s he wa s o ut the d o o r , he a d ing fo r the s ta b le . Ho w c o uld he r fa the r s ho w up he r e a fte r wha t he ' d d o ne to he r ? Ho w c o uld he p r e te nd to c a r e wha t— "Ale x, whe r e d o yo u think yo u' r e go ing? " Va s ili ha d ha lte d he r with a ge ntle ha nd o n he r a r m, b ut s he k e p t he r fa c e a ve r te d fr o m him until s he c o uld s wip e a t he r e ye s . S he d id n' t wa nt him to s e e the te a r s s he ' d b e e n una b le to ho ld b a c k . "I d o n' t k no w, " s he a d mitte d . "I jus t k no w I d o n' t wa nt to s e e my fa the r — e ve r a ga in. " W a s tha t r e lie f s he he a r d in his s igh? "The n yo u wo n' t ha ve to . I ' ll ta k e yo u to the q ue e n. S he ' ll k e e p yo u s e c lud e d until the we d d ing; the n a fte r wa r d , we ' ll r e tir e to o ne o f my c o untr y e s ta te s . But. . . might I a s k why yo u d o n' t wa nt to s e e him? " S he wa s to o up s e t to a p p r e c ia te ho w he lp ful he wa s b e ing, o r to c o ns id e r ho w he might ta k e he r a ns we r . "Be c a us e he c o uld ha ve e nd e d the b e tr o tha l b e fo r e we e ve n me t, b ut he d id n' t. The he ll we ' ve p ut e a c h o the r thr o ugh is his fa ult, a nd I ' m no t fo r giving him fo r tha t. " A fe w mo me nts p a s s e d b e fo r e he a s k e d , "Ale x, if he b r o k e the b e tr o tha l no w, wo uld yo ur wo r d s till s ta nd ? " "S inc e I p r o mis e d to ma r r y yo u unle s s yo u c r ie d o ff, I s up p o s e it wo uld . " "Eve n if the r e wa s no b e tr o tha l c o ntr a c t? " S he fr o wne d up a t him. "W ha t k ind o f q ue s tio n is tha t? " "A s illy o ne , I s up p o s e , b ut a c tua lly, it' s r e la te d to s o me thing I ' ve b e e n me a ning to d o . I wa nt to o ffic ia lly a s k yo u to ma r r y me . " The thr ill o f p le a s ur e s he e xp e r ie nc e d fe lt s tr a nge ne xt to he r p a in, a nd wa s no mo r e we lc o me . "Yo u k no w tha t is n' t ne c e s s a r y. " "Humo r me , Ale x, p le a s e . W ill yo u ma r r y me ? " "Ye s . " "W ill yo u give me yo ur wo r d ? " "Yo u' r e p us hing it, P e tr o ff— " "P le a s e . " "All r ight, yo u ha ve it, tho ugh it' s the la s t time I ' m p r o mis ing a nyo ne — " He wa s k is s ing he r b e fo r e s he ' d finis he d , a nd Ale xa nd r a fo r go t wha t s he ' d go tte n huffy a b o ut. W he n he le t he r go , s he wa s b r e a thle s s a nd no t a little c o nfus e d . "W ha t wa s tha t fo r ? "

He gr inne d a t he r . ' To tha nk yo u, b e c a us e I wa s p us hing it. " He r e ye s na r r o we d . "N e xt time , jus t s a y the wo r d s , P e tr o ff. " 39 Va s ili wa s wa iting in the a nte c ha mb e r o f the p a la c e c ha p e l fo r his b r id e to a r r ive , his fr ie nd s k e e p ing him c o mp a ny a nd r ib b ing him b e c a us e he wa s the r e s o e a r ly. He d id n' t s a y s o , b ut he wo uld ha ve ha d the we d d ing ye s te r d a y if he d id n' t think Ale xa nd r a wo uld q ue s tio n s uc h ha s te . But it s till c o uld n' t ha p p e n s o o n e no ugh fo r him, a nd he wa s n' t go ing to s to p wo r r ying until it wa s o ve r . He ha d ma na ge d to a vo id Ale