She kissed the bracelet, and
wafted her greeting to her absent son. Suddenly the door opened, and
the Princesses Ulrica and Amelia entered.
The queen turned to them, and the sad expression vanished from her
features as her eyes rested upon the lovely and loving faces of her
daughters.
"Oh, how splendid you look, gracious mamma!" exclaimed the Princess
Amelia, as she danced gayly around her mother. "Heaven with all its
stars has fallen around you, but your sweet face shines out amongst
them like the sun in his glory."
"Flatterer," said the queen, "if your father heard you, he would
scold fearfully. If you compare me to the sun, how can you describe
him?"
"Well, he is Phoebus, who harnesses the sun and points out his
path."
"True, indeed." said the queen, "he appoints his path. Poor sun!--
poor queen!--she has not the right to send one ray where she will!"
"Who, notwithstanding, assumes the right, gracious mamma," said
Amelia, smiling, and pointing to the diadem, "for I imagine that our
most royal king and father has not commanded you to appear in those
splendid jewels."
"Commanded," said the queen, trembling; "if he could see me he would
expire with rage and scorn. You know he despises expense and
ornament."
"He would immediately calculate," said Amelia, "that he could build
an entire street with this diadem, and that at least ten giants
could be purchased for the Guard with this necklace.
Pages:
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28