"Then go, thou King's son. Most like thou art right. Seek her." "Wilt thou not go too, good youth? In all my travels I have never known fear until now; and yet here, in this land of white flowers and whiter mists, Hope's gentle spur notwithstanding, I am overawed, I dare not venture." "Ah, my Prince! if thou wilt find what thou desirest thou must be brave, and advance with faith and courage. I cannot lead thee, neither can I follow thee; but yonder the edge of this garden joins my land, the forest where I met thee yesterday. If thou findest not the maiden, seek me there. Farewell. See," he added, "see how sudden red thy white rose hath blushed!" And vanishing, he dropped Ulric's rose at the Prince's feet. It was of a brilliant red, and gave forth a strangely powerful perfume. Notwithstanding the encouragement of his unknown preceptor, the Prince would never have ventured far along the glittering path. The Fates seemed to check his progress. If the maiden, whom his heart prompted him to seek, had not left her bower to meet him, his quest, even so near upon success, might yet have ended in disappointment. But with gracious step the maid approached, and, holding forth her hand quite simply, herself led him through the garden. Ulric walked on, looking into her eyes. His heart beat, and the flower-strewn way seemed to melt from beneath his feet. "Good minstrel, who art thou?" asked the maiden. "I am thy devoted servant," murmured the Prince. "Prithee, tell me thy name, gracious lady?" "I am called Innocent, and I am the Princess of the Garden of Innocence." [Illustration] "Is this the Garden of Innocence?" "Yes." "Is that the reason why the flowers are all white and scentless here?" "Are they ever different, fair sir?" she asked wonderingly. "In my land, sweet maiden, they are red, pink, purple, gold, and of every colour. But now, I had one of your own white roses which had changed to red." The Princess looked at Ulric in amazement as he searched for his rose. There it lay at his feet; but it had again become as white and as scentless as all the other flowers in the garden. The Prince was sorely puzzled. Had he only dreamed that the rose had changed to red in the youth's hands? They walked on in silence for many a long hour, their eyes meeting in a sympathy too great for words. "At last," thought the Prince, "I have found the 'white rose of friendship,' the leaves whereof are immortal. I shall never part from it; it will be with me all my life, great, sacrificing, eternal friendship, straight from God." He told Innocent of his grief, and of the bitter troubles that he had encountered in his search. "Poor minstrel!" she said softly. "Be happy now, for thy sorrow is ended. I feel this deathless friendship for thee."