frederick the great and his family-第66章

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ced　woman。　The　world　and　the　things　of　the　world　call　me　with　a　thousand　alluring　voices；　and　I　shall　be　lost　as　my　mother　was　lost！　I　am　her　most　unhappy　daughter；　and　her　blood　is　in　my　heart！〃　Almost　insensible；　crushed　by　excitement　and　passion；　Camilla　sank　to　the　earth。

Her　mother　looked　at　her　with　cold　and　tearless　eyes；　her　hair　seemed　to　stand　erect；　and　a　cold；　dead　hand　seemed　placed　upon　her　heart　and　almost　stilled　its　beatings。　〃I　have　deserved　this；〃　murmured　she；　〃God　punishes　the　levity　of　my　youth　through　my　own　child。〃　She　bowed　down　to　her　daughter　and　raised　her　softly　in　her　arms。

〃Come；　my　child；〃　she　said；　tenderly；　〃we　will　forget　this　hourwe　will　strive　to　live　in　love　and　harmony　with　each　other。　You　are　right！　You　are　no　longer　a　child；　and　I　will　think　of　introducing　you　to　the　world。〃

〃And　you　will　dismiss　Madame　Brunnen；〃　said　Camilla；　gayly。　〃Oh；　mamma；　you　have　no　idea　how　she　tortures　and　martyrs　me　with　her　Argus…eyes；　and　watches　me　day　and　night。　Will　you　not　dismiss　her；　mamma；　and　take　no　other　governess？〃

〃I　will　think　of　it；〃　said　her　mother；　sadly。　But　now　a　servant　entered　and　announced　Count　Ranuzi。　Madame　du　Trouffle　blushed；　and　directed　the　servant　to　conduct　him　to　the　parlor。

Camilla　looked　at　her　roguishly；　and　said：　〃If　you　really　think　me　a　grown…up　girl；　take　me　with　you　to　the　parlor。〃

Madame　du　Trouffle　refused。　〃You　are　not　properly　dressed；　and　besides；　I　have　important　business　with　the　count。〃

Camilla　turned　her　back　scornfully；　and　her　mother　left　the　room；　Camilla　returned　to　the　sofa　and　Madame　du　Trouffle　entered　the　saloon。　In　the　levity　and　frivolity　of　their　hearts　they　had　both　forgotten　this　sad　scene　in　the　drama　of　a　demoralized　family　life；　such　scenes　had　been　too　often　repeated　to　make　any　lasting　impression。

Madame　du　Trouffle　found　Count　Ranuzi　awaiting　her。　He　came　forward　with　such　a　joyous　greeting；　that　she　was　flattered；　and　gave　him　her　hand　with　a　gracious　smile。　She　said　triumphantly　to　herself　that　the　power　of　her　charms　was　not　subdued；　since　the　handsome　and　much　admired　Ranuzi　was　surely　captivated　by　them。

The　count　had　pleaded　yesterday　for　an　interview；　and　he　had　done　this　with　so　mysterious　and　melancholy　a　mien；　that　the　gay　and　sportive　Louise　had　called　him　the　Knight　of　Toggenberg；　and　had　asked　him　plaintively　if　he　was　coming　to　die　at　her　feet。

〃Possibly；〃　he　answered；　with　grave　earnestness〃possibly；　if　you　are　cruel　enough　to　refuse　the　request　I　prefer。〃

These　words　had　occupied　the　thoughts　of　this　vain　coquette　during　the　whole　night；　she　was　convinced　that　Ranuzi；　ravished　by　her　beauty；　wished　to　make　her　a　declaration；　and　she　had　been　hesitating　whether　to　reject　or　encourage　him。　As　he　advanced　so　gracefully　and　smilingly　to　meet　her；　she　resolved　to　encourage　him　and　make　him　forget　the　mockery　of　yesterday。

Possibly　Ranuzi　read　this　in　her　glance；　but　he　did　not　regard　it；　he　had　attained　his　aimthe　interview　which　he　desired。　〃Madame；〃　said　he；　〃I　come　to　make　honorable　amends；　and　to　plead　at　your　feet　for　pardon。〃　He　bowed　on　one　knee；　and　looked　up　beseechingly。

Louise　found　that　his　languishing　and　at　the　same　time　glowing　eyes　were　very　beautiful；　and　she　was　entirely　ready　to　be　gracious；　although　she　did　not　know　the　offence。　〃Stand　up；　count；〃　said　she；　〃and　let　us　talk　reasonably　together。　What　have　you　done；　and　for　what　must　I　forgive　you？〃

