BY ORDER OF THE CZAR. 349
Sitting at a round table, lighted with a lamp, were our friends Ferrari, in his shirt sleeves, a loose light coat hang- ing over his chair (it was a very hot night) ; Anna Kloss- tock, in a simple sober black gown, without collar or cuffs, her hair gathered up beneath a black bonnet ; Paul Petroski, of Moscow, who had kept his faith at the little hotel on the quay at Venice, and also at the Fazio Palace ; Ivan Kostanzhoglo, a swarthy, thick-set Muscovite, attired in semi-fashionable French garments j and three others whom it is unnecessary to name.
" I claim," said Anna Klosstock, " the right to acquaint him with my history in your presence before the final oath is administered to him."
" Madame knows best," said Ivan, who sat opposite to her, quietly rolling cigarettes and smoking them, as if to do so was the one chief duty in life.
" We know madame's history," said Paul. " Why re- peat it in our presence ? "
" Have our friends," asked Anna, turning to Ferrari and then glancing at the three persons unnamed, " been made acquainted with our victory at Venice ? "
" We only know," said one of them, " that Petronovitch, our bitterest foe, has fallen before the triumphant on- slaught of the Brotherhood."
" It will give encouragement to your hopes and strength to your arm to hear that recital. I count it a part of my duty to record unto you an account of my stewardship, and that of our brethren, Ferrari and Petroski."
" We shall thank you for the revelation," said one.
" It is no doubt our due to know it," said the other.
" And there is nothing so inspiriting as a general's own story of his victory," said the third.
tl In a few minutes," said Anna Klosstock, " there will arrive, for admission to the Brotherhood, a young English gentleman, who is devoted to me and my poor fortunes. He
