" The princess
had not addressed a word to him. Why?
When the princess and her maid of honor had passed through the
kitchens into the princess's boudoir, the maid suddenly caught
her mistress's hand and imprinted a hasty kiss on it, to the
latter's surprise and agitation. There was something in that
kiss which came nearer to sincere affection than Mademoiselle
Bachelier had ever shown before.
"Camille?"
"God bless your Highness!" whispered the girl, again pressing
the cold hand to her lips. What had given rise to this new-born
affection she herself could not say, but a sudden wave of pity
rushed into her heart. Perhaps it was because she loved and was
loved that caused this expansion of heart toward her mistress,
who was likely never to love or beget love, who stood so lonely.
Tears came into her eyes.
"You are hysterical!" said the princess.
"No; it is because--because--" She stopped and a blush suffused
her face and temples.
The princess took the face between her hands and gazed long and
earnestly into it. "Have you discovered a belated pity in your
heart for me? Or is it because you thought him wounded unto
death, and he was not?"
"It is both!" weeping.
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