"I told you already that we ought not to add any thing to the first

appraisement. Well, the bargain is made," said the queen, gently. "Bring

me the money and the bills of exchange, and you may then take the

jewelry. Let us say I have intrusted it to you to make some alterations

in it."

An hour afterward, the caskets disappeared from the queen's table; in

their place stood a box filled with rolls of gold-pieces, and the bills

of exchange lay at its side. The queen, placing a few of the rolls in

her desk and the bills in the box, hastened to write the following

letter to Baron von Stein:

"I request you to grant me the same favor which the prince obtained from

you. I desire likewise to pay some savings into the state treasury, and

send you, therefore, twenty-five thousand dollars with this letter. Pray

do not forget to pay, in accordance with our agreement, the arrears of

salaries due the men of science and art, and the faithful old servants

of the king. LOUISA."

"Oh," said the queen, laying aside the pen, and looking up with a

grateful expression, "how many worthy men will be delivered from

distress by this unexpected payment! What fervent prayers for their king

will ascend to heaven! Merciful God, hear them, and let my husband and

children be again happy; then I shall have nothing more to desire on

earth!"

In the evening of the same day Prince William, accompanied only by an

adjutant and a footman, set out for Paris in order to deliver to the

Emperor Napoleon the financial plan drawn up by Minister von Stein, and

the letter of Queen Louisa, and to try to induce Napoleon by verbal

remonstrances to withdraw his demands, and accept less ruinous

conditions. Before entering his travelling-coach, the prince, in his

cabinet, bade farewell to her whom he loved so passionately. They

remained long without uttering a word or even a sigh. The beautiful face

of the Princess Marianne was pale, but her tearless eyes beamed with

hope. "Go, my beloved husband," she said, disengaging herself at last

from the arms of the prince, "go and perform your noble sacrifice! My

love will accompany you. Your life is my life, and your death my death!

Go! I fear nothing."

"But at this solemn hour I must communicate a secret to you, Marianne,"

said the prince, "and ask your consent to a resolution that I have

taken. Should all my efforts be of no avail--should Napoleon be induced

neither by Stein's plan nor by the queen's letter, nor by my own

solicitations, to consent to the proposed mode of liquidation, owing to

his belief that he would not have sufficient security for the payment of

the contributions, then, Marianne, a last remedy would remain, and I

would assuredly not shrink from it. In that case I shall offer myself as

a hostage. I shall tell him that I must remain his prisoner, and allow

myself to be transported to If, to Cayenne, or where he pleases, until

the king has made all the promised payments. This will prove to him that

I myself feel convinced that these will be made. He may be sure the

king's brother will be redeemed. Tell me now, Marianne, do you approve

my resolution?"

The princess laid her hand on the head of her husband. "You offer to

surrender not only yourself but both of us," she said. "Both of us,

William, for I want to be where you are. I will also share your devotion

to Prussia. You may offer both of us as hostages to the emperor. I shall

be happy when with you, whether in a dungeon or in a palace. The love

uniting us will sustain us even then, and, when our captivity is over,

we will return happy to our beloved country. But if it be otherwise--if

circumstances occur delaying the payments, and calling down upon you the

wrath of the conqueror--if he then desire to take revenge upon you--oh,

then, I shall know how to find a way to his heart so that he will permit

me to die with you. We are alone; our children are dead, and, therefore,

we are at liberty to pursue such a course. Oh, William, then we shall be

happy forever! Go, my beloved husband! and when the hour comes, call me

to your side. Let us live, and, if need be, die for the fatherland! Let

it be inscribed on our coffin: 'They have done their duty. The

fatherland is content with them!'"[34]

[Footnote 34: Prince William really carried out this resolution. He

found at his first interview that Napoleon was by no means friendly

toward Prussia, and particularly toward King Frederick William. Carried

away by his enthusiasm and generosity, the prince took at this audience

the step which he had intended to reserve if all else should prove

unavailing. He offered himself and his wife as hostages to the emperor,

and entreated him to permit them to remain in French captivity until the

payments were made. Napoleon listened to him, and while he was speaking

the countenance of the emperor gradually became milder. He approached

the prince, embraced him affectionately, and exclaimed, "That is very

generous, but it is impossible. Never would I accept such a

sacrifice--never!" For the rest, the mission of the prince was an utter

failure. Napoleon referred him to Minister Champagny, who, by all sorts

of subterfuges, managed to protract and finally to break off the

negotiations. The prince was detained several months in Paris, and

returned, without having accomplished any thing, to Königsberg, whither

the royal family had removed in the mean time.]

CHAPTER XXXVII.

THE GENIUS OF PRUSSIA.

The queen was alone in her room. She sat on the sofa, and a dress of

heavy silk, interwoven with flowers, lay spread out on the table before

her. She turned over the dress, as if carefully examining it. "Sure

enough, there it is!" she suddenly exclaimed. "Now, quick to work!" She

hastened to her table, on which was to be seen a beautiful silk

embroidery just finished by the queen. Among the threads she selected

one that was of the same color as the dress, and hastily threaded her

needle. "Now I will finish my work before any one surprises me,"

whispered Louisa. She was so assiduously employed that she did not

notice that the opposite door, softly opening, had admitted the king. He

stood still for a moment and looked at the queen. Advancing, he asked,

frowningly, "What are you doing, Louisa?"

The queen uttered a cry, and a deep blush suffused her cheeks. Pushing

aside the table and the dress, she rose from the sofa and went to salute

her husband. "Welcome, dearest!" she said, lovingly clinging to him;

"you knew that it was cold and lonely here, and you come to gladden me.

Thanks, my Frederick, thanks and welcome! I feel as though you were

given to me anew, and I greet you every morning as with the young heart

of a bride." She laid her beautiful head on his shoulder, and her

delicate hand played with his hair.

But the king did not return her caresses, and his eyes, which usually

looked so lovingly at his wife, were directed to the dress on the table.

"You have not yet replied to me, Louisa," he exclaimed.

"Replied to what?" she asked, raising her head from his shoulder, and

calmly looking at him.

"You know it," said the king--"to my question."

"To your question? And what did you ask?" replied the queen. "You asked

me whether I loved you and had already thought of you this morning. Yes,

my king and husband, you are the object of all my thoughts, and I think

of you with every pulsation of my heart. And do you know what just

occurred to me, and what I am going to propose to you? It is a fine

winter-day, and the snow is sparkling in the sun. We have half an hour

until dinner. Let us improve it and take a walk. Let us go to our two

princes, who are skating with their instructor. Tell me, my friend,

shall we do so?"

The king shook his head gloomily. "You wish to divert me from my

question," he said, "which proves that you have heard it. I will repeat

it. What were you doing with that dress when I entered?"

The queen hung her head in evident embarrassment, and her face assumed a

melancholy air. "You insist on a reply, my husband?" she asked. "I hoped

you would notice my confusion, and generously desist."

"I must know every thing that happens to you," said the king; "I must

know the full extent of our misfortunes, that I may not be deceived by

any illusions. Tell me, therefore, what were you doing?"

"Well, then, my husband, I will tell you," said the queen, resolutely.

"I like the dress, not because it is made of very costly and beautiful

materials, but you yourself selected it for me. You know that we give a

party to-morrow to celebrate the birthday of the crown prince, and I

wished to wear that dress. Now, I knew what no one else knew, that the

last time I wore it I had torn it by a nail in the wall, on crossing the

corridor. If I had informed my maid of this mishap, I should have been

unable to wear it again, for custom, I believe, forbids queens to wear

mended dresses. I was, however, bent on saving it. For this purpose I

took it stealthily from my wardrobe to mend the small hole as rapidly as

possible, while my lady of honor was taking a ride, and my maid was at

dinner. I had just finished when you entered, and if you had come a few

minutes later the dress would have disappeared, and no one would suspect

to-morrow that my rich attire had been mended. Now, you know my secret,

and I entreat you to keep it and allude to it no more. But you must also

reply to me: shall we take a walk?"

The king made no answer, but gazed at her with melancholy tenderness.

"You do this, Louisa, because you shrink from the expense of buying a

new dress," he said. "Oh, do not deny it; do not try to deceive me. I

know it to be true."

"And suppose it were true?" asked the queen, gently, drawing her head

from his hands. "Will you be sad because I do in these times what all

our subjects are obliged to do--because I try to be a little

economical?"

"The Queen of Prussia, my consort," exclaimed the king, "is compelled to

mend her own dresses! Is the cup of disgrace and humiliation not yet

full!"

"And why do you speak of disgrace?" asked the queen, laying her hands on

the shoulders of her husband, and looking tenderly in his face. "Why do

you say I humble myself by mending my dress? I only followed the example

of your noble ancestor, Frederick II. Did not the great king also mend

and patch his clothes? Did he not repair with sealing-wax his scabbard,

because he did not want to buy a new one? Well, I believe little Louisa

will be allowed to do as the great Frederick did, and need not be

ashamed of it. On the contrary, my husband, when I sat there sewing, my

heart was glad, for the memories of my early years revived in my mind: I

saw myself at the side of my venerable grandmother, the Landgravine of

Hesse-Darmstadt, and I lived again in those sunny days that I spent with

her in Hanover. My grandmother taught me how to mend, and I frequently

profited by the skill I had acquired with her. For you married the

daughter of a poor prince, who was not a sovereign at that time, but

only a younger brother, and the Queen of Prussia does not blush to

confess that when she was yet a princess of Mecklenburg, she not only

mended her dresses but even trimmed her shoes with her own hands. It is

no jest, my king and husband, I really often did so, and I never felt

humiliated. Never did I consider it a disgrace to do sometimes what

thousands of the most virtuous and amiable women are always doing. When

I used to sew my shoes, I was poor, for I did not yet know you; but now,

although I have repaired my dress, I am rich, for I have you--I have my

children--I am the wife of a man who suffers because he values his honor

higher than worldly greatness--who would perish rather than break an

alliance he has sworn to, and refuses to give his neck to the tyrant's

yoke. Oh, my husband, when I look at you, my soul is transported with

gladness, and I thank God that I am allowed to love you. Since you are

mine I feel happy, rich, and powerful."

She placed her beautiful arms around the king, who pressed her against

his breast. "Thanks, my Louisa! thanks for your joyful love. Your eyes

gladden my life, and your voice is the only music that can lull my

grief. That is the reason I come to you now. I seek here consolation in

my affliction, for when you help me to bear the burden, it is less

oppressive. I have received two letters to-day which gave me pain, and

which I desire to communicate to you."

"I shall be grateful to you, my husband, for doing so," said the queen.

"Come, let us sit down together, and communicate the letters to me. Who

wrote them? Whence did they come?"

"One is from Königsberg, from our daughter Charlotte."

"From Charlotte!" exclaimed the queen, starting. "Has any thing happened

to her? Has she been taken ill?"

"No, she is well, and nothing has happened to her. She is, on the

contrary, in excellent spirits, and, like all young girls, wishes to

dress well. She writes to me, asking me to send her money that she may

renew her winter wardrobe. Here is the letter."

The queen quickly glanced over it. "Oh, the dear, good child," she

exclaimed, "how tenderly she loves us--how prettily and affectionately

she gives expression to her feelings! And yet she often appears

outwardly cold and indifferent.--She resembles her noble father: she

does not wear her heart on her tongue, but it throbs lovingly in her

bosom. She is seemingly reserved and haughty, but she is affectionate.

If God permits her to live I anticipate a brilliant future for her."[35]

[Footnote 35: The very words of the queen.--Vide "Queen Louisa," p. 302.

This prophecy was fulfilled, for the Princess Charlotte afterward

married the Emperor of Russia.]

"A brilliant future!" echoed the king; "for _my_ daughter--for the

daughter of a king without a kingdom--of a man who is so poor as to be

unable to gratify her just and modest wishes! She asks for money to

replenish her winter wardrobe. Now, do you know what I have written to

her? I have sent her five dollars, and given her at the same time the

wretched consolation to be content with that sum, for it was all I could

spare."

"Well," said the queen, with a gentle smile, "at all events, five

dollars will enable her to buy a warm winter dress, and by and by our

finances will improve."

