Canolles' remark was not strictly logical, perhaps, and had little relevancy to their conversation, but his purpose was accomplished. He noticed the sensation of terror which prompted the interruption, and the joyful sensation with which his last words were received. "But," he continued, "I am none the less compelled to say to your Highness, distasteful as it is to me, that I am to remain at the château and accompany your Highness wherever it may be your pleasure to go." "So that I cannot be alone even in my own apartments?" cried the princess. "Ah! monsieur, that is worse than an indignity!" "I have informed your Highness that such are my instructions; but I beg you to have no fears on that score," added Canolles, with a piercing glance at the occupant of the bed, and emphasizing every word; "you should know better than any one that I am not slow to yield to a woman's entreaties." "I?" cried the princess, whose tone denoted more embarrassment than surprise. "In truth, monsieur, I cannot fathom your meaning; I have no idea to what circumstance you allude." "Madame," rejoined Canolles, bowing, "I thought that the servant who announced me to your Highness mentioned my name. I am Baron de Canolles." "Indeed," said the princess in a more confident voice; "what matters it to me, monsieur?" "I thought that having already had the honor of obliging your Highness--" "Of obliging me! how, I pray to know?" retorted the voice, in a changed tone, which reminded Canolles of a certain very wrathful, but at the same time very timorous voice, which he remembered too well. "By carrying out my instructions to the letter," he replied with the utmost respect. The princess's apprehension seemed to be allayed once more. "Monsieur," said she, "I have no wish to make you remiss in your duty; carry out your instructions, whatever they may be." "Madame, I am as yet, I am happy to say, entirely unskilled in the persecution of women, and know even less of the method to be employed in insulting a princess. I have the honor therefore to repeat to your Highness what I have already said to the princess dowager, that I am your very humble servant. Deign to give me your word that you will not leave the château unaccompanied by me, and I will relieve you of my presence, which, as I can well understand, is hateful to your Highness." "But in that case, monsieur," said the princess, quickly, "you will not carry out your orders." "I shall do what my conscience tells me that I ought to do." "Monsieur de Canolles, I swear that I will not leave Chantilly without giving you due notice." "Then, madame," said Canolles, bowing to the ground, "forgive me for having been the involuntary cause of arousing your wrath for an instant. Your Highness will not see me again until you are pleased to summon me."