s when the
Future promised so much!

An official reception had been prepared for Friedrich Wilhelm at
Ludwigsburg, and leaving the King at Heilbronn, Eberhard Ludwig hastened
home. On the morrow, at the head of his troops, he would receive
Prussia's martial ruler at a grand parade, after which the Corporal King
was to be feasted at the palace.

Eberhard Ludwig reached Ludwigsburg late in the evening, and retired
immediately, commanding a light supper to be served in his apartments. He
was told that the Landhofmeisterin and the court awaited him, and that
supper was already served, as usual, in her Excellency's dining-room. But
Serenissimus sent word that he desired to be undisturbed, and prayed her
Excellency to excuse him.

The supper at the Landhofmeisterin's table was partaken of in a
constrained atmosphere. Her Excellency spoke with Baron Schuetz of
political affairs, but though her lips smiled, there was that in her eyes
which banished easy talk in her presence. The Erbprinz was pale and
silent; he had ridden much during the afternoon, and had swooned away in
the palace courtyard when he dismounted. The Erbprincessin sat crumbling
her bread with her long, delicate fingers, a heavy cloud of aimless
melancholy on her face. She had been feverishly excited during the day at
the prospect of meeting her cousin King Friedrich Wilhelm, but, as usual,
her passing brighter mood left her the more depressed. At the repast's
conclusion the Landhofmeisterin rose and repaired, according to her
custom, to the card-room. She played her hand at l'hombre, winning each
game.

'Those who are fortunate at cards are unfortunate in all else, they say,'
she remarked, as she noted her winnings in her neat scholarly
handwriting. The courtiers murmured some banal phrases, and Schuetz
watched the Landhofmeisterin narrowly. Was it time for this Master-Rat to
conduct his brood away from the threatened vessel? he wondered.

Earlier than usual her Excellency gave the signal to retire. 'We start
to-morrow at nine of the clock for his Majesty's reception. Your Highness
will occupy my coach. I trust it will not rain,' she said indifferently
as she bade the Erbprincessin good-night. Now, it had been clearly
understood that no ladies were to attend the reception. In fact, the
Erbprincessin had consented to greet her cousin in private, only in order
to prevent the Landhofmeisterin from meeting the mistress-hating monarch.
There ensued an awkward p