Let us be seated, duke."
If Frederick had turned at this moment, he would have seen the grand
chamberlain Pollnitz advancing on tiptoe to the open door, in order
to listen to the conversation. But the king was looking earnestly at
the ambassador. After a few moments of silence, he turned to the
duke.
"Is my soup still too hot for you?" said he, laughingly.
"No, sire," said the duke, bowing. "But I waited for your majesty to
take the first spoonful. Would it not be better to close that door?"
"No," said the king, hastily; "I left it open, intentionally, so
that your eyes, when wearied with the gloom of my republic, could
refresh themselves on the glittering costumes of my courtiers."
"He left it open," thought the duke, "for these courtiers to hear
all that is said. He wishes the whole world to know how he rejected
the friendship of France."
"Well," said the king, "I will take my spoonful. We will commence
without further delay. Duke de Nivernois, you are here because the
contract made between France and Prussia is at an end, and because
France wishes me to fancy that she is anxious for a renewal of this
treaty, and for the friendship of Prussia.
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