e at once from the King of Saxony. I have an
important dispatch from my king."

Count Bruhl, struck with terror, could only gaze at him, he had not the
strength to answer.

But King Augustus, rising from his seat, said:

"The ambassador of my royal brother can approach; I consent to grant
him this audience; it is demanded in so strange a manner, it must surely
have some important object."

The count entered the royal tent.

"Is it your majesty's wish," said Mattzahn, solemnly, "that all these
noble guests shall be witnesses? I am commanded by my royal master to
demand a private audience."

"Draw the curtain!" said the king.

Count Bruhl, with trembling fingers, drew the golden cord, and the heavy
curtains fell to the ground. They were now completely separated from the
guests.

"And now, count," said the king, taking his seat by his proud, silent
queen, "speak."

Bowing profoundly, Count Mattzahn drew a dispatch from his pocket, and
read in a loud, earnest voice.

It was a manifesto from the King of Prussia, written by himself and
addressed to all the European courts. In it, Frederick denied being
actuated by any desire of conquest or gain, but declared that he was
compelled to commence this war to which Austria had provoked him by her
many and prolonged insults. There was a pause when the count finished
reading. Upon the gentle, amiable countenance of the king there was now
an angry look. The queen was indifferent, cold, and haughty; she seemed
to have paid no attention whatever to Count Mattzahn, but, turning to
the princess at her side, she asked a perfectly irrelevant question,
which was answered in a whisper.

Countess Bruhl dared not raise her eyes; she did not wish her faithless
lover, Count Mattzahn, whose cunning political intrigues she now
perfectly understood, to see her pain and confusion. The prince-elector,
well aware of the importance of this hour, stood at the king's side;
behind him was Count Bruhl, whose handsome, sparkling countenance was
now deadly pale.

Opposite to this agitated group, stood the Prussian ambassador, whose
haughty, quiet appearance presented a marked contrast. His clear,
piercing glance rested upon each one of them, and seemed to fathom every
thought of their souls. His tall, imposing form was raised proudly,
and there was an expression of the noblest satisfaction upon his
countenance. After waiting some time in vain for an answer, he placed
the manifesto before the