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"Why should I mind Monsieur Pierre being here?" exclaimed the

little princess suddenly, her pretty face all at once distorted

by a tearful grimace. "I have long wanted to ask you, Andrew, why

you have changed so to me? What have I done to you? You are going

to the war and have no pity for me. Why is it?"

"Lise!" was all Prince Andrew said. But that one word expressed

an entreaty, a threat, and above all conviction that she would

herself regret her words. But she went on hurriedly:

"You treat me like an invalid or a child. I see it all! Did you

behave like that six months ago?"

"Lise, I beg you to desist," said Prince Andrew still more

emphatically.

Pierre, who had been growing more and more agitated as he

listened to all this, rose and approached the princess. He seemed

unable to bear the sight of tears and was ready to cry himself.