"Of course; any friend of yours will be welcome. Isn't it so. Mademoiselle Kramer?"
"Certainly; Countess Irma has special permission."
"I'll bring a very good friend with me; she can sing charmingly, and her voice is soft and gentle--but I'll not torment you with riddles; I play the zither, and will bring mine with me."
"You play the zither?" exclaimed Walpurga, scarcely able to contain herself for joy.
Any further expressions on her part were prevented by the presence of the king, who entered at that moment.
With a gentle inclination of the head, he greeted Countess Irma, who had risen from her seat and bowed so low that it seemed as though she meant to sit down on the floor.
"What are you writing?" asked the king.
"Walpurga's secrets, may it please Your Majesty," replied Countess Irma.
"The king may read all that's there," said Walpurga, handing him the sheet.
He hurriedly ran his eye over it, and then, with a glance at the countess, folded it and put it in his breast pocket.