Chapter XVIII. - THE FIRST FLASH OF LIGHTNING.

During this night Pollnitz slept but little; when, however, he rose from his couch the next morning, his brow was clear and his countenance gayer than it had been for a long time; he had made his plans, and was convinced that he would succeed.

„I will earn a hundred ducats,“ said he, smiling to himself, as in a superb toilet he left his dwelling, „yes, a hundred ducats, and I will revenge myself upon the king for that trumpeting and outcry. This shall be a blessed and beautiful morning.“

He walked first to the apartment of Colonel Jaschinsky, and announced himself as coming upon most important business. The colonel hastened to meet him, ready to be of service, and full of curiosity.

„Lead me to a room where we are absolutely certain not to be observed or listened to,“ said Pollnitz.

They entered the colonel's cabinet.

„Here, baron, we are secure.“

„Without circumlocution, then, count, you know the law which forbids officers to make debts?“

„I know it,“ said Jaschinsky, turning pale, „and I believe that Baron Pollnitz is well content not to belong to the officers.“

„Perhaps you, sir count, may also cease to belong to them?“

„What do you mean by that?“ said Jaschinsky, anxiously.

„I mean simply that Colonel Jaschinsky belongs to those officers who are forbidden to make debts, but that he disregards the law.“

„You came here, as it appears, to threaten me?“

„No, principally to warn you; you know that the king is particularly severe against his body-guard. You are the colonel of this splendid regiment, and should, without doubt, set the other officers a good example. I doubt if the king would consider that you did your duty, if he knew that you not only made debts, but borrowed money from the officers of your own regiment.“

„Take care, Baron von Pollnitz!“ said Jaschinsky, threateningly.

Pollnitz said, smilingly: „It appears that you are menacing ME, that is wholly unnecessary. Listen quietly to what I have to say. I have come to arrange a little matter of business with you. Day before yesterday you borrowed two hundred ducats from Baron Trenck. Give me one hundred of them, and I give you my word of honor not to expose you--deny me, and I give you my word of honor I will go instantly to the king, and relate the whole history. You know, count, you would be instantly cashiered.“

„I do not know that his majesty would grant a ready belief to the statement of Baron Pollnitz, and you have no proof to confirm it.“

„I have proof. You gave your note for the money. I think that would be convincing testimony.“

The count was pale and agitated. „If I give you a hundred ducats, you promise on your word of honor not to expose me to the king?“

„I give you my word of honor; more than that, I promise you to defend you, if any one shall accuse you to the king.“

Jaschinsky did not reply; he stepped to his desk and took out two rolls of ducats. „Baron,“ said he, „here is half of the money I borrowed from Trenck; before I hand it to you I have one request to make.“

„Well, speak.“

„How did you learn that I borrowed this money?“

„I saw your note which you gave to Trenck.“

„Ah! he showed it to you,“ cried Jaschinsky, with such an expression of hate, scorn, and revenge, that even Pollnitz was moved by it.

He took the gold and let it slide slowly into his pocket. „I owe you a hundred ducats; I cannot promise you to return them; but I can promise you that Trenck will never produce your draft, and I will show you how to revenge yourself upon the handsome officer.“

„If you assist me in that, I will present you with my best horse.“

„You shall be revenged,“ said Pollnitz, solemnly. „You can send the horse to my stable; Frederick von Trenck will soon cease to be dangerous to any one; he is a lost man!--And now to the king,“ said Pollnitz, as he left the colonel's quarters. „Yes, to the king; I must thank him for the confidence he showed me last night.“

The king was making his preparations for war with the most profound secrecy; he worked only at night, and gave up his entire time seemingly to pleasures and amusements. He was daily occupied with concerts, balls, operas, and ballets; he had just returned from seeing the rehearsal of a new opera, in which Barbarina danced; he was gay and gracious.

He received his master of ceremonies jestingly, and asked him if he came to announce that he had become a Jew. „You have tried every other religion at least twice; I know that you have had of late much to do with the 'chosen people;' I suppose you are now full of religious zeal, and wish to turn Israelite. It would, perhaps, be a wise operation. The Jews have plenty of gold, and they would surely aid with all their strength their new and distinguished brother. Speak, then, make known your purpose.“

„I come to thank your majesty for the supper you graciously accorded me last night.“

„A supper! what do you mean?“

„Your majesty, through your private secretary, invited me to table, with all your splendid silver-ware. Truly the meal was indigestible and lies like a stone upon my stomach; but, I say with the good soldiers, after the lash, 'I thank your majesty for gracious punishment.'„

„You are an intolerable fool; but mark me, no word of what you have seen. I wished to prove to you that I had no money, and to be freed from your everlasting complaints and petitions. I have therefore allowed you to see that my silver has gone to the mint. It is to be hoped that you will now compose yourself, and seek no more gold from me. Do not ask gold of kings, but of Jews! Kings are poor, the poorest people of the state, for they have no personal property.“ [Footnote: The king's own words.]

