The queen turned to her maid of honor.

"How is it that you are so negligent, countess?" said she; "did I
not tell you to answer to the messenger of the king, that I would
give this key, which is the property of the Prince-Elector of
Saxony, and which he intrusted to me, to no one but my husband?"

"I had the honor to fulfil your majesty's command," said the
countess, respectfully.

"How is it, then," said she, turning to General von Wylich, "that
you dare to come again with this request, which I have already
answered?"

"Oh, may your majesty graciously pardon me," cried the general,
deeply moved; "but his majesty, my king and master, has given me the
sternest commands to get the key, and bring him the papers. I am
therefore under the sad necessity to beseech your majesty to agree
to my master's will."

"Never!" said the queen, proudly. "That door shall never be opened;
you shall never enter it."

"Be merciful. I dare not leave here without fulfilling my master's
commands. Have pity on my despair, your majesty, and give me the key
to that door."

"Listen! I shall not give you the key," said the queen, white and
trembling with anger; "and if you open the door by force, I will
cover it with my body; and now, sir, if you wish to murder the Queen