xa nd r a ' s fa the r thus fa r . W ith a ny luc k . . . I ns te a d o f Ta nya e nte r ing to s a y Ale xa nd r a wa s o n he r wa y, C o ns ta ntin Rub lio v a p p e a r e d in the d o o r wa y, his e xp r e s s io n thund e r o us , his vo ic e ne a r ly a s thund e r o us . "W he r e ha ve yo u hid d e n my d a ughte r ? " Va s ili s ighe d . Luc k jus t ha d n' t b e e n o n his s id e , e ve r s inc e he ' d me t the ma n' s d a ughte r . But he wa s d e te r mine d to c ha nge tha t. He gla nc e d a t S te fa n p o inte d ly. "W o uld yo u mind le a ving us a lo ne ? " S te fa n lo o k e d fr o m the a ngr y fa the r , who s e id e ntity wa s p r e tty o b vio us , b a c k to Va s ili, a nd he r a is e d a b la c k b r o w. "M us t I ? " "Da mmit, S te fa n— " His c o us in c huc k le d , a nd with o ne a r m a r o und a c ur io us La za r a nd the o the r a r o und a p uzzle d S e r ge , s te e r e d the m o ut o f the r o o m. Alo ne with C o ns ta ntin, who wa s no w flus hing with e mb a r r a s s me nt b e c a us e he ha d b lus te r e d in fr o nt o f the K ing o f C a r d inia witho ut r e a lizing it, Va s ili s a id , "Ale x s p e nt the night with the q ue e n' s la d ie s . W e ' r e a b o ut to b e ma r r ie d . " "W a s n' t s he to ld I wa s he r e ? " "Ye s , " Va s ili s a id , the n a d d e d r e luc ta ntly, "But I ' m a fr a id s he d o e s n' t wa nt to s e e yo u, s ir . " C o ns ta ntin' s e mb a r r a s s me nt wa s a b r up tly fo r go tte n. "N o ns e ns e . M y d a ughte r a nd I ha p p e n to b e ve r y c lo s e . S he — " Va s ili c ut in. "P e r ha p s tha f s why s he wa s s o hur t b y wha t yo u d id . " C o ns ta ntin' s fur io us e xp r e s s io n c r umb le d . "The n s he k no ws the r e wa s ne ve r a ny b e tr o tha l? " "N o , s he d o e s n' t. S he ha d a lr e a d y le ft whe n my mo the r to ld me a b o ut yo ur c o nfe s s io n. And I c ho s e no t to me ntio n it to he r . But the b e tr o tha l is no lo nge r a n is s ue . I ' ve a s k e d he r to ma r r y me , a nd s he ' s a c c e p te d . " "The n s he ' s ha p p y with yo u no w? " "S he will b e . " This wa s s a id with s uc h d e te r mina tio n C o ns ta ntin c o uld n' t he lp b ut b e lie ve him. But he ha d mis und e r s to o d . "Tha nk Go d , " he s a id . "Afte r he a r ing wha t yo ur mo the r ha d to s a y a b o ut he r

b e ha vio r , I wa s a fr a id Ale x wa s ne ve r go ing to a c c e p t yo u, a nd tha t wa s why s he fina lly le ft. But if s he no w wa nts to ma r r y yo u— " "I s a id s he will b e ha p p y, Ba r o n. At the mo me nt, s he ' s s till b r o o d ing o ve r find ing o ut tha t he r s we e the a r t, Le ighto n, wa s a wo r thle s s b a s ta r d who ne ve r inte nd e d to ma r r y he r . I ' ve a llo we d he r time to ge t o ve r him, b ut o nc e we ' r e ma r r ie d , s he ' ll d a mn we ll fo r ge t him, I p r o mis e yo u tha t. " C o ns ta ntin wa s fr o wning b y the n. "Ar e yo u s a ying s he is me r e ly r e s igne d to ma r r ying yo u? Afte r a ll the time yo u' ve ha d with he r ? " "I ' m a fr a id s he a nd I d id n' t ge t o ff to a go o d s ta r t, " Va s ili a d mitte d . "S he d id n' t wa nt