The outside world wore its accustomed gay and
festal aspect. To-day, as indeed almost every day since the prince
resided at Rheinsberg, preparations were being made for a gay
entertainment. A country fete was to be given in the woods near the
palace, and all the guests were to appear as shepherds and
shepherdesses.
Prince Henry had withdrawn to his own room to assume the tasteful
costume which had been prepared for him; but he seemed to have
entirely forgotten his purpose. The tailor and the friseur awaited
him in vain in his dressing-room; he forgot their existence. He
paced his room with rapid steps, and his tightly-compressed lips
opened from time to time to utter a few broken, disconnected words.
Of what was the prince thinking? He did not know, or he would not
confess it to himself. Perhaps he dared not look down deep into his
heart and comprehend the new feelings and new wishes which were
struggling there.
At times he stood still, and looked with a wild, rapt expression
into the heavens, as if they alone could answer the mysterious
questions his soul was whispering to him; then passed on with his
hand pressed on his brow to control or restrain the thoughts which
agitated him.
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