“Ibelieveitisthreeyearssinceyoucommencedteachingthelittleprince?“saidtheking。
“Atyourservice，yourmajesty，since1775。”
“Atolerablylongtime，“saidtheking——“longenoughtomakeasavantofachildofNature。Youhavebeenfaithful，andIamsatisfied。Thecopybookswhichyousentmeaccordingtomyordersaresatisfactory。Iwishedtoacquaintyoumyselfofmysatisfaction，thereforeIsentforyou。”
“Yourmajestyisverycondescending，“saidthetutor，andhissharp，angularfacebrightenedalittle。“Iamveryhappyinthegracioussatisfactionofyourroyalhighness。Iwishedalsotomakeknowntoyoupersonallymywishesinregardtothepetitionforthelittleprince'spocket-money；heshouldlearntheuseofmoney。”
“Verywell，“saidtheking，noddingtotheprince，whostoodbehindthetutor，holdinguptriumphantlytheshuttlecock。
Yet，themostdifficultfeatremainedtobeaccomplished。Thebattledoorwasintheverydepthsofthepocket；onlythepointofthehandlewasvisible。
“Yourmajesty，“criedHerrBehnisch，whohadtakentheapprovingexclamationof“verywell“tohimself——“yourmajesty，Iamveryhappythatyouhavethegracetoapproveofmypetitionforpocket-
money。”
“Yes，Ithinkitwell，“saidtheking，“thattheprinceshouldlearnnottothrowmoneyoutofthewindow。Iwillsendyou，monthly，fortheprince，twoFredericksd'or，and，beforeyouhanditovertohim，changeitintosmallpieces，thattheremaybeagreatpileofit。”[Footnote:Theking'sownwords——See“ConfidentialLetters。”]
Justatthatmomenttheprincetriedtoseizethebattledoor。HerrBehnischfeltthemovement，andwasonthepointofturningaround，whenFrederickstoppedhim，bysaying，“Ibelieveitistimetocommencearegularcourseofinstructionfortheprince。Ateightyearsofagetheeducationofanheirtothethronemustprogressrapidly，andberegulatedbyfixedprinciples。Iwillwriteoutmyinstructions，thatyoumayalwayshavethembeforeyou。”
“Itwillbemymostearnestendeavortofollowyourmajesty'scommandstotheletter，“answeredthetutor，whosawnotthelittleprince，withbeamingface，behindhim，swingingthebattledoorhighintheair。
“Iamabouttoenteruponanewwar；nooneknowsifhewilleverreturnfromacampaign。Idarenotsparemylife，whenthehonorandfameofmyhouseareatstake。Ourlifeanddeath，however，areinGod'shands。Beforeweriskourlives，weshouldputeverythinginorder，andleavenothingundonewhichitisourdutytodo。Iwillwritemyinstructionsto-day，andsendthemtoyou。Promiseme，uponyourwordofhonorasaman，thatyouwillactuponthem，aslongasyouaretutortoPrinceFrederickWilliam，evenifIshouldnotreturnfromthecampaign。”
“Ipromiseittoyourmajesty，“answeredthetutor。“Iwill，inallthings，accordingtothebestofmyability，followyourmajesty'sinstructions。”
“Ibelieveyou；Itakeyoutobeanhonorableman，“saidtheking。
“Youwillalwaysbemindfulofthegreatresponsibilitywhichrestsuponyou，asyouhaveaprincetoeducatewhowillonedaygovernakingdom，anduponwhomthewealandwoeofmanymillionsaredependent。Andwhenthosemillionsofmenonedayblessthekingwhomyouhaveeducated，apartoftheblessingwillfalluponyou；
butwhentheycursehim，sofallsthecurselikewiseuponyourguiltyhead，andyouwillfeeltheweightofit，thoughyoumaybeinyourgrave！。Bemindfulofthis，andactaccordingly。Nowyoumaydepart。Iwillwritetheinstructionsimmediately，sothatyoumayreceivethemto-day。”
HerrBehnischbowed，backingouttowardthedoor。
“Onethingmore，“criedtheking，motioningwithhisStafftothetutor。“Inorderthatyoumayeverrememberourinterview，Iwillpresentyouwithasouvenir。”