to ma r r y me ; I d id n' t wa nt to ma r r y he r . But a fte r I c ha nge d my mind — I ' ve s p e nt my life s e d uc ing wo me n, Ba r o n. I c o uld n' t b r ing mys e lf to s e d uc e the o ne I ' m go ing to ma r r y. But a fte r we ' r e ma r r ie d , I wo n' t b e s o c o n s tr a ine d . " "I f s he d o e s n' t k no w tha t the r e wa s ne ve r a ny r e a l b e tr o tha l, why d o e s n' t s he wa nt to s e e me ? " "Ap p a r e ntly s he ha s n' t fo r give n yo u fo r thr o wing us to ge the r . I , o n the o the r ha nd , c o uld n' t b e mo r e gr a te ful— a t le a s t no w. Yo u to o k a lo t up o n yo ur s e lf, Ba r o n. I f I d id n' t fe e l the wa y I d o a b o ut Ale xa nd r a , I wo uld — " Va s ili d id n' t ge t to finis h. Ta nya ha d a p p e a r e d , a nd s a id , "S he ' s c o ming— o h, I b e g yo ur p a r d o n. " "Tha t' s q uite a ll r ight, Ta nya . This is Ale xa nd r a ' s fa the r . " The q ue e n no d d e d , b ut a s k e d , "And S te fa n? " "I n the c ha p e l, " Va s ili s a id . "S ho uld n' t yo u b e wa iting a t the a lta r yo ur s e lf? " "I n a mo me nt. " W ith a no the r no d , s he le ft thr o ugh the d o o r to the c ha p e l. Va s ili wa s no w in the unc o mfo r ta b le p o s itio n o f ha ving to a s k his futur e fa the r - in- la w to le a ve . He d id n' t wa nt Ale xa nd r a up s e t a ga in, if s he s ho uld s e e him. But o nc e a ga in, his luc k wa s n' t wo r k ing. S he wa s s ud d e nly the r e , lo o k ing s o s tunningly b e a utiful in the ivo r y s ilk we d d ing go wn a d o r ne d with white Be lgia n la c e a nd tiny s e e d p e a r ls tha t he ' d o r d e r e d ma d e fo r he r , s he to o k his b r e a th a wa y. S he ha d no s uc h d iffic ulty. N o tic ing he r fa the r , s he tur ne d a r o und a nd le ft b e fo r e he ha d s e e n he r . "Ale x! " Va s ili c a lle d o ut a nd s ta r te d a fte r he r . But C o ns ta ntin wa s a he a d o f him. And s inc e the d a ma ge wa s a lr e a d y d o ne , Va s ili wa ite d , a llo wing the b a r o n the o p p o r tunity to a t le a s t tr y to ma k e things r ight with his d a ughte r , a nd wis hing him s uc c e s s . Ale xa nd r a wa s n' t go ing to s to p . Tho s e d a mn te a r s we r e thr e a te ning a ga in, b ut s he a b s o lute ly r e fus e d to le t the m fa ll this time . S he wa s n' t go ing to ta lk to he r fa the r , wa s n' t go ing to . . . C o ns ta ntin c a ught up with he r b e fo r e s he go t ha lfwa y d o wn the c o r r id o r . He tr ie d to ta k e he r in his a r ms , b ut s he d r e w he r s b a c k a nd up a s if to s a y, "Do n' t to uc h me , " a nd in fa c t, s he s a id , "Do n' t! " And the n, with a gla r e , s he

fume d , "I c a n' t ima gine why yo u' ve c o me he r e . Yo u c e r ta inly d o n' t c a r e e no ugh —" "M y Go d , yo u k no w tha t is n' t tr ue , Ale x. " His s tr ic k e n lo o k wa s c ho k ing he r , b ut s he wa s n' t go ing to b e s wa ye d . "Tha t I a m he r e s ho ws ho w muc h yo u c a r e d . I d o n' t think I ' ve e ve r b e e n mo r e unha p p y, a nd I ha ve yo u to tha nk fo r it. " "I d o n' t und e r s ta nd . Yo u a nd Va s ili we r e e xtr e me ly we ll s