crets. Without a lofty
power of understanding, the secret expression of his noble face, and
the peculiar brilliancy of his eyes, you would have called the
appearance of this youth ordinary and insignificant. But the longer you
gazed upon him, the more attractive he became; and you could scarcely
tear yourself from him, when you had once beard his soft impressive
voice, and the utterances which his glorious talents prompted. One day,
the princess, whose pleasure-garden adjoined the forest, which
concealed the country house of the old man in a little valley, had
betaken herself thither alone on horseback, that she might follow out
her fancies undisturbed, and sing to herself her favorite songs. The
fresh air of the lofty trees enticed her gradually deeper into their
shade, until at last she came to the house where the old man lived with
his son. Happening to feel thirsty, she alighted, fastened the horse to
a tree, and stepped into the house, to ask for a glass of milk. The son
was present, and was well nigh confounded by the enchanting appearance
of a majestic female form, which seemed almost immortal, adorned as it
was by all the charms of youth and beauty, and by that indescribable
fascinating transparency, revealing the tender, innocent, and noble
soul. While he hastened to gratify her desire, the old man addressed
her with modest respect, and invited her to be seated at their simple
hearth, which was placed in the middle of the house, and on which there
glimmered noiselessly a light blue flame. Immediately on entering, the
princess was struck with the varied ornaments of the room, the order
and cleanliness of the whole, and the peculiar sanctity of the place;
and her impression was heightened yet more by the venerable appearance
of the old man, poorly clad as he was, and by the modest behavior of
the son. The former recognised her immediately as a lady of the court,
judging this from her costly dress and noble carriage. While the son
was absent, the princess asked him about some curiosities which had
caught her eye, and especially concerning some old and singular
pictures, which stood at her side over the hearth, and which he kindly
undertook to explain to her. The son soon returned with a pitcher of
fresh milk, which he artlessly and respectfully handed her. After some
interesting conversation with the hosts, she gracefully thanked them
for their hospitality, and with blushes asked the old man's permission
to visit h