At four o'clock the following morning the wife of the private secretary was awakened by the tramp of horses in the courtyard, which was otherwise so quiet. She ran to the window and saw the royal equipage standing with the horses harnessed to it. Ludwig entered, and it set off at a quick trot in the early morning hour for the château of Berg. Four hours later a royal servant brought his Majesty's orders that the secretary should proceed out to Schloss Berg, and hold a lecture for him there. The Crown Prince of Prussia left the Bavarian capital the same forenoon, after taking a hearty leave of the royal princes, who were all present at the railway station to bid him farewell. CHAPTER XIX A Visit from the Emperor Wilhelm--Ludwig Withdraws more and more from the World Ludwig II. and the Crown Prince of Germany had been mutually displeased with one another. Nevertheless, Friedrich had hardly left the Bavarian capital before information was received that his father, the aged Emperor, desired to meet the King. The last-named, doubtless, was, in his heart, not particularly delighted at the prospective visit; but he put a good face on the matter, and received his guest on Bavarian soil with all the courtesy and amiability that could be desired. His people gave the Emperor a hearty greeting. The two Monarchs drove together amid hearty cheers into Ratisbon, where a banquet was held at the hotel "Goldenes Kreuz." Contrary to what had taken place during the Crown Prince's visit, the meeting between the young King and the "victorious old man" passed off in the most satisfactory manner, and not even the shade of any unpleasantness was to be traced. Ludwig returned to Berg the same evening. The Emperor remained the night at the hotel, and the next morning continued his journey to Gastein, where he was going to take the baths.