"Yes, that was a delightful, foolish day, and blissfully would I sacrifice what yet remains to me of life, if it might once more be granted to me. In the evening--I can see it all as if it were to-day the windows stood open, the tendrils of the wild vine swayed in the breeze, and from the distance a stamping of hoofs, a clashing of lances and swords greeted my ears. I could see nothing, for the darkness devoured it all, but I knew that it was a band of Cossacks patrolling along the frontier ditch. And then I closed my eyes and dreamt that a troop of knights were coming riding along at full speed--led by a fair, handsome prince, mounted on a milk-white charger. But I was the chatelaine sitting in the turret-room of the old castle, and the fame of my beauty had penetrated to every land, so that the prince had set forth surrounded by a company of picked horsemen, to seek me out and ask my hand in marriage of the old nobleman my father. "And then I remembered Martha; and whether, as the elder, she would not be preferred. But she loves her Robert, I comforted myself, she wants no prince. And then I pictured to myself what I would give to each member of my family when I had mounted the throne: to Martha wonderful jewellery, to papa an iron chest full of gold, and to mama a box of pine-apple sweets. "The clashing of lances died away in the distance--and my dream was at an end. * * * * * "Next day he came. "When the carriage that brought him rolled in at the courtyard gate, Martha was busy in the kitchen. I ran to her, and beaming with pleasure I whispered into her ear, 'Martha, I believe he is here.' But she forthwith apprised me that I was not her confidante. She looked at me vaguely for a time, then asked absently, 'Whom do you mean?' "'Whom else but our cousin?' "'Why do you tell me that in a whisper?' she asked. And when, in answer, I shrugged my shoulders, she once more took up the kitchen spoon she had put down, and went on stirring. "'Is that the extent of your pleasure, Martha?' I asked, while I contemptuously pursed my lips. "But she pushed me aside with her left hand and said, more passionately than was her wont, 'Child, I beg of you, go!' "And thus it came about that I received Cousin Robert in her stead. "As I stepped out on to the verandah, he was just alighting from his carriage. "'He does not look much better than papa,' that was my first thought. A great strong man like a giant, with broad chest and shoulders, his face sun-burnt, with little blue eyes in it, and framed by a shaggy beard, such a beard as the 'lancequenets' used to wear. "'Only the chin-strap is wanting,' I thought to myself. "He came jumping up the steps laughing towards me. "'Well, good morning, Martha!' he cried. "And then suddenly he stopped short, measured me from head to foot and stood there, half-way up the stairs, as if petrified. "'My name is not Martha, but Olga!' I remarked, somewhat dejectedly.