CHAPTER II.
“LE ROI EST MORT! VIVE LE ROI!”
While only two poor servants and a faithful dog remained with the dead king, the new king was receiving the congratulations of his court in the audience-chamber.
The court officials and ministers had already assembled; and now the princes of the royal family were coming in.
Rietz, who had remained in the antechamber, now entered and approached the king. “Your majesty, his royal highness the prince royal and Prince Louis have this moment arrived, and beg permission to tender their congratulations.”
“Conduct the prince to the concert-hall,” said the king, “I will join him there directly.—And Lieutenant-Colonel Bischofswerder?”
“Your majesty, he accompanied the prince royal.”
The king bowed graciously. The word “majesty” sounded like sweet music in his ear, and drowned the wail of grief for the departed.
Bestowing a kindly smile upon the assembled court, the king left the audience-chamber in order to repair to the concert-hall, where the two princes awaited him.
Rietz went in advance, and, as he threw open the door of the concert-hall, cried in a loud voice, “His majesty the king!”