“You think, then,” De Brensault asked eagerly, “that it is not I personally whom she objects to so much?”

“Certainly not,” the Princess answered.  “It is simply you as the man whom it is proposed that she should marry that she dislikes.  I have been talking to her for a long time this afternoon.  Frankly, I do not know which would be best—­to give up the idea of anything of the sort for some time, or to—­to—­”

“To what?” De Brensault demanded, as the Princess hesitated.

“To take extreme measures,” the Princess answered slowly.  “Mind, I would not consider such a thing for a moment, if I were not fully convinced that Jeanne, when she is a little older, would be perfectly satisfied with what we have done.  On the other hand, one hesitates naturally to worry the child.”

“She will not see me?” De Brensault asked.  “It is possible that I might be able to persuade her.”

“You would do more harm than good,” the Princess answered decidedly.  “She is terrified just now at the idea.  She is in her room shaking like a schoolgirl who is going to be punished.  Really, I don’t know why I should have been plagued with such a charge.  There are so many things I want to do, and I have to stay here to look after Jeanne, because she is too foolish to be trusted with any one else.  I want to go to America, and a very dear friend of mine has invited me to go with her and some delightful people on a yachting cruise around the world.”

“Then why not use those measures you spoke of?” De Brensault said eagerly.  “I shall make Jeanne a very good husband, I assure you.  I shall promise you that in a fortnight’s time she will be only too delighted with her lot.”

The Princess looked at him thoughtfully.

“I wonder,” she said, “whether I could trust you.”

“Trust me, of course you could, dear Princess!” De Brensault exclaimed eagerly.  “I will be kind to her, I promise you.  Be sensible.  She would feel this way with any one.  You yourself have said so.  There can be no more suitable marriage for her than with me.  Let us call it arranged.  Tell me what it is that you propose.  Perhaps I may be able to help.”

“Jeanne is, of course, not of age,” the Princess said thoughtfully, “and she is entirely under my control.  In England people are rather foolish about these things, but abroad they understand the situation better.”

“Why not in Belgium?” De Brensault exclaimed.  “We might go to a little town I know of very near to my estates.  Everything could be arranged there very easily.  I am quite well-known, and no questions would be asked.”

The Princess nodded thoughtfully.

“That might do,” she admitted.

“Why not start at once?” De Brensault suggested.  “There is nothing to be gained by waiting.  We might even leave to-morrow.”

The Princess shook her head.

“You are too impetuous, my dear Count,” she said.