"Your majesty is the most gracious, the best of monarchs!" exclaimed
Eckert, hastening to the king and pressing his hand to his lips.
"Yes, your majesty is right in saying that you have elevated me from
the dust, but my heart, at least, was always pure, and I will
endeavor to preserve it so. You have rescued me from the scum of the
people. As the ancient Romans gave freedom to those slaves who had
rendered themselves worthy of it by good and noble deeds, so has my
king also delivered me from the bondage of poverty and lowliness,
and given me freedom, and I also will strive to render myself worthy
of this great boon by good and noble actions."

"And Berlin offers you the best opportunities of doing so. There are
still many smoking chimneys and indifferent beer breweries. Privy
Councillor Von Eckert can, therefore, still execute many glorious
deeds before he is gathered to his forefathers," exclaimed Von
Pollnitz.

All were amused at this, and the king himself could not refrain from
smiling. Von Eckert's countenance had become pale and lowering, and
casting an angry look at Von Pollnitz, he said, with a forced laugh:

"Really, your wit to-day is dazzling, and I am so charmed with your
pleasantries, that should your wine merchant refuse to supply you
with any more wine until your old accounts have been settled, I
shall be perfectly willing to send you a few bottles from my own
cellar, that your Grace may be able to drink my health."

"That I will gladly do," said Pollnitz, affably. "Yes, I will drink
to your long and lasting health, for the longer you live the more
time your ancestors will have to increase and to multiply