noble maidens nearly cried their eyes out. King Theophile was much
embarrassed to come, in his walks, upon a little maid of honor weeping
into her handkerchief, while a Prince discoursed at her feet.

At last the week wore away, and the court assembled for what someone
called the Trial of Tears. A thousand wax candles were lit in the
glittering throne room. King Theophile sat upon his throne, and on his
right hand was the Princess Elene, crowned with white roses, and robed in
white silk which had a shimmer of gold in its folds. At the foot of the
throne sat the three princes.

When all were assembled the King arose and announced the intention of
the Princess to give her hand to him who should behold in her tears
her wedding.

Prince Tristan was the first to try his fortune. He had chosen the tale
of a young girl cruelly turned adrift in a forest and left there to die,
and he related it with every circumstance that could render it more
piteous. Soon every lady in the court was weeping, but to the eyes of the
Princess Elene came no tears, which made Prince Tristan angry, so that he
finished his tale in a sullen muttering voice.

Then Prince Martin rose and told a story of little children who had
climbed into a boat which the rising tide seized and carried out to sea.
They were too little to be afraid, and only when starvation seized them
did they begin to wail for their mothers.

This story, related in a soft, melancholy voice, touched all hearts, and
through the court there was the sound of weeping, but the Princess gazed
straight before her, and her eyes were dry.