cannot live without love. I will find out; a day will come when I
will take vengeance for this hour. I await that day!"

While Louise forced herself to appear gay, in order to meet her
husband without embarrassment, and the prince walked hastily onward,
the princess stood separated from her ladies, on the borders of the
lake, with the Count Kalkreuth at her side. The count had been
appointed her cavalier for the day, by the prince her husband; she
seemed to give her undivided attention to the swans, who were
floating before her, and stretching out their graceful necks to
receive food from her hands. As she bowed down to feed the swans,
she whispered lightly, "Listen, count, to what I have to say to you.
If possible, laugh merrily, that my ladies may hear; let your
countenance be gay, for I see the prince approaching. In ten minutes
he will be with us; do you understand my low tones?"

"I understand you, princess; alas! I fear I understand without
words; I have read my sentence in the eyes of your husband. The
prince suspects me."

"No," said she, sadly bowing down and plucking a few violets, which
she threw to the swans; "he has no suspicion, but he loves me."

The count sprang back as if wounded. "He loves you!" he cried, in a
loud, almost threatening tone. "For pity's sake speak low," said the
princess. "Look, the ladies turn toward us, and are listening
curiously, and you have frightened the swans from the shore. Laugh,
I pray you; speak a few loud and jesting words, count, I implore
you."