"So that is the whole of the mystery, is it? Why did you need so much urging to tell it?" "Oh! because the princess said to me when I came away: 'Mila, please don't tell anyone about the delightful day we have passed together and the friendship we have formed. I have my reasons for asking you to keep it secret. You shall know them later, and I know that I can rely on your promise if you will give it to me.'--As you can imagine, Michel, I did not refuse it." "Very good; but you are breaking your word now." "No, I am not. You are not _anybody_ to me, and, of course, the princess didn't suppose I would have any secrets from my father or my brother." "Does my father know all this, then?" "Certainly, I told him about it at once." "And he was neither surprised nor disturbed by this whim of the princess?" "Why surprised, please? It is your surprise that is very strange and a little impertinent, Michel. Am I not capable of inspiring friendship, even in a princess? And why disturbed? Is not friendship a good and pleasant thing?" "Still, my child, I am, if not disturbed, at all events astonished at this friendship. Tell me this, which may explain it in some measure. Has our father rendered Princess Agatha some great service?" "He has done much beautiful decorating in the palace. He has made some superb foliage in the dining-room among other things." "I have seen all that; but he is well paid. The princess has taken a liking to him because of his zeal and disinterestedness, I suppose?" "Yes, that must be it. Isn't it true that anybody who knows father for a little time loves him?" "That is so. Then it is because of our excellent father that you arouse so much interest in this great lady!" "Oh! Michel, she isn't a great lady, I tell you! she's a good woman, a kind, lovely woman." "And what could she find to say to you, my child, for a whole day?" "She asked me a thousand questions, about myself and father and you, about our life in Rome, your occupations, our home life and our tastes. I really believe that she made me tell our whole history day by day, ever since I was born; I talked so much that I was tired out that evening." "It seems that this lady is terribly inquisitive; for what does it all matter to her?" "Now you mention it, I believe that she is a little inquisitive; but it is a pleasure to answer her questions; she listens to you with so much interest, and she is so pleasant! Come, don't speak ill of her, or I shall be angry with you!"