frederick the great and his family-第123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！



〃A　duel；　then；　my　lord？　You　will　suffer　chance　to　decide　your　most　holy　and　sacred　interestsyour　honor　and　life？　And　if　chance　is　against　you？　If　you　fall；　instead　of　your　adversary？〃

〃Then；　my　friend；　God　will　have　decided　it；　and　I　shall　thank　Him　for　relieving　me　from　a　life　which　will　from　henceforth　be　a　heavy　burden　to　me。　Farewell；　doctor。　I　will　be　with　you　in　eight　days；　and　will　again　need　your　assistance。〃

〃It　is　then　irrevocable；　my　lord？〃

〃Irrevocable；　doctor。〃

〃I　shall　be　ready。　God　grant　that　if　this　sad　drama　is　to　end　in　blood；　it　may　not　be　yours！〃

They　pressed　each　other's　hands　tenderly。　Lord　Elliot　sprang　into　the　carriage；　the　coachman　whipped　his　horses；　and　the　carriage　in　which　were　the　unfortunate　man　and　the　stolen　child　rolled　merrily　along　the　deserted　streets。




CHAPTER　XI。

THE　DISCOVERY。


Prince　Henry　stood　at　the　window　and　looked　down　into　the　garden。　He　saw　his　wife　walking　in　the　park　with　her　ladies；　and　enjoying　the　clear；　cool　winter　day；　he　heard　their　gay　and　merry　laughter；　but　he　felt　no　wish　to　join　them　and　share　their　mirth。

Since　that　day　in　the　wood；　a　change　had　come　upon　the　princea　dark；　despairing；　melancholy　had　taken　possession　of　him；　but　he　would　not　let　it　be　seen；　he　forced　himself　to　a　noisy　gayety；　and　in　the　presence　of　his　wife　he　was　the　same　tender；　devoted；　complaisant　lover　he　had　been　before；　but　the　mask　under　which　he　concealed　his　dislike　and　scorn　was　a　cruel　torture　and　terrible　agony；　when　he　heard　her　laugh　he　felt　as　if　a　sharp　dagger　had　wounded　him；　when　he　touched　her　hand；　he　could　with　difficulty　suppress　a　cry　of　pain；　but　he　conquered　himself；　and　kept　his　grief　and　jealousy　down；　down　in　his　heart。　It　was　possible　he　was　mistaken。　It　was　possible　his　wife　was　innocent；　that　his　friend　was　true。　His　own　heart　wished　this　so　earnestly；　his　noble　and　great　soul　rebelled　at　the　thought　of　despising　those　whom　he　had　once　loved　and　trusted　so　fully。　He　wished　to　believe　that　he　had　had　a　hurtful　dream；　that　a　momentary　madness　had　darkened　his　brain；　he　would　rather　distrust　all　his　reflections　than　to　believe　that　this　woman；　whom　he　had　loved　with　all　the　strength　of　his　nature；　this　man　whom　he　had　confided　in　so　entirely；　had　deceived　and　betrayed　him。　It　was　too　horrible　to　doubt　the　noblest　and　most　beautiful；　the　holiest　and　gentlestto　be　so　confounded；　so　uncertain　in　his　best　and　purest　feelings。　He　could　not　banish　doubt　from　his　heart；　like　a　death…worm；　it　was　gnawing　day　and　night；　destroying　his　vitalitypoisoning　every　hour　of　the　day；　and　even　in　his　dreams　uttering　horrible　words　of　mockery。　Since　the　fete　in　the　wood　he　had　been　observant；　he　had　watched　every　glance；　listened　to　every　word；　but　he　had　discovered　nothing。　Both　appeared　unembarrassed　and　innocent；　perhaps　they　dissembled；　perhaps　they　had　seen　him　as　he　lay　before　the　hut；　and　knew　that　he　had　been　since　that　day　following　and　observing　them；　and　by　their　candor　and　simplicity　they　would　disarm　his　suspicions　and　lull　his　distrust　to　sleep。　This　thought　kept　him　ever　on　his　guard；　he　would；　he　must　know　if　he　had　been　betrayed；　he　must　have　absolute　certainty。　He　stood　concealed　behind　the　curtains　of　his　window；　and　looked　down　into　the　garden。　His　eyes　were　flxed　with　a　glowing；　consuming　expression　upon　the　princess；　who；　with　one　of　her　ladies；　now　passed　before　his　window　and　looked　up；　but　she　could　not　see　him；　he　was　completely　hidden　behind　the　heavy　silk　curtains。

The　princess　passed　on；　convinced　that　if　her　husband　had　been　in　his　room；　he　would　have　come　forward　to　greet　her。

The　prince　wished　her　to　come　to　this　conclusion。　〃Now；〃　thought　he；　〃she　feels　secure；　she　does　not　suspect　I　am　observing　her；　at　last　I　may　find　an　opportunity　to　become　convinced。〃

