“Madame!”
“Go back!” I said. “Go back!”
She paused, looking bewildered. I walked quickly up to her.
“Go back and keep quiet;” and, taking her by the shoulders, I pushed her back into the next room.
[The princess rushed to the other door, and, on finding it locked, screamed again.]
“Nobody,” I remarked, “should embark on these things who has not good nerves.”
She recognized me now. Her fright had been purely physical—I suppose she thought I was a burglar. When she knew me, she came forward in a dignified way, sat down on the sofa, and said:
“Explain your conduct, sir, if you are in a condition to do so.”
“I am sober, madame,” said I; “and I have two messages for you.”