rows and vexations I suffer away from you have dimmed
my eyes and prevented me from seeing what is written with golden letters
upon your smiling lips and beaming eyes. Ah, Louise, I thank you for
your precious words, at last you are captured, at last you have resolved
to become the wife of him who adores you. I thank you, Louise, I thank
you, and I swear that no earthly pomp or power could make me as proud
and happy as this assurance of your love."

Louise gazed into his beautiful, smiling face with terror.

"Ah, my prince, my words have not the meaning you imagine. I spoke the
simple truth. My heart has made its choice--since yesterday, I am the
betrothed wife of Captain du Trouffle."

"That is not true," cried the prince, casting her hands violently from
him. "You are very cruel today; you torture me with your fearful jests."

"No, your highness, I speak the truth. I am the betrothed of Captain du
Trouffle."

"Since yesterday you are the betrothed of Captain du Trouffle!" repeated
the prince, staring at her wildly. "And you say you love him, Louise?"

"Yes, your highness, I love him," said Louise, with a faint smile.

"It is impossible," cried the prince; "it is not true."

"And why should I deceive your highness?"

"Why?--ah, I understand all. Oh, Louise, my poor darling, how
short-sighted I have been! Why did I not immediately suspect my
brother?--he has spies to watch all my movements; they have at last
discovered my love for you. Pollnitz, who would do any thing for gold,
has betrayed us to the king, who condemns me to marry according to my
rank, and, to carry out his purpose surely, he now forces you to marry.
Oh, Louise, say that this is so; acknowledge that the power of the king,
and not your own heart, forced you to this engagement. It is impossible,
it cannot be that you have forgotten the vows that we exchanged scarcely
two weeks ago. It cannot be that you look upon the heart that loved
you so deeply, so purely, as an idle plaything, to be thrown away so
lightly! No, no, Louise, I have seen often in your beaming eyes, your
eloquent smiles, I have felt in your soft and tender tones, that you
loved me fondly; and now in your pale, sad face I see that you love
me still, and that it is the king who wishes to separate us. My poor,
lovely child, you have been intimidated; you think that my brother, who
reigns supreme over millions, will yield to no obstacle, that it is vain
to resist him. But you are mist