into the
bargain."

"Let me tell you something," chimed in a third. "Let's send a
deputation to him when he arrives; he will do it, he is just the fellow
for it. I've a plan."

"Out with your plan."

The man thus addressed,--a little humpback, with intelligent, cunning
eyes,--kept his comrades in suspense for a while, and then said,--

"We will petition Herr Sonnenkamp to give every coachman a daily pint
of wine. He will do it, you see if he doesn't. If I had seventy
millions, I would do it too."

A broad-shouldered, somewhat disreputable-looking coachman said,--

"I have been a hotel-keeper myself; I know what that means. The
landlord of the Victoria has got a winter guest who will keep the house
warm, and the wheels well greased."

Within the hotel, meanwhile, were none but smiling faces. Even the
handsome landlady was handsomer than ever to-day, as she took a final
survey of the sumptuous suite of rooms on the first floor, and found
that all was in order, only a covering here and there still remaining
to be spread. The feet of the butlers, waiters, and maids, as they
hurried to and fro, made no sound on the thick, soft carpets. The
gorgeous silk furniture glistened and gleamed, as if grateful at being
freed from its mourning wrappers, and allowed to show itself to the
light.

Lootz was full of business; he seemed bent upon trying every kind of
sitting-place; now one chair and now another, here a sofa and there a
lounge, he ordered to be differently arranged. Even the beds he
appeared disposed to test, but contented himself with pressing the
springs up and down a little. One blue silk boudoir, that opened on a
charming balcony, he re-arranged entirely with great skill and
excellent taste.

All was at last ready.

When evening came on, the whole long suite of rooms was illuminated;
all the burners in the chandeliers, on the tables, and on the mantles
being lighted. The entrance hall was decked with flowers. Now they
might come.

The head-butler, with a cigar in his mouth, stepped into the streets
and surveyed the row of windows with great satisfaction; but with
still greater, did he look across the streets at the residence of the
Crown-prince, where all was dark and deserted; how jealous they will be
there!

A carriage drove up full of the servants of the establishment, men and
women, then another, in which were Eric and Roland, and finally
appeared a coach drawn by four horses. Bertram drew up at the