"Sire," she answered, smiling faintly, "I can only say as the
soldiers do, 'I thank you for your gracious punishment!'"

She bowed and left the room hastily, that the king might not see her
tears.




CHAPTER V.

A SECRET CAPTAIN.


The king looked long after her in silence; at first with an
expression of deep pity, but this soon gave place to a gay, mocking
smile.

"She is not a woman to take sorrow earnestly. When mourning no
longer becomes her, she will lay it aside for the rosy robes of joy.
She is a coquette, nothing more. It is useless to pity her."

He now stepped upon the balcony that overlooked the saloon, and
glanced furtively from behind the curtains upon the gay assembly
below.

"Poor, foolish mankind! how wise you might be, if you were not so
very childish--if you did not seek joy and happiness precisely where
it is not to be found! But how is this?" said the king, interrupting