“His Excellency the Governor is in attendance upon the King.”
“Then I will go to Falkenlust.”
Corporal Fritz shook his head; shrugged his shoulders; took a pinch of snuff.
“'Tis a long road to Falkenlust, dear little Fräulein,” said he; “and His Excellency, methinks, would be better pleased”....
I stayed to hear no more, but ran off at full speed down the terraces, straight to the Round Point and the fountain, and along the great avenue that led to Falkenlust. I ran till I was out of breath—then rested—then ran again, on, and on, and on, till the road lengthened and narrowed behind me, and the Château of Augustenburg looked almost as small in the distance at one end as the Falkenlust Lodge at the other.
Then all at once, far, far away, I saw a moving group of figures. They grew larger and more distinct—they were coming towards me! I had run till I could run no farther. Panting and breathless, I leaned against a tree, and waited.
And now, as they drew nearer, I saw that the group consisted of some eight or ten officers, two of whom were walking somewhat in advance of the rest. One of the two wore a plain cocked hat and an undress military frock; the other was in full uniform, and wore two or three glittering medals on his breast. This other was my father. I scarcely looked at the first. I never even asked myself whether he was, or was not the King. I had no eyes, no thought for any but my father.
So I stood, eager and breathless, on the verge of the gravel. So they every moment drew nearer the spot where I was standing. As they came close, my father's eyes met mine. He shook his head, and frowned. He thought I had come there to stare at the King.
Nothing daunted, I took two steps forward. I had Monsieur Maurice's card in my hand. I held it out to him.
“Read it,” I said. “It is from Monsieur Maurice.”