queen extended toward him, and pressed
them tenderly to his lips. "I come, perhaps, earlier than you expected,"
he said, "but I wished to see my beloved Louisa on this festive day,
before she again becomes the queen. It seems to me I have not yet seen
you to-day. Since early morning the people offering congratulations and
presents have perfectly besieged the house."

"That is the consequence of celebrating my birthday in Berlin, my
friend," exclaimed the queen laughing; "it is your just punishment for
refusing to spend the day with me and the children quietly at our dear
Parez, as we always used to do."

"I could not do that," said the king, gravely. "I had to give our
subjects an opportunity to manifest their love for you and to indemnify
them for the last three years, when they were unable to do so. But do
you know, Louisa, why I come now? I should like to present you two
acceptable gifts."

"More gifts?" exclaimed the queen, almost reproachfully. "Your love has
lavished so many costly and beautiful presents on me to-day that I
hardly know what you may give me."

"You need not be afraid, for the gifts are not very expensive; they are
only two pieces of paper. They will not make your casket heavier, but I
hope they will render your heart lighter. Here is the first." He drew a
letter from his bosom and handed it to the queen. "Read the address," he
said.

The queen read: "'To his excellency, Count von Hardenberg, at present at
the farm of Grohnde.'"--"What?" she asked, looking joyously at the king.
"My friend, you have yourself written to Hardenberg?"

The king nodded, "I myself," he said.

"And what did you write to him?"

"I requested him to come to me without delay, if he feel strong enough,
and resume his former position at the head of the government."

"But you know Napoleon does not want Hardenberg to be your minister."

"I am now again, and intend remaining, master in my own country."

"Napoleon ordered that Hardenberg should not come within twenty leagues
of the place where the king resides. Remember, dear friend, he is
proscribed."

"But I disregard this proscription, and call Hardenberg to my side. If
he is courageous enough he will come, and when he is here we shall take
pains to pacify the emperor's wrath. He is at present too busily engaged
in arranging his wedding festivities, and in preparing for the reception
of his young wife; he will not have time to notice that the little King
of Pruss