"Oh, nurse, I'm so glad!" "God is merciful, birdie.

" The nurse lit the gilt candles before the icons and sat down by the door with her knitting.

Princess Mary took a book and began reading.

Only when footsteps or voices were heard did they look at one another, the princess anxious and inquiring, the nurse encouraging.

Everyone in the house was dominated by the same feeling that Princess Mary experienced as she sat in her room.