All these human electric rings are capable of attraction and repulsion.  If a man, during his courtship of a woman, experiences once or twice a sudden instinctive feeling that there is something in her nature not altogether what he expected or desired, let him take warning and break off the attachment; for the electric circles do not combine, and nothing but unhappiness would come from forcing a union.  I would say the same thing to a woman.  If my advice were followed, how many unhappy marriages would be avoided!  But you have tempted me to talk too much, Ivan.  I see the ladies wish to adjourn.  Shall we go to the smoking-room for a little, and join them in the drawing-room afterwards?”

We all rose.

“Well,” said the Prince gaily, as he prepared to follow his host, “I realize one thing which gives me pleasure, Casimir.  If in truth I am being attracted towards your electric circle, I hope I shall reach it soon, as I shall then, I suppose, be more en rapport with madame, your sister.”

Zara’s luminous eyes surveyed him with a sort of queenly pity and forbearance.

“By the time you arrive at that goal, Prince,” she said calmly, “it is most probable that I shall have departed.”

And with one arm thrown round my waist, she saluted him gravely, and left the room with me beside her.

“Would you like to see the chapel on your way to the drawing-room?” she asked, as we crossed the hall.

I gladly accepted this proposition, and Zara took me down a flight of marble steps, which terminated in a handsomely-carved oaken door.  Pushing this softly open, she made the sign of the cross and sank on her knees.  I did the same, and then looked with reverential wonder at the loveliness and serenity of the place.  It was small, but lofty, and the painted dome-shaped roof was supported by eight light marble columns, wreathed with minutely-carved garlands of vine-leaves.  The chapel was fitted up in accordance with the rites of the Catholic religion, and before the High Altar and Tabernacle burned seven roseate lamps, which were suspended from the roof by slender gilt chains.  A large crucifix, bearing a most sorrowful and pathetic figure of Christ, was hung on one of the side walls; and from a corner altar, shining with soft blue and silver, an exquisite statue of the Madonna and Child was dimly seen from where we knelt.  A few minutes passed, and Zara rose.  Looking towards the Tabernacle, her lips moved as though murmuring a prayer, and then, taking me by the hand, she led me gently out.  The heavy oaken door swung softly behind us as we ascended the chapel steps and re-entered the great hall.

“You are a Catholic, are you not?” then said Zara to me.

“Yes,” I answered; “but—­”

“But you have doubts sometimes, you would say!  Of course.  One always doubts when one sees the dissensions, the hypocrisies, the false pretences and wickedness of many professing Christians.  But Christ and His religion are living facts, in spite of the suicide of souls He would gladly save.  You must ask Casimir some day about these things; he will clear up all the knotty points for you.  Here we are at the drawing-room door.”