“A marriage by abduction—the old folk custom of our people,” declared Peter grimly. “Wassili! You bear witness! I have taken Katerin Stephanovna Kirsakoff from her house to mine—and there must be a witness. She is now my wife—and she must do as I say. So put away the knife—you cannot take from me the woman I have stolen!” Katerin burst out in laughter. “You Peter Petrovitch!” she exclaimed. “I thought you were an American—and yet you are Russian—stealing a wife by the old custom! Do you think I am to take this seriously?” “You will find it is serious—till you are safe in Vladivostok,” retorted Peter. “Then—well, once you are safe, you may do as you wish. But I am master till then.” She laughed again. “So you are American after all—in Vladivostok I may do as I wish! How can you call yourself Russian? Go away, Wassili—it is but a joke!” Wassili, not quite sure it was such a joke, put away his knife, and went back to the far room. Katerin shut the door, and then turned to Peter, who stood looking at her, resenting a trifle her taking it as a joke at all. “We shall go aboard the car at once,” he said. “Get ready your baggage, please.” “Ah, he is Russian again!” laughed Katerin. “What does it matter if I am Russian or not?” said Peter. “When I try to consider your feelings, you insult——” “No, no, Peter,” she begged, and went to him and put her hands gently on his sleeves, looking up into his face. “You did not understand—you know nothing of a woman’s heart—I told you once that I loved you——” “Yes!” cried Peter. “You told me that, and then you insist upon staying here when I want to protect you—when you know there is a chance to go——” “Growl—growl like a Russian bear, Peter! But did you not come to say good-by?” “To take you with me if I could.” He seized her hands. “O, Katerin, think this over and see what I want you to see—when you get to Vladivostok——” “And what when I get to Vladivostok? What am I to do when I get to Vladivostok?” “Well, you will know what you want to do, then?” “Do about what?” “I want you to marry me—to go to America—to——” She stamped her foot. “You are a hopeless American!” she cried. “I like you better as a Russian, Peter Petrovitch!” She dropped her head, and as he gave a cry of joy, she looked up, her face radiant with joy and flushed with color. “Katerin! You will marry me?” “How can I help myself—I have been stolen by the old law, and now——” “Yes, what?” “I know that you want me—not for a promise—but for myself—Peter——” “O God!” he cried, “I know now I am forgiven!” and he crushed her to him. Presently there came a knocking at the door of Katerin’s room, and the old serving woman came when Katerin called to her to enter. “Tell Wassili to pack my baggage,” said Katerin. “We are all going to Vladivostok—at once.”