to us, or I to him."

They sank upon their knees in the cold, soft winter grass; and it seemed
to them as if a miracle would be performed, and the rose-bush be changed
into the Emperor.

There--what was that? The big clock on the church struck slowly,
solemnly, sadly--

The two looked up. "What is it, do you suppose? A fire--enemies,
perhaps? I sense a great calamity," said she.

Just at that moment people were coming toward the church. Hans hurried
up to them, to find out what was the trouble, while Marie waited.

"Where have you been, that you don't know? Why, yonder in the market
place the notice was read--'the Emperor is dead!'" they cried.

"The Emperor is dead?"

There stood Hans, paralyzed. All his hopes seemed shattered. As soon as
quiet reigned again, he returned to Marie, and seated himself on a
bench. Leaning his head in uncontrollable grief against the slender stem
of the rose-bush, he moaned aloud: "Oh, my Emperor, my dear, good
Emperor, why did you leave me?" Lightly Marie touched his shoulder in
sympathy.

The last rays of the setting sun had now departed. The last tones of the
dirge had died away. Everything was still and deserted, as if there
could never again be spring.