CHAPTER I The Princess opened her eyes at the sound of her maid's approach.

She turned her head impatiently toward the door.
"Annette," she said coldly, "did you misunderstand me?
Did I not say that I was on no account to be disturbed this afternoon ?" Annette was the picture of despair.

Eyebrows and hands betrayed alike both her agitation of mind and her nationality.
"Madame," she said, "did I not say so to monsieur?
I begged him to call again.

I told him that madame was lying down with a bad headache, and that it was as much as my place was worth to disturb her.

What did he answer?
Only this.