“Why do you say ‘of course’?” asked Usk. Helene started. “Oh, I beg your pardon. What could I have been thinking of? Please forgive me, I ought not to have said such a thing. It was merely a silly thought of mine. Do forget it, please.” “I think it was the truth,” said Usk bitterly. “At least, if she has a soul, I have not found it, but I don’t think she has.” “Oh, don’t say that. She is so beautiful.” “Judge for yourself. I have fought against it a long time, but now it is forced upon me. She does not love me, and only tolerates me near her to make another man jealous.” “Oh no, no!” Her tone was sharp with pain. “You love her, and yet you can say this to me--almost a stranger!” “I have not dared to say it to myself before, but it’s better to face it,” was the stubborn reply. “I oughtn’t to sadden you with it, I know, but I can’t talk to my uncle and aunt about it.” “It will not sadden me, if I can help you. See, you have misunderstood Miss Steinherz, have you not? She conceals her love, perhaps, she is shy and proud? Perhaps even she coquets with you; she shows kindness to another suitor for the sake of teasing you? That is foolish, it is even wrong; but the heart is there, and loves you. You do not understand women very much, perhaps? So often they think it undignified, unwise, to let the love they truly have be seen. That is it, is it not? not--not what you say. A good woman could not act in that way, and she must be a good woman if you have chosen her to love out of all the world.” “I wish I could think so!” said Usk, in a tone of such misery that Helene’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, if only I could help you!” she said. “I can only pray--pray that the good God will show you her heart full of love for you, that you may learn how you have misjudged her. Think how you will be obliged to humble yourself before her when you discover the truth!” “I shouldn’t mind that,” said Usk, with the ghost of a smile. “I’m afraid our tea-party won’t add very largely to the profits of the refreshment-stall,” said the Grand-Duchess. “I think we have eaten one cake of five centimes between us. Lenchen, darling, you are over-tired. Eat one of these cream-cakes, to please me.” “I can’t, mamma. I am not hungry.” “I can give them a five-franc piece, if you like, madame,” suggested Usk, “and ask them to add the change to their profits.” “Ah, that is a good idea. And if you see our _chasseur_, Lord Usk, perhaps you will kindly tell him to call up the carriage.” Neither Queen Ernestine nor Usk spoke much as they returned to the hotel, for both were thinking of the conversation at the tea-table; but as soon as Usk had put down his parcels, and betaken himself to Nicholson’s rooms, the Queen turned impulsively to her husband. “Oh, Cyril,” she said, “they are going to sacrifice that poor child!” “Little Helene? Is it all settled?”