"I do not see any such prospect," exclaimed the king, vehemently.

"All our resources are exhausted; all the public funds are gone, and

even your generosity will be unable to create new ones. My noble queen,

in generous self-denial, sacrifices her jewels in order to gladden and

comfort others, and to lay her own contribution on the altar of her

country. She did not think of herself in doing so."

"Yes, I did," said the queen, smiling, "I did think of myself. I

reserved five thousand dollars, and with that sum all the bills we

owed--all our debts for the household, for the stable, and the servants,

have been paid. But you intended communicating two letters to me. What

about the second?"

"The second," said the king, mournfully, "is a farewell from my faithful

subjects in the province of Mark, whom, alas! with a heavy heart, I have

absolved from their oath of allegiance, and ordered to serve another

sovereign, and to obey the new King of Westphalia. I am not ashamed of

confessing it, Louisa, I wept on writing to them, and on reading their

reply. There it is. Read it aloud. It will do me good to hear again

these touching words."

The queen unfolded the large letter, to which several official seals

were attached, and read in a tremulous voice:

"Our heart was rent when we read your farewell letter, good king. We

cannot believe even now that we, who always loved you so affectionately,

are to cease being your subjects. As sure as we live, it was neither

your fault, nor ours, that your generals and ministers were too confused

after the defeat of Jena to march the dispersed divisions of the army to

us, and to lead them, united with our whole people, into a struggle

which, with the blessing of God, would have been successful. We would

have willingly risked our lives, for you must not doubt that the blood

of the ancient Cheruscians is still flowing in our veins; that we are

proud of calling Hermann and Wittekind countrymen of ours, and of

knowing that on our soil was that field of battle where our ancestors

defeated their enemies in so decisive a manner that they never fought

again. We also would assuredly have saved the fatherland, for we have,

we believe, marrow in our bones, and remain uncorrupted by modern luxury

and effeminacy. But no one can escape the decrees of Providence. Oh,

farewell, then, our father and king! Heaven grant you more faithful

generals and more sagacious ministers for the remainder of your states!

You are not omniscient, and you were sometimes obliged to follow them

into blind paths. Unfortunately, we must also submit to what cannot be

helped. God help us! We trust our new sovereign will be a father to us,

and honor and respect our language and customs, our faith and rights, as

you always did, dear and beloved king! Health, joy, and peace!"

"And you call us poor and disgraced when such hearts are throbbing for

us," exclaimed the queen, with radiant eyes. "No, we are rich, for our

subjects love us, and even when compelled to part with you, they send

you their love-greetings!"

"But I cannot reward their love; I have no means of showing how my heart

appreciates it," exclaimed the king, mournfully. "Oh, Louisa, I am a

poor, wretched man; my heart is desponding, and even your cheering words

are unable to console it. Wherever I look, whatever plans I form, I see

nowhere a prospect of change for the better. My country is occupied by

hordes of foreign soldiers. My subjects, exposed to the overbearing and

avarice of the French, who think they are sovereign rulers of my states,

are vainly praying to their king to come to their assistance. Their

courage is exhausted; their strength gone; commerce is prostrated;

manufacturers and mechanics are idle; the farmers have no seed-corn, nor

courage to cultivate their fields, for they know that they will be

robbed of the fruits of their labor. Our soldiers walk about with bowed

heads, and scarcely dare to wear their uniforms, for they remind them of

Jena and Auerstadt, of the capitulation of Prenzlau, of the surrender of

so many fortresses, and, like myself, they wish they had been buried on

the battle-field of Jena. Want, misery, and suffering are everywhere,

and I am unable to help! I must still permit the enemy to inundate my

states, although it was expressly stipulated by the treaty of Tilsit

that the French army was to evacuate Prussia in the course of two

months. I must also permit the Emperor Napoleon (though after the

conclusion of peace, and contrary to the treaty) to take New Silesia,

and add her to the kingdom of Warsaw; to transform the two leagues of

the new territory of Dantzic into two German miles, and, without even

asking my consent, to deprive me of my property. But I am determined to

suffer this injustice and humiliation no longer, and to make the last

sacrifice."

"What are you going to do, my husband?" exclaimed the queen, laying her

hand with an anxious gesture on the arm of her husband. "What

sacrifice?"

"Myself!" said the king, gloomily, "for it is I alone who bring

misfortune on my people. A sinister fatality pursues me, and has pursued

me from my earliest youth. Only one star ever rose on my troubled

firmament, and that was you, Louisa. But it will not set, even though I

carry out my purpose. In solitude and sorrow it will still shine

hopefully upon me. My childhood was wretched, and embittered by

long-continued sufferings; while I was crown prince, I had to submit to

the affliction of not possessing the heart of my father, and of being

unable to approve his actions. I was so unfortunate as to be compelled

to begin the first day of my reign with a demonstration against his

course by having the woman arrested whom he had loved so long and

ardently, and to whom the final wishes and thoughts of the dying

sovereign had been devoted. It is his spirit, perhaps, that now brings

all these calamities upon me. But my people shall not suffer; I will

deliver them from the fatal influences attaching them to me, and in

order to conciliate my fate I will voluntarily lay down my crown."

"Never! my husband, never shall you do so," exclaimed the queen in great

excitement. "Never shall my noble and brave king declare that his spirit

is crushed and vanquished. Majesty would thereby render itself guilty of

suicide. For majesty, like life, is a boon sent by Providence, and you

are no more allowed to divest yourself of it arbitrarily than to put a

voluntary end to your life. And, least of all, are you permitted to do

so in times of adversity and danger, for such a course would look like

cowardice with which my king and husband assuredly cannot be charged.

Charles V. and Christina of Sweden were at liberty to abdicate, for when

they did so they were at the acme of their power, and yet they ever

repented of it; they felt that all nations were scornfully exclaiming:

'Behold the faithless, suicidal servant of God! Behold the stigma on

that anointed brow! The crown sanctifies the head that wears it. But

that coward has dishonored himself, and the glory that God gave him.'

Oh, my beloved husband, the nations must never speak in this manner of

you; the annals of history must never report that you deserted your

people when they were oppressed, and that, in order to obtain peace and

safety for yourself, you gave up your country, and cast away your crown.

It is true, fortune is imposing grievous burdens on us; but at such a

time it behooves a true man to meet adversity with a bold front."

"Ah, if I were possessed of your unwavering faith and cheerfulness!"

said the king, profoundly sighing. "But my hope is gone; our misfortunes

have crushed out not my courage but my belief in a better future."

"And yet they were necessary that we might one day obtain real

happiness," said Louisa. "Oh, I begin to perceive distinctly that the

events which have afflicted us will redound to our own welfare.

Providence is evidently introducing a new era, because the old one has

outlived itself. We fell asleep on the laurels of Frederick the Great,

who was the master-spirit of another century; we did not progress with

the times, and they outstripped us."

"There must be many changes, I am satisfied, in our administration,"

said the king, thoughtfully. "The army must be reorganized, and those

who in the hour of danger are cowards must be judged with inexorable

severity. Alas! all this will be in vain; I succeed in accomplishing

nothing; all my measures turn out to my detriment, and to the advantage

of our enemy."

"It is true," said the queen, sighing, "he has much success. Even our

most deliberate plans are fruitless. Though the Russians and Prussians

fight like lions, and are not defeated, they are obliged to evacuate the

field of battle, and the French emperor claims a victory. Nevertheless,

it would be blasphemous to say that God was on his side; he is an

instrument of Providence in order to bury that in which life is extinct,

but which still clings to that destined to live. We may derive lessons

from him, and what he has accomplished ought not to be lost to us. Oh, I

firmly believe in Providence, and a great moral system ruling the world.

I cannot see it, however, in the brutal reign of force, and hence I

believe that these times will be succeeded by more prosperous ones. All

good men hope for them, and the eulogists of the hero of this day must

not mislead us. All that has happened is not the ultimate order of

things; it is a severe yet salutary preparation for a new and better

destiny. We must not delude ourselves, my beloved friend, with the idea

that this is remote; in spite of all obstacles, we must strive to reach

it with strength, courage, and cheerfulness. With the merciful

assistance of Providence, we must continue to battle for our honor and

our rights!"

"Yes, be it so!" exclaimed the king, "God is with me, for He has placed

you at my side; He has given me an angel who fills my heart with that

courage which is based on faith in Him. Oh, forgive my timidity and

despondency; I pledge you my word I will meet the future with a strong

heart. Only remain with me, my dearest Louisa; look at me with your

cheering eyes, and inspire my heart with hope. Whenever I falter, remind

me of this hour in which I vowed to you to struggle to the last."

"Thanks, my king and husband!" exclaimed the queen; "whatever may

happen, let us meet it, united in love, hope, and faith in God!"

"Yes," said the king; "adversity itself is not devoid of exalted

moments, and you, my Louisa, have become dearer to me in these days. I

know now by experience what a treasure you are to me. Let the storm rage

outside, if all is calm within."

"It is my pride and happiness to possess the love of the best of men,"

said the queen; "and though we leave no inheritance to our children, we

shall leave them at least the example of our wedded life; let them learn

from it to be happy in themselves."

"_Madame la Reine est servie_!" shouted a merry voice behind them; and

when the queen turned, she saw her son, Crown-Prince Frederick William,

who approached her with rosy cheeks and laughing eyes. "Pardon me,

dearest parents, for venturing to enter the room without your

permission, but I longed to salute you, and therefore assumed the duty

of the steward, who was about to announce that dinner is ready."

"And I suppose my son found this announcement exceedingly interesting,

and longed just as much for his dinner as for his parents," exclaimed

the queen, smiling and looking with beaming eyes at her favorite son.

"Oh, no, no," said the crown prince, laughing, "I thought first of my

beloved parents, but then--yes, I confess the idea of getting my dinner

is very agreeable, considering that I have been on the ice for several

hours."

"Well, my husband," asked the queen, merrily, "shall we comply with the

wishes of the young epicure? Shall we permit him to conduct us to the

dining-room?"

"Yes, certainly," said the king, offering his arm to his wife. "Lead the

way, M. Steward!" The crown prince assumed a grave air, and, after

bowing to his parents in the reverential manner of a royal steward, he

preceded them with ludicrous strides, and commenced singing in a ringing

voice: "_Immer langsam voran, dass die oesterreichsche landwehr

nachkommen kann_."[36]

[Footnote 36: "Always slowly forward, that the Austrian landwehr may be

able to follow,"--a well-known humorous song, ridiculing the slowness of

the Austrian militia.]

The king laughed more heartily than he had done for many weeks, while

the queen looked lovingly at her son who had performed this miracle.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

A FAMILY DINNER.

In the dining-room was William, the younger prince, who hastened to his

parents, and returned the tender salutation of his beautiful mother by

covering her hand with kisses. There were no guests at the royal table;

the king preferred to dine _en famille_, and for several days the queen

had ordered the ladies and gentlemen of the court to dine by themselves,

and only with the royal family when company was not distasteful to her

husband. The king looked with a smile of content at the small table, on

which he noticed only four covers, and, conducting his wife to her seat,

he said, with a grateful glance, "You have anticipated my most secret

wishes, Louisa; I like, above all, to dine alone with my family. Guests

and strange faces always bring etiquette with them, and that renders our

repasts formal and unpleasant. Thanks, Louisa!"

It was a very frugal meal, hardly suitable to a royal dinner-table.

Frederick William and the queen, however, contentedly partook of the

plain, wholesome food; and, gayly chatting, they did not seem to notice

that the dinner was served up in common china dishes, and that the

plates before them were of the same cheap material. Prince William ate

with the appetite of a healthy little boy; the crown prince, however,

who was twelve years old, did not seem to relish his food. He had

disposed of his soup, although he thought it weak and not well flavored,

supposing the other courses would be more to his taste. But when it was

succeeded by roast meat and cabbage, he made a wry face, and handled his

fork very daintily.

"I suppose you do not like cabbage?" asked the king, who had noticed the

reluctant appetite of the crown prince.

