d was alive, and yet her honour
was to wait for vengeance until her sons should be come to man's estate.
My little speech, spoken in all good faith, strikes me now as the most
cruel indictment yet urged against my father's memory.

That night, when Max and I were in bed, I told him what I had heard and
seen.

"Why doesn't our father order out the troops and shoot them down?" said
bloodthirsty Max. "That was what Maximilian the Seventh did, and they
left him in peace. If I were king I would show them no mercy."

It seemed to me a pity under these circumstances that Max was _not_ upon
the throne, for then by his own showing we should have nothing to fear,
and should be able to go for our daily rides, instead of being shut up
within the palace from morn till night. Then I fell asleep and
remembered no more until I was awakened by hearing a stern voice
ordering us to get up and dress as quickly as possible. I opened my eyes
and to my surprise found the Count von Marquart standing beside my bed.
What his presence there, and at such an hour, betokened, I could not for
the life of me understand; but such was my respect for him, by day or
night, that I did not hesitate to do as he bade me. Half asleep and half
awake Max and I huddled on our garments, and, as soon as we were
dressed, followed the Count down the stairs to one of the audience
chambers leading out of the great hall. There we found my mother and
father, dressed for going out. My favourite captain of the Guard, Baron
Bathony, covered with snow, entered the vestibule as we crossed it. He
shook himself like a great dog, and then, seeing von Marquart standing
by the door, hastened towards him. That he had some bad news to report
was plain to all of us. It was written on his face.

"Well, sir, what tidings do you bring?" asked von Marquart in a fierce
whisper, that was as audible as his usual voice.

"The very worst," replied Bathony. "The citadel has fallen and the
garrison has gone over to the Revolutionists. The enemy are even now
marching in the direction of the palace. I have come to warn his
Majesty."

"And his Majesty is infinitely obliged to you," said my father, who had
approached unobserved. "The farce of kingship is played out, and now it
is perhaps as well that we should ring the curtain down. What say you,
Marquart?"

"I think it is time your Majesty considered the safety of your wife and
children," answered the Prime Minister bluntly. "If you would