h ever allured me and yet kept me at a distance. You have played a
cruel game with me, princess you mock me to the last. Shall I be your
messenger to the prince? You know well that I would give my heart's
blood for one of those sweet flowers, and you send them by me to
another. My humility, my subjection is at an end; you have sinned
against me as a woman, and I have therefore the right to accuse you as a
man. I will not take these flowers! I will not give them to the prince!
And now I have finished--I beg you to dismiss me."

The princess had listened tremblingly; her face became ever
paler--completely exhausted, she leaned against the wall.

"Before you go," whispered she, "listen to a few words; it may be that
the death you seek may be found on the battle-field--this may be our
last interview in this world; in such a moment we dare speak the truth
to each other; from the souls which have been closely veiled, may cloud
and darkness be for one moment lifted. What I now say to you shall go as
a sacred secret with you to the grave, if you fall; but if God hears my
prayer, and you return, I command you to forget it, never to remind me
of it. You say I have a cold heart. Alas! I only choked the flame which
raged within me; I would have my honor and my duty burned to ashes. You
say that my eyes are never clouded, that they shed no tears. Ah! believe
me, I have wept inwardly, and the silent, unseen tears the heart weeps
are bitterer than all others. You reproach me for having received you
when you returned here sick and wounded, and for not having closed my
doors against you. I know well that was my duty, and a thousand times I
have prayed to God on my knees for strength to do this, but He did not
hear me or He had no mercy. I could not send you off; had my lips spoken
the fearful words, the shriek of my heart would have called you back.
My lips had strength to refuse an answer to the question which I read in
your face, in your deep dejection, but my heart answered you in silence
and tears. Like you, I could not forget--like you I remembered the
bounteous sweet past. Now you know all--go! As you will not take these
flowers to the prince, they are yours, were intended for you; I have
baptized them with my tears. Farewell!"

She gave him the flowers, and without looking toward him, without giving
him time to answer, she stepped forward and called her chamberlain.

"Count Saldow, be kind enough to accompany Count Kalkreuth, a