Sabina was still very pale, and her delicate lips were pressed
together, but there were no tears in her eyes, as she waited for the
Baroness to say more.

"Then I heard the bad news," the latter continued. "I heard it from
the porter."

Sabina looked at her quietly. If she had heard the bad news, why had
she not gone away? The Baroness began to feel uncomfortable. She
almost quailed before the pale girl of seventeen, slender as a birch
sapling in her light frock.

"It occurred to me," she continued nervously, "that I might be of
use."

"You are very kind," Sabina answered, with the faintest air of
surprise, "but I really do not see that you could do anything."

"Perhaps your mother would allow you to spend a few days with me--
until things are more settled," suggested the Baroness.

"Thank you very much. I do not think she would like that. She would
not wish me to be away from her just now, I am sure. Why should I
leave her?"

The Baroness Volterra did not like to point out that the Princess
Conti might soon be literally homeless.

"May I ask your mother?" she enquired. "Should you like to come to me