„Oh, that the whole world could hear the exalted and high-hearted words of my king!“ cried Pollnitz, with well-acted enthusiasm. „Thrice blessed is that nation which has such a ruler!“

The king looked at him searchingly. „You flatter me; you want something, of course.“

„No, sire, I swear I come with the purest intentions.“

„Intentions? You have, then, intentions?“

„Yes, sire, but now that I stand here face to face with you, I feel that my courage fails, and I cannot speak what I intended.“

„Now truly,“ said the king, laughing, „the circumstances must indeed be dangerous which deprive Baron Pollnitz of the power of speech.“

„Words, your majesty, are important things. Once a few words saved me from death; it may be that a few words, spoken this day to your majesty, may bring me into disfavor, and that would be worse than death.“

„What were the words which saved you from death?“

„These, sire: 'Va-t-en, noble guerrier!'„

„This took place in France?“

„In Paris, sire. I was dining in a small hotel in the village of Etampes, near Paris. A very elegant cavalier sat next me and from time to time, as if accidentally, addressed me in a refined and winning way; he informed himself as to my intentions and circumstances. I was an inexperienced youth, and the cavalier was adroit in questioning. This was at the time of the Mississippi speculation of the great financier Law. I had gained that day, in the Rue Quinquempois, the sum of four hundred thousand francs. I had this money with me, and after dinner I proposed to go to Versailles. I was not without apprehension, the streets were unsafe, and Cartouche with his whole band of robbers had for some time taken possession of the environs of Paris, and made them the theatre of his daring deeds.“

„So you received your new friend trustingly?“ said the king, laughing heartily.

„Yes, sire, and we had just agreed as to the hour of our departure, when a little maiden appeared under the window of our dining-room and sang in a loud, clear voice, 'Va-t-en, noble guerrier!' The strange cavalier rose and stepped to the window to give her a few sous, then went out--and I saw him no more.“

„And you conclude from this that the words of the song saved your life? you think that the man with whom you were eating was a poisoner?“

„I thought nothing, sire, and forgot the adventure. A year after, I was standing in the street as Cartouche was being led to execution. All Paris was abroad to see the famous brigand. I had a good place, the procession passed immediately by me, and look you, I recognized in the poor sinner now being led to execution, the elegant gentleman of the cabaret at Etampes! He knew me also and stood still for a moment. 'Sir,' said he, 'I dined with you a year ago. The words of an old song gave me notice to leave the cabaret immediately. They announced to me that the pursuers were on my heels; your star was in the ascendant, stranger; had I accompanied you to Versailles, you would have lost your gold and your life.' Your majesty will now understand that these words, 'Va-t-en, noble guerrier,' saved my life.“

„I confess it, and I am now most curious to hear the words which you fear will bring my displeasure upon you.“

„Sire, I have been for more than forty years a faithful servant of your exalted house. Will you not admit this?“

„Faithful?“ repeated Frederick; „you were faithful to us when it was to your advantage: you deserted us when you thought it to your interest to do so. I reproached you with this in former times, but now that I know the world better, I forgive you. Go on, then, with your pathetic appeal.“

„Your majesty has often commanded me to make known to you every thing which the good people say of your royal family, and when any one dared to whisper a slander against you or yours, to inform you of it at once.“

„Does any one dare to do that?“ said the king, with an expression of anguish upon his noble face.

„Yes, sire.“

The king breathed a heavy sigh, and walked hastily up and down; then placing himself before the window, and turning his back on Pollnitz, he said, „Go on.“

„Sire, it is lightly whispered that the young Lieutenant Trenck has dared to love a lady who is so far above him in her bright radiance and royal birth, that he should not dare to lift his eyes to her face except in holy reverence.“

„I have been told that he was the lover of Mademoiselle von Marwitz,“ said the king.

„The world and the good Berliners believe that, but the initiated know that this pretended love is only a veil thrown by the bold youth over a highly traitorous passion.“

Pollnitz was silent; he waited for the king to speak, and watched him with a malicious smile. Frederick still stood with his face to the window, and saw nothing of this.

„Shall I go on?“ said Pollnitz at last.

„I command you to do so,“ said the king.

Pollnitz drew nearer. „Sire,“ said he, half aloud, „allow me to say what no one knows but myself. Baron Trenck visits Mademoiselle von Marwitz every day, but a third person is ever present at these interviews.“

„And this third person is--“

„The Princess Amelia!“

The king turned hastily, and the glance which he fixed upon Pollnitz was so flashing, so threatening, that even the bold and insolent master of ceremonies trembled. „Are you convinced of the truth of what you have stated?“ said he harshly.

