beautiful voice could be, saying she
would like to know. "Leave it to me, your Majesty," said the maid; "I
will inform you to-morrow." Stella could not wait for the next day; and,
indeed, early the next day she learned that the one who sang was the
sifter. That evening she heard him sing again, and stood by the window
until everything became quiet. But that voice had so touched her heart
that she told her maid that the next day she would try and see who had
that fine voice. In the morning she placed herself by the window, and
soon saw the youth come forth. She was enchanted by his beauty as soon
as she saw him, and fell desperately in love with him.

Now you must know that this was none other than the prince who was at
the banquet, and whom Stella had called "dirty." So he had disguised
himself in such a way that she could not recognize him, and was
meanwhile preparing his revenge. After he had seen her once or twice he
began to take off his hat and salute her. She smiled at him, and
appeared at the window every moment. Then they began to exchange words,
and in the evening he sang under her window. In short, they began to
make love in good earnest, and when he learned that she was free, he
began to talk about marrying her. She consented at once, but asked him
what he had to live on. "I haven't a penny," said he; "the little I earn
is hardly enough to feed me." Stella encouraged him, saying that she
would give him all the money and things he wanted. To punish Stella for
her pride, her father and the prince's father had an understanding, and
pretended not to know about this love affair, and let her carry away
from the palace all she owned. During the day Stella did nothing but
make a great bundle of clothes, of silver, and of money, and at night
the disguised prince came under the balcony, and she threw it down to
him. Things went on in this manner some time, and finally one evening he
said to her: "Listen. The time has come to elope." Stella could not wait
for the hour, and the next night she quietly tied a cord about her and
let herself down from the window. The prince aided her to the ground,
and then took her arm and hastened away. He led her a long ways to
another city, where he turned down a street and opened the first door he
met. They went down a long passage; finally they reached a little door,
which he opened, and they found themselves in a hole of a place which
had only one window, high up. The furniture consis