as if rooted to the spot, leaning upon her nurse
for support; her knees sank under her, and it seemed as if the whole
world turned around with her. After the first tumult of anxiety and
fear, succeeded an insolent determination, and, forcing herself to
calmness, she said: "It is the turning-point of my life; the next few
minutes will either crush me or assure my future; let me struggle
for the future, then. I will face him who approaches me as my judge."
Forcing herself to composure, slowly and with effort she turned toward
the king, who, approaching by the side path, had entered the avenue,
and now stood before her. But as she encountered the fiery glance of the
king's eye, she quailed before it, casting down her own, covered with
confusion.

"Who are you?" demanded the king, with stern authority, keeping his
eagle eye fixed upon her. Silent and immovable she stood; only the
quick, feverish breathing and the heaving bosom told the storm that was
raging within.

"Who are you?" repeated the voice, with still more severity--"who permit
themselves to use my park as a nursery? What child is that? and who are
its parents? They should be of high position at court, who would dare
to send their child and nurse to the royal park; and with what joy they
must regard the offspring of their conjugal tenderness! Tell me to whom
does this child belong?"

Sobbing convulsively, the lady sank, kneeling, with uplifted arms,
imploring for mercy. "Sire, annihilate me with your anger, but do not
crush me with your scorn!"

"What language do you permit yourself to hold?" asked the king.

"Sire, it is the language of an unhappy, despairing woman, who knows
that she stands before that great monarch whose judgment she fears more
than that of her God, who sees into her heart, and reads the tortures
and reproaches of her conscience; who knows what she suffers, and knows,
also, that she is free from self-interest, and every base desire. I
believe that God will forgive what I fear your majesty will not."

"You speak presumptuously, and remind me of the theatre princesses
who represent a grand scene with a pathetic exit. Let me inform you,
I despise comedians--only high tragedy pleases me. Spare yourself the
trouble to act before me, but answer me--who are you? Whose child is
that?"

"Sire, only God and my king should hear my reply--I beg the favor to
send away the nurse and child." The king assented, slightly nodding his
head, at the same t