〃You　annihilate　me　with　your　magnanimity；〃　sighed　Ranuzi。　〃You　are　so　truly　noble　as　to　have　forgotten　my　boldness　of　yesterday；　and　you　choose　to　forget　that　the　poor；　imprisoned　soldier；　intoxicated　by　your　beauty；　carried　away　by　your　grace　and　amiability；　has　dared　to　love　you　and　to　confess　it。　But　I　swear　to　you；　madame；　I　will　never　repeat　this　offence。　The　graceful　mockery　and　keen　wit　with　which　you　punished　me　yesterday　has　deeply　moved　me；　and　I　assure　you；　madame；　you　have　had　more　influence　over　me　than　any　prude　with　her　most　eloquent　sermon　on　virtue　could　have　done。　I　have　seen　my　crime；　and　never　again　will　my　lips　dare　to　confess　what　lives　and　glows　in　my　heart。〃　He　took　her　hand　and　kissed　it　most　respectfully。

Louise　was　strangely　surprised；　and　it　seemed　to　her　not　at　all　necessary　for　the　count　to　preserve　so　inviolable　a　silence　as　to　his　love；　but　she　was　obliged　to　appear　pleased；　and　she　did　this　with　facility　and　grace。

〃I　thank　you；〃　she　said；　gayly；　〃that　you　have　freed　me　from　a　lover　whom；　as　the　wife　of　Major　du　Trouffle；　I　should　have　been　compelled　to　banish　from　my　house。　Now　I　dare　give　a　pleasant；　kindly　welcome；　to　Count　Ranuzi；　and　be　ready　at　all　times　to　serve　him　gladly。〃

Ranuzi　looked　steadily　at　her。　〃Will　you　truly　do　this？〃　said　he；　sighing〃will　you　interest　yourself　for　a　poor　prisoner；　who　has　no　one　to　hear　and　sympathize　in　his　sorrows？〃

Louise　gave　him　her　hand。　〃Confide　in　me；　sir　count；〃　said　she；　with　an　impulse　of　her　better　nature；　〃make　known　your　sorrows；　and　be　assured　that　I　will　take　an　interest　in　them。　You　are　so　prudent　and　reasonable　as　not　to　be　my　lover；　and　I　will　be　your　friend。　Here　is　my　handI　offer　you　my　friendship；　will　you　accept；　it？〃

〃Will　I　accept　it？〃　said　he；　rapturously；　〃you　offer　me　life；　and　ask　if　I　will　accept　it！〃

Louise　smiled　softly。　She　found　that　Ranuzi　declared　his　friendship　in　almost　as　glowing　terms　as　he　had　confessed　his　love。　〃So　then；〃　said　she；　〃you　have　sorrows　that　you　dare　not　name？〃

〃Yes；　but　they　are　not　my　own　individual　griefs　I　suffer；　but　it　is　for　another。〃

〃That　sounds　mysterious。　For　whom　do　you　suffer？〃

〃For　a　poor　prisoner；　who；　far　from　the　world；　far　from　the　haunts　of　men；　languishes　in　wretchedness　and　chainswhom　not　only　men　but　God　has　forgotten；　for　He　will　not　even　send　His　minister　Death　to　release　him。　I　cannot；　I　dare　not　say　moreit　is　not　my　secret；　and　I　have　sworn　to　disclose　it　to　but　one　person。〃

〃And　this　person〃

〃Is　the　Princess　Amelia　of　Prussia；〃　said　Ranuzi。

Louise　shrank　back；　and　looked　searchingly　at　the　count。　〃A　sister　of　the　king！　And　you　say　that　your　secret　relates　to　a　poor　prisoner？〃

〃I　said　so。　Oh；　my　noble；　magnanimous　friend；　do　not　ask　me　to　say　more；　I　dare　not；　but　I　entreat　you　to　help　me。　I　must　speak　with　the　princess。　You　are　her　confidante　and　friend；　you　alone　can　obtain　me　an　interview。〃

〃It　is　impossible！　impossible！〃　cried　Madame　du　Trouffle；　rising　up　and　pacing　the　room　hastily。　Ranuzi　followed　her　with　his　eyes；　observed　every　movement；　and　read　in　her　countenance　every　emotion　of　her　soul。

〃I　will　succeed；〃　said　he　to　himself；　and　proud　triumph　swelled　his　heart。

Louise　drew　near　and　stood　before　him。

〃Listen；〃　said　she；　gravely；　〃it　is　a　daring；　a　dangerous　enterprise　in　which　you　wish　to　entangle　medoubly　dangerous　for　me；　as　the　king　suspects　me；　and　he　would　never　forgive　it　if　he　should　learn　that　I　had　dared　to　act　against　his　commands；　and　to　assist　the　Princess　Amelia　to　save　an　unhappy　wretch　whom　he　had　irretrievably　condemned。　I　know　well　who　this　prisoner　is；　but　do　not　call　his　nameit　is　dangerous　to　speak　it；　even　to　think　it。　I　be　long　not　to　the　confidantes　of　the　princess　in　this　matter；　and　I　do　not　desire　it。　Speak　no　more　of　the　prisoner；　but　of　yourself。　You　wish　to　be　presented　to　the　princess。　Why　not　apply　to　Baron　Pollnitz？〃

〃I　have　not　gold　enough　to　bribe　him；　and；　besides　that；　he　is　a　babbler；　and　purchasable。　To…morrow　he　would　betray　me。〃