"No, your majesty," said the prince, smiling, "there are dishes that I

like better, although I know it to be a very respectable one, with which

the French just now are made acquainted. I will leave the

_shucrout_[37] to them, and console myself in the mean time with

thinking of two things--of the entremets now, and of my birthday

to-morrow."

[Footnote 37: French pronunciation of sour-crout.]

"I suppose you entertain a good many wishes in regard to your birthday?"

asked the king, putting more cabbage on his own plate. "Tell me, Fred,

what is it you wish?"

"Above all, that my gracious father and my dear mother may continue to

love me," said the crown prince, glancing at the queen, who nodded to

him. "But, besides, I have a few other wishes. In the first place, I

would like to have a nice horse with handsome new saddle and bridle, and

I would like to be allowed to take frequent rides with my parents, but

always at a gallop--at a full gallop!"

"But, Fred, that would be bad for you, considering that you are not yet

a skilful horseman," exclaimed the queen, laughing.

"Well, then," said the prince, gravely, "I wish for another birthday

present, that I may become a skilful horseman without learning, for that

is a very unpleasant and slow affair, as I found it out again to-day,

when, in skating, I wanted to imitate my teacher in describing a circle

on the ice, and only succeeded in falling on my nose!"

"Every thing in the world has to be learned," said the king, "and

although you may at first fall, you learn thereby to stand the firmer

afterward, and to keep your head erect. But have you told us all your

birthday wishes, or are there any more?"

"Oh, there are a great many yet, your majesty," exclaimed the prince,

laughing. "If I could sow all my great and small wishes, like the

dragon's teeth of Cadmus, I would be at the head of a very pretty

regiment of soldiers to-morrow."

"It is strange how many desires young folks have nowadays," said the

king, thoughtfully. "That boy, although he is but twelve years old,

wishes to have a saddle-horse as a birthday present, and in times so

hard as these! When I was as old as you, there were golden times in

Prussia, and yet I did not receive many presents on my birthday.

Sometimes I had to be content with nothing but a small flower-pot, worth

a few shillings, and if my instructor wished to be particularly kind to

me he took me to a public garden, and treated me to one, or, at the

best, two silver groschens' worth of cherries."

"Oh," said the queen, with tearful eyes, "it makes my heart ache when I

think of the cheerless youth of your good and noble father, and of the

sufferings he had to undergo under his harsh instructor."

"It is true, Counsellor Benisch was a rigorous and harsh man," said the

king; "he treated me very roughly, often wreaked his ill-humor upon me,

and thought he ought to rob me entirely of my youthful pleasures. He did

not do so because he was a bad man, but because he believed it to be the

best system of education. And then it produced good fruits. I learned

early to bear disagreeable things, and uncomplainingly to do without

agreeable ones; thus I succeeded in submitting to a great deal that

seemed intolerably burdensome to others. When I was a boy, it was a

holiday for me, for instance, when the entremets at dinner consisted of

omelet, while I see that our Prince Fred is no better satisfied with

that than with the cabbage."

"Your majesty is right; I do not like either," said the crown prince,

"and it was in vain that I consoled myself with the hope that there was

something more to my taste."

"What?" exclaimed the queen, smiling. "You do not like omelet? If you

are a true son of mine, it must become a favorite dish, for when I was

your age, I greatly liked it; and if you will now eat a good plate of

it, I will tell you a story about omelet and salad."

"Oh, mamma, just see, I have liberally supplied my plate; I am,

therefore, entitled to the story," exclaimed the crown prince.

"I will tell the story if the king will permit me," said the queen,

looking at her husband.

"The king requests you to do so," said Frederick William, nodding

pleasantly. "I wish to hear your story, Louisa; you always know new and

very pretty ones; your memory is really a little treasury!"

"It is not a very interesting story, after all," said the queen,

thoughtfully, "except to myself as a youthful reminiscence.--I had gone

with my father and my brother George to Frankfort-on-the-Main to witness

the coronation of the Emperor Leopold. I remember but little of the

festivities, for at that time I was only fourteen years old, and the

pompous ceremonies, together with the deafening shouts of the populace

(who cheered the roast ox, larded with rabbits, no less enthusiastically

than the German emperor), were indescribably tedious to me."

"Dear mamma," exclaimed the crown prince, "possibly the people may have

taken the roast ox for the German emperor."

"Possibly my witty son may be right," said the queen, "and the people

may have rejoiced in so boisterous a manner because they were better

pleased with the roast ox than with the emperor himself. The ceremonies

lasted too long for me, and as all eyes were fixed on the emperor, and

no one paid any attention to the daughter of a younger son of

Mecklenburg, I softly slipped from the gallery of the princes, beckoned

to my sister Frederica, and, followed by our governess, dear Madame

Gelieux, we left the Roemer, and entered our carriage, which made but

slow headway through the dense crowd, but finally conveyed us to a more

quiet street. We intended to do homage to some one else--to pay our

respects to the king of literature. We desired to make a pilgrimage to

the place where the greatest poet of Germany was born, and visit the

dear lady his mother, Mde. Counsellor Goethe.

"Our heart was transported with gladness when the carriage halted in

front of the door, and a handsome face, with dark, brilliant eyes,

appeared at the window, and nodded to us very cordially. We were old

friends and acquaintances, and, therefore, did not beg leave to enter,

but hastened directly into the sitting-room. Madame Goethe met us with a

kind salutation, and made a sign to the servant-girl to remove the table

standing in the middle of the room. But we saw that the dish was still

filled, and that Madame Goethe, after returning from the coronation, was

about to take dinner.

"'Madame Goethe,' we exclaimed, 'if you do not have your dinner

immediately served up, we shall leave at once, and will never believe

again that you are our friend, and that we are your children, as you

always call us. If you will eat, and permit us to be present, we will

remain; but if you persist in receiving us ceremoniously as princesses,

and in having the dinner removed, we must go.' 'Good heavens,' exclaimed

the good lady, in surprise, 'I will comply with the wishes of the little

princesses, and eat if they insist on it. I am only ashamed of my dinner

to-day, for I have permitted the cook to go to the coronation, and she

has not yet returned. The chambermaid, therefore, prepared some food for

me; it is so plain, however, that I cannot invite you to partake of

it.'--'Oh, we do not want to eat, but only to sit with you,' exclaimed

Frederica and I; we then took the arms of the old lady and conducted her

to the table. She sighed, but yielded to our solicitations. We sat down

opposite her, and Madame Gelieux took a seat close to us in the

window-niche. Madame Goethe quickly ate her soup, and rang the bell for

the servant to bring the second course. When she appeared and placed

two dishes on the table, madame became greatly embarrassed. 'That is a

dinner,' she said, 'that ought to be ashamed of showing its mean face in

the presence of two little princesses so beautiful, and dressed in

brocade! Why, it is nothing but an omelet and a salad.' And she then cut

off a small piece of the omelet and put it among the green leaves of the

salad. We looked on, and the dish seemed by far more desirable to us

than the imperial ox. In spite of our brocade dresses, we were not at

all ashamed of having a strong appetite. I looked at my sister

Frederica, and she looked at me, and then both of us looked at the

omelet, and at our governess. Finally, I was unable to resist the

temptation any longer, and said, timidly, 'Madame Goethe, pray let me

also have a little.' 'Ah, yes, dear madame,' said my sister, 'give us

some.'"

The two princesses interrupted the queen's narrative by loud laughter,

and the king himself joined gayly in it.

"That was right, mamma," exclaimed the crown prince. "Your story has

given me an excellent appetite for omelet, and I have eaten all on my

plate."

"That is just what I intended," said the queen, smiling.

"But what is the end of the story?" asked the crown prince. "Did Madame

Goethe give you some? I hope she complied with the request of the Queen

of Prussia."

"I was not yet Queen of Prussia, my son," said Louisa, with a slight

expression of melancholy; "but even queens beg sometimes in vain. Then,

however, I did not. The kind old lady cheerfully consented, and it was

of no avail that Madame Gelieux admonished us not to deprive Madame

Goethe of her dinner, and not to eat at so unusual an hour. We moved our

chairs to the table; Madame Goethe laid two covers for us, and,

notwithstanding the brocade dresses, and the coronation of the emperor,

the two princesses of Mecklenburg commenced partaking of the omelet and

salad with the strong appetite of peasant girls. Madame Goethe looked at

us with a smile; our governess, however, frowningly. But only after

eating all before us did we look up and see the kind countenance of

Madame Goethe, and the angry air of Madame Gelieux. The dish had greatly

increased our courage; instead of being afraid of the governess, we only

looked at the face of the dear old lady, and when she said, 'Now I wish

I had some good dessert for my two little princesses,' I exclaimed

quickly, 'I know something that I would like to have for dessert!'

"'I know it also!' exclaimed sister Frederica, 'we have already been

wishing for it for a whole week.' 'Well, what is it?' asked Madame

Goethe. 'Tell me what you wish, and I pledge you my word your wish shall

be fulfilled, if it is at all in my power.' 'Dear Madame Goethe,' I

exclaimed, imploringly, 'a week ago we saw your servant-girl pumping

water at the well, and we have ever since been longing to pump water

just once!' 'Yes, to pump water just once, but to our heart's content,'

begged sister Frederica. 'You shall do so!' exclaimed Madame Goethe,

laughing merrily, 'come, we will go to the well in the yard; there you

may pump.' 'No, _mesdames_, that is impossible,' exclaimed the

governess, approaching in her dignity, and placing herself with

outspread arms in front of the door, 'never shall I consent to so

unseemly a proceeding.' 'Unseemly!' exclaimed Madame Goethe,

indignantly. 'Why should it be unseemly for the dear little princesses

to move their arms like other children, and to draw up the fresh

spring-water? It is an innocent pleasure, and they shall have it as sure

as I am Goethe's mother. Come, I will conduct you to the well.' And she

walked proudly across the room to the small door opposite. We

accompanied her, and slipped out, Madame Goethe following us. When

Gelieux exclaimed she would never permit us to pump water, and would, if

need be, use force to prevent us from doing so, Madame Goethe shouted

angrily: 'I should like to see the person that would deprive the little

princesses of such a pleasure, which they can enjoy only at my house!'

And just as the governess had reached the door, Madame Goethe closed and

bolted it. And we, naughty children, went to the well and pumped water

until our arms were quite weak and tired. That is my story of the omelet

and salad, and the pumping for dessert," said the queen, concluding her

narrative, and bowing with a sweet smile to her husband.

The king nodded pleasantly to her. "I would I were a painter!" he said;

"I should paint the scene where both of you are sitting at the round

table and eating, while Madame Goethe is looking kindly on, and your

governess with an angry frown. It would be a pretty picture, I should

think."

"And I, although no painter, will draw the other picture," exclaimed the

crown prince; "oh, I see it distinctly before me. A fine old tree in a

large yard; under the tree a well, and the two princesses pumping.

Madame Goethe in her old-fashioned dress, and at the open window of the

side-building the angry face of the governess. Oh, as his majesty says,

it will certainly be a pretty picture, and if my mother will graciously

permit, I shall present it to her as a proof of my gratitude for her

beautiful story."

"Dear, dear mamma," exclaimed Prince William, "if you know another

story about an omelet, pray tell it to us, and I will then also try to

paint the scene for you like Fred."

"See, Louisa, what you have done," said the king, laughing. "They are

anxious to hear your stories, and will, perhaps, become great painters,

if you tell them more about omelets."

"That will unfortunately not happen, my husband," said the queen,

smiling, "for I do not know any other stories. It is true," she added,

musingly, "I remember another omelet that caused me a great deal of

pleasure."

"Where was it, dearest, dearest mamma? Oh, pray tell us," exclaimed the

crown prince.

"Pray tell us, mamma," begged little Prince William; "be so gracious as

to tell us a story for my picture!"

Louisa looked at her husband. The king nodded. "Your last story was so

appetizing," he said, gayly, "that I am quite ready to have another."

