l was transformed,
no trace of elegance or courtly grace seemed to remain; it had become a
pothouse, of which Eberhard Ludwig was the jovial host. The
Landhofmeisterin quivered with disgust, his Highness appeared sunken to a
different level. She watched and listened; the music in the courtyard had
ceased, and she could hear what they said in the banqueting-hall.

'What! Sapperment! you compose fiddling tunes, young man?' Friedrich
Wilhelm was roaring at the shrinking Erbprinz. 'Just like my fool of a
son. He blows squeaks on a tube which he calls my beloved flute' (the
King gave a rough imitation of his son's refined speech). 'No good at
all, this younger generation--eh! what, old comrade? A good fight, a good
glass of beer, a good pipe, a good wife--that's what a man needs; no
French jiggery and music nonsense. Fool's play--eh, what? what?' He spoke
in German; such German as it was, too, vitiated by French words which he
could not avoid, as he knew no others, adorned with unquotable oaths,
short-clipped, rough phrases--the language of the man-at-arms in the
guard-room. Yet he possessed a certain breezy charm, and Eberhard Ludwig
seemed to respond to it. In truth, the King, when he was not in one of
his furious rages, was a boon companion, and appealed to the brutish
swagger which lies dormant in every man's being.

At length the company rose from table and gathered in groups of three or
four, while the King and his host retired into the embrasure of one of
the windows. The Landhofmeisterin saw that Friedrich Wilhelm spoke
earnestly to Serenissimus; she noted the embarrassment on the Duke's
face, he seemed like a chidden schoolboy, and with dismay the
Landhofmeisterin observed that he was evidently impressed by the King's
words. Could this rude monarch persuade so polished and refined a being
as Eberhard Ludwig? Did he endeavour to separate her lover from her? A
presentiment came to her; she knew instinctively that this was what the
King essayed. After nearly an hour, the two men came forth from the
window's embrasure, and she saw how the King held out his hand to
Eberhard Ludwig, and how his Highness gripped and held it, saying
something in a low, earnest tone.

She strained her ears, yet she could not catch the words; but she saw
Friedrich Wilhelm's satisfied face. He clapped his Highness between the
shoulders with a heavy hand. Evidently Serenissimus met with his
Majesty's entire approval. The company broke up for