God had made his eyes for that one purpose.
"The thing is nothing," she declared petulantly, "but I have a fancy to ask it. Stephen, was it a trick, or—or was it really so? Come, answer me! I can't spend much time on it."
"It is not worth a thought to you. If you say no a third time, all will be well."
"You will marry the Countess?"
"Can I disobey the King, madame?"
"I am very sorry for her," said the Princess. "A lady of her rank should not be forced to marry a silversmith."
"Indeed I thought so all along. Therefore"
"You played the trick?" she cried in unmistakable anger.
Stephen made no answer for a time, then he said softly: "If she loves the Prince and he her, why should they not marry?"
"Because his birth is above hers."
"I am glad, then, that I am of no birth, for I can marry whom I will."
"Are you so happy and so free, Stephen?" sighed the Princess; and there was no more of the veil left than served to frame the picture of her face.