„Sire,“ said he, „if you wish to convince yourself, it is only necessary to go this evening between five and six o'clock, unannounced, into the rooms of the Princess Amelia. You will then see that I have spoken truth.“

Frederick did not reply; he stepped again to the window. and looked silently into the street. Once more he turned to Pollnitz, and his face was clear and smiling.

„Pollnitz, you are an old fox; but you have laid your foundation badly, and your whole plot is poorly conceived. Look you! I understand this intrigue perfectly. You hate poor Trenck; I have long seen that. You hate him because I honor and promote him, and you courtiers always regard those as your enemies who stand higher in favor than yourselves. Trenck deserves his good fortune, in spite of his youth; he is a learned and accomplished officer, and a most amiable and elegant gentleman. You cannot forgive him for this, and therefore you accuse him. This time you shall not succeed. I tell you I don't believe one word of this silly scandal. I will forget what you have dared to say; but look to it, that you also forget. Woe to you if you do not forget; woe to you if your lips ever again utter this folly to me or to any other person! I hold you wholly responsible. In your own mad, malicious brain is this fairy tale conceived; it will be your fault if it goes farther, and is ever spoken of. Conform yourself to this, sir, and retreat in time. I repeat to you, I hold you responsible. Now go, without a word, and send me my adjutant--it is high time for parade.“

„Flashed in the pan, completely flashed,“ said Pollnitz to himself, as with a courtly bow and a smiling lip he took leave of the king. „I had hoped at least for a small reward, if it was only to see that I had made him angry. Alas! this man is invulnerable; all my files wear away on him.“

Could he have seen what an expression of care and anguish overshadowed the king's face when he was alone--could he have heard the king's sighs and the broken words of sorrow and despair which he uttered, the wicked heart of the master of ceremonies would have been filled with gladness. But Frederick indulged himself in this weakness but a short time; he drew his royal mantle over his aching heart, he cast the veil of sadness from his eyes, and armed them with the might of majesty.

„This rendezvous shall not take place; this romantic adventure shall come to an end. I will it!“ said he, with an energy which only those can feel whose will is law, and from whose words there is no appeal.

Frederick took his hat and entered the vestibule, where his staff awaited to accompany him to the parade. The king greeted them all sternly, and, passing by them rapidly, he descended the steps.

„The king is very ungracious,“ whispered the officers amongst each other. „Woe to him upon whom his anger falls to-day!“

A storm-cloud did indeed rest upon the brow of the king; his eye looked fierce and dangerous. The regiment stood in line, the king drew up in front; suddenly he paused, his face grew black--his eye had found an object for destruction.

„Lieutenant Trenck,“ said he, in a loud and threatening tone, „you have this moment arrived, you are again too late. I demand of my officers that they shall be punctual in my service. More than once I have shown you consideration, and you seem to be incurable. I will now try the power of severity. Colonel Jaschinsky, Lieutenant Trenck is in arrest, till you hear further from me; take his sword from him, and transport him to Potsdam.“

The king passed on; the cloud had discharged itself; his brow was clear, and he conversed cordially with his generals. He did not give one glance to the poor young officer, who, pale and speechless, handed his sword to his malicious colonel, looked with anguish inexpressible toward the castle of Monbijou, and followed the two officers whose duty it was to conduct him to Potsdam.

That afternoon Mademoiselle von Marwitz waited in vain for her lover; that afternoon the Princess Amelia shed her first tears; and, for the first time, entered the ballroom by the side of her royal mother, with dejected mien and weary eyes. The glare of light, the sound of music, the laugh and jest of the gay crowd, filled her oppressed heart with indescribable woe. She longed to utter one mad cry and rush away, far away from all this pomp and splendor; to take refuge in her dark and lonely room; to weep, to pray, and thus exhaust her sorrow and her fears.

Perhaps the king read something of this fierce emotion in the face of the princess. He drew near to her, and taking her hand kindly, he led her away from her mother. „My sister,“ he said, in a low voice, but in a tone which made the heart of the princess tremble, „my sister, banish the cloud from your brow, and call the smiles to your young, fresh lips. It ill becomes a princess to be seen at a fete with a sad visage; melancholy, this evening, will be particularly unseemly. Be on your guard; you must not decline a single dance; I wish this as your brother, I command it as your king. Conform yourself to this. Do you understand fully all that I have said to you, and all that I have not said?“

„I understand all, your majesty,“ whispered Amelia, with the greatest difficulty keeping back the tears, which, „like a proud river, peering o'er its bounds,“ filled her eyes to overflowing.

