"I cannot suffer you to depart. I have scarcely said a quarter of what I wished to say."
"Then let me beg that our conversation may be entirely confined to the princess."
"I am most desirous it should; only for that purpose it is essential that we should repose the most perfect confidence in each other; by that means, and by acting in strict concert, we may be enabled to prevent the most fearful calamities."
"What mean you? Would the princess risk——"
"Fear not, lovely Iris; if you will aid me, these evils, however threatening, may be dispelled. With such an ally as yourself, nothing would be impossible; and, upon reflection, it seems to me that if once you and I come to a right understanding on the subject, it will be better just for the present not to inform the princess of what we are endeavouring to effect."
"And wherefore should she be kept in ignorance of what so much concerns her to know?"
"She might not be enabled to impose sufficient command on herself, and her very apprehensions might endanger the success of the projects I wish to work out for her good."
"But what good can I do in the matter? Why is it so indispensable that you and myself should become such confidants?"
"I will explain; but, in the first place, you must candidly answer the questions I shall put to you. Will you engage to do so?"
"Alas! I seem as though you exercised some spell or fascination over my actions; although nearly a stranger to me, you seem to have inspired me with sufficient confidence in your words to do whatsoever you ask me."