But when Katie brought the required dress, Princess Mary remainedsitting motionless before the glass, looking at her face, and saw inthe mirror her eyes full of tears and her mouth quivering, ready toburst into sobs.

　　"Come, dear princess," said Mademoiselle Bourienne, "just one morelittle effort."

　　The little princess, taking the dress from the maid, came up toPrincess Mary.

　　"Well, now we'll arrange something quite simple and becoming," shesaid.

　　The three voices, hers, Mademoiselle Bourienne's, and Katie's, whowas laughing at something, mingled in a merry sound, like the chirpingof birds.

　　"No, leave me alone," said Princess Mary.

　　Her voice sounded so serious and so sad that the chirping of thebirds was silenced at once. They looked at the beautiful, large,thoughtful eyes full of tears and of thoughts, gazing shiningly andimploringly at them, and understood that it was useless and even cruelto insist.

　　"At least, change your coiffure," said the little princess."Didn't I tell you," she went on, turning reproachfully toMademoiselle Bourienne, "Mary's is a face which such a coiffure doesnot suit in the least. Not in the least! Please change it."

　　"Leave me alone, please leave me alone! It is all quite the sameto me," answered a voice struggling with tears.

　　Mademoiselle Bourienne and the little princess had to own tothemselves that Princess Mary in this guise looked very plain, worsethan usual, but it was too late. She was looking at them with anexpression they both knew, an expression thoughtful and sad. Thisexpression in Princess Mary did not frighten them (she neverinspired fear in anyone), but they knew that when it appeared on herface, she became mute and was not to be shaken in her determination.

　　"You will change it, won't you?" said Lise. And as Princess Marygave no answer, she left the room.