I was in a carriage now, side by side with the Princess Flavia, and a rough fellow cried out: "And when's the wedding ?" and as he spoke another struck him in the face, crying "Long live Duke Michael!" and the princess coloured--it was an admirable tint--and looked straight in front of her.
Now I felt in a difficulty, because I had forgotten to ask Sapt the state of my affections, or how far matters had gone between the princess and myself.

Frankly, had I been the King, the further they had gone the better should I have been pleased.

For I am not a slow-blooded man, and I had not kissed Princess Flavia's cheek for nothing.

These thoughts passed through my head, but, not being sure of my ground, I said nothing; and in a moment or two the princess, recovering her equanimity, turned to me.
"Do you know, Rudolf," said she, "you look somehow different today ?" The fact was not surprising, but the remark was disquieting.
"You look," she went on, "more sober, more sedate; you're almost careworn, and I declare you're thinner.

Surely it's not possible that you've begun to take anything seriously ?" The princess seemed to hold of the King much the same opinion that Lady Burlesdon held of me.
I braced myself up to the conversation.
"Would that please you ?" I asked softly.
"Oh, you know my views," said she, turning her eyes away.
"Whatever pleases you I try to do," I said; and, as I saw her smile and blush, I thought that I was playing the King's hand very well for him.
So I continued and what I said was perfectly true: "I assure you, my dear cousin, that nothing in my life has affected me more than the reception I've been greeted with today." She smiled brightly, but in an instant grew grave again, and whispered: "Did you notice Michael ?" "Yes," said I, adding, "he wasn't enjoying himself." "Do be careful!" she went on.