While she was speaking Michael managed to slip in front , and running up the staircase , he reached the princesses ' room first . He flung open the window , and sliding down the vine which climbed up the wall , found himself in the garden just as the sun was beginning to rise , and it was time for him to set to his work . X That day , when he made up the bouquets , Michael hid the branch with the silver drops in the nosegay intended for the youngest Princess . When Lina discovered it she was much surprised . However , she said nothing to her sisters , but as she met the boy by accident while she was walking under the shade of the elms , she suddenly stopped as if to speak to him ; then , altering her mind , went on her way . The same evening the twelve sisters went again to the ball , and the Star Gazer again followed them and crossed the lake in Lina 's boat . This time it was the Prince who complained that the boat seemed very heavy . ` It is the heat , ' replied the Princess . ` I , too , have been feeling very warm . ' During the ball she looked everywhere for the gardener 's boy , but she never saw him . As they came back , Michael gathered a branch from the wood with the gold-spangled leaves , and now it was the eldest Princess who heard the noise that it made in breaking . ` It is nothing , ' said Lina ; ` only the cry of the owl which roosts in the turrets of the castle . ' XI As soon as she got up she found the branch in her bouquet . When the sisters went down she stayed a little behind and said to the cow-boy : ` Where does this branch come from ? ' ` Your Royal Highness knows well enough , ' answered Michael . ` So you have followed us ? ' ` Yes , Princess . ' ` How did you manage it ? we never saw you . ' ' I hid myself , ' replied the Star Gazer quietly .
The XXXXX was silent a moment , and then said : ` You know our secret !
Lina Michael Prince Princess XI accident day first nosegay roosts