Her highness was telling her state secrets! "You love some one else, Highness ?" How should a goose-girl know that such a question was indelicate?
Her highness did not blush; the color in her cheeks receded.

She fondled the heart-shaped locket which she invariably wore round her throat.

That this peasant girl should thus boldly put a question she herself had never dared to press! "You must not ask questions like that, Gretchen." "Pardon, Highness; I did not think." Gretchen was disturbed.
But the princess comforted her with: "I know it.

There are some questions which should not be asked even by the heart." This was not understandable to Gretchen; but the locket pleased her eye.
Her highness, observing her interest, slipped the trinket from her neck and laid it in Gretchen's hand.
"Open it," she said.

"It is a picture of my mother, whom I do not recollect having ever seen.