“Now about this invitation. I am anxious, and so is Baroness von Mildenstadt, that your niece should grace the ball that is to be given in my honour.”
“It is with regret, sir,” Sir Terence said, “that Quenella cannot accept the Baroness’s kind invitation.”
“Why not?”
The question came like the report of a pistol and there was a look in the Prince’s eyes that would have made any of his countrymen quail before him.
“Quenella – ” Sir Terence began.
Even as he spoke, the door opened and she came into the room.
She was dressed in the same gown that she had worn for her Wedding, except that over it she was now wearing a heavy velvet cape lined and edged with fur.
On her head, instead of the hat trimmed with feathers, she wore a small bonnet that tied with ribbons under her chin.
She look
