His face again resumed its former stiff and cold expression. But the princess had caught a glimpse of the man she had known and loved, and it was to him that she now spoke.

“I thought you would allow me to tell you this,” she said. “I had come so near to you⁠ ⁠… and to all your family that I thought you would not consider my sympathy misplaced, but I was mistaken,” and suddenly her voice trembled. “I don’t know why,” she continued, recovering herself, “but you used to be different, and⁠ ⁠…”

“There are a thousand reasons why ,” laying special emphasis on the why . “Thank you, Princess,” he added softly. “Sometimes it is hard.”