“‘He sits on God’s right hand in heaven.’ “But that did not comfort her. She wept helplessly and unrestrainedly, as only a child can weep. “‘Why were they so cruel to him? Why were they allowed to be so cruel to him?’ “Her grandmother was almost frightened at her overwhelming sorrow. “‘Say, grandmother, say that you have not told it right! Say that it did not end so! Say that they were not so cruel to the good King! Say that he got a kingdom on earth!’ “She threw her arms around the old woman and beseeched her with streaming tears. “‘Child, child,’ said her grandmother, to console her. ‘There are some who believe that he will come again. Then he will put the earth under his power and direct it. The beautiful earth will be a glorious kingdom. It shall last a thousand years. Then the fierce animals will be gentle; little children will play by the viper’s nest, and bears and cows will eat together. No one shall injure or destroy the other; the lance shall be bent into scythes, and the sword forged into ploughs. And everything shall be play and happiness, for the good will possess the earth.’ “Then the little one’s face brightened behind her tears. “‘Will the good King then get a throne, grandmother?’ “‘A throne of gold.’ “‘And servants, and courtiers, and a golden crown?’ “‘Yes.’ “‘Will he come soon, grandmother?’ “‘No one knows when he will come.’ “‘May I sit on a stool at his feet?’ “‘You may.’ “‘Grandmother, I am so happy,’ says the little one. “Evening after evening, through many winters, they both sat by the fire and talked of the good King and his kingdom. The little one dreamed of the kingdom which should last a thousand years, both by night and by day. She never wearied of adorning it with everything beautiful which she could think of. “Ebba Dohna never dared to speak of it to any one; but from that evening she only lived for the Lord’s kingdom, and to await his coming. “When the evening sun crimsoned the western sky, she wondered if he would ever appear there, glowing with a mild splendor, followed by a host of millions of angels, and march by her, allowing her to touch the hem of his garment. “She often thought, too, of those pious women who had hung a veil over their heads, and never lifted their eyes from the ground, but shut themselves in in the gray cloister’s calm, in the darkness of little cells, to always contemplate the glowing visions which appear from the night of the soul. “Such had she grown up; such she was when she and the new tutor met in the lonely paths of the park. “I will not speak more harshly of him than I must. I will believe that he loved that child, who soon chose him for companion in her lonely wanderings. I think that his soul got back its wings when he walked by the side of that quiet girl, who had never confided in any other. I think that he felt himself a child again, good, gentle, virtuous.