"The good queen seems terribly downcast about it.

Is not the princess her choice ?" "Altogether so, as the king tells me.

Perhaps the queen has mother-like fears for the safety of this only son of hers, and lets them get on her mind overmuch." "That would be hardly like our queen," she answered, laughing; "she is above that foolishness.

No, but there is somewhat more." "Then," said I, thinking that this was fancy, "it will be some trouble of state which is at the bottom of her anxiety.

That none of us can mend." "It may be that," she said; "but it is some heavy trouble.