uite d . Yo u we r e gr e a tly a ttr a c te d to him. W hy d id n' t yo u give it a c ha nc e ? " "Be c a us e I wa s in lo ve with s o me o ne e ls e — o r tho ught I wa s . Yo u, o f c o ur s e , will b e d e lighte d to k no w wha t a mis ta k e tha t wa s , jus t a s yo u a lwa ys ma inta ine d , " s he s a id " b itte r ly. "But e ve n if tha t we r e n' t s o , it wo uld ha ve ma d e no d iffe r e nc e b e twe e n Va s ili a nd me , s inc e he wa s a ga ins t the ma r r ia ge fr o m the s ta r t. The o nly r e a s o n he ' s r e ve r s e d his o p inio n is b e c a us e he figur e s he ha s to ma r r y s o me d a y a nywa y, a nd he d o e s n' t wa nt to ha ve to b o the r c o ur ting s o me o the r wo ma n— no t tha t he e ve r b o the r e d to c o ur t me . " "Tha t is n' t the imp r e s s io n— I d o n' t think tha f s why he ' s ma r r ying yo u, Ale x. But wha t is mo r e imp o r ta nt he r e is , ho w d o yo u fe e l a b o ut him no w? " "W ha t d iffe r e nc e c a n my fe e lings ma k e whe n he d o e s n' t lo ve me ? " "The n yo u d o n' t ha ve to ma r r y him, " C o n- s ta ntin s a id . "I ' ll ta lk to him— " "Do n' t b o the r . His o wn mo the r to ld him he c o uld n' t ma r r y me , b ut he wo uld n' t lis te n. He ' s c o mp le te ly r e ve r s e d his s ta nd . And b e s id e s , it' s to o la te fo r yo u to b r e a k the b e tr o tha l, a s yo u s ho uld ha ve d o ne . I ga ve him my wo r d I ' d ma r r y him, s o the b e tr o tha l no lo nge r ha s a nything to d o with it. And I will ma r r y him— jus t a s s o o n a s yo u le a ve . " "Ale x! " "I ' m s o r r y, b ut I c a n' t fo r give yo u fo r d o ing this to me . And — a nd I ha ve no thing mo r e to s a y to yo u. " S he tur ne d he r b a c k o n him a nd c lo s e d he r e ye s a ga ins t the p a in we lling up ins id e he r . F o r a lo ng mo me nt the r e wa s s ile nc e , the n his fo o ts te p s r e c e d ing, a nd tha t wa s whe n the te a r s s ta r te d s tr e a ming d o wn he r c he e k s . The lump in he r thr o a t fe lt a s if it we r e go ing to b ur s t, it wa s s o huge . O h, Go d , it wa s k illing he r ! Va s ili wa s s ud d e nly the r e , his a r ms ga the r ing he r a ga ins t his c he s t, his vo ic e a t he r e a r , te lling he r , "I p r o mis e yo u, Ale x, I s we a r it, yo u will b e ha p p y with me . And yo u' r e go ing to wa nt to tha nk yo ur fa the r o ne d a y fo r b r inging us to ge the r , s o fo r give him no w. Te ll him yo u fo r give him. Yo u wo n' t r e gr e t it. " S he wa s c r ying lo ud ly b y the n, a nd le a ning b a c k , s he c o uld b a r e ly s e e Va s ili thr o ugh the te a r s , b ut wha t s he s a w wa s s uc h c o nc e r n a nd c a r ing a nd s inc e r ity a nd . . . o h, Go d , wha t ha d s he d o ne ? S he wr e nc he d he r s e lf a wa y fr o m him to r un d o wn the c o r r id o r , s ho uting fo r he r fa the r to wa it— he ha d ne a r ly r e a c he d the e nd . And whe n he fina lly he a r d he r a nd tur ne d , s he s a w tha t he ' d b e e n c r ying, to o , a nd it to r e a s o und o f a nguis h fr o m he r a s s he c lo s e d the d is ta nc e a nd thr e w he r s e lf into his o p e n a r ms .

