"Here is some great mystery," said he, "for that is the lady who was
the favourite of the Princess Desiree."
"Do not utter that name, which only recalls my grief," said the
prince, sadly; but Becafico, determined to gratify his curiosity, made
all sorts of inquiries, and discovered that Gilliflower was lodged in
the next room.
"I should like to see her again," thought he; "and since only a thin
partition divides us, I will bore a hole through."
He did so, and beheld a wonderful sight. There sat the fairest
princess in all the world, attired in a robe of silver brocade, her
hair falling in long curls, and her eyes sparkling through tears.
Gilliflower knelt before her, binding up her beautiful arm, from which
the blood was flowing.
"Do not heed it," sighed the princess; "better let me die, for death
itself would be sweeter than the life I lead. Alas! how hard it is to
be a hind all day; to see my betrothed, to feel his tenderness and
goodness, yet be unable to speak to him, or to tell him the fatal
destiny which divides me from him."
When Becafico heard this, words cannot describe his astonishment and
delight. He ran towards the prince, who sat moodily at the window.
"Sir," cried he, "only look through this hole, and you will see the
original of the portrait which so fascinated you."
The prince looked, and recognised at once his beloved princess.
Pages:
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452