Suddenly the music ceased,
and a strange, unaccustomed silence reigned throughout the rooms.
The queen was arranging the cards, and turned smilingly to one of
her maids of honor, commanding her as soon as the dance was ended to
lead the princesses to her side; she then gave her attention to the
game, when suddenly the Princess Amelia, pale and terrified, rushed
hastily to her mother, and whispered a few words in her ear.
Sophia Dorothea uttered a low cry of terror, and exclaimed: "The
king! my God, the king! he seems very angry!" said the princess; "do
not let him see your diamonds." The partners of the queen sat in
respectful silence, waiting for her to play; she dashed her cards
upon the table, removed her necklace and bracelets hastily, and
thrust the glittering heap into her dress pocket. [Footnote: See
Thiebault.]
"Remove my long ear-rings," she whispered to Amelia, and while the
princess obeyed the command, the queen took her cards from the
table. The glory was departed; the diamonds were hiding timidly in
her pocket, and the fire of her eye was quenched.
The king was there; Sophia Dorothea was no longer a royal queen, but
a trembling, dependent woman, cowering before the rage of her
husband. The partners of the queen sat quietly with downcast eyes,
and did not appear to see the rash change in the toilet of her
majesty, still seemingly waiting for the play of the queen.
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