"I am going out," he said. "I shall be back in an hour."
He had seen that there was at least one thing which he must do at
once, and after stopping short, stunned to stupor by what had
happened, his life began to move on again. It was manifestly his duty
to see the Princess again, and he knew that she would receive him, for
she would think that he had changed his mind after all, and meant to
free himself. He must see her and say something, he knew not what, to
convince her that he was acting honourably.
He was shown to her sitting-room, as if he were expected. It was not
long since the ambassador had left her and her daughter had gone back
to her room, and she was in a humour in which he had not seen her
before, as he guessed when he saw her face. Her wonderful complexion
was paler than usual, her brows were drawn together, her eyes were
angry, there was nothing languid or careless in her attitude, and she
held her head high.
"I expected you," she said. "I sent word that you were to come up at
once."
She did not even put out her hand, but there was a chair opposite her
and she nodded towards it. He sat down, feeling that a struggle was
before him.
"The ambassador has just been here," she said. "He brought the
newspaper with him, and I have read the article. I suppose you have
seen it.
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