er
and threw them on the bed.

I kissed the larger ring and "wished" it on Richard's finger. He did the
same with the ring intended for me. And we said, as with a common
breath, "Our wedding."

* * * * *

DRESDEN, _November 1, 1902_.

A bulletin, by the King's physicians, holds out scant hopes for George's
life.

I am watching the palace yard. The Archbishop of Dresden, attended by
two court chaplains and a host of other clerics, is just mounting the
stairs to administer the last rites of the Church. The next minute may
see me Queen of Saxony. I may even be Queen now. I wish I had the
effrontery to promise the lackey or official, announcing my
enthronization, a handful of gold, as George did, when King Albert was
dying.

Even so, I have risen immeasurably in everybody's esteem. The sweet
family knows me again. Johann George, Mathilde, Isabelle and Max are
kotowing to me. Bernhardt sent me a telegram of condolence--condolence!
He is a humorist, that boy.

Minister of the Royal House, Baron Seydwitz, called twice. The Royal
Adjutant, General von Carlowitz, spoke of the possibility of giving
Bernhardt a command in Dresden. Von Baumann says it was the President of
the Police who insisted upon Lucretia's hasty departure. If he, Baumann,
had his way, my maid of honor would have got off with a warning.

And you should see the Tisch. She must have spent a month's salary on
flowers for me, which I promptly sent to the nearest pauper hospital.
She smiles, she nearly breaks her back genuflexing. Her every second
word is "most submissive," "will the Imperial Highness deign to do
this," that, or the other thing.

The terror got into her old bones and she trembles for her pension,
for, of course, she knows that instant dismissal will be her portion.

Frederick Augustus talks of having some more princes and--acts
accordingly. Perish the thought that his Louise is an adulteress, that
she ever had a lover, has one now!

He is haunting my room, running from door to window, from window to
door. Every little while he opens the _portieres_ to see if no one's
coming to address him "Your Majesty."

"Your popularity with the public is a great asset," he says over and
over again. "Lucky devil I, to have a wife as smart as you."

* * * * *

DRESDEN, _November 2, 1902_.

Frederick Augustus came running into my room and gave me a bear-hug.

"The doctors say