"I shall never forget the great king," said the prince royal, his countenance expressive of great tenderness and emotion. "No, your majesty, I shall never forget the great Frederick. He was always so gentle and gracious to me; and but a few days ago he spoke to me like a kind father, and that made me feel so proud and happy that I can never forget it, and never cease to be grateful while life lasts." The long-repressed tears now rushed from the prince royal's eyes, and Prince Louis began to weep, too, when he saw his brother's tears, and murmured: "The great Frederick was also very gracious to me." The king turned aside. His sons' tears were offensive. Who knows whether they will weep when their father also dies? "Go, my sons, and pay a last tribute of tears to the past, and then turn your thoughts to the joyful realities of the present!" The two princes bowed ceremoniously, and then left the room, retiring backward, as if in military drill. The king's eyes followed them as they left the room, and his countenance darkened. "They are as stiff and awkward as puppets. And yet they have hearts, but not for their father!--Rietz!" The chamberlain immediately appeared in the doorway, and stood awaiting his master's commands, his countenance beaming with humility. "Rietz, go at once and inform my son Alexander of what has taken place! He must go to Charlottenburg with his tutor and await me there! Let him tell his mother that I will take tea with her this evening, and that she may expect me at six o'clock." "Will your majesty pass the night in Charlottenburg?" asked the chamberlain, with his eyes cast down and the most innocent expression of countenance. "I cannot say," replied the king; "I may go to Berlin, and--" "Your majesty, perhaps, considers it necessary to pay a visit of condolence to the widowed queen at Schönhausen?" Rietz had said this in an almost inaudible voice, but the king's attentive ear caught the words nevertheless, and his countenance beamed with joy. "Yes, my friend and heart's interpreter, I will visit the widowed queen at Schönhausen. Take the fastest horse from my stable and ride there to announce my coming." "To the widowed queen only, your majesty? To no one else?" "You ask as if you did not know what my reply would be," said the king, smiling. "No, you may also present my compliments to the queen's beautiful maid of honor, Julie von Voss. Request her, in my name, to hold herself in readiness to receive me. I wish to speak with her on matters of great importance. Go, my friend!"