“You speak presumptuously, and remind me of the theatre princesses who represent a grand scene with a pathetic exit. Let me inform you, I despise comedians--only high tragedy pleases me. Spare yourself the trouble to act before me, but answer me--who are you? Whose child is that?” “Sire, only God and my king should hear my reply--I beg the favor to send away the nurse and child.” The king assented, slightly nodding his head, at the same time bidding her not to kneel to him as to an image. The lady rose and sought the nurse, who, from fright, had withdrawn into the shrubbery, and stood staring at the king with wide-open eyes. “Go home, Louisa, and put the child to sleep,” said she, quickly. The nurse obeyed promptly, and when alone, the king demanded again, “Who are you? and to whom does the child belong?” “Your majesty, I am the daughter of your chapel musician Enke, and the child is the son of Prince Frederick William of Prussia,” she replied, in a firm and defiant manner. The king’s eyes flashed as he glanced at the bold speaker. “You say so, but who vouches for the truth of it? You permit yourself to use a high name, to give your child an honorable father! What temerity! what presumption! What if I should not believe you, but send you to the house of correction, at Spandau, as a slanderer, as guilty of high-treason, as a sinner and an adulteress?” “You could not do it, sire--you could not,” cried Wilhelmine Enke, “for you would also send there the honor and the name of your successor to the throne.” “What do you mean?” cried the king, furiously. “I mean, your majesty, that the prince has holy duties toward me. I am the mother of that child!” “You acknowledge your shame, and you dare confess it to me, your king, that you are the favorite, the kept mistress of the Prince of Prussia, who has already a wife that has borne him children? You do not even seek to deny it, or to excuse yourself?” “I would try to excuse myself, did I not feel that your majesty would not listen to me.” “What excuse could you offer?--there is none.”