The bell of the nearest church had just announced the hour of six.
The door opened immediately, and an officer, in the name of the
king, pronounced his arrest at an end.

The prince answered with a low bow, and remained seated, pointing
haughtily to the door; but as the officer left him he arose and
paced hastily to and fro.

"He treats me like a school-boy," he murmured; "but I shall show him
that I have a will of my own! I will not be intimidated--I will not
submit; and if the king does not cease to annoy me, if he continues
to forget that I am not a slave, but son and brother of a king, no
motives shall restrain me, and I also will forget, as he does, that
I am a prince, and remember only that I am a free, responsible man.
He wishes me to marry, and therefore has me followed, and surrounds
me with spies. He wishes to force me to marry. Well, I will marry,
but I will choose my own wife!"

The prince had just made this resolve, when the door opened, and the
servant announced that Messrs. Kalkreuth and Kaphengst awaited his
commands.

He bade them enter, and advancing smilingly gave them his hand.

"Welcome! welcome!" he said; "the cage is open, and I may enjoy a
little air and sunshine; let us not delay to make use of this
opportunity. Our horses shall be saddled."

"They are already saddled, prince," said Baron Kalkreuth. "I have
ordered them to the court, and as soon as it is dark we will mount