The feather on the hat broke as he closed the door. A light was burning on the writing-table. The king lit a cigar. When his eye fell on the water-color portrait of the queen, he started. He went on smoking violently.
It was not till some after that, that the king rang the bell and gave directions that the lord steward should be called, but that no one else should be admitted.
CHAPTER III.
When the lord steward entered, the king had recovered his self-command and had settled upon the course he should pursue.
"Have you heard the terrible news?"
"I have, Your Majesty. The countess's maid has arrived; her mistress was drowned in the lake."
"And--?" asked the king, when he found the lord steward paused.
"And it is also said that, after her father's death, the countess neither saw nor spoke to any one. But she, nevertheless, wrote a few words to the queen, with the request that Doctor Gunther should deliver them."
"And was it done without previously informing me?"
The lord steward shrugged his shoulders.