and that he must therefore impart to you his message."

"It is, no doubt, another of his hypocritical, friendly assurances,"
said the queen, as the chamberlain left. "He has, no doubt, some
evil design, and wishes to soothe us before he strikes."

The chamberlain returned, but his countenance was now white with
terror.

"Well!" said the queen, "what is this message?"

"Ah, your majesty," stammered the trembling courtier, "my lips would
not dare to repeat it; and I could never find the courage to tell
you what he demands."

"What he demands!" repeated the queen; "has it come to that, that a
foreign prince commands in our land? Go, countess, and in my name,
fully empowered by me, receive this King of Prussia's message; then
return, and dare not keep the truth from me."

Countess Ogliva and the chamberlain left the royal apartment, and
Maria Josephine was alone. And now, there was no necessity of
guarding this mask of proud quietude and security. Alone, with her
own heart, the queen's woman nature conquered. She did not now force
back the tears which streamed from her eyes, nor did she repress the
sighs that oppressed her heart. She wept, and groaned, and trembled.
But hearing a step in the antechamber, she dried her eyes, and again
put on the proud mask of her royalty. It was the countess returning.
Slowly and silently she passed through the apartment. Upon her
colorless countenance there was a dark, angry expression, and a