She asked
Giles to come over that evening, as she wished to introduce him to the
elder Princess. Ware was vexed that this inopportune visit should have
taken place at the moment. He did not wish to be introduced to Olga's
mother, and had more to do than to chatter French to a foreign lady.
However, being naturally a most polite young gentleman, he could not
refuse the request, and after dinner proceeded to the village.

Morris, the landlord of "The Merry Dancer"--which was the name of the
inn--was a burly man, and usually extremely self-important. On this
night he excelled himself, and looked as swollen as the frog in the
fable. That two Princesses should stay in his house was an honor which
overwhelmed him. To be sure, they were foreigners, which made a
difference; still, they had titles, and plenty of money, and for all
Morris knew--as he observed to his flustered wife--might be exiled
sovereigns. Morris received Giles in his best clothes, and bowed himself
to the ground.

"Yes, Mr. Ware, their Highnesses are within--on the first floor, Mr.
Ware, having engaged a salon and two bedrooms."

"I didn't know you had a salon, Morris!" said Giles, his eyes twinkling.

"For the time being I call it such," replied the landlord grandly. "My
daughter is a French scholar, Mr. Ware, and called the sitting-room by
that name. Me and Mrs. Morris and Henrietta Morris wish to make their
Highnesses feel at home. Allow me to conduct you, sir, to the salon of
their Highnesses. The garkong is engaged with the dejune, along with the
femmie de chambers, who also waits."

"You are quite a French scholar, Morris."

"Henrietta Morris, my daughter--or I should say, mon filly--has
instructed me in the languidge, sir. This way to the salon, sir," and
Morris marshalled the way with the air of a courtier of Louis XIV.

Giles entered the sitting-room, which was pretty and quaint but
extremely unpretentious, bubbling over with laughter.

Olga came forward, and catching sight of his face, laughed also as she
shook hands with him.

"I see you know the jest," she said.

"Morris informed me of it as soon as I entered his door. Why have you
come down to this dull place, Princess?"

"Ah, no"--she made a pretty gesture of annoyance--"you must to-night
call me Olga----"

"I should not think of taking such a liberty," said Giles quickly.

Olga pouted. "Then, Mademoiselle Olga," said she, "my mother you must
call the Princess Karacsay. Will you