"In Egypt!--they had met before then!" the Princess exclaimed,
surprised; "how like Gritzko to pretend he did not know her,--and be
introduced all over again! They had already quarreled, I suppose, and
that accounts for the cat and dog like tone there has always been
between them."

"Probably," said Stephen Strong; but now I think we can leave it to
chance. You may be certain that to marry her is what he wishes most to
do,--or he would not have asked her."

"Not even if--he thought he ought to?"

"No--dear friend. No! I believe I know Gritzko even better than you do.
If there was a sense of obligation, and no desire in the case, he
would simply shoot her and himself, rather than submit to a fate
against his inclination. You may rest in peace about that. Whatever
strain there is between them, it is not of that sort. I believe he
adores her in his odd sort of way, just let them alone now and all will
be well."

And greatly comforted the Princess was able to go out calling.

The news was received with every sort of emotion,--surprise, chagrin,
joy, excitement, speculation, and there were even those among them who
averred they had predicted this marriage all along.

"Fortunately we like her," Countess Olga said. "She is a good sort, and
perhaps she will keep Gritzko quiet, and he may be faithful to her."