Presently a wicket was opened in the gate, and a man's head appeared in the dim starlight.
'Nothing to-night,' said a voice.
'Bring a lantern,' said the Prince.
'Dear heart a' mercy!' cried the groom.

'Who's that ?' 'It is I, the Prince,' replied Otto.

'Bring a lantern, take in the mare, and let me through into the garden.' The man remained silent for a while, his head still projecting through the wicket.
'His Highness!' he said at last.

'And why did your Highness knock so strange ?' 'It is a superstition in Mittwalden,' answered Otto, 'that it cheapens corn.' With a sound like a sob the groom fled.

He was very white when he returned, even by the light of the lantern; and his hand trembled as he undid the fastenings and took the mare.
'Your Highness,' he began at last, 'for God's sake.