The colonel received this strange present with an astonished and somewhat confused countenance.
The king laughed merrily. “What,” he said, pathetically, “are you not contented with the favor I have shown you?”
Balby knew by the comic manner of the king that the sombre suit hid a secret, and he thought it wise to allow the king to take his own time for explanation.
“Sire,” he said, emphatically, “content is not the word to express my rapture. I am enthusiastic, speechless at this unheard-of favor. I am filled with profound gratitude to your majesty for having in vented a new costume for me, whose lovely color will make me appear like a large coffee-bean, and make all the coffee sisters adore me.”
The king was highly amused. “This dress certainly has the power of enchantment. When Colonel Balby puts on these clothes he will be invisible, but he shall not undergo this transformation alone. See, here is another suit, exactly like yours, and this is mine. When I array myself in it, I am no longer the king of Prussia, but a free, happy man.”
“Ah, you are speaking of a disguise,” cried the colonel.
“Yes, we will amuse ourselves by playing the role of common men for a while, and wander about unnoticed and undisturbed. Are you agreed, Balby, or do you love your colonel’s uniform better than your freedom?”
“Am I agreed, sire?” cried the colonel; “I am delighted with this genial thought.”
“Then take your dress, friend, and put it on. But stay. Did you bring your violin with you, as I told you?”
“Yes, sire.”