frederick the great and his family-第118章

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；　the　winter…quarters　of　pleasure；　they　wished　to　bid　farewell　to　Nature。　The　nymphs　of　the　wood　and　the　spring；　the　hamadryads　of　the　forests；　the　fauns　and　satyrs　should　reign　once　more　in　the　woods　before　they　placed　the　sceptre　in　the　hands　of　winter。　The　guests　of　Rheinsberg　should　once　more　enjoy　the　careless　gayety　of　a　happy　day；　before　they　returned　to　the　winter　saloons；　on　whose　threshold　Etiquette　awaited　them；　with　her　forced　smile；　her　robes　of　ceremony　and　her　orders　and　titles。

The　ladies　and　gentlemen　had　been　transformed；　therefore；　into　gods　and　goddesses；　nymphs；　and　hamadryads；　fauns；　satyrs；　and　wood…　spirits。　The　horn　of　Diana　resounded　once　more　in　the　wood；　through　which　the　enchanting　huntress　passed；　accompanied　by　Endymion；　who　was　pursued　by　Actaeon。　There　was　Apollo　and　the　charming　Daphne；　Echo　and　the　vain　Narcissus；　and；　on　the　bank　of　the　lake；　which　gleamed　in　the　midst　of　the　forest；　the　water…nymphs　danced　in　a　fairy…circle　with　the　tritons。

The　prince　had　himself　made　all　the　arrangements　for　this　fantastic　fete；　he　had　selected　the　character；　and　appointed　the　place　of　every　one；　and；　that　nothing　should　fail；　he　had　ordered　all　to　seek　their　pleasures　and　adventures　as　they　wouldonly；　when　the　horn　of　the　goddess　Diana　should　sound；　all　must　appear　on　the　shore　of　the　lake　to　partake　of　a　most　luxurious　meal。　The　remainder　of　the　day　was　to　be　given　to　the　voluntary　pleasures　which　each　one　would　seek　or　make　for　himself；　and　in　this　the　ladies　and　gentlemen　showed　themselves　more　ingenious　than　usual。　In　every　direction　goddesses　were　to　be　seen　gliding　through　the　bushes　to　escape　the　snares　of　some　god；　or　seeking　some　agreeable　rendezvous。　At　the　edge　of　the　lake　lay　charming　gondolas　ready　for　those　who　wished　to　rest　and　refresh　themselves　by　a　sail　upon　the　dancing　waves。　For　the　hunters　and　huntresses　targets　were　placed　upon　the　trees；　all　kinds　of　fire…arms　and　cross…bows　and　arrows　lay　near　them。　Scattered　throughout　the　forest；　were　a　number　of　small　huts；　entirely　covered　with　the　bark　of　trees；　and　looking　like　a　mass　of　fallen　wood；　but　comfortably　and　even　elegantly　arranged　in　the　interior。　Every　one　of　these　huts　was　numbered；　and　at　the　beginning　of　the　fete　every　lady　had　drawn　a　number　from　an　urn；　which　was　to　designate　the　hut　which　belonged　to　her。　Chance　alone　had　decided；　and　each　one　had　given　her　word　not　to　betray　the　number　of　her　cabin。　From　this　arose　a　seeking　and　spying；　a　following　and　listening；　which　gave　a　peculiar　charm　to　the　fete。　Every　nymph　or　goddess　could　find　a　refuge　in　her　cabin；　having　entered　it；　it　was　only　necessary　to　display　the　ivy　wreath；　which　she　found　within；　to　protect　herself　from　any　further　pursuit；　for　this　wreath　announced　to　all　that　the　mistress　of　the　hut　had　retired　within　and　did　not　wish　her　solitude　disturbed。　That　nothing　might　mar　the　harmony　of　this　fete；　the　prince　and　his　wife　had　placed　themselves　on　an　equal　footing　with　their　guests；　the　princess　had　declined　any　conspicuous　role；　and　was　to　appear　in　the　simple　but　charming　costume　of　a　wood…nymph；　while　the　prince　had　selected　an　ideal　and　fanciful　hunter's　costume。　Even　in　the　selection　of　huts　the　Princess　Wilhelmina　had　refused　to　make　any　choice；　and　had　drawn　her　number　as　the　others　did；　even　refusing　a　glimpse　of　it　to　her　husband。

This　day　seemed　given　up　to　joy　and　pleasure。　Every　countenance　was　bright　and　smiling；　and　the　wood　resounded　with　merry　laughter；　with　the　tones　of　the　hunter's　horn；　the　baying　of　the　hounds；　which　were　in　Diana's　train；　and　the　singing　of　sweet　songs。　And　still　on　how　many　faces　the　smile　was　assumed；　how　many　sighs　arose；　with　how　many　cares　and　sorrows　were　many　of　these　apparently　happy　creatures　weighed　down？　Even　the　noble　brow　of　the　goddess　Diana　was　not　so　unruffled　as　Homer　describes　it；　her　countenance　expressed　care　and　unrest；　and　in　her　great　black　eyes　there　glowed　such　fire　as　had　never　shone　in　the　orbs　of　the　coy　goddess。

