shes, even the rather sad expression of them. However,
she must be mistaken, since she could have no acquaintance in Russia!

However, she allowed herself to be quietly led inside the hut, where the
door was immediately closed behind her. Then the girl followed the woman
inside a bare chamber, furnished with only a few chairs and a rough
table. In an upper corner hung an ikon, the Russian image of the Christ.
The face of the Christ was painted in brilliant colors set inside a
brass square and this square enclosed in a dark wooden frame.

The ikon is to the Russian who is a Greek Catholic what the crucifix is
to the Roman Catholic. No orthodox Russian home is ever without one.

But after the first glance, Nona Davis gave no further consideration to
her surroundings. Before her companion could speak the second time she
had suddenly recognized her.

"Why, Lady Dorian, what has brought you to Russia? You are the last
person I expected to see! Since our meeting on board the 'Philadelphia'
and your stay at the Sacred Heart Hospital I have so often wondered what
had become of you, and if you were well and happy. You promised to write
me."

"Then you have not forgotten me?" Before saying anything more the older
woman found a chair for her guest and another for herself.

"No, I have not written you, but I have thought of you many times and
have followed your history more closely than you dream," she returned
quietly, yet with evident earnestness. "I have been well and I suppose
as happy as most people. How can any human being be anything but
wretched during this tragic war? If only we might have peace!"

Lady Dorian's face became white and drawn and Nona felt that she had
aged a great deal since their first meeting, and indeed since the months
they had spent as fellow workers for the British soldiers at the Sacred
Heart Hospital. Nevertheless she still felt strangely attracted toward
her companion, although mingled with the attraction was a new and
uncomfortable feeling of distrust.

Lady Dorian had come to the hospital cleared of the charge made against
her on board the "Philadelphia" of being a spy. Yet she had never given
any explanation of her history. Then had followed her surprising meeting
with the British officer, Colonel Dalton, and their betrayal of a former
acquaintanceship. Although the older woman had promised to explain their
connection later, she had only said that they had once known each other
rather int