and
good, and with that sort of beauty that comes of happiness and health.
But her confusion lent her for the moment an additional charm.

'Good-morning,' said Otto, rising and moving towards her. 'I arose early
and was in a dream.'

'O, sir!' she cried, 'I wish to beg of you to spare my father; for I
assure your Highness, if he had known who you was, he would have bitten
his tongue out sooner. And Fritz, too--how he went on! But I had a
notion; and this morning I went straight down into the stable, and there
was your Highness's crown upon the stirrup-irons! But, O, sir, I made
certain you would spare them; for they were as innocent as lambs.'

'My dear,' said Otto, both amused and gratified, 'you do not understand.
It is I who am in the wrong; for I had no business to conceal my name and
lead on these gentleman to speak of me. And it is I who have to beg of
you that you will keep my secret and not betray the discourtesy of which
I was guilty. As for any fear of me, your friends are safe in
Gerolstein; and even in my own territory, you must be well aware I have
no power.'

'O, sir,' she said, curtsying, 'I would not say that: the huntsmen would
all die for you.'

'Happy Prince!' said Otto. 'But although you are too courteous to avow
the knowledge, you have had many opportunities of learning that I am a
vain show. Only last night we heard it very clearly stated. You see the
shadow flitting on this hard rock? Prince Otto, I am afraid, is but the
moving shadow, and the name of the rock is Gondremark. Ah! if your
friends had fallen foul of Gondremark! But happily the younger of the
two admires him. And as for the old gentleman your father, he is a wise
man and an excellent talker, and I would take a long wager he is honest.'

'O, for honest, your Highness, that he is!' exclaimed the girl. 'And
Fritz is as honest as he. And as for all they said, it was just talk and
nonsense. When countryfolk get gossiping, they go on, I do assure you,
for the fun; they don't as much as think of what they say. If you went
to the next farm, it's my belief you would hear as much against my
father.'

'Nay, nay,' said Otto, 'there you go too fast. For all that was said
against Prince Otto--'

'O, it was shameful!' cried the girl.

'Not shameful--true,' returned Otto. 'O, yes--true. I am all they said
of me--all that and worse.'

'I never!' cried 'Ottilia. 'Is that how you do? Well, you would never
be a soldier