The princess started slightly when she
saw that she was not alone.
"Corona!" exclaimed the young girl. "Are you crying? What is it?"
"Oh, Faustina! I am so happy!" It was a relief to be able to say
it to some one.
"Happy?" repeated Faustina in surprise. "But there are tears in
your eyes, on your cheeks--"
"You cannot understand--I do not wonder--how should you? And
besides, I cannot tell you what it is."
"I wish I were you," answered her friend sadly. "I wish I were
happy!"
"What is it, child?" asked Corona kindly. Then she led Faustina to
a stiff old sofa at one end of the vast room and they sat down
together. "What is it?" she repeated, drawing the girl
affectionately to her side.
"You know what it is, dear. No one can help me. Oh, Corona! we
love each other so very much!"
"I know--I know it is very real. But you must have a little
patience, darling. Love will win in the end. Just now, too--" She
did not finish the sentence, but she had touched a sensitive spot
in Faustina's conscience.
"That is the worst of it," was the answer. "I am so miserable,
because I know he never would have allowed it, and now--I am
ashamed to tell you, it is so heartless!" She hid her face on her
friend's shoulder.
"You will never be heartless, my dear Faustina," said Corona.
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