ldren
running out and crying for a rose? They say that a rose given by the
bride brings luck. It was thus we passed through the streets to the
magistrate's. I did not know then that I was not in love, that I was
only young and curious. I threw roses to any who asked. The prince sat
beside me in full-dress uniform, looking very handsome and
distinguished. We heard many compliments. The prince smiled, but he was
nervous and not at ease. I thought nothing of this at the time. I
believed his nervousness a part of my own. To be sure there was a fair
gathering at the magistrate's, for the name of Monte Bianca was widely
known. But there was none of our own class present; they would be at the
church.

The magistrate performed his part in the affair. Legally we were man and
wife. We were leaving for the church, when at the very doorway a
handsome woman, sad-eyed, weary, shabbily dressed, touched me on the
arm.

"A rose, Signora!"

I gave it to her, smiling pityingly.

"God pray," she said, "that this man will make you happier than he made
me!"

The prince was at my elbow, pushing me toward the carriage. But
something had been said that could not be lightly passed. I stood firm.

"Let us be on!" said the prince eagerly.

"Wait!" I turned to the woman. "Signora, what do you mean by those
words?"

"His Highness knows." She pointed to the prince, whose face I now saw,
strangely enough, for the first time. It was black with rage and
ugliness.

"What has he been to you?" I demanded.

She answered with a gesture, pathetic but easily translatable. It was
enough for me. I understood. In that moment I became a woman without
illusions. Without looking at the prince I entered the carriage and
closed the door in his face. He stormed, he pleaded, he lied. I was of
stone. There was a scene. He was low enough to turn upon the poor woman
and strike her across the face with his gloves. Even had I loved him,
that would have been the end of the romance. I ordered the driver to
take me home. There would be no wedding at the church that day. There
was a great scandal. Every one took up the prince's cause, with the
exception of the king. But my determination was not to be moved.

The prince was almost bankrupt. He had squandered the liberal fortune
left him independently of the will. He had sold to the Jews half of the
fortune he expected to get after marrying me. He had not the slightest
affection for me; he was desperate and wanted