that my answers were in accordance with my
wishes.

"I will have the honor to report to His Majesty at once," said the
Councillor at the end of the examination, "that some diversion is
imperative in Your Imperial Highness's case. Would Your Imperial
Highness be pleased to visit the theatre or the Opera if the King
approves?"

The King did approve, and the Crown Princess of Saxony is once more
permitted the privilege of _Frau_ Schmidt and _Frau_ Mueller; namely, to
go to the theatre when she feels like it.

[Illustration: THE LATE KING GEORGE OF SAXONY

Louise's Father-in-Law]

CHAPTER LV

FRANCIS JOSEPH JOINS MY SAXON ENEMIES

Cuts me dead before whole family--Everybody talks over my head at
dinner--I refuse to attend more court festivities--Husband protests
because I won't stand for insult from Emperor--I give rein to my
contempt for his family--Hypocrites, despoilers, gamblers, religious
maniacs, brutes--Benign lords to the people, tyrants at home--I cry
for my children like a she-dog whose young were drowned.

DRESDEN, _November 2, 1901_.

Great family concourse to look my new baby over, dear Marie Alix, born
at Wachwitz, September 27.

Emperor Francis Joseph was first to arrive, the Majesty who is forever
posing as the family's good genius, as upholder of peace and amity among
his countless cousins and nieces, and the many uncles and aunts and
other relatives of his grand-children.

Behold how he lived up to this reputation!

I had been commanded to attend the reception in the Queen's _salon_, and
made my bow to him. He bowed all around, looking at each present, but
managed to overlook me.

Then he commenced a long and weary conversation with the Queen, at
whose elbow I sat, and when his stock of platitudes was exhausted,
turned to fat Mathilde, congratulating her on the possession of the
_Stern Kreuz_ decoration, an Austrian order which I likewise wore at my
corsage. It was none other than the late Empress Elizabeth who pinned it
on me.

Presently dinner was announced. The Emperor took in Her Majesty, the
King, _nolens, volens_, had to conduct me, but gave me neither word nor
look. Nor did the others. I couldn't have been more isolated on a desert
island, than at this royal board.

They talked and cracked their silly jokes, and paid compliments to each
other and were careful not to let their tongues run away with their
intriguing minds, but all went above my