ying in their silver casket; and
though the keeping of the latter was given over to some one else, no
one seemed brave enough to shield the former. No one but herself should
guard these rich treasures. The state archives were placed in those
rooms of the palace which had but one outlet, and that leading into
one of the queen's apartments. In this room she remained--she took her
meals, worked, and slept there--there she received the princes and
the foreign ambassadors--always guarding the secret door, of which she
carried the key fastened to a gold chain around her neck. But still the
queen was continually in fear her treasure would be torn from her, and
the King of Prussia's seeming friendliness was not calculated to drive
away this anxiety. It is true the king had sent her his compliments by
Marshal Keith, with the most friendly assurances of his affection, but
notwithstanding this, the chancery, the college, and the mint department
had been closed; all the artillery and ammunition had been taken from
the Dresden arsenal and carried to Magdeburg; some of the oldest and
worthiest officers of the crown had been dismissed; and the Swiss guard,
intended for service in the palace, had been disarmed. All this agreed
but badly with the king's quieting assurances, and was calculated to
increase the hatred of his proud enemy. She had, nevertheless, stifled
her anger so far as to invite the King of Prussia, who was staying in
the palace of the Countess Morizinska, not far from his army, to her
table.

Frederick had declined this invitation. He remained quietly in the
palace, whose doors were open to all, giving audience to all who desired
it, listening to their prayers, and granting their wishes.

The Queen of Poland heard this with bitter anger; and the more gracious
the King of Prussia showed himself to the Saxons, the more furious and
enraged became the heart of this princess.

"He will turn our people from their true ruler," said she to Countess
Ogliva, her first maid of honor, who was sitting at her side upon a
divan placed before the princess's door. "This hypocritical affability
will only serve to gain the favor of our subjects, and turn them from
their duty."

"It has succeeded pretty well," said the countess, sighing. "The Saxon
nobility are continually in the antechamber of this heretical king; and
yesterday several of the city authorities, accompanied by the foreign
ambassadors, waited upon him, and he received th