me my passport!"

"Your passport! dismissed you!" repeated the queen. "Have I heard
aright? Do you speak of the King of Prussia? Has he then made
himself King of Saxony?"

Before anyone had time to answer the queen's painful questions, the
door was opened, and the king's ministers entered; beside them was
to be seen the pale, terrified countenance of Count Leuke, the
king's chamberlain.

Slowly and silently these gentlemen passed through the room and
approached the queen.

"We have come," said Count Hoymb, bowing lowly, "to take leave of
your majesty."

The queen fell slightly back, and gazed in terror at the four
ministers standing before her with bowed heads.

"Has the king, my husband, sent for you? Are you come to take leave
of me before starting to Konigstein?"

"No, your majesty; we come because we have been dismissed from our
offices by the King of Prussia."

The queen did not answer, but gazed wildly at the sad countenances
about her; and now she fixed a searching glance upon the royal
chamberlain.