e the left wing of the castle. I will pass through the hall
to the right and lead you to the apartments whose mistress you will now
become."

The princess threw a timid, inquiring glance at him. She had been so
convinced that her husband would demand a divorce, that she had allowed
her thoughts to linger upon this possible mode of escape. Now her heart
trembled within her. "Perhaps," murmured she as they passed through the
long hall--"perhaps he will murder me as the Duke of Orleans did his
wife because she loved the Count de Guiche." She hesitated, therefore,
as the prince opened a door and bade her enter. She looked anxiously
around for her followers.

"Cannot my maids accompany us?" said she, softly.

"No, madame," said the prince, roughly. "We go alone."

He drew her into the room, entered after her, then closed and locked the
door.

Princess Wilhelmina shrieked in terror, and drew away from him. "Why do
you lock the door?" said she, trembling. "Do you wish to murder me?"

The prince laughed aloud. "Ah, you wish a tragic end to your romance,
madame," said he. "Not so, however. It will be quiet and prosaic. You
will act neither the part of a martyr nor a heroine. I wish neither to
reproach nor punish you. I leave that to God and your conscience. I wish
only to arrange with you the details of our future life. I locked the
door, as I do not wish to be disturbed."

"What are these details?" said the princess.

"We will speak of them hereafter, madame. Will you first do me the honor
to read this letter I have just received from the king in answer to
mine? Have the kindness to read it aloud."

The princess received the letter and read:

"MY DEAR BROTHER--Your letter has been a great source of consolation to
me, for it assures me that you are again a man, and have overcome your
grief. It is not your lot to be only a tender or an avenging husband.
You are, before all else, a prince and a man. Both qualifications have
duties forcing you to submit to life and to become worthy of it. There
is still much to be done in this world by both of us, and a true man
should not be turned from his path because a foolish woman places a
few thorns beneath his pillow. Stifling his pain, he continues his road
quietly. I am glad this is also your opinion--that you have given up
all thought of a public scandal and denunciation. In relation to the
princess. I give you full power to make any and every arrangement you
see fit. As to K