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Page 21
CHAPTER V
No one could have been more surprised than the Reverend Eustace
Medlicott at the behavior of his betrothed. Far from showing any
contrition for her unseemly absence upon the arm of a perfect
stranger, and a foreigner to boot, Stella had returned to the fold
of her relations' group with a demure and radiant face, and when
Eustace had ventured some querulous reproaches, she had cut him
short by saying she had done as she wished and did not intend to
listen to any remarks about it.
"You will have to learn more humbleness of mind, my dear child,"
he retorted sternly. "I cannot allow you to reply to your future
husband in this independent tone."
"I shall just answer as I please," said Stella, and felt almost
inclined to laugh, he looked so cross and amazed. Then she turned
and talked to the cousin, Mr. Deanwood, and took no further
notice of him.
Mr. Medlicott burned with annoyance. Stella would really have to
be careful or he would not go on with the match--he had no
intention of taking to wife a woman who would defy him--there was
Nancy Ruggles ready to be his slave--and others besides her. And
his career could be just as well assisted by the Bishop's daughter
as by Canon Ebley's niece, even though her uncle was a crotchety
and unknown Lord, patron of two fat livings. But Stella, with a
rebellious little curl loosened on her snowy neck and a rebellious
pout upon her cherry lips, was so very alluring a creature to call
one's own, the desire of the flesh, which he called by any other
name, fought hard with his insulted spirit, though to give in
would be too ignominious; she must say she was sorry first, and
then he could find it in his heart to forgive her. But the
opportunity to show this magnanimity was not vouchsafed to him by
fate--for other people were introduced to the party by Mr.
Deanwood, and he did not exchange a word alone with his erring
fiancee until she said a cold good-night in the hall of the Grand
Hotel.
"Stella, remain for a moment, I wish to speak to you," he said in
the voice in which he was accustomed to read the burial service.
But she feigned not to hear and followed her Aunt Caroline's black
velvet train on to the lift and at that same moment a discreet-
looking foreign servant came up and handed him a note.
He read it in surprise--who could be sending him a note at a
quarter past twelve at night?
Dear Sir [it ran],
I shall be greatly obliged if you can spare to me half an hour
before retiring to your rest to converse upon a matter of
importance. I had the honor of making your acquaintance to-night
at your Embassy. If you will grant me this favor I will wait upon
you immediately in the hall, or, if you prefer, my sitting-room;
my servant could conduct you here, and we shall have the advantage
of being entirely undisturbed. I remain, sir, Yours truly.
SASHA ROUMOVSKI.
Eustace Medlicott gasped with astonishment. This Russian gentleman
was evidently in need of his ministrations and perhaps advice. He
would go to his room, certainly, there were still some people in
the hall having late coffee and refreshment after the theater.
He indicated by a condescending movement that he was ready to
follow the waiting servant, and soon found himself being shown
into Count Roumovski's sitting-room. It was luxuriously appointed
and represented every appearance of manly comfort. There were
quantities of books and papers about and the smell of excellent
cigars, and put carelessly aside were various objets d'art which
antique dealers had evidently sent for his grand seigneur's
approval.
Count Roumovski was standing by the mantelpiece and looked very
tall and commanding in his evening dress.
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