"They are all wrong, Frederick," whispered Prince Ludwig. "She is as much a princess as the other."
"You forgive me?" The chancellor could not believe his ears.
"Yes, father."
Then, recalling all the child-hunger in his arms and heart, he swept her to his breast convulsively; and the unloosed tears dropped upon her bright head.
"And who am I?" said Gretchen.
"Breunner, you say this little goose-girl is my daughter?"
"I solemnly swear it, Highness. Look into her face again carefully."
The duke did so, a hand on either cheek. He scrutinized every contour, the color of the eyes, the low, broad brow, the curve of the chin. Out of the past he conjured up the mother's face. Yes, beyond any doubt, there was a haunting likeness, and he had never noted it before.
"But who will prove it to the world?" he cried hopelessly, still holding Gretchen's wondering face between his hands.
"I shall prove it," said the king.