_Midnight._

Richard approved of all I said and did. We were unspeakably happy this afternoon, despite the storm threatening us.

I fear neither the King nor Frederick Augustus now, but the fear of Sonnenstein I can't shake off.

If the King takes it upon himself to say that I'm mad, there will be plenty of medical authorities to bear him out, none to oppose him.

Of course, they will separate me from my children and will do their utmost to drive me mad between now and the time when I should be proclaimed Queen.

CHAPTER LXI

A MAD HOUSE FOR LOUISE--PROBABLY

My confidential maid, Lucretia, is banished--The new King has got the incriminating letter, but Frederick Augustus says nothing--On the eve of judgment the King falls ill.

DRESDEN, _October 21, 1902_.

This morning, at six, Lucretia rushed into my room. She was in her night-gown. Her hair was loose. No color in her face.

And between sobs and curses she told me that she had orders to leave by ten sharp. "If you dare stay over the appointed time, you will be transported to the frontier on foot, between gendarmes."

"Von Baumann shall come."

I threw a loose wrapper over my night-gown and received him at once.

"My marriage contract provides that no one but I have the right of dismissal with respect to Countess Baranello," I said sharply.

"As long as the lady keeps within the law," replied Baumann with just a trace of insolence in his voice.

I looked at him in astonishment.

"The Countess is guilty of a crime, of a succession of crimes,"

continued Baumann, "but His Majesty, not wishing to be harsh, decided to treat her merely as an obnoxious foreigner. She has forfeited her right to live in Saxony, and will do well to obey."

I helped poor Lucretia pack. I gave her a handful of jewels, I paid her a year's salary in advance and ordered the treasury to procure first-cla.s.s pa.s.sage for her to Rome.

I sent her to the station in my own carriage, and wired to our Rome representative to show her every courtesy.

_Afternoon._

Frederick Augustus hasn't said a word to me about the affair with Richard. We have our meals together and his att.i.tude in no wise differs from that usually maintained. Yet I am convinced he knows.

The last service rendered me by Lucretia, gave me great relief. She found out that neither the Tisch, nor Frederick Augustus, nor the King know who "Richard" is. Fortunately his letter was typewritten, signature and all.

_Six o'clock._

The King announced his visit for eight o'clock.

_Nine o'clock._

The King had a fall in his apartments shortly after he sent me notice of his coming. He was unconscious for two hours.

Safe for the time being!

CHAPTER LXII

KING'S ILLNESS A BOON TO LOVERS

Prayers mixed with joy--Espionage disorganized, and I can do as I please--Love-making in the school-room--Buying a ring for Richard--"Wishing it on"--"Our marriage"--King's life despaired of--My tormentors obsequious--Smile at my peccadilloes--Husband proud of me--My popularity a great a.s.set--Frederick Augustus delighted when he hears that King can't last long--The joyous luncheon at Richard's studio--Making fun of majesties--I expect to be Queen presently.

DRESDEN, _October 22, 1902_.

He is dangerously ill. It may be weeks and months before the King recovers--if he recovers at all.

I feel like praying, crying, shouting with joy.

When Richard folded his arms about me this afternoon, I said to myself: "G.o.d doesn't begrudge me a lover as kind and good as Richard."

The King's illness has disorganized the espionage, my coming and going are no longer controlled. The body-groom brings in my letters as delivered at the gate.

In the school room, while the children are writing or studying, Richard and I find time to exchange kind words and even an occasional caress.

When I "command" the tutor to my apartments, we need fear no surprise.

The utmost quiet prevails in the palace. The courtyard is sanded foot high and strewn with straw to deaden the sound of wheels and horses'

hoofs. No more mounting of the guard with fife and drum.

I suggested that the children be sent to the _Grosser Garten_ to play.

The Tisch agreed with enthusiasm. This yields us--Richard and myself--two hours of love-making.

DRESDEN, _October 25, 1902_.