you; I know that
those whom you honor with your friendship are spies upon my every word
and look, and report to your majesty what they hear and what they do not
hear--what is true and what is not true. I know I have been robbed of
my brother's love, but I will not consent to the loss of his respect and
consideration. Sire, Winterfeldt wrote to you; I know that he did so. If
he wrote that I was obstinate and self-willed, and alone answerable for
the disasters of the army, [Footnote: Warner's "Campaigns of Frederick
the Great."] I call God to witness that he slandered me. Your majesty
speaks of instructions. I received none. I would remind you that I
entreated you in vain to give me partial instructions--that I wrote down
your majesty's verbally expressed opinions, and implored you to add
to them your approval, or written remarks and explanations. [Footnote:
"Recueil des Lettres du Roi de Prusse et du Prince de Prusse."] Your
majesty returned the paper without signature or remark. I alone
should bear the responsibility, and if this sad retreat should end
disastrously, the whole world might say, 'This was the work of the
Prince of Prussia!' Look you, my brother, I know, I feel this. The lost
battle of Collin demanded an offering, and I was predestined for the
sacrifice."

The king uttered a cry of rage, and advanced against the prince without
outstretched arm, but suddenly recovered his self-control, folded his
arms, and stared coldly at the prince.

"I have listened quietly to you, hoping always I might possibly find in
your words a glimmer of excuse for your blasphemous deeds. I find none.
Have you finished, or have you still something to say?"

"I have this to say, sire: I demand that my conduct be investigated."

"Woe to you if I do this--woe to you if I listen to your bold, insane
demand!" Stepping before the prince, and fixing his eye upon him,
he said: "You have acted not like a Prussian, not like a general of
Prussian troops, but like an enemy--like an ally of Austria and of
France, who sought only for means to destroy the Prussian army and put
an end to this war. I know that it never had your approval, because
directed against your beloved France."

"Ah, my brother, you distrust me!" cried the prince, fiercely.

"Yes, I distrust you," said the king, eagerly--"I distrust you, and you
merit it! You have just said that this was an important hour between us.
Well, then, it shall be so. I accept this strife of wo