"She allows herself to be presented to a student!" said little Mrs. Günther, astonished.
"That is a breach of social rights, which touches the dignity of woman," said Mrs. Struvelius, displeased.
"But she did it very nicely," said Ilse; "her manner with him pleases me."
The ladies did not know that the object of their remarks was, in this moment of apparent humiliation, enjoying the triumph of a higher position. The Prince, the Colonel's wife, and the Chamberlain for a short time formed a group, from which the light of the evening radiated, all three with the proud consciousness that they were united in a bond of fellowship among strangers.
The consequence of this presentation was that the Colonel's wife sat at the left of the Prince, and Ilse between two Deans opposite to him. It did not make it easier for the Prince to preserve his princely dignity when every time he looked up, he saw the eyes and curls of his countrywoman opposite to him. The evening passed slowly for him, and it was not till the party was breaking up that he had an opportunity of speaking to Ilse without restraint.
"Just wait," thought Ilse; "you shall not escape the road."
"Have you heard from your father?" inquired the Prince, a question by which he frequently began the conversation.
"My news is not good," replied Ilse; "only think, your Highness, one of our horses has broken his leg. It was a grey which we raised ourselves, a good gentle creature, which I have often ridden, though my father did not much like my doing so. Then I must tell your Highness, the road that leads to the great market-town, to which my father every year sends his grain, is terribly bad, and the Government does nothing to improve it. For ten years the matter has been agitated, but nothing comes of it. If your Highness could help to obtain a good road for us, I beg of you to do so; it will be a benefit to the whole district."
The Prince looked at her kindly, and said, with embarrassment:
"It is an affair of the Government, I believe my father knows nothing of it."