"I ate this second omelet during our journey to East Prussia, where the

estates of the province were to take the oath of allegiance. Oh, my

beloved children, that was a splendid journey. The whole world was

spread out before me like a bright summer day; everywhere I heard

nothing but greetings of love. Everywhere addresses and banquets!

festoons, pealing bells, children and young ladies strewing flowers! And

our good people did not receive us in so festive a manner through

compulsion, or in accordance with an old custom, but because their

hearts impelled them; for they had already perceived that the young

king, your noble father, would also be their benefactor; they loved and

worshipped their king, and, in their kindness, transferred part of their

love and veneration to myself. We had already passed through Stargard;

the king had preceded me to Coeslin, and I was following him. At noon I

arrived in a large village at no great distance from Coeslin. All the

peasants and peasant-women came to meet me, dressed in their holiday

attire, and the supervisor of the village, to whose hat a large bouquet

had been fastened, stepped up to the carriage to deliver an address to

me. It contained but a few artless words; the kind-hearted man begged

me, in the name of the people, to do their village the honor to alight,

and partake of some refreshment, for they desired to entertain the

"mother of the country," that the inhabitants of the cities might not

deem this an exclusive privilege. You may imagine that I allowed the

gentleman to conduct me to the farm-house where the entertainment had

been prepared. The cloth was laid on a round table in the small

sitting-room, and a huge omelet lay in a large pewter dish. I laughed,

and, to the great delight of the peasants looking through the open

windows into the room, ate a large piece, while the girls outside sang

with the voices of larks."

"And the omelet constituted the whole entertainment?" asked the crown

prince, laughing.

"Oh, no, my little epicure; there was also a dessert: bread, and fresh

butter wrapped in green leaves, and more fragrant than we ever have it."

"That is a good dessert," exclaimed the prince. "It seems to me the

entertainment was not so bad, and--"

At this moment the door opened. High-Chamberlain von Schiaden entered

and approached the king. "Pardon me, sire, for venturing to disturb

you," he said. "A peasant and a peasant-woman have just arrived. They

ask urgently and imploringly to see your majesty; and, on being told

that you were at dinner, the woman insisted only the more to be at once

admitted to her majesty, for she had brought her something necessary to

a good dinner. I confess, the bearing of these persons is so simple and

kind-hearted that I ventured to disturb you, even at the risk of being

rebuked for it."

"Where do they come from?" asked the king, musingly.

"From the lowlands of the Vistula, near Culm, sire, and it seems to me

they belong to the sect of the Mennonites, for they never take off their

hats, and address everybody with 'thee.'--These patriotic persons have

performed their journey on foot, and say that their eyes have known no

slumber, and their feet no rest, since they left their village in order

to see the king and queen."

"Oh, my husband," exclaimed the queen, "pray do not make them wait any

longer. They come hither to manifest their love for us, and love must

never be kept waiting in the anteroom."

"That is not my intention," said the king, smiling. "We will admit them

at once. Come, Lousia, let us go to your sitting-room, and M. von

Schladen will be so kind as to conduct them thither." He offered his arm

to Louisa, she wrapped herself more closely in the Turkish shawl that

covered her shoulders, and, taking leave of the two princes with a

tender smile, repaired with the king to her own room.

A few minutes afterward the door opened, and M. von Schladen ushered in

Abraham Nickel and his wife. The queen sat on a sofa; and the king,

supporting his hand on the back of it, stood by her side. Both of them

saluted the peasants, who approached slowly, and who, in their simple,

neat costume, with their pleasant, healthy faces, which betrayed no

embarrassment whatever, made a very agreeable impression. The woman

carried on her arm a basket carefully covered with green leaves. The man

held in his right hand a small gray bag, which seemed to be heavy. Both

saluted the royal couple very reverentially--the woman making a deep

courtesy, and the man bowing, without, however, taking off his

broad-brimmed hat.

"I suppose thee to be the king, our good sovereign," said the peasant,

fixing his fine lustrous eyes on the king's countenance.

"I am the king," said Frederick William, kindly.

"And I see by thy beautiful face," exclaimed the woman, pointing with

her hand at Louisa, "thee is the queen, the dear mother of our

country--Louisa, whom all love--for whom we are always praying, and whom

we are teaching our children to love and pray for."

"I thank you, kind folks," exclaimed the queen, feelingly, "I thank you.

Yes, pray for me, and above all, pray for Prussia; pray that she may be

saved and protected, for when Prussia is happy I am."

"Prussia will be happy again, and the Lord will not forsake her!"

exclaimed the woman. "All of us hope for it, and we wandered hither to

bring to our beloved king and queen the greetings of their faithful

subjects in the lowlands of Culm, and to tell their majesties that we

are praying day and night that God may drive the French from the

country, and render our king and queen again powerful. But with your

leave we should like to give you a small proof of our regard in the

presents we have brought."

The king nodded his consent, while the queen smiled and said: "What you

give us with loving hearts we will accept with loving hearts."

"What I have brought is but little," said the woman. "But I have been

told that our gracious queen likes to eat good fresh butter, and that

the young princes and princesses are also fond of sandwiches; now," she

added, removing the leaves from the basket, "this butter is clean and

good; I churned it myself in my dairy, and as the article is so very

scarce at present, I thought it would be acceptable, and the gracious

queen would not spurn my humble gift. Thee looks so kind-hearted and

good, dear queen, and I am glad to see thee face to face, and shall be

doubly so if thee will be so kind as to accept my butter."

"I accept it joyfully," exclaimed the queen, taking the basket which the

woman presented to her. "I thank you for your nice present, my dear

woman, and I myself will put some of it to-day on the sandwiches of my

sons, who shall eat them in honor of good Mde. Nickel."

"And now I should like to beg leave to present a small gift to the

king," said the peasant. "I--"

"Ah, I guess what it is," exclaimed the king, merrily. "You bring me a

fine cheese to be eaten with the fresh butter."

"No, most gracious king. Thy loyal Mennonite subjects in the province of

Prussia have learned with the most profound grief how great the distress

is which God has inflicted upon thee, thy house, and thy states. We have

learned that the funds of thy military chest are entirely

exhausted--that the French have put them into their pockets. All this

affected us most painfully, and we thought thee might sometimes even be

out of pocket-money. All the men, women, and children of our community,

therefore, looked into their saving-Boxes, and contributed joyfully the

mite that is to manifest the love we entertain for our king. And here is

the money we have collected, good king, and I would urgently entreat

thee in the name of our community graciously to accept the trifle

offered thee by thy faithful Mennonite subjects, who will never cease to

love and pray for thee."

"No," exclaimed the king, in a tremulous voice, his face quivering with

profound emotion, "no, I am not poor so long as I have still subjects so

good and loyal as you are!" And he offered his hand with a grateful

look.

The queen had listened to these words with increasing emotion; her

beautiful countenance was beaming with joy; her eyes were lifted to

heaven, and her lips seemed to whisper a prayer of gratitude. When the

king cordially shook hands with the Mennonite, the queen, overcome by

her feelings, burst into tears--tears such as she had not shed for a

long while. She took the costly Turkish shawl from her shoulders and

threw it around the surprised woman.

"Keep it in memory of this interview," whispered the queen, in a voice

choked by tears.

"Thee permits me, kind king, to give thee our little savings, and to

place them on this table?" asked Abraham Nickel.

"I do," said the king. The peasant stepped to the table. After

deliberately untying the string of the gray linen bag, he turned it

upside down, and poured out the contents. The queen uttered an

exclamation of surprise, and the king himself was unable to suppress his

astonishment; for gold-piece after gold-piece rolled from the bag and

fell ringing in a bright pile on the table. "Well, indeed," said the

king, "my people of the Vistula have good things in their saving-boxes."

"There are three thousand louis-d'or, dear king," said Abraham Nickel.

"Unfortunately, this is all, although we ardently desired to make you a

better present."

"Three thousand louis-d'or are too much," replied the king, "and I

cannot accept the sum as a mere gift. Accept my thanks, and rest assured

that I shall ever gratefully remember your kindness. I will, however,

accept it as a present now, but at a later day, when times are more

prosperous, it must be considered as a loan, which I shall repay with

interest. Accept a receipt, my friend, and tell the elders of your

community to preserve it carefully, that I may redeem it."[38]

[Footnote 38: The king did not forget his promise. In 1816, when the

fatherland had been delivered, he requested the authorities of

Mariemverder to give him information about Abraham Nickel. It was

ascertained that the poor man, owing to the calamities of war, had lost

his whole property, his buildings having been burned down by the enemy.

The king had them rebuilt in a much better style than before, gave him

ample means to start again, and redeemed the due-bill he had given to

the Mennonites.--Vide Hippel's work on Frederick William III., vol. iii,

p. 391.]

"The king's will be done," said Nickel. "If times remain as they are

now, thy receipt, dear king, shall be preserved in our community as a

sacred token of thy love. But when affairs are better, then thee may do

as thee pleases, and we will gladly permit our king to fill again the

saving-boxes of his people."

"There will be better times for Prussia," said the king, solemnly, "for

I hope in God and in my countrymen. I hope that we shall have strength

to outlive these evil days, and to be worthy of the prosperity to come.

Prussia is not lost; she cannot be, for her people and her king are

united in lore and fealty, and that is the source of heroic deeds. God

save Prussia!"

"God save Prussia!" exclaimed the queen, raising her tearful eyes and

clasped hands.

"God save Prussia!" whispered the peasant and his wife, bowing their

heads in silent prayer.

BOOK V.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

FRENCH ERFURT.

Erfurt had undergone a great transformation in the course of a single

week. The quiet German fortress, and the gloomy streets and deserted

public places, had become a gay capital. There were constantly seen

crowds of French footmen in rich liveries, high-born gentlemen with

their stars on their breasts, and gaping idlers looking wonderingly at

the change. But what feverish activity and toil had been required to

effect this! Paris--nay, all France, had to contribute their treasures.

Long lines of wagons had conveyed to Erfurt costly furniture, covered

with velvet and gilt ornaments, from the imperial _garde-meubles_ of

Paris, magnificent porcelain from Sèvres, precious gobelins and silks

from Lyons and Rouen, rare wines from Bordeaux, tropic fruits from

Marseilles, and truffles from Périgord. Not only the castle, but also

the prominent private residences, had been decorated in the most

sumptuous style. An army of cooks and kitchen-boys had garrisoned the

basements and kitchens filled with the delicacies brought from the

principal cities of Europe.

France had adorned Erfurt as a bride ready to receive her lord, and the

German princes had come as bridesmen. Nearly every German state had sent

its sovereign or crown prince. There were the Kings of Saxony,

Würtemberg, Bavaria, and Westphalia; the Dukes of Hesse-Darmstadt,

Baden, Weimar, Gotha, Oldenburg, Schwerin, and Strelitz, and more than

twenty of the petty sovereigns in which Germany abounded. For the first

time all seemed to be united, and to have one purpose. This was, to do

homage to the Emperor Napoleon.

He intended to come to Erfurt to meet again the friend he had gained at

Tilsit, the Emperor Alexander. Nearly eighteen months had passed since

the first meeting of the two monarchs. Since that time the morning sky

of their friendship had been overcast. The meeting at Erfurt was to

renew their former relations. Both emperors felt that they could not do

without each other, and they sought this meeting with equal eagerness.

Alexander desired to continue his war against Sweden for the possession

of Finland. Napoleon had not yet been able to bring the great struggle

in Spain to a successful end, and had, therefore, to remain at peace

with the only sovereign whose power and enmity he had still to fear.

Besides, the two emperors loved each other; they had exchanged at Tilsit

ardent vows. The world was aware of this, and could not but regard it as

a matter of course that the imperial friends longed to meet again. The

auspicious period was fixed for the 27th of September, 1808. The

appointed hour had struck; the cannon and the pealing of bells announced

the advent of Napoleon.--All the thoroughfares and public places were

crowded. The people were hastening with wild impetuosity to the streets

through which he was to pass; the members of the municipality, dressed

in their official robes, proceeded to the gate where they were to

welcome him; the windows of all the houses were open; and there appeared

beautiful women, adorned with flowers and gems, awaiting his approach.