Heopenedthedrawerofhisprivatewriting-table，andtookoutagoldsnuff-box，withhisinitialssetinbrilliantsuponthecover；
handingittoHerrBehnisch，hemotionedhimtoretire，andthussparehimtheexpressionofhisgratitude。
“Yourmajesty，“stammeredHerrBehnisch，withtearsinhiseyes，“I——“
“Youareanhonestman，andsolongasyouremainso，youcancountuponme。Adieu！——Now，“saidtheking，asthedoorclosed，“haveyourecoveredtheplaything?“
“Hereitis，yourmajesty，“shoutedtheprince，ashehelduptriumphantlythebattledoorandshuttlecockhighintheair。
“Youdeserveyourreward，andyoushallhaveit。Youcanstaywithmeandplaywithithere。Takecareandnotmaketoomuchnoise，asIwishtowrite。”
Thekingnowseatedhimself，todrawuptheinstructionsforHerrBehnisch。Whilehewasthusoccupied，thelittleprincetossedhisshuttlecock，springinglightlyafteritontiptoetocatchit；
sometimeshemissedit，andthenhecastanimploringlookattheking，asitfelluponthefurniture；butheobserveditnot。Hewasabsorbedinwritingtheinstructionsfortheeducationofthefutureking，FrederickWilliamIII。Thephysicaleducationoftheprincewashisfirstcare。Hedweltuponthenecessityofthefrequentpracticeofdancing，fencing，andriding，togivesuppleness，grace，andagoodcarriage——throughseveretraining，tomakehimcapableofenduringallhardships。Thedifferentbranchesofstudynextoccupiedtheking。“Itisnotsufficient，“hewrote，“thattheprinceshouldlearnthedatesofhistory，torepeatthemlikeaparrot；buthemustunderstandhowtocomparetheeventsofancienttimeswiththemodern，anddiscoverthecauseswhichproducedrevolutions，andshowthat，generally，intheworld，virtueisrewardedandvicepunished。Later，hecanlearnashortcourseoflogic，freefromallpedantry；thenstudytheorationsofCiceroandDemosthenes，andreadthetragediesofRacine。Whenolder，heshouldhavesomeknowledgeoftheopinionsofphilosophers，andthedifferentreligioussects，withoutinspiringhimwithdislikeforanyonesect。MakeitcleartohimthatweallworshipGod——onlyindifferentways。Itisnotnecessarythatheshouldhavetoomuchrespectforthepriestswhoinstructhim。”
Theshuttlecockfell，atthisinstant，uponthepaperuponwhichthekingwaswriting。Frederickwastoomuchoccupiedtolookup，buthethrewituponthefloor，continuingtowrite:
“Thegreatobjectwillbetoawakenaloveoflearningintheprince，topreventanyapproachtopedantry，andnottomakethecourseofinstructiontoosevereatthecommencement。Wenowcometothechiefdivisionofeducation，thatwhichconcernsthemorals。
Neitheryounorallthepowerintheworldwouldbesufficienttoalterthecharacterofachild。Educationcandonothingfurtherthanmoderatetheviolenceofthepassions。Treatmynephewasthesonofacitizen，whohastomakehisownfortune。Saytohimthat，whenhecommitsfollies，andlearnsnothing，thewholeworldwilldespisehim。Lethimassumenomannerisms，butbringhimupsimply。
The——“
Itwasthesecondtimetheshuttlecockfelluponthepaper。Thekinglookedupcensuringlyattheprince，whostoodspeechlesswithfrightandanxiety。Thekingagainthrewituponthefloor，andwroteon:
“Theprincemustbepolitetowardeveryone；andifheisrude，hemustimmediatelymakeanapology。Teachhimthatallmenareequal——
