Slowly and silently these gentlemen passed through the room and
approached the queen.
"We have come," said Count Hoymb, bowing lowly, "to take leave of
your majesty."
The queen fell slightly back, and gazed in terror at the four
ministers standing before her with bowed heads.
"Has the king, my husband, sent for you? Are you come to take leave
of me before starting to Konigstein?"
"No, your majesty; we come because we have been dismissed from our
offices by the King of Prussia."
The queen did not answer, but gazed wildly at the sad countenances
about her; and now she fixed a searching glance upon the royal
chamberlain.
"Well, and you?" said she. "Have you a message for me from my
husband? Are you from Konigstein?"
"Yes, your majesty, I come from Konigstein. But I am not a bearer of
pleasant news. I am sent to Dresden by the King of Poland to request
of the King of Prussia passports for himself and Count Bruhl. The
king wishes to visit Warsaw, and is therefore desirous of obtaining
these passports."
"Ah!" said the queen, sighing, "to think that my husband requires
permission to travel in his own kingdom, and that he must receive it
from our enemy! Well, have you obeyed the king's command, Count
Leuke? Have you been to the King of Prussia and received the
passports?"
"I was with the King of Prussia," said the count, in a faltering
voice.
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