Mlle. Barineff, who indeed, was expecting this communication, replied calmly that she was ready to accept the husband her mother chose for her, and the prince was then allowed to pay his court. After two or three weeks had passed the countess gave a definite consent, and with the consent of the future princess the marriage was fixed for two months later. On the evening of the day when all had been settled thus, General Podoi, in quitting Mme. Barineff, kissed her hands tenderly, whispering, "I hope that very soon you will say 'Yes' a second time," a hope to which Lise's mother replied by a smile. The same evening the mail from Paris carried a letter written in these terms: "MY OLD FRIEND,--I have long known too well how much you are interested in all that concerns my daughter and myself not to hasten in telling you that Lise is about to make a marriage as honorable as it is brilliant. In two months' time she will marry the Prince Pierre Olsdorf, an admirable young man who loves her passionately, and whom she likes very much. "Prince Olsdorf, who is tolerably wealthy, has no post at the court, so that he will be able to devote himself to his wife. "I shall now be recompensed by the happiness of my daughter for the sacrifices, often painful, that I have made since her birth. "I hope this news will give you real joy, and that your affection will approve the choice I have made. "Write me a word or two soon to tell me that all is well, that your health is good, that you are pursuing the course of your success, and that you have not forgotten the exiles. "Your most devoted friend, "MADELEINE." The letter was addressed to M. Armand, 42 Rue de l'Est, Paris. The Countess Barineff seemed to weigh all the words of the letter, and she signed it with her Christian name alone. CHAPTER II. A WINTER AT ST. PETERSBURG. Pierre Olsdorf was perhaps, of all the candidates for her hand, the only one that the beautiful Lise Barineff had remarked, not that she found him in any way better than the other young men received by her mother, but simply because the countess, in accord with General Podoi, seized every occasion to sing the praises of this suitor, who was exactly the son-in-law that the ambition of the ex-comedienne had pictured.