cks,
but he followed her out of the house, pipe in hand, when she went to
mount her horse, and as she was about to mount, he said:

"Indeed you're a handy wench."

"You say much of my hands, but nothing of my face," remarked Princess
Osra.

"Of your face?" repeated the miller in some surprise. "What should I
say of your face?"

"Well, is it not a comely face?" said Osra, turning towards him that he
might be better able to answer her question.

The miller regarded her for some minutes, then a slow smile spread on
his lips.

"Oh, aye, it is well enough," said he. Then he laid a floury finger on
her arm as he continued: "If you come next week--why, it is but half a
mile to church! I'll have the cart ready and bid the priest be there.
What's your name?" For he had not hitherto asked Osra's name.

"Rosa Schwartz," said she, and her face was all alight with triumph and
amusement.

"Yes, I shall be very comfortable with you," said the miller. "We will
be at the church an hour before noon, so that there may be time
afterwards for the preparation of dinner."

"That will be on Thursday in next week?" asked Osra.

"Aye, on Thursday," said the miller, and he turned on his keel. But in
a minute he turned again, saying: "Give me a kiss, then, since we are
to be man and wife," and he came slowly towards her, holding his arms
open.

"Nay, the kiss will wait till Thursday. Maybe there will be less flour
on your face then." And with a laugh she dived under his outstretched
arms and made her escape. The day being warm, the miller did not put
himself out by pursuing her, but stood where he was, with a broad
comfortable smile on his lips; and so he watched her ride away.

Now, as she rode, the Princess was much occupied in thinking of the
Miller of Hofbau. Elated and triumphant as she was at having won from
him a promise of marriage, she was yet somewhat vexed that he had not
shown a more passionate affection, and this thought clouded her brow
for full half an hour. But then her face cleared. "Still waters run
deep," she said to herself. "He is not like these Court gallants, who
have learnt to make love as soon as they learn to walk, and cannot talk
to a woman without bowing and grimacing and sighing at every word. The
miller has a deep nature, and surely I have won his heart, or he would
not take me for his wife. Poor miller! I pray that he may not grieve
very bitterly when I make the truth known to him!"