The imperial guard formed in line to the soul-stirring notes of their

band, and the Kings of Saxony and Würtemberg, and the whole host of

German princes, had assembled in the large hall of the government palace

to salute the emperor.

A noise as of distant thunder seemed to shake the air; it drew nearer

and nearer. It was the cheering of the people and the soldiers, for the

emperor had now entered the city. The procession moved on, greeted by

the bright eyes of the ladies, and the shouts of the multitude.

Napoleon, wearily leaning back in the open barouche, drawn by six

richly-caparisoned horses, thanked the people with an indifferent wave

of his hand, and saluted the ladies with a scarcely perceptible nod. His

countenance was immovable, and the public excitement was unable to

betray him into the faintest sign of gratification. The noisy welcome

seemed as stale to him as some old song which he had heard too often. As

his carriage made but slow headway through the surging mass, the emperor

started with a movement of impatience. "Forward!" he shouted in a loud

voice, and the adjutants, riding on both sides, repeated to the

outriders, "Forward! forward!" The carriage rolled on at a full gallop,

regardless of the populace, followed by a cavalcade of marshals and

generals, and the coaches of Champagny, Maret, and Talleyrand. Having

arrived in front of the palace, the emperor quickly entered. At the

landing of the staircase he was received by the German princes, headed

by the King of Saxony. Napoleon embraced the old gentleman with an

expression of genuine tenderness. "Sire," said the king, "you see you

have made my heart young again--you have restored the elasticity of

youth to my old body. I hastened hither with courier-horses in order to

greet you first, and in the impatience of my heart I have been at the

window for several hours to have the happiness of seeing your majesty."

"Oh," exclaimed Napoleon, bending a sinister glance on the other

princes, "I would my love could succeed in rendering you as young as

your heart; it would greatly promote the welfare of Germany. You would

regenerate the ancient German empire, and transform it into a real and

lasting union." He cordially shook hands with the king, saluted the

other foreigners with an impatient nod, and walked to his rooms, where

his _valets de chambre_ were awaiting him.

Half an hour afterward Minister Champagny was called into the emperor's

cabinet. When the minister entered, Napoleon was pacing the room; his

hands folded, as usual, behind him. A map, covered with colored pins,

and on which he cast a long, dark look, lay on the table. Champagny

remained in respectful silence at the door, waiting the moment when it

would please the emperor to notice his presence. At length Napoleon

stood facing him. "Champagny," he asked, "do you know why we are here,

and what is the object of this meeting?"

"Your majesty has not done me the honor of making a confidant of me,"

said the minister, respectfully; "hence, I do not know, but merely

venture to surmise, what may be the object."

"And what do you surmise?"

"I suppose that your majesty intends to give a fresh impetus to the

friendship of the Emperor Alexander, and to conclude a firm alliance

with him in order to be sure of him, and to be able to carry on the war

in Spain without hinderance, and, if need be, if--"

"Well, why do you hesitate?" said Napoleon, impatiently.

"If need be," added Champagny, "to declare war against Austria."

"Then you really believe in the possibility of such a war?" he said.

"Yes, you are right; we must not suffer ourselves to be deceived by

apparent humility and equivocal friends; they have a smile on their

lips, but at heart they are as hostile as ever, and while with their

right hand they greet us, they are arming with their left. But woe to

those scoundrels if I catch them at their tricks! I will so punish them

as to shatter their thrones and crush their power. Those men who style

themselves 'princes by the grace of God' have never learned any thing

and never will. They close their ears with arrogance against the events

that unerringly speak to them, and they are still lulled to sleep by the

nursery-song of 'unapproachable majesty.' But I will arouse them by my

cannon, and my armies shall sing them a song of the new majesty that

Heaven has sent into the world. It has overtoppled the thrones of Naples

and Spain; so it will that of Austria, if such be my desire! Austria

must not persist in her insolence, and dare to menace me!"

Frowning, he commenced again rapidly walking the apartment. "Champagny,"

he said, stopping in the middle of the room, "come here close to me,

that even the walls will not hear what I tell you. You shall learn the

object of our journey to Erfurt, and I will inform you what you are to

do. I have hitherto treated you in the same manner as the admirals to

whom I give dispatches to be opened only on the high seas. You have now

reached them, Champagny, and shall, therefore, learn your orders. I have

taken you with me because you are to assist in accomplishing an

important object. I have selected you, and you alone, for I know that I

may confide in your discretion, and that you will not betray any secret

intrusted to you. Not a word of what you hear now must ever pass your

lips--not a hint even to Talleyrand. Talleyrand is a sneak and a

traitor, who would like to be on good terms with all parties, so as to

be sure of their support whatever may happen. Oh, I know him; I have

fathomed him, and can read the thoughts which he takes the greatest

pains to conceal. I know that I ought to distrust him--that he is

intriguing with Austria; and that, if I suffered him to share in our

scheme, he would betray the secrets of my cabinet to the Austrian

ambassador. I profit by his services whenever he is useful by his

intrigue and diplomatic jugglery; but, I repeat it, I do not trust him."

"Sire, I swear that I should deem myself dishonored if my lips ever

betray a syllable of the secret projects of my emperor!" exclaimed the

minister, solemnly.

"Well, well, I trust you," said Napoleon, nodding to him. "Now, listen!"

He took the minister by one of the golden buttons of his velvet coat and

drew him closer to his side. "I have brought about this meeting because

I desire to dupe the Emperor Alexander."

Champagny started and looked surprised. Napoleon smiled. "I shall

accomplish my purpose so far as Alexander himself is concerned," he

said; "but you must do the same with regard to the Russian minister,

hard-headed old Romanzoff. And let me tell you why. You know what I

promised Alexander at Tilsit, and by what means I succeeded in

winning his heart. He is an idealist; the plans of his grandmother

Catharine are constantly haunting him, and his thoughts are fixed on

Turkey--particularly on Constantinople. He is ambitious, fickle, and

visionary. I promised to realize his visions, and thereby gained his

confidence. I promised when the time came, not only not to oppose his

plans against Turkey, but to support them to the best of my power. In

consideration of this promise, he approved my ideas with regard to

Spain, and solemnly pledged me his word that he would raise no objection

if I hurl the Bourbons from the Spanish throne, and place one of my

brothers on it. He has kept his word, for, although the crown is still

uneasy on the head of my brother Joseph, yet he is a king, and Alexander

will believe that it is time for me to keep my word. His envoys, and his

confidential minister, old Romanzoff, have already urged the demands of

their master. Joseph having made his entry into Madrid, Alexander

desires to enter Constantinople. His impatience has risen to the highest

point, and to calm and conciliate him, I consented to his desire for a

meeting. He will renew his demands concerning Constantinople, and I

shall once more promise."

"Will your majesty promise him Constantinople?" asked Champagny.

"Yes," said Napoleon, smiling, "promise! But I do not intend to perform.

Never will I consent to give Constantinople to the Emperor of Russia,

for I would thereby surrender the key of a universal monarchy into his

hands--he would be at once master of Europe and Asia. He often

instructed Caulaincourt to assure me he did not want the whole of

Turkey; he did not claim any territory south of the Balkan, nor any part

of Roumelia--not even Adrianople--only Constantinople with its

neighborhood. He calls it the 'Cat's Tongue,' from its shape, and is

more anxious to obtain it than the ancient Romans ever were to indulge

in the delicacy of the tongues of nightingales. But if Russia possessed

this cat's tongue, it would be transformed into a wolf's, armed with

formidable teeth against all commerce and national intercourse. Never

shall I permit Russia to annex Constantinople, for that would be

destroying the equilibrium of Europe."

"But, sire, you yourself said just now that the Emperor Alexander was

most anxious to seize that city, and that the object of his journey to

Erfurt was principally to obtain the consent of your majesty to its

conquest."

"And I told you also that my object was to dupe and intoxicate him

gradually by delusive friendship and promises, by festivities and false

homage, until it is indifferent to him whether, as a compensation for

the acquisition of Spain by my brother, I give him Constantinople and

the Balkan, or something else, provided it is palatable. He has an awful

appetite for territory, and it is important to satisfy it in one way or

another. It is easy to persuade a hungry man that a very common dish is

good roast meat. It is our business, therefore, to suggest to the

emperor and his minister another conquest instead of Constantinople, and

so to dress up the idea that they may relish it, and ask for nothing

else."

"Ah, sire," exclaimed Champagny, sighing, "it will be easy for your

majesty to fascinate the emperor. But my efforts with his old minister

Romanzoff are likely to be utterly unavailing. I am not well versed in

that art of which you are a master, and he is too old and shrewd to be

fascinated by any one. He is not easily deluded, and his eyes are

steadfastly fixed on Constantinople. It is his most fervent hope to be

hailed in heaven by Peter the Great, after assisting Alexander in

accomplishing the will of his illustrious ancestor."

"And yet we must succeed," exclaimed Napoleon, stamping on the floor. "I

tell you, Champagny, I will and must succeed! No objections! I told you

that I have made up my mind, and nothing can shake my determination. You

will commence by encouraging Romanzoff in his hopes, and throw out only,

now and then, a vague hint that there are countries, the annexation of

which would be more important and advantageous to Russia. After having

prepared his mind in this manner for our plan, you will gradually, and

as soon as I have gained over the emperor, point out to him the conquest

which Russia ought previously to make, and prove to him that Moldavia

and Wallachia would be the very best territorial aggrandizement which he

could desire."

"Your majesty intends, then, to permit the Emperor of Russia to annex

Moldavia and Wallachia?" asked the minister.

"Yes. I must satisfy him with some compensation for Constantinople. And,

it seems to me, the fertile provinces of the Danube, if I grant them to

him immediately and unreservedly, are an acquisition which ought to

content any ambition. I cannot do without the friendship of Alexander at

this moment. Spain is in a state of insurrection, and, owing to

Joseph's timidity, will not be soon reduced to submission. Austria is

trying to get up a quarrel with us; she is secretly and perfidiously

preparing for an attack, and is only waiting for fresh defeats of my

army in Spain to declare war against me. Prussia, it is true, is not

able to injure me, for I am keeping her under my heel; but if I were

compelled to withdraw my foot for an instant, she would slip away and

unite with my enemies. Nor do I trust my other allies in Germany. They

are faithful and devoted only so long as they are afraid of me; they

would forsake me as soon as they see my position endangered. They

submitted reluctantly to my orders to furnish me with auxiliaries for my

army in Spain. If I were to insist on another levy, all these petty

princes of the Confederation of the Rhine would flatly refuse, provided

there was a prospect of their succeeding in their opposition. I must

keep them down by the terror with which I inspire them. I must prove to

all those revolutionary elements fermenting in Germany--to insurgents,

from the throne to the cottage--to all those miserable conspirators and

demagogues--that I stand as firm as a rock, from which their fury will

recoil. United with Russia, I will make all Europe tremble. The echoes

of the festivities of Erfurt shall penetrate everywhere, from London to

Constantinople; the whole world looks upon us and sees the Emperors of

Russia and France side by side. Amid these enchantments I believe I

shall succeed in persuading my friend Alexander to accept temporarily

Moldavia and Wallachia as a sufficient indemnity for Constantinople. You

know your duty now, Champagny; lay your mines skilfully, and you will

succeed in blowing up the old granite fortress of Romanzoff."

"Sire, I assure you I will assist you to the best of my ability," said

the minister. "Your majesty, however, will permit me to ask a question.

The promise of the annexation of Moldavia and Wallachia is not to be a

mere sham, and your majesty will really permit Russia to seize these two

provinces?"

Napoleon smiled, and, violently pulling the minister's ear in his usual

jocular way, said, "What a rash and indiscreet question! Of course, we

shall promise the annexation. When it is to be fulfilled we must delay

it as long as possible, and the rest will depend on events. In order

that I may know exactly how far you have progressed with Romanzoff, you

will write down your conversations with him every day, and also your

plans, hopes, and fears; I desire to have every night a letter from you

on the table at my bedside. Adieu!" He nodded pleasantly, and while

Champagny withdrew, the emperor called in a loud voice for Constant, his

_valet de chambre_.

