Frederick the Great and His Fam

of a man, wrapped in a large travelling-cloak, could be seen leaning against a wall; he was gazing fixedly at the houses opposite him. The snow beat upon his face, his l

k shadow appeared; in the opposite door, life and energy onc

he, eagerly, "what

e, Lady Elliot, is not at home. She is at a ball at Co

hter?" said Lord Ellio

in the chamber adjoining your former sleeping

ire of you is to send my valet, whom I sent to

way, but the doc

member that you will thus inform all Berlin of your unfortunate wedded life, and become subject to

ing to fear. The whole world knows that my honor is

my lord, you dis

ustly deserves it?" sai

uld have it

As I have not died of grief, I shall live to revenge my sufferings. My determination is unalterable

sty, disagreeable journey; you are excited, your blood is in a fever heat, and no

er can dispute this right with me, for by the laws of this la

avor to obtain h

o wound and torture me, should refuse me my daughter, what the

changed all the servants engaged by you, not one of them was allowed to remain. It is most

d, they shall not prevent

refuse to l

hem laughing and jesting into my trunk-I now have them with me. All your objections are confuted. Again, farewell. If

oor leading to his dwelling; he leaned for a moment against the door gasping for breath-for a moment a shuddering doubt overcame him; he seemed to

bright light. He then glanced sternly around the room. All was as usual, not a chair had been moved since he left. Beneath the secretary were the scraps of letters and papers he had torn up the day of his journey. Even the book he had been reading that morning lay upon the table in front of the sofa; beside it stood the same silver candlesticks, with the same half-burnt candles. It had all been untouched; only he, the master of the apartment, had been touched by the burning hand of misfortune-he alone was changed, transformed. He smiled bitterly as

he other was Camilla-Camilla in her bridal robes, as beautiful and lovely as a dream, with her glorious, child-like smile in which he had so long believed-for which, seeing in it the reflection of her pure, innocent soul, she was so unspeakably de

ime," mu

the apartments, causing Lord Elliot's heart to tremble with woe. But there was no noise-all remained quiet. Lord Elliot waited awhile, t

rvants, but their terror was such that they ret

s followed by the house girl. Even the cook rushed up the steps. All hurried forward to a room which was generally kept locked, but which now stood wide open. All

me-you, the

, with some hesitation. "We do not know y

, but of the orders you will receive from me. Do you

that it is our ma

picture, and stood beneath it.

tically for a time, then whis

ow me?" repeat

of seeing his excellency, Lo

lady's-maid, the house-girl, an

ter the room. Trembli

vants, or are there an

with the little lady, and the

t. Come neare

y had never seen their master, they knew by his stern, expressive countenance that something remarkable was about to transpire. Like all other servants, they were w

d advancing to a second door. "Remain here. If I need you I will call." Throwing a last look

breast. He now stood at the door of the next chamber. He stopped for a moment to gain breath and courage. With a hasty movement he threw open the door and entered. His heart failed him when he beheld the peaceful scene before him. A dark shady carpet covered the floor, simple green blinds hung at the windows. There were no handsome paintings on the wall, no glittering chandelier, no bright furniture, and still the apartment contained a wondrous tenement, a great tr

ittle hands upon his own bowed head as if he needed his little daughter's blessing to strengthen him. But all at once she was shaken by a strong hand, and a loud, commanding voice ordered her to wak

ng arm around her. "If you make a sound, I take the child and leave you he

cried the nurse

untary recognition of his righ

ve from me a pension for life; from to-day your wages are doubled. For this I demand nothing, but that you should collect at once the ne

m his purse a gold piece, which lent

need in he

the chamber. Before leaving, however, he locked another door leadin

the man whose honor was wounded in its most sensitive point-who came to punish, to revenge, to seek the proofs of the guilt he suspected. He placed the light upon the table, and opened his

y to my grave

ers full of passionate proofs of the criminal and unholy love he had come to punish. Camilla had not had the delicacy to separate her husband's from her lover's letters; she had carelessly thrown them in the same drawer. As Lord Elli

r insipid lover. He searched but for one letter; he wished to find the original of the last one Camilla had written to him, for he knew her too well to give her credit for the compos

d found it! The letter was clutched tightly in his trembling hands as he read the first lines. It

n his bosom; then throwing the others into the draw

ave now all I need. This le

he entered his daughter's chamber. The nurse advanced to meet him, the chil

en," said he, step

y the wondering nurse. He stopped at the stable door, calling loudly upon the coachman to get up and prepare the horses. A

the carriage," re

lamp, threw a full glare o

, roughly; "I receive orders

iot drew from his br

will shoot you through the head," said

ohn," cried the nurse; "it i

he loaded pistol still in Lord Elliot's hand than to the con

e child and nurse in the carriage, then jumpi

side them Lord Elliot's servant, with his baggage. He sprang from the carriage, and, gi

tified coachman, "how am I to call f

oaches you, tell her that Lord Elliot wishes to be remembered

miss me from her

s, and then you shall enter m

answer, and soon disa

ant swung himself up to his seat; Lord Elliot stood

s no mother, but I will love her with all the strength of a father, all the tenderness of a mother, and I have a noble sister who will guard and watch over her. She awaits me at

icient that you have deprived the mother of her child? that you have branded

d Elliot laid his hand up

have you forgotten that I have been hit by a poisoned ar

sooner they will heal. But why destroy the arrow that wou

blood in your veins? My honor is stained-I

most holy and sacred interests-your honor and life? And if c

g me from a life which will from henceforth be a heavy burden to me. Farewell,

irrevocabl

cable,

at if this sad drama is to end

age, the coachman whipped his horses, and the carriage in which were the un