are they waving their handkerchiefs toward
us? The beloved sisters of your father, the Princesses of Orange and
Hesse! Who is that tall gentleman at their side? It is my father, my
honored father!" The carriage drove up to the portal of the royal
palace. "Welcome!" cried the princesses. "Welcome!" shouted the crowd,
filling the large square in front.

The queen did not utter a word; but, stretching out her arms toward her
father, she greeted him with a smile, while the tears rolled over her
cheeks.

The duke pushed the footmen aside and opened himself the door of her
carriage, when the queen, disregarding all etiquette, threw her arms
round his neck, and kissed him. The people who witnessed this touching
scene, became silent. With folded hands and tearful eyes they admired
her who had ever been an affectionate and grateful daughter as well as a
beneficent sovereign, and their prayers ascended to heaven for her
welfare. Half carried in the arms of her father, Louisa entered the
palace, and ascended the staircase. The doors of the large
reception-room were open. The king met her; her two oldest sons stood
behind him, and her two youngest children, held up by their nurses,
stretched out their little arms toward her. She joyfully hastened into
the room. "Come, my children," she exclaimed with a smile, "come, my
seven radiant stars!"

She took the two youngest children, Albert, not yet three years, and
Louisa, one year old, in her arms; the five other children walking by
her side, and thus, in the midst of these "seven stars," she approached
her father. Bending her knee before him, she exclaimed: "Grandfather!
here are your grandchildren; here is your daughter, who, with her
children, asks for your blessing, and here is the most faithful and
beloved man, my husband! Oh, father, honor him, for he has preserved to
your daughter her happiness!" She placed the two youngest ones at the
feet of the duke, and took the king's hand, which she pressed to her
bosom.

The king, who was afraid lest this excitement should become injurious to
the feeble health of his wife, after saluting the duke and his own
sisters in a cordial manner, proposed an inspection of the rooms of
their so long deserted house.

"Yes!" exclaimed Louisa, "let us show my beloved father the temple of
our happiness; and the good spirits around us no doubt welcome him and
us. Come!" Walking between her father and her husband, and followed by
the princesses and