writing to
his lips, then laid the letters at the foot of the vase and remained
standing thoughtfully before it.

A long pause ensued. Frederick stood with folded arms before the vase,
and the marquis leaned against the door behind him. Suddenly the king
turned to him.

"I beg a favor of you, marquis. Hasten to Berlin, and tell Benda he must
perform the Te Deum of my dear Graun here in the castle chapel to-morrow
morning at nine o'clock. I know the singers of the chapel can execute
it--they gave it once after the battle of Leignitz. Tell Benda to make
no difficulties, for it is my express wish to hear the music to-morrow
morning. I trust to you, marquis, to see my wish fulfilled, to make the
impossible possible, if you find it necessary. Call me capricious if
you will, for desiring to hear this music to-morrow. I have so long been
controlled by stern realities, that I will allow myself now to yield to
a caprice."

He gave his hand to the marquis, who pressed it to his lips.

"Sire, to-morrow morning at nine o'clock the Te Deum shall be performed
in the chapel, should I even be compelled to pass the night in arousing
the musicians from their beds."

The marquis kept his word; he surmounted all difficulties, removed all
objections. In vain Benda declared the organ in the chapel was out of
tune, the performance impossible; the marquis hastened to the organist
and obliged him to put it in order that night. In vain the singers
protested against singing this difficult music before the king without
preparation; D'Argens commanded them in the name of the king to have a
rehearsal during the night. Thanks to his nervous energy and zeal,
the singers assembled, and Benda stood before his desk to direct this
midnight concert.

When the clock struck nine the next morning every difficulty had been
set aside, and every preparation completed. The organist was in his
place, the organ in order; the musicians tuned their instruments, the
singers were prepared, and the chapel-master, Benda, was in their midst,
baton in hand.

All eyes were directed toward the door opposite the choir, through
which the court must enter; all hearts were beating with joyful
expectation--all were anxious to see the king once more in the midst of
his friends, in his family circle. Every one sympathized in the queen's
happiness at being accompanied once more by her husband; laying aside
her loneliness and widowhood, and appearing in public by his side.