"The king!" cried Louise, terrified and stepping back.

The king's eyes rested upon her with a piercing glance. "What!" he
asked, "are you still acting? You appear astonished; and still you
must have known me. Who but the king would show the beautiful Madame
von Kleist such an honor? In what other cavalier could you place
such perfect confidence as to accompany him into this lonely
boudoir? With whom but the king could you have trusted your fair
fame? You need not be alarmed; to be in my presence is to be under
my protection--the kind guardianship of your king. I thank you that
you knew me, and, knowing me, followed me trustingly."

The searching glance of the king alarmed Louise; his mocking words
bewildered her, and she was incapable of reply.

She bowed silently, and allowed herself to be conducted to the
divan.

"Sit down, and let us chat awhile," said the king. "You know I hate
the noise of a feast, and love to retire into some corner, unnoticed
and unseen. I had no sooner discovered the fair Louise under this
charming costume, than I knew I had found good company. I ordered
Pollnitz to seek out for us some quiet spot, where we might converse
freely. Commence, therefore."

"Of what shall I speak, your majesty?" said Louise, confused and
frightened. She knew well that the king had not found her by chance,
but had sought her with a determined purpose.

"Oh! that is a question whose naivete reminds me of the little