"'Consent to--oh, something which commits you to nothing. I agreed that the Grand Duke should be your companion at the meet the day after tomorrow.' "'If that's all,' I said, 'you can rely on me to make this German sorry he ever came to Russia for an heiress.' "'Promise me to be nice,' begged my father in alarm. 'You make me regret I have given you so much liberty. Remember it's a question of a royal crown. Neither more nor less.' "A crown! To see his daughter a queen! That was all the old Kalmuck thought about. "That evening as I was entering the car to go to the gala performance I was made to realize that Papa had committed me much further than he had dared admit. "'Here's our little fiancée,' said the Kaiser, taking my hand. "The Empress, more the brood hen than ever, kissed me on the forehead. It appears that this is a family mania. "And so it went on up to the Czar, who remarked to the Kaiser, with one of his sad smiles: "'So you're not satisfied with flooding me with your subjects, but must needs come to take away mine!' "I put on my frankest smile, but cast many a sidelong glance at my red Hussar, who didn't know what to do. I said to myself: "'You wait a bit, my fine fellow! You'll be paid out for this the day after tomorrow!' * * * * * * "The day came. My only fear was that the country we hunted would be too flat, too easy. I was quickly reassured. It is true that there were a good many paths in the woods, quite suitable for ladies, but there were also patches of thick scrub, several streams, and here and there some tricky ditches. "Before we started I gave Taras-Bulba half a pound of sugar soaked in whisky, and he was very lively though full of dignity. "I won't pretend that there was not a chorus of exclamation when he appeared. The Crown Prince asked me why I didn't have him clipped. "'Don't listen to them, old friend,' I murmured in my little steed's ear. He understood and knowingly tossed his head. "The Grand Duke Rudolph rode up beside me. I made myself so agreeable that the poor man evidently felt encouraged and said in a low voice: "'Then you don't regret having me for your companion, mademoiselle?' "'How could you think so, sir?' I answered. 'This Court half suffocates me. We never have a moment to ourselves. There's room to breathe out here. We can talk.' "'So you love Nature!' he murmured, radiant. 'How happy I am!' "I was happy, too. I was certain that he wouldn't leave me for a second. "The first fox was started. Nothing remarkable happened except, perhaps, when Taras-Bulba, fired by the sound of the horn, performed a polka and came down with his forelegs on the back of Adalbert's mare, almost unseating her rider. After that they all kept away from my little horse as if he'd been the plague.