ning. Yet this matter of her apartments in the hotel seemed
to her of such trifling moment that she let him have his way and
consented to make the change which he desired, albeit at the same time
strongly suspecting a hidden motive on his part.

"I am very glad, my dear Blanka," said Cagliari, when the princess had
indicated her willingness to comply with his request, "to find you
disposed to meet me half-way in this matter. We will, then, leave
further details to the hotel keeper. He will provide you with servants
in the livery of our house. How many do you wish--two?"

"One will suffice."

"And if he does not suit you, dismiss him and demand another. You shall
have no ground for suspecting me of placing a spy upon you in the guise
of a servant."

"Even if you should, it would trouble me little. A spy would find
nothing to report to you."

"My dear Blanka, no one sees his own face except in a mirror; others can
see it at all times."

"Have you anything to criticise in my conduct?"

"Nothing, I assure you. I know your firmness of principle. I look at you
now, not through the yellow glass used by a jealous husband in
scrutinising his wife, but through the rose-coloured glass that a fond
father holds before his eyes in regarding a beloved daughter. If you
travelled in a stranger's company on your journey to Rome, that may very
well have been a mere matter of chance. If you left the accustomed route
under his escort, you may have done so to avoid suspected dangers. If
you are seen again in Rome at this stranger's side, I see nothing in
that but his recognition of his duty toward you,--the courtesy of a
fellow countryman acquainted with Rome toward a lady visiting that city
for the first time. And if you walked together arm in arm, it was
undoubtedly because of the pressure of the crowd, which always justifies
a lady in seeking the protection of the first man available."

This speech filled Blanka with indignation and dismay. Weapons were
being forged against her, she perceived; but she could do nothing. Had
she offered a denial, her glowing cheeks would have testified against
her. She held her peace, accordingly, and preserved such outward
composure as she was able.

"_N'en parlons plus!_" concluded the prince, fully aware of his triumph.
"No one shall boast of outdoing Prince Cagliari in magnanimity,--not
even his wife. Where you have knelt and sued for mercy, I too will
kneel; what you have written in your pet