frederick the great and his family-第23章

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ust　be　sweet　dreams　which　floated　around　him；　for　he　smiled　in　his　sleep。

〃Poor　fellow！〃　said　Von　Halber；　shaking　his　head；　〃he　must　be　mad；　or　struck　with　blindness；　and　cannot　see　the　yawning　abyss　at　his　feet。〃　He　awakened　Trenck；　and　asked　him　how　he　had　amused　himself；　during　the　long　hours　of　solitude。

〃I　looked　through　all　your　house；　and　then　entered　the　stables　and　gladdened　my　heart　by　the　sight　of　your　beautiful　horses。〃

〃Thunder　and　lightning！　You　have　then　seen　my　horses；〃　cried　Halber；　thoroughly　provoked。　〃Did　no　wish　arise　in　your　heart　to　mount　one　and　seek　your　liberty？〃

Frederick　Trenck　smiled。　〃The　wish；　indeed；　arose　in　my　heart；　but　I　suppressed　it　manfully。　Do　you　not　see；　dear　Halber；　that　it　would　be　unthankful　and　unknightly　to　reward　in　this　cowardly　and　contemptible　way　the　magnanimous　confidence　you　have　shown　me。〃

〃Truly；　you　are　an　honorable　gentleman；〃　cried　Halber；　greatly　touched；　〃I　had　not　thought　of　that。　It　would　not　have　been　well　to　flee　from　my　house。〃

〃To…morrow　he　will　fly；〃　thought　the　good…natured　soldier；　〃when　once　more　aloneto…morrow；　and　the　opportunity　shall　not　be　wanting。〃

Von　Halber　left　his　house　early　in　the　morning　to　conduct　his　prisoner　to　Berlin。　No　one　accompanied　them；　no　one　but　the　coachman；　who　sat　upon　the　box　and　never　looked　behind　him。

Their　path　led　through　a　thick　wood。　Von　Halber　entertained　the　prisoner　as　the　lieutenant　had　done　who　conducted　Trenck　the　day　he　left　Coslin。　He　called　his　attention　to　the　denseness　of　the　forest；　and　spoke　of　the　many　fugitives　who　had　concealed　themselves　there　till　pursuit　was　abandoned。　He　then　invited　Trenck　to　get　down　and　walk　with　him；　near　the　carriage。

As　Trenck　accepted　the　invitation；　and　strolled　along　by　his　side　in　careless　indifference；　Von　Halber　suddenly　observed　that　the　ground　was　covered　with　mushrooms。

〃Let　us　gather　a　few；〃　said　he；　〃the　young　wife　of　one　of　my　friends　understands　how　to　make　a　glorious　dish　of　them；　and　if　I　take　her　a　large　collection；　she　will　consider　it　a　kind　attention。　Let　us　take　our　hats　and　handkerchiefs；　and　fill　them。　You　will　take　the　right　path　into　the　wood；　and　I　the　left。　In　one　hour　we　will　meet　here　again。〃

Without　waiting　for　an　answer；　the　good　Halber　turned　to　the　left　in　the　wood；　and　was　lost　in　the　thicket。　In　an　hour　he　returned　to　the　carriage；　and　found　Trenck　smilingly　awaiting　him。

He　turned　pale；　and　with　an　expression　of　exasperation；　he　exclaimed：

〃You　have　not　then　lost　yourself　in　the　woods？〃

〃I　have　not　lost　myself；〃　said　Trenck；　quietly；　〃and　I　have　gathered　a　quantity　of　beautiful　mushrooms。〃

Trenck　handed　him　his　handkerchief；　filled　with　small；　round　mushrooms。　Halber　threw　them　with　a　sort　of　despair　into　the　carriage；　and　then；　without　saying　one　word；　he　mounted　and　nodded　to　Trenck　to　follow　him。

〃And　now　let　us　be　off；〃　said　he；　shortly。　〃Coachman；　drive　on！〃

He　leaned　back　in　the　carriage；　and　with　frowning　brow　he　gazed　up　into　the　heavens。

Slowly　the　carriage　rolled　through　the　sand；　and　it　seemed　as　if　the　panting；　creeping　horses　shrank　back　from　reaching　their　goal；　the　boundary…line　of　the　Wurtembergian　dragoons。　Trenck　had　followed　his　companion's　example；　and　leaned　back　in　the　carriage。　Halber　was　gloomy　and　filled　with　dark　forebodings。　Trenck　was　gay　and　unembarrassed；　not　the　slightest　trace　of　care　or　mistrust　could　be　read　in　his　features。