thathighbirthisamythwhennotaccompaniedwithmerit。Lettheprincespeakwitheveryone，thathemaygainconfidence。Itisofnoconsequenceifhetalksnonsense；everyoneknowsthatheisachild。Takecareinhiseducation，aboveallthings，thatheisself-reliant，andnotledbyothers；hisfollies，aswellashisgoodqualities，shouldbelongtohimself。Itisofverygreatimportancetoinspirehimwithaloveformilitarylife；andforthisreasonsaytohim，andlethimhearotherssayit，thateverymanwhoisnotasoldierisamiserablefellow，whethernobleornot。Hemustseethesoldiersexerciseasoftenaspossible；anditwouldbewelltosendforfiveorsixcadets，andhavethemdrillbeforehim。Everythingdependsuponcultivatingatasteforthesethings。Inspirehimwithaloveofourcountry，aboveallthings。
Letnoonespeaktohimwhoisnottrulypatriotic。”
Againtheshuttlecockfelluponthepaper。Thelittleprinceutteredacryofhorror，staringattheplaything。Thistimethekingdidnotreceivetheinterruptionsocalmly。Helookedatthespeechlessboyasifveryangry；thentookitandputitinhispocket。Castinganotherangryglanceattheprince，hecontinued:
“Theofficerswhodinewiththeprinceshallteaseandannoyhim，thathemaybecomeconfident。”
“Yourmajesty，“saidtheprince，timidlyandimploringly，“Ibegpardonathousandtimesforbeingsoawkward。Iamsorry，andIwillbemorecarefulinthefuture。”
Thekingpaidnoattentiontohim，butcontinuedtowrite:“Whenyouunderstandhimbetter，trytolearnhischiefpassiontouprootit，buttomoderateit。”[Footnote:Thisentireinstructionisanexacttranslationoftheoriginal，whichFrederickdrewupinFrench，andwhichisincludedinhis“CompleteWorks。”]
“Mydearlordandking，“begantheprinceagain，“Ibegyouwillhavethegoodnesstogivememyshuttlecock。”
Thekingwassilent，andwithapparentindifferencecommencedreadingoverwhathehadwritten。
PrinceFrederickWilliamwaitedalongtime，but，onreceivingnoanswer，andunderstandingthathispleadingwasinvain，hisfacegrewredwithanger，andhiseyesflashed。Withanirritated，determinedmanner，hesteppedcloseuptotheking，hishandsrestinguponhiships。“Yourmajesty，“criedhe，withamenacingtone，“willyougivememyballornot?“
Thekingnowlookedupattheprince，whoregardedhiminaninsolent，questioningmanner。Asmile，mildastheeveningsunset，spreadovertheking'sface；helaidhishandlovinglyuponthecurlyheadoftheprince，saying:“TheywillnevertakeawaySilesiafromyou。Hereisyourshuttlecock。”Hedrewitfromhispocket，andgaveittothelittleprince，whoseizedhishandandpressedittohislips。
CHAPTERIV。
THEDRIVETOBERLIN。
WilhelmineEnkepassedtheremainderoftheday，afterhermeetingwiththeking，inanguishandtears。Sherecalledallthathehadsaidtoher，everywordofwhichpiercedhertotheheart。Herlittledaughterofsevenyearstriedinvaintowinasmilefromhermammawithhergentlecaresses。Invainshebeggedhertosingtoherandsmileasshewaswonttodo。Themother，usuallysokindandaffectionate，wouldtodayfreeherselffromherchild，andsentherawaywithquiveringlip，andtearsinhereyes，tolistentohernurse'sstories。
Oncealone，Wilhelminepacedherroomwithrapidstridesandfoldedarms，givingventtoherrepressedanguish。Shereviewedherlife，withallitschangingscenes。Itwasasad，searchingretrospection，butinitshefoundconsolationandexcuseforherself。Shethoughtofherchildhood；shesawthegloomydwellingwhereshehadlivedwithherparents，brothers，andsisters。Sherecalledtheneedandthewantofthoseyears——thesickly，complaining，butbusymother；
