It was such a charming picture, and never had she seen a handsomer pair of bucolic lovers.

A sudden pang drove the merriment from her face.

Ah, but she envied Gretchen! For the peasant there was freedom, there was the chosen mate; but for the princess-- "Your hat, scoundrel!" cried Hoffman.
The vintner snatched off his hat apologetically and swung it round on the tips of his fingers.
"Is this the way you work ?" "I have picked nine baskets." "You should have picked twelve." It interested her highness to note that this handsome young fellow was not afraid of the head vintner.

So this was Gretchen's lover?
He was really handsome; there was nothing coarse about his features or figure.
And presently she realized that he was returning her scrutiny with interest.

He had never seen her highness at close range before, and he now saw that Gretchen was more beautiful only because he saw her through the eyes of a lover.
The pause was broken by Gretchen.
"Pardon, Highness!" "For what, Gretchen ?" "For not having seen your approach." "That was my fault, not yours.