Frederick drawing near, recognized the queen and the Princess
Amelia. At the sight of this dearly-beloved face, the queen,
forgetting her usual timidity and assumed coldness, stepped eagerly
forward and offered both her hands to her husband. Her whole heart,
the long-suppressed fervor of her soul, spoke in her moist and
glowing eyes. Her lips, which had so long been silent, so long
guarded their sweet secret, expressed, though silently, fond words
of love. Elizabeth Christine was no longer young, no longer
beautiful; she had passed through many years of suffering and inward
struggle, but at this moment she was lovely. The eternal youth of
the soul lighted her fair brow--the flash of hope and happiness
glimmered in her eyes. But Frederick saw nothing of this. He had no
sympathy for this pale and gentle queen, now glowing with vitality.
He thought only of the dearly-loved queen and mother who had gone
down into the cold, dark grave. Frederick bowed coldly to Elizabeth
Christine, and took both her hands in his a short moment.
"Madame," said he, "this is a sad moment. The queen my mother is
missing from your side."
Elizabeth Christine started painfully, and the hands which the king
had released fell powerless to her side.
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