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diff --git a/3460.txt b/3460.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..70db766 --- /dev/null +++ b/3460.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15566 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Fritz and the New Era, by Louise Muhlbach + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Old Fritz and the New Era + +Author: Louise Muhlbach + +Translator: Peter Langley + +Posting Date: January 28, 2009 [EBook #3460] +Release Date: October, 2002 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD FRITZ AND THE NEW ERA *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + +OLD FRITZ AND THE NEW ERA + +By L. Muhlbach + + +Translated from the German by Peter Langley + + + + + BOOK I. + + OLD FRITZ. + + I. The Lonely King + + II. Wilhelmine Enke + + III. Frederick William + + IV. The Drive to Berlin + + V. The Oath of Fidelity + + VI. The Parade + + VII. The Miraculous Elixir + + VIII. The Golden Rain + + IX. German Literature and the King + + + + + BOOK II. + + ROSICRUCIANS AND POWERFUL GENIUSES. + + X. Goethe in Berlin + + XI. The Inner and the Middle Temple + + XII. The Jesuit General + + XIII. A Pensioned General + + XIV. The King's Letter + + XV. Hate and Love + + XVI. Charles Augustus and Goethe + + XVII. Goethe's Visits + + XVIII. Farewell to Berlin + + + + + BOOK III. + + STORM AND PRESSURE. + + XIX. The King and the Austrian Diplomat + + XX. The King and the Lover + + XXI. In Weimar + + XXII. The Reading + + XXIII. Witchcraft + + XXIV. The Purse-Proud Man + + XXV. The Elopement + + XXVI. Under the Starry Heavens + + XXVII. The Sacrifice + + + + + BOOK IV. + + THE VISIBLES AND THE INVISIBLES. + + XXVIII. Old Fritz + + XXIX. Cagliostro's Return + + XXX. The Triumvirate + + XXXI. Future Plans + + XXXII. Miracles and Spirits + + XXXIII. The Return Home + + XXXIV. Behind the Mask + + XXXV. The Curse + + XXXVI. The King and the Rosicrucians + + XXXVII. The Espousals + + XXXVIII. Revenge Fulfilled + + + + +FOREWORD + +I would merely say a few words in justification of the Historical +Romance, in its relation to history. Any one, with no preceding profound +study of history, who takes a few well-known historical facts as a +foundation for an airy castle of romantic invention and fantastic +adventure, may easily write an Historical Romance; for him history is +only the nude manikin which he clothes and adorns according to his own +taste, and to which he gives the place and position most agreeable +to himself. But only the writer who is in earnest with respect +to historical truth, who is not impelled by levity or conceited +presumption, is justified in attempting this species of composition; +thoroughly impressed with the greatness of his undertaking, he will with +modest humility constantly remember that he has proposed to himself +a great and sublime work which, however, it will be difficult if not +impossible for him wholly and completely to accomplish. + +But what is this great, this sublime end, which the Historical Romance +writer proposes to attain? It is this: to illustrate history, to +popularize it; to bring forth from the silent studio of the scholar and +to expose in the public market of life, for the common good, the great +men and great deeds embalmed in history, and of which only the studious +have hitherto enjoyed the monopoly. Thus, at least, have I considered +the vocation I have chosen, not vainly or inconsiderately, but with +a profound conviction of the greatness of my undertaking, and with +a depressing consciousness that my power and acquirements may prove +inadequate for the attainment of my proposed end. + +But I am also fully conscious of what was and still is my greatest +desire: to give an agreeable and popular form to our national history, +which may attract the attention and affections of our people, which may +open their understandings to the tendencies of political movements, and +connect the facts of history with the events of actual life. + +The severe historian has to do but with accomplished facts; he can only +record and describe, with the strictest regard to truth, that which has +outwardly occurred. He describes the battles of peoples, the struggles +of nations, the great deeds of heroes, the actions of princes--in short, +he gives the accomplished facts. To investigate and explain the secret +motives, the hidden causes of these facts, to present them in connection +with all that impelled to them, this is the task of Historical Romance. + +The historian presents to you the outward face, the external form of +history; Historical Romance would show you the heart of history, and +thus bring near to your heart what, else, would stand so far off. To +enable him to do this, the writer of an Historical Romance must, indeed, +make severe and various studies. He must devote his whole mind and soul +to the epoch he would illustrate, he must live in it and feel with it. +He must so familiarize himself with all the details, as in a manner to +become a child of that epoch; for he can present a really living image +of only that which is living in himself. That this requires a deep and +earnest study of history is self-evident. Historical Romance demands the +study of the historian, together with the creative imagination of the +poet. For the free embodiment of the poet can blossom only from out +the studio of the historian, as the flower from the seed; as, by a +reciprocal organic action, the hyacinth is derived from the onion, and +the rose from its seed-capsule, so are history and poetry combined +in the Historical Romance, giving and receiving life to and from each +other. + +The Historical Romance has its great task and its great justification--a +truth disputed by only those who either have not understood or will not +understand its nature. + +The Historical Romance has, if I may be allowed so to speak, four +several objects for which to strive: + +Its first object is, to throw light upon the dark places of history, +necessarily left unclear by the historian. Poetry has the right and duty +of setting facts in a clear light, and of illuminating the darkness +by its sunny beams. The poetry of the romance writer seeks to deduce +historical characteristics from historical facts, and to draw from the +spirit of history an elucidation of historical characters, so that the +writer may be able to detect their inmost thoughts and feelings, and in +just and sharp traits to communicate them to others. + +The second task of Historical Romance is, to group historical characters +according to their internal natures, and thus to elucidate and +illustrate history. This illustration then leads to the third task, +which is the discovery and exposition of the motives which impel +individual historical personages to the performance of great historical +acts, and from outwardly, apparently insignificant events in their lives +to deduce their inmost thoughts and natures, and represent them clearly +to others. + +Thence follows the fourth task: the illustration of historical facts +by a romance constructed in the spirit of the history. This fourth and +principal task is the presentation of history in a dramatic form and +with animated descriptions; upon the foundation of history to erect the +temple of poesy, which must nevertheless be pervaded and illuminated by +historic truth. From this it naturally follows that it is of very little +consequence whether the personages of the Historical Romance actually +spoke the words or performed the acts attributed to them; it is only +necessary that those words and deeds should be in accordance with the +spirit and character of such historical personages, and that the writer +should not attribute to them what they could not have spoken or done. +In the Historical Romance, when circumstances or events are presented in +accordance with historical tradition, when the characters are naturally +described, they bear with them their own justification, and Historical +Romance has need of no further defence. + +Historical Romance should be nothing but an illustration of history. If +the drawing, grouping, coloring, and style of such an illustration +of any given historical epoch are admitted to be true, then the +illustration rises to the elevation of a work of art, worthy of a place +beside the historical picture, and is equally useful. + +Raphael's "School of Athens," his "Institution of the Communion," and +many others of his pictures, are such illustrations of history--as also +the great paintings of Rubens from the life of Anna dei Medici; and then +the historical pictures of Horace Vernet, of Delaroche, of Lessing, and +of Kaulbach--all these are illustrations of history. What those artists +present and illustrate with paint and pencil, the Historical Romancer +represents in words with his pen; and when he does this successfully, +he will live in the memory of his reader as imperishably as the great +historical pictures of the painters in the memory of their beholders. + +It would occur to no one to accuse a successful historical picture of +falsehood, because the books of history do not show that the occurrence +took place precisely in the manner represented, that the historical +personages really so laughed or wept, or so deported themselves. If +the situation and grouping of historical events are allowed to be in +accordance with the general tenor of history, then the picture may be +pronounced historically true, and is just as good a piece of history as +the record of the special historian. It is the same with the pictures +of the romancer as with those of the painter; and this is my answer to +those who, on every occasion, are continually asking: "Was it really +thus? Did it really occur in that manner?" + +Show me from history that it could not be so; that it is not in +accordance with the character of the persons represented--then I will +confess that I am wrong, and you are right; then have I not presented an +illustration, but only a caricature of history, faulty as a work of art, +and wanting the dignity of truth. + +I am conscious of having earnestly and devotedly striven for the truth, +and of having diligently sought it in all attainable historical works. +The author of an Historical Romance has before him a difficult task: +while he must falsify nothing in history, he must poetize it in a manner +that both historical and poetic truth shall be the result. To those, +however, who so very severely judge Historical Romance, and would deny +its historical worth, I now, in conclusion, answer with the following +significant quotation from Schiller: + +"I shall always prove a bad resource for any future historian who may +have the misfortune to recur to me. History is generally only a magazine +for my fantasy, and objects must be contented with whatever they may +become under my hand."--(See Weisnar's "Musenhof," p. 93.) + +This declaration of Schiller satisfies me with respect to the nature of +my own creations. I desire not to be a resource for historical writers, +but I shall always earnestly and zealously seek to draw from the +wells of history, that nothing false or unreal may find a place in the +"magazine of my fantasy." + +CLARA MUNDT, + +(L. MUEHLBACH. ) + +BERLIN, September 22, 1866. + + + + + +OLD FRITZ AND THE NEW ERA. + + + + +BOOK I. OLD FRITZ. + + +CHAPTER I. THE LONELY KING. + + +"Well, so let it be!" said the king, sighing, as he rose from his +arm-chair; "I must go forth to the strife, and these old limbs must +again submit to the fatigue of war. But what matters it? The life of +princes is passed in the fulfilment of duties and responsibilities, +and rarely is it gladdened with the sunny rays of joy and peace! Let us +submit! + +"Yes, let us submit!" repeated the king, thoughtfully, slowly pacing his +cabinet back and forth, his hands folded upon his staff behind him, and +his favorite dog, Alkmene, sleepily following him. + +It was a melancholy picture to see this bowed-down old man; his thin, +pale face shaded by a worn-out, three-cornered hat, his dirty uniform +strewn with snuff; and his meagre legs encased in high-topped, +unpolished boots; his only companion a greyhound, old and joyless as +his master. Neither the bust of Voltaire, with its beaming, intelligent +face, nor those of his friends, Lord-Marshal Keith and the Marquis +d'Argens, could win an affectionate glance from the lonely old king. +He whom Europe distinguished as the Great Frederick, whom his subjects +called their "father and benefactor," whose name was worthy to shine +among the brightest stars of heaven, his pale, thin lips just murmured, +"Resignation!" + +With downcast eyes he paced his cabinet, murmuring, "Let us submit!" +He would not look up to those who were gazing down upon him from the +walls--to those who were no more. The remembrance of them unnerved +him, and filled his heart with grief. The experiences of life, and the +ingratitude of men, had left many a scar upon this royal heart, but had +never hardened it; it was still overflowing with tender sympathy +and cherished memories. To Lord-Marshal Keith, Marquis d'Argens, and +Voltaire, Frederick owed the happiest years of his life. + +D'Argens, who passionately loved Frederick, had been dead five years; +Lord-Marshal Keith one month; and Voltaire was dying! This intelligence +the king had received that very morning, from his Paris correspondent, +Grimm. It was this that filled his heart with mourning. The face, that +smiled so full of intelligence, was perhaps distorted with agony, and +those beaming eyes were now closing in death! + +Voltaire was dying! + +Frederick's thoughts were with the dead and dying--with the past! He +recalled, when crown prince at Rheinsberg, how much he had admired, +loved, and distinguished Voltaire; how he rejoiced, and how honored he +felt, when, as a young king, Voltaire yielded to his request to live +with him at Berlin. This intimacy, it is true, did not long continue; +the king was forced to recognize, with bitter regret, that the MAN +Voltaire was not worthy the love which he bestowed upon the POET. He +renounced the MAN, but the poet was still his admiration; and all the +perfidy, slander and malice of Voltaire, had never changed Frederick. +The remembrance of it had long since faded from his noble heart--only +the memory of the poet, of the author of so many hours of the purest +enjoyment, remained. + +Voltaire was dying! + +This great and powerful spirit, who so long a time, in the natural body, +had instructed, inspired, and refreshed mankind, would leave that body +to rise--whither? + +"Immortality, what art thou?" asked the king, aloud, and for the first +time raising his eyes with an inquiring glance to the busts of his +friends. "I have sought for thee, I have toiled for thee, my whole +life long! Neither the researches of the learned, nor the subtleties of +philosophy reveal thee to me. Is there any other immortality than +fame? Any other eternal life than that which the memory of succeeding +generations grants to the dead?" In this tone of thought Frederick +recited, audibly, the conclusion of a poem, which he had addressed to +D'Alembert: + +"I have consecrated my days to philosophy, I admit all the innocent +pleasures of life; And knowing that soon my course will finish, I enjoy +the present with fear of the future. What is there to fear after death? +If the body and the mind suffer the same fate, I shall return and mingle +with nature; If a remnant of my intellectual fire escapes death, I will +flee to the arms of my God." [Footnote: Posthumous works, vol. vii., +p.88.] + +"And may this soon be granted me!" continued the king; "then I shall be +reunited to those loved ones--gone before. I must be content to tarry +awhile in this earthly vale of sorrow, and finish the task assigned me +by the Great Teacher; therefore, let us submit." + +He sighed; pacing to and fro, his steps were arrested at a side-table, +where lay a long black velvet box; it contained the flute that his +beloved teacher, Quantz, had made for him. Frederick had always kept +it in his cabinet as a memento of his lost friend; as this room he had +devoted to a temple of Memory--of the past! + +"Another of the joys, another of the stars of my life vanished!" +murmured the king. "My charming concerts are at an end! Quantz, Brenda, +and my glorious Graun are no more. While they are listening to the +heavenly choir, I must be content with the miserable, idle chatter +of men; the thunder of battle deafening my ears, to which that mad, +ambitious Emperor of Austria hopes to force me!" + +As the king thus soliloquized, he involuntarily drew from the box the +beautiful ebony flute, exquisitely ornamented with silver. A smile +played around his delicate mouth. He raised the flute to his lips, and +a melancholy strain floated through the stillness--the king's requiem to +the dead, his farewell to the dying! + +No sound of the outer world penetrated that lonely room. The guard of +honor, on duty upon the Sans-Souci terrace, halted suddenly, as the +sad music fell upon his ear. The fresh spring breeze swept through the +trees, and drove the laden-blossomed elder-bushes tapping against the +windowpanes, as if to offer a May-greeting to the lonely king. The +servant in waiting stole on tiptoe to the door of the anteroom, +listening breathlessly at the key-hole to the moving melody. + +Even Alkmene suddenly raised her head as if something unusual were +taking place, fixed her great eyes upon her master, jumping upon his +knee, and resting her fore-paws lovingly upon his breast. + +Frederick neither observed nor felt the movement of his favorite; his +thoughts were absent from the present--absent from the earth! They were +wandering in the unknown future, with the spirits of those he longed to +see again in the Elysian fields. + +The wailing music of his flute expressed the lamentation of his +soul, and his eyes filled with tears as he raised them to the bust +of Voltaire, gazing at it with a look of pain until the melody was +finished. Then abruptly turning, half unwillingly, half angrily, he +returned the flute to the box, and stole away, covering his face with +his hands, as if to hide his emotion from himself. + +"Now we have finished with the dead, and the living claim our thoughts," +sighed the king. "What an absurd thing is the human heart! It will never +grow cold or old; always pretending to a spark of the fire which that +shameful fellow Prometheus stole from the gods. What an absurdity! What +have I, an old fellow, to do with the fire of Prometheus, when the +fire of war will soon rage around me," At this instant the door gently +opened. "What do you want, Muller? What do you poke your stupid face in +here for?" said the king. + +"Pardon me, your majesty," replied the footman, "the Baron von Arnim +begs for an audience." + +"Bid him enter," commanded the king, sinking back in his old, faded +velvet arm-chair. Resting his chin upon his staff, he signed to the +baron, who stood bowing upon the threshold, to approach. "Well, Arnim, +what is the matter? What papers have you there?" + +"Sire," answered Baron von Arnim, "the contract of the French actors, +which needs renewing, I have to lay before your majesty; also a paper, +received yesterday, from Madame Mara; still another from the singer +Conciliani, and a petition from four persons from the opera." + +"What stupid stuff!" growled the king, at the same time bestowing a +caress upon Alkmene. "Commence with your report. Let us hear what those +singers are now asking for." + +"The singer Conciliani has addressed a heart-breaking letter to your +majesty, and prays for an increase of salary--that it is impossible for +him to live upon three thousand dollars." + +"Ah! that is what is wanted?" cried the king, furious, and striking his +staff upon the floor. "The fellow is mad; When he cannot live upon +three thousand, he will not be able to live upon four. I want money for +cannon. I cannot spend it for such nonsense. I am surprised, Von Arnim +that you repeat such stuff to me." + +"Your majesty, it is my duty that I--" + +"What! Your duty is not to flatter them. I pay them to give me pleasure, +not presumption. Remember, once for all, do not flatter them. Conciliani +will get no increase of salary. If he persists, let him go to the +mischief! This is my decision.--Proceed! What is Madame Mara begging +for?" + +"Madame Mara constantly refuses to sing the airs which your majesty +commanded to be introduced into the opera of 'Coriolanus.' She has +taken the liberty to address you in writing; here is the letter, if your +majesty will have the grace to read it." + +"By no means, sir, by no means!" cried the king; at the same instant +catching the paper with his staff, he slung it like a shot arrow to the +farthest corner of the room, to the great amusement of Alkmene, who, +with a loud bark, sprang from her master's knee, and with a bound caught +the strange bird, and tore it in pieces. "You are right, my pet," said +the king, laughing, "you have written my answer with your nose to this +arrogant person. Director, say to Madame Mara that I pay her to sing, +not to write. She must sing both airs, or she may find herself at +Spandau for her obstinacy, where her husband is, for the same reason. +She can reflect, and judge for herself." + +The director could scarcely repress a sigh, foreboding the disagreeable +scene that he would have to encounter with the proud and passionate +singer. Timidly Von Arnim alluded to the four persons from the opera. +"Who are these demoiselles, and what do they want?" asked the king. + +"Sire," replied the Baron von Arnim, "they are the four persons who +personate the role of court ladies and maids of honor to the queens and +princesses. They beg your majesty to secure to them a fixed income." + +"Indeed! Go to my writing-table and bring paper and pencil; I will +dictate a reply to them," said the king. "Now write, Von Arnim: 'To the +four court ladies and maids of honor of the opera: You are mistaken in +addressing yourselves to me; the affair of your salaries concerns YOUR +emperors and kings. To them you must address yourselves.--Adieu.'" + +Von Arnim could scarcely repress a smile. + +"Now we come to the last affair--the salaries and pensions of the French +actors," said the king; "but first tell me the news in Berlin--what +report has trumpeted forth in the last few days." + +"Your majesty, the latest news in Berlin, which rumor brings home to +every hearth-side and every heart is, that your majesty has declared war +with Austria on account of the Bavarian succession. Every one rejoices, +sire, that you will humble that proud and supercilious house of Austria, +and enter the lists for Germany." + +"Listen!" answered the king, sternly. "I did not ask you to blow the +trumpet of praise, as if your honor, inspector of the theatres, thought +yourself upon the stage, and would commence a comedy with the king of +lamps. So it is known then that my soldiers will enter the great theatre +of war, and that we are about to fight real battles." + +"It is known, sire," replied Von Arnim, bowing. + +"Then what I am about to communicate to you will not surprise you. The +present juncture of affairs leads us to await very grave scenes--we can +well dispense with comedy. I withdraw the salaries and pensions of the +French actors--your own is included. After you have dismissed the +French comedians, you will be entirely at leisure to pursue your +love-intrigues.--Farewell!" + +"Your majesty," cried the baron, amazed, "has your highness dismissed +me?" + +"Are you deaf, or have you some of the cotton in your ears which I +presented to you at your recall from Copenhagen?" replied the king. +[Footnote: Baron von Arnim was ambassador to Copenhagen until 1754, when +he begged for his recall, stating that the damp climate was injurious +to his health. The king granted his request, and the baron returned to +Berlin. At the first audience with the king, Frederick handed Baron von +Arnim a carefully-packed box, saying, "I do not wish the government to +lose so valuable a servant; in this box you will find something that +will keep you warm." Arnim could scarcely await his return home, to open +the box; it contained nothing but cotton. Some days afterward, however, +the king increased Von Arnim's income a thousand dollars, and sent him +ambassador to Dresden. Von Arnim was afterward director of the Royal +Theatre until dismissed in the above manner.] + +"Sire, I have heard all, but I cannot believe it." + +"Yes, yes," interrupted the king, "To believe is difficult; you, I +presume, never belonged to the pious and believing. Your intrigues would +not admit of it; but now you have the leisure to pursue them with a +right good-will. You have only to discharge, as I have said, the entire +French troupe, and the whole thing is done with.--Adieu, Arnim, may you +be prospered!" + +Baron von Arnim muttered some incomprehensible words, and retreated +from the royal presence. The door had scarcely closed, when it was again +opened without ceremony by a young man, wearing a gold-laced dress. + +"Your majesty," said he, hastily, in an undertone, "your majesty, +she has just gone to the Palace Park, just the same hour she went +yesterday." + +"Is she alone?" asked the king, rising. + +"No, she is not alone; at a little distance the nurse follows with the +princely infant!" + +The king cast an angry glance at the saucy, laughing face of the young +man, who at once assumed a devoted, earnest mien. "Has your majesty any +further commands?" asked he, timidly. + +"I command you to hold your tongue until you are spoken to!" replied +the king, harshly. "You understand spying and hanging about, as you have +good ears, a quick eye, and a keen scent. I therefore make use of you, +because I need a spy; but, understand that a fellow who allows himself +to be used as a spy, is, indeed, a useful subject, but generally a +worthless one, and to whom it is becoming to be modest and humble. I +am now going to Berlin; you will accompany me. Take off your finery, so +that every one may not recognize at once the peacock by his feathers. +Go to the taverns and listen to what they say about the war; whether the +people are much dissatisfied about it. Keep your great ears wide open, +and bring me this evening all the latest news. Go, now, tell my coachman +to be ready; in half an hour I shall set off." + +The young man slunk away to the door, but stood without opening it, his +head down, and his under-lip hanging out. + +"What is the matter?" asked the king, in a milder tone, "why do you not +go, Kretzschmar?" + +"I cannot go away if your majesty is angry with me," muttered the +servant, insolently. "I do not wish to hear or see any thing more for +you when your majesty abuses me, and considers me such a mean, base +fellow. Your majesty first commanded me to listen, and spy, and now that +I am obeying, I am despised and scolded for it. I will have nothing +more to do with it, and I wish your majesty to leave me a simple footman +rather than to accord me such a mean position." + +"I did not mean so badly," said the king. "I mean well enough for +you; but you must not permit yourself to be arrogant or disrespectful, +otherwise you may go to Tophet! You are no common spy, you are listening +about a little because you know I am fond of hearing what the people are +saying, and what is going on in Berlin and Potsdam. But take care that +they know nothing about it, otherwise they will be careful, and you will +hear nothing. Now be off, and in order to see a cheerful face on you, +I will make you a present." The king drew from his vest-pocket a purse, +well filled with small coin, and gave it to the young man, who took it, +though he still looked angry and insolent. "Do not let your under-lip +hang down so, for I may step upon it," said the king. "Put the money in +your pocket, and hurry off to tell old Pfund to harness quickly, or I +shall not arrive in time at the park." + +"There is no danger, your majesty, for the miss seems very fond of the +promenade; she remained two hours in the park yesterday, always walking +in the most quiet places, as if she were afraid to meet any one. She sat +a whole hour on the iron seat by the Carp Pond, and then she went to the +Philosopher's Walk, and skipped about like a young colt." + +"You are a very cunning fellow, and know how to use your eyes well," +said the king. "Now be off, and order the carriage." + + + + +CHAPTER II. WILHELMINE ENKE. + +The Palace Park was as quiet and deserted as usual. Not a voice, not a +sound, disturbed the stillness of those silent walks. For this reason, +undoubtedly, a young lady had sought it; at least her whole being +expressed satisfaction and delight to wander unobserved through those +quiet, shady alleys. She was of slight and elegant proportions, simply +attired, without pretension, in a dark dress of some thin silk material. +Her black silk mantle was thrown aside upon the stone seat near her, +uncovering thus, in solitude, to the sun and birds, her lovely neck and +arms, the beauty of which might rival the statues of the ancients. Her +face was not of regular beauty, yet it possessed that expression of +grace, spirit, and energy, which is oftener a more powerful and more +enduring charm than regular beauty. Her large, expressive black eyes +possessed a wonderful power, and her red, pouting lips wore a sweet +smile; her fine Roman nose lent an air of decision, whilst her +high-arched forehead led one to believe that daring, energetic thought +lay hidden beneath those clusters of brown curls. She was not in the +bloom of youth, but at twenty-five she appeared younger than many +beauties at eighteen; and if her form no longer possessed the charm +of girlhood, it was attractive from its suppleness and full, beautiful +bust. + +"Louisa, Louisa, where are you?" cried the young lady, stepping quickly +forward toward a side-path, which led from the broad avenue, and at the +end of which was a sunny grassplot. + +"Here I am, miss; I am coming." + +"Miss," murmured the young lady, "how dreadfully it sounds! The blush of +shame rises to my face, for it sounds like bitter mockery and contempt, +and brings my whole life before me. Yet, I must endure it--and I +scarcely wish it were otherwise. Ah, there you are, Louisa, and there +is my beautiful boy," she cried, with a glad voice, hastening toward the +peasant-woman and bending fondly over her child. "How beautiful and how +knowing he looks! It seems as if my little Alexander began to recognize +me--he looks so earnest and sensible." + +"He knows you, miss," said the nurse, courtesying, "and he knows, like +other children, who loves him. Children and dogs know who love them. The +children cry, and the dogs hide themselves when people are around who +dislike them." + +"Nonsense, Louisa!" laughed the young lady, as she bent to kiss her +child--"nonsense! did not my little boy cry when his father took him +yesterday? And he loves his child most tenderly, as only a father can." + +"Oh, there is another reason for that," said the nurse. "He has just +passed his first stupid three months, and he begins to hear and see what +passes around him, and it was the first man's face that he had seen. But +only look, miss, what a beautiful little dog is coming up the path." +It was indeed a lovely greyhound, of the small Italian race, which came +bounding joyfully toward them, and as he saw the woman barked loudly. + +"Be quiet, Alkmene, be quiet!" cried a loud, commanding voice. + +"Oh, Heaven! it is the king!" whispered the young lady, turning pale, +and, as if stunned, retreated a few steps. + +"Yes, it is really the king," cried the nurse, "and he is coming +directly from the grass-plot here." + +"Let us go as quickly as possible, Louisa. Come, come," and she hastily +threw her mantle around her, drawing the hood over her curly head. She +had only proceeded a few steps, when a loud voice bade her to remain--to +stand still. She stood as if rooted to the spot, leaning upon her nurse +for support; her knees sank under her, and it seemed as if the whole +world turned around with her. After the first tumult of anxiety and +fear, succeeded an insolent determination, and, forcing herself to +calmness, she said: "It is the turning-point of my life; the next few +minutes will either crush me or assure my future; let me struggle +for the future, then. I will face him who approaches me as my judge." +Forcing herself to composure, slowly and with effort she turned toward +the king, who, approaching by the side path, had entered the avenue, +and now stood before her. But as she encountered the fiery glance of the +king's eye, she quailed before it, casting down her own, covered with +confusion. + +"Who are you?" demanded the king, with stern authority, keeping his +eagle eye fixed upon her. Silent and immovable she stood; only the +quick, feverish breathing and the heaving bosom told the storm that was +raging within. + +"Who are you?" repeated the voice, with still more severity--"who permit +themselves to use my park as a nursery? What child is that? and who are +its parents? They should be of high position at court, who would dare +to send their child and nurse to the royal park; and with what joy they +must regard the offspring of their conjugal tenderness! Tell me to whom +does this child belong?" + +Sobbing convulsively, the lady sank, kneeling, with uplifted arms, +imploring for mercy. "Sire, annihilate me with your anger, but do not +crush me with your scorn!" + +"What language do you permit yourself to hold?" asked the king. + +"Sire, it is the language of an unhappy, despairing woman, who knows +that she stands before that great monarch whose judgment she fears more +than that of her God, who sees into her heart, and reads the tortures +and reproaches of her conscience; who knows what she suffers, and knows, +also, that she is free from self-interest, and every base desire. I +believe that God will forgive what I fear your majesty will not." + +"You speak presumptuously, and remind me of the theatre princesses +who represent a grand scene with a pathetic exit. Let me inform you, +I despise comedians--only high tragedy pleases me. Spare yourself the +trouble to act before me, but answer me--who are you? Whose child is +that?" + +"Sire, only God and my king should hear my reply--I beg the favor to +send away the nurse and child." The king assented, slightly nodding his +head, at the same time bidding her not to kneel to him as to an image. + +The lady rose and sought the nurse, who, from fright, had withdrawn into +the shrubbery, and stood staring at the king with wide-open eyes. "Go +home, Louisa, and put the child to sleep," said she, quickly. + +The nurse obeyed promptly, and when alone, the king demanded again, "Who +are you? and to whom does the child belong?" + +"Your majesty, I am the daughter of your chapel musician Enke, and the +child is the son of Prince Frederick William of Prussia," she replied, +in a firm and defiant manner. + +The king's eyes flashed as he glanced at the bold speaker. "You say so, +but who vouches for the truth of it? You permit yourself to use a +high name, to give your child an honorable father! What temerity! what +presumption! What if I should not believe you, but send you to the house +of correction, at Spandau, as a slanderer, as guilty of high-treason, as +a sinner and an adulteress?" + +"You could not do it, sire--you could not," cried Wilhelmine Enke, "for +you would also send there the honor and the name of your successor to +the throne." + +"What do you mean?" cried the king, furiously. + +"I mean, your majesty, that the prince has holy duties toward me. I am +the mother of that child!" + +"You acknowledge your shame, and you dare confess it to me, your king, +that you are the favorite, the kept mistress of the Prince of Prussia, +who has already a wife that has borne him children? You do not even seek +to deny it, or to excuse yourself?" + +"I would try to excuse myself, did I not feel that your majesty would +not listen to me." + +"What excuse could you offer?--there is none." + +"Love is my excuse," cried Wilhelmine, eagerly. "Oh! my ruler and king, +do not shake your noble head so unbelievingly; do not look at me so +contemptuously. Oh, Father in heaven, I implore Thee to quicken my +mind, that my thoughts may become words, and my lips utter that which +is burning in my soul! In all these years of my poor, despised, obscure +life, how often have I longed for this hour when I might stand before +my king, when I might penitently clasp his knees and implore mercy for +myself and my children--those poor, nameless beings, whose existence is +my accusation, and yet who are the pride and joy of my life! Oh, sire, +I will not accuse, to excuse myself; I will not cast the stone at others +which they have cast at me. But it is scarcely charitable to judge and +condemn a young girl fourteen years of age, who did but obey the command +of her parents, and followed the man who was the first and only one that +ever whispered the word of love in her ear." + +"I have heard that your parents sold their child to shame. Is it true?" +cried the king. + +"Sire, my father was poor; the scanty income of a chapel musician +scarcely sufficed to educate and support four children. The prince +promised my father to educate me." + +"Bah! The promises of a young man of twenty-five are made without +reflection, and rarely ever fulfilled." + +"Sire, to the Prince of Prussia I owe all that I know, and all that I +am; his promise to my dying father was fully redeemed." + +"Indeed, by whom were you taught, and what have you learned?" + +"Your majesty, the prince wished, before all, that I should learn to +speak French. Madame Girard was my French instructress, and taught me to +play the guitar and spinet also." + +"Oh, I presume you have learned to jabber a little French and drum a +little music," said the king, shrugging his shoulders. + +"I beg pardon, sire; I have a tolerable knowledge of history and of +geography. I am familiar with the ancient and modern poets. I have read +a good French translation of Homer, Horace, and Virgil, with a master. I +have studied the history of Brandenburg, of Germany, and of America. We +have read the immortal works of Voltaire, of Jean Jacques Rousseau, and +of Shakespeare, with many of our modern poets. My instructor has read +all these works aloud to me, and he was much pleased when I repeated +parts of what he had read to me some days afterward." + +"You appear to have had a very learned instructor," remarked the king, +sneeringly. "What is his name?" + +"His name, sire, is Prince Frederick William of Prussia. Yes, it is +he who has taught me--he who has made me an intelligent woman. However +young he was when he undertook the task, he has accomplished it with +fidelity, firmness, and patience. He loved me, and would make me worthy +of him, in heart and mind. I shall ever be grateful to him, and only +death can extinguish the love and esteem with which he in spires me." + +"Suppose I command you to leave the prince? Suppose I will no longer +endure the scandal of this sinful relation?" + +"I shall never willingly separate myself from my dear prince and +master--from the father of my two children. Your majesty will be obliged +to force me from him," answered Wilhelmine, defiantly. + +"Oh, that will not be necessary, mademoiselle," cried the king. "There +are ways enough. I will make known my wishes to the prince; I will +command him to leave you, and have no further communication with you." + +"Sire," she answered, gently, "I know that the prince is an obedient +and respectful subject and servant to his king in all things, but this +command he would not obey." + +"He would not dare to brave my commands!" + +"He would not brave them, sire. Oh, no; it would be simply impossible to +obey them." + +"What would hinder him?" + +"Love, sire; the respect which he owes to me as the mother of his two +children--who has consecrated her love, her honor to him, and of whom no +one can say that she has injured the fidelity which she has sworn to +the prince--to the man of her first and only love--even with a word or +look." + +"You mean to say, that I cannot separate you from the prince but by +force?" + +"Yes, your majesty," cried she, with conscious power, "that is exactly +what I mean." + +"You will find yourself deceived; you will be made to realize it," said +the king, with a menacing tone. "You know nothing of the power that lies +in a legitimate marriage, and what rivals legitimate children are, whom +one dares acknowledge before God--before the world. Boast not of the +love of the prince, but remember that an honorable solitude is the only +situation becoming to you. Such connections bear their own curse and +punishment with them. Hasten to avoid them. Lastly, I would add, never +dare to mingle your impure hands in the affairs of state. I have been +obliged to give the order to the state councillors in appointments and +grants of office, not to regard the protection and recommendation of a +certain high personage, as you are the real protectress and bestower of +mercy. Take care, and never let it happen again. You will never venture +to play the little Pompadour here, nor anything else but what your +dishonor allows you; otherwise you will have to deal with me! You say +that you have read Homer; then, doubtless, you remember the story of +Penelope, who, from conjugal fidelity, spun and wove, undoing at night +what she had woven by day. It is true, you bear little resemblance to +this chaste dame, but you might emulate her in spinning and weaving; and +if you are not in future retiring, I can easily make a modern Penelope +of you, and have you instructed in spinning, for which you will have the +best of opportunities in the house of correction at Spandau. Remember +this, and never permit yourself to practise protection. I will keep +the spinning-wheel and the wool ready for you; that you may count upon. +Remember, also, that it is very disagreeable to me that you visit my +park, as I like to breathe pure air. Direct your promenade elsewhere, +and avoid meeting me in future." + +"Your majesty, I--" + +"Silence! I have heard sufficient. You have nothing more to say to me. +Go, hide your head, that no one may recognize your shame, or the levity +of the prince. Go--and, farewell forever!" He motioned impatiently to +her to retire, fastening his eyes with a fiery, penetrating glance upon +her pale, agitated face, her bowed, humble attitude, and still continued +to regard her as she painfully dragged herself down the walk, as if her +limbs were giving way under her. Long stood the king gazing after her, +resting upon his staff; and as she disappeared at the end of the walk, +he still stood there immovable. By degrees his face assumed a milder +expression. "He who is free from sin, let him cast the first stone at +her," said the king, softened, as he slowly turned down the path which +would lead to his carriage, waiting outside the park. + +Frederick was lost in thought, and addressed no conversation to the +equerry, Von Schwerin, who sat opposite to him. But as they drove +through the beautiful street Unten den Linden, at Berlin, Frederick +glanced at the equerry, and found that he had fallen asleep, wearied +with the long silence and the monotony of the drive. The king spoke +to Alkmene, loud and earnestly, until Herr von Schwerin, awakened +and startled, glanced at the king, frightened, and trying to discover +whether his fearful crime against etiquette would draw upon him the +royal censure. Frederick, however, appeared not to notice his fright, +and spoke kindly to him: "Did you not tell me, Schwerin, that Count +Schmettau would sell his country residence at Charlottenburg?" + +"At your service, your majesty, he asked me to purchase it, or find him +a purchaser." + +"How much is it worth?" + +"Sire, Count Schmettau demands eight thousand dollars for it. There is +a beautiful park belonging to it, and the house is worthy the name of a +castle, so large is it." + +"Why do you not buy it, if the count offered it to you?" + +The equerry assumed a sad mien, and answered, sighing: "Sire, I should +be the happiest of men if I could buy that charming residence, and it +would be a real blessing to me if I could enjoy in summer at times the +fresh air. My finances unfortunately, do not allow such expenses, as I +am not rich, and have a large family." + +"Then you are right not to spend money unnecessarily," said the king, +quietly. "You can have as much fresh air at Potsdam as can ever enter +your mouth, and it costs neither you nor I any thing. Say to +Count Schmettau that you have a purchaser for his residence at +Charlottenburg." + +"Oh, you are really too kind," cried the equerry, in an excitement of +joy; "I do not know--" + +Here the carriage entered the palace court, and the concluding words +were inaudible. Herr von Schwerin alighted quickly to assist the +king. "Say to Schmettau to present himself to my treasurer and cabinet +councillor, Menkon, tomorrow morning at twelve o'clock, at Sans-Souci." + +The king nodded kindly to the equerry, and passed into the Swiss saloon, +and farther on into the private rooms which he was accustomed to occupy +whenever he remained at the capital. The Swiss saloon was fast filling, +not alone with the generals and staff-officers of the Berlin garrison, +but with the officers of the regiments from the provinces, who presented +themselves at the palace according to the order of the king. The most +of them were old and worn out, body and mind. They all looked morose and +sorrowful. The great news of the approaching war with Austria had spread +through the military. The old laurel-crowned generals of the Seven +Years' War were unwilling to go forth to earn new laurels, for which +they had lost all ambition. Not one dared betray his secret thoughts +to another, or utter a word of disapproval. The king's spies were +everywhere, and none could trust himself to converse with his neighbor, +as he might prove to be one of them. There reigned an anxious, +oppressive silence; the generals and staff-officers exchanged the +ordinary greetings. All eyes were turned toward the door through which +the king would enter, bowed down, like his generals, with the cares +of life, and the burden of old age. The king slowly entered. He was, +indeed, an old man, like those he came amongst, and now saluted. An +expression of imperishable youth lighted up his pale, sunken face, and +his eyes flashed with as much daring and fire as thirty-eight years +before, when he had assembled his young officers around him in this very +hall, to announce to them that he would march against Austria. How many +wars, how many battles, how many illusions, victories, and defeats +had the king experienced in these thirty-eight years! How little the +youthful, fiery king of that day resembled the weak old man of to-day; +how little in common the young King Frederick had with "Alten Fritz." +And now in this feeble body dwelt the same courageous spirit. In the +course of these years King Frederick II had become Frederick the Great! +And great he was to-day, this little old man--great in his intentions +and achievements, never heeding his own debility and need of repose. All +his thoughts and endeavors concentrated on the welfare of his people and +his country--on the greatness and glory of Germany. Those eyes which now +glanced over the circle of generals were still flashing as those of the +hero-king whose look had disarmed the lurking assassin, and confounded +the distinguished savant in the midst of his eloquence, so that he +stammered and was silent. He was still Frederick the Great, who, leaning +upon his staff, was surrounded by his generals, whom he called to fight +for their fatherland, for Germany! + +"Gentlemen," said the king, "I have called you together to announce +to you that we must go forth to new wars, and, God willing, to new +victories. The Emperor of Austria forces me to it, for, against all +laws and customs, and against all rights of kingdoms, he thinks to bring +German territory into the possession of the house of Hapsburg. Charles +Theodore, prince-elector, having no children, has concluded a treaty +with the Emperor Joseph, that at his death the electorate of Bavaria +will fall to Austria. In consequence thereof an Austrian army has +marched into Bavaria, and garrisoned the frontier.--The prince-elector, +Duke Charles Theodore, was not authorized to proceed thus, for, though +he had no children to succeed him, he had a lawful successor in his +brother's son, Duke Charles von Zweibrucken. Electoral Saxony and +Mecklenburg have well-founded pretensions, even if Zweibrucken were +not existing. All these princes have addressed themselves to me, and +requested me to represent them to the emperor and to the imperial +government--to protect them in their injured rights. I have first +tried kindness and persuasion to bring back Austria from her desire +of aggrandizement, but in Vienna they have repulsed every means of +peaceable arbitration. I, as one of the rulers of the empire (and as +I have reaffirmed the Westphalian treaty through the Hubertsburger +treaty), feel bound to preserve the privileges, the rights, the liberty +of the German states. I have therefore well reflected, and decided to +draw the sword--that what the diplomats have failed to arrange with the +pen should be settled with the sword. These are my reasons, gentlemen, +which make it my duty to assemble an army; therefore I have called you +together." His fiery eyes flashed around the circle, peeling into the +thin, withered faces of his generals, and encountering everywhere a +grave, earnest mien. + +The king repressed with an effort a sigh; then continued, with a mild +voice: "My feeble old age does not allow me to travel as in my fiery +youth. I shall use a post-carriage, and you, gentlemen, have the liberty +to do the same. On the day of battle you will find me mounted; you +will follow my example. Until then, farewell!" [Footnote: The king's +words.--See "Prussia, Frederick the Great," vol. iii.] + +"Long live the king!" cried General von Krokow; and all the generals who +formerly joined in this cry of the Prussian warrior, now repeated it +in weak, trembling tones. Frederick smiled a recognition, bowing on all +sides, then turned slowly away, leaning upon his staff. + +When once more alone, the youthful expression faded from his eyes, and +the gloomy shadows of old age settled down upon his thoughtful brow. +"They have all grown old and morose," said he, mildly, "they will not +show any more heroism; the fire of ambition is quenched in their souls! +A warm stove must warm their old limbs. Oh! it is a pitiful thing +to grow old; and still they call themselves the images of God! Poor +boasters, who, with a breath of the Almighty, are overturned and bent as +a blade of grass in the sand!" + +"Your majesty, may I come in?" asked a gentle, happy child's voice. + +The king turned hastily toward the door, so softly opened, and there +stood a charming little boy, in the uniform of a flag-bearer, with the +cap upon his head, and a neat little sword by his side. "Yes, you may +enter," nodded the king kindly to him. "You know I sent for you, my +little flag-bearer." + + + + +CHAPTER III. FREDERICK WILLIAM. + + +The little flag-bearer skipped into the room with graceful vivacity, +and sprang, with a merry bound, up to the king, took his hand without +ceremony, and pressed it to his lips. Then, raising up his head and +shaking back his light-brown curls from his rosy cheeks, his bright-blue +eyes sparkling, he looked him full in the face. "Your majesty, you say +that you sent for me; but I must tell you that if you had not sent for +me I would have come here alone, and begged so long at the door, that +you would have let me come in!" + +"And what if I would not have let you come in at all?" said the king, +smiling. + +The little flag-bearer reflected a moment, then answered with a +confident air: "Your majesty, I would have forced open the door, thrown +myself at your feet, and kissed your hand, saying, 'My king, my dear +great-uncle, I must come in to thank you a thousand times for the +flag-bearer's commission you have sent me, and for the beautiful +uniform.' Then I would see if your majesty had the courage to send me +away." + +"Let me see, my prince--do you think my courage could fail me upon any +occasion?" + +"Yes, in bad things," zealously cried the prince, "and it would be bad +if you would not let me thank you. I am so happy with the commission and +the beautiful uniform which you so graciously sent to me! Tell me, your +majesty, do I not look beautifully?" The boy straightened his elegant, +slender form, and saluted the king, putting the two fingers of his right +hand upon his cap. + +"Yes, yes," said Frederick, "you look very nicely, my prince; but it is +not enough that you look well--you must behave well. From a flag-bearer +in my army I expect very different things than from any common child. +Who wears my uniform must prove himself worthy of the honor." + +"Your majesty," cried the prince, "I assure you, upon my word of honor, +that I have no bad marks when I wear the uniform. Your majesty can ask +my tutor. He came with me, and waits in the anteroom to speak with you. +He will tell you that I have a good report." + +"Very well, we will call him presently," said Frederick, smiling. +"Now we will chat a little together. Tell me whether you are very +industrious, and if you are learning anything of consequence?" + +"Sire, I must learn, even if I had no inclination to; Herr Behnisch +leaves me no peace. I have scarcely time to play. I am always learning +to read, to write, to cipher, and to work." + +"How about the geography and universal history?" + +"Oh, your majesty, I wish there were no geography and history in the +world, and then I should not have to study so cruelly hard, and I could +play more. My mother sent me last week a new battledore and shuttlecock, +but I can never learn to play with it. I no sooner begin, than Herr +Behnisch calls me to study. To-day I was very cunning--oh, I was so sly! +I put it in the great-pocket of my tutor's coat, and he brought it here +without knowing it." + +"That was very naughty," said the king, a little severely. The prince +colored, and, a little frightened, said: "Sire, I could not bring it +any other way. I beg pardon, the uniform is so tight, and then--then, +I thought it would be dishonoring it to put a shuttlecock in the +cartridge-box." + +"That was a good thought, prince, and for that I will forgive you the +trick upon your tutor. But what will you do with the ball here? Why did +you bring it?" + +"Oh, I wished to show it to your majesty, it is so beautiful, and then +beg you to let me play a little." + +"We will see, Fritz," said the king, much pleased. "If you deserve it, +that shall be your reward. Tell me the truth, is your tutor satisfied +with you?" + +"Sire, Herr Behnisch is never really pleased, but he has not scolded me +much lately, so I must have been pretty good. One day he wrote 'Bien' +under my French exercise. Oh, I was so happy that I spent six groschen +of the thaler my father gave me a little while since, and bought two +pots of gilly-flowers, one for myself and one for my little brother +Henry, that he should have a souvenir of my 'Bien!'" + +"That was right," said the king, nodding approvingly. "When you are +good, you must always let your friends and relations take part in it; +keep the bad only for yourself." + +"I will remember that, and I thank you for the kind instruction." + +"The studies seem to go very well, but how is it with the behavior? They +tell me that the prince is not always polite to his visitors; that he is +sometimes very rude, even to the officers who pay their respects to him +on his father's account, and on my account, not on his own, for what +do they care for such a little snip as he? They go to honor Prince +Frederick William of Prussia, though he is only a little flag-bearer. +They tell me that you do not appreciate the honor, but that at Easter +you behaved very badly." + +"Sire, it is true; I cannot deny it--I did behave badly," sighed the +little prince. + +"What was the matter?" asked the king. "It was not from fear, I hope? I +should be very angry at that. Tell me yourself, and tell me the truth." + +"Your majesty can depend upon the whole truth. My tutor says that lying +is despicable, and that a prince who will one day be a king should be +too proud to tell a lie! I will tell you all about it. The officers came +to see me at Easter, just as I had put the Easter eggs in the garden, +for my little brother and some other boys whom I had invited to hunt for +them. I had spent my last six groschen for the eggs, and I anticipated +so much pleasure with the hide-and-seek for them. We had just begun, +when the officers came." + +"That was really unfortunate," said the king, sympathizingly. + +"Yes, sire, very disagreeable, and I could not possibly feel kindly. +While the officers were talking, I was always wishing they would go. But +they stayed and stayed--and when Major von Werder began to make a long +speech to me, and I thought there was no end to it, I became impatient +and furious--and--" + +"Why do you hesitate?" asked the king, looking tenderly at the frank, +glowing face of the boy. "What happened?" + +"Something dreadful, sire! I could not keep in any longer. The major +kept on talking, and looked at me so sharply, I could not help making +an abominable face. It is unfortunately true--I ran my tongue out at +him--only just a little bit--and I drew it back in an instant; but +it was done, and a dreadful scene followed. The major did not say any +thing, my tutor was red as fire, and I was thunderstruck!" + +"That was excessively rude, my little flag-bearer," cried the king. + +The young prince was so ashamed, and was looking down so penitently, +that he did not see the smile on Frederick's face, and the affectionate +look with which he regarded the youthful sinner. + +"Do you know that you deserve to be imprisoned fourteen days, and live +on bread and water, for insubordination?" + +"I know it now, sire. I beg pardon most humbly," said the prince, +with quivering voice and with tears in his eyes. "I have been punished +enough, without that. Herr Behnisch would not let me go to the garden +again, and I have never seen the eggs which I spent my last groschen +for, nor the boys whom I had invited. I was made to stay in my room all +Easter week, learn twenty Latin words every day, and write three pages +of German words in good handwriting. It was a hard punishment, but I +knew that I deserved it, and did not complain. I only thought that I +would do better in future." + +"If you thought so, and you have already been punished, we will say +no more about it," said the king. "But tell me, how did you get on at +Whitsuntide, when the officers paid you their respects again?" + +"Your majesty," answered the prince, "it was a great deal better; I +behaved tolerably well, except a very little rudeness, which was not so +bad after all. [Footnote: The little prince's own words.--See "Diary of +Prince Frederick William," p. 18.] Herr Behnisch did not punish me; +he only said, another time, that I should do better, and not be so +taciturn, but greet the gentlemen in a more friendly manner. I must tell +you, sire, that when Herr Behnisch does not scold, it is a sure sign +that I have behaved pretty well; and this time he did not." + +"Fritz, I believe you," said the king, "and you shall have the reward +that you asked for--stay here and play a little while. Go, now, and call +your tutor; I have a few words to say to him." + +The little prince sprang toward the door, but suddenly stopped, +embarrassed. + +"What is the matter?" asked the king. "Why do you not call your tutor?" + +"Sire, I am very much troubled. Herr Behnisch will be very angry when +you tell him about the shuttlecock. I beg you not to betray me!" + +"Yes, but if you will play before me, you must get the plaything which +you say is in his pocket." + +"Sire, then I had rather not play," cried the prince. + +"On the contrary," said the king, "your punishment shall be, to take the +plaything as cleverly out of the pocket as you put it in. If you do it +well, then I will say nothing about it; but, if your tutor discovers +you, then you must submit to the storm. It lies in your own hands. +Whilst I am conversing with the tutor, try your luck. Now call him in." + +The prince obeyed thoughtfully, and the tutor entered. He stood near +the door, and made the three prescribed bows; then he waited with a +submissive air for further commands. + +The king was sitting opposite the door, his hands folded upon his staff +and his chin resting upon his hands, looking the tutor full in the face. +Herr Behnisch bore it calmly; not a feature moved in his angular, +wooden face. Near the tutor stood the little prince, his graceful, rosy, +childlike face expressing eager expectation. + +"Approach!" said the king. + +Herr Behnisch stepped forward a little, and remained standing. The +prince glided noiselessly after him, keeping his eyes fixed on the tails +of the flesh-colored satin coat with which the tutor had adorned himself +for this extraordinary occasion. The prince smiled as he saw the pocket +open and the feathers of the shuttlecock peeping out. He stretched out +his little hand and crooked his fingers to seize it. + +"Come nearer! Herr Behnisch," said Frederick, who had observed the +movement of the little prince, and who was amused at the thought of +keeping him in suspense a little longer. + +Herr Behnisch moved forward, and the prince, frightened, remained +standing with outstretched hand. He menaced the king with a glance of +his bright blue eyes. Frederick caught the look, smiled, and turned to +the tutor. + +"I believe it is three years since you commenced teaching the little +prince?" said the king. + +"At your service, your majesty, since 1775." + +"A tolerably long time," said the king--"long enough to make a savant +of a child of Nature. You have been faithful, and I am satisfied. The +copybooks which you sent me according to my orders are satisfactory. I +wished to acquaint you myself of my satisfaction, therefore I sent for +you." + +"Your majesty is very condescending," said the tutor, and his sharp, +angular face brightened a little. "I am very happy in the gracious +satisfaction of your royal highness. I wished also to make known to you +personally my wishes in regard to the petition for the little prince's +pocket-money; he should learn the use of money." + +"Very well," said the king, nodding to the prince, who stood behind the +tutor, holding up triumphantly the shuttle cock. + +Yet, the most difficult feat remained to be accomplished. The battledoor +was in the very depths of the pocket; only the point of the handle was +visible. + +"Your majesty," cried Herr Behnisch, who had taken the approving +exclamation of "very well" to himself--"your majesty, I am very happy +that you have the grace to approve of my petition for pocket-money." + +"Yes, I think it well," said the king, "that the prince should learn +not to throw money out of the window. I will send you, monthly, for the +prince, two Fredericks d'or, and, before you hand it over to him, change +it into small pieces, that there may be a great pile of it." [Footnote: +The king's own words--See "Confidential Letters."] + +Just at that moment the prince tried to seize the battle door. Herr +Behnisch felt the movement, and was on the point of turning around, when +Frederick stopped him, by saying, "I believe it is time to commence a +regular course of instruction for the prince. At eight years of age +the education of an heir to the throne must progress rapidly, and be +regulated by fixed principles. I will write out my instructions, that +you may always have them before you." + +"It will be my most earnest endeavor to follow your majesty's commands +to the letter," answered the tutor, who saw not the little prince, with +beaming face, behind him, swinging the battledoor high in the air. + +"I am about to enter upon a new war; no one knows if he will ever return +from a campaign. I dare not spare my life, when the honor and fame of +my house are at stake. Our life and death, however, are in God's hands. +Before we risk our lives, we should put every thing in order, and leave +nothing undone which it is our duty to do. I will write my instructions +to-day, and send them to you. Promise me, upon your word of honor as +a man, that you will act upon them, as long as you are tutor to Prince +Frederick William, even if I should not return from the campaign." + +"I promise it to your majesty," answered the tutor. "I will, in all +things, according to the best of my ability, follow your majesty's +instructions." + +"I believe you; I take you to be an honorable man," said the king. "You +will always be mindful of the great responsibility which rests upon you, +as you have a prince to educate who will one day govern a kingdom, and +upon whom the weal and woe of many millions are dependent. And when +those millions of men one day bless the king whom you have educated, +a part of the blessing will fall upon you; but when they curse him, so +falls the curse likewise upon your guilty head, and you will feel the +weight of it, though you may be in your grave! Be mindful of this, +and act accordingly. Now you may depart. I will write the instructions +immediately, so that you may receive them to-day." + +Herr Behnisch bowed, backing out toward the door. + +"One thing more," cried the king, motioning with his Staff to the tutor. +"In order that you may ever remember our interview, I will present you +with a souvenir." + +He opened the drawer of his private writing-table, and took out a gold +snuff-box, with his initials set in brilliants upon the cover; handing +it to Herr Behnisch, he motioned him to retire, and thus spare him the +expression of his gratitude. + +"Your majesty," stammered Herr Behnisch, with tears in his eyes, "I--" + +"You are an honest man, and so long as you remain so, you can count upon +me. Adieu!--Now," said the king, as the door closed, "have you recovered +the plaything?" + +"Here it is, your majesty," shouted the prince, as he held up +triumphantly the battledoor and shuttlecock high in the air. + +"You deserve your reward, and you shall have it. You can stay with me +and play with it here. Take care and not make too much noise, as I wish +to write." + +The king now seated himself, to draw up the instructions for Herr +Behnisch. While he was thus occupied, the little prince tossed his +shuttlecock, springing lightly after it on tiptoe to catch it; sometimes +he missed it, and then he cast an imploring look at the king, as it fell +upon the furniture; but he observed it not. He was absorbed in writing +the instructions for the education of the future king, Frederick William +III. The physical education of the prince was his first care. He dwelt +upon the necessity of the frequent practice of dancing, fencing, and +riding, to give suppleness, grace, and a good carriage--through severe +training, to make him capable of enduring all hardships. The different +branches of study next occupied the king. "It is not sufficient," he +wrote, "that the prince should learn the dates of history, to repeat +them like a parrot; but he must understand how to compare the events of +ancient times with the modern, and discover the causes which produced +revolutions, and show that, generally, in the world, virtue is rewarded +and vice punished. Later, he can learn a short course of logic, free +from all pedantry; then study the orations of Cicero and Demosthenes, +and read the tragedies of Racine. When older, he should have some +knowledge of the opinions of philosophers, and the different religious +sects, without inspiring him with dislike for any one sect. Make it +clear to him that we all worship God--only in different ways. It is +not necessary that he should have too much respect for the priests who +instruct him." + +The shuttlecock fell, at this instant, upon the paper upon which the +king was writing. Frederick was too much occupied to look up, but he +threw it upon the floor, continuing to write: + +"The great object will be to awaken a love of learning in the prince, +to prevent any approach to pedantry, and not to make the course of +instruction too severe at the commencement. We now come to the chief +division of education, that which concerns the morals. Neither you nor +all the power in the world would be sufficient to alter the character of +a child. Education can do nothing further than moderate the violence of +the passions. Treat my nephew as the son of a citizen, who has to make +his own fortune. Say to him that, when he commits follies, and learns +nothing, the whole world will despise him. Let him assume no mannerisms, +but bring him up simply. The--" + +It was the second time the shuttlecock fell upon the paper. The king +looked up censuringly at the prince, who stood speechless with fright +and anxiety. The king again threw it upon the floor, and wrote on: + +"The prince must be polite toward every one; and if he is rude, he must +immediately make an apology. Teach him that all men are equal--that high +birth is a myth when not accompanied with merit. Let the prince speak +with every one, that he may gain confidence. It is of no consequence if +he talks nonsense; every one knows that he is a child. Take care in his +education, above all things, that he is self-reliant, and not led by +others; his follies, as well as his good qualities, should belong to +himself. It is of very great importance to inspire him with a love for +military life; and for this reason say to him, and let him hear others +say it, that every man who is not a soldier is a miserable fellow, +whether noble or not. He must see the soldiers exercise as often as +possible; and it would be well to send for five or six cadets, and have +them drill before him. Every thing depends upon cultivating a taste for +these things. Inspire him with a love of our country, above all things. +Let no one speak to him who is not truly patriotic." + +Again the shuttlecock fell upon the paper. The little prince uttered +a cry of horror, staring at the plaything. This time the king did not +receive the interruption so calmly. He looked at the speechless boy as +if very angry; then took it and put it in his pocket. Casting another +angry glance at the prince, he continued: + +"The officers who dine with the prince shall tease and annoy him, that +he may become confident." + +"Your majesty," said the prince, timidly and imploringly, "I beg pardon +a thousand times for being so awkward. I am sorry, and I will be more +careful in the future." + +The king paid no attention to him, but continued to write: "When you +understand him better, try to learn his chief passion to uproot it, +but to moderate it." [Footnote: This entire instruction is an exact +translation of the original, which Frederick drew up in French, and +which is included in his "Complete Works."] + +"My dear lord and king," began the prince again, "I beg you will have +the goodness to give me my shuttlecock." + +The king was silent, and with apparent indifference commenced reading +over what he had written. + +Prince Frederick William waited a long time, but, on receiving no +answer, and understanding that his pleading was in vain, his face grew +red with anger, and his eyes flashed. With an irritated, determined +manner, he stepped close up to the king, his hands resting upon his +hips. "Your majesty," cried he, with a menacing tone, "will you give me +my ball or not?" + +The king now looked up at the prince, who regarded him in an insolent, +questioning manner. A smile, mild as the evening sunset, spread over +the king's face; he laid his hand lovingly upon the curly head of the +prince, saying: "They will never take away Silesia from you. Here is +your shuttlecock." He drew it from his pocket, and gave it to the little +prince, who seized his hand and pressed it to his lips. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. THE DRIVE TO BERLIN. + + +Wilhelmine Enke passed the remainder of the day, after her meeting with +the king, in anguish and tears. She recalled all that he had said to +her, every word of which pierced her to the heart. Her little daughter +of seven years tried in vain to win a smile from her mamma with her +gentle caresses. In vain she begged her to sing to her and smile as +she was wont to do. The mother, usually so kind and affectionate, would +today free herself from her child, and sent her away with quivering lip, +and tears in her eyes, to listen to her nurse's stories. + +Once alone, Wilhelmine paced her room with rapid strides and folded +arms, giving vent to her repressed anguish. She reviewed her life, with +all its changing scenes. It was a sad, searching retrospection, but +in it she found consolation and excuse for herself. She thought of her +childhood; she saw the gloomy dwelling where she had lived with her +parents, brothers, and sisters. She recalled the need and the want of +those years--the sickly, complaining, but busy mother; the foolish, +wicked father, who never ceased his constant exercise of the bugle, +except to take repeated draughts of brandy, or scold the children. Then +she saw in this joyless dwelling, in which she crouched with her little +sisters, a young girl enter, and greet them smilingly. She wore a robe +glittering with gold, with transparent wings upon her shoulders. This +young girl was Wilhelmine's older sister, Sophie, who had just returned +from the Italian opera, where she was employed. She still had on her +fairy costume in which she had danced in the opera of "Armida," and had +come, with a joyous face, to take leave of her parents, and tell them +that a rich Russian count loved her, and wanted to marry her; that in +the intervening time he had taken a beautiful apartment for her, where +she would remove that very evening. She must bid them farewell, for her +future husband was waiting for her in the carriage at the door. + +Sophie laughed at her grumbling father, shook hands with her weeping +mother, and bent to kiss the children. Wilhelmine, in unspeakable +anguish, sprang after her, holding her fast, with both hands clinching +the crackling wings. She implored her sister to take her with her, while +the tears ran in streams down her cheeks. "You know that I love you," +she cried, "and my only pleasure is to see you every day. Take me +with you, and I will serve and obey you, and be your waiting-maid." +Wilhelmine held the wings firmly with a convulsive grasp, and continued +to weep and implore, until Sophie at last laughingly yielded. + +"Well, come, if you will be my waiting-maid; no one combs hair as well +as you, and your simple style of arranging it suits me better than any +other. Come, come, it shall be arranged, you shall be my waiting-maid." + +The pictures of memory changed, and Wilhelmine saw herself in the midst +of splendor, as the poor little maid, unnoticed by her brilliant sister, +the beloved of the Russian Count Matuschko. Joy and pleasure reigned in +the beautifully gilded apartment where Sophie lived. She was the queen +of the feasts and the balls. Many rich and fine gentlemen came there, +and the beautiful Sophie, the dancer, the affianced of Count Matuschko, +received their homage. No one observed the sad little waiting-maid, in +her dark stuff dress, with her face bound up in black silk, as if she +had the toothache. She wore the cast-off morning dresses of her sister, +and, at her command, bound her face with the black silk, so that the +admirers of her sister should not see, by a fugitive glance, or chance +meeting, the budding beauty of the little maid. + +Wilhelmine dared not enter the saloon when visitors were there; only +when Sophie was alone, or her artistic hand was needed to arrange her +sister's beautiful hair, was she permitted to stay with the future +countess. Every rough touch was resented with harsh words, blows, and +ill-treatment. The smiling fairy of the drawing-room, was the harsh, +grim mistress for her sister, whose every mistake was punished with +unrelenting severity. In fact, she was made a very slave; and now, +after long years, the remembrance of it even cast a gloomy shadow over +Wilhelmine's face, and her eyes flashed fire. + +Another picture now rose up before her soul, which caused her face to +brighten, as a beautiful beaming image presented itself, the image of +her first and only love! She lived over again the day when it rose up +like a sun before her wondering, admiring gaze, and yet it was a stormy +day for her. Sophie was very angry with her, because in crimping her +hair she had burnt her cheek, which turned the fairy into a fury. She +threw the weak child upon the floor, and beat and stamped upon her. + +Suddenly a loud, angry voice commanded her to cease, and a strong, manly +arm raised the trembling, weeping girl, and with threatening tone bade +Sophie be quiet. Prince Frederick William of Prussia took compassion on +the poor child. The sister had not remarked him in her paroxysm of +rage; had never heard him enter. He had been a witness to Wilhelmine's +ill-treatment. He now defended her, blaming her sister for her cruelty +to her, and declared his intention to be her future protector. How +handsome he looked; how noble in his anger; how his eyes flashed as he +gazed upon her, who knelt at his feet, and kissed them, looking up to +him as her rescuer! + +"Wilhelmine, come with me; I do not wish you to remain here," said he; +"your sister will never forgive you that I have taken your part. Come, +I will take you to your parents, and provide for you. You shall be as +beautiful and accomplished a lady as your sister, but, Heaven grant, a +more generous and noble-hearted one! Come!" + +These words, spoken with a gentle, winning voice, had never died away +in her heart. Twelve years had passed since then, and they still rang +in her ear, in the tumult of the world as well as in the quiet of her +lonely room. They had comforted her when the shame of her existence +oppressed her; rejoiced her when, with the delight of youth and +happiness, she had given herself up to pleasure. She had followed him +quietly, devotedly, as a little dog follows his master. He had kept his +word; he had had her instructed during three years, and then sent her to +Paris, in order to give her the last polish, the tournure of the world, +however much it had cost him to separate from her, or might embarrass +him, with his scanty means, to afford the increase of expense. A year +elapsed and Wilhelmine returned a pleasing lady, familiar with the tone +of the great world, and at home in its manners and customs. + +The prince had kept his word--that which he had promised her as he took +her from her sister's house, to make her a fine, accomplished lady. And +when he repeated to her now "Come," could she refuse him--him to whom +she owed every thing, whom she loved as her benefactor, her teacher, her +friend, and lover? She followed him, and concealed herself for him in +the modest little dwelling at Potsdam. For him she lived in solitude, +anxiously avoiding to show herself publicly, that the king should never +know of her existence, and in his just anger sever the unlawful tie +which bound her to the Prince of Prussia. [Footnote: "Memoirs of the +Countess Lichtenau," p. 80.] Wilhelmine recalled the past seven years +of her life, her two children, whom she had borne to the prince, and +the joy that filled his heart as he became a father, although his lawful +wife had also borne him children. She looked around her small, quiet +dwelling, arranged in a modest manner, not as the favorite of the Prince +of Prussia, but as an unpretending citizen's wife; she thought how oft +with privations, with want even, she had had to combat; how oft the +ornaments which the prince had sent her in the rare days of abundance +had been taken to the pawnbrokers to provide the necessary wants of +herself and children. Her eyes flashed with pride and joy at the thought +which she dared to breathe to herself, that not for gold or riches, +power or position, had she sold her love, her honor, and her good name. + +"It was from pure affinity, from gratitude and affection, that I +followed the husband of my heart, although he was a prince," she said. + +Still the shame of her existence weighed upon her. The king had +commanded her to hide her head so securely that no one might know her +shame, or the levity of the prince. + +"Go! and let me never see you again!" + +Did not this mean that the king would remove her so far that there +would not be a possible chance to appear again before him? Was there not +hidden in these words a menace, a warning? Would not the king revenge +on her the sad experiences of his youth? Perhaps he would punish her +for what Doris Ritter had suffered! Doris Ritter! She, too, had loved a +crown prince--she, too, had dared to raise her eyes to the future King +of Prussia, for which she was cruelly punished, though chaste and pure, +and hurled down to the abyss of shame for the crime of loving an heir to +the throne. Beaten, insulted, and whipped through the streets, and then +sent to the house of correction at Spandau! Oh, poor, unhappy Doris +Ritter! Will the king atone to you--will he revenge the friend of his +youth on the mistress of his successor? The old King Frederick, weary +of life, thinks differently from the young crown prince. He can be as +severe as his father, cruel and inexorable as he. + +"Doris Ritter! Thy fate haunts me. On the morrow I also may be whipped +through the streets, scorned, reviled by the rabble, and then sent to +Spandau as a criminal. Did not the king threaten me with the house of +correction, with the spinning-wheel, which he would have ready for me?" + +At the thought of it a terrible anguish, a nameless despair, seized +her. She felt that the spinning-wheel hung over her like the sword of +Damocles, ready at the least occasion to fall upon her, and bind her to +it. She felt that she could not endure such suspense and torture; she +must escape; she must rescue herself from the king's anger. + +"But whither, whither! I must fly from here, from his immediate +proximity, where a motion of his finger is sufficient to seize me, to +cause me to disappear before the prince could have any knowledge of it, +before he could know of the danger which threatened me. I must away from +Potsdam!" + +The prince had arranged a little apartment in Berlin for the winter +months, which she exchanged for Potsdam in the spring. This seemed to +offer her more security for the moment, for she could fly at the least +sign of danger, could even hide herself from the prince, if it were +necessary to save him and herself. Away to Berlin, then! That was the +only thought she was able to seize upon. Away with her children, before +misfortune could reach them! + +She sprang to the door, tore it open, rushing to the nurse, upon +whose knees the baby slept, near whom her little daughter knelt. With +trembling hands she took her boy and pressed him to her heart. "Louisa, +we must leave here immediately; it is urgent necessity!" said she, with +quivering lip. "Do not say a word about it to any one, but hasten; order +quickly a wagon, bargain for the places, and say we must set off at +once. The wagon must not be driven to the door, but we will meet it at +the Berlin Gate. We will go on foot there, and get in. Quick, Louisa, +not a word--it must be!" + +The servant did not dare to oppose her mistress, or contradict the +orders, but hastened to obey them. + +"It is all the old king's fault," said Louisa to herself, as she hurried +through the street. "Yes, the king has ordered mistress to Berlin. He +looked so furious, the old bear! His eyes flashed so terribly, one might +well fear him, and I thanked Heaven when mamselle sent me home from the +park. It is coming to a bad end at last; I should have done better not +to have taken the place at all. Oh, if we were only away from here; if I +only could find a wagon to take us!" + +Thanks to the nurse's fears and endeavors, the wagon was soon found, and +scarcely an hour had passed before Wilhelmine Enke, her two children and +nurse, were hidden under a plain linen-covered wagon, and on their way +to Berlin. + +The street was unusually animated, as the division of troops which the +king had reviewed in Berlin, were marching out of the city to report +themselves on the Bavarian frontier. Their first night's quarters were +to be in Potsdam, and the last great parade was to take place there on +the following morning, before the king commenced his journey. The driver +had often to halt at the side of the street to let the troops pass, +which with a full band of music, came marching on. At the head of one +of the regiments, mounted upon a fiery steed, was a general in brilliant +uniform, his breast covered with orders, which glittered in the sun. He +was tall and rather corpulent, but appeared to advantage. His carriage +was proud and imposing, his face was almost too youthful for a general, +and his body too corpulent for the expressive and delicate features. As +he passed by the poor, unpretending carriage, where Wilhelmine sat with +her children, she heard distinctly his beautiful, sonorous voice, and +merry laugh. "Oh Heaven, it is he!--it is he!" she murmured, drawing +herself farther back into the wagon with her children. Just then, out of +an opening in the linen cover, Louisa peeped, whispering, "Mamselle, it +is the Prince of Prussia!" + +"Be quiet--for mercy's sake be quiet, Louisa, that we may not be +remarked!" said Wilhelmine, gently. "Take the child that he may not +scream, for if the prince should hear him he will turn back. He knows +the voice of his little son!" + +"Yes, he knows the voice of his little son!" muttered the nurse, as +she laid the child to her breast. "The little son must stop here on +the street, in a miserable wagon, while his noble father rides past, so +splendid and glittering with gold, not knowing that his little boy is so +near him. Oh, a real trouble and a real heart-sorrow is this!" + +"Indeed it is," said Wilhelmine, in her heart, "a real trouble and a +real heart-sorrow. How all these men would present arms, and salute my +children, if they had been born to a throne instead of obscurity! How +they would bow and bend, if I were called Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt, and +the lawful wife of the prince! Did they not also bend and bow before +the first wife, Elizabeth von Braunschweig, [Footnote: The first wife +of Prince Frederick William of Prussia was the Princess Elizabeth von +Braunschweig, the niece of Frederick the Great. The crown prince was +scarcely twenty-one years of age when betrothed to her. After four years +they were separated, on account of the improper conduct of the princess, +who was banished to Stettin. There she lived until her death in 1840, +after seventy-one years of imprisonment. Never during these seventy-one +years had the Princess 'Lisbeth', as she was called, dared to leave +Stettin. There she was obliged to amuse herself. Her concerts and +evening entertainments were celebrated. The second wife of the crown +prince of Prussia was Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt, the mother of Frederick +William III. She died in 1805.] although every one knew of her shameful +conduct--knew of her intrigues with lackeys and common soldiers? Do +they not now bow before her, although she is banished to Stettin for her +infamous conduct, and lives there a prisoner? A fine imprisonment that! +The whole town is her prison, and when she appears in public every one +stands upon the street to salute the crown princess of Prussia. But +when they see me they pass carelessly by, or they look at me with a +contemptuous laugh, and fancy themselves miracles of virtue, and free +from sin. My only crime is that my father was not a prince, and that I +am of low birth. Am I to blame for that--to blame that the man whom I +love, and who loves me, cannot marry me and make me his lawful wife?" + +"Ho! gee, ho!" cried the driver to his horses. "Get up!" The troops had +passed, the highway was now free, and uninterrupted rolled the heavy, +creaking wagon into Berlin. Within all was quiet. The two children and +nurse were asleep. The driver was half asleep, his head hung shaking +about; only now and then he started to give his horses a crack, which +the thin, wheezing animals did not heed in the least. Wilhelmine alone +slept not; in her soul there was no quiet, no peace. She grumbled +at fate, and at mankind. An unspeakable anxiety seized her for the +immediate future, and fear of the king's anger. As the sun was setting +they reached Berlin, and were entering the town, when the guard, in +royal livery, sprang through the gate, calling, in a loud voice, to the +wagon, "Halt--halt! Turn out of the way!" Then was heard the call of +the sentinel, and the roll of the drums. An equipage, drawn by six black +steeds, drove past. A pale, young wife, splendidly attired, leaned back +in the carriage, and the little flag-bearer, Prince Frederick William, +was by her side; on the seat opposite sat the second son, Prince Louis, +and the lord steward. In this beautiful equipage drove the Princess of +Prussia; at her side, in a miserable linen-covered wagon, crouching far +in the corner, sat Wilhelmine Enke, the rival of the princess; near her, +her two children, whose existence condemned her, and stamped her +life with dishonor. Like a dream the brilliant apparition rushed past +Wilhelmine, and it haunted her through the long streets, to the humble +home where she sought a temporary refuge. And when finally alone, in +her own room, where no one could spy into her face, nor understand her +words, there broke forth from her soul a long-repressed wrong. She stood +erect; a proud, insolent smile played around her mouth. "I am his wife, +too; I alone am his beloved wife," said she, with a loud, triumphant +voice, "and my children are his only truly-beloved children, for they +are those of his love. How proudly she drove past me! How beautiful is +her pale face, and how interesting her sad smile! She in sunlight, and +I in shade! She knows that I am her rival, but she is not mine. No, the +Princess of Prussia cannot rival Wilhelmine Enke. I have no fear of her. +But the king I have to fear," cried she suddenly, shrinking with terror. +In the meeting with the princess she had forgotten him, her anguish, +her anxiety for the future. All were forgotten for the moment--to be +recalled with renewed terror. + +"Thank Heaven," she said, "I have escaped. For the moment I am safe! +What will the prince do, when he finds that we have fled from Potsdam? +Will he divine where we have gone? Will he come to seek me? If he still +loves me--if I am really the happy rival of his wife and every other +court lady--yes, then he will come. Then he will know where to find his +Wilhelmine. But if it is true, what malicious people have repeated to +me, with feigned sympathy, that the prince loves another--that he has +withdrawn his love from me, is indifferent and cold--then he will not +seek me; then I shall remain here alone!--alone, with my children, this +long, fearful night! What, then, if I am alone? No, oh, no! I will +not believe that I am forsaken. These are wicked thoughts which haunt +me--only the agitation of this dreadful day, which imagination has +overwrought. Rise up and be strong! Go to thy children," said she, "and +read in their eyes that he can never leave thee!" + +Forcing herself to composure, she sought her children; found Louisa +humming and singing her little boy to sleep, and her daughter nodding, +on a low stool at her feet. + +"Come, my child, I will put you to sleep," said the mother, lifting her +in her arms. "Your mother will make your bed softly. When you sleep and +speak with the angels, intercede for us all." + +With tender care she undressed her and bore her gently in her arms to +her bed, and, kneeling before it, breathed a prayer over her sleeping +child; then bent over the cradle of her son, blessing and kissing him. +"Sleep my boy, sleep. I know not that I shall ever see thy beautiful +eyes open again--whether I shall ever again press thee to my heart. Who +can tell if they may not come this very night to remove me to prison--to +punish me for you, my children, my beloved children!--Be calm, be calm! +I shall remain here until morning, at least," added she. + +She turned to the nurse, who, with anxious face and folded hands, stood +at the farthest corner of the room. "Go, now, Louisa--go, and take +something to eat. You must be hungry and tired. Buy at the next store +what you need; but do not stop to talk with any one or repeat my name. +Then return quickly, and take care of the children. Do not trouble +yourself about me--I need nothing more." + +"But you must eat something, mamselle; you must have some supper!" + +Wilhelmine shook her head, refusing, and returned quickly to her own +room. + + + + +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. She recognized the voice, the commanding +manner, and rushed through the anteroom to open the door. The prince +encircled her in his arms, pressed her to his beating heart, and, +lifting her up, bore her into the room. + +"Why did you leave Potsdam, Wilhelmine? Tell me quickly, why did you +do it?" asked the prince, tenderly kissing her, as he sat her upon the +divan at his side. Overcome with her tears, she could not answer. "What +mean these tears? Has any one dared to wound your feelings or injure +you?" + +"Yes, Frederick, and he who injures me hazards nothing--for it is the +king! I met him in the park at Potsdam this morning. He has crushed +me with his scorn and anger. He has threatened me with a fearful +punishment--no less than the house of correction at Spandau! He has +told me that the spinning-wheel is in readiness for me if I excite his +further contempt." + +A cry of fury escaped the prince. Springing up, he paced the room with +rapid strides. Wilhelmine remained upon the divan, but her tears did not +prevent her following the prince with a searching glance--to read his +face, pale with rage. "I must bear it," he cried, beating his forehead. +"I cannot protect those that I love!" + +A ray of joy lighted up Wilhelmine's face as she listened, but +it disappeared with the tears which flowed afresh. "I am a poor, +unfortunate child," she sobbed, "whom every one despises, and fears not +to injure, who has no one to counsel or protect her, and who is lost if +God does not have compassion upon her." + +The prince rushed to her, seizing both hands. "Wilhelmine, do not drive +me mad with sorrow," he cried, trembling with excitement and anger. "Is +it my fault that I cannot protect you against him? Have I not defended +you from all the rest of the world? Have I ever allowed any one to treat +you with contempt?" + +"I have never given occasion for it, dearest. I have studiously avoided +all men, to escape their contempt and scorn. Shame is hard to bear, +fearfully hard. I felt it today, as his beautiful eyes flashed upon me +with contempt, as his haughty language crushed me to the earth. This +is the yoke, Frederick William, that I and my children must bear to our +graves!" + +"No, Wilhelmine, not as long as we live--only while he lives! Wait, only +wait; let me rise from want and slavery; let the day come which makes +me free--which exalts me: my first act will be to lift the yoke from you +and our children, and woe to those--a thousand times woe to those who +would hold it fast! Only be patient, Wilhelmine, submit, and bear with +me the hard and distressing present. Tell me, my child, my loved one, +why did you leave Potsdam so suddenly?" + +"I was afraid, Frederick. A kind of madness seized me at the thought +of the king's bailiffs carrying me off to Spandau; a nameless anxiety +confused my mind, and I only realized that I must escape--that I must +conceal myself. I felt in greater security here than at Potsdam for the +night." + +"And you fled without leaving me any sign or message to tell me +whither you had gone! Oh, Wilhelmine, what if I had not divined your +hiding-place, and had awaited at Potsdam in painful anxiety?" + +"Then I should have fled from here at daybreak, leaving my children, +and in some quiet, obscure retreat have concealed myself from every +eye--even your own." + +"Would you have hidden yourself from me?" cried the prince, encircling +her in his arms, and pressing her to his heart. + +"Yes, Frederick, when your heart did not prompt you where to find me, +then it would have been a proof that you were indifferent to me. When +I cannot lean upon your love, then there is no longer any protection or +abiding-place for me in the world, and the grave will be my refuge." + +"But you see my heart revealed you to me, and I am here," said the +prince, smiling. + +"Yes, Heaven be praised, you have come to me," she cried, exultingly, +throwing her arms about his neck, and kissing him passionately. "You are +here; I no longer dread the old king's anger, and his fearful words fall +as spent arrows at my feet. You are here, king of my heart; now I have +only one thing to dread." + +"What is that, Wilhelmine?" + +She bent close to his ear, and whispered: "I fear that you are untrue +to me; that there is some ground for truth in those anonymous letters, +which declare that you would discard me and my children also, for you +love another--not one other, but many." + +"Jealousy, again jealous!" the prince sighed. + +"Oh, no," said she, tenderly, "I only repeat what is daily written me." + +"Why do you read it?" cried the prince, vehemently. "Why do you quaff +the poison which wicked, base men offer you? Why do you not throw such +letters into the fire, as I do when they slander you to me?" + +"Because you know, Frederick," she answered, proudly and earnestly--"you +must know that that which they write against me is slander and +falsehood. My life lies open before you; every year, every day, is like +an unsullied page, upon which but one name stands inscribed--Frederick +William--not Prince Frederick William. What does it benefit me that you +are a prince? If you were not a prince, I should not be despised, my +children would not be nameless, without fortune, and without justice. +No, were you not a prince, I should not have felt ashamed and +grief-stricken, with downcast eyes, before the lady who drove past in +her splendid carriage, while I was humbly seated in a miserable wagon. +No, were not my beloved a prince, he could have made me his wife, could +have given me his name, and I should to-day be at his side with my +children. Then, what benefit is it to me that you are a prince? I love +you not that you are one, but notwithstanding it. And if I love you in +spite of all this, you must know that my affection is ever-enduring and +ever-faithful--that I can never forget you, never abandon you." + +"And do you believe, Wilhelmine, that I could ever abandon or forsake +you? Is it not the same with me?" + +She shook her head, sadly answering: "No, Frederick, it is unfortunately +not the same. You have loved me, and perhaps you love me still, but with +that gentle warmth which does not hinder glowing flames to kindle near +it, and with their passionate fire overpower the slight warmth." + +"It may be so for the moment, I grant it," the prince answered, +thoughtfully; "but the quick, blazing fire soon consumes itself, leaving +only a heap of ashes; then one turns to the gentle warmth with inward +comfort, and rejoices in its quiet happiness." + +"You confess loving another?" said Wilhelmine, sorrowfully. + +"No, I do not grant that," the prince cried; "but you are a sensible, +clever woman, and you know my heart is easily excited. It is only the +meteoric light of the ignis fatuus, soon extinguished. Let it dance and +flicker, but remember that the only warmth which cheers and brightens my +heart is your love and friendship. You are my first and only love, and +you will be my last--that I swear to you, and upon it you can rely. +Every thing is uncertain and wavering in life. They have ruined me, +lacerated my heart, and there is nothing more in the world which I +honor. Only sycophants and hypocrites surround me, who speculate upon +my future greatness; or spies, who would make their fortune today, and +therefore spy and hang about me, in order to be paid by the reigning +king, and who slander me in order to be favorites of his. No one at +court loves me, not even my wife. How should she? She is well aware that +I married her only at the command of my royal uncle, and she accepted me +almost with detestation, for they had related to her the unhappiness of +my first marriage, and the happiness of my first love! She has learned +the story of my first wife, Elizabeth von Braunschweig, and that of my +only love, Wilhelmine Enke! She obeyed, like myself, the stern command +of another, and we were married, as all princes and princesses are, +and we have had children, as they do. We lead the life of a political +marriage, but the heart is unwed. We bow before necessity and duty, +and, believe me, those are the only household gods in the families of +princes. Happy the man who, besides these stern divinities, possesses +a little secret temple, in which he can erect an altar to true love and +friendship, and where he can enjoy a hidden happiness. This I owe to +you, Wilhelmine; you are the only one in whom I have confidence, for +you have proved to me that you love me without self-interest and without +ambition. You have said it, and it is true, you love me, notwithstanding +I am a prince. I confess to you, there are many lovely women of the +court who are your rivals, and who would try to separate us in order +to attract me to themselves. They are beautiful and seductive, and I am +young and passionate; and if these lovely women have no respect for my +dignity as a married man, how then should I have it, who married +for duty, not for love? But there is one whom I respect for +disinterestedness and fidelity! Do you not know who alone is +disinterested and faithful?