Is it wisest after all to be very unwise, dear mother mine?' she said a little later, with a smile that was tender and happy.
The Princess looked up quickly, and so looking understood.
'Oh, my beloved, is it indeed so? Yes, you are wise to listen to your heart; God speaks in it!'
With tears in her eyes she stretched out her pretty hands in solemn benediction.
'Be His Spirit for ever with you,' she said with great emotion. 'I shall be so content to know that I leave you not alone when our Father calls me, for I think your very greatness and dominion, my dear, but make you the more lonely, as sovereigns are, and it is not well to be alone, Wanda; it is well to have human love close about us.'
'It is to lean on a reed, perhaps,'murmured Wanda, in that persistent misgiving which possessed her. 'And when the reed breaks, then though it has been so weak before, it becomes of iron, barbed and poisoned.'
'What gloomy thoughts! And you have made me so happy, and surely you are happy yourself?'
'Yes. My reed is in full flower, but—but—yes, I am happy; I hope that Bela knows.'
The Princess kissed her once again.
'Ah! he loves you so well.'