"Oh, madam!" A second time the queen touched her bell. "Bring my breakfast here," said she; "the baroness will take some with me." A collation was brought in, which the baroness scarcely touched. At every footstep she started, believing it to be that of Herr von Waals. At length hurried steps were heard, the door opened and Herr von Waals appeared, holding a telegram in his hand. Emma, forgetful of the queen's presence, rushed towards him, but paused half-way, ashamed. "Oh, madam, forgive me," said she. "No, no," replied the queen, "take it and read it." Emma, trembling, opened the despatch, glanced at it and uttered a cry of joy. It contained these words: "At the request of our beloved consort, the indemnity of twenty-five million florins levied by General Manteuffel is countermanded. WILLIAM." "Well," said the queen, "to whom should this despatch be sent in order that it may arrive in time? You, dear child, are the person who has obtained this favour, and the honour of it ought to rest with you. You say it is important that the king's decision should be known in Frankfort by ten o'clock. Tell me to what person it should be addressed." "Indeed, madam, I do not know how to make any answer to so much kindness," said the baroness, kneeling and kissing the queen's hands. "I know that the proper person to whom to send it would be the burgomaster; but who can tell whether the burgomaster may not have fled or be in prison? I think the safest way--excuse my egoism, madam--but if you do me the honour of consulting me, I would beg that it may be addressed to Madame von Beling, my grandmother; she, very certainly, will not lose a moment in putting it into the proper hands." "What you wish shall be done, my dear child," said the queen, and she added to the despatch: "This favour has been granted to Queen Augusta by her gracious consort, King William; but it was asked of the queen by her faithful friend, Baroness Frederic von Bülow, her principal lady-in-waiting." "AUGUSTA." The queen raised Emma from her knees, kissed her, unfastened from her own shoulder the Order of Queen Louisa and fastened it on the baroness's shoulder. "As for you," she said, "you need some hours' rest, and you shall not go until you have taken them." "I beg Your Majesty's pardon," replied the baroness, "but two persons are waiting for me, my husband and my child." Nevertheless, as no train left until one in the afternoon, and as the hour could neither be hastened nor retarded, Emma resigned herself to waiting. The queen gave orders that she should receive the same attentions as though she were already a lady-in-waiting, made her take a bath and some hours' rest, and engaged a carriage for her in the train for Frankfort.