frederick the great and his family-第119章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


t　dark　sin　was　casting　its　cold　shadow　over　this　bright　scenethat　the　cowardly　crime　of　treachery　had　already　poisoned　the　pure　air　of　this　forest。　None　suspected　it　less　than　Prince　Henry　himself。　He　was　happy　and　content　that　this　fete　had　succeeded　so　wellthat　this　bright　autumn　day　had　come　opportunely　to　his　aid。　The　sun　penetrated　to　his　heart　and　made　it　warm　and　joyous。　He　had　just　made　a　little　tour　through　the　forest　with　some　of　his　cavaliers；　and　had　returned　to　the　tent　on　the　bank　of　the　lake；　where　he　had　last　seen　the　princess　amid　a　bevy　of　nymphs；　but　she　was　no　longer　there；　and　none　of　the　ladies　knew　where　she　had　gone。

〃She　has　retired　to　her　hut；〃　said　the　prince　to　himself；　as　he　turned　smilingly　toward　the　thick　woods。　〃The　only　thing　is　to　discover　her　hut；　without　doubt　she　is　there　and　expects　me　to　seek　her。　Now；　then；　may　fortune　assist　me　to　discover　my　beloved。　I　must　find　her　if　only　to　prove　to　her　that　my　love　can　overcome　all　difficulties　and　penetrate　every　mystery。　There　are　twenty…four　hutsI　know　their　situation。　I　will　visit　each；　and　it　will　be　strange　indeed　if　I　cannot　discover　my　beautiful　Wilhelmina。〃

He　advanced　with　hasty　steps　in　the　direction　of　the　huts。　By　a　singular　coincidence　they　were　all　vacant；　the　ivy　wreath　was　displayed　on　none；　and　the　prince　could　enter　and　convince　himself　that　no　one　was　within。　He　had　visited　twenty…three　of　the　huts　without　finding　the　object　of　his　search。　〃I　will　go　to　the　last　one；〃　said　the　prince；　gayly；　〃perhaps　the　gods　have　led　me　astray　only　that　I　might　find　happiness　at　the　end　of　my　path。〃　He　saw　the　last　hut　in　the　distance。　It　nestled　in　the　midst　of　low　bushes；　looking　quiet　and　undisturbed；　and　on　the　door　hung　the　ivy　wreath。　The　heart　of　the　prince　beat　with　joy；　and　he　murmured；　〃She　is　thereI　have　found　her；〃　as　he　hastened　toward　the　hut。　〃No；〃　he　said；　〃I　dare　not　surprise　her。　I　must　consider　the　law　sacred　which　I　made。　The　ivy　wreath　is　before　the　doorno　one　dare　enter。　But　I　will　lie　down　before　the　door；　and　when　she　comes　out　she　roust　cross　my　body　or　fall　into　my　arms。〃　The　prince　approached　the　hut　quietly；　careful　to　avoid　making　any　noise。　When　he　had　reached　it；　he　sank　slowly　upon　the　grass；　and　turned　his　eyes　upon　the　door；　which　concealed　his　beloved　one　from　his　view。

Deep　silence　reigned。　This　was　a　charming　spot；　just　suited　for　a　tender　rendezvous；　and　full　of　that　sweet　silence　which　speaks　so　eloquently　to　a　loving　heart。　In　the　distance　could　be　heard　the　sound　of　the　hunter's　horn；　whilst　the　great　trees　rustled　their　leaves　as　though　they　wished　to　mingle　their　notes　in　the　universal　anthem。　The　prince　gavo　himself　up　for　a　long　time　to　the　sweet　pleasures　of　this　solitude；　turning　his　smiling　glance　first　to　the　heavens　where　a　few　white　clouds　were　floating；　and　then　again　to　earth；　where　some　glittering　insect　attracted　his　gaze。

But　what　was　it　which　pierced　through　him　with　a　deadly　horror　which　made　him　become　so　pale；　and　turn　his　flashing　eyes　with　an　indescribable　expression　of　dread　toward　the　hut？　Why　did　he　partially　arise　from　his　reclining　position　as　the　hunter　does；　who　sees　the　prey　approach　that　he　wishes　to　destroy？　What　was　it　that　made　him　press　his　lips　so　tightly；　one　against　the　other；　as　if　he　would　repress　a　cry　of　agony；　or　an　execration？　And　why　does　he　listen　now　with　bated　breath；　his　gaze　fixed　upon　the　hut；　and　both　hands　raised；　as　if　to　threaten　an　approaching　enemy？　Suddenly　he　sprang　up；　and　rushed　trembling　to　the　door；　and；　while　in　the　act　of　bursting　it　open；　he　fell　back；　pale　as　death；　as　if　his　foot　had　trodden　upon　a　poisonous　serpent。　Thus　retreating；　with　wildly　staring　eyes；　with　half…open　lips；　which　seemed　stiffened　in　the　very　act　of　uttering　a　shriek；　he　slowly　left　the　hut；　and　then　suddenly；　as　if　he　could　no　longer　look　at　any　thing　so　frightful；　he　turned　and　fled　from　the　spot　as　if　pursued　by　furies。　Farther；　always　farther；　until　his　strength　and　his　breath　were　exhausted；　then　he　sank　down。

