"Well, and you?" said she. "Have you a message for me from my
husband? Are you from Konigstein?"

"Yes, your majesty, I come from Konigstein. But I am not a bearer of
pleasant news. I am sent to Dresden by the King of Poland to request
of the King of Prussia passports for himself and Count Bruhl. The
king wishes to visit Warsaw, and is therefore desirous of obtaining
these passports."

"Ah!" said the queen, sighing, "to think that my husband requires
permission to travel in his own kingdom, and that he must receive it
from our enemy! Well, have you obeyed the king's command, Count
Leuke? Have you been to the King of Prussia and received the
passports?"

"I was with the King of Prussia," said the count, in a faltering
voice.

"Well, what more?"

"He refused me! He does not give his consent to this visit."

"Listen, listen!" said the queen, wildly; "hear the fresh insult
thrown at our crown! Can God hear this and not send His lightning to
destroy this heretical tyrant? Ah, I will raise my voice; it shall
be a cry of woe and lamentation, and shall resound throughout all
Europe; it shall reach every throne, and every one shall hear my
voice calling out: 'Woe! woe! woe to us all; our thrones are
tottering, they will surely fall if we do not ruin this evil-doer
who threatens us all!'"