At this moment a slight knocking was heard at the door, and the secretary entered with a sealed letter.
“A courier from Torgau just arrived with this from the commandant.” The count’s brow became clouded.
“Business! forever business!” said he. “How dared you annoy me with this, upon the birthday of my wife?”
“Pardon, your excellency; but the courier brought with this packet such strange news, that I ventured to disturb you, to communicate—”
The beating of drums and the thunder of cannon interrupted him.
“The king and queen are now entering their carriage,” cried the count. “No more business to-day, my friend. It will keep till tomorrow. Come, Antonia, we must welcome their majesties.” And taking his wife’s hand, he passed out of the study.
CHAPTER XII. THE INTERRUPTED FEAST.
As the Count Bruhl and his wife entered the saloon, it almost seemed as if they were the royal couple for whom all this company was waiting. Every one of any rank or position in Dresden was present. There were to be seen the gold and silver embroidered uniforms of generals and ambassadors; jewelled stars were sparkling upon many breasts; the proudest, loveliest women of the court, bearing the noblest Saxon names, were there, accompanied by princes, counts, dukes, and barons, and one and all were bowing reverentially to the count and his wife. And now, at a sign from the grand chamberlain, the pages of the countess, clothed in garments embroidered with silver and pearls, approached to carry her train; beside them were the count’s officers, followed by all the noble guests. Thus they passed through the third room, where the servants of the house, numbering upward of two hundred, were placed in military order, and then on until they came to the grand entrance, which had been turned into a floral temple.
The royal equipage was at the gate; the host and hostess advanced to welcome the king and queen, whose arrival had been announced by the roar of cannon.