‘You kissed me,’ she said suddenly, and he blushed red and stood up before her. ‘Why did you kiss me?’
‘Ah! Miss Racksole,’ he murmured, hurrying the words out. ‘Forgive me. It is unforgivable, but forgive me. I was overpowered by my feelings. I did not know what I was doing.’
‘Why did you kiss me?’ she repeated.
‘Because—Nella! I love you. I have no right to say it.’
‘Why have you no right to say it?’
‘If Eugen dies, I shall owe a duty to Posen—I shall be its ruler.’
‘Well!’ she said calmly, with an adorable confidence. ‘Papa is worth forty millions. Would you not abdicate?’
‘Ah!’ he gave a low cry. ‘Will you force me to say these things? I could not shirk my duty to Posen, and the reigning Prince of Posen can only marry a Princess.’
‘But Prince Eugen will live,’ she said positively, ‘and if he lives—’
‘Then I shall be free. I would renounce all my rights to make you mine, if—if—’