wanted in the birch wood. He made his way there and waited for a long time. Finally the Princess arrived, moving with the long, beautiful steps of a Diana. “Hide yourself,” she whispered rapidly. “Uncle is following me.” They ran off hand in hand and disappeared behind the thick foliage of a lilac bush; Mr. Holz, after having searched for them for some time, sat down on the grass, resigned. Then they caught sight of the light hat of Uncle Rohn. He was walking quickly, looking out on both sides of him. The Princess’s eyes glistened with delight, like those of a young faun. In the bushes there was a damp and musty smell; the twigs and leaves were covered with spiders’ webs. Without even waiting for the danger to pass, the Princess drew Prokop’s head towards her. Between his teeth he felt her kisses, like wild berries, bitter and yet pleasant. The game was so delightful, new and surprising that it was if they were seeing one another for the first time.
And that day she did not come to him; beside himself with every sort of suspicion, he made his way to the castle. She was waiting for him, walking with her arms round Egon’s neck. Directly she caught sight of him she let go of the boy and came up to him, pale, distraught, mastering a certain desperation. “Uncle knows that I’ve visited you,” she said. “God, what will happen! I think that they will send you away. Don’t move now; they’re watching us from the window. I spoke this afternoon with . . . with . . .” she shivered . . . “with the manager, you know. We quarrelled . . . Oncle Charles wanted me simply to leave you, to let you
