This was her brother's gratitude for the faithful care which she bestowed upon him! Who could tell whether her surprise, instead of pleasing him, might not rouse his anger?
He was still frowning as though the greatest injury had been inflicted upon him, and his sister's tearful eyes led him to exclaim wrathfully, as if he wished to palliate his unchivalrous indignation to a lady: "I am deprived of one pleasure after another, and the little enjoyment remaining is lessened wherever it can be.

Who has heavier loads of anxiety to endure ?--yet you spoil my recreation during the brief hours when I succeed in casting off the burden." Here he paused and obstinately grasped the golden handle of the pitcher again.

The Queen remained silent.

Contradiction would have made the obdurate sovereign empty another goblet also.

Even a look of entreaty would have been out of place on this occasion.