am writhing on a bed of pain," exclaimed the king, who, in his
easily excited irritability, never once remembered that he himself
had appointed this festival, and had demanded of his wife that she
should lay aside care, and be cheerful and happy.

"Happily, however, your majesty is not ill, and not on a bed of
pain. The queen has, therefore, good reason to be happy."

The king made no reply, but raised his mug to his lips, and took a
long draught of beer, and let fall its lid with an angry movement.

"I should not be surprised if Frederick had clandestinely come over
to this ball," murmured the king. "They dare any thing when not
apprehensive of my taking them by surprise."

"But taking by surprise is your majesty's forte," exclaimed Count
Hacke, endeavoring to give the conversation another direction.
"Never before in my life did I feel my heart beat as it did when I
crossed the threshold of this chamber to-day."

The king, who was easily soothed, laughed heartily. "And never
before did I see such pale faces as yours. Really, if the gout had
not made my fingers so stiff and unwieldy, I would paint you a
picture of this scene that would make a magnificent counterpart to
my representation of the Tobacco Club, and I would call it 'The Six
Tailor Apprentices who are afraid of Blue Monday.' See! we will now
devote ourselves to poetry and the arts, and our learned and
fantastic son will soon have no advantage over us whatever. If he
plays the flute, we paint. While he writes sentimental, we will
write satirical poems; and while he sings to sun, moon, and stars,