to your
majesty, and prays for an increase of salary--that it is impossible for
him to live upon three thousand dollars."

"Ah! that is what is wanted?" cried the king, furious, and striking his
staff upon the floor. "The fellow is mad; When he cannot live upon
three thousand, he will not be able to live upon four. I want money for
cannon. I cannot spend it for such nonsense. I am surprised, Von Arnim
that you repeat such stuff to me."

"Your majesty, it is my duty that I--"

"What! Your duty is not to flatter them. I pay them to give me pleasure,
not presumption. Remember, once for all, do not flatter them. Conciliani
will get no increase of salary. If he persists, let him go to the
mischief! This is my decision.--Proceed! What is Madame Mara begging
for?"

"Madame Mara constantly refuses to sing the airs which your majesty
commanded to be introduced into the opera of 'Coriolanus.' She has
taken the liberty to address you in writing; here is the letter, if your
majesty will have the grace to read it."

"By no means, sir, by no means!" cried the king; at the same instant
catching the paper with his staff, he slung it like a shot arrow to the
farthest corner of the room, to the great amusement of Alkmene, who,
with a loud bark, sprang from her master's knee, and with a bound caught
the strange bird, and tore it in pieces. "You are right, my pet," said
the king, laughing, "you have written my answer with your nose to this
arrogant person. Director, say to Madame Mara that I pay her to sing,
not to write. She must sing both airs, or she may find herself at
Spandau for her obstinacy, where her husband is, for the same reason.
She can reflect, and judge for herself."

The director could scarcely repress a sigh, foreboding the disagreeable
scene that he would have to encounter with the proud and passionate
singer. Timidly Von Arnim alluded to the four persons from the opera.
"Who are these demoiselles, and what do they want?" asked the king.

"Sire," replied the Baron von Arnim, "they are the four persons who
personate the role of court ladies and maids of honor to the queens and
princesses. They beg your majesty to secure to them a fixed income."

"Indeed! Go to my writing-table and bring paper and pencil; I will
dictate a reply to them," said the king. "Now write, Von Arnim: 'To the
four court ladies and maids of honor of the opera: You are mistaken in
addressing yourselves to me; the affair of your salaries concer