"Forgive me! You can at least let me say that as long as I live
I may cherish and encourage the little hope that all is not dead.
Your Highness, let me say that my family never knows when it is
defeated, either in love or in war."

"The walls which surround the heart of a princess are black and
grim, impenetrable when she defends it, my boasting American,"
she said, smiling sadly.

"Yet some prince of the realm will batter down the wall and win
at a single blow that which a mere man could not conquer in ten
lifetimes. Such is the world."

"The prince may batter down and seize, but he can never conquer.
But enough of this! I am the Princess of Graustark; you are my
friend, Grenfall Lorry, and there is only a dear friendship
between us," she cried, resuming her merry humor so easily that
he started with surprise and not a little displeasure.

"And a throne," he added, smiling, how ever.

"And a promise," she reminded him.

"From which I trust I may some day be released," said he, sinking
back, afflicted with a discouragement and a determination of
equal power. He could see hope and hopelessness ahead.

"By death!"