"I know you have hindered her until now from going with me to visit her relations in Poland. Will you persuade her to do so now?" "With all my heart, if you desire it." "Yes, yes! and your Royal Highness will prevent inconceivable and unavoidable misery." The Mameluke continued for some time, sometimes begging and praying, and sometimes threatening so furiously, that Philip feared he might make a scene before the whole assembly that would not have suited him precisely. He therefore quitted him as soon as possible. Scarcely had he lost himself in the crowd, when a female, closely wrapped in deep mourning, tapped him familiarly on the arm, and whispered: "Butterfly, whither away? Have you no pity for the disconsolate Widow?" Philip answered very politely: "Beautiful widows find no lack of comforters. May I venture to include myself amongst them?" "Why are you so disobedient? and why have you not changed your mask?" said the Widow, while she led him aside that they might speak more freely. "Do you really fancy, Prince, that every one here does not know who you are?" "They are very much mistaken in me, I assure you," replied Philip. "No, indeed," answered the Widow, "they know you very well, and if you do not immediately change your apparel, I shall not speak to you again the whole evening. I have no desire to give my husband an opportunity of making a scene." By this Philip discovered whom he was talking with. "You were the beautiful Rose-girl; are your roses withered so soon?" "What is there that does not wither? not the constancy of man? I saw you when you slipped off with the Carmelite. Acknowledge your inconstancy--you can deny it no longer." "Hem," answered Philip, dryly, "accuse me if you will, I can return the accusation." "How,--pretty butterfly?" "Why, for instance, there is not a more constant man alive than the Marshal." "There is not indeed!--and I am wrong, very wrong to have listened to you so long. I reproached myself enough, but he has unfortunately discovered our flirtation." "Since the last rout at Court, fair Widow---" "Were you so unguarded and particular--pretty butterfly!" "Let us repair the mischief. Let us part. I honor the Marshal, and, for my part, do not like to give him pain." The Widow looked at him for some time in speechless amazement. "If you have indeed any regard for me," continued Philip, "you will go with the Marshal to Poland, to visit your relations. 'Tis better that we should not meet so often. A beautiful woman is beautiful--but a pure and virtuous woman is more beautiful still." "Prince!" cried the astonished Widow, "are you really in earnest? Have you ever loved me, or have you all along deceived?"