“M-marry – you?” she stammered almost inaudibly.
The Prince put his hands out and took hers.
She felt herself tremble because he was touching her. At the same time she was trying to realise what he had asked of her.
“I love you,” the Prince insisted, “and I think you love me. I have to ask whether you are prepared for the sake of our love to go into exile and in doing so risk danger, even perhaps death?”
Paulina’s fingers tightened on his.
“I don’t – understand.”
“Why should you?” the Prince asked. “But I will try to explain, my precious love. I would not ask this of you if I did not believe that, whatever such an action may entail, I can make you happy.”
He waited for her answer and raising her eyes to his, Paulina said,
“I love – you and I – want to do – anything you wish. But ho