Princess Amelia danced the whole evening, she appeared gay and happy; but it did not escape the watchful eye of the Baron Pollnitz, that her smile was forced and her gayety assumed; that her eye wandered with an expression of terror toward the king, who was ever observing her. Suddenly all was changed, and she became radiant with the fire of youth and happiness. Mademoiselle von Marwitz, while the princess stood near her in the Francaise, had whispered: „Compose yourself, your royal highness, there is no danger. He has been arrested for some small military offence, that is all!“ Here were indeed peace and comfort. Amelia had been tortured by the most agonizing fears, and this news was like a messenger of peace and love. A military offence--that was a small affair. A few days of light confinement, and he would return; she would see him again; and those blessed interviews, those glorious hours of rapture, would be renewed.

The princess had deceived herself. Several days elapsed, and Trenck did not return, and she knew nothing more than that he was in Potsdam, under arrest. Eight days had passed on leaden wings, and still he came not. This severe punishment for a small offence began to be resented by Trenck's comrades; they did not dare to murmur, but their countenances were clouded.

„Colonel Jaschinsky,“ said the king, on the ninth morning, „go to Trenck and counsel him to ask for my forgiveness; say to him, that you believe I will forgive him, if he asks for pardon. You shall not say this officially, only as a friend. Remark well what he shall answer, and report it to me strictly.“

The colonel returned in an hour, with a well-pleased smile.

„Well, will he ask for forgiveness?“ said the king.

„No, your majesty; he asserts that for a small fault he has been too harshly punished, and he will not bow so low as to plead against an injustice.“

„Let him remain in arrest,“ said Frederick, dismissing Jaschinsky.

The king was alone; he walked up and down with his arms folded, as was his custom, when engaged in deep thought. „A head of iron, a heart of fire!“ murmured he; „both so young, so proud, so fond, and all this I must destroy. I must pluck every leaf from this fair blossom. Sad mission! Why must I cease to be a man, because I am a king?“

Eight days again went by--eight days of fetes, concerts, balls. The princess dared not absent herself; she appeared nightly in costly toilet, with glowing cheeks, and her lovely hair adorned with flowers, but her cheeks were rouged, and her sad smile accorded but little with her flowers.

The king had carried on diligently but secretly his preparations for war, under the shadow of these luxurious festivities. Now all was ready; he could lay aside his mask and his embroidered dress, and assume his uniform. The ballroom was closed, the music silenced, the silver melted into thalers. The king left Berlin and joined his generals at Potsdam. On the day of his arrival he commissioned his adjutant, General von Borck, to release Trenck from arrest, and send him to Berlin with a letter to the queen-mother; he was to have leave of absence till the next day.

„I will see, now, if they understood me,“ said Frederick to himself. „I have given them a hard lesson; if they do not profit by it, they are incurable, and force me to extremity.“

Alas! they had not understood this hard lesson; they were not wise, not prudent; they would not see the sharp sword suspended over their heads: their arms were madly thrown around each other, and they did not grasp this only anchor of safety which the fond brother, and not the stern king, had extended to them. They were lost! they must go down to destruction!

The next morning, during the parade, Trenck drew near the king. He had just returned from Berlin; his cheeks were glowing from his rapid ride, and in his eyes there was still a shimmer of that happiness with which the presence of his beloved had inspired him.

„Your majesty, I announce myself,“ said he, in a fresh and gay voice.

The king said nothing. He looked at the handsome, healthy, and radiant youth with a glance of profound sympathy and regret.

Frederick von Trenck saw nothing of this. „Does your majesty command me to join my regiment at Berlin?“ said he, in the most unembarrassed manner.

And now the king's eyes flashed with rage. „From whence come you?“ said he, sternly.

„From Berlin, sire.“

„Where were you before you were sent to Berlin?“

„In arrest, sire.“

„Go, then, to your old place--that is to say, in arrest!“

Frederick von Trenck remained in arrest till every preparation was completed. The army was ready to march. The king assembled his officers, and announced to them that they were bound once more to Silesia to bloody battle, and, with God's help, to glorious victory. On that day Frederick von Trenck was released from arrest. The king received him with a gracious smile, and commanded him to remain near him. Trenck's comrades envied him because of the royal favor; because of the friendly smiles and gracious words which, more than once during the day, the king directed to him. No one understood how Trenck could remain sad and silent under all these evidences of royal favor; no one understood how this gallant young officer could enter upon this campaign with bowed head and heavy brow; he should have sat upon his horse proud and erect--not dreaming, not lost in melancholy musing.

No one but the king could comprehend this; his sympathetic soul was touched by every emotion of his young officer, and he had pity for every pang he inflicted. All this vast crowd of men had taken leave of those they loved and cherished. Trenck alone had been denied this solace. They had all received a love-greeting, a blessing, and a last fond kiss--a last tear to encourage them in battle, perhaps in death. Trenck had no kiss, no blessing, no farewell. He had said farewell to fortune, to love and hope; and even now, though marching to battle, perhaps to victory, he had no future. Tears were flowing for him, and tears would be his only inheritance.