See；　there　is　the　goddess　Diana　crossing　the　wood　breathlessly；　and　hurriedly；　looking　anxiously　around　her；　as　if　she　feared　the　approach　of　some　pursuers；　then　seeing　that　no　one　is　near；　she　hastens　forward　toward　the　hut；　which　stands　amidst　those　bushes。　The　ivy　wreath　is　hanging　before　this　cabin；　but　Diana　does　not　notice　this；　she　knows　what　it　means　and；　besides；　no　one　has　a　right　to　enter　this　hut　but　herself；　for　it　bears　the　number　which　she　drew。

As　she　entered；　Endymion；　the　beautiful　hunter；　advanced　to　greet　her。　〃At　length　you　have　come；　Camilla；〃　he　whispered；　gently；　〃at　length　you　grant　me　the　happiness　of　a　private　interview。　Oh；　it　is　an　eternity　since　I　beheld　you。　You　are　very　cruel　to　me　to　refuse　me　all　intercourse　with　you；　and　to　leave　me　languishing　in　the　distance　for　one　glance　from　you。〃

〃As　if　it　depended　on　me　to　allow　you　to　approach　me。　As　if　I　was　not　guarded　with　argus　eyes　as　a　prisoner　that　is　expected　to　break　loose　and　vanish　at　any　moment。　How　much　trouble；　how　much　cunning　and　deftness　have　I　been　compelled　to　exercise　to　come　here　now。　It　was　a　detestable　idea　of　the　princess　to　give　me　the　/role/　of　Diana；　for　I　have　behind　me　a　band　of　spies；　and　I　assure　you　that　my　coy　huntresses　are　so　fearfully　modest；　that　the　sight　of　a　man　fills　them　with　dread；　and　they　flee　before　him　into　the　wildest　thicket　of　the　woods。〃

〃Perhaps　because　they　have　a　lover　concealed　in　the　thicket；〃　said　Endymion。

Camilla　laughed　aloud。　〃Perhaps　you　are　right。　But　when　my　huntresses　fly；　there　still　remains　that　horrible　argus　who　guards　me　with　his　thousand　eyes　and　never　leaves　my　side。　It　was　from　pure　malice　that　the　prince　gave　that　/role/　to　my　detestable　stepfather；　and　thus　fastened　him　upon　me。〃

〃How　did　you　succeed　in　escaping　the　watchfulness　of　your　argus　to　come　here？〃

〃I　escaped　at　the　moment　the　princess　was　speaking　to　him；　and　my　huntresses　were　pursuing　Actaeon；　which　character　the　Baron　von　Kaphengst　was　representing　with　much　humor。　I　wanted　to　speak　with　you；　for　I　have　so　much　to　relate　to　you。　I　must　open　to　you　my　broken；　my　unhappy　heart。　You　are　my　dear；　faithful　cousin　Kindar；　and　I　hope　you　will　not　leave　your　poor　cousin；　but　give　her　counsel　and　assistance。〃

Baron　von　Kindar　took　Camilla's　offered　hand　and　pressed　it　to　his　lips。　〃Count　upon　me　as　upon　your　faithful　slave；　who　would　gladly　die　for　you；　as　he　cannot　live　for　your　sake。〃

〃Listen　then；　beau　cousin；〃　whispered　Camilla；　smiling。　〃You　know　that　my　stern；　upright　husband　has　left　Berlin　in　order　to　receive　the　post　of　an　ambassador　at　Copenhagen。　I　would　not　accompany　him　because　I　was　daily　expecting　the　birth　of　my　child；　and　the　little　creature　was　so　sensible　as　not　to　enter　the　world　until　after　the　departure　of　its　honored　father；　who；　before　leaving；　had　delivered　me　a　lecture　on　the　subject　of　his　fidelity　and　tenderness；　and　of　my　duties　as　a　lonely　wife　and　young　mother。　I　was　compelled　to　swear　to　him　among　other　things　that　I　would　not　receive　my　beau　cousin　at　my　house。〃

〃And　you　took　that　oath？〃　interrupted　Kindar；　reproachfully。

〃I　was　forced　to　do　so；　or　he　would　not　have　gone；　or　he　would　have　taken　me　with　him。　Besides　this；　he　left　behind　his　old　confidant　the　tutor；　and　told　him　that　you　should　never　be　allowed　to　visit　me。　And　to　place　the　crown　upon　his　jealousy；　he　betrayed　the　secret　of　his　suspicions　to　my　stepfather；　and　demanded　of　him　the　friendly　service　of　accompanying　me　to　all　fetes　and　balls；　and　to　prevent　you　from　approaching　me。〃

