Ah! so different an Elisabeth, this, from the one I had last seen at the East Room, with throat fluttering and cheeks far warmer than this cool rose pink.

But, changed or not, the full sight of her came as the sudden influence of some powerful drug, blotting out consciousness of other things.

I could no more have refrained from approaching her than I could have cast away my own natural self and form.

Just as she reached the top of the broad marble stairs, I spoke.
"Elisabeth!" Seeing that there was no escape, she paused now and turned toward me.

I have never seen a glance like hers.