cheeks, for I felt that my father had been unjust to me. I looked at
the Princess as if she ought to shield me, but upon her face was only
an expression of mild earnestness. Then I looked round upon the ladies
and gentlemen assembled in the room, believing that they would come to
my defense. But as I looked, I saw that they were laughing. Then the
tears sprang into my eyes, and out of the door, down the stairs, and
past the lindens in the castle yard, I rushed home, where I threw
myself into my mother's arms and sobbed and wept.

"What has happened to you?" said she.

"Oh! mother!" I cried; "I was at the Princess', and she was such a good
and beautiful woman, just like you, dear mother, that I had to throw my
arms round her neck and kiss her."

"Ah!" said my mother; "you should not have done that, for they are
strangers and high dignitaries."

"And what then are strangers?" said I.

"May I not love all people who look upon me with affectionate and
friendly eyes?"

"You can love them, my son," replied my mother, "but you should not
show it."

"Is it then something wrong for me to love people?" said I. "Why
cannot I show it?"

"Well, perhaps you are right," said she, "but you must do as your