The Countess Dagmar, when not monopolized by the very
progressive, or aggressive Anguish, unfolded to Lorry certain
pages in the personal history of the Princess, and he, of course,
encouraged her confidential humor, although there was nothing
encouraging in it for him.

Down by the great fountain, while the soldiers were on parade,
the fair but volatile Countess unfolded to Lorry a story that
wrenched his heart so savagely that anger, resentment,
helplessness and love oozed forth and enveloped him in a
multitude of emotions that would not disperse. To have gone to
the Princess and laid down his life to save her would have given
him pleasure, but he had promised something to her that could not
be forgotten in a day. In his swelling heart he prayed for the
time to come when he could take her in his arms, cancel his
promise and defy the troubles that opposed her.

"She will not mind my telling you, because she considers you the
very best of men, Mr. Lorry," said the Countess, who had learned
her English under the Princess Yetive's tutor. The demure,
sympathetic little Countess, her face glowing with excitement and
indignation, could not resist the desire to pour into the ears of
this strong and resourceful man the secrets of the Princess, as
if trusting to him, the child of a powerful race, to provide
relief. It was the old story of the weak appealing to the
strong.

It seems, according to the very truthful account given by the
lady, that the Princess had it in her power to save Graustark