Part 120 (1/2)

The king shrugged his shoulders and said:

”We must await events.”

Schnabelsdorf looked astounded at this indifference. What could have happened?

”There is only one new election necessary,” said he. ”Your Majesty is aware that Count Eberhard Wildenort was elected as a deputy?”

”I know,” said the king. ”Why mention this?”

Schnabelsdorf dropped his eyes and added: ”I am informed that Colonel von Bronnen, Your Majesty's adjutant-general, whose name has already been mentioned in that connection, is to be brought forward as a candidate.”

”Bronnen will refuse to stand,” said the king.

Schnabelsdorf received this remark with an almost imperceptible bow. He had a presentiment of what was going on.

The king permitted his minister to inform him of what was most urgent, but begged him to be brief.

Schnabelsdorf was very brief.

The king dismissed him. His intention was to have Schnabelsdorf open the new chamber. If, as was to be expected, the majority were against him, Bronnen would form a new cabinet.

It was no slight struggle on the part of the king, to suffer that which ought to have emanated from his own will to appear as a yielding, on his part, to the popular voice; but he felt that it was the first real proof of his subjection to the law, and he meant to find his highest glory in giving expression to the voice of the people.

His new motto: ”True and free,” again impressed itself upon him. Calm and self-possessed, he repaired to the queen's apartments.

CHAPTER XVII.

The queen had been informed of the king's return, and the calmness and self-command that she had regained seemed to vanish. As long as he remained at a distance, she felt herself secure in the lofty realm of thought; but now that he was near her, the thought of meeting him face to face made her tremble with fear. Her sense of injury loosened the weak foundations of the principles it had cost her such an effort to make her own. It was already night when the queen heard her husband's voice in the ante-chamber. He wished to see her, he said, even if she were asleep. He entered softly. She kept her eyes closed and forced herself to breathe as gently as possible. It was the first deceit of her life. She was only feigning sleep, and how often had he who now stood before her feigned sincerity and truth--? Her breathing became heavier; it required all her self-command to remain quiet. Horror at the idea of feigning death now possessed her.

She lay there motionless, with her hands folded, and her husband stood before her. She imagined that she felt his loving, affectionate glance, but what could his love or affection be? She felt his warm breath against her face. And now he felt her pulse, and yet she did not stir.

She felt the kiss that he imprinted upon her hand, and yet she did not move. She heard him turn to Madame Leoni and say: ”She sleeps quietly, thank G.o.d! don't tell her that I was here.” She heard his words, and his soft footsteps while he left the room, and yet she did not move.

Lest her attendant should discover the deception, she was obliged to keep up the appearance of being asleep and to affect entire ignorance of what had pa.s.sed.

When the king reached the anteroom, he said to the waiting-woman:

”I thank you, dear Leoni!”

”Your Majesty,” replied Madame Leoni, with a profound bow.

”You have of late afforded fresh proofs of your attachment to the queen. I shall not forget it. It is a comfort to me to know that she is surrounded by such careful attendants. My dear Leoni, do all you can to secure the queen as much repose as possible; and if she should wish for anything particular, which you think that the ladies of the court or Countess Brinkenstein need know nothing of, address yourself to me. Has the queen spoken much during the last few days?”

”Oh yes! unfortunately, too much; that's what makes her so exhausted.

She talked for hours, incessantly.”

”Was it with you that she talked so much?”