“But no explanation was given to her, and all that day she sat in her darkened chamber playing sadly with her golden balls and thinking deeply to herself about the mystery.  And towards the middle of the day sounds of excitement reached her from the courtyard beneath.  There seemed a running to and fro, a noise of horses and of heavy feet, and now and then faint sounds of weeping.

“‘Goes the king a hunting to-day?’ she asked her ladies.  ’And whose weeping is it I hear?’

“But the ladies only shook their heads without speaking.

“By the evening all seemed quiet.  The Princess was desired to join her parents as usual, and the white and golden robe was brought to her to wear.  She put it on with pleasure, and said to herself there could after all be no terrible misfortune at hand, for if so there would not be the signs of rejoicing she observed as she passed through the palace.  And never had her parents been more tender and loving.  They seemed to look at her as if never before they had known how they treasured her, and the Princess was so touched by these proofs of their affection that she could not make up her mind to trouble them by asking questions which they might not wish to answer.

“The next day everything went on as usual in the palace, and it seemed to the Princess that there was a general feeling as if some great danger was safely passed.  But this happiness did not last long; about three days later, again a messenger, dusty and wearied with riding fast and hard, made his appearance at the castle; and faces grew gloomy, and the king and queen were evidently overwhelmed with grief.  Yet nothing was told to the Princess.

“She wandered out about the gardens and castle grounds, playing as usual with her balls, but wondering sadly what meant this mysterious trouble.  And as she was passing the poultry-yard, she heard a sound which seemed to suit her thoughts—­some one was crying sadly.  The Princess turned to see who it was.  This time too it was a young girl about her own age, a girl whom she knew very well by sight, for she was the daughter of the queen’s henwife, and the Princess had often seen her driving the flocks of turkeys or geese to their fields, or feeding the pretty cocks and hens which the queen took great pride in.

“‘What is the matter, Bruna?’ said the Princess, leaning over the gate.  ’Have the rats eaten any of the little chickens, or has your mother been scolding you for breaking some eggs?’

“‘Neither, Princess,’ said the girl among her sobs.  ’The chickens are never eaten, and my mother seldom scolds me.  My trouble is far worse than that, but I dare not tell it to you—­to you of all people in the world.’

“And the Princess’s governess, who just then came up, looked again very frightened and uneasy.

“‘Princess, Princess,’ she said, ’what a habit you are getting of talking to all these foolish girls.  Come back to the palace at once with me.’