girl alone."

"Precisely. And on your part you give me your word of honor not to
scandalize the people of your new garrison; to gradually break with the
girl and, in the end, get married."

"You are a brick, Louise," cried Bernhardt, and before I could shake him
off, he was kissing me all over my face. No cousinly or brotherly
kisses! His lips were apart, there was passion in his embrace. I
struggled, but his hand pressed against my back. What strength the
rascal's got!

* * * * *

DRESDEN, _February 21, 1900_.

The King is adamant. I no sooner mentioned Bernhardt's name than his
face froze.

"Does your husband know about your interference for that rake?"

When I answered in the negative, he praised Frederick Augustus for
strict submission to the royal will and upbraided me for "upholding
Bernhardt in his wickedness."

"The boy is desperate," I said.

"If he is desperate," cried the King, "let him do the one reasonable and
honorable thing: mend his evil ways. It will come easy if he seeks true
strength in prayer, in fasting and religious discipline."

"I submit to your Majesty that it might be well to send Bernhardt
travelling."

"On a tour of inspection of houses of ill-fame?" interrupted Albert
coldly. "This is a mere waste of words," he added, looking towards the
door, "and I'm sorry that Your Imperial Highness has the bad taste to
take the part of this disobedient, immoral and altogether reprehensible
_Lausbub_."

That meant my dismissal. I shudder when I think of the consequences of
the King's obstinacy.

CHAPTER XLIII

THE CROWN PRINCESS QUELLS A RIOT

Asked to play the coward, and I refuse--A hostler who would die for
a look from me--Hostler marriages in royal houses--Anecdotes and
unknown facts concerning royal ladies and their offspring--Refuse
police escort and rioters acclaim me--Whole royal family proud of my
feat.

DRESDEN, _July 3, 1900_.

Behold Louise, a political personage!

I was driving with my little ones in the _Bois_ yesterday afternoon. We
occupied an open court carriage, conspicuous for livery and magnificent
horse-flesh, for I love display and the children enjoy it. We were
driving along leisurely enough when there was hasty clatter of hoofs and
wheels behind. Presently a royal _coupe_ dashed up alongside.

The Tisch stuck her head out:

"Imperial Highness--the town's in revolt.--Socialist riot. They a