Rosa left the room, but returned almost instantly. He took the
bottle from her and filled a glass hastily.

"Now," said he, breathing deeply, "I feel that I live again. My
blood flows freely through my veins, and my heart is beating loudly.
Now to the king!"

He stood before a glass for a moment to arrange his hair; then
pressed a cold kiss upon Rosa's pale, trembling lips, and left the
room. With a firm, sure tread, he hurried through the halls and
chambers. No one stopped him, for no one was there to see him. In
the king's antechamber sat Deesen taking his breakfast.

"Is the king up?" asked Weingarten.

"The sun has been up for hours, and so of course the king is up,"
said Deesen, proudly.

"Announce me to his majesty; I have some important news for him."

He entered the king's chamber, and returned in a few moments for
Weingarten.

The king was sitting in an arm-chair by a window, which he had
opened to breathe the fresh summer air. His white greyhound,
Amalthea, lay at his feet, looking up at him with his soft black
eyes. In his right hand the king held his flute.

"You are early, sir," said he, turning to Weingarten. "You must have
very important news."