They all followed the princess to the music room, where by chance or out of mischief the princess chose the seat farthest from the window, and thus compelled the company to assemble around her. As they followed her, they all looked longingly through the window and toward the bridge, over which the messenger of happiness might at any moment pass.
Bielfeld took the book selected by the princess, and commenced reading. But how torturing it was to road, to listen to these pathetic and measured Alexandrines from the "Henriade," while perchance in this same hour a new Alexander was placing the crown upon his young and noble head! In fact, but little was heard of these harmonious verses. All looked stealthily toward the window, and listened breathlessly to every sound that came from the road. Bielfeld suddenly ceased reading, and looked toward the window.
"Why do you not read on?" said the princess.
"Excuse me, I thought I saw a horse's head on the bridge!"
Forthwith, as if upon a given signal, they all flew to the windows; the princess herself, in the general commotion, hastened to one.
Yes! Between the trees something was seen moving. There it is coming on the bridge now! A peal of laughter resounded through the rooms. An ox! Count Bielfeld's courier had transformed himself into an ox!
They all stole back to their seats in confusion, and the reading was recommenced. But it did not last long; again Bielfeld came to a stop.
"Pardon me, your highness, but now there is positively a horse on the bridge."
Again they all rushed anxiously to the window. It certainly was a horse, but its rider was not a royal messenger, but a common peasant.
"I see," said the princess, laughing, "that we must discontinue our reading. Let us walk in the left wing of the garden, and as near the gate as possible."