frederick the great and his family-第82章

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　is　threatened！〃　Slowly　his　glance　returned　to　earth；　and　then　in　a　powerful　voice；　he　cried：　〃Onward！　onward！　that　has　ever　been　Prussia's　watch…word；　and　it　shall　remain　soOnward！　We　have　a　great　object　be　fore　uswe　must　use　every　effort　to　keep　the　Russians　out　of　Berlin。　The　palladium　of　our　happiness　must　not　fall　into　the　hands　of　our　enemies。　The　Oder　and　the　Spree　must　be　ourswe　must　recover　to…　morrow　what　the　enemy　wrenched　from　us　yesterday！〃

〃Onward！　onward！〃　cried　the　army；　and　the　words　of　the　king　bore　courage　and　enthusiasm　to　all　hearts。

Hope　was　awakened；　and　all　were　ready　to　follow　the　king；　for　however　dark　and　threatening　the　horizon　appeared；　all　had　faith　in　the　star　of　the　king；　and　believed　that　it　could　never　be　extinguished。




BOOK　V。


CHAPTER　I。

THE　TERESIANI　AND　THE　PRUSSIANI。


At　the　splendid　hotel　of　the　〃White　Lion；〃　situated　on　the　Canale　Grande；　a　gondola　had　just　arrived。　The　porter　sounded　the　great　house…bell；　and　the　host　hastened　immediately　to　greet　the　stranger；　who；　having　left　the　gondola；　was　briskly　mounting　the　small　white　marble　steps　that　led　to　the　beautiful　and　sumptuous　vestibule　of　the　hotel。

The　stranger　returned　the　host's　profound　and　respectful　salutation　with　a　stiff　military　bow；　and　asked　in　forced　and　rather　foreign　Italian　if　he　could　obtain　rooms。

Signer　Montardo　gazed　at　him　with　a　doubtful　and　uncertain　expression；　and　instead　of　answering　his　question；　said：

〃Signor；　it　appears　to　me　that　you　are　a　foreigner？〃

〃Yes；〃　said　the　stranger；　smiling；　〃my　Italian　has　betrayed　me。　I　am　a　foreigner；　but　hope　that　will　not　prevent　your　showing　me　comfortable　and　agreeable　rooms。〃

〃Certainly　not；　signor；　our　most　elegant　and　sumptuous　apartment　is　at　your　command；〃　said　the　host；　with　a　flattering　smile。　In　the　mean　time；　however；　he　did　not　move　from　the　spot；　but　gazed　with　confused　and　anxious　countenance　first　at　the　stranger；　and　then　at　his　large　trunk；　which　the　men　were　just　lifting　from　the　gondola。

〃Will　you　please　show　me　the　rooms？〃　cried　the　stranger；　impatiently　advancing　into　the　hall。

The　host　sighed　deeply；　and　threw　a　questioning　glance　at　the　head　waiter；　who　returned　it　with　a　shrug　of　his　shoulders。

〃I　will　first　show　you　into　the　dining…saloon；〃　murmured　the　host；　hastening　after　the　stranger。　〃Will　you　please　step　in　here；　excellency？〃　and　with　humble　submission　he　opened　the　large　folding　doors　before　which　they　stood；　and　conducted　the　stranger　into　the　magnificent　saloon　which　served　as　dining…saloon　and　ball…room。

〃Now；　excellency；〃　continued　the　host；　after　he　closed　the　door；　and　had　convinced　himself　by　a　rapid　glance　that　they　were　alone；　〃forgive　my　curiosity　in　asking　you　two　questions　before　I　have　the　honor　of　showing　you　your　rooms。　How　long　do　you　intend　to　remain　here？〃

〃A　few　days；　sir。　Well；　your　second　question？〃

The　host　hesitated　a　moment；　then　looking　down；　he　said：

〃Your　excellency　is　a　German？〃

〃Yes；　a　German；〃　said　the　stranger；　impatiently。

〃I　thought　so；〃　sighed　the　host。

〃Will　you　show　me　my　rooms　or　not？　Decide　quickly；　for　I　know　there　are　other　handsome　hotels　on　the　Canale　Grande　where　I　would　be　willingly　received。〃

The　host　bowed　with　an　aggrieved　expression。　〃Signor；　I　will　show　you　rooms。　Will　you　have　the　kindness　to　follow　me？〃

Like　one　who　had　come　to　a　desperate　decision；　he　advanced　and　pushed　open　a　door　which　led　to　a　long　passage；　with　rooms　on　each　side；　he　passed　them　all　hastily；　and　entered　a　small；　dark；　side…　passage；　which　was　little　in　keeping　with　the　general　elegance　of　the　building；　the　walls　were　not　covered　with　tapestry；　as　those　of　the　large　halls；　but　with　dirty　whitewash；　the　floor　had　no　carpet；　and　the　doors　of　the　rooms　were　low　and　small。

