"I will give him a regiment and make him a prince, so that he may ask you in marriage."
"Let me kiss you for that! But do not give him anything, father. Let him remain as he is; I love him for what he is now, and want him always to remain the same. He is more than a prince, more than a general! Higher far than they—"
"Who is it, then?"
"Well, Aleko."
"What Aleko?"
"Oh! do you not know his name? Then stoop down and I will whisper it in your ear."
The Czar drew her to him.
"Would you like to be his wife?"
For all answer the girl looked at him with eyes opened wide and radiant expression.
"Would you like to be his wife?"