frederick the great and his family-第16章

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ree；　light…　minded　and　merry…hearted　to…day。　In　order　to　promote　this　we　must；　before　all　other　things；　take　care　of　these　earthly　bodies　and　not　oppress　them　with　common　food。〃

〃We　will　give　them；　I　hope；　the　sublimest　nourishment　which　the　soil　of　Holland　produces；〃　said　Balby；　laughing。　〃You　are　not　aware；　M。　Frederick　Zoller；　that　we　are　now　in　a　hotel　whose　hostess　is　worshipped；　almost　glorified；　by　the　good　Hollanders。〃

〃And　is　it　this　sublime　piece　of　flesh　which　you　propose　to　place　before　me？〃　said　the　king；　with　assumed　horror。　〃Will　you　satisfy　the　soul　of　my　soul　with　this　Holland　beauty？　I　do　not　share　the　enthusiasm　of　the　Hollanders。　I　shall　not　worship　this　woman。　I　shall　find　her　coarse；　old；　and　ugly。〃

〃But　listen；　Zoller。　These　good　Dutchmen　worship　her　not　be　cause　of　her　perishable　beauty；　but　because　of　a　famous　pie　which　she　alone　in　Amsterdam　knows　how　to　make。〃

〃Ah；　that　is　better。　I　begin　now　to　appreciate　the　Dutchmen；　and　if　the　pie　is　good；　I　will　worship　at　the　same　shrine。　Did　you　not　remark；　brother　Henry；　that　while　you　stood　carried　away　by　your　enthusiasm　before　Rembrandt's　picture　of　the　'Night　Watch'a　picture　which　it　grieves　me　to　say　I　cannot　obtain；〃　sighed　the　king〃　these　proud　Hollanders　call　it　one　of　their　national　treasures；　and　will　not　sell　itwell；　did　you　not　see　that　I　was　conversing　zealously　with　three　or　four　of　those　thick；　rubicund；　comfortable　looking　mynheers？　No　doubt　you　thought　we　were　rapturously　discussing　the　glorious　paintings　before　which　we　stood；　and　for　this　the　good　Hollanders　were　rolling　their　eyes　in　ecstasy。　No；　sir；　no；　sir。　We　spoke　of　a　pie！　They　recognized　me　as　a　stranger；　asked　me　from　whence　I　came；　where　we　lodged；　etc。；　etc。　And　when　I　mentioned　the　Black　Raven；　they　went　off　into　ecstatic　raptures　over　the　venison　pasty　of　Madame　von　Blaken。　They　then　went　on　to　relate　that　Madame　Blaken　was　renowned　throughout　all　Holland　because　of　this　venison　pasty　of　which　she　alone　had　the　recipe；　and　which　she　prepared　always　alone　and　with　closed　doors。　Her　portrait　is　to　be　seen　in　all　the　shop　windows；　and　all　the　stadtholders　dine　once　a　month　in　the　Black　Raven　to　enjoy　this　pie。　Neither　through　prayers　nor　entreaties；　commands；　or　threatenings；　has　Madame　Blaken　been　induced　to　give　up　her　recipe　or　even　to　go　to　the　castle　and　prepare　the　pasty。　She　declares　that　this　is　the　richest　possession　of　the　Black　Raven；　and　all　who　would　be　so　happy　as　to　enjoy　it　must　partake　of　it　at　her　table。　Balby！　Balby！　hasten　my　good　fellow；　and　command　the　venison　pastry；〃　said　Frederick；　eagerly。　〃Ah！　what　bliss　to　lodge　in　the　Black　Raven'　Waiter；　I　say！　fly　to　this　exalted　woman！〃

Balby　rushed　out　to　seek　the　hostess　and　have　himself　announced。

Madame　Blaken　received　him　in　her　boudoir；　to　which　she　had　withdrawn　to　rest　a　little　after　the　labors　of　the　day。　These　labors　were　ever　a　victory　and　added　to　her　fame。　There　was　no　better　table　prepared　in　Holland　than　that　of　the　Black　Raven。　She　was　in　full　toilet；　having　just　left　the　dinner　table　where　she　had　presided　at　the　table　d'hote　as　lady　of　the　house；　and　received　with　dignity　the　praise　of　her　guests。　These　encomiums　still　resounded　in　her　ears；　and　she　reclined　upon　the　divan　and　listened　to　their　pleasing　echo。　The　door　opened　and　the　head　waiter　announced　Mr。　Zoller。　The　countenance　of　Madame　Blaken　was　dark；　and　she　was　upon　the　point　of　declining　to　receive　him；　but　it　was　too　late；　the　daring　Zoller　had　had　the　boldness　to　enter　just　behind　the　waiter；　and　he　was　now　making　his　most　reverential　bow　to　the　lady。　Madame　Blaken　returned　this　greeting　with　a　slight　nod　of　the　head；　and　she　regarded　the　stranger　in　his　cheap　and　simple　toilet　with　a　rather　contemptuous　smile。　She　thought　to　herself　that　this　ordinary　man　had　surely　made　a　mistake　in　entering　her　hotel。　Neither　his　rank；　fortune；　nor　celebrity　could　justify　his　lodging　at　the　Black　Raven。　She　was　resolved　to　reprove　her　head　waiter　for　allowing　such　plain　and　poor　people　to　enter　the　best　hotel　in　Amsterdam。

