“But I was Miss Guggenslocker because a man was unnecessary,” she said, so gravely that he smiled.  “I was without a title because it was more womanly than to be a ‘freak,’ as I should have been had every man, woman and child looked upon me as a princess.  I did not travel through your land for the purpose of exhibiting myself, but to learn and unlearn.”

“I remember it cost you a certain coin to learn one thing,” he observed.

“It was money well spent, as subsequent events have proved.  I shall never regret the spending of that half gavvo.  Was it not the means of bringing you to Edelweiss?”

“Well, it was largely responsible, but I am inclined to believe that a certain desire on my part would have found a way without the assistance of the coin.  You don’t know how persistent an American can be.”

“Would you have persisted had you known I was a princess?” she asked.

“Well, I can hardly tell about that, but you must remember I didn’t know who or what you were.”

“Would you have come to Graustark had you known I was its princess?”

“I’ll admit I came because you were Miss Guggenslocker.”

“A mere woman.”

“I will not consent to the word ‘mere.’  What would you think of a man who came half-way across the earth for the sake of a mere woman?”

“I should say he had a great deal of curiosity,” she responded, coolly.

“And not much sense.  There is but one woman a man would do so much for, and she could not be a mere woman in his eyes.”  Lorry’s face was white and his eyes gleamed as he hurled this bold conclusion at her.

“Especially when he learns that she is a princess!” said she, her voice so cold and repellent that his eyes closed, involuntarily, as if an unexpected horror had come before them.  “You must not tell me that you came to see me.

“But I did come to see you and not Her Royal Highness the Princess Yetive of Graustark stark.  How was I to know?” he cried impulsively.

“But you are no longer ignorant,” she said, looking from the window.

“I thought you said you were a mere woman!”

“I am—­and that is the trouble!” she said, slowly turning her eyes back to him.  Then she abruptly sank to the window seat near his head.  “That is the trouble, I say.  A woman is a woman, although she be a princess.  Don’t you understand why you must not say such things to me?”

“Because you are a princess,” he said, bitterly.

“No; because I am a woman.  As a woman I want to hear them, as, a princess I cannot.  Now, have I made you understand?  Have I been bold enough?” Her face was burning.

“You—­you don’t mean that you—­” he half whispered, drawing himself toward her, his face glowing.

“Ach!  What have I said?”

“You have said enough to drive me mad with desire for more,” he cried, seizing her hand, which she withdrew instantly, rising to her feet.