"I don't believe it was out of pity at all," said Valerie. "I'm—I'm sure it wasn't."
"It must have been," said Anthony. "Why on earth else should a
Princess——"
"Because it pleased her to kiss him," said Valerie, with the air of a queen.
Anthony looked at her with undisguised admiration.
"You're a real Princess," he said, "any way."
Valerie let go the door-handle and laid her hand on his shoulder.
"Why did she kiss him?" she demanded.
"Out of—because it pleased her."
The hand touched his cheek, and Anthony caught it and put it to his lips. As he let it go, the slight fingers caught his and, before he could stop her, Valerie had stooped and kissed them.
The next instant the door was open, and she was inside.