--who has never seen in me the prince, the +future king--only the beloved one, the man--one who has never wavered, +never counted the cost?--that you are, Wilhelmine Enke, therefore we are +inseparable, and you have not to fear that I can ever forsake you, even +if I am sometimes entangled in the magic nets of other beautiful +women. The chains which bind us together cannot be torn asunder, for +a wonderful secret power has consecrated them with the magic of true +love--of heart-felt friendship." + +"Still they are chains, dearest," sighed Wilhelmine. "You have named +them thus! The chains will at last oppress you, and you will forget the +magic power which binds you, and will be free. No holy bond, no oath, +no marriage tie--nothing but your love binds you to me. I rejoice in it, +and so long as you do not forsake me, I am conscious that it is your own +free choice and not force which retains you." + +"I will give you an outward sign of our bond of union," cried the +prince. "I will do it today, as a twofold danger hangs over us--the king +menaces you, and war menaces me." + +"Is it then true, do you go with the king to the field?" groaned +Wilhelmine. + +"Do you wish me to remain?" cried the prince, his eyes flashing. "Shall +I here seek pleasure, with effeminate good nature, while the king, in +spite of his age, exposes himself to all the fatigue of a campaign +and the danger of battle? This war of the Bavarian succession is +unfortunate, and no one knows whether the German empire will derive any +important advantage from our sustaining by force of arms a little duchy. +It is a question whether it would not be better to abolish the little +principalities, in order to strengthen the greater German powers. The +king will support Bavaria, because he envies Austria its possession, +and, as he has decided upon war, it becomes his crown prince to yield +to his decision without murmuring. Therefore, Wilhelmine, I will today +witness to you the oath of fidelity. If God calls me to Him, if I fall +in battle, this oath will be your legacy. I have nothing else to leave +you, thanks to the parsimony of my noble uncle. I am a very poor crown +prince, with many debts and little money, and not in a condition to +reward your love and fidelity otherwise than with promises and hopes, +and letters of credit for the future. Such a bill of exchange I will +write for you--a legacy for my dear Wilhelmine. Give me pen and paper." + +Wilhelmine hastened to her writing table and brought him paper with +writing materials. "There, my Frederick," said she, "there is every +thing necessary--only the ink, I fear, may be dried." + +The prince shook his head, smiling. "Such a lover's oath as I will +transcribe for you can be written with no common ink. See, here is my +ink!" + +The prince had suddenly made a slight incision in his arm, and, as the +blood gushed out, he dipped his pen in it, and wrote; then handed it +to Wilhelmine, saying: "Read it here, in the presence of God and +ourselves." + +Wilhelmine pressed it to her lips, and read, with a solemn voice: "'By +my word of honor as a prince, I will never forsake you, and only death +shall separate you from me.--Prince Frederick William of Prussia.'" +[Footnote: "Memoires of the Countess Lichtenau." p. 120.] + +"By my word of honor as a prince, I will never forsake you, and only +death shall separate me from you," repeated the prince, as he bent over +Wilhelmine, lifting her in his arms and placing her upon his knee. "Take +the paper and guard it carefully," said he. "When I die, and you have +closed my eyes, as I trust you will, give this paper to my son and +successor, for it is my legacy to you, and I hope my son will honor it +and recognize in you the wife of my heart, and care for you." + +"Oh! speak not of dying, Frederick," cried Wilhelmine, embracing him +tenderly; "may they condemn me, and imprison me as a criminal, when you +are no more! What matters it to me what befalls me, when I no longer +possess you, my beloved one, my master? Not on that account will I +preserve the precious paper, but for the love which it has given me, +and of which it will one day be a proof to my children. This paper is my +justification and my excuse, my certificate and my declaration of honor. +I thank you for it, for it is the most beautiful present that I have +ever received." + +"But will you make me no return, Wilhelmine? Will you not swear to me, +as I have sworn to you?" + +She took the knife from the table without answering, and pointing it to +her left arm-- + +"Oh, not there!" cried the prince, as he sought to stay her hand. "Do +not injure your beautiful arm, it would be a sacrilege." + +Wilhelmine freed herself from him, as he sought to hold her fast, and +in the mutual struggle the knife sank deep into her left hand, the blood +gushing out. [Footnote: The scar of this wound remained her whole life, +as Wilhelmine relates in her memoirs.--See "Memoires of the Countess +Lichtenau."] + +"Oh, what have you done?" cried the prince, terrified; "You are +wounded!" + +He seized her hand and drew the knife from the wound, screaming with +terror as a clear stream of blood flowed over his own. "A physician! +Send quickly for a physician," cried he. "Where are my servants?" + +Wilhelmine closed his lips at this instant with a kiss, and forced +herself to smile in spite of the pain which the wound caused her. +"Dearest, it is nothing," she cried. "I have only prepared a great +inkstand--let me write!" + +She dipped her pen in the blood, which continued to flow, and wrote +quickly a few lines, handing them to the prince. + +"Read aloud what you have written. I will hear from your own mouth your +oath. You shall write it upon my heart with your lips." + +Wilhelmine read: "By my love, by the heads of my two children, I swear +that I will never forsake you--that I will be faithful to you unto +death, and will never separate myself from you; that my friendship and +love will endure beyond the grave; that I will ever be contented and +happy so long as I may call myself your Wilhelmine Enke." + +"I accept your oath, dearest," said the prince, pressing her to his +heart. "This paper is one of my choicest jewels, and I will never +separate myself from it. We have now sealed our love and fidelity with +our blood, and I hope that you will never doubt me again. Remember this +hour!" + +"I will," she earnestly promised, "and I swear to you never to torment +and torture you again with my jealousy. I shall always know, and shall +hold fast to it, that you will return to me." + +A violent knocking on the house door interrupted the stillness of the +night. A voice in loud, commanding tones called to the night-watch. + +"Here I am!" answered the porter. "Who calls me? And what is the +matter?" + +"Open the door," commanded the voice again. + +"It is our house," whispered Wilhelmine, who had softly opened the +window. "It is so dark, I can only see a black shadow before the door." + +"Do you belong to the house?" asked the night-watch. "I dare let no one +in who does not belong there." + +"Lift up your lantern, and look at my livery. It is at the king's +order!" + +Wilhelmine withdrew from the window, and hastened to the prince, who had +retired to the back part of the room. + +"It is Kretzschmar, the king's footman and spy," she whispered. "Hide +yourself, that he does not discover you. Go there to the children." + +"No, Wilhelmine, I will remain here. I--" + +Wilhelmine pressed her hand upon his mouth, and forced him into the +side-room, bolting the door. + +"Now," said she, "I will meet my fate with courage; whatever may come, +it shall find me firm and composed. My children are safe, for their +father is with them." + +She took the light, and hastened into the anteroom, which was resounding +with the loud ringing. + +"Who is there?" she cried. "Who rings so late at night?" + +"In the name of the king, open!" + +Wilhelmine shoved back the bolt, opening the door. + +"Come in," she said, "and tell me who you are." + +"I think you recognize me," said Kretzschmar, with an impudent smile. +"You have often seen me at Potsdam in company with the king. I saw you +this morning as the king did you the honor to speak with you, and I +believe did not compliment you." + +"Did his majesty send you here to say this to me?" + +"No, not exactly that," answered he, smiling; "but, as you asked me, I +was obliged to answer. I have come here with all speed as courier +from Potsdam. I hope you will at least give me a good trinkgeld. I was +commanded to deliver into your own hands this paper, for which I must +have a receipt." He drew from his breast pocket a large sealed document, +which he handed to Wilhelmine. "Here is the receipt all ready, with the +pencil; you have only to sign your name, and the business is finished." +He stretched himself with an air of the greatest ease upon the cane +chair, near the door. + +Wilhelmine colored with anger at the free conduct of the royal footman, +and hastened to sign the receipt to rid herself of the messenger, and to +read the letter. + +"What will you give me for trinkgeld, Mamselle Enke?" asked the footman, +as she gave him the receipt. + +"Your own rudeness and insult," answered Wilhelmine proudly, as she +turned, without saluting him, to the sitting-room. + +Kretzschmar laughed aloud. "She will play the great and proud lady," +said he. "She will get over that when in prison. The letter is without +doubt an order of arrest, for when the king flashes and thunders as he +did this morning, he usually strikes. I hope it will agree with you." He +slowly left the anteroom, and descended the stairs to mount his horse, +which he had bound to a tree. + +Wilhelmine hastened in the mean time to the prince. "Here is the letter +addressed to me," said she, handing him the sealed envelope. "I beg you +to open it; courage fails me, everything trembles and swims before my +eyes. Read it aloud--I will receive my sentence from your lips." + +The prince exclaimed, breaking the seal: "It is the handwriting of the +secret cabinet secretary, Menken, and the message comes immediately from +the king's cabinet. Now, Wilhelmine, do not tremble; lean your head upon +me, and let us read." + +"'In the name of his majesty, Wilhelmine Enke is commanded, under +penalty of severe punishment, not to leave her room or her dwelling, +until the king shall permit her, and send some one to take her and all +that belongs to her to her place of destination. She shall receive +this order with patience and humility, and consider her apartment as a +prison, which she shall not leave under severe penalty, nor allow any +one to enter it. Whoever may be with her at the time of receiving the +order, who do not belong there, shall speedily absent themselves, and if +the same ride or drive to Potsdam, they shall immediately take a message +to his royal highness the Prince of Prussia, and announce to him that +his majesty expects him at Sans-Souci at ten o'clock tomorrow morning. +The Minister von Herzberg will be in waiting to confer with the prince. +The above is communicated to Wilhelmine Enke for her strict observance, +and she will act accordingly.'" + +A long silence followed the reading of this letter. Both looked down, +thoughtfully recalling the contents. + +"A prisoner," murmured Wilhelmine, "a prisoner in my own house." + +"And for me the peremptory command to leave immediately for Potsdam, in +order to be at Sans-Souci early in the morning. What can the king mean?" + +"He will announce to you my imprisonment, my exile," sighed Wilhelmine. + +The crown prince shook his head. "No," said he, "I do not believe it. If +the king would send you to prison, he would not make such preparation; +he would not commence with the house arrest, as if you were an officer, +who had been guilty of some slight insubordination, but he would act +with decision, as is his wont. He would at once have sent you to Spandau +or some other prison, and left it to me to have taken further steps. +No--the more I think it over, the more evident it is to me that the king +is not really angry; he will only torment us a little, as it pleases his +teasing spirit. The chief thing now is to obey, and give him no +further occasion for anger. You must be very careful not to leave your +apartment, or to allow any one to enter it. I shall start without delay +for Potsdam. There are spies posted as well for you as myself; our steps +are watched, and an exact account of them given. I must away quickly." + +"Must you leave me a prisoner? Oh, how hard and cruel life is!" + +"Yes, it is, indeed, Wilhelmine. But I must also humbly submit and obey. +Is not life hard for me, and yet I am crown prince, the heir to the +throne! I shall be reprimanded and scolded like a footman. I must obey +as a slave, and am not permitted to act according to my will. I am only +a mere peg in the great machine which he directs, and the--" + +"Hush! for mercy's sake be quiet! What if some one should hear you? You +know not if the spies may not be at the door." + +"True," said the prince, bitterly. "I do not know! The nurse even, who +suckles our child, may be a paid spy. The owner of this house may be +in the king's service, and creep to the door to listen. Therefore it +is necessary, above all things, that we act according to the king's +commands. Farewell, Wilhelmine, I must set off at once. Kretzschmar is +no doubt at the corner of the street to see whether I, as an obedient +servant of his master, leave here. If I do it, he will take the news to +Sans-Souci, and perhaps the king will be contented. Farewell, I go at +once to the palace, to start from there for Potsdam." + +"Farewell, my beloved one! May God in heaven and the king upon earth be +merciful to us! I will force myself to composure and humility. What I +suffer is for you! This shall be my consolation. If we never meet again, +Frederick William, I know you will not forget how much I have loved +you!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. THE PARADE. + + +Since early morning a gay, warlike life had reigned at Potsdam and +the neighborhood of Sans-Souci. From every side splendid regiments +approached, with proud and stately bearing, in glittering uniforms, to +take in perfect order the places assigned to them. With flying banners, +drums beating, and shrill blasts of trumpets, they came marching on +to the great parade--the last, for the king was about to leave for the +field. Thousands of spectators poured forth, notwithstanding the early +hour, from Potsdam; and from Berlin even they came in crowds, to take +a last look of the soldiers--of their king, who was still the hero at +sixty-nine--the "Alto Fritz," whom they adored--though they felt the +rigor of his government. It was a magnificent spectacle, indeed--this +immense square, filled with regiments, their helmets, swords, and gold +embroideries glittering in the May sun. Officers, mounted on richly +caparisoned steeds, drew up in the centre, or galloped along the front +of the lines, censuring with a thundering invective any deviation or +irregularity. In the rear of the troops stood the equipages of the +distinguished spectators on the one side, while on the other the people +in compact masses swayed to and fro, gayly passing judgment upon the +different regiments and their generals. The people--that means all +those who were not rich enough to have a carriage, or sufficiently +distinguished to claim a place upon the tribune reserved for noble +ladies and gentlemen--here they stood, the educated and uneducated, +shoemaker and tailor, savant and artist--a motley mixture! Two gentlemen +of the high citizen class apparently were among the crowd. They were +dressed in the favorite style, which, since the "Sorrows of Werther" had +appeared, was the fashion--tight-fitting boots, reaching to the knee, +with yellow tops; white breeches, over which fell the long-bodied green +vest; a gray frock with long pointed tails and large metal buttons, +well-powdered cue, tied with little ribbons, surmounted with a low, +wide-brimmed hat. Only one of the gentlemen wore the gray frock, +according to the faultless Werther costume, a young man of scarcely +thirty years, of fine figure, and proud bearing; a face expressive +and sympathetic, reminding one of the glorious portraits of men which +antiquity has bequeathed to us. It seemed like the head of a god +descended to earth, noble in every feature, full of grace and beauty; +the slightly Roman nose well marked yet delicate; the broad, thoughtful +brow; the cheeks flushed with the hue of youth and power; the +well-defined chin and red lips, expressive of goodness, benevolence, +roguery, and haughtiness; large, expressive eyes, flashing with the +fire which the gods had enkindled. His companion was perhaps eight years +younger, less well-proportioned, still of graceful appearance, in his +youthful freshness, with frank, cheerful mien, clever, good-natured, +sparkling eyes, and red, pouting lips, which never liked to cease +chatting. + +"See, Wolff! I beg," said the young man, "see that old waddling duck, +Mollendorf. I know the old fellow, he is from Gotha; he imagines himself +of the greatest importance, and thinks Prussia begets fame and honor +from his grace. He trumpets forth his own glories at a dinner, and +abuses his king. He makes Frederick the Great an insignificant little +being, that he may look over him." + +"Unimportant men always do that," answered the other. "They would make +great men small, and think by placing themselves on high pedestals they +become great. The clown striding through the crowd on his stilts may +even look over an emperor. But fortunately there comes a time when +the dear clown must come down from his stilts, and then it is clear +to others, if not to himself, what little, earth-born snips the men of +yesterday are." + +"Only look, Wolff, there is just such a moment coming to that stiltsman +Mollendorf. How the great man stoops, and how small he looks on his gray +horse, for a greater springs past! Look at him well, Wolff--we shall +dine with him, and he does not like to be stared at in the face." + +"Is that, then, Prince Henry passing?" asked Wolff, with animation; +"That little general, who just galloped into the circle with his suite, +is that the king's brother?" + +"Yes, that is just his misfortune that he is the king's brother," +answered a deep, sonorous voice behind them. + +Turning, they beheld a young, elegantly dressed man, in the light gray +frock and gold-bordered, three-cornered hat, and a Spanish cane, with an +ivory handle. + +"What did you remark, sir?" asked Herr Wolff; his great, brown eyes +flashing over the pale, intellectual face of the other, so that he was +quite confused, yet, as if enchanted, could not turn away. "What did you +remark, sir?" asked again Herr Wolff. + +"I believe," stammered the other, "that I said it was the misfortune +of the prince that he was the brother only, as he was worthy of being +mentioned for himself; but I beg, sir, be a little indulgent, and do not +pry into my very soul with your godlike eyes. It will craze me, and +I shall run through the streets of Berlin, crying that the +Apollo-Belvedere has arrived at Potsdam, and invite all the poets and +authors to come and worship him." + +"I believe you are right," cried the youngest of the two gentlemen, +laughing. "I believe myself it is the Apollo-Belvedere." + +"Be still, my dear sir, hush, and preserve our incognito," interrupted +his companion. + +"But I cannot help it, Wolff. Am I to blame that this clever fellow sees +through your mask, and discovers the divine spark which hides itself +under a gray Werther costume?" + +"I pray, sir, grant my request, and respect our incognito," begged the +other, gently but firmly. + +"Well, well, you shall have your way," laughed the other, +good-naturedly, and turning to the pale young man, who still kept his +eyes fixed on Herr Wolff in a sort of ecstacy, he said: "Let the authors +and poets stay in Berlin; we will persuade the disguised Apollo to meet +them there, and read them a lecture, for among the Berlin poets and +critics there are wicked heretics, who, if the Deity Himself wrote +tragedies and verses, would find some fault to object to." + +"Pray tell me, sir, do you think Prince Henry a great man?" + +"Did not the king call him so in his 'History of the Seven Years' War?'" +said the stranger. "Did he not publicly, in the presence of all his +generals, say, 'that Prince Henry was the only general who had not made +a mistake during the whole war?'" + +"Do you believe the king will say that of the prince just riding in +with his suite, after the present war?" asked the young man, with +earnestness. + +"You mean the Prince of Prussia," answered the other, shaking his head. +"There are men who call this prince the 'hope of Prussia,' and regard +him as a new Aurora in the clouded sky." + +"And you, sir, do you regard him so?" cried Herr Wolff. + +"Do you mean that the Prince of Prussia will usher in a brighter day for +Germany?" + +"No," answered the other. "I believe that day expires with Frederick the +Great, and that a long night of darkness will succeed." + +"Why do you think so?" + +"Because it is the course of nature that darkness succeeds light. Look +at the prince, gentlemen--the divine light of genius is not stamped +upon his brow, as formerly, and care will be taken that it is soon +extinguished altogether." + +"Who will take care?" + +"Those who are the enemies of light, civilization, and freedom." + +"Who are they?" asked Herr Wolff. + +The other smiled, and answered: "Sir, so far as I, in all humility, +call myself a scholar, I also owe to the god Apollo obedience, and must +answer him, though it may endanger me. I answer, then, the enemies of +light and civilization are the disguised Jesuits." + +"Oh, it is easy to perceive that you do not belong to them, or you would +not thus characterize them, and--" + +A mighty flourish of drums, and shrill blasts of horns and trumpets, +drowned the youth's words, and made all further conversation impossible. +The king, followed by a brilliant suite, had just arrived at the parade. +The regiments greeted their sovereign with loud blasts of trumpets, and +the people shouted their farewell. Frederick lifted lightly his hat, +and rode along the ranks of the well-ordered troops. He listened to the +shouts with calm, composed manner; the Jupiter-flashes from his great +eyes seemed to be spent forever. Mounted upon Caesar, his favorite +horse, he looked today more bent, his back more bowed with the burden +of years; and it was plainly visible that the hand which held the staff +crosswise over the horse's neck, holding at the same time the bridle, +trembled from very weakness. + +"That is Frederick," said Herr Wolff to himself. "That is the hero +before whom Europe has trembled; the daring prince who caused the sun to +rise upon his country, and awaken the spirits to cheerful life. Oh, how +lamentable; how much to be regretted, that a hero, too, can grow feeble +and old! Oh, cruel fate, that the noblest spirits embodied in this +fragile humanity, and--" + +Suddenly he ceased, and looked at the king amazed and with admiration. +The old man had become the hero again. The bowed form was erect, the +face beamed with energy and conscious power, the eyes flashed with bold +daring, strong and sonorous was the voice. The king had turned to +his generals, who were drawn up around him in a large circle, saying: +"Gentlemen, I come to take leave of you. We shall meet again upon the +battle-field, where laurels bloom for the brave. I hope that we may all +return, crowned with fresh laurels. Tell my soldiers that I count upon +them--that I know they will prove the glory of the Prussian troops +anew, and that on the day of battle they will see me at their +head.--Farewell!" + +"Long live the king!" cried the generals and staff officers, in one +voice. The people and the soldiers joined the shout, the ladies waved +their handkerchiefs. Herr Wolff and his companions tore off their hats +with enthusiasm, and swung them high in the air. + +The great eyes of the king, who passed at this moment, rested upon Herr +Wolff. "My heart quaked as if I were the pillar of Memnon, and had been +touched by the sun's rays," sighed he, as he followed the king with his +fiery glance. + +"The ceremony is now finished," said the young man near him, "and we +must leave, in order to be punctual to dinner at Prince Henry's." + +"I wish the king had remained an hour longer," sighed Herr Wolff again. +"As I looked at him, it seemed as if I were listening to a song from +Homer, and all my faculties were in unison in delight and enthusiasm. +Happy those who dare approach him, and remain near him!" + +"Then, according to your opinion, his servants must be very fortunate," +said the stranger, "and yet they say that he is not very kind to them." + +"Because the servant is a little man," cried Herr Wolff, "and every one +looks little to his belittling eyes." + +"Yes, there are many others no more elevated than servants in the king's +surroundings," said the other. The youth reminded him that they must +leave. + +"Only wait a moment, friend," begged Herr Wolff, as he turned to the +stranger, saying, "I would like to continue our conversation of today. +You live in Berlin. I will find you out if you will give me your name." + +"I pray you to visit me; my name is Moritz. I live in Kloster Strasse, +near the gray convent." + +"Your name is Moritz?", asked Herr Wolff, earnestly. "Then you are the +author of the 'Journey to England?'" + +"Yes, the same, and my highest encomium is, that the work is not unknown +to you, or the name of the author." + +"All Germany knows it, and do you think I could possibly remain a +stranger to it?" + +"But your name, sir," said the stranger, with anxious curiosity. "Will +you not give me your name?" + +"I will tell you when we are in your own room," said Herr Wolff, +smiling. + +"The air is yet enchanted and intoxicated with the breath of the Great +Frederick; it should not be desecrated with another name.--Farewell, we +will meet in Berlin." + +Not far from these gentlemen stood two others, wrapped in long military +cloaks, both of striking and foreign appearance; the one, of slight +delicate figure, of dark complexion, noble and handsome face, must be +an Italian, as his very black hair and eyes betrayed; the other, tall, +broad-shouldered, of Herculean stature, belonged to North Germany, as +the blond hair, light blue eyes, and features indicated. A pleasing +smile played around his thick, curled lips, and only when he glanced at +his companion did it die away, and change to one of respectful devotion. +At this instant the king passed. The Italian pressed the arm of his +companion. + +"The arch fiend himself," he murmured softly, "the demon of unbelief, +to whom nothing is sacred, and nothing intimidates. The contemptuously +smiling spirit of negation, which is called enlightenment, and is +but darkness, to whom belief is superstition, and enlightening only +deception. Woe to him!" + +"Woe to him!" repeated the other. + +The king was followed by his brilliant and select staff in motley +confusion. First, Prince Henry, and then the Prince of Prussia. As the +latter passed the two gentlemen, the Italian pressed the arm of his +companion still harder. "Look at him attentively, my son," said he, +"that is our future and our hope in this country." + +The Hercules turned hastily, with a look of astonishment, to the +Italian. "The Prince of Prussia?" asked he, with amazement. + +The Italian nodded. "Do you doubt it?" he added, reproachfully. "Would +you doubt your lord and master, because he reveals to you what you +cannot seize with your clouded spirit?" + +"No, no, master, I am only surprised that you hope for good from this +lost-in-sin successor to the throne." + +"Yes, you are poor, human children," sighed the Italian, compassionately +smiling; "prompt to judge, mistaking light for darkness, and darkness +for light. I have already remarked that to the celebrated and austere +Minister Sully, as he complained to me of the levity and immorality of +the French king, Henry IV. I told him that austere morals and moral laws +suffered exceptions, and that those through whom the welfare of humanity +should be furthered, had to transfer their heavenly bliss of love to the +earthly sphere. Sully would contest the question with me, but I defeated +him, while I repeated to him what the beautiful and unhappy Queen of +Scotland, Mary Stuart, once said to me." + +"Mary Stuart!" cried the other, vehemently. + +"Yes, Mary Stuart," answered the Italian, earnestly. "Come, my son, let +us go. We have seen what we wished to see, and that is sufficient. Give +me thy arm, and let us depart." + +They departed arm in arm, withdrawing from the crowd, and taking the +broad walk which crossed to the park. + +"You were about to relate to me the answer which Mary Stuart gave to +you, sir," said the Hercules, timidly. + +"True; I will now relate it to you," he answered, with sadness. "It was +in Edinburgh I had surprised Mary (as I was admitted without ceremony), +in her boudoir, as the handsome Rizzio sat at her feet, and sang +love-songs to her. She was resting upon a gold-embroidered divan, +and her figure appeared to great advantage in the heavenly blue, +silver-embroidered gauze robe, which covered her beautiful limbs like +a cloud. In her hair sparkled two diamonds, like two stars fallen from +heaven, and more glowing still were her eyes, which tenderly rested upon +Rizzio. Leaning upon her elbow, she inclined toward Rizzio, who, lute in +hand, was looking up to her with a countenance expressive of the deepest +love. It was a glorious picture, this young and charming couple, in +their bliss of love; and never, in the course of this century, have I +forgotten this exquisite picture--never have its bright tints faded from +my memory. How often have I begged my friend, Antonio Vandyck, to make +this picture eternal, with his immortal pencil. He promised to do it, +but at the moment he was occupied with the portraits of Charles I. and +his family--the grandson of Queen Mary. Later, as I was not with him, +unfortunately, to save him, death seized him before he had fulfilled his +promise. But her image is stamped upon my heart, and I see her now, as I +saw her then, the beautiful queen, with the handsome singer at her feet. +I had entered unawares, and stood a few moments at the door before they +remarked me. As I approached, Rizzio suddenly ceased in the midst of a +tender passage, and sprang to his feet. Mary signed to him, blushing, +to withdraw. He glided noiselessly out, his lute under his arm, and I +remained alone with the queen. I dared to chide her, gently, for her +love affair with the handsome singer, and, above all, to exhort her to +fidelity to her husband. Whereupon Mary answered me, with her accustomed +smiling manner, 'There is but one fidelity which one must recognize, and +that is to the god of gods--Love! Where he is not, I will not be. The +god Hymen is a tedious, pedantic fellow, who burns to ashes all the +fresh young love of the heart, and all the enthusiasm of the soul, with +his intolerable tallow torch, for Love stands not at his side. I am +faithful to the god Amor, therefore I can never be faithful to the god +Hymen, as it would be unfaithful to Love!' That was the response of the +beautiful Queen Mary. I could not contest the question, so I only looked +at her and smiled. Suddenly, I felt a dagger, as it were, thrust at my +heart, my spiritual eyes were opened, the lovely woman on the divan was +fearfully changed. Instead of the gauze robe, sparkling with silver, a +black cloth dress covered her emaciated limbs; instead of brilliants, +sparkling in her hair, a mourning veil covered her whitened locks. The +beauty and roundness of her neck had disappeared, and I saw around it a +broad dark-red stripe. Her head moved, and fell at my feet dissevered. +I saw it all, as distinctly as if it really happened, and seized with +unspeakable pity I prostrated myself at her feet (who was unknowing +of my vision), and besought her with all the anxiety and tenderness +of friendship to leave Scotland, to fly from England, as there the +death-tribunal awaited her. But Mary Stuart only laughed at my warning, +and called me a melancholy fool, whom jealousy made prophetic. The more +I begged and implored, the more wanton and gay the poor woman became. +Then, as I saw all persuasion was vain, that no one could save her from +her dreadful fate, I took a solemn oath that I would be at her side at +the hour of her peril, and accompany her to the scaffold. Mary laughed +aloud, and, with that mocking gayety so peculiarly her own, she accepted +the oath, and reached me her white hand, sparkling with diamonds, to +seal the vow with a kiss. I faithfully kept it. I had but just arrived +in Rome when I received the account of her imprisonment. I presented +myself immediately to the pope, the great Sixtus V., who then occupied +the chair of St. Peter. Fortunately, he was my friend, and I had +formerly been useful to him, in assisting him to carry out his great +and liberal ideas for the welfare of humanity. As a return, I prayed the +Holy Father to give me a consecrated hostie for the unhappy Queen Mary +Stuart, and the permission to carry it to her in her prison. The Holy +Father was incredulous of my sad presentiments, as Mary Stuart herself +had been, but he granted me the request. I quitted Rome, and travelled +with relays day and night. Reaching Boulogne, a Dover packet-boat had +just raised anchor; I succeeded in boarding her, and arrived in London +the next evening. The day following, the execution of the queen took +place at Fotheringay. I was with her in her last hours, and from my hand +she received the consecrated water of Pope Sixtus V. I had kept my oath. +I accompanied her to the scaffold, and her head rolled at my feet, as I +had seen it in my vision at Edinburgh. It was the 18th of April, 1587, +and it seems to me as but yesterday. To the intuitive, seeing +spirit, time and space disappear; eternity and immortality are to it +omnipresent." + +Given up to his souvenirs and visions, the Italian appeared not to know +where he wandered, and turned unintentionally to the retired, lonely +places in the park. His companion heeded not the way either, occupied +with the strange account of the Italian. A dreadful feeling of awe and +horror took possession of his soul, and, with devoted respect, he hung +upon the words which fell from the lips of his companion. + +"It was in the year 1587," said he, as the Italian ceased; "almost two +hundred years since, and you were present?" + +The Italian replied: "I was present. I have witnessed so many dreadful +scenes, and been present at so many executions, that this sad spectacle +was not an unusual one to me, and would not have remained fixed in my +memory had I not loved, devotedly and fervently, the beautiful Queen +Mary Stuart. For those who live in eternity, all horrors have ceased; +time rushes past in centuries, which seem to them but a day." + +"Teach me so to live, master; I thirst for knowledge," cried his +companion, fervently. + +"I know it, my son; I penetrate thy soul, and I know that thou +thirstest. Therefore I am here to quench thy thirst, and feed thy hungry +heart." He remained standing upon the grass-plot, which he had reached +by lonely paths, and which was encircled by trees and bushes. Not a +sound interrupted the peaceful morning stillness of the place, except +the distant music of the departing regiments dying away on the air. "I +will teach thee to live in eternity!" resumed the Italian, solemnly. +"My predecessor the apostle, George Schrepfer, has initiated thee in +temporal life, and the knowledge of the present. By the pistol-shot, +which disclosed to him the invisible world, and removed him from our +earthly eyes, has he to thee, his most faithful and believing disciple, +given the great doctrine of the decay of all things earthly, and +prepared thee for the doctrine of the imperishableness of the celestial. +The original of humanity sends me, to make known to thee this holy +doctrine. When I met thee in Dresden, at the side of the Countess +Dorothea von Medem, thee, whom I had never seen, I recognized by the +blue flame which trembled above thy head, and which was nothing else +than the soul of thy teacher, Schrepfer, wrestling in anguish, which has +remained with thee, and hopes for delivery from thee. I greeted thee, +therefore, not as a stranger but as a friend. No one called thy name, +and yet it was known to me. I took thee by the hand, greeting thee. Hans +Rudolph von Bischofswerder, be welcome. The blue flame which glows +upon thy brow, guides me to thee, and the pistol-shot under the oaks +centuries old, at Rosenthal, near Leipsic, was the summons which my +spirit received among the pyramids of Egypt, and which recalled me +to Europe, to my own, and thou art one of them."[Footnote: George +Schrepfer, the founder of the Secret Free Mason Lodge (at the same +time proprietor of a restaurant and a conjuror), invited his intimate +disciples and believers in the year 1774, to whom Bischofswerder +belonged, to meet him at Rosenthal, near Leipsic. He assembled them +around him, beneath some old oaks, to take leave of them, as now he +would render himself in the invisible realm, whence, as a spirit, he +would distribute to some of his disciples gold, to others wisdom. He +then commanded them to conceal their faces and pray. The praying ones +suddenly heard a loud report, and, as they looked up Schrepfer fell +dead. He had shot himself with a pistol.] + +"And as thou spakest, oh master, I recognized thee, and I called--' Thou +art here, who hast been announced to me. Thou art the master, and my +master Schrepfer was the prophet, who preceded thee and prophesied thee. +Thou art the great Kophta--thou art Count Alexander Cagliostro!' As +I uttered the name, the lights were extinguished, deep darkness and +profound stillness reigned. The two countesses Dorothea von Medem and +her sister, Eliza von der Necke, clung trembling to me, neither of them +daring to break the silence even with a sigh. Suddenly the darkness +disappeared, and, with trembling flashes of light, there stood written +on the wall: 'Memento Domini Oagliostro et omnis mansuetudinis ejus.' +We sank upon our knees, and implored thee to aid us. By degrees the +strange, secret characters disappeared, and darkness and silence +reigned. The stillness disquieted me at last, and I called for lights. +As the servant entered, the two countesses lay fainting upon the floor, +and thou hadst disappeared." + +"Only to appear to thee at another time," said Cagliostro, "to receive +thee with solemn ceremonies into the magic circle--to initiate thee in +the secret wisdom of spirits, and prepare thee for the invisible lodge. +Recall what I said to thee, three days since, in Dresden. Do you still +remember it?" + +"I recall it. Thou saidst: 'The secret service calls me to Mittau, with +the Countess Medem, to raise hidden treasure, of which the spirit has +given me knowledge, and decipher important magical characters on the +walls of a cloister. Before I leave, I will lead thee upon the way which +thou hast to follow in order to find the light, and let it illuminate +the soul which is worthy. Follow me, and I will lead thee to the path of +glory, power, and immortality.' These were thy words, master." + +"I have now led thee hither," Cagliostro said to him, gently; "thy +soul doubts and trembles, for thou art blind seeing eyes, and deaf with +hearing ears." + +"My soul doubts not, oh master--it comprehends not. I have followed +thee, devotedly and believingly. Thou knowest it, master, for thou +readest the souls of thy children, and seest their hidden thoughts. +Thou hast said to me in Dresden, 'Renounce your service to the Duke of +Courland.' I did it, and from equerry and lord chamberlain to the duke, +became a simple, private gentleman. I have renounced my titles and +dignities for thee, in happy trust in thee. My future lies in thy hands, +and, anxious to learn the mysteries of immortality, as a grateful, +trustful scholar, I would receive happiness and unhappiness at thy +hand." + +"Thou shalt receive not only happiness," said Cagliostro, solemnly, "but +thou art one of the elect. The blue flame glows upon thy brow, it will +illuminate thy soul, and lead thee to the path of glory, power, and +might. To-day thou art a simple, private gentleman, as thou sayst, but +to-morrow thou wilt become a distinguished lord, before whom hundreds +will bow. Fame awaits thee--which thou hast longed for--as power awaits +thee. Whom have I named to thee as our future and our hope in this +land?" + +"Prince Frederick William of Prussia," answered Herr von Bischofswerder, +humbly. + +"As I spake this name, thou trembledst, and calledst him 'one lost in +sin.' Knowest thou, my son, from sin comes penitence, and from penitence +elevation and purification. Thou art called and chosen to convert +sinners, and lead back the earth-born child to heaven. Engrave these +words upon thy memory, fill thy soul with them, as with glowing flames, +repeat them in solitude the entire day, then heavenly spirits will +arise and whisper the revelations of the future. Then, when thou art +consecrated, I will introduce thee into the sacred halls of sublime +wisdom. Thou shalt be received as a scholar in the temple hall, and it +depends upon thee whether thou advancest to the altar which reaches to +the invisible world of miracles." + +"Oh, master," cried Bisehofswerder, with a countenance beaming with joy, +and sinking upon his knees, "wilt thou favor me, and introduce me to the +temple hall? Shall I be received in the sacred world of spirits?" + +"Thou shalt, Hans Rudolph von Bischofswerder. The grand master of our +order will bestow upon thee this happiness, and to-night shall the star +of the future rise over thee. Hold thyself in readiness. At midnight, +present thyself at the first portal of the royal palace in Berlin. A +man will meet thee, and thou shalt ask, 'Who is our hope?' If he answers +thee, 'The Prince of Prussia,' then he is the messenger which I shall +have sent thee--follow him. Bow thy head in humility, shut thine eyes +to all earthly things, turn thy thoughts inward, and lift them up to +the great departed, which hovers over thy head, and speak with the blue +flame which glows upon thy brow!" + +Bischofswerder bowed still lower, covered his face with his hands, as +if inwardly praying, and knelt. Cagliostro bent over him, laid his hand +upon his head, breathing three times upon his blond hair. + +"I have breathed upon thee with the breath of my spirit," said he. "Thy +spirit receives power. Receive it in holy awe, in devotion, and remain +immovable." + +Bischofswerder continued motionless, with bowed head and concealed face. +Cagliostro raised himself, his black eyes fixed upon his disciple, +and noiselessly disappeared. Herr von Bischofswerder still remained +kneeling. After some time he raised his head, shyly looking about, and, +as he found himself alone, he rose. "He has soared away," he murmured, +softly. "I shall see him again, and he will consecrate me--the +consecration of immortals!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII. THE MIRACULOUS ELIXIR. + + +The king withdrew from the parade slowly, followed by his generals, in +the direction of Sans-Souci. The streets of Potsdam were lined with the +people, shouting their farewell to the king, who received them with a +smiling face. Arriving at the grand entrance, he turned to his suite, +saying, "Gentlemen, we shall meet again in Bohemia; I must now take +leave of you, and forego the pleasure of receiving you again to-day. A +king about to leave for the field has necessary arrangements to make +for the future. I have much to occupy me, as I set out early to-morrow +morning. You, also, have duties to attend to. Farewell, gentlemen." + +He raised his worn-out three-cornered hat, saluted his generals with a +slight inclination of the head, and turned into the broad avenue which +led to the park of Sans-Souci. No one followed him but two mounted +footmen, who rode at a respectful distance, attentively regarding the +king, of whom only the bowed back and hat were visible. Half way down +the avenue his staff was raised above his hat, the sign the footmen +awaited to dismount with the greyhounds, which rode before them upon the +saddle. At the shrill barking of the animals, Frederick reined in his +horse, and turned to look for them. They bounded forward, one upon +each side of the king, who regarded them right and left, saying: "Well, +Alkmene, well Diana, let us see who will be the lady of honor to-day." + +Both dogs sprang with loud barking to the horse, as if understanding the +words of their master. Alkmene, stronger, or more adroit, with one bound +leaped to the saddle; while poor Diana landed upon the crouper, and, +as if ashamed, with hanging head and tail, withdrew behind the horse. +"Alkmene has won!" said Kretzschmar to his companion. "Yes, Alkmene is +the court-lady to-day, and Diana the companion," he nodded. "She will be +cross, and I do not blame her." + +"Nor I," said Kretzschmar; "there is a great difference between the +court-lady and the companion. The lady remains with the king all day; +he plays with her, takes her to walk, gives her bonbons, and the choice +morsels of chicken, and only when she has eaten sufficient, can the +companion enter to eat the remainder." [Footnote: This was the daily +order of rank with the favorite dogs, for whose service two dog-lackeys, +as they were called, were always in waiting. They took them to walk] + +"One could almost envy the king's greyhounds!" sighed the second +footman. "We get dogs' wages, and they the chicken and good treatment. +It is a pity!" + +"The worst of it is, the king forbids us to marry!" said Kretzschmar +sadly. "All the others would leave him, but I pay no attention to old +Fritz's snarling and scolding, for he pays for it afterward; first, it +rains abusive words, then dollars, and if the stupid ass hits me over +the head, he gives me at least a ducat for it. Why should not one endure +scoldings when is well paid for it? I remain the fine handsome fellow +that I am, if the old bear does call me an ass! His majesty might well +be satisfied if he had my fine figure and good carriage." + +"Yes, indeed, we are very different fellows from old Fritz!" said the +second lackey, with a satisfied air. "A princess once thought me a +handsome fellow! It is eleven years since, as I entered the guards on +account of my delicate figure. I was guard of honor in the anteroom of +the former crown princess of Prussia. It was my first experience. I +did not know the ways of the lords and ladies. Suddenly, a charming and +beautifully-dressed lady came into the anteroom, two other young ladies +following her, joking and laughing, quite at their pleasure. All at +once the elegantly-attired lady fixed her large black eyes upon me, so +earnestly, that I grew quite red, and looked down. 'See that handsome +boy,' she cried. 'I will bet that it is a girl dressed up!' She ran up +to me, and began to stroke my cheek with her soft hand, and laughed. 'I +am right. He has not the trace of a beard; it is a girl!' And before I +knew it she kissed me, then again, and a third time even. I stood still +as if enchanted, and, as I thought another kiss was coming, whack went +a stout box on my ear. 'There is a punishment for you,' said she, 'that +you may know enough to return a kiss when a handsome lady gives you when +the king did not wish them with him; in summer, in an open wagon, the +dogs upon the back-seat, and the footmen upon the forward seat, and +whenever they reproved them, to bring them to order, they addressed them +in the polite manner of one, and not stand like a libber,' and with that +she boxed me again. The other two ladies laughed, which made me angry, +and my ears were very warm. 'If that happens again,' said I, 'by +thunder, she will find I do not wait to be punished!' I laid down the +arms, and at once sprang after the lady, when--the folding-doors were +thrown open, and two gentlemen, in splendid gold-embroidered dresses, +entered. As they saw the little lady, they stood astonished, and made +the three prescribed bows. I smelt the rat, and put on my sword quickly, +and stood stiff as a puppet. The gentlemen said, that they must beg an +interview with her royal highness, to deliver the king's commands. The +princess went into an adjoining room. One of the court-ladies stopped +before me a moment, and said: 'If you ever dare to tell of this, you +shall be put in the fortress. Remember it, and keep silent.' I did so, +and kept it a secret until to-day." + +"Did the princess ever punish you again?" asked Kretzchmar, with a bold, +spying look. + +"No, never," answered the lackey Schultz. "The princess was ordered to +Stettin the next day, where she still lives as a prisoner for her gay +pranks. I remembered her punishment, and when a lady has kissed me, I +have bravely returned it." + +The footmen had followed the king up the slowly ascending horse-path +to the terrace, and now they sprang quickly forward. Kretzschmar swung +himself from his saddle, threw Schultz the reins, and, as the king +drew up at the side-door of the palace of Sans-Souci, he stood ready +to assist him to dismount. The king had given strict orders that no +one should notice his going or coming, and to-day, as usual, he entered +without pomp or ceremony into his private room, followed by Kretzschmar +alone. He sank back into his armchair, the blue damask covering of which +was torn and bitten by the dogs, so that the horse-hair stood out from +the holes. + +"Now relate to me, Kretzschmar, how your expedition succeeded. Did you +go to Berlin to see Mademoiselle Enke last night?" + +"Yes, your majesty, I was there, and have brought you the writing." + +"Was she alone?" asked the king, bending over to caress Alkmene, who lay +at his feet. + +"Well," answered Kretzschmar, grinning, "I do not know whether she was +alone or not. I only know that, as I waited a little on the corner +of the street, I saw a gentleman go out, wrapped in a cloak, a tall, +broad-shouldered gentleman, whom I--" + +"Whom you naturally did not recognize," said the king, interrupting him; +"it was a dark night, and no moon, so that you could not see." + +"At your service, your majesty, I could see no one; I would only add +that the unknown may have been at Mademoiselle Enke's." + +"And he may not have been," cried the king, harshly. "What else did you +learn?" + +"Nothing at all worth speaking about. Only one thing I must say, the +lackey Schultz is a prattling fool, and speaks very disrespectfully." + +"Did he talk with you?" + +"Yes, your majesty, with me." + +"Then he knows well that it would be welcome. What did he say?" + +"He related to me a love-affair with the crown princess of Prussia +eleven years since. He plumes himself upon the crown princess having +stroked his beard." + +"Be quiet!" commanded the king, harshly. "If Schultz was drunk, and +talked in a crazy manner, how dare you repeat it to me? Let this happen +again, and I will dismiss you my service. Remember it, you ass!" + +"Pardon me, your majesty, I thought I must relate all that I hear of +importance." + +"That was not important, and not worth the trouble of talking about. +If Schultz is such a drunken fellow I did not know it, and he is to be +pitied. You can go now; I give you a day to make your farewells to your +friends, and to console them with the hope of meeting you again. Put +every thing in order that concerns you. If you have debts, pay them." + +"I have no money to pay them, your majesty," sighed Kretzschmar. + +The king stepped to the iron coffer, of which no one possessed the +key but himself, and looking within said: "You cannot have much money +to-day, as the drawer which contains the money for the gossips and spies +is quite empty, and you have had a good share of it. Five guldens remain +for you." + +"Alas! your majesty, it is too little; twenty-five guldens would not pay +my debts." + +The king closed the drawer, saying: "Judas only received twenty +shillings for betraying his Master. Twenty-five is quite enough for +Kretzschmar for betraying his comrade." + +Kretzschmar slunk away. The king fixed his great eyes upon him until the +door closed. "Man is a miserable race; for gold he would sell his own +brother--would sell his own soul, if there could be found a purchaser," +he murmured. "Why do you growl, Alkmene, why trouble yourself, +mademoiselle? I was not speaking of your honorable race; only of the +pitiful race of men. Be quiet, my little dog, be quiet; I love you, and +you are my dear little dog," he said, pressing her caressingly to his +breast. + +The footman Schultz appeared to announce the equerry Von Schwerin. + +"Bid him enter," nodded the king. + +Von Schwerin entered, with a smiling face. "Have you accomplished what I +confided to you?" + +With a profound bow Von Schwerin drew a roll of paper from his +breast-pocket, and handed it to the king, saying, "I am so fortunate as +to have accomplished your commands." + +"Will Count Schmettau give up the villa at once?" + +"Yes, your majesty, the new occupant could take possession to-day, +with all the furniture and house arrangements, for seven thousand five +hundred dollars. Here is the bill of sale, only the purchaser's name is +wanting. I have obeyed your majesty's commands, and acted as if I were +the purchaser." + +"Schmettau is not such a stupid fellow as to believe that, for he knows +that you cannot keep your money. You say the contract is ready, only the +signature of the purchaser is wanting and the money?" + +"Pardon me, your majesty, the name of the present possessor has not been +inserted. I did not presume to write it without the unmistakable command +of your majesty." + +"Do you know the name?" asked the king. + +"I do not, but the generosity of my most gracious king and master allows +me to divine it, and my heart is filled to bursting with thankfulness +and joy. My whole life will not be long enough to prove to you my +gratitude." + +"What for?" asked the king, staring at Von Schwerin, quite surprised; +"you cannot suppose that I have purchased the villa for you?" + +Herr von Schwerin smilingly nodded. "I think so, your majesty." + +Frederick laughed aloud. "Schwerin, you are an uncommonly cunning +fellow. You see the grass grow before the seed is sown. This time you +deceived yourself--the grass has not grown. What good would it do +you? You do not need grass, but thistles, and they do not grow at +Charlottenburg. Take the contract to my minister Von Herzberg, whom you +will find in the audience-room, and then walk a little upon the terrace +to enjoy the fresh air. I promised you the privilege. First go to Von +Herzberg, and say to him to send the Prince of Prussia to me immediately +upon his arrival. Why do you wear so mournful a face all of a sudden? +Can it be possible that my chief equerry has so lowered himself as to go +among the mechanics, and build chateaux en Espagne? You know such houses +are not suitable for our northern climate, and fall down. Now, do what I +told you, and then go upon the terrace." + +The equerry glided away with sorrowful mien to Von Herzberg, and +communicated the king's commands to him. + +"You have made a good purchase," said the minister, in a friendly +manner. "His majesty will be very much pleased with the extraordinary +zeal and the great dexterity with which you have arranged the matter. +Count Schmettau has just been here, and he could not sufficiently +commend your zeal and prudence, and the sympathy and interest which you +showed in the smallest matters, as if the purchase were for yourself. +The count wishes to reserve two oil paintings in the saloon, which are +an heirloom from his father. We cannot but let the count retain them." + +"Arrange it as you will," answered the equerry, fretfully; "I have +nothing more to do with the affair--it lies in your hands." + +"But where are you going in such haste?" said Herzberg, as the equerry +bowed hastily, and strode through the room toward the door. + +"His majesty commanded me to go upon the terrace," he replied, morosely. + +Herr von Herzberg looked after him surprised. "Something must have +occurred, otherwise he is very tractable. Ah! there comes the prince. I +will go to meet him, and communicate to him the king's command--I will +await your royal highness here until you have spoken with the king, if +you will have the grace to seek me." + +"I will return by all means, if you will have the kindness to wait for +me," replied the prince, smiling, and hastened to the interview with his +royal uncle. + +Frederick was seated in his arm-chair, upon his lap Alkmene, when the +crown prince entered. "Bon jour, mon neveu! pardon me," said he, with a +friendly nod, "that I remain seated, and do not rise to greet the future +King of Prussia." + +"Sire, Heaven grant that many years pass before I succeed to the title +which my great and unapproachable predecessor has borne with so much +wisdom and fame, that one can well doubt the being able to emulate +his example, and must content himself to live under the shadow of his +intelligence and fame!" + +Frederick slowly shook his head. "The people will not be satisfied, nor +the coffers filled by fame. No one can live upon the great deeds of his +ancestors; he must be self-sustaining, not seek for the laurels in the +past, but upon the naked field of the future, which lies before him. Sow +the seeds of future laurels; fame troubles me but little, and I advise +you, my nephew, not to rely upon it. One must begin anew each day, and +make fresh efforts for vigorous deeds." + +The crown prince bowed, and seated himself upon the tabouret, which the +king, with a slight wave of the hand, signified to him. + +"I will endeavor, sire, to follow the elevated sentiments of your +majesty, that I may not dishonor my great teacher." + +"You express yourself too modestly, my nephew, and I know that you think +otherwise; that your fiery spirit will never be contented to dishonor +yourself or your ancestors. Fate is favorable to you, and offers the +opportunity to confirm, what I judge you to be--a brave soldier, a +skilful captain--in a word, a true Hohenzollern! I would make you +a commander of a division of my army, and I shall follow every +movement--every operation, with lively interest." + +A ray of joy beamed upon the face of the prince; Frederick saw it with +satisfaction, and his heart warmed toward his nephew. "He has at least +courage," he said to himself; "he is no sybarite to quail before the +rough life of war." + +"Will your majesty so greatly favor me as to accord me an independent +position in the campaign?" + +"I offer you what belongs to you as a general and heir to the throne. On +me it devolves to direct the plans and operations, and on you to +detail them and direct the execution. I shall rejoice to see that you +understand the profession of war practically as well as theoretically. +Therefore, this war is so far welcome, that it will give my crown prince +an opportunity to win his first laurels, and adorn the brow which, until +now, has been crowned with myrtle." + +"Your majesty, I--" + +"Be silent--I do not reproach you, my nephew; I understand human +nature, and the seductive arts of women. It is time that you seek other +ornament--myrtle becomes a youthful brow, and the helmet adorns the man +crowned with laurels." + +"I have long desired it, and I am deeply grateful to your majesty for +the opportunity to win it. This campaign is good fortune to me." + +"War is never a good fortune," sighed the king--"for the people it is +great misfortune. I would willingly have avoided it for their sake. +But the arrogance and the passion for territorial aggrandizement of +the young Emperor of Germany forces me to it. I dare not, and will not +suffer Austria to enrich herself through foreign inheritance, ignoring +the legitimate title of a German prince. Bavaria must remain an +independent, free German principality, under a sovereign prince. It +is inevitably necessary for the balance of power. I cannot yield, +therefore, as a German prince, that Austria increase her power in an +illegitimate manner, but I will cast my good sword in the scales, that +the balance is heavier on the side upon which depends the existence +of Germany, that she may not be tossed in the air by Austria's weight. +These are my views and reasons for the war upon which I now enter with +reluctance. When the greatness and equilibrium of Germany are at stake, +no German prince should dare hesitate. Austria has already cost Germany +much blood, and will cause her to shed still more. Believe it, my +nephew, and guard yourself against Austria's ambition for territorial +aggrandizement. You see, I am like all old people, always teaching +youth, while we have much to learn ourselves. We are all pupils, and our +deeds are ever imperfect." + +"Your majesty cannot believe that of himself. The sage of Sans-Souci is +the type, the master, and teacher of all Europe." + +"My son," replied the king, "the great men of antiquity recognized it as +the acme of wisdom, that they must be mindful that 'in the midst of life +we are in death.' At the gay festivities and the luxurious feasts +they were interrupted in the merry song and voluptuous dance, with the +warning: 'Remember, O man, that thou must die!' Let us profit by their +wisdom! I have startled you from the banquet of life, and I doubt not +that many singers and dancers will be enraged that I should put an end +to the feasts of roses and the merry dance in such an abominable manner. +It would be an evil omen in our warlike undertaking, if the rosy lips of +the beauties should breathe curses to follow us; therefore, we must +try to conciliate them, and leave a good souvenir in their hearts. You +smile, my prince, and you think it vain trouble for an old fellow; that +I cannot win the favor of the ladies under any pretension; so you must +undertake for me the reconciliation and the hush-money." + +"I am prepared for any thing which your majesty imposes upon me; only +I would defend myself against the interpretation which you give my +smile--and--" + +"Which was very near the truth," interrupted the king. "I have called +you from the banquet of life, and I have interrupted the dancers, +crowned with roses in the midst of their dance, which they would finish +before you. I pray you, then, indemnify the enraged beauties, and let us +go forth with a quiet conscience, that we in no respect are indebted to +any one." + +"Oh, sire, it will be impossible for me to go to the field with a quiet +conscience upon this point." + +"Permit me to extend to you the means to do so," replied the king, +graciously smiling. "Take this little box; it contains a wonderful +elixir, proof against all the infirmities and weaknesses of humanity, +of one of the greatest philosophers of human nature. By the right use +of it, tears of sorrow are changed to tears of joy, and a Megerea into a +smiling angel, as by enchantment. Before going to the war, I pray you +to prove the miraculous elixir upon one of the angry beauties. For, I +repeat, we must put our house in order, and leave no debts behind us. +The debts of gratitude must not be forgotten. Let us say 'Gesegnete +Mahlzeit' when we have been well feasted." + +The king handed the prince a little box, of beautiful workmanship, and +smiled as he rather vehemently thanked him, and at the same time tried +to open it. + +"I remark with pleasure that you have a tolerably innocent heart, as +you betray curiosity about the wonderful elixir. I supposed men, to say +nothing of beautiful women, had long since instructed you that it was +the only balsam for all the evils of life. My minister Herzberg will +give you the key of the little box, and advise you as to the right use +of the elixir. Farewell, with the hope of soon seeing you again, my +nephew. I start for Silesia to-morrow, as I must travel slower than you +young people. You will follow me in a few days. Again farewell!" + +Extending his meagre white hand to the prince, he withdrew it quickly, +as the latter was about to press it to his lips, and motioned to the +door kindly. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. THE GOLDEN RAIN. + + +Prince Frederick William betook himself, with painful curiosity, to the +audience-room, where the Minister von Herzberg awaited him. + +"Your excellency," said he, "his majesty refers me to you, for the true +explanation of the miraculous elixir contained in this little box, and +about which I am naturally very curious, and beg of you the key to open +it." + +"Will your royal highness," said the minister, smiling, "have the +grace to grant me a few moments' conversation, which may serve as an +explanation, for his majesty has not in reality given me a key?" + +"I pray you, my dear excellency, to explain it," cried the prince, +impatiently. + +"Pardon me if I probe the tenderest feelings of your heart, my prince. +The command of the king imposes this duty upon me. He has known for a +long time of your connection with a certain person, to whom you are more +devoted than to your wife." + +"Say, rather, his majesty has twice forced me to marry two unloved +and unknown princesses, when he knew that I already loved this certain +person. Twice I have married, because the command of his king is law to +the crown prince of Prussia. For my love and my sympathy there is no law +but that of my own heart, and this alone have I followed." + +"His majesty does not reproach you. The philosopher of Sans-Souci +understands human nature, and he feels indulgent toward your weakness. +He is quite satisfied that you have chosen this person, as friend and +favorite, to console yourself for an unhappy marriage. Her low birth is +a guaranty that she will never mingle in politics, an act which would +be visited with his majesty's highest displeasure. While his majesty +permits you to continue this intimacy, and recognizes the existence of +this woman, he wishes her to be provided for as becomes the mistress of +a crown prince, and not as the grisette of a gentleman. She should have +her own house, and the livery of her lord." + +"As if it were my fault that this has not already been arranged!" cried +the prince. "Am I not daily and hourly tormented with poverty, and +scarcely know how to turn, between necessary expenses and urgent +creditors? You know well yourself, your excellency, how stingy and +parsimonious the king is to the crown prince. He scarcely affords me the +means to support my family in a decent, to say nothing of a princely, +manner. How dependent we all are, myself, my wife, and my children upon +the king, whose economy increases, while our wants and expenses also +increase every year! It is sufficiently sad that I cannot reward those +who have proved to me during ten years their fidelity and love, but I +must suffer them to live in dependence and want." + +"His majesty understands that, and thinks that as your royal highness +is to go to the field, and will be exposed, as a brave commander, to the +uncertain fate of battle, that you should assure the future of all those +who are dear to you, and arrange a certain competency for them. A good +opportunity now offers to you. Count Schmettau will sell his villa at +Charlottenburg, and it would be agreeable to his majesty that you should +purchase it, and assign it to those dearest to you. In order to give you +as little trouble as possible, his majesty has had the matter already +arranged, through his equerry, Count Schmettau, and the purchase can +be made this very hour. Here is the bill of sale; only the name of the +present possessor is wanting, the signature of the purchaser, and the +payment of seven thousand five hundred thalers." + +"The names can be quickly written; but, your excellency," cried the +prince, "where will the money come from?" + +"I have just given your royal highness the key to the little box: have +the goodness to press hard upon the rosette." + +The prince touched the spring, the cover flew back--it contained only +a strip of paper! Upon it was written, in the king's own handwriting, +"Bill of exchange upon my treasurer. Pay to the order of the Prince of +Prussia twenty thousand thalers." [Footnote: "Memoirs of the Countess +Lichtenau," vol.1] The prince's face lighted up with joy. "Oh! the +king has indeed given me a miraculous elixir, that compensates for all +misfortunes, heals all infirmities, and is a balsam for all possible +griefs. I will bring it into use immediately, and sign the bill of +sale." He signed the paper, and filled with haste the deficiency in +the contract. "It is done!" he cried, joyfully, "the proprietress, +Wilhelmine Enke; purchaser, Frederick William of Prussia. Nothing +remains to be done but to draw upon the king's treasury, and pay Count +Schmettau." + +"Your royal highness is spared even that trouble. Here are twenty rolls, +and each roll contains one hundred double Fredericks d'or, and, when +your highness commands it, I will reserve seven rolls and pay Count +Schmettau; then there remain thirteen for yourself. Here is the +contract, which you will give in person to the possessor." + +"First, I must go to the king," said the prince; "my heart urges me +to express my gratitude to him, and my deep sense of his goodness and +tenderness. I feel ashamed without being humbled, like a repentant son, +who has doubted the generosity and goodness of his father, because he +has sometimes severely reprimanded his faults. I must go at once to the +king." + +"He will not receive your royal highness," answered Herzberg, smiling. +"You know our sovereign, who so fully deserves our admiration and love. +His favor and goodness beam upon us all, and he desires neither thanks +nor acknowledgment. He performs his noble, glorious deeds in a harsh +manner, that he may relieve the recipients of his bounty from the burden +of gratitude; and often when he is the most morose and harsh, is he at +heart the most gracious and affectionate. You and yours have experienced +it to-day. He appeared to be angry, and enveloped himself in the toga +of a severe judge of morals; but, under this toga, there beat the kind, +noble heart of a friend and father, who punishes with rigorous words, +and forgives with generous, benevolent deeds." + +"For this I must thank him--he must listen to me!" cried the prince. + +"He will be angry if your royal highness forces him to receive thanks +when he would avoid them. He has expressly commanded me to entreat you +never to allude to the affair, and never to speak of it to others, as it +would not be agreeable to his majesty to have the family affairs known +to the world. You would best please his majesty by following exactly his +wishes, and when you meet him never allude to it. As I have said, this +is the express wish and command of the king." + +"Which I must naturally follow," sighed the prince, "although I +acknowledge that it is unpleasant to me to receive so much kindness from +him without at least returning my most heart-felt thanks. Say to the +king, that I am deeply, sensibly moved with his tender sympathy and +generosity. And now I will hasten to Wilhelmine Enke; but, it occurs to +me that it may not be possible; the king has made her a prisoner in her +own house." + +"Do not trouble yourself about that. If it is your royal highness's +pleasure, drive at once to Charlottenburg. You will find the new +possessor there and she will relate to you her interview with the mayor +of Berlin." + +"Oh! I shall drive at once to the villa. I am curious to learn what Von +Kircheisen has told her." + +"I imagined that you would be, and ordered your carriage here, as you +could not well ride upon horseback with the heavy rolls of gold; and +if it is your pleasure, I will order the footman to place the box, into +which I have put them, in the carriage." + +"No, no; I beg you to let me carry them," cried the prince, seizing the +box with both hands. "It is truly heavy, but an agreeable burden, and if +it lames my arm I shall bethink myself of the miraculous elixir, which +will give me courage and strength. Farewell, your excellency; I shall +hurry on to Charlottenburg!" + +The prince hastened to his carriage, and ordered the coachman to drive +at full speed to the villa. Thanks to this order, he reached it in about +an hour. No one was there to receive him upon his arrival. The hall was +empty, and the rooms were closed. The prince passed on to the opposite +end, where there was a door open, and stood upon a balcony, with steps +descending into the garden, which, with its flower-beds, grass-plots, +shrubbery, and the tall trees, formed a lovely background. The birds +were singing, the trees rustled, and variegated butterflies fluttered +over the odorous flowers. Upon the turf, forming a beautiful group, was +Wilhelmine playing with her daughter, and the nurse with the little boy +upon her lap, who laughingly stretched out his arms toward his mother. + +"Wilhelmine--Wilhelmine!" cried the prince. + +With a cry of joy she answered, and flew toward the house. "You have +come at last, my beloved lord," she cried, almost breathless, mounting +the steps. "I beg you to tell me what all this means? I am dying of +curiosity!" + +"I also," said the prince, smiling. "Have the goodness to lead me to one +of the rooms, that I may set down this box." + +"What does that hobgoblin contain, that it prevents your embracing me?" + +"Do not ask, but hasten to assist me to relieve myself of the burden." +They entered the house, and Wilhelmine opened the wide folding-doors, +which led into a very tastefully-furnished room. Frederick William set +the box upon the marble table, and sank upon a divan with Wilhelmine in +his arms. "First of all, tell me what Von Kircheisen said to you?" + +"He commanded me, in the name of the king, to give up my dwelling at +Berlin and at Potsdam, and to avoid showing myself in public at both +places, that those who had the right to the love and fidelity of the +Prince of Prussia should not be annoyed at the sight of me; that I +should live retired, and leave the appointed residence as little as +possible, for then the king would be inclined to ignore my existence, +and take no further notice of me. But, if I attempted to play a role, +his majesty would take good care that it should be forever played out." + +"Those were harsh, cruel words," sighed Frederick William. + +"Harsh, cruel words," repeated Wilhelmine, sorrowfully. "They pierced my +soul, and I shrieked at last from agony. Herr von Kircheisen was quite +frightened, and begged me to excuse him, that he must thus speak to me, +but the king had commanded him to repeat his very words. The carriage +was at the door, he said, ready to convey me to my future dwelling, for +I must immediately leave Berlin, and the king be informed of my setting +out. The coachman received the order, and here I am, without knowing +what I am to do, or whether I shall remain here." + +"Yes, Wilhelmine, you are to remain here; at last we have a home, and +a resting-place for our love and our children. This house is yours--you +are mistress here, and you must welcome me as your guest." + +"This house is mine!" she cried, joyfully. "Did you give it to me? How +generous, and how extravagant you are! Protect me with the gift of your +love, as if you were Jupiter and I Danae!" + +"A beautiful picture, and, that it may be a reality, I will play the +role of Jupiter and open the box." + +He took a roll of gold, and let it fall upon Wilhelmine's head, her +beautiful shoulders, and her arms, like a shower of gold. She shrieked +and laughed, and sought to gather up the pieces which rolled ringing +around her upon the floor. The prince seized another roll, and another +still, till she was flooded with the glistening pieces. Then another and +another, until Wilhelmine, laughing, screamed for grace, and sprang up, +the gold rolling around her like teasing goblins. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. GERMAN LITERATURE AND THE KING. + + +The Minister Herzberg had, in the mean time, an interview with the king, +informing him of the concluded purchase of the Schmettau villa, and of +the emotion and gratitude of the crown prince at his royal munificence. + +"That affair is arranged, then," said Frederick. "If Fate wills that the +prince should not return from this campaign, then this certain person +and the two poor worms are provided for, who are destined to wander +through the world nameless and fatherless." + +"Let us hope that fate will not deal so harshly with the prince, or +bring such sorrow upon your majesty." + +"My dear sir, Fate is a hard-hearted creature, the tears of mankind are +of no more importance to her than the raindrops falling from the roof. +She strides with gigantic power over men, crushing them all in dust--the +great as well as the little--the king as well as the beggar. For my +part I yield to Fate without a murmur. Politicians and warriors are mere +puppets in the hands of Providence. We act without knowing why, for we +are unknowingly the tools of an invisible hand. Often the result of our +actions is the reverse of our hopes! Let all things take their course, +as it best pleases God, and let us not think to master Fate. [Footnote: +The king's words.--"Posthumous Works," vol. x., p. 256.] That is my +creed, Herzberg, and if I do not return from this infamous campaign, you +will know that I have yielded to Fate without murmuring. You understand +my wishes in all things; the current affairs of government should go +on regularly. If any thing extraordinary occurs, let me be informed at +once. Is there any news, Herzberg?" + +"Nothing worth recounting, sire, except that the young Duke of Weimar is +in town." + +"I know it; he has announced himself. I cannot speak with him. I have +asked my brother Henry to arrange the conditions under which he will +allow us to enlist men for my army in his duchy. I hope he will be +reasonable, and not prevent it. That is no news that the Duke of Weimar +has arrived!" + +"Not only the duke has arrived, but he has brought his dear friend with +him whom the people in Saxe-Weimar say makes the good and bad weather." + +"Who is the weather-maker?" + +"Your majesty, this weather-maker is the author of 'The Sorrows of Young +Werther,' Johann Wolfgang Goethe, who for four years has aroused +the hearts and excited the imaginations of all Germany. If I am not +deceived, a great future opens for this poet, and he will be a star of +the first magnitude in the sky of German literature. I believe it would +be well worth the trouble for your majesty to see him." + +"Do not trouble me with your German literature, and your stars of +the first magnitude! We must acknowledge our poverty with humility; +belles-lettres have never achieved success upon our soil. Moreover, this +star of the first magnitude--this Herr Goethe--I remember him well; I +wish to know nothing of him. He has quite turned the heads of all the +love-sick fools with his 'Sorrows of Young Werther.' You cannot count +that a merit. The youth of Germany were sufficiently enamoured, without +the love-whining romances of Herr Goethe to pour oil on the fire." + +"Pardon me, sire, that I should presume to differ from you; but this +book which your majesty condemns has not only produced a furor in +Germany, but throughout Europe--throughout the world even. That which +public opinion sustains in such a marked manner cannot be wholly +unworthy. 'Vox populi, vox dei,' is a true maxim in all ages." + +"It is not true!" cried the king. "The old Roman maxim is not applicable +to our effeminate, degraded people. Nowadays, whoever flatters the +people and glorifies their weaknesses, is a good fellow, and he is +extolled to the skies. Public opinion calls him a genius and a Messiah. +Away with your nonsense! The 'Werther' of Herr Goethe has wrought no +good; it has made the healthy sick, and has not restored invalids to +health. Since its appearance a mad love-fever has seized all the young +people, and silly sentimentalities and flirtations have become the +fashion. These modern Werthers behave as if love were a tarantula, with +the bite of which they must become mad, to be considered model young +men. They groan and sigh, take moonlight walks, but they have no courage +in their souls, and will never make good soldiers. This is the fault of +Herr Werther, and his abominable lamentations. It is a miserable work, +and not worth the trouble of talking about, for no earnest man will read +it!" + +"Pardon me, sire; your majesty has graciously permitted me to enter +the lists as knight and champion of German literature, and sometimes +to defend the German Muse, who stands unnoticed and unknown under the +shadow of your throne; while the French lady, with her brilliant attire +and painted cheeks, is always welcomed. I beg your majesty to believe +that, although this romance may have done some harm, it has, on the +other hand, done infinite service. A great and immortal merit cannot be +denied to it." + +"What merit?" demanded the king, slowly taking a pinch of snuff; "I am +very curious to know what merit that crazy, love-sick book has." + +"Sire, it has the great merit to have enriched the German literature +with a work whose masterly language alone raises it above every thing +heretofore produced by a German author. It has emancipated our country's +literature from its clumsy, awkward childhood, and presented it as an +ardent, inspired youth, ready for combat, upon the lips of whom the gods +have placed the right word to express every feeling and every thought--a +youth who is capable of probing the depths of the human heart." + +"I wish all this might have remained in the depths," cried Frederick, +annoyed. "You have defended the German Muse before; but you remember +that I am incorrigible. You cannot persuade me that bungling is +master-work. It is not the poverty of the mind, but the fault of the +language, which is not capable of expressing with brevity and precision. +For how could any one translate Tacitus into German without adding +a mass of words and phrases? In French it is not necessary; one can +express himself with brevity, and to the point." + +"Sire, I shall permit myself to prove to you that the brevity of Tacitus +can be imitated in the German language. I will translate a part of +Tacitus, to give your majesty a proof." + +"I will take you at your word! And I will answer you in a treatise upon +German literature, its short-comings, and the means for its improvement. +[Footnote: This treatise appeared during the Bavarian war of succession, +in the winter of 1779] Until then, a truce. I insist upon it--good +German authors are entirely wanting to us Germans. They may appear a +long time after I have joined Voltaire and Algarotti in the Elysian +Fields." [Footnote: The king's words.--See "Posthumous Works," vol. II., +p. 293.] + +"They are already here," cried Herzberg, zealously. "We have, for +example, Lessing, who has written two dramas, of which every nation +might be proud--'Minna von Barnhelm, and Emilia Calotti.'" + +"I know nothing of them," said the king, with indifference. "I have +never heard of your Lessing." + +"Your majesty, this wonderful comedy, 'Minna von Barnhelm,' was written +for your majesty's glorification." + +"The more the reason why I should not read it! A German comedy! That +must be fine stuff for the German theatre, the most miserable of all. +In Germany, Melpomene has untutored admirers, some walking on stilts, +others crawling in the mire, from the altars of the goddess. The Germans +will ever be repulsed, as they are rebels to her laws, and understand +not the art to move and interest the heart." + +"But, sire, you have never deigned to become acquainted with 'Minna von +Barnhelm' nor 'Emilia Calotti.'" + +"Well, well, Herzberg, do not be so furious; you are a lover of German +literature, and some allowance must be made for those who are in love. +You will not persuade me to read your things which you call German +comedies and tragedies. I will take good care; my teeth are not strong +enough to grind such hard bits. Now do not be angry, Herzberg. The +first leisure hours that I have in this campaign I shall employ on my +treatise." + +"And the first leisure hours that I have," growled the minister, "I +shall employ to translate a portion of Tacitus into our beautiful German +language, to send to your majesty." + +"You are incorrigible," said Frederick, smiling. "We shall see, and +until then let us keep the peace, Herzberg. When one is about to go +to war, it is well to be at peace with one's conscience and with his +friends; so let us be good friends." + +"Your majesty, your graciousness and kindness make me truly ashamed," +said the minister, feelingly. "I beg pardon a thousand times, if I have +allowed myself to be carried away with unbecoming violence in my zeal +for our poor neglected German literature." + +"I approve of your zeal, and it pleases me that you are a faithful +knight, sans peur et sans reproche. I do not ascribe its poverty to the +German nation, who have as much spirit and genius as any nation, the +mental development of which has been retarded by outward circumstances, +which prevented her rising to an equality with her neighbors. We +shall one day have classical writers, and every one will read them +to cultivate himself. Our neighbors will learn German, and it will +be spoken with pleasure at courts; and it can well happen that our +language, when perfectly formed, will spread throughout Europe. We +shall have our German classics also." [Footnote: The king's words--see +"Posthumous Works," vol. III.] + +The king smiled, well pleased, as he observed by stolen glances the +noble, intelligent face of Herzberg brighten, and the gloomy clouds +dispersed which had overshadowed it. + +"Now, is it not true that you are again contented?" said the king, +graciously. + +"I am delighted with the prophecy for the German language, your majesty; +and may I add something?" + +"It will weigh on your heart if you do not tell it," said the king. + +"I prophesy that this Goethe will one day belong to the classic authors, +and therefore I would beg once more of your majesty to grant him a +gracious look, and invite him to your presence. If you find no pleasure +in 'The Sorrows of Werther,' Goethe has created other beautiful works. +He is the author of the tragedy of 'Stella.'" + +"That sentimental, immoral piece, which we forbid the representation of +in Berlin, because it portrays a fellow who made love to two women at +once, playing the double role of lover to his wife and his paramour, +while he had a grown-up daughter! It is an immoral piece, which excites +the tear-glands, and ends as 'Werther,' by the hero blowing his brains +out. It is directed against all morals, and against marriage; therefore +it was forbidden." [Footnote: The tragedy of "Stella" was represented in +Berlin with great applause, and denounced by the king as immoral, in +the year 1776, and the further representation forbidden.--See Plumke, +"History of the Berlin Theatres."] + +"But, sire, Herr Goethe has not only written 'Stella,' but 'Clavigo' +also, which--" + +"Which he has copied exactly from the 'Memoires de Beaumarchais,'" +interrupted the king. "That is not a German, but a French production." + +"Allow me to cite a genuine German production, which Johann Wolfgang +Goethe has written. I mean the drama 'Gotz von Berlichingen.'" + +"Stop!--it is sufficient. I do not wish to hear any thing more," cried +the king, indignant, and rising. "It is bad enough that such pieces +should appear upon the German stage as this 'Gotz von Berlichingen.' +They are nothing less than abominable imitations of the bad English +pieces of Shakespeare! The pit applauds them, and demands with +enthusiasm these very disgusting platitudes. [Footnote: The king's own +words.--See "Posthumous Works," vol. iii.] Do not be angry again, you +must have patience with the old boy! I shall rejoice heartily if this +Herr Goethe becomes a classic writer one day, as you say. I shall not +live to witness it. I only see the embryo where you see the full-grown +author. We will talk further about it when we meet in the Elysian +Fields; then we will see, when you present this Herr Johann Wolfgang +Goethe, as a German classic writer, to Homer, Horace, Virgil, and +Corneille, if they do not turn their backs upon him. Now adieu, +Herzberg! So soon as circumstances permit, I shall send for you to go to +Silesia, and then you can give me your German translation of Tacitus." + +The king nodded in a friendly manner to his minister, and slowly walked +back and forth, while he took leave and withdrew. After a few moments he +rang, and the summons was immediately answered by the footman Schultz. + +The king fixed upon him one of those searching glances of his fiery +eyes which confounded and confused the footman. He remained standing and +embarrassed, with downcast look. + +"What are you standing there for?" asked the king. "Did I not ring for +you, and do you not know what you have to do?" Frederick continued to +regard him, with flashing eyes, which increased the lackey's confusion. + +He forgot entirely that the summons was for his majesty's lunch, and all +that he had to do was to open the door to the adjoining room, where it +stood already prepared. + +Frederick waited a moment, but the footman still stood irresolute, when +his majesty indicated to him to approach. + +He approached, staggering under the puzzling glance of his master. + +"Oh! I see what it is," said Frederick, shrugging his shoulders; "you +are drunk again, as you often are, and--" + +"Your majesty," cried Schultz, amazed, "I drunk!" + +"Silence!--will you be bold enough to reason with me? I say that you are +drunk, and I want no drunken footmen. They must be well-behaved, sober +fellows, who keep their ears open and their mouths shut--who are +neither drunkards nor gossips, and do not take for truth what they have +experienced in their drunken fits. I do not want such fellows as you are +at all; you are only fit food for cannon, and for that you shall serve. +Go to General Alvensleben, and present yourself to enter the guards. You +are lucky to go to the field at once; to-morrow you will set off. Say +to the general that I sent you, and that you are to enter as a common +soldier." + +"But, your majesty, I do not know what I have done," cried Schultz, +whiningly. "I really am not drunk. I--" + +"Silence!" thundered the king. "Do as I command you! Go to General +Alvensleben, and present yourself to enter the guards at once. Away with +you! I do not need drunken, gossiping footmen in my service. Away with +you!" + +The footman slunk slowly away, his head hanging down, with difficulty +restraining the tears which stood in large drops in his eyes. + +The king followed him with his glance, which softened and grew gentler +from sympathy. "I pity him, the poor fellow! but I must teach him a +lesson. I want no gossips around me. He need only wear the uniform two +weeks or so, that will bring him to reason. Then I will pardon him, +and receive him into my service again. He is a good-natured fellow, and +would not betray any one as Kretzschmar betrayed him." + +The king stepped to the window to look at the gentleman who was eagerly +engaged in conversation with the castellan of Sans-Souci. At this +instant the footman entered with a sealed note for the king. "From his +royal highness Prince Henry," said he. + +"Who brought it?" + +"The gentleman who speaks with the castellan upon the terrace. I wait +your majesty's commands." + +"Wait, then." The note ran thus: "Your majesty, my dearly-beloved +brother: The bearer, Johann Wolfgang Goethe, one of the literati, and +a poet, and at this time secretary of legation to the duchy of +Saxe-Weimar, is a great favorite of the duke's, our nephew. I met him +returning from the parade in company with the duke, who expressed to me +the strong desire his secretary had to visit the celebrated house of +the great philosopher of Sans-Souci, and see the room once occupied by +Voltaire. I could not well refuse, and therefore address these few lines +to your majesty before returning to Berlin with the duke, who will dine +with me, accompanied by his secretary. I am your majesty's most humble +servant and brother, HENRY." + +"Tell the castellan that I grant him permission to show the house and +park to the stranger; he shall take care not to come in my way, so that +I shall be obliged to meet him. Tell this aside, that you may not be +overheard. Hasten, for they have already been waiting some time." + +The king walked again to the window, and, hidden by the curtain, peeped +out. "So, this is Herr Goethe, is it? What assurance! There he stands, +sketching the house. What wonderful eyes the man has! With what a proud, +confident manner he looks around! What a brow! Truly he is a handsome +fellow, and Herzberg may be right after all. That brow betokens +thought, and from those eyes there flashes a divine light. But he looks +overbearing and proud. Now, I am doubly pleased that I refused Herzberg +to have any thing to do with him. Such presumptive geniuses must be +rather kept back; then they feel their power, and strive to bring +themselves forward. Yes! I believe that man has a future. He looks like +the youthful god Apollo, who may have condescended to descend to earth! +He shall not entrap me with his beautiful head. If he is the man who +makes good and bad weather in Weimar, he shall learn that rain and +sunshine at Sans-Souci do not depend upon him; that the sun and clouds +here do not care whether Herr Goethe is in the world or not. For +sunshine and storm we depend upon the Great Weather-Maker, to whom we +must all bow; evil and good days in Prussia shall emanate from me, +so long as I live. Sometimes I succeed in causing a little sunshine," +continued the king. "I believe the Prince of Prussia has to-day felt the +happy influence of the sun's rays; and while it is dull and lonely at +Sans-Souei, may it be brighter and more cheerful at Charlottenburg! +Eh bien! old boy," said the king, stopping, "you are playing the +sentimental, and eulogizing your loneliness. Well, well, do not +complain.