I actually forgot where I was, and I fancied myself in the presence of a legendary princess in a fairy-tale-chamber. Accordingly the first words I uttered, as I took the hand which the pretty princess extended toward me, were: “Oh, how exquisite this is! It is not at all like a royal palace--any more than you seem like a princess receiving a stranger!” She began to smile and after we were seated she said: “Do you think that a princess should always be cold and ceremonious when she receives a stranger? Well, so far as I am concerned, you are not a stranger at all. After having seen you in your beautiful dances it seems to me that I am well acquainted, and I am very glad indeed that you have come to see me.” Then she asked if I could secure all my effects in an ordinary hall. She was thinking of the performance which I was to give at the palace. I told her that this would be quite possible. Then, and almost without knowing what I was saying, I murmured: “Heavens, how pretty it is! What a wonderful view you get from these windows!” “Yes. It is chiefly on account of this view that I wanted to live here. The landscape which we overlook reminds me of England; for, as you see, standing by these windows when I look out I can fancy myself once again in the dear country in which I was born.” “Then you still love England?” “Have you ever met an Englishman yet who loved another country better than his own?” “Don’t you love Roumania?” “It is impossible to live here without loving both the people and the country.” She then showed me a big picture. It was her own portrait in the national Roumanian costume. But on account of her blonde hair and her fair complexion the contrast with the other Roumanians whom I had seen was very striking. It seemed that the picture was tinged with sadness, and I wondered whether the princess would not some day regret her enforced exile. To me she gave the impression of a lily, planted in a field of wild poppies. When we returned to our seats I looked at the princess. I admired her excellent carriage, her friendly smile. She showed me a large portfolio in which she had painted some flowers. One of these pictures represented some Chinese plants drooping in a melancholy fashion. I could not help looking at the princess as she turned the page. “I painted them one day when I was feeling very blue,” she said. “We all have such days, do we not?” “Yes, your Highness, but you ought not to have them.” “Well, let me tell you, there is no one alive who has no cause for sadness. I am certainly not exempt.” Then, changing the topic of conversation, she said: “See these chairs. Do you like them?”