grams as mementos of the coronation-very seemed to enjoy, but in their own quiet way. pretty, with Russian pictures, and greetings The cheering was faint, very faint; and the in Slavonic characters. I saw Count Hans rows of «old believers,» ticketed and numWildezek with his roll under his arm to take bered, who had the honor of standing next to back to Vienna.

the pavilion, scarcely opened their lips. Mama Yesterday, Saturday, June 2 (May 21), was said since to one of the young American the great popular fête on the Hodinskoye naval officers who are here: «How lacking Polye, an open space beyond the exhibition in heartiness the Russian cheering is, is n't buildings (out in the country really), where it? Just think of it compared with English or big reviews take place, and which will be American!» «Why, madam,» he answered, used for the review of all the troops in «it's a moan.) And so it is. The popular fête Moscow next Saturday. Yesterday it was would have been long if it had not been so covered by a still greater army of muzhiks, interesting to watch the people. Five huntightly packed together. Not an inch of the dred thousand! I should have said millions. wide plain seemed to be unoccupied. As To-day we have been talking it all over, far as the eye could reach, to the very ho- and wondering if we have anything so inrizon, there was nothing but heads, heads, teresting to see as the things we have seen. heads. I could n't have pictured so many Some dashing Cossack maneuvers this afterpeople in the world as I saw before me. I noon (Sunday), that I was sorry to miss. thought it gave one an idea of the day of judgment. I suppose not. But as every face

Sunday, June 10 (May 29). of that endless crowd turned to greet the MONDAY came the second court ball, that Emperor as he came into his pavilion, it was morning the fête of the Preobrajenski regia most impressive sight. One could n't help ment; Tuesday, the diplomatic state dinner thinking what power there was in such a at the palace; Thursday, the consecration of mass with anything to rouse it. But the St. Saviour's Church, built in commemoration people seemed wonderfully well disposed and of the deliverance of 1812-a magnificent quiet, as if they said to themselves, «Our service. The French embassies, actual and little father, the Czar, is feasting us; we must special, refused to go, which was a matter be good children. We neither saw nor heard for them to decide. But we hear that the of any disturbance; but one of the servants French consul's wife, not content with a reports that five people were killed by the silent disapproval, went to the church all in pressure of the crowd.

black, and was refused admittance, as was The numbers on the Hodinskoye Polye were her husband. To Russians, who lay aside even reckoned at more than 500,000. Mr. T- deep mourning to come to their friends on a came up to me with an important face. «The « name-day » in light colors, this was indeed five hundred thousandth basket has just been an insult. Stupid woman! I believe more every given out,» he said. For each person received day that the English are the only people who a little basket with a loaf of bread, a meat pie, know how to be beaten. Friday, nothing; a sweet pie, a bag of sweeties, and a brown we went sight-seeing on our own account to mug with the arms of the imperial donor the Kremlin, where our guide, Prince S—, upon it. I envied them the mug, I must say, told us that he had been in charge of 4000 but there were none left over. Some of the servants. Saturday, review of 50,000 troops muzhiks with mercenary souls would sell in a cloud of dust; and end of the coronation theirs, but ask four, five, and ten rubles; festivities. and some are noble and say, “I cannot sell it; it is the gift of the Czar.» Besides these PAPA and I have been to church; that is, to baskets there were huge vats of drinkables the German church, in which our service is on the ground, enormous things that giants held when its own is over at twelve o'clock. could have quaffed from, and into which any. There were not many people, - fifty or sixty, body might dip his mug; there were greased perhaps, -and all as far apart as possible. An poles with prizes at the top-so fine as silver English church is in process of building in watches; there were big open theaters; and Moscow, and from the plans that we've seen, there was, besides these and many other it will be big and rather handsome. things, a procession showing the return of The coronation may be said to be quite, spring and its gifts, when we saw the mon- quite over. ster who had held the earth in thrall through The Emperor spent Friday night at the the long winter led to execution, and the big Petrovski Palace, to which he came on his knife that laid him low. All this the people arrival in Moscow; and here, after the re

