sighed Madame von Kliest. "My life was
indeed wretched until released by your kindness from that bondage."

"Ah, yes, it is true you are divorced. When and upon whom will you now
bestow this small, white hand?"

Louise looked up astonished. "What!" she stammered, confused, "your
majesty means--"

"That you will certainly marry again. As beautiful a lady as you will
always be surrounded by lovers, and I sincerely hope that you will
marry. You should go forward as an example to my brothers, your youthful
playmates, and I will tell my brother Henry that marriage is not so bad
a thing, as the beautiful Madame von Kleist has tried it for the second
time."

"I doubt very much, sire," said Louise, timidly, "if the example of so
insignificant a person would have the desired effect upon the prince."

"You do yourself injustice. The prince has too strong an admiration for
you, not to be influenced by your encouraging example. My brother must
and shall marry according to his birth. I am assured that, contrary to
my wishes and commands, he is about to make a secret and illegitimate
marriage. I am not yet acquainted with the name of his wily mistress,
but I shall learn it, and, when once noted in my memory, woe be unto
her, for I shall never acknowledge such a marriage, and I shall take
care that his mistress is not received at court--she shall be regarded
as a dishonored woman."

"Your majesty is very stern and pitiless toward the poor prince," said
Madame Kleist, who had succeeded in suppressing her own emotions, and,
following the lead of the king, she was desirous to let it appear that
the subject was one of no personal interest to herself.

"No," said the king, "I am not cruel and not pitiless. I must forget
that I am a brother, and remember only I am a king, not only for the
good of my family, but for the prosperity of my people. My brother must
marry a princess of wealth and influence. Tell Prince Henry this. Now,"
said the king, with an engaging smile, "let us speak of your lovely
self. You will, of course, marry again. Have you not confidence enough
in me to tell me the name of your happy and favored lover?"

"Sire," said Louise, smiling, "I do not know it myself, and to show what
unbounded confidence I have in your majesty, I modestly confess that I
am not positively certain whether among my many followers there is
one who desires to be the successor of Kleist. It is easy to have many
lovers, but somewhat difficul