"Yet he might leave it a little while, monsieur."
"Madame, to leave it for one day might topple down the careful building of months. Moreover, he holds the city always under his grasp, fearing danger to the Emperor."
Her left hand went to her heart.
"Monsieur, we arrive to-morrow; it would not be kind to play with me."
Allard met her pleading eyes with candid amazement.
"Princess, what have I said? I venture to play with your Royal Highness!"
"Then the Grand Duke is waiting over there?" she flung out her hand toward the north, lifting her small white face to him, the golden-brown curls tossing in the breeze.
Even then he had no conception of her mistake.
"Surely, madame; where else?" he wondered.
The Gentle Princess made no exclamation, no reproach. Only her head drooped again, and shivering she drew the veil about her face.