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356 roebuck, has caused me a good run over hill and dale to-day." "My son," said the King, seriously, "you cause us more anxiety than pleasure. You know all that I have already said about your love for the chase, but you do not seem inclined to correct yourself." The Prince reddened; and what annoyed him more was, that he perceived a stranger was present. He replied that another time he would return earlier, or that he would not go hunting any more till they wished it. "That is sufficient," said the Queen, who loved him dearly; "my son, I thank you for your present; come and sit by me and sup, for I am sure you are hungry." He was a little disconcerted at the serious air with which the King spoke to him and he scarcely dared to raise his eyes, for although he was intrepid in the midst of dangers, he was tractable, and stood in great awe of those to whom he owed respect. However, he recovered from his confusion, placed himself next to the Queen, and looked at Carpillon, who had not waited so long to look at him. As soon as their eyes met, their hearts beat so wonderfully that they could not account for their agitation. The Princess blushed and looked down; the Prince continued to gaze at her; again she raised her eyes gently, and looked at him a longer time, they were each of them equally surprised, and thought that nothing in the world could surpass what they beheld. "Is it possible," said the Princess, "that seeing so many persons as I have at court, I know not one who could be compared to this young shepherd!" "How is it," said he, in his turn, "that this wonderful girl is a simple shepherdess! Ah, would that I were a king to place her on the throne, to make her mistress of my dominions as she would be of my heart!" Thus musing, he ate nothing; the Queen, believing that it was in consequence of his having been unkindly received, loaded him with caresses; she herself handed him some exquisite fruits, of which she was very choice. He begged Carpillon to taste some; she thanked him, and he, without thinking from whose hand he had received them, said sorrowfully, "I don't want them," and coldly left them on the table. The Queen did not notice it; but the eldest Princess, who by no means disliked him, and could have loved him dearly, but for the difference she believed existed between his condition and hers, remarked it with some degree of vexation.