"Did you send for Talma?" he asked Constant.

"Sire, Talma is waiting for your majesty's orders in the anteroom."

"Very well, let him come in. Have the horses brought to the door. All

the marshals and my whole suite must be ready. We set out immediately to

meet the Emperor Alexander, but I will previously put on my decoration

of St. Andrew's order; then my toilet will be complete.--Talma!"

Constant hastened into the anteroom to inform Talma that the emperor

wished to see him, and a moment afterward the great actor made his

appearance. "Ah, you have arrived, then, Talma," exclaimed Napoleon,

gayly, "and I hope you have brought with you the most select company of

actors, the finest costumes, and the best pieces?"

"I have brought hither, sire, the actors and the theatre of the

conqueror of the world," said Talma, "and that says every thing. The

eyes of your majesty will be on us; that is all that is needed to

inspire us."

"But you will also play before an audience such as perhaps will never

again assemble," said Napoleon, smiling. "You will have it occupied by

kings and sovereign princes."

"Sire," said Talma, bowing deeply, "where your majesty is, there is but

one king and master."

"No; there is another king, and his name is Talma," exclaimed Napoleon,

smiling. "These German princes may take a lesson from Talma as to the

manner in which a king should bear himself in prosperity as well as in

adversity. You will, therefore, perform Oedipus, Cinna, Mohammed, and

Andromache, that kings may see how true monarchs ought to behave. I

could have wished, however, that you had prepared not only the tragedies

of Racine, Corneille, and Voltaire, but also some of the comedies of

Molière. You know how highly I esteem them. But the Germans would not

understand them. We must show them the beauty and sublimity of our

tragic theatre; they will appreciate it better than the profound wit of

Molière. Make it indispensable for the actors, and very particularly the

actresses, to speak as distinctly and loudly as possible, that the

Emperor Alexander, who is somewhat hard of hearing, may understand. You

are the representatives of the honor of French literature; just say so

to the artists in my name, and order the ladies especially to refrain

from their wonted ogling and coquetry. Handsome Mademoiselle Bourgoin

likes also to make conquests, not only on the stage, but among the

spectators; and, while she is playing tragic _amoureuses_, she casts on

the audience glances that are more suitable to a beauty of the Palais

Royal than to a heroine, and which contrast strangely with the chaste

characters she represents. Tell her that I desire her to abstain from

such follies; she must not desecrate the buskin by the _minauderies_ of

a _soubrette_.[1] For the rest, I rely entirely on you, Talma. The eyes

of Europe are fixed on Erfurt at this moment, and your immortality is

sure."

[Foonote: Alexander fell in love with this actress at Erfurt. Napoleon

tried to prevent Mademoiselle Bourgoin from continuing this _liaison_,

but the actress was bold enough to defy the wrath of the emperor.]

"Sire, it was so on the day when, after the representation of Cinna,

your majesty told me that you were satisfied with me."

"And perform Cinna to-night. I enjoy the pleasure already in

anticipation. I ask another question. Did you bring the parts for

Voltaire's 'Death of Cæsar?'"

"For the 'Death of Cæsar?'" asked Talma, in surprise. "Your majesty--"

"Ah, you want to tell me that the piece is prohibited in Paris,"

exclaimed Napoleon, smiling. "But Paris is a Vesuvius--what is

inflammatory in France is perfectly harmless in phlegmatic Germany. Let

the actors prepare for performing the 'Death of Cæsar;' I will order it

to be played in a few days. Tell them so.--Well, Constant, what is the

matter?"

"Sire, your majesty desired to put on the large Russian decoration."

"Ah, it is true," said Napoleon; "come, put it on." And while Constant

put the broad _cordon_ with the diamond star over the emperor's

shoulders, and arranged it on his breast, Napoleon turned once more to

Talma. "You see," he said, "we monarchs pursue the same course you do.

We put on different costumes according to the part we play. I wore a fez

in Egypt, and to-day I put on the imperial star of Russia."

"But, sire, everywhere you play your part with masterly skill, and the

world, which is your audience, applauds your majesty," exclaimed Talma.

"Oh, it would not be safe to hiss me," said Napoleon, putting on his

gloves, and taking the riding-whip which Constant handed to him.

Accompanied by a brilliant suite, the emperor left Erfurt, and took the

road to Weimar, whence the Emperor Alexander was to come. French troops

lined the way, and behind them was a vast and motley crowd of peasants,

who had come from all parts to witness the cavalcade. Napoleon did not

hear the enthusiastic shouts of the soldiers, but he noticed the silence

of the people, who stared at him with the curiosity with which they

would have stared at any other unusual spectacle. He bent his head and

rode on, absorbed in reflection; the bridle hung loose in his hand, but

his white charger was accustomed to this carelessness, and galloped

forward, proud of his melancholy rider.

Duroc rode up. "Sire," he said, "I believe that is the Emperor

Alexander."

Napoleon quickly raised his head, and turned his keen eyes in the

direction the grand marshal had pointed out. An open barouche, in which

a single person sat, was approaching, accompanied by a few horsemen.

Napoleon waited. The carriage drew nearer, and the person seated in it

was recognized by his uniform and the _grand cordon_ of the Legion of

Honor.

"It is he--the Emperor Alexander!" exclaimed Napoleon, and rode forward

at a gallop, followed by his marshals and generals. The carriage of the

Russian emperor also moved more rapidly, and when both were near each

other they suddenly halted. Napoleon dismounted; and Alexander, not

waiting for the carriage door to be opened, jumped over it. The two

monarchs rushed toward each other with open arms, and the soldiers made

the welkin ring with "Long live Napoleon! Long live Alexander!"

Napoleon, disengaging himself from the arms of his friend, saluted the

Grand-duke Constantine. A horse was brought to the Emperor Alexander,

and as he was about to mount he looked in surprise at the splendid

animal, as well as at its equipment. "Why," he said, "this looks exactly

as though I were going to take a ride on my favorite charger in St.

Petersburg. It is precisely of similar color and trappings."

"That proves that the drawings which Caulaincourt sent me were pretty

correct," said Napoleon, smiling.

"Ah, then it is another attention of yours," exclaimed Alexander,

affectionately pressing the hand of his friend. "Your majesty is bent on

infatuating me. I feel perfectly at home on this horse."

"Ah, that is exactly what I wished," said Napoleon; "I sincerely desired

that your majesty should feel at home while with me. Well, if it please

you, let us ride to Erfurt."

"Very well," said Alexander, vaulting gracefully into the saddle, and

offering his hand to Napoleon, on whose right he was riding. The

emperors, chatting gayly, rode on to Erfurt. Behind them was the

Grand-duke Constantine, between King Jerome of Westphalia, and Murat,

Grand-duke of Berg. Then followed the suite of the marshals and

generals, and the procession was closed by the carriage of old

Romanzoff, Alexander's minister of state. Enthusiastic cheers resounded

along the whole road, and now Napoleon, with a serene bow, saluted the

multitude. Amid the peals of bells, the booming of cannon, and the

cheers of the soldiers and the populace, the two emperors made their

entry, halting in front of the hotel. Napoleon alighted first to welcome

his guest, and conduct him to the rooms prepared for his reception.

Late on the same day Napoleon received a letter from his Minister

Champagny. It contained only the following words: "Sire, I have held the

first conference with Romanzoff. It will be very difficult to persuade

this stubborn man that a piece of meat on the Danube is as good as the

cat's tongue, for which the old gentleman is as clamorous as a hungry

child for its dinner."

Napoleon took a pen and affixed the following words: "I have also held

the first conference with the Emperor Alexander. There will be no change

in my plans. Moldavia and Wallachia as an indemnity for the 'cat's

tongue!' We must succeed!" He then folded and sealed the letter, which

he immediately sent back to his minister.

CHAPTER XL.

THE CONSPIRATORS.

While the illumination, with which the good people of the French city

had celebrated the arrival of the two emperors, was in full blaze on the

principal thoroughfares, only a single dim light was to be seen in a

small building situated on the corner of one of the more quiet streets.

The other windows of this house were dark, and all was silent as though

no living beings were dwelling in it. From time to time, a

closely-veiled man appeared in the neighborhood, and, after glancing at

the light in the upper window, uttered a strange cry. A second light

was soon moving to and fro, and disappearing again. The man approached

and knocked repeatedly at the door, which opened and admitted him.

Twelve men had entered. The light was extinguished; the door bolted on

the inside, and profound silence reigned in the building.

The French police had devoted their whole attention to the principal

streets of the city, and to the vast crowds that followed the emperors,

who, accompanied by kings and princes, proceeded to admire the

illumination. There were no eyes for this small, dark house in an

obscure alley--no ears to listen to what was going on within. The twelve

men who had entered in so mysterious a manner, had assembled in a large

back room. They had whispered the password into the ear of the

door-keeper, and were at once admitted.

The windows of this room were covered with heavy black curtains, which

prevented sound, as well as light, from penetrating to the outside.

Thirteen candlesticks were fixed at equal distances in the plain white

walls. The man who had entered first approached the first candlestick

and lighted the two tapers. He who came next did the same with the next

candlestick, and the others followed their example. At this moment the

tapers on twelve candlesticks wore burning; and only the thirteenth,

which contained six tapers, had not yet been lighted. Around the long

table standing in the middle of the room, twelve grave and silent men

were sitting on cane-chairs, the high backs of which were carved in a

peculiar, old-fashioned style; these men were closely wrapped in black

cloaks, the capes of which concealed their heads, and their faces were

covered with black half-masks, which they had put on immediately after

entering the house. At the upper end of the table stood a black

easy-chair, which was alone unoccupied. The flashing eyes peering from

the capes were directed to this chair; no word was spoken; a breath was

almost audible in the motionless assembly. Suddenly a narrow, secret

door opened in the opposite wall, and a tall man, dressed and veiled

like the others, made his appearance.

The assembly remained as before, and seemed to take no notice of the

new-comer. The latter quickly walked to the thirteenth candlestick, and

lighted its tapers. The others immediately rose from their seats and

bowed deeply. "The president!" they murmured. "We greet him who has

called us--we greet the president!" He nodded, and then went to the

upper end of the table. Before sitting down, he opened a little the

black cloak enveloping his whole form, and the others beheld a heavy

silver chain adorning his breast, and to which was fastened a locket,

decorated with diamonds. In the middle of it a skull was to be seen, and

under it the inscription of "Liberty or Death!" As soon as the rest

beheld this, they also opened their cloaks. Each of them wore a similar

chain, locket, and inscription.

"Resume your seats, brethren," said the president, sitting down in the

easy-chair. He then said in a loud, solemn voice, "The hour has come for

us to act. Germany has called us, and, as obedient sons, we come!

Germany, our beloved mother, is here in our midst, although we do not

see her. She stands with veiled head and tearful eyes before her

children, and asks us to give her an account of what we have done and

accomplished. Brethren, are we ready?"

"We are!" all exclaimed, simultaneously.

"When we parted three months ago, my brethren," added the president, "we

resolved to meet here to-day. I see that all have remained faithful to

their oath. Not one is absent. No taper is unlit--the seats are

occupied. Germania, that knows who are hers, and how to call them by

their names, although they veil their heads,--Germania thanks you for

your fidelity. She awaits our report. Let us speak! He who arrived first

will commence."

One at the lower end of the table rose and bowed respectfully. "I

arrived first," he said.

"You have the floor, then, my brother," said the president.

"Make your report. Where have you been? What connections did you

establish? What hopes do you bring?"

"I was in Northern Germany," he replied; "for that was the order which I

drew from the urn when we met here three months ago. In the envelope

which I received, I found a paper containing the words: 'Ferdinand von

Schill at Kolberg.' The first lines of a song were affixed to this

address. I repaired immediately to Kolberg, and found Major von Schill

engaged in equipping and drilling the second regiment of Brandenburg

hussars, of which the king has appointed him commander. The regiment

consists of the four brave companies of cavalry with which Lieutenant

von Schill undertook his bold and successful raids."

"And did you deliver your credentials to the major, my brother?"

