ntly pushed back his chair and left me, a very much
enraged woman. He didn't give me the chance to have the last word.

CHAPTER XIX

ATTEMPTED VIOLENCE DEFEATED BY FIRMNESS

Frederick Augustus seeks to carry out his father's brutal
threats--Orders and threats before servants--I positively refuse to
be ordered about--Frederick Augustus plays Mrs. Lot--Enjoying myself
at the theatre.

DRESDEN, _June 17, 1894_.

The chance came later and with it the conviction that His Royal
Highness, Prince George, didn't quite believe me when I told him that I
wouldn't stand for violence, for tonight Frederick Augustus attempted
something of the sort.

I had ordered my carriage for seven o'clock to drive to the theatre, and
had just finished dressing when he stormed into my boudoir and demanded
to know if I had taken leave of my senses.

"Not that I am aware of."

"But I hear you intend to go to the theatre--a princess in disgrace
going to the theatre!"

"Aren't you coming along, Frederick Augustus?" I asked naively.

"I have no desire to lose my regiment."

"And I have no desire to sit at home and talk nothingnesses with the
fools His Majesty appoints for my service."

"Take a care," cried Frederick Augustus.

"Don't be a noodle and a coward," I answered hotly.

"Louise, remember that I am an army officer."

"What has that to do with my going to the theatre?"

"It's the height of audacity to defy the King."

"It would be the depth of cowardice to stay at home."

"Take back that word, or----"

"I wish Your Royal Highness a very pleasant evening," I said, indulging
in a low genuflexion.

Frederick Augustus got blue with rage. I saw him clench his fists as I
swept out of the room, making as much noise with my train as I could
manage.

"An out-rider," I commanded the Master of Horse who stood in the
ante-chamber awaiting me.

"At your Imperial Highness' commands," bowed the Baron with the most
astonished face in the world. We use out-riders, that is grooms in
livery, to ride ahead of the royal carriage, only on state occasions in
Dresden. But, of course, my orders would be obeyed even if I had
demanded twelve grooms to attend me.

I was just going out, preceded by my Chamberlain and followed by my
ladies, Baroness Tisch and _Fraeulein_ von Schoenberg; there were two
lackeys at the door and in the corridor stood the groom-in-waiting,
holding several lap-robes for me to decide which t