“I understand you, Vera. Your large beseeching eyes have nothing to remind me of, or reproach me for. I have already told the emperor all I learned from you yesterday. We must now leave it to his magnanimity, and importune him no more.”
These words were uttered with a slight accent of authority, and some moments of silence followed. Vera, with mingled sadness and displeasure, stood motionless with her eyes cast down, awaiting her sovereign's order. In this attitude, she perceived a bracelet on the carpet, which she picked up to give her mistress, who recognized it. “Ah!” said she, “it is the talisman that charming creature, just gone, wore on her arm. Keep it, Vera, you can return it to-morrow with the reply I promised her.”
Vera examined the bracelet with curiosity. It was a massive gold chain with a deep-red cornelian clasp on which was graven some talismanic figure. It looked natural. She had seen some one wear a similar bracelet, she was sure; who could it be? For the moment, she could not remember.
While thus examining it, the empress continued: “Take a seat at that table, and write Prince W—— in my name, without any further delay—in my name, you understand. Send this petition with your letter, and say it is my wish it should be granted, and that I beg him to send me an answer—a favorable answer—to-morrow morning at the latest. As soon as it arrives, you will forward it in my name without any delay to that lovely girl. She is staying at the Princess Catherine Lamianoft's house on the Grand Quay.”
Vera could not resist a slight start: “The Princess Catherine's?”
“Yes; but make haste, and do what should be done at once.”
Vera again looked at the bracelet; the princess' name clearly recalled the remembrance so vague a moment before. It was hers. She had seen the Princess Catherine wear the bracelet.
“Come, Vera, what are you thinking of?”
“Nothing, madame; excuse me.”
“Then make haste and write what I tell you, and send the letter and the petition without any delay.”