As for me, I admit I was acutely conscious of
it, and the walk to the door seemed endless. I must have shown my
relief when it was over, for the Princess looked up with a smile.
"That's your first trial as one of the Blood," she said.
"There are compensations," I answered.
She ignored the point. "They are very few."
"Sometimes, one would be ample."
Again she evaded. "Yes, the privilege to be as free as the lowest
subject," she answered, instantly.
"Pure theory," I said. "The lowest subject would think you mad."
"I would gladly exchange places," she said.
"Don't make any of them the offer."
"No--out of regard for my Father I won't."
"It's a great thing to be a Princess Royal," I ventured.
"Oh, I dare say--to those who care for great things."
"Who do not?"
"I don't. At least I think I don't."
"You would think so only until you were not the Princess Royal."
"That may be; but, as I am the Princess Royal and cannot well change my
birthright, I don't see how I am to get the chance to think otherwise."
"It's better to think you do not like great things when you have them,
than to like them and not have them."
"You make it only a choice of unhappinesses," she said.
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