“I can do this, and listen to you at the same time,” she retorted, rubbing away vigorously.
“Ah, you will soon leave off that when you hear my news,” remarked Johann, complacently. “Where do you think I spent last night?”
“At the Castle.”
“What! Who told you? Have you been listening?”
“I was told so by the Princess Hermengarde. She said the King and you were great friends.”
Johann sprang half out of his seat with surprise.
“The Princess Hermengarde! Where did you see her?”
“She came here last night. She was exceedingly kind. After all, there is no reason why you should be the only one to have friends at the Castle.”
The young man scarcely heeded this gentle sarcasm. He was greatly perplexed by the news of Hermengarde’s intervention. It was true he knew very little about the Princess; but he felt sure that she was not the kind of woman to act from mere benevolence. He could only suppose that she had fathomed the King’s ulterior design, and was proceeding to ingratiate herself with the future Queen of Franconia. Where the King goes, the courtiers will soon follow.
“Well, do not trust her too far,” he said at length. “Be civil to her, but do not have too much to say to her.”