I have always regretted it, for we had not met for eighteen months.' 'You were never very intimate, I suppose ?' suggested the Princess.
'We were always very good friends, but after he was appointed to the Staff we saw little of each other.' The Princess mused in silence for a few moments.
'I was very fond of him,' she said at last.

'Did he ever talk about me to you ?' 'No,' Ugo answered.

'Not that I can remember.' Their eyes met and she saw that he was telling the truth, as, in fact, he always did.
'I suppose you have heard that he was in love with my poor niece, who went into a convent after he was lost ?' she said tentatively, and watching his face.
'Indeed ?' He showed more interest.

'I never heard of that.

Were they engaged to be married ?' 'No.