“What do you know of my letters to Nadasky?” said the queen, breathlessly. “Who says I have written to him?”
“Your own hand, gracious queen,” answered the general. “While the king, my noble sovereign, was in Bernstadt, he was told that General Nadasky was at Ostriz, and sent General von Werner after him. Nadasky fled, but his baggage was captured, and amongst his letters this one from your majesty was discovered.”
And he held up the letter in question before the queen, to convince her of its authenticity.
Maria Josephine endeavored to tear it from him, but the general was too quick for her.
“By command of my master, this letter is to be returned to you, but upon one condition.”
“Well, what is it?” said the queen, faintly.
“I am to read to your majesty a few sentences from it, selected by the King of Prussia himself.”
“And all my letters shall then be returned to me?”
“All, your majesty.”
“You can read,” said the queen, seating herself.