His face fell instantly, and for a moment he was visibly confused, but at last, with a conscious smile, he said, boldly:
"Well, why not? I do not know that it is necessary to deny it since she is aware of it herself; and so, I think, is the whole city. I am a bachelor, and not turned fifty. Twenty-five years is not an impassable gulf, is it?"
"Certainly not, my dear prince. My remark was an ill timed pleasantry which you must pardon. Is she, then, so young?"
"Twenty-five."
"Let me see; her ball is for to-morrow—or rather, to-night, since it is now morning."
"Yes. Will you go with me? I will then have the pleasure of presenting you."
"Thank you; yes."
I did not see the prince again until he called for me on his way to the house of the princess where we found the parlors thronged, so that it was with difficulty that we presently made our way among the massed guests to the point where Zara de Echeveria was receiving her friends. On our way to greet her, Prince Michael encountered many acquaintances who claimed a word with him, so at last he drew me aside and we waited until there was a lull in the efforts of the crush around her; then he led me forward.
"So glad to know you, Mr. Dubravnik," she said, in my own language. "The prince has told me that you have spent a long time abroad, and prefer to speak English. I am also fond of conversing in that tongue. Will you be seated?" She made a place for me beside her, and we were soon engaged in conversation.
The Princess Zara!