she found within, to protect herself from any further
pursuit, for this wreath announced to all that the mistress of the hut
had retired within and did not wish her solitude disturbed. That nothing
might mar the harmony of this fete, the prince and his wife had placed
themselves on an equal footing with their guests; the princess had
declined any conspicuous role, and was to appear in the simple but
charming costume of a wood-nymph, while the prince had selected an
ideal and fanciful hunter's costume. Even in the selection of huts the
Princess Wilhelmina had refused to make any choice, and had drawn her
number as the others did, even refusing a glimpse of it to her husband.

This day seemed given up to joy and pleasure. Every countenance was
bright and smiling, and the wood resounded with merry laughter, with
the tones of the hunter's horn, the baying of the hounds, which were
in Diana's train, and the singing of sweet songs. And still on how many
faces the smile was assumed, how many sighs arose, with how many cares
and sorrows were many of these apparently happy creatures weighed down?
Even the noble brow of the goddess Diana was not so unruffled as Homer
describes it, her countenance expressed care and unrest, and in her
great black eyes there glowed such fire as had never shone in the orbs
of the coy goddess.

See, there is the goddess Diana crossing the wood breathlessly, and
hurriedly, looking anxiously around her, as if she feared the approach
of some pursuers; then seeing that no one is near, she hastens forward
toward the hut, which stands amidst those bushes. The ivy wreath is
hanging before this cabin, but Diana does not notice this, she knows
what it means and, besides, no one has a right to enter this hut but
herself, for it bears the number which she drew.

As she entered, Endymion, the beautiful hunter, advanced to greet her.
"At length you have come, Camilla," he whispered, gently; "at length
you grant me the happiness of a private interview. Oh, it is an
eternity since I beheld you. You are very cruel to me to refuse me all
intercourse with you, and to leave me languishing in the distance for
one glance from you."

"As if it depended on me to allow you to approach me. As if I was not
guarded with argus eyes as a prisoner that is expected to break loose
and vanish at any moment. How much trouble, how much cunning and
deftness have I been compelled to exercise to come here now. It was a
detestable id