frederick the great and his family-第30章

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〃I　have　been　walking　all　night；〃　said　he；　with　a　faint　and　hollow　voice。　〃I　did　not　know　that　Berlin　was　so　far　from　Potsdam；　and　had　I　known　it；　I　would　not　have　dared　to　take　a　wagon　or　a　horse；　I　had　to　slip　away　very　quietly。　While　by　Count　Puebla's　order　my　room　was　guarded；　and　I　thought　to　be　in　it；　I　descended　into　the　garden　by　the　grape…vine；　which　reached　up　to　my　window。　The　gardener　had　no　suspicion　of　how　I　came　there；　when　I　required　him　to　unlock　the　door；　but　laughed　cunningly；　thinking　I　was　bound　to　some　rendezvous。　And　so　I　wandered　on　in　fear　and　pain；　in　despair　and　anger；　and　it　seemed　to　me　as　if　the　road　would　never　come　to　an　end。　At　times　I　stopped；　thinking　I　heard　behind　me　wild　cries　and　curses；　the　stamping　of　horses；　and　the　rolling　of　wheels；　but　it　was　imagination。　Ah！　it　was　a　frightful　road；　but　it　is　past。　But　now　I　will　be　strong；　for　this　concerns　my　name；　my　life；　my　honor。　Why　do　you　laugh；　Rosa？〃　said　he；　angrily；　〃do　you　dare　to　laugh；　because　I　speak　of　my　namemy　honor？〃

〃I　did　not　laugh；〃　said　Rosa；　looking　with　terror　at　the　disturbed　countenance　of　her　lover。

〃Yes；　you　laughed；　and　you　were　right　to　laugh；　when　I　spoke　of　my　honor；　I　who　have　no　honor；　I　who　have　shamed　my　name；　I　upon　whose　brow　is　the　sign　of　murder：　for　I　am　guilty　of　the　ruin　of　a　man；　and　the　chains　on　his　hands　are　cursing　my　name。〃

〃My　God！　He　is　mad；〃　murmured　Rosa。

〃No；　I　am　not　mad；〃　said　he；　with　a　heart…breaking　smile。　〃I　know　all；　all！　Were　I　mad；　I　would　not　be　so　unhappy。　Were　I　unconscious；　I　would　suffer　less。　But；　no；　I　remember　all。　I　know　how　this　evil　commenced；　how　it　grew　and　poisoned　my　heart。　The　evil　was　my　poverty；　my　covetousness；　and　perhaps　also　my　ambition。　I　was　not　content　to　bear　forever　the　chains　of　bondage；　I　wished　to　be　free　from　want。　I　determined　it　should　no　more　be　said　that　the　sisters　of　Count　Weingarten　had　to　earn　their　bread　by　their　needlework；　while　he　feasted　sumptuously　at　the　royal　table。　This　it　was　that　caused　my　ruin。　These　frightful　words　buzzed　in　my　ears　so　long；　that　in　my　despair　I　determined　to　stop　them　at　any　price；　and　so　I　committed　my　first　crime；　and　received　a　golden　reward　for　my　treason。　My　sisters　did　not　work　now；　I　bought　a　small　house　for　them；　and　gave　them　all　that　I　received。　I　shuddered　at　the　sight　of　this　money；　I　would　keep　none　of　it。　I　was　again　the　poor　secretary　Weingarten；　but　my　family　was　not　helpless；　they　had　nothing　to　fear。〃

To　whom　was　he　telling　all　this？　Certainly　not　to　that　young　girl　standing　before　him；　pale　and　trembling。　He　had　forgotten　himself；　he　had　forgotten　her　whom　in　other　days　he　had　called　his　heart's　darling。

As　she　sank　at　his　feet　and　covered　his　hands　with　her　tears；　he　rose　hastily　from　his　seat；　he　now　remembered　that　he　was　not　alone。

〃What　have　I　said？〃　cried　he；　wildly。　〃Why　do　you　weep？〃

〃I　weep　because　you　have　forgotten　me；〃　said　she；　softly；　〃I　weep　because；　in　accusing　yourself；　you　make　no　excuse　for　your　crime；　not　even　your　love　for　your　poor　Rosa。〃

〃It　is　true；〃　said　he；　sadly；　〃I　had　forgotten　our　love。　And　still　it　is　the　only　excuse　that　I　have　for　my　second　crime。　I　had　determined　to　be　a　good　man；　and　to　expiate　my　one　crime　throughout　my　whole　life。　But　when　I　saw　you；　your　beauty　fascinated　me；　and　you　drew　me　on。　I　went　with　open　eyes　into　the　net　which　you　prepared　for　me；　Rosa。　I　allowed　myself　to　be　allured　by　your　beauty；　knowing　well　that　it　would　draw　me　into　a　frightful　abyss。〃

