And he heard that, Yes, indeed, she had kept herself informed of
all his movements, and had even sent Vasili back on learning of his danger,
and was on the point of throwing all prudence to the winds and returning
herself. Oh! Madame had greatly suffered in the past year--the old man
said, but she was more beautiful than ever, and of the gentleness of an
angel, taking continuous pleasure in her little son--indeed, Anna had said
this was her only joy, to caress the illustrious infant and call him
Paul--such name he had been christened--after a great-uncle. And again
Dmitry lowered his eyes, and again Paul looked out of the window and
thrilled.
Paul! She had called him Paul, their son. It touched him to the heart. Oh!
the mad longing to see her! Must he wait a whole month? Yes--Dmitry said
there was no use his coming before the 28th of May, for reasons which he
could not explain connected with the to-be-hated Troublesome one.
Every detail was then arranged, and Dmitry was to send Paul maps, and a
chart, and the exact description and name of the place where the yacht was
to lie. The whole thing would take some time, even if they were to depart
to-morrow.
"The yacht is at Marseilles now," Paul said, "and we shall start on the
cruise next week. Let me have every last instruction _poste restante_, at
Constantinople--and for God's sake send me news to Naples on the way.
Pages:
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204