--Oh, come to me, spirits of my friends, and hold converse with +me! Voltaire, D'Argens, and my beloved Lord-Marshal Keith! Come to me, +departed souls, with the memories of happier days, and hover with thy +cheering, sunny influence over the wrinkled brow of old Fritz!" + +While the lonely king implored the spirits of his friends, to brighten +with their presence the quiet, gloomy apartment at Sans-Souci, the sun +shone in full splendor at Charlottenburg--the sunshine beaming from the +munificence of Frederick. Wilhelmine Enke had passed the whole day in +admiring the beautiful and tasteful arrangement of the villa. Every +piece of furniture, every ornament, she examined attentively--all filled +her with delight. The prince, who accompanied her from room to room, +listened to her outbursts of pleasure, rejoicing. + +"I wish that I could often prepare such happiness for you, dearest, for +my heart is twice gladdened to see your beaming face." + +"Reflected from your own. You are my good genius upon earth. You have +caused the poor, neglected child to become the rich and happy woman. To +you I owe this home, this foot of earth, which I can call my own. Here +blossom the flowers for me--here I am mistress, and those who enter must +come as my guests, and honor me. All this I owe to you." + +"Not to me," said the prince, smiling; "I only gave to you what was +given to me! To the king belong your thanks. Harsh in words, but gentle +in deeds, he has given you this refuge, freeing you from the slavery of +poverty, from the sorrow of being homeless. But tell it not, Wilhelmine. +The king would be angry if it were known that he not only tolerated but +showed great generosity to you. It is a secret that I ought not even +to disclose to you. I could not receive your thanks, for I have not +deserved them. From the king comes your good fortune, not from me. The +day will come when I can requite you, when the poor crown prince becomes +the rich king. On that day the golden rain shall again shower upon +you, never to cease, and, vying with the shower of gold, the brightest +sunbeams play continually around you. As king, I will reward your +fidelity and love, which you have proved to the poor crown prince, with +splendor, power, and riches. Until then rejoice with the little that his +grace has accorded you, and await the much that love will one day bring +you. Farewell, Wilhelmine, the evening sets in, and I must forth to +Potsdam. The king would never pardon me if I did not pass the last +evening with my wife in the circle of my family. Farewell!" + +He embraced her tenderly, and Wilhelmine accompanied the prince to the +carriage, and returned to survey anew the beautiful rooms which were now +her own possession. An unspeakable, unknown feeling was roused in her, +and voices, which she had never heard, spoke to her from the depths +of her heart. "You are no longer a despised, homeless creature," they +whispered. "You have a home, a foot of earth to call your own. Make +yourself a name, that you may be of consequence in the world. You are +clever and beautiful, and with your prudence and beauty you can win +a glorious future! Remember the Marquise de Pompadour, neglected and +scorned as you, until a king loved her, and she became the wife of a +king, and all France bowed down to her. Even the Empress Maria Theresa +honored her with her notice, and called her cousin. I am also the +favorite of a future king, and I will also become the queen of my king!" + +Wilhelmine had remained standing in the midst of the great drawing-room, +which she was passing through, listening to these seductive voices, to +these strange pictures of the future. In her imagination she saw herself +in this room surrounded with splendor and magnificence, and sparkling +with gems. She saw around her elegantly-attired ladies and gentlemen, +in brilliant uniforms, glittering with orders; saw every-where smiling +faces, and respectful manners. She saw all eyes turned to her, and heard +only flattering words, which resounded for her from every lip--for her, +once so despised and scorned! "It shall be, yes, it shall be," cried +she aloud. "I will be the queen of my king! I will become the Prussian +Marquise de Pompadour; that I swear by the heads of my children, by--" + +"Rather swear by thy own beautiful head, Wilhelmine," said a voice +behind her. Startled, she turned, and beheld the tall figure of a man, +wrapped in a long cloak, who stood in the open door. + +"Who are you?" she cried, amazed. "How dare you enter here?" + +The figure closed the door, without answering, and, slowly approaching +Wilhelmine, fixed his black eyes upon her with a searching gaze. +She tried to summon help, but the words died on her lips; her cheeks +blanched with terror, and, as if rooted to the floor, she stood with +outstretched arms imploring the approaching form. The figure smiled, +but there was something commanding in its manner, and in the fiery eyes, +which rested upon her. When quite near her, it raised its right hand +with an impatient movement. Immediately her arms fell at her side, her +cheeks glowed, and a bright smile lighted up her face. Then it lifted +the three-cornered, gold-bordered hat which shaded its face, nodding to +her. + +"Do you recognize me, Wilhelmine?" he asked, in a sweet, melodious +voice. + +"Yes," she answered, her eyes still fixed upon him. "You are Cagliostro, +the great ruler and magician." + +"Where did we meet?" + +"I remember; it was in Paris, at the house of the governor of the +Bastile, M. Delaunay. You caused me to read in a glass the future--a +bright, glorious future. I was surrounded with splendor and +magnificence. I saw myself glittering with gems; a king knelt at my +feet. I was encircled by richly-attired courtiers, who bowed before me, +and honored me, whispering: 'We salute you, O beautiful countess; be +gracious to us, exalted princess!' It sounded like heavenly music, and I +shouted with delight." + +"Was that all?" said Cagliostro, solemnly, "that the crystal showed +you." + +Shuddering, she murmured: "The splendor, glory, and power vanished, +and all was changed to a fearful picture. I saw myself in a plain, dark +dress, in a deserted, lonely room, with iron-barred windows, and a small +iron door closed in the dreary white walls--it was a prison! And I heard +whispered around me: 'Woe to you, fallen and dethroned one! You have +wasted away the days of your splendor, submit in patience to the days +of your shame and humiliation.' I could not endure to behold it, and +screamed with terror, fainting." + +"You demanded to see the future, and I showed it to you," said +Cagliostro, earnestly. "Though I let the light shine into your soul, +still it was dark within; you pursued the way of unbelief, and desired +not to walk in the way of knowledge. I sent messengers twice to you to +lead you in the right path, and you sent them laughing away. Recall what +I told you in Paris. I will it!" + +"I remember, master; you said that in the most important days of my life +you would come to me, and extend to me a helping hand: if I seized +it, the first picture would be fulfilled; if I refused it, the prison +awaited me!" + +"I have kept my word: to-day is an eventful day in your life; you have +risen from want and degradation--you have mounted the first rounds of +the ladder of your greatness and power. You are the mistress of this +house." "How did you know it?" asked Wilhelmine, astonished. With a +pitying smile he answered: "I know every thing that I will, and I +see many things that I would willingly close my eyes upon. I see your +future, and my soul pities you, unhappy one; you are lost if you do not +seize the hand extended to you. You see not the abyss which opens before +you, and you will fall bleeding and with broken limbs." + +"Mercy, mercy!" she groaned--"stretch out your hand and protect me." +Wilhelmine sank as if crushed to the earth. Cagliostro bent over her, +and stroked her cold, pale face, breathing upon her the hot breath of +his lips. "I will pity you--I will protect you. Rise, my daughter!" He +assisted her to rise, and imprinted a passionate kiss upon her hand. +"From this hour I count you as one of mine," he said; "you shall be +received into the holy band of spirits! You shall be consecrated, and +enter the Inner Temple. Are you prepared?" "I am, master," she humbly +replied. + +"To-morrow the Temple brothers will open the temple of bliss to you. You +shall hear, see, and be silent." "I will see, hear, and be silent," she +murmured. + +"When evening sets in, send away your servants," commanded Cagliostro. +"Let the doors stand open; they shall be guarded, that no one may enter +but the summoned. Art thou prepared?" + +"I am, master!" + +"Withdraw now to your room, Wilhelmine, and elevate your thoughts in +devotion and contrition, and await the future. Kneel, my daughter, +kneel!" She sank upon her knees. "Bless me, master, bless me!" "I bless +you!" + +She felt a hot, burning sensation upon her forehead, and suddenly a +bright light shone in the obscure room. Wilhelmine screamed, and covered +her eyes. When she ventured to look up, only soft moonlight +penetrated from the high window into the apartment, and she was alone. +"To-morrow--to-morrow, at midnight!" she murmured, shuddering, and +casting a timid look around. + + + + +BOOK II. ROSICRUCIANS AND POWERFUL GENIUSES + + +CHAPTER X. GOETHE IN BERLIN. + + +"I wish I only knew whether it were a man, or whether the god Apollo +has really appeared to me in human form," sighed Conrector Moritz, as he +paced his room--a strange, gloomy apartment, quite in keeping with the +singular occupant--gray walls, with Greek apothegms inscribed upon them +in large letters--dirty windows, pasted over with strips of paper; +high, open book-shelves, containing several hundred books, some neatly +arranged, others thrown together in confusion. In the midst of a chaos +of books and papers stood a colossal bust of the Apollo-Belvedere upon +a table near the window, the whiteness and beauty of which were in +singular contrast, to the dust and disorder which surrounded it. + +At the back of the room was an open wardrobe, filled with gay-colored +garments. A beautiful carpet of brilliant colors covered the middle of +the dirty floor, and upon this paced to and fro the strange occupant +of this strange room, Philip Charles Moritz, conrector of the college +attached to the Gray Monastery. There was no trace of the bearing and +demeanor which distinguished him at the parade at Potsdam yesterday--no +trace of the young elegant, dressed in the latest fashion. To-day he +wore a white garment, of no particular style, tied at the neck with a +red ribbon (full sleeves, buttoned at the wrist with lace-cuffs); and, +falling from the shoulders in scanty folds to just below the knees, it +displayed his bare legs, and his feet shod with red sandals. + +His hair was unpowdered, and not tied in a cue, according to the +fashion, but hung in its natural brown color, flowing quite loosely, +merely confined by a red ribbon wound in among his curls, and hanging +down in short bows at each temple like the frontlet of the old Romans. +Thus, in this singular costume, belonging half to old Adam, and half +to the old Romans, Philip Moritz walked back and forth upon the carpet, +ruminating upon the beaming beauty of the stranger whose acquaintance +he had so recently made, and whom he could not banish from his thoughts. +"What wicked demon induced me to go to Potsdam yesterday?" said he to +himself. "I who hate mankind, and believe that they are all of vulgar, +ordinary material, yield to the longing for society, and am driven again +into the world." + +A loud knocking at the door interrupted this soliloquy, and the door +opened at the commanding "Come in!" + +"It is he, it is Apollo," cried Moritz, joyfully. "Come in, sir, come +in--I have awaited you with the most ardent desire." + +Moritz rushed to the young gentleman, who had just closed the door, +and whose beautiful, proud face lighted up with a smile at the singular +apparition before him. "Pardon me, I disturb you, sir; you were about to +make your toilet. Permit me to return after you have dressed." + +"You are mistaken," cried Moritz, eagerly. "You find me in my usual +home-dress--I like my ease and freedom, and I am of opinion that mankind +will never be happy and contented until they return to their natural +state, wearing no more clothing, but glorying in the beauty which +bountiful Nature has bestowed upon her most loved and chosen subjects." + +"Sir," cried the other, laughing, "then benevolent Nature should +adapt her climate accordingly, and relieve her dear creatures from the +inclination to take cold." + +"You may be right," said Moritz, earnestly, "but we will not quarrel +about it. Will you not keep your promise to reveal to me your name?" + +"Tell me your own once more. Tell me if this youth, whom I see before +me in this ideal dress, is the same modest young man whom I met at +the parade yesterday, and who presented himself as Philip Moritz? +Then please to inform me whether you are the Philip Moritz who wrote a +spirited and cordial letter to Johann Wolfgang Goethe some years since +about the tragedy of 'Stella,' the representation of which had been +forbidden at that time?" + +"Yes, I am the same Philip Moritz, who wrote to the poet Goethe to prove +to him, with the most heart-felt sympathy, that we are not all such +stupid fellows in Berlin as Nicolai, who pronounced the tragedy 'Stella' +immoral; that it is only, as Goethe himself called it, 'a play for +lovers.'" + +"And will you not be kind enough to tell me what response the poet made +to your amiable letter?" + +"Proud and amiable at the same time, most gracefully he answered me, but +not with words. He sent me his tragedy 'Stella' bound in rose-colored +satin. [Footnote: "Goethe in Berlin,"--Sketches from his life at the +anniversary of his one hundredth birthday.] See there! it is before the +bust of Apollo on my writing-table, where it has lain for three years!" + +"What did he write to you at the same time?" + +"Nothing--why should he? Was not the book sufficient answer?" + +"Did he write nothing? Permit me to say to you that Goethe behaved like +a brute and an ass to you!" + +"Sir," cried Moritz, angrily, "I forbid you to speak of my favorite in +so unbecoming a manner in my room!" + +"Sir," cried the other, "you dare not forbid me. I insist upon it that +that man is sometimes a brute and an ass! I can penitently acknowledge +it to you, dear Moritz, for I am Johann Wolfgang Goethe himself!" + +"You, you are Goethe!" shouted Moritz, as he seized him with both hands, +drawing him toward the window, and gazing at him with the greatest +enthusiasm and delight. "Yes, yes," he shouted, "you are either Apollo +or Goethe! The gods are not so stupid as to return to this miserable +world, so you must be Goethe. No other man would dare to sport such a +godlike face as you do, you favorite of the gods!" + +He then loosed his hold upon the smiling poet, and sprang to the +writing-table. "Listen, Apollo," he cried, with wild joy. "Goethe is +here, thy dear son is here! Hurrah! long live Goethe!" + +He took the rose-colored little book, and shouting tossed it to the +ceiling, and sprang about like a mad bacchant, and finally threw himself +upon the carpet, rolling over and over like a frolicksome, good-natured +child upon its nurse's lap. + +Goethe laughed aloud. "What are you doing, dear Moritz? What does this +mean?" he asked. + +Moritz stopped a moment, looking up to Goethe with a face beaming with +joy. "I cannot better express my happiness. Language is too feeble--too +poor!" + +"If that is the case, then I will join you," said Goethe, throwing +himself upon the carpet, rolling and tumbling about. [Footnote: This +scene which I relate, and which Teichman also mentions in his "Leaves +of Memory of Goethe in Berlin," has been often related to me by Ludwig +Tieck exactly in this manner. Teichman believes it was the poet Burman. +But I remember distinctly that Ludwig Tieck told me that it was the +eccentric savant, Philip Moritz, with whom Goethe made the acquaintance +in this original manner.--The Authoress.] + +All at once Moritz jumped up without saying a word, rushed to the +wardrobe, dressed himself in modest attire in a few moments, and +presented himself to Goethe, who rose from the carpet quite astounded +at the sudden metamorphosis. Then he seized his three-cornered hat to go +out, when Goethe held him fast. + +"You are not going into the street, sir! You forget that your hair is +flying about as if unloosed by a divine madness." + +"Sir, people are quite accustomed to see me in a strange costume, and +the most of them think me crazy." + +"You are aware that insane people believe that they only are sane, and +that reasonable people are insane. You will grant me that it is much +more like a crazy person to strew his hair with flour, and tie it up +in that ridiculous cue, than to wear it as God made it, uncombed and +unparted, as I do my beautiful hair, and for which they call me crazy! +But, for Heaven's sake, where are you going?" asked Goethe, struggling +to retain him. + +"I am going to trumpet through every street in Berlin that the author of +'Werther,' of 'Clavigo,' of 'Gotz von Berlichingen,' of 'Stella,' of the +most beautiful poems, is in my humble apartment. I will call in all the +little poets and savants of Berlin; I will drag Mammler, Nicolai, Engel, +Spaulding, Gedicke, Plumicke, Karschin, and Burman here. They shall +all come to see Wolfgang Goethe, and adore him. The insignificant poets +shall pay homage to thee, the true poet, the favorite of Apollo." + +"My dear Moritz, if you leave me for that, I will run away, and you will +trouble yourself in vain." + +"Impossible; you will be my prisoner until I return. I shall lock you +in, and you cannot escape by the window, as I fortunately live on the +third story." + +"But I shall not wait to be looked in," answered Goethe, slightly +annoyed. "I came to see you, and if you run away I shall go also, and +I advise you not to try to prevent me." His voice resounded through the +apartment, growing louder as he spoke, his cheeks flushed, and his high, +commanding brow contracted. + +"Jupiter Tonans!" cried Moritz, regarding him, "you are truly Jupiter +Tonans in person, and I bow before you and obey your command. I shall +remain to worship you, and gaze at you." + +"And it may be possible to speak in a reasonable manner to me," said +Goethe, coaxingly. "Away with sentimentality and odors of incense! We +are no sybarites, to feed on sweet-meats and cakes; but we are men who +have a noble aim in view, attained only by a thorny path. Our eyes must +remain fixed upon the goal, and nothing must divert them from it." + +"What is the aim that we should strive for?" asked Moritz, his whole +being suddenly changing, and his manner expressing the greatest +depression and sadness. + +Goethe smiled. "How can you ask, as if you did not know it yourself. +Self-knowledge should be our first aim! The ancient philosophers were +wise to have inscribed over the entrances to their temples, 'Know +thyself,' in order to remind all approaching, to examine themselves +before they entered the halls of the gods. Is not the human heart +equally a temple? only the demons and the gods strive together therein, +unfortunately. To drive the former out, and give place to the latter, +should be our aim; and when once purified, and room is given for good +deeds and great achievements, we shall not rest satisfied simply to +conquer, but rise with gladness to build altars upon those places which +we have freed from the demons; for that, we must steadily keep in view +truth and reality, and not hide them with a black veil, or array them +in party-colored rags. Our ideas must be clear about the consequences of +things, that we may not be like those foolish men who drink wine +every evening and complain of headache every morning, resorting to +preventives." + +Did Goethe know the struggles and dissensions which rent the heart of +the young man to whom he spoke? Had his searching eyes read the secrets +which were hidden in that darkened soul? He regarded him as he spoke +with so much commiseration that Moritz's heart softened under the genial +influence of sympathy and kindness. A convulsive trembling seized him, +his cheeks were burning red, and his features expressed the struggle +within. Suddenly he burst into tears. "I am very, very wretched," he +sighed, with a voice suffocated by weeping, and sank upon a chair, +sobbing aloud, and covering his face with his hands. + +Goethe approached him, and laid his hand gently upon his shoulder. "Why +are you so miserable? Is there any human being who can help you?" he +kindly inquired. + +"Yes," sobbed Moritz; "there are those who could, but they will not, and +I am lost. I stand upon the brink of a precipice, with Insanity staring +at me, grinning and showing her teeth. I know it, but cannot retreat. I +wear the mask of madness to conceal my careworn face. Your divine eyes +could not be deceived. You have not mistaken the caricature for the true +face. You have penetrated beneath the gay tatters, and have seen the +misery which sought to hide itself there." + +"I saw it, and I bewailed it, as a friend pities a friend whom he would +willingly aid if he only knew how to do it." + +"No one can help me," sighed Moritz, shaking his head mournfully. "I am +lost, irremediably lost!" + +"No one is lost who will save himself. He who is wrecked by a storm and +tossed upon the raging sea, ought to be upon the watch for a plank by +which he can save himself. He must keep his eyes open, and not let his +arms hang idly; for if he allows himself to be swallowed up he becomes +a self-murderer, who, like Erostratus, destroyed the holy temple, and +gained eternal fame through eternal shame." + +"What are you saying?" cried Moritz, "you, the author of 'Werther,' of +that immortal work which has drunk the tears of the whole world, and has +become the Holy Testament for unhappy souls!" + +"Rather say for lovers," replied Goethe, "and add also those troubled +spirits who think themselves poetical when they whine and howl; who cry +over misfortune if Fate denies them the toy which their vanity, their +ambition, or their amorousness, had chosen. Do not burden me with what +I am not guilty of; do not say that wine is a poison, because it is +not good for the sick. It is intended for well people; it animates and +inspires them to fresh vigor. Now please to consider yourself well, and +not ill." + +"I am ill, indeed I am ill," sighed Moritz. "Oh! continue to regard me +with those eyes, which shine like stars into my benighted soul. I feel +like one who has long wandered through the desert, his feet burnt with +the sand, his hair scorched with the sun, and, exhausted with hunger and +thirst, feels death approaching. Suddenly he discovers a green +oasis, and a being with outstretched arms calling to him with a soft, +angel-like voice: 'Come, save thyself in my arms; feel that thou art not +alone in the desert, for I am with thee, and will sustain thee!'" + +"And I say it to you from the bottom of my heart," said Goethe, +affectionately. "Yes, here is one, who is only too happy to aid you, who +can sympathize with every sorrow, because he has himself felt it in his +own breast, who may even say of himself, like Ovid: 'Nothing human is +strange to me.' If I can aid you, say so, and I will willingly do it." + +"No, you cannot," murmured Moritz. + +"At least confide your grief to me; that is an alleviation." + +"Oh, how kind and generous you are!" Moritz said, pressing the hand of +his new-made friend to his bosom. "How much good it does me to listen to +you, and look at your beautiful face! I believed myself steeled against +every thing that could happen to mortals; that the fool which I would +be had killed within me the higher man. I was almost proud to have +succeeded in deceiving men; that they mistook my grotesque mask for my +real face; that they point the finger at me, and laugh, saying to each +other: 'That is a fool, an original, whom Nature herself has chosen as +a kind of court fool to society.' No one has understood the cry of +distress of my soul. Those who laughed at the comical fellow by day, +little dreamed of the anguish and misery in which he sighed away the +night." + +"You not only wrong yourself, but you wrong mankind," said Goethe, +kindly. "In the world, and in literature, you bear an honored name; +every one of education is familiar with your excellent work on 'Prosody +of the German Language'--has read also your spirited Journey to England. +You have no right to ask that one should separate the kernel from +the shell in hastily passing by. If you surround yourself with a wall +bedaubed with caricatures, you cannot expect that people will look +behind what seems an entrance to a puppet-show, to find holy temples, +blooming gardens, or a church-yard filled with graves." + +"That is just what I resemble," said Moritz, with a melancholy air. +"From the depths of my soul it seems so. Nothing but buried hopes, +murdered ideals, and wishes trodden under foot. From childhood I have +exerted myself against circumstances; I have striven my whole life--a +pledge of my being against unpropitious Fate. Although the son of a +poor tradesman, Nature had given me a thirst for knowledge, a love for +science and art. On account of it I passed for a stupid idler in the +family, who would not contribute to his own support. Occupation with +books was accounted idleness and laziness by my father. I was driven to +work with blows and ill-treatment; and, that I might the sooner equal +my father as a good shoemaker, I was bound to the stool near his own. +During the long, fearful days I was forced to sit and draw the pitched, +offensive thread through the leather, and when my arms were lame, and +sank weary at my side, then I was invigorated to renewed exertion with +blows. Finally, with the courage of despair, I fled from this life of +torture. Unacquainted with the world, and inexperienced, I hoped for the +sympathy of men, but in vain. No one would relieve or assist me! Days +and weeks long I have wandered around in the forest adjoining our little +village, and lived like the animals, upon roots and herbs. Yet I was +happy! I had taken with me in my flight two books which I had received +as prizes, in the happy days that my father permitted me to go to the +Latin school. The decision of the teacher that I was created for a +scholar, so terrified my father, that he took me from the school, to +turn the embryo savant, who would be good for nothing, into a shoemaker, +who might earn his bread. My two darling books remained to me. In the +forest solitude I read Ovid and Virgil until I had memorized them, and +recited them aloud, in pathetic tones, for my own amusement. To-day I +recall those weeks in the forest stillness as the happiest, purest, and +most beautiful of my life." + +"And they undoubtedly are," said Goethe, kindly. "The return to Nature +is the return to one's self. Who will be an able, vigorous man and +remain so, must, above all things, live in and with Nature." + +"But oh! this happy life did not long continue," sighed Moritz. "My +father discovered my retreat, and came with sheriffs and bailiffs to +seize me like a criminal--like a wild animal. With my hands bound, I was +brought back in broad day, amid the jeers of street boys. Permit me to +pass in silence the degradation, the torture which followed. I became a +burden to myself, and longed for death. The ill-treatment of my father +finally revived my courage to run away the second time. I went to a +large town near by, and decided to earn my living rather than return +to my father. To fulfil the prophecy of my teacher was my ambition. The +privations that I endured, the life I led, I will not recount to you. +I performed the most menial service, and worked months like a beast of +burden. For want of a shelter, I slept in deserted yards and tumble-down +houses. Upon a piece of bread and a drink of water I lived, saving, +with miserly greediness, the money which I earned as messenger or +day-laborer. At the end of a year, I had earned sufficient to buy an old +suit of clothes at a second-hand clothing-store, and present myself to +the director of the Gymnasium, imploring him to receive me as pupil. +Bitterly weeping, I opened my heart to him, and disclosed the torture +of my sad life as a child, and begged him to give me the opportunity +to educate myself. He repulsed me with scorn, and threatened to give me +over to the police, as a runaway, as a vagabond, and beggar. 'I am no +beggar!' I cried, vehemently, 'I will be under obligation to no one. I +have money to pay for two years in advance, and during this time I shall +be able to earn sufficient to pay for the succeeding two years.' This +softened the anger of the crabbed director; he was friendly and kind, +and promised me his assistance." + +"Poor boy!" sighed Goethe. "So young, and yet forced to learn that there +is a power to which not only kings and princes, but mind must bow; to +which science and art have submitted, as to their Maecenas! This power +opened the doors of the Gymnasium to you." + +"It was even thus. The director took pity upon me, and permitted me to +enter upon my studies at once; he did more, he assured my future. Oh, he +was a humane and kind man! When he learned that I possessed nothing but +the little sum to which the drops of blood of a year's toil still clung, +then--" + +"He returned it to you," interrupted Goethe, kindly. + +"No, he offered me board, lodging, and clothing, during my course at the +Gymnasium." + +"That was well," cried Goethe. "Tell me the name of this honorable man, +that I may meet him and extend to him my hand." + +A troubled smile spread over Philip's face. "Permit me for the time +being to conceal the name," he replied. "I received the generous +proposal gratefully, and asked, deeply moved, if there were no services +which I could return for so much kindness and generosity. It proved that +there were, and the director made them known to me. He was unmarried, +hence the necessity of men's service. I should be society for him--be a +companion, in fact; I should do what every grateful son would do for +his father--help him dress, keep his room in order, and prepare his +breakfast." + +"That meant that you should be his servant!" cried Goethe, indignant. + +"Only in the morning," replied Moritz, smiling. "Evenings and nights +I should have the honor to be his amanuensis; I should look over the +studies of the scholars, and correct their exercises; and when I had +made sufficient progress, it should be my duty to give two hours to +different classes, and I should read aloud or play cards with the +director on leisure evenings. Besides, I was obliged to promise never +to leave the house without his permission; never to speak to, or hold +intercourse with, any one outside the hours of instruction. All these +conditions were written down, and signed by both parties, as if a +business contract." + +"A transaction by which a human soul was bargained for!" thundered +Goethe. "Reveal to me, now, the name of this trader of souls, that I may +expose him to public shame!" + +"He died a year since," replied Moritz, softened. "God summoned him +to judgment. When the physician announced to him that the cancer was +incurable, when he felt death approaching, he sent for me, and begged +my forgiveness, with tears and deep contrition. I forgave him, so let +me cease to recall the life I passed with him. By the sweat of my brow I +was compelled to serve him; for seven long years I was his slave. I sold +myself for the sake of knowledge, I was consoled by progress. I was the +servant, companion, jester, and slave of my tyrant, but I was also the +disciple, the priest of learning. In my own room my chains fell off. In +the lonely night-watches I communed with the great, the immortal spirits +of Horace, Virgil, and even the proud Caesar, and the divine Homer. +Those solitary but happy hours of the night are never to be forgotten, +never to be portrayed; they refreshed me for the trials of the day, and +enabled me to endure them! At the close of seven years I was prepared to +enter the university, and the bargain between my master and myself was +also at an end. Freed from my tyrant, I bent my steps toward Frankfort +University, to feel my liberty enchained anew. For seven years I had +been the slave of the director; now I became the slave of poverty, +forced to labor to live! Oh, I cannot recall those scenes! Suffice it to +say, that during one year I had no fixed abode, never tasted warm +food. But it is passed--I have conquered! After years of struggle, of +exertion, of silent misery, only relieved by my stolen hours of blissful +study, I gained my reward. I was free! My examination passed, I was +honored with the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts. +After many intervening events, I was appointed conrector of the college +attached to the Gray Monastery, which position now supports me." + +"God be praised, I breathe freely!" answered Goethe, with one of those +sunny smiles which, in a moment of joyful excitement, lighted up his +face. "I feel like one shipwrecked, who has, at last, reached a safe +harbor. I rejoice in your rescue as if it were my own. Now you are +safe. You have reached the port, and in the quiet happiness of your +own library you will win new laurels. Why, then, still dispirited and +unhappy? The past, with its sorrows and humiliations, is forgotten, the +present is satisfactory, and the future is full of hope for you." + +"Full of misery is the present," cried Philip, angrily, "and filled with +despair I glance at the future. You do not see it with your divine +eyes, you do not perceive it, poet with the sympathetic soul. You, too, +thought that Philip Moritz had only a head for the sciences, and forgot +that he had a heart to love. I tell you that he has a warm, affectionate +heart, torn with grief and all the tortures of jealousy; that +disappointed happiness maddens him. I was not created to be happy, and +my whole being longs for happiness. Oh! I would willingly give my life +for one day by the side of the one I love." + +"Do not trifle," said Goethe, angrily. "He who has striven and struggled +as you have, dare not offer, for any woman, however beautiful and +seductive, to yield his life, which has been destined to a higher aim +than mere success in love. Perhaps you think that God has infused a +ray of His intelligence into the mind of man, created him immortal, +and breathed upon him with His world-creating breath only, to make him +happy, and find that happiness in love! No! my friend, God has given to +man like faculties with Himself, and inspired him, that he might be a +worthy representative of Him upon the earth; that he should prove, in +his life, that he is not only the blossom, but the fruit also, of +God's creation. Love is to man the perfume of his existence. She may +intoxicate him for a while, may inspire him to poetical effusions, +to great deeds, even; but he should hesitate to let her become his +mistress, to let her be the tyrant of his existence. If she would +enchain him, he must tear himself away, even if he tear out his own +heart. Man possesses that which is more ennobling than mere feeling; he +has intellect--soul." + +"Ah!" cried Moritz, "it is easy to see that you have never loved madly, +despairingly. You have never seen the woman whom you adore, and who +perhaps reciprocates your passion, forced to marry another." + +A shadow flitted over Goethe's brow, and the flashing brilliancy of his +eyes was changed to gloomy sadness. Gently, but quickly, he laid his +hand upon Moritz's shoulder, saying: "In this hour, when two souls are +revealed to each other, will I acknowledge to you that which I have +never spoken of. I, too, love a woman, who loves me, and yet can never +be mine, for she is married to another. I love this sweet woman as I +have never loved a mortal being. For years my existence has belonged to +her, she has been the centre of all my thoughts. It would seem to me +as if the earth were without a sun, heaven without a God, if she should +vanish from life. I even bless the torture which her prudery, her +alternate coldness and friendliness cause me, as it comes from her, from +the highest bliss of feeling. This passion has swept through my soul, as +if uniting in itself all my youthful loves, till, like a torrent, ever +renewing itself, ever moving onward, it has become the highway of my +future. Upon this stream floats the bark laden with all my happiness, +fame, and poetry. The palaces which my fancy creates rise upon its +shore. Every zephyr, however slight, makes me tremble. Every cloud which +overshadows the brow of my beloved, sweeps like a tempest over my own. +I live upon her smile. A kind word falling from her lips makes me +happy for days; and when she turns away from me with coldness and +indifference, I feel like one driven about as Orestes by the Furies." + +"You really are in love!" cried Moritz. "I will take back what I have +said. You, the chosen of the gods, know all the human heart can suffer, +even unhappy love." + +Almost angry, and with hesitation, Goethe answered him: "I do not call +this passion of mine an unhappy one, for in the very perception of it +lies happiness. We are only wretched when we lose self-control. To this +point Love shall never lead me. She yields me the highest delight, but +she shall never bring me to self-destruction. Grief for her may, like +a destructive whirlwind, crush every blossom of my heart; but she shall +never destroy me. The man, the poet, must stand higher than the lover; +for where the latter is about to yield to despair, the former will rise, +and, with the defiance of Prometheus, challenge the gods to recognize +the godlike similitude, that man can rise superior to sorrow, never +despairing, never cursing Fate if all the rosy dreams of youth are not +realities, but with upturned gaze stride over the waste places of life, +consoling himself with the thought that only magnanimous souls can +suffer and conquer magnanimously. Vanquished grief brings us nearer to +the immortal, and gradually bears us from this vale of sorrow up to +the brighter heights, nearer to God--the earth with her petty confusion +lying like a worthless tool at our feet!" + +"It is heavenly to be able to say that, and divine to perceive it," +cried Moritz, bursting into tears. "The miseries of life chain me to +the dust, and do not permit me to mount to the heights which a hero like +Goethe reaches victorious. It is indeed sublime to conquer one's self, +and be willing to resign the happiness which flees us. But see how weak +I am--I cannot do it! I can never give up the one I love. It seems as if +I could move heaven and earth to conquer at last, and that I must die if +I do not succeed--die like Werther." + +Goethe's eyes flashed with anger, and with heightened color he +exclaimed: "You all repeat the same litany--do not make me answerable +for all your weaknesses, and blame poor Werther for the creations of +your own imagination. I, who am the author of Werther, am free from this +abominable sentimentality. Why cannot others be, who only read what I +have conceived? But pardon my violence," he continued, with a milder +voice and gentler manner. "Never did an author create a work which +brought him at the same time so great fame and bitter reproach as this +work has brought to me. 'The Sorrows of Young Werther' have indeed been +transformed into the sorrows of young Goethe, and I even fear that old +Goethe will have to suffer for it. I have spoken to you as a friend to +a friend: cherish my words, take them to heart, and arise from the dust; +shake off the self-strewn ashes from your head. Enter again as a +brave champion the combat of life--summon to your aid cunning, power, +prudence, and audacity, to conquer your love. Whether you succeed +or not, then you aim at the greatest of battles--that of mind over +matter--then remember my farewell words. From the power which binds all +men he frees himself who conquers himself.--Farewell! If ever you need +the encouragement of a friend, if ever a sympathizing soul is necessary +to you, come to Weimar; sympathy and appreciation shall never fail you +there." + +"Oh! I will surely go," answered Moritz, deeply moved, and pressing +heartily Goethe's offered hand. + +"One thing more I have to say to you: Live much with Nature; accustom +yourself to regard the sparrow, the flower, or the stone, as worthy of +your attention as the wonderful phoenix or the monuments of the ancients +with their illegible inscriptions. To walk with Nature is balsam for +a weary soul; gently touched by her soft hands, the recovery is most +rapid. I have experienced it, and do experience it daily. Now, once +more, farewell; in the true sense of the word fare-thee-well! I wish +that I could help you in other ways than by mere kind words. It pains me +indeed that I can render you no other aid or hope. You alone can do what +none other can do for you.--Farewell!" + +He turned, and motioning to Moritz not to follow him, almost flew down +the stairs into the street. Drawing a long breath, he stood leaning +against the door, gazing at the crowd--at the busy passers-by--some +merrily chatting with their companions, others with earnest mien and in +busy haste. No one seemed to care for him, no one looked at him. If +by chance they glanced at him, Johann Wolfgang Goethe was of no more +consequence to them than any other honest citizen in a neighboring +doorway. + +Without perhaps acknowledging it to himself, Goethe was a little vexed +that no one observed him; that the weather-maker from Weimar, who was +accustomed to be greeted there, and everywhere, indeed, with smiles and +bows, should here in Berlin be only an ordinary mortal--a stranger among +strangers. "I would not live here," said he, as he walked slowly down +the street. "What are men in great cities but grains of sand, now blown +together and then asunder? There is no individuality, one is only a +unit in the mass! But it is well occasionally to look into such a +kaleidoscope, and admire the play of colors, which I have done, and +with a glad heart I will now fly home to all my friends--to you, beloved +one--to you, Charlotte!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI. THE INNER AND THE MIDDLE TEMPLE. + + +Wilhelmine Enke had passed the day in great anxiety and excitement, and +not even the distraction of her new possession had been able to calm the +beating of her heart or allay her fears. Prince Frederick William had +arrived early in the morning, to bid her farewell, as he was to march +in the course of the day with his regiments from Potsdam. With the +tenderest assurances of love he took leave of Wilhelmine, and with tears +kissed his two children, pressing them to his heart. As he was about +to enter his carriage he returned to the house to embrace his weeping +mistress, and reassure her of his fidelity, and make her promise him +again and again that she would remain true to him, and never love +another. + +It was not alone the farewell to her beloved prince which caused +Wilhelmine such anxiety and made her so restless. Like a dark cloud the +remembrance of Cagliostro's mysterious appearance arose in her mind, +overshadowing her every hour more and more, filling her soul with +terror. In vain did she seek refuge near her children, trying to cheer +and forget herself in their innocent amusement--one moment running about +the garden with them, then returning to the house to reexamine it. Her +thoughts would revert to Cagliostro, and the solemnities which were to +take place at her house that night. The thought terrified her that at +nightfall she was obliged to send away all her servants, and not even be +permitted to lock herself in the lonely, deserted house. For the great +magician had commanded her to let the doors of her house stand open; he +would place sentinels at every entrance, and none but the elect would be +allowed to enter. Wilhelmine had not the courage to resist this command. +As evening approached, she sent the cook, with other servants, to her +apartment at Berlin, ordering them to pack her furniture and other +effects, and send them by a hired wagon to Charlottenburg the following +morning. An hour previous to this she had sent the nurse and two +children to Potsdam with a similar commission, ordering them to +return early the next day. Alone she now awaited with feverish anxiety +Cagliostro's appearance. Again and again she wandered through the +silent, deserted rooms frightened at the sound of her own footsteps, and +peering into each room as if an assassin or robber were lurking there. +She had many enemies--many there were who cursed her, and, alas! none +loved her--she was friendless, save the prince, who was far away. The +tears which the princess had shed on her account weighed like a heavy +burden upon her heart, burning into her very soul in this hour of +lonely, sad retrospection. She tried in vain to excuse herself, in the +fact that she had loved the prince before his marriage; that she had +sacrificed herself to him through affection, and that she was not +entitled to become his wife, as she was not born under the canopy of a +throne. + +From the depths of her conscience there again rose the tearful, sad face +of the princess, accusing her as an adulteress--as a sinner before God +and man! Terrified, she cried: "I have truly loved him, and I do still +love him; this is my excuse and my justification. She is not to be +pitied who can walk openly by the side of her husband, enjoying the +respect and sympathy of all to whom homage is paid, and who, one +day, will be queen! I am the only one, I alone! I stand in the shade, +despised and scorned, avoided and shunned by every one. Those who +recognize me, do so with a mocking smile, and when I pass by they +contemptuously shrug their shoulders and say to one another, 'That +was Enke, the mistress of the Prince of Prussia!' All this shall be +changed," she cried aloud; "I will not always be despised and degraded! +I will be revenged on my crushed and scorned youth! I will have rank and +name, honor and position, that I will--yes, that I will, indeed!" + +Wilhelmine wandered on through the silent rooms, all brilliantly +illuminated, a precaution she had taken before dismissing her servants. +The bright light was a consolation to her, and, at least, she could not +be attacked by surprise, but see her enemy, and escape. "I was a fool," +she murmured, "to grant Cagliostro this reception to-night. I know +that he is a charlatan! There are no prophets or wizards! Yet, well I +remember, though a stranger to me, in Paris, how truthfully he brought +before me my past life; with what marvellous exactness he revealed to me +secrets known only to my Maker and myself. Cagliostro must be a wizard, +then, or a prophet; he has wonderful power over me also, and reads +my most secret thoughts. He will assist me to rise from my shame +and degradation to an honored position. I shall become a rich and +influential woman! I will confide in him, never doubting him--for he is +my master and savior! Away with fear! He has said that the house should +be guarded, and it will be! Onward then, Wilhelmine, without fear!" + +She hastened to the large drawing-room, in order to see the effect of +the numerous wax-lights in the superb chandeliers of rock crystal. +The great folding-doors resisted all her efforts to open them. "Who +is there?" cried a loud, threatening voice. Trembling and with beating +heart Wilhelmine leaned against the door, giddy with fear, when a +second demand, "Who is there? The watchword! No one can pass without the +countersign!" roused her, and she stole back on tiptoe to her room. "He +has kept his word, the doors are guarded!" she whispered. "I will go +and await him in my sitting-room." She stepped quickly forward, when +suddenly she thought she heard footsteps stealing behind her; turning, +she beheld two men wrapped in black cloaks, with black masks, stealthily +creeping after her. Wilhelmine shrieked with terror, tore open the +door, rushed across the next room into her own boudoir. As she entered a +glance revealed to her that the two masks approached nearer and nearer. +She bolted the door quickly, sinking to the floor with fright and +exhaustion. "What are they going to do? Will they force open the door +and murder me? How foolish, how fearfully foolish to have sent away all +my servants. Now I understand it: Cagliostro is not only an impostor--a +charlatan, but he is a thief and an assassin. I have been caught in the +trap set for me, like a credulous fool! He and his associates will rob +me and plunder my beautiful villa, but just given to me, and, when they +have secured all, murder me to escape betrayal." With deep contrition, +weeping and trembling, Wilhelmine accused herself of her credulity and +folly. For the first time in her life she was dismayed and cowardly, for +it was the first time that she had had to tremble for her possessions. +It was something so new, so unaccustomed to her to possess any thing, +that it made her anxious, and she feared, as in the fairy tale, that +it would dissolve into nothing. By degrees her presence of mind and +equanimity were restored. The stillness was unbroken--and no one forced +the door, to murder the mistress of this costly possession. Gathering +courage, she rose softly and stole to the window. The moon shone +brightly and clearly. The house stood sideways to the street, and +separated from it, first by thick shrubbery, and then a trellised lawn. +Whoever would enter, directly turned into a path leading from the street +into the shrubbery. Just upon this walk, Wilhelmine perceived masked men +approaching, one by one, as in a procession--slowly, silently moving on, +until they neared the gate of the trellised square, where two tall, dark +forms were stationed to demand the countersign, which being given, they +passed over the lawn into the house. + +"I will take courage; he has told me the truth, the house is well +guarded," murmured Wilhelmine. "None but the summoned can enter; I +belong to the number, and when it is time Cagliostro will come and +fetch me. Until then, let me await quietly the result," said she, as +she stretched herself comfortably upon the sofa, laughing at her former +cowardice and terror. "No one can enter this room unless I open the +door, and fortunately there is but one exit. The wizard himself could +not gain admittance unless the walls should open or the bolt drive hack +for him. Hark! it strikes eleven, one tedious hour longer to wait. I +must try to rest a little." She laid her head upon the cushion, closing +her eyes. The calm and the quiet were refreshing after the excitement +of the day. Gradually her thoughts became confused--dim pictures floated +past her mental vision, her breathing became shorter, and she slept. The +stillness was unbroken, save the clock striking the quarters of every +hour. Scarcely had the last quarter to midnight sounded, when the window +was softly opened, and a dark form descended into the room. He listened +a moment, looking at the sleeping one, who moved not; then extinguished +the light, creeping toward the door. Wilhelmine slept on. Suddenly it +seemed to her as if sunbeams blinded her, and she started up from a +profound sleep. It was indeed no dream. A white form stood before her of +dazzling brilliancy, as if formed of sun-rays. + +"Rise and follow me!" cried a commanding voice. "The Great Kophta +commands you. Mask yourself, and, as your life is dear to you, do +not raise it for one instant!" Wilhelmine took the mask, upon which +flickered a little blue flame, and held it close to her face. "Pray +in spirit, then follow me." Wilhelmine followed without opposition the +bright form which moved before her through the dark rooms. She felt as +if under the influence of a charm; her heart beat violently, her +feet trembled, but still she felt no more wavering or fear; a joyous +confidence filled her whole being. With her eyes bent upon the moving +form of light, she went onward in the obscurity, and entered the great +drawing-room, where profound darkness and silence reigned. A slight +murmur, as of those in prayer, fell on her car, and it seemed as if +numberless black shadows were moving about. "Kneel and pray," whispered +a voice near her. Her conductor had disappeared, and the gloom of night +surrounded her. Wilhelmine knelt as she was bidden, but she could not +pray; breathless expectation and eager curiosity banished all devotion +and composure. Occasionally was heard, amid the silence and darkness, +a deep sigh, a suppressed groan, or a shriek, which died away in +the murmuring of prayer. Suddenly a strange music broke the +stillness--sharp, piercing tones, resonant as bells, and increasing in +power, sometimes as rich and full as the peals of an organ, then gentle +and soft as the murmuring wind, or a sorrow-laden sigh. Then, human +voices joined the music, swelling it to a wonderful and harmonious +choir--to an inspired song of aspiration, Of fervent expectation, and +imploring the coming of him who would bring glory and peace, filling the +hearts of believers with godliness. The chorus of the Invisibles had not +ceased, when a strange blue light began to glimmer at the farther end +of the room; then it shot like a flash through the dark space. As their +dazzled eyes were again raised, they saw in a kind of halo, in the midst +of golden clouds, a tall, dazzling figure, in a long, flowing robe, +sparkling with silver. The lovely bust, the beautiful arms and +shoulders, were covered with a transparent golden tissue, over which +fell the long, curly hair to the waist. A glittering band, sparkling +like stars, was wound through the hair, which surrounded a feminine face +of surpassing beauty. Perpetual youth glowed upon her full, rosy cheeks; +bright intelligence beamed from the clear, lofty brow; peace, joy, and +happiness, were revealed in the smile of the red lips; love and passion +flashed from the large, brilliant eyes. The choir of the Invisibles now +sang in jubilant tones: "The eternal Virgin, the everlasting, holy, and +pure being, greets the erring, blesses those that seek, causing them to +find, and partake with joy." + +The heavenly woman raised her lovely arms, extending them as if for a +tender embrace. A captivating smile lighted up her features; a fiery +glance from her beautiful eyes seemed to greet every one, separately, +to announce to them joy and hope. While they regarded her entranced with +delight, the golden cloud grew denser, and covered the virgin with her +luminous veil. It then gradually disappeared, with the golden splendor. +The chorus of the Invisibles ceased, and the music died away in gentle +murmurs. Upon the spot where the beaming apparition was visible, there +now stood a tall priest, in a long, flowing black robe; a pale-blue +light surrounded him, and rendered the dark outline distinctly visible +by the clear background. Snow-white hair and a black mask made him +unrecognizable to every one. + +Extending his arms, as if blessing them, the masked one cried: "My +beloved, the unknown fathers of our Holy Order of Rosicrucians send me +to you, and command me to salute you with the greeting of life. I am +to announce to you that the time of revelation approaches, and that the +sublime mysteries of earth and Nature will soon be revealed to you. As +the rose is unfolded in her glowing red, which has so long slept in her +lap of green leaves, you represent the green leaves, and Nature is the +rose. She will disclose herself to you with all her secrets. In her +calyx you will find the elixir of life and the secret of gold, if you +walk in the path of duty; if you exercise unconditional obedience to the +Invisible Fathers; if you submit yourselves in blind confidence to their +wisdom; if you swear to abstain from every self-inquiry, and to distrust +your own understanding." [Footnote: So run the very words in the laws of +the Rosicrucians.--See "New General German Library," vol. lvi., p. 10.] + +"We swear it!" cried solemn voices on all sides. + +"Swear, blindly, silent obedience to all that the Invisible Fathers +shall announce to you through their directors, or shall order you under +the holy sign of the Rosicrucians by word or writing." + +"We swear it!" again resounded in solemn chorus. + +"Shame, disgrace, perdition, and destruction, be your curse," thundered +the priest, "if you deviate in thought even from your oath; if you seek +to ponder and reflect; if you measure by your own limited reason the +dispositions and operations of the sublime fathers, to whom Nature has +revealed herself, and to whom all the secrets of heaven and earth +are disclosed. Eternal destruction, and all the tortures of hell and +purgatory, be the portion of the doubting! Damned and proscribed be +the traitor to the holy order! Listen, ye spirits of the deep, and ye +spirits of darkness, withdraw from here in terror, ere the anger of +the Invisible Fathers fall upon you like destroying lightning! Open, ye +doors, that the wicked may flee, and only the good remain!" + +With a wave of the hand the great folding-doors now opened, and a flood +of light from the adjoining apartment revealed the drawingroom to be +filled with the dark forms of men enveloped in black cloaks, hoods drawn +over the heads, and black masks covering the faces--all kneeling close +together and exactly resembling one another. No one moved, the doors +closed again, darkness reigning. The priest was no longer visible, +though continuing to speak: "Only the good and obedient are now +assembled here, and to them I announce that life is to us, and death +awaits beyond the door to seize the traitor who would disclose the holy +secrets of the order. Be faithful, my brothers, and never forget that +there is no place on the earth where the traitor is secure from the +avenging sword of the Invisible Fathers. None but the good and obedient +being here assembled, I now announce to you that the time of revelation +approaches, and that it will come when you are all zealously endeavoring +to extend the holy order, and augment the number of brothers. For the +extension of the order is nothing less than universal happiness. It +emanates alone from the Invisible Fathers, who link heaven to earth and +who will open again the lost way to Paradise. The supreme chiefs of our +holy order are the rulers of all Nature, reposing in God the +Father. [Footnote: The wording of the laws of the Order of the +Rosicrucians.--See "New General German Library," vol. M., p. 10. ] They +are the favorites of God, whom the Trinity thinks worthy of his highest +confidence and revelation. If you will take part in the revelations of +God, and witness the disclosing of the hidden treasures of Nature, swear +that you will be obedient to the holy order, and that you will strive to +gain new members. + +"We swear it," resounded in an inspired chorus through the room. "We +swear unconditional obedience to the Invisible Fathers. We swear to +strive with all our means for the extension of the holy order. + +"Unbelief, free-thinking, and self-knowledge are of the devil, who +steals abroad, to turn men from God. The pride of reason seeks to +misguide men, and lead them away from God and the secrets of Nature. The +devil has chosen his disciples, who teach sinful knowledge and arrogant +free-thinking, and who are united in Berlin in the Order of the +Illuminati. The Invisible Fathers command you to fight this shameful +order in word, deed, and writing. If any of you are acquainted with +one of the members, you shall regard him as your most deadly enemy, and +shall hate and pursue him as you hate sin and as you pursue crime. You +shall flee his intercourse as you would that of the devil, otherwise you +will be damned, and the Invisible Fathers never will forgive you, and +the secrets of Nature will be withheld from you. Swear therefore hate, +persecution, and eternal enmity, to the Order of the Illuminati. This I +command you in the name of the Invisible Fathers." + +"We swear it! We swear hate, persecution, and eternal enmity, to the +Order of the Illuminati!" + +"Every one who belongs to the order is damned and cursed; and if it were +your brother or your father, so shall you curse and damn him!" + +"We swear it!" + +"Then I bring you the blessing of the Invisible rulers and fathers, who +announce to you, through me, that every lost one which you gain for the +Order of the Rosicrucians, and consequently lead back to God and Nature, +is a step toward entering the holy sanctuary of revelation, where the +elixir of life and the tincture of gold awaits you. Every cursed member +of the Illuminati becomes one of the blessed when you lead him from the +path of vice in penitence and contrition, and gain him to the Order of +the Rosicrucians; and he who can prove that he has gained twelve new +members for our holy order mounts a round higher in the ladder of +knowledge, and rises to a new degree. At the sixth grade he passes from +the Inner to the Middle Temple, where all the secrets of the universe +and of Nature are disclosed. Be mindful of this, and recruit. Until +we meet again, let the watchword be, 'Curses and persecution for the +devil's offspring, the Illuminati!'" + +"Curses and persecution for the devil's offspring, the Illuminati, we +swear!" + +"Now depart! Pay your tribute at the door, which you owe, and receive in +return the new sign of the order, which will serve to make the brothers +known to each other. Only the directors and the members of the sixth +grade shall knock again at this door after paying tribute, and, +receiving the new word of life, the guard will let them enter. Depart! I +dismiss you in the name of the Holy Father and the Trinity!" + +"Take this cloak, and cover yourself, that no one can recognize you," +whispered a person near Wilhelmine, and threw a soft covering over her. +"Will you now depart, or seek further in the way of knowledge?" + +"I will seek further," answered Wilhelmine, firmly. + +"You wish to enter the sixth grade, and learn the secrets of Nature?" + +"I do!" + +"Then I will give you the watchword of the order. But woe unto you if +you reveal it! Swear that you will never betray it!" + +"I swear it!" + +"Then, listen!" + +Wilhelmine felt a hot breath upon her cheek, and a voice whispered in +her ear the significant words: "Now depart; pay your tribute, you cannot +tarry here. Go, and return with the chosen!" + +A hand seized her arm and conducted her to the door. Almost blinded by +the bright light, she entered the adjoining apartment, where it seemed +as if she saw through a veil muffled figures go forward to the centre, +and deposit money in a marble basin which stood upon a kind of altar; +naphtha burned in silver basins upon each end of it, and a muffled +figure stood near. + +Wilhelmine advanced to the altar, and with quick decision drew a diamond +ring from her finger, and begged permission to deposit it instead of +money. + +The muffled figure bowed, and handed to her the new watchword--a picture +of a Madonna, with the sign of the Rosicrucians underneath. Then she +returned, and awaited at the door, with a little gathering, which +must consequently belong to the sixth grade. Gradually the others had +withdrawn; the naphtha-flames upon the altar were extinguished, and +the wax-lights of the centre lustres had grown dim, and gradually +extinguished themselves. Soon the doors were opened, and a bright light, +as of the sun's rays, filled the hall. Three blasts of trumpets sounded, +and a choir of immortal voices sang, "Enter, ye blessed ones! Enter, ye +elect!" + +They entered, whispering the sign to the guards, who stood with drawn +swords, and passed on to the throne upon which stood a couch, surrounded +with blooming flowers and covered with a cloud of silvery gauze. They +soon discovered a secret something was hidden under the cloud, though +they knew not whether it were child, woman, or man. They knelt upon the +lower step of the throne, with folded hands and bowed heads, praying in +a low voice. A solemn stillness reigned, the prayers died away on the +lips, and the hearts scarcely beat for anxiety and expectation. Suddenly +a voice, which seemed to come from the silver cloud, so distant and +lofty, and rolling like majestic thunder, cried, "He comes, the chosen +one! The Great Kophta comes!" + +The folding-doors flew open, and the Great Kophta entered. +Wilhelmine recognized in the majestic figure, enveloped in a flowing, +silver-embroidered satin robe, with a band of brilliants around his +brow, the handsome face of Cagliostro, beaming as if in an ecstasy. He +saluted the brothers with a gentle voice, and bade them approach and +touch his hand. As Wilhelmine did so, a thrill ran through her whole +being, and she sank overpowered at his feet. He bowed and breathed +upon her. "You are chosen, ye heavenly brothers," he said, in a sweet, +melodious voice; "the secrets of heaven and earth are disclosed to you. +I receive you in the Holy Order of the Favorites of God, which I founded +with Enoch and Elias when we dwelt in the promised land. From them I +received the Word of Life, and they sent me to the ancient sages of +Egypt, who revealed to me in the pyramids the secret sciences which +subject the earth and all her treasures to our command. He who devotes +himself to me with fidelity will receive eternal life and the secret of +immortality." + +"We believe in thee, blessed one of God," murmured the kneeling ones; +"we know that we receive life and salvation from thee. Bend to us, and +give us of the breath of immortality!" + +He bowed and breathed upon them, and they broke forth in words of +thankfulness and delight. + +Only Wilhelmine kept silent; she only failed to feel the magical +influence, and he bowed again to her, fixing his great fiery eyes +upon her. "Thou art called, thou art chosen," he said. "Mount to the +tabernacle, and lift the veil." + +She did as commanded, and beheld the figure of a wonderful woman +stretched upon the couch as in deep sleep, clothed in transparent robes. +"Lay your hand upon her brow, and direct in your thoughts a question to +the prophetess of the order, and she will answer you!" Upon the lofty, +white brow of the sleeping one, she laid her hand; immediately a smile +flitted over her beautiful face, and she nodded. "Yes," said she, "you +must believe. You dare not doubt. He is the elect, the holy Magus!" +Wilhelmine trembled, for the answer was suited to the question. "Demand +a second question of the prophetess," commanded Cagliostro. Again she +laid her hand upon the brow of the sleeping one, and again she smiled +and nodded with her beautiful head. "Fear not," she replied; "he will +always love you, and will never reject you, only you must not lead him +astray from the right course--but guide him to the temple of faith and +knowledge. When you cease to do it, you are lost. Shame upon earth and +damnation will be your portion." The answer was exact--for Wilhelmine +had prayed to know if the prince would always love and never reject her. +"Still a third question," cried Cagliostro. In silence Wilhelmine asked, +and the prophetess answered aloud: "You will be countess, you will +become a princess, you will possess millions, you will have the whole +world at your feet, if you call to your aid the Invisible Fathers, +and implore the power and miraculous blessing of the Great Kophta." +Wilhelmine, deeply moved, sank overpowered upon her knees, and cried +aloud: "I call upon the Invisible Fathers for aid and assistance; +I implore the power and miraculous blessing of the Great Kophta." +Suddenly, amid the rolling of thunder and intense darkness, Wilhelmine +felt herself lifted up--borne away, as loud prayers were uttered around +her. Then she felt herself lowered again and with the freedom of motion. +"Fly! fly from the revenge of the immortals, if you still doubt, still +mistrust!" cried a fearful voice above her. "Behold how the immortals +revenge themselves." Immediately a light began to dawn before her, a +form rose from the darkness like her own. She beheld herself kneeling, +imploring, her face deluged with tears, and before her a tall, erect, +muffled figure, with a glittering sword in his uplifted arm, which +sank gradually lower and lower until it pierced her bosom and the blood +gushed forth. Wilhelmine shrieked and fainted. She witnessed no more +miracles, beard no more prophecies and revelations which the magi made +to the elect. She beheld not the appearance of the blessed spirits, +which at the importunity of the brothers flitted through the apartment. +She heard not Cagliostro take leave of Baron von Bischofswerder, when +all had withdrawn, saying, "I have now exalted you to be chief director +of the holy order. You will at once receive orders from the Invisible +Fathers, announced to you in writing, and you will follow them +faithfully." + +"I will follow them faithfully," humbly answered Bischofswerder. + +"You will be rewarded by the knowledge of life and of money; you shall +discover the philosopher's stone, and the secret of gold shall be +revealed to you, when you perform what the Invisible Fathers demand." + +"I will do every thing," cried Bischofswerder, fervently; "only make +known to me their commands." + +"They desire, at the present, that you seek to be the confidant of the +Prince of Prussia. Gain his affection, then govern him, making yourself +indispensable to him. Surround him with servants and confidants that you +can rely upon. Inspire him with devotion to the holy order. Become, now, +the friend of the prince, that you may, one day, rule the king. You are +the chief of the order in Prussia; the more members you gain the more +secrets will be revealed to you. The holy fathers send me afar, but I +shall return: if you have been active and faithful, I will make known to +you a great secret and bring you the elixir of life." + +"When will you return, master?" asked Bisehofswerder, enthusiastically. + +Cagliostro smiled. "Before the crown prince of Prussia becomes king. Ask +no further. Be faithful!" + + + + +CHAPTER XII. THE JESUIT GENERAL + + +No one remained in the drawing-room but Cagliostro and the beautiful +woman who still lay quietly on the couch, upon the throne. Cagliostro +approached her, and, raising the veil, regarded her a moment, with an +expression of the most passionate tenderness: "We are alone, Lorenza," +said he. She opened her great eyes, and looked around the dimly-lighted +room; then, fixing them upon Cagliostro, who stood before her in his +brilliant costume of magician, she burst into a merry laugh, so loud and +so irresistible, that Cagliostro was seized involuntarily, and joined +her. + +"Oh! was it not heavenly, was it not a glorious comedy, and did I not +play divinely, Joseph? Was I not bewitching as the goddess of Nature?" + +"You looked truly like a goddess, Lorenza, and there is nothing more +beautiful than you, in heaven or upon earth. But come, my enchantress, +it is time to break up, as we are to set off early to-morrow morning." + +"Have we now much money? Was the tribute richly paid?" + +"Yes, we have a hundred louis d'ors and a diamond ring from the mistress +of this house." + +"Give it to me," cried Lorenza. + +"Not the ring, Lorenza, but the diamond, so soon as I have a false stone +set in the ring--which I must keep as a ring in the chain which will +bind this woman to our cause." + +"Was I not astonishingly like her? Was it not almost unmistakable?" + +"Yes, wonderfully deceptive. I shuddered myself as I saw the dagger +pointed at your bosom." + +"And the blood, how it gushed forth, Joseph!" Lorenza burst into a +merry laugh again, and Cagliostro joined her, but suddenly stopped, +and, listening, turned toward the door, which he had closed after +Bischofswerder departed. It seemed as if he heard a noise--a peculiar +knocking. Four times it was repeated, and Cagliostro waved his hand +to Lorenza not to speak. Again were heard the four peculiar rhythmical +sounds. "Be quiet, for Heaven's sake be quiet, Lorenza! Let me cover you +with the veil; it is a messenger from the Invisibles." Cagliostro flew +to the door, unbolted it, and stood humbly near the entrance. A masked +figure, enveloped in a cloak, opened it, and entered, rebolting it. + +Slowly turning toward Cagliostro, he harshly demanded, "Whose servant +are you?" + +"The servant of the Invisible Rulers and Fathers," he humbly answered. + +"Who are the Invisible Fathers?" + +"The four ambassadors of the great general of the exiles." + +"Call him by that name which he bore before a heretic pope in Rome, a +weak empress, a free-thinking emperor in Germany, a lost-in-sin French +emperor, and a heretic Spanish minister, condemned him to banishment and +destruction." + +"General of the Jesuits," he answered respectfully, bowing lower. + +"Do you know the sign by which he may be recognized?" + +"Yes, by a ring with the likeness of the founder of the order, the holy +Ignatius Loyola." + +"Then look, and recognize me," cried the mask, extending his hand to +Cagliostro. + +"The General," he murmured, frightened, gazing at the ring upon the +small, white hand of the other. "The holy founder of the order himself!" +He seized his hand and pressed it to his lips, sinking upon his knees. +The mask remained standing before the magician, as lowly as he might bow +himself, who was still arrayed in his brilliant costume with the band +upon his brow sparkling like diamonds. + +With a cold, reserved manner he answered, "I am he, and am come here to +give you my commands by word of mouth." + +"Command me; I am thy humble servant, and but a weak tool in thy hands." + +"It is my will that you should become a powerful tool in my hands. Rise, +for I will speak to the man who must stand erect in the storm. Rise!" +The proud commander was now an humble, obedient servant. He rose slowly, +standing with bowed head. + +"When and where did we last meet?" demanded the mask. + +"In 1773, at Rome." + +"In the year of curse and blasphemy," said the mask, in a harsh voice. +"The year in which the infamous Pope Clement XVI. condemned the holy +order, and hurled his famous bull, Dominus redemptor noster. The holy +order, condemned and disbanded by his infamous mouth, were changed +into holy martyrs, without country, without possessions or rights, as +persecuted fugitives, wandering around the world, to the wicked a scorn, +to the pious a lamentable example of virtue and constancy. Exiled and +persecuted, you fled to a house of one of our order, and there we for +the first time met. The daughter of this man was your beloved. Tell me +why did you conceal yourself after flying from Palermo? I will see if +the elevated one ungratefully forgets the days of his degradation." + +"They accused me in Palermo of falsifying documents by which rightful +owners were deprived of their lawful possessions. They threw me +into subterranean dungeons, and I was near dying, when the Invisible +Protectors rescued me." + +"Was the accusation well founded? Had you committed the crime you were +accused of?" + +"Yes," answered Cagliostro, in a low voice, "I was guilty." + +"For whom, by whose authority?" + +"For the pious fathers, who commanded me, and whose pretensions to +the possessions of the Duc Costa Rica were clearly proved by those +documents." + +"You then learned the power and the gratitude of our order. From +underground prisons they freed you, and procured a way of escape to +Rome, to find a safe asylum in the house of a believer. But just at +that time condemnation burst upon us, and from a powerful order we were +changed into a persecuted one. The forger Joseph Balsamo sought the +brazier Feliciano, who gave him money, letters of recommendation, and +instructed him how to serve the order, and procure an agreeable life for +himself. Is it not so?" + +"It is so," answered Cagliostro, softly. "It was the order of the +General which united you in marriage to your beloved Lorenza Feliciana, +who initiated you in the secret sciences and the secrets of Nature, that +you might employ them for the well-being of humanity." + +"It is so, master." + +"You implored also, as you were about to separate, to see the face of +your benefactor, to engrave it upon your heart. Would you now be able to +recognize it?" + +"I could in an instant, among thousands." + +The General slowly raised the mask; a pale, emaciated face was visible, +with great black eyes in sunken sockets, thin bloodless lips, and a +high, bony brow. "Do you recognize me?" + +"No!" sadly answered Cagliostro, "it is not the same face." + +"You see, my son, man changes, but knowledge not. I am another, and yet +the same, for the outward human form is only the vessel of the eternal +band into which everlasting truth and the holy doctrines are poured. +If the vessel breaks, it is replaced by another, and an inexhaustible +spring. Thought and holy knowledge flow into the renewed vessel. I am a +new vessel, but the same spirit which formerly spoke to you. I know your +past life, and for what purpose you are in the world. As the General +then spoke to you, so speak I now. The unholy have put the holy under +a ban--they have persecuted and condemned us. The Holy Order of the +Fathers of Jesus is lifeless before the world, but not before God. +Jesuits do not die, for they bear eternal life in them, and there will +a day come when they will burst forth from darkness into light. Go, my +son, and help prepare the day, help smooth the way, that we may walk +therein. Have you obeyed?" + +"I have consecrated my whole life to it, your eminence. I have wandered +around the world, and everywhere striven to disseminate the doctrine of +the Invisible Fathers, and win disciples and adherents to the order. The +Brothers of the Egyptian Masons, the Brothers of the Rosicrucians, are +the disciples which I have won, and you know well there are many mighty +and illustrious men among them." + +"I know it, and I am satisfied you are an active and useful tool. This I +came to tell you, that I might stimulate and advise you. Great deeds you +shall perform, great achievements the holy Ignatius Loyola announces by +my mouth. The world lies in sin, and the devil strides victorious over +it, since the holy order has been proscribed and persecuted by the +wicked. The devil is arrogant progress and boasting reason. They who +listen to him think themselves wise when they are fools, and speak of +their enlightenment while they still wander in the dark. To combat this +reason, to oppose this intelligence, is the task of our order, which +will never die. For God Sent it forth to the world to fight the devil +of progress, who is the ruler of darkness. I have observed you, I have +followed you, and I am satisfied. But I await still greater things from +you." + +"What shall it be? Speak, O master; command, and I obey!" + +"You shall strive throughout Europe for the restitution of the holy +order. You shall subject to it all minds; make the rich, the powerful, +the eminent and great, serviceable to it. Into the Orders of the +Rosicrucians and Egyptian Masons you shall gather all the stray and +isolated sheep into a flock, to await with longing the coming of the +shepherd, and prepare a place for him. To the holy Church you shall +consecrate the band of brothers, the only blessed Church, which is the +lofty abode of the father of our order. To us belongs the world; you +shall assist to reconquer it. Unbelievers shall be fought with every +weapon. Every deception, slander, persecution, and murder, are holy if +used for the benefit of the holy order. You shall shrink from nothing +which is useful and beneficial for the sublime goal. The murder of a +prince is no sin, but a just punishment, when it is necessary to remove +a mighty enemy. If you create revolutions, cause nations to tear each +other to pieces in grim civil war, these revolutions will be sanctified, +the civil wars blessed, if they serve to strengthen the power of our +order, and gain victory at last against the opponents. Only through our +order can happiness reenter the world, and mankind be rescued. If the +Holy Fathers do not sit in the council of princes, if they are not the +conscience of the powerful, and steer the machine of state, the world +goes to destruction, and mankind is lost. You shall help, my son, to +turn aside the evil, and prepare happiness for earth. You have already +done much, but much more is required. Go and work miracles; belief in +them sanctifies the mind. Our fathers will sustain you everywhere, for +you well know they are always present, though it is imagined they are +not. The infamous Ganganelli has stripped them of their uniform, but +not annihilated them, as we are, and ever shall be. I have sent out nine +thousand brothers in Europe for the benefit of the order, and you will +recognize them by the watchword. They will serve you as you will serve +them. If danger menaces you, our brothers will know it, and rescue you. +You will be unassailable, so long as you work for the order, and win +disciples for it. Prussia is our important station as you rightly +judged, and I extol you for your foresight. You prepare the future, for +here it will be! When the royal mocker of religion dies, then comes a +new kingdom, and the Rosicrucians will rise to power. Vices as well as +virtues must serve us; therefore Dischofswerder and Wilhelmine Enke are +useful means for holy purposes. That you have recognized it I praise +you. Continue, my son, as you have begun, and you shall become powerful +upon the earth. Not a hair of your head shall be touched so long as you +are faithful to the Invisible Fathers. But so soon as you turn traitor +to the holy cause you are lost, and our anger will crush you!" + +"Never will I turn traitor," cried Cagliostro, holding up his hands as +if taking an oath. + +"I hope not. Our enemies shall be your enemies, and our friends your +friends. If one of the brothers orders you in my name, 'Kill this man or +that woman,' so kill them! Swear it!" + +Shuddering, Cagliostro repeated, "I swear it!" + +"As soon as one of the brothers orders you, in my name, 'Rescue this man +or that woman,' so do every thing; even risk and sacrifice your life to +rescue him." + +"I swear it." + +"You stand in the holy temple of the order, but also under its avenging +sword. Be mindful of it in all your acts. The world is open to you, and +our influence will be with you everywhere. You shall win the hearts of +the great and the mighty to us, and place the Order of the Rosicrucians +on the steps of the throne. The Great Kophta shall lead believers to +us." + +"The Great Kophta will perform all that you command, as he is only +the humble servant of his general," said Cagliostro, kissing the hand +extended to him. + +"Do not kiss the hand, it is only that of an inferior mortal: kiss the +ring, for it is the imperishable sign of our immortal saint." + +"I kiss the ring of the immortal Ignatius Loyola, and swear eternal +fidelity, constant obedience, and firm love, until death." + +"Rise! for the time has come for us to separate. I have provided for +the journeys the necessary means. Here are letters of recommendation to +Warsaw and Mittau, others to Paris and London; but, the most important +of all, letters of credit upon well-known bankers to the value of five +hundred thousand dollars--all valid, though delivered years hence." + +"A half million!" cried Cagliostro, almost terrified. + +"Does a half million astonish you?" repeated the General, and his gray, +fleshless face was distorted into a smile. "The Great Kophta must travel +and live like a prince, that he may dazzle the eyes of the brothers, and +subjugate the minds of the powerful. We give you the money, but remember +you are always under the watchful eye of the order, and there is no spot +on earth where you can hide yourself from our vengeance with the trust +confided in you. You shall spend it to buy souls and win thrones, for +hearts and consciences are sold; money will buy every thing. Take your +letters of credit; you shall live as a great lord, and the Great Kophta +shall be equal with princes." + +He handed Cagliostro five sealed letters, saying: "They are made out for +five years; only one for each year, as the number indicates. Number one +is for this year, and number five is only valid at the expiration of +five years. The order is mindful of your security, and thus five years +of your life are freed from earthly care. You shall work in spirit, +and you shall enchant the world, that it may be saved through the only +saving Church, and the Holy Order." + +He bowed a farewell, making the sign of the cross upon Cagliostro, and +bent his steps to the throne, raising the veil which enveloped Lorenza. +She looked up to him with glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes, smiling. By +this she would express her thanks for the princely gift to her husband, +and swear to the General her delight, her fidelity, and love. He +regarded her as coldly and calmly as a physician a patient. + +"Yes, holy father, I have heard all," she said, with a sweet, flute-like +voice. "My heart is filled with gratitude and emotion." + +"Prove it by assisting your husband to attain the goal for which we send +him forth. I have already said that vice must serve virtue, Lorenza. +Beauty is a power, and if it serves holy purposes, so is it sanctified. +Employ your beauty to win adherents to the order, and extend the power +of the Rosicrucians in every land, and among all nations." + +"I swear that this shall be my holiest endeavor," cried Lorenza, rising. + +The General pressed her back upon the pillow, saying: "Remain, for there +is no one here for you to enchant. I bring you pardon for your sins, and +an indulgence for every sin which you will commit, if you swear to serve +faithfully the holy Church and the pious fathers of Jesus." + +"I swear," solemnly cried Lorenza. + +"Here is the letter of indulgence from Pius VI. himself, made out in +your name for you. Take it, and perform your duty." He laid down the +parchment provided with the papal seal upon her shoulder, and drawing +the veil over her made the sign of the cross, saying, "I bless you, and +give you absolution for your sins." + +"Bless me also, lord and master," cried Cagliostro, kneeling upon the +lowest step to the throne. + +"I bless you in the name of Loyola. Remain upon your knees, and follow +me not." He extended his hands over him, and blessed him, then slowly +withdrew. + +The first beams of the morning sun shone through the great window-panes, +lighting up with its golden rays Cagliostro's kneeling form. He remained +with his head bowed until the General had passed out. "He is gone; +Heaven be praised, he is gone!" + +"Yes, he is gone," repeated Lorenza, springing from the couch. "Is it +true, has he given you half a million?" + +Cagliostro held up with triumphant air the letters. "See, these +addresses are upon the first banking-houses in Rome, Paris, London, and +Berlin!" + +"Do you believe that they are genuine?" + +"I am convinced of it." + +"Then we have attained our aim; we are rich and powerful." + +"No," answered Cagliostro, mournfully, "we are poorer than ever. This +money makes us slaves, makes us dependent tools. Did you not hear him +say, 'You are admitted into the Temple, but the avenging sword of the +order everywhere hangs over you.'" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. A PENSIONED GENERAL. + + +"Wife," cried the General von Werrig, limping around the room, leaning +upon his crutch, "here is the answer from our most gracious lord and +king. The courier arrived to-day from the war department, and sent it to +me by an express." + +"What is the king's answer?" asked the general's wife, a pale, gaunt +woman, with a pock-marked face, harsh, severe features, dull gray eyes, +which never beamed with emotion, and thin, bloodless lips, upon which +a smile never played. "What is the king's answer?" she repeated, in +a rough voice, as her husband, puffing and blowing from the effort of +walking, sank down upon a chair, and dried his fat, ruby face with a red +cotton pocket-handkerchief. + +"I have not read it," panted the old man. "I thought I would leave the +honor to you, as you, my very learned wife, wrote the letter to his +majesty." + +His wife was not in the least astonished at this thoughtful conduct of +her husband. She impetuously seized the sealed document, and, retiring +to the window-niche, slowly unfolded it, whilst the old general fixed +his little gray eyes upon her emotionless face. His own was bloated and +red, expressing the greatest anxiety and expectation. Perfect stillness +reigned for some minutes, only the regular strokes of the pendulum +were heard from the clock on the wall; and, as the hands pointed to the +expiration of the hour, a cuckoo sprang out of the tree painted over the +dial, and eleven times her hoarse, croaking voice was heard. + +"It gets every day more out of tune," growled the general, as he +looked up to the old, yellow dial, and ran his eye over the cords which +supported the weights. Then glancing around the room, he saw everywhere +age, decay, and indigence. There was an old divan, with a patched, faded +covering of silk, and a grandfather's arm-chair near it, the cushion of +which the general knew, by the long years of experience, to be hard as a +stone. A round table stood near the divan, covered with a shabby woollen +cover, to hide the much-thumbed, dull polish. A few cane-chairs against +the wall, an old black-oak wardrobe near the door, and the sewing-table +of Madame von Werrig in the window-niche, completed the furniture of +the room. At the window hung faded woollen curtains, and on the green +painted walls some pictures and portraits, conspicuous among them a +beautiful portrait of the king, painted on copper, which represented +Frederick in his youthful beauty. It was a morose, sullen-looking room, +arranged most certainly by its feminine occupant, and harmonized exactly +with her fretful face and angular figure, void of charms. At last the +general broke the silence with submissive voice: "I pray you, Clotilda, +tell me what the king wrote." + +She folded the paper, joy beaming in her eyes. "Granted! every thing +granted!" + +The general jumped up to embrace his wife with youthful activity, in +spite of the gout. "You are a capital wife," he cried, at the same time +giving her a loud, smacking kiss upon her cold, gray cheek. "It was the +brightest, cleverest act of my life marrying you, Clotilda." + +"I might well say the reverse, Emerentius," she replied, complainingly. +"It surely was not sensible for me, a young lady from such a genteel +family, and so spoiled, to marry an officer whom the king ennobled upon +the battle-field, and who possessed nothing but his captain's pay--a +fickle man, and a gambler, too." + +"Yes, Clotilda, love usurped reason," soothingly replied the general; +"love is your excuse." + +"Nonsense!" cried Madame von Werrig. "Love is never an excuse; it is +folly." + +"Well, let us suppose, then, that you did not marry for love, only from +pure reason, because you found that it was quite time to espouse some +one; and that, in spite of your many ancestors and genteel family, no +other chance was offered you, unfortunately no one but this captain, +whom the king ennobled upon the battle-field of Leuthen on account of +his bravery, and who was a very handsome, agreeable officer, expecting +still further promotion. And you were not deceived. I was major, when +the Hubertsburger treaty put an end to a gay war-life. You will remember +I was advanced during peace; his majesty did not forget that I cut a +way for him through the enemy, and he made me lieutenant-colonel and +colonel, when I was obliged to resign on account of this infamous gout, +and then I received the title of general." + +"Without 'excellency,'" replied his wife, dryly. "I have not even +this pleasure to be called 'excellency.' It would have been a slight +compensation for my sad, miserable existence, and vexed many of +the female friends of my youth if they had been obliged to call me +'excellency.' But my marriage brought me only cares, not even a title." + +"Do not forget a lovely daughter, Clotilda. Our Marie is beautiful, +wise, and good, and through her you will yet have tranquil happiness. +For you say the king has granted all we wish." + +"Every thing!" repeated the wife, with emphasis. "We have at last +finished with want and care, and can count upon an independent, quiet +old age, for God has been gracious, and forced you, from the gout, to +give up gambling, and we are freed from the misery which has so often +threatened us from your unhappy passion." + +"At the beginning, I played from passion; afterward, I only played to +win back what I had lost." + +"And in that manner played away all we possessed, and played upon your +word of honor, so that for years the half of our pension went to pay +your gambling-debts. Heaven be thanked, the king did not know it, or we +would have experienced still worse!" + +"I pray you, beloved Clotilda, do not fret yourself needlessly about the +past; it is all over, and, as you say, I am unfortunately a prisoner in +the house from the gout, which shields me from the temptation." + +"I did not say unfortunately; I said 'Heaven be praised, the gout had +put an end to your fickle life.'" + +"Then, thank Heaven, my dear; we will not quarrel about it. It is past, +and, as the king has granted all, we shall have a pleasant life now." + +"We will soon receive from our son-in-law a yearly pension, which will +be paid to me, and I shall spend it." + +The general sighed. "In that case I fear that I shall not get much of +it." + +"At any rate, more than I have ever received from your pension." + +"There is but one thing wanting," replied the general, evasively, +"Marie's consent." + +Madame von Werrig gave a short, gruff laugh, which did not in the least +brighten her sullen face. "We will not ask her consent, but command it." + +The general remarked, timidly, shrugging his shoulders, "Marie had a +very decided character, and--" + +"What do you hesitate to speak out for? What--and--" + +"I think she still loves the Conrector Moritz." + +A second laugh, somewhat menacing, sounded like a challenge. "The +schoolmaster!" she cried, contemptuously. + +"Let her dare to tell me again she loves the schoolmaster; she the +daughter of a general, and a native-born countess of the empire!" + +"My dear, it was your fault--the only fault you ever committed, perhaps. +How could you let such a young, handsome, and agreeable man come to the +house as teacher to our daughter?" + +"How could I suppose my daughter was so degenerated as to love a common +schoolmaster, and wish to marry him?" + +"It is truly unheard of, and it would make any one angry, my dear wife, +for she insists upon loving him." + +"She will not insist, she will do what she is commanded to do--my word +for it! But why talk about it? It is better to decide the matter at +once." + +So Frau von Werrig rose with a determined manner, and rang the small +brass bell which was upon the sofa-table. But a few seconds elapsed +before a little, crooked servant appeared at the side-door, with her +dirty apron put aside by tucking the corner in her belt. "Go to my +daughter, and tell her to come down immediately!" + +The servant, instead of hastening to obey the order, remained standing +upon the threshold. "I dare not go," said she, in a hoarse, croaking +voice. "Fraulein told me not to disturb her to-day, for she has still +two bouquets of flowers to arrange, and two lessons to give, and she is +so busy that she is not at home to visitors. She torments herself from +morning till night." + +"I order you to tell Fraulein to come down at once; we have something +important to tell her. No contradiction! go, Trude!" + +The servant understood the cold, commanding tone of the mother, and +dared not disobey. + +"It is nothing good that they have to tell her," grumbled Trude, as she +hurried up the stairs which led from the first story into the little, +low room in the attic, under the sloping roof. Here and there a few +tiles could be lifted, which lighted the garret sufficiently to show the +door at the end. "May I come in, my dear Fraulein? it is Trude." + +"The door is open," cried a sweet voice, and Trude entered. It is a +most charming little room, just that of a young girl. The bed has a +snow-white covering, and white curtains, suspended from a hook in the +wall around it. The same curtains at the low gable-windows, whose +depth, so to speak, made a light anteroom to the real gloomy one in the +background. In this little anteroom the young girl had placed all that +was necessary for her pleasure and use. There were the most beautiful, +sweet-scented flowers upon the window-stool; in a pretty metal cage was +a light-colored canary. There were also pretty engravings, and upon the +table stood a vase filled with superb artificial flowers, and before +it sat the possessor of this room, the daughter of General and Frau von +Werrig, surrounded with her work-tools, paper, and colored materials--a +young girl, scarcely twenty, of a proud, dignified appearance, but +simply and gracefully dressed. According to the fashion of the day, her +hair was slightly powdered, and raised high above her broad, clear +brow with a blue rosette, and ends at the side. The nobly-formed +and beautiful face was slightly flushed, and around the month was an +expression of courageous energy. As old Trude entered, the young girl +raised her eyes from the rose-bud which she was just finishing, and +looked at her. What beautiful black eyes they were as they sparkled +underneath the delicately-arched, black eyebrows! + +"Now, old one," said she, kindly, "what do you wish? Did you forget that +I wanted to work undisturbed to-day?" + +"Didn't forget it, my Fraulein, but--" + +"But you have forgotten that up here, in my attic-room, I am not your +Fraulein, but your Marie, whom you have taken care of and watched over +when a child, and whose best and truest friend you have been. Come, give +me your hand, and tell me what you have to say." + +Old Trude shuffled hurriedly along in her leather slippers. Her old, +homely face looked almost attractive, with its expression of glowing +tenderness, as she regarded the beautiful, smiling face before her, +and laid her hard brown hand in the little white one extended to her. +"Marie," she said, softly and anxiously, "you must go down at once to +your mother and father. They have something very important to tell you." + +"Something very important!" repeated Marie, laying aside her work. "Do +you know what it is?" + +"Nothing good, I fear," sighed the old woman. "A soldier has been here +from the war department and brought a letter for the general, and he +told me that it was sent from the king's cabinet at Breslau." + +"Oh, Heaven! what does it mean?" cried Marie, frightened, and springing +up. "Something is going to happen, I know. I have noticed certain +expressions which escaped my father; the proud, threatening manner of my +mother; but above all the bold importunity of that man, whom I despise +as one detests vice, stupidity, and ennui. They will not believe that I +hate him, that I rather--" + +"Marie, are you not coming?" called the mother, with a commanding voice. + +"I must obey," she said, drawing a long breath, and hastening to the +door, followed by Trude, who pulled her back and held her fast upon the +very first step. "You have forbidden me to speak of him, but I must." + +Marie stood as if rooted to the spot, her face flushed, and in +breathless expectation looking back to old Trude. + +"Speak, Trude," she softly murmured. + +"Marie, I saw him to-day, an hour ago!" + +"Where, Trude, where did you see him?" + +"Over on the corner of Frederick Street, by the baker's. He stood +waiting for me, as he knows I always go there. He had been there two +hours, and feared that I was not coming." + +"What did he say? Quick! what did he say?" + +"He said that he was coming to see you to-day at twelve o'clock; that he +would rather die than live in this way." + +"To-day? and you have just told me of it!" + +"I did not mean to say any thing at all about it; I thought it would be +better, and then you would not have to dissemble. But now, if any harm +comes to you, you know he is coming, and will stand by you!" + +"He will stand by me--yes, he will--" + +"Marie!" cried her mother, and her dry, gaunt figure appeared at the +foot of the stairs. Marie flew down to the sitting-room of her parents, +following her mother, who took her place in the niche at the open window +without speaking to her. