"Well," answered Margaret, still resentful and unconsoled, "he would not have done that before we were married! And it is only the first day we have been together, too, since—since——"
And she buried her head in her kerchief.
Joan looked at the Princess a moment with a tender smile. Then she gave a little sigh and went over to her friend. She laid her hand on her shoulder and knelt down beside her.
"Margaret," she whispered, "you used to be so brave. When I was here, and had to fight the Sparhawk's battles with Prince Wasp, you were as headstrong as any young squire desiring to win his spurs. You wished to see us fight, do you remember?"
The Princess took one corner of her white and dainty kerchief away from her eyes in order to look yet more reproachfully at her friend.
"Ah," she said, "that shows! Of course, I knew. You were not he, you see; I knew that in a moment."
Joan restrained a smile. She did not remind her friend that then she had never seen "him." The Princess Margaret went on.
"Joan," she cried suddenly, "I wish to ask you something!"
She clasped her hands with a sweet petitionary grace.
"Say on, little one!" said Joan smiling.