CHAPTER V.THE OATH OF FIDELITY.
Long after nightfall the nurse heard her mistress rapidly pacing her room, and talking aloud to herself.

Soon, however, Sleep spread her soothing wings over Louisa, and she heard no more the rapid steps and loud talking of her mistress, nor the rolling of a carriage which stopped before the door, and the quick, vigorous steps of a man mounting the stairs.

But Wilhelmine heard them.

Breathless she stood, listening to the approaching footsteps, for she felt that they had to decide her future--the weal and woe of her children! Was it he, her beloved, the father of her children?
or was it the king's bailiff who had followed her, and came to seize her?
Nearer they came; the bell was hastily, violently rung.

Wilhelmine uttered a cry of delight.