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. THE KING'S LETTER. + + +"Marie," said the general's wife, after seating herself upon the hard +cushion of the divan, near which sat the general in his arm-chair, +busily stroking his painful right leg--"Marie, take a chair, and sit +near us." + +Marie noiselessly brought a cane-chair, and seated herself by the table, +opposite her parents. + +"We have just received a communication from the king's cabinet," +said the mother, solemnly. "It is necessary that you should know the +contents, and I will read it aloud to you. I expressly forbid you, +however, to interrupt me while I am reading, in your impetuous +manner, with your remarks, which are always of the most obstinate and +disagreeable kind. You understand, do you, Marie?" + +"Perfectly, mother; I will listen without interrupting you, according to +your command." + +"This communication is naturally addressed to your father, as I wrote to +the king in his name." + +"I did not know that you had written to his majesty at all, dear +mother." + +The mother cast a furious glance at the gentle, decided face of her +daughter. "You already forget my command and your promise to listen +without interrupting me. I did, indeed, write to his majesty, but it is +not necessary to tell you what I, or rather your father, solicited, +as you will hear it in the answer from our most gracious king. It runs +thus: 'My faithful subject: I have received your petition, and I was +glad to learn by this occasion that you are well, and that you now lead +a steady, reasonable life. Formerly you gave good cause of complaint; +for it is well known to me that you led a dissolute life, and your +family suffered want and misfortune from your abominable chance-games. +You know that I have twice paid your debts; that at the second time I +gave you my royal word of assurance that I would never pay a +groschen for you again. If you gave yourself up to the vice, and made +gambling-debts, I would send you to the fortress at Spandau, and deprive +you of your pension. Nevertheless you played again, and commenced your +vicious life anew. Notwithstanding which, I did not send you to prison +as I threatened, and as you deserved, because I remembered that you +had been a brave soldier, and did me a good service at the battle of +Leuthen. For this reason I now also grant your request, that, as you +have no son, your name and coat-of-arms may descend to your son-in-law. +The name of Werrig-Leuthen is well worthy to be preserved, and be an +example to succeeding generations. I give my permission for Ludwig +Ebenstreit, banker, to marry your daughter and only child, and--'" + +Marie uttered a cry of horror, and sprang from her seat. "Mother!--" + +"Be still! I commanded you not to interrupt me, but listen, with +becoming respect, to the end, to the words' of his majesty." And, with +a louder voice, occasionally casting a severe, commanding glance at her +daughter, she read on: "'And call himself in future Ludwig Werrig von +Leuthen. I wish that he should honor the new name, and prove himself a +true nobleman. Ludwig Ebenstreit must give up, or sell, without delay, +his banking business, as I cannot permit a nobleman to continue the +business of citizen, and remain a merchant. A nobleman must either be a +soldier or a landed proprietor; and if your future son-in-law will not +be either, he can live upon his income, which must indeed be ample. But +I command him to spend it in the country, not go to foreign countries to +spend what he has gained in the country. If he should do it, it will +not be well with him, and he shall be brought back by force. You may +communicate this to him, and he can judge for himself. I will have the +letters of nobility made out for him, for which he shall pay the sum of +one hundred louis d'ors to the 'Invalids' at Berlin. It depends upon him +whether as a true nobleman he will not give my poor 'Invalids' a greater +sum. The marriage shall not take place until the letters of nobility +have been published in the Berlin journals, for I do not wish the +daughter of a general, and a countess, to marry beneath her. You can +prepare every thing for the wedding, and let them be married as soon as +publication has been made. I will give the bride a thousand thalers for +a dowry, that she may not go to her rich husband penniless; the money +will be paid to your daughter from the government treasury at her +receipt. As ever I remain your well-disposed king, FREDERICK.' + +"And here on the margin," continued the general's wife, looking over to +her husband with malicious pleasure, "the king has written a few lines +in his own hand: 'I have given orders that the money shall be paid to +your daughter in person, with her receipt for the same, for I know you, +and know that you do not play, not because you have not the money, but +the gout. If you had the cash and not the gout, you would play your +daughter's dowry to the devil, and that I do not wish, for a noble +maiden should not marry a rich husband as poor as a church mouse. +FREDERICK.'" + +A profound stillness prevailed when the reading was finished. The +general busied himself, as usual, rubbing his gouty leg with the palm +of his hand. Marie sat with her hands pressed upon her bosom, as if she +would force back the sighs and sobs which would break forth. Her great, +black eyes were turned to her mother with an expression of painful +terror, and she searched with a deathly anxiety for a trace of sympathy +and mercy upon her cold, immovable face. + +Her mother slowly folded the letter, and laid it upon the table. "You +know all now, Marie--that, as it becomes parents, we have disposed +of your future and your hand. You will submit to their wishes without +murmuring or opposition, as it becomes an obedient, well-brought-up +daughter, and receive the husband we have chosen for you. He will +come today to hear your consent, and you from this day forth are the +betrothed of the future Herr von Werrig. Of course from this very hour +you will cease the highly improper and ungenteel business which you have +pursued. You must not make any more flowers, or give any more lessons. +The time of such degradation and humiliation is past, and my daughter +can no longer be a school-mistress. You have only to write the receipt +to-day, and I will go with you to the treasury to get the money." + +"I will not write the receipt," said Marie, gently but firmly. Her +mother, in the act of rising, sank back upon the divan; and the general, +apparently quite occupied with his leg, stopped rubbing, and raised his +red, bloated face to his daughter in astonishment. "Did I understand +rightly your words, that you would not write the receipt?" + +"Yes, mother, I said so; I cannot and will not write it," replied Marie, +gently. + +"And why cannot you, and will you not write it?" said her mother, +scornfully. + +"Because I have no right to the money, and cannot take it, mother, as I +will never be the wife of the man you intend me to marry." + +The general sprang with a savage curse from his arm-chair, and would +have rushed to his daughter, but his wife pushed him back into his seat, +and approached Marie, who rose, regarding her mother with a firm, sad +expression. "Why can you not be the wife of the man we have chosen for +you? Answer me, WHY you cannot?" + +"You know, mother," she replied, and gradually her voice assumed a more +decided tone, her cheeks reddened, and an inspired expression beamed +from her eyes, and pervaded her whole being--"you know, mother, that +I can never be the wife of Herr Ebenstreit, for I do not love him. I +despise and abominate him, because he is a man without honor; he knows +that I do not love him, and yet he insists upon marrying me. If it were +not so, if I did not despise and abominate him, I would not receive his +suit and marry him." + +"Why not?" cried the general, shaking his fist at his daughter. + +"Why not?" cried the mother, with a cold, icy glance, void of pity or +anger. + +Marie encountered these looks with beaming eyes. "Because I am betrothed +to another," and the words came like a cry of joy from her +heart--"because I am engaged to my beloved Moritz!" + +"Shameless, obstinate creature, have we not forbidden it?" cried her +father. + +"Stop!" interrupted his wife, with a commanding wave of her hand, which +silenced the obedient husband immediately. "It belongs to me to question +her, for I am her mother, and my daughter owes me submission and +obedience above all things.--Answer me, Marie, did you not know that we +had forbidden you to speak to this man, or have any communication with +him? Did you not know that I, your mother, had menaced you with a +curse if you married this man, or even spoke to the miserable, pitiable +creature?" + +"Mother," cried Marie, vehemently, "he is not a poor, miserable +creature. You may hate him, but you dare not outrage the noble, the +good, and just man!" + +"He is a good-for-nothing fellow," cried her father; "he has tried to +win a minor behind the parents' back. He is a shameful, good-for-nothing +seducer." + +"He is dishonorable," cried the general's wife--"a dishonorable man, who +has misused our confidence. We confided to him our daughter to teach, +and paid him for it. He improved the opportunity to make a declaration +of love, and stole the time from us to infatuate the heart of our +daughter with flattery, and from his pupil win a bride." + +"Oh, unworthy, shameful slander!" cried Marie, her eyes flashing with +anger. "You well know that it is a vile scandal, that Moritz was no +paid teacher. If he had been--if he had felt obliged to yield to the sad +necessity of being paid for his valuable time, because he was poor, and +forced to live by his intellect, he was a free man, and had the right +to love whom he chose. He loves me, and I have accepted his love as the +most precious, most beautiful, and most glorious gift of my life. Ah! +do not look so angry with me, father; I cannot say otherwise. I cannot +crush or deny the inmost life of my life.--Oh, mother, forgive me that +I cannot change it! You know that otherwise I have been a most obedient +daughter to you in all things, although you have never taught me the +happiness of possessing a loving mother; though neither of you could +ever forgive your only child for not being a son, who could inherit your +name, and win a brilliant position, yet I have always loved you tenderly +and truly, and never complained that the unwelcome daughter received +neither love nor tenderness, only indifference and coldness from her +parents." + +"Beautiful, very beautiful!" replied the mother, contemptuously. +"Now you wish to blame us that you are a heartless and thankless +daughter.--We have not understood her heart, and it is our fault that +her love has flown somewhere else. + +"This is the language of romance. I have, indeed, read it in the +romances of Herr Moritz, and my daughter has only repeated what she +learned as a docile pupil from her schoolmaster. Very fine, to pay Herr +Moritz to form our daughter into the heroine of a romance! She ought to +have learned the languages, but has learned only the language of +romances." + +"You are very severe and very cruel, mother," said Marie, sadly. "I +would not complain, only excuse myself, and implore pity and indulgence, +and defend myself from the reproach of having been a cold, unloving +daughter. Oh! God knows how I have longed for your love; that I would +willingly prove that I would joyfully do every thing to embellish your +life and make you happy. It gave me such pleasure to earn something +for you with my dear flowers and lessons, and afford you a little +gratification!" + +"Ah! now, she will reproach us with having toiled for us and sacrificed +herself. Husband, thank yourself for the victim who worked for you, who +gave her youth for us that she might strew our life with roses." + +"I have had enough of this talking and whining," cried the general, +furiously beating the table with his fist. "My daughter shall not be a +heroine of romance, but an obedient child, who submits to the will of +her parents. You shall marry the man that we have chosen for you; the +king has given his consent, and it shall take place. I command you! That +is sufficient! I will hear no more about it; the thing is done with. +Herr Ebenstreit is coming this afternoon to make you a proposal of +marriage with our consent, and you must, accept him. I command you to do +it!" + +"I cannot obey you! Oh, do not force me to rebel against God's holy +laws! Have pity upon me! I have obeyed you until now, and yielded to +your wishes, although I thought it would break my heart sometimes. You +have forbidden Moritz the house, and turned him out of doors like a +servant, with scorn and contempt, and he has silently borne it on my +account. You have forbidden me to write or receive letters from him, +or ever to meet him. My mother would curse me if I disobeyed her, and +I submitted. I have given up every thing, sacrificed every wish, and +renounced my love. But you cannot expect more from me, or dare ask it. +I can forego happiness, but you cannot ask me to consent to be buried +alive!" + +"And what if we should wish it?" asked her mother. "If we should demand +our daughter to give up a romantic, foolish love, to become the wife of +a young man who loves her, and who loves us, and who is rich enough to +assure us a comfortable old age, free from care?" + +"Marie," cried the general, in a begging and almost imploring tone, +"Marie, prove to us now that you are really a good and grateful +child--we have had so much care and want in our life, so many sorrowful +days! It lies in your hands to make our declining days joyous and +bright, and free us from want. We have often grumbled against God, that +He did not give us a son; now make us to rejoice that He has given us +a daughter, who will bring us a son and inherit our name through her +children, and who will give us what we have never known--prosperity and +riches. I beg you, my dear, good child, grant your parents the few last +years of their life freedom from care!" + +"And I, Marie," said her mother, in a softened and tender tone, which +Marie had never heard from her--"I beg you also, be a good daughter, +pity your mother! I have always led a joyless, unhappy life. I lived +unmarried, a native-born countess, with proud relations, who made me +feel bitterly my dependence; when married my existence was only trouble, +privations, care, and sorrow. I beg you, Marie, teach me to know +happiness, for which I have so longed in vain; give me independence and +prosperity, which I have always desired, and never known. I pray, Marie, +make us happy in bringing us a rich, genteel, and good son-in-law, Herr +Ebenstreit." + +Marie, who met the scorn and threats of her mother with firmness and a +proud demeanor, trembled as she heard these severe and merciless lips, +always so cold and harsh, now begging and imploring. At first she was +quite frightened, and then terrified, and covered her face with her +hands, her head sinking upon her breast as her mother spoke. + +"Speak, my daughter," cried the general, as his wife was silent. "Speak, +my dear Marie. Say the word, and we shall be all happy, and there will +be no happier family found in Berlin, or the world even. Say that you +will marry Ebenstreit, and we will love and bless you so long as we +live. Do say yes, dear Marie!" + +Her hands fell from her face, and stretching them out toward her +parents, she looked at them in despair. + +There was a fearful pause. "I cannot, it is impossible!" she shrieked. +"I cannot marry this man, for I do not love him. I love another, whom I +can never forget, whom I shall love forever. I love--" + +"Herr Conrector Moritz!" announced Trude, hastily bursting open the +door, and looking in with a triumphant smile. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +HATE AND LOVE + + +"Herr Conrector Moritz wishes to pay his respects," called out Trude +again. + +"We do not wish to receive him," cried Frau von Werrig. + +"He dare not presume to enter!" shrieked the general. + +Marie cried, "Moritz! Oh! my beloved Moritz," rushing with outstretched +arms toward her lover, who just appeared at the door. "God has sent you +to sustain me in this fearful hour." + +Old Trude peeped through the half-closed door, well satisfied to see her +dear young lady folded in Moritz's arms, and her head leaning upon his +shoulder. "Yes," she murmured, closing softly the door, "Marie is right, +God himself sent her lover in this hour, and I would not let her wicked, +hard-hearted parents send him away." + +Quick as thought she turned the key, fastening the door, and betook +herself to the farthest room, carefully closing every door between them. +"Now we will see for once whether they will show him the door, and pitch +him out. No, they will be obliged to listen to him. Old Trude wishes it, +for it will make her dear Marie happy. It is all the same to me if the +old German tries to scratch my eyes out for it; I will take good care to +keep out of his way. I must go and listen once." + +She put her ear to the keyhole, and then her eye, to see how the +quarrellers looked. + +At first the general and his wife were quite alarmed, and almost +speechless as they witnessed the joyful meeting of the lovers. The +father sprang up suddenly, with clinched fist, but instead of bitter +invectives only a fearful shriek of pain was heard, as he sank groaning +and whimpering into his armchair. The gout had again seized its victim. +Anger had excited the general's blood, and had also brought on the pain +in his leg again. His wife took no notice of his cries and groans, for +it was quite as agreeable to her to be the only speaker, and have her +moaning husband a kind of assenting chorus. "Leave each other!" she +commanded, as she approached the lovers, flourishing her long shrivelled +arms about. "Leave each other, and leave my house!" + +Laying her hand on Marie's arm, which was thrown around her lover's +neck, she endeavored to tear her away, and draw her daughter toward +herself. But Marie clung only the more firmly, and Moritz pressed her +more fervently to his heart. They heeded not and heard not the outburst +of anger which the mother gave way to. They read in each other's eyes +the bliss, the joy of meeting again, and the assurance of constant, +imperishable love. + +"You are pale and thin, my beloved!" + +"Sorrow for you is consuming me, Marie, but, thank Heaven, you are +unchanged, and beautiful as ever!" + +"Hope and love have consoled and strengthened me, Philip." + +"Enough! I forbid you to speak another word to each other," and with the +power which rage lends, the mother tore Marie away. "Herr Moritz, +will you tell me by what right you force yourself into our house, and +surprise us like a street-thief in our peaceful dwelling? But no! you +need not tell me, I will not listen to you. Those who permit themselves +to enter our room unasked and unwelcomed--I will have nothing to say to +them. Leave! there is the door! Out with you, off the threshold!" + +With calm demeanor, Moritz now approached Fran von Werrig, demanding +her pardon, saying: "You see, madame, that I am not so unwelcome here, +therefore you will be obliged to let me remain." + +"Yes, that she will," sneered Trude, outside the door. "It will be +difficult for her to send him off so long as I am unwilling." + +"No, I will not permit it. We have nothing to do with each other. Out of +my sight!--Away!" + +"Away!" cried the general. "Oh, the gout, the maddening pains! I cannot +throw the bold fellow out of the house! I must lie here, and writhe like +a worm! I cannot be master of my house. Oh, oh! what pain!" + +"Stay, Philip," whispered Marie, as she again leaned toward Moritz. +"They wish to sell me and force me to a hated marriage. Do not yield! +save me!" + +"You are mine, Marie; you have sworn to me eternal constancy, and no one +can compel you to marry if you do not wish to." + +"We are her parents; we can, and we will compel her," triumphantly cried +Frau von Werrig. "The king has given his consent, and if it is necessary +we will drag her to the altar by force!" + +"Do it, mother, and I will say no before all the world." + +"We will take care that no one hears you but the priest, and he will not +listen, as he knows that the king has commanded you to say yes!" + +"But God will hear her, Frau von Werrig, and He will take vengeance on +the cruel, heartless mother." + +"I will await this vengeance," she sneered. "It does not concern you, +and you need not trouble yourself about it. Leave the house!" + +"I came here to speak with you, and I will not go away until you have +listened to me." + +"Then I will leave, for I will not hear you, and I command you to follow +me, Marie!" + +She seized Marie with irresistible force, and drew her toward the side +door, which was fast. Then hurried toward the entrance, dragging her +daughter after her, but shook it in vain; that door was fastened also. + +"Oh! I could kiss myself," murmured Trude, as she patted her old, +wrinkled cheeks. "I was as cunning and wise as Solomon. There, shriek +for Trude, order her to open it. Trude is not there, and she has no ears +for you!" + +"This is a plot--a shameful plot!" cried Frau von Werrig, stamping her +feet. "That good-for-nothing creature, Trude, is in it. She has locked +the doors, and the schoolmaster paid her for it." + +Trude shook her fist at her mistress behind the door. "Wait! that +good-for-nothing creature will punish you! You shall have something to +be angry about with me every day." + +"I swear to you that I do not know who locked the doors," replied +Moritz, calmly. "But whoever did it, I thank them from the depths of my +soul, for it forces you to listen to me, and may love give my words the +power to soften your heart. General and Frau von Werrig, I conjure you +to have compassion upon us. Is it possible that you are deaf to the cry +of grief of your own child?" + +Suddenly assuming a contemptuous calm, Frau von Werrig sank back upon +the divan with great dignity. "As I am obliged to listen to you, through +a shameful deception, let it be so. Try to make ears in my heart, which +you say is deaf. Let me listen to your wonderful eloquence!" + +"Oh, Philip!" said Marie, clasping his arms, "you see it will all be in +vain." + +"Let me hope to succeed in awakening a spark of loving mercy, as Moses +caused the fountain to gush from the rock.--A year since you turned me +insultingly from your door, Frau von Werrig, and you forbade me with +scorn and contempt to ever cross your threshold. In the rebellious pride +of my heart I swore never to do it again, never to speak to those who +had so injured me. The holy, pure love which binds me to this dear girl +has released me from my oath. We have tried to live separated from each +other a long year, an inconsolable, unhappy year! We hoped to renounce +each other, although we could not forget. Marie, as an obedient +daughter, obeyed your commands, and returned the ring, which I gave her +in a moment of affection and holy trust. I released her from the oath of +constancy, and made her free! But it is in vain! During this year I have +striven with sorrow as a man, helpless in a desert, who writhes in the +folds of the poisonous serpent. I should have gone mad if a consoling +word from a great and noble mind had not roused me from my desolation, +and if love had not shed a ray of light into my benighted soul. I +listened no longer to sickening pride and humbled sense of honor. Love +commanded me to come here, and I came to ask you, Marie, in the presence +of your parents, if you will be my wife; if you will accept my poor, +insignificant name, and be contented by my side to lead a quiet, modest +existence. I can only earn sufficient to assure us a peaceful life. I +have no splendor, no treasures to offer you, but only my love, my heart, +my life, my whole thought and being. Will you accept it, Marie?" + +"I do accept it, Moritz, as the greatest happiness of my life. I desire +only your love, and I can return only my love to you! Here is my hand, +Philip, it belongs to you alone! Let us kneel in humility before my +parents, and implore their blessing.--Oh, my father and mother, have +pity upon us! See this dear man, to whom my whole heart belongs. +I desire only to live and toil with him. There are no riches, no +treasures, to compare with his love!" + +"General and Frau von Werrig, grant me the wife of my heart!" cried +Philip Moritz, deeply moved. "It is true, I am not worthy of her, I have +no name, no position, to offer her, but I swear to strive to gain it for +her. I will win by my talents and knowledge a distinguished name, and +perhaps one day you will concede to my fame that I am a noble man, +though not a nobleman. Will you separate two hearts which belong to +each other? Take me for your son-in-law, and I swear to be devoted and +faithful, to love and honor you for your daughter's sake. I can say +no more--words cannot express all that I feel. Love causes me to kneel +before you, love makes me humble as a child. I implore you to give me +your daughter in marriage." + +"I also implore you," cried Marie, sinking down beside Moritz, "give to +me this man, whom I love and honor, for my husband." + +It was a beautiful and impressive scene--these two young beings pleading +for happiness; their eyes flashing with the inspiration of feeling, +conscious that they were one in affection, and ready to combat the whole +world for each other. But Frau von Werrig was immovable, and the general +was too much occupied with his gouty, throbbing leg even to cast a look +upon the beautiful group of youth, love, manly determination, and tender +resignation. + +Outside the door, Trude knelt imploringly, with folded hands, while the +tears ran down her old cheeks in big drops. "O God, I well know that +they have no pity; have mercy Thou, and cause my dear Marie to be happy! +Suffer not that that hard-hearted woman should sell her, and marry +her to that bad man my Marie despises. I well know that I am a poor +creature, and not worthy that Thou shouldst listen to me, O Lord! But +I love that young girl as if she were my own child, and I would give +my heart's blood for her. Oh, my God! I implore Thee to let my Marie +be happy!" Then she continued, as she rose from her knees. "Now, I have +spoken, and I commit every thing to God, and He will do what is best. +She has been obliged to listen to him, and if it cannot be otherwise, he +must go." + +Carefully old Trude unlocked both doors, and then stopped to listen. + +Trude was right, there was no mercy in Frau von Werrig's heart. "Have +you finished? Have you any thing more to say?" she asked, in her most +unsympathizing manner. + +"Nothing more with our lips, but our hearts still implore you." + +"I do not understand this language, sir, and you have not succeeded in +giving me hearing, or ears to hear with. In this useless strife I will +say a last word, which I hope will be for life. You shall never be the +husband of my daughter! You can never be united." + +Marie and Moritz sprang from their knees, laying their hands in each +other's, and looked what words could not have better expressed--"We are +inseparable, nothing can disunite us but death!" + +"I desire you not to interrupt me," commanded Frau von Werrig; "I have +listened to you, and now you shall listen to me. I promise you to speak +with more brevity than you have. I will not trouble you with useless +phrases and tedious lamentations. I will speak to the point. Marie is +the daughter of General Werrig von Leuthen, whose name would become +extinct if the grace and favor of the king had not prevented it, by +permitting the husband whom we have chosen for our daughter to take our +name, and therewith become our son. You may think, in your arrogance of +commoner, and the pride you take in having won the love of the daughter +of General von Leuthen, that you could be this husband and son-in-law. +But two things fail you: first, the necessary fortune; and, secondly, +the king's consent, and that of her father. If you were rich, it might +be possible that we should be touched by the tender amorousness of our +daughter, and conquer our aversion to you for her sake. You are of low +birth, and take a subordinate position in society. It would be extremely +laughable for the schoolmaster Moritz to change suddenly into a Herr von +Werrig Leuthen. Our son-in-law must be a rich man, in order to be able +to give his new title consideration; and, fortunately, the wooer of +my daughter's hand possesses this qualification, and therefore we have +given our consent. The king has approved our choice, and permits the +rich banker Ludwig Ebenstreit to become our son-in-law, and take our +name. The king has in this communication, which lies upon the table, and +which Marie has heard read, given his assurance to ennoble Ebenstreit +upon two conditions: first, that the banker should give up his business, +and live upon his income; and, secondly, that the marriage should not +take place until the papers of nobility are made out and published, so +that the daughter of General von Werrig should not make a misalliance. +You know all now, and you will at last understand that there is but one +thing for you to do--conquer your foolish presumption, and beg to be +excused for your unheard-of boldness in forcing yourself into our +house, and then withdraw quickly. If my ear does not deceive me, your +accomplice has opened the doors. I think I heard rightly, if my heart +has no ears, my head possesses better. We have finished. I would again +enjoin upon you the duty of begging for pardon, and then I close this +unrefreshing scene with the same words with which it opened--there is +the door--go out!" + +"Yes, there is the door--go out of it! I want to be quiet--go! My +daughter is the betrothed of the rich banker Herr Ebenstreit; she will +be his wife as soon as the papers are made out and published.--Go!" +cried the general. + +The young couple still stood there, hand in hand, looking at the +general, until now their eyes met, beaming with tenderest affection for +each other. "Is it true, Marie? Speak, my beloved, is it true, will you +be the wife of this rich man whom your parents have chosen for you?" + +"No, Philip," she calmly and firmly replied. "No, I will not, for I do +not love him, I love only you; and here, in the presence of God and +my parents, I swear to you that I will be constant to death! They can +prevent my becoming your wife, but they cannot force me to wed another. +I swear, then, that if I cannot be yours, I will never marry!" + +"I receive your oath, and God has heard it also!" said Moritz, solemnly. + +"I have also heard it, and I tell you," said Frau von Werrig, "that this +romantic heroine will become a perjurer, for I will find means to make +her break her silly oath." + +"We will, perhaps, find means to delay the marriage," said Moritz +proudly, "or, much more, prevent the marriage ceremony." + +"I am very curious to know the means," said Frau von Werrig. "From this +hour Marie is the betrothed of Herr Ebenstreit, and the wedding will +take place so soon--" + +"So soon as the title of nobility is published. That is it, is the +clause to be filled; and therefore I tell you, beloved, wait and hope! +This woman is without pity and without mercy; but God is in heaven, and +Frederick the Great on the earth. Wait and hope. Be firm in hope, +and constant in love. Do not lose courage, and let them force you to +compliance by threats and anger. I have only you to confide in and to +love in the world, and you are my hope, my goal, and the happiness of my +life. If you forsake me, I lose my good angel, and am a lost, miserable +man, whom it would be better to hurl into the deepest abyss than let him +suffer the torments of hated existence. The knowledge of your love gives +me strength and courage; it will inspire me to fight like a hero, to +win the dear, beloved wife, to whom I would yield my life in order to +receive it anew from her purified and sanctified. The knowledge that I +had lost you, would ruin me." + +Laying both hands upon his shoulder, Marie looked at him with eyes +beaming with affection, renewing her vow that she would never love or +marry another. "We will be courageous in hope, and brave in constancy. +Listen to me, my beloved; listen, my mother--I betrothed myself to this +dear man! You can prevent my becoming his wife now, but in four years I +am of age, and then I shall be my own mistress. Then, my dear Philip, I +will be your wife. Let us wait and hope!" + +"Yes, Marie, we will wait and hope.--Farewell! Do not forget that there +is a great God in heaven, and a great king upon earth.--Farewell!" + +He pressed the hand clasped in his own passionately to his tips, +and felt from the pressure of her delicate fingers a renewed vow of +constancy. Buoyed with this hope in the sad hour of parting, they were +happy and joyful. Marie accompanied him to the door--still hand in hand. + +"Presume not to go a step farther," commanded her mother, and Marie, +obedient to her wishes, remained near the door, bowed to Moritz, and +never ceased to regard him, with love beaming in her eyes, until the +door closed. Outside stood old Trude, to tell him that she would be +at the baker's at seven o'clock every morning, and wait for his +commissions, "and may be I shall have something to bring you," she said. +"So do come!" + +"I will, my good Trude; you are the only person who is friendly to us. +Watch over my angel, console her with your affection, and when they are +too hard upon her, come to me." + +"I surely will, but listen--they are already quarrelling with my good +angel. I will go in, to serve as a lightning-rod for dear Marie. I often +do it, and it pleases me when the lightning strikes, and dashes my hard +old head to the ground, but does not hurt me at all--Farewell, Herr +Moritz, the lightning-rod must go in." + +Trude entered suddenly and noiselessly the sitting-room, and interrupted +the angry reproaches which Frau von Werrig hurled against Marie in a +furious stream of words. The countess's rage turned against Trude, who +stared as if to challenge her. "What do you want? How dare you enter +uncalled?" + +"I thought you were calling deaf old Trude, or why did you scream so?" +replied Trude, tartly. + +"Perhaps it was the general. Ah! there lies the poor, dear old man, +groaning and crying, and nobody has any pity for him." + +"Ah! Trude, it is good luck that you are here," whined the general. "No +one troubles himself about me. Quick, bring warm covering for my leg, +the pain is fearful!" + +"Poor, dear father, I will take care of you, I will nurse you," said +Marie, hastening to him. Her mother pushed her back violently. "Not a +step farther; you have no right to go near him, you are his murderess. +On your head will fall the guilt, if these dreadful scenes should cause +his death." + +"No, no, the general will not die quite yet," said Trude busying herself +about his arm-chair. "But, Fraulein, you have got something else to do +than stay here. They have already sent for the flowers twice, and the +French lady is waiting up-stairs to parlez-vous." + +Marie looked her friendly thanks, and quietly and quickly left the room. + +"Now, bold woman, I have a last word to say to you. Who locked the door +when that creature came?" "I, madame," answered Trude, who was just +bringing a great cushion from the back-room to cover the general's feet. + +"You acknowledge that you locked the door intentionally?" + +"Now, my dear, good Frau von Werrig, one does not lock a door by +mistake. I did not want Herr Moritz to run away with fright, before you +had given him your mind, and set his head straight. He would certainly +have escaped, and only heard the half of your beautiful talk, for he had +no idea what a miserable fellow he is. So I locked both doors, and he +was obliged to listen to you, and has gone away contrite and repentant. +There, there, my poor, dear general, is your foot high enough? Shall I +not bring the foot-warmer?" + +"You shall not bring any thing, nor do any thing more. You are a +hypocrite, who connives with Moritz. Leave my house this very hour! You +are dismissed my service. Go pack up your things and be off!" cried Frau +von Werrig. + +"Oh, do not go, Trude, for mercy's sake, for then I have no one to help +me," cried the general. + +"I cannot do otherwise, she has given me my dismissal." Trude approached +Frau von Werrig respectfully, saying, "So I must pack up and go away at +once?" + +"Immediately, you deceitful creature!" + +"Immediately! but Frau von Werrig will be so good as to give me my +wages." + +"Yes," she answered in a slower and more subdued voice. "That shall be +done presently." + +"It will not be so very difficult to reckon them, I have been here +twenty years; just as many years as Marie is old, for I came as child's +nurse, and have helped her learn to talk and walk, and played mother +to the dear child a bit. Then I obtained my wages, for they were good +times; but the pension-time came, and we had no cook or servant but me. +'The rats run away if the ship springs a leak,' but the old mole Trude +stayed. Mankind is in the world to work, I said, and why should not I be +the cook and waiting-maid too, that my little Marie should not want any +thing? So I became maid-of-all-work and have stayed here ever since. +Then, you told me you would double my wages, and give me twenty thalers +a year, and four thalers at Christmas. Is it not so, Frau von Werrig?" + +"I believe that was the agreement." + +"I am quite certain about it," cried the general, who began to +understand the drift of Trude. "Yes, Trude was to have twenty thalers +a year, and we are owing her many years' wages. You know, wife, I have +always kept an account-book for the debts, and only a few days ago--Oh! +oh! the pain! Trude, help me cover up the foot warmer!--we reckoned it +up a few days ago, and we owe Trude one hundred and thirty thalers." + +"One hundred and thirty thalers," repeated Trude, clapping her hands, +astonished. "Is it true? oh, that is splendid. I shall be rich, and get +a husband yet. I pray you give it to me, Frau von Werrig, right away." + +"Not so quickly," said she, proudly. "We will reckon together how much +you have saved--because--" + +"Oh!" interrupted Trude, "how good you are to make me keep so much; you +are my savings bank, where I can deposit my money." + +"Because," she continued, with emphasis, without noticing the +interruption, "our future son-in-law will pay your wages, the rich +banker, Herr Ebenstreit. Yes, the wealthy lover of our daughter. At the +moment I have not so much cash in the house." + +"Your grace will allow me to stay until Herr Ebenstreit is married, and, +in your name, pays me my wages?" + +"Yes, Trude, I will allow you to stay," she replied, very graciously. +"You will be cunning, Trude, if you try to persuade Marie to accept the +rich suitor, for when she does I will give you two hundred thalers." + +"I will do all I can to get it. Can I remain here until Marie is +married?" + +"Yes, you have my permission for that." + +"I thank you, Frau von Werrig. Now, general, I will bring you some warm +coverings right away." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. CHARLES AUGUSTUS AND GOETHE. + + +"Now tell me, Wolf," asked Duke Charles Augustus, stretching himself +comfortably on the sofa, puffing clouds of smoke from his pipe--"are you +not weary of dawdling about in this infamously superb pile of stones, +called Berlin? Shall we any longer elegantly scrape to the right and to +the left, with abominable sweet speeches and mere flattering +phraseology, in this monster of dust and stone, of sand and sun, parades +and gaiters? Have you not enough of blustering generals, of affected +women? and of running about the streets like one possessed to see here a +miserable church, or there a magnificent palace? Are you not weary of +crawling about as one of the many, while at home you stride about as the +only one of the many? And weary also of seeing your friend and pupil +Carl August put off with fair promises and hollow speeches like an +insignificant, miserable mortal, without being able to answer with +thundering invectives. Ah! breath fails me. I feel as if I could load a +pistol with myself, and with a loud report shoot over to dear Weimar. +Wolf, do talk, I beg you, I am tired out; answer me." + +"I reply, I shoot, my dear Carl," cried Goethe, laughing. "I was out +of breath myself from that long speech. Was it original with my dear +prince, or did he memorize it from Klinger's great 'Sturm-und-Drang' +tragedy? It reminded me of it." + +"Do you mean to accuse me of plagiarism, wicked fellow? I grant that you +are right, my cunning Wolf, it was a lapsus. I did think of Klinger, and +I sympathized with his youthful hero Wild, who declared that, among the +sweetest pleasures, he would like to be stretched over a drum, or exist +in a pistol-barrel, the hand ready to blow him into the air." + +Goethe shoved aside the breakfast-table, straightened his delicate form, +with his noble head proudly erect, and one foot in advance, extended his +right arm, giving one loud hurrah! "Now, for once, a tumult and noise, +that thought may turn about like a weathercock. This savage noise has +already wrought its own benefit. I begin to feel a little better. Rage +and expand, mad heart, quicken yourself in hurly-burly-burly-burly!" +[Footnote: From Klinger's tragedy "Sturm und Drang."] + +"Bravo! bravo!" laughed the duke. "Is that Klinger, or who is it that +refreshes himself in hurly-burly?" + +"It is I who am every thing," replied Goethe, striding and swaggering up +and down. "I was an assistant, in order to be something--lived upon the +Alps, tended the goats, lay under the vault of heaven day and night, +refreshed by the cool pastures, and burned with the inward fire. No +peace, no rest anywhere. See, I swell with power and health! I cannot +waste myself away. I would take part in the campaign here; then can my +soul expand, and if they do me the service to shoot me down, well and +good!" [Footnote: From Klinger's tragedy "Sturm und Drang."] + +"Bravo! Wild, bravo!" cried the duke. "Hei! that thundered and rolled, +and struck fire! It does me good to hear such vigorous words from an +able rare genius in the midst of this miserable, starched elegance. The +powerful Germans are healthy fellows. Something of the Promethean fire +blazes forth in them. They were forced to come, those jolly, uproarious +boys, after the affected cue period; they were the full, luxurious +plants, and my Wolfgang, the favorite of my heart, my poet and teacher, +is the divine blossom of this plant. Let them prevail, these 'Sturmer +und Dranger,' for they are the fathers and brothers of my Wolfgang. +Do me the sole pleasure not to refine yourself too much, but let this +divine fire burst forth in volcanic flames, and leave the thundering +crater uncovered. Sometimes when I see you so simpering, so modest and +ceremonious, I ask myself, with anxiety, if it is the same Wolfgang +Goethe, who used to drink 'Smollis' with me at merry bacchanals out of +death-skulls?--the same with whom I used to practise whip-cracking upon +the market-place hours long, to the terror of the good citizens?--the +same who used to dance so nimbly the two-steps, and was inexhaustible +in mad pranks. Now tell me, Herr Wolfgang, are you yourself, or are you +another?" + +"I am myself, and not myself," answered Goethe, smiling. "There still +remains a good portion of folly in me, and it must sometimes thunder +and flash, but I hope the atmosphere of my soul will become clearer, +and over the crater a more lovely garden will spread out, in which +beautiful, fragrant flowers will bloom, useful and profitable for my +friends and myself. Sometimes I long for this as for the promised land; +then again it foams and thunders in me like fermenting must, which, +defying all covers and hoops, would froth up to heaven in an immense +source of mad excitement!" + +"Let it froth and foam, and spring the covers, and burst the old casks," +cried the duke; "I delight in it, and every infernal noise you make, the +prouder I am to recognize that from this foaming must will clear itself +a marvellous wine, a delicious beverage for gods and men, with which the +world will yet refresh itself, when we are long gone to the kingdom of +shades--to the something or nothing. You know, Wolf, I love you, and I +am proud that I have you! It is true that I possess only a little +duchy, but it is large enough to lead an agreeable and comfortable +existence--large enough for a little earthly duke, and the great king of +intellects, Johann Wolfgang Goethe. Let us return to our dear home, +for I acknowledge to you I sigh for Weimar. I long for the dear little +place, where every one knows me and greets me, and even for my dogs and +horses." + +"And I," said Goethe, "I really mourn for my Tusculum, which I owe to +the generous, kind duke; for the balcony of my little cottage, where, +canopied by the blue, starry vault of heaven, I dream away the lonely +May nights." + +"Is there nothing else you sigh for but the summer-house at Weimar?" + +"No!" cried Goethe, and an indescribable expression of rapture and +delight was manifest in his whole manner. + +"No, why should I deny it, how could I? It would be treason to the +Highest and most Glorious. No, I long for my muse, my mistress, my--" + +"Beloved!" interrupted the duke. "I pray you not to be so prudish, +so reserved. Have the courage to snap your fingers at this infamously +deceitful moral code, and proud and distinguished as you are, elevate +yourself above what these miserable earthworms call morality. For the +eagle there is a different law than for the pigeon. If the eagle soars +aloft through the ether to his eyry, bearing a lamb in his powerful +claws, has he not a right to it--the right of superiority and power by +God's grace? Has he not as much right to the lamb as the pigeon to the +pea which she finds in the dust? If the pigeon by chance sees the eagle +with his lamb, she cries, 'Zeter! mordio!' with the pea in her own bill, +as if she were in a position to judge the eagle." + +"A beautiful picture," cried Goethe, joyfully--"a picture that would +inspire me to indite a poem." + +"Write one, and call it for a souvenir 'The Eagle and the Dove.' Make it +a reality, my eagle youth, bear off the white lamb to your eyry, and let +the world, with its affected morality, say what it likes. How can +you bear to see the one you love at the side of another man? Tell me, +confess to me, is not the beautiful Charlotte von Stein your beloved?" + +"Not in the sense you mean, duke, not in the vulgar sense of the word. I +love her, I adore her, with a pure and holy sentiment. I would not that +Charlotte should have cause to blush before her children on my account. +She would be desecrated to me if I, in my inmost soul, could imagine the +blush of shame upon her cheek, or that her eye could brighten at other +than great, beautiful, and noble acts. I adore her, and to me she is the +ideal of the purest and sweetest womanhood. I rejoice that she is as she +is, like clear mountain crystal--transparent and so brightly pure, that +one could mirror himself therein. She stands above all other women, +and to her belong all my thoughts, and would, even if I were wedded to +another. To me she is the most beautiful of the beautiful, the purest of +the pure, the most graceful of the graceful, and all my thoughts are in +perfect harmony with hers. Now, duke, if it is agreeable to you, knowing +my feelings, to call Charlotte von Stein my beloved, she is so in the +most elevated sense of the word." + +"Ah! you poets, you poets," sighed the duke, smiling. + +"A streak of madness in you all, though I will grant that it is divine." + +"Say rather that Whit-Sunday comes to us every day, and the divine +Spirit descends daily upon us poets, and causes us to speak in unknown +tongues." + +"I will say that you are the god Apollo descended from heaven, and with +gods one may not dare to dispute. They act differently in their sphere +than we mortals upon earth. I will be contented if our ways cross from +time to time, and we can once in a while walk on together a good piece +the way of life in friendship and harmony. If it would please my Wolf, +I propose to turn toward beloved Weimar, the dear place, half village, +half city. For my part I am finished here, my business with General von +Mollendorf is accomplished. As I told you previously, I have had made +known to the king my refusal to allow recruiting in my duchy. I could +not consent for the present. In short, I have spoken as my secretary +Wolfgang Goethe has recorded.[Footnote: This memorial upon recruiting is +found. "Correspondence of the Grand Duke Carl August and Goethe," part, +i., p. 4.] General Mollendorf has waived his demand for the present--and +to-day we have had the concluding conference, and if it is agreeable to +my secretary, we might set off this afternoon and pass a day at Dessau, +and then on to Weimar." + +"Oh, gladly will I do it; it seems as if a star from heaven had twinkled +to me to follow it, for at Weimar is centred all my happiness! I prefer +a lowly cabin there to all the splendor and palaces of a city." + +"Then you agree with me, that this magnificently vile Berlin does not +enchain you in her magic net?" + +"No, she holds me not, though it has been pleasant to take a peep into +it (like a child into a curiosity-box). I have seen 'Old Fritz.' His +character, his gold, and his silver, his marbles, his apes and parrots, +and even his town curtains please me. It is pleasant to be at the seat +of war at the very moment that it threatens to break forth. It has +gratified me to witness the splendor of the royal city, the life, order, +and abundance, that would be nothing if thousands of men were not ready +to be sacrificed; the medley of men, carriages, horses, artillery, and +all the arrangements. All are mere pins in the great clock-work, only +puppets whose motion is received from the great cylinder, Fredericus +Rex, who indicates to each one the melody they must play, according to +one of the thousand pins in the rotary beam."[Footnote: Goethe's own +words.--See Goethe's "Correspondence with Frau von Stein," part i., p. +168. Riemer, "Communications about Goethe," part ii., p. 60.] + +"You are right to compare the great man to the chief cylinder in the +machine of state," nodded the duke "He rules and sets all in motion, +and cares not whether the rabble are suited or not. It has enraged me +sometimes to hear the fellows curse him, and yet I acted as if I heard +them not. Let us return to Weimar--mankind seems better there, Wolf." + +"At any rate, more regardful of us than they are here, duke. The greater +the world the uglier the farce; no obscenities and fooleries of the +buffoon are more disgusting than the characters of the great, mediocre +and insignificant, all mingled together. I prayed this morning for +courage to hold out to the end, and to hasten the consummation. I am +grateful for the benefit of the journey--but I pray the gods not to +conduct themselves toward us as their image-man, for I should swear +to them eternal hatred."[Footnote: Goethe's own words.--See Goethe's +"Correspondence with Frau von Stein," part i., p. 169.] + +"Then you are ready to depart, Wolf?" + +"Almost, dear Carl, or, if you will it, quite ready. A few visits I +would make, that the people shall not be too severe upon me and cry out +against my pride and arrogance." + +"Because they themselves are proud and supercilious, they are bold +enough to suppose Wolfgang Goethe is like them. I hope you will not +visit the very learned Herr Nicolai, the insipid prosaist, the puffed-up +rationalist, who believes that his knowledge permits him to penetrate +every thing, and who is a veritable ass." + +"No, I am not going to Nicolai, Rammler, or Engel, or, as they should be +named, the wise authors of Berlin. I shall visit the artist Chodowiecki, +good Karschin, occasional poetess, and the philosopher Mendelssohn. +Then, if it pleases you, we will set out this afternoon, shaking the +sand of Berlin from our feet." + +"I shall prepare whilst you make your visits. Will you take my carriage? +You know there is one from the royal stables always at my service, which +stands at the door." + +"Beware! they would shriek if I should drive to their doors in a royal +carriage. They would accuse me of throwing aside the poet, and being +only secretary of legation. I will go on foot; it amuses me to push my +way through the crowd, and listen to the Berlin jargon." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. GOETHE'S VISITS. + + +Taking leave of his ducal friend, Goethe betook himself the street, to +commence his visits. Going first to Chodowiecki, the renowned delineator +and engraver, whose fame had already spread throughout Germany. When +Goethe entered, the artist was busy in his atelier, working upon the +figures of the characters in the "Mimic," the latest work of Professor +Engel. "Master," said he, smilingly, extending him his hand, "I have +come to thank you for many beautiful, happy hours which I owe to you. +You paint with the chisel and poetize with the brush. An artist by God's +grace." + +"If the poet Goethe says that, there must be something in it," replied +Chodowiecki, with a radiant face. "I have to thank you for the most +beautiful and best hours of my life, and I am proud and delighted to +have been able in the least to return the pleasure. The only blissful +tears among many bitter ones that I have wept, were shed over the +'Sorrows of Werther.' 'Gotz von Berlichingen' so inspired me that he +appeared to me in my dreams, and left me no peace until I rose in the +night to draw Gotz, as he sat talking with brother Martin on the bench +in the forest. Wait, I will show you the drawing; you must see it." + +Goethe examined it attentively, and expressed his pleasure at the +correctness and dramatical conception of the design, and did not remark, +or perhaps would not, that the artist was busily occupied with crayon +and paper. "How wonderfully you have reproduced my 'German Knight,'" +cried Goethe, after a long observation of it. "The middle ages entire, +proud and full of strength, are mirrored in this figure, and if I had +not written 'Gotz von Berlichingen,' I would have been inspired to it, +perhaps, from this drawing. Oh! you artists are to be envied. We need +many thousand words to express what a few lines represent, and a stroke +suffices to change a smiling face into a weeping one. How feeble is +language, and how mighty the pencil! I wish I had the talent to be a +painter!" + +"And I," cried Chodowiecki, "would throw all my pencils, brushes, and +chisels to the devil, or sell him my soul, if I could cope with the +genius and intellect of the poet, Wolfgang Goethe. What a man! What a +profile the gods have given him! There! look--have you ever seen a man +with such a face?" He handed Goethe the drawing, which proved to be a +speaking profile-portrait of himself, dashed off with a few strokes full +of genius. + +Goethe looked at it with the air of a critic. "It is true," said he, +perfectly serious, "there are not many such profiles, but I am not of +your opinion that the gods fashioned it. Those sharp features look as +if the joiner had cut them out of oak, and they lead me to infer a +very disagreeable character. I naturally do not know who the picture +represents, but I must tell you, master, that this man could never +please me, although I could swear it is a speaking likeness. This sharp, +bowed nose has something impudent, self-sufficient in it. The brow is +indeed high, which betokens thought, but the retreating lines prove +that the thoughts only commence, and then lose themselves in a maze. The +mouth, with its pouting lips, has an insupportable expression of stupid +good-nature and sentimentality; and the well-defined, protruding chin +might belong to the robber-captain Cartouche. The great wide-open eyes, +with their affected passionate glances, prove what a puffed-up dandy the +man must be, who perhaps imagines all the women in love with his face. +No, no, I am still of the opinion that the original could never please +me, and if the physiognomist Lavater should see it, he would say: 'That +is the portrait of a puffed-up, quaint, powerful genius, who imagines +himself something important, and who is nothing! The likeness of a +bombastic fellow, with an empty head behind the pretentious brow, and +meaningless phrases on the thick lips.'" + +"If Lavater says so, he is a fool and an ass," cried Chodowiecki, +furiously, "and he can hide himself in the remotest corner of the +earth. Lichtenberg of Gottingen is quite right when he says that this +empty-headed Lavater has made himself ridiculous throughout Germany with +his wonderful physiognomy of dogs' tails and his profiles of unknown +pigtails. If Lavater is really so narrow-minded as not to be able to +distinguish a crow from an eagle, it is his own affair; but he shall +never presume to look at this portrait, and you, too, are not worthy, +you scorner, that I should get angry with you. The likeness is so +beautiful that Jupiter himself would be satisfied to have it imputed to +him. It is so like, that you need not pretend you do not know that it +represents Wolfgang Goethe. As you insult it, and regard it with scorn +and contempt, I will destroy it." + +"For mercy's sake do not tear it," cried Goethe, springing toward +Chodowiecki, and holding him fast with a firm grasp. "My dear good man, +do not tear it; it would be like splitting my own head." + +"Ah, ah!" shouted Chodowiecki, "you acknowledge the likeness?" + +"I do acknowledge it, with joy." + +"And will you admit that it is the head of a noble, talented poet, a +favorite of the Muses? Say yes, or I will tear it, and you will have +terrible pains in your head your life long!" + +"Yes, yes! all that you wish. I am capable of saying the most flattering +things of myself to save this beautiful design. Give it to me, you +curious fellow!" + +"No," said Chodowiecki, earnestly, "I will not give it to you. Such a +portrait is not made to be put in a dusty portfolio, or framed for the +boudoir of your lady-love. All Germany, all the world should enjoy it, +and centuries later the German women will still see Wolfgang Goethe as +he looked in his twenty-ninth year, and hang an engraving on the wall in +their parlor, and sighing and palpitating acknowledge--'There never was +but one such godlike youth, and there never will be another. I wish that +I had known him; I wish he had loved me!' So will they speak centuries +later, for I will perpetuate this drawing in a steel engraving of my +most beautiful artistic work." [Footnote: This engraving from the +artist Chodowiecki still exists, and the author of this work possesses +a beautiful copy, which Ottille von Goethe sent her. It is a bust in +profile, the most beautiful of his youth.] + +"You are a splendid fellow, and I must embrace you, and rejoice to be +immortalized by you, for this portrait pleases me exceedingly. I might +well be proud that this head with the rare profile is a counterpart of +my own. Now we are good friends. Before I say farewell, let me see the +work at which I just disturbed you upon entering." + +Goethe was about to raise the cloth, when Chodowiecki waved him back. +"Do not look at it," said he, quickly; "I dislike to appear as a +mechanic before you, as I wish that you should honor only the artist. We +poor toilers are badly off, as the old proverb is ever proving true with +us, 'Art goes for bread.' We must be mechanics the chief part of our +lives, in order to have a few hours free, in which we are allowed to +be artists. I have to illustrate the most miserable works with my +engravings, to buy the time to pursue works of art." + +"That is the interest, friend, which you pay the world for the +great capital which the gods confided to you. Believe me, the artist +Chodowiecki would have but a morsel to eat if the mechanic Chodowiecki +did not serve him a tempting meal, paying the bill. Do not be vexed +about it; man must have a trade to support him, as art is never +remunerated. [Footnote: Goethe's words--See G. H. Lewes's "Goethe's Life +and Writings," vol. 1., p. 459.] I hope the mechanic will be well paid, +that the artist may create beautiful and rare works for us. This is my +farewell visit to-day, friend. If you will hear a welcome from me very +soon, come to Weimar, and see how one honors the artists there, and how +well appreciated Chodowiecki is." + +Goethe embraced and kissed the artist, who regarded him, his face +radiant with joy, and would not be prevented from accompanying him +to the house door, as if he were a prince or a king. "Now to Madame +Karschin," said Goethe to himself, as he hastened through the streets +in that direction. "The good woman has welcomed me with so many pretty +verses that I must make my acknowledgments, in spite of my decision to +keep the Berlin authors at a distance." + +From Wilhelm Street, where Chodowiecki lived, to the tilt-yard, was not +far, and Goethe soon reached the old, antiquated house where the poetess +lived. After many questionings and inquiries at the lower stories +and more splendid apartments of the house, he found the abode of the +poetess, and climbed up the steep stairs to the slanting attic-room. The +dim light of a small window permitted Goethe to read upon a gray piece +of paper, pasted upon the door, 'Anna Louisa Karsch, German poetess.' +He knocked modestly at the door at first, then louder, and as the voices +within never ceased for a moment their animated conversation, he opened +it, and entered the obscure room. + +"I will do it, sir," said the little woman sitting in the window-niche +near a table to a young man standing near her. "I will do it, though I +must tell you album writing is very common. But you must promise me to +return here, and let me see what Herr Rammler writes, and tell me what +he says about me. These are my conditions." + +"Frau Karschin, I promise you, upon the word of honor of a German youth, +who can never lower himself to break his word." + +"Very well! then I will write." + +There was perfect silence. The youth watched the little, dry hand which +guided the pen, with a devotional mien, and Goethe with eager curiosity, +who, unobserved, stood like a suppliant at the door of the obscure +little room, the shabby furniture of which betrayed the narrow +circumstances of the German poetess. It harmonized with the occupant, +a little, bony, meagre figure, wearing a tight-fitting blue-flowered +chintz dress. Upon the gray hair, which, parted in the middle, encircled +the low forehead, was a cap, which had lost its whiteness and was, +therefore, more in harmony with the ruff about her yellow, thin neck. +Her sharp, angular features were redeemed by large, dark eyes, flashing +with marvellous brilliancy from under the thick, gray eyebrows, and +with quick, penetrating glances she sometimes turned them to the ceiling +thoughtfully as she wrote. "There, sir, is my poem," said she, laying +down the pen. "Listen: + + 'Govern your will; + If it hinders duty, + It fetters virtue; + Then envy beguiles + Into fault-finding.'" + +"Oh, how beautiful, cried the young man, enraptured. "I thank you a +thousand times for those glorious words, and they shall henceforth be +the guiding star of my existence." + +"Go to Professor Rammler, and: then return and show me what he writes, +for I am convinced--. Oh, Heavens! there is a stranger," she cried, as +she discovered Goethe, who had remained standing by the door. + +"Yes, a stranger," said Goethe, smiling, and approaching, as the happy +possessor of the album withdrew--"a stranger would not leave Berlin +without visiting the German poetess." + +"And without verses in your album; is it not so? I have become the +fashion, and if I could only live by immortalizing myself in your +albums, I should be free from care. Now I have divined it--you wish an +autograph?" + +"No! only a good word, and a friendly shake of the hand, for I possess +a poem and a letter which the good Frau Karschin sent me at Weimar some +six months since, written by herself." + +"Is it Goethe?" she cried, clasping her hands in astonishment. "The poet +Johann Wolfgang Goethe, the renowned author of the work which--" + +"Cost you many tears," broke in Goethe, laughing. "I beg you spare me +these phrases, which follow me upon my journey as the Furies Orestes. +I know that 'Werther' has become the favorite of the reading public; he +has opened all the tear-ducts and made all lovers of moonlight as +soft as a swaddling-cloth. I could punish myself for having written +'Werther.'" + +Frau Karschin laughed aloud. "That is glorious! You please me! You are +a famous poet and a genius, for only geniuses can revise and ridicule +themselves. Welcome, Germany's greatest poet, welcome to the attic of +the poetess! There is the good word which you would have, and here is +the hand. Did you think it worth while to visit poor Karschin? I am +rejoiced at it, for I see that they accused you unjustly of arrogance +and pride!" + +"Do they accuse me of it?" asked Goethe, smiling. "Can the Berlin poets +and authors never forgive me that I live at a court, and am honored with +the favor of a prince?" + +"They would willingly forgive you if they had the power to push you one +side, and take your place. They are angry with you, because they envy +you and are not accustomed to be esteemed. Our prince and ruler, as +great a hero and king as he otherwise is, cares little for German +poetry, and for all he would care, the Berlin authors might starve, +one and all; he would trouble himself no more about them than the flies +dancing in the sunlight." + +"The great king is still the same, then? He will never know anything of +German literature?" + +"No! he declares that it is the language of barbarians and +bear-catchers; scolds about us, and despises us, and yet knows as little +of us as the man in the moon. He adores his Voltaire. Old Fritz knows +the French poet by heart, but Lessing he knows nothing of. He abuses +'Goetz von Berlichingen,' and 'Werther's Sorrows.'" + +"Oh! I know it all--I know the king's adjutant-general, von Siedlitz. I +often dine with him, and read aloud my poems to him, when he relates +to me what the king says to enrage me. You must know when I am angry +I speak in verse. I accustomed myself to it during my unhappy marriage +with the tailor Karsch. When he scolded, I answered in verse, and tried +to turn my thoughts to other things, and to make the most difficult +rhymes. As he was always scolding and quarrelling, I always spoke in +rhyme." + +"And in this way you led a very poetical marriage?" smiled Goethe. + +"Yes, indeed, poetical," she said, and her large brilliant eyes were +dimmed. "If it is true that tears are the baptism of poets, then I +was baptized daily for twelve years, and ought to be an extraordinary +poetess." + +"That you are, indeed," said Goethe, "who would dispute it? You have +given evidence of great poetical talent, and I read your heroic poem +upon the Great Frederick with real delight." + +"Do you know what he did?" she asked, bitterly. "I turned to him, +begging for assistance; for who should a poet turn to, but his God and +his king? Moreover, he had promised it to me personally." + +"You have spoken with him, then, yourself?" asked Goethe. + +"Yes, eight years ago; General von Siedlitz procured me an audience. The +king was very gracious, and among other things, asked me about my life; +and as I explained to him my poverty and want, he most kindly promised +to help me." [Footnote: This interview which Frau Karschin had with the +king is found in "Anecdotes and Traits of Character of Frederick the +Great." vol. ii., p. 72.] + +"And did he not fulfil his promise?" + +"No, had it been given to the least of the French writers he would have +kept it, but to a German poet it was not worth while. What is a native +poet to the great German king? A phantom that he knows not, and believes +not. As great as he is, the king showed himself very small to me. I sang +him as a poetess and he bestowed a pittance upon me as one would to a +beggar in tatters by the wayside." + +"Is it really true, upon your supplication--" + +"Sent me two thalers! Yes, that is indeed true, and I see by your smile +that you know it, and know also that I returned it to him. I had rather +die with hunger than take a beggar's penny. But let me relate to you +what happened two weeks since. I had borne patiently the affair of +the two thalers, and forgotten it. I am more comfortable now; the +booksellers pay me for my songs and poems very well, and a number of +patrons and friends, at whose head is the Prince of Prussia, give me a +small pension, from which I can at least live--though poorly. One of my +patrons sent me a strip of land on the Spree not far from the Hercules +Bridge, where I would gladly build me a little house, at last to have a +sure abiding-place where I could retire--that would be a refuge against +all the troubles and sorrows of life. As I thought it over, the old +confidence and imperishable love for the great king rose again within +me, and as I esteemed him I always hoped for the fulfilment of his +promise. I applied to him again, and begged him to do for me what he +had granted to so many cobblers and tailors, as the king gives +building-money to help those who will build. All the houses of the +Gensdarmen-markt are built by royal aid, and sometimes the king designs +the facades, as he did for the butcher Kuhn's great house; and sent +him a design to ornament the frieze of ninety-nine, sheeps' heads, only +ninety-nine, for he said the butcher himself was the one hundredth. The +butcher remonstrated, but he was obliged to keep them, if he would have +the building-money." + +"Really," cried Goethe, laughing, "the king is an ingenious and +extraordinary man in every thing, and no one is like him." + +"No one is like him, and no one would have treated me as he did. I +addressed to him a poem, begging him with true inspiration and emotion +to let a German poetess find favor in his sight--and that he would be +for me a Maecenas, if I were not a Horace. My heart bled with sorrow, +that I must so beg and pray, and my tears wet the paper upon which I +indited my begging, rhyming petition. How much money do you think the +great king sent me for my house? Think of the smallest sum." + +"If it was small, yet for building-money he would send you at least two +hundred thalers." + +The poetess burst into a scornful laugh. "He sent me three thalers! The +great Frederick sent me three thalers to build a house!" + +"What did you do? Did you take them?" + +"Yes," she answered, proudly, "and I will leave them as a legacy to my +daughter, as an historical souvenir for succeeding generations, who will +relate the benevolence of the German king for the German poetess. I sent +the king a receipt--I will read it to you. + +"'His majesty commanded, Instead of building-money, To send me three +thalers. The order was exactly, Promptly fulfilled. I am indebted for +thanks, But for three thalers can No joiner in Berlin My coffin make. +Otherwise to-morrow I would order Such a house without horror Where +worms feast, And, feasting, quarrel Over the lean, care-worn Old woman's +remains That the king let sigh away.'" [Footnote: See "Life and Poems of +Louisa Karschin," edited by her daughter.] + +"Why do you not laugh?" said Frau Karschin, raising her flashing eyes to +Goethe, who sat looking down earnestly and quietly before her. + +"I cannot," he gently answered. "Your poem makes me sad; it recalls the +keen sorrow of a poet's existence, the oft-repeated struggle between +Ideality and Reality. The blessed of the gods must humble themselves; +though they may raise their heads to heaven, their feet must still rest +upon earth; and to find their way upon it, and walk humbly therein, they +must again lower their inspired heads." + +"Oh, that makes me feel better," cried Karschin, with tears in her eyes; +"that is balsam for my wounds. You are a great poet, Goethe, I feel it +to be so. You are a great man, for your heart is good and filled with +pity. How unjustly they call you cold and proud! Only be a little more +yielding, and call upon the Berlin poets and writers. You can imagine +that the news of your arrival ran like wild-fire through the town. +Nicolai, Rammler, Engel, Mendelssohn, and all the other distinguished +gentlemen have stayed at home like badgers in their kennels, watching +for you, so as not to miss your visit. At last they became desperate, +and scolded furiously over your arrogance and pride in thinking yourself +better than they. Why have you not called upon them?" + +There was a loud knocking at the door, and the young man with his album +entered, almost breathless. "Here I am," said he, "I came directly from +Professor Rammler here, as I promised you." + +"You saw him, then? Has he written something for you?" + +"Yes, I saw him, and he granted my request." + +"And abused me, did he not, with his nose turned up? You must know, +Goethe, that Professor Rammler despises my poems, because I am not so +learned in Greek and Roman mythology as he is. Now tell me, my young +friend, what did he say about me?" + +"I promised you, upon my word of honor, to tell you every thing, but I +hope you will release me from the promise." sighed the young man. + +"No, that I will not. Much more, upon the strength of your word of +honor, I desire it. You promised, word for word, to relate it to me." + +"If it must be, then, let it be. I went at once to Professor Rammler's. +He asked me immediately if I had not been here." + +"Just as I asked you," laughed Karschin. + +"I affirmed it, saying that you showed me his house. Upon which he +asked, 'Did she say any thing against me? She is accustomed to do it +before strangers, like all old women.' He then turned over my album, and +as he saw the lines you wrote he reddened, and striking the book--'I see +it, she knew she had said something about me. She tells every stranger +that I think she is censorious. What she has written is aimed at me.' +Upon that he wrote some lines opposite yours, shut the book, and handed +it to me. I have not even had the time to read them." + +"Read them now, quickly." + +"'He who slanders and listens to slander, let him be punished. She may +be hung by the tongue, and he by the ears.'" [Footnote: This scene took +place literally, and may be found in "Celebrated German Authors," vol. +II., p. 340.] + +"That is shameful--that is mean!" said Frau Karschin, while Goethe +re-read the cutting epigram. "That is just like Rammler; his tongue is +like a two-edged sword for every one but himself, and he fans his +own glories, and does not know that he is a fool. Frederick the Great +himself called him so. One of his generals called his attention to +him, upon which Frederick turned his horse, riding directly up to him, +asking, 'Is this the distinguished Rammler?' 'Yes, your majesty, I am +he,' the little professor proudly bowed. 'You are a fool!' called out +Frederick, very loud, and rode away, as all around the 'Great Rammler' +laughed and sneered. There are many such stories. Shall I tell you how +Lessing teased him?" + +"No, dear woman, tell me nothing more. I perceive your Berlin writers +and poets are a malicious, contentious set of people. I may well fear +you, and shall be glad to escape unharmed. Think kindly of me, and have +pity upon me; if the others are too severe, raise your dear hand and +hold back the scourge that it may not fall upon poor Wolfgang Goethe. +Adieu, dear Frau Karschin." + +Goethe bowed, and hastened down into the street. "With the authors and +poets of Berlin I wish nothing more to do, but with the philosophers +I may be more fortunate, and with them find the wisdom and forbearance +which fail the poets." + +Goethe bent his steps to Spandauer Street, in which the merchant +and philosopher Moses Mendelssohn lived; hastened up the stairs, and +knocked, which was answered by an old servant, to whom Goethe announced +himself. The servant disappeared, and the poet stood in the little, +narrow corridor, smilingly looking to the study-door, and waiting for +the "gates of wisdom" to open and let the worldling enter the temple of +philosophy. + +The crooked little man, the great philosopher, Moses, son of +Mendelssohn, stood behind the door, turning over in his mind whether +he would receive Goethe or not. "Why should I? The proud secretary of +legation has already been in Berlin eight days, and wishes to prove to +me that he cares little for Berlin philosophers. My noble friend, +the great Lessing, cannot abide 'Gotz von Berlichingen;' and Nicolai, +Rammler, and Engel are the bitter opponents, the very antipodes of the +rare genius and secretary of legation from Weimar. If he wishes to see +me, why did he come so late, so--" + +"Herr Goethe is waiting--shall he enter?" asked the servant. + +The philosopher raised his head. "No," cried he, loudly. "No! tell him +you were mistaken. I am not at home." + +The old servant looked quite frightened at his master--the first time he +had heard an untruth from him. "What shall I say, sir?" + +"Say no," cried Moses, very excited and ill-humored. "Say that I am not +at home--that I am out." + +With a determined, defiant manner the philosopher seated himself to work +upon his new book, "Jerusalem," saying to himself, "I am right to send +him away; he waited too long, is too late." [Footnote: From Ludwig Tieck +I learned this anecdote, and he assured me that Moses Mendelssohn +told it to him.--See "Goethe in Berlin, Leaves of Memory," p. 6.--The +Authoress.] + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. FAREWELL TO BERLIN. + + +"What is the matter, my dear Wolf?" cried the duke, as Goethe returned +from his visits. "What mean those shadows upon your brow? Have the +cursed beaux-esprits in Berlin annoyed and tortured you?" + +"No, duke, I--" and suddenly stopping, he burst into a loud ringing +laugh, and sprang about the room, bounding up and down, shouting, +"Hurrah! hurrah! Long live the philosophers, vivat the philosophers!" + +"They shall live--live--live,'' shouted the duke! + +"Vivat the philosophers! hurrah! To the May-sports upon the Blockberg +they ride upon a little ass with golden horns--with Pharisaical mien, +praying with their eyes, 'I thank Thee, O Lord, that I am a philosopher, +that I am not as the world's children, vain, proud, and arrogant.' Hey, +good Carl Augustus, today a great revelation has been made known to me +by a philosopher. Wisdom flowed from his mouth. All the spiders in their +gray, self-woven nets, whispered and sang in his corridor, 'We weave at +the fountain of life, we spin the web of time.' The little mice crept +out from the corners, whispering, Hallelujah! Here lives the great +philosopher Moses, who has devoured wisdom, and is unknowing of earthly +vanities. Oh! the mice and the spiders waltz together upon the threshold +of the great philosopher. Hey, ha! a waltz we will dance!" + +Goethe caught the duke with both arms around the waist, and tore around +in a giddy whirl, both laughing, both shrieking. Wolfshund, the duke's +dog, asleep in the corner, sprang up howling and barking at their wild +bounds and goat-like springs, and joined the dancers. As Goethe felt +the ribbon which confined his cue give way, he shook wildly his curly, +powdered hair and it fell in mad confusion. Both he and the duke now +sank exhausted to the floor, panting and laughing. + +"Heaven be praised, Wolf," said the duke, "the must has once more +fermented, and sprung a few of the hoops of dignity?" + +"Yes," answered Goethe, who suddenly assumed a grave, serious mien, "the +must has fermented, and I trust a fine wine will clear itself from it." + +"Can you not set off, Wolf?" asked the duke, springing up. "Have you had +sufficient of the Berliners?" + +"I have done with them," replied Goethe, "not only with the Berliners, +but it may be with all the rest of humanity. I feel, my duke, that the +bloom of confidence, candor, and self-sacrificing love fades daily; +only for you, and the friend whom I love, is there still attraction and +flagrancy. Oh! you dear ones, be charitable, and do not consent that +they fade for you. Let the goodness which I read in your eyes, my +dear Carl, and the sunny rays of friendship strengthen the poor +little blossom, that it does not entirely fade and wither away!" With +passionate earnestness he threw his arms around the duke, pressing him +to his bosom. + +"Oh! Wolf, my dear Wolf, you have a child's heart and a poet's soul. Are +you faint-hearted and dispirited? Do you not know that you are the sun +which brings forth the flowers for us, and shines for us all? Let no +clouds overshadow you, Wolf! Let your fresh, youthful vigor, and divine +brilliancy, penetrate them. In the thick, sandy atmosphere of Berlin I +confess the sun itself loses its force and brightness! Come! let us be +off. Our steeds stamp with impatience." The duke drew his friend from +the room and joyfully they sprang down the stairs to the carriage, the +great dog following, howling and barking after them. "Forward, then, +forward! Blow, postilion, blow! A gay little air! Let it peal through +the streets, a farewell song! Blow, postilion, blow! and I will moisten +your throat at the gates with the thin, white stuff, which you have the +boldness to call beer." The postilion laughed for joy, and the German +song resounded in quivering tones--"Three riders rode out of the gate." +He blew so long and loudly, that the dog set up a mournful howl, and +amid the peals of the postilion, and the distressed cry of Wolfshund, +they drove through the long, hot streets of Berlin, through the Leipsic +Gate, and the suburbs with their small, low houses. The wagon-wheels +sank to the spokes in the loose, yellow sand of the hill they soon +mounted, and, arriving at the top of which, the postilion stopped to let +his horses take breath, and turned to remind his aristocratic passengers +that this was their last view of the city. + +"And will be seen no more," repeated the duke. "Come, let us take a +farewell look at Berlin, Wolf!" and away they sprang without waiting for +the footman to descend, and waded through the sand to a rising in the +fallow fields. There they stood, arm in arm, and viewed the town with +its towers and chimneys, houses, barracks, and palaces stretched at +their feet. A thick, gray, cloud of vapor and smoke hovered over it, +and veiled the horizon in dust and fog. "Farewell, Berlin, you city of +arrogance and conceit!" cried the duke, joyfully. "I shake your dust +from my feet, and strew the sand of your fields over every souvenir of +you in memory," and suiting the action to his words, he tossed a handful +of it in the air. + +"Farewell, Muses and Graces of sand and dust!" cried Goethe, as his +fiery eye flashed far out over the fog-enveloped roofs. "Farewell, +Berlin, void of nature and without verdure! the abode of poetic art, but +not of poesy. You Babylon of wisdom and philosophy, I have seen you +with your painted cheeks and coquettish smile, your voluptuous form and +seductive charms. You shall never ensnare me with your deceitful beauty, +and suck the marrow from my bones, or the consciousness of pure humanity +from my soul. Beautiful may you be to enslaved intellects, but to the +free, they turn their backs to you and thrice strew ashes on your head. +Farewell, Berlin, may I never see you again!" [Goethe, in fact, never +visited Berlin again, though he was often invited there, particularly +when the new theatre was opened, with a poetic prologue written by +himself. They inaugurated the festivity with Goethe's "Iphigenia," the +first representation, and Prince Radzwill urgently invited the poet, +through Count Bruhl, to visit Berlin at this time, and reside in his +palace. But Goethe refused; he was seventy-two years old (1826), and +excused himself on account of his age.] Goethe stooped and threw a +handful of sand in the air. + +The postilion, tired of standing in the burning sun, blew loudly the air +of the soldier's song: "Now, adieu, Louisa, wipe your face, every ball +does not hit." Mournfully the melody sounded in the stillness, like +accusing spirits who wept the insult of the prince and the poet. + +"Now, on to our dear Weimar, Wolf!" The carriage rolled down the sandy +hill, and Berlin disappeared to the travellers, lost in dreamy thought. +Slowly they advanced, in spite of relays and fresh horses at every +station. Night spread out her starry mantle over the world, and the +sleepers who rested from the burdens and cares of the day. Goethe alone +was wakeful and vigilant. With his beautiful eyes, as brilliant as +fallen stars, uplifted to heaven, to God, his manly bosom heaving with +noble thoughts and glorious aspirations, he reviewed the past, and +recalled with joy that he had accomplished much and well. He peered into +the future, and promised himself to do more and better. "Yes, I will," +whispered he softly, pointing to the stars; "so high as possible +shall the pyramid of my being rise. To that I will constantly bend my +thoughts, never forgetting it, for I dare not tarry; with the years +already on my head, fate may arrest my steps, and the tower of Babylon +remain unfinished. At least they must acknowledge the edifice was boldly +designed, and if I live, God willing, it shall rise." + + + + +BOOK III. STORM AND PRESSURE + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE KING AND THE AUSTRIAN DIPLOMAT. + + +Frederick commenced the campaign against the house of Hapsburg with all +the energy and bold courage of former days. The diplomats had once +more been permitted to seek the arts of negotiation, and, these +having failed, the king advanced rapidly, and entered Bohemia with his +advance-guard. The imperial army, informed of the approach of the enemy, +retired hurriedly to their intrenchments at Koeniggratz, beyond the +Elbe, without a decisive battle. In the skirmishes at the outposts the +Prussians had been victorious. On the opposite shore of the Elbe, at +Welsdorf, the king took up his headquarters. Why did he not pursue his +bold run of victory? Why did he not surprise the imperial army, which he +knew was scattered, and not in a position to resist the strength of the +Prussian forces? Moreover, the second column of the Prussian army, under +the command of Prince Henry, had also entered Bohemia, and fortified a +camp near Rimburg, having united with the Saxon allies, which caused the +imperialists under Field-Marshal Loudon to seek protection beyond the +Iser, near Muenchengratz and Yung-bunzlau. Why did the king then stop +in the midst of his victorious career? He had advanced to the field +with his fresh, youthful fire, a shining example to all. He was always +mounted, shunning no danger, but taking part in the hardships and +fatigue incident to the changing life of war; even showing himself +personally active at the discovery of foraging-parties. Why did he +suddenly hesitate and lie inactive in camp? Why did he not summon his +generals and staff-officers to his quarters, instead of his Minister von +Herzberg? Every one asked himself the question, and every one answered +it differently.--Some said, "Because the Empress of Russia had raised +objections to this war of German brothers;" others, that "the King of +the French had offered to settle the quarrel as intermediator." A third +said, the "empress-queen, Maria Theresa, was terrified at the rapid +advance of the Prussians, and had immediately commenced negotiations for +peace." + +While the wise politicians of Germany and all Europe read and pondered, +Frederick tarried quietly in his peasant-house, in which he had taken up +his quarters, and which had been arranged very comfortably with +carpets, camp-stools, and curtains. He sat in his cabinet upon the +high, leather-covered arm-chair, which had been brought for him from the +neighboring parsonage. Alkmene lay upon his knee, and Diana at his feet. +His countenance was pale, and betrayed fatigue, but his eye beamed with +undimmed brilliancy, and around his mouth played an ironical smile. +"Well, so matters stand; therefore, I have summoned you to Welsdorf," +said Frederick to his minister, Von Herzberg. "The empress-queen is, +above all things, a most tender mother. She is fearfully anxious, now +that the dear young Emperor Joseph has left for the army, and will be +exposed to the dangers of war. My good friends in Vienna inform me that +my entrance into Bohemia created a sensation at the brilliant capital, +and had so much alarmed the empress-queen, that she was seriously +thinking of negotiating for peace. As I learned this from a reliable +source, I halted and encamped, that the empress should know where to +find me, and sent to summon you immediately. I had not been here three +days, when the empress's ambassador, Baron von Thugut, appeared to make +offers, and consult about an armistice of two weeks. I made known my +conditions, and promised the empress, through her negotiator, that I +would so calculate my movements that her majesty would have nothing +to fear for her blood and her cherished emperor. [Footnote: The king's +words.--See "Prussia, Frederick the Great," vol. iv., p. 102.] Voila, +mon cher ministre, you know all now. If the Austrian diplomat comes a +second time, you can negotiate with him." + +"Is your majesty also inclined to peace?" asked Herzberg. + +The king shrugged his shoulders. "When it can be arranged with honor, +yes," said he. "I will acknowledge, Herzberg, to you, the campaign is +hard for me. The old fellow of sixty-eight feels the burden of life, and +would gladly rest quietly, and enjoy the last few years as philosopher +and writer instead of soldier." + +"Your majesty has yet many years to live, God willing," cried Herzberg. +"It would be a great misfortune to Prussia if she could not yet owe to +her great king a long and happy reign." + +"Hem!" replied the king, "there are in Prussia very many who think +otherwise, and wish me to the devil. But I have no intention of seeking +monsieur so soon, for there are sufficient devilish deeds to endure in +this earthly vale of sorrow to prepare for one a very decent purgatory, +and give him hereafter well-founded hopes of heaven. Therefore I count +upon remaining here below a while, and to knead with you this leaven of +life that may yield to my subjects an eatable bread. You must help me, +Herzberg, when I am the baker, to provide the flour for my people; you +must be the associate to knead the bread. In order that the flour should +not fail, and the bread give out, it may be necessary, if possible, to +make peace." + +"Will your majesty be so gracious as to inform me what steps I may take, +and upon what conditions?" + +"Take this paper," said the king, extending a written document +to Herzberg. "I have therein expressed my wishes, and you can act +accordingly. I am prepared for peace upon any terms which can be made +with honor, and which do not frustrate the aim I have in view. You well +know that this is the security of Germany against Austria's ambitious +love of territorial aggrandizement! I cannot and I will not suffer that +the house of Habsburg should strive for unjust possession in Germany, +and appropriate Bavaria to herself while a lawful heir exists. I well +know that I play the role of Don Quixote, and am about to fight for the +rights of Germany as the Chevalier de la Mancha fought for his Dulcinea +del Toboso. Mais, que voulez-vous, it is necessary for my fame and +repose that I enter the arena once more against Austria to prove to her +that I exist. I take this step on account of the prestige I have gained +in the German empire, and which I should lose if I had not faced Austria +in this Bavarian contest. And besides, it is agreeable to me to accustom +my successor to the thunder of cannon, and witness his bearing on the +field of battle." + +"He will certainly do honor to the heroic race of Hohenzollern," +answered Herzberg, bowing. + +A sudden flash from the king's fiery eyes met the calm pale face +of Herzberg. "Mere words and flattery, which prove that you are not +satisfied, Herzberg! Nay, nay, do not deny it; you do not like that I +should tarry and treat, and set the pen in motion instead of the sword. +You are a man of deeds, and if you had had your way, I should have +already won a decisive battle, and be on the road to Vienna to besiege +the empress in her citadel, and dictate an humiliating peace to her." + +"Your majesty, I can assure you--" + +"Well, well, do not quarrel!" interrupted the king; "do you suppose I +cannot read your honest and obstinate face? Do you suppose I did not +mean what I said? Acknowledge that I am right! confess it, I command +you!" + +"If your majesty commands it, then I will acknowledge it. Yes, I did +wish that your majesty had not empowered Baron von Thugut to return +for further negotiations. It would have been well if your majesty had +marched victorious to Vienna, to let the proud Hapsburgers see for once +that Frederick of Prussia does not stand behind them, but at their side; +that he has created a new order of things; that the old, mouldy, rotten +statutes of the imperial sovereignty have fallen in the dust before +Frederick the Great; that Germany must be newly mapped out, in order to +give room near the old man Austria for young Prussia. Yes, your majesty, +I could have wished that you had even been less generous, less noble +toward the supercilious, insolent enemy, and have accepted no conditions +but those of 'equality for Prussia with Austria in the German empire!'" + +"My dear sir, I am truly astonished at the vigor with which you express +yourself; I am very glad to find you so enthusiastic," said Frederick, +nodding to his minister; "but listen--I will confide to you that which +I do not wish you to repeat: I am no longer, to my regret, what you so +flatteringly call me, 'Frederick the Great,' but only 'Old Fritz.' Do +you understand me? the latter is a deplorable, worn-out soldier, who no +longer feels power or vigor. The lines of Boileau often recur to me on +mounting my horse: + + 'Unfortunate one, leave thy steed growing old in peace, + For fear, that, panting and suddenly out of breath, + In falling, he may not leave his master upon the arena!' + +It is the misery of life that man will grow old, and that the body, when +worn and weary, will even subdue the spirit, and force her to fold her +wings and suffer. I did not realize that it had gone so far with me, +and I imagined that the winged soul could raise the old, decayed body. +Therefore I risked, in spite of my lazy old age, to undertake this war, +for I recognized it as a holy duty to enter into it, for the honor and +justice of our country, and prove to the Emperor of Germany that he +could not manage and rule at his will in the German empire. I long not +for the honor of new laurels, but I should be satisfied, as father of my +subjects, to gain a civil crown. + +"There you have my creed. I have as sincerely confessed to you as my +respectable cousin, the empress-queen, to her confessor; only I did not +fall upon my knees to you, and you do not as the said confessor, betray +me to the Holy Father at Rome." + +"Your majesty well knows that every word which you have the grace to +confide to me, is engraved upon my inmost soul, and that no power upon +earth could force me to reveal it." + +"I know that you are a true and zealous servant of your king and +country," said Frederick. "Once more I say to you, other than an +honorable peace I will not make; and if empress-queen does not accept +the abandonment of Bavaria as the basis of peace, then I must conquer my +aversion to war, and the sword must arrange what the pen has failed to +do. And now, passons ladessus! Until Thugut arrives, let us speak of +other things. I have been tolerably industrious, and have improved the +leisure of camp-life as much as possible. I have written a panegyric +upon Voltaire, and when it is revised and corrected you shall arrange an +anniversary in memoriam, at the Berlin Academy, and read my eulogy." + +"All Germany and all Europe will be surprised at the magnanimity of +the royal mind which could occupy itself in the camp with the muse, and +erect an imperishable monument to the man who witnessed such ingratitude +and baseness to his benefactor and protector." + +"Vous allez trop vite, mon cher; vraiment, trop vite," cried Frederick, +ardently. "It is true Voltaire was a miserable fellow, but he was a +great poet. He returned meanness and ingratitude to me for the many +kindnesses I showed to him, for I treated him more like a friend than a +king. Voltaire was my benefactor, in so far that I owed to him the most +agreeable and elevating hours of my youth, In memory of these hours I +have written this eulogy. It is not worthy of particular mention, and +the Academie Francaise will doubtless severely criticise my knowledge of +their language. But it is impossible to write well, one moment in camp +and another on the march. If it is unworthy of him whom it was intended +to celebrate, I have at least availed myself of the freedom of the pen, +and will cause to be publicly read in Berlin what one dares not whisper +in Paris." [Footnote: The king's own words.