a

view yesterday, he took leave of the foreign that everybody possesses in Russia; and with princes, and, I believe, of the special am- the Emperor and Empress's departure on Satbassadors, before starting in the evening for urday night the coronation was over even for Petersburg and Peterhof. The interview was the jaded officials. Poor creatures! even its very cordial, no doubt; for they have all re- recollections seem to weigh upon them; but ceived something or other from his Majesty they always add apologetically, « C'était très -a ribbon, a star, or a diamond snuff-box. I beau.» Now for the country to recover; someam so glad that English diplomatists are out body said that would take twenty years. The of all this, and that broad red and blue rib- coronation is generally reported to have cost bons don't fall over their shoulders just be- it 40,000,000 rubles-exactly £4,000,000. cause they happen to be standing in the way.

ST. PETERSBURG, June 16 (4). Monday, June 11 (May 30). I HAD no idea that I should be so sorry to ASKED to a monster picnic to-morrow at leave Moscow. The streets looked very dreary Prince Youssoupoff's place, twenty-two versts on Wednesday without their flags and banfrom here. I wonder that there are enough ners. The coronation seems to have waked people left for it: for the last few days the place up to the life and movement of Moscow has been emptying itself fast into long ago, and now to have left it to sink foreign watering-places, or the «terres » again into oblivion.

Mary Grace Thornton.

SIR GEORGE TRESSADY

.by. Mrs Humphry Ward
Author of "Robert Elsmere" "The History of David Grievo"

"Marcella" etc

(BEGUN IN THE NOVEMBER VUMBER.)

XIII.

« Good morning, George,» said a sharp

voice which startled him as he was replaca hot morning at the end of June, some ing a photograph of the latest Fullerton baby.

four weeks after the Castle Luton visit, «I thought you had forgotten your way here George Tressady walked from Brook street by now. to Warwick Square, that he might obtain his «Why, mother, I am very sorry,» he said, mother's signature to a document connected as he kissed her; «but I have really been with the Shapetsky negotiations, and go on terribly busy, what with two committees and from there to the House of Commons. this important debate.

She was not in the drawing-room, and « Oh, don't make excuses, pray. And of George amused himself during his minutes of course--for Letty-you won't even attempt waiting by inspecting the various new photo- it. I would n't if I were you.» graphs of the Fullerton family that were Lady Tressady settled herself in a chair generally to be found on her table. What a with her back to the light, and straightened characteristic table it was, littered with notes the ribbons on her dress with hasty fingers. and bills, with patterns from every London Something in her voice struck George; he draper, with fashion-books and ladies' jour- looked at her closely. nals innumerable! And what a characteris- « Is there anything wrong, mother? You tic room, with its tortured decorations and don't look very well.» crowded furniture, and the flattered portraits Lady Tressady got up hurriedly and beof Lady Tressady, in every caprice of costume, gan to move about the room, picking up a which covered the walls! George looked letter here, straightening a picture there. round it all with a habitual distaste, yet not George felt a sudden prick of alarm. Were without the secret admission that his own there some new revelations in store for him? drawing-room was very like it.

But before he could speak she interrupted His mother might, he feared, have a scene him. in preparation for him. For Letty, under « I should be very well if it were n't for cover of some lame excuse or other, had this heat,» she said pettishly. «Do put that persisted in putting off the visit which Lady photograph down, George-you do fidget so! Tressady had intended to pay them at Ferth Have n't you got any news for me-anything during the Whitsuntide recess, and since to amuse me? Oh, those horrid papers! I see. their return to town there had been no meet- Well, they 'll wait a little. By the way, the ing whatever between the two ladies. George, Morning Post) says that young scamp, Lord indeed, had seen his mother two or three Ancoats, has gone abroad. I suppose that times; but even he had just let ten days pass girl was bought off. without visiting her. He supposed he should She sat down again in a shady corner, fanfind her in a mood of angry complaint; nor ning herself vigorously. could he deny that there would be some « I am afraid I can't tell you any secrets,» grounds for it.

