'She was here this morning.'
'Ah! we owe her more than we were aware of.'
The princess looked on her kindly, though with suspense in the expression.
'She told me of my approaching visitor,' I said.
'Oh! not told!' Lieschen burst out.
'Did you,'—the princess questioned her, and murmured to me, 'These children cannot speak falsehoods,' they shone miserably under the burden of uprightness 'did you make sure that I should come?'
Lieschen thought—she supposed. But why? Why did she think and suppose? What made her anticipate the princess's arrival? This inveterate why communicated its terrors to Aennchen, upon whom the princess turned scrutinizing eyes, saying, 'You write of me to your sister?'
'Yes, princess.'
'And she to you?'
Lieschen answered: 'Forgive me, your Highness, dearest lady!'