And now the king drew near, surrounded by the princesses and the queen-mother, to whom he gave his hand with an expression of reverence and filial love.  He then bowed silently and indifferently to his wife, and gave a merry greeting to his two sisters.

“Ladies,” said he, in a full, rich voice, “allow me to present to you and my court my brother, the Prince Augustus William; he is now placed before you in a new and more distinguished light.”  He took the hand of his brother and led him to the queen-mother.  “I introduce your son to you; he will be from this day onward, if it so please you, also your grandson.”

“How is that, your majesty?  I confess you have brought about many seemingly impossible things; but I think it is beyond your power to make Augustus at the same time both my son and my grandson.”

“Ah, mother, if I make him my son, will he not be of necessity, your grandson?  I appoint him my successor; in so doing, I declare him my son.  Embrace him, therefore, your majesty, and be the first to greet him by his new title.  Embrace the Prince of Prussia, my successor.”

“I obey,” said the queen, “I obey,” and she cast her arms affectionately around her son.  “I pray God that this title of ‘Prince of Prussia,’ which it has pleased your majesty to lend him, may be long and honorably worn.”

The prince bowed low before his mother, who tenderly kissed his brow, then whispered, “Oh, mother, pray rather that God may soon release me from this burden.”

“How!” cried the queen threateningly, “you have then a strong desire to be king?  Has your vaulting ambition made you forget that to wish to be king is, at the same time, to wish the death of your brother?”

The prince smiled sadly.

“Mother, I would lay aside this rank of Prince of Prussia, not because I wish to mount the throne, but I would fain lie down in the cold and quiet grave.”

“Are you always so sad, so hopeless, my son—­even now, upon this day of proud distinction for you?  To-day you take your place as Prince of Prussia.”

“Yes, your majesty, to-day I am crowned with honor,” said he, bitterly.  “This is also the anniversary of my betrothal.”

Augustus turned and drew near to the king, who seized his hand and led him to his wife and the young princesses, saying with a loud voice, “Congratulate the Prince of Prussia, ladies.”  He then beckoned to some of his generals, and drew back with them to the window.  As he passed the queen, his eye rested upon her for a moment with an expression of sympathy and curiosity; he observed her with the searching glance of a physician, who sinks the probe into the bleeding wound, in order to know its depth and danger.

The queen understood his purpose.  That piercing glance was a warning; it gave her courage, self-possession, and proud resignation.  Her husband had spoken to her with his eyes; that must ever be a consolation, a painful but sweet joy.  She controlled herself so far as to give her hand to the prince with a cordial smile.