So, for that matter, did King Philip by this time.

'I must see Alois, Philip, I must see her alone,' was all Richard had to say; and really it could not be gainsaid.
He went to her after proper warning, and saw the truth the moment he had view of her.

Then also he knew that he had really seen it before.

That white, furtive, creeping girl, from whose loose hair peered out a pair of haunted eyes; that drooped thing backing against the wall, feeling for it, flat against it, with open shocked mouth, astare but seeing nothing: the whole truth flared before him monstrously naked.

He loathed the sight of her, but had to speak her smoothly.
'Princess--' he said, and came forward to touch her hand; but she slipped away from him, crouching to the wall.