Pagina 129 de 2288

"Why, has he been here long?" the princess asked about Levin, as

they returned home.

"He came today, mamma."

"There's one thing I want to say...." began the princess, and

from her serious and alert face, Kitty guessed what it would be.

"Mamma," she said, flushing hotly and turning quickly to her,

"please, please don't say anything about that. I know, I know all

about it."

She wished for what her mother wished for, but the motives of her

mother's wishes wounded her.

"I only want to say that to raise hopes...."

"Mamma, darling, for goodness' sake, don't talk about it. It's so

horrible to talk about it."

"I won't," said her mother, seeing the tears in her daughter's

eyes; "but one thing, my love; you promised me you would have no

secrets from me. You won't?"

"Never, mamma, none," answered Kitty, flushing a little, and

looking her mother straight in the face, "but there's no use in

my telling you anything, and I ... I ... if I wanted to, I don't

know what to say or how.... I don't know...."