“ Ah, Maman, ne dites pas de bêtises. Vous ne comprenez rien. Dans ma position j’ai des devoirs ,” 96 said Elèn changing from Russian, in which language she always felt that her case did not sound quite clear, into French which suited it better.

“But, my dear⁠ ⁠…”

“Oh, Mamma, how is it you don’t understand that the Holy Father, who has the right to grant dispensations⁠ ⁠…”

Just then the lady companion who lived with Elèn came in to announce that His Highness was in the ballroom and wished to see her.

“ Non, dites-lui que je ne veux pas le voir, que je suis furieuse contre lui, parce qu’il m’a manqué parole. ” 97