“As though I should dream of such a thing!” Princess Soudaroff was more nearly angry than Cyril had ever seen her. “A clandestine marriage for my darling Phil, and under my auspices! Lord Cyril, you should be ashamed of yourself for suggesting it. No, Philippa’s anxiety, and mine too, is all on your account.” “Ought I to be more flattered by your interest, or grieved for your anxiety, Princess?” “You are incorrigible, Lord Cyril. I assure you I am absolutely in earnest. Phil is making herself miserable with the notion that you are in love with the Princess of Dardania, although I have done my best to show her its absurdity. No man who had loved Queen Ernestine, however imperfectly, could transfer his affections to the woman who wrecked her happiness.” “Your sentiments are mine, Princess.” “Then what are you doing? Your passion for the Princess has become a by-word in her household. Even Princess Lida amused herself with it in talking to Phil. You cannot profess to be ignorant of this, Lord Cyril. You are not the man to drift into such a position blindfold, and I can only judge that you have some object in pursuing this course.” “See what it is to have at hand a critic acquainted with all the follies of one’s youth! I must congratulate you upon your clear-sightedness, Princess.” “But you and she have been enemies too long to work together with any confidence. It must be in the hope of improving your political position that you are trying to induce her to marry you.” “No, Princess; there you are wrong.” Cyril spoke with a firmness that carried conviction. “Nothing on earth could make me marry the Princess of Dardania, or any woman in the world but Ernestine. I don’t know why I should tell you this, except that I suspect you to be in communication with Ernestine, and I don’t want to add to her troubles.” “Then you still love Ernestine?” “I still love Ernestine--have always loved her--though I own that for a few days I thought I should be glad never to see her again. She thwarted me, and at the time I could think of nothing but punishing her. I won’t cant and say that I suffered as much as she did; but when I turned my back on her, I punished myself. The want of her has tormented me ever since.” “And now you are making love to her cousin!” “I see you don’t understand me yet, Princess. I cherish a hope--a dream, you may call it--of finding my way some day to Ernestine, and entreating her forgiveness--her compassion. But something else must come first.” “And what is that?” “The woman who separated us has to be dealt with.” “You are deliberately deceiving the unhappy creature?” “You will make me conceited, Princess. Is it for me to plume myself upon having produced an impression upon the heart of her Royal Highness?” The Princess waived the evasion away impatiently. “You are seeking to revenge yourself upon a woman.” “When a woman has twice pitted her wits successfully against mine, Princess, she is entitled to be treated as a man.”