thefoolish，wickedfather，whoneverceasedhisconstantexerciseofthebugle，excepttotakerepeateddraughtsofbrandy，orscoldthechildren。Thenshesawinthisjoylessdwelling，inwhichshecrouchedwithherlittlesisters，ayounggirlenter，andgreetthemsmilingly。Sheworearobeglitteringwithgold，withtransparentwingsuponhershoulders。ThisyounggirlwasWilhelmine'soldersister，Sophie，whohadjustreturnedfromtheItalianopera，whereshewasemployed。Shestillhadonherfairycostumeinwhichshehaddancedintheoperaof“Armida，“andhadcome，withajoyousface，totakeleaveofherparents，andtellthemthatarichRussiancountlovedher，andwantedtomarryher；thatintheinterveningtimehehadtakenabeautifulapartmentforher，whereshewouldremovethatveryevening。Shemustbidthemfarewell，forherfuturehusbandwaswaitingforherinthecarriageatthedoor。
Sophielaughedathergrumblingfather，shookhandswithherweepingmother，andbenttokissthechildren。Wilhelmine，inunspeakableanguish，sprangafterher，holdingherfast，withbothhandsclinchingthecracklingwings。Sheimploredhersistertotakeherwithher，whilethetearsraninstreamsdownhercheeks。“YouknowthatIloveyou，“shecried，“andmyonlypleasureistoseeyoueveryday。Takemewithyou，andIwillserveandobeyyou，andbeyourwaiting-maid。”Wilhelmineheldthewingsfirmlywithaconvulsivegrasp，andcontinuedtoweepandimplore，untilSophieatlastlaughinglyyielded。
“Well，come，ifyouwillbemywaiting-maid；noonecombshairaswellasyou，andyoursimplestyleofarrangingitsuitsmebetterthananyother。Come，come，itshallbearranged，youshallbemywaiting-maid。”
Thepicturesofmemorychanged，andWilhelminesawherselfinthemidstofsplendor，asthepoorlittlemaid，unnoticedbyherbrilliantsister，thebelovedoftheRussianCountMatuschko。JoyandpleasurereignedinthebeautifullygildedapartmentwhereSophielived。Shewasthequeenofthefeastsandtheballs。Manyrichandfinegentlemencamethere，andthebeautifulSophie，thedancer，theaffiancedofCountMatuschko，receivedtheirhomage。Nooneobservedthesadlittlewaiting-maid，inherdarkstuffdress，withherfaceboundupinblacksilk，asifshehadthetoothache。
Sheworethecast-offmorningdressesofhersister，and，athercommand，boundherfacewiththeblacksilk，sothattheadmirersofhersistershouldnotsee，byafugitiveglance，orchancemeeting，thebuddingbeautyofthelittlemaid。
Wilhelminedarednotenterthesaloonwhenvisitorswerethere；onlywhenSophiewasalone，orherartistichandwasneededtoarrangehersister'sbeautifulhair，wasshepermittedtostaywiththefuturecountess。Everyroughtouchwasresentedwithharshwords，blows，andill-treatment。Thesmilingfairyofthedrawing-room，wastheharsh，grimmistressforhersister，whoseeverymistakewaspunishedwithunrelentingseverity。Infact，shewasmadeaveryslave；andnow，afterlongyears，theremembranceofitevencastagloomyshadowoverWilhelmine'sface，andhereyesflashedfire。
Anotherpicturenowroseupbeforehersoul，whichcausedherfacetobrighten，asabeautifulbeamingimagepresenteditself，theimageofherfirstandonlylove！Shelivedoveragainthedaywhenitroseuplikeasunbeforeherwondering，admiringgaze，andyetitwasastormydayforher。Sophiewasveryangrywithher，becauseincrimpingherhairshehadburnthercheek，whichturnedthefairyintoafury。Shethrewtheweakchilduponthefloor，andbeatandstampeduponher。
Suddenlyaloud，angryvoicecommandedhertocease，andastrong，manlyarmraisedthetrembling，weepinggirl，andwiththreateningtonebadeSophiebequiet。PrinceFrederickWilliamofPrussiatookcompassiononthepoorchild。Thesisterhadnotremarkedhiminherparoxysmofrage；hadneverheardhimenter。HehadbeenawitnesstoWilhelmine'sill-treatment。Henowdefendedher，blaminghersisterforhercrueltytoher，anddeclaredhisintentiontobeherfutureprotector。Howhandsomehelooked；hownobleinhisanger；
