The Elector is no longer the humble vassal with serious face and melancholy mien; he is the young ruler, the hero of the future.  His eyes glisten, his lips smile, witticisms drop from his mouth, his countenance beams with merriment and youthful joy.  Not merely are the ladies delighted with him, but the men also, and the royal pair are glad of heart, for well pleased are they to present such a husband to their amiable daughter.

Not until late at night is the fete concluded, and when the Elector goes home to the Brandenburg Palace, all the nobility attend him with torches in their hands—­a long procession of five thousand torches!  Like a golden flood it streams through the streets of Warsaw, flashes in at all the windows, and inscribes on every wall in shining characters, “The Elector of Brandenburg, Duke of Prussia, has given the oath of vassalage to the King of Poland!”

The fete is over, but the next morning ushers in new festivities!  To-day the Elector gives a splendid entertainment to the royal family and the chief nobility.  At table the Queen sits on his right hand, on his left Princess Hildegarde, the King’s daughter.

The Elector is cheerful and unembarrassed in manner; she is thoughtful, reserved, and silent.  She is wont to be so lively and talkative in her girlish innocence.  The Elector, however, knows not that her manner is changed.  His heart is a stranger to her, and his glances say no more to her than to all other pretty women!  In the evening he dances with her at the Queen’s ball—­that is to say, the Elector dances with the King’s daughter, but not the young man with the beautiful young girl.

Will he not propose?  The Queen hints at the great honor which they destine for him; the King says tenderly to him that he would esteem himself happy, if he could call so noble a young Prince his son.  But the Elector understands neither the Queen nor the King, he is silent and does not propose.  He is so modest and diffident—­perhaps he dare not.  They must wait awhile.  If he has not declared himself on the last day of his visit, they must take the initiative and woo him, since he will not woo.

On this last day it is the Princesses who give a ball to the Elector—­a splendid masquerade, for which they have been preparing three months, arranging costumes and practicing dances.  A half mask is to-day well chosen for the Princess Hildegarde, for it conceals her agitated features, her anxious countenance.  She knows that to-day her fate is to be decided!  She knows that at the close of this fete she is to be betrothed to the Elector of Brandenburg.

Yes, since he will not woo, he must be wooed!  The King’s daughter, the Emperor’s grandchild, is exalted so high over the little Elector, the powerless duke, that he actually can not venture to sue for her hand, but must have his good fortune announced to him.

Count Gerhard von Doenhof is selected by the King to execute this delicate commission, and doubts not that his proposition will be auspiciously received.