“I want you to look your best this evening,” she said. “You must wear that other dress I bought you, the one with the rosebuds on it. It was monstrously expensive and Heaven knows when the account will ever be paid!”

Alyna wanted to reply that she was sure the Prince would pay for it if he got what he wanted. But in her new role of acquiescing in everything that was suggested she merely said in a low voice,

“I will wear the dress and the wreath that goes in my hair.”

“I have already sent a message to the hairdresser to be here at half after five,” Lady Maude said. “He too will want to be paid.”

She looked across the table at Alyna.

“You look very sweet, my dear, and you sound so calm and sensible. This is how I like you to be and I want you to be just as charming to the Prince tonight.”

Alyna had said nothing at the time, but when her mother came to her room just before dinner after the hairdresser had finished contorting her hair into more curls, she said,

“You will not leave me alone with His Highness, will you, Mama?”

Lady Maude had hesitated and Alyna added quickly,

“I will be nice to him, I will agree to everything he says, but if you leave me alone with him, I shall scream and refuse to marry him.”

Lady Maude looked at her sharply. There had been a resolute note in Alyna’s voice that she had not heard all day.

“I will not leave you alone,” she said at last somewhat reluctantly, “but, Alyna, promise me that you will take another of those tablets that I gave you last night. They appear to have settled your nerves and I am sure that they are good for your complexion. They have taken away that blotched look you sometimes have.”

“That is when I am angry,” Alyna remarked.

“Then don’t be angry tonight,” Lady Maude pleaded. “We are going to have such a cosy family dinner. I have ordered the most delicious food and the very best wine.”

She paused a moment and added sharply,

“The wine merchant refused to leave it unless I gave him something on account! Can you imagine the impudence of the man?”

“How aggravating, Mama,” Alyna said in a faraway voice.

“But you are a very good girl and I am pleased with you,” Lady Maude said in a different tone. “Now where are those tablets I gave you?”

“By my bed,” Alyna answered. “I will take one before I come downstairs.”

“Don’t forget,” Lady Maude admonished. “I am going down now to see if everything is ready for the Prince. Oh, Alyna, you have made me so happy!”

She swept from the room before her daughter could reply.