“Yes,” replied the Prince, with husky voice—­“yes, she is very fair.  Only question Leuchtmar on the subject; he can confirm what I say.”

“I prefer to question yourself,” said the Elector, with inexorable cruelty, “and to learn something more concerning your fair cousin from your own lips.  We have been informed that the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine is a very lively, merry young lady, and that she is by no means disinclined to become our daughter-in-law.”

“But, my husband,” pleaded the Electress in an undertone, “you would not speak of such confidential matters in the presence of our court, and—­”

“Ah, Electress!” interrupted George William, “these confidential matters have been bruited abroad everywhere; the talk has been, not merely here at Berlin, but throughout the land, yea, even so far as the imperial court at Vienna, that our son meant to surprise us on his return from the Netherlands by presenting to us the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine as his wife, without applying to us beforehand for our consent.  I therefore desire that the Electoral Prince answer me openly and candidly, that we may all know once and forever how the matter stands, and what we have to expect.  The good, gossiping city of Berlin, the whole land, even the imperial court and the whole world, which seems to interest itself so much in the marriage of our Prince, will then soon have an opportunity of learning directly and reliably what is the state of affairs, and that is exactly what seems to me desirable, and was the motive for our question.  Therefore, let our son tell us how matters stand between the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine and himself.”

The Electoral Prince sat with downcast eyes.  His cheeks were still deadly pale, and on his high, broad brow rested a threatening cloud.  He put his hand around the stem of the large glass goblet before him, and held it so firmly that the glass broke with startling clangor and poured its purple wine upon the tablecloth.  The shrill clinking seemed to rouse him from his reverie; with a hasty movement he threw a napkin over the red stain, and again raised his eyes, slowly and tranquilly.

“Your Electoral Highnesses desire me to tell you the truth with regard to all the reports circulated as to a marriage between the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine and myself,” he said.  “I will, therefore, as becomes an obedient and submissive son, acquaint you with the truth.  And the truth is this,” he continued, with raised voice, while at the same time his cheeks became suddenly scarlet and his eyes flashed with the fire of inspiration—­“the truth is this:  the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine is the prettiest, sweetest woman in the whole world; happy and enviable is the man whose fortunate destiny will permit him to take her home as his bride, blessed above all men he on whom this noble, fascinating, and amiable girl bestows her love, whom she allows to enjoy the treasures of her mind and heart.  Your