E Phillips Oppenheim

Jeanne of the Marshes E Phillips Oppenheim

The Princess opened her eyes at the sound of her maid's approach. She turned her headimpatiently toward the door."Annette," she said coldly, "did you misunderstand me? Did I not say that I was on noaccount to be disturbed this afternoon?"Annette was the picture of despair. Eyebrows and hands betrayed alike both her agitation ofmind and her nationality."Madame," she said, "did I not say so to monsieur? I begged him to call again. I told him thatmadame was lying down with a bad headache, and that it was as much as my place was worth todisturb her. What did he answer? Only this. That it would be as much as my place was worth if Idid not come up and tell you that he was here to see you on a very urgent matter. Indeed, madame, he was very, very impatient with me.""Of whom are you talking?" the Princess asked."But of Major Forrest, madame," Annette declared. "It is he who waits below."The Princess closed her eyes for a moment and then slowly opened them. She stretched outher hand, and from a table by her side took up a small gilt mirror."Turn on the lights, Annette," she commanded. The maid illuminated the darkened room. The Princess gazed at herself in the mirror, andreaching out again took a small powder-puff from its case and gently dabbed her face. Then shelaid both mirror and powder-puff back in their places."You will tell monsieur," she said, "that I am very unwell indeed, but that since he is hereand his business is urgent I will see him. Turn out the lights, Annette. I am not fit to be seen. Andmove my couch a little, so.""Madame is only a little pale," the maid said reassuringly. "That makes nothing. TheseEnglishwomen have all too much colour. I go to tell monsieur.