"I did. He received me with a joyful salutation, and sends his greeting

and fraternal kiss to the 'patriots.' He said to me: 'We pursue with

zeal and courage the purpose which we have sworn to accomplish. Go to

the brethren--tell them that they may count on me and my men, and on

the people, who are gradually being inspired with the true spirit, and

who will rise when the alarm is sounded. When the time comes, the whole

of Germany will rise to a man, break her chains, and expel the tyrant.

Let us prepare for this hour, in the North and South, in the East and

West, that the whole country may be armed at the first battle-cry of

freedom! Let us work and toil, keeping each other well informed of our

progress. We must all act on one and the same day!'"

"Did you hear the words and greetings of brave Schill, brethren?" asked

the president.

"We heard, and engraved them on our heart."

"It is now the turn of the brother who arrived next," said the

president. "Make your report."

"Soul-stirring hopes! and I wish you joy of our prospects," said he who

had now risen. "At our last meeting I drew from the urn the order to go

to Berlin and Königsberg. I was there! Oh, brethren, the days of freedom

are near! In Berlin, I was introduced by one of our friends to a circle

of patriots, who, like us, have formed a secret society for the purpose

of promoting the welfare of the fatherland, and of ushering in the day

of freedom. Those patriots are in communication with men sharing their

sentiments throughout the whole of Northern Germany; committees are

organized everywhere to instruct the people, to disseminate patriotic

views, and to gain adherents to the great league of the defenders of the

fatherland. Secret depots of arms are being established in every city.

The central committee, sitting in Berlin, have taken upon themselves the

task of watching the French troops, their numbers, location, and

strength; of ascertaining the disposition of the people in the

provinces, and of transmitting the results of their observations to the

branches of their league, as well as to the other patriotic societies.

Henceforth we shall also receive those reports, if one of our brethren

will call for them in Berlin.

"Thence, well provided with recommendations by the committee, I repaired

to Königsberg. From what I saw there I derived much consolation and hope

for the future of the country. The spirit of freedom is fermenting, and

high-minded men have erected at Königsberg an altar on which they intend

to kindle the sacred fire, that it may melt our chains. The name of this

altar is the 'Tugendbund.'[39] Noble and illustrious men are at the head

of this league; a prince is its president; Stein, the great minister, is

its protector; brave General Blücher, Gneisenau, the distinguished

officer--in short, the most eminent and popular men of Prussia are

members. King Frederick William has approved its by-laws; Queen Louisa

is enthusiastically in favor of its patriotic efforts. It does not

intend to enter upon a violent struggle, but will prepare the people by

its words and example for better days. It intends to increase the moral

energy of the nation, that it may also rise in its physical strength,

and be able to cope with the invaders. This league, my brethren,

purposes to propagate patriotism, courage, attachment to the sovereign

and the constitution, love of virtue, art, science, and literature. It

intends to cultivate the minds and hearts of the people, that they may

shrink from no sacrifice for the welfare of the country. My brethren,

the 'Tugendbund' is the head and heart of us all; we shall one day be

its arm and sword, and translate its teachings into heroic deeds. It

sends its greetings to the brethren, admonishing us never to cease

working and toiling, and to maintain a close connection with it, as well

as with all our friends, until the great day of deliverance dawns upon

us. But I do not bring greetings from that league alone. I have seen

also the 'Knights of Louisa,'[40] and received their fraternal kiss.

Brave Major von Nostitz, formerly an intimate friend and adjutant of

Prince Louis Ferdinand, is their president, and the noble queen has

permitted them the use of her name as a token of her sympathy. As a

further expression of her approval, she has presented the president with

a silver chain, and all the members of the order wear, as their regalia,

a silver chain and a locket with the queen's portrait. The 'Tugendbund'

and the 'Knights of Louisa' send greetings to the brethren, and will

unite with them in struggling for the same holy cause. They await our

messengers, and will inform us of every thing that is done by them, as

well as receive information from us concerning our own efforts."

[Footnote 39: The celebrated "League of Virtue."] [Footnote 40: Die

Louisenritter.]

"Your report is highly gratifying," said the president, after a pause.

"Deliverance will soon come, and true Germans will be prepared for it.

We will now listen to the third brother."

"I was in Westphalia, and bring cheering tidings to the patriotic

brethren," said the third brother. "The chains are still clanking in

unfortunate Westphalia, but the men are as undaunted as ever. Noble

Chevalier von Dörnberg sends his greeting. He admonishes us to toil, and

to be prepared. We shall have ready our swords and our strong arms.

Thousands of noble and faithful Hessians belong to this league. The

honest minds of the people cannot see what right the Corsican emperor

had to expel their legitimate ruler, and to place an Italian clown on

his throne. Intense indignation at the foreign yoke is prevailing

throughout Hessia and Westphalia, and every patriot rallies around

Dörnberg waiting for the signal to expel the oppressor. United with us,

Dörnberg sends his messengers and receives ours."

"Let the fourth brother make his report," said the president.

"I come from Bavaria, and bring greetings from the society of

'Concordists,' founded by Chevalier von Lang. This society is straining

every nerve to bring about the liberation of the country; it is, like

our league, preparing the people for their freedom. It is ready to enter

into relationship with us."

"And what brings the fifth of the brethren?"

"I bring fraternal kisses from the Rhine, where Jahn, the bold German,

is organizing the legion of the 'Black Knights.' I bring also greetings

from the chivalrous Duke of Brunswick. The 'Corps of Vengeance,' with

skulls on their black helmets, are rallying around the prince, who, with

fiery zeal, is preparing for the day when he will avenge the despair and

death of his father. The 'Black Knights' and the 'Corps of Vengeance'

send us greetings, and are ready to toil with us for the deliverance of

our country, and the overthrow of the tyrant."

The president requested the sixth brother to take the floor, and he too

stated that he had established connections with leagues having the same

common object. The other six made similar statements. Everywhere in

Germany they had found patriots, the same hatred of a foreign yoke, and

the most ardent longing for freedom.

When the twelfth brother had concluded his report, the president arose.

"Brethren," he said, encouragingly, "our night begins to brighten--the

day is breaking. Let us, therefore, be vigilant, active, and undaunted.

Gather around you the circles of the faithful; initiate and arm them;

teach them to be ready for the battle-cry, that they may rise and fight,

all for one, and one for all. Set out again on your travels; establish

new societies, and join, in a genuine spirit of brotherly love, such as

are already in operation. Work for the honor and liberty of Germany.

Thousands already belong to us, and you will still enlist thousands

more; that, when the trumpet sounds, the brethren may reënforce the army

of German liberty, not with a battalion, but with legions of warriors.

We have come hither to-day from all parts of Germany; we know not each

other's names, nor have we ever seen each other's faces; yet no one has

proved recreant. Go, then, again into the world, and pursue your sacred

mission. Three months hence we will again meet at this house at the same

hour, and confer as to what ought to be done. Bring the urn, and draw

your duties for the next three months."

The man who had last arrived rose and walked to the opposite wall, at

which the president pointed, as he said, "Press the golden button which

you see fixed in the wall."

The conspirator obeyed, and immediately a small door opened, revealing a

black urn, which he handed to the president, who said, "Come hither,

brethren, and draw your lots."

The twelve men rose successively and stepped to the urn, from which each

drew a small folded paper, and, approaching the light, immediately

learned his mission by opening the lot; as soon as he had read its

contents, he burned it, extinguished his tapers, and withdrew, without

word, glance, or gesture. Nine had already left. Only four candlesticks

remained lighted--three of the conspirators, besides the president, were

still in the room. Each of these three men stood near the burning

tapers, and looked in grave silence at the open paper in his hand.

"Why are you here still, brethren?" asked the president.

"My order says that I am to remain here," answered the man to whom the

president addressed himself.

"My order says the same," exclaimed the second brother.

"Mine is the same," said the third.

"Come hither and listen to me, brethren," commanded the president. "What

is the motto of our league?"

"'Liberty or death!'" exclaimed the three men, simultaneously. "Our

fortunes, our lives, our blood, for Germany! If need be, death for the

attainment of liberty, whether it be on the field of battle, in a

dungeon, or on the scaffold!"

"Or on the scaffold!" echoed the president. "Do you remember, brethren,

that, when we met for the first time, I told you Germany might stand in

need of a Mutius Scaevola, and require him to assassinate Porsenna? Do

you remember that we all swore, if the day should come to imitate that

ancient patriot?"

"We do."

"That day has come," said the president, solemnly. "Germany requires a

Mutius Scaevola, to kill Porsenna, and, if he should miss him, to suffer

as stoically as the Roman youth. Enough German blood has been shed.

Thousands of our brethren would still have to die, if we meet the tyrant

in open combat. We must do this, if we cannot get rid of him in any

other way. But before resorting to it, before permitting Germany to be

again devastated by revolution and war, we will try another way, the

course pursued by the Roman. When the tyrant is dead, Germany will be

free and happy, and the exultation of his countrymen will console the

conscience of him whom the world will call an assassin."

"That is true," said the three conspirators.

"Yes," responded the president. "There are four of us here. Two shall

avenge Germany. It is necessary that two should undertake the task, for

if one should be unsuccessful, the other may not."

"But there are only three of us here," said one of the disguised men.

"No," replied the president, "there are four; I am the fourth. You must

not prevent me from participating in a deed requiring intrepid courage,

and which cannot but involve incalculable dangers. I insist on taking

part in it."

"But the league stands in need of your services. What would become of us

if you should draw the lot, and, in carrying out the plan, fail and be

arrested?"

"In that case, brethren, you will announce on the day of the next

meeting, when the chair remains unoccupied, that the president has died

in the cause, and you will elect another chief. But, a truce to further

objections! Let us draw lots. Here are two white and two black balls

which I put into the urn. Those who draw the black balls will leave

together, and jointly concert a plan for the death of the tyrant. The

blow must be struck in the course of a week, while he is still in this

city."

"It must be," echoed the three, in solemn tones.

"But let us swear not to attempt any life but his--that no innocent

blood be shed--that the dagger or the pistol be aimed at him alone. Let

us swear not to undertake any thing that might endanger others!"

"We do so swear, for to destroy any but the tyrant would be murder. Now

let us extinguish all the lights save one, and simultaneously draw a

ball from the urn."

"Lift up your hands and let us see the balls!" said the president. There

was a white ball in his own hand. "It was not God's will. He did not

choose me," he said, with a sigh.

"He has chosen us," said the two who held black balls. They grasped each

other's hands, and their eyes seemed to read each other's thoughts. He

who had drawn the other white ball inclined his head and left the room.

"We go together; our ways do not separate," said the two who had drawn

the black balls, and walked arm in arm toward the door.

The president gazed after them until they had disappeared. Extinguishing

the last taper, he groped cautiously along until he reached the door,

and stepping out into a corridor, hastened across it to the landing of a

staircase, at the foot of which a small dim lamp was burning. Before

descending, he took off the mask that had covered his face, and the

cloak in which he had been wrapped, and, rolling them into a bundle, he

concealed it in a drawer fixed under the first step of the staircase,

and which was visible only to initiated eyes. In the flickering light of

the lamp the beholder might have discerned his tall, slender form, and

youthful countenance, whose manly expression contrasted with his long

golden hair. He hastened down-stairs, and crossed the hall into the

street. The noise had ceased, and nearly all the lights had burnt out.

As he turned a corner rapidly, he was attracted by a transparency. The

inscription, in large letters on a crimson ground, read: "_Gäb's jetzt

noch einen Göttersohn, so wäre es Napoleon_!"[41]

[Footnote 41: "If there were now a son of the gods, he would be

Napoleon."]

A flash of anger burst from the youth's eyes, and he raised his clinched

fist menacingly. "You miserable dogs," he said, in a low voice, "when

the true Germans come, you will hide yourselves in the dust!" He walked

rapidly until he reached a small house at the lower end of the street,

and softly entering, glided across the hall, cautiously ascended the

staircase, halted in front of a door up-stairs, and gently rapped. It

opened immediately, and a young woman of surpassing beauty appeared on

the threshold. "Oh, Frederick, is it really you?" she whispered,

embracing him. "You are mine again, beloved Frederick! You did not draw

the fatal lot! Heaven refused the sacrifice which you were ready to

make."