--"Posthumous Works," vol. +xv., p. 109. This eulogy upon Voltaire, which the king wrote in camp, +Herzberg read, in the November following, before the Academy.] + +"I shall be most happy to be the instrument to make known this generous +expression of your majesty's good-will," remarked Herzberg, bowing. + +Frederick smiled, adding: "But with the other work which I have +commenced, you are not quite satisfied. You are such an enthusiastic +German, that you presume to assert that the intolerable German jargon is +a beautiful and expressive language!" + +"And I abide by this decision, your majesty," zealously cried Herzberg. +"The German language is euphonious, and prolific in ideas, and it +is well capable of rivalling in brevity and clearness those of the +ancients." + +"That you have already asserted, and I have contested it, and again I +contest it to-day. Do not trouble me with your German language. It +will only deserve notice when great poets, distinguished orators, and +admirable historians, have given it their attention and corrected it, +freeing it from such disgusting and effeminate phrases as now disfigure +it, and cause one to use a mass of words to express a few ideas. At +present it is only an accumulation of different dialects, which every +division of the German empire thinks to speak the best, and of which +twenty thousand can scarcely understand what the other twenty thousand +are saying!" [Footnote: The king's own words.--See "Posthumous Works," +vol. xv.] + +"Sire," cried Herzberg, with vehemence, "should a German king thus +speak of his native tongue, at the same time that he takes the field +to vindicate the honor of Germany, and submits to all the miseries and +hardships of war? Your majesty cannot be in earnest, to despise our +beautiful language." + +"I do not despise it; I only say that it must be reformed, and shorn of +its excrescences. Until then we must use the French, which is to-day the +language of the world, and in which one can render all the master-works +of the Greeks and the Latins, with the same versatility, delicacy, and +subtlety, as the original. You pretend that one can well read Tacitus +in a German translation, but I do not think the language capable of +rendering the Latin authors with the same brevity as the French." + +"Sire, to my joy, I can give you proof to the contrary. A Berlin savant, +Conrector Moritz, at my request, has translated a few chapters of +the fourteenth book of the 'Annals of Tacitus,' word for word, +most faithfully into German. He has written it in two columns, the +translation at the side of the original. I have taken the liberty to +bring this work with me and you will see how exactly, and with what +brevity, Latin authors can be rendered into German, and that there are +young learned men who have seized the spirit of our language and know +how to use it with grace and skill." + +"Indeed, give it to me," cried the king, zealously. "I am truly curious +to admire the German linguist's work who has so boldly undertaken to +translate Tacitus." + +"Sire," said Herzberg, raising his eyes knowingly, with a mild, +imploring expression to the king's face--"sire, I join a request with +this translation." + +"What is it? I am very curious about a petition from you, it is so +seldom that you proffer one." + +"Your majesty, my request concerns the translator of this very chapter +of Tacitus. He is Conrector Moritz, attached to the Gray Cloister in +Berlin--an unusually gifted young man, who has undoubtedly a brilliant +future before him. He has already written many eminent works. The +Director Gedicke recommended him to me as a most distinguished, +scholarly person, and I have learned to know and appreciate the young +man by this means." + +"I see it," nodded the king. "You speak of him with great enthusiasm, +and as what you so warmly recommend is generally able and well +qualified, I begin to be interested in this Herr Moritz. When I return +to Berlin--and Heaven grant that it may be soon!--I will at once empower +you to present this luminary. Are you satisfied?" + +"Sire, dare I ask still more? I would beg your majesty to grant this +young man an audience at once." + +"How, at once! Is this phoenix here, who so interests my Minister +Herzberg? Where is he from, and what does he wish?" + +"He is from Berlin; I met him making the journey on foot. He sat upon a +stone, by the wayside, eating a piece of bread, with a glowing face, and +so absorbed talking to himself in Latin that he heard not the creaking +of my carriage through the sand. I recognized him immediately, and +called him by name. He turned, perfectly unembarrassed and not at all +ashamed to have been discovered in such an humble and poor position." + +"That is to say, he is a good comedian," said the king. "He knew that +you would drive past there, and placed himself expressly to call your +attention to him." + +"I beg pardon, sire; Conrector Moritz could not have known that I +would take this journey. You will recollect that the courier arrived at +midnight with your majesty's commands, and two hours later I was on the +road, and have since travelled day and night. As I met the young man +only five miles from this place, he must have set out many days before I +thought of leaving Berlin." + +"It is true," said the king, "it was a false suspicion. You invited him +into your carriage, did you not?" + +"I did very naturally, sire, as he told me he was going to beg an +audience of your majesty. At first he refused decidedly, as he wished to +travel on foot, like the pilgrims to the pope at Rome." + +"An original, a truly original genius," cried the king. + +"He is so indeed, and is so called by all his friends." + +"Has he any friends?" asked the king, with an incredulous smile. + +"Yes, sire, many warm and sympathizing friends, who are much attached to +him, and, on account of his distinguished and brilliant qualities, are +willing to indulge his peculiarities." + +"Herzberg, you are charmed, and speak of this man as a young girl in +love!" + +"Sire, if I were a young girl, I should certainly fall in love with this +Moritz, for he is handsome." + +"Diable! I begin to fear this subject. You say he is handsome, learned, +wise, and good, although he belongs to the airy, puffed-up Berliners. +Did you let Herr Moritz wander on in his pilgrimage?" + +"No, sire, I persuaded him at last to accept a seat in my carriage, by +explaining to him that your majesty might soon leave Welsdorf, and he +would run the risk of not arriving in season. Upon no condition would +he get inside, but climbed up behind, for, said he, with a firm, +decided manner, 'I go to the king as a beggar, not as a distinguished +gentleman.'" + +"Indeed it is an original," the king murmured to himself. "Do you know +what the man wants?" he asked aloud. + +"No, your majesty; he said that his business concerned the happiness of +two human beings, and that he could only open his heart to his God and +his king." + +"Where is your protege?" + +"He stands outside, and it is my humble request that your majesty will +grant him an audience, and permit me to call him." + +"It is granted, and--" + +Just at that moment the door opened, and the footman announced that the +private secretary of his highness Prince von Galitzin had arrived, and +most respectfully begged an audience. + +"It is he--it is the baron," said the king. "Tell your protege he must +wait, and come again. Bid the Prince von Galitzin enter." + +As the Minister von Herzberg withdrew, the Baron von Thugut appeared, +the extraordinary and secret ambassador of the Empress Maria Theresa. + +"Well, Herr Baron, you are already returned," said the king, as he +scarcely nodded to the profoundly respectful bows of the ambassador. "I +infer, therefore, that your instructions are not from the empress, but +from the co-regent, the Emperor Joseph, who has betaken himself to the +Austrian camp." + +"Sire," answered Thugut, laconically, "I have driven day and night, and +have received my instructions directly from the empress." + +The king slowly shook his head, and an imperceptible smile played around +his lips. + +"Does the young emperor approve of these instructions?" + +"Sire, his majesty, the emperor, is only the co-regent," answered +Thugut, hastily. "It is not therefore necessary, that my sovereign +should make her decisions dependent upon her son's concordance." + +"The empress will negotiate for peace," said the king to himself, "but +the emperor desires to win laurels in the war, and will try to cut off +the negotiations of his mother by a coup de main. One must be on his +guard!" + +Just then the door opened and Herzberg returned. + +"You perceive I expected you, Baron von Thugut," said the king, "and I +ordered here my minister of state, Herr von Herzberg. This is the Baron +von Thugut, my dear minister, the ambassador of the empress-queen, who +carries in his pocket peace or war, as it may be." + +"Sire, I must protest against being so important a personage, as peace +and war alone depend upon your majesty. It alone depends upon the lofty +King of Prussia whether he will give peace and tranquillity to Germany, +or suffer the guilt of permitting the bloody scourge of civil war again +to tear in pieces the unhappy German nation." + +"That sounds very sentimental," cried the king, smiling. "The Baron von +Thugut will appeal to my heart, when we have only to do with the head. +Austria wishes to be the head of Germany, and as such would devour one +German state after another, as a very palatable morsel. But if you will +be the head, Monsieur le Baron, you cannot represent the stomach also, +for, as I have been told, it only exists in those soft animals of the +sea whose head is in their stomach, and which think and digest at the +same time. Austria does not belong to this class, but has rather a very +hard and impenetrable shell. We cannot let her devour as stomach what as +the head she has chosen as booty. That the electorate of Bavaria is not +to be devoured, is the necessary and fundamental preliminary upon which +the temple of peace may be erected. If you, or rather the empress-queen, +agree to it, the negotiations can be concluded by you two gentlemen. +But if you think to erect a temple of peace upon any other basis, +your propositions will be in vain. I have not taken the field to make +conquests, but to protect the rights of a German prince, and not suffer +others to appropriate a German state. I know, as you have said, that war +is a bloody scourge for the nation; but, sir, we will not look at it in +a sentimental light, and talk of civil war, when Austria herself compels +us to take the field. Or, perhaps, you imagine to prove to my good +Pomeranians, Markers, and my other German states, that the Croatians, +Pandurians, Hungarians, Wallachians, Italians, and Polanders, are our +German brothers, which imperial Austria opposes to us. I think this +brotherhood may be traced to our common ancestor, Adam, and in this +sense all wars are indeed civil wars. In any case war is a scourge for +man, and I am convinced that the empress-queen would just as willingly +spare her Croatians, Pandurians, Wallachians, and Galicians, as I all my +German subjects collectively." + +"Also your majesty's Polish subjects, as may be expected," added Baron +von Thugut. + +"My Polish subjects are the minimum portion, and are about in proportion +to the German population as in imperial Austria the German is to the +foreign. But enough of this; if I do not recognize this as a civil +war, it is indeed a great misfortune. I would do every thing to avoid +it--every thing compatible with the honor and glory of my house, as well +as that of Germany in general. Therefore let us know the Views of the +empress-queen!" + +"Sire," answered Von Thugut, as he slowly untied and unfolded the +documents, "I beg permission to read aloud to your majesty the acts +relative to these points." + +"No, baron," answered the king quickly, "the more minute details give to +my minister; I wish only the contents in brief." + +"At your majesty's command. The empress-queen declares herself ready +to renounce the concluded treaty of inheritance to the succession of +Bavaria at the death of Elector Charles Theodore; also to give up the +district seized, if Prussia will promise to resign the succession of +the Margraves of Anspach and Baireuth, and let them remain independent +principalities, governed by self-dependent sovereigns." + +"That means, that Austria, who will unjustly aggrandize herself by +Bavaria, will deprive Prussia of a lawful inheritance!" cried the king, +his eyes flashing anger. "I will not heed the after-cause, but I wish +to satisfactorily understand the first part of the proposition, that +Austria will cede her pretensions to Bavaria." + +"Sire, upon conditions only which are sufficient for the honor, the +wishes, and necessities of my lofty mistress." + +"You hear, my dear Herzberg," said the king, smiling, and turning to his +minister, "c'est tout comme chez nous. It will now be your task to find +out these conditions, which too closely affect the honor of one or the +other. For this purpose you will find the adjacent Cloister Braunau more +convenient than my poor cabin. At the conferences of diplomats much time +is consumed, while we military people have little time to spare. I shall +move on with my army." + +"How, then! will your majesty break up here?" cried Thugut, with evident +surprise. + +The king smiled. "Yes, I shall advance, as my remaining might be +construed equal to a retreat. The arts of diplomacy may drag on until +the imperialists have assembled all their foreign subjects to the +so-called civil war. Then hasten the negotiations, Baron von Thugut, +for every day of diplomatic peace is one day more of foraging war, and I +know not that you count the Bohemians in the German brotherhood, to whom +the calamity of war is ruinous. You have now to deal with the Baron +von Thugut, my dear Herzberg, and I hope the baron will accept some +diplomatic campaigns with you in Cloister Braunau." + +"Sire, I accept, and if your majesty will dismiss me, I will go at once +to the cloister," answered Baron von Thugut, whose manner had become +graver and more serious since the king's announcement of the intended +advance. + +"You are at liberty to withdraw. The good and hospitable monks have +already been apprised of your arrival by an express courier, and have +doubtless a good supper and a soft bed awaiting you." + +"Had your majesty the grace to be convinced of my return?" asked Thugut. + +"I was convinced of the tender heart of the empress-queen, and that she +would graciously try once more, in her Christian mercy, to convert such +an old barbarian and heretic as I am. Go now to the cloister, and when I +pass by in the morning, with my army, I will not fail to have them play +a pious air for the edification of the diplomats--such as, 'My soul, +like the young deer, cries unto Thee,' or, 'Oh, master, I am thy old +dog,' or some such heavenly song to excite the diplomats to pious +thoughts, and therewith I commend you to God's care, Baron von Thugut." + +The king charged Herr von Herzberg to play the role of +grand-chamberlain, and accompany the ambassador to his carriage, +smiling, and slightly nodding a farewell. + +The baron was on the point of leaving, when the king called to him. + +"Had your majesty the grace to call me?" asked Thugut, hastily turning. + +"Yes!" answered Frederick, smiling, and pointing to the string which +had served to bind the baron's papers. "You have forgotten something, +my lord, and I do not like to enrich myself with others' property." +[Footnote: Historical. The king's words.--See Hormayr.] + +Baron von Thugut took this last well-aimed stab of his royal opponent +somewhat embarrassed, and hastened to pick up the string, and withdraw. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. THE KING AND THE LOVER. + + +The king smiled, glancing at the retreating figure of the baron, and +approached the window to peep through the little green glass panes to +see him as he passed by. + +"A sly fox," said he, smiling, "but I will prove to him that we +understand fox-hunting, and are not deceived by cunning feints." + +"Will your majesty really break up to-day?" asked Von Herzberg, upon +returning. + +"Yes, my dear minister. That is to say, I do not wish to, but I must, in +order to give the negotiations for peace a war-like character. The enemy +asks for delay to finish their preparations for war--not peace. The +negotiations for the latter emanate from the empress, but the conditions +concerning Anspach come from the emperor. It is the Eris-apple, which +he casts upon the table, by which his imperial mother and I would +gladly smoke the pipe of peace. It is incumbent upon you, Herzberg, to +negotiate for peace, while I pick up the apple and balance it a little +upon the point of my sword. I shall leave early to-morrow, but I would +speak with you before I set out. You must be weary with the journey, so +rest awhile now, then dine with me, and afterward go to the conference." + +"Sire, will you not receive my protege, Conrector Moritz?" + +"Did you not say that he begged for a secret audience?" + +"Yes, sire, he has for this purpose travelled the long distance from +Berlin, and I assure your majesty, upon my word of honor, that I have +not the least suspicion what his petition may be." + +"Eh bien, say to your protege that I grant him the sought-for interview +on your account, Herzberg. You are such a curious fellow--you are always +petitioning for others instead of yourself, and the benefits which you +ought to receive go to them. Let Moritz enter, and then try to sleep a +little, that you may be wide awake to confer with Baron von Thugut." + +Minister von Herzberg withdrew, and immediately the pale, earnest face +of Conrector Philip Moritz appeared in the royal presence. + +The king regarded him with a prolonged and searching glance, the noble, +resolute face of whom was pallid with deep grief, but from whose eyes +there beamed courageous energy. "Are you the translator of the chapters +from Tacitus, which my Minister Herzberg handed me?" asked the king, +after a pause. + +"Yes, sire," gently answered Moritz. + +"I am told that it is ably done," continued his majesty, still +attentively observing him. "You will acknowledge that it is exceedingly +difficult to render the concise style of Tacitus into the prolix, +long-winded German?" + +"Pardon me, sire," replied Moritz, whose youthful impetuosity could +with difficulty be diverted from the real object of his pilgrimage. +"Our language is by no means long-winded, and there is no difficulty in +translating Latin authors into German, which equals any living tongue +in beauty and sonorousness, and surpasses them all in depth of thought, +power, and poesy." + +"Diable!" cried the king, smiling; "you speak like an incarnate German +philologist, who confounds the sound of words with profound thought. You +will acknowledge that until now our language has not been much known." + +"Sire," answered Moritz, "Martin Luther, in his translation of the Bible +three hundred years since, employed hundreds of beautiful, expressive +formations." + +"He is not only a learned man," said the king to himself, "but he seems +an honorable one; and now, as I have proved his scholarly attainments, +I must indulge his impatience." The king's penetrating glance softened, +and his features changed their severe expression. "The Minister von +Herzberg informed me that he found you by the roadside, and that you +would journey hither on foot." + +"It is true, sire." + +"Why did you travel in that manner?" + +"Sire, I desired, as the poor, heavily-laden pilgrims of the middle +ages, to make the pilgrimage to the Holy Father at Rome, who was the +king of kings. Every step in advance seemed to them to lighten their +burden and enhance their happiness. Your majesty is in our day what the +pope was held to be in the middle ages, therefore I have wandered as +a pilgrim to my king, who has the power to bind and to loose, and from +whom I must not only implore personal happiness, but that also of a good +and amiable young girl." + +"Ah! it concerns a love-affair. As I now look at you, I can understand +that. You are young and passionate, and the maidens have eyes. How can I +help you in such an adventure?" + +"Sire, by not granting a title to a certain person, or if it must be +granted, annul the conditions attendant upon it." + +"I do not understand you," answered the king, harshly. "Speak not in +riddles. What do you mean?" + +"General Werrig von Leuthen has addressed himself to you, sire, praying +for the consent of your majesty to the marriage of his daughter with +the banker Ebenstreit. Your majesty has consented, and added that Herr +Ebenstreit shall take the name of his future father-in-law, and the +marriage shall take place as soon as the title of nobility has been made +out." + +The king nodded. "For which the new-made nobleman has to pay a hundred +louis d'ors to the Invalids at Berlin. But what is that to you? And what +connection has Herr Ebenstreit's title to do with Conrector Moritz?" + +Moritz's face brightened, and, deeply moved, he answered: "Sire, I love +the daughter of General von Leuthen, and she returns my love. By not +ennobling Ebenstreit, it lies in your power, most gracious majesty, to +make two persons the most blessed of God's creatures, who desire nothing +more than to wander hand in hand through life, loving and trusting each +other." + +"Is that all?" asked the king, with a searching glance. + +Moritz quailed beneath it, and cast down his eyes. "No!" he replied. +"As I now stand in the presence of your majesty, I am sensible of the +boldness of my undertaking, and words fail me to express what is burning +in my soul. Oh! sire, I only know that we love each other, and that this +love is the first sunbeam which has fallen upon my gloomy and thorny +path of life, and awakened in my lonely heart all the bloom of feeling. +You smile, and your great spirit may well mock the poor human being +who thinks of personal happiness, when for an idea merely thousands are +killed upon the field of battle. My life, sire, has been a great combat, +in which I have striven with all the demons escaped from Pandora's box. +I have grown up amid privations and need. I have lived and suffered, +until God recompensed my joyless, toiling, hungered existence by this +reciprocated love, which is a beautiful ornament to my life, and is life +itself, and to renounce it would be to renounce life. I am young, sire, +and I long for the unknown paradise of earthly happiness, which I have +never entered until now, and which I can only attain led by the hand of +my beloved. I yearn just once, as other privileged men, to bask in the +sunshine of happiness a long, beautiful summer day, and then at the +golden sunset to sink upon my knees and cry, 'I thank Thee, O God, that +in Thy goodness I have recognized Thy sublimity, and that Thou hast +revealed thy glory to me.' All this appears of little importance to your +majesty, for the heart of a king is not like that of other men, and the +personal happiness of individuals appears a matter of little account to +him who thinks and works for the good of an entire nation. But the +fly, sire, which is sunning itself upon the plumes of the helmet of a +victorious king, has its right to happiness, for God created it with the +same care and love that He created the noblest of His creatures--man! +and it would be cruel to kill it without necessity. Sire, I do not extol +myself. I know that in your eyes I am no more than the fly upon your +helmet, but I only implore you to grant me my life, for God has given it +to me." + +"You mean by this that I shall forbid General von Leuthen to marry +his daughter to the rich man who seeks her, and to which marriage, +understand me well, I have already given my consent." + +"Sire, I only know that this union drives not only me to despair, but +one of the noblest and best of God's creatures. Fraulein von Leuthen +does not love the bridegroom forced upon her; she detests him, and +she has good reason to, for the banker Ebenstreit is a cold-hearted, +purse-proud man, enfeebled by a voluptuous, vicious life, and seeks +nothing nobler and more elevated in the young girl to whom he has +offered his hand, than the title and noble name which she can procure +for him. Your majesty, I implore not for myself, but for the daughter +of a man who once had the good fortune to save your life in battle! Have +pity upon her, and do not sacrifice her to an inconsolably hopeless life +by the side of an unloved and detested husband!" + +The king slowly shook his head. "You forget that the general to whom I +am indebted for this favor has begged my consent to this marriage, and +that I have granted it." + +"Sire, I conjure you to recall it! Upon my knees I implore you not to +grant it! Do not make two people unhappy, who only beg of your majesty +the permission to love and live with each other!" Moritz threw himself +at the king's feet, praying with clasped hands, his face flushed with +deep emotion, and his eyes dimmed with tears. + +"Rise!" commanded Frederick, "rise, do not kneel to me as to a God. I +am a feeble mortal, subject to the same ills which threaten you and the +whole human race. Rise, and answer me one question--are you rich?" + +"No," answered Moritz, proudly raising his head; "no, I am poor." + +"Do you know that Fraulein von Leuthen is poor? Her father is worse off +than Job, for he is in debt." + +"If General von Leuthen's daughter were rich, or even moderately well +off, I never would have presumed to address your majesty on the subject, +for fear that you might misconstrue my intentions, and suppose that my +love was inspired by self-interest. Fortunately, Marie possesses nothing +but her noble, beautiful self. She leads a joyless existence under +the severe discipline of her cold-hearted parents; and therefore I can +truthfully say, that with me she will lose nothing, but gain what she +has never known--a tranquil, happy life, protected by my love." + +"How much salary do you receive as teacher?" + +"Majesty, as conrector of the college attached to the Gray Monastery, +three hundred and fifty dollars." + +"Do you expect to live upon that yourself, and support a family +besides?" + +"Sire, I shall earn money in other ways, as I have already done. I shall +write books. The publishers tell me that I am a favorite author, and +they pay me well." + +"If on the morrow you should fall ill, your income would vanish, and +your family and you would starve together. No! no! you are an idealist, +you dream how life should be, and not as it is in truth! I have listened +to you, thinking that you would present some forcible argument upon +which to found your pretensions, but I hear only the ravings of a lover, +who believes the world turns upon the axis of his happiness. Let me tell +you that love is an ephemera, which merrily sports in the sunlight a few +short hours, and dies at sunset. Should a king forfeit his word for such +a short-lived bliss? Should he reward a man to whom he is indebted +by depriving him of a rich son-in-law, who is agreeable to him, and +substituting a poor one, from whom he can never hope to receive a +comfortable maintenance? You young people are all alike. You think only +of yourselves, and it is a matter of little consequence to you if the +aged pine away and die, provided you build up happiness on their graves! +I ask you, who have talked so much about your own wishes, and those of +your beloved, where is it written that man must be happy, that there +is a necessity to make him so? Do you suppose that I have ever been +happy--who have a long, active life in retrospection? Mankind have taken +good care that I should not sip this nectar of the gods, and have taught +me early to renounce it. Life is not consumed in pleasure, but in toil, +and I believe its only happiness consists in the fact that at last, when +weary and worn, we will sink into the grave--to an eternal rest! Every +human being must work according to his abilities, and in the position +which Fate has assigned to him. To maintain this position, his honor is +at stake--the best and most sacred gift confided to man. You will +not desert it--not despair in life because your dream of bliss is not +realized." + +"Sire," answered Moritz, with a cry of anguish, "it is no dream, but a +reality!" + +"Happiness is only ideal," said the king, slowly shaking his head. "What +we sigh for to-day, we curse on the morrow as a misfortune. Let this +serve as a lesson to you. Toil on--you are a scholar; woo Science for +your bride. Her charms will never fade. In youth as in old age she will +attract you by her beauty and constancy--that which you cannot hope for +from women." + +"Sire," asked Moritz, in deep dejection, "will you not grant the +petition of my heart? Will you condemn this poor, innocent young girl +who prays your majesty through me, to a long, joyless existence, to a +daily-renewing sorrow?" + +The king shrugged his shoulders. "I have already said that happiness is +imaginary; I might have added unhappiness also. General von Leuthen's +daughter will accustom herself to the misfortune of being a rich man's +wife, and finally will drive with a smiling face in her four-in-hand +gilded carriage!" + +"Sire, I swear to you that you mistake this dear, noble-hearted young +girl, you--" + +"Enough!" interrupted the king. "I have given my consent to General von +Leuthen, and I cannot recall it. Moreover, the marriage of the daughter +of my general with you would be a misalliance--ridiculous. In the +republic of intellect and science, you may have a very high position, +but in my earthly kingdom you hold too modest a one to presume to raise +your eyes to a noble young lady. I regret that I can offer you no other +consolation than to listen to reason, and be resigned. As we cannot +bring down the moon to earth, we must content ourselves with a lamp to +light up our small earthly abode. If this ever should fail you, then +come to me and I will assist you. I cannot, to be sure, give you the +moon, for that belongs as little to me as the bride of the rich Herr +Ebenstreit von Leuthen. One cannot give away that which one does not +possess. Farewell! return to Berlin, and resign yourself bravely to your +fate. Accustom yourself to the thought that in fourteen days Fraulein +von Leuthen will become the wife of your wealthy rival. The wedding +ceremony awaits only the papers of nobility, for which my order has +already been forwarded to Berlin. I moreover propose to you not to +return to the college at once, but travel for two weeks. I will be +responsible for your absence, and provide you with the necessary means. +Now tell me whether you accept my proposal?" + +"Thanks to your majesty, I cannot," answered Moritz, with calm dignity. +"There is but one balm which my king could grant me. Money is not a +plaster to soothe and heal a wounded heart. Sire, I beg you to dismiss +me, for I will return at once to Berlin." + +"I hope that you have not the foolish idea to return on foot," said the +king. "My courier will leave in an hour, and there are two places in the +coupe, accept one of them." + +"Sire," said Moritz, gloomily, "I--" suddenly the words died on his +lips, and his eyes beamed with an unnatural fire, which paled under the +observing glance of the king. "I thank you," said Moritz, gasping, "I +will accept it." + +The king nodded. "Au revoir, in Berlin! When I return after the campaign +I will send for you. You will then have learned to forget your so-called +misfortune, and smile at your pilgrimage!" + +"I cannot think so, sire." + +"I am convinced of it. Farewell." + +Moritz answered the royal salutation with a mute bow, and withdrew with +drooping head and sorrowful heart. The king continued to regard him with +an expression of deep sadness. "Ah!" he sighed, "how enviable are those +who can still believe in love's illusion, and who have not awakened from +their dream of bliss by sad experience or age! How long since I have +banished these dreams--how long I--" + +The king ceased, his head sank back upon his chair, his large, fiery +eyes, peering into the distance, as if he would re-people it with +the memories of youth, with the delusions from which he had so long +awakened. Those lovely, charming forms flitted before him one by one +which had then captivated him: the beautiful Frau von Wrechem, his +first love, and to whom he had vowed eternal constancy; another sweet, +innocent face that suffered shame and degradation for him--"oh! Doris, +Doris, dream of my youth, fly past!"--and now the face with the large +eyes and energetic features, which turned so tenderly to him, that +of his sister Frederika, who from affection to the crown prince had +sacrificed herself to an unloved husband in order to reconcile the son +with the father, and preserve for him the inheritance to the throne; +still another calm and gentle face, with the expression of sorrowful +resignation in the deep-blue eyes, that of his wife, who had so +passionately loved him, and had faded away at his side unloved! All +past--past. A new face arose, the pretty Leontine von Morien, the +tourbillon of the princely court at Rheinsberg, who pined away in sighs. +Now passed the sweetest and loveliest of all. The king's eyes, which +stared into empty space, now beamed with glad recognition. The heart +which had grown old and sobered beat with feverish rapidity, and the +compressed lips whispered, sighing, "Barbarina!" She stood before him in +her bewitching beauty, with the charming smile upon her ruby lips, and +passionate love beaming from her flashing eyes. "Oh, Barbarina!" The +king rose, a cold chill crept over him. He looked around so strangely +in the desolate, darkened room, as if he could still see this form which +greeted him with the sad smile and tearful glance. No one was there. He +was quite alone. Only the feeble echo of far-distant days repeated the +device of his youth--of his life: "Soffri e taci! Resignation alone has +remained true to me. But no--there is still another friend, my flute. +Come, you faithful companion of my life! You have witnessed my sorrows, +and from you I have nothing to conceal!" He tenderly regarded it, for it +was long since he had taken it from its case. The sorrows and cares of +life, the suffering from the gout which raged in his teeth, and sad, +sobering old age, had caused him to lay it aside, but with the habit of +affection he carried it everywhere. Frederick felt himself grow young +again with the souvenirs of former days, and essayed to recall the echo +of tenderer feelings upon his flute. The music of his heart was hushed, +the melodious tones of former days would not return. The king laid +it aside with an impatient movement. "Nothing is lasting in life," he +murmured. A flourish of trumpets, a peal of drums announced that the +regiment was passing which would parade before the king. What are they +playing, which rouses the lonely king with bright memories and shouts of +victory? It is the march which his majesty composed after the brilliant +victory of Hohenfriedberg. The king raised his eyes gratefully to +heaven, repeating aloud: "There is something lasting in life. Love +ceases and music dies away, but the good we have accomplished remains. +The most glorious of earthly rewards is granted to those who have +achieved great deeds--the mortal becomes immortal--the gods ceding +to him that which is more elevating than love or happiness--fame. Ye +trumpets of Hohenfriedberg, ye will still quiver when I am gone, and +relate to succeeding generations about 'Old Fritz.' Such tales are well +worthy to live and suffer for! I am coming, ye trumpets of fame." With +youthful activity and beaming face the king went out to receive his +generals, who saluted him with silent reverence, and his soldiers, who +greeted their beloved commander and king with an exultant shout. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. IN WEIMAR. + + +"There lies dear Weimar, encircled in its wreath of green. Do you not +see it, Wolf? I will refresh my heart with its view; so halt, postilion, +halt," cried the duke. "It is more beautiful to me than stately, proud +Berlin. Though a poor, gray nest, I could press it to my heart, with all +its untidy little houses, and tedious old pedants. Let us walk down the +hill, Wolf." + +"Most willingly," cried Goethe, stretching forth his arms to the little +town, nestled in the peaceful valley, "be welcome, you lovely paradise, +with your angels and serpents; we press on toward you with all our heart +and soul, as to the seven-sealed book, filled with mysteries, and we +would draw glorious revelations from your hidden contents." + +"And grant, ye gods, that the inspired one may at last break the seal +which a cruel friend has placed upon her lips, that he may not drink the +kiss of love glowing beneath," said the duke, smiling. "Do you not see +the gray roof yonder, with its background of tall trees, that--" + +"The house where dwells my beloved, my dearest friend, my sister, and +the mistress of my heart," interrupted Goethe. "She is all this, for she +is my all in all. The fountains of bliss and love which here and there I +have drawn from, refreshing my heart and occupying my mind, flow toward +her, united in one broad, silvery stream, with heaven and earth mirrored +therein, and revealing wonderful secrets in its rushing waves." + +"Ah, Wolf!" cried the duke, "you are a happy, enviable creature, free +and unfettered, sending your love where it pleases you. My dear Wolf, I +advise you never to marry, for--" + +Goethe hastily closed the duke's mouth with his hand. "Hush! not a +word against the noble Duchess Louisa, my master and friend. She is an +example of refined, womanly dignity; and you, Charles, are to be envied +the love of so estimable a wife and sweet mother for your children." + +"Indeed I am," cried the duke, enthusiastically. "I could not have found +a more high-minded, lovely wife, or a more excellent, virtuous mother +for my descendants. But you know, Wolf, that your Charles has still +another heart, very susceptible and tender, which seeks for an affinity +to call its own, and vent itself in the pleasures of youth, in glorious +flirtations, melancholy signs, and blissful longings. You cannot expect +me at twenty-two to play the grandfather, and have no eyes or heart +for other captivating women, though I love my young wife most +affectionately, and bless Fate that I am bound with silken cords to +Hymen's cart--though I am forever bound, and you, Wolf, are happily +free!" + +"Because grim Fate refuses to unite me to my beloved. Oh, Charlotte, if +you were free, how blessed would I be, enchained by you! Not to 'Hymen's +cart,' as the fortunate mocker says, but to the chariot of Venus, drawn +by doves, enthroned upon which you would bear me to heaven!" + +"Do not blaspheme, Wolf," cried the duke; "rather kneel and thank the +gods that you are not fettered and your wings clipped. They wish to +preserve to you love's delusion, because you are a favorite, and deny +you the object adored. Beware of the institution which the French +actress, Sophie Arnould, has so wittily called the 'consecration +of adultery.' You will agree with me that we have many such little +sacraments in our dear Weimar, and I must laugh when I reflect for what +purpose those amiable beauties have married, as not one of them love +their husbands, but they all possess a friend besides." + +"The human heart is a strange thing," said Goethe, as they descended the +hill, arm in arm, "and above all a woman's heart! It is a sacred +riddle, which God has given Himself to solve, and that only a God could +unravel!" + +At this instant a flash of lightning, followed by heavy-rolling thunder, +was heard. + +"Hear, Wolf--only hear!" laughed Charles--"God in heaven responds, and +confirms your statement." + +"Or punishes me for my bold speech," cried Goethe, as the hailstones +rattled around him hitting his face with their sharp points. "Heaven is +whipping me with rods." + +"And our carriage has descended with a quick trot into the valley," +said the duke. "I will call it." He sprang into the middle of the road, +making a speaking-trumpet of his hands, and shouted in a full, powerful +voice, "Oho, postilion! here, postilion!" + +The continued rolling of the thunder, the whistling wind, and rattling +hail, made all attempts inaudible. The two gentlemen sought shelter +under the thick crowns of the oak-trees by the wayside, which formed an +impenetrable roof to the flood of rain. + +"I know nothing more sublime than a thunder-storm," said Goethe, looking +up as if inspired; "when the thunder rolls in such awful majesty and +wrath, it seems as if I heard Prometheus in angry dispute with the gods. +In the dark clouds I see the Titan, enveloped in mist, overspreading the +heavens, and raising his giant-arm to hurl his mighty wrath." At this +instant a flash of lightning, followed by a deafening peal reverberated +in one prolonged echo through the hills. + +"Do you not hear him, Charles?" cried Goethe, delighted--"hear all the +voices of earth united in the grumbling thunder of his wrath? See, there +he stands, yonder in heaven--his form dark as midnight. I hear it--he +calls--Overshadow the heavens, O Jupiter, With thy vaporous clouds! +Cut off the oak and mountain-tops As a boy plucks the thistle. Leave me +earth and my cabin Which thou hast not built, And my hearth-side, +The glow of which thou enviest me! I know naught so miserable As you +gods--you--" + +Again the mighty peal silenced Goethe, who looked to heaven with +defiance flashing from his eyes and his clinched hand upraised, as if he +were Prometheus himself menacing the gods. + +"Proceed, Wolf," cried the duke, as the echo died away. "How can you, +yourself a god, be so excited with the anger of like beings? Proceed!" + +The uplifted arm of the poet sank at his side, and the fiery glance was +softened. "No human word is capable of expressing what Prometheus just +spoke in thunder," said Goethe, musingly, "and I humbly feel how weak +and insignificant we are, and how great we think ourselves, while our +voice is like the humming beetle in comparison to this voice from the +clouds." + +"Be not desponding, Wolf, your own will ring throughout Europe; every +ear will listen and every heart will comprehend, and centuries later it +will delight with its freshness and beauty. The storm passes and dies +away, but the poet lives in his heavenly melodies through all time. You +must finish 'Prometheus' for me, Wolf. I cannot permit you to leave it +as a fragment. I will have it in black and white, to refresh myself +in its beauty bright. A spark of your divine talent is infused into my +soul, and I begin to rhyme. Ah, Wolf, all that is elevated within me I +owe to you, and I bless Fate for according you to me." + +"And I also, dear Charles," said Goethe, feelingly. "For, fostered and +protected by your noble mind and nature, my inmost thoughts develop and +blossom. We give and receive daily from each other, and so mingle the +roots of our being that, God willing, we will become two beautiful +trees, like the oak which now arches over us. But see, the rain is fast +ceasing, and the sun looks out by the clinched hand of Prometheus. We +can now travel on to the loved spot." + +"Oh, Wolf, are you in love? None but a lover could say the rain has +ceased, when it pours down so that we should be drenched before we could +arrive at Weimar. But hark! I hear a carriage in the distance; we may be +favored with a shelter." + +The duke stepped out from under the trees, and looked along the highway +with his sharp hunter's eye. "A vehicle approaches, but no chance for +us, as it appears to be a farm-wagon, crowded with men and women." + +"Indeed it does," said Goethe, joining him; "a very merry company they +are too, singing gayly. Now, grant the rain rain has ceased--" + +"Charlotte von Stein is at Weimar," interrupted the duke. "Give me your +arm, and we will walk on." + +They advanced briskly arm in arm. A stranger meeting them would have +supposed that they were brothers, so much alike were they in form, +manners, and dress, for the duke as well as Goethe wore the Werther +costume. + +As they descended, the carriage came nearer and nearer. The duke's keen +eye had not been deceived. It was a farm-wagon, filled with a frolicsome +party, sitting on bags of straw for cushions. They were chatting and +laughing absorbed in fun, and did not observe the two foot-passengers, +who turned aside from them. A sudden cry of surprise hushed the +conversation; a form rose, half man and half woman, enveloped in a man's +coat of green baize, crowned with a neat little hat of a woman. "Oh, it +is Charles!" cried the form, and at the same instant the duke sprang to +the wagon. "Is it possible, my dear mother?" + +"The Duchess Amelia!" cried Goethe, astonished. + +"Yes," laughed the duchess, greeting them with an affectionate look. +"The proverb proves itself--'Like mother, like son.' On the highway +mother and son have met. You should have done the honors in a stately +equipage." + +"May I be permitted to ask where you come from?" asked the duke. "And +the dress, of what order do you wear?" + +"We walked to Ziefurt, and intended to walk back. Thusnelda is so +delicate and weak, that she complained of her fairy feet paining her," +answered the duchess, laughing. + +"Ah, duchess, must I always be the butt?" cried the lady behind the +duchess, crouching between the straw-sacks. "Must I permit you to follow +in my footsteps, while I--" + +"Hush, Goechhausen--hush, sweet Philomel," interrupted the duke, "or the +Delphic riddle of this costume will be apparent." + +"It is easily explained," said the duchess. "No other conveyance was +to be had, and my good Wieland gave me his green overcoat to protect me +from the pouring rain." [Footnote: True anecdote.--See Lewes' "Goethe's +Life and Writings," vol. 1., p. 406.] + +"And from to-day forth it will be a precious palladium," cried the +little man with a mild, happy face on the straw by the duchess. + +"And there is Knebel too," shouted the duke to the gentleman who just +then pulled the wet hood of his cloak over his powdered hair. + +"Our treasurer Bertuch, Count Werther, and Baron von Einsiedel also." + +"Does not your highness ask after our bewitching countess?" asked +Goechhausen, in her fine, sharp voice. "The countess is quite ill--is +she not, Count Werther?" + +"I believe so, they say so," answered the count, rather absent-minded. +"I have not seen her for some days." + +"What is the matter?" asked the duke, as Goethe was engaged in a lively +conversation with the duchess. "Is the dear countess dangerously ill?" + +"Oh, no," answered Goechhausen, "not very ill, only in love with genius, +a malady which has attacked us all more or less since that mad fellow +Wolfgang Goethe has raged in Weimar, and made it a place of torment to +honorable people. Oh, Goethe--oh, Wolf! with what lamb-like innocence we +wandered in comfortable sheep's clothing until you came and fleeced us, +and infected us with your 'Sturm und Dranger' malady, and made us fall +in love with your works!" + +"Goechhausen, hold your malicious tongue, and do not hide your own joy +beneath jest and mockery," cried the duchess. "Acknowledge that you +are rejoiced to see your favorite, and that you will hasten to write to +Madam Aja, 'Our dear duke has returned, and my angel, my idol, Wolfgang, +also.' I assure you, Goethe, Thusnelda loves you, and was exceedingly +melancholy during your absence. If asked the cause of her sadness, she +wept like--" + +"Like a crocodile," said the duke. "Oh, I know those tears of Fraulein +Goechhausen; I could relate stories of her crocodile nature. Mother, how +can you have such a monster in your society? Why not make the cornes, +that the little devils may fly away?" + +"Very good," cried the little, crooked lady. "I see your highness has +not changed by this journey. Where have you been, dear duke? Oh, I +remember; you flew over the Rhine, and have flown home again quite +unchanged." + +All laughed, the duke louder than any one. "Goechhausen, you are a +glorious creature, and the Arminius is to be envied who appropriates +this Thusnelda. Oh, I see the charming youth before me, who has the +courage to make this German wife his own!" + +"I will scratch his eyes out?" cried Goechhausen, "and then the Countess +Werther can play Antigone, and lead him around as Oedipus. Why shut your +eyes, Einsiedel? I do not scratch quite yet." + +"I was not thinking of that," said the baron, astonished. + +"You never think that every one knows; but did you not do it so soon +as you understood the Countess Werther should lead blind Oedipus as +Antigone?" + +Before the count could answer, the court lady turned again to the duke. +"What did your highness bring me? I hope you have not forgotten that you +promised me a handsome present." + +"No, I have not forgotten it; I have brought my Thusnelda a +souvenir--such a gift!" + +"What is it, your highness?" + +"A surprise which, if Thusnelda is clever, she must think about all +night.--But, Goethe, is it not time to leave the ladies?" + +"Wait, I command you both," said the Duchess Amelia, extending her hand +to her son, who pressed it to his lips most affectionately. "I +have given out invitations for a soiree, for this evening. My +daughter-in-law, the Duchess Louisa, has accepted, duke, and Frau von +Stein also, Goethe. I hope to see you at Belvedere, gentlemen. The poet +Gleim is in town, and will read his late 'Muse Almanach.' May I not +expect both of you?" + +They joyfully consented, gazing after the merry society as it drove +away. "This is a good bite for the poisonous tongues of the honorable," +cried the duke. "My mother in a farm-wagon, with Wieland's green +overcoat on, and the reigning duke, with his Goethe, entering his +capital on foot like a journeyman mechanic, after a long journey!" + +"I wish we were there, my dearest friend," sighed Goethe. + +"Oh, love makes you impatient! Come on, then. But listen, we must play +Gochhausen a trick; I have promised her a surprise. Will you help me, +Wolf?" + +"With pleasure, duke." + +"I have thought of something very droll, and your servant Philip must +help us; he is a clever fellow, and can keep his own counsel." + +"He is silent as the grave, duke." + +"That is necessary for such a gentleman as the women all run after. Let +us skip down the mountain, and then forward where our hearts incline us. +This afternoon I will go for you and bring you to Belvedere, and then +we can talk over the surprise." They ran down the declivity into the +suburb, to the terror of the good people, who looked after them, +saying that the young duke had returned with his mad protege. The "mad +favorite" seemed more crazy than ever to-day, for after a brief farewell +to the duke, he bounded through the streets across the English park, to +the loved house, the roof of which he had so longingly greeted from the +hillside. The door stood open, as is customary in small towns, and the +servant in the vestibule came to meet him, and respectfully announced +that her master had gone to his estate at Hochberg, but that Frau von +Stein was most probably in the pavilion, in the garden, as she had +gone thither with her guitar. "Is she alone?" asked Goethe. The +servant answered in the affirmative, and through the court hastened the +lover--not through the principal entrance, as he would surprise her, and +read in her sweet face whether she thought of him. Softly he opened the +little garden gate, and approached the pavilion by a side-alley. Do his +feet touch the ground, or float over it? He knew not; he heard music, +accompanied by a sweet, melodious voice. It was Charlotte's. Goethe's +face beamed with delight and happiness. He gazed at her unseen, not +alone with his eyes, but heart and soul went forth to her. She sat +sideways to the door; upon a table lay her notes, and the guitar rested +upon her arm. She sang, in a rich, sweet voice, Reinhardt's beautiful +melody: + +"I'd rather fight my way through sorrows Than bear so many joys in +life; All this affinity of heart to heart, How strangely it causes us to +suffer!" + +She ceased, as if overpowered with her own thoughts, the guitar sank +upon her lap, and her fingers glided over the chords, so that the tones +died away imperceptibly. Her deep-blue eyes gazed pensively in the +distance, and the sweet lips repeated softly, "How strangely it causes +us to suffer!" Near the garden entrance, through which the odor of sweet +flowers and the song of birds was wafted with every gentle zephyr, stood +Goethe, looking at the woman whom he had so passionately loved for three +years, so absorbingly, that to her were consecrated all his thoughts. + +He could contain himself no longer; he rushed forward and threw himself +at her feet. "Oh, Charlotte, I love you, only you, and once more I am by +your side!" + +A shriek! was it a cry of surprise or delight? Who let the guitar fall +to the floor, he or she? Who embraced the other in affectionate haste, +he or she? Who pressed the lips so lovingly to the other lips, he or +she? And who said, "I love you? What bliss to again repose in your +affection, I would fain die now. In this moment a whole life has been +consecrated, for love has revealed to us our other self." + +She sat upon the tabouret, and Goethe still knelt before her, +clasping her feet and pressing them to his bosom. His eyes beamed with +inexpressible delight as he regarded the face, usually so calm and +indifferent--today glowing as sunrise. + +"Oh, tell me, Charlotte, have you thought of me? But rather speak to me +with your eyes, and may they be more than the cruel lips which refuse to +confess. Oh, shade not those loved orbs, which are my stars shining upon +me, whithersoever I wander. They are my light, my spring-time, and my +love. They will never cease to beam upon me, as light and love never +grow old. Let me read eternal youth in those eyes, and the secrets which +rest as pearls in the depths of your heart. Only tell me, is the pearl +of love to be found there, and is it mine?" + +"It would be a misfortune if it were there," she whispered, with a sweet +smile. "Pearls are the result of a malady, and my heart would be ill if +the pearl of love were found there. No, no, rise, Wolf, dear Wolf, +we have given away at the first moment of meeting; let us now be +reasonable, and speak in a dignified manner with each other, as it +becomes a married woman and her friend." + +"Friend?" repeated Goethe, impetuously; "forever must I listen to this +hated, hypocritical word, which, like a priest's robe, shall cover the +sacred glow in my heart? I have told you, Charlotte, that I am not +your friend, and I never shall be. There is not the least spark of this +still, calm fire of the earthly moderation in me, by which one could +cook his potatoes, or his daily vegetables, but by which one could never +prepare food for the gods, or that which could refresh a poet's heart or +quicken his soul. No, in me burns the fire which Prometheus stole from +the gods, originating in heaven and glowing upon earth. This heavenly +and earthly love unites in one flame. Again, I say, Charlotte, banish +this hypocritical word 'friendship!' It is only love which I feel for +you, let this sentiment enter at every avenue of your heart, and do not +feign ignorance of it, sweet hypocrite. Surprise has torn away the mask! +The passionate kiss, which still burns upon my lips, was not given by a +friend or sister; but overcome by joy, the truth has been acknowledged!" + +"Do you wish that the kiss of meeting should be that of parting also?" +said Charlotte, sadly, as she raised her blue eyes with a languishing +look to the handsome, ardent face of the man who stood before her. +"Do you wish to separate forever? I must recall to you our last +conversation: 'Only when you are resolved to moderate this impetuous +manner, and curb this overflow of feeling, which reason and custom +imposes upon us, shall I be able to receive you and enjoy your +society.'" + +"Yes, with these unmeaning phrases you banished me. Cruel and +hard-hearted were you to the last. Oh, Charlotte! you know what I +suffered at our last walk, with your reasoning remonstrances and +cold-hearted reproaches; they pierced my heart like poisoned arrows. If +the duke and duchess had not been walking before us, I should have wept +myself weary. My whole being cried within me: 'Oh! cruel and inexorable +woman, to beg of me, who so unutterably loves her, to call her friend +and sister!' I repeated the words daily during my absence, and sought +to clothe your beloved image with meaning. They disfigured you, and the +angel whom I adore was no longer recognizable. I cannot call you friend +or sister." + +"Then I can be nothing to you, dear Wolfgang," sighed Charlotte. "In +this hour of meeting we will part, and to avoid a chance encounter even, +I will go to my husband at Kochberg, and remain there the whole summer." + +Goethe seized her, holding her fast in his strong arms, staring her +in the face with a fierce, angry look. "Are you in earnest? Would you +really do it?" + +"Goethe, I beg you to loosen your hold; you hurt my arms." + +"Do you not also hurt me? With your cold indifference do you not pierce +my heart with red-hot daggers, and then smile and rejoice at my torture, +which is a proof to you of my unbounded love? While you only play with +me, and attach me to your triumphal car, to display to the world that +you have succeeded in taming the lion, and have changed him into a +good-natured domestic animal. Go! you do not deserve that I should love +you, cold-hearted, cruel woman!" + +He threw her arms from him, with tears in his eyes. Charlotte von Stein +regarded him with anger and indifference. + +"Farewell, secretary of legation. It seems to please you to insult and +offend a poor woman, who has no other protection than her honor and +virtue. Farewell! I will not expose myself to such offences; therefore I +will retire." + +She turned slowly toward the door, but Goethe bounded forward like a +tiger, interrupted her path, falling upon his knees, imploring pity and +begging for pardon. "Oh, Charlotte, I will be gentle as a child, I will +be reserved, I know that I am a sinner! It is warring against one's own +heart to seek comfort in offending what is dearest to it in a moment +of ill-humor. But I have again become a child, with all my thoughts, +scarcely recognizable for the moment, quite lost to myself, as I consent +to the conditions of others with this fire raging within me. Oh, beloved +Charlotte, forgive me! I submit to all that you wish." [Footnote: +Goethe's words.--See "Letters to Charlotte von Stein," roll., p. 358.] + +"Will you be satisfied to love me as your friend and sister?" + +"I will be," he sighed. "Only in the future you must endeavor to +persuade yourself into such a sisterly way that you will be indulgent to +my rudeness, otherwise I shall have to avoid you when I need you most. +Oh, Charlotte, it seems terrible to me that I should mar through anguish +the best hours of my life, the blissful moments of meeting with you, for +whom I would pluck every hair from my head if it would make you happy. +And yet to be so blind, so hardened! Have pity upon me. Again I promise +you that I will be reasonable. Do not banish me from your presence. +Extend to me your hand, and promise me that you will be my friend and +sister!" [Footnote: Goethe's words.--See "Letters to Charlotte von +Stein," roll., p. 358.] + +"Then here is my hand," said she, with a charming smile. + +"I will be your friend and sister, and--" + +"What now, my Charlotte? do finish--what is it?" + +She laid her hand gently upon his shoulder, and her words fell on his +ear like soft music. "When my dear friend and much-beloved brother has +conducted himself very prudently for two or three happy weeks, I will +send him a ringlet of my hair, which he has so long begged for, and a +kiss with it." + +Goethe spoke not, but pressed her blushing face to his bosom, and +laid his hand gently upon her head. A smile of delight--of perfect +happiness--played around his lips. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. THE READING. + + +This happy smile still beamed upon Goethe's face as he walked with +the duke late in the evening toward Belvedere to soiree of the Duchess +Amelia, who was inspired with a love for the fine arts, and particularly +literature. The two gentlemen had busily occupied themselves in +preparing them for the lady of honor, Fraulein von Gochhausen, and, +although aided by Goethe's servant, Philip, and workmen, it was late +when they arrived. + +As they entered, the ladies and gentlemen were seated in a large circle +around the centre-table. At one end sat the Duchesses Amelia and Louisa, +the mother and wife of Charles Augustus and near the former her friend +and favorite the poet Wieland, once the tutor of her son the duke. Near +the poet sat an elderly gentleman of cheerful, good-natured mien, who, +with the exception of Wieland, was the only one who did not present +himself, like the duke and Goethe, in Werther costume. He wore a white, +silver-embroidered coat, with a dark-blue satin vest, and breeches of +the same, shoes with buckles, and bosom and wrist ruffles of lace. + +This gentleman, with the bright, sparkling eyes, and pleasant face, was +the poet Gleim, who looked very comfortable and stately in the circle +of powdered perukes. His admiration for Frederick the Great had inspired +him to write some beautiful military songs, and his love of poetry +and literature made him an enthusiastic admirer of all those devoted +themselves to literary pursuits. Besides, he was rich and liberal, and +it was very natural that the poets, and authors exerted themselves with +marked assiduity to please Father Gleim. They were gratified to have +him print their works for a small remuneration in an annual which he +entitled the "Almanach of the Muses." He was just reading aloud at the +duchess's soiree from the late edition of the almanach, and the society +listened with earnest and kind attention, occasionally interrupted with +an enthusiastic "Bravo!" or "Excellent!" from the duchess, followed by +a murmur of assent around the table, which caused the poet's face to +brighten with joy and satisfaction, and him to read on with increased +energy. + +The entrance of the duke and Goethe was unobserved, as it was understood +that the former wished no notice to be taken of his going or coming, and +the duchess had also waved her hand, not to interrupt Father Gleim. The +poet has just finished the new poem of melodious rhythm of imprisoned +Shubart. As he paused to wipe the perspiration from his brow and sip +a little raspberry water, a tall, slender young man, in the Werther +costume, approached, bowing, and regarding the poet so kindly, that the +glance of his fine black eyes fell like a sunbeam on the heart of the +old man. "You appear somewhat fatigued, my good sir," said the unknown, +in a sweet, sonorous voice. "Will you not permit me to relieve you, and +read in your stead from this glorious book of yours?" + +"Do so, my dear Gleim," said the Duchess Amelia, smiling, "you seem +really exhausted; let the young man continue the agreeable and welcome +entertainment." + +Father Gleim was very well pleased; he handed the book to the young +stranger with a graceful bow, as the latter seated himself opposite to +him, and next to Fraulein Gochhausen. + +He commenced in a clear, distinct voice. The verses flowed from his lips +gracefully, and in a cultivated style. The company listened with devoted +attention, and Father Gleim, the protector of all the young poets, +sat delighted, nodding consent, with a pleasant smile. It must all be +charming--it had come into existence under his fostering care. What +beautiful verses to listen to! "Die Zephyre lauschen, Die Balche +rauschen, Die Sonus Verbreitet ihr Licht mit Wonne!" + +And how charmingly the young man read them! Suddenly Father Gleim +startled, and the smile died upon his lips. What was it? What was the +young man reading? Verse which were not in the collection, and which +were more remarkable than he had ever heard from his young poets. "Those +are not in the Annual," cried Gleim, quite forgetting decorum,--"that--" + +One glance from the fine black eyes of the young man so confounded +Father Gleim, that he ceased in the midst of a sentence, and, staring +in breathless astonishment, listened. Glorious thoughts were expressed +therein, and the poets of the Muse Almanach might have thanked God if +the like had occurred to them. Love was not the burden of the song; +neither hearts, griefs, nor bliss, but satire, lashing right and left +with graceful dexterity, and dealing a harmless thrust to every one. All +were forced to laugh; the happy faces animated and inspired every thing. +The brilliant satirical verses rushed like rockets from the lips of the +reader--a real illumination of wit and humor, of good-natured jokes and +biting sarcasm, and it delighted the old man that every one had received +hits and thrusts but himself; he had been spared until now! Every one +regarded him, smiling and amused, as the reader exalted the merits of +the Maecenas, and praised him highly for the interest he took in the +poet's heart, soul, and purse, and shouted victory when one excelled. +But suddenly the good father also changed, and, instead of the patron +on the right throne, there was a turkey-cock on the round nest, which +zealously sought to hatch out the many eggs that he had to take care of +for others besides his own; he sat brooding untiringly, and shed many +a tear of joy over the fine number of eggs, yet it happened that a +poetical viper had put but under him one of chalk, which he cared for +with the others. + +Herr Gleim could no longer contain himself, and, striking the table, he +cried, "That is either Goethe or the devil!" The entire company burst +into uncontrollable laughter, and the old man shouted the second time, +though inwardly angry, "It is either Goethe or the devil!" + +"Both, dear Father Gleim," said Wieland, who was drying his tears from +laughter, "it is Goethe, and he has the devil in him to-day. He is like +a wild colt, which kicks out behind and before, and it would be well not +to approach him too near." [Footnote: Wieland's own words.--See Lewes' +"Life of Goethe," vol. i., p. 432.] + +Goethe alone retained his composure, and continued reading in a louder +voice, which hushed all conversation. He lashed with bitter sarcasm "him +who assumed to be a god--a wise man--and who counted for nothing better +than a pretentious, saucy fellow, who made himself the scorn of +the poets by his sweet, Werther-like sighs, and other worthless +lamentations, heeding neither God nor the devil!" + +And so he stormed and thundered, ridiculed and slandered his own flesh +and blood, until Goechhausen, red with anger, rose and snatched the book +from his hand, and closed his lips with her hand, crying: "If you do +not cease, Goethe, I will write to your beloved mother, Frau Aja, that +a satirist, a calumniator has had the impudence to defame and slur her +beloved son in a most sinful and shameful manner! I will write to her, +indeed, if you do not stop!" + +Goethe rose, and bowing offered his hand to Father Gleim in such a +friendly, affectionate manner, that the old man, quite delighted, +thanked him heartily for the pleasure and surprise which he had afforded +him. + +The duke, however, seated himself by the little lady of honor. +"Thusnelda, you are an incomparable creature, and quite calculated to +be the ancestress of all the Germans. I declare myself your cavalier for +the evening, and will devote myself to you as your most humble servant, +and will not quit your side for a moment." + +"Very beautiful it will be, my dear duke, a most charming idyl; in true +Watteau style, I will be the sweet shepherdess, and lead your highness +by a little ribbon. But where is my present--my surprise?" + +"You must not be impatient, Thusnelda, but wait what time will produce. +You will have it; if not to-day, to-morrow. Every day brings its own +care and sorrow." + +"Ah, duke, instead of giving me my surprise, you beat me with doggerels. +That comes from having a Goethe for companion and friend. Crazy tricks, +like chicken-pox, are contagious, and the latter you have caught, +duke. It is a new kind of genius distemper. Very fortunately, our dear +Countess Werther has another malady, or she might be infected. Perhaps +she has it already, Count Werther--how is it?' + +"I do not know, Fraulein," replied the count, startled from reverie. "I +really do not know! My wife is quite ill, for that reason has gone to +our estate to recover her peace and quiet. It is unfortunately quite +impossible for me to visit her there; but my dear, faithful friend, +Baron von Einsiedel, will drive over to-morrow at my request, my +commission--" + +"To set the fox to keep the geese," interrupted Thusnelda in her lively +manner. + +"No, not that, Fraulein," said Count Werther, quite confused, as the +duke burst into a merry laugh, calling Thusnelda a witty Kobold, and as +her faithful Celadon offered her his arm to conduct her to his mother, +the Duchess Amelia. + +The company were all in a very happy frame of mind. Goethe's charming +impromptu had kindled wit and humor upon every lip. He himself was the +happiest of all, for Charlotte was by his side, gazing upon him with her +large, thoughtful eyes, and permitting him to be her cavalier for the +evening. + +The duke also devoted himself to Fraulein von Goechhausen, who was this +evening unsurpassably witty and caustic, delighting him, and making the +Duchess Amelia laugh, and the Duchess Louisa sometimes to slightly shrug +her shoulders and shake her head with disapproval. + +In the midst of a most interesting conversation with Frau von Stein, +Goethe was informed that some one awaited him in the anteroom. He went +out quickly, and upon returning he whispered to the duke, who nodded, +and answered him in a low tone, and then Goethe betook himself to the +Duchess Amelia. + +"What is it?" the latter asked. "Have important dispatches arrived?" + +"No; I come to your highness as courier from your son. The duke begs +that you will lock the door of your anteroom when you retire, and that +you will upon no condition open it, no matter how much Thusnelda may beg +and implore." + +"Will you not injure my poor Goechhausen, you wanton fellow?" + +"No! it is not very dangerous, duchess. It is only a harmless surprise, +which the duke promised Fraulein von Goechhausen." + +"Very well, then, it can take place; I promise to be quite deaf to all +Thusnelda's knocking and thumping, and I shall be glad to be informed +to-morrow what the trick is. I prefer not to inquire to-day, as I might +feel obliged to veto it if it were too severe. But look, the Duchess +Louisa will break up; does she know any thing about the affair?" + +"No, your highness, you know very well that the young duchess--" + +"Is much more sensible than the old one, and shakes her head +disapprovingly when she hears of your ingenuous tricks. Perhaps it would +be well if I were equally sensible, but there is no help for it. I like +bright, happy people, and I think when youth vents itself, old age is +more sedate and reasonable." + +"You are quite right, duchess. Mankind resembles new wine. If the must +does not ferment and foam well, no good wine will come of it. But +look at our Charles, with the saucy jest upon his lip, and the fire of +inspiration in those bright brown eyes. One day a fine, strong wine will +clear itself from this glorious fermenting must." + +"I hope so, Goethe, and if the gods grant it, the great merit will +belong to you, who have proved yourself a good vintager, and we will +rejoice together in your glorious success." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. WITCHCRAFT + + +An hour later the palace Belvedere was silent and deserted; the guests +had taken their departure. The duchess had her suite and commanded them +to retire. Fraulein von Gochhausen alone remained with her mistress, +chatting by the bedside, and recapitulating in her amusing style all +important and unimportant events of the soiree, The duchess smiled at +the mischievous remarks with which she ornamented her relation, and at +her keen, individualizing of persons. + +"Fraulein Gochhausen, you are the most wicked and the merriest +mocking-bird God ever created," cried the duchess, "Have done with your +scandals, go up to your room, piously say your evening prayers, and +stretch yourself upon your maiden bed." + +"Soon, duchess; only one thing more have I to call your attention to. +There is a gossip afloat about the Werthers. I perceive it in the air, +as the dove scents the vulture." + +"You alarm me, Gochhausen; what good is it? You do not mean that the +lovely Countess Werther--" + +"Is not only very weary of her husband, but looks about for a +substitute--a friend, as the ingenious ladies now call him. That is +what I mean, and I know the so-called friend which the sweet sentimental +countess has chosen." + +"It is the Baron von Einsiedel, is it not?" asked the duchess. "That is +to say, his younger brother, the gay lieutenant, not our good friend par +excellence. + +"Yes, I mean the brother, and I have warned and taunted the count this +week past, but it is impossible to awake him from his stupidity and +thoughtlessness." + +"Again you are giving loose reins to your naughty tongue, Thusnelda. +Count Werther is a thoroughly scholarly person, whom I often envy his +knowledge of the languages. He has studied Sanscrit and the cuneated +letters, among other ancient tongues." + +"It may be that he understands the dead languages, but the living ones +not in the least. The language of the eyes and inspiration he is blind +to, with seeing eyes! My dear duchess, if you are not watchful, and +prevent the affair with timely interference, a scandal will grow out +of it, and you know well that it would be a welcome opportunity for our +Weimar Philistines (as the Jena students call commonplace gossips) to +cry 'Murder,' and howl about the immoral example of geniuses, which +Wolfgang Goethe has introduced at court." + +"You are right," said the duchess, musingly; "your apt tongue and keen +eye are ever carefully watching, like a good shepherd-dog, that none of +the sheep go astray and are lost. And you do not mind attacking this or +that one in the leg with your sharp teeth!" + +"Let those scream who are unjustly bitten, your highness! Believe me, +the countess will not cry out; she will much more likely take care +not to receive a well-merited rebuke. I beg your grace to prevent the +gossip! Not on account of this silly, sentimental young woman, or her +pedantic husband, but that our young duke and Goethe may not be exposed +to scandal, as well as your highness." + +"You are right--we must take care to prevent it. Has not the countess +been absent at her estate four days?" + +"Yes, your highness, it is just this that troubles me. She went away as +sound as a fish, and has suddenly fallen very ill. No physician has been +called, but, to-morrow, the count will commission his dear friend +the baron to drive to his country-seat, and bring him tidings of his +better-half." + +"We must circumvent this. In the morning we will arrange a +pleasure-drive, of the whole court, to the country-seat of Count +Werther. It shall be a surprise. Let Fourier give out the invitations +early to-morrow, for a country party, destination unknown. The +distribution of the couples in the carriages shall be decided by lot. +Take care that Lieutenant Einsiedel is your cavalier, so that when we +arrive at the little Werther, he will already be appropriated, and then +we will induce her to return with us and spend some time at Belvedere. +Now, good-night, Thusnelda; I am very tired and need repose. Sleep +already weighs upon my eyelids, and will close them as soon as you are +gone. Good-night, my child--sleep well!" + +The little deformed court lady kissed the extended hand, the +candlestick, with only a stump of a taper in it, and withdrew from +the princely sleeping-room, courtesying, and wishing her mistress +good-night, with pleasant dreams. + +The anteroom was dark and deserted. The lights were all extinguished, +and Fraulein Goechhausen was, in truth, the only person who had not long +since retired in the ducal palace. She was accustomed to be the last, +accustomed to traverse the long, lonely corridors, and mount two flights +of stairs to her bedroom upon the third story. The gay duchess, being +very fond of society, had had the second story arranged guest-chambers +and drawing-rooms. + +Why should the little court lady be afraid to-night? She had not thought +of it, but stepped forward briskly to mount the stairs. It was surely +very disagreeable for the wind to extinguish her lamp at that instant, +just at the turning of stairs, and she could not account for it, as none +of the windows were open, and there was no trace of a draft. However, +it was an undeniable fact, the light was out and she was in total +darkness--not even a star was to be seen in the clouded sky. It was, +indeed, true that Thusnelda was so accustomed to the way that it +mattered little whether she had a light or not. Now she had reached the +corridor and she could not fail to find the door, as there was but +one, that of her own room. She stretched out her hand to open it, but, +strange to say, she missed the knob! Then she was sure that it was +farther on; she felt along the wall, but still it eluded her grasp. It +was unheard of--no handle and not a door even to be found! The wall was +bare and smooth, and papered the entire length. A slight shudder crept +over the courageous little woman's heart, and she could not explain to +herself what it all meant. She called her maid, but no answer--not +a sound interrupted the stillness! "I will go down to the duchess," +murmured Thusnelda; "perhaps she is awake, and then I can re-light my +taper!" + +The door was fastened; the duchess had locked the ante-room to-night for +the first time. + +Thusnelda tapped lightly, and begged an entrance humbly and imploringly. +No answer, every thing was quiet. She recalled that the duchess had told +her that she was very weary, and would sleep as soon as she was alone, +which she undoubtedly had done. + +Thusnelda did not presume to awake her by knocking louder. She would +be patient, and mount again to her room. Surely she must have made a +mistake, and turned to the left of the corridor, where there was no +door, instead of the right, as she ought to have done. It must be that +it was her fault. She groped along the dark flights of stairs to the +upper gallery, carefully seeking the right this time, but in vain. Again +she felt only the smooth wall. Terrified, she knew not whether she was +awake or dreaming, or whether she might not be in an enchanted castle, +or walking in her sleep in a strange house. Just here she ought to find +her room and the maid awaiting her, but it was lonely, deserted, and +strange--no door, no maid. Thusnelda, with trembling hands smoothed her +face, pulled first her nose, and then her hair, to identify herself. +"Is it I?" she said. "Am I, indeed, myself? Am I awake? I know that I am +lady of honor to the Duchess Amelia, and that upon the upper story is my +room. Do not be foolish, and imagine that witchcraft comes to pass; the +door is there, and it can be found." Thusnelda renewed her search with +out-spread arms and wide-spread fingers, feeling first this side of the +wall and then the other. + +By daylight the deformed little lady of honor must have been a very +droll figure, in full toilet, dancing along the wall as if suspended +by her outstretched hands. Oh, it was quite vain to seek any longer. It +must be enchantment, and the door had disappeared. An indefinable dream +crept over Thusnelda, and she was cast down. For the first time a jest +failed her trembling lips, and she wept with anguish. Yes, she, the +keen, mordant, jesting little woman, prayed and implored her Maker +to unloose her from the enchantment, and permit her to find the +long-sought-for entrance. But praying was in vain, the door was not to +be found, it was witch craft, and she must submit to it. The rustling +and moving her arms frightened her now, and when she walked the darkness +prevented her seeing if any one followed her; so she crouched upon +the floor, yielding to the unavoidable necessity passing the night +there--the night of enchantment and witchery.[Footnote: See Lewes' "Life +and Writings of Goethe," vol. 1., p. 408.] + +Not alone for Fraulein Goechhausen was this beautiful May-night of +sad experience with witches. There were other places at Weimar. In the +neighborhood of the ducal park, in the midst of green-meadows, stood a +simple little cottage. Near it flowed the Ilm, spanned by three bridges, +all closed by gates, so that no one could reach the cottage without the +occupant's consent. It was as secure as a fortress or an island of the +sea, and distinctly visible even in the night, its white walls rising +against the dark perspective of the park. This is the poet's Eldorado, +his paradise, presented to Wolfgang Goethe by his friend the Duke +Charles Augustus. It was late as the possessor wound his way toward his +Tusculum, as he familiarly called it, and, more attracted by the aspect +of the heavens than by sleep, sought the balcony, to gaze at the dark +mass of clouds chasing each other like armies in retreat and pursuit; +one moment veiling the moon, at another revealing her full disk, and +soon again covering the earth with dark shadows, until the lightning +flashed down in snaky windings, making the darkness momentarily visible +with her lurid glare. It was a glorious spectacle for the intuitive, +sympathetic soul of the poet, and he yielded to its influence with +delight. He heard the voice of God in the rolling of the thunder, and +sought to comprehend the unutterable, and understand it in this poetical +sense. Voices spake to him in the rushing of the storm, the sighing of +the trees, and the rustling of the foliage. The storm passed quickly, a +profound quiet and solemnity spread out over the nightly world, and it +lay as if in repose, smiling in blissful dreams. The air was filled +with perfumes, wafted to the balcony upon which dreamed the poet with +unclosed eyelids and waking thoughts. The clouds were all dispersed; +full and clear was suspended the moon in the deep, blue vault, where +twinkled thousands of stars, whispering of unknown worlds, and the +mysteries of Nature, and the greatness of Him who created them all. + +"Oh, beloved, golden moon, how calmly you look down upon me, sublime and +lovely at the same time! When I gaze at you, moving so quietly, floating +in infinity, and contemplating reflect thyself in finiteness, I think of +you, oh Charlotte, who stands above me like the moon so bright and mild, +and I envelop myself in your rays, and my spirit becomes heavenly in +your light. + + Mir ist es, denk ich nur an Dich, + Als in den Mond zu seh'n, + Ein suesser Friede weht um mich, + Weiss nicht, wie mir gescheh'n! + +"Yes, like sweet peace, and quiet, sacred moonlight, my thoughts shall +be of you, Charlotte; not like the glowing rays of the sun, or the cold +light of the stars. Bright and beaming like the moon you are to me, +spreading around me your soft light. Oh, beautiful golden moon, mirrored +in the water, you lie as in a silvery bath, and would entice me to seek +you in the murmuring depths. Hark! how the ruffled waves of the Ilm +with repeated gentle caresses kiss the shore, rush from thence in golden +links down the river! Sweet of the Ilm, I come, I come!" + +Goethe hastened from the balcony, threw aside his apparel, plunged into +the silvery flood, shouting with joy. + +What heavenly pleasure to float there, rocked by the murmuring waves, +gazing at the silvery stars and the golden moon, a lovely May night, +listening to the voices of Nature! Add to that the perfume-laden breeze +rising from the rain-refreshed meadows. How glorious to plunge into the +cool stream, splashing and dashing the water, and then to shoot like +a fish through the drops falling like golden rain! Suddenly, while +swimming, Goethe raised his head to listen. He thought he heard +footsteps on the poet's forbidden bridge. The moon distinctly revealed a +peasant from Oberweimar, who would be early to the weekly market, and so +serve himself to the shortest route while no one could see him. + +"Such presumption deserves punishment, my good peasant, and if there is +no one else to do it the ghosts must." + +Listen, what a savage yell from under the bridge, and then another more +unearthly! + +The peasant, frightened, stopped suddenly, and looked down into the +river. "Oh, what can it be?" + +A glistening white arm is raised menacingly toward the bridge. A white +figure, with a black head and long black hair, is seen plunging +and splashing, while fearful yells are heard from the deep. Then it +disappeared, to return, and menace, and yell, and plunge again. + +The peasant shrieked with terror, and was answered with a cruel laugh. +The white figure sank and rose from the river screeching and yelling, +and the peasant shrieked also with terror. + +"A ghost! a ghost! oh, have mercy upon us! Amen! amen!" + +Fright lent him wings, and he fled, followed by the savage yells of the +white figure, and never stopped until he reached Oberweimar, where +he related to the astonished and terrified neighbors that there was +a river-ghost just by the bridge which led to the cottage of the +mad secretary of legation, Goethe, and which howled in the +moonlight.[Footnote: This tradition of the ghost of the Ilm has been +preserved in Weimar, since Goethe's nocturnal bath, until our time.--See +Lewes, vol. i., p. 451.] + +With the peasant also disappeared the ghost of the Ilm. + +Like a happy child of Nature, refreshed, Goethe went to his room and +then again sought the balcony, to throw himself upon the carpet and +gaze at the blue starry vault, and enjoy the glories of heaven with +thoughtful devotion, and think of Charlotte--only of her, not once of +the poor Thusnelda von Goechhausen, who passed the night upon the +stairs of the Palace Belvedere, and who, at last weary with fright and +exhaustion, fell asleep, and was awakened by the Duchess Amelia in +the morning, laughingly demanding why she preferred the landing of the +stairs for a place of repose. + +"Because I am bewitched, duchess, and my sleeping-room has disappeared +from earth--because some cursed demon or wizard has enchanted me, this +wicked--" + +"Beware what you say!" interrupted the duchess; "it is most probably the +duke that you are inveighing against, and calling a demon and wizard." + +At this Thusnelda sprang up as if struck by an electric shock--"The +surprise, this is what the duke promised me." + +"Very likely," laughed the duchess. "The courier just arrived with a +letter from my son to you, and I came to bring it myself, and found you, +to my surprise, sleeping here. Read it, and tell me what he says!" + +"Oh, listen, your highness!" cried Thusnelda, after having hastily +perused the contents of the ducal missive. + +"'I hope I have succeeded to surprise you! Demons and wizards have +closed your doors, And weeping you slept on the stairway alone. All +witchcraft has now disappeared. Go seek The surprise that from Berlin I +brought you, Which I now offer for an atonement.'" + +"An insolent fellow, indeed, is my son," said the duchess, "but you see, +Thusnelda, he says, pater peccavi, and I am convinced that you will find +something very pretty and acceptable in your room." + +"I will not take it--indeed I will not," pouted the lady of honor. "He +so fearfully tormented me last night. I assure your highness I was half +dead with terror and--" + +"And yet you will forgive him, Thusnelda, for the duke is your declared +favorite; you dare not reproach him were he never so insolent, for you +are just as much so, and not a hair's-breadth better. Come, go up and +see what it is." + +She went, and found four masons, who had been at work since daybreak to +remove the wall and replace the door. Thusnelda was obliged to laugh in +spite of the unhappy night she had passed, as she climbed over rubbish +and ruins into her room, and met her maid dissolved in tears, who +related to her that "the duke had had her walled in, for fear she would +tell the trick to her mistress." + +"And so you were really hermetically sealed?" said the duchess. + +"Yes, your highness," whimpered the maid, "I thought I never should +see daylight again. I wept and prayed all night. The only thing that +consoled me was the duke's command, which Philip brought to me, to give +this little box to Fraulein so soon as the wall should be taken away in +the morning." + +"Give it to me, Lieschen," cried Thusnelda, impatiently, her face +beaming with satisfaction, however, when she opened the box. "Now, +duchess, that is what I call a surprise, and the duke shall be, as he +ever has been, my favorite. If he does sometimes play rude tricks, he +makes it all right again, in a very generous and princely manner. See +what a beautiful watch his highness has brought me, ornamented with +diamonds!" + +"Yes, it is very pretty; give it to me that I may return it to the duke, +and not mortify him too much, as you will not wear it." + +"I will accept it, duchess," cried Thusnelda, laughing--"and all is +forgiven and forgotten." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. THE PURSE-PROUD MAN. + + +"Trude, is there no news from him yet? Have you never seen him since? +Did he not tell you about it?" + +"No, my dearest Marie," sighed old Trude. "There is no word, no message +from him. I have been twenty times to the baker's in eight days, and +waited at the corner of the street, where we agreed to meet, but no +Moritz was there, and I have not been able to hear any thing about him." + +"Something must have happened to him," sighed Marie. "He is very ill, +perhaps dying, and--" + +"No, no, my child, he is not ill, I will tell you all about it, if you +will not worry. I have been to Herr Moritz's lodgings to-day. I could +not wait any longer, and--" + +"Did you see him, and speak with him, Trude?" + +"No Marie, he was not there; and the people in the house told me that he +had been gone for a week." + +"Gone!" repeated Marie, thoughtfully. "What does it mean? What could +persuade him to abandon me in this hour of need? Tell me, Trude, what do +you think? Console me if you can. You really know nothing further than +that he is gone?" + +"A little bit more, but not much, my heart's child. When the people told +me that he had disappeared eight days ago, it seemed as if one of the +Alps had fallen on my heart, and my limbs trembled so I could go no +farther, and I was obliged to sit down upon the stairs and cry bitterly, +picturing all sorts of dreadful things to myself." + +"Dreadful things?" asked Marie. "Oh, Trude, you do not believe that my +good, brave Moritz could do any thing sinful and cowardly, like wicked +men? You do not think that my beloved--oh, no, no--I know that he is +more noble; he will bear the burden of life as I will, so long as it +pleases God." + +The old woman hung down her head, and humbly folded her hands. "Forgive +me, my child, that I have such weak and sinful thoughts. I will +apologize for them in my heart to you and your beloved so long as I +live. After I had cried enough, I determined to go to the Gray Cloister, +and beg the director to see me!" + +"Did you see him to speak with him, dear good Trude?" + +"Yes, dear child. I told him I was an aged aunt of Herr Moritz, who had +come to Berlin to visit him; and finding that he was absent, I would +like to know where he had gone, and, how long he would remain away." + +"Oh, Trude, how clever you are, and how kindly you think of every +thing!" cried Marie, embracing her old nurse, and kissing affectionately +her sunburnt, wrinkled cheek. "What did he say?" + +"He told me that Herr Moritz had begged permission to be absent fourteen +days to take an urgent, unavoidable journey; that ten days had already +expired, and he would soon return." + +"Then he will be here in four days, and perhaps will bring hope and aid! +He has gone to seek it; I know and I feel it, though I cannot divine +where the assistance will come from. Oh, Trude, if I could only gain a +favorable delay until Moritz returns!" + +"Every thing is arranged," murmured Trude. "The marriage license is +already made out, and Parson Dietrich has promised to be ready at any +hour. Herr Ebenstreit has sent the money, doubling the amount required +to the 'Invalids' Hospital' at Berlin, so that when the papers of +nobility arrive, there--" + +"Hush!" interrupted Marie, "do not speak of it. It is fearful to think +of, and it crazes me to hear it. I will resort to every extreme. Since +my father and mother are deaf to my entreaties, I will try to move him +to pity. I have never been able to see him alone; my mother is watchful +that an explanation should be impossible between us. I will implore this +man to have pity upon me, and confide in him to whom they would sell +me." + +Trude shook her head mournfully. "I fear it will be in vain, dear child. +This man has no heart. I have proved him, and I know it.