"I invite all the ladies and gentlemen of the court to spend the
evening in my room," she said, on the second day of this painful
expectation; "we will endeavor to imagine that the prince royal is
in our midst, and pass the hours in the usual manner; we will first
go yachting; afterwards we will all take tea together, and Baron
Bielfeld will read us a few chapters from the 'Henriade.' We will
then play cards, and finish the evening with a dance. Does this
programme meet with your approbation?" All murmured some words of
assent and thanks, but their faces were nevertheless slightly
clouded. Perceiving this, the princess royal said: "It seems that
you are not pleased, that my suggestion does not meet with your
approbation. Even the face of my little Louise von Schwerin is
clouded, and the countenance of my good Countess Katsch no longer
wears its pleasant smile. Well, what is it? I must know. Baron
Bielfeld, I appoint you speaker of this discontented community.
Speak, sir."
The baron smiled and sighed: "Your highness spoke a few days since
of your gift of prophecy, and in fact you are a prophetess, and have
seen through us. It is certainly a great happiness and a great honor
to spend the evening in the apartments of the princess royal.
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