“Not at all. She knew very little about the world; never had been a dozen miles from home, never even had sat at the duke’s table. She was a simple-minded little girl who gave the chickens their dough and gathered nosegays from her flower-garden. You can imagine, ladies, that she hardly knew what to make of it when told that an ambassador from England had arrived and wanted to see her. The duke told her to put on her best gown, mind what Harcourt said, and not be a baby. Suddenly the folding-doors leading to the ducal chamber opened, and there stood the ambassador. ‘You are to be married to him by proxy, and be queen of England,’ said the duke, which so surprised the poor girl that she nearly fainted. The ceremony over, Harcourt presented her with a necklace of diamonds. You see, ladies, it is almost the story of Cinderella over again!”
“It is really romantic,” responded Miss Milford.
“I would not be married to one whom I never had seen,” exclaimed Ruth.
“A princess, Miss Newville, cannot always do as she would. She may be compelled to marry against her will,” said Lord Upperton.
“I would not,” Ruth replied.
“Not if the country required it?” Lord Upperton asked.
“No, my lord; and I am glad I am not a princess.”
“Bravely spoken. Ladies and gentlemen, let us drink to the maiden who, though not of the blood royal, is yet a princess,” said Mr. Dapper.
“Hear! hear!” exclaimed the admiral, thumping the table.
The company gazed admiringly at Ruth, peerless in her beauty, the warm blood suffusing her cheeks.