word of apology.

The princess was enraged. "I promise you they shall be punished for
this presumption." She turned to Baron Marshal, who stood behind his
daughter: "Baron," said she, "if this leads to a duel, I will be your
second!"

CHAPTER VII. IN THE WINDOW-NICHE.

While these events were occurring in the dancing-room, and the queen was
seated at the card-table, the Princess Wilhelmina, wife of Prince Henry,
stood in the window-niche of the ball-room and conversed with Count
Kalkreuth, the friend and adjutant of her husband. The count had been
sent home amongst the wounded, but he was now restored and about to
return to the camp. They spoke quickly and impressively together, but
the music drowned their words and made them indistinct to all others.
What said they to each other? Seemingly petty and indifferent things.
They had, perhaps, a deeper, secret meaning, for the countenance of
the princess and that of the count were grave, and the sweet smile
had vanished from the charming face of the princess. They spoke of
unimportant things, perhaps, because they had not the courage for the
great word which must be spoken--the word farewell!

"Your royal highness has then no further commission to give me for the
prince?" said the count, after a pause.

"No," said the princess; "I wrote to him yesterday by the courier.
Describe the ball to him, and tell him how we are, and how you left me."

"I must tell him, then, that your highness is perfectly gay, entirely
happy, and glowing with health and beauty," said the count. These were
simple and suitable words, but they were spoken in a hard and bitter
tone.

The princess fixed her large soft eyes with an almost pleading
expression upon the count; then with a quick movement she took a wreath
of white roses, which she wore in her bosom, and held them toward him.
"As a proof that I am gay and happy," said she, "take these flowers
to my husband, and tell him I adorned myself with them in honor of his
fete."

The count pressed his lips convulsively together and looked angrily upon
the princess, but he did not raise his hand to take the flowers--did not
appear to see that she held them toward him.

"Well, sir," said the Princess Wilhelmina, "you do not take the
flowers?"

"No," said he, passionately, "I will not take them." The princess looked
anxiously around; she feared some one might have heard this stormy "No."
She soon convinced herself that there was no lis