But it looks as though Mrs. Allison and Max- said George, smiling. «She seemed as conwell between them had somehow found a way vinced as ever.» out.»

«Who sent Mrs. Allison to that place? « How 's the mother ? »

Barham, I suppose. He always sends his pa«You see, she has gone abroad, tooto tients there. They say he's in league with the Bad Wildheim. In fact, Lord Ancoats has hotel-keepers.) taken her.»

George stared. What was the matter with « That 's the place for heart, is n't it?» her? What made her throw out these jerky said his mother, abruptly. «There's a man sentences with this short, hurried breath. there that cures everybody.»

Suddenly Lady Tressady turned. «I believe so,” said George. « May we « George!) come to business, mother? I have brought « Yes, mother. He stepped nearer to her. these papers for you to sign, and I must get She caught his sleeve. to the House in good time.»

«George,»--there was something like a sob Lady Tressady seemed to take no notice. in her voice,— « you were quite right. I am She got up again restlessly, and walked to ill. There, don't talk about it. The doctors the window.

are all fools. And if you tell Letty anything « How do you like my dress, George? Now about it, I'll never forgive you. don't imagine anything absurd! Justine made George put his arm round her, but was not, it, and it was quite cheap.”

in truth, much disturbed. Lady Tressady's George could not help smiling-all the repertory, alas! had many rôles. He had more that he was conscious of relief. She known her play that of the invalid at least would not be asking him to admire her dress as effectively as any other. if there were fresh debts to confess to him. « You are just overdone with London and

« It makes you look wonderfully young,» the heat,» he said. «I saw it at once. You he said, turning a critical eye, first upon the ought to go away.” elegant gown of some soft, pinky stuff in She looked up in his face. which his mother had arrayed herself, then « You don't believe it?» she said. upon the subtly rouged and powdered face Then she seemed to stagger. He saw a above it. « You are a marvelous person, terrible drawn look in her face, and, putting mother. All the same, I think the heat must out all his strength, he held her and helped have been getting hold of you, for your eyes her to a sofa. are tired. Don't racket too much.

« Mother!” he exclaimed, kneeling beside He spoke with his usual careless kindness, her, « what is the matter?» laying a hand upon her arm.

Voice and tone were those of another man, Lady Tressady drew herself away, and and Lady Tressady quailed under the change. turning her back upon him, looked out of She pointed to a small bag on a table near the window.

her. He opened it, and she took out a box « Have you seen any more of the Max- from which she swallowed something. Graduwells ? » she said over her shoulders.

ally breath and color returned, and she began George gave a slight involuntary start. to move restlessly. Then it occurred to him that his mother was « That was nothing,” she said, as though to making conversation in an odd way.

herself - « nothing-and it yielded at once. « Once or twice,” he said reluctantly, in Well, George, I knew you thought me a humreply. «They were at the Ardaghs' the other bug.” night, of course.»

Her eyes glanced at him with a kind of « Oh, you were there?» Lady Tressady's miserable triumph. He looked down upon voice was sharp again. «Well, of course. her, still kneeling, horror-struck against his Letty went as your wife, and you ’re a mem- will. After a life of acting, was this the ber of Parliament. Lady Ardagh knows me truth-this terror which spoke in every quite well-but I don't count now; she used movement, and in some strange way had to be glad enough to ask me.)

seized upon and infected himself? « It was a great crush and very hot,» said He urgently asked her to be frank with George, not knowing what to say.

him; and with a sob she poured herself out. Lady Tressady frowned as she looked out It was the tragic, familiar story that every of the window.

household knows. Grave symptoms, suddenly « Well! And Lady Maxwell- is she as ab- observed, the hurried visit to a specialist, his surd as ever? »

verdict and his warnings. « That depends upon one's point of view,» « Of course he said at first I ought to give

a

tell you."

