nds were healed, my youth revived, and I dared hope in
happiness and a future. At first, I would not confess this to myself. At
first, I thought to smother this new birth of my heart in the mourning
veil of my past experience; but my heart was like a giant in his first
manhood, and cast off all restraint; like Hercules in his cradle, he
strangled the serpents which were hissing around him. It was indeed a
painful happiness to know that I had again a heart, that I was capable
of feeling the rapture and the pain, the longing, the hopes and fears,
the enthusiasm and exaltation, the doubt and the despair which make the
passion of love, and I have to thank you, Wilhelmina--you alone, you, my
wife, for this new birth. You turn away your head, Wilhelmina! You smile
derisively! It is true I have not the right to call you my wife. You are
free to spurn me from you, to banish me forever into that cold, desert
region to which I fled in the madness and blindness of my despair. But
think well, princess; if you do this, you cast a shadow over my life.
It is my whole future which I lay at your feet, a future for which fate
perhaps intends great duties and greater deeds. I cannot fulfil these
duties, I can perform no heroic deed, unless you, princess, grant me the
blessing of happiness. I shall be a silent, unknown, and useless prince,
the sad and pitiful hanger-on of a throne, despised and unloved, a
burden only to my people, unless you give freedom and strength to my
sick soul, which lies a prisoner at your feet. Wilhelmina, put an end
to the tortures of the last few months, release me from the curse which
binds my whole life in chains; speak but one word, and I shall have
strength to govern the world, and prove to you that I am worthy of you.
I will force the stars from heaven, and place them as a diadem upon your
brow. Say only that you will try to love me, and I will thank you for
happiness and fame."

Prince Henry was so filled with his passion and enthusiasm, that he did
not remark the deadly pallor of Wilhelmina's face--that he did not see
the look of anguish and horror with which her eyes rested for one moment
upon him, then shrank blushingly and ashamed upon the floor. He seized
her cold, nerveless hands, and pressed them to his heart; she submitted
quietly. She seemed turned to stone.

"Be merciful, Wilhelmina; say that you forgive me--that you will try to
love me."

The princess shuddered, and glanced up at him. "I must s