CHAPTER SEVENIlona awoke because someone was pulling back the curtains.
She felt drowsy with sleep, then suddenly she remembered where she was and what had brought her there.
She sat up in bed and saw that the Housekeeper was bringing in a tray to set down beside her.
“What time is it?” she asked.
“It is well after noon, Your Royal Highness, but I let you sleep on, seeing how tired you were.”
“As late as that?” Ilona exclaimed. “Then what has happened?”
“Most of the troops have returned. They are celebrating a victory!”
“There was fighting?”
“Very little, I think, Your Royal Highness. His Highness is safe. He came back some hours ago. He had a short rest, and now I believe he is outside the Palace with the troops.”
Ilona was silent for a moment. Then she asked in a very low voice,
