And he hurried off, on the strength of it, to the Petrowsky Garden house. He had the platinum, the silk, and the cask of wine brought after him, thinking that what gladdened him must also gladden Sophie. The poor child was looking very pale; she was not allowed to go out at all in the winter; the cold air out-of-doors was rapid poison to her; the heated air within-doors slow poison. A strange country, where the invalid cannot even love his home! He hates the sky which kills him and the earth which keeps him bound. It is the survival of the fittest; if a man be strong enough to enjoy a winter in Russia he thrives; if not, he dies. In every Russian lady's drawing-room is a special corner fitted up called the "Altana." It is a space surrounded by a little railing grown with ivy and containing a bower of Southern plants and flowers which, during the long nine months of winter, thrive and blossom in the artificial light and warmth of lamps and stove, and make one forget the rigorous weather outside. Alexander had had such a fragrant orange grove fitted up for Sophie when the house had been put in order for her after the inundation. He had not been to see her since the court gardener had carried out his instructions; perhaps it had given her pleasure. Alas! nothing gave her pleasure. The Czar asked, "What is amiss with you, my darling?" "An unspeakable sorrow." To cheer her, he showed her the treasures he had brought with him--the ore, silk, and wine. But her face did not brighten, she did not smile. To his good news she had but "How nice! how fortunate! Oh, thank you!" to say. "Come, tell me, what is amiss with you? There is something more than bodily illness; it is mental trouble. Tell me, what is grieving you? To whom should you tell it if not to me? Who shall place confidence in me if you do not feel it?" Then, throwing her arms round her father's neck, and drawing his head down to her, Sophie whispered, very low: "It is love!" Then, drawing back with abrupt movement, she buried her face in her hands. Astonished, the Czar asked, "But where can you have met any one to fall in love with?" "The flood brought us together." "And who is the man?" "If you speak so angrily I shall not dare to tell you." "It is not anger but excitement that made me speak so sharply. He whom you love is forgiven everything." "Really? You do not forbid me to love somebody?" "If only he is worthy of you. What is his rank?" "An officer of the Body Guard." "I will give him a regiment and make him a prince, so that he may ask you in marriage." "Let me kiss you for that! But do not give him anything, father. Let him remain as he is; I love him for what he is now, and want him always to remain the same. He is more than a prince, more than a general! Higher far than they--" "Who is it, then?" "Well, Aleko." "What Aleko?" "Oh! do you not know his name? Then stoop down and I will whisper it in your ear." The Czar drew her to him.