〃Am　I　then　so　dangerous？〃　said　Kindar；　with　a　faint　smile。

〃These　gentlemen　at　least　appear　to　think　so；　and　if　I　did　not　care　so　much　for　you；　I　should　really　hate　you；　I　have　suffered　so　much　on　your　account。〃

Baron　von　Kindar　covered　her　hand　with　burning　kisses　for　an　answer　to　this。

〃Be　reasonable；　beau　cousin；　and　listen　to　me；〃　said　Camilla；　as　she　laughingly　withdrew　her　hand。　〃My　husband　has　been；　as　I　said；　in　Copenhagen　for　eight　weeks；　and　has　already　entreated　me　to　join　him　with　the　child；　as　I　have　entirely　recovered。〃

〃The　barbarian！〃　murmured　Kindar。

〃I　have　declined　up　to　this　time　under　one　pretext　or　another。　But　yesterday　I　received　a　letter　from　my　husband；　in　which　he　no　longer　entreats　me；　but　dares；　as　he　himself　expresses　it；　to　command　me　to　leave　Berlin　two　days　after　the　receipt　of　his　letter。〃

〃But　that　is　tyranny　which　passes　all　bounds；〃　cried　Kindar。　〃Does　this　wise　lord　think　that　his　wife　must　obey　him　as　a　slave？　Ah；　Camilla；　you　owe　it　to　yourself　to　show　him　that　you　are　a　free…born　woman；　whom　no　one　dare　command；　not　even　a　husband。〃

〃How　shall　I　show　him　that？〃　asked　Camilla。

〃By　remaining　here；〃　whispered　Kindar。　〃You　dare　not　think　of　leaving　Berlin；　for　you　know　that　the　hour　of　your　departure　would　be　the　hour　of　my　death。　You　know　it；　for　you　have　long　known　that　I　love　you　entirely；　and　that　you　owe　me　some　recompense　for　the　cruel　pain　I　suffered　when　you　married　another。〃

〃And　in　what　shall　this　recompense　consist？〃　asked　Camilla　with　a　coquettish　smile。

Baron　von　Kindar　placing　his　arm　around　her；　whispered：　〃By　remaining　here；　adored　Camilla；　for　my　sakein　declaring　to　your　hated　husband　that　you　will　leave　Berlin　on　no　accountthat　your　honor　demands　that　you　should　prove　to　him　in　the　face　of　his　brutal　commands；　that　these　are　no　commands　for　youand　that　you　will　follow　your　own　will　and　inclination。　Therefore　you　will　remain　in　Berlin。〃

〃Will　you　write　this　letter　for　me？〃

〃If　I　do　so；　will　you　consent　to　remain　here；　and　to　open　your　door　to　me　in　spite　of　the　orders　of　your　husband；　or　the　argus…eyes　of　your　stepfather？〃

〃Write　the　letter；　the　rest　will　arrange　itself；〃　said　Camilla。

〃I　will　write　it　to…night。　May　I　bring　it　to　you　myself　to…morrow　morning？〃

〃If　I　say　no；　will　you　then　be　so　kind　as　to　give　it　to　my　maid？〃

〃I　swear　by　my　honor　that　I　will　only　give　the　letter　into　your　own　hands。〃

〃Well；　then；　my　tyrannical　cousin；　you　force　me　to　open　my　door　to　you　in　spite　of　my　husband　and　my　stepfather；　and　in　the　face　of　this　Cerberus　of　a　tutor　who　guards　my　stronghold。〃

〃But　what　do　I　care　for　these　open　doors　so　long　as　your　heart　remains　closed　against　me；　Camilla？　Ah；　you　laughyou　mock　at　my　sufferings。　Have　you　no　pity；　no　mercy？　You　see　what　I　suffer；　and　you　laugh。〃

〃I　laugh；〃　she　whispered；　〃because　you　are　so　silly；　beau　cousin。　But　listen；　there　is　the　call　of　my　huntressesI　must　hasten　to　them；　or　they　will　surround　this　cabin　and　they　might　enter。　Farewell。　To…morrow　I　will　expect　you　with　the　letter。　Adieu。〃　Throwing　him　a　kiss　with　the　tips　of　her　fingers；　she　hastily　left　the　hut。

Baron　von　Kindar　looked　after　her　with　a　singular　smile。　〃She　is　mine；〃　he　whispered。　〃We　will　have　a　charming　little　romance；　but　it　will　terminate　in　a　divorce；　and　not　in　a　marriage。　I　have　no　idea　of　following　up　this　divorce　by　a　marriage。　God　protect　me　from　being　forced　to　marry　this　beautiful；　frivolous；　coquettish　woman。〃

While　this　scene　was　taking　place　in　one　part　of　the　forest；　the　fete　continued　gayly。　They　sang　and　laughed；　and　jested；　and　no　one　dreamed　that　dark　sin　was　casting　its　cold　shadow　over　this　bright　scenethat　the　cowardly　crime　of　treachery　ha