howhiseyesflashedashegazeduponher，whokneltathisfeet，andkissedthem，lookinguptohimasherrescuer！
“Wilhelmine，comewithme；Idonotwishyoutoremainhere，“saidhe；“yoursisterwillneverforgiveyouthatIhavetakenyourpart。
Come，Iwilltakeyoutoyourparents，andprovideforyou。Youshallbeasbeautifulandaccomplishedaladyasyoursister，but，Heavengrant，amoregenerousandnoble-heartedone！Come！“
Thesewords，spokenwithagentle，winningvoice，hadneverdiedawayinherheart。Twelveyearshadpassedsincethen，andtheystillranginherear，inthetumultoftheworldaswellasinthequietofherlonelyroom。Theyhadcomfortedherwhentheshameofherexistenceoppressedher；rejoicedherwhen，withthedelightofyouthandhappiness，shehadgivenherselfuptopleasure。Shehadfollowedhimquietly，devotedly，asalittledogfollowshismaster。
Hehadkepthisword；hehadhadherinstructedduringthreeyears，andthensenthertoParis，inordertogiveherthelastpolish，thetournureoftheworld，howevermuchithadcosthimtoseparatefromher，ormightembarrasshim，withhisscantymeans，toaffordtheincreaseofexpense。AyearelapsedandWilhelminereturnedapleasinglady，familiarwiththetoneofthegreatworld，andathomeinitsmannersandcustoms。
Theprincehadkepthisword——thatwhichhehadpromisedherashetookherfromhersister'shouse，tomakeherafine，accomplishedlady。Andwhenherepeatedtohernow“Come，“couldsherefusehim——
himtowhomsheowedeverything，whomshelovedasherbenefactor，herteacher，herfriend，andlover?Shefollowedhim，andconcealedherselfforhiminthemodestlittledwellingatPotsdam。Forhimshelivedinsolitude，anxiouslyavoidingtoshowherselfpublicly，thatthekingshouldneverknowofherexistence，andinhisjustangersevertheunlawfultiewhichboundhertothePrinceofPrussia。[Footnote:“MemoirsoftheCountessLichtenau，“p。80。]
Wilhelminerecalledthepastsevenyearsofherlife，hertwochildren，whomshehadbornetotheprince，andthejoythatfilledhisheartashebecameafather，althoughhislawfulwifehadalsobornehimchildren。Shelookedaroundhersmall，quietdwelling，arrangedinamodestmanner，notasthefavoriteofthePrinceofPrussia，butasanunpretendingcitizen'swife；shethoughthowoftwithprivations，withwanteven，shehadhadtocombat；howofttheornamentswhichtheprincehadsentherintheraredaysofabundancehadbeentakentothepawnbrokerstoprovidethenecessarywantsofherselfandchildren。Hereyesflashedwithprideandjoyatthethoughtwhichshedaredtobreathetoherself，thatnotforgoldorriches，powerorposition，hadshesoldherlove，herhonor，andhergoodname。
“Itwasfrompureaffinity，fromgratitudeandaffection，thatI
followedthehusbandofmyheart，althoughhewasaprince，“shesaid。
Stilltheshameofherexistenceweigheduponher。Thekinghadcommandedhertohideherheadsosecurelythatnoonemightknowhershame，orthelevityoftheprince。
“Go！andletmeneverseeyouagain！“
Didnotthismeanthatthekingwouldremovehersofarthattherewouldnotbeapossiblechancetoappearagainbeforehim?Wastherenothiddeninthesewordsamenace，awarning?Wouldnotthekingrevengeonherthesadexperiencesofhisyouth?PerhapshewouldpunishherforwhatDorisRitterhadsuffered！DorisRitter！She，too，hadlovedacrownprince——she，too，haddaredtoraisehereyestothefutureKingofPrussia，forwhichshewascruellypunished，thoughchasteandpure，andhurleddowntotheabyssofshameforthecrimeoflovinganheirtothethrone。Beaten，insulted，andwhippedthroughthestreets，andthensenttothehouseofcorrectionatSpandau！Oh，poor，unhappyDorisRitter！Willthekingatonetoyou——willherevengethefriendofhisyouthonthemistressofhissuccessor?TheoldKingFrederick，wearyoflife，thinksdifferentlyfromtheyoungcrownprince。Hecanbeassevereashisfather，cruelandinexorableashe。
