The Princess added underneath—
"Cease then, shepherd, to complain;
Love, and be beloved again."
The Prince, transported with joy, threw himself at her feet, and seizing one of her hands said, "You ease my afflicted heart, adorable Princess, and by these new acts of kindness, you preserve my life. Remember what you have just written in my favour." "I am not likely to forget it," said she with a gracious smile; "rely upon my heart, it is more interested in your behalf than in my own." Their conversation would have lasted much longer, if they had had more time; but, as they had to collect the flocks they were tending, they hastened to return.
Meanwhile, the King and Queen were conferring together on the course they should pursue respecting Carpillon and the young shepherd. As long as she was a stranger to them, they approved of the gentle flame that was gradually kindling in their bosoms. The perfect beauty with which heaven had endowed them, their intellect, the grace which distinguished all their actions, made them desire that their union should be lasting; but they looked upon it with a very different eye, when they considered she was their daughter, and that the shepherd was without doubt only an unfortunate child, whose parents had exposed him to wild beasts, to save themselves the trouble of bringing him up. Finally, they resolved to tell Carpillon she must no longer encourage the hopes the youth had flattered himself with; and that she must even seriously declare to him, that it was not her wish to establish herself in that country.
The Queen called her early in the morning, and spoke with much kindness to her. But what words are capable of calming a grief so violent? The Princess vainly endeavoured to constrain her feelings; her face now suffused with burning blushes, now paler than if she had been on the point of death; her eyes lustreless from sorrow, too plainly indicated the state of her heart. Ah! how much she regretted her confession! She assured her mother, however, with great submission, that she would follow her injunctions. She had scarcely strength to throw herself on her bed, where, bathed in tears, she uttered a thousand complaints and a thousand