"I ' m s o r r y, P a p a , I d id n' t me a n it— I d id n' t me a n a ny o f it! " s he wa ile d . "I k no w, I k no w. Hus h, Ale x, it' s a ll r ight- " "I t' s no t. I wa nte d to hur t yo u b e c a us e I hur t, b ut it' s no t yo ur fa ult tha t he d o e s n' t lo ve me . " "I think he d o e s , Ale x, " C o ns ta ntin mur mur e d a s he wip e d the te a r s fr o m he r c he e k s . "He d o e s n' t— b ut he will, " s he s a id fie r c e ly. "I ' ve b e e n fe e ling s o r r y fo r mys e lf whe n I s ho uld ha ve b e e n fighting fo r wha t I wa nt. " C o ns ta ntin c o uld n' t he lp it; he la ughe d a t tha t p o int. "Tha f s my gir l. " And a ll the p a in d r a ine d o ut o f Ale xa nd r a , he a r ing it. S he gla nc e d b a c k to s e e Va s ili s ta nd ing whe r e s he ' d le ft him, he r go ld e n Ad o nis , mo r e ha nd s o me tha n wo r d s c o uld d e s c r ib e — a nd he ' d jus t p r o mis e d to ma k e he r ha p p y. He r s mile wa s ne a r ly b lind ing whe n s he lo o k e d b a c k a t he r fa the r . "W ill yo u give me a wa y, P a p a ? " "The n yo u d o lo ve him? " "O h, ye s , mo r e tha n I c a n s a y. " And with a gr in: "C e r ta inly mo r e tha n he d e s e r ve s . " "The n le t' s no t ho ld up this we d d ing a ny lo nge r . " 40 S o ft c a nd le light, s ilk s he e ts , a n e xtr e me ly thic k fur r ug b e fo r e the fir e p la c e . The mo r e Ale xa nd r a o b s e r ve d the s e d uc tive a tmo s p he r e o f Va s ili' s b e d r o o m, the mo r e a nno ye d s he b e c a me a s s he wa ite d fo r him to jo in he r . N e r vo us ne s s , p o s s ib ly, a lr e a d y ha d he r o n e d ge . S he ' d to ld he r fa the r e a r lie r to d a y tha t s he wa s go ing to ma k e Va s ili lo ve he r ; ho we ve r , s he d id n' t e xp e c t mir a c le s o ve r night. But a t le a s t s he d id n' t fe e l ho p e le s s a b o ut it a nymo r e . Ta lk ing with he r fa the r ha d r e s to r e d he r c o nfid e nc e , a nd a ls o ma d e he r r e a lize ho w c o mp le te ly it ha d d e s e r te d he r fo r a while . S he wo nd e r e d no w if he r p r e gna nc y wa s n' t r e s p o ns ib le fo r s o me o f he r mo o d ine s s . S he tur ne d a wa y fr o m s ta r ing a t the fir e a nd fo und tha t Va s ili ha d c o me s ile ntly into the r o o m. He wa s le a ning a ga ins t the fo o t o f the b e d , his a r ms c r o s s e d o ve r a ma r o o n r o b e , s ta r ing a t he r . As us ua l, his ha nd s o me ne s s ma d e he r s igh, the le a n line s o f his fa c e s o p e r fe c t, his go ld e n ha ir in d is a r r a y, the ha r d p la ne s o f his b o d y in e vid e nc e . J us t ho w wa s s he go ing to ma k e this b e a utiful ma n lo ve he r ? "W ha t d id yo u d o with a ll tho s e mis tr e s s e s yo u ha d s p r e a d a r o und this c ity? " He lifte d a b r o w c ur io us ly. "Ar e we a b o ut to ha ve a fight, s we e the a r t? " "I f s q uite p o s s ib le . " "C a n' t yo u think o f s o me thing mo r e . . . inte r e s ting to d o , s inc e this ha p p e ns

