Thus the ball progressed right merrily, and Wilhelmine's triumph was complete. The formality of the entertainment wore off a little, and the company danced gaily. Wilhelmine did not dance after the first gavotte, whose stately measure she trod with Monseigneur de Zollern, but this was a solemn ceremony. For the rest, the Countess of Urach sat in her gilded chair and conversed with chosen courtiers who were led up to her by the Oberhofmarshall or by Madame de Ruth. It was noticeable how the men lingered near her, and the ladies' angry spite was increased thereby. His Highness danced much and often. He was justly celebrated as the finest, most graceful, most precise dancer of his day, and Stafforth--who compiled a ponderous, pompous memoir of Eberhard Ludwig's journey to England to the court of Queen Anne, and also to the court of France--has left it on record that 'they all stood surprised before my Prince's great agility and marvellous skill.' So pavane followed gavotte and sarabande and the more modern minuet, and the ball was very brilliant and gay. Late in the evening Schuetz, his Highness's own secretary, was called away. 'Affairs of State!' he said airily, but so loudly that many should hear him. A sudden presentiment knocked at Wilhelmine's heart: could this be some disastrous happening come to mar her triumph? She signed to Madame de Ruth. 'A cruel foreboding is over me, dear friend,' she whispered. 'Tut! child, what should it be? Come, forget it, enjoy your hour.' 'Alas! the best hours are always pursued by evil things!' replied Wilhelmine sadly. She turned to Reischach, who stood near her. 'Come and tell me a story of some gallant adventure, Baron! Now let us hear--you and a princess let it be, for I love the stories to which I am accustomed!' She smiled maliciously, but the laughter froze on her lips, for Schuetz was making his way towards her, and there was a look on his face which told her the foreboding had not erred. 'News from Vienna, Madame,' he said in a low voice when he reached her side. 'Tell me quickly what it is,' she whispered back. 'Imperial mandate to his Highness. I know no more; but the messengers are of rank, and have the Emperor's commands to read the decree to his Highness in person. I fear it is very serious for you.' Eberhard Ludwig came up gaily. 'Come, Madame ma femme--come and tread a measure with me!' Wilhelmine rose obediently. 'Have the messengers shut into the White Hall, make no disturbance here,' she murmured as she passed Schuetz. With smiling face and merry jest she danced the sarabande. 'And now, Monseigneur!' she cried in a ringing voice, when the dance concluded, 'let us end these revels, it grows late! I pray you command the lackeys to bring the Tokay that we may drink our loving-cup with our guests!' The wine was brought and quickly given round. 'My gentle ladies and noble sirs!' called his Highness, 'I drink to your happiness; I pray you drink to mine!'