"What prince?"
"Di Monte Bianca. Come, there is no time to lose. I have been holding my carriage ready ever since I came. Come."
"Thank you, but it is too late." She smiled, but it was a tired and lonely little smile. "Wait near me, but fear nothing." She had long since armed her nerves against this moment.
"But—"
"Enough! Leave everything to me."
"In God's name, who and what are you that you show no alarm when such danger threatens?"
"I have told you to wait," she answered.
He stepped back, beaten, discouraged. He would wait, and woe to any who touched her!
At precisely eleven the music ceased for intermission. There was a lull. Two carabinieri pushed their way into the ball-room. Tableau.
"Which among you is called the Principessa di Monte Bianca?" was asked authoritatively.