elope. His Majesty's representative "graciously
permits me to see my children at nine in the morning and between five
and six in the afternoon. At no other time, and never unless Baroness
Tisch is in attendance."

I threw the letter on the floor and trampled on it. "Get out," I
commanded the Baroness. If she hadn't gone instantly, I believe I would
have choked her.

So I am deemed unworthy to mother the children I bore; and a spy is
officially appointed to watch my intercourse with the little ones lest I
corrupt them. No other inference was to be drawn from the measure.

"I will show them." But no sooner was the threat launched, than a great
fear clutched at my heart.

Was I in a position to defy them? To guard the purity of the royal
children "is the King's first duty towards his family." If he had proof
positive that I was an impure woman, there was no use quarrelling with
his decision. Besides, moral delinquencies engender more than physical
weakness. I felt my boasted energy ebbing away fast.

"I am without strength, unnerved, because Henry left me," I lied to
myself. The abandoned woman is either a tigress or a kitten. I happen to
be no tigress.

CHAPTER LII

PRINCE GEORGE REVEALS TO ME THE DEPTH OF HIS HATRED

A terrible interview--"The devil will come to claim you"--Uncertain
how much the King and Prince George know--I break into the nursery
and stay with my children all day--Prince George insults me in my
own rooms and threatens prison if I disobey him.

PILLNITZ, _May 23, 1901_.

I caught Prince George in the park after laying in wait for him three
long hours.

"Why does Your Royal Highness forbid me to see my children?" I demanded,
every nerve aquiver.

"His Majesty's orders. He thinks you are not fit company for growing
children. You are leading a godless life."

"What does Your Royal Highness mean?"

"What I said. A godless life, such as you entered upon, is an invitation
to the devil. Sins are the devil's envoys. When you are black with sin,
the devil himself will come to claim you."

He dropped his theological lingo and continued: "My fine daughter-in-law
wants to be everybody's lady-love. If she had her sweet will, she would
ruin every young chap in the residence and the surrounding country."

He looked about him and, seeing we were unobserved, eased his bile in
this pretty epigram as rank as a serpent's saliva: "An adulterous wife,
that's what you are. Sat