"The Princess needs quiet and rest, gentlemen," said Smith. "Kindly retire."
"Perhaps I'd better sit beside her for a while," began Constantine, but Smith interrupted him:
"I'll call you into consultation if I want you, Monsieur Xenos." His voice had a very slight ring to it; the ex-King of Greece looked at him for a moment, then winced and backed out of the room, followed by King Ferdinand who seemed to be in a hurry and crowded on his heels like an agitated pachyderm.
Clelia, who had remained mute and motionless, looking at Smith all the while, now came toward him. And in the girl's altered face I saw, reflected, deeper emotions than I had supposed her youthful heart could harbor.
"Do you need me?" she asked. "I am at your service."
"Thank you, there is nothing more," said Smith pleasantly. He turned to include Thusis in kindly but unmistakable dismissal.
Clelia gave him a long, slow look of exquisite submission; Thusis sent an odd, irresolute glance at me. As she passed me, following her sister, her lips formed the message: "I wish to see you to-night."
When they had gone Smith shut and locked the door, and with a slight motion to me to accompany him, walked over to the bed, seated himself beside it, and took the fat hand of the Princess Pudelstoff in his as though to test her pulse.
The lady rolled her eyes at us but lay still, her mottled cheeks still glistening with partly dried tears.
"What's on your mind, Princess?" inquired Smith in a soft, caressing voice.