〃You　are　right；　and　he　could　not　obtain　you　a　secret　interview。　One　of　the　maids　of　honor　must　always　be　present；　and　the　princess　is　surrounded　by　many　spies。　But　there　is　a　means；　and　it　lies　in　my　hands。　Listen！〃

Louise　bowed　and　whispered。

Ranuzi's　face　sparkled　with　triumph。

〃To…morrow；　then；〃　said　he；　as　he　withdrew。

〃To…morrow；〃　said　Louise；　〃expect　me　at　the　castle　gate；　and　be　punctual。〃




CHAPTER　V。

THE　FORTUNE…TELLER。


The　heavy　curtains　were　drawn　down；　and　a　gloomy　twilight　reigned　in　this　great；　silent　room；　whose　dreary　stillness　was　only　interrupted　by　the　monotonous　stroke　of　the　clock；　and　the　deep　sighs　and　lamentations　which　came　from　the　sofa　in　a　distant　part　of　the　room。　There　in　the　corner；　drawn　up　convulsively　and　motionless；　lay　a　female　form；　her　hands　clasped　over　her　breast；　her　eyes　fixed　staringly　toward　heaven；　and　from　time　to　time　uttering　words　of　grief　and　scorn　and　indignation。

She　was　alone　in　her　anguishever　alone；　she　had　been　alone　for　many　years；　grief　and　disappointment　had　hardened　her　heart；　and　made　it　insensible　to　all　sorrows　but　her　own。　She　hated　men；　she　hated　the　world；　she　railed　at　those　who　were　gay　and　happy；　she　had　no　pity　for　those　who　wept　and　mourned。

Had　she　not　suffered　more？　Did　she　not　still　suffer？　Who　had　been　merciful；　who　had　pitied　her　sorrows？　Look　now　at　this　poor；　groaning　woman！　Do　you　recognize　these　fearful　features；　deformed　by　sickness　and　grief；　these　blood…shot　eyes；　these　thin；　colorless　lips；　ever　convulsively　pressed　together；　as　if　to　suppress　a　wild　shriek　of　agony；　which　are　only　unclosed　to　utter　cold；　harsh　words　of　scorn　and　passion？　Do　you　know　this　woman？　Has　this　poor；　unhappy；　deformed　being　any　resemblance　to　the　gay；　beautiful；　intellectual　Princess　Amelia；　whom　we　once　knew？　and　yet　this　is　the　Princess　Amelia。　How　have　the　mighty　fallen！　Look　at　the　transforming　power　of　a　few　sorrowful　years！　The　sister　of　a　mighty　hero　king；　but　a　poor　desolate　creature；　shunned　and　avoided　by　all：　she　knows　that　men　fly　from　her；　and　she　will　have　it　so；　she　will　be　alonelonely　in　the　midst　of　the　world；　even　as　he　is；　in　the　midst　of　his　dark　and　gloomy　prison。　Amelia　calls　the　whole　world　her　prison；　she　often　says　to　herself　that　her　soul　is　shut　in　behind　the　iron　bars　of　her　body　and　can　never　be　delivered；　that　her　heart　lies　upon　the　burning　gridiron　of　the　base　world；　and　cannot　escape；　it　is　bound　there　with　the　same　chains　which　are　around　about　and　hold　him　in　captivity。

But　Amelia　says　this　only　to　herself；　she　desires　no　sympathy；　she　knows　no　one　will　dare　to　pity　her。　Destiny　placed　her　high　in　rank　and　alonealone　she　will　remain；　her　complaints　might　perhaps　bring　new　danger　to　him　she　loves；　of　whom　alone　she　thinks；　for　whose　sake　alone　she　supports　existence；　she　lives　only　for　him。　Can　this　be　called　life？　A　perpetual　hopeand　yet　hopelessa　constant　watching　and　listening　for　one　happy　moment；　which　never　comes！　She　had　not　been　permitted　to　live　for　him；　she　would　not　die　without　him。　So　long　as　he　lived　he　might　need　her　aid；　and　might　call　upon　her　for　help　in　the　hour　of　extremest　need；　so　she　would　not　die。

She　was　not　wholly　dead；　but　her　youth；　her　heart；　her　peace；　her　illusions；　her　hopes　were　dead；　she　was　opposed　to　all　that　lived；　to　the　world；　to　all　mankind。　In　the　wide　world　she　loved　but　two　persons：　one；　who　languished　in　prison　and　who　suffered　for　her　sake；　Frederick　von　Trenck；　the　other；　he　who　had　made　her　wretched　and　who　had　the　power　to　liberate　Trenck　and　restore　their　peace　the　king。　Amelia　had　loved　her　mother；　but　she　was　dead；　grief　at　the　lost　battle　of　Collin　killed　her。　She　had　loved　her　sister；　the　Margravine　of　Baireuth；　but　she　died　of　despair　at　the　lost　battle　of　Hochkirch。　Grief　and　the