"Then I'll die, Baby. Go off and shoot myself, or drown myself."
"Drown yourself? Oh, do it now. I'll bet anything you wouldn't dare."
"I assure you I mean it," he said, placing one hand on his heart.
"Well, now, let me see what sort of a man you are, Endresen. Walk round the edge of the pond here five times——"
"And what then?"
"Then—oh, then you shall have——"
"Yes?"
"—My sincere admiration, let us say. That'll do to go on with." And she smiled mischievously.
He jumped up on to the narrow stone edging of the pond and began balancing his way carefully along, the Princess walking by his side, counting the rounds. One—two—three—four times round. "One more, and you've done it," she said encouragingly.
"And then I've won your hand, haven't I?" he cried.