The Chamberlain bowed dismayed before his master, who so graciously pronounced his banishment from Court. He hastened to the Hereditary Prince and related the bad tidings.
"It is exile!" he exclaimed, beside himself.
"Make your preparations speedily," replied the Hereditary Prince quietly. "I am prepared to go at once."
The Hereditary Prince went to his father.
"I will do what you command, and make every effort to please you. If you, as a father, consider this residence in a distant place useful, I feel that you understand better than I what will be beneficial for my future. But," he continued, with hesitation, "I cannot go from here without making a request which I have much at heart."
"Speak, Benno," said the Sovereign, graciously.
"I beg of you to permit the Professor and his wife to depart as quickly as possible from the neighborhood of the Court."
"Why so?" asked the Sovereign sharply.
"Their residence here is hurtful to Mrs. Werner. Her reputation is endangered by the unusual position in which she is placed. I owe him and her great gratitude; their happiness is a matter of concern to me, and I am tormented by the thought that their stay in our parts threatens to disturb the peace of their life."
"And why does your gratitude fear a disturbance of the happiness that is so dear to you?" asked the Sovereign.