same time, they were not paid by the king as his spies."

"But all this will cease as soon as you speak the decisive word; as
soon as you declare yourself prepared to marry."

"And you dare to tell me this?" cried the prince, with flashing
eyes--"you, that know I love a lady who is unfortunately no
princess; or do you believe that a miserable prince has not the
heart of a man--that he does not possess the ardent desire, the
painful longing for the woman he loves?"

"Oh, women do not deserve that we should love them so ardently; they
are all fickle and inconstant, believe me, my prince."

The prince cast a quick, questioning glance at the smiling
countenance of the courtier.

"Why do you say this to me?" he asked, anxiously.

"Because I am convinced of its truth, your highness; because I
believe no woman has the power to preserve her love when obstacles
are placed in the way, or that she can be faithful for the short
space of eight days, if her lover is absent."

The prince was startled, and looked terrified at Pollnitz.

"Eight days," he murmured; "it is eight days--no, it is twelve since
I saw Louise."

"Ah, twelve days--and your highness has the really heroic belief