BY ORDER OF THE CZAR. 357
hand upon this hand ! " she continued, raising her right arm aloft and clutching her fingers as if she held a dagger there " that beckoned him to his death ! "
Amidst the general gasp of satisfaction which welcomed Anna's tragic declaration, Philip covered his face with his hand.
Anna looked at him for the first time during her con- fession.
tl Does anyone doubt my right to the vengeance which has thrust the dagger of the Brotherhood into this supreme wretch ? Let him look upon me ! "
Philip, feeling that these words were addressed to him, raised his head and again fixed his eyes upon the speaker.
" Let him know why I am a Nihilist of the Nihilists ! Let him behold my title to vengeance ! "
As she spoke she tore open her dress, exhibiting a lovely white arm and part of a beautiful bust, turning at the same time with swift rapidity to exhibit her right shoulder and her neck, no further than is considered correct by ladies of fashion at balls and in the opera stalls, but sufficient to thrill iron men who had themselves been witnesses of the worst of Russian tortures. Red and blue, deep ridges and welts crossed and recrossed each other, with intervals of angry patches of red, and weird daubs of grey that blurred and blotted out all remains and tokens of the beautiful form with which nature had endowed one of its loveliest creatures.
Philip looked, and fell forward upon the table with a cry of horror, his head in his hands. The others remained dead still for a few seconds, until Ivan Kostanzhoglo rose quietly from his seat, replaced the torn garment over the woman's shoulders, and kissed her reverentially upon the forehead.
As Anna, herself much overcome, resumed her seat, Andrea Ferrari advanced to Philip and laid his hand upon his shoulder, at which the voung fellow looked round.
