He was silent, and the girl placed a cold hand in his for an instant and then withdrew it quickly.
“We have taken the liberty, your royal highness,” said Mrs. Brevoort breezily, as she and Ned Strong crossed the room, “of sending one of your attendants to New Rochelle for a carriage. It seems that Rudolph,” she continued, glancing at Kate, “has made his escape in the vehicle that waited outside. And now we are anxious to discover if your lodge-keeper left anything to eat in the house. It is absolutely necessary that we fortify ourselves in some way for the ride before us.”
The crown prince had arisen and beckoned to the towering Posnovitch, who blocked the doorway.
“Go up to the house, man, and tell Posadowski to send us whatever he has to eat and drink. I believe,” he continued, smiling at Mrs. Brevoort, “that we are not in imminent danger of starving to death.”
“And may I repay your present hospitality, your royal highness,” cried Mrs. Brevoort gayly, “by numbering you among my guests at dinner to-morrow?”
Prince Carlo glanced furtively at the averted face of Kate Strong, as he said, in a voice in marked contrast to the sprightly tones in which the invitation had been extended to him:
“I am very sorry, Mrs. Brevoort, to be obliged to decline your hospitality, but—but I shall sail for Europe early to-morrow morning.”