“‘I have often talked to Bruna before,’ said the Princess gently, ’and I never was blamed for doing so.  She is a pretty girl, and I have known her all my life.  Some one said she was betrothed to one of my father’s huntsmen, and I would like to ask if it is true.  Perhaps they are too poor to marry, and it may be for that she is weeping.’

“Bruna heard what the Princess said, and wept still more violently.  ’Ah, yes, it is true!’ she said, ’but never, never shall I now be married to him.’

“But the Princess’s governess would not let her wait to ask more.  She hurried her back to the castle, and the Princess—­more sure than ever that some mysterious trouble was in question—­could get no explanation.

“She did not see the king and queen that night, and the next morning a strange thing happened—­her white and golden robe was missing.  And all that her attendants could tell her was that it had been taken away by the queen’s orders.

“‘Then,’ said the Princess, ’there is some sad trouble afloat which is hidden from me.’

“And when she went to her turret room, and found, as before, that the windows were all closed, so that she could not see out, she sat down and cried with distress and anxiety.

“And, again, about mid-day, the same confused noises were to be heard.  A sound of horses and people moving about in the courtyard, a tramping of heavy feet, and through all a faint and smothered weeping.  The Princess could bear her anxiety no longer.  She drew back the curtains, and unfastened the shutters, and leaned out.  From her window she could clearly see the courtyard.  It was, as she suspected, filled with people; rows of soldiers on horse-back lined the sides, and in front, on the steps, the king and queen were standing looking at a strange object.  It was an enormous bull:  never had the Princess seen such a bull.  He was dark brown in colour, and pawed the ground in front of him impatiently, and on his back was seated a young girl whom the Princess gazed at with astonishment.  She really thought for a moment it was herself, and that she was dreaming!  For the girl was dressed in the Princess’s own white and golden robe, and her face could not be seen, for it was covered with a thick veil, and numbers of women and servants standing about were weeping bitterly.  And so, evidently, was the girl herself.  Then the great bull gave another impatient toss, the girl seized his horns to keep herself from falling, and off he set, with a terrible rush:  and a great shout, half of fear, half of rejoicing, as seeing him go, rose from the people about.

“Just at this moment the Princess heard some one approaching her room.  She hastily drew the curtains, and sat down playing with her balls, as if she had seen nothing.

“She said not a word to any one, but she had her own thoughts, and that evening she was sent for to her father and mother, who, as usual, received her with caresses and every sign of the tenderest affection.  And several days passed quietly, but still the Princess had her own thoughts.