The　host　opened　one　of　them　and　led　the　stranger　into　a　small；　simply…furnished　room；　with　a　little　dark　closet　containing　a　bed。　〃Signor；〃　he　said；　with　a　profound　bow；　〃these　are；　unfortunately；　the　only　two　rooms　I　can　offer　you。〃

〃They　are　small　and　mean；〃　said　the　stranger；　angrily。

〃They　are　quiet　and　remote；　and　you　will　have　the　advantage　of　not　being　disturbed　by　the　ball　which　the　club　of　the　Prussiani　are　to　hold　in　my　grand　saloon　to…night。〃

As　he　finished；　he　looked　at　the　stranger　hastily　and　searchingly；　to　see　what　impression　his　words　had　upon　him。　He　was　decidedly　astonished　and　confused。

〃The　Prussian　Club？〃　he　said。　〃Are　there　so　many　Prussians　here；　and　are　they　to　celebrate　a　gay　feast　when　it　appears　to　me　they　have　every　reason　to　mourn　for　their　king's　misfortune？〃

It　was　now　the　stranger　who　gazed　searchingly　at　the　host；　and　awaited　his　answer　with　impatience。

〃You　ask　if　there　are　many　Prussians　here？〃　said　the　host；　pathetically。　〃Yes；　there　are　a　great　many　in　la　bella　Venezia；　eccellenza；　chi　non　e　buon　Prussiano；　non　e　buon　Veneziano。　You　say　further；　that　the　Prussians　have　no　reason　to　celebrate　a　festival；　but　should　mourn　for　their　king's　misfortunes。　No；　your　excellency；　the　Prussians　will　never　have　reason　to　despair；　for　a　hero　like　the　great　Frederick　can　never　succumb。　His　sun　is　clouded　for　a　moment；　but　it　will　burst　forth　again　brilliant　and　triumphant；　and　blind　all　his　enemies。　The　Prussians　celebrate　this　feast　to　defy　the　Teresiani。　They　have　their　club　at　the　hotel　of　the　'Golden　Fleece；'　and　held　a　grand　ball　there　yesterday　in　honor　of　their　victory　at　Mayen。　'Tis　true　the　king　has　lost　two　battles；　the　battles　of　Kunersdorf　and　Mayen；　but　the　Prussians　do　not　despair；　for　if　the　king　has　lost　two　battles；　he　will　win　four　to　make　up　for　them；　and　the　Austrians；　French；　and　Russians　will　flee　before　him；　as　they　did　at　Zorndorf　and　Rossbach。　The　Prussians　wish　to　celebrate　this　feast　to　convince　the　Teresiani　that　they　are　not　disturbed　by　the　king's　apparent　misfortune；　and　are　now　celebrating　the　victories　that　their　great　king　is　still　to　achieve。〃

The　stranger's　face　beamed　with　delight。　〃The　Prussians　have　great　confidence　in　their　king；〃　he　said；　with　forced　composure；　〃but　you　have　not　yet　told　me　why　so　many　Prussians　are　stopping　here？〃

The　host　laughed。　〃Signor　does　not　occupy　himself　with　politics？〃

〃No；〃　answered　the　stranger；　with　hesitation。

〃Well；　otherwise　you　would　have　known　that　there　are　many　Prussians　in　the　world；　and　that　all　the　world　takes　an　interest　in　this　war　in　which　a　single　hero　battles　against　so　many　powerful　enemies。　Yes；　yes；　there　are　Prussians　in　all　Europe；　and　the　great　Frederick　is　joyfully　welcomed　everywhere；　but　nowhere　more　joyfully　than　in　our　beautiful　Italy；　and　nowhere　in　Italy　is　he　more　welcomed　than　in　our　beautiful　Venice。　The　nobles　and　the　gondoliers　decide　for　or　against；　and　Venice　is　divided　into　two　great　parties：　the　first　for　the　King　of　Prussia；　the　latter　for　the　Austrian　empress；　Maria　Theresa。　But　I　assure　you　the　Teresiani　are　mean　and　despicable；　bought　enthusiasts；　and　cowardly　fools。〃

〃Consequently；　you　do　not　belong　to　them；　signor；〃　said　the　stranger；　smiling；　〃you　are　a　good　Prussiano。〃

〃I　should　think　so；〃　cried　the　host；　proudly；　〃I　am　a　good　patriot；　and　our　watchword　is；　'Chi　non　e　buon　Prussiano；　non　e　buon　Veneziano。'〃

〃If　that　is　so；〃　cried　the　stranger；　gayly；　as　he　kindly　offered　the　host　his　hand；　〃I　congratulate　myself　for　having　stopped　here；　and　these　small；　mean　rooms　will　not　prevent　my　remaining。　I　also　am　a　Prussian；　and　say；　like　yourself；　what　care　we　for　the　battles　of　Kunersdorf　and　Mayen？　Frederick　the　Great　will　still　triumph　over　his　enemies。〃

