"Really?" replied Siddy, tieing another thread. "They are probably dried up."
Benno shook his head. "Only look at a bundle of hay; you will see few of them in it. I think the people gather them beforehand, and sell them in the city."
Siddy laughed, and pointing over the green fields, said, "Look around you; they are countless, and people only buy the more lasting garden flowers; yet these are far prettier. How lovely is the star in the flower of our Lady Marguerite." She held the nosegay up to her brother, and looked lovingly at her work of art.
"You have completed it after all," said the young man, admiringly; "you were always a clever girl, Siddy, and I am so sorry that you are going away from us," he added, feelingly.
His sister gazed earnestly at him. "Are you, really? And will you always think kindly of me, my brother? You are the only one here from whom I find it hard to part, Benno. We are like two orphan children sitting in the snow of a cold winter's night."
She who thus spoke was Princess Sidonie, and the sun was shining warm on the blooming meadow before her.
"How do you like my bridegroom?" she asked, after a pause, busily winding the blue thread around the finished nosegay.
"He is a handsome man, and was very kind to me," said Benno, thoughtfully. "But is he clever?"
Siddy nodded. "I think he is. He writes nice letters. If you like, you shall read one."
"I shall be glad to do so," said Benno.