I leaned over the table and inhaled the ineffable perfumes which
emanated from her person. "Tell me, from what must I succor the
Princess? Is she a prisoner in a castle over which some ogre rules?
Well, then, I'll be Sir Galahad."

My jesting tone jarred on her nerves. She straightened in her chair.

"Monsieur is amused," she said coldly.

"And he asks a thousand pardons!" I cried contritely. "Command me,"
and I grew chilled and serious.

"You have heard that I am to wed Prince Ernst of Wortumborg?"

"Yes." I gnawed the ends of my mustache.

"Monsieur, it is against my will, my whole being. I have no desire to
contribute a principality and a wife to a man who is not worthy of one
or the other. I refuse to become the King's puppet, notwithstanding
his power to take away my principality and leave me comparatively
without resources. I detest this man so thoroughly that I cannot hate
him. I abhor him. It is you who must save me from him; it is you who
must also save me my principality. Oh, they envy me, these poor
people, because I am a Princess, because I dwell in the tinsel glitter
of the court. Could they but know how I envy their lives, their homes,
their humble ambitions! Believe me, monsieur, as yet I love no man;
but that is no reason why I should link my life to that of a man to
whom virtue in a woman means nothing. He caused my mother great
sorrow. He came between her and my father. He spoiled her life, now
he wishes to spoil mine. But I will not have it so. I will give up my