About this time she noticed that the king, her father, began to look anxious and grave, and messengers often came in haste to see him from far-off parts of his kingdom.

And once or twice she overheard words dropped which she could not understand, except that it was evident some misfortune was at hand.

But in their desire to save their daughter all sorrow, the king and queen had given orders that the trouble which had come to the country was not to be told her; so the Princess could find out nothing even by questioning her ladies or her old nurse, who hitherto had never refused to tell her anything she wanted to know.
"One day when she was walking about the gardens, playing as usual with her golden balls, she came upon a young girl half hidden among the shrubs, crying bitterly.

The Princess stopped at once to ask her what was the matter, but the girl only shook her head and went on weeping, refusing to answer.
"'I dare not tell you, Princess,' she said.

'I dare not.