to b e o ur we d d ing night? " "I f yo u me a n ma k ing lo ve , P e tr o ff, b e lie ve me , we ' ll ge t to tha t. " He b ur s t o ut la ughing. "I n tha t c a s e , yo u might a s we ll k no w tha t I vis ite d e a c h a nd e ve r y o ne o f the m while yo u we r e e nd e a vo r ing no t to b e c o me a la d y und e r my mo the r ' s tute la ge . And ima gine my a ma ze me nt whe n no t o ne o f the m wa s a b le to te mp t me into he r b e d . The r e wa s no thing le ft fo r me to d o b ut p a y the m o ff. " "I ' m s up p o s e d to b e lie ve tha t? " His e xp r e s s io n tur ne d s e ns ua lly s e r io us . "Yo u' d b e tte r , s we e the a r t, s inc e the la s t wo ma n I ma d e lo ve to wa s yo u, a nd c o ns id e r ing ho w lo ng a go tha t wa s , I ' m r a the r r a ve no us . " He r b lus h wa s ins ta nta ne o us a nd a ll the mo r e a p p a r e nt b e ne a th he r white ne glige e . And s he r e me mb e r e d think ing tha t s he wa s go ing to d e ma nd he r r ights to night. S he d id n' t fe e l lik e d e ma nd ing no w, b ut the s tir r ings his c o nfe s s io n c a us e d ins is te d tha t s he a s k . "Do yo u— d o yo u think we c o uld — ? " "Go d , ye s , " he s a id ho a r s e ly a s he a nd ga the r e d he r in his a r ms . But he d id , a nd his e ye s we r e a s o ft go ld e n is s o me thing I p r o b a b ly s ho uld ha ve

to o k the fe w s te p s tha t s e p a r a te d the m d id n' t k is s he r imme d ia te ly a s he us ua lly glo w a s the y s e a r c he d he r s . "Ale x, the r e to ld — "

"This is n' t the time fo r ta lk ing, P e tr o ff, " s he s a id a s s he p ut he r a r ms a r o und his ne c k a nd d r e w his mo uth d o wn to he r s . His gr o a n thr ille d he r . His a r ms c r us he d he r . And his mo uth, his d ivine ly e r o tic mo uth, mo ve d o ve r he r s in he a te d p la y, his to ngue d e lving, hid ing, fo r c ing he r s to s e e k , a nd s he d id . O h, ye s , s he d id . By the time his k is s e s ha d mo ve d d o wn he r ne c k o n a p a th to he r b r e a s ts , he r d e s ir e wa s a lr e a d y s o ho t s he c o uld ha ve d r a gge d him to the b e d . F o r a ll his b e ing r a ve no us , he wa s s ho wing r e ma r k a b le r e s tr a int. Ale xa nd r a jus t d id n' t k no w wha t it c o s t him. But he wa s d e te r mine d to give he r a night s he wo uld ne ve r fo r ge t. And s he wa s d e te r mine d to ge t him ins id e he r b e fo r e s he e xp lo d e d . The y e nd e d up c o mp r o mis ing, b e c a us e he wa s und o ne b y he r s a ying, "M a k e lo ve to me no w. " He r go wn wa s d ive s te d b e fo r e he c a r r ie d he r to the b e d , a nd with he r ha nd s ur ging him, ur ge ntly guid ing him, s he ha d he r fir s t c lima x in mo me nts , with Va s ili fo llo wing he r to tha t c o ve te d p inna c le s o s wiftly, it le ft the m b o th b r e a thle s s a nd c linging. And the n he ha d his wa y, a nd s he fo und o ut wha t b e ing la vis he d with k is s e s o n e ve r y p a r t o f he r b o d y wa s lik e — unb e lie va b ly nic e . His ha nd s we r e s o ge ntle , a lmo s t lo ving in his c a r e s s e s . And he r b r e a s ts , Go d , the y we r e e ve n mo r e s e ns itive b e c a us e o f he r p r e gna nc y, a nd he r e a lly d id a d o r e the m, fa ir ly wo r s hip e d the m with his ha nd s a nd mo uth, until s he tho ught s he wo uld s c r e a m with p le a s ur e . S he c a me a ga in with his finge r s ins id e he r , b e c a us e s he wa s a r o us e d s o

