Come, my husband, your chair is ready; and the bees and the butterflies, the gnats and the flies, have already practised a hymn, with which they are going to greet you, my husband." Laughing and jesting, she drew him along to the adjoining room, where the courtiers and the rolling-chair were standing ready; and the king mounted his triumphal car, and allowed himself to be rolled through the carpeted corridors, and down the staircases, transformed into broad inclined planes of marble, into the garden.
The air had the freshness of winter and the warmth of spring.

The grass like a diligent weaver was already beginning to weave a carpet over the black level of the square; and already here and there a tiny blossom, curious and bashful, was peeping out and appeared to be smiling in astonishment at its own premature existence.

The sun seemed so warm and bright; the heavens were so blue! At the king's side went Catharine, with such rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes.

Those eyes were always directed to her husband; and her charming prattle was to the king like the melodious song of birds, and made his heart leap for pleasure and delight.

But how?
What noise all at once drowned Catharine's sweet prattle?
And what was it that flashed up there at the end of that large alley which the royal pair with their suite had just entered?
It was the noise of soldiers advancing; and shining helmets and coats-of-mail flashed in the sunlight.
One band of soldiers held the outlet from the alley; another advanced up it in close order.