‘I wish for neither, Madam,’ said Vera boldly.
‘Well, Lord bless us, little fool!’ exclaimed Sophia, waxing impatient. ‘We are all subjects, both you and I and all of us, and as such bound to obey the Tsar whether we will or not: you admit that much, I doubt not. What if the Tsar desires thee—is he not to be obeyed because thou art a fool? Dear Saints! beware what you do, girl! To stand against the Tsar himself and to resist his will is the worst of all foolishness!’
‘Madam, have pity!’ said Vera, falling on her knees.
The Regent bustled her quickly to her feet. ‘I,’ she exclaimed, ‘what have I to do with the matter? It is not I that choose a bride, but the Tsar. If he choose thee, it is thou that art greatly honoured, not I! Stand upon thy feet, and shame not thyself before these men. Send for the Tsar, Galitsin, and let us have this comedy played and done with.’ Poor Vera fell a second time to her knees.
‘Madam, he will not make his choice here and now? You would not permit it—he must see all—there are many fairer than I and more fitted to be Tsaritsa—— Oh, do not let him come near me now!’
‘Peace, raver, and let me speak!’ replied Sophia grimly. ‘His Highness will not make his final choice here and now; but he shall see thee because it is said that he has shown a preference for thee. It is necessary that he take a wife, understand it or understand it not; it is necessary for the dynasty. Very well, if he will choose for himself, so much the better for all parties; if he will not, so much the worse; but in any case he will marry, and, if necessary, the choosing shall be done for him.’
Then in came Galitsin, and with him—angry to be disturbed, and asking querulously the reason—Ivan the Tsar. The Prince was in full speech when he entered the room, but when his eye fell upon Vera he became suddenly silent. He gazed at her fixedly for a moment, opening his mouth and shutting it again. Then be turned to his sister.
‘Why have you sent for me? it is not a reception,’ he said. ‘I will not see strangers without Peter; Peter is not here.’ Then his eyes sought Vera’s face once more and remained fixed there.
‘There are no strangers, Ivashka,’ said Sophia; ‘and there is no reception; only this beautiful maiden is come to show thee how fair she is—look well at her.’
‘She is fair enough,’ said Ivan; ‘but I care for no woman. I will not marry, Sophia; do not worry me.’