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It was Dariya&039;s idea that I enlist o to Cetinje with the Montenegrins And she did not think it wise for me to do so "Have him speak with your parents, Katiya," she told ossip about the that Militza had said, and I had not s I didn&039;t want iment was headquartered at nearby Vorontsov Palace If I could get word to him, he could intervene with Papa on my behalf He and his fell ow officers frequently walked in the Tauride Gardens, near our school Elena and the Bavarian princesses, Augusta and Erzsebet, joined me and Dariya the next afternoon as we set out

Bundled up, we strolled along the iced-over fountains as Augusta asked Elena and Dariya endless questions about the tsarevitch and his younger brothers I pretended to bethe sidewalks

"His brother George Alexandrovich is not so handsoued and est one, Mikhail Alexandrovich He is a true gentleman Wouldn&039;t it be wonderful if I should marry the tsarevitch and you should rand duke was only ten years old He had not even been at the Ser than us, but she would still have to wait for her grand duke to grow up

"Are you going to the children&039;s Christrand duchess Marie Pavlovna is a racious hostess than the e in the breeze "Sadly, I shal be back ho about the ball when I return I did want to rand duchess, but I&039;usta sighed "Going abroad for the holiday? You are so lucky, Katerina!"

I did not feel lucky at all But then I spotted iment "Pyotr Alexandrovich!" I shouted, and ran toward hirinned when he sawyour instructors a hard tiht you?" I rolled my eyes "I must speak with you, Petya," I whispered "There is a dreadful plot here at Sirls behindwith the other officers We strolled farther away fro about?" Petya asked

"Elena and her sisters want me to visit Cetinje with the to rabbed Petya&039;s ar theo"

"A crown prince, eh? What&039;s so dreadful about that?" Across the street, Dariya laughed as she flirted with one of the captains

Elena vied for their attentions as well I turned back to Petya I couldn&039;t tell hirin witches Then I would have to tell him about me "I do not want to move far away to some dark country in theto do?"

"Don&039;t be ridiculous And don&039;t worry your pretty little head about anything I&039;ll be dining with our parents this evening Perhaps they already have a more suitable match planned for you"

For soe passed through my mind I shook my head "You knoant to study medicine first," I told my brother "There will be plenty of time for a husband later Look at Madame Curie"

"Yes, but ants to marry an old woman who&039;s smarter than hi up to us He gave h to know I shouldn&039;t respond to the officer&039;s taunt, but I could not help myself "I&039;m sure no smart woman would want to marry you, anyway, Count Cherhed and put his ar ork out Katiya, I see that you re out h he did have a low opinion of educated woht you to our parents&039; hoall antly

They walked an to fall Elena was most curious about Petya&039;s friend "And as the handso with you and your brother?" she asked on our way back to the institute

"Count Chermenensky"

Elena scoffed "Only a count? Why should your brother waste your time with someone like that? Surely he doesn&039;t expect your parents to approve of a count as a suitableand stared at the princess "Elena, there isthe richest husband possible My brother was si cordial Besides, the count is a close friend of his" Elena rolled her eyes "You are so bourgeois, Katerina" Dariya linked my ar a rich husband," she said "I want a rich and handsome husband, with a title He must be a prince or better" She led hing behind us

We shook the snow froates

Mada at us

We were late to dance practice Again

I stayed awake in bed until late that night, worrying about Maman&039;s answer to Elena&039;s o to Cetinje

She would think it such an honor Ruue Maman, if she did not know already

When I did drift off to sleep, ht in a strange stone castle