And this scene, my dear friend, in the face of the sun!  She kneeled still only two paces from me, and I, without a shadow, could not spring over the gulf, could not also fall on the knee before the angel!  Oh! what would I then have given for a shadow!  I was compelled to hide my shame, my anguish, my despair, deep in the bottom of my carriage.  At length Bendel recollected himself on my behalf.  He leaped out of the carriage on the other side.  I called him back, and gave him out of my jewel-case, which lay at hand, a splendid diamond crown, which had been made to adorn the brows of the lovely Fanny!  He stepped forward and spoke in the name of his master, who could not and would not receive such tokens of homage; there must be some mistake; but the people of the city should be thanked for their good-will.  As he said this, he took up the proffered wreath, and laid the brilliant coronet in its place.  He then respectfully extended his hand to the lovely maiden, that she might arise, and dismissed, with a sign, clergy, magistrates, and all the deputations.  No one else was allowed to approach.  He ordered the throng to divide and make way for the horses, sprang again into the carriage, and on we went at full gallop, through a festive archway of foliage and flowers toward the city.  The discharges of cannon continued.  The carriage stopped before my house.  I sprang hastily in at the door, dividing the crowd which the desire to see me had collected.  The mob hurrahed under my window, and I let double ducats rain out of it.  In the evening the city was voluntarily illuminated.

And yet I did not at all know what all this could mean, and who I was supposed to be.  I sent out Rascal to make inquiry.  He brought word to this effect:  That the people had received reliable intelligence that the good king of Prussia traveled through the country under the name of a count; that my adjutant had been recognized, thus betraying himself and me; and, finally, how great the joy was as they became certain that they really had me in the place.  They now, ’tis true, saw clearly that I evidently desired to maintain the strictest incognito, and how very wrong it had been to attempt so importunately to lift the veil.  But I had resented it so graciously, so kindly—­I should certainly pardon their good-heartedness.

The thing appeared so amusing to the rogue that he did his best, by reproving words, to strengthen, for the present, the good folk in their belief.  He gave a very comical report of all this to me; and as he found that it diverted me, he made a joke to me of his own wickedness.  Shall I confess it?  It flattered me, even by such means, to be taken for that honored head.

I commanded a feast to be prepared for the evening of the next day beneath the trees which overshadowed the open space before my house, and the whole city to be invited to it.  The mysterious power of my purse, the exertions of Bendel, and the inventiveness of Rascal succeeded in triumphing over time itself.  It is really astonishing how richly and beautifully everything was arranged in those few hours.  The splendor and abundance which exhibited themselves, and the ingenious lighting up, so admirably contrived that I felt myself quite secure, left me nothing to desire.  I could not but praise my servants.