〃It　was　cowardly　to　fly；〃　he　murmured；　〃but　I　felt　that　I　should　murder　them；　if　they　came　out　of　the　hut　before　my　eyes。　A　voice　within　whispered；　'Fly；　or　you　will　be　a　murderer！'　I　obeyed　it　almost　against　my　will。　It　was　cowardlyan　unpardonable　error；　but　I　will　return　to　the　hut。〃

He　sprang　forward　like　a　tiger；　ready　to　fall　upon　his　prey。　His　hand　involuntarily　sought　his　side　for　his　sword。

〃Ah；　I　have　no　weapon；〃　he　said；　gnashing　his　teeth；　〃I　must　murder　them　with　my　hands。〃

He　advanced　with　uplifted　head；　defiant　as　a　conqueror；　or　as　one　who　has　overcome　death　and　has　nothing　to　fear。　The　hut　was　again　before　him；　but　it　no　longer　smiled　at　him；　it　filled　him　with　horror　and　fury。　Now　he　has　reached　it；　and　with　one　blow　he　bursts　open　the　door；　but　it　is　empty。　The　prince　had　not　remarked　that　the　ivy…wreath　was　no　longer　displayed；　and　that　the　hut　was　therefore　vacant。

〃They　are　gone；〃　he　murmured。　〃This　time　they　have　escaped　punishment；　but　it　surely　awaits　them。〃




CHAPTER　IX。

BROTHER　AND　SISTER。


A　month　had　passed　since　Amelia　dispatched　her　emissary　to　the　queen's　fireman；　and　she　had　as　yet　received　no　definite　intelligence。　General　Riedt　had　called　but　once；　he　told　her　he　had　succeeded　in　interesting　the　Savoyard　in　Trenck's　fate；　and　he　had　promised　to　remind　the　empress　of　the　unfortunate　prisoner。　But　a　condition　must　be　attached　to　this　promise：　no　one　must　approach　him　again　on　this　subject；　it　must　be　kept　an　inviolable　secret。　Only　when　Trenck　was　free　would　the　fireman　receive　the　other　half　of　the　stipulated　sum；　if　he　failed　in　his　attempt；　he　would　return　the　money　he　now　held。

This　was　all　that　the　princess　had　heard　from　Vienna；　her　heart　was　sorrowfulalmost　hopeless。　Trenck　still　sat　in　his　wretched　prison　at　Magdeburg；　and　she　scarcely　dared　hope　for　his　release。

It　was　a　dark；　tempestuous　November　day。　The　princess　stood　at　the　window；　gazing　at　the　whirling　snow…flakes；　and　listening　to　the　howling　of　the　pitiless　storm。　They　sounded　to　her　like　the　raging　shrieks　of　mocking；　contending　spirits；　and　filled　her　heart　with　malignant　joy。

〃Many　ships　will　go　down　to　destruction　in　the　roaring　sea；　many　men　will　lose　all　that　they　possess；〃　she　murmured；　with　a　coarse　laugh。　〃God　sends　His　favorite　daughter；　the　bride　of　the　winds；　she　sings　a　derisive　song　to　men；　she　shows　them　how　weak；　how　pitiful　they　are。　She　sweeps　away　their　possessionstouches　them　on　that　point　where　alone　they　are　sensitive。　I　rejoice　in　the　howling；　whistling　tempest！　This　is　the　voice　of　the　great　world…spirit；　dashing　by　in　the　thunder；　and　making　the　cowardly　hearts　of　men　tremble。　They　deserve　this　punishment；　they　are　utterly　unworthy　and　contemptible。　I　hate；　I　despise　them　all！　Only　when　I　see　them　suffer　can　I　be　reconciled　to　them。　Aha！　the　storm　has　seized　a　beautifully…dressed　lady。　How　it　whirls　and　dashes　her　about！　Look　how　it　lifts　her　robe；　making　rare　sport　of　her　deceitful；　affected　modesty。　Miserable；　variegated　butterfly　that　you　are；　you　think　yourself　a　goddess　of　youth　and　beauty。　This　wild　tempest　teaches　you　that　you　are　but　a　poor；　pitiful　insect；　tossed　about　in　the　world　like　any　other　creeping　thinga　powerless　atom。　The　storm　first　takes　possession　of　your　clothes；　now　of　your　costly　hat。　Wait；　my　lady；　wait！　one　day　it　will　take　your　heart；　it　will　be　crushed　and　broken　to　piecesthere　will　be　none　to　pity。　The　world　laughs　and　mocks　at　the　wretched。　Misfortune　is　the　only　disgrace　which　is　never　forgiven。　You　may　be　a　thief；　a　murderer；　and　you　will　be　pardoned　if　you　are　adroit　enough　to　slip　your　head　from　the　noose。　Criminals　are　pitied　and　pardoned；　unfortunates　never。　Ah；　this　is　a　mad；　gay　world；　and　they　are　fools　who　take　it　earnestly；　who　do　not　laugh　laugh　even　as　I　do。〃

