A short pause ensued, then the supposed strangers laughed heartily and exclaimed: "Do you not know us, Balby ?" Their voices started the colonel, and he stepped back.
"Sire, it is yourself." "Yes, it is I, Frederick--not the king.

Yes, I am Frederick, and this capital servant is my good Deesen, who has sworn solemnly not to betray our incognito, and to give no one reason to suspect his high dignity as royal cabinet-hussar.

For love of us he will, for a few days, be the servant of two simple, untitled musicians, who are travelling around the world, seeking their fortunes, but who, unfortunately, have no letters of recommendation." "But who will recommend themselves by their talents and accomplishments." The king laughed aloud.

"Balby, you forget that you are a poor musician, chatting with your comrade.

Truly your courtly bow suits your dress as little as a lace veil would a beggar's attire; you must lay your fine manners aside for a short time, for, with them, you would appear to the village beauties we may meet like a monkey, and they would laugh at instead of kissing you." "So we are to meet country beauties," said Colonel Balby, no longer able to suppress his curiosity.