"It is so, Anna," said the young man. "But why do you weep, dearest? You

were formerly so courageous, and approved my determination to engage in

that desperate enterprise!"

She clasped her hands, lifting her large black eyes to heaven. "Abraham

was ready to sacrifice his son," she said, "but when his offering was

not accepted, he was thankful. Thus I also thank and praise God at this

moment!"

"Yes," said the young man, gloomily, "He rejected my offering, and for

the present I am free. I come to take leave of you, beloved Anna; I must

depart this very night."

"You are going to leave me!" she exclaimed in dismay. "Ah, you have

deceived me, then--you have drawn the fatal lot! You come to bid me

farewell, because you are to perpetrate the terrible deed!"

"No, Anna. I swear to you by our love I am free! I did not draw the lot.

But I must go to Leipsic. My mission here has been accomplished, and I

must be about my business. The president of the patriotic brethren must

descend from his exalted position, and once more become a poor

insignificant merchant. But I know, and predict it, Anna, there will be

a day when Germany will choose me to deliver her from the tyrant. A

presentiment tells me that the two who have drawn the black balls to-day

will not succeed. Their hands trembled when they held up the balls, and

I saw that they started when they perceived them to be black. Yes, they

will fail; but I shall not! It is reserved for me; a shout of joy will

resound throughout the country, and the people will exclaim, 'We are

delivered from the tyrant; Germany is free, and the name of our

deliverer is Frederick Staps!'"

CHAPTER XLI.

THE FESTIVITIES OF ERFURT AND WEIMAR.

Festivities were succeeded by festivities, amusements by amusements, and

these days of Erfurt glided by in friendship, pleasure, and love.

Napoleon was the host. It was he who received the Emperor of Russia, the

kings, the dukes, and the princes, with their legions of courtiers and

cavaliers, and treated all the members of these different petty courts

with imperial munificence. In return there were universal manifestations

of homage and devotion. The kings and princes every morning attended his

levee. He arranged the entertainments that were to take place, and

designated those who were to participate in them. All bowed to him, even

the Emperor Alexander himself. The most cordial feeling prevailed

between the two emperors. They were always seen arm in arm, like two

loving youths, jealous of every minute that separated them. At the

dinner-table, at the theatre, at the balls and concerts, they always

came together into the proud society that awaited them. At dinner,

Napoleon, playing the polite and obliging host, always had Alexander

placed at his right. At the theatre, directly behind the orchestra, were

two gilded easy-chairs on a small platform, and the two emperors were

enthroned on them near each other; on the floor behind this stood four

small arm-chairs, occupied by the Kings of Bavaria, Würtemberg, Saxony,

and Westphalia; and in the rear, on common chairs, sat the dukes,

princes, counts, and the large array of cavaliers and courtiers. The

queens and princesses were seated in the proscenium-boxes on both sides

of the stage, and the ladies of the _haute-volée_ in their rich toilets

and wealth of jewelry filled the first tier.

Napoleon kept the promise he had made to Talma: that celebrated actor

played before a pit of kings, and it was, perhaps, this fact, or the

expectant face of Napoleon, whose eyes were on him, or the presence of

Alexander, who was never weary of praising him--it was probably all this

that enkindled the actor's enthusiasm. Never before had Talma played

more effectively--never before had he assumed such a dignity for

enthroned greatness, or better studied its bearing in adversity. His

expression of hatred, love, and grief, in his impersonations, were never

more famous than in these gala-days of Erfurt. A sort of inspiration

pervaded the great artist, and his enthusiasm infected the spectators,

especially Alexander, who was carried away by Talma's passion in the

representation of "Oedipus." When the actor exclaimed, "The friendship

of a great man is a boon of the gods!" the Russian emperor bent over

Napoleon, and seizing his hand pressed it against his breast. A murmur

of applause was heard; all appeared astonished at this public

demonstration; even Oedipus on the stage seemed to be impressed, and his

voice trembled. Napoleon alone remained grave and calm, not a feature

changed or betrayed the satisfaction that his heart could not but feel

at this moment; he thanked Alexander only by a glance, and his attention

seemed to be again directed to the stage.

Late at night Napoleon found, as usual, a letter from his minister

Champagny. "Old Romanzoff insists on the prompt fulfilment of the

promises of Tilsit," wrote the minister. "Constantinople--nothing but

Constantinople--seems to the stubborn Russian an equivalent for Spain. I

believe the peremptory orders only of his master will subdue this

obstinacy."

"Ah," murmured Napoleon, crumpling the paper in his hand, "I must put a

stop to this. We must arrive at a definite result. I shall utter the

decisive word to-morrow!"

On the following morning the kings and princes appeared in vain in the

anteroom of the Emperor Napoleon to attend his levee. He had risen at an

unusually early hour, and, allured by the sunny autumnal morning,

visited his friend Alexander, who had just risen when Napoleon,

unannounced, entered with a smiling face.

"Ah," exclaimed Alexander, rushing toward him with a cry of exultation,

and embracing him affectionately, "sire, I dreamed of you all night; you

were here at my side, while I was sleeping, and all seemed bright, but

when I opened my eyes and did not see you, the room appeared dark,

although the sun was shining. But now you are here, and my dreams are

realized."

Napoleon's face suddenly turned gloomy, and the smile disappeared from

his lips. "I also had a dream," he said, gravely. "It seemed to me as

though I lay on a bed of flowers, and two stars were twinkling above me,

and as they came nearer I saw that they were not stars, but bright eyes

beaming in a manly face, and looking at me with tenderness. I was

fascinated. I raised myself as if borne on angel-wings, and stretched

out my arms toward the approaching form. Suddenly I uttered a scream;

the friend had been changed into a wolf that rushed toward me, and

fixing his eyes on mine, tore my breast and fed upon my heart. Oh, I was

in horrible pain--not imaginary but real--for I screamed so loudly that

Constant, my _valet de chambre_, hastened from the adjoining room and

awakened me. Even now that I think of it I tremble, and sadness fills my

soul." He bent his head on his breast, and, folding his hands behind

him, paced the room slowly.

Alexander looked smilingly at him, but approaching, said: "Sire, why

this melancholy? In truth, when looking at you, one might think, my

august friend, that you believed in dreams."

"I do," exclaimed Napoleon, quickly raising his head. "Dreams are

revelations from on high! Had Julius Cæsar believed in his dreams, and

in the prophecies of the astrologers, he would not have fallen by the

daggers of assassins."

"But how will your majesty interpret the dream that tormented you last

night?" asked Alexander.

Napoleon bent a strange look on his frank countenance. "Alexander," he

said, in a low voice, "could you ever transform yourself into a wolf,

and tear out my heart?"

"I, Napoleon, I?" ejaculated Alexander, starting back in dismay. "Your

majesty, then, does not believe in my friendship, in the profound

admiration for you that fills my soul? All I have said and done has then

been in vain! Instead of having won your esteem, your majesty distrusts

me, and believes the follies of the imagination in sleep rather than the

protestations of reason, interest, and friendship!"

"No, no," said Napoleon, affectionately, and almost touched by the

profound grief depicted in Alexander's countenance, "I believe that your

majesty returns a little the love I feel for you. I believe in your

noble heart, in spite of all dreams."

"And I swear to your majesty that you may believe in me," exclaimed

Alexander. "My whole policy, the new course upon which I have entered,

will prove to you, more convincingly than words, sire, that I am most

anxious to establish a firm alliance between Russia and France; oh,

believe me, sire, I gladly acknowledge you as my superior; all

promptings of jealousy are extinct in my heart; and when, in the face of

the enormous territorial aggrandizements of Franco, I desire an

enlargement of Russia, too, I do so not for my sake, but in order to

satisfy my people, that they may bear more patiently your operations in

Spain. For my part, I approve all you have done in that country. King

Charles and his son Ferdinand have abundantly deserved their present

fate by their incapacity and baseness, and I do not pity them. But one

must comprehend the system of the great Napoleon as clearly and

thoroughly as I do, to be able to pass over the great catastrophes which

your majesty has caused the world to witness. My people, and, above all,

my nobility, have not yet progressed so far as that, and hence the

attention of the Russians should be turned to important changes in the

Orient that they may look more indifferently at what you are undertaking

in the Occident. As for myself, I am your most faithful friend, and I

have proved it to your majesty by becoming the enemy of your enemies. In

accordance with your wishes, I have declared war against England, and

shall probably soon have to do the same against Austria, for I shall

require her in the most energetic manner to explain why she is secretly

arming; and, if her explanations should not be satisfactory, draw the

sword against her. Then, I suppose, your majesty will believe in my

friendship?"

"Oh, I believe in it now," exclaimed Napoleon, pressing the proffered

hand of Alexander. "For this friendship is my hope. United, we shall be

able to carry out the grand schemes which we formed at Tilsit. Striding

across the world, we shall lay it at our feet, and one day there will be

only two thrones; but in the beginning we must proceed carefully. It

took the Creator six days to make the world, and each day, most likely,

comprehended a vast number of our years. We shall create our world in

six years, and then we shall look at it, and pronounce it 'very good.'

But caution is indispensable, for our empires labor under many burdens.

You are waging war in Finland, and I am doing so in Spain. Prudence

advises us not to increase these embarrassments by seeking at this

moment for Russia an aggrandizement which would fill the world with

astonishment, and reëcho like a war-cry throughout Europe. Let the

dissolution of Turkey and her annexation to Russia be the keystone of

our creation, the last work of the sixth day. Let us erect the new

empires on solid foundations, which all the storms of this world may not

shake!"

"When Constantinople is mine, I shall not be afraid," exclaimed

Alexander, ardently.

"Constantinople belongs to the sixth day of creation," said Napoleon,

"but we are only at the second. Tilsit was the first, Erfurt is the

second."

"And on the second day you take from me what you promised on the first?"

asked Alexander, whose brow was losing its serenity.

"No, I only want to secure it to you," said Napoleon--"to give a firm

base to the edifice of our future. If your majesty should take

possession of Turkey to-day, one-half of Europe would arm to-morrow to

take it from you, and at this moment Russia is unable to brave so many

enemies. Austria would rise against you, for, whatever offers you might

make, she would prefer war to a partition of Turkey. England would see

her commerce endangered, and enter into the contest from calculations of

self-interest. Besides, Turkey herself would wage war with the

fanaticism of her menaced nationality. Where are the armies which your

majesty could oppose to the united forces of England, Austria, and

Turkey? It is true, you have an army on the Danube, sufficiently strong

to oppose Turkey, but too weak if the whole nation should rise. Your

principal army is in Finland, and you have no troops to war against

Austria. I alone, therefore--for, as a matter of course, I shall remain

your faithful ally--I should have to struggle with Austria, England,

Spain, and, perhaps, with the whole of Germany. To be sure, I might do

so, for I have sufficient power to cope with all my enemies. But would

it be wise to enter at once into enterprises so vast? And what for? To

pursue a chimerical project which, how grand so ever it may be, is not

attainable at this time."

"Alas!" sighed Alexander, "I see that your majesty is right, and that

mountain difficulties rise between me and my cherished project! I shall

have to return empty-handed to my ancestors, and when Peter the Great

asks me, 'What have you done to fulfil my will? Where are the provinces

that you have added to my empire?' I must hang my head in confusion and

say that--"

"No," exclaimed Napoleon, in a loud and solemn voice; "you will proudly

raise your head and reply: 'Look at Russia! I have made her great at

home and abroad. I have given to my people civilization and culture, and

added to my empire new provinces which promote its greatness and power

more substantially than Constantinople itself would have done. The

possession of that city is a dream. I have annexed to my country real

provinces.' That is what you will reply to your great ancestor, sire,

provided you go to him before having arrived at your sixth day of

creation."

Alexander was speechless for a moment, as if fascinated by Napoleon's

countenance, beaming with energy and determination.

"What provinces does your majesty allude to?" he asked, dreamily.