The　princess　laughed　aloudif　that　could　be　called　a　laugh；　from　which　she　shuddered　back　herself　in　terror。

〃It　is　bitter　cold　here；　〃she　said；　shuddering；　〃I　think　I　shall　never　be　warm　again。　I　am　always　freezing；　and　this　miserable　frost　has　turned　my　heart　and　soul　to　ice。　I　would　like　to　know　if　they　will　thaw　in　the　grave？〃

She　stepped　slowly　from　the　window；　and　crept　through　the　large；　empty　room　to　the　chimney；　where　a　large　wood…fire　was　burningnow　flickering　up　in　clear　flames；　now　breaking　into　glowing　coals。

Amelia　took　the　poker；　and　amused　herself　by　dashing　the　coals　apart；　and　watching　the　flashing；　dancing　flames。　The　fire　seemed　to　embrace　her　whole　figure；　and　threw　a　rosy　shimmer　over　her　wan　and　fallen　cheeks。　She　gazed　deep　down　into　the　glowing　coals；　and　murmured　broken；　disconnected　words。　From　time　to　time　a　mocking　smile　trembled　on　her　lips；　then　heavy　sighs　wrung　her　breast。　Was　she　perhaps　telling　the　fire　of　the　flames　which　raged　within　her　bosom？　Was　she　perhaps　a　magician；　who　understood　the　language　of　these　mysterious　tongues　of　flame；　and　answered　their　burning　questions？　The　hasty　opening　of　the　door　aroused　her　from　her　dreams；　and　a　page　entered　and　announced　in　a　loud　voice〃His　majesty　the　king！〃

Amelia　bowed　her　head；　and　advanced　slowly　and　with　a　stern　countenance　to　meet　the　king；　who　now　appeared　at　the　threshold。

〃May　I　enter；　my　sister；　or　do　you　command　me　to　withdraw？〃　said　Frederick；　smiling。

〃The　king　has　no　permission　to　ask；〃　said　Amelia；　earnestly；　〃he　is　everywhere　lord　and　master。　The　doors　of　all　other　prisons　open　before　him；　and　so　also　do　mine。〃

Frederick　nodded　to　the　page　to　leave　the　room　and　close　the　door；　then　advanced　eagerly　to　meet　his　sister。　Giving　her　his　hands　he　led　her　to　the　divan；　and　seated　himself　beside　her。

〃You　regard　me　then　as　a　kind　of　jailer？〃　he　said；　in　a　gentle；　loving　voice。

〃Can　a　king　be　any　thing　but　a　jailer？〃　she　said；　roughly。　〃Those　who　displease　him；　he　arrests　and　casts　into　prison；　and　not　one　of　his　subjects　can　be　sure　that　he　will　not　one　day　displease　him。〃

〃You；　at　least；　my　sister；　have　not　this　to　fear；　and　yet　you　have　just　called　this　your　prison。〃

〃It　is　a　prison；　sire。〃

〃And　am　I；　then；　your　jailer？〃

〃No；　sire；　life　is　my　jailer。〃

〃You　are　right；　there；　Amelia。　Life　is　the　universal　jailer；　from　whom　death　alone　can　release　us。　The　world　is　a　great　prison；　and　only　fools　think　themselves　free。　But　we　are　involuntarily　commencing　an　earnest；　philosophical　conversation。　I　come　to　you　to　rest；　to　refresh　myself；　to　converse　harmlessly　and　cheerfully；　as　in　our　earlier　and　happier　days。　Tell　me　something；　dear　sister；　of　your　life；　your　occupations；　and　your　friends？〃

〃That　is　easily　done；　and　requires　but　few　words；〃　said　Amelia；　hoarsely。　〃Of　my　life　I　have　already　told　you　all　that　can　be　said。　Life　is　my　jailer；　and　I　look　longingly　to　death；　who　alone　can　release　me。　As　to　my　well…being；　there　is　nothing　to　say；　all　is　evil；　only　evil　continually。　My　occupations　are　monotonous；　I　am　ever　asleep。　Night　and　day　I　sleep　and　dream；　and　why　should　I　awake？　I　have　nothing　to　hope；　nothing　to　do。　I　am　a　superfluous　piece　of　furniture　in　this　castle；　and　I　know　well　you　will　all　rejoice　when　I　am　placed　in　the　vault。　I　am　an　old　maid；　or；　if　you　prefer　it；　I　am　a　wall…frog；　who　has　nothing　to　do　but　creep　into　my　hole；　and；　when　I　have　vitality　enough；　t