costume which had been prepared for him; but he seemed to have
entirely forgotten his purpose. The tailor and the friseur awaited
him in vain in his dressing-room; he forgot their existence. He
paced his room with rapid steps, and his tightly-compressed lips
opened from time to time to utter a few broken, disconnected words.

Of what was the prince thinking? He did not know, or he would not
confess it to himself. Perhaps he dared not look down deep into his
heart and comprehend the new feelings and new wishes which were
struggling there.

At times he stood still, and looked with a wild, rapt expression
into the heavens, as if they alone could answer the mysterious
questions his soul was whispering to him; then passed on with his
hand pressed on his brow to control or restrain the thoughts which
agitated him. He did not hear a light tap upon the door, he did not
see it open, and his most intimate and dearest friend, Count
Kalkreuth enter, dressed in the full costume of a shepherd.

Count Kalkreuth stood still, and did nothing to call the attention
of the prince to his presence. He remained at the door; his face was
also dark and troubled, and the glance which he fixed upon Prince
Henry was almost one of hatred.

The prince turned, and the count's expression changed instantly; he
stepped gayly forward and said:

"Your royal highness sees my astonishment at finding you lost in
such deep thought, and your toilet not even commenced. I stand like
Lot's blessed wife, turned to stone upon your threshold! Have you