"Why do you turn away from the pavilion at every bend in the path?" asked Victor. "Have you placed steel traps there? By Jove, what a glorious face! Look, you dissembler! So, you are become virtuous?"
The Hereditary Prince colored with indignation.
"The lady up there deserves the most considerate treatment," he said, moodily.
"Then that is the beautiful stranger," cried Victor; "she is reading. If she would only turn a look this way, that one might see more than her profile. We will go there: you shall introduce me."
"Under no circumstances," replied the Hereditary Prince; "least of all now."
Victor looked at him in astonishment.
"You refuse to present me to this lady? I do not need it," and he let go his arm.
"You are mad!" cried the Hereditary Prince, holding him back.
"I was never more in my senses," rejoined Victor.
He hastened up to a tree, the low branches of which nearly reached to the window, and with the agility of a cat he climbed up to the top. Ilse looked up and perceived the Hereditary Prince, and an officer climbing up a tree. She withdrew from the window. Victor broke off a switch, and touched one of the panes. A bell rang, a window was opened, and Gabriel looked out.