A MAD HOUSE FOR LOUISE--PROBABLY
My confidential maid, Lucretia, is banished--The new King has got
the incriminating letter, but Frederick Augustus says nothing--On
the eve of judgment the King falls ill.
DRESDEN, _October 21, 1902_.
This morning, at six, Lucretia rushed into my room. She was in her
night-gown. Her hair was loose. No color in her face.
And between sobs and curses she told me that she had orders to leave by
ten sharp. "If you dare stay over the appointed time, you will be
transported to the frontier on foot, between gendarmes."
"Von Baumann shall come."
I threw a loose wrapper over my night-gown and received him at once.
"My marriage contract provides that no one but I have the right of
dismissal with respect to Countess Baranello," I said sharply.
"As long as the lady keeps within the law," replied Baumann with just a
trace of insolence in his voice.
I looked at him in astonishment.
"The Countess is guilty of a crime, of a succession of crimes,"
continued Baumann, "but His Majesty, not wishing to be harsh, decided to
treat her merely as an obnoxious foreigner. She has forfeited her right
to live in Saxony, and will do well to obey."
I helped poor Lucretia pack. I gave her a handful of jewels, I paid her
a year's salary in advance and ordered the treasury to procure
first-class passage for her to Rome.
I sent her to the station in my own carriage, and wired to our Rome
representative to show her every courtesy.
* * * * *
_Afternoon._
Frederick Augustus hasn't said a word to me about the affair with
Richard. We have our meals together and his attitude in no wise differs
from that usually maintained. Yet I am convinced he knows.
The last service rendered me by Lucretia, gave me great relief. She
found out that neither the Tisch, nor Frederick Augustus, nor the King
know who "Richard" is. Fortunately his letter was typewritten, signature
and all.
* * * * *
_Six o'clock._
The King announced his visit for eight o'clock.
* * * * *
_Nine o'clock._
The King had a fall in his apartments shortly after he sent me notice of
his coming. He was unconscious for two hours.
Safe for the time being!