and sorrowful--a dark cloud was upon his brow--his
lips were tightly pressed together--powerful emotions were disturbing
his whole being. He stopped suddenly, and raising his head proudly,
seemed to be listening to the thoughts and suggestions of his soul.

"Yes," said he, "these were his very words: 'I protest against this
war in the name of my rights, my children, and my country!' Ah, it is a
pleasant thought to him that he is to be heir to my throne. He imagines
that he has rights beyond those that I grant him, and that he can
protest against an action of mine! He is a rebel, a traitor. He dares
to think of the time when I will be gone--of the time when he or his
children will wear this crown! I feel that I hate him as my father hated
me because I was his heir, and because the sight of me always reminded
him of his death! Yes, I hate him! The effeminate boy will disturb the
great work which I am endeavoring to perform. Under his weak hands, this
Prussia, which I would make great and powerful, will fail to pieces, and
all my battles and conquests will be in vain. He will not know how to
make use of them. I will make of my Prussia a mighty and much-feared
nation. And if I succeed, by giving up my every thought to this one
object, then my brother will come and destroy this work which has cost
me such pain and trouble. Prussia needs a strong, active king, not an
effeminate boy who passes his life in sighing for his lost love and in
grumbling at fate for making him the son of a king. Yes, I feel that I
hate him, for I foresee that he will be the destroyer of my great work.
But no, no--I do him wrong," said the king, "and my suspicious heart
sees, perhaps, things that are not. Ah, has it gone so far? Must I,
also, pay the tribute which princes give for their pitiful splendor? I
suspect the heir to my throne, and see in him a secret enemy! Mistrust
has already thrown her shadow upon my soul, and made it dark and
troubled. Ah, there will come a cold and dreary night for me, when I
shall stand alone in the midst of all my glory!"

His head fell upon his breast, and he remained silent and immovable.

"And am I not alone, now?" said he, and in his voice there was a soft
and sorrowful sound. "My brothers are against me, because they do not
understand me; my sisters fear me, and, because this war will disturb
their peace and comfort, will hate me. My mother's heart has cooled
toward me, because I will not be influenced by her;