r majesty, to
perform your duty, and justify yourself from a suspicion which is
unworthy of your kingly fame."

The king measured him with a flashing glance, which the pale, despairing
suppliant bore with bold composure.

"By what authority," asked the king, in a thundering voice, as he
approached the man, with his arm raised threateningly--"by what
authority do you dare speak to me in such a tone? and on what do you
ground your shameless demands?"

"On this, your majesty, that I must starve if you refuse my request.
That is the most sacred of all claims, and to whom on earth dare I turn
with it if not to my king?"

There lay in these words a sorrow so heart-breaking, a plaint so
despairing in the voice, that the king was involuntarily much moved. He
let fall his uplifted arm, and the expression of his countenance became
gentle and tender.

"I see that you are very unhappy and despairing," he said, kindly; "you
were right to come to me. You shall have the place for which you asked.
I will arrange it. Come here to-morrow to the Councillor Muller. I will
give you some money, that you may not starve until then."

He silenced the delighted man's expressions of gratitude, and ringing
his bell he summoned Deesen, who kept his purse, in order to give the
man a gold piece. But Deesen did not appear, and the second chamberlain
announced in an embarrassed manner that lie was not in the palace. The
king commanded him to give the man the promised gold piece and then to
return to him.

"Where is Deesen?" asked the king, as the chamberlain returned.

"Sire, I do not know," he stammered, his eyes sinking beneath the
piercing glance of the king.

"You do know!" said the king, gravely. "Deesen has positive orders from
me to remain in the anteroom, because I might need him. If he dares to
disobey my orders, he must have a powerful reason, and you know it. Out
with it! I will know it."

"If your majesty commands, I must speak," said the chamberlain, sighing.
"Your majesty will not permit us to be married, but we were made with
hearts, and we sometimes fall in love."

"Deesen is in love, then?" said the king.

"Yes, your majesty, he loves a beautiful girl in Potsdam, whose name is
Maria Siegert. And although he cannot marry her, she has consented to be
his beloved. And as to-day was the great report day, Deesen thought that
your majesty would not need him, and that he had time to go to Potsdam
to visit his sweetheart. He se