affair with
Fraulein Marshal; well, then, you must make her personally responsible;
but do not involve us all in your difficulties. It would be an easy
thing to forfeit even this appearance of freedom."

"You are right," said Giurgenow; "we might be banished from Berlin, and
that would be a bitter punishment for us all."

"But look! the doors are being thrown open, and the queen and court
will appear; you will have the happiness of seeing your cruel fair one,"
whispered Ranuzi to the Frenchman.

"I assure you she shall repent of her cruelty to-night," said
Belleville, gnashing his teeth. Exchanging a significant glance with
several French officers, who were standing not far off, he advanced
into the saloon to the outer circle, which was formed on both sides, and
through which the queen and court must pass.

Now the grand master of ceremonies appeared on the threshold, with his
golden staff. Behind him the queen and the Princess Amelia entered the
room; both appeared in all the pomp and splendor of their rank. A small
diamond-crown glittered in the blonde hair of the queen, a magnificent
necklace of diamonds and emeralds was clasped around her dazzlingly
white and beautifully formed throat.

Bielfeld had once declared that this necklace could purchase a kingdom.
A white robe worked with silver and a dark-red velvet shawl trimmed with
ermine fell in graceful folds around the noble and graceful figure
of the queen, whose bowed head, and quiet, modest bearing contrasted
strangely with the luxury and splendor which surrounded her.

Another striking contrast to the queen was offered in the presence of
the Princess Amelia. Like her royal sister, she appeared in complete
toilet, adorned with all her jewels--her arms, her throat, her hair,
and her hands flashed with diamonds. The festoons of her robe of silver
gauze were fastened up with diamond buttons, and beneath appeared a
green robe embroidered with silver. The princess knew full well that
all this splendor of toilet, all these flashing gems, would bring into
contemptuous notice her sharp, angular figure, and her poor deformed
visage; she knew that the eyes of all would be fixed upon her in
derision, that her appearance alone would be greeted as a cherished
source of amusement, and as soon as her back was turned the whole court
would laugh merrily. She assumed, as usual, a cold contemptuous bearing;
she met mockery with mockery, and revenged herself by sharp wit and