of God. We must therefore come to his
assistance, and show ourselves in all the dazzling glitter of royalty.
We must improvise a throne, and, it appears to me, that leathern
arm-chair, which certainly belonged to a grandfather, is well suited to
the occasion. It will be a worthy representation of my throne, which
was my grandfather's throne; he erected it, and I inherited it from
him. Shove it, then, into the middle of the room, and fasten some of the
Russian flags, which we took at Zorndorf, on the wall behind it; spread
my tent-carpet on the floor, and my throne saloon is ready. Quick, Le
Catt, make your preparations; call the servants, and show them what they
have to do. In the mean time, I will make my toilet; I must not appear
before the worthy ambassador in such unworthy guise." The king rang
hastily, and his valet, Deesen, entered. "Deesen," said he, gayly, "we
will imagine ourselves to be again in Sans-Souci, and about to hold a
great court. I must do then, what I have not done for a long time--make
grande toilette. I will wear my general's uniform, and adorn myself with
the order of the Black Eagle. I will have my hair frizzed, and screw up
an imposing cue. Well, Deesen, why do you gaze at me so wildly?"

"Sire, the general's coat is here, but--"

"Well, but what?" cried the king, impatiently.

"But the breeches! the breeches!" stammered Deesen, turning pale; "they
are torn; and those your majesty now wears, are your last and only
ones."

"Well, then," said the king, laughing, "I will continue to wear my last
and only breeches; I will put on my general's coat, voila tout."

"That is wholly impossible," cried Deesen, wringing his hands. "If your
majesty proposes to hold a great court, you cannot possibly wear these
breeches!"

"Why not? why not?" said the king, fiercely.

"Sire," murmured Deesen, "sire, that has happened to them which happened
to your majesty at Torgau."

"That is to say--"said the king, questioningly.

"That is to say, they are wounded."

Frederick looked surprised, and following the glance of his valet, he
found his eyes fixed upon his knees.

"You are right, Deesen," said he, laughing; "that disaster has befallen
my breeches which befell me at Torgau: they are wounded, and need a
surgeon."

"Your majesty must therefore graciously postpone your great court
till to-morrow. Perhaps I may find a tailor in one of the neighboring
villages; he will work during the night, and early tom