Ainslee's Magazine, February 1913 — page 22: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

12 But when Stella had entered the Lu- dovici collection she perceived him to the right, gazing at the statue of the beautiful Mars. He turned instantly, as though some one had told him she was near, and his calm eyes took in the fact that she was alone. The small room was empty but for the two, and he addressed her as he removed his hat. “Good morning, mademoiselle,”’ he said gravely. “Mars is a strong attrac- tion. I knew I should presently find you here; so when I| caught sight of your spiritual outline across the garden I came and—waited.” “He is most splendid looking, is he not?” Stella returned, trying to sup- press the sudden tingle of pleasure that was thrilling her. “And look—how much character there is in his hands.” “Shall we go and study the others, or shall we find a bench in the garden and sit down and talk?” Count Roumovski asked serenely ; and then smiled to him- self as he noticed his companion’s ap- prehensive glance in the direction where far-away Martha dozed in peace. “Tt would be nice out of doors, but ——” And Stella faltered. “Do not let us be deprived of pleas- ure by any buts; there is one out there ~ who will warn us when your maid wakes. See’—and he advanced toward the entrance door—"‘there is a bench by that rose tree where we can be com- paratively alone.” Stella struggled no more with her- self. After all, it was her last chance; Eustace Medlicott’s train got in at five o'clock ! She had a sense of security, too; the complete serenity of her companion in- spired confidence. She almost felt she would not care if Aunt Caroline her- self slept instead of the elderly maid. There was some slight change in Count Roumovski’s manner to-day; he kept his eyes fixed on her face, and the things he said were less abstract and more personal. After an entrancing half hour she felt she had seen vivid pictures of his land and his home. But he was a great traveler, it appeared, and not so often there in later years. “It is so agreeable to let the body move from place to place, and remain in a peaceful aloofness of the spirit all the time,’ he said at last. “To watch all the rushing currents which dominate human beings when they do not know how to manipulate them. If they did the millennium would come; but mean- while it is reserved for the few who have learned them to enjoy this present plane we are on.” “You mean you can control events and shape your life as you please, then?’ Stella asked, surprised, while she raised her sweet, shy eyes to his inquiringly. ‘I wish I knew how!” “Shall I try to teach you, mademoi- selle?’’ he said. “Yes, indeed!” “Then you must not look down all the time, even though the contempla- tion of your long eyelashes gives me a pleasure. I would prefer the eyes themselves. The eyes are the indica- tion of what is passing in the soul, and I would study this moving panorama.” Stella’s color deepened, but she met his blue orbs without flinching; so he went on: “T had the fortune to be born a Rus- sian, which has given me time to study these things. My country does not re- quire my work beyond my being a faith- ful servant of my emperor. Since [ am not a soldier, I can do as I choose. But you in England are now in a seeth- ing caldron, and it would be difficult, no doubt, for you to spend the hours required—although the national tem- perament would lend itself to all things calm if it were directed.” “But for myself,” Stella demanded, “T am not a man, and need not interest myself in the nation’s affairs—how can I grow to guide my own—as you seem to do?” “Never permit yourself to be ruffled by anything, to commence with,’ Count Roumovski began gravely, while the pupils of his eyes appeared to grow larger. “Whatever mood you are in, you connect yourself with the cosmic current of that mood; you become in touch, so to speak, with all the other people who are under its dominion, and com G .OOK AINSLEE’S oa (F@)