Stephen smiled, but continued his story. "I came out; and she whom I love gave me a bracelet to mend. And I, looking at her rather than at the bracelet, said, 'But already it is perfect.' But she did not hear, for, when she had given me the bracelet, she rode on again at once and took no more notice of me than of the flies that were crawling up my wall. That was the first and is the last time that I have spoken to her until this day. But she was so beautiful that there and then I swore that, until I had found means and courage to tell her my love, and until she had thrice refused it, I would marry no other maiden nor speak a word of love." "It seems to me," said Prince Rudolf, "that the oath has some prudence in it; for if she prove obdurate, friend Stephen, you will then be able to go elsewhere; many lovers swear more intemperately." "But they do not keep their oaths," said Stephen, with a shrewd look at the Prince. "You had best let him alone, my son," said the old King. "He knows what all the country knows of its future King." "Then he may go and hang with all the country," said the Prince peevishly. But the Princess Osra leant a little forward towards Stephen, and the Countess Hilda also looked covertly out from the folds of her friend's dress at Stephen. And the Princess said: "Was she then so beautiful, this girl?" "As the sun in heaven, madame," said the smith. "As beautiful as my pretty sister?" asked Rudolf in careless jest. "Yes, as beautiful, sir," answered Stephen. "Then," said the cruel old King, "very much more beautiful than this Countess?" "Of that you must ask your son Henry, sire," said Stephen discreetly. "Nevertheless," said the King, "you must put up with the Countess. We cannot all have what we want in this world, can we, son Henry?" and he chuckled again most maliciously. "Not, sire, till my lady has thrice refused me," the smith reminded the King. "Then she must be quick about it. For we all, and my lord Bishop here, are waiting. Send for her, Stephen--by heaven, I have a curiosity to see her!" "And, by heaven! so have I," added Prince Rudolf with a merry smile. "And poor Henry here may be cured by the sight." The Princess Osra leant a little further forward, and said gently: "Tell us her name, and we will send for her. Indeed I also would like to see her." "But if she refuses, I shall be worse off than I am now; and if she says yes, still I must marry the Countess," objected the smith. "Nay," said the King, "if she does not refuse you three times, you shall not marry the Countess, but shall be free to try your fortune with the girl;" for the smith had put the old Lion in a better temper, and he thought he was to witness more sport. "Since your Majesty is so good, I must tell her name," said Stephen, "though I had rather have declared my love to herself alone." "It is the pleasantest way," said Prince Rudolf, "but the thing can be done in the presence of others also."