"And that is?" she asked.
The Princess recovered herself just in time, and sailed in between them.
"Mr. De la Borne," she said, "my daughter is too young for such conversations. For two years she is under my complete guidance. She must obey me just as though she were ten years older and married, and I her husband. The law has given me absolute control over her. You understand that yourself, don't you, Jeanne?"
"Yes," Jeanne answered quietly, "I understand."
"Go indoors, please," the Princess said. "I have something to say to Mr. De la Borne."
"And I, too," Jeanne said. "Let me stay and say it. I will not be five minutes."
The Princess pointed toward the door.
"I will not have it," she said coldly. "Cecil, take my daughter indoors. I insist upon it."
She turned away unwillingly. The Princess took Andrew by the arm and led him to a more distant seat.
"Now, if you please, my dear Mr. Andrew," she said, "will you tell me what it is that you have done to my foolish little girl?"