“There is another subject about which I wish to speak to you—your cousin Dorothea. You said you were at the cottage yesterday. Did you say anything to her about me?”
Johann hung his head.
“I saw you leaving,” he answered, “and, finding that she did not know who you were, I told her. I am afraid I expressed myself rather harshly about you. I judged of course merely by appearances.”
Maximilian sighed.
“I do not in the least blame you. No doubt you took the natural view. What I am sorry for is that the old pleasant state of things has been destroyed, and I shall never be able to go there again on the former footing. But perhaps it is as well, it was bound to have come before long.”
“The moment I see Dorothea, I shall take care to tell her that I misjudged your Majesty.”
“Thank you, that is kind of you. Now that she knows who I am, I hardly know how she will feel to me. You will respect my confidence when I tell you that, if I were satisfied that Dorothea loved me as I love her, I believe I should have sufficient courage to make her Queen of Franconia in spite of a thousand Von Sigismarks. But I dread inexpressibly the idea of forcing her inclinations in any way. Will you act as my ambassador? Will you use your freedom as a relation to ascertain as well as you can what her feelings really are? And try, if you can, to inspire her with confidence in me. Tell her that a king is not such a very dreadful personage after all.”
“I will, sir; I will go and see her at once, and I hope I shall bring you good news.”
He left the cabinet; and as he did so Bernal got up and came across to the window where the King was standing.
“Well, Max, after this you will believe me when I say that I do not envy you the position of King of Franconia.”