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He embraced her. She screamed and fell unconscious on his

shoulder.

He cautiously released the shoulder she leaned on, looked into

her face, and carefully placed her in an easy chair.

"Adieu, Mary," said he gently to his sister, taking her by the

hand and kissing her, and then he left the room with rapid steps.

The little princess lay in the armchair, Mademoiselle Bourienne

chafing her temples. Princess Mary, supporting her sister-in-law,

still looked with her beautiful eyes full of tears at the door

through which Prince Andrew had gone and made the sign of the

cross in his direction. From the study, like pistol shots, came

the frequent sound of the old man angrily blowing his nose.

Hardly had Prince Andrew gone when the study door opened quickly

and the stern figure of the old man in the white dressing gown

looked out.

"Gone? That's all right!" said he; and looking angrily at the

unconscious little princess, he shook his head reprovingly and

slammed the door.

BOOK TWO: 1805

CHAPTER I