“But she is the bride of the Knight Gustavus!” stammered the mother.

“Young hearts soon forget their sorrows,” thought the King.  The mother thought so likewise, and as there chanced to come a letter the same day and hour from the young Knight Gustavus, Fra Steenbock committed it to the flames.  All the letters that came afterwards and all the letters that Catherine wrote, were burnt by her mother, and doubts and evil reports were whispered to Catherine, that she was forgotten abroad by her young lover.  But Catherine was secure and firm in her belief of him.  In the spring her parents made known to her the King’s proposal, and praised her good fortune.  She answered seriously and determinedly, “No!” and when they repeated to her that it should and must happen, she repeatedly screamed in the greatest anguish, “No no!” and sank exhausted at her father and mother’s feet, and humbly prayed them not to force her.

And the mother wrote to the King that all was going on well, but that her child was bashful.  The King now announced his visit to Torpe, where her parents, the Steenbocks, dwelt.  The King was received with rejoicing and feasting, but Catherine had disappeared and the King himself was the successful one who found her.  She sat dissolved in tears under the wild rose tree, where she had bidden farewell to her heart’s beloved.

There was merry song and joyous life in the old mansion; Catherine alone was sorrowful and silent.  Her mother had brought her all her jewels and ornaments, but she wore none of them:  she had put on her simplest dress, but in this she only fascinated the old King the more, and he would have that their betrothal should take place before he departed.  Fra Steenbock wrested the Knight Gustavus’s ring from Catherine’s finger, and whispered in her ear:  “It will cost the friend of thy youth his life and fortune; the King can do everything!” And the parents led her to King Gustavus, showed him that the ring was from the maiden’s hand; and the King placed his own golden ring on her finger in the other’s stead.  In the month of August the flag waved from the mast of the royal yacht which bore the young Queen over the Vettern.  Princes and knights, in costly robes, stood by the shore, music played, and the people shouted.  Catherine made her entry into Vadstene Palace.  The nuptials were celebrated the following day, and the walls were hung with silk and velvet, with cloth of gold and silver!  It was a festival and rejoicing.  Poor Catherine!

In November, the Knight Gustavus of the three roses, returned home.  His prudent, noble mother, Christina Gyldenstjerne, met him at the frontiers of the kingdom, prepared him, consoled him, and soothed his mind:  she accompanied him by slow stages to Vadstene, where they were both invited by the King to remain during the Christmas festival.  They accepted the invitation, but the Knight Gustavus was not to be moved to come to the King’s table or any other place where