"I see
to-day a new talent in you, Louise; you have become a philosopher."
"Yes, and I thirst to bring my wisdom to bear against a man," said
Louise, laughingly. "I hope you will profit by it! Perhaps it may
promote your happiness, and enable you to recapture your bird. You
will not at least make shipwreck on the breakers against which the
good prince dashed his head to-day: he was wounded and bleeding, and
will carry the mark upon his brow as long as he lives."
"What has he done which justifies so melancholy a prognostication?"
"What has he done? He returned to his wife, not as a lover but as a
husband; he did not kiss her hand tremblingly and humbly and
timidly--seek to read in her glance if she were inclined to favor
him; he advanced with the assurance of a conquering hero, and before
the whole world he gave her a loud, ringing kiss, which resounded
like the trump of victory. The good prince thought that because the
outside war was at an end and you had made peace with your enemies,
all other strifes and difficulties had ceased, and you had all
entered upon an epoch of everlasting happiness; that, by the sides
of your fond and faithful wives, you had nothing to do but smoke the
calumet of peace.
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