"Since yesterday you are the betrothed of Captain du Trouffle!"
repeated the prince, staring at her wildly. "And you say you love
him, Louise?"

"Yes, your highness, I love him," said Louise, with a faint smile.

"It is impossible," cried the prince; "it is not true."

"And why should I deceive your highness?"

"Why?--ah, I understand all. Oh, Louise, my poor darling, how short-
sighted I have been! Why did I not immediately suspect my brother?--
he has spies to watch all my movements; they have at last discovered
my love for you. Pollnitz, who would do any thing for gold, has
betrayed us to the king, who condemns me to marry according to my
rank, and, to carry out his purpose surely, he now forces you to
marry. Oh, Louise, say that this is so; acknowledge that the power
of the king, and not your own heart, forced you to this engagement.
It is impossible, it cannot be that you have forgotten the vows that
we exchanged scarcely two weeks ago. It cannot be that you look upon
the heart that loved you so deeply, so purely, as an idle plaything,
to be thrown away so lightly! No, no, Louise, I have seen often in
your beaming eyes, your eloquent smiles, I have felt in your soft
and tender tones, that you loved me fondly; and now in your pale,
sad face I see that you love me still, and that it is the king who
wishes to separate us. My poor, lovely child, you have been
intimidated; you think that my brother, who reigns supreme over
millions, will yield to no obstacle, that it is vain to resist him.
But you are mistaken, Louise; you have forgotten that I am