a love which now fills
my heart and soul, my thoughts, my existence for my darling wife."

"Ah, you are very cruel," said Louise, scarcely able to suppress her
tears of rage.

"I am only true, madame," said the prince, smiling. "You wished to know
of me if I were still angry with you, and I reply that I have not only
forgiven, but I bless your inconstancy. And now, I pray you let us end
this conversation, which I will never renew. Let the past die and be
buried! We have both of us commenced a new life under the sunshine of a
new love; we will not allow any cloud of remembrances to cast a shadow
upon it. Look, the beautiful shepherdesses are seeking flowers in the
meadows, and my wife stands alone upon the borders of the lake. Allow me
to join her, if only to see if the clear waters of the lake reflect back
her image as lovely and enchanting as the reality."

The prince bowed, and with hasty steps took the path that led to the
lake.

Louise looked at him scornfully. "He despises me and he loves her
fondly; but she--does the princess love him?--not so! her glance is
cold, icy, when she looks upon him; and to-day I saw her turn pale as
the prince approached her. No, she loves him not; but who then--who? she
is young, ardent, and, it appears to me, impressible; she cannot
live without love. I will find out; a day will come when I will take
vengeance for this hour. I await that day!"

While Louise forced herself to appear gay, in order to meet her husband
without embarrassment, and the prince walked hastily onward, the
princess stood separated from her ladies, on the borders of the lake,
with the Count Kalkreuth at her side. The count had been appointed her
cavalier for the day, by the prince her husband; she seemed to give
her undivided attention to the swans, who were floating before her, and
stretching out their graceful necks to receive food from her hands. As
she bowed down to feed the swans, she whispered lightly, "Listen, count,
to what I have to say to you. If possible, laugh merrily, that my ladies
may hear; let your countenance be gay, for I see the prince approaching.
In ten minutes he will be with us; do you understand my low tones?"

"I understand you, princess; alas! I fear I understand without words; I
have read my sentence in the eyes of your husband. The prince suspects
me."

"No," said she, sadly bowing down and plucking a few violets, which she
threw to the swans; "he has no suspicion, but he loves