Count　Kalkreuth　was　there；　he　had　gone　down　into　the　garden。　He　advanced　to　meet　the　princess；　they　greeted　each　other；　but　in　their　simple；　accustomed　manner；　he；　the　count；　respectfully　and　ceremoniouslythe　princess　dignified；　careless；　and　condescending。　And　now　they　walked　near　each　other；　chatting；　laughing；　charmingly　vivacious；　and　excited　by　their　conversation。

The　prince　stood　behind　his　curtain　with　a　loudly…beating　heart；　breathless　from　anxiety；　they　came　nearer；　she　led　the　way　to　the　little　lake　whose　smooth　and　frozen　surface　shone　like　a　mirror。　The　count　pointed　to　the　lake；　and　seemed　to　ask　a　question；　the　princess　nodded　affirmatively；　and　turning　to　her　ladies；　she　spoke　a　few　words；　they　bowed　and　withdrew。

〃They　are　going　to　skate；〃　murmured　the　prince。　〃She　has　sent　her　ladies　to　bring　her　skates；　she　wishes　to　be　alone　with　the　count。〃

Breathless；　almost　in　death…agony；　he　watched　them；　they　stood　on　the　borders　of　the　lake；　and　talked　quietly。　The　expressions　of　their　countenances　were　unchanged；　calm；　and　friendly；　they　were　certainly　speaking　of　indifferent　things。　But　what　means　that？　The　princess　dropped　her　handkerchief；　seemingly　by　accident。　The　count　raised　it　and　handed　it　to　her；　she　took　it　and　thanked　him　smilingly；　then　in　a　few　moments　she　put　her　hand；　with　a　sudden　movement；　under　her　velvet　mantle。　The　prince　cried　out；　he　had　seen　something　white　in　her　hand　which　she　concealed　in　her　bosom。

〃A　letter！　a　letter！〃　cried　he；　in　a　heart…breaking　tone；　and　like　a　madman　pursued　by　furies；　he　rushed　out。

The　Princess　Wilhelmina　was　in　the　act　of　having　her　skates　fastened　on　by　her　maid；　when　Prince　Henry　advanced　with　hasty　steps　from　the　alley　which　led　to　the　lake。

Count　Kalkreuth　advanced　to　meet　him；　and　greeted　him　with　gay；　jesting　words；　but　the　prince　had　no　word　of　reply　for　him；　he　passed　him　silently；　with　a　contemptuous　glance；　and　stepped　directly　in　front　of　the　princess；　who　looked　up　with　a　kindly　smile。　He　said：

〃Madame；　it　is　too　cold　and　rough　to　skate　to…day；　I　will　have　the　honor　to　conduct　you　to　your　rooms。〃

Princess　Wilhelmina　laughed　heartily。　〃It　is　a　fresh；　invigorating　winter　day；　my　husband。　If　you　are　cold；　it　is　not　the　fault　of　the　weather；　but　of　your　light　clothing。　I　pray　you　to　send　for　your　furs；　and　then　we　will　run　a　race　over　the　ice　and　become　warm。〃

Prince　Henry　did　not　answer。　He　seized　the　arm　of　the　princess　and　placed　it　in　his　own。　〃Come；　madame；　I　will　conduct　you　to　your　apartment。〃

Wilhelmina　gazed　at　him　with　astonishment；　but　she　read　in　his　excited　and　angry　countenance　that　she　must　not　dare　oppose　him。　〃Permit　me；　at　least；　to　have　my　skates　removed；〃　said　she；　shortly；　giving　a　sign　to　her　maid。　The　prince　stood　near；　while　her　maid　knelt　before　her　and　removed　the　skates。　Count　Kalkreuth　was　at　some　distance。

Not　one　word　interrupted　the　portentous　silence。　Once　the　prince　uttered　a　hasty　and　scornful　exclamation。　He　had　intercepted　a　glance　which　the　princess　exchanged　with　Count　Kalkreuth；　and　a　glance　full　of　significance　and　meaning。

〃What　is　the　matter　with　you；　prince？〃　said　Wilhelmina。

〃I　am　cold；〃　said　he　roughly；　but　the　perspiration　was　standing　in　large　drops　on　his　forehead。

When　the　skates　were　taken　off；　the　prince　drew　his　wife　on　quickly；　without　a　word　or　greeting　to　his　friend。　Kalkreuth　stood　pale　and　immovable；　and　gazed　thoughtfully　upon　the　glittering　ice。　〃I　fear　he　knows　all；〃　murmured　he。　〃Oh　my　God；　my　God！　Why　will　not　the　earth　open　and　swallow　me　up？　I　am　a　miserable；　guilty　wretch；　and　in　his　presence　I　must　cast　my　eyes　with　shame　to　the　ground。　I　have　deceived；　betrayed　him；　and　yet　I　love　him。　Woe　is　me！〃　He　clasped　his　hands　wildly　over　his　face；　as　if　he　would　hide　from　daylight　and　the　glad　sun　the　blush　of　shame　which　burned　upon　his　cheeks；　then　slowly；　with　head　bowed　down；　he　left　the　garden。