up everything and go abroad-to this very Lady Tressady made a face like a spoiled
same place-Bad-what-do-you-call-it? But 1 child.
told him straight out I could n't and would n't « I don't think she 'll come,» she said. «Of
do anything of the sort. I am just eaten up course I know from the first she took an un-
with engagements. And as to staying at home godly dislike to me. Though, if it had n't
and lying up, that 's nonsense – I should die been for me-well, never mind. Yes, you
of that in a fortnight. So I told him to give can ask her, George-do. I'll wait and see
me something to take, and that was all I if she comes. If she comes, perhaps I'll stay
could do. And in the end he quite came in. It would amuse me to hear what she has
round, - they always do if you take your own been doing. I'll behave quite nicely-there!»
line,-and said I had much better do what And, taking up her fan, Lady Tressady
suited me, and take care. Besides, what do lightly tapped her son's hand with it, in her
any of them know? They all confess they 're most characteristic manner.
just fumbling about. Now surgery, of course He rose, seeing from the clock that he

- that is different. Battye » (Battye was should only just have time to drive quickly
Lady Tressady's ordinary medical adviser) back to Letty if he was to be at the House in
« does n't believe all the other man said. I time for an appointment with a constituent
knew he would n't. And as for making an in- which had been arranged for one o'clock.
valid of me, he sees, of course, that it would « I will send Justine to you as I go out,» he
kill me at once. There, my dear George; don't said, taking up his hat, « and I shall hear of
make too much of it. I think I was a fool to you from Letty this evening.»

Lady Tressady said nothing. Her eyes, And Lady Tressady struggled to a sitting bright with some inner excitement, watched position, looking at her son with a certain him as he looked for his stick. Suddenly she hostility. The frown on her white face said, «George, kiss me!>> showed that she was already angry with him Her tone was unsteady. Deeply touched for his emotion-this rare emotion, that she and bewildered, the young man approached had never yet been able to rouse in him. her, and, kneeling down again beside her,

He could only implore her to be guided by took her in his arms. He felt a quick, sobbing her doctor-to rest, to give up at least some breath pass through her; then she pushed him of the mill-round of her London life, if she lightly away, and, putting up the slim, pinkwould not go abroad. Lady Tressady listened nailed hand of which she was so proud, she to him with increasing obstinacy and excita- patted him on the cheek. bility.

« There-go along! I don't like that coat « I tell you I know best! » she said passion- of yours, you know. I told you so the other ately, at last. «Don't go on like this; it wor- day. If your figure were n't so good you ’d ries me. Now look here. She turned upon positively look badly dressed in it. You him with emphasis. « Promise me not to tell should try another man.” Letty a word of this. Nobody shall knowshe least of all. I shall do just as usual. In TRESSADY hailed a hansom outside, and drove fact, I expect a very gay season. Three back to Brook street. On the way his eyes

drums, this afternoon, and a dinner-party saw little of the crowded streets. So far he -it does n't look as though I were quite had had no personal experience of death. forgotten yet, though Letty does think me His father had died suddenly while he was at an old fogy.

Oxford, and he had lost no other near relaShe smiled at him with a ghastly mixture tive or friend. Strange! this grave, sudden of defiance and conceit. The old age in her sense that all was changed, that his careless, pinched face, fighting with the rouged cheeks half-contemptuous affection for his mother and the gaiety of her fanciful dress, was piti- could never again be what it had been-supful.

posing, indeed, her story was all true. But in « Promise." she said. «Not a word to the case of a character like Lady Tressady's

there are for long recurrent, involuntary George promised, in much distress. While skepticisms on the part of the bystander. It he was speaking she had a slight return of seems impossible, unfitting, to grant to such pain, and was obliged to submit to lie down persons le beau rôle they claim. It outrages again.

à certain ideal instinct, even, to be asked to • At least.» he urged, « don't go out to-day. believe that they, too, can yield, in their Give yourself a rest. Shall I go back and ask measure, precisely the same tragic stuff as Letty to come round to tea?»

the hero or the saint.

her.