"Ah," said the prince, "you are again my naughty, sportive Louise.
Well, then, I will explain. Did you not say that you now love so
truly, that you have promised to become the wife of the man you
love?"

"Yes, I said that, your highness."

"And I," said the prince, seizing both her hands and gazing at her
ardently--"I was so short-sighted, so ungrateful, as not to
understand you. The many sorrows and vexations I suffer away from
you have dimmed my eyes and prevented me from seeing what is written
with golden letters upon your smiling lips and beaming eyes. Ah,
Louise, I thank you for your precious words, at last you are
captured, at last you have resolved to become the wife of him who
adores you. I thank you, Louise, I thank you, and I swear that no
earthly pomp or power could make me as proud and happy as this
assurance of your love."

Louise gazed into his beautiful, smiling face with terror.

"Ah, my prince, my words have not the meaning you imagine. I spoke
the simple truth. My heart has made its choice--since yesterday, I
am the betrothed wife of Captain du Trouffle."

"That is not true," cried the prince, casting her hands violently
from him. "You are very cruel today; you torture me with your
fearful jests."

"No, your highness, I speak the truth. I am the betrothed of Captain
du Trouffle."