that he had not only ceased to love her, but loved another
passionately. This suspicion was excited, however, for the first
time to-day. In the flashing eye, the glad smile, the proud glance
which he fixed upon his fair young wife, Louise discovered that
Henry had buried the old love and a new one had risen from its
ashes. This knowledge tortured her heart in a wild storm of
jealousy. She forgot all considerations of prudence, all fear, even
of the king. She had been compelled to relinquish the hand of the
prince, but she would not lose him wholly. Perhaps he would return
to her when he knew what a fearful offering she had made to him. He
would recognize her innocence, and mourn over the tortures he had
inflicted during the last year. She would try this! She would play
her last trump, and dare all with the hope of winning.

There stood the prince under the shadow of a large tree, gazing
dreamily at his wife, who, with other shepherdesses, and her
shepherd, Count Kalkreuth, was feeding the swans on the border of
the lake. The prince was alone, and Louise rashly resolved to
approach him. He greeted her with a slight nod, and turning his eyes
again upon his wife, he said, carelessly, "Are you also here, Madame
du Trouffle?"

"Your royal highness did me the honor to invite me--I am accustomed
to obey your wishes, and I am here."

"That is kind," said the prince, abstractedly, still glancing at the
princess.

Louise sighed deeply, and stepping nearer, she said, "Are you still
angry with me, my prince? Have you never forgiven me?"