“In there.” And she glanced toward Elinor’s chamber.
“You must have had a lonely childhood.”
“No. In those days we had a servant–and a cow.”
“But why should your father and mother escape to this wilderness? Surely a woman may marry whom she pleases in these days.”
“Certainly. But an agent was sent to arrest my father–on a legal pretext–and in the quarrel this agent–also a gentleman of high rank–was killed. So that was murder. Just what his Majesty wished, perhaps. And my father, in haste, packed a few things on a ship and disappeared.”
“The King never knew where he went. Nor did any one else. But enough of myself and family. Tell me of your coming here. And of your friend. Is she still here?”
“My friend was a man.”
“Ah!”
The Princess raised her eyebrows, involuntarily. “Pardon me if I am indiscreet, but you are not married?”