The priest rubbed his hands together, and smiled uncomfortably.
"We waited two hours," said he, glancing at the clock. "See, it is three o'clock now."
"I am sorry you waited so long," said Osra, "but I could not come before. And—and now that I am come, I cannot——"
But here she paused in great distress and confusion, not knowing how to break her sad tidings to the Miller of Hofbau.
The miller drew his legs up under his chair, and regarded Osra with a grave air.
"You should have been here at eleven," said he. "I went to the church at eleven, and the priest was there, and my cousin Hans to act as my groom, and my cousin Gertrude to be your maid. There we waited hard on two hours. But you did not come."
"I am very sorry," pleaded Princess Osra. The King laughed low to himself behind the water-butt, being much amused at her distress and her humility.
"And now that you are come," pursued the miller, scratching his head again, "I do not know what we are to do." He looked again at the priest, seeking counsel.
At this the Princess Osra, thinking that an opportunity had come, took the purse of six hundred crowns from under her cloak, and laid it on the table.
"What is this?" said the miller, for the first time showing some eagerness.