"'I dare not tell you, Princess,' she said. 'I dare not. You are good and kind, and I do not blame you for my misfortunes. If you knew all, you would pity me.' "And that was all she would say. "She was a pretty girl, about the same age and height as the Princess, and the Princess, after speaking to her, remembered that she had sometimes seen her before. "'You are the daughter of the gardener, are you not?' she inquired. "'Yes,' said the girl. 'My father is the king's gardener. But I have been away with my grandmother. They only sent for me yesterday to come home--and--and--oh, I was to have been married next week to a young shepherd, who has loved me since my childhood!' "And with this the girl burst into fresh weeping, but not another word would she say. "Just then the Princess's governess, who had been a little behind--for sometimes in playing with her balls the Princess ran on faster--came up to where the two young girls were talking together. When the governess saw who the Princess's companion was she seemed uneasy. "'What has she been saying to you, Princess?' she asked eagerly. 'It is the gardener's daughter, I see.' "'Yes,' said the Princess. 'She is the gardener's daughter, and she is in some great trouble. That is all I know, for she will tell me nothing but that she was to have been married next week, and then she weeps. I wish I knew what her sorrow is, for, perhaps, I could be of use to her. I would give her all my money if it would do her any good,' and the Princess looked ready to cry herself. But the girl only shook her head. 'No Princess,' she said; 'it would do me no good. It is not your fault; but oh, it is very hard on me!' "The governess seemed very frightened and spoke sharply to the girl, reproving her for annoying the Princess with her distress. The Princess was surprised, for all her ladies hitherto had, by the king and queen's desire, encouraged her to be kind and sympathising to those in trouble, and to do all she could to console them. But as she had also been taught to be very obedient, she made no remonstrance when her governess desired her to leave the girl and return to the castle. But all that day the Princess remained silent and depressed. It was the first time a shadow had come near her happiness.