The queen had folded her hands together; her eyes had been fixed on her husband, and had gradually lost their expression of fear and anguish; now they shone through tears upon the king.
As he ceased speaking she took his outstretched hand, put his arm around her shoulders, and pressed close to him.
"You are right!" she cried, "Oh! as ever you are right! Your great, noble heart always knows what is good and just. Yes, my king, my husband, I will stay here, separated from you, but united through our country, our love, our duty!"
"I knew that you would be of my opinion," said the king calmly and affectionately. "My queen could not think and feel differently to myself."
And they stood for some time in a silent embrace. The queen wept quietly, and laid her head upon the king's broad breast, and with his hand he gently stroked her luxuriant hair.
The flowers still gave out their perfume, the fountains plashed on, the birds sang in the trees, and all nature breathed happy peace; and over all the sunshine, over all the sweet spring scents and the singing, hung unseen the heavy thunder-cloud and the forked flash which was to destroy all this quiet happiness, all this royal splendour, for ever.
A knock was heard at the door.
The king gently put the queen from him.
"The ministers await your commands," said Lex, as he entered.
"Now," said the king gently to his wife, "leave me to arrange what is needful with the ministers. We will see one another again."