On the 30th of November he arrived in the most glorious winter weather at Nuremberg, welcomed by crowds of people and shouts of "Long live the King!" In the evening the citizens gave a brilliant ball; it was so numerously attended that it was only with difficulty space could be kept for the dancers. Nevertheless, Ludwig danced for four hours running. He conversed with ladies of all ages, and with men of the most varying grades of society. He was pushed into the very midst of the crowd, and he laughed and joked at the incident. It was not till long after midnight that he withdrew from the ball. He remained a whole week in Nuremberg. The castle courtyard, and the neighbouring castle hill, were besieged by people from morning to night, who could not look often enough on their King. From the adjacent country places people came in troops to the town; and every day he gave audience in the hall of the Kaiserburg. Throughout the journey magnificent gifts of money poured out of the privy purse for the assuaging of poverty and need. Criminals were pardoned, and the countless petitions which were sent in were nearly all granted. The police endeavoured to keep the obtrusive supplicants away. But the Monarch had a sharp eye for that which it was desired to keep from him. He discovered for himself among the crowds of people the pale and careworn forms who hung together with petitions in their hands, and he would then send one of his equerries to find out the nature of their wishes. Wearing a field-marshal's uniform he held a review of the troops on the Ludwigsmark, and sewed with his own hand the war memorial on four standards. The general in command made a speech in his honour, after which the troops broke out into vociferous cheering. In response to a special invitation Prince Otto joined him at Nuremberg; the interest of the inhabitants from this moment was divided between the two brothers. Otto also was genial with all with whom he came in contact. He was handsome; and he was the possessor of a gay and lively temperament, in which his brother was wanting. At last the end came of the royal days in Nuremberg. On the afternoon of the 10th of December the King, accompanied by his brother, left the town. He promised soon to repeat the visit--a promise which was never fulfilled! Despite the demonstrations of love and devotion which were so often and so unstintingly lavished on him by the population, he never again during his reign of twenty-two years travelled in his kingdom. CHAPTER IX Ludwig's Betrothal At a court ball which took place during one of the first years of Ludwig's reign, he said to one of his gentlemen-in-waiting: "There are many pretty women at my court, are there not?" and added, as his glance full of tenderness sought the Queen-mother, "but my mother is the prettiest of them, and the one whom I admire most."