“Where else, madame?” said he, bowing.
“But this girl says he is yonder—with Count Fritz.”
Sapt turned his eyes on the child with an incredulous smile.
“Every fine gentleman is a King to such,” said he.
“Why, he’s as like the King as one pea to another, madame!” cried the girl, a little shaken but still obstinate.
Sapt started round. The old Marshal’s face asked unspoken questions. Flavia’s glance was no less eloquent. Suspicion spread quick.
“I’ll ride myself and see this man,” said Sapt hastily.
“Nay, I’ll come myself,” said the princess.
“Then come alone,” he whispered.
And she, obedient to the strange hinting in his face, prayed the Marshal and the rest to wait; and she and Sapt came on foot towards where we lay, Sapt waving to the farm-girl to keep at a distance. And when I saw them coming, I sat in a sad heap on the ground, and buried my face in my hands. I could not look at her. Fritz knelt by me, laying his hand on my shoulder.