〃Ah；〃　said　Rosa；　groaning；　〃how　cruelly　you　speak　of　our　love！〃

〃Of　our　love！〃　repeated　he；　shrugging　his　shoulders。　〃Child；　in　this　hour　we　will　be　true　to　each　other。　Ours　was　no　true　love。　You　were　in　love　with　my　noble　name　and　positionI　with　your　youth；　your　beauty；　your　coquettish　ways。　Our　souls　were　not　in　unison。　You　gave　yourself　to　me；　not　because　you　loved　me；　but　because　you　wished　to　deceive　me。　I　allowed　myself　to　be　deceived　because　of　your　loveliness　and　because　I　saw　the　golden　reward　which　your　deceitful　love　would　bring　me。〃

〃You　are　cruel　and　unjust；〃　said　Rosa；　sadly。　〃It　may　be　true　that　you　never　loved　me；　but　I　loved　you　truly。　I　gave　you　my　whole　heart。〃

〃Yes；　and　in　giving　it；〃　said　he；　harshly〃in　giving　it　you　had　the　presence　of　mind　to　keep　the　aim　of　your　tenderness　always　in　view。　While　your　arms　were　around　me；　your　little　hand　which　seemed　to　rest　upon　my　heart；　sought　for　the　key　which　I　always　kept　in　my　vest…pocket；　and　which　I　had　lately　told　you　belonged　to　the　desk　in　which　the　important　papers　of　the　embassy　were　placed。　You　found　this　key；　Rosa；　and　I　knew　it；　but　I　only　laughed；　and　pressed　you　closer　to　my　heart。〃

〃Terrible！　terrible！〃　said　Rosa；　trembling。　〃He　knew　all；　and　still　he　let　me　do　it！〃

〃Yes　I　allowed　you　to　do　itI　did　not　wish　to　be　better　than　the　girl　I　loved：　and；　as　she　desired　to　deceive　me；　I　let　myself　be　deceived。　I　allowed　it；　because　the　demon　of　gold　had　taken　possession　of　me。　I　took　the　important　papers　out　of　my　desk；　to　which　you　had　stolen　the　key；　and　hid　them。　Then　the　tempters　came　and　whispered　of　golden　rewards；　of　eternal　gratitude；　of　fortune；　honor；　and　these　fiendish　whispers　misled　my　soul。　I　sold　my　honor　and　became　a　traitor；　and　all　this　for　the　sake　of　gold！　So　I　became　what　I　now　am。　I　do　not　reproach　you　Rosa；　for　most　likely　it　would　have　happened　without　you。〃

〃But　what　danger　threatens　you　now？〃　asked　Rosa。

〃The　just　punishment　for　a　traitor；〃　said　he；　hoarsely。　〃Give　me　some　wine；　Rosa；　so　that　I　can　gain　strength　to　go　to　the　king　at　once。〃

〃To　the　king　at　this　early　hour？〃

〃And　why　not？　Have　I　not　been　with　him　often　at　this　hour；　when　I　had　important　news　or　dispatches　to　give　him？　So　give　me　the　wine；　Rosa。〃

Rosa　left　the　room；　but　returned　almost　instantly。　He　took　the　bottle　from　her　and　filled　a　glass　hastily。

〃Now；〃　said　he；　breathing　deeply；　〃I　feel　that　I　live　again。　My　blood　flows　freely　through　my　veins；　and　my　heart　is　beating　loudly。　Now　to　the　king！〃

He　stood　before　a　glass　for　a　moment　to　arrange　his　hair；　then　pressed　a　cold　kiss　upon　Rosa's　pale；　trembling　lips；　and　left　the　room。　With　a　firm；　sure　tread；　he　hurried　through　the　halls　and　chambers。　No　one　stopped　him；　for　no　one　was　there　to　see　him。　In　the　king's　antechamber　sat　Deesen　taking　his　breakfast。

〃Is　the　king　up？〃　asked　Weingarten。

〃The　sun　has　been　up　for　hours；　and　so　of　course　the　king　is　up；〃　said　Deesen；　proudly。

〃Announce　me　to　his　majesty；　I　have　some　important　news　for　him。〃

He　entered　the　king's　chamber；　and　returned　in　a　few　moments　for　Weingarten。

The　king　was　sitting　in　an　arm…chair　by　a　window；　which　he　had　opened　to　breathe　the　fresh　summer　air。　His　white　greyhound；　Amalthea；　lay　at　his　feet；　looking　up　at　him　with　his　soft　black　eyes。　In　his　right　hand　the　king　held　his　flute。

〃You　are　early；　sir；〃　said　he；　turning　to　Weingarten。　〃You　must　have　very　important　news。〃

〃Yes；　sire；　very　important；〃　said　Weingarten；　approaching　nearer。

The　king　reached　out　his　hand。　〃Give　them　to　me；〃　said　he。

〃Sire；　I　have　no　dispatches。〃

〃A　verbal　message；　then。　Speak。〃

〃Sire；　all　is　lost；　Count　Puebla　suspects　me。〃

The　king　was　startled　for　a　moment；　but　collected　himself　immediately。　〃He　suspects；　but　he　is　certain　of　nothing？〃