The　prince；　during　this　time；　had　walked　rapidly　on　with　his　wife；　no　word　was　exchanged　between　them。　Only　once；　when　he　felt　her　arm　trembling；　he　turned　and　said　harshly：

〃Why　do　you　tremble？〃

〃It　is　cold！〃　said　she；　monotonously。

〃And　yet；〃　said　he；　laughing　derisively；　〃it　is　such　lovely；　invigorating　weather。〃

They　went　onward　silently；　they　entered　the　castle　and　ascended　the　steps　to　the　apartment　of　the　princess。　Now　they　were　in　her　cabinetin　this　quiet；　confidential　family　room；　where　Prince　Henry　had　passed　so　many　happy　hours　with　his　beloved　Wilhelmina。　Now　he　stood　before　her；　with　a　cold；　contemptuous　glance；　panting　for　breath；　too　agitated　to　speak。

The　princess　was　pale　as　death；　unspeakable　anguish　was　written　in　her　face。　She　dared　not　interrupt　this　fearful　silence；　and　appeared　to　be　only　occupied　in　arranging　her　toilet；　she　took　off　her　hat　and　velvet　mantle。

〃Madame；〃　said　the　prince　at　last；　gasping　at　every　word；　〃I　am　here　to　make　a　request　of　you！〃

Wilhelmina　bowed　coldly　and　ceremoniously。　〃You　have　only　to　command；　my　husband！〃

〃Well；　then；　〃said　he；　no　longer　able　to　maintain　his　artificial　composure。　〃I　command　you　to　show　me　the　letter　you　have　hidden　in　your　bosom。〃

〃What　letter；　prince？〃　stammered　she；　stepping　back　alarmed。

〃The　letter　which　Count　Kalkreuth　gave　you　in　the　garden。　Do　not　utter　a　falsehood；　do　not　dare　to　deny　it。　I　am　not　in　a　mood　to　be　restrained　by　any　earthly　consideration。〃

As　he　stood　thus；　opposed　to　her；　with　flashing　eyes；　with　trembling　lips；　and　his　arm　raised　threateningly；　Wilhelmina　felt　that　it　would　be　dangerous；　indeed　impossible　to　make　any　opposition。　She　knew　that　the　decisive　moment　had　arrived；　the　veil　must　be　lifted；　and　that　deception　was　no　longer　possible。

〃The　letter！　give　me　the　letter！〃　cried　the　prince；　with　a　menacing　voice。

Wilhelmina　gazed　at　him　steadily；　with　eyes　full　of　scorn　and　hatred。

〃Here　it　is；〃　taking　the　letter　calmly　from　her　bosom；　and　handing　it　to　the　prince。

He　snatched　it　like　a　tiger　about　to　tear　his　prey　to　pieces；　but　when　he　had　opened　it　and　held　it　before　him；　the　paper　trembled　so　in　his　hands；　he　was　scarcely　able　to　read　it。　Once　he　murmured：　〃Ah！　he　dares　to　say　thou　to　you；　he　calls　you　his　'adored　Wilhelmina！'〃　He　read　on；　groaning；　sometimes　crying　out　aloud；　then　muttering　wild　imprecations。

The　princess　stood　in　front　of　him；　pale　as　death；　trembling　in　every　limb；　her　teeth　were　chattering；　and　she　was　forced　to　lean　against　her　chair　to　keep　from　falling。

When　the　prince　had　finished　reading　the　letter；　he　crushed　it　and　thrust　it　in　his　bosom；　then　fixed　his　eyes　upon　his　wife　with　an　expression　of　such　intense；　unspeakable　misery；　that　the　princess　felt　her　heart　moved　to　its　profoundest　depths。

〃Oh；　my　husband；〃　she　said；　〃curse　me！murder　me！but　do　not　look　upon　me　thus。〃　She　then　sank　as　if　pressed　down　by　an　invisible　power；　to　her　knees；　and　raised　her　hands　to　him　imploringly。

The　prince　laughed　coarsely；　and　stepped　back。　〃Rise；　madame；〃　said　he；　〃we　are　not　acting　a　comedyit　is　only　your　husband　who　is　speaking　with　you。　Rise；　madame；　and　give　me　the　key　to　your　secretary。　You　will　understand　that　after　having　read　this　letter　I　desire　to　see　the　others。　As　your　husband；　I　have　at　least　the　right　to　know　how　much　confidence　you　have　placed　in　your　lover；　and　how　far　you　return　his　passion。〃

〃You　despise　me；〃　cried　Wilhelmina；　bursting　into　tears。

〃I　think　I　am　justified　in　doing　so；〃　said　he；　coldly。　〃Stand　up；　and　give