“DorisRitter！Thyfatehauntsme。OnthemorrowIalsomaybewhippedthroughthestreets，scorned，reviledbytherabble，andthensenttoSpandauasacriminal。Didnotthekingthreatenmewiththehouseofcorrection，withthespinning-wheel，whichhewouldhavereadyforme?“
Atthethoughtofitaterribleanguish，anamelessdespair，seizedher。Shefeltthatthespinning-wheelhungoverherliketheswordofDamocles，readyattheleastoccasiontofalluponher，andbindhertoit。Shefeltthatshecouldnotenduresuchsuspenseandtorture；shemustescape；shemustrescueherselffromtheking'sanger。
“Butwhither，whither！Imustflyfromhere，fromhisimmediateproximity，whereamotionofhisfingerissufficienttoseizeme，tocausemetodisappearbeforetheprincecouldhaveanyknowledgeofit，beforehecouldknowofthedangerwhichthreatenedme。I
mustawayfromPotsdam！“
TheprincehadarrangedalittleapartmentinBerlinforthewintermonths，whichsheexchangedforPotsdaminthespring。Thisseemedtoofferhermoresecurityforthemoment，forshecouldflyattheleastsignofdanger，couldevenhideherselffromtheprince，ifitwerenecessarytosavehimandherself。AwaytoBerlin，then！Thatwastheonlythoughtshewasabletoseizeupon。Awaywithherchildren，beforemisfortunecouldreachthem！
Shesprangtothedoor，toreitopen，rushingtothenurse，uponwhosekneesthebabyslept，nearwhomherlittledaughterknelt。
Withtremblinghandsshetookherboyandpressedhimtoherheart。
“Louisa，wemustleavehereimmediately；itisurgentnecessity！“
saidshe，withquiveringlip。“Donotsayawordaboutittoanyone，buthasten；orderquicklyawagon，bargainfortheplaces，andsaywemustsetoffatonce。Thewagonmustnotbedriventothedoor，butwewillmeetitattheBerlinGate。Wewillgoonfootthere，andgetin。Quick，Louisa，notaword——itmustbe！“
Theservantdidnotdaretoopposehermistress，orcontradicttheorders，buthastenedtoobeythem。
“Itisalltheoldking'sfault，“saidLouisatoherself，asshehurriedthroughthestreet。“Yes，thekinghasorderedmistresstoBerlin。Helookedsofurious，theoldbear！Hiseyesflashedsoterribly，onemightwellfearhim，andIthankedHeavenwhenmamsellesentmehomefromthepark。Itiscomingtoabadendatlast；Ishouldhavedonebetternottohavetakentheplaceatall。
Oh，ifwewereonlyawayfromhere；ifIonlycouldfindawagontotakeus！“
Thankstothenurse'sfearsandendeavors，thewagonwassoonfound，andscarcelyanhourhadpassedbeforeWilhelmineEnke，hertwochildrenandnurse，werehiddenunderaplainlinen-coveredwagon，andontheirwaytoBerlin。
Thestreetwasunusuallyanimated，asthedivisionoftroopswhichthekinghadreviewedinBerlin，weremarchingoutofthecitytoreportthemselvesontheBavarianfrontier。Theirfirstnight'squartersweretobeinPotsdam，andthelastgreatparadewastotakeplacethereonthefollowingmorning，beforethekingcommencedhisjourney。Thedriverhadoftentohaltatthesideofthestreettoletthetroopspass，whichwithafullbandofmusic，camemarchingon。Attheheadofoneoftheregiments，mounteduponafierysteed，wasageneralinbrilliantuniform，hisbreastcoveredwithorders，whichglitteredinthesun。Hewastallandrathercorpulent，butappearedtoadvantage。Hiscarriagewasproudandimposing，hisfacewasalmosttooyouthfulforageneral，andhisbodytoocorpulentfortheexpressiveanddelicatefeatures。Ashepassedbythepoor，unpretendingcarriage，whereWilhelminesatwithherchildren，shehearddistinctlyhisbeautiful，sonorousvoice，andmerrylaugh。“OhHeaven，itishe！——itishe！“shemurmured，drawingherselffartherbackintothewagonwithherchildren。Justthen，outofanopeninginthelinencover，Louisapeeped，whispering，“Mamselle，itisthePrinceofPrussia！“
