Frederick the Great and His Fam

d called but once; he told her he had succeeded in interesting the Savoyard in Trenck's fate, and he had promised to remind the empress of the unfortu

the other half of the stipulated sum; if he failed i

was sorrowful-almost hopeless. Trenck still sat in his wretched

ling snow-flakes, and listening to the howling of the pitiless storm. They sounded to her lik

t; they are utterly unworthy and contemptible. I hate, I despise them all! Only when I see them suffer can I be reconciled to them. Aha! the storm has seized a beautifully-dressed lady. How it whirls and dashes her about! Look how it lifts her robe, making rare sport of her deceitful, affected modesty. Miserable, variegated butterfly that you are, you think yourself a goddess of youth and beauty. This wild tempest teaches you that you are but a poor, pitiful insect, tossed about in the world like any other creeping thing-a powerless atom. The storm first

ould be called a laugh, from which s

warm again. I am always freezing, and this miserable frost has turned my h

empty room to the chimney, where a large wood-fire was burning-no

glowing coals, and murmured broken, disconnected words. From time to time a mocking smile trembled on her lips, then heavy sighs wrung her breast. Was she perhaps telling the fire of the flames which raged within her bosom? Was she perhaps a

y and with a stern countenance to meet th

do you command me to withdra

stly; "he is everywhere lord and master. The doors of a

door, then advanced eagerly to meet his sister. Giving her hi

kind of jailer?" he said,

who displease him, he arrests and casts into prison, and not one o

not this to fear, and yet you ha

a priso

then, you

life is m

k themselves free. But we are involuntarily commencing an earnest, philosophical conversation. I come to you to rest, to refresh myself; to convers

sleep. Night and day I sleep and dream; and why should I awake? I have nothing to hope, nothing to do. I am a superfluous piece of furniture in this castle, and I know well you will all rejoice when I am placed in the vault. I am an old maid, or, if you prefer it, I am a wall-frog, who has nothing to do but creep into my hole, and

unhappy must you be to speak thus! Can I

wish of your heart. Think, then, quickly, of what you most desire, and be assured I will fulfil your request.' The pretty maiden, trembling with horror and despair, could not collect her thoughts. Then, after a short pause, the cannibal said, 'I cannot wait; I am hungry! but in order to grant you a little longer time to determine upon the favor you will ask

nd appeared not to understand

d brings the tears to my eyes-I scarcely know whether fro

these are merry sprites; and often in my solitude, when I am sitting in my arm-chair in the ch

l or encouraging, certainly not much that

vance, the more lonely and desolate it appears; life has no more to offer, and they are glad at last to reach the valley and lie down in quiet graves. But while we live and are still wanderers, Amelia, we must not fold

ook refuge in a nunnery because no man desired them? No, your majesty, do not send me to Quedlinberg; it is not my calling to build up the worthy nuns

n in Berlin and still accept this office, once so worthily rilled by the lovely Aurora of Konigsmark. King Augustus gave her, at least, with this refuge, provided by his love, a rich widow's income; and you can now, Amelia, enjoy the frui

I see that I have nothing to complain of. My hospital is splendidly endowed, and

s," said the king; "and I beg you, therefore, to allow me the pleasure of raising yo

vors before I ask them. I confess to you this alarms and agitates me. You have perhaps some bad n

rother! Oh, Amelia! life has hardened us both. We entered upon the stage of life with great but fleeting illusions. How gloriously grand and beautiful

dust and ashes than to walk gayly over a smooth surface with whose dark caves and pitfalls I was unacquainted, and which might any day ingulf me. When both foundation and superstructure lie in ruins at your feet, you have nothing more to fe

vern. I try to do my duty as a king. But I tell you, child, in one little corner of the king's heart there remains ever something human, and the poor creature man sometimes cries out for a little personal comfort and happiness. One may be very rich as a king, but poor-oh, how poor-as a man! Let u

y an ugly old maid, who is, however, ready to receive the glittering treasure; but you give me credit fo

s the amoun

majesty knows this is

t you had recently been called upon to pay out four thousand louis d'or. This dream was significant; it seemed to me a

ror. "Do you know the use to which I have

that you needed this amount, nothing more. If I had been curious, I might have

ayed me, then,"

. Amelia did not see it, she stood as if turned to stone in the middle of the room, an

g turned and loo

s interest you, Amelia. Even at this moment a prisoner is being released from his cell and restored to

iek, and rushing forward she seized the arm

ot inflict such fearful tortures before my execution. Do not mock at my great grief, but be pitiful. Look upon me brother; look at my withered limbs, my deformed visage; is not my punishment sufficient? torture me no longer. You return me the sum of money I sent to Vienna; does that mean that you have

our clock points now to twelve; at this moment Trenck leaves Magdeburg in a closed carriage, accompanied by two sold

of your glory and power, a poor Savoyard was mightier than you all! But no, no; what have I said? you, my brother, you have released him. To you Trenck owes his life and liberty. I thank you that these fearful chains, which held my soul in bondage, have fallen apart. Once more I breathe freely, without the appalling consciousness that every breath I draw finds this echo in a cavern of the earth. You have released me from bondage, oh, my brother, and henceforth I will love you with all the strength of my being. Yes, I will love you," cried she, eagerly; "I will cling to you with unchanging constancy; you will ever find in me a faithful ally. I can be useful. I cannot act, but I can li

d again and again in joyous tones, "Yes, yes, his beautifu

ved at court; his first visit, even before he was announced to the king, was paid to the Princess Amelia. She received him in the same room in which, forty-seven years before, they had passed so many happy hours. Upon the same spot, where, beautiful in youth and grace, they had once sworn eternal love and faith, they now looked upon each other and sought in vain, in these fallen and withered features, for any trace of those charms, which had once enraptured them. Trenck remained many hours with her; they had much to relate. He confessed freely all the events of his fantastic and adventurous life. She listened with a gentle smile, and forgave him for all his wanderings and all his sins. On

. I must question the cards as to his destiny, and know whether happiness or misery lies b