“Terrible, terrible, most terrible.” And he looked at her gravely.
“But I pray God it may never be your fate!” The Princess had a pause, after which she added: “I see you feel it. Heaven help us all! Why shouldn’t I tell you when I worry?” she went on. “A short time ago I had a visit from Mr. Vetch.”
“It was kind of you to see him,” Hyacinth said.
“He was delightful, I assure you. But do you know what he came for? To beg me on his knees to snatch you away.”
“Away from what?”
“From the danger that hangs over you. He was most touching.”
“Oh yes, he has talked to me about it,” our young man said. “He has picked up the idea, but is utterly at sea. And how did he expect you’d be able to snatch me?”
“He left that to me; he had only a general—and such a flattering—belief in my possible effect on you.”
“And he thought you’d set it in motion to make me back out? He does you injustice. You wouldn’t!” Hyacinth finely laughed. “In that case, taking one false position with another, yours would be no better than mine.”
“Oh, speaking seriously, I’m perfectly quiet about you and about myself. I know you won’t be called,” the Princess returned.