ingarten,
who, it appears to me, is much devoted to your highness, has drawn for
me the plan of the route, Trenck is to take. Here it is." He handed the
princess a small piece of paper, which she seized with trembling hands,
and read hastily.

"He comes through Coslin," said she, joyfully; "that gives a chance
of safety in Coslin! The Duke of Wurtemberg, the friend of my youthful
days, is in Coslin; he will assist me. Pollnitz, quick, quick, find me a
courier who will carry a letter to the duke for me without delay."

"That will be difficult, if not impossible," said Pollnitz,
thoughtfully.

Amelia sprang from her seat; her eyes had the old fire, her features
their youthful expression and elasticity.

The power and ardor of her soul overcame the weakness of her body; it
found energy and strength.

"Well, then," said she, decisively, and even her voice was firm and
soft, "I will go myself; and woe to him who dares withhold me! I have
been ordered to take sea-baths. I will go this hour to Coslin for that
purpose! but no, no, I cannot travel so rashly. Pollnitz, you must find
me a courier."

"I will try," said Pollnitz. "One can buy all the glories of this world
for gold; and, I think, your highness will not regard a few louis d'or,
more or less."

"Find me a messenger, and I will pay every hour of his journey with a
gold piece."

"I will send my own servant, in half an hour he shall be ready."

"God be thanked! it will then, be possible to save him. Let me write
this letter at once, and hasten your messenger. Let him fly as if he
had wings--as if the wild winds of heaven bore him onward. The sooner he
brings me the answer of the duke, the greater shall be his reward. Oh,
I will reward him as if I were a rich queen, and not a poor, forsaken,
sorrowful princess."

"Write, princess, write," cried Pollnitz, eagerly: "but not have the
goodness to give me the hundred louis d'or before Mademoiselle Marwitz
returns. I promised them to Weingarten for his news; you can add to them
the ducats you were graciously pleased to bestow upon me."

Amelia did not reply; she stepped to the table and wrote a few lines,
which she handed to Pollnitz.

"Take this," said she, almost contemptuously; "it is a draft upon my
banker, Orguelin. I thank you for allowing your services to be paid
for; it relieves me from all call to gratitude. Serve me faithfully in
future, and you shall ever find my hand open and my purse full. And now
g