’Tis possible I may be mistaken, I suppose, but I did think then, and still do think, that I saw evident tokens of pleasure on the face of the Prince.

“And the cause—­”

I hesitated, blushing temple-high, I dare say, in spite of the growth of my mustaches.

“A woman, then!” cried the Prince.  Then, more low, he added, “Not the—?”

He would have said the Princess, for he paused, in his turn, with a graver look on his face.

So I hastened with my explanation.

“He insulted the young Lady Helene, maid of honor to the Princess, who is to me as a sister, having been brought up with me in one house.  Her honor is my honor, both by this tie, and because, as you know, we have long loved each other.  Therefore will I fight Count von Reuss to the death, and a good cause enough.”

The Prince whistled—­an unprincely habit, but then all millers’ lads whistle at their work.  So Prince Karl whistled as he meditated.

“I see further into this matter than that—­if indeed you love this maid.  There be other things to be thought upon than vengeance upon Von Reuss!  Does the Princess know of this?”

“Suspect she may,” said I; “know she cannot.  It was only half an hour ago that I knew myself.”

“Ha,” said he, musingly, with his beard in his hand, “it hath gone no further than that.  Were it not, if possible, better to conceal the cause yet a while that our compact may go on?  It were surely easy enough to invent an excuse for the quarrel.”

“Prince,” answered I, earnestly, “this bargain of ours hath gone on over long already, in that it hath brought a true maid’s honor and happiness in question.  And a maid also whom I am bound to love.  I will ask you this, have I been a good soldier and servant to you or not?”

“Aye to that!” quoth the Prince, heartily.

“Have I ever asked fee or reward for aught I have tried to do?”

“Nay,” he said; “but you have gotten some of both without asking.”

“Will you grant me the first boon I have asked of you since you became Prince and Master to Hugo Gottfried?”

“I will grant it, if it be not to separate us as friend and friend,” said my master at once.

It was like the noble Prince thus to speak of our relation.  I took his hand in mine to kiss it, but this he would not permit.

“Shake hands like a man,” he said, “or else kiss me upon the cheek.  My hand is for young, blue-painted flittermice to kiss, for whose souls’ good it is to put their lips to the hand that has shifted the meal-bags.”

And with that Prince Karl embraced me heartily, and kissed me on both cheeks.

“Now for this request of yours!” said he, looking expectantly at me.

“It is this,” I answered him directly:  “Give me a district to govern, a tower to dwell in, and Helene to be my wife.”

“Nay, but these are three things, and you stipulated but for one.  Choose one!” he said.