"The King was in the castle when we went over it," was the answer.
"And we did not see him?" exclaimed the gentleman in surprise.
One day when Ludwig was walking alone in the mountains he met a goat-herd. "I am going to drive my goats home," said the boy, "but I don't know what time it is."
"Have you no watch?" asked the King. "How could I have a watch?" answered the child. Ludwig told him, smiling, what the hour was, and the day afterwards sent him a watch as a present.
When on his lonely drives he often passed through a village where he had noticed a cottage belonging to a shoemaker. The man was always to be found tending his flowers in the little patch of garden. One day Ludwig stopped the carriage outside the village and walked to the shoemaker's, where he remained outside the fence watching the man, who was busy in his garden.
"Master," said he, "you are not quite successful with your lilies."
"No," answered the shoemaker, who did not recognise the King; "I have not grudged work or expense these five years to get pure white lilies, but they always have a green tinge about them. If I could only get into the royal garden--I hear they have such beautiful white lilies there!"
"It would not be any help to you, master," said Ludwig, "for it is hardly your intention to steal plants there, I think. Nor would you have the opportunity of doing so."
"What do you think of me, good sir?" exclaimed the man indignantly. "Do you think I would touch my King's property? All I want is to see this beautiful flower in its full perfection."
"You might be able to do that. I know the head gardener, and I will put in a good word for you."
"If you would do that I would willingly make you a pair of boots for nothing."
"I want no return for such a trifling service," said Ludwig, taking leave of him with a friendly nod.
The next morning a servant brought the cobbler a large bunch of white lilies from the King.
The Empress of Russia visits Bavaria--The Duchess Sophie's Engagement and Marriage--An Unexpected Meeting with the Duchesse d'Alençon--A Last Attempt to forge the Links of Hymen around Ludwig
In the latter half of September, 1868, the Empress of Russia came to Munich accompanied by a numerous suite. Her unsuccessful matrimonial project did not seem to have diminished her interest in the Sovereign of Bavaria.