“Well, I rather think he ought to have been here a half year ago,” growled the Elector, “and we have been expecting him several months already.”

“But he is here now, my husband, he is actually here now.  Only see what a good, affectionate son he is!  He has halted at the inn of the Spandow suburb, merely to forewarn us of his arrival.  It was not enough for him that he had sent us a messenger with a verbal communication, no, he must send us a written salutation, and such kind, cordial words as he has written.  There, read, my husband, just read!”

She handed the paper to the Elector, but he did not take it.

“Is the letter directed to me?” he asked.

“No, to me, to his mother he wrote, because he knew how happy it would make me, and how heartily I love him.  Read, George!”

“I never read letters that are not directed to myself,” said the Elector, turning away.

“Well, then, I will read it to you!” cried the Electress, who in the fullness of her joy heeded as little the ill humor of the Elector as she did the presence of Count Schwarzenberg, who upon her entrance had modestly withdrawn to one of the deep window recesses.  “Yes, I will read it to you,” she repeated, “for you must hear what our son writes.”

And with a voice trembling from joy and agitation she read: 

“My gracious, revered Mother:  Before I enter my dear birthplace and return home to my beloved parents and sisters, I would announce my arrival to your highnesses, that you may not be alarmed by my unexpected coming, and that I may not come inopportunely to his grace, my father.  I enjoy greatly getting home, and all the testimonials of love and sympathy which I have received ever since I set foot within my father’s territories, and they will remain indelibly graven on my heart.  I beg your grace to present my most submissive respects to my gracious father and Elector, and to speak a good word for me to him, that his grace may no longer cherish resentment against me on account of my long stay abroad, and that he may favorably incline toward and receive me, and be convinced that I am and shall ever remain the grateful and obedient son of my venerated parents.

“FREDERICK WILLIAM.”

“Well” asked the Electress, “are not those affectionate, glorious words, and does not your fatherly heart rejoice in them?  But just hear, hear, how they shout and hurrah!  It is the good people of Berlin!  They are coming to the palace to see our son!”

Again was the door through which the Electress had entered violently thrown open, and two young ladies entered.  Their lovely and blooming faces beamed with happiness and their eyes glistened with joy.

“He comes!  Our brother is coming!” they cried, rushing forward toward their parents.  “Just come to the window, that we may see him, for he is riding around the corner into the pleasure garden”

“Are you all, then, wholly beside yourselves, and gone stark mad?” cried the Elector passionately, while he rose from his armchair and proudly drew himself up.  “Who gives these two young ladies the privilege of entering my cabinet thus, unannounced and without ceremony?  Just answer me one thing, Miss Charlotte Louise, did I permit you to come here?”