"Yes, there you are. And we'll go away, Missa, you and I, out into the beautiful wide world."
"But for Heaven's sake, what about your father?"
"Father mustn't know about it. We'll just go off by ourselves—run away, Missa dear."
"Run away! God bless me no, child! The Admiral...."
The Princess begged and prayed, using all her powers of persuasion and caresses, until Missa was gradually stripped of all arguments to the contrary, and finally rose to her feet.
"But, Baby dear, how shall we make our living?"
But at that the Princess jumped up and began dancing wildly around.
"Missa, I'll dance—dance for all the world; make them wild with delight, till they throw themselves at my feet. Missa, don't you understand, can't you imagine ... oh, Missa, if you only knew.... But you shall see, you shall see for yourself...."
She sank down on the sofa, sobbing violently.
Next day the Princess went down to the office.