By this time I had regained my composure. "Naturally," I said, "a Diary records thoughts and things intended for the writer only, but if you choose to be ungentlemanly enough to wish to peruse those pages more sacred than private letters, I suppose I will have to submit." Frederick Augustus changed the subject, but I felt instinctively that he was disappointed. Someone had played on his curiosity, and to go unsatisfied is not at all in this prince's line. Of course, the someone was the Tisch, but how did she know? I will ask her as soon as Frederick Augustus is gone. * * * * * LOSCHWITZ, _May 2, 1901_. "Have you ever seen my Diary?" I asked the Tisch this morning. "Never, Your Imperial Highness." "Then how do you know I keep a Diary?" "I surmised it because I saw Your Imperial Highness write repeatedly in one and the same book." The hussy affected a humble tone, but the note of triumph and hatred underlying the creature's meekness did not escape me. "And the mere surmise prompted you to blab to my husband, arouse his suspicions?" "For Heaven's sake," cried my Grand Mistress, "I had no idea that His Royal Highness didn't know about the Diary. Secrets between the Prince-Royal and Your Imperial Highness--how dare I pre-suppose such a state of things? His Royal Highness casually asked how the Crown Princess killed time in Loschwitz. I mentioned riding, driving, bicycling, writing letters, writing in the Diary----" My fingers itched to slap her lying face, Grand-Duchess of Tuscany fashion, but I kept my temper. "Listen to me," I said. "While you have secret instructions to play the serpent in my household and to betray, for dirty money, your mistress of the Blood Imperial, your duties as a spy are confined to my going and coming, to my exterior conduct, to my visits outside the palace, to my friendships, perhaps. "They cannot possibly encompass my thoughts. And my Diary is the repository of my thoughts--thoughts that must not be defiled by your favor-seeking curiosity. Be warned. The next time you dare act the burglar--I say _burglar_--I will kick you out of doors like a thieving lackey." She got as white as a sheet and hissed back: "Your Imperial Highness can't dismiss me. Only His Majesty has power----" I interrupted her with an imperious gesture. "I said I will kick you out of doors like a thieving lackey," I repeated, "and I will do so this moment if you say another word. Whether or not His Majesty will punish me for the act, that's _my_ business. You will be on the street and will stay on the street." I pointed to the door: "I dismiss you now. You will keep to your room for the rest of the day." I saw the Tisch was near collapse. "Your Imperial Highness deigns to insult a defenseless woman," she breathed as she went out.