--Hark the bell +rings! Who can it be?" + +Both stepped out of the little garret-room to peep over the banister. +Since Marie had been betrothed to the rich banker Ebenstreit, the +general had received from his kind wife a servant in pompous livery for +his own service. This servant had already opened the door, and Marie +heard him announce in a loud voice, "Herr Ebenstreit!" + +"He!" Marie started back with horror. "He, so early in the morning! this +is no accident, Trude. What does it mean? Hush! the servant is coming!" + +"I will go down," whispered Trude; "perhaps I can hear something." + +Trude hurried away as her young lady glided back into her room, and +never glanced at the servant who sprang past her upon the stairs. + +"He is a hypocrite and a spy; he has been hired to watch and observe my +child, and he will betray her if he discovers any thing." + +The servant announced, with respectful, humble mien, that Herr +Ebenstreit had arrived, and Frau von Werrig desired her daughter to +descend to the parlor. + +"Very well--say that I will come directly." + +The servant remained rubbing his hands in an undecided, embarrassed +manner. + +"Why do you not go down?" asked Marie. "Have you any thing further to +tell me?" + +"I would say," said he, spying about the room, as if he were afraid some +one were listening, "that if a poor, simple man like myself could be +useful to you, and you could confide in me your commissions, I should be +too happy to prove to you that Carl Leberecht is an honest fellow, and +has a heart, and it hurts his feelings to see the miss suffer so much." + +"I thank you," said Marie, gently. "I am glad to feel that you have +sympathy for me." + +"If I can be of the least service to you, have the goodness to call me, +and give me your commissions." + +"Indeed I will, although I do not believe it practicable." + +"I hope miss will not betray me to Frau von Werrig or old Trude." + +"No, I promise you that, and here is my hand upon it." + +The servant kissed the extended hand respectfully. "I will enter into +the service of my young lady at once, and tell her she must prepare +for the worst: Herr Ebenstreit just said, 'The diploma of nobility has +arrived.'" + +Marie turned deadly pale, and for an instant it seemed as if she would +sink down from fright, but she recovered herself and conquered her +weakness. + +"Thank you, it is very well that I should know that; I will go down +directly," said she. + +With calm, proud bearing Marie entered the sitting-room of her parents, +and returned the salutations of her betrothed, who hastened toward her +with tender assiduity. + +"My dear Marie," cried her mother, "I have the honor to present to you +Herr Ebenstreit von Leuthen. The certificate of nobility arrived this +morning." + +"I congratulate you, mother--you have at last found the long-desired +heir to your name." + +"Congratulate me above all, my beautiful betrothed," said Herr +Ebenstreit, in a hoarse, scarcely intelligible voice. "This title crowns +all my wishes, as it makes me your husband. I came to beg, dear Marie, +that our marriage should take place to-morrow, as there is nothing now +to prevent." + +"Sir," she proudly interrupted him, "have I ever permitted this familiar +appellation?" + +"I have allowed it," blurted out the general, packed in cushions in his +roiling chair. "Proceed, my dear son." + +The latter bowed with a grateful smile, and continued: "I would beg, +my dear Marie, to choose whether our wedding-journey shall be in the +direction of Italy, Spain, France, or wherever else it may please her." + +"Is it thus arranged?" asked Marie. "Is the marriage to take place early +to-morrow, and then the happy pair take a journey?" + +"Yes," answered her mother, hastily, "it is so decided upon, and it +will be carried out. You may naturally, my dear daughter, have some +preference; so make it known--I am sure your betrothed will joyfully +accord it." + +"I will avail myself of this permission," she quietly answered. "I wish +to have a private conversation with this gentleman immediately, and +without witnesses." + +"Oh, how unfortunate I am!" sighed Herr Ebenstreit. "My dear Marie asks +just that which I unfortunately cannot grant her." + +"What should prevent your fulfilling my wish?" asked Marie. + +"My promise," he whined. "On the very day of my betrothal, I was obliged +to promise my dear mother-in-law never to speak with you alone or +correspond with my sweet lady-love." + +"These are the rules of decency and of etiquette, which I hope my +daughter will respect," said Frau von Werrig, in a severe tone. "No +virtuous young girl would presume to receive her betrothed alone or +exchange love-letters with him before marriage!" + +"After the wedding there will be opportunities enough for such follies," +grumbled the general. + +"You may be sure that I shall use them, dear father," laughed +Ebenstreit. "I would beg my respected mother to release me a half-hour +from my oath to-day, that I may indulge the first expressed wish that my +future wife favors me with." + +"It is impossible, my son. I never deviate from my principles. You will +not speak with my daughter before marriage, except in the presence of +her parents." + +"Mother, do you insist upon it?" cried Marie, terrified. "Will you not +indulge this slight wish?" + +"'This slight wish!'" sneered her mother. "As if I did not know why you +ask this private conversation. You wish to persuade our son-in-law to +what you in vain have tried to implore your parents to do. A modest +maiden has nothing to say to her future husband, which her parents, and +above all her mother, could not hear. So tell your betrothed what you +desire." + +"Well, mother, you must then take the consequences.--Herr Ebenstreit, +they will force me to become your wife, they will sell me as merchandise +to you, and you have accepted the bargain in good faith, believing that +I agree to sacrifice my freedom and human rights for riches. They have +deceived you, sir! I am not ready to give myself up to the highest +bidder. I am a woman, with a heart to love and hate, who esteems +affection superior to wealth. I cannot marry you, and I beg you not to +teach me to hate you." + +A savage curse broke forth from the general, who, forgetting his gout, +rose furious, shaking his clinched fist at his daughter. + +His wife was immediately by his side, and pushed him into his arm-chair, +commanding him, in her harsh, cold to remain quiet and take care of his +health, and listen to what his son-in-law had to say to his unfeeling +and unnatural daughter. "He alone has to decide.--Speak, my dear son," +said she, turning to the young man, who, with a malicious smile, had +listened to the baroness, fixing his dull-blue eyes upon the young girl, +who never seemed so desirable to him, as she now stood before him with +glowing cheeks. + +"Again I say, speak, my dear son, and tell my daughter the truth; do you +hear, the truth?" + +"If you will permit me, my dearest mother, I will," answered Ebenstreit, +with submissive kindness, again regarding the daughter. "You have made +me a sad confession, Marie," said he, sighing, "but I will acknowledge +that I am not surprised, for your mother told me when I asked for your +hand, that she feared I should never gain your consent, for you did not +love me, although she herself, and the general, would grant theirs." + +"Was that all that I told you?" asked the mother, coldly. + +"No, not all," continued Ebenstreit, slightly inclining; "you added, 'My +daughter loves a beggar, a poor school-master, and she entertains the +romantic idea of marrying him.'" + +"And what did you reply?" asked Marie, almost breathless. + +"My dear Marie, I laughed, repeating my proposal of marriage to your +mother, saying, that I was ready to take up the combat with the poor +pedagogue, and that you seemed all the more interesting and amiable for +this romantic love. Life is so tedious and wretched, that one is glad +to have some change and distraction. I assure you, I have not been so +entertained for long years, as in the last fourteen days in this +silent war with you. It amuses me infinitely to see you so stubborn and +prudish, and increases my love for you. How could it be otherwise? The +rich banker, Ebenstreit, has never seen a woman who was not ready to +accept his hand, and why should he not love the first one who resists +it? You have excited my self-love and vanity. You have made the marriage +a matter of ambition, and you will comprehend that my answer is: +'Fraulein von Leuthen must and shall be my wife, no matter what it costs +me. She defies my riches and despises money, so I will force her to +respect my wealth and recognize its power. Besides, she is a cruel, +egotistical daughter; who has no pity for her poor parents, and is +capable of seeing them perish for her foolish attachment. I will +make her a good child, and force her to make her parents, and thereby +herself, happy.' All this I said to myself, and I have acted and shall +act accordingly. I have only to add that the ceremony will take place +to-morrow, at eleven. We will leave immediately after. Have the goodness +therefore to choose in which direction, that I may at once make the +necessary arrangements." + +"Lost--lost without hope!" cried Marie, in anguish, covering her face +with her hands. + +"Rather say rescued from misfortune," answered Ebenstreit, quietly. +"Believe me, there is but one sorrow that may not be borne, may not be +conquered, and that is poverty, which is a corroding, consuming malady, +annihilating body, and soul, swifter and surer than the most subtle +poison. It stifles all noble feelings, all poetical thoughts and great +deeds, and, believe me, love even cannot resist its terrible power. One +day you will understand this. I will be patient and indulgent, and await +it with hope." + +"Oh, what a noble and high-minded man!" cried the mother, with +emphasis.--"Marie should kneel and thank her Maker for such a +magnanimous savior and lover, who will shield her from all evil and +misfortune." + +Sobbing and sighing, the daughter had stood with her face concealed; +now she regarded the cold-hearted, smiling woman, with flashing eyes and +keen contempt. + +"Thank him!" she cried; "no, I accuse, I curse him. He is an atheist, +and denies love. He is not capable of a noble thought or action, +scorning and defaming all that is beautiful and elevated, worshipping +only mammon. I will never marry him. You may force me to the altar, and +there I will denounce him." + +"She will kill me," cried the general; "she will murder her aged +parents, leaving them to starve and perish, and--" + +"Silence!" commanded his wife. "Leave off your complaints, she is not +worth the tears or remonstrances of her parents. She would try to be +our murderess, but she shall not.--My son, inform her of your decision. +Answer her." + +"The response to your romantic language is simple and natural, my dear +Marie. I have already entered into your feelings, and am prepared for +this idea of refusing your lover at the altar, which is found in novels, +and I supposed that it might occur to you. Money compasses all things +and according to our wishes. My fortune procures for me a dispensation +from public authorities to be married here in the house of our dear +parents. The law demands four witnesses, who will be represented by your +parents, my servant Philip, and the sacristan whom the clergyman will +bring." + +"And they will hear me abjure you." + +"It is very possible, dearest, but the witnesses will not listen to +you. Money makes the deaf to hear, and the hearing ones deaf. Old parson +Dietrich knows the story of your love, and believes, with us, that it is +a malady that you must be cured of. Therefore, in pity to you, he will +not listen, and the others are paid to keep silent." + +"Is there no hope, O Heaven?" cried Marie, imploringly. "O God, Thou +hast permitted it--hast Thou no pity in my need, and sendest me no aid?" +Rushing to her father, and kneeling at his feet, she continued: "Have +mercy upon your poor child! You are an old man, and may live but a few +years; do not burden your conscience with the fearful reproaches of your +only child, whom you will condemn to an inconsolably long and unhappy +life." + +"Have you no pity yourself? Do you not know that I, your father, am so +poor, that I have not even the necessary care? You wish your parents to +sacrifice themselves for you, and suffer want! No, the daughter should +sacrifice herself for her parents." + +"A beautiful sacrifice, a fine sorrow!" sneered her mother. "She will +be a rich woman, and have the most splendid house and furniture and most +costly equipage in Berlin!" + +"And a husband who adores her," cried Ebenstreit, "and who will feel it +his duty to make her and her parents happy. Resolve bravely to bury the +past, and look the immutable future joyfully in the face. Eleven will be +the happy hour; fear not that the altar will not be worthy the charming +bride of such a rich family. Money will procure every thing, and I will +send a florist who will change this room into a blooming temple, fit to +receive the goddess of love. In your room you will find the gift of my +affection, a simple wedding-dress, which I trust you will approve of. +Oh, do not shake your head, do not say that you will never wear it; you +must believe that all resistance is in vain. You will become my wife, I +and my money will it." + +"And I," cried Marie, standing before him pale and defiant, regarding +him with unspeakable contempt, "I and my love will it not. May God judge +between us! May He forgive those who have brought this misfortune upon +me! I can only say, 'Woe to them!'" + +"Woe to you!" cried her mother. "Woe to the seducer who has persuaded +our child to sin and crime, and--" + +"Hush mother! I will not permit you to slander him whom I love, and ever +shall, so long--" + +"Until you forget him, and love me, Marie," said Ebenstreit. Approaching +her, he seized her hand, and pressed a kiss upon it. + +She drew it away with disgust, and turned slowly to the door, tossing +back her head proudly. "Where are you going?" demanded her mother. + +With her hand upon the knob, she replied, turning her pale, wan face +to her mother, "To my own room, which I suppose is permitted to me, as +there is nothing more to be said." + +Her mother would reply, and retain her, but her son-in-law held her +gently back. "Let her go," said he; "she needs rest for composure and to +accustom herself to the thought that her fate is unavoidable." + +"But what if she should resort to desperate means in her mad infatuation +and foolish passion? Some one must watch her continually, for she may +try to elope." + +"You are right, dearest mother, some one must be with her, in whom she +will confide. Would it not be possible to win old Trude?" + +"No, nothing would gain her; she is a silly fool, who thinks only Marie +is of consequence." + +Ebenstreit shrugged his shoulders. "That means that she would sell +herself at a high price. I beg that you will send for her." + +"You will see," said she, calling the old woman, who entered from the +opposite door. + +Trude looked about, scowling and grumbling. "Leberecht told me my +mistress called me." + +"Why do you then look so furious, and what are you seeking on the +table?" asked Frau von Werrig. + +"My money," cried Trude, vehemently. "I thought that you called me to +pay me, and that my wages were all counted out on the table. But I see +there is nothing there, and I fear I shall get none, and be poor as a +church-mouse all my life long. Your honor promised me positively +that, as soon as the wedding was decided upon, you would pay me every +farthing, with interest, and I depended upon it." + +"You shall have all, and much more than the general's wife promised you, +if you will be a true and faithful servant to us," said Ebenstreit. + +"That I always have been, and ever shall be," snarled Trude. "No person +can say aught against me. Now, I want my money." + +"And obstinate enough you have been too," said her mistress. "Can you +deny that you have not always taken my daughter's part?" + +"I do not deny it. I have nursed her from childhood, and I love her as +my own child, and would do any thing to make her happy!" + +"Do you believe, Trude," cried the general, "that Marie could be +happy with that poor, starving wretch of a school-master? Has she not +experienced in her own home the misfortune and shame of poverty?" + +"I know it well," sighed the old one, sadly, "and it has converted me to +believe that it would be a great misfortune for Marie to marry the poor +school-master." + +"Well, will you then faithfully help us to prevent it?" quickly asked +Ebenstreit. + +"How can I do it?" she sighed, shrugging her shoulder. + +"You can persuade my daughter to be reasonable, and yield to that which +she cannot prevent. You are the only one who can make any impression +upon Marie, as she confides in you. Watch her, that in a moment of +passionate desperation she does not commit some rash act. You can tell +us, further, what she says, and warn us of any crazy plan she might form +to carry out her own will." + +"That is to say, I must betray my Marie?" cried Trude, angrily. + +"No, not betray, but rescue her. Will you do it?" asked Ebenstreit. + +"I wish to be paid my wages, my two hundred thalers, that I have +honestly earned, and I will have them." + +Ebenstreit took a piece of paper from his pocket. Writing a few lines +with a pencil, he laid it upon the table. "If you will take this to +my cashier after the ceremony to-morrow, he will pay you four hundred +thalers." + +"Four hundred thalers in cash," cried Trude, joyfully clapping her +hands. "Shall all that beautiful money be mine, and--No, I do not +believe you," she cried, her face reassuming its gloomy, suspicious +look. "You promise it to me to-day, that I may assist you, and persuade +Marie to the marriage, but to-morrow, when old Trude is of no more use, +you will send me away penniless. Oh, I know how it is. I have lived +long enough to understand the tricks of rich people. I will see the cash +first--only for that will I sell myself." + +"The old woman pleases me," said Ebenstreit. "She is practical, and +she is right.--If I promise you the money in an hour, will you persuade +Marie to cease her foolish resistance, and be my wife? Will you watch +over her, and tell us if any thing unusual occurs?" + +"Four hundred thalers is a pretty sum," repeated Trude, in a low voice +to herself. "I might buy myself a place in the hospital, and have enough +left to get me a new bed and neat furniture and--" + +Here her voice was lost in unintelligible mumbling, and, much excited, +she appeared to count eagerly. With her bony forefinger she numbered +over the fingers of her left hand, as if each were a fortune that she +must verify and examine. + +The mother and the banker regarded each other with mocking looks; the +general looked at the money, grumbling: "If I had had four hundred +thalers the last time I played, I could have won back my money in +playing again." + +"Old woman," said Ebenstreit, "have you not finished with your +reckoning?" + +"Yes," she said, with an exultant laugh, "I have done! Four hundred +thalers are not sufficient. I must have five, and if you will give them +to me in cash in an hour, then I will do every thing that you wish, and +persuade Marie to the marriage. I will watch her day and night, and tell +you every thing that she says and does. But I must have five hundred in +cash!" + +Ebenstreit turned his dull-blue eyes to Frau von Werrig with a +triumphant smile. "Did you not tell me the old woman could not be +bought? I knew that I was right. You did not offer her money enough; she +will sell herself dear as possible." + +"Yes, as dear as she can," laughed Trude--"five hundred is my price." + +"You shall have it in cash in an hour," said Ebenstreit, in a friendly +manner. + +"So much money," whined the general; "it would have saved me if I had +had it that last time." + +"My son-in-law, I must confess you are exceedingly generous," remarked +the mother. + +"No sum would be too great to assure me my bride. Go now, Trude, you +shall have the money in time.--Will you allow me, father, to send your +servant to my office for it?" + +"Send Leberecht here, Trude!" + +The old woman hurried out of the room, but the door once closed, her +manner changed. One might have supposed a sudden cramp had seized her, +from her distorted face, and twitching and panting, and beating the air +with her clinched fists, and her quivering lips uttering broken words. + +Approaching footsteps warned her to assume her general manner and +expression, and cease her manipulations. "The ladies and gentlemen wish +you in the parlor," mumbled Trude to the servant descending the stairs. +"But where have you been, and what have you to do up there?" + +"I was looking for you, lovely one--nothing more!" + +"Well, now you have found me, tell me what you want? I know you were +sneaking about, listening, because you thought I was with Marie. I +understand you better than you think I do. I have found many a viper, +and I am familiar with their aspect. Go! they are waiting for you, and +let me find you again spying about, and I will throw a pail of water on +you!" + +With this friendly assurance Trude dismissed Leberecht, and hastened +with youthful activity to the little garret-room, when Marie fell upon +her neck, weeping bitterly. + +"Calm yourself--do not weep so--it breaks my heart, my dear child." + +"And mine cannot break. I must endure all this anguish and survive this +shame. Help me, my good mother, stand by me! It is impossible for me to +marry that dreadful man. I have sworn constancy to my beloved Moritz, +and I must be firm, or die!" + +"Die? then you will kill me!" murmured the old one, "for, if you go, +I must go also. But we will not give up yet, as we are both living; we +will not despair for life. I am going once more to Moritz's lodgings; it +may be he has returned, and will rescue you." + +"Oh, do, good Trude; tell him that I have courage and determination to +risk and bear every thing--that I will await him; that nothing would be +too difficult or dangerous to serve to unite me to him! Tell him that I +prefer a life of poverty and want by his side, to abundance and riches +in a splendid palace with that detested creature--but no, say nothing +about it, he knows it well! If he has returned, tell him all that has +happened, and that I am resolved to brave the utmost, to save myself!" + +"I will go, dear child, but I have first my work to do, and enough of +it too--but listen to what they have made me become." Hastily, in a +low voice, she related to Marie the story of her corruption, excited as +before, her limbs shaking and her fists clinched. "They say we old women +resemble cats, but from to-day forth I know that is a shameful lie! If I +had possessed their nature and claws, I should have sprung at the throat +of this rascal, and torn out his windpipe; but, instead of that, I +stood as if delighted with his degrading proposal! Oh, fie! the +good-for-nothing kidnapper would tempt a poor creature! Let us wait, +they will get their reward. He shall pay me the five hundred thalers, +and then this trader of hearts shall recognize that, however much +ill-earned money he may throw away, love and constancy are hot to be +bought. We will teach him a lesson," and with this, the old servant +ceased, gasping for breath. + +"Go now, Trude, and learn if he has returned; upon him depends my +happiness, and life even--he is my last hope!" + +"I am going, but first I would get the wages of my sin, and play the +hypocrite, and tell a few untruths; then I will go to Moritz's lodgings, +and the baker also. Do not despair; I have a joyful presentiment that +God will have pity upon us and send us aid." Trude kissed and embraced +her child, and scarcely waited an hour, when she was demanded in the +parlor to receive her money. + +Herr Ebenstreit was heartily delighted with her zealous impatience, and +handed her ten rolls of gold, reminding her of the conditions. + +"I have already consoled her a little, and she begins to change. I hope +every thing will turn for good. Just leave her alone with me." + +"But first, I must go and see my aged brother, who will take care of my +money," replied Trude. "He is a safe man and will not spend it." + +"Trude," cried the general, "what an old fool! to seek at distance what +is so near you. I will take your money, and give you interest. Do you +hear? I will take care of it!" + +"Thank you, general, I'd rather give it to my brother, on account of the +relationship." She slipped out of the room, hid the money in her bed, +and hurriedly left the house. + +Scarcely an hour passed ere Trude returned as fleetly as she went. She +cast only a look into the kitchen, and hastened up to Marie's room. Her +success was evident in her happy, smiling face, and coming home she had +repeated to herself, "How happy Marie will be!" almost the entire way. + +She had but closed the door, when the mean little Leberecht glided from +behind the chimney, and crept to listen at the door. + +Within was a lively conversation, and twice a shout of joy was heard and +Marie, exultant, cried, "Oh, Trude! dear Trude! all goes well, I fear +nothing now. God has sent me the savior which I implored!" + +Leberecht stood, bent over, applying his ear to the keyhole, listening +to every word. + +Oh, Trude! if you could only have seen the traitor, glued to the door, +with open eyes and mouth! Could you have seen the eavesdropper rubbing +his hands together, grinning, and listening in breathless suspense! + +Why cannot you surprise him, Trude, and fulfil your threat to deluge him +and chase him away from your child's door? They forgot the necessity of +prudence, and the possibility of being overheard. At last it occurred +to the old servant, and she tore open the door, but no one was there--it +was deserted and still. + +"God be thanked, no one has listened," whispered Trude. "I will go down +and tell them that I hope, if we can stay alone all day, you will be +calmer and more reasonable." + +"Do it, Trude; I do not dare to see any one for fear my face will betray +me, and my mother has very sharp eyes. Return soon." + +She opened the door, and saw not the eavesdropper and spy, who had but +just time to conceal himself, and stand maliciously grinning at the +retreating figure of the faithful servant. + +He slipped lightly from his hiding-place down to his sleeping-room, in +a niche under the stairs. For a long time he reflected, upon his +bedside--his watery blue eyes staring at nothing. "This must be well +considered," he mumbled. "There is, at last, a capital to be won. Which +shall I do first, to grasp a good deal? Shall I wait, or go at once to +Herr Ebenstreit? Very naturally they would both deny it, and say that I +had made up the whole story to gain money. I had better let the affair +go on: they can take a short drive, and when they are about an hour +absent, I will sell my secret at a higher price. Now I will pretend to +be quite harmless, and after supper let the bomb burst!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. THE ELOPEMENT. + + +Evening had set in. The card-table had been arranged, and Leberecht had +rolled his master to it, taking his place behind his chair. The hour +of whist the general impatiently awaited the entire day, and it was +regularly observed. Even in the contract with his adopted son it had +been expressly mentioned as a duty, that he should not only secure to +them yearly income, but also devote an hour to cards every evening. + +Herr Ebenstreit regarded it as a tax, which he must observe until +married. The general was much his superior at cards, and, moreover, +played the dummy, and the stake being high, it was quite an income for +the future father-in-law, and regarded by him as the one bright spot in +his daily life. + +The cards had been dealt, and Leberecht had assorted the general's, and +placed them in his gouty hand, when Trude entered, exultingly. + +"What has happened? What makes you interrupt us?" cried the general. +"Did you not remember that I have told you always not to disturb us at +this hour." + +"Yes, general, but I thought good news was never amiss." + +"What have you pleasant to tell us?" harshly demanded Frau von Werrig. + +"My young lady's compliments," cried Trude, triumphantly; "she begins +to see that she must yield to her fate, and that it will do no good to +resist any longer. She will be ready for the ceremony at eleven o'clock +to-morrow morning." + +The general uttered a cry of joy, and struck the table so violently, +with his hand, that the cards were thrown together. + +His wife bowed dignifiedly, and the happy bridegroom gave old Trude some +gold-pieces upon the favorable news. + +"Has she, then, been converted by your persuasion?" he asked. + +"Through my persuasion and her own good sense. She understands that, +if she cannot marry her dear Moritz, Herr Ebenstreit is the most fit +husband, because he loves her, and is so generous to her old parents. +One thing she would like an answer to--can I accompany her to her new +home?" + +"Yes, old woman, it will be very agreeable to have so sensible a +person," said Ebenstreit. "Tell Marie that it gives me pleasure to +fulfil her wish." + +"In that case I would repeat that Fraulein begs for indulgence and +forbearance until to-morrow, and would like to remain alone to compose +herself." + +"I do not wish, in the least, to see her," said her mother; "she can do +what she likes until then." + +"I will tell Marie, and she will rejoice," cried Trude. + +"Tell her, from her father, that it is very agreeable to him not to see +her pale, wretched-looking face again till morning.--Now, my son, +pay attention, and you, Trude, do not presume to interrupt us again. +Leberecht, play out my ace of hearts." + +The latter, with his eyes cast down, and with a perfectly indifferent +manner, played the card indicated, and Trude left the room quietly and +unobserved. + +"Every thing is arranged, my child," said Trude, as she re-entered +Marie's room. "They are playing cards, which always lasts two hours, +then Herr Ebenstreit goes away, and the family will go to bed. You have +eighteen hours, before you will be discovered. Hark! it strikes seven, +and it is already quite dark. When the post-horn sounds, then it is +time." + +"Oh, Trude! my dear mother, my heart almost ceases to beat, with +anxiety, and I quake with fear," sighed Marie. "I am conscious that I +have commenced a fearful undertaking!" + +"They have driven you to it--it is not your fault," said Trude, +consolingly. "Every human being is free to work out his own good or bad +fortune, and, as our dear Old Fritz says, 'to be happy in the future +world in his own way.' They have sold you for money, and you only prove +to them that you are no slave." + +"And I prove also that I am a disobedient daughter," added Marie, +trembling. "At this hour, it weighs like a heavy burden upon my heart, +and the words of Holy Writ burn into my very soul--'Honor thy father and +thy mother, that it may be well with thee.'" + +"You have honored them all your life," said Trude, solemnly; "I can +witness it before God and man. You have worked for them without thanks +or love, receiving only contempt. It is also written, 'Thou shalt leave +father and mother, and cleave unto thy husband.' You still follow the +commands of God, and may it bring you happiness and blessing. My +prayers and thoughts go with you, my child! a mother could not love her +offspring more tenderly than I do you." + +"No mother could more tenderly and faithfully care for her than you +have for me, Trude," cried Marie, pressing her lovingly to her breast. +"Through you alone is my rescue possible, for you give us the money to +undertake the long journey." + +"Not I," she laughed; "it is Herr Ebenstreit, and that makes it the +more amusing; the wicked always set the traps into which they fall +themselves." Suddenly the loud, quivering tones of the post-horn were +heard, "Es ritten drei Reiter zum Thore hinaus." + +"He has come!" cried Marie, and her face beamed with delight. "He calls +me! I am coming!--Farewell, dear, peaceful room, where I have so toiled, +wept, and suffered! I shall never see thee again! My beloved calls me, +and I go to follow him even unto death! Pardon me, O God! Thou seest +that I cannot do otherwise! They would force me to perjury, and I dare +not break my oath! I cannot forsake him whom I love!--When they curse +me, Trude, kneel, and implor God to bless me, who is the Father of love! +My conscience does not reproach me. I have worked for them when they +needed it; now their adopted son, to whom they have sold their name, +allows them a yearly rent, and I can work for myself." + +"Hark! there is the post-horn again, you must go," murmured Trude, +struggling to force back her tears. + +"Bless me, mother," implored Marie, kneeling. + +"God's blessing go with you," she said, laying her hands upon her head, +"and may it render of no avail the curses of men, but permit you to walk +in love and happiness!" + +"Amen, amen!" sighed Marie, "now farewell, dear mother, farewell!" + +Marie rose, and kissing Trude again, flitted down the stairs, and out of +the house, Trude following, holding her breath and listening in fearful +excitement. + +Again resounded the post-horn. + +"They are gone," murmured Trude, bowing her head and praying long and +fervently. + +The general was particularly fortunate this evening, which caused him to +be unusually cheerful and satisfied. After every rubber he gathered up +the thalers, until he had amassed a most satisfactory pile. As the clock +struck ten, Frau von Werrig declared that they must finish and go to +bed. + +The general yielded, with a sigh, to her decision, for he knew, by +long years of experience, that it would be in vain to defy her will. +He shoved his winnings into a leather bag, which he always carried +with him, and gave Leberecht the order to roll away his chair, when +the servant, with a solemn bow, stepped closely to him, and begged the +general to listen to him a moment. + +"Well, what have you to say?" he asked. + +"I have only one request--that you will permit me to prove that I am a +faithful servant, who looks out for the good of his employers. You +have given Trude five hundred thalers that she might watch over your +daughter. I can show you how well she deserved it, and how differently +your humble servant would have done.--Have the goodness, Frau von +Werrig, to call Trude to bid Fraulein come down, for you have something +important to communicate to her." + +His mistress proudly regarded him and seemed to try to read his meaning +in his smiling, humble face. "And if my daughter comes, what have you to +say?" + +"If she comes, then I am a miserable fool and scoundrel, but I beg you +to call Trude." + +It was a long time before the old woman appeared, confused and sleepy, +asking--"what they wanted at such a late hour?" + +"Go and tell my daughter that I wish to see her at once." + +Trude trembled, but composed herself, saying, "There is time enough +to-morrow. Fraulein has been asleep a long time." + +"She lies," sneered Leberecht, taking the precaution to protect himself +behind the general's arm-chair. "She knows that she is not in bed." + +"Oh, you sneak, you rascal," cried Trude, shaking her fist at him, "how +dare you say that I tell a lie? How can such a miserable creature as +you impute to others what you do yourself every time that you open your +mouth?" + +"Frau von Werrig, she is only quarrelling, in order to gain time--every +moment is precious. I beg you to go up-stairs, and see for yourself, if +your daughter is there." + +"Fraulein has locked the door so as not to be disturbed." + +"Ah," said Leberecht, "Trude has locked it, and has the key in her +pocket." + +"Give up the key," shrieked the general, who in vain tried to rise, "or +I will call the police, and send you to prison." + +"Do it, but I will not give it to you." + +"Do you not see she has it?" cried Leberecht. + +"Oh, you wretch, I will pay you--I will scratch your eyes out, you +miserable creature!" + +"Trude, be quiet," commanded Ebenstreit; "the general orders to give up +the key--do it!" + +"Yes, do it at once," shrieked Frau von Werrig, "or I will dismiss you +from my service." + +"That you will not have to do, as I shall go myself. I will not give up +the key." + +"The door is old, and with a good push one could open it," said +Leberecht. + +"Come, my son, let us see," said the mother. + +They hastened up to the room, while the general scolded, furiously that +he must sit still. Leberecht and Trude cast furious, menacing glances at +each other. + +Suddenly a loud crash was heard. + +"They have broken open the door!" cried the general. + +"I said that it was old and frail--what do you say now, beautiful +Trude?" + +The old woman wiped with her hand the drops of perspiration from her +forehead, caused by her anguish. "You are a bad fellow, and God will +punish you for your treason, that you have tormented a noble, unhappy +girl. I saw that you were an eavesdropper, and you know all." + +"She is gone!" shrieked the mother, rushing into the room. + +"The room is empty," cried Ebenstreit. "Marie is not there. Tell us, +Leberecht, what you know about it." + +"I will, if we can agree about the pay--the old woman bothers me, and +beg the young gentleman to go into the next room with me." + +"O Almighty God, have compassion upon my poor little Marie," murmured +Trude, kneeling, and covering her face. + +Ebenstreit in the mean time withdrew to the other room, followed by the +servant. + +"Speak!" commanded his master, "and tell me what you have to say." + +Leberecht shrugged his shoulders. "We are two men who have urgent +business with each other. I am not at present a servant and you the +master. I am a man who has an important secret to sell, and you are the +man who would buy it." + +"What strange, unheard-of language is this?" said Ebenstreit, +astonished. + +"The language of a man who cannot only deprive the rich banker +Ebenstreit of a lovely wife, but of his title also. You said yourself, +sir, this morning, that it was only valid if you succeeded in marrying +the daughter of General von Leuthen. No none knows where you can find +your bride but me." + +"And Trude," said Ebenstreit, quickly. + +"You know she will not betray Fraulein, and you have not even tried to +make her." + +"You are mistaken; Trude is as easily bought as any one." + +"You say that because she has taken five hundred thalers from you. She +has not helped you, and it is useless to ask for your money, as she has +not got it." + +"How so? Has she given it away?" + +"You provided the money for your bride to run away and marry elsewhere, +as Trude gave it to them." + +Ebenstreit stamped his foot with rage, striding backward and forward in +furious excitement, while Leberecht watched him, sardonically smiling. +"Let us come to an end with this business," said Ebenstreit, stopping +before his servant. "You know where Fraulein can be found, and you wish +to sell the secret--tell me your price." + +"Three thousand thalers, and a clerkship in your bank, which you intend +to continue under another name." + +"You are beside yourself. I am not so foolish as to grant such senseless +demands." + +"Every hour that you wait I demand a thousand thalers more, and if you +stop to reflect long your betrothed and your title both are lost." + +"You are a miserable scamp!" cried Ebenstreit, enraged; "I will +inform the police. There are means enough to force you to give the +information." + +"I do not believe it. Trude will not tell you, and I should like to know +what can force me if I will not. The king has done away with torture, +and I have informed you how to make me speak. Three thousand thalers and +a clerkship in your office. Take care! it is almost eleven o'clock--at +midnight I shall demand four thousand." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. UNDER THE STARRY HEAVENS. + + +It was a beautiful, clear, moonlight night. The world reposed in +silence. Mankind with their cares and sorrows, their joys and hopes, had +gone to rest. Over town and village, over highway and forest had flitted +the sweet, consoling angel--Sleep. The sad were soothed, the heavy-laden +were lightened of their burdens, to the despairing were brought golden +dreams, to the weary rest. Sighing and sorrowful, he turned from those +with a sad face whose conscience banished repose, and, ah! their number +was legion. To the wakeful and blissful he smilingly glanced, breathing +a prayer and a blessing; but these were few and far between--for +happiness is a rare guest, and tarries with mortals but fitfully. As +he glided past the joyful couple who, with watchful love and grateful +hearts, sat in the carriage rolling over the silent, deserted highway, +two tears fell from his eyes, and his starry wings were wider outspread +to rush more quickly past. + +"Look, my dear Marie, two stars just fell from heaven. They are a +greeting to you, loved one, and they would say they guide us on our +way." + +"Oh, Philip, it is a sign of ill-luck! Falling stars betoken +misfortune!" + +She clung closer to his side, and laid her head upon his shoulder. +He pressed her more lovingly to his heart. "Do not fear, dear Marie; +separation only could cause us unhappiness--we have long borne it, and +now it is forever past. You have given yourself to me for my own, and I +am yours, heart and soul; we speed on through the night to the morning +of the bright, sunny future, never more to be parted." + +"Never!" she fervently murmured. "Oh, may God hear our prayer. Never, +never to part! Yet, while the word falls from my lips, a shudder creeps +through my soul." + +"Wherefore this despair, dearest? Reflect, no one will be apprised of +our flight till early morning, and then they will not know whither we +have fled. Meanwhile we rush on to Hamburg, where a packet-ship sails +every Wednesday for England; arriving there, we will first go to +Suffolk, to my old friend the vicar of Tunningham. I was his guest many +weeks last year, and he often related to me the privilege which had +been conferred on the parish church for a long time to perform valid +marriages for those to whose union there were obstacles interposed +elsewhere. He will bless the union of our love, and will accord me the +lawful right to call you my own before God and man. We will not return +at once to Germany. I have many connections and literary friends in +London, who will assist me to worthy occupation. Besides, I closed an +agreement some weeks since with the publisher Nicolai in Berlin for a +new work. I will write it in London; it will be none the less favored +coming from a distance." + +"My flowers and paintings will also be as well received in as in +Berlin," added Marie, smilingly. + +"No, Marie, you shall not work. I shall have the precious care of +providing for you, which will be my pride and happiness. Oh, my beloved, +what a crowning bliss to possess a sweet, dear wife, who is only rich +in imperishable treasures, and poor in external riches! What delight +to toil for her, and feel that there lives in my intellect the power to +grant her every wish, and to compensate her in the slightest degree the +boundless wealth of her affection! To a loving mind there is no prouder, +happier feeling than to be the only source of support to the wife of his +love--to know that she looks to him for the fulfilment of her slightest +wish in life. I thank my Maker that you are poor, Marie, and that I am +permitted to toil for you. How else could I reward you for all you have +sacrificed for me?" + +"You cannot suppose, dear Philip, that the riches of my obtrusive lover +would have been any attraction to me. Money could never compensate for +the loss of your love. You are my life, and from you alone can I receive +happiness or unhappiness. At your side I am rich and joyous, though we +may outwardly need; without you I should be poor with superfluity. I +am proud that we in spirit have freed ourselves from those fictitious +externals with which the foolish burden themselves. Oh, my beloved +Philip, my whole soul is exultant that we are never more to part--no, +not even in eternity, for I believe that love is an undying sentiment, +and the soul can never be darkened by death which is beaming with +affection." + +"You are right, Marie, love is the immortality of the soul; through it +man is regenerated and soars to the regions of eternal light. When I +recall how desolate and gloomy was my life, how joyless the days dragged +on before I loved you, I almost menaced Heaven that it created me to +wander alone through this desert. The brightest sun's rays now gild +my future, and it seems as if we were alone in paradise, and that the +creation entire glorified my happiness, and all the voices of Nature +shouted a greeting to you, dearest. Oh, Marie, if I lived a thousand +years, my heart would retain its youthful love and adoration for you, +who have saved me from myself, have freed my soul from the constraining +fetters of a sad, joyless existence. Repose your head upon my heart, and +may it rest there many happy years, and receive in this hour my oath to +love, esteem, and honor you as my most precious treasure! You shall be +wife, child, sister, and friend. My soul shall be frank and open to +you; for you I will strive and toil, and will cherish and foster the +happiness received from you as my most treasured gift. Give me your +hand, Marie." + +She laid it within his own strong, manly hand, gently pressing it. + +The large full moon, high above them, lighted up these noble faces, +making the eyes, which were bent upon each other, more radiant. Swiftly +the carriage rolled on, the night-breeze fanning their cheeks and waving +back their raven curls. + +Moritz raised their clasped hands, and gazed at the starry heaven. + +"We lift them up unto Thee, O God. Thou hast heard my oath, O Eternal +Spirit, who dwellest among the stars; receive it, and bless the woman I +love!" + +"Receive also my oath, O my Maker. Regard the man to whom I have sworn +eternal fidelity, bless him, and bless me. Let us live in love and die +in constancy." + +Moritz responded, "Amen, my beloved, amen!" + +They embraced each other fervently. Onward rolled the carriage through +the tranquil, blissful night. Oh why cannot these steeds borrow wings +from the night-wind? Why cannot the soaring spirit bear aloft its +earthly tenement? With divine joy and heavenly confidence you gaze at +the stars. You smilingly interchange thoughts of the blissful future, +whilst dire misfortune approaches, and will soon seize you in its +poisonous grasp! Do you not hear it? Does not the echo of swift-prancing +steeds ring in your ears? Do you not hear the shrieking and calling +after you? + +They listen only to the voice of tenderness speaking in their hearts, +and would that the solemn quiet of this dialogue might not be broken by +a loud word from their lips. + +The post-horn sounded! They halted at a lonely house near the highway. +It is the station. Change horses! There is not a light to be seen. +Three times the postilion blew a pealing blast ere they could awake the +inmates. The window was at last opened, and a sleepy, complaining voice +questioned the number of horses and the distance of the next post. + +Slowly they were brought forward, and still more slowly were they +attached to the carriage, and all arranged. What matters it? The night +is lovely, and like a dream it seems to remain under the starry heavens, +spread out like a canopy above them. + +Does not your heart tell you that sorrow strides on like the storm? Do +you not hear the voices still shrieking after you? + +The postilion mounted his horse, and again the trumpet pealed forth +its merry air, and was answered with a shout of triumph from the swift +pursuers. + +Marie raised her head from Philip's shoulder. "What was it? Did you not +hear it?" + +"What, my beloved, what should I hear? Do the stars salute you? Do the +angels greet their sister upon earth?" + +"Hark! there it is again! Do you not hear it? Listen! does it not seem +as if one called 'Halt! halt!'" + +"Yes, truly, I hear it now also! What can happen, love? Why trouble +ourselves about the outer world and the existence of other beings?" + +"I know not, but I am so anxious, my heart almost ceases to beat, with +terror!" + +"Halt! halt!" the wind carries forward the shriek, and above their heads +it sounds like the screeching of ravens. + +"Strange! For whom are they calling?" Moritz looked back along the +highway. White and clear it lay in the moonlight, but, far in the +distance was a black mass, taking form and shape at every moment! + +Horsemen! horsemen! in full speed they come! + +"Postilion! drive on! quick! Let the horses gallop! There is a forest +near--drive us to that, that we may hide ourselves in the thicket! +Onward, postilion! we are not thieves or murderers. A hundred thalers +are yours, if you save us!" + +The postilion beat his horses! In full chase they followed--more and +more distinctly were heard the curses and yells. + +"Oh, God in heaven, have mercy upon us in our need!" + +"Faster, postilion!--in mercy, faster!" + +"Halt! halt!--in the name of the king, halt!" + +This startled the postilion, and he turned to listen, and again a +furious voice yelled, "In the name of the king, halt!" + +The postilion drew up. "Forgive me, sir, but I must respect the name of +the king." + +Forward galloped the horsemen. + +"Philip," whispered Marie, "why do we live--why do we not die?" + +He folded her in his arms, and passionately kissed her, perhaps for the +last time. "Marie, be mindful of our oath--constant unto death!" + +"Constant unto death!" she repeated. + +"Be firm and defy all the storms of life!" + +Marie repeated it, with heightened courage. + +The horsemen surrounded the carriage, the riders upon panting steeds! +Two officers in uniform sprang to the side, laying their hands upon +Moritz's shoulder. "Conrector Philip Moritz, we arrest you in the +name of the king! You are accused of eloping with a minor, and we are +commanded to transport you to Spandau until further orders!" Upon the +other side two other horsemen halted. The foremost was Herr Ebenstreit, +who laid his hand upon Marie, and saw not or cared not that she +shudderingly shrank away. + +"My dear Marie, I come as the ambassador of your parents, and am fully +empowered to lead your back to your father's house." + +She answered not, but sat immovable and benumbed with terror, the tears +rolling down her cheeks. + +"You arrest me in the name of the king," cried Moritz; "I bow to the law. +I beg only to speak to that man," pointing to Ebenstreit, with contempt. +"Sir, dismount, I have important business with you!" + +"We have nothing to say to each other," answered Ebenstreit, calmly. + +"But I!" cried Moritz, springing forward, furious as a lion, "I have +something to say to you, you rascal, and I will treat you accordingly!" + +He savagely tore the whip from the postilion's hand, and struck +Ebenstreit in the face. "Now," cried he, triumphantly, "I have forced +you to give me satisfaction!" + +The police swung themselves from their saddles, and Leberecht quickly +dismounted. They clinched Moritz by the feet and hands. It was a +desperate struggle, and Marie gazed at them with folded hands, praying +without words. They seized him and held him fast with manacles. A +shriek, and Marie sank fainting. Moritz's head sank upon his breast, +almost in the agony of death. + +"Take him to the next station, my friends," commanded Ebenstreit, "the +carriage is already ordered to remove him to Spandau." He dismounted, +and now took the place by Marie, who still lay in a dead faint. +"Postilion, mount and turn your carriage, I retain you until the next +station. If you drive quickly, there is a louis d'or for you." + +"I will drive as if the devil were after me, sir!" shouted the +postilion, and turned to gallop off, when Ebenstreit ordered him to +halt, and Leberecht to get up on the box. Then turning to the officers, +"Gentlemen," said he, proudly, "you are witnesses to the ill-treatment +and insults of this woman-stealer. You will certify that the blood +flowed down my face." + +"I will myself make it known before all men," cried Moritz, with a +contemptuous laugh. "I have insulted you and branded you." + +"We will give our evidence," respectfully replied the officers. "As soon +as we have delivered our prisoner at Spandau, we will announce ourselves +to you." + +"Then you will receive from me the promised reward of a hundred thalers. +If you hush up the entire adventure, so that it is not noised about, +after three months, still another hundred." + +"We will be silent, Herr Ebenstreit." + +"I believe you; a hundred thalers is a pretty sum. Forward, Leberecht, +make the postilion push on, that we may arrive in Berlin before +daybreak, and no one know of this abominable affair." + +The postilion laughed with delight, at the thought of the louis d'or. +Upon the box sat Leberecht, a smile of malicious triumph upon his +face. "This has been a lucky night," said he; "we have all done a good +business, but I am the most fortunate, with my three thousand thalers +and a fine place. I wish he had waited an hour later, and then I should +have had another thousand!" + +Ebenstreit sat with triumphant smile also, by his betrothed. "Money is +the king of the world--with it one can accomplish all things," said he +to himself; "if I had been a poor fellow, the general would not have +chosen me, nor the king have given me a title, nor could I have won back +my beautiful bride. Money gives position, and I hope will give me the +power to revenge myself for the pain in my face." He turned menacingly +toward Moritz, who saw it not. + +With bowed head, speechless, as if numb with the horror of his +misfortune, he rode with fettered hands between the two officers, +incapable of fleeing, as they had even bound a cord around his arms, +each end held fast by one of the riders. + +The stars and the moon shone down upon him as brightly beautiful as +an hour previous. Oh, Marie, you were right, falling stars betoken +misfortune! Your star has fallen! + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. THE SACRIFICE. + + +Since that painful night, four weeks had passed, four long ones to poor +old Trude. To her beloved child they had fled in happy unconsciousness. +In the delirium of fever, her thoughts wandered to her lover, always +dwelling upon her hopes and happiness. In the intervals of reason she +asked for him with fearful excitement and anxiety, then again her mind +was clouded, and the cry of anguish was changed into a smile. + +Then came the days of convalescence and the return to consciousness, and +with it the mourning over crushed hopes. Slowly had Trude, the faithful +nurse, who watched by her bedside day and night, answered her excited +questions, and to her little by little the circumstances of the +elopement--how Leberecht had played the eavesdropper and sold Marie's +secret for gold; how he had previously arranged to pursue them, +informing the police, ordering the horses, and sending forward a courier +to provide fresh relays at every station. + +Trude depicted the anger of her father and the threats of her mother to +send her to prison. But before she could execute her purpose, Ebenstreit +had brought home the unconscious child, and she herself had lifted her +from the carriage and borne her, with the aid of her mistress, to her +own little attic room. + +Marie listened to these relations with a gloomy calmness and a defiant +sorrow. Illness had wrought a peculiar change in her mind, and hardened +the gentle, tender feelings of the young girl. Grief had steeled her +soul, benumbed her heart, and she had risen from her couch as one born +anew to grief and torture. Her present situation and lost happiness had +changed the young, loving, tenderly-sensitive maiden to the +courageous, energetic, and defiant woman, who recognized a future of +self-renunciation, combat, and resignation. + +Trude observed these changes with disquietude and care. She wished Marie +would only once complain, or burst into tears. After the first storm of +despair had passed, the tears refused to flow, and her eyes were bright +and undimmed. Only once had profound emotion been awakened, as Trude +asked her if she had forgotten her unhappy lover, and cared no more to +learn his fate. It had the desired effect. + +A deathly paleness overspread her delicate, transparent cheek. "I know +how he is," she said, turning away her face, "I realize his sufferings +by my own. We are miserable, lost--and no hope but in death. Ere this +comes, there is a desert to traverse in heat, and dust, and storm, and +frost, alone, without consolation or support. Hush, Trude! do not seek +to revive miserable hopes. I know my fate, and I will endure it. Tell me +what you know about him? Where is he? Have they accused him? Speak! do +not fear to tell me every thing!" But fearing herself, she threw her +handkerchief quickly over her face, and sat with it covered whilst Trude +spoke. + +"I know but little of poor, dear Moritz. He has never returned to +his lodgings. A day or two after that night, two officers sealed his +effects, and took away his clothes. His hostess has not the least +suspicion of the mysterious disappearance of her otherwise quiet, +regular lodger. The secret of the elopement has been carefully guarded, +as no one of the neighbors know it, and there is no gossip about you and +Moritz. Those who think he is travelling are not surprised at his having +left without taking leave, as they say he was accustomed to do so. But," +continued Trude, in a lower tone, "Herr Gedicke looked very sad and +grave, as I asked for the Conrector Moritz. 'He has disappeared,' he +sighed, 'and I know not if we shall ever see him again.' 'Oh, Jemima!' I +screamed, 'you do not think that he has committed a self-injury!' 'No,' +said the director, 'not he himself, he is too honorable a man. Others +have ill-treated him and made him unhappy for life.' It was in vain to +ask further; he knew not or he would not say any thing. I believe your +family know where poor Moritz is, for your mother speaks of him as one +in the penitentiary, and quite triumphantly she told me yesterday that +the king, in his new book of laws, had expressly condemned the person +who elopes with a minor to be sent to the house of correction for ten +years, and then she laughed so cruelly, that I trembled to hear her." + +As Trude related this, she searchingly glanced at Marie to observe the +effect of her words, hoping to see her weep or complain and that, at +last, grief would melt the icy crust around her heart. + +But Marie sat motionless and without uttering a sound--not a sigh or a +moan escaped her. After a long silence, when her grief was too deep for +tears, she drew the handkerchief from her face, the pallor and rigidity +of which startled Trude. + +She sprang forward, folding her in her arms. "Marie, child of my heart, +do weep, do complain! I know that he loved you dearly, and deserves that +you should mourn for him. Have you no more confidence, though, in your +old Trude? Is she no longer worthy to share your grief?" + +Marie laid her languid head upon the bosom of her faithful nurse; a +long-drawn, piercing cry of anguish was her response, she trembled +violently, and the tears ran down her cheeks. + +Trude raised her eyes to heaven, murmuring, "I thank thee, O Lord! Her +heart is not dead! It lives, for it suffers!" + +"It suffers," groaned Marie, "the anguish of death." + +This passionate outburst of feeling was of but short duration. Her tears +were dried, and her quivering face assumed its usually calm expression. + +"Trude," said she, gently, continuing to repose upon her bosom, "I am +so wretched that words cannot express it or tears soothe it. If I should +give myself up to sorrow and mourning I should die, and that cannot be, +for I must live to wait for him--to rescue him. How I know not yet; +my thoughts and resolutions are so confused that they flicker like the +ignes fatui. I will force my mind to be calm, and these wandering lights +shall unite in one glowing flame to destroy the walls and obstructions +which confine him. He is a prisoner; I feel it in my heart, and I must +live to free him. This is my task, and I will accomplish it; therefore +I would be composed, and strong in myself. Wonder not that I weep or +complain no more, and do not refer to my misfortune. I should die if +I did not suppress this anguish, and I would become strong and active. +Seek not to enfeeble me, but aid me to harden myself; refrain from +complaint, that I may be silent. I think only of him, and I ask nothing +further than to yield my life to free him. Let us never speak of it +again, for I feel that all the firmness which I had gained has been +swept from me in this giving way, and that I must begin anew." + +From this hour she commenced to build, and rose upon her grief as on a +column which projects toward heaven; leaned upon it, and received, as +Brisaeus from the earth, the power of life and action. She had already +so conquered herself as to be able to leave her own quiet room, and +descend to that of her parents. There she would sit calmly for hours, +listening attentively to the conversation, hoping to catch some word +that might give her a clew. + +They avoided every exciting topic, and were milder and more thoughtful +for her. Even her mother made no reproaches, and never alluded to +the past, because she feared to delay her recovery, and remove the +longed-for goal in hindering the marriage with Ebenstreit. The latter +carefully avoided troubling her by his presence; when he heard Marie's +step in the anteroom, who descended at a certain hour every day, he +withdrew by the other entrance. + +"Who goes out every time I come in?" asked Marie, one day as she +appeared in the sitting-room. + +The general coughed with embarrassment, and glanced anxiously at +his wife, whose eyes rested upon her daughter with a cold, searching +expression. Their eyes met, and were riveted upon each other. A cold, +cruel smile played around the thin, bloodless lips of the mother as she +recognized the defiance and firmness in her child, and felt that she had +recovered. + +"It is your betrothed," she answered, "our dear Ebenstreit--a good, +generous, and self-sacrificing son, for whom we thank God every day, who +wishes to spare you the annoyance of seeing him." + +"He need not inconvenience himself on my account. Nothing excites or +wounds my feelings now. It would be a pity for your heartless, thankless +daughter to deprive you of the society of your dear son. Let him remain; +it is not necessary for us to notice one another." + +Her parents regarded each other astonished, and, as she ceased, they +still listened to the dying tones of her voice, which sounded so +strangely to them. "She is much changed," mumbled the general to +himself. "She does not seem the same person, she is so haughty and +majestic. She might well inspire fear." + +The following day, as Marie entered the room, Ebenstreit was there. +He approached her, extending both hands smiling, and greeting her with +tender words, rejoicing at her recovery. + +She took no notice of his friendly demonstrations, but coldly and +harshly regarded his smiling face, and particularly the broad, blood-red +scar which ran from forehead to chin. Then suddenly her face lighted up, +and an expression of savage triumph shot from her eyes. "How disfigured +you look," she cried exultingly. "Where did you get that scar?" + +"You know well, Marie," he murmured, gloomily. + +"Yes," she cried, triumphantly. "I know it. He branded you, and you will +wear this mark before God and man as long as you live." + +"You are very cruel to remind me of it, Marie," he softly whispered. + +She laughed aloud so wild and savagely, that even her mother was +startled. "Cruel--I cruel!" she cried. "Ah, sir, it becomes you indeed +to accuse me of it!" + +Trude entered at this instant, pale and excited. + +"What is the matter?" + +"There is some one here who wishes to speak with you, Marie; he has +something very important to tell you." + +"How dare you announce any one without my permission?" cried Frau von +Werrig. + +"Silence, mother!--if I may be allowed, let us hear who it is.--Speak, +dear Trude, who is it?" + +"It is the Director Gedicke from the Gray Cloister," said Trude, with +quivering voice. + +Marie was startled--a glowing red overspread her cheeks, and she was +obliged to lean against a chair for support. + +"I forbid you to receive him," said her mother. + +She suddenly ceased, and stared at the door, which opened at that +moment, the tall, dignified form of a venerable old man appearing. + +"Pardon me, sir," said he, with a cold, reserved manner, "if I enter +before I receive permission. The command of the king, to which I believe +we all yield without resistance, empowers me to do so." + +"How, sir, you come by the king's order?" asked the general, who rose +with difficulty. "Has his majesty given you a message for General von +Leuthen?" + +"No, general, I come with a communication from his majesty to Fraulein +von Leuthen, the betrothed of Herr Ebenstreit, and the order runs to +deliver the same personally and without witnesses." + +"Professor," cried the mother, shrugging her shoulders, "you mistake +us for very innocent people, if you suppose we believe this silly +invention, and that you can gain a secret conversation by a ruse with +our daughter. You are the director of the gymnasium, and naturally the +friend of Conrector Moritz. In his name you will speak, and bring a +secret message. Very sly, indeed, very sly, but it will not succeed." + +For response, the director drew two large folded documents from his +pocket, approaching the general. "Do you recognize this seal?" he asked. + +"Yes," solemnly answered the general; "it is the royal seal from the +king's private cabinet." + +"Read the address upon this, and the unopened letter." + +"Truly, the latter is directed to my daughter, and the other to +Professor Gedicke." + +Herr Gedicke opened the letter, asking the general if he could recognize +the king's handwriting. + +"Yes," he answered, "I know it well." + +"Have the goodness to read the lines upon the margin," mid the +professor, unfolding the letter, so that he could only read those +referred to. + +The general read: "Professor Gedicke shall go himself to Fraulein von +Leuthen, and bring her to reason, reading the document to her without +witnesses. I wish this affair to come to an end. Teach Mamselle mores! +mores! mores! FREDERICK." + +"You have heard the royal command, ladies and gentlemen; will you +respect it?" said the professor, turning around with an air of proud +satisfaction. + +"My dear son-in-law," said the general, solemnly, "it is a royal +command; give me your arm, as you know I am feeble; and you, my wife, +take my other arm, and we will go into the next room. Hush! not a +word--we have only to obey, and not reason." + +He seized his wife's hand hastily and firmly, that she should not slip +away, and winked to Ebenstreit, upon whose support he crossed the room, +drawing his wife with him, and pushing open the door of the next with +his foot. + +Marie had stood during the whole transaction pale and rigid in the +centre of the room, looking haughty and defiant as long as her parents +and Herr Ebenstreit were present. Now, as the door closed, life +and action were visible in this marble form; she rushed to the old +gentleman, scarce respiring, and looking up at his dignified, sad face, +asked: "Is he living? Tell me only this, or is he ill?" + +"Yes, he lives, he does not suffer from bodily ills, but the sickness of +the soul." + +"And do not I also?" asked she, with quivering voice. "Oh! I know what +he suffers, as we are wretched from the same cause. But tell me, have +you seen him?" + +"Yes, Fraulein, I have." + +"Where is he? Where did you see him?" + +"In prison!" + +Marie grew paler, and retreated, shuddering. The director continued: "In +a dark, damp prison at Spandau. The poor fellow has been there for two +months without air, light, or occupation, and his only society is his +own revengeful thoughts and angry love-complaints." + +Marie gave one hollow moan, covering her corpse-like face with her +hands. + +"In this abode of torture, in this dwelling of the damned, he must +remain ten long years, if death does not release him?" + +"What did you say?" she groaned. "Ten long years? Have they condemned +him?" + +"Yes, he was guilty of a great crime--eloping with a minor--who, with +the king's consent, and that of her parents, was betrothed to another. +Read the sentence of the court, which was forwarded to me as the head +of the college where Moritz was employed. See, here is the king's +signature, which affirms the sentence, rendering it legal, and here upon +the margin are the lines your father read." + +Trembling, Marie perused the contents. "Ten years in the house of +correction!" she murmured. "On my account condemned to a living death! +No, no, it is impossible! It cannot be! Ten years of the best part of +life! He condemned as a criminal! I will go to the king. I will throw +myself at his feet, imploring for mercy. I am the guilty one--I alone! +They should judge me, and send me to the penitentiary! I will go to the +king! He must and will hear me!" + +"He will not," sighed the director. "Listen to me, poor child! As I +heard the sentence, I felt it my duty to summon all my powers to rescue +Moritz, for I love him as a son, and had set my hopes upon him." + +"I thank you for this kind word," said Marie, seizing the hand of the +old man, and pressing it to her lips. + +"I went immediately to Minister von Herzberg, and, upon his advice, +as he explained to me the king might lighten his punishment, I betook +myself to Frederick's winter-quarters at Breslau." + +"You noble, generous man, I shall love you for it as long as I live. Did +you speak with the king?" + +"Yes, and every thing that my heart or mind could inspire, to excuse and +justify my unhappy friend, I have said--but all in vain. The king was +much embittered, because he had had the grace to grant him an audience, +and explain the impossibility of the fulfilment of his petition. I did +not cease begging and imploring, until I softened the generous heart of +the king." + +"Has he pardoned Moritz?" Marie asked, with brightening hopes. + +"Under certain conditions he will allow that he should escape secretly +from prison. They are formally written, and if Moritz consents and binds +himself by oath, he will not only be freed, but provided with means to +go to England, and receive immediately an appointment as translator to +the Prussian embassy at London." + +"What are the conditions, sir?" + +"They are, first, that Moritz shall by oath renounce every wish and +thought of uniting himself with Fraulein von Leuthen; secondly, that +before he leaves the prison, he shall write to the young lady, in which +he shall solemnly release her, and enjoin it upon her as a duty to +accept the hand of the man to whom her parents have betrothed her. These +were the conditions, and the king commanded me to go to Spandau, and +with sensible representations, to confer with Moritz, and persuade him +to accept them, and assure himself of freedom, and an honorable future, +free from care." + +"You saw Moritz?" + +"Yes." + +"Did you communicate the conditions?" + +"Yes." + +"And he?" + +"He refused, with rage and indignation!" + +"He refused?" cried Marie, joyfully. "Oh, my dear Philip, I thank you. +You love me truly and faithfully. Your glorious example shall inspire me +to be as firm as you." + +"Unhappy child, you know not what you are saying!" cried the director, +sadly. "If you really love him, you could not follow his example. Read +what the king has written." + +She took, in breathless silence, the document, and broke the seal, +unfolding the paper, but her hand shook it so violently, that she could +not distinguish the words. + +She returned it to the director. "Read it, I cannot," she said, and +sank kneeling, looking up to the old man with unspeakable anguish, and +listening to every word that fell from his lips. It ran thus: + +"His majesty announces to Mademoiselle Marie von Leuthen that he is +exceedingly indignant at her improper and undutiful conduct, which does +not at all become a maiden loving of honor, and particularly a noble +one. His majesty ennobled her father for a brave deed, and he is angry +that the daughter should bring shame upon the title, in giving way, +not only to a passion which is beneath her, but is so little mindful of +morality as to flee from the paternal house, at night, in an improper +manner, with a man whose wife, according to the command of the king +and the will of her father, she could never be. If his majesty did not +respect the former service of her father, and the new title, he would +send the daughter to the house of correction, and punish her according +to the law. But he will leave her to the reproaches of conscience, and +let the weight of the law fall upon her partner in guilt, Philip Moritz. +He is rightly sentenced to ten years in the house of correction, and he +will not be released one year or one day from the same, as he is guilty +of a great crime, and his sentence is just." + +"Just!" shrieked Marie, in anguish--"ten years just?" + +The director continued to read: "His majesty will propose a last +opportunity to the obstinate and inconsiderate young lady to reinstate +her own honor, and release at the same time Conrector Moritz. His +majesty has personal knowledge of the latter, and respects his scholarly +attainments and capability and would bring an end to this affair for the +general good. If mademoiselle, as becomes an honorable young woman, +and an obedient daughter, follows the wishes of her father, and without +delay marries Herr Ebenstreit, and leads a respectable life with him, +the same hour of the ceremony Conrector Moritz shall be released, and a +fit position be created for him. This is the final decision of the king. +If the daughter does not submit in perfect obedience, she will burden +her conscience with a great crime, and thank herself for Moritz's +unfortunate fate. His majesty will be immediately informed of her +decision. If she listens to reason, to morality, and affection, she will +submit to the proposition which Director Gedicke is commissioned to make +known to her, and announce to her parents in his presence that she will +obediently follow their commands, Conrector Moritz will be at once set +at liberty; otherwise he will be sent to Brandenburg to the house of +correction. This is the unalterable will of the king. Signed, in the +name of the king, FREDERICK." + +"Now decide, my child," continued the director, after a solemn pause. "I +know nothing to add to this royal writing. If it has not itself spoken +to your heart, your reason and your honor, words are useless." + +"O God, it is cruel--it is terrible!" cried Marie. "Shall I break my +oath of constancy, becoming faithless, and suffer him to curse me, for +he will never pardon me, but despise me!" + +She sprang up like a tigress, with her eyes flashing. "Oh," cried she, +"he may even believe that I have been enticed by riches, by a brilliant +future! No--no! I cannot consent! May God have mercy on me if the king +will not! I will not break my oath! No one but Moritz shall ever be my +husband!" + +"Unhappy girl," cried the old man, sadly, "I will give you one last +inducement. I know not whether you have any knowledge of Moritz's +past life, so tried and painful, which has made him easily excited and +eccentric. A danger menaces him worse than imprisonment or death. His +unaccustomed life, and the solitude of his dark, damp prison, is +causing a fearful excitement in him. He is habituated to intellectual +occupation. When he is obliged to put on the prisoner's jacket in the +house of correction and spin wool, it will not kill him--it will make +him mad!" + +A piercing cry was Marie's answer. "That is not true--it is impossible. +He crazy!--you only say that to compel me to do what you will. His +bright mind could not be obscured through the severest proofs." + +"You do not believe me? You think that an old man, with gray hair, and +one foot in the grave, and who loves Moritz, could tell you a shameful +untruth! I swear to you by the heads of my children, by all that is +holy, that Moritz already suffers from an excitement of the brain; and +if he does not soon have liberty and mental occupation, it is almost +certain that he will become insane." + +Almost convulsed with anguish, Marie seized the old man's hand with +fierce passion. "He shall not be crazed," she shrieked. "He shall not +suffer--he shall not be imprisoned and buried in the house of correction +on my account. I will rescue him--I and my love! I am prepared to do +what the king commands! I will--marry the man--which--my parents have +chosen. But--tell me, will he then be free?" + +"To-day even--in three hours, my poor child!" + +"Free! And I shall have saved him! Tell me what I have to do. What is +the king's will?" + +"First sign this document," said the director, as he drew a second +paper. "It runs thus: 'I, Marie von Leuthen, that of my own free will +and consent I will renounce every other engagement, and will marry Herr +Ebenstreit von Leuthen, and be a faithful wife to him. I witness with my +signature the same.'" + +"Give it to me quickly," she gasped. "I will sign it! He must be free! +He shall not go mad!" + +She rapidly signed the paper. "Here is my sentence of death! But he will +live! Take it!" + +"My child," cried the old man, deeply agitated, "God will be mindful of +this sacrifice, and in the hour of death it will beam brightly upon you. +You have by this act rescued a noble and excellent being, and when he +wins fame from science and art he will owe to you alone the gratitude." + +"He shall not thank me!" she whispered. "He shall live and--if he can be +happy!--this is all that I ask for! What is there further to be done?" + +"To announce to your parents in my presence that you will marry Herr +Ebenstreit, and let the ceremony take place as soon as possible." + +"You swear that he shall then be released? You are an old man--reflect +well; you swear to me that as soon as the marriage takes place, Philip +Moritz will be free this very day and that he will be reinstated in an +honorable, active occupation?" + +"I swear it to you upon my word of honor, by my hope of reward from +above." + +"I believe you. Call my parents. But first--you are a father, and love +your children well. I have never had a father who loved me, or ever laid +his hand upon my head to bless me. You say that you love Moritz as a +son! Oh, love me for a moment as your daughter, and bless me!" + +The old man folded her in his arms, tears streaming down his cheeks. +"God bless you, my daughter, as I bless you!" + +"I dare not tarry," she shuddered. "Let my parents enter." + +Slowly the venerable man traversed the room. Marie pressed her hands +to her heart, looking to heaven. As the door opened, and the general +entered, leaning upon Ebenstreit's arm, followed by his wife, Marie +approached them with a haughty, determined manner, who regarded her with +astonishment. + +"Father," she said, slowly and calmly, "I am ready to follow your +wishes. Send for the clergyman: I consent to marry this man to-day, upon +one condition." + +"Make it known, my dear Marie. Name your condition. I will joyfully +fulfil it," said Ebenstreit. + +"I demand that we leave to-day for the East, to go to +Egypt--Palestine--and remain away from this place for years. Are you +agreed to it?" + +"To all that which my dear Marie wishes." + +"You can now weave the bridal-wreath in my hair, mother. I consent to +the marriage." + +Three hours later the preparations were completed. Every thing had +awaited this for three months. + +In the sitting-room, the decorators had quickly built a marriage-altar, +and ornamented the walls with garlands of flowers, with festoons of +gauze and silk, with flags and standards. The mother wore the costly +silk which her rich son-in-law had honored her with for the occasion, +and also adorned herself with the gold ornaments which were equally his +gift. The father wore his gold-embroidered uniform, and imagined himself +a stately figure, as the gout left him the use of his limbs this day. + +The invited witnesses began to assemble. Just then Ebenstreit von +Leuthen drove up in the handsome travelling-carriage, which was a +wedding-gift to his wife, and excited the admiration of the numerous +street public. + +Old Trude, in her simple dark Sunday dress, had awaited the appearance +of the bridegroom, and went to announce his arrival to the bride. + +Marie was in her little garret-room, so unlike in its present appearance +to its former simplicity and comfort--as unlike as the occupant to the +rosy, smiling young girl, who, yonder by the little brown table in the +window-niche, taught her pupils, or with busy, skilful hands made the +loveliest flowers, the income of which she gave to her parents, joyfully +and although she never received thanks or recognition for the same. Now +the same little table was covered with morocco cases, whose half-open +covers revealed brilliant ornaments, laces, and sweet perfumes; superb +silk dresses, cloaks, and shawls, ornamented with lace, lay about upon +the bed and chairs. + +Herr Ebenstreit von Leuthen had truly given his bride a princely dowry, +and her mother had spread the things around room. + +Since Marie gave her consent to the marriage, she had followed out their +wishes without opposition. She wore a white satin dress, covered with +gold lace, her arms, neck, and ears, adorned with diamonds. The coiffeur +had powdered and arranged her hair, without her ever casting a glance +into the Psyche-mirror which her betrothed had had the gallantry to send +to her room. She let him arrange the costly bridal veil; but when he +would place the crown of myrtle, she waved him back. + +"Your work is finished," she said; "my mother will place that, I thank +you." + +As Trude entered, Marie was standing in the centre of the room, +regarding it with sinister, angry looks. + +"There you are, Trude," she said, "I am glad to see you a moment alone, +for I have something to tell you. I have spoken with my future husband, +demanding that you live with me as long as I live. Immediately after the +ceremony you will go to my future home and remain there as house-keeper +during my absence." + +Sadly the old woman shook her head. "No, that is too important a place +for me. I will not lead a lazy life, and play the fine woman. I was made +to work with my hands." + +"Do what you will in the house," answered Marie. "Only promise me that +you will not leave me, and when I return that I shall find you there. If +you leave me, I will never come back. Promise me!" + +"Then I will promise you, my poor child," sighed Trude. + +Marie laughed scornfully. "You call me poor--do you not see I am rich? I +carry a fortune about my neck. Go, do not bewail me--I am rich!" + +"Marie, do not laugh so, it makes me feel badly," whispered the old +woman. "I came to tell you the bridegroom and the clergyman are there." + +"The time has arrived for the marriage of the rich and happy bride. Go, +Trude, beg my mother to come up and adorn me with the myrtle-wreath." + +"Dear Marie, can I not do it?" asked Trude, with quivering voice. + +"No, not you; touch not the fatal wreath! You have no part in that! Call +my mother--it is time!" + +Trude turned sadly toward the door, Marie glancing after her, and +calling her back with gentle tone. + +"Trude, my dear, faithful mother, kiss me once more." She threw her +arms around Marie's neck and imprinted a loving kiss upon her forehead, +weeping. "Now go, Trude--we must not give way; you know me; you well +understand my feelings, and see into my heart." + +The old woman went out, drying her eyes. Marie uttered her last +farewell. "With you the past goes forth, with you my youth and hope! +When the door again opens, my future enters a strange, fearful life. Woe +to those who have prepared it for me--woe to those who have so cruelly +treated me! They will yet see what they have done. The good angel is +extinct within me. Wicked demons will now assume their over me. I will +have no pity--I will revenge myself; that I swear to Moritz!" + +Her mother rustled in, clothed in her splendid wedding-garments. "Did +you send for me, dear Marie?" she whispered. + +"Yes, mother--I beg you to put on my myrtle-wreath." + +"How! have you no endearment for me?" she asked, smilingly. "Why do you +say 'you' instead of 'thou?'" + +"It is better so, mother," she coldly answered. "Will you adorn me with +the bridal-wreath?" + +"Willingly, my dear child; it is very beautiful and becoming." + +"Do you realize, mother, what you are doing? You place the wreath to +consecrate me to an inconsolably unhappy life with the man that I hate +and despise!" + +"My dear child, I know that you think so to-day; but you will soon +change, and find that wealth is a supportable misfortune." + +"Mother, one day you will recall these words. Crown me for the hated +bridal. The sacrifice is prepared!" + + + + +BOOK IV. THE VISIBLES AND THE INVISIBLES. + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. OLD FRITZ. + + +The war terminated, the hostile armies returned to their different +German countries. Frederick the Great had gained his point, forcing +Austria to renounce the possession of Bavaria. The Prince of +Zweibruecken had been solemnly recognized by him as the rightful heir +to the electorate, and the lawful ruler and possessor of Bavaria. The +Emperor Joseph had submitted with profound regret and bitter animosity +to the will of his mother, the reigning empress, and consented to the +peace negotiations of Baron von Thugut. Having signed the document of +the same, in his quality of co-regent, he angrily threw aside the pen, +casting a furious glance at the hard, impenetrable face of Thugut, +saying: "Tell her majesty that I have accomplished my last act as +co-regent, and I now abdicate. From henceforth I will still lie her +obedient son, but no submissive joint ruler, to only follow devotedly +her imperial will. Therefore I resign, and never will trouble myself in +future about the acts of the government." The emperor kept his word. He +retired, piqued, into solitude, wounded in the depths of his soul, and +afterward travelled, leaving the government entirely to the empress and +her pious confessors. + +Bavaria was rescued! It owed its existence to the watchfulness, +sagacity, and disinterested aid of Prussia's great king. The Elector +Maximilian vowed in his delight that he, as well as his successors and +heirs, would never forget that Bavaria must ascribe its continuance +to Prussia alone, and therefore the gratitude of the princes of this +electorate could not and never would be extinguished toward the royal +house of Prussia. Frederick received these overflowing acknowledgments +with the calmness of a philosopher and the smile of a skeptic. He +understood mankind sufficiently to know what to expect from their oaths; +to know that in the course of time there is nothing more oppressive and +intolerable than gratitude, that it soon becomes a burden which they +would gladly throw off their bent shoulders at any price, and become +the enemy of him to whom they had sworn eternal thankfulness. Frederick +regarded these oaths of Bavaria not as a security for the future, but as +a payment on account of the past. + +"I did not go forth to render the Bavarian princes indebted to me," said +he, to his only confidante, Count Herzberg, as he brought to him, at +Sans-Souci, the renewed expression of thanks of the prince elector. "I +would only protect Germany against Austria's grasp, and preserve the +equilibrium of the German empire. Believe me, the house of Hapsburg is +a dangerous enemy for the little German principalities, and if my +successor does not bear it in mind, and guard himself against their +flatteries and cat's-paws, Austria will fleece him as the cat the mouse +who is enticed by the odor of the bacon. Prussia shall be neither a +mouse in the German empire, nor serve as a roast for Austria. But she +shall be a well-trained shepherd's dog for the dear, patient herd, and +take care that none go astray and are lost." + +"Your majesty has drawn an unfortunate character for the future of our +country," sighed Herzberg, thoughtfully, "and I must grant that it +is sketched with severe but correct outlines so it follows that poor +Germany has many combats and hardships in store." + +"What do you mean?" asked the king. "What characteristic did I name?" + +"Your majesty pointed out Austria as the cat watching for prey in +Germany. Prussia, on the contrary, as the shepherd's dog, which should +watch the native herd, and occasionally bite those who wander from the +flock. The comparison is apt, and clearly exposes the natural hostility +of the two nations. Nature has placed the cat and the dog in eternal +enmity, and there is no compromise to be thought of, to say nothing of +friendship. There may, now and then, be a truce; the cat may draw in +her claws, and the dog may cease to howl and growl, but the combat will +renew itself, and never end, but in the death of one party, and the +victorious triumph of the other." + +"You are right," said the king, nodding slightly. "From this natural +hostility will proceed many combats and storms for our land, and much +blood will be shed on its account. Let us look to the future, and try to +ward off the coming evil, in erecting high barriers against the cat-like +springs of the enemy. I will think out a security for Germany. But +first, mon cher ami, we have to care for our own country and people. +The war has greatly injured my poor subjects. Industry is prostrated +and prosperity disturbed. We must seek new sources of acquisition, and +sustain those which are exhausted. For this, we must think of fresh +taxes, and other sources of income." + +"Sire," said Herzberg, shrugging his shoulders, "the taxes are already +so heavy that it will be difficult to increase them." + +"You are greatly mistaken," cried the king, with increased animation. "I +will impose a tax upon those things which are now exempt, and establish +a capable administration for the purpose. Bread, flour, meat, and beer, +the sustenance of the poor, shall remain as they are, for I will not +that they shall pay more. But tobacco, coffee, and tea, are superfluous +things, which the prosperous and rich consume. Whoever will smoke, and +drink tea or coffee, can and shall pay for being a gourmand!" + +"I beg pardon, but it is just these taxes which will create the greatest +discontent," answered Herzberg. "Your majesty will remember that the +duty on coffee was complained of and criticised by every one, and +the poor people grumbled more than all. In spite of the resistance of +government, coffee has become, more and more, a means of nourishment and +refreshment for the lower class." + +"I will teach them to renounce it," cried the king, striking the table +violently with his staff "I will not suffer so much money to go out of +the country for this abominable beverage! My people shall re-learn to +drink their beer, instead of this infamous stuff, as I had to do when +a young man. What was good enough for the crown prince of Prussia, will +to-day suffice for his subjects. I tell you, Herzberg, I will teach them +to drink their beer, or pay dearly for this bad, foreign stuff. Then we +will see which will conquer, Prussian beer or foreign coffee." + +"It is possible that the former will be victorious on account of +their poverty and the high duties; but in any case the people will be +discontented, and grumble against your majesty." + +"Do you suppose that I care for that?" asked the king, with a quick, +fiery glance at the calm, earnest face of his confidant. "Do you think +that I care for the applause of the people, or trouble myself about +their complaints? I regard their shouting or their grumbling about as +much as the humming or buzzing of a fly upon the wall. If it dares to +light upon my nose, I brush it off; and if I can, I catch it. Beyond +that, it is its nature to hum and buzz. Herzberg, you understand that if +a ruler should listen to the praises or discontent of his subjects, he +would soon be a lost man, and would not know his own mind. The people +are changeable as the weather; to-morrow they crush under their feet +what to-day they bore aloft, and praise one day what they stone the +next. Do not talk to me about the people! I know this childish, foolish +mass, and he is lost who counts upon their favor. It is all the same +to me whether they like or hate me. I shall always do my duty to my +subjects according to the best of my knowledge and ability, as it +becomes an honorable and faithful officer. As the chief and most +responsible servant of my kingdom, I should be mindful to increase +her income and diminish her expenses--to lay taxes upon the rich, and +lighten them for the poor. This is my task, and I will fulfil it so long +as I live!" + +"Oh," cried Herzberg, with enthusiasm, "would that the entire nation +might hear these words, and engrave them upon their hearts!" + +"Why that, mon cher?" asked Frederick, shrugging his shoulders. "I do +not ask to be deified; my subjects are perfectly welcome to discuss +my acts, so long as they pay me punctually, and order and quiet are +respected and preserved." + +"All that is done," said Herzberg, joyfully. "The machine of state is so +well arranged, that she has fulfilled her duty during the war, and will +soon reestablish prosperity." + +"Particularly," cried the king, "if we rightly understand the art of +agriculture. In the end every thing depends upon him who best cultivates +his field. This is the highest art, for without it there would be no +merchants, courtiers, kings, poets, or philosophers. The productions +of the earth are the truest riches. He who improves his ground, brings +waste land under the plough, drains the swamps, makes the most glorious +conquests over barbarism." + +"And those are also conquerors, sire," said Herzberg, smiling, "who +drain the mental swamps, and improve the waste mental ground. Such are +those who increase the schools and instruct the people. I have caused +the school authorities to report to me, according to your majesty's +command. A happy progress has been noticed everywhere. Cultivation +and education are advancing; and since our teachers have adopted the +principles of Rousseau, a more humane spirit is perceptible throughout +our schools." + +"What principle do we owe to Jean Jacques?" asked the king. + +"Sire, the principle that man is good by nature!" + +"Ah, mon cher, who says that knows but little of the abominable race to +which we belong!" [Footnote: The king's words.