"No, that is not it. I hesitate to speak, because you will both think me so strange, so eccentric—"
"Ah! countess, how could we think you otherwise than charming!" exclaimed the duke gallantly.
"Foedora, explain yourself," said her aunt impatiently.
"I am quite willing to do so, but I shall surprise you greatly I know," she said, with a confident air; then turning to the duke, she added archly: "It seems to me—"
"It seems to you," repeated he, encouragingly.
"That—"
"Go on."
"That I am dying to marry M. de Saint-Herem," she concluded, very low.
"Madame!" cried the amazed duke, turning crimson. "Madame!"
"What is it, my dear duke?" inquired the princess. "How flushed your face is!"