He stepped forward, and spoke in the name of his master, who, he said, was overwhelmed by so many demonstrations of respect, which he really could not accept as an honour—­there must be some error; nevertheless he begged to express his thanks for the goodwill of the worthy townspeople.  In the meantime Bendel had taken the wreath from the cushion, and laid the brilliant crown in its place.  He then respectfully raised the lovely girl from the ground; and, at one sign, the clergy, magistrates, and all the deputations withdrew.  The crowd separated to allow the horses to pass, and we pursued our way to the town at full gallop, through arches ornamented with flowers and branches of laurel.  Salvos of artillery again were heard.  The carriage stopped at my gate; I hastened through the crowd which curiosity had attracted to witness my arrival.  Enthusiastic shouts resounded under my windows, from whence I showered gold amidst the people; and in the evening the whole town was illuminated.  Still all remained a mystery to me, and I could not imagine for whom I had been taken.  I sent Rascal out to make inquiry; and he soon obtained intelligence that the good King of Prussia was travelling through the country under the name of some count; that my aide-de-camp had been recognised, and that he had divulged the secret; that on acquiring the certainty that I would enter their town, their joy had known no bounds:  however, as they perceived I was determined on preserving the strictest incognito, they felt how wrong they had been in too importunately seeking to withdraw the veil; but I had received them so condescendingly and so graciously, that they were sure I would forgive them.  The whole affair was such capital amusement to the unprincipled Rascal, that he did his best to confirm the good people in their belief, while affecting to reprove them.  He gave me a very comical account of the matter; and, seeing that I was amused by it, actually endeavoured to make a merit of his impudence.

Shall I own the truth?  My vanity was flattered by having been mistaken for our revered sovereign.  I ordered a banquet to be got ready for the following evening, under the trees before my house, and invited the whole town.  The mysterious power of my purse, Bendel’s exertions, and Rascal’s ready invention, made the shortness of the time seem as nothing.

It was really astonishing how magnificently and beautifully everything was arranged in these few hours.  Splendour and abundance vied with each other, and the lights were so carefully arranged that I felt quite safe:  the zeal of my servants met every exigency and merited all praise.

Evening drew on, the guests arrived, and were presented to me.  The word majesty was now dropped; but, with the deepest respect and humility, I was addressed as the count.  What could I do?  I accepted the title, and from that moment I was known as Count Peter.  In the midst of all this festivity my soul pined for one individual.  She came late—­she who was the empress of the scene, and wore the emblem of sovereignty on her brow.