king, no motives
shall restrain me, and I also will forget, as he does, that I am a
prince, and remember only that I am a free, responsible man. He wishes
me to marry, and therefore has me followed, and surrounds me with spies.
He wishes to force me to marry. Well, I will marry, but I will choose my
own wife!"

The prince had just made this resolve, when the door opened, and the
servant announced that Messrs. Kalkreuth and Kaphengst awaited his
commands.

He bade them enter, and advancing smilingly gave them his hand.

"Welcome! welcome!" he said; "the cage is open, and I may enjoy a little
air and sunshine; let us not delay to make use of this opportunity. Our
horses shall be saddled."

"They are already saddled, prince," said Baron Kalkreuth. "I have
ordered them to the court, and as soon as it is dark we will mount
them."

"What! is it not best that we should mount before my door and ride
openly away?" said the prince, wonderingly.

"It is my opinion that is the best plan," cried Baron Kaphengst,
laughing gayly. "Every one will believe your highness to be simply
taking a ride, while curiosity would be raised if we left the city on
foot."

"I think leaving in the dark, and on foot, looks as if I were afraid,"
said the prince, thoughtfully.

"Secrecy is good for priests and old women, but not for us," cried
Kaphengst.

"Secrecy suits all who wish to do wrong," said Kalkreuth, earnestly.

The prince glanced hastily at him. "You believe, then, we are about to
do wrong?"

"I dare not speak of your highness, but we two are certainly doing
wrong; we are about to commit an act of insubordination. But still, my
prince, I am ready to do so, as your highness wishes us to accompany
you."

The prince did not answer, but stepped to the window, and looked out
thoughtfully and silently. In a few moments he returned, looking calm
and resolute.

"Kalkreuth is right--we were going to do wrong, and we must avoid it.
I shall write to the king, and ask leave for you and myself to go to
Berlin."

"That is, unfortunately, impossible," said a sweet voice behind him, and
as the prince turned he saw the smiling face of Pollnitz. "I beg pardon,
your highness, for having entered unannounced, but you allowed me to
come at this hour and give you an account of the commissions you gave
me."

"Why do you say it is impossible to obtain leave of the king today?"
asked Henry, hastily.

"Because his majesty is already in the conc