g, announcing themselves, with dreadful solemnity, these
gentlemen, Grumkow the spokesman, in soft phrase, but with strict
clearness, made it apparent to her, That marry she must,--the Hereditary
Prince of Baireuth,--and without the consent of both her parents, which
was unattainable at present, but peremptorily under the command of one
of them, whose vote was the supreme. Do this (or even say that you will
do it, whisper some of the well-affected), his Majesty's paternal
favor will return upon you like pent waters;--and the Queen will surely
reconcile herself (or perhaps turn it all her own way yet! whisper the
well-affected). Refuse to do it, her Majesty, your Royal Brother, you
yourself Royal Highness, God only knows what the unheard-of issue
will be for you all! Do it, let us advise you: you must, you
must!--Wilhelmina wrung her hands; ran distractedly to and fro; the
well-affected whispering to her, the others "conversing at a window." At
length she did it. Will marry whom her all-gracious Papa appoints; never
wished or meant the least disobedience; hopes, beyond all things, his
paternal love will now return, and make everybody blessed;--and oh,
reconcile Mamma to me, ye well-affected! adds she.--Bravissimo! answer
they: her Majesty, for certain, will reconcile herself; Crown-Prince get
back from Custrin, and all will be well. [Wilhelmina, i. 327-333.]

Friedrich Wilhelm was overjoyed; Queen Sophie Dorothee was in despair.
With his Majesty, who "wept" like a paternal bear, on re-embracing
Wilhelmina the obedient some days hence, it became a settled point, and
was indicated to Wilhelmina as such, That the Crown-Prince would, on
her actual wedding, probably get back from Custrin. But her Majesty's
reconcilement,--this was very slow to follow. Her Majesty was still in
flames of ire at their next interview; and poor Wilhelmina fainted, on
approaching to kiss her hand. "Disgraced, vanquished, and my enemies
triumphing!" said her Majesty; and vented her wrath on Wilhelmina; and
fell ill (so soon as there was leisure), ill, like to die, and said,
"Why pretend to weep, when it is you that have killed me!"--and indeed
was altogether hard, bitter, upon the poor Princess; a chief sorrow to
her in these trying months. Can there be such wrath in celestial minds,
venting itself so unreasonably?--At present there is no leisure for
illness; grand visitors in quantity have come and are coming; and the
Court is brilliant exceedingly;