“Bequiet——formercy'ssakebequiet，Louisa，thatwemaynotberemarked！“saidWilhelmine，gently。“Takethechildthathemaynotscream，foriftheprinceshouldhearhimhewillturnback。Heknowsthevoiceofhislittleson！“
“Yes，heknowsthevoiceofhislittleson！“mutteredthenurse，asshelaidthechildtoherbreast。“Thelittlesonmuststophereonthestreet，inamiserablewagon，whilehisnoblefatherridespast，sosplendidandglitteringwithgold，notknowingthathislittleboyissonearhim。Oh，arealtroubleandarealheart-sorrowisthis！“
“Indeeditis，“saidWilhelmine，inherheart，“arealtroubleandarealheart-sorrow。Howallthesemenwouldpresentarms，andsalutemychildren，iftheyhadbeenborntoathroneinsteadofobscurity！
Howtheywouldbowandbend，ifIwerecalledLouisaofHesse-
Darmstadt，andthelawfulwifeoftheprince！Didtheynotalsobendandbowbeforethefirstwife，ElizabethvonBraunschweig，[Footnote:ThefirstwifeofPrinceFrederickWilliamofPrussiawasthePrincessElizabethvonBraunschweig，thenieceofFredericktheGreat。Thecrownprincewasscarcelytwenty-oneyearsofagewhenbetrothedtoher。Afterfouryearstheywereseparated，onaccountoftheimproperconductoftheprincess，whowasbanishedtoStettin。Theresheliveduntilherdeathin1840，afterseventy-oneyearsofimprisonment。Neverduringtheseseventy-oneyearshadthePrincess“Lisbeth，“asshewascalled，daredtoleaveStettin。Thereshewasobligedtoamuseherself。Herconcertsandeveningentertainmentswerecelebrated。ThesecondwifeofthecrownprinceofPrussiawasLouisaofHesse-Darmstadt，themotherofFrederickWilliamIII。Shediedin1805。]althougheveryoneknewofhershamefulconduct——knewofherintrigueswithlackeysandcommonsoldiers?Dotheynotnowbowbeforeher，althoughsheisbanishedtoStettinforherinfamousconduct，andlivesthereaprisoner?A
fineimprisonmentthat！Thewholetownisherprison，andwhensheappearsinpubliceveryonestandsuponthestreettosalutethecrownprincessofPrussia。Butwhentheyseemetheypasscarelesslyby，ortheylookatmewithacontemptuouslaugh，andfancythemselvesmiraclesofvirtue，andfreefromsin。Myonlycrimeisthatmyfatherwasnotaprince，andthatIamoflowbirth。AmItoblameforthat——toblamethatthemanwhomIlove，andwholovesme，cannotmarrymeandmakemehislawfulwife?“
“Ho！gee，ho！“criedthedrivertohishorses。“Getup！“Thetroopshadpassed，thehighwaywasnowfree，anduninterruptedrolledtheheavy，creakingwagonintoBerlin。Withinallwasquiet。Thetwochildrenandnursewereasleep。Thedriverwashalfasleep，hisheadhungshakingabout；onlynowandthenhestartedtogivehishorsesacrack，whichthethin，wheezinganimalsdidnotheedintheleast。
Wilhelminealonesleptnot；inhersoultherewasnoquiet，nopeace。Shegrumbledatfate，andatmankind。Anunspeakableanxietyseizedherfortheimmediatefuture，andfearoftheking'sanger。
AsthesunwassettingtheyreachedBerlin，andwereenteringthetown，whentheguard，inroyallivery，sprangthroughthegate，calling，inaloudvoice，tothewagon，“Halt——halt！Turnout