mine well. Let him find it where it is already
bestowed, among my flowers. Choose my favorite flower, dear Prince, and
I am yours."

At the sound of her voice Joyeuse started, and for the first time looked
up. There she sat upon the golden throne,--his own dear flower-maiden,
she who had met him for three mornings in the garden! But now she wore
no coarse gown of green. She was robed all in white, from her head to
her little feet, which were shod with gold. A golden girdle she wore,
and a golden band confined her golden hair. She glanced at Joyeuse as
she spoke the last words to the Prince, and Joyeuse was sure that her
eyes twinkled. Instantly a bold thought came into his head, for he was
a bold fellow. He had been brought to her as a trespasser, ready for
punishment. He would remain as a suitor! This Princess was his little
playmate; he could not, would not lose her. Had she not thrice called
him a Prince? He would woo her, then, like any prince.

But now the Princess was speaking again, and this time she looked
straight at him. "Whom have we here, good Gardener?" she asked, trying
to force a little frown.

"A trespasser, your Highness," answered the Gardener, in his gruff
voice, hustling Joyeuse to the foot of the throne, "a trespasser whom I
found in your royal garden this morning at a disgustingly early hour,
sitting with a fair maiden among the lavender, strumming on a lute. I
saw not the face of the girl, but I fancy she must be one of your own
maids of honor. She also should be punished for listening to the music
of the wicked youth."

A little cry of horror arose from the gay group about the Princess, as
they looked at one another, wondering who the shocking early-riser could
be. The Princess looked sharply at Joyeuse and said: "Tell us the name
of the maiden, Sirrah, and you shall be pardoned of your grievous
fault."

Joyeuse looked up at the Princess and said gently: "Lady, I will tell
her name to you, and to you alone, if you ask it; though I think that
you guess it already. But first, I pray you, hear my suit. For I also
have come hither as a suitor."

At these words the Princess started, and her cheek flushed. The Gardener
seized Joyeuse by the arm to drag him away. But Fleurette made a sign
for him to stand back.

"Let the Stranger speak," she said, "and let him show, if he can, why,
instead of being punished, he should be welcomed as one of our suitors."

Then Joyeuse knelt on the lowest step