"Had you sufficient interest in our discussion to stop and listen to
what we said, Princess von Steinheimer?"

"Ah, now you are becoming insolent, and I must ask you to consider your
engagement with me at an end."

"Surely you will not dismiss me in this heartless way, Princess. I think
I am entitled to a month's notice, or is it only a week's?"

"I will pay you a year's salary, or two years' if that will content you.
I have no wish to deal harshly with you, but I desire you to leave at
once," said the Princess, who had little sense of humour, and thus
thought the girl was in earnest when she asked for notice.

Miss Baxter laughed merrily, and replied when she was able to control
her mirth, "I do hate to leave the castle just when things are becoming
interesting. Still, I don't suppose I shall really need to go away in
spite of your dismissal, for the Prince this morning offered me ten
times the amount of money you are paying."

"Did he?"

"Be assured he did; if you don't believe me, ask him. I told him he was
a fool, but, alas, we live in a cynical age, and few men believe all
they hear, so I fear my expression of opinion made little impression on
him."

"I shall not keep you longer from his Highness," said the Princess with
freezing dignity.