. She still remembered the exact road she had taken,
and concluded to go in search of it as soon as the day should break.
This idea caused her so much joy, that it seemed as if she was not at
all sorry for her loss, in the good pretence it gave to take the same
road once more. At daybreak she passed through the garden to the
forest; as she walked with unwonted speed, it was natural that her
bosom should feel oppressed, and her heart beat faster than usual. The
sun was beginning to gild the tops of the old trees, which moved with a
gentle whispering, as if they would waken each other from their drowsy
night-faces, in order to greet the sun together; when the princess,
startled by a rustling at some distance, looked down the road, and saw
the young man hastening towards her. He at the same time observed her.

He remained a while standing as if enchained, and gazed fixedly upon
her, as if to assure himself that her appearance was real and no
illusion. They greeted each other with subdued expressions of joy at
their meeting, as if they had long known and loved each other. Before
the princess could explain to him the reason of her early walk, he
handed her with blushes and a beating heart the stone in the inscribed
billet. It seemed as if the princess anticipated the meaning of the
lines. She took the billet silently and with a trembling hand, and
almost unconsciously hung a golden chain, which she wore about her
neck, upon him, as a reward for his fortunate discovery. He knelt
abashed before her, and could hardly find words to answer her inquiries
about his father. She told him in a half whisper, and with downcast
eyes, that she would with pleasure soon visit them again, and take
advantage of his father's promise to make her acquainted with his
curiosities.

She thanked the young man again with unusual feeling, and returned
slowly on her way without once looking back. The youth was speechless.
He bowed respectfully and gazed after her for a long time, until she
vanished behind the trees. In a few days she visited them again, and
after this her visits became frequent. The youth by degrees became the
companion of her walks. He accompanied her from the garden at an
appointed hour, and escorted her back again. She observed a strict
silence with respect to her rank, confiding as she otherwise was to her
attendant, from whom no thought of her heavenly soul was ever hidden.
The loftiness of her descent seemed to pour a secret fea