" I've been thinking about it, too. I should let you get on with your life. Regardless of my home situation, it's unfair of me to get in your way. And...it's such a long way up here. We could only see each other once or twice a year at the most." Oh, sweetie," tears started forming in her eyes. "I've always loved you so much. I'm sorry that it has to end." I've always loved you, too. At least we're not parting with enmity and bitterness. I'll always treasure the memories I have of you and us.". It was clear that the envoy had managed to figure out that I was the 'Prince Sean' that his message referred to. That was obvious in his reply."I will do well enough, my Prince." Nonsense. Mom, I take it that it would be all right for Cormac to use the spare bedroom?"She wasn't happy about it, but accepted the inevitable by nodding her agreement once again."I'll show you where it is, Cormac. Maybe I can find something else for you to wear, something a little more comfortable?"The spare bedroom. Between her thumb and middle finger she held a white, walnut-sized ball? a faultless sphere carved out of the hardest African ivory and carefullypolished. "There are sixty-sixof these balls in the drum, all perfectly identical" said the Comtesse."After the drum makes two or three revolutions,a hole opens inits side and sixballs fall through. These balls are guided bya system of grooves and pipes to six hidden levers,one for each crane. Now, if a lever is locked, the ball simply rolls past. That pleased me greatly.He said, "I will wait until you are ready. You are one woman that Irespect."If he respected me, he might actually be getting better.It was soon after he told me he respected me that he made one of hislast wishes, "I wish to be financially independent, but not super rich,so I can stop selling. When I sell I get trapped doing or saying thingsI really don't like or believe. It is taking me away from my goal." Done." How are things different?" You are on the board of.