Frederick Augustus also gave me five thousand marks spending money. Not much for a multi-millionaire's wife or daughter, I reckon, but a terrible lot for an Imperial Highness. When I read of the sums the Vanderbilts, Astors, Goulds and other dollar-kings spend in Paris and London, and even with us in Dresden, I sometimes wish I could exchange places with an American Duchess or Countess long enough to buy all the things beautiful and pretty I would like to own. An awful thing is royal poverty, but the reputation of affluence and unlimited resources, stalking ahead of us, whenever we enter a store or bargain with a jeweler, is worse. "Your Imperial Highness is pleased to joke," says my man-milliner, when I admit, unblushingly, that I haven't the wherewithal to buy the things I dote on. Wait till I am Queen, modistes, store-keepers, jewelers! The new Majesty will show you that she cares for money only to get rid of it. * * * * * DRESDEN, _February 20, 1900_. This morning Lucretia came running to the nursery and whispered to me: "Imperial Highness, quick, to the boudoir. He begged so hard, I smuggled him in." She couldn't say more, for the Tisch was watching us. What new trouble was brewing? Could it be Romano, dare-devil, who had come back to me? If it was that poltroon, Ferdinand, I would have him thrown out by my lackeys. The mysterious visitor doffed wig and false moustache. "It's me," cried Bernhardt. "You are my only hope." "What have you been doing again?" "They threaten to banish my girl from the garrison and I won't stand for it. If they send her away or imprison her, I will kick up such a row, all Europe shall hear of it." "But why this masquerade?" "S-s-sh!" whispered the young prince. "I came without leave." Quickly, breathlessly, he continued: "I hear you are in His Majesty's good graces. Go and see him on my behalf. Persuade him to annul the order of banishment or render it ineffective." "Bernhardt," I said, "why don't you marry?" "If I could get a girl like you, Louise, I would--today, tomorrow, but the royal scare-crows that will have penniless me,--much obliged! You are a very exceptional woman," he added earnestly. We held a council of war, discussing the situation from every view-point, and finally I agreed to see Baumann. "I'll have to vouch for your future good conduct," I said. "On condition that they leave my girl alone." "Precisely. And on your part you give me your word of honor not to scandalize the people of your new garrison; to gradually break with the girl and, in the end, get married." "You are a brick, Louise," cried Bernhardt, and before I could shake him off, he was kissing me all over my face. No cousinly or brotherly kisses! His lips were apart, there was passion in his embrace. I struggled, but his hand pressed against my back. What strength the rascal's got! * * * * * DRESDEN, _February 21, 1900_.