"If what you ask me to do is within my capabilities, I am yours to
command."
"The reward will be small," as if to try me. I laughed. I was so
insanely happy, I suppose. "There will be danger," she persisted;
"secret danger: there will be scandal."
"The more danger, the merrier," I cried.
"Ah, yes," smiling; "it is the man of Balkistan."
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
principality rather. But first let me try to see if I cannot retain
the one and rid myself of the other. Listen. To-morrow night there
will be a dinner here. The King and the inner court will hold forth.
But they will cast aside their pomp and become, for the time being,
ordinary people. The Prince will be in Brussels, and therefore unable
to attend. You are to come in his stead."