frederick the great and his family-第128章

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　signed　it　kneeling　at　my　feet；　and　begging　pardon。　I　then　gave　him　permission　to　return　to　Berlin。　For　myself；　I　drove　to　Sans…Souci；　asked　an　audience　of　the　king；　and　obtained　his　consent　to　a　divorce。　You　know；　madame；　that　I　have　a　soft　and　yielding　nature。　I　never　could　refuse　a　wish　of　your　heart。　I　therefore　implored　his　majesty　to　allow　of　your　immediate　marriage　with　Baron　Kindar。〃

〃Never；　never；　will　that　marriage　take　place！〃　cried　Camilla；　springing　from　the　divan　and　gazing　with　abhorrence　upon　Kindar。

〃It　will　take　place！〃　said　Lord　Elliot；　firmly　and　imperiously；　〃you　love　him；　you　betrayed　me　for　his　sakehe　is　a　base　coward；　despised　by　every　man；　but　still　you　will　marry　him。　We　are　divorced；　and　the　king　commands　this　marriage。　From　this　hour　we　are　nothing　to　each　otheryou　are　the　betrothed　of　Baron　von　Kindar。　Allow　me　to　give　you　this　paper；　which　he　signed　to　save　his　pitiful　life；　as　a　bridal　present。〃

He　laid　the　paper　upon　the　table；　and　bowed　to　Camilla；　who　was　pale　and　terrified；　and　whose　teeth　chattered　as　if　in　an　ague…fit。

〃Madame；〃　said　Lord　Elliot；　〃I　have　the　honor　to　bid　you　adieu。　I　wish　you　a　long　and　happy　wedded　life！〃

Lord　Elliot　left　the　room　and　passed　on　to　the　apartment　which　had　been　his　own。　Every　thing　had　been　removed；　all　the　pictures　taken　from　the　wall　but　one；　only　Camilla's　portrait；　taken　in　her　bridal　dress；　remained。　He　stood　long　before　this　lovely　picture；　and　gazed　steadily；　as　if　to　impress　every　lineament　upon　his　soul。　He　felt　that　in　taking　leave　of　this　painting　he　was　bidding　adieu　to　youth；　to　happiness；　to　all　the　sweet　illusions　of　life。

〃Farewell！〃　said　he；　aloud〃farewell；　Camilla！　my　bride！　the　dream　is　over！〃

He　took　a　little　knife　from　his　pocket　and　cut　the　picture　in　two　pieces；　from　the　top　to　the　bottom；　then　slowly　descended　the　steps　to　his　carriage；　in　which　his　friend；　Doctor　Blitz　awaited　him。

〃I　am　ready；　doctor；　and　I　beg　you　to　give　me　a　bed　in　your　house　for　the　present。　During　the　last　ten　days　I　have　had　a　burning　fever。〃

While　Lord　Elliot　was　driving　off；　Camilla　and　le　beau　cousin　stood　confronting　each　other；　neither　dared　to　break　the　fearful　silence；　or　even　to　look　at　each　other。

Suddenly　the　door　opened；　and　General　von　Saldern；　the　adjutant　of　the　king；　entered　the　room。　Camilla　had　not　the　strength　to　advance　to　meet　him；　she　returned　his　salutation　by　a　faint　inclination　of　the　head。　The　general　did　not　appear　to　see　Kindar；　and　made　no　response　to　his　profound　bow。

〃Madame；〃　said　the　general；　solemnly；　〃I　come　at　the　command　of　the　king；　by　his　authority　as　king　and　judge；　and　as　head　of　the　church；　he　has　annulled　your　marriage　with　Lord　Elliot。　This　was　done　as　a　proof　of　his　regard　to　Lord　Elliot。　Out　of　regard　to　your　own　family；　he　insists　upon　your　immediate　marriage　with　Baron　Kindar；　who　has　been　dismissed　from　the　king's　service。〃

〃No；　no；〃　cried　Camilla；　〃I　will　never　marry　him！　Leave　me；　sirI　will　never　become　the　wife　of　this　man！〃

〃It　is　his　majesty's　express　command　that　you　should　be　married　without　delay；〃　said　General　Saldern；　〃he　has　also　commanded　me　to　say　to　you　that　this　scandalous　intrigue；　insulting　to　morals　and　good　manners；　should　no　longer　be　brought　before　the　public。　You　are　both；　therefore；　banished　from　his　court；　from　Potsdam　and　Berlin；　and　commanded　to　take　refuge　at　your　country　seat；　and　lead　there　a　solitary　and　quiet　life。　This　is　the　only　punishment　he　inflicts　upon　you；　and　I　have　nothing　more　to　announce。　If　agreeable　to　you；　madame；　we　will　go　at　once！〃

〃Where？〃　cried　Camilla；　drawing　back　in　terror　from　the　general；　who　approached　her。

