"It is not a secret," replied the princess; "I was only afraid that they might be embarrassed by an audience." "They will not be embarrassed by my presence," said he quickly, "for a fool in a room is of no more importance than a cat." "You make yourself of small account when it is to gain your own ends, but stay, if you like," she returned, laughing. "And as I do like, I will stay," he returned, sitting down on the floor beside her chair. The young couple, standing, blushing and abashed before her, gazed with awe at the little maiden, who seemed almost lost in the embrace of the huge chair in which she sat. But when they saw that her eyes were soft and shining, that her lips were curved into a friendly smile, they forgot for the moment that she was of royal blood, and would, doubtless, one day wear the crown of a mighty kingdom. A silver griffin of a sconce near by held a light in its claws, which fell full upon Cimburga and the miller's son. The latter was tall and straight, with an honest, noble countenance, and certainly there were many ladies who were not half so pretty as Cimburga. The little princess wondered why these humble people should be so handsome, and concluded that the good God had given them personal comeliness to make up for lack of worldly goods, for certainly the athletic figure of the youth could have been no handsomer clad in velvet and satin than in the plain garments he now wore, and the flash of jewels could have made the eyes of Cimburga no brighter than they were at this moment. "Your name is Cimburga?" said Marguerite, addressing the girl; "that is a Polish name." "Yes, your Highness, it is the name of my grandmother, who was born in Poland, and who was given the name of the mother of his Imperial Majesty, the grandfather of your gracious Highness." "That is a mixture of relatives that makes my head ache," observed Le Glorieux. "Then it may be wise for you to leave the room," replied the princess slyly. "If I did anything wise I would not be a fool," he returned; "therefore I stay." "It is true," said Marguerite, "that my great grandmother was Cimburga of Poland, and it is from her, they say, that the archduke, my father, inherited his great physical strength. And now, Cimburga, I want you to answer my questions and do not be afraid, for no harm shall come to you from anything you may say to me. That you did not commit the crime of which you are accused we all know now, and I felt from the first, but why had you been crying even before you were accused?" The girl dropped her eyes and a very pretty color dyed her cheeks.