She looked at her sister, who apparently did not hear what she was saying.
"Are you going to the ball?" she inquired.
"The ball?" repeated the Princess, thoughtfully. "Yes; I must go to the ball. I shall go dressed in mourning, and without any jewels; but tell me, will a black robe be becoming to me?"
The Baroness laughed.
"Undoubtedly!" she replied. "Mourning is becoming to every one. But if you think that by doing this you will soften the hearts of Augustus and his courtiers, you are mistaken; they will all laugh at you; they do not like tragedies."
"What will be, will be!" replied the Princess. "I shall go in mourning. I will appear before him like a silent ghost."
"And as Countess Hoym will be merry and fresh, you will also disappear like a ghost. Believe me, the past can never be recalled."
She looked at the clock.
"It is late already! I shall see you again at the ball--I shall be there, but I shall be in the background, like a spectator who applauds the actors. Good-bye!"