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.