oneself off from
the world along with a woman whose face no one might look upon except
a child no older than the tower itself.

And yet, had he but known it, the woman might have been safely seen by
any one on earth except Zeno von Ungern alone. Had he seen her, he
must at once have recognised the nurse of his brother's child--the
girl he had so often seen when visiting Feodor's castle. The features
of women, too, do not alter like those of men. Had Zeno seen her,
therefore, he must at once have guessed who the Master of the tower
really was.

The party had just stopped at the entrance to the dining-room. The
little table was laid and luncheon was ready. A small cask of fresh
beer stood tapped on the floor. Everything seemed most inviting.

"We might, perhaps, remain here," suggested the Master. "Your coxswain
can examine the other rooms and the stores. There is nothing very
remarkable about them. My old porter will open all the lockfast places
for him. He can then report the result of his inspection on his
return."

He laughed lightly as he concluded, and the Commodore laughed also.
Their laughter seemed to be echoed by the voices of the two boys which
sounded from the garden below. As Count Zeno again looked down through
the window he saw that the lads were playing together. They were
having a trial of strength. The clear voice of a woman, which seemed
to sound through an open door, admonished them to be careful not to
injure each other. But she apparently did not dream of admonishing
them for trampling down all her flowers in their struggles.

As he looked on at the havoc caused by the lads, Count Zeno could not
but feel that the inhabitants of the tower appeared to be quite the
most hospitable and complaisant people he had ever met.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VIII

Reconciliation

For the first time in his life since the joys of his earliest
childhood Feodor's son Alexander experienced a real pleasure. It was
now when, pointing to Mashinka, he was able to say to his guest:

"See, here is my mother."

For to him she was really so. Since his earliest years this woman had
indeed filled a mother's place to him. His real mother had now other
cares. This woman alone loved him. From her alone he had learnt that
there should be any other feeling than anger and hate on earth.

Still greater, however, was his pleasure as he presented his guest.

"Look, mother!" he cried. "This is Paul--Paul von Ungern.