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.
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