"Here, sit down, my worthy lord, and allow me to hold the hand of my friend when he tells me what makes him anxious on my account."
She fetched herself a low tabouret, held the right hand of the old lord between hers, looking earnestly into his eyes.
"Your Highness knows the way of giving me courage to make bold requests," said the courtier, laughing.
"That is more to the purpose," said the Princess, relieved; "I now hear the voice and hold the hand of him in whom I most love to trust."
"But I wish for your Highness a nearer and stronger support than myself," began the old lord, earnestly.
The Princess started.
"So it was that which occasioned your Excellency's journey?" she exclaimed, with agitation.
"That was the anxiety which occupied me. It is nothing--nothing more than an idea," said the High Steward, inclining his head.
"And is that to tranquilize me more?" asked the Princess. "What has hitherto given me the power to live but your Excellency's ideas?"
"When your Highness, while still in widow's weeds, was called home, the wish of the Sovereign, making it a duty to attend upon you, was welcome to me; because I thereby obtained the right of carrying on this conversation with your Highness."