But presently I discerned a woman's figure standing by the window.

I knew it was the princess, and I walked up to her, fell on one knee, and carried the hand that hung by her side to my lips.

She neither moved nor spoke.

I rose to my feet, and, piercing the gloom with my eager eyes, saw her pale face and the gleam of her hair, and before I knew, I spoke softly: "Flavia!" She trembled a little, and looked round.

Then she darted to me, taking hold of me.
"Don't stand, don't stand! No, you mustn't! You're hurt! Sit down--here, here!" She made me sit on a sofa, and put her hand on my forehead.
"How hot your head is," she said, sinking on her knees by me.