CHAPTER VIII.

THE UNWILLING BRIDEGROOM.


Prince Henry had again passed eight days in arrest--eight tedious
days, days of powerless anger and painful humiliation. This arrest
had been, by the king's express orders, so strict, that no one was
allowed to see the prince but Pollnitz, who belonged, as the king
said, to the inventory of the house of Hohenzollern, and, therefore,
all doors were open to him.

Pollnitz alone had, therefore, the pleasure of hearing the
complaints, and reproaches, and bitter accusations of the prince
against his brother. Pollnitz always had an attentive ear for these
complaints; and after listening to the prince with every appearance
of real feeling and warm sympathy, he would hasten to the king, and
with drooping eyelids and rejoicing heart repeat the bitter and
hateful words of the unsuspicious prince--words that were well
calculated to increase the king's displeasure. The prince still
declared that he would not marry, and the king insisted that he must
submit to his will and commands.

Thus the eight days had passed, and Pollnitz came to-day with the
joyful news that his arrest was at an end, and he was now free.