The Princess managed to secure a set of listeners at the opposite side of the table.

Suddenly, as if carrying on the theme, she said in a deliberately loud voice, compelling attention: "Your Royal Highness, I am in a dilemma." "What is it ?" She paused, looked round and widened her circle.

"For the past year I have been wanting Mr.Savelli to ask me to marry him, and he obstinately refuses to do so.

Will you tell me, sir, what a poor woman is to do ?" She addressed herself exclusively to the young Prince; but her voice, with its adorable French intonation, rang high and clear.

Paul, suddenly white and rigid, clenched the hand of the Princess which happened to lie within immediate reach.