--See "Prussia." vol. iv., +p. 221.] + +"Do you not believe in this doctrine?" asked Herzberg. + +The king raised his large blue eyes musingly to the busts placed upon +the bookcases, and around the walls. They lingered long upon those of +Homer, Plato, and D'Alembert; then turned to that of Voltaire, with its +satyr-like face. "No, I do not believe it," he sadly responded. "Mankind +is an ignoble race; still one must love them, for among the wicked are +always some worthy ones, whose light beams so brightly clear, that they +change night into day. During my life I have learned to know many base, +miserable creatures, but I have become reconciled to them, as I have +also found some who were virtuous and excellent--some who were noble +and beautiful, as the grains of wheat among the chaff. You belong to the +latter, my Herzberg; and as in heaven many unjust will be forgiven +for one just person, so will I upon earth forgive on your account the +Trencks, Schaffgotschs, Goernes, Voltaires, Wallraves, Glasows, Dahsens, +and all the traitors, poisoners, and perfidious ones, as they may be +called. Remain by my side and sustain me, to prevent many a wicked thing +and bring to pass much that is good. I shall always be grateful to you +in my heart for it; that you can depend upon even if my weather-beaten +face looks ill-humored, and my voice is peevish. Remember that I am a +fretful old man, who is daily wasting away, approaching that bourne from +which no traveller has ever returned." + +"God grant that your majesty may be far removed from this bourne!" +said Herzberg, with emotion. "And He may grant it on account of your +subjects, who are so much in need of your care and government." + +"There is no one upon earth who could not be replaced," said the king, +shaking his head. "When I am gone, they will shout to my successor. I +trust my subjects will exchange a good ruler for their fretful old king. +I have been very well satisfied with him during the campaign, and he has +shown ability in the diplomatic mission to St. Petersburg. He has proved +himself a soldier and a diplomat, and I hope he will become a great +king. Herzberg, why do you not answer me, but cast down your eyes? What +does your silence mean?" + +"Nothing at all--truly nothing! The crown prince has a noble, generous +heart, a good understanding; only--" + +"Why hesitate, Herzberg? Go on--what is your 'only?'" + +"I would only say that the crown prince must beware and not be governed +by others." + +"Oh, you mean that he will be ruled by mistresses and favorites?" + +"I do fear it, your majesty! You well know that the crown princes are +generally the antipodes of those ascendant to the throne. If the ruler +has only an enlightened mind, and is free from prejudices, so--" + +"Is his crown prince an obscurer," added quickly the king, "having the +more prejudices, and is capable of being ruled by mystics and exorcists. +Is not that your meaning?" + +Count Herzberg nodded. The king continued with animation: "Some one has +told me of a new friend who returned from the war with the prince, and +who belongs to the Rosicrucians and exhorters, and hopes to find many +adherents here for such deceptions. Is it true?" + +"Yes, sire. It is Colonel Bischofswerder, a Rosicrucian and necromancer +and of course of very pleasant address. He has indeed already gained +much power over the impressible mind of Frederick William, and his +importance is greatly on the increase." + +"What does the crown prince's mistress say to it? Is she not jealous?" + +"Of which one does your majesty speak?" + +The king started, and his eyes flashed. "What!" he cried with vehemence, +"is there a question of several? Has the crown prince others besides +Wilhelmine Enke, whom I have tolerated?" + +"Sire, unfortunately, the prince has not a very faithful heart. +Besides, it is Bischofswerder's plan, as I suppose, to separate him from +Wilhelmine, who will not subordinate herself to him, and who even dares +to mock the necromancers and visionaries, and oppose them to the crown +prince." + +"Does Enke do that?" asked the king. + +"Yes, sire," answered Herzberg, as the king rose and slowly paced the +room. "And one must acknowledge that in that she does well and nobly. +Otherwise one cannot reproach her. She leads a quiet, retired life, +very seldom leaving her beautiful villa at Charlottenburg, but devotes +herself to the education of her children. She is surrounded with +highly-educated men, savants, poets, and artists, who indeed all belong +to the enlightened, the so-called Illuminati, and which are a thorn in +the eye to Colonel Bischofswerder. Your majesty will perceive that I +have some good informants in this circle, and the latest news they bring +me is that the bad influence is upon the increase. The Rosicrucians +reproach the prince for his immoral connection with Wilhelmine Enke, as +they would replace her by one who gives herself up to them." + +"That shall not take place," cried the king. "No, we will not suffer +that; and particularly when we are forced to recognize such abominable +connections, we should endeavor to choose the most desirable. I cannot +permit that this person, who has at least heart and understanding, +should be pushed aside by Bischofswerder. My nephew shall retain her, +and she shall drive away the Rosicrucians with all their deviltries. +Herzberg, go and tell the crown prince, from me, that I order--" + +His majesty suddenly stopped, and looked at Herzberg with surprise, who +was smiling. + +"Why do you laugh, Herzberg?" + +"I was not laughing, sire. If my lip quivered against my will, it was +because I stupidly and foolishly dared to finish the broken sentence." + +"Well, how did you manage to conclude it?" + +"Sire, your majesty said, 'Tell the crown prince that I order him'--and +there you ceased. I added 'order him to love Wilhelmine Enke, and be +faithful to her.' I beg pardon for my mistake. I should have known that +your majesty could never command the execution of that which is not to +be forced; that my great king recognizes, as well as I, that love is not +compulsory, or fidelity either. Pardon me for my impertinence, and tell +me the order which I shall take to the crown prince from my beloved king +and master." + +The king stepped close up to the minister, and gazed with a half-sad, +half-tender expression in the noble and gentle face of Herzberg, and +in the sensible brown eyes, which sank not beneath the fiery glance of +Frederick. Then, slowly raising his hand from the staff, he menaced him +with his long, bony forefinger. + +"Herzberg, you are a rogue, and will teach me morals. Indeed, you are +right--love is not compulsory, but one can sometimes aid it. Say nothing +to the prince. The interior of his house must, indeed, be left to +himself, but we will keep our eyes open and be watchful. Do so also, +Herzberg, and if you discover any thing, tell me; and if Wilhelmine Enke +needs assistance against the infamous Rosicrucians, and with her aid +this mystic rabble can be suppressed, inform me, and I am ready to send +her succor. Ah! Herzberg, is it not a melancholy fact that one must +fight his way through so much wickedness to obtain so little that is +good? My whole life has passed in toil and trouble; I have grown old +before my time, and would rest from my labors, and harvest in the last +few years, what I have sown in a lifetime. Is it not sad that I hope for +no fruit, and that the seed that I have scattered will be trodden under +foot by my successor? I must gaze at the future without joy, without +consolation!" + +The king turned to the window, perhaps to hide the tears which stood +in his eyes. Herzberg did not presume to interrupt the sad silence, +but gazed with an expression of the deepest sympathy at the little bent +form, in the threadbare coat. Grief filled his heart at the thought +that this head was not only bowed down by the weight of years and +well-deserved laurels, but also from its many cares and griefs, and +hopeless peering into the future. + +The king turned again, and his eyes were bright and un-dimmed. "We must +never lose courage," said he, "and we must have a reserve corps in life +as well as upon the field of battle. For the world resembles the latter, +and the former is a continual war, in which we must not be discouraged +nor cast down, if there is not hope in our souls. I will cling to As you +have said, and I have also found it true, that crown prince is a good +and brave man, and possesses a keen understanding, we may succeed in +bringing him from the erroneous ways in which his youth, levity, and the +counsels of wicked friends have led him. We will try with kindness and +friendliness, as I believe these have more effect upon him. Let us not +even scorn to aid Wilhelmine in so far as is compatible with honor. If a +mistress is necessary to the happiness of the prince, this one seems the +most worthy of all to encourage. Beyond the clouds the stars are still +shining, and it appears to me as if I see in perspective in the heaven +of Prussia's future, a star which promises a bright light with years. Do +you not think with me, the little Prince Frederick William is a rising +star?" + +"Yes, your majesty," answered Herzberg, joyfully, "He is a splendid +little boy, of simple and innocent heart, and bright, vigorous mind, +modest and unpretending." + +"You see," cried the king, evidently cheered, "there is one star and +we will watch over it, that it is not obscured. I must see the prince +oftener. He shall visit me every month and his governors and teachers +shall report to me every quarter. We will watch over his education, and +train him to be a good king for the future, and guard ourselves against +being pusillanimous, foolish, and fretful, and not be discouraged +in life. I have entered my last lustrum, or five years. Hush! do not +dispute it, but believe me! My physique is worn out, and the mental +grows dull, and although I live and move about, I am half in the grave. +There are two coffins in this room, which contain the greater part of my +past. Look around, do you not see them?" + +"No," said Herzberg, as he glanced at the different articles of +furniture, "I see none." + +"Look upon the table by the window--what do you there see?" + +"Your majesty, there is an instrument-case and a sword-sheath." + +"They are the ones I refer to. In the case lies my flute, that is to +say, my youth, love, poesy, and art, are encoffined there. In the sheath +is my sword, which is my manhood, energy, laurels, and fame. I will +never play the flute or draw the sword again. All that is past!" + +"But there still remains for the great king a noble work to perfect," +cried Herzberg. "Youth has flown, and the war-songs are hushed. The poet +and hero will change to the lawgiver. Sire, you have made Prussia great +and powerful externally; there remains a greater work, to make her the +same within. You have added new provinces, give them now a new code of +laws. You will no longer unsheath the sword of the hero; then raise that +of justice high above your subjects!" + +"I will," cried the king, with beaming eyes. "You have rightly seized +and comprehended what alone seems to me worthy of will and execution. +There shall be but one law for the high and the low, the poor and the +rich. The distinguished Chancellor Carmer shall immediately go to work +upon it, and you shall aid him. The necessity of such a reform we have +lately felt in the Arnold process, where the judge decided in favor of +the rich, and wronged the poor man. How could the judge sustain Count +Schmettau against the miller Arnold, who had been deprived of the water +for his mill, when it was so evident that it was unjust?" + +"I beg pardon, majesty, but I believe the judge obeyed the very letter +of the law, and--" + +"Then this law must be annulled," interrupted the king. "This is why +I revoked the judge's sentence, and sent the obstinate fellows to the +fortress, sustaining the miller in his right deposing the arrogant +Chancellor Furst. I had long resolved upon it, for I knew that he was a +haughty fellow, who let the poor crowd his anteroom, and listened to +the flattery of the high-born rabble who courted him. I only waited an +occasion to bow his haughty head. This offered, and I availed myself of +it, voila tout. It is to be hoped that it will be good example for all +courts of justice. They will remember that the least peasant and +beggar is a human being as much as the king, and that justice should be +accorded to if they do not, they will have to deal with me. If a college +of justice practises injustice, it is more dangerous than a band of +robbers; for one can protect himself from the latter but the former +are rascals wearing the mantle of justice, to exercise their own +evil passions, from whom no man can protect himself, and they are the +greatest scoundrels in the world and deserve a double punishment. I +therefore deposed the unjust judge, and sent him to the fortress at +Spandau, that all might take warning by his fate." [Footnote: The king's +own words.--Seo "Prussia, Frederick the Great," vol. iv.] + +"This Arnold trial belongs to history," said Herzberg. "The lawyers will +refer to it after the lapse of centuries, and the poor and the oppressed +will recall and bless the thoughtfulness of the great king, who would +open just as wide a gate for them to enter the heaven of justice as to +the rich and noble. This new code of laws will beam above the crown +of gold and of laurels, with the splendor of the civil crown, whose +brilliants are the tears of gratitude of your people." + +"May it be so," said Frederick, with earnestness. "Now tell me, do you +know what day of the month it is?" + +"Sire, it is the 30th of May.'" + +"Yes, you will remember it is the anniversary of Voltaire's death, and +after I have quarrelled for two years with the priests and so-called +holy fathers at Rome, I have gained my point, and the honor shall be +shown him here in Berlin which the priests and friars have refused to +the immortal poet in his own country. To-day, exactly at the hour +which Voltaire died, the mass for the dead will be read in the Catholic +church, to free his immortal soul from purgatory. I have, indeed, no +idea of an immortal soul. If there are any, and if it has to endure the +threefold heat of which Father Tobias, of Silesia, related to me, I do +not believe that the priests, for a few thalers, can loose the unhappy +spirit from the bake-oven. But as they refuse burial to the spirit of +Voltaire, in order to insult him after death, so must I avail myself of +this occasion to offer a last homage to the great poet, which will take +place at four o'clock. Go to the mass, Herzberg, and tell me to-morrow +how it went off--whether the priests make right pious faces and burn +much incense. Adieu. Au revoir, demain." + +As the king dismissed, with a friendly wave of the hand, his +confidential minister, he passed into his cabinet, remaining an +hour with his counsellors. At dinner appeared some of the generals, +weather-worn and bent, with wrinkled faces and dull eyes. Souvenirs of +the glorious years of fame and victory. The king nodded kindly to them, +but during the entire meal, he only let some indifferent questions fall +from his lips, which were devotedly and tediously answered by some one +of the old generals. As their dry, peevish voices resounded through +the high, vaulted room, it seemed to reawaken in Frederick's heart the +souvenirs of memory and become the echo of vanished days. He gazed up +at the little Cupids, in the varied play of bright colors, looking down +from the clouds, and the goddesses trumpeting through their long tubes +the fame of the immortal, the same as formerly, when they smiled from +the clouds upon the beaming face of the young king, dining in the +distinguished circle of his friends Voltaire, D'Argens, Algarotti, La +Melbrie, and Keith. + +The Cupids were fresh as ever, and the goddesses had not removed the +trumpets from their lips. But where were the of the merry round-table? +Returned to dust. The jests and poesy have died away--all have sunken to +decay and darkness. The king silently raised his glass of Tokay, gazing +up to the clouds and Cupids, draining it slowly in sacrifice for the +dead. Then with a vehement, contemptuous movement, he threw the +glass over his shoulder, shivering it into a thousand pieces. The old +generals, after dessert, had gently sunk into their afternoon nap, and +now started, frightened, looking wildly around, as if they expected +the enemy were approaching. Alkmene crept from under the king's chair +muffing with her long, delicate nose, the glistening pieces of glass, +and the footman bent himself to carefully pick them up. + +The king rose silently, saluting the old generals, pointing with his +staff to the large folding-doors which led to the garden. + +The footmen hastened forward to open them, and stand in stiff, military +order upon each side. Frederick walked slowly out, mounting the two +steps which led to the upper terrace, signing to the attendants to close +the doors. + +He was alone. Only Windspiel was there to spring about joyfully, +barking, and turning to meet him, who wandered on the border of the +terrace, where he had formerly walked with his friends. Now he stopped +to gaze up the broad, deserted steps which led from terrace to terrace, +as if he could re-people them with the well-known forms, and could see +them approach and greet him with the look of endless love and constancy. +Then he raised his eyes to heaven, as if to seek there those he in vain +sought upon earth. + +"Do you not see me, my friends?" he asked, in a gentle but sad voice. +"Do you not look down wonderingly where you saw a cheerful, smiling +king, upon the now bent, shrunken old man, cold and phlegmatic, who +seldom speaks, and then causes every one to yawn? Oh, where have you +fled, beautiful spring-time of life--wherein once we used to enliven our +conversations with the wit of the Athenians, and the jest fluttered +upon our lips as we glided through life in the bold enjoyment of +youth? Banished is the dance, and I creep about, leaning upon my staff, +enfeebled in body, and with saddened heart! Oh, awful change, unhappy +old age! What does it aid me that I am a king? I have won many a battle, +but now I am vanquished by age and death and am alone!" [Footnote: The +king's words.--See "Posthumous Works," vol. x., p. 100.] + +A slight breeze rustled through the trees, fanning, caressingly, the +cheeks of the king. The perfume of sweet flowers rose from the terrace, +and below rushed the cascade. The marble groups around the fountain +glistened in the golden rays of the sun, and in the dark foliage +fluttered and sang the merry birds of summer. + +Suddenly the wind wafted from the church at Potsdam the clear tones of a +bell, announcing to the king the hour of four, the death of Voltaire. + +The king walked along to the rose-arbor, to the temple of friendship, +where the bust of his sister Frederika was placed. He seated himself +near the entrance, listening to the ringing voice of the bell, and +recalling that the death-mass had now commenced in Berlin. + +The service sacred to memory! The prayer for the immortal soul! As the +lonely king sat there, calm and bowed down, a solemn prayer and holy +mass rose from his own soul. He bowed lower his head, and, without +realizing it himself, traced letters in the sand at his feet, with no +witness but the blue heavens above him, and Windspiel who curiously eyed +the lines. Thinking of the prayer for Voltaire's undying soul, the king +had written the word of profoundest mystery and revelation, of hope and +prophecy--"Immortality." + +The wind gently rustled in the trees, wafting the perfume of flowers. +Sweet stillness reigned around, and lowly sang the birds as if not +to waken the king, who slept by the marble form of his beloved +sister--Windspiel upon his knees, and in the sand at his feet the word +traced by his own hand, "Immortality." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. CAGLIOSTRO'S RETURN. + + +Wilhelmine Enke was still living at her villa at Charlottenburg. She +was, as formerly, the "unmarried" daughter of the hautboy-player, the +favorite and friend of the crown prince; the same as two years previous, +when he presented her before the Bavarian campaign, with this house +and There was no change in her outward circumstances; her life passed +regularly and calmly. The once fresh and beautiful cheek had lost +somewhat of its youthful, roseate hue, and the smile of the ruby lips +was less haughty, and the warmth of those brilliant eyes was subdued. +This was the only perceptible difference wrought by the little vexations +and troubles incident to her position. She had found some bitter +drops in the golden goblet which the prince in his love pressed to her +lips--drops which were uncongenial to lips accustomed to the sweets of +life. + +To-day she had awaited him at dinner, and had just received a very +friendly but laconic letter, excusing himself until the following +morning. This was an unpalatable drop. Wilhlemine paced back and forth +the solitary, gloomy path, at the foot of the garden, re-reading this +letter, and examining every word to search out its hidden meaning. + +"They have brought this about," she murmured, tearing the letter into +little pieces, which lighted upon the shrubbery like butterflies. "Yes, +it is their work. They have sought by all possible means to draw him +into their power, and away from me. And they will succeed, as there +are two of them, and the princess sustains them; and I am alone, +unsupported. I am entirely alone--alone!" + +"If you are alone, then, it is surely your own fault," said an earnest, +solemn voice, and at the same instant a tall form approached from the +shrubbery which bordered the side of the garden. + +"Cagliostro!" shrieked Wilhelmine, shrinking terrified away. "Oh, mercy +upon me, it is Cagliostro!" + +"Why are you so frightened, my daughter?" he asked, gently. "Why do you +withdraw from me, and cast down your eyes?" + +"I thought you were in Courland," she stammered, confused. + +"And whilst you thought me afar, you forgot your sacred oath and +holy duty," he replied, in a harsh, severe tone. "Oh my daughter, the +Invisibles weep and lament bitterly over you." + +"I am curious to see these tears," said Wilhelmine, who had now +recovered her self-composure. "Do you think, Herr Magus, any of them +could be found in the eyes of Colonel Bischofswerder and his intimate +friend Woellner? Do you pretend that they also weep over me?" + +"They do not belong to the Invisibles, but the Visibles. But their souls +are true and faithful, and would have to mourn over the unhappy one who +could forget her vows." + +"Then allow me to say that I abjure these tears, and laugh at the idea +that these hypocrites and necromancers weep over me." + +"My daughter, what words are these, and how strangely altered you are! +I have come from the far north, and but just alighted from the +travelling-carriage. I came at once to see you, and hoped to be greeted +joyfully with a kiss of love, and what do I hear instead? Harsh words +filled with scorn and mockery, and disobedience against the Invisible +Fathers, to whom you have sworn fidelity and submission!" + +"You have forced me to it!" she cried, impetuously. "In my own house you +came upon me and compelled me to take part in your mystic assembly." + +"If one loves humanity, he must insist upon its accepting happiness," +said Cagliostro, solemnly. "We recognized in you one of the elect, one +of the great souls which are worthy to see the light, and sun themselves +in the rays of knowledge. Therefore we accepted you among the spirits of +the alliance, and--" + +"And made great promises, of which not one has been fulfilled. Where +is the title of countess, the influence, position, honor, and dignity, +which you prophesied to me?" + +"Where are the deeds you promised to perform, the witnesses of your +fidelity and devotion?" he thunderingly demanded. "You have dared to +rebel against the holy alliance! Your short-sighted spirit presumes +to mock those eyes which perceive that you are straying away! +Beware--Wilhemine, beware! I came to-day to warn you, when I return it +will be to punish you. Turn, oh turn while there is yet time! Submit +your will to the Fathers, as you have sworn to do! The promised reward +will not fail, and Wilhelmine Enke will become a countess, a princess, +and the most distinguished and powerful will bow before her. The Fathers +demand of you repentance, and renunciation of the worst enemies of the +Rosicrucians. Members, and even chiefs and pioneers of the Illuminati +and Freemasons are welcomed at your house." + +"Why should they not be?" asked she, smiling. "They are happy, cheerful +spirits, void of mysteries, and do not torture people with mysticisms. +They have but one aim, a great and glorious one, to free the mind from +superstition and hypocrisy. They encounter with open countenance the +false devotees who would force men into spiritual servitude, that they +may become the slaves of their will. You call them 'Illuminati,' while +they have undertaken to illuminate the minds with the beams of knowledge +which the Rosicrucians obscure in a mystical fog." + +"Unhappy one, do you dare to say that to me?" cried Cagliostro, +menacingly. + +"Yes," she responded, keeping her large, brown eyes firmly fixed upon +Cagliostro's angry face. "That I dare to repeat to you, and I would also +remark that we are not in the mystical assembly of the Rosicrucians, +and your familiar 'Du' is out of place. I belong to the Illuminati, and +mingle with the freethinkers. They have not, indeed, promised me titles, +honors, or dignities, but they have amused me, have driven ennui from +the house, and instead of mysticisms, brought me poesy, and instead of +the invisible holy church, the Greek temple. It is possible my life +may not be a godly one, but it is as happy as the gods, and that is +something in this tedious world." + +"I regard you with astonishment," said Cagliostro, "for I recognize in +your countenance that the devil has won you over to his power, and in +you he speaks with the bold insolence of the sinful. Subdue, unhappy +child, your rash speech, that the Fathers may not hear of it, and crush +you in their wrath." + +"I do not fear their thunderbolts, permit me to tell you. We are in +Prussia; the great king watches over all his subjects; neither the +Romish Church nor the Rosicrucians can obscure the light of knowledge. +He will not suffer a ghost, sneaking in the dark, to exercise power +here, and he will not refuse the protection to me which is accorded to +the least of his subjects. I do not fear you, and I will tell you the +truth entire, I believe you to be a hypocrite and a charlatan, who--" + +"Miserable one!" interrupted Cagliostro, as he furiously rushed to her, +seizing her by the arm--"cease, unhappy one, or your life is forfeited +to the invisible avengers!" + +Wilhelmine shook her head, and encountered his flaming eyes with a proud +glance. "I repeat your own words--cease, or your life will be forfeited! +Perhaps you think I do not know what happened to you in Mittau, where +you were recognized as a charlatan, who fooled the poor creatures into +the belief of his miraculous acts, which consisted in lightening their +purses to the benefit of his own. You were obliged to flee from Mitlau +in the night, to save yourself, your treasures, and wonderful man-traps, +and the beautiful Lorenza Feliciana. Beware! The Empress of Russia had +a certain Joseph Balsamo pursued, who had practised great deception, and +people pretend that he resembles Count Cagliostro. The Empress Catherine +is a good friend and ally of the King of Prussia, and if the happy idea +should occur to me to propose seeking the necromancer here, the Great +Kophta might come a miserable end." + +"On the contrary, it would only be a welcome occasion for the Great +Kophta to reveal himself, and hurl his despicable, malicious enemy +into the dust at his feet," replied Cagliostro, calmly. "Try it, you +faithless, fallen daughter of the Invisibles--try to unloose the pack +of my enemies, to recognize that all their yelling and barking does not +trouble the noble stag to whom God has given the whole world for His +forestward that He should rule therein. I have listened to you unto the +end, and I regard your invectives and accusations as not worthy of a +reply or justification, and I laugh at your menaces. But I warn you, +Wilhelmine Enke, defy not the Invisibles, and offend not the Holy +Fathers, by your continued resistance. Turn, misguided child of +sin--turn while there is yet time! In their name I offer you a last +chance, their forbearance is without bounds, and their mercy long +enduring." + +"I neither desire your forbearance nor mercy," cried she, proudly. "I +will have no companionship with my enemies, and the Rosicrucians are +such, for Bischofswerder and Woellner both hate me, and would put me +aside. There is no reconciliation where only hostility is possible." + +"The heavenly listen not to the voices of the earthly, and prove +themselves, the most noble when the least deserved. They will protect +and watch over you, even against your will, and never will they be deaf +to your cry for aid in the hour of Here is a token of their grace toward +you. Take this ring--do you recognize it?" + +Wilhelmine regarded it attentively. "This is the ring which I gave at +the tribute-altar instead of gold, which you desired." + +"The Invisibles sent it to you to-day as the precious pledge of their +favor. You shall keep it, and wear it as a token of their heavenly +forbearance, and when you turn back from the erroneous ways into which +the Illuminati have led you, send it to the circle of Berlin directors, +either Bischofswerder or Wollner, and they will come to your rescue. +Farewell! I forgive you all your wicked words, which fall like spent +arrows from the helmet of my righteousness." + +Cagliostro turned proudly away, and disappeared in the bushes. + +Wilhelmine placed the ring upon her finger, turning it to watch the +play of colors. "I do not know why," said she, "but it has not the same +brilliancy as formerly. I will take it to the jeweller Wagner, and ask +him if it is the same stone. Perhaps the Great Kophta has tried some of +his miracles upon it. I will at once send the servant to Minister von +Herzberg, and inform him that Cagliostro is here. He has promised me +protection in the name of the king, and I feel that I shall now have +need of it." + +She hurried to the house, and devoted herself to the writing of the +said letter--a task she was but little accustomed to. She had learned to +speak French very prettily, and to express herself skilfully and wittily +in German, and under her royal master, the crown prince Frederick +William, gained much valuable scientific knowledge. But to write +fluently was quite another thing, and it was a long time before the +epistle was finished. However, happily accomplished, she commanded the +servant to take it to Berlin. + +He bowed with silent submission; but once having quitted the house, a +cunning smile was visible upon his face, and he availed himself of a +stage-coach which was going in the same direction. "I can afford this +expense," said he, arranging himself comfortably. "When I have money in +my pocket why should I walk the long distance? I was very clever to tell +Bischofswerder that the Minister von Herzberg had secretly visited my +mistress, and it was equally clever of him to give me a louis d'or, and +promise me the same every time that I should bring him important news. +Indeed, I think to-day he may well thank me, and I believe, if I often +inform him, he will advance me a degree, and at last I shall be admitted +to the circle of the elect, while I now belong to the outside circle, +who know nothing and hope every thing." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. THE TRIUMVIRATE. + + +While Wilhelmine's servant gave himself up to his hopes, slowly down +the broad avenue, an elegant four-in-hand carriage rolled past him, and +stopped at the house where lived Colonel Bischofswerder, long before he +had reached the Brandenburg Gate. A gentleman sprang out, hastening +past the footman into the house, where a servant evidently awaited +his arrival, and preceded him with devout mien, throwing open the wide +folding-doors and announcing, in a solemn voice--"His excellency, Count +Cagliostro." He then respectfully withdrew, bowing profoundly as the +count passed, and closed quickly and noiselessly the doors behind him. + +The two gentlemen within hastened to meet the count, who nodded +smilingly, and extended to them with a gracious condescension his white +hand sparkling with diamonds. "My dear brothers," said he, "you have +unfortunately announced me the truth--Wilhelmine Enke is faithless--is +an apostate." + +"A courtesan, ensnared by the devil of unchastity," murmured the elder +of the two--a man of long, lank figure, pale, pock-marked face, the +broad high forehead shaded with but little hair, the watery blue eyes +turned upward, as if in pious ecstasy, and the large, bony hands either +folded as if in prayer, or as if in quiet contemplation, twirling his +thumbs around each other. "I have always said so," said he, with a +long-drawn sigh; "she is a temptress, whom Satan, in bodily repetition +of himself, has placed by the prince's side, and his salvation cannot be +counted upon until this person is removed." + +"And you, my beloved brother, think otherwise--do you not?" asked +Cagliostro, gently. + +"Yes," answered Bischofswerder, "you know well, sublime master and +ruler, how much I esteem and love the worthy and honorable Wollner, +and how much weight his opinion has with me. In all my reports to the +Invisible Fathers I have always particularly mentioned him, and it was +upon my wish and proposal that they appointed him director of one of the +three Berlin circles. He is occupied near me in the confederacy, and +is also in the service of the crown prince, for it was by my especial, +earnest recommendation that his highness called him to Berlin from the +exchequer of Prince Henry at Rheinsberg, that he might give him lectures +in politics and other branches of administration, I do not say it to +boast, although I have always regarded it as an honor to have opened the +way to a distinguished man, to have his great talents properly valued. +I only say it to prove my high appreciation of dear brother Wollner, and +to defend myself, master, in your eyes, that I differ in opinion from +him, and do not advise a violent removal of this person, to whom the +prince is more attached than he himself knows of." + +"It is not necessary to excuse yourself to me, my son," said Cagliostro, +pompously. "The eyes which the Invisibles have lighted up with a beam of +revelation, see into the depths of things, and reveal the most hidden. +I have glanced into your hearts, and I will tell you that which I have +therein read. You, Hans Rudolph von Bischofswerder, belong to the world; +its joys and sorrows agitate you. You have a longing for science and the +knowledge of the Invisibles, and you would also enjoy the Visibles, and +take part in the pleasures of life. What you would allow yourself, that +you would also grant to your royal master, whose friend and leader you +are, and who, one day, will be the future king and ruler of the visible +world, and a faithful son and servant of the Invisibles. Is it not +thus?" + +"It is so," answered Bischofswerder, who, with wondering astonishment, +drank in every word that fell from Cagliostro's lips as a revelation. +"You have read the inmost thoughts of my heart, and what I scarcely +suspected myself, you are knowing of, lord and master." + +"Toil and strive, my son, and you shall rise to the highest grade, in +which presentiment and recognition, thinking and knowing, are one." + +He extended to Bischofswerder his hand, who fervently pressed it to his +lips; then turned to Wollner, who, with upturned gaze and folded hands, +might have been praying, for his thumbs were not turning around, but +rested, quietly crossed. + +"You, my son and brother," continued Cagliostro, with his lofty, haughty +reserve, "your thoughts are diverted from earth, and the joys of this +world have no charm for you!" "I have laid the oath of virtue and +chastity upon the altar of the Invisibles," replied Wollner, with +a severe tone of voice. "I have given myself to a pious life of +abstinence, and sworn to employ every means to lead those that I can +attain to upon the narrow path which leads to the paradise of science, +of knowledge, and heavenly joys. How could I forget my oath, which is to +win the prince, who is to become a light and shield in the holy order, +from the broad course of vice, to the pathway of the blest? How can I +bear to see him lost in sin who is elected to virtue, and who longs for +the light of knowledge?" + +"But, in order to bear the light in its brightness, he must have passed +through the darkness and gloom of sin," said Cagliostro. "After the days +of error follow those of knowledge. This is what causes the mildness +of our brother Theophilus, whom the earthly world calls Bischofswerder, +whilst you, brother Chrysophorus, demand from the prince the severest +virtue, which is the first great vow of the brothers advancing in the +holy order of the Rosicrucians. You are both wrong and both right. It is +well to be lenient as brother Theophilus, but that must have its limit, +and the night wanderer who stands upon the brink of a precipice must +be awakened, but not with violent words, or calling loudly his name, +because a sudden awakening would only hasten his fall. Slowly and +carefully must he be roused; as one would by degrees accustom the +invalid eyes to the mid-day, so must the light of virtue and knowledge +dawn upon the eyes, ill from vice, with prudent foresight. Hear my +proposal. Summon the three circles of the brothers of the highest degree +to a sitting to-night. You have told me that the prince desires to +belong to the seeing ones, and be in communion with the spiritual world. +This night his wish shall be fulfilled, to see the spirits, and a new +future shall rise before him. My time is limited; let us arrange every +thing, for the voices of the Invisibles already call me home." + +At this instant a modest knocking was heard at the door, which was +repeated at different intervals. + +"It is my servant," said Bischofswerder, "and he has undoubtedly an +important communication for me." + +He opened the door, speaking with the person outside in a low tone, and +returned with a sealed note. + +Cagliostro, apparently, was lest in deep thought and indifferent to the +conversation without, directing quietly and calmly, in the mean time, +a few questions to Wollner, and, as it seemed, listening only to his +answers. Yet as Bischofswerder approached him, saying, "it is, indeed, +important news; I have proof in hand that--" he interrupted him with a +commanding motion, and finished the broken sentence: "--that Wilhelmine +Enke is a powerful adversary, having connection with the court, as this +letter from her is directed to Minister Herzberg. Is it not this that +you would say, Theophilus?" + +Astonished, he replied in the affirmative, begging his master to read +it. + +"It is unnecessary," replied Cagliostro, waving back the letter; "to the +seeing eyes every thing is revealed. This person announces to Minister +von Herzberg that the deceiver and necromancer, Cagliostro, in his +flight from Mittau, has visited her to menace her. She begs protection +for herself and an arrest for me; that I am known as Count Julien, at +the hotel King of Portugal, at Berlin, and that haste is necessary." + +Both gentlemen glanced astonished and enraptured, first at the sealed +epistle and then at the great Magus. + +"Open the letter and convince yourselves of the contents!" commanded +Cagliostro. + +"It is unnecessary," cried Bischofswerder, with enthusiasm. "We +recognize in you truth and knowledge; you have revealed to us the +contents." + +"Nay, there is a lingering doubt in the mind of brother Chrysophorus!" +said Cagliostro, regarding Woellner fixedly, who stood with downcast +eyes before him. + +"My ruler and master," stammered Woellner, in confusion, "I dare not +doubt, only--" + +"You would only be convinced, open then the letter," interrupted +Cagliostro, sarcastically. + +With a sharp knife, Bischofswerder cut the end of the envelope, and +handed the letter to him. + +"Give it to Chrysophorus," commanded the count. "He shall read it, and +may the incredulous become a believer!" + +Woellner perused the epistle with a slightly tremulous voice, stopping +now and then, at an illegible word, which his master quickly supplied +to him, finishing the sentence as correctly as if he held the writing in +his hand. + +The contents were exactly as Cagliostro had given them, and the +farther Wollner read, the more his voice quivered and Bischofswerder's +enthusiasm increased. + +As the reading was finished, the former sank, with uplifted hands, +before his master, as if imploring mercy from a mighty, crushing power. + +"I have been unbelieving as Tobias, doubting as Paul; have mercy on +me, O master! for in this hour the divine light of belief and knowledge +banishes doubt from my sinful heart. I acknowledge thy supernatural +power and heavenly wisdom! My whole being bows in humility before you +and your sublimity, and henceforth I will only be your humble scholar +and servant, the tool of your will. Forgive me, all-knowing one, if +my heart doubted. Breathe upon me the breath of knowledge, and lay +thy august right hand upon my head, and penetrate me with thy heavenly +power." + +"Have mercy upon me also," cried Bischofswerder, as he kneeled beside +Woellner, and, like him, raised his hands imploringly to Cagliostro. +"Breathe upon me the breath of thy grace, and regard me, the repentant +and unworthy, with thy heavenly glance!" + +Cagliostro looked to heaven, and from his lips there fell disconnected +words of exhortation; suddenly he drew forth his hands, which he had +pushed into his gown and crossed upon his breast, stretching them out +with wide-spread fingers. + +"Come to me, ye spirits!" he cried, in a loud, thundering voice. "Ye +spirits of fire and air, come to me! Ye shall flame and burn upon the +heads of these two persons and announce to them that the Invisibles are +with us. Come to me, ye spirits of fire!" + +He clinched his fingers, extending them again, and upon the points +there danced and flickered a blue light. A heavenly smile shone upon the +beautiful face of the Magus, his hands slowly sank upon the heads of +the kneeling ones, the flames gliding upon their heads, resting there a +moment, and then dying away. + +"The Invisibles have proclaimed themselves to you through the sign of +fire," cried Cagliostro. "The sacred flame has glowed upon your heads, +and I now press upon your brow the solemn kiss of consecration and +knowledge!" + +He bowed down to the kneeling ones. It seemed as if a cloud of perfume +had passed over their glowing faces, or as if an odorous lily had been +pressed upon their foreheads, and their hearts quivered with delight. +He passed his hand lightly over their faces, and a feeling of rapture +spread through their whole being. Then as he commanded them to rise, +they obeyed, without realizing that they had limbs or body, but regarded +the miracle-worker, entranced with his smile. + +Cagliostro, with hasty decision and earnest, commanding air, made a few +opposite strokes in the air, and immediately the faces of the magnetized +looked as if they had awakened from a dream of splendor and delight to +insipid, flat reality. + +"I have permitted you to behold, for an instant, the mysteries and +miracles which are serviceable to the knowing ones," said Cagliostro, +with calm earnestness. "Your souls were in communion with the +Invisibles, and from the source of knowledge a spark of illumination +fell upon your heads. Guard it as a heavenly secret that no one should +know of, and now let us continue our conversation." + +"Permit me once more to lay my head at your feet, and receive power from +the touch thereof," implored Bischofswerder. + +"Let me embrace your knees, and entreat pardon and grace," begged +Woellner, as he sank down to clasp them, and the former threw himself at +the feet of his master, passionately kissing them. + +Smilingly he received their homage, and assisted them to rise. + +"Now let us speak in a human, reasonable manner, my friends. Brother +Theophilus, you, first of all, return the letter to the envelope and +seal it." + +Bischofswerder obeyed; taking from the table a little bottle and a small +brush, he carefully applied an adhesive substance to the edges, pressing +them firmly together. + +"Master, no one could discover that it had been opened. Command what +shall be done with it." + +"Give it to your servant, that he may return it to him who brought it, +and the latter can now deliver it at its address." + +"To the Minister Herzberg!" they both cried, amazed. "It is impossible; +he is a sworn enemy of the holy order and your own heavenly person. He +could take the most violent measures, and cause your excellency to be +arrested." + +"I believe it," smiled Cagliostro. "The great Frederick would announce +triumphantly that he had had the great Semiramis of the North taken, +which the Russian police had failed to accomplish. It would be a welcome +triumph for unbelievers and fools, and they would trumpet it joyfully +through the world! It must not be; although my spirit in its power and +might would soon release my body, yet I will not grant this momentary +triumph to my enemies. My time is limited; I must forth to Egypt, where +the Brothers of the Millennium will assemble in the course of a week in +the pyramids, to announce to me their will for the coming century. I +am the Spirit of God, which the Invisibles have willed to enter a human +form, therefore it must be regarded as sacred and protected." + +"Allow me to guard, with my life, your sublime person!" cried +Bischofswerder. + +"And I also implore you to grant me the happiness to watch over the +security of your heavenly self, and defend it to the last drop of my +blood!" cried Woellner; "only tell us what we have to do." + +"Above all things obey my command concerning the letter," replied the +count, smiling. + +Bischofswerder submissively went out with the epistle, returning in a +few moments. "It is as you have ordered: in a quarter of an hour it will +be in the hands of Minister Herzberg." + +"No," replied the count, fixing his eyes upon empty space, "it will +not be there, for Herzberg is not at home. I now see him driving in a +carriage with four black steeds to the country. At this instant he +is crossing a bridge, now he enters a town, turning down one of the +streets, where the noise of the wheels is lost. Again I hear him, +leaving by the gate, ascending a broad avenue." + +"It is the route to Sans-Souci," murmured Bischofswerder, in a low voice, +but the count must have understood him, as he repeated aloud: + +"Yes, that is the route to Sans-Souci, and the lonely, fretful old king +will keep his minister the entire day, and will not receive the missive +from his secret female accomplice until his return in the evening, and +then he will dispatch his bailiffs in all haste to the hotel to arrest +Count St. Julien, and forward an order to every gate to forbid his +departure. It will be too late, however--he will have already departed." + +"Departed!" cried the two gentlemen, frightened. "Will you, then, +forsake us?" + +"Hush, my brothers, be quiet!" answered Cagliostro. "I shall have +departed for the profane, but I will remain here for the consecrated +until to-morrow morning. It oft happens that the lofty even must come +down, and the brilliant obscure themselves. To-day I must descend from +my spiritual height, and humble myself in the dust of lowliness. When +the unholy and unconsecrated essay to behold that which they should not +with their earthly eyes; they must be blinded with earthly dust, and for +those which are not worthy of miracles, we must sometimes condescend to +jugglers' tricks. By the latter I will mislead my enemies to-day. How +many gates are there to the city of Berlin?" + +"There are nine, master." + +"Send immediately messengers around in your circles to order eight +travelling-carriages and sixteen large black trunks. Further, send +me eight confidential discreet men of my height and size, with eight +perukes, exactly the cut of mine. Command four post-horses, with two +postilions for eight different addresses. This is all that is necessary +for the moment." + +"All shall be faithfully and quickly accomplished," said Bischofswerder, +humbly. "We will divide the execution of your orders, and there only +remains to appoint the time and place when and where to direct the +postilions." + +"All this will follow; forget not, in trifling, earthly things, the +great heavenly circumstances. Summon the consecrated of the highest +degree of your circle to go to-night to the palace of Prince Frederick +William at Potsdam, and under the very eyes of the old freethinking king +we will open to the crown prince the doors of the spiritual world, and +consecrate him to the highest degree. But first the Invisibles shall +speak with him, and announce the heavenly region of the unapproachable. +Finish the preparations, my brothers--fulfil exactly and punctually my +orders, and then come to the hotel to receive my last commands." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. FUTURE PLANS. + + +Cagliostro quitted the two confidants, entered his carriage awaiting +him before the door, and drove to the hotel. The host and chief waiter +received him with extreme deference, both accompanying him up the +stairs--the latter throwing wide open the large doors of his room. The +count turned, and, in addressing some indifferent question to the host, +opened his gold-embroidered blue satin vest. + +The host turned pale, and shrank back, as if seized with a sudden +fright. Cagliostro passed on, motioning him to follow, which he humbly +obeyed, sinking upon his knees as the door closed. + +"Have you recognized the sign which I wear upon my breast?" + +"Yes, master," he stammered, bowing down with the greatest reverence. + +"Then you belong to the elect of the Inner Temple, for the sign of +knowledge is only made known to them." + +"I do, indeed, understand its mysteries, master, and I know that one +of the Invisibles, in infinite condescension, appears in a visible form +before me. Immeasurable as the happiness, is my obedience! Command me, +master; my life and riches belong to the holy alliance!" + +"Rise and receive my orders," replied Cagliostro, with great dignity. In +a brief, dictatorial manner he communicated the necessary arrangements; +then dismissed him with a haughty nod, and entered the adjoining room of +his wife, Lorenza Feliciana. + +She had thrown herself upon the divan, in charming neglige. Her head was +encircled with black ringlets, which she wore unpowdered, despite the +fashion. Her eyes were closed, and her beautiful shoulders were but half +concealed by a black lace veil. + +She slept so quietly and soundly that the count did not awaken her upon +entering. He approached her lightly upon the soft carpet, and stood +regarding her attentively. A pleasant smile spread over his face, +softening its expression, and his eyes beamed with passionate +tenderness. + +"She is indeed beautiful," he murmured, softly. "No one could withstand +the charm of this wonderful woman. Ah, would that I could crush these +wicked spirits within me, silence all these seductive, sinful voices, +and fly to some secluded valley of our dear fatherland, and there, +reposing on her love, let life glide calmly on and smile at the past +without regret, as a fading dream! Would that I could forget, and become +again pure and innocent, blest in my affection, simple in my tastes, and +without wants! But no, it is too late! I cannot retreat, the demons +will not be driven out; to them my soul belongs, and I must fulfil my +destiny!--Awake, Lorenza, awake!" Her beautiful form shook with fright; +she started, opened her eyes, demanding, "What is the matter? Who is +here?" + +"It is I, Lorenza," he said, sadly; "I was obliged to awaken you, to +tell you something important." + +"Are the pursuers here? Have they discovered us? Are they coming to take +us to prison?" + +"No, no; be quiet, Lorenza, no one has discovered us!" + +"Quiet!" she repeated, with a scornful laugh. "We have travelled day and +night the last ten days, hiding ourselves in miserable holes and dens, +under assumed names, believing our pursuers were at our hacks; and now +that we are showing ourselves publicly, you ask me to be quiet! I have +slept for the first time since that fearful night in Mittau, and it is +very cruel and thoughtless of you to wake me, if the bailiffs are not +here, and danger does not menace us." + +"For the moment we are safe, but I have something important to tell +you." + +"Important?" she cried, shrugging her shoulders. "What is of consequence +to me, since that night? Oh, when I think of it, I could shriek with +rage, I could annihilate myself in despair!" + +"It was indeed a dreadful experience, and my heart quakes when I think +of it," said Cagliostro, gloomily. "The secret assembly consisted of +the highest and most influential of the Courland nobility. Suspecting +no wrong, not even that there could be traitors among the believers who +would falsify my spirit apparatus, I gave myself up to conjuring the +departed." + +"And I upon my fairy throne," added Lorenza, "couched in the innocent +costume of the celestial, only veiled with a silvery cloud, heard a +sudden shriek. The room was quite dark; I saw, upon opening my eyes, +that no spirits enlivened it." + +"Every thing failed--that is to say, my assistants let it fail," said +the count, "and the assembly began to murmur. Suddenly, instead of the +departed princes and heroes, what fearful forms arose!" + +"Apes, cats, and other animals," cried Lorenza, with a loud laugh. "Oh, +what an irresistible sight! In spite of my anger I had to laugh, and +laugh I did upon the fairy throne, like--" + +"Like a foolish child who neither knows nor understands danger," +interrupted the count. "Your laughing soon ceased in the fearful tumult +and uproar. They shrieked for light, the ladies fled, and the men +menaced me with loud curses, calling me a charlatan, and threatening my +life!" + +"Mine also," cried Lorenza; "oh, what insults and ill-treatment I was +forced to listen to! They rushed upon me, shrieking for the brilliants +and money which they had brought me as an offering. How they scolded and +called me a deceiver! I was only very beautiful and coquettish, and that +was no deception! I charmed them with my coyness, and they brought +me the most costly presents, because I was a virtuous woman. Now they +reproached me, demanding a return of them all, which they had forced +upon me of their own free will. I was obliged to bear it silently in my +costume of innocence, and as goddess I could not defend myself and speak +with human beings--who pushed up to the throne. It was a very ridiculous +position; happily I did not quite lose my senses, but let the apparatus +play, and disappeared into my dressing-room below, which fortunately +closed above me. I dressed, and rushed to your room to rescue my +treasures." + +"Even in this extreme danger you only thought of your riches, not of +me," said Cagliostro, with a bitter smile. + +"Have you not taught me yourself that money was the only thing worth +striving to possess? Have you not revealed to in wisdom that riches +alone make us happy, and procure for us honor, power, love, and +constancy? Ah! Joseph, have you not made me the miserable, heartless +creature that I am? Can you reproach me that your teaching has borne +such good fruit? I am happy to be the priestess of wealth, and grateful +for what you have made known to me." + +"It is true," sighed Cagliostro, "I have taught you the truth of things; +I have disclosed to you the world's motive power. Riches are indeed the +god upon earth, toward whom all are pressing, rushing on. We must all +follow and serve him as slaves, or be crushed under the wheels of his +triumphal car. Men talk and reason about the storm and pressure which +is spreading through the world, and finally will reduce every thing to +storm the eternal and undying bliss of wealth, and press on for gold." + +"To think that we have lost every thing!" cried Lorenza, springing up +and stamping with her silken-shod foot; "every thing is lost that I have +been years gaining, by hypocrisy, deception, and coquetry. They have +robbed me! The shameful barbarians have seized all our effects. The +police surrounded the house, guarding every entrance, and we were +obliged to escape by the roof into the house of one of the brothers, +leaving all our treasures behind." + +"You exaggerate, Lorenza, and represent it worse than it is. Look +around; you are surrounded with luxury and comfort. Our great +undertakings in Courland and St. Petersburg have failed, it is true, and +the Russian empress has ordered me to be driven away and pursued. But +the Invisible Fathers have not forsaken me, as they know that I am a +useful tool in their hands. They have carefully provided me with money, +passports, and instructions. We have lost thousands, but we will regain +them, for the future is ours. I am protected by the order, and called +to a new and important mission in Paris, to strive for the sacred aim of +the Church." + +"And have they no mission for me?" asked Lorenza. "Is there nothing +further for me to do in that city than to be a beautiful woman, and play +tricks for my dear husband?" + +"Great events await you in Paris, which we will aid you to prepare. The +Invisible Fathers send you before me to the Cardinal de Rohan. You are +going to Paris in the service of the revolution of minds. The carriage +is ordered, and you are to set off this very hour." + +"And when are you going, Joseph?" Lorenza asked, with a touch of +melancholy. + +"I shall officially depart in an hour, but in reality at the same +time that the Baroness von Balmore leaves the hotel in her +travelling-carriage. Near the waiting-maid will a servant sit upon the +box. I shall be he." + +"Officially you depart in an hour; what does that mean?" Cagliostro +smiled. "It is a long story and a comical one. Come, seat yourself by +me upon the sofa; repose your head upon me, and listen to what I will +relate to you." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. MIRACLES AND SPIRITS. + + +Late in the afternoon of the same day a travelling-carriage drove up +before the hotel "King of Portugal," in the Burgstrasse, with two +large black trunks strapped upon it behind the footman's box, and the +postilion, sitting by the coachman, playing the beautiful and popular +air, "Es ritten drei Reuter cum Thore hinaus!" + +Count St. Julien descended the stairs, followed by the host, and nodded +in a lofty manner to the two waiters and hostler awaiting him at the +entrance, who returned it by a profound bow, at the same time not +failing to see the white hand extended with the trinkgeld. + +The host himself closed the carriage door, and the count departed amid +the merry peals of the postilion, the former gazing after him with the +satisfaction of one who has made a good bargain. The servants watched +it, too, until it had disappeared around the corner of the next street. + +At this instant the quivering tones of a post-horn were heard, and an +open caleche appeared and stopped before the hotel with two large black +travelling-trunks upon it, and the postilion upon the box blowing the +popular air, "Es ritten drei Reuter zum Thore hinaus!" + +The host observed the empty carriage with a smile, but the servants +asked themselves astonished what it meant, and as they turned and saw +Count St. Julien descending the stairs, they were startled. He offered +them the usual trinkgeld, entered the carriage, and rolled away with a +commanding nod. + +The host seemed speechless with astonishment, and stood as if rooted +to the spot. The servants stared after the carriage until it turned +the corner; when just then a post-horn was heard playing the agreeable +melody of "Drei Reuter," and a travelling-carriage with two large black +trunks drove up to the door. + +The servants turned pale, looking shyly toward the stairs. Slowly and +with great dignity Count St. Julien descended, greeting them with a +gentlemanly nod as he passed, and, extending his white hand with a +trinkgeld, mounted his carriage, and drove away. + +The host stood as if stunned, outside the door, looking right and left +with unspeakable terror. The servants tremblingly fixed their eyes +upon the stairs, no longer possessing the power to move, but heard the +post-horn, and the carriage which drove up to the door the third time. +Slowly and proudly Count St. Julien advanced. It was the same cold, +grave face, with the thick black beard, and the powdered peruke, the +curls of which overshadowed the brow and cheeks. He wore exactly the +same dark-brown cloak over the black velvet dress. The white hand, with +broad lace wrist-ruffles, reached them also a trinkgeld. + +This time the fellows had scarcely self-possession sufficient to take +the present, for every thing swam before their eyes, and their hearts +one moment almost ceased to beat, and then palpitated with the feverish +rapidity of terror. + +"I would run away," murmured the chief waiter, as Count St. Julien for +the fourth time drove away, "if my feet were not riveted to the floor." + +"If I could move mine I would have gone long ago," groaned the second +waiter, the clear drops standing upon his forehead. "It is witchcraft! +Oh, Heaven! they are coming again, playing the 'Drei Reuter.'" + +The count descended the stairs for the fifth time, whispered to +the hostler, who was quite engrossed counting his money, handed the +trinkgeld to the pale fellows by the door, and mounted his carriage, +driving away amid the merry peals of the post-horn. + +"Julius," murmured the steward, softly, "give my hair a good pulling, +that I may awake from this horrible dream." + +"I cannot," he whimpered, "my hands and feet are lame. I cannot move." + +"I will," said the hostler, courageously stretching forth his hand, and +pulling it so vigorously that the steward was fully convinced of the +reality of things. + +Again the post-horn sounded the "Drei Reuter;" again the carriage +stopped before the door, and the count descended, giving to every one a +gift like the "Maedchen aus der Fremde," and for the sixth time rolled +away. + +"We are bewitched; it is a ghost from the infernal regions!" groaned the +steward. + +"I cannot abide it any longer--I shall die!" said the second waiter. + +"I do not mind it," said the hostler, as he jingled the money; "if they +are ghosts from hell, the eight groschen do not come from there, for +they are quite cool. See how--Ah, there comes the count again!" + +For the seventh time he passed down the stairway, by the servants, who +wore no longer standing but kneeling, which the count received as a +proof of their profound respect, and slipped the money into their hands. + +"Praise God, all good spirits!" murmured the head waiter; but neither +the count nor the money seemed to be moved by the pious exhortation, +for he quietly entered his carriage, and the eight groschen lay in the +servant's hand, at which the hostler remarked that he would stand there +all night if the count would only continually pass by with groschen. +It pleased the count to descend the stairs yet twice more, divide the +trinkgeld, and mount his carriage. As he drove away the ninth time, it +appeared as if the Drei Reuter were determined to drive out of the gate +and forsake the hotel "King of Portugal." The host waited awhile, and +talked with the neighbors, who, roused by the continual blast of the +post-horn, were curious to know how it happened that so many guests were +departing by extra posts. Whereupon the host, in a hollow, sepulchral +voice, his eyes glaring, and shrugging his shoulders, declared that +there had been but one gentleman at the hotel, but nine times he had +seen him drive away, and the devil must have a hand in the matter! + +Shaking his head, he returned to the hotel, and found the servants +busily counting their money, occasionally casting covetous looks toward +the stairs, as if they hoped the count would again descend. + +Exactly as Cagliostro had foretold, Minister Herzberg did not return +from Sans-Souci until late in the evening, and then found Wilhelmine's +letter in his cabinet. + +Immediately the police were instructed to arrest Count St. Julien at the +hotel "King of Portugal." + +An hour later the chief of the police came to say that the count had +already been gone two hours. He repeated the account of the host, +corroborated by the servants, of nine different counts having driven +away from the hotel. + +Herzberg smiled. "We have to deal with a very clever scoundrel," said +he, "and it is no other than the so-called Count Cagliostro, who was +lately exposed as a bold trickster in Mittau and St. Petersburg, and +about whose arrest the Empress Catharine is very much exercised. It +would be very agreeable to the king to show this little attention to her +imperial highness, and trap the adroit pickpocket." + +"We might succeed in catching him in his flight," remarked the chief. +"For the last six months the king has given orders that every passport +should be examined at the gates, and the route of the travellers noted +down, which is all registered and sent to the king. It would be very +easy to discover by which gate he departed, and his route, and then have +him pursued." + +"That is well thought of, director; hasten to put it into execution, +and inform us of the result." He returned in an hour to the minister's +cabinet, shaking his head gravely. "Your excellency, it is very strange, +but he is a wizard. This man has driven out of the nine gates at the +same hour and minute." + +Herzberg laughed. "This is one of his tricks, and by it I recognize the +great necromancer." + +"Your excellency, this is no trickery, but witchery. It is impossible +for any one man to drive out of the nine gates at the same hour, in the +same carriage, with two large black trunks and a postilion blowing the +same melody, and provided with a correct passport, which he shows and is +recognized as Count St. Julien, who is going to Paris by Hamburg. Here +are the nine registers from the different gates, all the same, if I am +not bewitched and do not read straight." + +"This trick does honor to the count," said Herzberg, smiling. "To-morrow +you shall accompany me to Sans-Souci and read aloud the registers to the +king. Do you think it will be impossible to pursue the count now?" + +"I should be very happy to follow your excellency's judgment in this +matter, and arrest the rascal in any way that you could point out," said +the director. + +"I am convinced that he is in the city; and driving put of the nine +gates at the same time was the best manner to escape being discovered," +said Herzberg. "He is concealed in some one of the houses of the +brothers, and we shall be obliged to let him escape this time." + +In order the more securely to carry out the initiation of Prince +Frederick William, in company with Bischofswerder and Woellner, +Cagliostro had arranged his pretended departure. For a long time the +prince had expressed an extreme desire to be received into the mysteries +of the miraculous and holy order, of which he had heard his friends +speak with so much reverence. But he had been put off from time to +time with regrets and shrugs of the shoulders, and expressions of the +impossibility of granting the request. + +"The spirits do not always appear even to the consecrated," said +Bischofswerder. "They make themselves known after many fervent prayers +and implorings, and when we have withdrawn from every one who could +entice us to doubt or disbelief. I fear that it would be impossible to +conjure the spirits of the departed, so long as your highness honors a +certain lady with your particular favor, who ridicules the sublime order +and mingles with its enemies. How can they appear to those who have just +been in the company of a friend of the Illuminati and unbelievers?" + +"The spirit-world only reveals itself to the virtuous and pure," said +Woellner, in a harsh, dry voice. "Its inhabitants cannot approach those +who are not chaste and innocent, for sin and vice surround them with a +thick fog, which keeps them at a distance from the clear atmosphere +of the sublime. If you would call up the spirits, you must remove this +woman who entices you from the path of virtue, and renders the sphere +impure around you." + +Despite the warnings and the great wish the prince had to be received +into the spirit-world, and become a member of the highest grade of +the Rosicrucians, he could not resolve to forsake her who had been his +friend for ten years, and who had borne shame and degradation on his +account, refusing eligible and rich men rather than leave him and become +a legitimate wife. Wilhelmine was the beloved of his youth, the mother +of his two dear children, and she alone knew how to drive away the ennui +which pursued the prince, with her amiable, subtle wit. Nay, he could +not be so ungrateful, so heartless, as to reject her who had so tenderly +loved him when young and beautiful, now that the first bloom of youth +and beauty had faded! + +Bischofswerder and Woellner recognized this difficulty, and applied +themselves the more energetically for its removal. They supposed that +the unexpected arrival of Cagliostro would very naturally appear to the +prince as a special messenger, sent, without doubt, from the fathers, +to accomplish his conversion. They announced to the prince that the +Invisibles had taken pity upon his desire for knowledge, and had +consented to permit him to gaze into the regions of the blest, although +he wandered in the path of vice, and that he must hold himself in +readiness to accompany the messenger whenever he should be sent to call +him. + +For this reason the crown prince had written to Wilhelmine that she +should not expect him until the following morning, and he did not quit +his room the entire day, with excited expectation awaiting the summons. +As evening set in the prince was cast down, and quite of the opinion +that the Invisibles did not deem him worthy to enter their pure +presence, and thought that Wilhelmine must be the hinderance. Whilst he +was reflecting whether to sacrifice his beloved to the salvation of his +soul, the secret door gently opened, and two men, masked and wrapped in +black cloaks, entered and placed themselves near the door. The prince +did not remark their entrance, and was quite frightened as he chanced to +turn, and saw these two immovable figures. + +With quivering voice he demanded their mission. + +In the same tone, as if one were an echo of the other, they answered, +"We desire nothing, but you demand knowledge of the spirit-world, and +would have its mysteries revealed to you, which the Invisibles will now +grant you. Follow us, therefore!" They reopened the secret door; one of +the masked preceded the prince, and the other followed him. + +The prince shuddered at the thought that he might be rushing into some +unknown danger, and intrusting himself to those who would misuse his +confidence. He demanded to see their faces, declaring himself prepared +to follow, when acquainted with his guides. + +"It would then be better to remain," replied one of the masked. "He +who lacks confidence is not worthy of it, and he who trusts only the +Visibles, the Invisibles flee." + +The prince recognized the voice of Bischofswerder, and smiled, but +he knew not that it was permitted him to hear it to inspire him with +courage. + +"Well, so let it be; the fathers shall see that I am a believer," cried +the prince. + +Immediately one of the brothers put his own cloak, three-cornered hat, +and mask upon his highness, still remaining cloaked and masked himself, +much to the astonishment of the passive prince. "Come, now, the +Invisibles await you," said one of the masked. The prince stepped +courageously into the little corridor which led to the secret stairway, +one brother preceding him, causing a soft light to illumine their path, +the other following him. + +In silence they reached the side-door of the palace, where a close +carriage awaited them. + +"Where are you taking me?" asked Frederick William, as he entered, +followed by the two brothers. + +"To the Invisibles," answered a strange voice. + +Again the prince essayed to begin a conversation, his only response +being, "Purify your heart and pray." Silently they galloped over paved +and unpaved streets, the prince heartily repenting having been drawn +into this adventure. He thought of his charming and beloved Wilhelmine, +and half determined to give the command to drive to Charlottenburg. The +fact of Bischofswerder being with him, and fearful of appearing weak +and wanting in courage in the eyes of his friend and favorite, prevented +him. + +After several hours' drive, they stopped at the marble palace of +Potsdam, near the one which the prince was accustomed to occupy. His +highness looked cautiously around, and breathed more freely, as he felt +that he was now surely among friends. + +The white palace stood silent and deserted in the darkness, this palace +at Potsdam being only used for the guests of the king. The carriage +stopped at the side-door, where there was no sentinel, and they +alighted, entering the palace, winding along the corridors in the same +order as before, guided by the glimmering light of the one preceding. +Solemn music, strange ringing sounds, fell upon the ear as they +advanced. Sometimes they were sharp and cutting as glass, then +threatening and penetrating as the wind, shrieking and moaning, causing +one to be very nervous if not terrified. + +The farther they proceeded the louder grew the sounds, and at intervals +groans, moans and wailings were heard, as of those waiting and imploring +for mercy. + +One of the brothers now opened a door, and then placing themselves +upon each side, the unknown voice announced to the prince that they had +arrived at the long-sought-for goal. + +"What have we come here for?" asked the prince. + +"To behold that which you have many times petitioned to be permitted to +see," replied Bischofswerder, gently encouraging and inspiring Frederick +William. "The Invisibles have at last yielded to your wishes, and the +spirits which you summon will appear. If your courage fails you, and you +dread the presence of the departed, command to be reconducted to your +palace, and we will obey; but renounce forever the sublime happiness +of beholding the Invisibles and of holding communion with the +spirit-world!" + +"I fear not, but wish to be in the company of the spirits," answered the +prince, proudly. + +"Kneel," they commanded, permitting him to enter, "and thrice summon +in a loud voice the names of three departed, who will answer your +questions. Beware of approaching them, for their glance is death and +their breath destruction! Therefore remain kneeling, as it becomes a +mortal in the presence of an immortal. Hope and pray, brother!" + +As the door closed upon the prince, and he found himself in such +impenetrable darkness, he sank upon his knees, for he dared not advance, +and retreat was impossible, in spite of heart-quakings. + +The shrill, penetrating music ceased, and a voice from a distance +called: "Summon thrice those that thou desirest to see." + +"Marcus Aurelius, Leibnitz, and the distinguished elector," called the +prince in a loud voice. + +"Who summoned me?" was responded in hollow, sepulchral tones, and +directly over the crown prince a blue, vaporous light was visible--at +first only a cloud, then by degrees increasing and condensing itself +into a human shape, until it took the form of a Roman warrior of the +olden time; no other than Marcus Aurelius, in helmet and coat-of-mail, +with a pale, earth-colored face and glaring eyes. + +"Who summoned me?" repeated the figure. The prince's lips refused to +respond, and shuddering he gazed upon the corpse-like face, so exact in +feature to the old Roman emperor. + +"You answer me not!" thundered the voice, "but I will tell you who you +are--one lost in sin and an apostate!--the crown prince of Prussia, +a future king, who will be called to govern a people, and knows not +self-government! Turn from the path of vice while it is yet time; rise +from the dust, that the ashes of retribution do not bury you in a living +tomb, like the sinful Pompeians. No monument marks the place of +the sinful; he sinks into the night of oblivion, or he is cursed by +succeeding generations. Therefore turn from the errors of sin. Rise to +virtue, that the blessed may approach you. I shudder in your presence. +Woe to you! woe! woe!" + +The cloud-portrait vanished, and darkness reigned for a moment. The +prince cried in anguish: "I will hear no more; this air oppresses +me--open the door--I renounce communion with the spirits; I will go +out!" + +The light reappeared in the dark room and another form hovered over the +prince--of grave, obscure face, with a great peruke, staring at him. He +recognized the distinguished philosopher Leibnitz, whom he had desired +to see, but who now filled him with unspeakable terror. Like the +former spirit, he also, when unanswered, reproached the erring prince, +conjuring him to return to virtue. + +As the menacing ghost disappeared, the prince felt for the door, and +shook it with the power which terror lends, crying, "Open, open!" +It opened not, and the third summoned, the great elector, Frederick +William, appeared, with high, up-lifted arm, glittering eyes, advancing +with angry mien, shaking his lion's mane against the erring son of his +house, whom he menaced with curses and revenge, if he did not renounce +the courtesan who had seduced him to vice and unchastity. + +"I will become better," groaned the prince. "I will perform the wish of +the spirits. Only have mercy on me--free me. Help! help! Open the door, +Bischofswerder, I will do better. Open the door!" + +This time it really opened, and a long train of dark, masked forms +entered the dusky room surrounding the prince, wringing their hands, +imploring him to turn from sin, and forsake the unholy woman. + +They whimpered, they implored, sinking upon their knees, beating their +clinched hands, and weeping: "Turn, beloved elect! Renounce Wilhelmine +Enke; renounce vice! Repulse the seductress, and turn your countenance +to Virtue which you have seen in all her beauty!" + +"I will perform that which you demand," wept the prince, as the deathly +terror and nervous excitement made him yielding. + +"Swear!" cried the chorus of masks. + +"I swear that Wilhelmine Enke shall no longer be my mistress. I swear by +all that is holy that I will renounce her! I--" + +Voice failed him; there was a ringing and buzzing in his ears; every +thing swam before his eyes, and he sank fainting. The prince awoke after +long unconsciousness, and found himself upon his bed in the new palace +at Potsdam, Bischofswerder at his side, watching him with the tenderest +sympathy. He bent over him and pressed his hand to his lips with a +cry of delight. "Heaven be praised; my dear prince, you have awaked to +commence a new life! You now belong to the virtuous and honorable, whom +the Invisible Fathers bless!" + +"Is it true, Bischofswerder," said the prince, languidly, "that I have +sworn to renounce Wilhelmine Enke, and never to love her more?" + +"You have sworn it by all that is holy, and all in heaven and on earth +have heard your oath, and there is joy thereat." + +The prince turned his head, that Bischofswerder might not see the tears +streaming down his cheeks. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. THE RETURN HOME. + + +The beautiful house which Herr Ebenstreit von Leuthen possessed upon the +finest street in Berlin, "Unter den Linden," had been newly arranged and +splendidly ornamented since his marriage and elevation to a title, and +now awaited his arrival. For many weeks mechanics and artists had +been busily employed; and the good housekeeper, old Trude, saw with +bewildering astonishment the daily increasing splendor of gilded +furniture, costly mirrors and chandeliers, soft carpets, tapestries, and +gold-embroidered curtains, exquisite paintings and statuary, which +the possessor had forwarded from Italy, and many other objects of art +standing upon gilt and marble tables. + +Every thing was completed. The bustle of the busy workmen had ceased, +and Trude slowly wandered through the solitary rooms, examining every +article. Her face bespoke dissatisfaction, and a smile of contempt was +visible there. + +"Miserable trash, for which they have sold my poor child!" murmured the +old woman. "For these worthless, glittering toys have they ruined the +happiness of the dear innocent heart, and on them the guilt will fall if +her soul is lost! I remark how she is changed in her letters since her +shameful, mercenary marriage. She writes of nothing but the arrangement +of her house, and speaks as if the beauty and costliness of things were +only to be thought of, and there is not even a confidential, heart-felt +word for her old Trude. It would seem as if she had forgotten all former +objects of interest. Oh, what trouble and sorrows the rich have! That +good-for-nothing money hardens their hearts and makes them evil and +selfish." + +The loud ringing of a bell sounded through the solitary drawing-rooms. + +"That is, undoubtedly, the general's wife," said Trude, shaking her +head. "She rings as if she would announce the king, with her nose turned +up so high, or as if she were the money-sacks of her son-in-law!" + +Trude was right; her shrill voice was heard ordering the steward, who +had but just arrived. "It is abominable, it is unheard of!" she cried, +as with a heavy push she burst open the door; "this man presumes to +contradict me, and--ah, there you are, Trude!" + +"Here I am," she answered; "were you looking for me?" + +"Yes, and I would ask you if my orders are not the same as if given by +Herr Ebenstreit von Leuthen or his wife, or have you instructed the new +steward otherwise, which, it is laughable to say, you have engaged?" + +"No, I have not instructed him thus. Dear Marie has not ordered it in +her letter." + +"Dear Marie," repeated Frau von Werrig. "How can you permit yourself to +speak so intimately of the rich Baroness von Ebenstreit?" + +"Very true, it is not right," sighed Trude; "I beg pardon." + +"I came here to see if every thing was in readiness, and ordered the +steward to ornament the doors and corridors with garlands of flowers; he +has had the boldness to tell me he dares not do it!" + +"He is right, Frau von Leuthen. Baroness Ebenstreit von Leuthen (have I +got the title right?) wrote and expressly forbade any festivity to greet +her arrival. Here is the letter--I carry it around with me; I will read +it to you: 'I expressly forbid any manifestation whatever to be made at +our return, whether of garlands or flowers, as they are only hypocrisy +and falsehood. I wish no one there to receive me--remember, Trude, no +one! Inform my family that, as soon as I have recovered from the fatigue +of the journey, I will make them the visit of duty with the baron.'" + +"What cold, heartless words are these! One could hardly believe that a +daughter was writing of her parents." + +"On her wedding-day she perhaps forgot that she had any," said Trude, +shrugging her shoulders, "and she should not be at once reminded of that +trying occasion on her return. I expect her every moment, as the courier +has already arrived an hour ago, and it would be better--" + +"You cannot be so impudent as to tell me to leave? Indeed, I will not be +prevented from waiting to receive my only child that I have not seen for +three years. One can well believe that a mother would be impatient to +embrace her dear daughter! I have no other happiness but my beloved +child, and I long, unspeakably, to press her to my heart and tell her my +sorrow." + +"Sorrow! is it possible that Frau von Werrig has any griefs? I supposed +there was nothing in the world troubled her." + +"And yet I am very much tormented. I can well tell you, Trude, as you +are familiar with our circumstances," sighed the countess. "You know the +general is tolerably well; the journeys to Wiesbaden and Teplitz have +cured him of the gout unfortunately, so that he can go about." + +"Are you sorry for that, Frau von Werrig?" + +"Certainly I am, Trude, as he has returned to his former habits, +frequenting the society of drinking-houses and gamblers. Imagine the +general played yesterday, lost all his ready money, and that was not +enough, but signed away the year's pension from Herr von Ebenstreit, +during which time we have nothing but the miserable army annuity to live +upon." + +"Then your income will be less to live upon than formerly, for dear +Marie earned something with her flowers and lessons which she gave to +you, although she was never thanked for it. She was then my dear +good Marie, so industrious and patient, and worked untiringly for her +parents! Then she forgot them not, and toiled early and late, and, oh, +it breaks my heart to think of it, and I must cry in your presence!" + +She raised the corner of her dark-blue apron and dried her eyes, holding +it there as she continued to weep. + +"What an ugly apron!" cried the countess, "and how meanly you are +dressed altogether! Is that the way you intend to go looking as the +housekeeper of a rich and genteel family? Go, Trude, quickly, and put +something better on, that you may receive your master and mistress in a +suitable dress." + +"I shall remain as I am, for I am very properly dressed. It may not +be suitable for a housekeeper, but it becomes old Trude, and it is my +Sunday frock, which I always wore when I was maid-of-all-work to you. +You may not remember it, but dear Marie (I should say Baroness von +Ebenstreit) will, perhaps, and it may recall her little room in the +garret, and then--" + +"And then she will at last think, Trude, how we took care of her, and +how thankful she ought to be to her parents that they married her to a +rich man. If Marie sees it at last--" + +"You forget with whom you speak, Frau von Werrig," Trude interrupted +her, scornfully, "and that it does not become you to speak of Marie to +old Trude, but you should remember her title." + +"Well, then, when Baroness von Ebenstreit enters this costly house, she +must understand that her mother was mindful of her best interests, and +that she owes all this to her; and you, Trude, must remind her of it, +and tell her about my dreadful trial with her father, and that it is my +daughter's duty to release me from it, and beg her husband not to deduct +the gambling-debt from the pension, but pay it this once. For it would +be a dreadful injustice to make me suffer for the general's rage for +play, and show but little gratitude for the riches which I brought her. +You will tell my daughter all this, Trude, and--" + +"I will not tell her any thing at all, Frau von Werrig," interrupted. +Trude, warmly. "May my good genius keep me from that, and burdening +my conscience with such falsehoods.--Hark! A carriage is coming, and a +post-horn sounded. They have arrived!" + +Old Trude hurried out just as they drove up to the door. The steward and +two servants in livery rushed down the steps to assist them to alight, +and Trude also to greet her favorite, who was now so pale, grave, and +chilling in her appearance. + +The large eyes of the lady rested with cold indifference upon the old +woman, whose eyes were turned to her with the tenderest expression. "I +thank you," she said, coldly. "Husband! I beg you to give me your arm." +Proudly she passed the statuary, and over the soft carpets without +comment, or even a word for old Trude. + +The steward and housekeeper followed the silent couple. + +"Shall I take you to your room first?" asked Ebenstreit, "or will you do +me the pleasure to look at the newly-arranged drawing-rooms?" + +"Certainly," she replied, with indifference. "We will first look at the +drawing-rooms, as we shall probably receive much company this winter, +and they are of the first importance. You know that I dislike solitude." + +"Indeed, I recall that we are very seldom alone!" sighed her husband. + +"It would be fearful if we were," replied his wife, with marked +indifference. + +The steward just now opened the little door of the ante-room, sparkling +with chandeliers and mirrors. "Ah! this is really beautiful, and well +chosen," cried Ebenstreit, looking about with an air of great pride and +satisfaction. "Tell me, Marie, is it not worthy of you?" + +Glancing coldly around, she replied: "It does not please at all. The +furniture is very costly, and reminds one of the parvenu. Every thing +recalls the riches of the newly-titled banker." + +Her husband's brow contracted, but he did not trust himself to contest +his dissatisfaction with his cold, proud wife, but sought another vent +for it. + +"You are very unkind, Marie. Have the goodness to tell me how you, with +these severe ideas, can suffer that Trude for a moment should appear +before us in this poor-looking dress which, indeed, does not recall any +wealth!" + +Frau von Ebenstreit's eyes glanced quickly over the old who, she +said, was the only object which did not bespeak the gaudiness of +newly-acquired wealth, but she appeared as the respectable servant of an +old and noble family in fitting dress. "Remain as you are, Trude, and do +not let yourself be misled by our follies! I--but what is that I see?" +she cried as the steward opened the next door at the silent nod of her +husband. + +"Oh, my beloved children, there you are at last; after three years' +absence I have the happiness to embrace you, my only daughter," cried +Frau von Werrig, as she approached them with outstretched arms and an +affectionate smile, essaying to throw her arms around Marie's neck, who +waved her back. + +"My child, my child," whimpered the mother, "is it possible that my +daughter can receive me thus after so long a separation?" + +Turning to Trude, Marie asked her, with a reproving look and tone, +if she had received her letter, or if she had forgotten her express +commands that no one but the servants should be in the house to receive +them. + +"I did not forget it, my lady, and I have read the orders to Frau von +Werrig, but she--" + +"Knew that this wish had no reference to her, as she is her mother--Tell +me, my beloved son, is it not very natural and fitting that I should be +here to receive you?' + +"I find it a matter of course," answered Von Ebenstreit, to whom it +appeared a relief to find an ally in the mother against his proud and +beautiful wife. "I rejoice to see our dear mother here, and I beg Marie +will join me." + +Marie cast an angry glance toward her husband, which so confused +and perplexed him, that he looked down. Then advancing toward the +drawing-room, with her usual cold demeanor, without further comment upon +the ostentatious furniture, she commanded her husband to follow, who +obeyed, giving his arm to his mother-in-law. + +"Oh, this is glorious!" he cried, smiling. "What splendor, what luxury! +Tell me, my dear mother, is not this beautiful reception-room very +aristocratically and appropriately fitted up?" + +"I should think a princess or a queen might be satisfied with it," she +cried, with enthusiasm. "Even in royal palaces there is nothing of the +kind to compare to this gold-embroidered tapestry." + +"Baron," said Marie, commandingly, "have the kindness to dismiss the +steward. I wish to speak with you and Frau von Werrig." + +The steward slipped out without waiting to be sent, and Trude stood +near the door, turning to the young baroness, as if to ask if she might +remain. + +"Did you not hear, Trude?" cried the mother, impatiently. "Tell her to +go!" + +"Remain, Trude," said Marie, quietly. "You are familiar with the past. I +have nothing to deny to you; shut the door and stay here.--And now," +she continued, as her voice lost its gentleness, when she addressed +her mother, "if it is agreeable to you, I should like to have an +understanding with you!" + +"But, my child," sighed the mother, "how strangely altered you are! You +address me, your mother, as Frau von Werrig, and you speak to Ebenstreit +in a very formal manner, who has been your dear, faithful husband for +three years. Oh, my darling son, what does this ceremonious manner +mean?" + +"The very first hour, after our marriage, that we were alone my dear +Marie severely reproved me for having addressed her in an intimate, +affectionate manner, like the common class, as she called it, and I have +never done so since." + +"You must be convinced that I am right," said Marie, calmly, "and that +it does not become two beings, who neither love nor esteem each other, +and who live in the most ceremonious manner, to address one another with +endearing epithets. At any rate we are not accountable to any one, and +Frau von Leuthen must know the relations we bear to each other in the +so-called marriage, as it is her arrangement for the most part." + +"And I pride myself upon it," she cried, with animation. "I have brought +about this marriage, which is good fortune to us, and I hope my daughter +will prove her gratitude, and my son will show me the affection he has +so often sworn to me." + +"I do not know what my husband may have sworn to you, but permit me to +say, I do not understand whom you, Frau von Werrig, address as daughter +here; if you accidentally refer to me, you are in error; I have never +possessed a mother to love me, although formerly, during long years I +endeavored with tender assiduity to win a parent's heart. That is +long past, however. The very day that I married Herr von Ebenstreit I +renounced all family ties, and resolved to be self-reliant. My husband +will witness that he has never known me to yield, and that I have always +been firm and resolute in my decision." + +"No one would doubt it," replied Ebenstreit, timidly. "We had a very +strange marriage, which scarce deserves the name. We resemble more two +companions who have joined in business, the one side reluctantly, and +the other joyfully. I long for a happy married life, which has been +quite impossible thus far." + +"And will be to the end, which you will yet learn; and Fran von Werrig +should understand it, as she brought about the union, and should not be +in doubt as to the conclusion." + +"I acknowledge that I am almost speechless and quite paralyzed with that +which I see and hear. I should doubt that this cold, proud woman before +me were my daughter, if it were not for the name she bears, and her +features." + +"That which you and my husband have caused me to become. He knew that +I neither loved nor esteemed him, and that a union with him seemed so +unendurable that I would have sought refuge in death, if I had not vowed +to support life to attain the aim which I imposed upon myself. That is +all past; it is the future which we must arrange. I am glad that you are +here, Frau von Werrig, that we may understand each other once for all; +but you came against my wishes." + +"You must excuse it, dear Marie. It was the longing of mother's heart +which led me hither; the love--" + +A cold, contemptuous glance of the large eyes caused the mother to +cease, and quail before her daughter. + +After a short pause Marie continued: "I wish to exercise alone and +unhindered the executive rights of a lady in her own house. Do you +acknowledge the justice of this, my husband?" + +"Perfectly and unconditionally, dear Marie. You know that I have no +other will but yours, which is my highest happiness to submit myself +to in all things, always hoping to gain your love and win your heart; +that--" + +"That this woman has changed to stone," said Marie, coldly, pointing to +her mother. "As you then recognize me as the mistress of this house, I +shall avail myself of my just right, and no one can prevent me, for I +stand alone, absolved from all family ties. By my birth and your riches, +I shall occupy the position of a woman of the world, and as such I shall +live." + +"I am delighted to hear it, Marie," cried her husband. "For this reason +I have had the drawing-rooms furnished in the most costly manner, and +I shall be proud to receive the aristocratic society who will come to +render homage to my wife, as they have done everywhere in Paris, London, +Rome, Madrid, and St. Petersburg. We have frequented the highest circle +in all these cities, and they have crowded our drawing-rooms, charmed +with the beauty, distinguished manners, tone of the world, of your +daughter." + +"I beg of you to make but one subject the sole object of conversation," +said Marie, harshly. "I have said that I will avail myself of the +privilege, as mistress of this house, of receiving no one whom I do +not wish to see, and no one can enter without consent. Is it clearly +understood, husband?" + +"Yes," he answered, somewhat agitated; "it is the right of every +housekeeper--I understand you." + +"It is also clear to me," cried Frau von Werrig, with difficulty +suppressing her wrath. "But I will await the decisive word, and see +whether it is possible for a daughter to have the insolent presumption +to drive he mother from her house!" + +"I have already informed you that I have no mother, and that no one has +the right to call me daughter. If you await my decision, you shall now +hear it; you are not included among those that I wish to receive in my +house!" + +"Ah, dear Marie, you are cruel!" cried her husband, quite frightened. + +"She is a degenerate, good-for-nothing creature!" cried the mother. + +"If I am so, who has caused it but you, both of you? Who broke my heart, +and crushed it under foot until it ceased to feel, and turned to stone? +Bear the consequences of your cruelty and heartlessness! I cannot change +it, and I repeat, Frau von Werrig has not the right to enter this house, +or to remain here any longer!" + +Scalding tears fell from the mother's eyes as she shrieked, "She drives +me from her house!" + +"I am only treating you as you behaved to one of the noblest and best +of men," replied Marie, voice and look betraying her deep feeling. "You +thrust from your door, with scorn and contempt, a man worthy of your +esteem and recognition, although you knew that my heart was breaking. +I am only following your example and exercising my just rights, and am +less guilty than you are, as neither of us has need of the respect or +esteem of the other." + +"Can you suffer this, my son? Do you allow any one in your presence +to treat me so shamefully? After all, it is your house; do speak and +exercise your right as master here: tell your wife that I am her mother, +and you, my adopted son, who bears my name, and that I have the just +right to come here as often as it pleases me." + +"Speak your mind to Frau von Werrig," said Marie, as Ebenstreit remained +silent. "Decide which shall remain, as one or the other of us must +leave; you are perfectly free to choose." + +"Then, naturally, there is no choice left me," replied Ebenstreit, +despondingly. "I declare myself for my wife, of course, who is the +noblest and proudest beauty in Berlin, and will make my house the centre +of attraction to the aristocracy, nobility, and wealth. This is my +greatest pride, and to secure this I wooed my beautiful bride, and have +submitted to all the sorrow and humiliation which have been my portion. +If I must choose between the mother and daughter, I naturally prefer the +latter." + +"He abandons me also!" cried the mother. "You are an ungrateful, +wretched man! You forget that you owe every thing to me, and that +without me you were a miserable mercenary, whose stupidity and +tediousness were the ridicule of every one, and you had never gained the +entrance to a genteel house. What have you now become? A high-born man, +whose house every one will crowd, and who could even appear at court, as +he bears our noble and distinguished name. To whom do you owe all this, +but to me alone?" + +"God in heaven, Thou hearest it!" cried Marie, solemnly, with uplifted +arms. "She acknowledges that she alone has brought this misfortune upon +me, and in this hour I stand justified." + +"Pardon, Frau von Werrig," said Ebenstreit, haughtily; "you are going +too far. After my fortune, I thank you for my position. I am certainly +of insignificant birth, but I am ambitious and rich. I said to myself, +'Money can bring about all that I wish,' and you see it has accomplished +it. My wealth procured me a title, a splendid house, a beautiful wife, +and a position in society. I acknowledge that you aided me in the +carrying out of my plans, but you would not have done it, if I had not +been in a position to pay you. You receive a very considerable annuity +from me, therefore you cannot accuse me of ingratitude, but must confess +that you have driven a very good bargain. You must forgive me if I beg +of you to end this painful scene." + +"That means that I must leave," said Frau von Werrig, mildly, +remembering the gambling debt and the annuity. "Very well, I will go, +and promise you never to return, upon two conditions." + +"Have the goodness to communicate them," said Ebenstreit. + +"The first is, pay the gambling-debt of my husband, who has played +away the entire sum you allow us yearly, and do not deduct it from our +income. The second is, increase your allowance five hundred thalers, +without letting the general know it, and pay it to me." + +"It is impossible," cried Ebenstreit, terrified. "You mistake me for a +Croesus, whose wealth is inexhaustible. If this expenditure and demand +increase, my colossal fortune will be entirely wasted, and--" + +"You exaggerate," interrupted Marie, with a peculiar brilliancy in her +eyes. "Such wealth as yours is never-ending, and the banking business, +which you are still engaged in under another name, is an inexhaustible +source of wealth. I beg you to accept these conditions, that we may at +last be at peace." + +"Very well," said Ebenstreit, to whom the words of Marie sounded as the +sweetest music. "I will then accord your wishes, and you shall have the +five hundred thalers for yourself." + +"For me alone?" + +"Yes, for yourself alone, Frau von Werrig." + +"Who vouches for the fulfilment of your promise?" + +"My word, Frau von Werrig." + +"I have no confidence but in a written promise." + +"Then I will have it made out, and bring you the document to-morrow +morning." + +"Then our business is finished, and I can go.--Farewell, baroness; +this is my last word to you. I cursed you from the moment you came into +being. If you had been a son, the rich estate in trust of my family +would have passed to you, of which I was the natural heir. As it was, +it went to a distant relative, and we received nothing. Therefore your +parents could not rejoice at your birth, and we only pardoned you +when you married a rich man, who could free us from want, and now +the separation is no grief to us. You have always been a disagreeable +burden, and I am only quit of a discomfort, and renounce forever the +sight of you.--Give me your arm, my son, and accompany me at least +to the threshold of your house, that you may be able to say to this +cold-hearted viper, that she is forever rid of the sight of her mother, +who will never think of her but with chilling contempt." She seized +Ebenstreit by the arm, who had not the courage to resist her, and drew +him along with her, casting a look of supreme disgust at old Trude, who +stood pale and sad near the door. