"Business! forever business!" said he. "How dared you annoy me with
this, upon the birthday of my wife?"

"Pardon, your excellency; but the courier brought with this packet
such strange news, that I ventured to disturb you, to communicate--"

The beating of drums and the thunder of cannon interrupted him.

"The king and queen are now entering their carriage," cried the
count. "No more business to-day, my friend. It will keep till
tomorrow. Come, Antonia, we must welcome their majesties." And
taking his wife's hand, he passed out of the study.




CHAPTER XII.

THE INTERRUPTED FEAST.


As the Count Bruhl and his wife entered the saloon, it almost seemed
as if they were the royal couple for whom all this company was
waiting. Every one of any rank or position in Dresden was present.
There were to be seen the gold and silver embroidered uniforms of
generals and ambassadors; jewelled stars were sparkling upon many
breasts; the proudest, loveliest women of the court, bearing the
noblest Saxon names, were there, accompanied by princes, counts,
dukes, and barons, and one and all were bowing reverentially to the