"Yes, something has happened," he said, desiring to be truthful. "It was a strange, extraordinary and important event."
"What was it? Can't you tell me?"
"Not now. Don't press me for an answer. I have not had the time to think over the matter," he said, blushing still more.
"And you will not tell me?" The muscles on her cheek quivered, and she pushed away the chair.
"No, I cannot," he answered, feeling that answering her thus he answered himself—admitted to himself that something very important had really happened to him.
"Well, then, come!"
She shook her head as if desiring to drive away undesirable thoughts, and walked forward with a quicker step than usual.
It seemed to him that she unnaturally compressed her lips in order to suppress her tears. It was painful to him to grieve her, but he knew that the slightest weakness would ruin him, i. e., bind him. And this he feared more than anything else to-day, so he silently followed her to the door of the Princess' apartments.