〃Sir；〃　said　she；　in　a　cold　and　cutting　tone；　〃you　come　without　doubt　to　excuse　your　brother　and　yourself　for　not　having　appeared　to…day　at　my　table　d'hote。　You　certainly　know　that　politeness　requires　that　you　should　dine　in　the　hotel　where　you　lodge。　Do　not　distress　yourself；　however；　sir。　I　do　not　feel　offended　now　that　I　have　seen　you。　I　understand　fully　why　you　did　not　dine　with　me；　but　sought　your　modest　meal　elsewhere。　The　table　d'hote　in　the　Black　Raven　is　the　most　expensive　in　Amsterdam；　and　only　wealthy　people　put　their　feet　under　my　table　and　enjoy　my　dishes。〃

While　she　thus　spoke；　her　glance　wandered　searchingly　over　Balby；　who　did　not　seem　to　remark　it；　or　to　comprehend　her　significant　words。

〃Madame；〃　said　he；　〃allow　me　to　remark　that　we　have　not　dined。　My　brother；　whose　will　is　always　mine；　prefers　taking　his　dinner　in　his　own　apartment；　where　he　has　more　quiet　comfort　and　can　better　enjoy　your　rare　viands。　He　never　dines　at　a　table　d'hote。　In　every　direction　he　has　heard　of　your　wonderful　pie；　and　I　come　in　his　name　to　ask　that　you　will　be　so　good　as　to　prepare　one　for　his　dinner　to…　day；〃

Madame　Blaken　laughed　aloud。　〃Truly　said；　that　is　not　a　bad　idea　of　your　brother's。　My　pasty　is　celebrated　throughout　all　Holland；　and　I　have　generally　one　ready　in　case　a　rich　or　renowned　guest　should　desire　it。　But　this　pie　is　not　for　every　man！〃

〃My　brother　wants　it　for　himselfhimself　alone；〃　said　Balby；　decisively。　Even　the　proud　hostess　felt　his　tone　imposing。

〃Sir；〃　said　she；　after　a　short　pause；　〃forgive　me　if　I　speak　plainly　to　you。　You　wish　to　eat　one　of　my　renowned　pies；　and　to　have　it　served　in　a　private　room；　as　the　General　Stadtholder　and　other　high　potentates　are　accustomed　to　do。　Well；　I　have　this　morning　a　pasty　made　with　truffles　and　Chinese　birds'nests；　but　you　cannot　have　it！　To　be　frank；　it　is　enormously　dear；　and　I　think　neither　your　brother　nor　yourself　could　pay　for　it！〃

And　now　it　was　Balby's　turn　to　laugh　aloud；　and　he　did　so　with　the　free；　unembarrassed　gayety　of　a　man　who　is　sure　of　his　position；　and　is　neither　confused　nor　offended。

Madame　Blaken　was　somewhat　provoked　by　this　unrestrained　merriment。　〃You　laugh；　sir；　but　I　have　good　reason　for　supposing　you　to　be　poor　and　unknown。　You　came　covered　with　dust　and　on　foot　to　my　hotel；　accompanied　by　one　servant　carrying　a　small　carpet…bag。　You　have　neither　equipage；　retinue；　nor　baggage。　You　receive　no　visits；　and；　as　it　appears；　make　none。　You　are　always　dressed　in　your　simple；　modest；　rather　forlorn…looking　brown　coats。　You　have　never　taken　a　dinner　here；　but　pass　the　day　abroad；　and　when　you　return　in　the　evening　you　ask　for　a　cup　of　tea　and　a　few　slices　of　bread　and　butter。　Rich　people　do　not　travel　in　this　style；　and　I　therefore　have　the　right　to　ask　if　you　can　afford　to　pay　for　my　pasty？　I　do　not　know　who　or　what　you　are；　nor　your　brother's　position　In　the　world。〃

〃Oh；〃　cried　Balby　who　was　highly　amused　by　the　candor　of　the　hostess；　〃my　brother　has　a　most　distinguished　position；　I　assure　youhis　fame　resounds　throughout　Germany。〃

〃Bah　I〃　said　Madame　Blaken；　shrugging　her　shoulders；　〃the　name　is　entirely　unknown　to　us。　Pray；　what　is　your　brother；　and　for　what　is　he　celebrated？〃

〃For　his　flute；〃　answered　Balby；　with　solemn　gravity。　Madame　Blaken　rose　and　glanced　scornfully　at　Balby。　〃Are　you　mating　sport　of　me；　sir？〃　said　she；　threateningly。

