rapidly through the trees which were near the bird cage. She squeezed the hand of the marquis:
"We have been discovered," she said with fright.
But Thuringia, looking in the direction which she pointed out, saw nothing.
"Somebody is going through the clump of trees over there," said Adelaide. "I am sure of it."
She held back Thuringia who wanted to pursue the person.
"No," she said, "such an act would make us seem guilty. We would appear to be afraid, and we have said nothing which could cause us to blush. Let's go away by a different way, but I forbid all searches for the person who was here."
As soon as they separated, Thuringia went to tell Mersburg all about it. He did not attempt to hide the princess' severity nor that in view of her position, she took away all hope for their complete happiness.
"I am not of your opinion about the circumstances," said the count. "You can never tell. How many times we have seen happiness come at a moment when all seemed darkest."
Thuringia spoke of the shadow which Adelaide had seen and of the uneasiness which it had caused her, but the count calmed his friend in assuring him that the prince had not even left his apartments.
"But the one who has surprised us might tell him what he has heard."
"If things happened as you have said, there is no danger in telling what happened."
"Ah, my friend, do those who pretend to serve the prince always tell the truth?"
31
