herself already one of us. It's perfectly
plain--why, it's plain as _you_ are!

[Chuckles.]

PIKE. Oh! if I could only get it over to Kokomo! And that's why you're
not worrying, is it, son?

ALMERIC. Worrying? My good man, do you mind excusing me. I saw a most
likely pup yesterday; I'm afraid some other chap'll snatch him up before
I do. I should have taken him at once. Good-morning!

[Exit through the grove with a sprightly gait and a wave of his stick.]

[PIKE gazes after him, shaking his head with a half-admiring,
half-sardonic chuckle.]

[Enter ETHEL from the hotel. She wears a pretty morning dress and hat;
her face is very sad.]

ETHEL. I hear that Lord Hawcastle has left the hotel.

PIKE [dryly]. Yes; I saw him go.

ETHEL. He left very quickly?

PIKE. He did seem to be forgetting the scenery.

ETHEL [decidedly]. He was afraid of Ivanoff.

PIKE. I shouldn't be surprised. Ivanoff wants to thank you. May I bring
him?

ETHEL. Yes.

[PIKE goes off into the grove.]

[MARIANO and a file of servants enter from the hotel, form a line, and
bow profoundly as VASILI enters. They withdraw at a sign from him.]

ETHEL [making a deep curtsy]. Monseigneur!

VASILI [to ETHEL]. Not _you_! You see, I must fly to some place where an
incognito will be respected. If I stay here it will be--what you
call--fuss and feathers and revolutionary agents. I have come to make
my adieu to your guardian. Incognito or out of it, he is my very good
friend--no matter if he is an egoist.

ETHEL. An egoist! That is the last thing in the world he should be
called.

VASILI. Ah, so; what do you call him?

ETHEL. I? I call him--

[She begins bravely, but at a keen glance from him stops abruptly,
blushing.]

VASILI. Bravo! I call him an egoist because he is so content to be what
he is he will not pretend to be something else! I respect your country
in him, my dear young lady; and he cares nothing whether I am a king or
a commoner. Everywhere the people bow and salaam half on their knees to
me; but _he_--

ETHEL. No, I can't quite imagine _him_ doing that.

[Enter PIKE from the grove, followed by IVANOFF.]

VASILI [to PIKE]. I have come to bid you goodbye, my friend. Life is a
service of farewells, they say; but if you ever come to St. Petersburg
when I am there you will be made welcome. Your ambassador will tell you
where to find me.

PIKE. I know I'd be welcome; and if you ever get out as far as Indiana,
don't miss Kok