you remember how she used to hide in a cupboard as a child, so as to avoid seeing visitors, for hours at a time. she is just the same now; but, do you know, i think there is something serious in the matter, even from her side; i feel it, somehow. she laughs at the prince, they say, from morn to night in order to hide her real feelings; but you may be sure she finds occasion to say something or other to him on the sly, for he himself is in a state of radiant happiness. he walks in the clouds; they say he is extremely funny just now; i heard it from themselves.