Meantime,--while lesser and inferior personages were commenting on the possibility of the unknown fair one being concerned with some dramatic incident that might have to be included among the King’s numerous gallantries,--the unconscious subject of their discussion was quietly seated alone in an ante-room adjoining the Queen’s apartments, waiting till Professor von Glauben should announce that their Majesties were ready to receive her. She was not troubled or anxious, or in any way ill at ease. She looked curiously upon the splendid evidences of Royal state, wealth and luxury which surrounded her, with artistic appreciation but no envy. She caught sight of her own face and figure in a tall mirror opposite to her, set in a silver frame; and she studied herself quietly and critically with the calm knowledge that there was nothing to deplore or to regret in the way God and Nature had been pleased to make her. She was not in the slightest degree vain,--but she knew that a healthy and quiet mind in a healthy and unspoilt body, together form what is understood as the highest beauty,--and that these two elements were not lacking in her. Moreover, she was conscious of a great love warming her heart and strengthening her soul,--and with this great motive-force to brace her nerves and add extra charm to her natural loveliness, she had no fear. She had enjoyed the swift voyage across the sparkling sea, and the fresh air had made her eyes doubly lustrous, her complexion even more than usually fair and brilliant. She did not permit herself to be rendered unhappy or anxious as to the possible attitude of the King and Queen towards her,--she was prepared for all contingencies, and had fully made up her mind what to say. Therefore, there was no need to fret over the position, or to be timorously concerned because she was called upon to confront those who by human law alone were made superior in rank to the rest of mankind. “In God’s sight all men are equal!” she said to herself: “The King is a mere helpless babe at birth, dependant on others,--as he is a mere helpless corpse at death. It is only men’s own foolish ideas and conventions of usage in life that make any difference!” At that moment the Professor entered hurriedly, and impulsively seizing her hands in his own, kissed them and pressed them tenderly. His face was flushed--he was evidently strongly excited. “Go in there now, Princess!” he whispered, pointing to the adjacent room, of which the door stood ajar; “And may God be on your side!” She rose up, and releasing her hands gently from his nervous grasp, smiled. “Do not be afraid!” she said; “You, too, are coming?” “I follow you!” he replied. And to himself he said: “Ach, Gott in Himmel! Will she keep her so beautiful calm? If she will--if she can--a throne would be well lost for such a woman!”