They　moved　onward　silently。　The　air　was　fresh　and　pure；　the　heavens　clear；　but　a　dark　cloud　was　round　about　the　path　of　this　dazzled；　blinded　young　officer。　The　birds　sang　of　it　on　the　green　boughs；　hut　Trenck　would　not　understand　them。　They　sang　of　liberty　and　gladness；　they　called　to　him　to　follow　their　example；　and　fly　far　from　the　haunts　of　men！　The　dark　wood　echoed　Fly！　fly！　in　powerful　organ…　tones；　but　Trenck　took　them　for　the　holy　hymns　of　God's　peaceful；　sleeping　world。　He　heard　not　the　trees；　as　with　warning　voices　they　bowed　down　and　murmured；　Flee！　flee！　Come　under　our　shadow；　we　will　conceal　you　till　the　danger　be　overpast'　Flee！　flee！　Misfortune；　like　a　cruel　vulture；　is　floating　over　youalready　her　fangs　are　extended　to　grasp　you。　The　desert　winds；　in　wild　haste　rushed　by　and　covering　this　poor　child　of　sorrow　with　clouds　of　dust；　whispered　in　his　ear；　Fly！　fly！follow　my　example　and　rush　madly　backward！　Misfortune　advances　to　meet　you；　and　a　river　of　tears　flows　down　the　path　you　are　blindly　following。　Turn　your　head　and　flee；　before　this　broad；　deep　stream　overtakes　you。　The　creaking　wheels　seemed　to　sob　out。　Fly！　fly！　we　are　rolling　you　onward　to　a　dark　and　eternal　prison！　Do　you　not　hear　the　clashing　of　chains？　Do　you　not　see　the　open　grave　at　your　feet？　These　are　your　chains！that　is　your　grave；　already　prepared　for　the　living；　glowing　heart！　Fly！　then；　fly！　You　are　yet　free　to　choose。　The　clouds　which　swayed　on　over　the　heavens；　traced　in　purple　and　gold　the　warning　words；　Fly！　fly！　or　you　look　upon　us　for　the　last　time！　Upon　the　anxious　face　of　Von　Halber　was　also　to　be　seen；　Fly　now；　it　is　high　time！　I　see　the　end　of　the　wood！I　see　the　first　houses　of　Boslin。　Fly！　then；　fly！it　is　high　time！　Alas；　Trenck's　eyes　were　blinded；　and　his　ears　were　filled　with　dust。

〃Those　whom　demons　will　destroy；　they　first　strike　with　blindness。〃　Trenck's　evil　genius　had　blinded　his　eyeshis　destruction　was　sure。　There　remained　no　hope　of　escape。　The　carriage　had　reached　the　end　of　the　wood　and　rolled　now　over　the　chausse　to　Boslin。

But　what　means　this　great　crowd　before　the　stately　house　which　is　decorated　with　the　Prussian　arms？　What　means　this　troop　of　soldiers　who　with　stern；　frowning　brows；　surround　the　dark　coach　with　the　closed　windows？

〃We　are　in　Boslin；〃　said　Von　Halber；　pointing　toward　the　group　of　soldiers。　〃That　is　the　post…house；　and；　as　you　see；　we　are　expected。〃

For　the　first　time　Trenck　was　pale；　and　horror　was　written　in　his　face。　〃I　am　lost！〃　stammered　he；　completely　overcome；　and　sinking　back　into　the　carriage　he　cast　a　wild；　despairing　glance　around　him；　and　seized　the　arm　of　Halber　with　a　powerful　hand。

〃Be　merciful；　sir！　oh；　be　merciful！　Let　us　move　more　slowly。　Turn　back；　oh；　turn　back！　just　to　the　entrance　of　the　woodonly　to　the　entrance　of　the　street！〃

〃You　see　that　is　impossible；〃　said　Von　Halber。　sadly。　〃We　are　recognized；　if　we　turn　back　now；　they　will　welcome　us　with　bullets。〃

〃It　were　far　better　for　me　to　die；〃　murmured　Trenck；　〃than　to　enter　that　dark　prisonthat　open　grave！〃

〃Alas！　you　would　not　flyyou　would　not　understand　me。　I　gave　you　many　opportunities；　but　you　would　not　avail　yourself　of　them。〃

〃I　was　mad；　mad！〃　cried　Trenck。　〃I　had　confidence　in　myselfI　had　faith　in　my　good　starbut　the　curse　of　my　evil　genius　has　overtaken　me。　Oh；　my　God！　I　am　lost；　lost！　All　my　hopes　were　deceptivethe　king　is　my　irreconcilable　enemy；　and　he　will　revenge　my　past　life　on　my　future！　I　have　this　knowledge　too　late。　Oh；　Halber！　go　slowly；　slowly；　I　must　give　you　my　last　testament。　Mark　well　what　I　say　these　are　the　last　words　of　a　man　who　is　more　to　be　pitied　than　the　dying。　It　is　a　small　service　which　I　ask　of　you；　but　my　existence　depends　upon　it：　Go　quickly　to　the　Duke　of　Wurtemberg　and　say　this　to　him：　'Frederick　von　Trenck　sends　Duke　Ferdinand　his　last　greeting！　He　is　a　prisoner；　and　in　death's　extremity。　Will　the　duke　take　pity　on　him；　and　convey　this　news　to　her　whom　he　knows　to　be　Trenck's　friend？　Tell　her　Trenck　is　a　prisoner；　and　hopes　only　in　her！'　Will　you　swear　to　me　to　do　this？〃

