o the lake.

Count Kalkreuth advanced to meet him, and greeted him with gay, jesting
words; but the prince had no word of reply for him; he passed him
silently, with a contemptuous glance, and stepped directly in front of
the princess, who looked up with a kindly smile. He said:

"Madame, it is too cold and rough to skate to-day; I will have the honor
to conduct you to your rooms."

Princess Wilhelmina laughed heartily. "It is a fresh, invigorating
winter day, my husband. If you are cold, it is not the fault of the
weather, but of your light clothing. I pray you to send for your furs,
and then we will run a race over the ice and become warm."

Prince Henry did not answer. He seized the arm of the princess and
placed it in his own. "Come, madame, I will conduct you to your
apartment."

Wilhelmina gazed at him with astonishment, but she read in his excited
and angry countenance that she must not dare oppose him. "Permit me, at
least, to have my skates removed," said she, shortly, giving a sign to
her maid. The prince stood near, while her maid knelt before her and
removed the skates. Count Kalkreuth was at some distance.

Not one word interrupted the portentous silence. Once the prince uttered
a hasty and scornful exclamation. He had intercepted a glance which
the princess exchanged with Count Kalkreuth, and a glance full of
significance and meaning.

"What is the matter with you, prince?" said Wilhelmina.

"I am cold," said he roughly, but the perspiration was standing in large
drops on his forehead.

When the skates were taken off, the prince drew his wife on quickly,
without a word or greeting to his friend. Kalkreuth stood pale and
immovable, and gazed thoughtfully upon the glittering ice. "I fear he
knows all," murmured he. "Oh my God, my God! Why will not the earth open
and swallow me up? I am a miserable, guilty wretch, and in his presence
I must cast my eyes with shame to the ground. I have deceived, betrayed
him, and yet I love him. Woe is me!" He clasped his hands wildly over
his face, as if he would hide from daylight and the glad sun the blush
of shame which burned upon his cheeks; then slowly, with head bowed
down, he left the garden.

The prince, during this time, had walked rapidly on with his wife;
no word was exchanged between them. Only once, when he felt her arm
trembling, he turned and said harshly:

"Why do you tremble?"

"It is cold!" said she, monotonously.

"And yet," said he, laug