September noon
Next the prince recounted Maurice 's adventures , how he became connected with those at the chateau , even Fitzgerald 's fall from grace . The indignation and surprise which was accorded this recital was unbounded . The brown eyes of the princess filled . In a moment she had traversed the space of ten years to a rare September noon , when a gray-haired old man had kissed her hand and praised her speech . A young dog stood beside her , ready for a romp in the park . Across the path sat her father , who was smiling , and who would never smile again . How many times had her girlish fancy pictured the son of that old man !