gates. I
always had an answer ready and made my little curtsey so easily, that
more than once the ladies noticed me particularly, and exchanged with
each other in French, flattering words about my looks, not a syllable
of which escaped me.

"My father, who went to the castle, as he gave dancing lessons to the
princess' children, often repeated the compliments that had been paid
me there, and held me up as a pattern to my sisters. Of course this was
not agreeable to them or their mother, and often caused unpleasant
scenes. Often he brought home all sorts of dainties, confectionary, and
rare fruits. The butler was his god-father. This again made my mother
angry and with reason; for since I had tasted these delicacies, our
simple fare, of which there was often scarce enough, was far too coarse
for me, and I preferred to push away my plate and fast, rather than to
eat a dish that didn't suit me. At such times I satisfied myself with
the fruits and berries to be found in the garden and woods, and it was
only strange that, in spite of all this, I did not grow thin or weak,
but retained the fair complexion and red cheeks which, as I plainly
perceived, were the envy of the rouged countesses and princesses.

"And some one else there was who admired them; this was no less a
personage than His Highness, the little prince. He was an odd little
mortal then, and I think will always remain so; thin and fragile as if
made of porcelain, and equally stiff and polished, with a doll's face
that would have been very pretty if one could only have believed it
alive. And in an equally lifeless manner, as if he feared he might
break while doing it, he paid court to me. We had met him once in the
park, a horde of children dashing through the shrubbery with loud
hurrahs; catch, and hare and hounds, were our favorite games. He had
come there, Heaven knows how, without his tutor, and we suddenly grew
quiet, more on account of his uncanny stiffness and fashionable dress,
than from respect. But he was inclined to be especially gracious, to me
in particular condescension itself, and I, stupid little monkey, prided
myself upon it not a little. Dear me, I was only ten years old, but the
idea of being a duchess was firmly impressed upon my mind, and I
actually believed that he would marry me and realize all my fairy
visions. So for several years this absurd secret flirtation, which
wearied as much as it flattered me, continued, until at last the
prince