ere to greet
me as my wife."

"But what will my mother say to this?"

"She will have to consent."

They went into the cottage and spoke to the old woman. She was far
from pleased with this arrangement, for she had worked out a very
different plan in her mind. But what could she do? A rich young
bridegroom always has his own way. So she hid her disappointment with
a false smile and gave them her blessing.

Then the young man said to her: "Get your things together, mother, and
follow Dobrunka, for I don't want her to be lonely while I'm gone.
When you get to the city, go to the palace and ask for Dobromil. The
people there will tell you where to go."

Dobrunka with tears streaming down her cheeks bid her mother good-by.
Dobromil lifted her to the saddle in front of him and away they went
like the wind.

The town was in great excitement. There was much hurrying to and fro
as the troops were being put in readiness for the morrow. A crowd had
gathered at the palace gates and as a young man came galloping up,
holding in front of him a lady lovely as the day, the shout went up:

"Here he is! Here he is!"

The people in the courtyard took up the cry and as Dobromil rode
through the gate all of them with one voice shouted out:

"Long live our beautiful queen! Long live our noble king!"

Dobrunka was struck with amazement.

"Are you really the king, Dobromil?" she asked, looking into his
proud and happy face.

"Yes," he said. "Aren't you glad that I am?"

"I love you," Dobrunka said, "and so whatever you are makes no
difference to me. But why did you deceive me?"

"I did not deceive you. I told you that your dream would be realized
if you took me for your husband."

In those early times marriage was a simple affair. When a man and
woman loved each other and their parents consented to their union,
they were looked upon as married. So Dobromil now was able to present
Dobrunka to his people as his wife.

There was great rejoicing, music played, and there was feasting and
drinking in the banquet hall until dawn. The next day the young
husband kissed his lovely bride farewell and rode off to war.

Left alone the young queen strayed through the magnificent palace like
a lost lamb. She would have felt more at home rambling through the
woods and awaiting the return of her husband in a little cottage than
here where she was a lonely stranger. Yet she was not a stranger long,
for within half a day she had won every h