To-morrow I am to be allowed to begin nursing at the Alexander Hospital.

What do you think of that ?" The time was January 1916, and the place a room in the great Nirski Palace.

No hint of war, no breath from the snowy streets, entered that curious chamber where Prince Peter Nirski kept some of the chief of his famous treasures.

It was notable for its lack of drapery and upholstering--only a sofa or two and a few fine rugs on the cedar floor.

The walls were of a green marble veined like malachite, the ceiling was of darker marble inlaid with white intaglios.