She opened the door softly and gazed at the Prince before he saw her.
The room looked on the front of the house, and was sumptuously furnished, with Persian carpets, Chinese cabinets, porcelain ornaments, carved settees and chairs, gilt and richly cushioned with stamped leather and satin.
Near the dark red silk window-curtains hung a brightly coloured parrot in an ebony ring, in front of the fire slept a white cat, on a chair near were a tambour frame and a basket of silks.
There was only one picture, a half-length portrait of William II., in armour, holding his helmet; this hung above the mantelpiece.
Cut deep into the heavy oak frame showed the motto of the house of Nassau.—
“Je sera Nassau, moi, je maintaindrai.”
Standing by the delicate-hued harpsichord that filled one corner of the room, the Prince waited. He held his whip in his hand and was frowning thoughtfully.
The Princess stepped into the chamber and closed the door with a little sound that made him turn.
“Ah, Madame, I disturb you——”
“Disturb me!” she interrupted, smiling, “it is good of you to come and see a lonely old woman.”