"To-morrow," the Princess said softly, "we shall have been here a fortnight."
Cecil de la Borne came and sat by her side upon the sofa.
"I am afraid," he said, "that leaving out everything else, you have been terribly
"I have been nothing of the sort," she answered. "Of course, the last week has
been a strain, but we are not going to talk any more about that. You prepared us
for semi-barbarism, and instead you have made perfect sybarites of us. I can
assure you that though in one way to go will be a release, in another I shall be
"And I," he said, in a low tone, "shall always be sorry."
He let his hand fall upon hers, and looked into her eyes. The Princess stifled a
yawn. This country style of love-making was a thing which she had outgrown
"You will find other distractions very soon," she said, "and besides, the world is a
small place. We shall see something of you, I suppose, always. By the by, you
have not been particularly attentive to my stepdaughter during the last few days,
have you?"
"She gives me very little chance," he answered, in a slightly aggrieved tone.
"She is very young," the Princess said, "too young, I suppose, to take things
seriously. I do not think that she will marry very early."
Cecil bent over his companion till his head almost touched hers.
