“Why do you say that?” demanded Dorothea.
“Because I know more about her than you. You do not understand these people as I do.”
“Oh!”
Dorothea turned away to the dish-cover with renewed energy. The young man tried to attract her attention.
“Dorothea! Listen. Yesterday I spoke to you rather harshly about King Maximilian. You told me he had been coming here day after day to see you, and I naturally put a bad construction on his conduct. Now I find I was unjust. I have found out more than I can say at present, but enough to convince me that he is one of the noblest and sincerest of men.”
“I am glad to hear that, because I always liked him.” She said this quite calmly, and without ceasing from her occupation. “Perhaps you will find out you have been unjust to the Princess as well.”
“My dear girl! What has come over you? Do you doubt my word when I tell you that I distrust the Princess? I only warn you for your good.”
“Thank you, Johann.” And she gave him a bow over the dish-cover.
“Now, there is a thing I want to ask you. The King has been coming here a good deal, and you have had plenty of opportunities to understand him. Have you guessed how he feels towards you?”
Silence for a time. The polishing continued more earnestly than ever. Then, in a low voice—