"Is this your welcome, after seven long years of absence, Louise?"
said he, sadly.
She laid her hand hastily upon his arm, saying, "Hush, hush!" Once
more she gazed at the princess, who was talking and laughing gayly
with her husband and Count Kalkreuth. "How her cheeks glow, and what
tender glances she throws him!" murmured Louise. "Ah! the prince has
fallen a victim to his ingenuousness! Verily, he is again praising
the merits of his friend. He tells her how Kalkreuth saved his life-
-how he received the blow meant for his own head. Poor prince! You
will pay dearly for the wound Kalkreuth received for you. I said,
and I repeat it--he is lost!"
Her husband looked at her as if he feared she had gone mad during
his absence. "Of whom do you speak, Louise?" whispered he. "What do
you mean? Will you not speak one word of welcome to me to convince
me that you know me--that I have not become a stranger to you?" The
princess now arose from her seat, and leaning on her husband's arm
she passed through the room, talking merrily with Count Kalkreuth at
her side. "They have gone to the conservatory," said Louise,
grasping her husband's arm.
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