q uic k ly b y him, a nd c lima xe d s o e a s ily to his to uc h. And whe n he fina lly e nte r e d he r a ga in, it wa s s o ve r y d iffe r e nt, s o ve r y te nd e r a nd s lo w, a nd a ll the mo r e glo r io us whe n the y r e a c he d the e c s ta s y to ge the r . He wa s inc r e d ib le , a nd s he p itie d a ll tho s e wo me n who wo uld ha ve to d o witho ut him no w. S he wa s n' t go ing to s ha r e this ma n, no t e ve n a little . And a s the y la y the r e to ge the r , he r he a d o n his s ho uld e r , his ha nd s till s o ftly c a r e s s ing he r a r m s lung a c r o s s his c he s t, s he wa nte d to tha nk him fo r to night; a nd fo r he r , tha t me a nt giving fr o m the he a r t wha t wo uld p le a s e him the mo s t a nd me a n the mo s t to he r , a nd s he k ne w o f o nly o ne thing tha t wo uld . S o ftly, s he s a id , "I ' m giving yo u P r inc e M is c ha fo r a we d d ing gift. " And the n, b e c a us e te a r s we r e a lr e a d y ga the r ing in he r e ye s , s he a d d e d , "But if yo u e ve r hur t him, I ' ll ta k e my whip to yo u. " He s a w the te a r s b e fo r e s he tur ne d he r fa c e into his s ho uld e r . "Ale x, yo u d o n' t ha ve to d o this . " "I wa nt to . " He hugge d he r fie r c e ly. "Tha nk yo u, " he s a id humb ly. "I ' ll c a r e fo r him a s if he we r e my o wn b a b y. " He r e a lize d s he mus t ha ve he a r d him ta lk ing to S te fa n tha t time in the s ta b le . But he a ls o r e a lize d s o me thing e ls e tha t fille d him with jo y. The r e c o uld b e o nly o ne r e a s o n tha t s he wo uld give up o ne o f he r b e lo ve d ho r s e s . "W hy d id n' t yo u te ll me , Ale x? " he a s k e d ge ntly. "W ha t? " "Tha t yo u lo ve me . " He r he a d r e a r e d up s o s he c o uld s c o wl a t him. "W ha te ve r ga ve yo u tha t— " "Ad mit it, yo u lo ve me . " "I ' d b e a fo o l to — " "Yo u lo ve me ! S a y it! " "W hy? S o yo u c a n glo a t? S o yo u c a n— " "S o I c a n te ll yo u I lo ve yo u, to o . I lo ve d yo u b e fo r e yo u s ho we d yo ur tr ue c o lo r s , s we e the a r t. W hy d o yo u think I c a me a fte r yo u? " "I r e c a ll wha t yo u s a id a t the time , a nd it ha d no thing to d o with lo ve . " "W o uld yo u ha ve b e lie ve d me the n? I d id n' t think s o , b ut yo u ha ve to b e lie ve me no w, Ale x. " S he wa s s ud d e nly s miling a t him, a nd he ' d ne ve r b e e n s o d a zzle d in his life . "I d o , " s he s a id , a nd le a ne d o ve r to give him a s we e t I - lo ve - yo u k ind o f k is s , the n r uine d it b y a d d ing, "I t' s luc k y fo r yo u I to ld my fa the r I wa s go ing to ma k e yo u lo ve me . " "W hy? " "Be c a us e I p r e fe r q uic k s uc c e s s e s — o the r wis e it wo uld ha ve ta k e n yo u a ll night to c o nvinc e me . " He wa s n' t s ur e if s he wa s s e r io us o r no t, s o he gr unte d a nd s a id , "As lo ng a s

