le upon the
flower-maiden, whom, alas, I may never see again!"

So he mused, wondering wistfully that she should have left him without a
word. But there was no blame for her in his heart; he loved her so very
dearly.

III

It was afternoon when the Gardener opened the cell of Joyeuse and bade
him follow to the great hall of the palace where the Princess would hear
his crime and appoint his punishment.

With a heavy heart he followed down the white marble corridors on the
heels of the giant Gardener, who muttered to himself as they went. Now
and then he would turn to look at Joyeuse and shake his head, as though
foreseeing for him some dreadful punishment. At last they came to a
great hall, carpeted with green and ceiled with blue, while the walls
were of rosy pink. At the further end of the hall was a throne of gold;
and upon it sat the Princess Fleurette. But Joyeuse dared not lift his
eyes to look at her.

He walked slowly down the hall after the Gardener, and they took their
stand near the throne, but behind the first rank of people. These were
the gayly dressed attendants upon a great Prince, who had come that day
to woo the Princess. Even at that moment the Herald was calling out his
name and titles--"Fortemain, Prince of Kalabria, Knight of the Silver
Feather, Captain of a hundred spears!" The Prince Fortemain himself
bowed before the throne, while his attendants stood behind him, bearing
most wonderful gifts for the royal lady. There were caskets of jewels,
pieces of rich silks and ermine fur, singing birds in cages, little
monkeys, and other curious pets from far lands. There were never finer
presents than those which the Prince Fortemain brought to the Princess
Fleurette.

A chorus of "Ohs!" went up from the maids of honor when they saw the
richness of these gifts. But Joyeuse dared not even look up to see if
his flower-maiden were among the white-robed band. He feared to betray
her to the fierce eyes of the Gardener, who was watching him closely.

The Prince Fortemain made his speech very prettily, offering the
Princess his heart and hand, and all his riches, as well as his kingdom
beyond the seas, to which he hoped to carry her.

Then the Princess spoke in answer, very gently. And the sound of her
voice was like music in the hall.

"I have no wish to leave my own little kingdom of flowers," she said. "I
am happy and contented here. I have no wish to exchange hearts, save
with him who understands