"Master," said he, "you are not quite successful with your lilies." "No," answered the shoemaker, who did not recognise the King; "I have not grudged work or expense these five years to get pure white lilies, but they always have a green tinge about them. If I could only get into the royal garden--I hear they have such beautiful white lilies there!" "It would not be any help to you, master," said Ludwig, "for it is hardly your intention to steal plants there, I think. Nor would you have the opportunity of doing so." "What do you think of me, good sir?" exclaimed the man indignantly. "Do you think I would touch my King's property? All I want is to see this beautiful flower in its full perfection." "You might be able to do that. I know the head gardener, and I will put in a good word for you." "If you would do that I would willingly make you a pair of boots for nothing." "I want no return for such a trifling service," said Ludwig, taking leave of him with a friendly nod. The next morning a servant brought the cobbler a large bunch of white lilies from the King. CHAPTER XII The Empress of Russia visits Bavaria--The Duchess Sophie's Engagement and Marriage--An Unexpected Meeting with the Duchesse d'Alençon--A Last Attempt to forge the Links of Hymen around Ludwig In the latter half of September, 1868, the Empress of Russia came to Munich accompanied by a numerous suite. Her unsuccessful matrimonial project did not seem to have diminished her interest in the Sovereign of Bavaria. Ludwig received her with the same respect and warmth as before, and entertained her with a magnificence the like of which had not been seen before in his realm. He had caused the apartments in Schloss Berg which were placed at the Empress's disposal to be done up in exact similarity, according to description, to her rooms in the Russian Palace. A state luncheon at the Palace at Munich and a state performance at the theatre, alternated with excursions to his castles in the vicinity of the capital. The Tsarina spent an evening with the royal family on the "Roseninsel," where her young friend had arranged an Italian night with music and singing, and at which the singers of the opera took part. The whole of the lake of Starnberg was illuminated with Bengal lights. In the gardens and courtyard of the château were erected allegorical statues. Every rose-bush hid a surprise. Countless numbers of rockets were sent up into the air above the lake, and moved, many-hued, in the wind. Music was played on a vessel, so clothed in leafage that it resembled an islet, and on which the inhabitants and summer visitors to Starnberg had taken up their position, adding by their applause to the general festivity of the entertainment. It was like a tale from the "Thousand and One Nights." The Russian Empress expressed the opinion later that she had never experienced anything so romantic as this evening.