room, where Mr. Pembroke would join him. This delay enraged Volkonsky. He thought it was a premeditated slight on Pembroke's part to keep him waiting. He went to the room, however, and sat down and played with his gloves and waited impatiently and angrily.
It was nearly half an hour after Volkonsky had arrived that Pembroke came in looking hurried and flushed. He did not mind at all crushing Volkonsky, and could with pleasure have kicked him into the street, but he was not disposed to the small revenges, like keeping an enemy waiting. He said at once:
"Pray excuse my delay. I apologize—"
"No apology is required," answered Volkonsky haughtily; "I have this instant myself arrived. I have been in attendance upon his royal highness, the Grand Duke Alexis, who has just reached town."
"And I," responded Pembroke bowing, "have been in attendance upon his excellency, the President of the United States—which of course, obliges me to postpone any other appointment."
Volkonsky fancied a lurking smile in the corners of Pembroke's mouth. These incomprehensible Americans, he thought bitterly, never tell people when they are joking. But Pembroke was in no joking mood. He sat down by a little table between them, and looked Volkonsky full in the eye.
"I have been with the President and the Secre-