〃No；　sire；　but　his　suspicion　amounts　almost　to　certainty。　Yesterday　I　was　copying　a　dispatch　which　was　to　go　that　evening；　and　which　was　of　the　highest　importance　to　your　majesty；　when　I　suddenly　perceived　Count　Puebla　standing　beside　me　at　my　desk。　He　had　entered　my　room　very　quietly；　which　showed　that　he　had　his　suspicions；　and　was　watching　me。　He　snatched　my　copy　from　the　desk　and　read　it。　'For　whom　is　this？'　said　he；　in　a　threatening　tone。　I　stammered　forth　some　excuses；　said　that　I　intended　writing　a　history；　and　that　I　took　a　copy　of　all　dispatches　for　my　work。　He　would　not　listen　to　me。　'You　are　a　traitor！'　said　he；　in　a　thundering　voice。　'I　have　suspected　you　for　some　time；　I　am　now　convinced　of　your　treachery。　You　shall　have　an　examination　tomorrow；　for　to…night　you　will　remain　a　prisoner　in　your　room。'　He　then　locked　my　desk；　put　the　key　in　his　pocket；　and；　taking　with　him　the　dispatch　and　my　copy；　left　the　room。　I　heard　him　lock　it　and　bolt　my　door。　I　was　a　prisoner。〃

〃How　did　you　get　out？〃　said　the　king。

〃By　the　window；　sire。　And　I　flew　here　to　throw　myself　at　your　majesty's　feet；　and　to　beg　for　mercy　and　protection。〃

〃I　promised　you　protection　and　help　in　case　of　your　detectionI　will　fulfil　my　promise。　What　are　your　wishes。　Let　us　see　if　they　can　be　realized。〃

〃Will　your　majesty　give　me　some　sure　place　of　refuge　where　Count　Puebla's　threats　cannot　harm　me？〃

〃You　will　remain　here　in　the　dwelling　of　the　castle…warder　until　a　suitable　residence　can　be　found　for　you。　What　next？　What　plans　have　you　made　for　the　future？〃

〃I　would　humbly　beseech　your　majesty　to　give　me　some　position　in　your　land　worthy　of　my　station；　such　as　your　highness　promised　me。〃

〃You　remember　too　many　of　my　promises；〃　said　the　king；　shrugging　his　shoulders。

〃Your　majesty　will　not　grant　me　the　promised　position？〃　said　Count　Weingarten；　tremblingly。

〃I　remember　no　such　promise；〃　said　Frederick。　〃Men　of　your　stamp　are　paid；　but　not　rewarded。　I　have　made　use　of　your　treachery；　but　you　are；　nevertheless；　in　my　eyes　a　traitor；　and　I　will　have　none　such　in　my　service。〃

〃Then　I　am　lost！〃　said　Weingarten。　〃My　honor；　my　good　name；　my　future　are　annihilated。〃

〃Your　honor　has　been　weighed　with　gold；〃　said　the　king；　sternly；　〃and　I　think　I　have　already　paid　more　for　it　than　it　was　worth。　Your　good　name；　it　is　true；　will　be　from　now　changed　into　a　bad　one；　and　your　mother　will　have　to　blush　when　she　uses　it。　Therefore　I　advise　you　to　let　it　go；　to　take　another　name；　to　begin　a　new　existence；　and　to　found　a　new　future。〃

〃A　future　without　honor；　without　name；　without　position！〃　sighed　Weingarten；　despairingly。

〃So　are　men！〃　said　the　king；　softly；　〃insolent　and　stubborn　when　they　think　themselves　secure；　cowardly　and　uncertain　when　they　are　in　danger。　So　you　were　rash　enough　to　think　that　your　treacherous　deeds　would　always　remain　a　secret？　You　did　not　think　of　a　possible　detection；　or　prepare　yourself　for　it。　In　treading　the　road　which　you　have　trodden；　every　step　should　be　considered。　This；　it　seems　to　me；　you　have　not　done。　You　wish　to　enjoy　the　fruits　of　your　treachery　in　perfect　security；　but　you　have　not　the　courage　to　stand　before　the　world　as　a　traitor。　Do　away　with　this　name；　which　will　cause　you　many　dangers　and　insults。　Fly　from　this　place；　where　you　and　your　deeds　are　known。　Under　a　different　name　look　for　an　asylum　in　another　part　of　my　land。　Money　shall　not　fail　you；　and　if　what　you　have　earned　from　me　is　not　sufficient；　turn　to　me；　and　I　will　lend　you　still　more。　I　will　not　forget　that　to　me　your　treachery　has　been　of　great　use；　and　therefore　I　will　not　desert　you；　though　I　shall　despise　the　traitor。　And　now；　farewell！　This　is　our　last　meeting。　Call　this　afternoon　upon　my　treasurer；　he　will　pay　you　two　hundred　louis　d'or。　And　now　go。〃　And　with　a　scornful　look　at　Weingarten's　pale　countenance；　he　turned　to　the　window。

Weingarten　hurried　past　the　halls　and　chambers；　and　entered　Rosa's　room。　She　read　in　his　p