Berlin and Sans-Souci; Or, Frederick the Great and His Friends

upied the same expensive and beautiful hotel in Behren Street; but it was no longer surrounded by costly e

enchanting prima donna, the floating sylph; she was a calm, proud woman, almost imposing in her grave, p

ched upon the divan, with her arms folded across her bosom; her head was thrown back upon the white, gold-embroidered cushion, and her long, black curls fell in rich profusion around her; with wide-open eyes s

smile played upon her face. "A letter from Mil

mmovable, and still

anguishes with impatience to see you. that every city implores your presence

that I desired an enga

an old and valued friend; I described the restless, weary, nomadic lif

ite at once that I am grateful for his offer, but neither in

gain return to our beautiful It

r? I said only, I woul

s so earnestly, and he offe

h enough,

power, and the more millions one ha

love of men? I despis

a, passi

arietta, with a mea

cej

on her elbow, she gazed with surprise upon her

t tell me s

arbarina, contemptuously, and sinking

life, my love remain in Berlin!' I asked you in what your happiness, your love, your life consisted. Your answer was, 'Do you not know, then, that I love Cocceji?' In truth, good sister I did not believe you! I thought you left Berlin b

happy when I came at last, as he hoped, to fulfil my promise, and become his wife! God knows I meant to be true, and I swore to myself to mak

I must return to Berlin; he is there whom I love, whom I will love eternally!' I said again, 'Whom do you love, my sister?' and you replied, 'I love Cocceji!' And now you are amazed that I believe you! In

k from reading my own heart. Be pitiful, Marietta, do not lift the

ly far, far away; accept the offer of Binatelli; it is the call of God. Come, come, Barbarina, we will

no longer a Roman, no longer an Italian. I am a wretched, homeless wanderer. Why will n

nother word! You are right; we will not lift this fearf

arina, pressing Marietta to h

rned away to hide her weeping eyes. The servant announced

barina is unwell, an

ich he handed to Marietta. "The lady declared she kne

cceji," sa

a rose u

eive her?" as

receiv

had disappeared; her eyes sparkled, her cheeks glowed with an engaging s

ust returned to Berlin, and you gladden my heart again by your visit, and grant me the distincti

pon the beautiful young woman who dared to l

dame, to visit you,

ction; we visit those wi

ing to evade an interview! I have sent to you twice, signor

poorly. Is it according to the forms of etiquette to say, 'I have commanded you to come to me?' In my own fair land we give a finer turn to our speech

I have been forced to see

ant your request. May I be equally fortunate to-day! Without doubt you come again as a pe

ed sternly, but suppressed her anger. Ba

d fallen upon him like the fever of madness-which made him forget his duty, his rank, his parents. I

e your son; and there is nothing more dull and wearisome than to listen to protestations of love that you cannot return. But look you, gracious lady, that is a misfortune that pursues me at every step. I le

erlin?" said Madame Cocc

"Madame," said she, "for that s

countable to me-me, the mother of Cocceji! You have seduced him by your charms, and driven him to madness. He defies his

r hand upon the arm of Madame Cocceji, "you have called this love shameful. You have sai

he truth," cried Madame Cocceji,

me, for your own sake!" sai

r be the daughter of the Coccejis. That would be a mockery of all honorable customs, would cast contempt upon the graves of our ancestors, and bring shame upon our nobility. And yet my unhappy s

his!" cried Barbarina

st; he will go down to the grave dishonored, if you do not come to my help! If, indeed, you love him, your love will teach you to make the offering of self-sacrifice, and I will bless you, and forgive you all the anguish you have caused me. If you

ry city offers me, with bended knee, the keys of her gates and the keys of her heart. I cannot hide myself. Nothing is known of the proud and noble family of Cocceji outside of Prussia; but the wide, wide world knows of the Barbarina, and the laurel-wreaths with which I have been c

whom you have the

ceji knows and does ever that which is great and right. I said you had vilified me in my own

ntice my son into a marriage. Because you know that the Prussian nobles, the king himself, are on my side. The king, signora, no longer favors you; the king has promised us his assistance. The

lse!" cried

no avail! If we fail, we will make use of this authority, and give him over to General Hake. [Footnote: Ibid.] Think well what you do-do not drive us to this extremity. I say there is a point at which even a mother's love will fai

ajesty and her beauty. Her imposing bearing, her pallid but clear complexion, her crimson, tightly-compressed lips, her gre

t was not my intention to marry your son. But your conduct has now made that a point of honor. N

e my husband to make use of th

last spark of piety and obedience in his heart. Love has wings, and will follow him everywhere, and will waft him to the altar, where he will wed Barbarina. Ne

be!" cried Madame Cocce

of your visit, and we have nothing more to say to each other. It only remains for me to commend myself to your grace an

to the carriage. Madame Cocceji was pale with rage. She wished to remain incognito, and now her name

y to the servant; "it is not necessary

d not leave your equipage with its coat of arms, standing before my door! I thank you once more f

asting a withering look upon the gay