Am I a chattel, that I am to be offered across this frontier or that ?" The chancellor moved uneasily.

"If your highness loved out of your class, which I know you do not, I should be worried." "And if I did ?" with a rebel tilt to her chin.
"Till that moment arrives I shall not borrow trouble.

You will, then, tell the duke that you have changed your mind, that you have reconsidered ?" "This evening.

Now, godfather, you may kiss her serene highness on the forehead." "This honor to me ?" The chancellor trembled.
"Even so." He did not touch her with Ne hands, but the kiss he put on her forehead was a benediction.
"You may go now," she said, "for I shall need the whole room to dance in.

I am free, if only for a little while!" Outside the door the chancellor paused.