She was dressed, she was ready!  With a charming smile she gave her hand to her husband, who viewed her with joyous glances, and loudly praised the beauty of her celestial countenance.

“They will be enchanted with the sight of you,” said he.

Natalie smilingly said:  “Let them be so!  I am only happy when I please you!”

In an open carriage, attended by her retinue, she proceeded to the haven, and all the people who thronged the streets shouted in honor of the beautiful princess, astonished at the splendor by which she was surrounded, and estimating Count Orloff a very happy man to be the husband of such an empress!

And when she appeared upon the shore, when the carriages stopped and Princess Natalie rose from her seat, there arose from all the ships the thousand-voiced cheers of their crews.  Russian flags waved from every spar, cannon thundered and drums rolled, and all shouted:  “Hail to the imperial princess!  Hail, Natalie, the daughter of Elizabeth!”

It was a proud, an intoxicating moment, and Natalie’s eyes were filled with tears.  Trembling with proud ecstasy, she was compelled to lean upon Orloff’s arm to preserve herself from falling.

“No weakness now!” said he, and for the first time his voice sounded harsh and rough.  Surprised, she glanced at him—­there was something in his face that she did not understand; there was something wild and disagreeable in the expression of his features, and he avoided meeting her glance.

He looked over to the ships.  “See,” said he, “they are letting down the great boat; Admiral Gluck himself is coming for you.  And see that host of gondolas, that follow the admiral’s boat!  All his officers are coming to do homage to you, and when you, in their company, reach the admiral’s ship, they will let down the golden arm-chair to take you on board.  That is an honor they pay only to persons of imperial rank!”

Her glance passed by all these unimportant things; she saw only his face; she thoughtfully and sadly asked herself what change had come over Alexis, and what was the meaning of his half-sly, half-angry appearance.

The boats came to the shore, and now came the admiral with his officers; prostrating themselves before her, they paid homage to this beautiful princess, whom they hailed as their mistress.

Natalie thanked them with a fascinating smile; and, graciously giving her hand to the admiral, suffered herself to be assisted by him into the great boat.

As soon as her foot touched it, the cannon thundered, flags were waved on all the ships, and their crews shouted, “Viva Natalie of Russia!”

Her eyes sought Orloff, who, with a scowling brow and gloomy features, was still standing on the shore.

“Count Alexis Orloff!” cried she, with her silvery voice, “we await you!”

But Alexis came not at her call.  He hastily sprang into an officer’s boat, without giving her even a look.