The King is adamant. I no sooner mentioned Bernhardt's name than his face froze. "Does your husband know about your interference for that rake?" When I answered in the negative, he praised Frederick Augustus for strict submission to the royal will and upbraided me for "upholding Bernhardt in his wickedness." "The boy is desperate," I said. "If he is desperate," cried the King, "let him do the one reasonable and honorable thing: mend his evil ways. It will come easy if he seeks true strength in prayer, in fasting and religious discipline." "I submit to your Majesty that it might be well to send Bernhardt travelling." "On a tour of inspection of houses of ill-fame?" interrupted Albert coldly. "This is a mere waste of words," he added, looking towards the door, "and I'm sorry that Your Imperial Highness has the bad taste to take the part of this disobedient, immoral and altogether reprehensible _Lausbub_." That meant my dismissal. I shudder when I think of the consequences of the King's obstinacy. CHAPTER XLIII THE CROWN PRINCESS QUELLS A RIOT Asked to play the coward, and I refuse--A hostler who would die for a look from me--Hostler marriages in royal houses--Anecdotes and unknown facts concerning royal ladies and their offspring--Refuse police escort and rioters acclaim me--Whole royal family proud of my feat. DRESDEN, _July 3, 1900_. Behold Louise, a political personage! I was driving with my little ones in the _Bois_ yesterday afternoon. We occupied an open court carriage, conspicuous for livery and magnificent horse-flesh, for I love display and the children enjoy it. We were driving along leisurely enough when there was hasty clatter of hoofs and wheels behind. Presently a royal _coupe_ dashed up alongside. The Tisch stuck her head out: "Imperial Highness--the town's in revolt.--Socialist riot. They are marching upon the palace.--For the love of God, return at once. Your Imperial Highness must take a seat in this inconspicuous carriage. We will change to the first _Droschke_ we meet, going through side-streets." "My dear Baroness," I answered, "it's not in my nature to shirk peril. If I were to be hanged and quartered and could avoid that unpleasantness by changing from my carriage to a cab--I would be hanged and quartered. Take the children and return to the palace any way you like. "As for me, I'll go back as Her Imperial Highness, the Crown Princess of Saxony, and my coachman will drive slowly." I kissed the children, and the _coupe_ rolled away at a sharp clip. Calling the coachman by name, I commanded him: "You heard what my Grand Mistress said. Riot or no riot, I am solely responsible for my own safety. You will take orders from no one but me, neither from the mob nor the police." The coachman lifted his hat respectfully and bowed a submissive "At Your Imperial Highness's orders." The groom, a young, good-looking fellow, struck the broadsword at his side.