s the only punishment he inflicts upon you, and I have nothing
more to announce. If agreeable to you, madame, we will go at once!"

"Where?" cried Camilla, drawing back in terror from the general, who
approached her.

"In the next room, madame, a priest is waiting, who, at the express
command of his majesty, will now perform the marriage ceremony."

Camilla uttered a loud shriek and fell senseless into the arms of le
beau cousin, who advanced toward her at a nod from the general. When
consciousness returned, the priest was before her and Kindar at her
side. The ceremony was performed, and the unhappy couple left Berlin
at once, never to return. The remainder of their lives was passed in
sorrow, solitude, and self-contempt.

CHAPTER XIV. THE SEPARATION.

The three days the king had allowed his brother to make up his mind
in, were past. Prince Henry had made up his mind. On the morning of the
second day, he had sent off two couriers--one to the king at Sans-Souci,
the other to his wife at Rheinsberg. He had remained in Berlin, and had
taken possession of the splendid palace opposite the opera-house, that
the king had lately built and furnished for him. He had ordered his
major-domo to prepare a handsome dinner, as he wished to open his house
by entertaining all the nobility of Berlin.

The feast was to take place the third day after the king's interview
with the prince.

The courier who left the morning before, carried a letter to Princess
Wilhelmina, requesting her in a few cold, ceremonious words, to come to
Berlin and preside at the proposed dinner and concert.

This invitation was to the princess a command she dared not resist. She
left Rheinsberg early in the morning and arrived at the palace an hour
before dinner.

Prince Henry met his wife in the large vestibule leading to the front
building. He advanced toward her with a bright smile, passed her arm
through his, and led her, pale and trembling, up the steps, making her
observe the style of the building and the many conveniences of their
new dwelling. He spoke cheerfully, walking slowly so as to give the
followers of the princess, who were occupied with her baggage, time to
collect around her and witness the perfect understanding between her and
her husband. When they had mounted the last step, the prince laughingly
pointed to the two halls leading from the stairway.

"Here, madame, commence our separate apartments. To you belong the
right, to m