Unable to utter another word, Walpurga turned to go, and the queen called after her.
"What is your name?"
"Walpurga," said Doctor Gunther, answering for her.
"And can you sing well?" asked the queen.
"They say so," replied Walpurga.
"Then sing often to my child, or 'our child,' as you call him. Good-night!"
Doctor Gunther remained with the queen. It was some time before he uttered a word. He felt that he must calm her excited feelings, and he had a safe and simple remedy at command.
"I must request Your Majesty," said he, "to return my congratulations. My daughter Cornelia, the wife of Professor Korn of the university, was safely delivered of a little girl, at the very hour in which the crown prince was born."
"I congratulate the child on having such a grandfather. You shall, also, be the grandfather of our son."
"The congratulation that imposes a noble duty upon its recipient, is the best that can be given," replied Gunther. "I thank you. But we must now cease talking. Permit me to bid Your Majesty good-night!"