hing derisively, "it is such lovely,
invigorating weather."

They went onward silently; they entered the castle and ascended the
steps to the apartment of the princess. Now they were in her cabinet--in
this quiet, confidential family room, where Prince Henry had passed so
many happy hours with his beloved Wilhelmina. Now he stood before her,
with a cold, contemptuous glance, panting for breath, too agitated to
speak.

The princess was pale as death; unspeakable anguish was written in her
face. She dared not interrupt this fearful silence, and appeared to be
only occupied in arranging her toilet; she took off her hat and velvet
mantle.

"Madame," said the prince at last, gasping at every word, "I am here to
make a request of you!"

Wilhelmina bowed coldly and ceremoniously. "You have only to command, my
husband!"

"Well, then," said he, no longer able to maintain his artificial
composure. "I command you to show me the letter you have hidden in your
bosom."

"What letter, prince?" stammered she, stepping back alarmed.

"The letter which Count Kalkreuth gave you in the garden. Do not utter
a falsehood; do not dare to deny it. I am not in a mood to be restrained
by any earthly consideration."

As he stood thus, opposed to her, with flashing eyes, with trembling
lips, and his arm raised threateningly, Wilhelmina felt that it would be
dangerous, indeed impossible to make any opposition. She knew that the
decisive moment had arrived, the veil must be lifted, and that deception
was no longer possible.

"The letter! give me the letter!" cried the prince, with a menacing
voice.

Wilhelmina gazed at him steadily, with eyes full of scorn and hatred.

"Here it is," taking the letter calmly from her bosom, and handing it to
the prince.

He snatched it like a tiger about to tear his prey to pieces; but when
he had opened it and held it before him, the paper trembled so in his
hands, he was scarcely able to read it. Once he murmured: "Ah! he dares
to say thou to you; he calls you his 'adored Wilhelmina!'" He read on,
groaning, sometimes crying out aloud, then muttering wild imprecations.

The princess stood in front of him, pale as death, trembling in every
limb; her teeth were chattering, and she was forced to lean against her
chair to keep from falling.

When the prince had finished reading the letter, he crushed it and
thrust it in his bosom, then fixed his eyes upon his wife with an
expression of such intense, u