y, of
course. I am not in the Princess's confidence, as I told you. I might be
if any one were, but nobody can see into her mind further than she
chooses to let them, and that is but a very little way. It would be a
fine sight, no doubt; but she has the reticence of a--well, of an angel
probably; exceptionally delicate and sensitive nature, and all that, you
know. It's not her way to let a good thing go by unnoticed, and she is
quite able to appreciate you. Your time is not up yet: you're likely to
see more of her before you go--at least, I should suppose so."

"Well, I am here to see things, as you say, and I may as well see
whatever is to be shown me. I am in your hands, old man; make as good a
job of it as you can before you send me back to the woods."

It is all very well for him to talk lightly on solemn subjects; he'll
change his tone by and by. I have prepared his mind now, as I prepared
the others before he came. Perhaps I ought to have done it sooner;
perhaps the Princess has been waiting for that. She'll know, without my
telling her; she'll see it in his eye.--Nonsense, Robert T.; your zeal
outruns your discretion. What does she want of your help in a thing like
this? Anyway, he's ready to be operated on, and it seems about time she
began to put in her work.

XV.

THE CATASTROPHE.

This miscellaneous entertainment, as I have remarked, lasted for about a
week: then suddenly the situation changed. I can't tell you how it was
done, though I was looking on all the time; but one evening I found
myself with Jane, and Hartman had gone off with the Princess. We were
all ready to play to her lead, no doubt; but it would have made no
difference if it had been otherwise: when she ordains a thing, that
thing is done, and without her taking any pains about it either, so far
as you can see. I think the predestined victim was pleased and flattered
to have the sacrificial chapter placed upon his head, so to speak; he
ought to have been, at any rate.

"Jane," I said, "what do you suppose Clarice is up to now?"

"Robert," said she, "I thought I had given you a lesson about practising
your absurd hypocrisies on me. Who should know what her plans are, if
not you? If you really are not in her confidence--and it would not be
far, certainly--surely you know Clarice well enough not to interfere.
Let them alone, and keep quiet." That is the way they always talk to me:
I wish they would find something new to say.

Thi