“I am seventeen and a half,” Alyna answered. “But Mama and I visited Bath last holidays. I was taken to balls and assemblies – and then I think she found me a failure and a nuisance, so I was allowed to go back to the Young Ladies Seminary for another term.”

“Did you wish to do that?”

“Yes. I would much rather be at the Seminary – than have to go to parties. At least I can learn there.”

”Do you like learning?” Lord Dorrington asked in surprise.

Alyna sighed.

“It was so wonderful – when Papa was alive. He taught me himself. We read together, we studied subjects that were really interesting. At the Seminary I can continue to learn more – about the subjects we studied together.”

“But you cannot stay at a Seminary for ever,” Lord Dorrington pointed out.

“No, I know that,” she answered. “But when Mama sent for me so soon after the term had started, I felt that there was something wrong.”

“Wrong?” Lord Dorrington enquired.

“She wanted me to meet – the Prince.”

Again there was that note of fear and disgust in the young voice.

“I cannot marry him – do you not understand? I hate him! There is something – horrible and – beastly about him!” Alyna said passionately. “I think it’s the way he – looks at me, almost as if I was – naked. And I know that if he touched me – if he tried to – kiss me, I would scream.”

Her voice seemed to throb in the night air.

“Have you told your mother that you feel like this?” Lord Dorrington asked.

“I have told her a hundred times – I will not marry the Prince!” Alyna answered. “But she will not listen to me. She keeps on telling me how lucky I am. She says the Prince will be kind to me and – give me wonderful jewels. As though I want such things!”

“Most women are grateful for them,” Lord Dorrington remarked dryly.

“Besides,” Alyna went on as if he had not spoken, “I don’t believe, whatever Mama says, that I will be officially his wife. Or even in his own country considered to be married to him at all!”

“What makes you think that?” Lord Dorrington asked.

“Papa was very interested in the East,” Alyna answered. “We read about Kahriz at one time. Do you know where it is?”

“On the borders of Persia and Afghanistan,” Lord Dorrington replied.

He noticed that she looked at him with a faint air of surprise.

“Most people don’t know that,” she said. “It’s a small state, but very wealthy. The mineral resources are enormous.”

“And the Prince will inherit when his father dies,” Lord Dorrington said.

“He is not really of Royal descent,” Alyna said scornfully. “According to the Constitution, if the Ruler does not have a son in the direct line to inherit, he can nominate a child – of one of his concubines.”