Aurora was opening her startled eyes. She saw us two bending over her and memory came back. There must have been an expression of terrible concern in our faces, for she smiled and held out a hand which I covered with kisses. "Forgive me, children, for giving you such a fright. Good Melusine, always at her post when she's wanted! And you, dear friend, my thanks." "You are not angry with me?" I pleaded. She smiled and shook her head, giving me for answer the Russian saying: "_Do the rooks hate the sun for showing up the sportsman's gun?_" She added: "Melusine, go and tell them that he'll stay to lunch." To be present at Aurora's table was a signal honour. Melusine alone had been thought worthy of it hitherto. It was not long before I learnt to my cost how great the honour was. Meanwhile I only saw in it further proof of the importance of my revelation. One would have expected the meal to suffer from the effects of recent events. It did not suffer in the least, and though Aurora's spirits seemed a little forced, she was gay throughout. She talked about other things the whole time. I admired her self-possession all the more, because my secret was enough to have destroyed it altogether. In that hour, big with the burden of coming events, I knew the joy of realizing how indispensable I had become to the haughty princess, who had seemed to ignore my very existence only five short months before. When the coffee came Melusine rose. "Where are you going?" the Grand Duchess inquired. "To say that you won't be going calling this afternoon," she replied. "Shan't I?" said Aurora, smiling. "I'm not so overcome as all that. Just go and say that the car is to be ready at four instead of five." "Four?" "Yes. I want a few hours' rest before coming to fetch you at midnight," she said, turning to me. Melusine and I stared at her. "Does that surprise you?" she continued. "Do you call what you have just told me important or not? Now this is what _I_ think. One person can suffer from a delusion. It's highly improbable that two will. At midnight, my friend, I shall knock at your door. Then you will have an opportunity of proving your knowledge of secret springs. You understand, now? Now, Melusine, go and order the car for four o'clock. I've twice postponed my call on the good Burgomaster's wife, and I mustn't break my word a third time." There was so much authority in this order that Melusine went, casting a long, imploring glance in my direction. "Poor little girl," said the Grand Duchess. "That look gives me into your care. Midnight, you understand, without fail."