"Do not trouble, I will bring the sword," said the Sparhawk to Johann, with his usual impetuosity, putting the reins into the secretary's hands. And without a moment's hesitation he flung himself down the bank. The Princess had leaped nimbly ashore, and was standing with the sheathed sword in her hand.
When she saw the figure came bounding towards her down the pebbly bank, she gave a little cry, and dropping the scabbard, threw her arms impulsively about the Sparhawk's neck.
"I could not let you go like that—without ever telling you that I loved you—really, I mean," she whispered, while the youth stood petrified with astonishment, without sound or motion. "I will marry none but you—neither Prince Ivan nor another. A woman should not tell a man that, I know, lest he despise her; but a princess may, if the man dare not tell her."
"And what answered you?" asked the secretary of his companion, as they rode together through the night out on their road to Kernsberg.
"Why, I said nothing—speech was not needed," quoth the Dane coolly.
"She kissed you?"
"Well," said the Sparhawk, "I could not help that, could I?"
"But what said you to that?"
"Why, of course, I kissed her back again, as a man ought!" he made answer.