Her eyes were fixed on the count, with no show of hatred or anger.
"What are you doing, child," faltered the Lady Louise, "and why do you come to the man whom you shunned? I told you that you were in safety there."
"She is also in safety in my house, my lady," replied the nobleman. "Are you not in safety there, Lorenza," he demanded of the refugee.
"Yes," was the other's answer.
At the height of amazement the princess clasped her hands and dropped into her chair.
"Lorenza," went on the count, in a soft voice but one with the accent of command, "I am accused of doing you violence. Tell me if I have ever acted so toward you?"
"Never," replied the woman, in a clear and precise voice but without any gesture accompanying the denial.
"Then what did the story about the abduction mean?" questioned the princess.
Lorenza remained dumb, but looking at the count as though all her life, and speech—which is its expression—must come from him.