She stopped to control herself ... felt for her handkerchief to dry the tears that were blinding her ... dropped the scrap of cambric upon the Aubusson carpet gracing the drawing-room of the Prefecture. The Prince picked the handkerchief up as Mademoiselle hastily stooped to recover it ... their heads encountered in the act. The bump was a hard one—Juliette could have sunk into the earth with confusion.... But the Prince rubbed his forehead, grinned, and called out like any other schoolboy:
"My word! that was a stunner! I do hope you're not hurt? Are you, as it happens, Mademoiselle?"
"No, no, Monseigneur! But you?..."
"I am all right! Saw lots of stars, though!"
He burst out laughing. And so infectious was the peal of merriment that for one blissful moment of forgetfulness Juliette joined in.
"To laugh does the heart good," the boy assured her. He went on: "Do not be unhappy, for I will telegraph to the Emperor. He never denies me anything I ask him.... Depend upon it, he will do everything in his power for your father, Mademoiselle!"
She looked all thanks, saying in her voice of silver:
"I shall pray with redoubled fervor for His Imperial Majesty. And for you, Monseigneur—be well assured of it! Now, with all my gratitude, I will retire if your Highness permits?"
She swept her curtsey, and would have withdrawn then had not Monseigneur called out eagerly:
"No, no! We have still eight of our ten minutes! Don't go!... I do so like the way you talk.... Mon Dieu! What would the Empress say to me if she knew that I had left a lady standing! Pray sit down here, Mademoiselle!"