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feet as he acclaimed himself "King of kings" and the "true son of God." And Juggernaut was in love with me! I was speechless. Did he take me for a dancing girl? I narrowed my shoulders and gave him a look of disdain. House Marshal Baron Carlowitz, standing behind the King's chair, took in the situation and whispered to King Albert. The King immediately rose from table and the state dinner came to an abrupt end. An hour later, while I was dressing for the theatre, a big jewel box was handed in. "From the Shah." Despite my disgust with the fellow, I opened it in feverish haste. There was a bracelet set with rubies, sapphires and emeralds of fabulous size. CHAPTER XXIX THE SHAH COMPROMISES ME IN PUBLIC Has only eyes for me at the grand manoeuvres, and I can't drive him from my carriage--Ignores the King and the military spectacle--Calls me his adored one--Court in despair--Shah ruins priceless carpets to make himself a lamb stew. DRESDEN, _December 1, 1894_. I am in disgrace again and that uncouth animal, the Shah, is responsible. The dinner episode was bad enough, but he carried on worse at the grand parade next day. Six or eight regiments, Horse, Foot and Artillery, had been moved to do him honor, but he flatly refused to accept a mount for the occasion. Like the ladies of the royal family, he drove to the parade field in a coach and four, and no sooner did he clap eyes on me at the rendezvous in another vehicle than he left his and shambled over to me. He stood at the carriage door, chanting love and devotion, and if I hadn't been all ice, I have no doubt he would have jumped in and ordered the coachman to drive to a hotel. Meanwhile the King trotted around the manoeuvre field in honor of his "sublime guest." Evolutions, _Parade-marsch_, attacks, saluting the colors, Persian and Saxon, what not? Imagine the feelings of the old King when he rode up to the Shah's gala coach and found it empty. The marching past had begun, and still the "King of kings" turned his back on it all, while trying to persuade me to be Queen of his seraglio. Our courtiers, the princes, the Queen, the generals were in despair. They took counsel with each other, disputed, advised, got red in the face. The Shah's gentlemen alone kept cool. They probably argued: If our master prefers the company of a pretty woman to looking at ten thousand men, he shows his good taste. I tried to shake
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