Indeed, one would have thought we were
expected guests. Truly, she was a very wonderful woman.
She said something, very low, to the Duke; then, came forward and
curtsied to the King.
"Your Majesty honors me overmuch," she said. And then to me--"Does
this really mean that Your Royal Highness has at last decided to
acknowledge me?"
Meanwhile, Lotzen had arisen and was standing stiffly at attention, his
eyes on the King. I thought his face was a trifle pale--and I did not
wonder.
Frederick laughed, curtly, and motioned for her to rise.
"The play is over, Mrs. Spencer," he said. "We will have no more
acting, if you please."
She straightened, instantly.
"Your Majesty is pleased to be discourteous--but it seems to be a
Dalberg characteristic," she sneered. Then she broke out angrily:
"And, as neither you nor that renegade there,"--indicating me with a
nod and a look,--"was invited here, I take it I am quite justified in
requesting you both to depart. You may be a King, but that gives you
no privilege to force your way into a woman's apartments and insult
her. You are a brave gentleman, surely, and a worthy monarch. I
suppose you brought your pet to protect you lest I offer you violence.
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