commanded to be introduced into the opera of 'Coriolanus.' She has
taken the liberty to address you in writing; here is the letter, if
your majesty will have the grace to read it."

"By no means, sir, by no means!" cried the king; at the same instant
catching the paper with his staff, he slung it like a shot arrow to
the farthest corner of the room, to the great amusement of Alkmene,
who, with a loud bark, sprang from her master's knee, and with a
bound caught the strange bird, and tore it in pieces. "You are
right, my pet," said the king, laughing, "you have written my answer
with your nose to this arrogant person. Director, say to Madame Mara
that I pay her to sing, not to write. She must sing both airs, or
she may find herself at Spandau for her obstinacy, where her husband
is, for the same reason. She can reflect, and judge for herself."

The director could scarcely repress a sigh, foreboding the
disagreeable scene that he would have to encounter with the proud
and passionate singer. Timidly Von Arnim alluded to the four persons
from the opera. "Who are these demoiselles, and what do they want?"
asked the king.

"Sire," replied the Baron von Arnim, "they are the four persons who
personate the role of court ladies and maids of honor to the queens
and princesses. They beg your majesty to secure to them a fixed
income."

"Indeed! Go to my writing-table and bring paper and pencil; I will
dictate a reply to them," said the king. "Now write, Von Arnim: 'To
the four court ladies and maids of honor of the opera: You are
mistaken in addressing yourselves to me; the affair of your salaries