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. BEHIND THE MASK. + + +As the door closed, and Marie found herself alone with her old friend +and nurse, a peculiar change was visible in her sad face; something of +its former sunny radiance brightened its usually sorrowful expression, +and she turned to greet Trude with the smile of earlier, happier days, +though it was tinged with sadness and grief. Impulsively she threw her +arms around her faithful nurse, kissing her, and, with quivering lip, +whispering: "A greeting and a blessing for you, dear mother! Take me to +your kind, disinterested heart, and let me there find repose from all +this torture and love the poor lost one, who--" + +She drew suddenly back, her face assuming its usually cold, look as she +heard her husband enter. + +"She is gone, dear Marie. I hope that you are gratified with my +decision, and perceive therein a proof of my excessive love and esteem +for you," said Ebenstreit, drawing a long breath. + +"I did not desire this polite evidence of it," she coldly responded. "We +have solemnized our entrance into this house in a fitting manner, and +the important matter remaining for us is to make known our arrival to +the society of Berlin. The horses purchased in Alexandria, and the new +carriage from London, have already arrived--have they not?" + +"My book-keeper so informed me a fortnight since, when we were in Paris, +and complained of the enormous sum which he had to disburse." + +"You must forbid him such a liberty once for all," said she, and the +strange blending of joy and scorn was visible in her face. "It is +inadmissible for a subordinate to presume to complain to his master, or +advise him. He has only to listen and obey. This all your inferiors must +understand, and know that they will be dismissed who murmur or advise!" + +"I will instruct them accordingly," he sighed, "though I must confess +my head-man well understands financial operations, and during the many +years that he has been with me has won the right to be consulted and +advised with." + +"Then prove your gratitude as it becomes a true cavalier and a +nobleman," dictated Marie. "Settle his salary as an annuity upon him, +and replace him." + +"But he receives very great wages, and is still very active, though +advanced." + +"The more the reason to pension him, that he may repose his remaining +years and enjoy the fruit of his labors. But do as you like. I have only +told you how a noble cavalier would act; if you choose to bargain and +haggle, it is your own affair." + +"Heaven keep me from acting otherwise than as a nobleman!" cried +Ebenstreit. + +Marie nodded assent, desiring that the carriage might be ordered, with +the Arab horses. "We will make our visits at once, as I will, for the +first time, open our large house for a soiree to-morrow evening," she +added. + +"Ah, that is charming!" said Ebenstreit, delighted. "I shall at last +have the opportunity of seeing the aristocratic Berlin society, and +enter upon the rank of my new title." + +"Yes," she replied, with an expression of irrepressible scorn, "you will +have this enjoyment. Send me the steward, I wish to give him a list of +the invited guests. You can add to it at your pleasure." + +"I have no one to invite," cried her husband. + +"No matter! Make the necessary preparations. I will go to my room to +make my toilet." + +"Will you not allow me to accompany you? You are not yet familiar with +the house." + +"Trude will show it to me, and you can at the same time give the +orders." + +Nodding proudly to Ebenstreit, she told Trude to precede her, following +the old woman through the suite of brilliant rooms. + +"Here is my lady's dressing-room," said Trude, entering one ornamented +with mirrors, laces, and gauzes. + +The French waiting-maid was busy within, unpacking the large trunks +filled with silk and satin dresses which had been purchased by the +dozens in Paris. + +"Lay out an elegant visiting toilet; I will return directly, after Trude +has shown me the house," They entered the adjoining chamber, Marie's +sleeping-room and found the German maid arranging the lace and silk +coverings for her mistress to repose herself after the long journey. +Marie betrayed no inclination for repose, but questioned Trude as to +whither the other door led to. + +"Into the little corridor, baroness." + +"Did I not order that there should be but one entrance to my +sleeping-room, and that from the dressing-room?" + +"Your commands have been strictly obeyed," replied Trude. "The only door +from the corridor leads to my two rooms, and there is but one entrance +to them upon the other side, which can be securely fastened." + +Into the simple, quiet room, at the baroness's request, Trude opened the +door, saying, "Here we can be alone." + +Marie pointed silently to the second door, and the old woman nodded: +"That is it," said she. "I have done every thing as you directed. After +you left, they sent me the furniture of your little garret-room, which I +have arranged exactly as it stood there." + +As Marie opened the door and found herself in the small room, so like +the one where she had made flowers, given lessons, consoled by her only +friend, Trude, her pride and reserve vanished. Sinking upon her knees, +as if crushed, she gave way to her long-pent-up grief in one cry of +anguish, clinging to Trude, and weeping bitterly. + +"Here I am, my faithful nurse, returned to you more wretched and +miserable than when I left: then, I felt that I could scorn the world, +and now I despise myself. Oh, Trude, they have caused my wretchedness, +they have made me selfish and unkind. I was contented until now, and +rejoiced in my misery, and triumphantly thought of the time when I was +wont to bewail my broken heart and lost soul. Once more with you, and +surrounded with the souvenirs of my girlhood, I feel a horror of myself, +and could sink in shame and contrition. I have become as bad as they +are. Can you forgive the hard-hearted daughter who banished her own +mother from her house? I felt that I could not endure her presence, and +feared that an inveterate rancor and hate would overpower me, and that I +should curse her." + +"She deserves it, my poor child," whispered Trude, the tears streaming +down her cheeks. "She has just told you that she never loved you, and in +this painful scene she thought only of bargaining and making money. God +has heard her and forgiven you as I do, and I beg and implore Him to +punish those who have made you so wretched, and that He will have no +mercy upon them, as they have shown none to you. It breaks my heart to +see you so changed, and I can hardly believe this cold, haughty lady is +my Marie. In your tears I recognize you, and I bless God that you can +weep; your grief proves to me that you are yet the child of my heart." + +"Oh Trude, you know not how I have longed to see you; it was my only +consolation in these painful years. When I doubted every human being, +then I thought of you, and was comforted and sustained." + +"And was there no one else to think of, my child?" + +"Yes," she gently murmured, "I thought of him. Tell me all you know +about him, and hide nothing from me in this hour." + +"I thought you would ask me, and I went to Director Gedicke yesterday, +to inform myself." + +"What did you hear? Tell me the most important. Does he live? Is he +restored to health?" + +"He lives, but, for one year, he was so wretched that he could +not teach; now he is better. Herr Gedicke went himself to Spandau, +immediately after the wedding, and brought him back with him, relating +as forbearingly and carefully as possible the circumstances of your +marriage, and of your sacrificing yourself for him alone." + +"How did he receive it? What did he say?" + +"Nothing. His eyes were fixed, and his lips uttered not a sound. This +lasted for weeks, and suddenly he became excited, enraged, and they were +obliged to bind him to keep him from injuring himself." + +"Tell me no more," cried Marie, shuddering. "I thought myself stronger, +nay, heartless, and yet it seems as if a hand of iron were tearing, +rending my soul!" + +"That is well," said Trude, gently; "you must awaken from this hardened +indifference; giving way to your grief in tears will soften your heart, +and it will again be penetrated with the love of God and mankind. I will +tell you every thing; you ought to know how poor, dear Moritz suffered. +After he vented his rage he became melancholy, and withdrew to Halle in +solitude, living in a hay-loft. His favorite books and an old piano +were his only companions; no one presumed to intrude him, and they even +conveyed his food secretly to him, shoving it through a door. He talked +aloud to himself for hours long, and at night sang so touchingly, +accompanying himself upon the piano, that those who listened wept." + +Marie wept also--scalding tears trickled through her fingers as she lay +upon the floor. + +Trude continued: "Moritz lived in this way one year; his friends knew +how he was suffering, and they proved in their deeds how much they loved +and esteemed him. The teachers at the Gymnasium divided his hours of +instruction among them, that he should not forfeit his place and lose +his salary. Even the king showed great sympathy for him, sending to +inquire for him. Herr Gedicke visited him frequently at Halle; and once +when about to mount the ladder to the hay-loft he met Moritz descending, +carefully dressed, in a reasonable, gentle mood, and then he returned +with him to Berlin. There was great rejoicing in the college over his +return, and they feted him, witnessing so much love for him that it was +really touching. He has been promoted to professor, and at the express +command of the king he teaches the young Prince Frederick William in +Latin and Greek. Oh, he is so much esteemed and--" + +"And is married I hope," murmured Marie. "Is he not happily married, +Trude?" + +"No. Herr Gedicke says he could marry a wealthy girl, for he is a great +favorite, and is invited into the most distinguished society. He repels +every one, and has become a woman-hater." + +"He hates them--does that mean that he hates me?" + +"Yes, he thoroughly scorns and despises you; so much so that Herr +Gedicke says you should know of it, and keep out of his way. He has +sworn to publicly show his contempt for you, and therefore his friends +wish you to be apprised of it, and not encounter him in society." + +"It is well, I thank you," said Marie, rising; "I will act accordingly. +Kiss me once more, my dear mother, and let me repose my weary head upon +your bosom. Ah, Trude, what a sorrow life is!" + +"You will yet learn to love it again, Marie." + +"If I thought that I could sink so low, I would kill myself this very +hour. I know myself better, and only for revenge do I live. Hush! say +nothing more. Look at me! I am cursed, and there in those gaudy rooms in +my purgatory; here is my paradise, and here the wicked demon may dare +to change into the sad, wretched wife, who mourns the happy days already +flown, and weeps the inconsolable future. Oft will I come here in the +night when those sleep who think me so proud and happy, and you alone +shall behold me as I am. Now I must back to purgatory.--Farewell!" + +A half hour later a splendid carriage drove from the house of Herr +Ebenstreit von Leuthen. The people upon the street stood in wondering +admiration of the beautiful Arab horses with the costly silver-mounted +harness, and sought to catch a glimpse of the occupants of the carriage, +an insignificant, meagre, blond-haired man, who appeared like a servant +beside the lovely pale wife, though proud and indifferent, who kept her +eyes fixed steadily before her. + +The chasseur, with his waving plumes, sat upon the box beside the +rich-liveried coachman. + +As the married couple returned from their drive, having left their cards +at the most distinguished houses in Berlin, the baroness handed the list +of guests to be invited to the baron to examine. He glanced hastily over +it, assuring her that every thing should be directed as she desired, +deferring all to her superior knowledge. Suddenly he seemed confused, +even frightened. "What is the matter? What were you about to remark?" +asked Marie, indifferently. + +"I was in error. I have, without doubt, read it wrong. I beg pardon for +a foolish blunder, but will you tell me this name?" + +Marie bent forward to look at the paper which her husband handed her, +and, pointing with her finger, read "Professor Philip Moritz." + +"Do you intend to invite him?" asked Ebenstreit, quite alarmed. + +"Why should I not? He belongs to the circle of friends and +acquaintances, and it is natural that I should include him. Moreover, +there is not a little gossip, and it is necessary to silence it. If you +are not of my opinion, strike out the name." + +"Not at all, dearest. On the contrary, you are perfectly right, and I +admire you for it." + +"Then give the list to the butler, for it is quite time that the +invitations were given out." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. THE CURSE. + + +The evening of the soiree had arrived. In quick succession drove the +carriages up the broad entrance to the mansion of Herr Ebenstreit, The +curious street public pressed in compact masses near the gate to peep +in, or at least catch a fugitive glance of the ladies alighting from +their carriages, who were received by the butler at the foot of the +carpeted steps. A host of gold-bespangled footmen lined the entrance +upon each side, which was ornamented with the most exquisite hot-house +plants, filling the air with perfume. + +Two tall, stately footmen, with broad gold shoulder-bands and large +gilt batons, stood at the door of the anteroom, which was brilliantly +illuminated with chandeliers and side-lights, reflected in the numerous +mirrors. The anteroom led into the reception-room by wide folding-doors, +where the names were given to the usher, who announced them in a +stentorian voice in the drawing-room. There stood the Baron von +Ebenstreit to receive the guests, all smiles, and with bustling +assiduity accompany them to the adjoining drawing-room to present them +to the baroness. + +Among the select company were conspicuous the most distinguished +names of the aristocracy. Generals and staff-officers, countesses and +baronesses were crowded together, with the ladies of the financial +world, near ministers and counsellors in this gorgeous saloon, which was +the delight and admiration of the envious, and excited the tongues of +the slanderous. Those acquainted gathered in the window-niches and +cosy corners, maliciously criticising the motley crowd, and eminently +consoled with the sure prospect of the ruin of the late banker, +surrounding himself with such unbecoming splendor and luxury, the bad +taste of his arrogant, overdressed, and extravagant wife. + +"Have you noticed her parure of diamonds?" whispered the Countess Moltke +to Fran von Morien. "If they are real, then she wears an estate upon her +shoulders." + +"The family estate of Von Leuthen," laughingly replied Frau von Morien. +"You know, I suppose, that the father of General von Leuthen was a +brick-burner, and he may have succeeded in changing a few bricks into +diamonds." + +"You are wicked, sweet one," replied the countess, smiling. "One must +acknowledge that her toilet is charming. I have never seen its equal. +The gold lace over the rose-colored satin is superb." + +"Yes, and the mingling of straw feathers, diamonds, flowers, lace, and +birds is truly ridiculous in her head-dress." + +"It must have been copied exactly from the one which the Queen Marie +Antoinette wore at the ball at Versailles a fortnight since. The +baroness was present at this court ball with her greyhound of a husband, +and created quite a sensation with her costly recherchee toilet, as the +French ambassador told us yesterday." + +"Certainly not by her manner," said Frau von Morien. "She is +insupportably arrogant and self-sufficient. What do you think of this +pretentious manner of announcing our names as if we were at an auction +where they sold titles?" + +"It is a very good French custom," remarked the countess. "But it +does not become a lady of doubtful nobility and uncertain position, to +introduce foreign customs here. She should leave this to others, and +modestly accept those already in use by us." + +"One remarks the puffed-up parvenue," whispered Frau von Morien. "Every +thing smells of the varnish upon the newly-painted coat-of-arms." + +"Hush, my friend! I there comes the baroness leaning upon the arm of the +French ambassador. She is indeed imposing in appearance, and one could +mistake her for a queen." + +"Could any one ever suppose that this queen once made flowers to sell? +Come, countess, I have just thought of a charming scene to revenge +myself upon this arrogant personage." + +Giving her arm to the countess, she approached her hostess leaning upon +the arm of the Marquis de Treves, the French ambassador, as they were +standing beneath the immense chandelier of rock crystal, which sparkled +above them like a crown of stars, causing her diamonds to look as if in +one blaze of different hues. + +"Oh, permit us to sun ourselves in your rays, ma toute belle," said the +Countess Moltke. "One could well fancy themselves in a fairy palace, so +enchanting is everything here." + +"And the baroness's appearance confirms this impression," remarked the +gallant Frenchman. "Fancy could not well paint a more lovely fairy in +one's happiest dreams." + +"Yes, truly I wander around as if in an enchanted scene. I feel as if +I must seize myself by the head and be well shaken, to convince myself +that I am really awake and not dreaming a chapter from Aladdin. I made +the effort, but felt the wreath of roses in my hair, and--" + +"And that convinced you of your wakefulness," said the baroness, a +little haughtily. Turning to the ambassador, she added: "Do you observe, +monsieur le marquis, what a delicate attention this lady shows me in +wearing a wreath of flowers which I manufactured?" + +"Comment! The baroness is truly a fairy! She causes flowers to grow at +her pleasure, and vies with Nature. It seems impossible. I can scarcely +believe it." + +"And yet it is true," said Frau von Morien. "The baroness, indeed, +fabricated these roses three years since, when she had the kindness to +work for me. You will acknowledge that I have kept them well?" + +"It was no kindness of mine, but a necessity," said the baroness, "and I +must confess that I would not have undertaken so troublesome a piece of +work from pure goodness or pleasure. You will remember that I was very +poor before my marriage, and as Frau von Morien was one of my customers, +it is very natural that she possesses my flowers. She gave me many +orders, and paid me a very small price, for she is very practical and +prudent, and understands bargaining and cheapening, and when one is +poor they are obliged to yield to the shameless parsimony of the rich. +I thank you, my dear benefactress, for the honor you have shown me +in wearing my flowers, for it has been a pleasant occasion to explain +ourselves and recognize each other. Have the kindness to recall other +remembrances of the past." + +"I do not remember possessing any other souvenirs," replied the +countess, confused. + +"Have you forgotten that I gave French lessons to your niece, the present +Frau von Hohenthal? She came to me three times weekly, because the +lessons were a few groschen cheaper at the house." + +At this instant the usher announced in a loud voice, "Professor Philip +Moritz." + +A gentleman of slight proportions, in an elegant fashionable dress, +appeared and remained standing in the doorway, his large black eyes +wandering searchingly through the drawing-room. Herr von Ebenstreit +approached, extending him his hand, uttering a few unintelligible words, +which his guest appeared not to notice, but, slightly inclining, asked +if he would present him to the lady of the house. + +"Have the kindness to follow me," said Ebenstreit, leading Moritz +through the circle of jesting, slandering ladies and gentlemen, to +the centre of the room, where Marie was still standing with the French +ambassador and the two ladies. + +"My dear," said her husband, "I have brought you an old acquaintance, +Professor Moritz." + +As Ebenstreit would retreat, Moritz commanded him to remain, placing his +white-gloved hand upon his arm, and holding him fast. "I would ask you +one question before I speak with the baroness." + +Moritz spoke so loud, and in such a strange, harsh, and repulsive +manner, that every one turned astonished, asking himself what it meant. +Conversation was hushed, and the curious pressed toward the peculiar +group in the centre to the baroness, who regarded her husband perfectly +composed, and the pale man, with the flashing eyes, the glance of which +pierced her like daggers. + +A breathless silence reigned, broken only by Ebenstreit's trembling +voice. "What is it, professor? How can I serve you?" + +"Tell me who you are?" replied Moritz, with a gruff laugh. + +"I am the Baron Ebenstreit von Leuthen!" + +"And the scar which you bear upon your face, is it not the mark of a +whip, with which I lashed a certain Herr Ebenstreit three years since, +who prevented my eloping with my betrothed? I challenged him to fight a +duel, but the coward refused me satisfaction, and then I struck him in +the face, causing the blood to flow. Answer me--are you this gentleman?" + +Not a sound interrupted the fearfully long pause which followed. Every +one turned astonished to Ebenstreit, who, pale as death, was powerless +to utter a word, but stood staring at his opponent. + +"Why do you not answer me?" cried Moritz, stamping his foot. "Are you +the coward? Was this red scar caused by the whip-lash?" + +Another long pause ensued, and a distinctly audible voice was heard, +saying, "Yes, it is he!" + +"Who replied to me?" asked Moritz, turning his angry glance away from +Ebenstreit. + +"I," said Marie. "I reply for my husband!" + +"You? Are you the wife of this man?" thundered Moritz. + +"I am," Marie answered. + +"Is this invitation directed to me from you?" he continued, drawing a +paper from his pocket. "Did you permit yourself to invite me to your +house?" + +"Yes, I did," she calmly answered. + +"And by what right, madame? This is the question I wish answered, and I +came here for that purpose." + +"I invited you because I desired to see you." + +"Shameless one!" cried Moritz, furious. + +"Sir," cried the ambassador, placing himself before Moritz, defying his +anger, "you forget that you are speaking to a lady. As her husband is +silent, I declare myself her knight, and I will not suffer her to be +injured by word or look. + +"How can you hinder me?" cried Moritz, with scorn. "What will you do +if I dash this paper at her feet, and forbid her to ever write my name +again?" Making a ball of it, he suited the action to the word, casting a +defiant look at the marquis. + +"I shall order the footmen to thrust you out of the house. Here, +servants, remove this man; he is an escaped lunatic, undoubtedly." + +Two footmen pressed forward through the circle which crowded around +Moritz. + +"Whoever touches me, death to him!" thundered Moritz, laying his hand +upon a small sword at his side. + +"Let no one dare lay a hand on this gentleman," cried Marie, with a +commanding wave of her hand to the lackeys. "I beseech you, marquis, and +you, honored guests, to quietly await the conclusion of this scene, and +to permit Herr Moritz to finish speaking." + +"Do you mean to defy me, madame?" muttered Moritz, gnashing his teeth. +"You perhaps count upon my magnanimity to keep silent, and not disclose +the secrets of the past to this aristocratic assembly. I stand here as +its accusing spirit, and condemn you as a shameless perjurer.--I will +ask you who are here rendering homage to this woman, if you know who she +is, and of what she has been guilty? As a young girl she was as sweet +and innocent as an angel, and seemed more like a divine revelation. +To think of her, inspired and elevated one's thoughts, and heaven was +mirrored in her eyes. She was poor, and yet so infinitely rich, that if +a king had laid all his treasures at her feet, as the gift of his love, +he would receive more than he gave, for in her heart reposed the wealth +of the whole human race. Oh! I could weep tears of blood in reflecting +upon what she was, and what she has become. Smile and mock, ladies and +gentlemen; my brain is crazed, and I weep for my lost angel." + +Moritz dashed his hands to his face, and stood swaying backward and +forward, sobbing. + +Sighs and regrets were heard in the room. The ladies pressed their +handkerchiefs to their eyes; others regarded with lively sympathy the +handsome young man, who deeply interested them, and gazed reproachfully +at the young baroness, expecting her to be crushed with these reproaches +and tears, but who, on the contrary, stood with proud composure, her +face beaming with joy, gazing at Moritz. + +"It is past--my last tear is shed, and my last wail has been uttered," +cried Philip, uncovering his face. "My angel has changed into a +despicable woman. I loved her as the wretched, disconsolate being adores +the one who reveals paradise to him; and she fooled me into the belief +that she loved me. We exchanged vows of eternal constancy and affection, +and promised each other to bear joyfully every ill in life, and never +separate until death. I should have doubted myself, rather than she who +stood above me, like a divine revelation. I wished to win her by toil +and industry, by my intellect, and the fame by which I could render my +name illustrious. It was, indeed, nothing in the eyes of her grasping +parents; they repulsed me with scorn and pride, but Marie encouraged +me to perfect confidence in her affection. Whilst I wandered on foot to +Silesia, like a poor pilgrim toward happiness, to humble myself before +the king, to beg and combat for my angel, there came temptation, sin, +and vulgarity, in the form of this pale, cowed-down man, who stands +beside my betrothed gasping with rage. The temptation of riches changed +my angel into a demon, a miserable woman bartered for gold! She betrayed +her love, yielding it up for filthy lucre, crushing her nobler nature +in the dust, and driving over it, as did Tullia the dead body of her +father. She sold herself for riches, before which you all kneel, as if +worshipping the golden calf! After selling her soul to a man whom she +despised, even if he were not rich, she has had the boldness to summon +me, the down-trodden and half-crazed victim, to her gilded palace, as if +I were a slave to be attached to her triumphal car. I am a free man, and +have come here only to hurl contempt in her face, to brand her before +you all as a perjurer and a traitress, whom I never will pardon, but +will curse with my latest breath! Now I have relieved my heart of its +burden, I command this woman to deny what I have said, if she can." + +With a dictatorial wave of the hand, he pointed excitedly Marie. A +deathlike stillness reigned. Even the lights seemed to grow dim, and +every one was oppressed as if by excessive sultriness. + +Again Moritz commanded Marie to acknowledge the truth of his accusations +before the honored assembly. + +She encountered his angry glance with calmness, and a smile was +perceptible upon her lip. "Yes, said she, I acknowledge that I am a +perjurer and a traitor. I have sold myself for riches, and yielded my +peace of soul and my love for mammon. I might justify myself, but I +refrain from it, and will only say that you have told the truth! One day +you will cease to curse me, and, perhaps a tear of pity will glisten in +the eye now flashing with scorn and anger. The poor wife who lies in the +dust implores for the last blessing of your love!" + +"Marie!" he cried, with heart-rending anguish, "oh, Marie!" and rushed +toward her, kneeling before her, and clinging to her, pressing a kiss +upon her hand and weeping aloud. Only for a moment did he give way, and +then sprang up wildly, rushing through the crowd, out of the room. + +A fearful silence ensued. No one had the courage to break it. Every one +hoped that Marie, through a simulated fainting, would end the painful +scene, and give the guests an opportunity to withdraw. No such +thoughtfulness for her friends occurred to her. + +She turned to the Marquis de Treves, who stood pale and deeply agitated +behind her, and burst into a loud laugh. + +"How pale you are! Have you taken this comedy for truth? Did you think +this theatrical performance was a reality? You have forgotten what I +told you a month since in Paris, that I had a native talent for acting. +You would contest the matter with me, and I bet you that I could +introduce an impromptu scene in my house, with such artistic skill, that +you would be quite deceived." + +"Indeed I do recall it; how could I have forgotten it?" replied the +marquis, with the ready tact of the diplomat. + +"Have I won?" asked Marie, smiling. + +"You have played your role, baroness, like an artiste of consummate +talent, and to-morrow I shall have the honor to cancel the debt in your +favor." + +"Now, then, give me your arm, marquis, and conduct me to the +dancing-room, and you, worthy guests, follow us," said. Marie, leading +the way. + +The merry music even was not sufficient to dissipate the awkward +oppression, and by midnight the guests had taken leave, and Marie stood +under the chandelier, pale and rigid, opposite her husband. He had +summoned courage to bewail the terrible scene, weeping and mourning over +her cruelty and his shame. Marie, with chilling indifference, regarded +him without one visible trace of pity. + +"You realized what you were doing when you imposed the scorn of this +marriage upon me," she said. "I have never deceived you with vain hopes! +You have sown dragons' teeth, and warriors have sprung up to revenge me +upon you. Serve yourself of your riches to fight the combatants. See if +you can bargain for a quiet conscience as easily as you purchased me! +My soul is free though, and it hovers over you as the spirit of +revenge.--Beware!" + +She slowly turned and quitted the room. Her diamonds sparkled and blazed +in the myriads of lights. The large mirrors reflected the image of a +haughty woman, who swept proudly past like a goddess of revenge! + +Ebenstreit stood gazing after her. He had a horror of the lonely still +room, so gorgeous and brilliantly illuminated--a shudder crept over him, +and he sank, weeping bitterly. + +In the little room, the buried happiness of the past, Marie knelt, with +outstretched arms, imploring heaven for mercy. "I thank Thee, Heavenly +Father, that I have been permitted to see him again! My sacrifice was +not in vain--he lives! He is free, and his mind is clear and bright. I +thank Thee that he still loves me. His anger is but love!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. THE KING AND THE ROSICRUCIANS. + + +The joy which Bischofswerder said, reigned in heaven and upon earth over +the return of the crown prince to the path of virtue, in having forsaken +Wilhelmine Enke, was of but short duration. + +The Invisibles and the pious Rosicrucians soon learned that sagacious +and cunning woman defied the spirits and abjured the oaths. + +Since the night of his communion with the departed, Frederick William +had never visited Charlottenburg--never seen the house which contained +all that he held most dear; he had returned Wilhelmine's letters +unopened, and had even had the courage to refuse himself to the +children, who came to see him. + +If he had been left to consult his own heart, he would not probably have +had sufficient resolution to have done this; Bischofswerder and Woellner +never left him for a moment, as they said the Invisible Fathers had +commanded them to tarry with the much-loved brother in these first days +of trial and temptation, and to elevate and gladden him with edifying +conversations and scientific investigations. + +The prayers and exhortations were the duty of Woellner, who, besides +this, continued his daily discourses upon the administration of +government, preparing the prince for the important command of the royal +regiments, which they hoped favorable destiny would soon grant him. + +The scientific researches were the part of Bischofswerder, and he +entered upon his duties with the zeal and pleasure of an inquiring mind, +itself hopeful and believing. + +In the cabinet arranged in the new palace at Potsdam, the prince and his +dear Bischofswerder worked daily, many hours, to discover the great +hope of the alchemist--the philosopher's stone. Not finding it, +unfortunately, they brewed all sorts of miraculous drinks, which were +welcome to the prince as the elixir of eternal youth and constant love. +In the evenings they communed with the spirits of the distinguished +departed, which, moved at the earnest prayers of Woellner, and the +fervent exhortation of the crown prince, always had the goodness to +appear, and witness their satisfaction for their much-loved son, as they +called him, for continuing brave and faithful, and not falling into the +unholy snares of the seductress. + +The crown prince, however, experienced not the least self-contentment. +Each day renewed the yearning for the beloved of his youth and for his +children, for which those of his wife were no compensation--neither the +silent, awkward Prince Frederick William, nor his crying little brother. +In his dreams he saw Wilhelmine dissolved in tears, calling upon him in +most tender accents, and when he awoke, it was to an inconsolable grief. +He wept with heart-felt sorrow; his oath alone kept him from hastening +to her; it bound him, and fettered his earnest wish to see her, making +him sad and melancholy. + +The spirits had no pity nor mercy upon him. His two confidants +encouraged his virtue and piety from morning till night, exalting his +excited fancy with their marvellous relations and apparitions. + +One day as they were on the point of commencing the morning prayers to +the Invisibles, a royal footman appeared, with the command to betake +themselves to Sans-Souci, where the king awaited them. + +A royal carriage was in attendance to convey them. There was no +alternative but obedience. + +"Perhaps Fate destines us to become martyrs to the holy cause," said +Woellner, devoutly folding his hands. + +"We may never enjoy the happiness of seeing our dear brothers of the +confederacy again," sighed Bischofswerder. "Our spirits will always be +with you, my prince, and the Invisible Fathers will protect you in all +your ways." + +The crown prince, deeply moved, separated from his friends with tears +in his eyes; but as the carriage rolled away he felt relieved as of an +oppressive burden, and breathed more freely. + +At the same time a footman entered, bearing upon a golden salver a +letter for the prince. Unobserved and free to act, he read it, and as he +sat musingly thinking over its contents, so tender and affectionate, +he re-read it, and rising, made a bold resolve, his face beaming with +happiness, to order his carriage, which he did, and in a few moments +more drove at full speed away from the palace. + +Bischofswerder and Woellner, in the mean time, arrived at Sans-Souci. +The footman awaiting them conducted them at once through the +picture-gallery, into the little corridor leading to the king's cabinet, +and there left them to announce them to his majesty. Both gentlemen +heard their names called in a loud voice, and the response of the king: +"Let them wait in the little corridor until I permit them to enter." + +The footman returned and with subdued voice made known the royal +command, and departed, carefully closing the door. + +There was no seat in the narrow, little corridor, and the air was close +and oppressive. + +They could hear voices in mingled conversation; sometimes it seemed as +if the king were communicating commands; again, as if he dictated in a +suppressed voice. The Rosicrucians knew very well it was the hour of the +cabinet council, and they waited patiently and steadfastly, but as their +watches revealed the fact that three hours had passed, and every noise +was hushed, they concluded they were forgotten, and resolved to remind +the lackey of their presence. + +"Indeed, this standing is quite insupportable," whispered Woellner. + +They both slipped to the entrance and tried the bronze knob, but +although it turned, the door opened not, and was evidently fastened upon +the outside. They looked alarmed at each other, asking what it could +mean. "Can it be intentional? Are we imprisoned here? We must be +resigned, although it is a severe experience." At last, patience +exhausted, they resolved to bear it no longer, and tapped gently at the +door of the king. The loud bark of a dog was their only response, and +again all was still. + +"Evidently there is no one there," sighed Bischofswerder. "It is the +hour of dining of the king." + +"I wish it were ours also," whined Woellner. "I confess I yearn for +bodily nourishment, and my legs sink under me." + +"I am fearfully hungry," groaned Bischofswerder; "besides, the air is +suffocating. I am resolved to go to extremes, and make a noise." + +He rushed like a caged boar from one door to the other, shrieking for +the lackey to open the door; but as before, a loud bark was the only +response. + +"The Lord has forsaken us," whimpered Woellner. "The sublime Fathers +have turned their faces away from us. We will pray for mercy and beg for +a release!" and he sank upon his knees. + +"What will that avail us here, where neither prayers nor devotion are +heeded? Only energy and determination will aid us at Sans-Souci. Come, +let us thump and bang until they set us free!" cried Bischofswerder, +peevishly. + +Their hands were lame, and their voices hoarse with their exertions; +and no longer able to stand, they sank down upon the floor hungry and +exhausted, almost weeping with rage and despair. + +At last, after long hours of misery, they heard a noise in the adjoining +room. The king had again entered his cabinet. The door opened, and the +lackey motioned to the two gentlemen to enter. They rose with difficulty +and staggered into the room, the door being closed behind them. + +His majesty was seated in his arm-chair, with his three-cornered hat on, +leaning his chin upon his hands, crossed upon his staff. He fixed his +great blue eyes, with a searching glance, upon the two Rosicrucians; +then turned to his minister, Herzberg, who was seated at the table +covered with documents. + +"These are, then, the two great props of the Rosicrucians?" asked +Frederick--"the two charlatans whom they have told me make hell hot +for the crown prince, continually lighting it up with their prayers and +litanies." + +"Your majesty," answered Herzberg, smiling, "these gentlemen are Colonel +Bischofswerder and the councillor of the exchequer, Woellner, whom your +majesty has commanded to appear before you." + +"You are the two gentlemen who work miracles, and have the effrontery +to summon the spirit of our ancestor, the great elector, and the Emperor +Marcus Aurelius?" + +"Sire," stammered Bischofswerder, "we have tried to summon spirits." + +"And I too," cried the king, "only they will not come; therefore I +wished to see the enchanters, and would like to purchase the secret." + +"Pardon me, most gracious sire," said Woellner, humbly, "you must first +be received in the holy order of the Rosicrucians." + +"Thanks," cried the king, "I am not ready for the like follies, and +whilst I live the Invisibles must take heed not to become too visible, +or they will be taken care of. I will not permit Prussia to retrograde. +It has cost too much trouble to enlighten the people, bring them to +reason, and banish hypocrisy. Say to the Rosicrucians that they shall +leave the crown prince in peace, or I will chase them to the devil, who +will receive them with open arms! It could do no harm to appeal to the +prince's conscience to lead an honorable life, and direct his thoughts +more to study than to love, but you shall not make a hypocrite of him +and misuse his natural good-nature. If the Rosicrucians try to force +the prince and rule him, I will show them that I am master, and will +no longer suffer their absurdities, but will break up the whole nest +of them! I have been much, annoyed at the deep despondency of the crown +prince. You shall not represent to him that baseness and virtue are the +same, and that he is the latter when he betrays those to whom he has +sworn fidelity and affection. An honorable man must, above all, he +cognizant of benefits, and not forsake those who have sacrificed +their honor and love to him, and have proved their fidelity. Have you +understood me, gentlemen?" + +"It will be my holy duty to follow strictly your majesty's commands," +said Bischofswerder. + +"And I also will strive to promote the will of my king," asserted +Woellner. + +"It will be necessary to do so, or you two gentlemen may find yourselves +at Spandau. I would say to you once for all, I will not suffer any +sects; every one can worship God in his own way. No one shall have the +arrogant presumption to declare himself one of the elect. We are +all sinners. The Rosicrucians are not better than the Illuminati or +Freemasons, and none are more worthy than the tailor and cobbler who +does his duty. Adieu!" + +The king nodded quickly and pointed to the door out of which the two +brothers were about to disappear, when he called them back. + +"If the prince is not at the palace on your return, I advise you not to +pursue him, but reflect that the Invisibles may have summoned him to +a communion of spirits; I believe, too, that I kept you waiting; but +without doubt you were comforted by the Fathers, who bore you away upon +their wings, and gave you food and drink! Those who are protected by +the spirits, and can summon them at pleasure, can never want. If you are +hungry, call up the departed Lucullus, that he may provide for you to +eat; and if you have no earthly seat, summon Semiramis that she may send +you her hanging gardens for the quiet repose of the elect! I am rejoiced +that you have enjoyed such celestial refreshments in the corridor. +Adieu!" + +The king gazed sadly after them. Approaching Herzberg, he said: "I felt, +as I looked at the two rogues, that it was a pity to grow old. Did you +think that I would let them off so easily?" + +"Sire, I really do not understand you," replied Herzberg, shrugging his +shoulders. "I know not, in your most active youthful days, how you could +have done otherwise." + +"I will tell you that, if I were not an old man, void of decision and +energy, I would have had these fellows taken to Spandau for life!" said +the king, striking the table with his staff. + +"Your majesty does yourself injustice," said Herzberg, smiling. "You +were ever a just monarch in your most ardent youth, and never set aside +the law. These men were not guilty of any positive crime." + +"They are daily and hourly guilty of enticing away from me the crown +prince, and making the future ruler of my country an obscurer, a +necromancer, and at the same time a libertine! I was obliged to overlook +his youthful preference for Wilhelmine Enke, and wink at this amour, +for I know that crown prince is human, and his affections are to be +consulted. If he cannot love the wife which diplomacy chooses for him, +then he must be permitted the chosen one of his heart to console him +for the forced marriage. At the same time this person was passable, and +without the usual fault of such creatures, a desire to rule and mingle +in politics. She seems to be unambitious and unpretentious. These +Rosicrucians would banish her by increasing the number of favorites, +that they may rule him, and make the future King of Prussia a complete +tool in their hands. They excite his mind, which is not too well +balanced, and rob him by their witchcraft of the intellect that he has. +They promise him to find the philosopher's stone, and make a fool of +him. Am I not right?" + +"I must acknowledge that you are," sighed Herzberg. + +"And admit also that it would be just to send these in, famous fellows +as criminals to Spandau." + +"Sire, unfortunately, there are crimes and offences which the law does +not reach, and which cannot be judged." + +"When I was young," said the king, "I tore up and stamped upon every +weed that I found in my garden. Shall I now let these two grow and +infect the air, because the law gives me no right to crush them? +Formerly I would have torn them leaf from leaf, but now I am old +and useless, my hand is weak, and lacks the strength to uproot them, +therefore I suffer them to stand, and all the other abominable things +which these rogues bring to pass. A cloud is rising, from which a storm +will one day burst over Prussia; but I cannot dissipate it, for +the little strength and breath that remains I have need of for the +government; and, moreover, I have no superfluous time for the future, +but must live and work only for the present." + +"But the blessing of your exertions will be felt in the future. The +deeds of a great man are not extinguished with his death, but shine like +a star, disseminating light beyond his grave!" + +"This light is just what the Rosicrucians will take care to extinguish +like a tallow candle with too long a wick, and it is good fortune that +the astronomers have awarded me a little glorification in the heavens, +and accorded me a star, for the Rosicrucians would not let it shine here +below. I must console myself with this, and recall that when it is dark +and lowering here, I have a star above in the sky!" + +"This star is Frederick's honor," cried Herzberg. "It will beam upon +future generations, and become the guiding light of the sons and nephews +of your house, and they will learn to be as sagacious and wise as the +Great Frederick." + +"There you have made a great error, Herzberg," replied the king, +quickly. "Future generations are newer taught by the past--grandchildren +think themselves wiser than their grandparents. The greatest of heroes +is forgotten, and his deeds buried in the dust of ages. You have given +me a glorious title of honor, and I know how little I deserve it." + +"A title which will be confirmed in centuries to come, for every history +will speak of Frederick the Second as Frederick Great." + +"In history it may be, but the people will speak of me as 'Old +Fritz'--that will be on the lips of those who love me, and expression of +endearment; on the lips of those who hate me, one of disaffection. I am, +indeed, 'Old Fritz,' which the Bischofswerders and Woellners also call +me, and try to make the crown prince believe that I have outlived my +period, and do not understand or esteem the modern time. In their eyes +I am a dismantled ship of state, which the storms of life have rendered +unseaworthy. They would refit the vessel, and give it a new flag, +sending Old Fritz, the helmsman, to the devil! The day of my death they +will hoist this flag, with 'Modern Time' inscribed upon it in large +letters. I shall then be united in Elysium with Voltaire, Jordan, Suhm, +and all my other friends, as we were wont to be at Sans-Souci, and look +down with a pitying smile upon the Modern Time and Old Folly!--Vale!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. THE ESPOUSALS. + + +Both Bischofswerder and Woellner hastened to avail themselves of the +commanding "adieu," and quit the royal presence. Without, the carriage +was ready to reconvey them to the new palace. They were so exhausted +that neither of them uttered a word, the last injunctions of the king +ringing in their ears. + +Silently they alighted upon arriving, but as the footman came out to +meet them they asked, simultaneously, if his royal highness had dined. + +"His highness is not here, having departed immediately after the two +gentlemen, and is not yet returned," he answered. + +"You may serve us something to eat as quickly as possible in the +little dining-room. Let it be ready in a quarter of an hour," commanded +Bischofswerder. + +"Now that we are alone, what do you think of this affair?" asked +Woellner. + +"I cannot vouchsafe a reply until I have eaten a pheasant's wing, and +drunken my champagne," replied Bischofswerder. + +He kept his word, preserving a solemn silence until a good half of the +bird had disappeared, and many glasses of iced champagne. + +Then Bischofswerder leaned back in his comfortable armchair with +infinite ease, whilst his friend occupied himself with the most pious +zeal with the pheasant, rejoicing at this revelation of the Invisibles. +Bischofswerder let him enjoy it, and ordered the footman to serve the +dessert and withdraw. + +"Now I am prepared to reply to you, my dear friend, that we are alone. I +believe the king would have sent us to Spandau at once if we had opposed +his free-thinking opinions." + +"I am convinced of it," sighed Woellner, eyeing the remains of the bird +with a melancholy glance. "We shall have much to endure for the holy +cause which we serve." + +"That is to say, we will have much to suffer if we, in fanatical +indiscretion, do not submit to circumstances," said Bischofswerder. + +"You cannot traduce the sublime Fathers!" cried Woellner;--"for the +body's security, we cannot endanger the salvation of our souls, and, +like Peter, deny our master." + +"No, my much-loved and noble friend. But we must be wise as serpents, +and our duty to the holy order is to preserve its useful tools that they +may not be lost. You will agree with me in this?" + +"Indeed, I do admit it," replied Wollner, pathetically. + +"Further, you will acknowledge that we are very useful, and I might say +indispensable tools of the Sublime Order of the Rosicrucians and the +Invisible Fathers of the Order of Jesus? It is our task to secure an +abiding-place to the proscribed and, cursed, to plough and sow the +field, which will yield good fruit for humanity entire, and particularly +our order, when the crown prince ascends the throne. We will here erect +a kingdom of the future, and it is all-important to lay so secure a +corner-stone in the heart of his highness that nothing can shake or +dislodge it. Who could perfect this work if we were not here? Who would +dare to undertake the difficult task if we should fail? Who would +carry on a secret and continued warfare with this artful and powerful +seductress if we were conquered?" + +"No one would do it," sighed Woellner, "no one would sacrifice +themselves like Samson for this Delilah." + +"We will together be the Samson," replied Bischofswerder, drawing +a glass of sparkling champagne. "We will be the Samson which the +Philistines drove out, but this woman shall not practise the arts of +Delilah upon us in putting our eyes out or cutting off our hair. Against +two Samsons the most artful and beautiful Delilah is not wary enough; +and if we cannot conquer her, we must resort to other means." + +"What may they be, dear brother?" + +"We must compromise the matter." + +Woellner sprang up, and a flush of anger or from champagne overspread +his face "Compromise with the sinful creature!" he cried, impetuously. +"Make peace with the seductress, who leads the prince from the path of +virtue!" + +"Yes, we must be on friendly terms with this woman, who could greatly +injure us as an enemy, and aid us infinitely as a friend. This is my +intention, and I am the more convinced that we must accept this middle +course, as she is protected by the king." + +"Because he knows from his spies that she mingles with the Illuminati +and the Freemasons, and that she is our opponent," said Woellner. + +"The more the reason, my noble zealot, to win her friendship, who will +have validity and power until the crown prince reigns, and this old +godless freethinker of a king is in his gravel Then Prussia will +commence a new era, and we shall be lords, and guide the machine of +state. For such lofty aims one ought to be ready to compromise with his +Satanic majesty even. Then why not with this little she-devil, whose +power is fading every year with her youth and beauty?" + +"It is quite true, we should be mindful of the device of our Invisible +Fathers. The end sanctifies the means," sighed Woellner. + +"I believe it to be indispensable, and you will grant that I am right. +Do you not see that the prince has availed himself of our absence to go +there, and has not yet returned?" + +"What!" shrieked Woellner, clasping his hands--"you do not mean that--" + +"That Rinaldo has returned to the enchanted garden of Armida." + +"Oh, let us hasten to release him at once, and revue his soul from +perdition!" cried Woellner, springing up. + +"On the contrary, let us await him here without a word of reproach upon +his return. This will touch his tender heart which we must work upon, +if we would get him into our power, for to us he must belong. Fill +our glasses with the sparkling wine, and drink to the contract with +Wilhelmine Enke." + +Just as merrily they quaffed the champagne in the little cosy +dining-room at Charlottenburg, where the prince and Wilhelmine were +rejoicing over a reconciliation, no one being present but the two +children. Their joyous laugh and innocent jests delighted the father, +and the beaming eyes, sweet smile, and witty conversation of his +favorite, filled his heart with pleasure. + +Not a word of reproach escaped her, but exultant and joyous she hastened +with outstretched arms to meet him, kissing away all his attempts to +implore pardon, and thanking him that he had returned to her. + +At first the prince gave himself up to the joy of the reunion with his +beloved Wilhelmine sad children; but now, as the first outburst had +passed, the quiet, happy dinner being finished, and they had returned +to the sitting-room, a tinge of melancholy earnestness overshadowed his +amiable face. + +Wilhelmine threw her arms gently around his neck as she sat beside him +upon the divan, and looked up to him with a tender questioning glance. +"Your thoughts are veiled, dearest; will you not confide to me that +which lies concealed there?" + +"Ah, Wilhelmine, it is a mourning veil, and hides the sorrow of +renunciation." + +"I do not understand you, Frederick," she smilingly replied. "Who could +compel you to an abnegation which would cause you grief?" + +"Listen to me, Wilhelmine, and understand that I am suffering from +circumstances--an oath taken in the pressure of the moment. Try to +comprehend me, my dear child." + +Drawing her closer to him, he faithfully related to her the night of the +communion of the spirits, and his consequent oath. + +"Is that all, my dear?" she replied, smiling, as he finished. + +"What do you mean?" he asked, astonished. + +"Nothing more than I would know if you have only sworn to renounce +Wilhelmine Enke!" + +"What could I have done more prejudicial to you?" he cried, not a little +irritated. + +"Surely you could not injure or grieve me more, and therefore I am not +a little surprised that the pious Fathers could so carelessly word their +oaths. You have sworn to renounce your affection to and separate from +Wilhelmine Enke; so it follows that the Invisibles only demand that you +give up my name, not myself, and that is easily changed, and my dear +prince will not become a perjurer." + +"I do not quite understand you; but I perceive by the arch expression +of your face that you have conceived a lucky escape for your unhappy +Frederick William. Explain to me, dearest, your meaning." + +"I must change my name by marrying some one!" she whispered. + +"Marry! and I give you to another? I will never consent to that," he +cried, alarmed. + +"Not to a husband, only a name," said she. "These Rosicrucians are such +extraordinarily virtuous and pure beings, loving you so infinitely and +disinterestedly, that it grieves them that my love for you does not shun +the light, and throw over itself the mantle of hypocritical virtue! +We will yield to the zealous purity of the Rosicrucians," continued +Wilhelmine, her eyes sparkling, "and wrap this Wilhelmine Enke in a +mantle of virtue by giving her a husband; and then, when she walks out +with her children the passers-by will not have to blush with shame, +and cry, 'There goes the miss with her children!' I have conceived and +planned during this long and painful separation, and I am resolved to +submit humbly to the pious Fathers, who are so zealously watchful for +the salvation of your soul and my good fame." + +"That is to say, you are determined to snap your fingers at them! +Your plan is a good one, but you will find no one to aid you in a sham +marriage!" + +"I have already found one," whispered Wilhelmine, smiling. "Your valet +de chambre Rietz is willing to stand with me in a sham marriage." + +"My body-servant!" + +"Yes, Frederick William! You will confess that I am not ambitious, and +only consent to it to secure our happiness from the persecution of +these virtuous men. Here is the contract," said she, drawing from her +dress-pocket a paper, which she unfolded. "He promises to give me his +name, and regard me as a stranger always, for the sum of four hundred +thalers annually, with the promise of promotion to confidential +servant when the noble crown prince shall ascend the throne. [Footnote: +Historical.--See F. Forster, "Latest Prussian History," vol. 1., p. 74] +Will you sign it?" + +"I will do any thing that will grant me your affection, in spite of my +unhappy oath. Give me the paper. I will sign it. When is the wedding?" + +"The moment that you, my dear lord and master, have inscribed your +name," said Wilhelmine, handing him the pen, and pointing to the paper. + +The prince wrote the desired signature, quickly throwing the pen across +the room, shouting, "Long live Wilhelmine Rietz, who has rescued me from +perjury and sin! Come to my arms, outstretched to press to my heart the +most beautiful, most intelligent, and most diplomatic of women!" + +Two days later it was related in Berlin that Wilhelmine Enke had married +the princely valet de chambre Rietz, the crown prince being present at +the ceremony, which took place at a small village near Potsdam. + +Under the head of marriages, the Berlin newspapers announced "Wilhelmine +Enke to Carl Rietz." + +"Ah, my Rosicrucians," cried Wilhelmine, laughingly, as she read this +notice, a mischievous triumph sparkling in her eyes; "ah, my heroes in +virtue, for once you are outwitted, and I am victorious! I would like +to witness their surprise. How they will laugh and swear over it! The +favorite of a prince married to a valet de chambre! Wait until the +prince becomes a king, then Wilhelmine Rietz will develop into a +beautiful butterfly, and the wife of the valet de chambre will become +a countess--nay, a princess. The Great Kophta has promised it, and +he shall keep his word. I wear his ring, which sparkles and glistens, +although the jeweller declares the diamond has been exchanged for a +false stone. No matter, if it only shines like the real one. Every thing +earthly is deception, falsehood, and glitter. Every one is storming and +pressing on in savage eagerness toward fortune, honor, and fame! I will +have my part in it. The storm and pressure of the world rage in my own +heart. The fire of ambition is lighted in my soul, and the insatiable +thirst for fortune consumes me. Blaze and burn until the day that +Frederick William ascends the throne; then the low-born daughter of +the trumpeter will become the high-born countess. The false stone will +change to the sparkling diamond and Cagliostro shall then serve me." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. REVENGE FULFILLED. + + +Since the soiree at the house of the rich banker, Ebenstreit, an +entire winter had passed in pleasures and fetes. The position of Baron +Ebenstreit von Leuthen had been recognized in aristocratic society, +thanks to his dinners, soirees, balls, fetes, and particularly to +his lovely, spirited, and proud wife. Herr Ebenstreit von Leuthen had +reached the acme of his ambition; his house was the resort of the most +distinguished society; the extravagance and superb arrangements of +his dinners and fetes were the theme of every tongue. This excessive +admiration flattered the vain, ambitious parvenu extremely, and it was +the happiest day of his life when Prince Henry of Prussia, brother of +Frederick the Great, did him the unspeakable honor to dine with him. +This gratifying day he owed to his wife, and, as he said, it ought to be +kept as the greatest triumph of money over prejudice and etiquette--the +day upon which a royal prince recognized the rich and newly-created +noble as his equal. Ebenstreit's entrance into the highest circle of +aristocracy was due to the management and tone of the world of his wife, +who understood the elegancies of life, passing as an example and ideal +of an elegant woman, of which her husband was very proud. He lauded his +original and crafty idea of devoting his money to such a satisfactory +purchase as a sensible and ladylike wife, although the union was not a +happy one, and, in the proper acceptation of the word, no marriage at +all. + +Whilst all were entertained at the fetes, and envied the splendor and +wealth of Baron von Ebenstreit, there were many sinister remarks as to +the possibility of sustaining this expenditure upon such a grand scale. +It was whispered about that the banking-house, conducted under another +name, had lost in extensive speculations, and that the baron lived upon +his principal instead of his interest. The business community declared +that the firm entered into the most daring and senseless undertakings, +and that it must go to ruin. The old book-keeper, Splittgerber, who had +for many years conducted the business, had been pensioned by the baron, +and commenced for himself. His successor had once ventured to warn the +nobleman, and represent to him the danger which threatened him, for +which he was immediately dismissed, and the fact communicated to the +entire house, at a special assemblage of the clerks for the purpose, +with the warning of a like fate for every subordinate who should presume +to criticise the acts of the principals, or proffer advice to them. +Since this no one had ventured to repeat the offence, but every member +of the house occupied himself in drawing a profit from the general and +daily increasing confusion, and save something from the wreck which +would inevitably ensue. The baron, with pretentious unconcern, dazzled +by his unusual honors, permitted his business affairs to take their +course with smiling unconcern, and when unsuccessful, to hide the +mistakes of the banker under the pomp of the baron. + +Marie, indulging in the style of a great lady, appeared not to notice +or trouble herself at all about these things. She entertained most +luxuriantly, and spent enormous sums upon her toilet, changed the costly +livery of her numerous retinue of servants every month, as well as the +furniture of the drawing-rooms; and presented with generous liberality +her superfluous ornaments, dresses, and furniture to her dear high-born +friends, who greedily accepted them, and were overflowing in their +tender protestations and gratitude, whilst they in secret revolted at +the presumption of the arrogant woman, who permitted herself to send +them her cast-off things. + +They rejoiced to receive them, however, and reappeared in her splendid +drawing-rooms, enduring the pride and neglect of the baroness, and +calling her their dear friend, whom they in secret envied and hated. + +Did Marie know this, or did she let herself be deceived by these +friendly protestations? Occasionally, when her friends embraced and +kissed her, a languid smile flitted over her haughty face; and once as +she wandered through the suite of rooms, awaiting her guests, she caught +the reflection of a beautiful woman in the costly Venetian mirrors, +sparkling with diamonds and wearing a silver-embroidered dress with a +train. She gazed at this woman with an expression of ineffable scorn, +and whispered to her: "Suffer yet awhile, you shall soon be released. +This miserable trash will disappear. Only be firm--I hear already the +cracking of the house which will soon fall a wreck at your feet!" + +Others heard it also. As preparations were being made for a grand +dinner, with which the Baron and Baroness von Ebenstreit would close the +season, the former head bookkeeper of the baron appeared at the palace, +demanding, with anxious mien, to see the principal. + +Just at the moment the baron and his wife were in the large +reception-room, which the decorator was splendidly arranging, under the +direction of the baroness, with flowers, festoons, columns, and statues. +Ebenstreit was watching admiringly the tasteful and costly display +as the footman announced the former book-keeper and present banker, +Splittgerber. + +"He must come at another time," cried Ebenstreit, impatiently, "I am +busy now; I--" + +"Excuse me, baron," replied an earnest, gentle voice behind him, "that +I have followed the lackey and entered unbidden. I come on urgent +business, and I must indeed speak with you instantly!" + +"Be brief then, at least," cried Ebenstreit, peevishly. "You see that my +wife is here, and we are very busy arranging for a grand dinner to-day." + +Herr Splittgerber, instead of replying, cast a peculiarly sad, searching +glance through the beautifully-adorned room, and at the two lackeys, who +stood on each side of the wide folding-doors. + +"Permit that these servants withdraw, and order them to close the +doors," said the book-keeper, almost commandingly. Ebenstreit, overruled +by the solemn earnestness, obeyed against his will. + +"Would you like me to leave also, sir?" said Marie, with a calm, haughty +manner. "You have only to ask it and the baron will, undoubtedly, accord +your request." + +"On the contrary, I beg you to remain," quietly replied Splittgerber, +"for what I have to say concerns you and your husband equally." + +"Now, then, I beg you to say it quickly," cried Ebenstreit, impatiently; +"I repeat, that we are very busy with preparing for to-day's festival." + +"You will not give any fete to-day," said Splittgerber, solemnly. + +Ebenstreit, cringing and frightened, gazed at the old man who looked +sadly at him. + +The baroness laughed aloud, sneeringly. "My dear sir, your tone and +manner remind me of the wicked spirit at the horrible moment in the +story when he comes to demand the bartered soul, and the enchanted +castle falls a wreck!" + +"Your comparison is an apt one, baroness," sighed the old man.--"I came +to you, baron, because I loved your father. I have served your house +thirty years, and amassed the little I had to commence business with in +your service. Moreover, when you so suddenly dismissed me, you not +only gave me my salary as a pension, but you funded the annuity with +a considerable sum, which makes me, through your house, independent in +means." + +"You may thank my wife for that. She demanded, when I dismissed you, +that I should compensate you with the liberality of a true nobleman." + +"Oh, would that you had not done it, baroness!" cried +Splittgerber--"would that you had permitted the old faithful pioneer in +the business to remain by your husband! He might have warded off this +misfortune and saved you by his experience and advice." + +"For this very reason I demanded your removal. You permitted yourself to +proffer advice which I felt did not become you," replied Marie, with a +strange smile of triumph. + +"And, I repeat, would that you had not done it!" sighed the old man. +"I came to warn you, to conjure you, to save yourselves--to flee while +there is yet time." + +"Oh, mercy! what has happened?" cried Ebenstreit, terrified. + +"The banking-house of Ebenstreit, founded under the name of Ludwig, +associated with Ehlert of Amsterdam, four months since, to buy and load +ships for the Calcutta market. Herr Ebenstreit gathered together the +last wrecks of his fortune remaining from his ruinous speculations, to +win enormously in this investment. Besides, he indorsed the notes of the +Amsterdam house for the sum of eighty thousand dollars, which has been +drawn, so that their notes are protested there. Herr Ebenstreit will +have to pay this sum!" + +"What else?" asked Ebenstreit, almost breathless. + +"The house of Ehlert, in Amsterdam, has failed; the principal has fled +with the coffers; the notes for eighty thousand dollars were protested, +and you, baron, must pay this sum to-day, or declare yourself a +bankrupt, and go to prison for debt." + +Instantaneously a suppressed cry and a laugh were heard. Ebenstreit +sank upon a seat, concealing his pallid face with his hands, while Marie +stood at his side, her face beaming with joy. + +"I am lost, I do not possess the eighth part of that sum! I cannot pay +it. I must submit, for there are no further means to prevent it." + +"No," replied Marie, with haughty tranquillity, "you have no further +means to prevent it. The rich banker Ebenstreit will leave this house, +no longer his own, to enter the debtor's prison poor as a beggar--nay, +worse, a defrauder!" + +"Oh, how cruel you are!" groaned Ebenstreit. + +"Did you say, baroness, that this house is no longer his?" asked +Splittgerber, alarmed. + +"No," she triumphantly cried. "It belongs to me, and all that is in +it--the pictures, statues, silver, diamonds, and pearls. Oh, I am still +a rich woman!" + +"And do you mean to retain this wealth if your husband becomes bankrupt? +Do you not possess a common interest?" asked Splittgerber. + +"No, thank Heaven, the community of interest was given up a year since," +cried Ebenstreit, joyfully. "Baroness von Ebenstreit is the lawful +possessor of this house and furniture. I was not so indiscreet as you +supposed. I have at least secured this to my wife, and she will be a +rich woman even if I fail, and will not let me starve. I shall divide +about ten per cent with my creditors, but my wife will be rich enough +for us both." + +"This gives me to understand that you intend to make a fraudulent +bankruptcy. You have settled every thing upon your wife to save yourself +from the unhappy consequences of your failure. You will still be a rich +man if your wife should sell her house, works of art, diamonds, gold and +silver service, and equipages." + +"Yes, indeed, a very rich man," said Marie. "In the last few weeks +I have had my property estimated, and it would at least bring three +hundred thousand dollars." + +"If the baron only possessed this, he could pay his creditors, and have +a small amount over, sufficient to live upon economically and genteelly. +But you would rather enjoy splendor, and are not particular about living +honorably. You will undoubtedly sell your property, and go to Paris, +to revel in luxury and pleasure, while your defrauded creditors may, +through you come to poverty and want.--Baron, I now see that your wife +did well to bring about my removal. I should have, above all things, +given you the unwelcome advice to sustain your honor unblemished, and +dispose of your costly surroundings for the benefit of your creditors, +that when you die it may be with a clear conscience. You prefer a life +of luxury and ease, rocking your conscience to sleep until God will +rouse it to a fearful awaking. But do as you like. I came here to offer +you assistance, thinking that you would dispose of this property, and +after paying your creditors have sufficient to live upon. Then I could +be permitted to prove my fidelity to you. I now see that I was a +fool. Yet in parting I will still beg of you to avoid the unfavorable +impression of this dinner. The bill of exchange will be presented at +four o'clock, and the bearer will not be satisfied with the excuse of +your non-payment on account of dinner-company. You will be obliged +to settle at once or be arrested. I have learned this from your chief +creditor, and I begged him to have forbearance for you. I shall now +justify him in showing you none, as you do not deserve it!--Farewell!" + +The old book-keeper turned with a slight nod, and strode away through +the drawing-room. + +"Have you nothing to say to him? Will you let him go thus?" asked Marie, +impetuously. + +"Nothing at all. What should I say?" he replied, shrugging his +shoulders. + +"Then I will speak with him." Marie called loudly after Splittgerber, +saying, "I have a word to speak to you." + +The book-keeper remained standing near the door, and turning with +downcast face, demanded of Marie what she wished. + +"I have something to tell you," she replied, with her usual tranquil, +proud demeanor, approaching Splittgerber, who regarded her with severity +and contempt, which she met with a gentle, friendly expression, a sweet +smile hovering on her lips. + +Marie came close up to the old man, who awaited her with haughty +defiance, and never advanced one step to meet her--a lady splendidly +bedecked with diamonds and gold-embroidered satin. She whispered a few +words in his ear. He started, and, astonished, looked into her face, as +if questioning what he heard. She nodded, smiling, and bent again to say +a few words. + +Suddenly Splittgerber seemed metamorphosed. His gloomy face brightened +a little, and his insolent glance was changed to one of deep emotion, +Bowing profoundly as he held the baroness's proffered hand to take +leave, he pressed it most respectfully to his lips. + +"You will return in an hour?" Marie asked. + +"Yes; I shall seek the gentlemen, and bring them with me," he graciously +replied. + +"Thanks; I will then await you." + +Splittgerber departed, and Marie returned to Ebenstreit who, amazed, +muttered some unintelligible words, having listened to her mysterious +conversation with the old book-keeper. + +"Now to you, sir!" said she, her whole tone and manner changing to harsh +command; "the hour for settling our accounts has arrived--the hour that +I have awaited, purchasing it by four years of torture, self-contempt, +and despair. This comedy is at an end. I will buy of you my freedom. Do +you hear me? I will cast off these galley-chains. I will be free!" + +"Oh, Marie!" he cried, retreating in terror, "with what fearful +detestation you regard me!" + +"Do you wonder at it? Have I ever concealed this hate from you, or +ever given you hope to believe that a reconciliation would be possible +between us?" + +"No, truly you have not, but now you will forgive me, for you know how I +love you, and have provided for your future. You will remain rich, and I +shall be poor." + +Marie regarded him with unspeakable contempt. "You are more despicable +than I thought you were. You do not deserve forbearance or pity, for you +are a dishonorable bankrupt, who cares not how much others may suffer, +provided his future is secured. I will not, however, suffer the name +which I have borne against my will, to be defamed and become a mark for +scorn. I will compel you to remain an honest man, and be just to +your creditors. I propose to pay the bills of exchange, which will be +presented to you to-day, provided you will consent to my conditions." + +"Oh, Marie, you are an angel!" he cried, rushing toward her and kneeling +at her feet, "I will do all that you wish, and consent to every thing +you propose." + +"Will you swear it?" she coldly replied. + +"I swear that I accept your conditions." + +"Bring the writing-materials from the window-niche, and seat yourself by +this table." + +Ebenstreit brought them, and seated himself by the Florentine mosaic +table, near which Marie was standing. + +She drew from her pocket a paper, which she unfolded and placed before +him to sign. "Sign this with your full name, and add, 'With my own free +will and consent,'" she commandingly ordered him. + +"But you will first make known to me the contents?" + +"You have sworn to sign it," she said, "and unless you accept my +conditions, you are welcome to be incarcerated for life in the debtor's +prison. You have only to choose. If you decide in the negative, I will +exert myself that your creditors do not free you. I should trust in the +justice of God having sent you there, and that man in miserable pity +should not act against His will in freeing you. Now decide; will you +sign the paper, or go to prison as a dishonorable bankrupt?" + +He hastily seized the pen and wrote his name, handing the paper to +Marie, sighing. + +"You have forgotten to add the clause, 'With my own free will and +consent,'" she replied, hastily glancing at it, letting the paper drop +like a wilted leaf, and her eyes flashing with scorn. + +Ebenstreit saw it, and as he again handed her the paper, he exclaimed, +"I read in your eyes the intense hate you bear me." + +"Yes," she replied, composedly, "not only hate, but scorn. Hush! no +response. You knew it long before I was forced to stand at the altar +with you. I warned you not to unite yourself to me, and you had the +impious audacity to defy me with your riches. The seed of hate which you +then sowed, you may to-day reap the fruits of. You shall recognize now +that money is miserable trash, and that when deprived of it you will +never win sympathy from your so-called friends, but they will turn from +you with contempt, when you crave their pity or aid." + +"I think that you exaggerate, dearest," said Ebenstreit, fawningly. "You +have many devoted friends among the ladies, and I can well say that I +have found, among the distinguished gentlemen who visit our house, many +noble, excellent ones who have met me with a warmth of friendship--" + +"Because they would borrow money of the rich man," interrupted Marie. + +"Of course my coffers have always been accessible to my dear friends, +and I prized the honor of proving my friendship by my deeds." + +"You will realize to-day how they prove their gratitude to you for it. +Go, receive the good friends whom you have invited. It is time that they +were here, and I perceive the carriages are approaching." + +Marie motioned to the door, with a dictatorial wave of her hand, and +Ebenstreit betook himself to the reception-room. Just as he crossed the +threshold, the usher announced "Herr Gedicke! Ebenstreit greeted him +hastily in passing, and the old man went on to meet the baroness, who +was hastening toward him. + +"You have most graciously invited me to your house to-day, and you will +excuse me that my earnest wish to see you has brought me earlier than +any other guest." + +"I begged you to come a quarter of an hour sooner, for I would gladly +speak with you alone a few moments." + +"I thought so, and hastened up here." + +"Did not my old Trude go to see you some days since?" asked Marie, +timidly. + +"She did, and you can well understand that I was much affected and +surprised at her visit. I thought that you had forgotten me, baroness, +and that every souvenir of the past had fled from your memory. I now +see that your noble, faithful heart can never forget, and therefore has +never ceased to suffer, which I ought to regret, for your sake, but for +my own it pleased me to receive your kind greeting." + +Marie pressed her hand to her eyes and sighed audibly. "Pray do not +speak so gently to me--it enervates me, and I would force myself to +endure to-day. Only tell me, did Trude communicate to you my wishes, and +will it be possible for you to fulfil them?" + +"Your brave, good friend brought me a thousand dollars, praying me to +convey this to Herr Moritz in order to defray the expenses of a journey +to Italy." + +"Have you accomplished it, and in such a manner that he does not suspect +the source from whence it came? He would not receive it if he had the +least suspicion of it. I have seen him secretly several times as he +passed to and fro from the Gymnasium, and he appeared to me to grow +paler and more languid every day." + +"It is true that since you have come back he has changed. The old +melancholy seems to have returned." + +"He needs distraction; he must go away and forget me. It has always been +his earnest wish to travel in Italy. You must tell him that you have +succeeded in getting the money for him." + +"I bethought myself of Moritz's publisher, represented to him how +necessary it was for the health of Professor Moritz to travel, begged +of him to order a work upon Italy, and particularly the works of art of +Rome, and propose to Moritz the acceptance of the money for that object, +as he was quite too proud to receive it as a present." + +"That was an excellent idea," cried Marie. "Has it been accomplished?" + +"Yes, as Herr Maurer made the proposal, and Moritz replied, sighing, +that he had not the means for such a journey, the publisher immediately +offered him half of the remuneration in advance; consequently he starts +to-morrow for Italy, unknowing of the thousand dollars being your +gift." [Footnote: This work, which was published after his return, still +excites the highest interest, and is entitled "Travels of a German in +Italy during 1786 and 1787.--Letters of Philip Carl Moritz," 8 vols., +Berlin, published by Frederick Maurer.] + +"How much I thank you!" she joyfully cried. "Moritz is saved; he +will now recover, and forget all his grief in studying the objects of +interest in the Eternal City." + +"Do you really believe that?" asked Herr Gedicke. "Were you not also in +Italy?" + +"I was indeed there two years, but it was very different with me. It is +difficult to forget you are a slave, when listening all the while to the +clanking of your chains." + +"My poor child, I read with sorrow the history of the past years in +your grief-stricken face. It is the first time we have met since your +marriage." + +"See what these years have made of me!--a miserable wife, whom the world +esteems, but who recoils from herself. My heart has changed to stone, +and I feel metamorphosed. The sight of you recalls that fearful hour, +melting my heart and causing the tears to flow. At that time you blessed +me, my friend and father. Oh, grant me your blessing again in this hour +of sorrow! I implore you for it, before an important decision! I long +for the sympathy of a noble soul!" + +"I know not, my child, with what grief this hour may be laden for you; +but I lay my hand again upon your head, imploring God in His divine +mercy to sustain you!" + +"Countess von Moltke and Frau von Morien!" announced the usher. In +brilliant toilets the ladies rustled in, hastening toward the baroness, +who had now regained her wonted composure, and received them in her +usual stately manner. + +"How perfectly charming you look to-night!" cried Countess Moltke. "To +me you are ever the impersonation of the goddess of wealth and beauty +strewing everywhere with lavish generosity your gifts, and turning every +thing to gold with your touch." + +"But whose heart has remained tender and gentle," added Frau von +Morien.--"You are indeed a goddess, always enhancing the pleasures of +others. To-day I wear the beautiful bracelet which you sent me because I +admired it." + +"And I, ma toute belle," cried the countess, "have adorned myself with +this superb gold brocade which you so kindly had sent from Paris for +me." + +"You have forgotten, countess, that you begged of me to give the order +for you." + +"Ah, that is true! Then I am your debtor." + +"If you are not too proud to receive it as a present?" + +"Oh, most certainly not; on the contrary, I thank you, my dear.--Tell +me, my dear Morien, is not this woman an angel?" + +At this instant the French ambassador, Marquis Treves, appeared among +the numerous guests, whom the baroness stepped quickly forward to +welcome, withdrawing with him into the window-niche. + +"Welcome, marquis," she said, quickly, in a low voice, "Have you brought +me the promised papers?" + +Drawing a sealed packet from his coat-pocket, he handed it to the +baroness with a low bow, saying: "I would draw your attention to the +fact once more, dear madam, that I have abided by the price named by +yourself, in making this sale, although I am still of the opinion that +it is below its value." + +"The sum is sufficient for my wants, and I rated its value according as +it is taxed." + +"There are a hundred thousand dollars in bills of exchange, payable at +the French embassy at any moment," said the marquis. + +"I thank you, sir, for this proof of friendly attention; and as it +may be the last time we meet, I would assure you that I shall always +remember your many and thoughtful kindnesses." + +"You speak, baroness, as if you would forsake the circle of which you +are the brightest ornament." + +"No, the friends will forsake me," she replied, with a peculiar smile. +"Ere an hour shall pass not one of all these numerous guests will remain +here.--Ah, there comes the decision! See there, marquis!" + +The usher announced "Banker Splittgerber." The old man entered followed +by two men of not very presentable appearance, and whose toilet was +but little in keeping with the brilliantly-decorated room and the +aristocratic guests. + +Never heeding the sneers nor contemptuous smiles, the faithful +book-keeper wound his way, through the crowd of elegantly dressed ladies +and gentlemen, accompanied by the two men, up to Ebenstreit, who, with +instinctive politeness, had placed himself near Marie. + +"Gentlemen," said Splittgerber, in a loud voice, "this is Baron +Ebenstreit von Leuthen, principal of the banking-house Ludwig." + +The two gentlemen approached, one of them saying, "They sent us here +from your office." + +"This is not the place for business," replied Ebenstreit. "Follow me!" + +"No, gentlemen, remain here," cried Marie. "Our guests present are such +intimate, devoted friends that we have nothing to conceal from them; +but on the contrary, I am convinced they will only be too happy of the +occasion to prove their friendship, of which they have so often assured +us.--These gentlemen demand the payment of a bill of exchange for eighty +thousand dollars. Take my portfolio, Ebenstreit; there is a pencil in +it. Go around and make a collection; undoubtedly the entire sum will be +soon noted down." + +Ebenstreit approached the Baron von Frankenstein, saying: "Pardon me +if I recall to your memory the sum of one thousand louis d'ors, due for +four black horses three months since." + +"My dear sir," cried the baron, "this is a strange manner to collect +one's debts. We were invited to a feast, and a pistol is pointed at us, +demanding our debts to be cancelled!" + +"How strange! How ridiculous!" heard one here and there among the +guests, as they, with one accord, pressed toward the door to make their +exit, which they found fastened. + +"Remain," cried Marie, with stately dignity. "I wish you honored guests +to be witness of this scene in the hour of justification, as you were +also present at the one when one of the noblest and best of men cursed +me.--Banker Splittgerber, take these bills of exchange for one hundred +thousand dollars. Pay these gentlemen, and devote the remainder to the +other debts as far as it will go." + +As the three men withdrew by a side-drier, Marie exclaimed: "I will now +explain to you that Baron von Leuthen is ruined--poor as a beggar when +he will not work." + +"Marie," cried Ebenstreit, terrified, rushing toward her, and seizing +her by the arm. "Marie--" + +She threw off his hand from her in anger. "Do not touch me, sir, and do +not presume either to address me with any endearments. You have yourself +said that our marriage was not a veritable one, but was like the union +of associates in business, and now I would inform you it is dissolved: +the one is a bankrupt; the other a woman whom you cursed, and who +reclaims of you four years of shame and degradation. You wonder at my +speaking thus, but you do not know this man, my friends." + +As she spoke, a door opened at the farther end of the room, and Trude +entered in her simple dress, followed by Philip Moritz. Unobserved +the two glided behind the charming grotto which had been arranged with +flowers and wreaths in one of the niches. Every eye was turned upon the +pale, stately beauty, erect in the centre of the room. + +"Stay here, for no one can see us," whispered Trude. "I could not bear +to have you leave Berlin without hearing the justification of my dear +Marie, and may God pardon me for letting you come here unbeknown to her! +Listen, and pray to Him to forgive you the great injustice that you have +done her. Be quiet, that no one may see you, and Marie be angry with her +old Trude." + +"Yes," continued Marie, with chilling contempt, "you should know this +man before whom you have all bowed, pressed the hand, and called your +friend, because he was rich, and, thanks to his wealth alone, became a +titled man--a baron, buying the hand of a poor but noble maiden, whom he +knew despised him, and passionately loved another, having sworn eternal +constancy to him. I am that young girl. I begged, nay implored him, +not to pursue me, but he was void of pity, mocked my tears, and said +he could buy my love, and my heart would at last be touched by the +influence of his wealth. I should have preferred to die, but Fate +ordered that the one I loved, by my fault, should by imprisonment atone +our brief dream of bliss. I could only save him by accepting this man; +these were the conditions. I became his wife before the world, and took +my oath in his presence to revenge myself, and after four years I +shall accomplish it. I have spent his money, and of the rich man made a +beggar. God be praised, I can now revenge myself in freeing myself!" + +"Free yourself? It is not true! You are my wife still," replied +Ebenstreit, alarmed. + +A radiant smile flitted over Marie's face as she defied Ebenstreit +with the law of the Great Frederick, who had decided that every unhappy +couple without offspring could separate by their own free will and +consent, having signed a paper to that effect. + +"Is that the paper which you have made me sign?" cried Ebenstreit, +alarmed. + +"Yes, drawn up by my notary, and both of our names are signed to it." + +"It is a fraud!" cried Ebenstreit. "I will protest against it." + +"Do it, and you will find it a vain effort. I promised to pay your debt +if you would put your name to the document then placed before you, which +you did. Ask the Marquis Treves how I paid your debts: he will answer +you that he has given me the money." + +"I had the honor to pay to the baroness one hundred thousand dollars, as +she rightly informs you." + +"Yes," continued Marie, "the marquis is the present possessor of this +house and all that it contains--furniture, statues, and pictures; also +the equipages and silver. To my mother I sent my diamonds, costly laces, +and dresses, to indemnify her for the annuity which Herr von Ebenstreit +settled upon her as purchase-money which he cannot pay, now that he is +ruined." + +"Marquis," cried Ebenstreit, pale with anger, "have you really bought +this house and its contents?" + +"I have done so, and the one hundred thousand dollars the baroness has +paid over to Herr Splittgerber." + +"Oh! I am ruined," groaned Ebenstreit--"I am lost!" and, covering his +face with his hands, he rushed from the room. + +Marie gazed at him with a sad expression, saying: "Ladies and gentlemen, +you now know to whom this house belongs. You can no longer say that I am +the daughter whom the late General von Leuthen sold to a rich man. I am +free!" + +At this moment a side-door opened, and Frau von Leuthen was heard saying +to old Trude: "Let me in! it is in vain to hold me back. I will have +an explanation from my daughter, and learn what all this means." As +she pushed herself into the room, she exclaimed: "Ah, it is a fete day! +There is the baroness in all her glory and splendor. She is not crazed, +as I feared this morning, when she sent me all her ornaments and fine +dresses and laces, with a note, sealed with black, inscribed upon it, +'Will Of the Baroness Ebenstreit von Leuthen.' I opened it, and read: 'I +give to my mother my precious ornaments, laces, and dresses, to secure +to her the pension which she has lost.--Marie. 'I came here to learn if +my daughter were dead, and what the conclusion of this lost pension may +be, and I find--" + +"You find the confirmation of all that I wrote to you," replied Marie, +coldly. "Baron Ebenstreit von Leuthen is ruined. I have secured to you, +in the sum which my jewels and laces will bring you, the annuity, so +that you have not lost the money promised you for your daughter, and the +marriage you have arranged has at least borne good fruit to you." + +"You are a cruel, ungrateful child," cried the mother. "I have long +known it, and rejected you from my heart, and from all shame I will +yet protect the name you bear. I have just seen a sign in the +Friedrich-strasse, 'Flower manufactory of Marie von Leuthen.' What does +this mean? Terrified, I stared speechless at these fearful words, and at +the busy workmen preparing the house." + +"I will explain it to you," cried Marie, with radiant mien. "I have +again become the flower-maker, and beg your favor, Countess von Moltke, +Frau von Morien, and all the other ladies. I am free, and no longer the +wife of a hated husband--no longer the distinguished and wealthy woman. +All delusion and mockery have vanished. The costly dress and jewels that +I now wear I will cast of from me as the last souvenir of the past." + +Unclasping the diamond necklace and bracelets, she handed them to her +mother, saying: "Take them, and also this dress, the last finery I +possess." She unloosed the band, and the long white satin train fell +at her feet. Emerging from it as from a silvery cloud, she stood before +them in a simple white dress, as she was clothed in her girlhood. "Take +them all," she joyfully cried. "Take them, mother, it is all past. I +am now myself again. Farewell, witnesses of this scene! I now quit your +circle; and you, my mother, I forgive you; may the thoughts of your +unhappy child never trouble you, waking or sleeping; may you forget that +your daughter lives, and is wretched. Revenge has not softened my grief, +or removed your curse from my head!" + +"I will lift it off your brow, Marie!" cried Moritz, suddenly appearing +from the window-niche, with beaming face and outstretched arms, +approaching Marie, whom surprised and alarmed, retreated. "Oh, noble, +courageous woman, forgive me that I have been an unbidden witness to +this scene, though by this means I now clearly recognize your strength +of mind, and elevation of soul, and the wrong that I have committed in +doubting and cursing you during these four years of gloom and despair. I +bow before you, Marie, and implore you, upon my knees, to forgive me +all the cruel, harsh words that I have uttered--that I have dared as +a wretched fool to doubt you in this long night of despair. The day is +dawning again upon us; a new sun will yet cheer us with its rays. Do not +turn from me, but look at me, and grant me forgiveness.--My dear friend +and father, speak for me, for you know what I have suffered. Beg of her +to forgive me." + +"Marie," said the venerable old man, approaching her, gently putting +his arm around her, "God has willed that you, my poor, long-tried child, +should pass through a season of extreme sorrow. You are now released, +and all that belonged to you has vanished!" + +As he spoke, he signed to the guests to withdraw. Many had already +escaped the painful scene by the side-door. Marie was now alone in the +magnificent apartment, with Herr Gedicke and Moritz. She still stood, +with concealed face, in the centre of the room. + +"Oh, Marie," implored Moritz, "hide not your dear face from me! Read in +mine the deep grief of the past and the bliss of the future. I thank +God that this unnatural union is severed, and that you are free. Be +courageous to the end!" Moritz impetuously drew her hand away, revealing +her tearful countenance, as her head sank upon his shoulder. "Can +you not forgive me, Marie?" he cried, with deep emotion. "We have both +wandered through a waste of grief, and now approach life radiant with +happiness. Oh, speak to me, Marie; can you not love me and forgive me?" + +She gazed into his eyes, and in their depths read that which gradually +softened her hardened features, and caused a smile to play upon her lip. +"I love you dearly, devotedly; let this be our parting word. Go forth +into the world, Moritz; my affection will follow you whithersoever you +wander, and my soul will be true to you through all eternity, though we +are forever separated. The poor wife, with her dismal retrospections, +must not cast a shadow upon your future. Go, my beloved--Italy awaits +you, and art will console you!" + +"Follow me, dear Marie; only by your side am I happy. You are free and +independent," cried Moritz. + +"Oh, father," cried Marie, leaning upon the venerable old man, "explain +to him that I am still the wife of that hated man!" + +"She is right, Philip; do not urge her further. She must first be +legally separated, and this weary heart must have time to recover its +wonted calm. Go to Italy, and confide your future and happiness to my +care. Marie has lost a mother, but she shall find a father in me. I will +watch over her until your return." + +Just then the door opened, and Trude entered. "Every thing is ready; all +the things which used to stand in the little garret-room are packed and +sent to the manufactory. Shall we go, too, dear child?" + +"Yes," she cried, embracing the faithful old woman. "Farewell, +Philip--Italy calls you!" + +"I will go, but when I return will you not be my wife?" + +Marie gazed at Moritz, radiant with happiness, saying: "The answer is +engraven upon my heart. Return, and then I will joyfully respond to your +love before God and man!" + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Old Fritz and the New Era, by Louise Muhlbach + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD FRITZ AND THE NEW ERA *** + +***** This file should be named 3460.txt or 3460.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/6/3460/ + +Produced by Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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