Ainslee's Magazine, February 1913 — page 49: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE POINT OF VIEW when Count Roumovski seemed to have regained his usual calm as he helped her out with tender solicitude. The passengers, they learned, were still in the train, half a mile up the line, wait- ing until it was cleared to go on to Rome. At last, after generous greasing of palms, permission was given for Count Roumovski to walk on and find his sis- ter. And Stella was put back into the motor to await their coming. Her heart began to beat violently. What would she be like, this future sister-in-law? She must be very fond of Sasha to have come from Paris at a moment’s notice like this to do his bid- ding. she heard voices, and saw in the dim light two figures advancing from the station entrance; and then Count Rou- movski opened the door of the automo- bile, and Stella started forward to get out. “Anastasia, this is my Stella,’ he said, in his deep voice. ‘‘You cannot see her plainly, but I tell you she is the sweetest little lady in the world, and you are to hasten to love one an- other as I love you both.” Then in the half dark Stella stepped down, and found herself embraced by a tall woman, while a voice as deep for a feminine one as Count Roumov- skis was for a man whispered kind, nice things in the fluent English which brother and sister both used. And a feeling of warmth and security and happiness came over the poor child, to be in a haven of rest at last. “Now we shall all pack in and get _to Rome before dawn,” the princess said. “Sasha assures me the automo- _ bile will be faster than the train.” So it was arranged, and, with Stella between them, the two Russians sat in the commodious back seat; and this time Count Roumovski allowed him- self to encircle his beloved with his arm—and very often surreptitiously kissed her little ear and that delicious little curl of hair in her neck. She had taken off her hat that its brim might not hit the princess, and had only the soft veil wound round her head, which It seemed a long time before 39 loosened itself conveniently. This drive back to Rome was a time of pure en- chantment to them both. And when the first streaks of dawn were coloring the sky they arrived at the door of the Ex- celsior Hotel, where Ivan had supper ordered and awaiting them. The princess proved to be a hand- some woman when they got into the light, with the same short face and wide eyes as her brother. Stella and she made immediate friends, and before they parted to try and sleep the princess said : “Stella, that my brother loves you proves that you must be a very dear girl; that is what made me come from Paris at his instantaneous bidding; he is the most splendid character in the world—only don’t cross his wishes. You will find it is no use, for one thing.’ And she laughed her deep laugh. “He always knows best.” “T am sure he does,” said’ Stella shyly. “I felt that at once, and so I did not hesitate.” Next morning, when the three were seated at a merry early breakfast in the sitting room, discussing what should be said in Stella’s letter to her Aunt Caro- line, a loud knock came at the door, and, without waiting for a response, Canon Ebley and Stella’s cousin, Mr. Deanwood, entered the room. The princess rose with dignity, drap- ing her silk morning wrapper round her like a statue, and Stella stepped forward with outstretched hand. “Oh, Uncle Erasmus!” she said gayly before any of the party could speak. “I am so glad to see you! I was just going to write to Aunt Caroline to tell her where I am, quite safe, in case she was worried about me. Let me intro- duce you to my future sister-in-law, Princess Urazov, with whom I am stay- ing. My fiancé, Count Roumovski, you have met before.” Afterward she often wondered how this emancipated spirit of daring had ever come to her. But she felt so joy- ous, so full of love and happiness, that it seemed that she could not be afraid or annoyed with any one in the world. “Stella, you are a shameless girl!” com G IOOK (E@)