CHAPTER XII.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 377, 15 June 1889, Page 3

CHAPTER XII.

IYAX AND aOUX MEET AS FIUENDS. Wat s intention was to go to the Countess Almazoff, and, obtaining an in fcorview, force her by some means to say the word that would save Vera. He fully comprehended the extravagance of his design, bub was nob therefore deterred from trying it. It was a desperate case and required a desperate remedy. When he reached the house he was somewhat chagrined to iircl that the countess was just, on the point of leaving tor some entertainment, as was evinced by her elaborate toilet. The more he knew of the beautiful fiend, the better able he would be to cope with her when the time came ; so, though he could see no immediate advantage in doing so, he followed her carriage until it stopped in front of a brilliantly lighted palace. Evidently a grand ball was in progress. He inquired who lived there, and dis covered that the Russian Ambassador did. Wat watched the crowds pouring in, and then came to a sudden determination. Ke would be a guest of the ambassador's, too. He knew Paris ad he did New York, and so he knew where to go for the materials to convert himself into a young French swell. A half - hour after the countess had entered the giand balon, attracting every eye by her wondertul beauty, and tilling many a hearfc vtith longing by the report of her wealth, Wat modestly slipped in, and, like a modest diplomatic secretary, took his place in the background. The countess was surrounded by a swarm of buz/ing admirer* at once, and, when Wat caught sight of her, was playing uhe society queen to perfection. A wori to thita one, a nod to that, a smile here and a wave of her fan there, listening to none, but keeping them all on good terms with themselves. She seemed to be living only for the enjoyment of the moment; but Wat's eye, fharpoDed by a special interest, saw that she was constantly on the alerb for the coming of some one. Whoever interested her interested \Vab ; so he began at once to take a new and more critical survey of the company. The fresh arrivals particularly claimed his aotention, because they attracted hers. She watched the door, and he watched the door. Presently her face lighted up, and, ceasing to watch the door, she became more than ever gracious to the gentlemen hoverins about her. Wat's eye 3, flitting from her face to the door, saw two gentlemen enter. ' Chernigoff,' muttered Wat, c and Ivan Horwitz, or I am sadly mistaken.' Handsome as a god, Sofia had said of Ivan ; and he certainly was a magnificent specimen of manhood. Many a lovely woman cast a kindly, admiring erlance after him, as he followed the count to where the host and hostess were receiving their guosbs. Sofia alone, though her bosom heaved and her cheek flushed, would nob look up as the murmur of- admiration swept through the room. - . The introductions over, Chernigoff presented Ivan to one after another of the ladies always, as Wat noticed, taking him nearer and nearer to where the countess sat. < She knew he was coming without looking | up, and Wat could see her every once in a while draw a long breath as if preparing for an ordeal which she ab once dreaded and longed for. ! ' She has not met him before, since his i arrival in this city,' thought Wat. ' Now to see how he will treat her.' Chernigoff now said something to Ivan j in a low tone, which caused the latter to look up with a pleased, expectant smile. His eye scanned the crowded salon for a moment, and then fell on Sofia Ab once he took his companion by the arm and led him straight to the countess. Oh, what a war of emotions went on at> that moment in the breast of the waiting woman ! Her colour came and went, her white bosom rose and fell tumultuously, and her eyes, sapphire blue with excitement, were fastened on the fan now lying motionless in her lap. Wat could nob remain in the same room and nob listen to the conversation that was to follow this singular meeting. Ho moved quicjely to the side of the room where Sofia safe, and turning his back to her, pretended to be absorbed in the contemplation of a beautiful painting. By degrees he shifted his position until he was where he could both see her and hear what she was saying hi answer to the words addressed her by her satellites. Bub now Ivan was before her, and the circle opened at once to admit one who was evidently an old friend. Thon Sofia looked up, and into the face of the man she so madly worshipped. Her face was pale, and in her eyes love, terror, and pleading fought for the masterj. 'Ah, I have found you ab last then. Sofia.' Ivan's manner was gay, and his voice one of friendly chiding. The countess essayed to answer, bufc ib seemed as if her tongue refused its office.

She could only look at Ivan, while the rich, warm colour returned in a flood of joy to her cheek. ' What,' he said, in a low tone, ' am I not forgiven ? Chernigoff had assured me .that you ' 'He told you true, Ivan,' faltered she, 'but this is so unexpected. I— l did not know until you came into the room that you would be hero to-night, and — and ' ' You could not help thinking at the moment of the wrong 1 1 had done you. But you do forgive me, is it not so V' 1 Oh, freely. IL was all a mistake. Do not let us speak of it again.' Wat, who afc this time was the nearest person to them, could hear this dialogue only by listening most intently. ' What could it mean V ho asked himsolf. A reconciliation had certainly been made up through the Count ChernigoflF. But how much of ib was based on a deception of Ivan ? Then the question presented itself : how could Ivan be deceived by Sofia it he had f evor really known her a3 Verahad declared? It could not be denied that the trembling, timid woman, who could scarcely find voice , to speak to Ivan, was the exact opposite of the fury who had gone to taunt her rival, and who even at' that moment was aware that by her act that innocent rival w&s about to suffer the most shameful and cruel punishment the ingenuity of man had ever devised . And yet, according to Vora, the man who greeted Sofia so gayly had assured her that the same Sofia was a wild boast. This was a riddlo Wat would eet himself to solve. In the meantime he listened. 1 \ r ou will remain in Pat is for some timo ?' a&ked Ivan. ' A long timo I think. I have closed my St. Petersburg house and fcaken one here on a year's lease, so j-ou sco my intentions are to stay.' 'I am glad of that., Chernigoff will toll mo where to find you, and I will see you in your own house, where we may talk freely. May I not come ?' ' As if to your own house. 5 ' Then I will make way for the butterflies and see you to-morrow.' ' Good-night, and don't forget to come.' 'Not I. Good-night.'