I do not mean to
infer," with a smile, "that you will leave her after. Go to her as a
master; that is the way a woman loves to be wooed. Marry her and be
happy; and I shall come and say, 'Heaven bless you, my children.' I
have accepted the renunciation of her claims so that she may be free to
wed you. If you do not find her, I will. Since I have her promise to
teach me the lesson of being a Princess, she cannot have gone far. And
when you are married you will promise to visit me often? I shall be
very lonely now; I shall be far away from my friends; I shall be in a
prison, and men call it a palace."
"I will promise you anything you may ask," I said eagerly. A new hope
and a new confidence had risen in my heart. I wonder where man got the
idea that he is lord of creation when he depends so much upon woman?
"And you will really be my sister, too!" taking her hands and kissing
them. "And you will think of me a little, will you not?"
"Yes." She slowly withdrew her hands. "If you do not find her, write
to me."
"Your Highness, it is my hope that some day you will meet a Prince who
will be worthy of you, who will respect and honor you as I do.
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