The queen met her husband's brother with a pleasant smile, and offered him her hand. "I suppose, my brother, you come to bid me farewell?" she asked.
"I come to get from my noble sister the letter that I am to deliver to the Emperor Napoleon," said the prince, respectfully kissing the hand of his sister-in-law.
Louisa turned her eyes toward the minister. "The king knew, then, that you were to request me to write the letter?"
"Yes, but he forbade me to say that he deemed it necessary. It was to depend on your majesty's unbiassed judgment whether it should be written or not."
"You see, my sister," exclaimed the prince, "I had no doubt whatever as to your decision."
"Nor I that you would set out to-day," said Louisa, smiling.
"But will your majesty pardon me when I confess that I have not come merely for the letter, and to take leave of you?" asked the prince. "I heard from the king that Minister von Stein was with your majesty, and as I am going to set out to-night, and my time accordingly is very limited, I decided to have settled a little business affair with the minister."
"It affords me pleasure," said the queen.
"And you, minister," asked the prince, bowing to the baron, "will you grant me a brief audience to-day?"
"I shall immediately repair to the anteroom of your royal highness, and wait until you return," said Stein, approaching the door.