〃I　swear　it；〃　said　Von　Halber；　deeply　moved。

The　carriage　stopped。　Von　Halber　sprang　down　and　greeted　the　officer　who　was　to　take　charge　of　Trenck。　The　soldiers　placed　themselves　on　both　sides　of　the　coach；　and　the　door　was　opened。　Trenck　cast　a　last　despairing；　imploring　glance　to　heaven；　then；　with　a　firm　step；　approached　the　open　coach。　In　the　act　of　entering；　he　turned　once　more　to　the　officer　Von　Halber；　whose　friendly　eyes　were　darkened　with　tears。

〃You　will　not　forget；　sir！〃

These　simply；　sadly…spoken　words；　breaking　the　solemn；　imposing　silence；　made　an　impression　upon　the　hearts　of　even　the　stern　soldiers　around　them。

〃I　will　not　forget；〃　said　Von　Halber；　solemnly。

Trenck　bowed　and　entered　the　coach。　The　officer　followed　him　and　closed　the　door。　Slowly；　like　a　funeral　procession；　the　coach　moved　on。　Von　Halber　gazed　after　him　sadly。

〃He　is　right；　he　is　more　to　be　pitied　than　the　dying。　I　will　hasten　to　fulfil　his　last　testament。〃

Eight　days　later；　the　Princess　Amelia　received　through　the　hands　of　Pollnitz　a　letter　from　Duke　Ferdinand。　As　she　read　it；　she　uttered　a　cry　of　anguish；　and　sank　insensible　upon　the　floor。　The　duke's　letter　contained　these　words：

〃All　my　efforts　were　in　vain；　he　would　not　fly；　would　not　believe　in　his　danger。　In　the　casemates　of　Magdeburg　sits　a　poor　prisoner；　whose　last　words　directed　to　me　were　these：　'Say　to　her　whom　you　know　that　I　am　a　prisoner；　and　hope　only　in　her。'〃




CHAPTER　III。

PRINCE　HENRY　AND　HIS　WIFE。


Prince　Henry　walked　restlessly　backward　and　forward　in　his　study；　his　brow　was　stern；　and　a　strange　fire　flamed　in　his　eye。　He　felt　greatly　agitated　and　oppressed；　and　scarcely　knew　the　cause　himself。　Nothing　had　happened　to　disturb　his　equanimity　and　give　occasion　for　his　wayward　mood。　The　outside　world　wore　its　accustomed　gay　and　festal　aspect。　To…day；　as　indeed　almost　every　day　since　the　prince　resided　at　Rheinsberg；　preparations　were　being　made　for　a　gay　entertainment。　A　country　fete　was　to　be　given　in　the　woods　near　the　palace；　and　all　the　guests　were　to　appear　as　shepherds　and　shepherdesses。

Prince　Henry　had　withdrawn　to　his　own　room　to　assume　the　tasteful　costume　which　had　been　prepared　for　him；　but　he　seemed　to　have　entirely　forgotten　his　purpose。　The　tailor　and　the　friseur　awaited　him　in　vain　in　his　dressing…room；　he　forgot　their　existence。　He　paced　his　room　with　rapid　steps；　and　his　tightly…compressed　lips　opened　from　time　to　time　to　utter　a　few　broken；　disconnected　words。

Of　what　was　the　prince　thinking？　He　did　not　know；　or　he　would　not　confess　it　to　himself。　Perhaps　he　dared　not　look　down　deep　into　his　heart　and　comprehend　the　new　feelings　and　new　wishes　which　were　struggling　there。

At　times　he　stood　still；　and　looked　with　a　wild；　rapt　expression　into　the　heavens；　as　if　they　alone　could　answer　the　mysterious　questions　his　soul　was　whispering　to　him；　then　passed　on　with　his　hand　pressed　on　his　brow　to　control　or　restrain　the　thoughts　which　agitated　him。　He　did　not　hear　a　light　tap　upon　the　door；　he　did　not　see　it　open；　and　his　most　intimate　and　dearest　friend；　Count　Kalkreuth　enter；　dressed　in　the　full　costume　of　a　shepherd。

Count　Kalkreuth　stood　still；　and　did　nothing　to　call　the　attention　of　the　prince　to　his　presence。　He　remained　at　the　door；　his　face　was　also　dark　and　troubled；　and　the　glance　which　he　fixed　upon　Prince　Henry　was　almost　one　of　hatred。

The　prince　turned；　and　the　count's　expression　changed　instantly；　he　stepped　gayly　forward　and　said：

〃Your　royal　highness　sees　my　astonishment　at　finding　you　lost　in　such　deep　thought；　and　your　toilet　not　even　commenced。　I　stand　like　Lot's　blessed　wife；　turned　to　stone　upon　your　threshold！　Have　you　forgotten；　my　prince；　that　you　commanded　us　all　to　be　ready　punc