to
grant her a coronet. After all, historic examples were to hand by the
dozen. In modern times the mistress of Frederick William III had been
made a duchess. Hence, Lola felt that she should be at least a
countess.

"What special services have you rendered Bavaria?" bluntly demanded
the minister to whom she first advanced the suggestion.

"If nothing else, I have given the King many happy days," was Lola's
response.

Curiosity was then exhibited as to whether she was sufficiently
_hoch-geboren_, or not. The applicant herself had no doubts on the
subject. Her father, Ensign Gilbert, she said, had the blood of
Coeur-de-Lion in his veins, and her mother's ancestors were among
the Council of the Inquisition.

When the matter was referred to him, Ludwig was sympathetic and
readily promised his help. But as she was a foreigner, she would, he
pointed out, have to start by becoming naturalised as a Bavarian
subject; and, under the constitution, the necessary indigenate
certificate must bear the signature of a Cabinet Minister. For this
purpose, and never thinking that the slightest difficulty would be
advanced, he had one drawn up and sent to Count Otto von Steinberg.
Much to his annoyance and surprise, however, that individual,
"suddenly developing conscientious objections," excused himself.
Thereupon, von Abel, as head of the Government, was instructed to
secure another signature.

"Do not worry. It will be settled to-morrow," announced Ludwig, when
Lola enquired the reason of the hitch.

He was, however, speaking without his book. The Ministry, Ultramontane
to a man, could swallow a good deal, in order to retain their
portfolios (and salaries), but this, they felt, was asking too much
of them. In unctuous terms, and taking refuge in offended virtue, they
declared they would resign, rather than countenance the grant of
Bavarian nationality for "the foreign woman." Neither pressure nor
threats would shake them. Ludwig could do what he pleased; and they
would do what they pleased.

The manifesto in which the Cabinet's decision was delivered is little
short of an historic document:

MUNICH.

_February 11, 1847._

Sir: Public life has its moments when those entrusted by
their Sovereign with the proper conduct of public affairs
have to make their choice between renouncing the duties to
which they are pledged by loyalty and devotion, and, by
discharging those duties in conscientio