〃In　the　next　room；　madame；　a　priest　is　waiting；　who；　at　the　express　command　of　his　majesty；　will　now　perform　the　marriage　ceremony。〃

Camilla　uttered　a　loud　shriek　and　fell　senseless　into　the　arms　of　le　beau　cousin；　who　advanced　toward　her　at　a　nod　from　the　general。　When　consciousness　returned；　the　priest　was　before　her　and　Kindar　at　her　side。　The　ceremony　was　performed；　and　the　unhappy　couple　left　Berlin　at　once；　never　to　return。　The　remainder　of　their　lives　was　passed　in　sorrow；　solitude；　and　self…contempt。




CHAPTER　XIV。

THE　SEPARATION。


The　three　days　the　king　had　allowed　his　brother　to　make　up　his　mind　in；　were　past。　Prince　Henry　had　made　up　his　mind。　On　the　morning　of　the　second　day；　he　had　sent　off　two　couriersone　to　the　king　at　Sans…Souci；　the　other　to　his　wife　at　Rheinsberg。　He　had　remained　in　Berlin；　and　had　taken　possession　of　the　splendid　palace　opposite　the　opera…house；　that　the　king　had　lately　built　and　furnished　for　him。　He　had　ordered　his　major…domo　to　prepare　a　handsome　dinner；　as　he　wished　to　open　his　house　by　entertaining　all　the　nobility　of　Berlin。

The　feast　was　to　take　place　the　third　day　after　the　king's　interview　with　the　prince。

The　courier　who　left　the　morning　before；　carried　a　letter　to　Princess　Wilhelmina；　requesting　her　in　a　few　cold；　ceremonious　words；　to　come　to　Berlin　and　preside　at　the　proposed　dinner　and　concert。

This　invitation　was　to　the　princess　a　command　she　dared　not　resist。　She　left　Rheinsberg　early　in　the　morning　and　arrived　at　the　palace　an　hour　before　dinner。

Prince　Henry　met　his　wife　in　the　large　vestibule　leading　to　the　front　building。　He　advanced　toward　her　with　a　bright　smile；　passed　her　arm　through　his；　and　led　her；　pale　and　trembling；　up　the　steps；　making　her　observe　the　style　of　the　building　and　the　many　conveniences　of　their　new　dwelling。　He　spoke　cheerfully；　walking　slowly　so　as　to　give　the　followers　of　the　princess；　who　were　occupied　with　her　baggage；　time　to　collect　around　her　and　witness　the　perfect　understanding　between　her　and　her　husband。　When　they　had　mounted　the　last　step；　the　prince　laughingly　pointed　to　the　two　halls　leading　from　the　stairway。

〃Here；　madame；　commence　our　separate　apartments。　To　you　belong　the　right；　to　me　the　left　wing　of　the　castle。　I　will　pass　through　the　hall　to　the　right　and　lead　you　to　the　apartments　whose　mistress　you　will　now　become。〃

The　princess　threw　a　timid；　inquiring　glance　at　him。　She　had　been　so　convinced　that　her　husband　would　demand　a　divorce；　that　she　had　allowed　her　thoughts　to　linger　upon　this　possible　mode　of　escape。　Now　her　heart　trembled　within　her。　〃Perhaps；〃　murmured　she　as　they　passed　through　the　long　hall〃　perhaps　he　will　murder　me　as　the　Duke　of　Orleans　did　his　wife　because　she　loved　the　Count　de　Guiche。〃　She　hesitated；　therefore；　as　the　prince　opened　a　door　and　bade　her　enter。　She　looked　anxiously　around　for　her　followers。

〃Cannot　my　maids　accompany　us？〃　said　she；　softly。

〃No；　madame；〃　said　the　prince；　roughly。　〃We　go　alone。〃

He　drew　her　into　the　room；　entered　after　her；　then　closed　and　locked　the　door。

Princess　Wilhelmina　shrieked　in　terror；　and　drew　away　from　him。　〃Why　do　you　lock　the　door？〃　said　she；　trembling。　〃Do　you　wish　to　murder　me？〃

The　prince　laughed　aloud。　〃Ah；　you　wish　a　tragic　end　to　your　romance；　madame；〃　said　he。　〃Not　so；　however。　It　will　be　quiet　and　prosaic。　You　will　act　neither　the　part　of　a　martyr　nor　a　heroine。　I　wish　neither　to　reproach　nor　punish　you。　I　leave　that　to　God　and　your　conscience。　I　wish　only　to　arrange　with　you　the　details　of　our　future　life。　I　locked　the　door；　as　I　do　not　wish　to　be　disturbed。〃

〃What　are　these　details？〃　said　the　princess。

〃We　will　speak　of　them　hereafter；　madame。　Will　you　first　do　me　the　honor　to　read　this　letter　I　have　just　received　from　the　king　in　answer　to　mine？　Have　the　kindness　to　read　it　aloud。〃

