Frederick the Great and His Court

king; she had not observed the absence of the Tobacco Club, and after havin

queen! proud and happy, smiling and majestic. Rejoicing in her own greatness and glory, she was still amiable and obliging to this great crowd of devoted, submissive, flattering, smiling men, who surrounded her; never had she been so gracious, never so queenly. As we have said, she had seated herself at the card-table, and the margrafin Maria Dorothea and the English and

s the dance was ended to lead the princesses to her side; she then gave her attention to the game, when sudden

s; "do not let him see your diamonds." The partners of the queen sat in respectful silence, waiting for her to play; she dashed

e Thie

the command, the queen took her cards from the table. The glory was departed; the

of her husband. The partners of the queen sat quietly with downcast eyes, and did not appear to see the rash change in the t

comfort," she said, with a bitter smile, "to be overcome only by a king." She played on quiet

er name, she rose and advanced toward hi

ed for us!" she said smiling; "it is most amiable of y

e fleeting vanity of all sublunary things; and to still the voluptuous music with prayer, I am come to administer this medicine to your vain and sin-sick soul. Come with me, you there!" said the king, turning his head bac

s, diamonds, uniforms, and orders, had a gay and festal appearance; you might well suppose them wedding gues

some new danger, some new terror prepared for her. The procession stepped silently and earnestly through the dressing-rooms, odorous with flowers; through the illuminated antechamber; fu

hia Dorothea uttered a cry of horror, and fell backwards; behind her stood the curious, as

fins, then wandered anxiously to the lofty, imposing marble statues of the prince electors, who,

lusts. Death must strike at your heart to awaken it from voluptuous sleep and cause you to look within. In these coffins we will soon rest, and all earthly vanity and glory will be at an end. No one wi

raves will History walk with destroying feet; but she will remain with us and will gather our dust, and build therewith a monument to our memory; when our bodies of flesh and blood are placed in the vault of our ancestors, our forms will arise again with limbs

perial, without the aid of diamond coronets. The queen was herself again; she had conquered her womanish fears; she

soul had made itself free from his heavy yoke, and claimed and enjoyed a separate existence; but she should acknowledge him again as her lord, an

his hand heavily on the shoulder of the queen; "the world knows that diamonds become you, and

said Sophia, fixing her tremb

dignity and worthily in our coffins; that we will do to-

a cruel jest,"

lthy to the soul, and if we would accustom ourselves from time to time to leave the ballroom and rest awhile in our coffins, we would, without doubt, lead more holy and earnest lives. Lay

ou will surely see me buried; it is not th

umble," said the king; "we have come hithe

day. I would not have come if I had known th

urmured the king, while his cheeks glow

restraints would be removed if she resisted longer. She called wi

eary, and will for awhile rest upon

behold; then, with inimitable grace, she stooped and lay down slowly. The coffin creaked and groaned, and amongst the crowd of courtiers a murmur of horror and disgust was heard. The king stood near the coffin, and Sophia Dorothea lo

and greatness, and sustained by the hand of History alone." Sophia then step

y, it is now

im a prophetic meaning, and he shuddered as he drew near the coffin. With a powerful effort he overc

erick. "Here will I soon sleep till it shall

, my king!" said Sophia earne

and unaccustomed sound was heard without-a loud, piercing cry, which was many times repeated, then the

e king, who was still

whispered confused and wild wor

," said the king, as with much diff

ed face and black gloves, passed slowly by them the whole length of the corridor, and entered this room; they, believing that some unseemly mask wished to

d as if broken to pieces in the coffin. "The white lady

hdrawing involuntarily from the door through

hing glance upon the marble statues of the prince electors