The queen's head fell upon her breast, and hollow, convulsive groans
escaped her. Then, with a hasty movement, she severed the key from
her chain.

"I obey you, my father," said she. "There is the key, general; this
room can now be entered."

General Wylich took the key, kissing reverentially the hand that
gave it to him. He then said to her, in a voice full of emotion:

"I have but this last favor to ask of your majesty, that you will
now leave this room, so that my soldiers may enter it."

Without answering, the queen, accompanied by her confessor and maid
of honor, left the apartment.

"And now," said the queen to Countess Ogliva, as she entered her
reception-room, "send messengers at once to all the foreign
ambassadors, and tell them I command their presence."




CHAPTER XIV.

SAXONY HUMILIATED.


A half an hour later the ambassadors of France, Austria, Holland,
Russia, and Sweden, were assembled in the queen's reception-room.