〃Not　in　the　least；　madame；　I　am　telling　you　an　important　truth。　My　brother　is　a　renowned　virtuoso。〃

〃A　virtuoso？〃　repeated　the　hostess；　〃I　do　not　understand　the　word。　Pray；　what　is　a　virtuoso？〃

〃A　virtuoso；　madame；　is　a　musician　who　makes　such　music　as　no　other　man　can　make。　He　gives　concerts；　and　sells　the　tickets　for　an　enormous　price；　and　the　world　rushes　to　hear　his　music。　I　assure　you；　madame；　my　brother　can　play　so　enchantingly　that　those　who　hear　his　flute　are　forced　to　dance　in　spite　of　themselves。　He　receives　large　sums　of　gold；　and　if　he　gives　a　concert　here　you　will　see　that　all　your　distinguished　people　will　flock　to　hear　him。　You　can　set　your　pasty　before　him　without　fearhe　is　able　to　pay　richly　for　it。〃

Madame　Blaken　rose　without　a　word　and　advanced　toward　the　door。　〃Come；　sir；　come。　I　am　going　to　your　brother。〃　Without　waiting　for　an　answer；　she　stepped　through　the　corridor　and　tapped　lightly　at　the　stranger's　door。　She　was　on　the　point　of　opening　it；　but　Balby　caught　her　hand　hastily。

〃Madame；〃　said　he；　〃allow　me　to　enter　and　inquire　if　you　can　be　received。〃　He　wished　to　draw　her　back　from　the　door；　but　the　hostess　of　the　Black　Raven　was　not　the　woman　to　be　withdrawn。

〃You　wish　to　ask　if　I　can　enter？〃　repeated　she。　〃I　may　well　claim　that　privilege　in　my　own　house。〃

With　a　determined　hand　she　knocked　once　more　upon　the　door；　opened　it　immediately　and　entered；　followed　by　Balby；　who　by　signs　endeavored　to　explain　and　beg　pardon　for　the　intrusion。

Frederick　did　not　regard　him；　his　blue　eyes　were　fixed　upon　the　woman　who；　with　laughing　good…humor；　stepped　up　to　him　and　held　out　both　of　her　large；　course　hands　in　greeting。

〃Sir；　I　come　to　convince　myself　if　what　your　brother　said　was　true。〃

〃Well；　madame；　what　has　my　brother　said？〃

〃He　declares　that　yon　can　whistle　splendidly；　and　all　the　world　is　forced　to　dance　after　your　music。〃

〃I　said　play　the　flute；　madame！　I　said　play　the　flute！〃　cried　Balby；　horrified。　〃Well；　flute　or　whistle；〃　said　Madame　Blaken；　proudly；　〃it's　the　same　thing。　Be　so　good；　sir；　as　to　whistle　me　something；　I　will　then　decide　as　to　the　pasty。〃　The　king　looked　at　Balby　curiously。　〃Will　you　have　the　goodness；　brother；　to　explain　madame's　meaning；　and　what　she　requires　of　me？〃

〃Allow　me　to　explain　myself；　〃said　the　hostess。　〃This　gentle…man　came　and　ordered　a　rich　pie　for　you；　this　pasty　has　given　celebrity　to　my　house。　It　is　true　I　have　one　prepared；　but　I　would　not　send　it　to　you。　Would　you　know　why？　This　is　an　enormously　expensive　dish；　and　I　have　no　reason　to　believe　that　you　are　in　a　condition　to　pay　for　it。　I　said　this　to　your　brother；　and　I　might　with　truth　have　told　him　that　I　regretted　to　see　him　in　my　hotelnot　that　you　are　in　yourselves　objectionable；　on　the　contrary；　you　appear　to　me　to　be　harmless　and　amiable　men；　but　because　of　your　purses。　I　fear　that　you　do　not　know　the　charges　of　first…class　hotels；　and　will　be　amazed　at　your　bill。　Your　brother；　however；　assures　me　that　you　can　afford　to　pay　for　all　you　order；　that　you　make　a　great　deal　of　money；　that　you　are　a　virtuoso；　give　concerts；　and　sell　tickets　at　the　highest　price。　Now；　I　will　convince　myself　if　you　are　a　great　musician　and　can　support　yourself。　Whistle　me　something；　and　I　will　decide　as　to　the　pie。〃

The　king　listened　to　all　this　with　suppressed　merriment；　and　gave　Balby　a　significant　look。

〃Bring　my　flute；　brother；　I　will　convince　madame　that　I　am　indeed　a　virtuoso。〃

〃Let　us　hear；〃　said　Madame　Blaken；　seating　herself　upon　the　sofa　from　which　the　king　had　just　arisen。

Frederick　made；　with　indescribable　solemnity；　a　profound　bow　to　the　hostess。　He　placed　the　flute　to　his　lips　and　began　to　play；　but　not　in　his　accustomed　masterly　stylenot　in　those　mild；　floating　melodies；　those　solemn　sacred；　and　exalted　strains　which　it　was　his　custom