d she had the Baroness in attendance on her to save
appearances. Instead of leaving us to ourselves, the malicious creature
persisted in paying the most respectful attentions to her mistress. It
was impossible to make her understand that she was not wanted any longer
until the Princess said sharply, "Go back to the music!" Even then,
the detestable woman made a low curtsey, and answered: "I will return,
Madam, in five minutes."

I ventured to present myself in the conservatory.

The Princess was dressed with exquisite simplicity, entirely in white.
Her only ornaments were white roses in her hair and in her bosom. To say
that she looked lovely is to say nothing. She seemed to be the ethereal
creature of some higher sphere; too exquisitely delicate and pure to be
approached by a mere mortal man like myself. I was awed; I was silent.
Her Highness's sweet smile encouraged me to venture a little nearer. She
pointed to a footstool which the Baroness had placed for her. "Are you
afraid of me, Ernest?" she asked softly.

Her divinely beautiful eyes rested on me with a look of encouragement.
I dropped on my knees at her feet. She had asked if I was afraid of
her. This, if I may use such an expression, roused my manhood. My own
boldness astonished me. I answered: "Madam, I adore you."

She laid her fair hand on my head, and looked at me thoughtfully.
"Forget my rank," she whispered--"have I not set you the example?
Suppose that I am nothing but an English Miss. What would you say to
Miss?"

"I should say, I love you."

"Say it to Me."

My lips said it on her hand. She bent forward. My heart beats fast at
the bare remembrance of it. Oh, heavens, her Highness kissed me!

"There is your reward," she murmured, "for all you have sacrificed for
my sake. What an effort it must have been to offer the pretense of
love to an obscure stranger! The Baroness tells me this actress--this
singer--what is she?--is pretty. Is it true?"

The Baroness was quite mischievous enough to have also mentioned the
false impression, prevalent about the Court, that I was in love with
Jeanne. I attempted to explain. The gracious Princess refused to hear
me.

"Do you think I doubt you?" she said. "Distinguished by me, could you
waste a look on a person in _that_ rank of life?" She laughed softly, as
if the mere idea of such a thing amused her. It was only for a moment:
her thoughts took a new direction--they contemplated the uncertain
future. "How