〃Ah；　signor；　you　are　a　Prussian〃　cried　the　host；　with　a　true　Italian　burst　of　joy。　〃You　are　heartily　welcome　at　my　hotel；　and　be　convinced；　sir；　that　I　shall　do　every　thing　to　deserve　your　approval。　Come；　sir；　these　rooms　are　too　small；　too　mean；　for　a　follower　of　Frederick；　I　shall　have　the　honor　of　showing　you　two　beautiful　rooms　on　the　first　floor；　with　a　view　of　the　Canale　Grande；　and　you　shall　pay　no　more　for　them。　Follow　me；　sir；　and　pardon　me　that　you　were　not　at　once　worthily　served。　I　did　not　know　you　were　a　Prussiano；　and　it　would　have　been　most　dangerous　and　impolitic　to　have　received　a　stranger　who　might　have　been　a　Teresiano；　it　might　have　deprived　me　of　all　the　Prussian　custom。　Have　the　goodness　to　follow　me。〃

He　stepped　forward　briskly；　and　conducted　the　stranger　across　the　passage　through　the　grand　saloon　into　the　hall。　The　head　waiter　was　standing　there　engaged　in　an　excited　conversation　with　the　gondoliers　who；　having　placed　the　traveller's　trunk　in　the　hall；　were　cursing　and　crying　aloud　for　their　money。　While　the　waiter　was　assuring　them；　that　it　was　not　decided　whether　the　stranger　would　remain　with　them　or　not；　and　perhaps　they　would　have　to　carry　his　trunk　farther；　the　host　nodded　smilingly　at　the　head　waiter　and　said；　proudly；　〃His　excellency　is　not　only　a　German；　but　a　Prussian。〃

The　clouded　faces　of　the　waiters　and　gondoliers　cleared　immediately；　and　they　gazed　at　the　traveller　with　a　significant　smile　as　he　mounted　the　splendid　steps　with　the　host。

〃He　is　a　Prussian！〃　cried　the　waiters。　〃Evviva　il　Re　di　Prussia！〃　cried　the　gondoliers；　as　they　raised　the　trunk　and　carried　it　nimbly　up　the　steps。

The　saloon　into　which　the　host　conducted　his　guest　was　certainly　different　from　the　small；　unclean　rooms　he　had　shown　him　before。　All　was　elegance；　and　with　a　feeling　of　pride　he　led　the　stranger　to　the　balcony　which　offered　a　splendid　view　of　the　imposing　and　glorious　Canale　Grande；　with　its　proud　churches　and　palaces。

〃And　now；　signor；〃　said　the　host；　humbly；　〃command　me。　If　I　can　serve　you　in　any　manner；　I　shall　do　so　with　pleasure。　Any　information　you　desire；　I　am　ready　to　give。　Perhaps　your　excellency　has？〃

〃No；〃　said　the　stranger；　quickly；　〃I　have　no　political　mission；　and　my　letter　to　the　prior　is　of　a　very　innocent　nature。　I　am　a　merchant；　and　by　chance　have　become　possessed　of　several　costly　relics；　and　hope　that　the　prior　of　the　cloister　may　purchase　them。〃

〃Ah；　relics；　〃said　the　host；　with　a　contemptuous　shrug　of　his　shoulders；　〃do　you　know；　sir；　that　no　one　now　is　enthusiastic　about　such　things？　Politics　leave　us　no　time　for　piety；　the　Pope　has　lost　his　influence；　and　even　the　Romans　are　good　Prussiani；　and　care　not　for　Frederick　the　Great　being　a　heretic。　The　Pope　blesses　his　enemies　and　celebrates　their　victories　with　brilliant　masses　and　costly　presents。　The　Romans　are　indifferent　to　all　this；　and　pray　for　their　hero…king；　the　Great　Frederick；　and　in　spite　of　the　Pope　desire　him　to　triumph。〃

〃Ah；〃　said　the　traveller；　with　apparent　sadness；　〃then　I　shall　certainly　not　succeed　with　my　relics；　but　I　hope　I　shall　do　better　in　the　city　with　my　fans；　for　them　I　desire　your　advice。　Will　you　please　tell　me　the　names　of　a　few　large　commercial　houses　where　they　might　buy　some　of　my　beautiful　fans？　But　they　must　be　good　Prussiani；　as　you　will　soon　see。〃　He　stepped　to　his　trunk；　unlocked　it；　and　took　from　it　an　etui　containing　a　number　of　fans。

〃Look　here；　sir。　I　saw　these　fans　in　Geneva；　and　thinking　I　might　perhaps　do　a　good　business　with　them　in　Italy；　I　bought　several　dozen。　Examine　the　charming　and　tasteful　paintings。〃　He　opened　one　of　the　fans；　it　was　of　white　satin；　with　quite　an　artistic　painting　of　a　large　Prussian　e