I find it pleasant to serve myself, to be my own master
and servant at the same time. Allow me this rare pleasure for a few
hours longer, Balby." The king took his friend's arm, and recommenced
his search for paintings and treasures to adorn his gallery at
Sans-Souci. Everywhere he was received kindly and respectfully, for all
recognized them as purchasers, and not idle sight-seers. The dealers
appreciated the difference between idle enthusiasm and well-filled
purses.

The king understood this well, and on leaving the house of the last rich
merchant he breathed more freely, and said:

"I am glad that is over. The rudeness of the postmaster at Grave pleased
me better than the civilities of these people. Come, Balby, we have
bought pictures enough; now we will only admire them, enjoy without
appropriating them. The rich banker, Abramson, is said to have a
beautiful collection; we will examine them, and then have our draft
cashed."

The banker's splendid house was soon found, and the brothers entered the
house boldly, and demanded of the richly-dressed, liveried servant to be
conducted to the gallery.

"This is not the regular day," said the servant, with a contemptuous
shrug of the shoulders, as he measured the two strangers.

"Not the day! What day?" asked the king, sharply.

"Not the day of general exhibition. You must wait until next Tuesday."

"Impossible, we leave to-morrow. Go to your master and tell him two
strangers wish to see his gallery, and beg it may be opened for them."

There was something so haughty and irresistible in the stranger's
manner, that the servant not daring to refuse, and still astonished
at his own compliance, went to inform his master of the request. He
returned in a few moments, and announced that his master would come
himself to receive them.

The door opened immediately, and Mr. Abramson stepped into the hall; his
face, bright and friendly, darkened when his black eyes fell upon the
two strangers standing in the hall.

"You desired to speak to me," he said, in the arrogant tone that the
rich Jews are accustomed to use when speaking to unknown and poor
people. "What is your wish, sirs?"

The king's brow darkened, and he looked angrily at the supercilious man
of fortune, who was standing opposite him, with his head proudly thrown
back, and his hands in his pockets. But Frederick's countenance soon
cleared, and he said, with perfect composure:

"We wish you to show us your pict