When everyone had a glass, Brahe said: "Your Royal Highness is going to learn a Swedish word, Skal. It means Good health!" He raised his glass. "Let us drink ti the health of His Royal---"

"Who are they?" I demanded angrily. "Why wont you tell me whats happening?"

Count von Essen bowed deeply again. All the other Swedes did the same.

We all laughed, except Count von Essen. His face was still like a stone.

At this moment a strange thing happened. Oscar walked forward and stood beside the Swedes. He held the hand of Count Brade, the good-looking young man. And he bowed his head towards his Papa and Mama.

Fernand said in a loud voice: "Their Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Ponte Corvo, and their son, Prince Oscar."

Oscar was smiling happily. "are you glad that were going to Sweden, Mama?" he asked.

"This is Count von Essen, our ambassador in Paris," said Morner. The old gentleman bowed stiffly. His face was as hard as stone.

I heard voices downstairs. Marie came into the room, and I could see the edge of her nightdress under her skirt.

An astonished look spread over the old Counts face. He couldn九_九_藏_书_网t believe his ears. Nor could I believe mine. I was just going to say something when Fernand came in with the wine.

"we have met before," said Jean. I recognized them too. Talleyrand introduced them to us at the Tuileries a few months ago. Now they smiled and bowed. They were glad to be remembered.

Von Essen went up to him and said: "It is my duty to tell Your Highness one thing: the Crown Prince must be a Swedish citizen. Do you agree to that? I must know the answer before I write to Stockholm."

Morner came forward and bowed again. His hands were trembling as he held out a letter to Jean. "Your Royal Highness---" he began.

Jean took his hand. Then he told Fernand to open the double doors of our sitting room. It was brightly lit; every lamp in the house had been put there.

"Papa, is it war?" he asked. "Is the Emperor coming to see us? How beautiful Mama is dressed!"

They drank slowly, with serious faces. Then someone said: "Let us also drink to the health of His adopted son--- the crown Prince Charles." And they all cried "skail" and drank again.

"Hurry, Desiree. Ive already woken ９９lｉｂ.netOscar. I want him to be present, too."

There was a moment silence. Then Jean took a deep breath and said: "I accept the Swedish parliaments invitation. I am proud of be adopted son of His majesty king Charles the Thirteenth." He looked at count von Essen, the servant of an old and childless king. "I want to thank His Majesty and the Swedish people for trusting me. I promise to serve them and their country with all my power."

"I bought these bottles eleven years ago," said Jean, "when I was Minister of War. Oscar had just been born. I said to my wife: Well open these when he becomes an officer in the French army."

"Youll help the princess to dress quickly, wont you?" jean said to her.

"The people of Sweden cannot ask for more than that," said von Essen seriously.

Jean said to Fernand, who stood by the door: "Bring those special bottles of wine that Ive kept since Oscars birth." Then he started reading the letter that Morner had brought.

Jean smiled . "Of course. The King of Sweden cannot adopt a French citizen as his son. Tomorrow I shall ask my Emperor to let me become Swedish."

九九藏书网"Its the greatest moment of my life," was his only answer.

Jean nodded. "Your were governor of Pomerania, Count von Essen. You defended it bravely when I had to conquer it for my Emperor."

Oscar wasnt listening. He was still holding young Brahes hand. "I want to write music, like Monsieur Beethoven," I heard him say. "But Mama wants me to be a silk merchant, like her father."

"What shall I wear? I cant dress properly if you dont answer my questions."

Marie brought my yellow silk dress, and she fixed my hair neatly. Round my neck I put an old gold chain that Jean gave me for my last birthday.

Morner continued: "This is colonel wrede, and this is Count Brahe."

There was a sudden silence. Everyone wanted to hear my answer. What could I honesty say? Im French, and france is my home. Ive never been to Sweden. I dont know its people. But I know one thing: its noblemen are terribly proud. Brahe and Morner smiled when Oscar spoke about my father, the silk merchant. They smiled kindly because they are young; but the idea still amused them. It didnt amuse old von Essen. He thinks that Crown Prince should be born in royal 九-九-藏-书-网families. Our families arent even noble. So hes ashamed of us.

"Im sorry," Morner said in a low voice. "Ive been riding for several days without a rest." Then he added louder: "May I introduce these gentlemen to Your Highness?"

"Yes--- and no. Youll hear it yourself. But do hurry."

Jean interrupted him. "Gentlemen, we will drink to the health of His Majesty the King of Sweden."

He took my arm and led me down the stairs. Oscar was waiting for us at the bottom. His eyes were shining excitedly and he was wearing his best suit.

Royal? My heart stopped. But Jean calmly accepted the letter.

"Your royal Highness," Morner continued, "I have brought you a message from His Majesty the King of Sweden. The Swedish parliament invites Your Highness to become the new Crown Prince of Sweden. His Majesty King Charles the thirteenth wishes to adopt you as his son. He hopes to welcome you in Sweden very soon."

It was Jean, my husband. He was holding a lamp over my bed, and he was wearing his best uniform.

We walked slowly into the room. Our visitors bowed deeply. They were wearing gay foreign uniforms and I recognized the c

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olours at once: blue and yellow, the colours of Sweden.

"For gods sake, tell me Jean," I begged. "Has something happened?"

"I dont know Sweden yet," I said. "but I shall try very hard to be happy there."

One young man was not so gaily dressed. His clothes were dirty, and there was mud all over his boots. His fair hair hung down loosely over his face. There were dark circles round his eyes. Clearly he had been riding for several days without proper sleep.

"Whats the matter, Jean?" I said. "Its the middle of the night!"

Jean nodded.

He was so tired that he almost fell. An old gentleman had to hold his arm.

A light shone into my face, and a voice said: "Get up at once, Desiree. Get up and dress quickly."

"Wear your most beautiful dress," he replied. Then he left the room.

His head came round the door again. "do come, Desiree. We cant make them wait any longer."

They were still waiting for my answer. "Say it, Mama, Oscar begged me. "Say that youre glad."

"Gustav Morner, my prisoner at Liibeck," Jean said slowly to this man. "Im glad to see you again. Im very glad."