we ' r e ha ving the s e c o nfe s s io ns , whe n we r e yo u go ing to ge t a r o und to te lling me a b o ut the b a b y? " S he ga s p e d . "Da mmit, Va s ili, yo u we r e n' t s up p o s e d to gue s s this s o o n! " He la ughe d a t tha t. "I s ho uld ha ve k no wn the fir s t time yo u e ve r us e d my give n na me , it wo uld b e in a c o mp la int. " S he igno r e d tha t to d e ma nd , "W he n d id yo u gue s s ? " "To night. " He wa s s miling with p le a s ur e o ve r he r c o nfir ma tio n. "C o ns id e r ing ho w muc h I a d o r e yo ur b r e a s ts , Ale x, d id yo u think I wo uld n' t no tic e the s light c ha nge in the m? " The r e wa s tha t b lus h a ga in. "Do n' t think yo u' r e go ing to igno r e me jus t b e c a us e yo u' ve go t yo ur he ir o n the wa y. " He winc e d . "Yo u wo uld ha ve to r e me mb e r I s a id tha t. " "I r e me mb e r e ve r ything yo u' ve e ve r — " "Yo u c a n' t ho ld me a c c o unta b le fo r wha te ve r I s a id the n, b e c a us e I wa s in a s ta te o f p a nic . I r e a lly d id n' t think ma r r ia ge wo uld a gr e e with me . " "And no w? " "And no w I d o n' t think I c a n d o witho ut it— o r yo u. I gno r e yo u, s we e the a r t? I think it wo uld b e e a s ie r to s to p b r e a thing. " S he s mile d a nd hugge d him, the n go t the s ud d e n ur ge to find o ut wha t te a s ing him wo uld b e lik e . ' "Yo u k no w, I le ft a fia nc e b a c k in Engla nd . " "Yo u d id wha t? " "A r a the r c hub b y vis c o unt who wa s willing to ma r r y me , b a b y a nd a ll, jus t to ge t his ha nd s o n my ho r s e s . Ar e yo u s ur e tha fs no t why yo u ma r r ie d me ? " "W hy e ls e ? " he r e to r te d . "And ho w d a r e yo u e ve n think a b o ut giving my s o n to a no the r ma n? " "Yo ur d a ughte r ne e d e d a fa the r . " "M y s o n a lr e a d y ha d o ne . " "But yo u we r e ta k ing yo ur s we e t time find ing me . " "And yo u we r e s ta ying in o ut- o f- the - wa y p la c e s s o I ' d k e e p lo s ing yo ur d a mn tr a il. " S he hid he r fa c e in his s ho uld e r a ga in b e fo r e s a ying, "I s tha t wha t I wa s d o ing? " He lo o k e d d o wn a t he r s us p ic io us ly. "Ar e yo u la ughing, Ale xa nd r a ? " S he c o uld n' t c o nc e a l it a ny lo nge r . "I t fe e ls s o go o d , fighting with yo u a ga in. " "Yo u little witc h. " He gr inne d . "Re mind me no t to b e s o gullib le in the futur e . " "O h, no , I lik e yo u gullib le . And I lik e tha t little s tr e a k o f je a lo us y yo u ha ve . And I lo ve yo u fla t o n yo ur b a c k , na k e d , whe r e I c a n— " "J e s us , Ale x, tha t' s go ing to ge t yo u fla t o n yo ur b a c k a ga in. " "S o wha t a r e yo u wa iting fo r ? "

"Ho w a b o ut a p r e tty p le a s e ? " "Yo u' r e p us hing it, P e tr o ff. " "N o , " he s a id a s he c a me o ve r he r , e nte r e d he r , the n gr inne d d o wn a t he r . "But no w I a m. " He r la ughte r jo ine d his b e fo r e the ir b o d ie s o nc e a ga in r e jo ic e d in find ing e a c h o the r — d ue to a b e tr o tha l tha t ne ve r wa s .