equested the count to give the
name and history of all these wines.

The count obeyed in that shy, reverential manner in which he was
accustomed to speak. He charmed him by relating the many difficulties he
had overcome to obtain this wine from the Cape of Good Hope, which had
to cross the line twice to arrive at its highest perfection. He said
that for two years he had been thinking of this gloriously happy day,
and had had a ship upon the sea for the purpose of perfecting this wine.
He bade the king notice the strangely formed fish, which could only be
obtained from the Chinese sea. Then, following up the subject, he spoke
of the peculiar and laughable customs and habits of the Chinese, thus
causing even the proud queen to laugh at his humorous descriptions.

Count Bruhl was suddenly interrupted in an unusual manner.

His secretary, Willmar, approached the royal table, and without a word
of excuse, without greeting the king, handed the count a sealed package!

This was such a crime against courtly etiquette that the count, from
sheer amazement, made no excuses to the king; he only cast a threatening
look at the secretary. But as he encountered Willmar's pale, terrified
countenance, a tremor seized him, and he cast an eager glance upon
the papers in his hand, which, no doubt, contained the key to all
this mystery. "They are from the commandant at Leipsic," whispered the
secretary; "I entreat your excellency to read them."

Before the count had time, however, to open the dispatch, a still
stranger event took place.

The Prussian ambassador, who, upon the plea of illness, had declined
Count Bruhl's invitation, suddenly appeared in the garden, accompanied
by the four secretaries of his legation, and approached the royal
table. Upon his countenance there was no sign of sickness, but rather an
expression of great joy.

As he neared the tent, the gay song and merry jest ceased. Every eye was
fixed inquiringly upon the individual who had dared to disturb this fete
by his presence. The music, which had before filled the air with joyous
sounds, was now playing a heart-breaking air.

Count Bruhl now arose and advanced. He greeted the Prussian ambassador
in a few cold, ceremonious words.

But Count Mattzahn's only answer to this greeting was a silent bow. He
then said, in a voice loud enough to be heard by the king and queen:

"Count Bruhl, as ambassador of the King of Prussia, I request you to
demand an audience for m