The　princess　received　the　letter　and　read：

〃MY　DEAR　BROTHERYour　letter　has　been　a　great　source　of　consolation　to　me；　for　it　assures　me　that　you　are　again　a　man；　and　have　overcome　your　grief。　It　is　not　your　lot　to　be　only　a　tender　or　an　avenging　husband。　You　are；　before　all　else；　a　prince　and　a　man。　Both　qualifications　have　duties　forcing　you　to　submit　to　life　and　to　become　worthy　of　it。　There　is　still　much　to　be　done　in　this　world　by　both　of　us；　and　a　true　man　should　not　be　turned　from　his　path　because　a　foolish　woman　places　a　few　thorns　beneath　his　pillow。　Stifling　his　pain；　he　continues　his　road　quietly。　I　am　glad　this　is　also　your　opinionthat　you　have　given　up　all　thought　of　a　public　scandal　and　denunciation。　In　relation　to　the　princess。　I　give　you　full　power　to　make　any　and　every　arrangement　you　see　fit。　As　to　Kalkreuth；　he　shall　receive　the　place　you　mentioned。　I　have　appointed　him　lieutenant…general　of　the　third　army　corps　in　Prussia。　He　will　leave　here　at　once。　I　desire　you　to　inform　him　of　his　promotion。　As　soon　as　you　dismiss　him；　send　him　to　me　at　Sans…Souci。　You　tell　me　you　are　about　to　give　a　feast。　That　pleases　me　right　well。　It　is　better　to　stifle　your　pain　with　bright　flowers　and　gay　music；　than　to　tear　out　your　hair　and　retire　to　a　convent。　May　your　feast　be　a　bright　one；　and　may　it　last　forever！　FREDERICK。〃　Princess　Wilhelmina；　having　finished　the　letter；　handed　it　to　her　husband。　〃I　see；〃　whispered　she；　softly；　〃that　you　have　been　noble　and　generous；　my　husband。　You　shower　benefits　upon　us　instead　of　just　anger。〃

〃I　do　neither　the　one　nor　the　other；〃　said　the　prince；　coldly；　〃I　simply　wish　to　pass　a　peaceful　life；　and　above　all　things　I　would　not　have　the　world　think　me　unhappy；　for　unhappy　I　am　not　nor　ever　mean　to　be。〃

The　princess　gave　a　timid　glance　at　his　countenance；　so　at　variance　with　his　words。　The　last　three　days　had　worked　such　a　fearful　change。　His　cheeks　were　thin　and　pale；　his　brow　dark　and　clouded　about　his　mouth　were　deep　lines　of　care　never　more　to　be　effaced。　Princess　Wilhelmina　was　deeply　touched　when　she　saw　this　change。

〃My　husband；〃　said　she　softly；　raising　her　hands　imploringly　to　him；　〃have　pity　on　yourselfon　me。　Hear　me　before　you　decide。　I　feel　that　I　have　sinned　heavily　against　you；　but　I　will　endeavor　to　expiate　my　sin。　In　looking　at　you　and　seeing　how　much　you　have　suffered；　the　pain　that　almost　bursts　my　heart　tells　me　how　dear　you　are　to　me。　I　repentI　repent；　my　husband。　I　will　force　my　heart　to　love　you；　and　you　alone。　From　now　on；　I　will　be　a　faithful　wife；　the　one　aim　of　my　life　shall　be　to　make　you　happy。　Here　I　swear；　as　before　God's　altar；　that　I　will　love　and　obey　you　as　my　husband　and　master。　Will　you　accept　this　heart；　that　comes　to　you　full　of　repentance？　Henry；　will　you？〃

She　held　out　her　hand；　with　a　bright；　beaming　glance；　but　he　did　not　take　it。

〃No；　it　is　too　late；〃　said　he。　〃I　raised　you　a　temple　in　my　heart。　You　have　destroyed　it；　and　wish　now　to　build　another　with　the　shattered　ruins。　No；　princess；　that　which　the　lightning　has　struck　must　remain　in　ashes。　I　could　never　believe　in　the　stability　of　your　building；　but　would　be　expecting　it　to　fall　daily。　This　temple　can　never　be　rebuilt。　I　forgive；　but　can　never　more　love　you。　We　are　separated　before　God　and　our　own　hearts。　But　to　the　world　we　are　still　wedded。　We　shall　both　inhabit　this　palace；　but　we　shall　seek　never　to　meet　one　another。　On　grand　fete　days；　when　etiquette　demands　it；　we　shall　dine　together；　but　preside　at　separate　tables。　And　you　must　forgive　me　if　I　never　address　you。　We　are　dead　to　one　another；　and　the　dead　do　not　speak。　In　the　summer　I　shall　live　at　Rheinsberg；　the　king　presented　it　to　me　on　my　marriage　with　you；　and　I　think　I　have　paid　dearly　enough　for　it　to　be　allo