Karl entered the room with the confident air of one assured of his reception. But on seeing Gertrude he stopped short and cast a look of inquiry at the Princess.
“Come here, Karl,” she said graciously, in answer to the look. “You may speak freely before the Lady von Sigismark, who knows what you have come to tell me. Has the King been to see the pretty peasant again to-day?”
“Yes, your Royal Highness. And, what is more, to-day, for the first time, he did not go alone. He took Herr Bernal with him.”
The Princess listened to Karl, but addressed her answering remarks to Gertrude.
“Ah, that looks serious. As long as men keep an idea to themselves it may come to nothing, but when they begin to ask the advice of their friends, depend on it they have made up their minds.”
The Princess paused a moment to let her words sink into the girl’s mind, and then asked her:—
“Is there anything you would like to ask about, that Karl may be able to tell us?”
Gertrude looked up, struggling hard to preserve an air of indifference.
“This girl, I suppose you have seen her?” she said to the young forester. “Is she so very beautiful?”
“She is, my lady, most beautiful. They call her the Fawn of the Forest. Her hair shines like a sunbeam, and her skin is as soft and pink as the leaf of a wild rose. Every one admires her.”