McShane.

The next day O'Donahue, in his uniform, drove to the ambassador's hotel,
to accompany him to the Annishkoff palace, where he was to be presented
to the emperor. O'Donahue was most graciously received, the emperor
walking up to him, as he stood in the circle, and inquiring after the
health of his Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, what service he had
been employed upon, etcetera. He then told O'Donahue that the Empress
would be most glad to make his acquaintance, and hoped that he would
make a long stay at Saint Petersburg.

It was with a quickened pulse that O'Donahue followed the ambassador
into the empress's apartments. He had not waited there more than five
minutes, in conversation with the ambassador when the doors opened, and
the empress, attended by her chamberlain, and followed by her ladies in
waiting and maids of honour, entered the room. O'Donahue had made up
his mind not to take his eyes off the empress until the presentation was
over. As soon as he had kissed hands, and answered the few questions
which were graciously put to him, he retired to make room for others,
and then, for the first time, did he venture to cast his eyes on the
group of ladies attending the empress. The first that met his view were
unknown, but, behind all the rest, he at length perceived the Princess
Czartorinski, talking and laughing with another lady. After a short
time she turned round, and their eyes met. The princess recognised him
with a start, and then turned away and put her hand up to her breast, as
if the shock had taken away her breath. Once more she turned her face
to O'Donahue, and this time he was fully satisfied by her looks that he
was welcome. Ten minutes after, the ambassador summoned O'Donahue, and
they quitted the palace.

"I have seen her, McShane," said O'Donahue; "she is more beautiful, and
I am more in love than ever. And now, what am I to do?"

"That's just the difficulty," replied McShane. "Shall I talk with
Dimitri, or shall I hold my tongue, or shall I think about it while you
go to dinner at the ambassador's?"

"I cannot dine out to-day, McShane. I will write an excuse."

"Well, now, I do believe you're in for it in good earnest. My love
never spoiled my appetite; on the contrary, it was my appetite that made
me fall in love."

"I wish she had not been a princess," said O'Donahue, throwing himself
on the sofa.

"That's nothing at all here," replied McShane. "A _princes