'Tut! child, what should it be? Come, forget it, enjoy your hour.'
'Alas! the best hours are always pursued by evil things!' replied Wilhelmine sadly. She turned to Reischach, who stood near her. 'Come and tell me a story of some gallant adventure, Baron! Now let us hear—you and a princess let it be, for I love the stories to which I am accustomed!' She smiled maliciously, but the laughter froze on her lips, for Schütz was making his way towards her, and there was a look on his face which told her the foreboding had not erred.
'News from Vienna, Madame,' he said in a low voice when he reached her side.
'Tell me quickly what it is,' she whispered back.
'Imperial mandate to his Highness. I know no more; but the messengers are of rank, and have the Emperor's commands to read the decree to his Highness in person. I fear it is very serious for you.'
Eberhard Ludwig came up gaily. 'Come, Madame ma femme—come and tread a measure with me!' Wilhelmine rose obediently.
'Have the messengers shut into the White Hall, make no disturbance here,' she murmured as she passed Schütz.
With smiling face and merry jest she danced the sarabande.
'And now, Monseigneur!' she cried in a ringing voice, when the dance concluded, 'let us end these revels, it grows late! I pray you command the lackeys to bring the Tokay that we may drink our loving-cup with our guests!'
The wine was brought and quickly given round.