g what I
saw. Your royal heart would have been gladdened at the sight of those
starved, exhausted, and desperate troops which Prince Augustus William
led back from Zittau to his august brother, the great Frederick. You
would have acknowledged with delight that such discouraged, demoralized
troops could no longer withstand the splendid and victorious army of
the confederates. The battle of Collin dug their graves, and the pass of
Gabol made their coffins."

"And the Saxon dragoons decided the battle of Collin?" said the queen,
with sparkling eyes. "Go on! tell me more. Did you speak with the king's
chamberlain, Anderson?"

"Yes, your majesty, and I found him faithful. I gave him the diamond
ring which your majesty was so gracious as to send him. He was delighted
with this costly present, and swore he would let no opportunity pass of
serving you. I told him how he might safely write to me. He will
inform us of all that takes place in the Prussian camp, and of all the
important movements of the king."

"You are convinced of his integrity?" said the queen. "Entirely
convinced; he loves money, and serves us for his own interests. He will
be ready for any act, if we balance it with gold." The eyes of the
queen sparkled, and her countenance had a threatening and passionate
expression; her Spanish blood was moved, and rushed in fever streams to
her heart. "Is he ready for any act?" she repeated. "Perhaps we could
make a decisive trial of his willingness; but of that, later--continue."

"I learned from Anderson, that King Frederick intends to force the
confederates to another battle. When I left the camp, the king had
distributed rations to his army, and was to leave the next morning,
to encounter Daun and Radasdy." The queen laughed mockingly. "He then
thirsts for a second Collin. As his grave is open and his coffin made,
he wishes to get the Austrian grave-diggers to bury him. Well, we will
not deny him this last service of love."

"After leaving the Prussian camp," continued the chamberlain, "I threw
off my disguise, and hastened with post-horses to where Daun and Radasdy
were quartered."

"And you saw them?"

"I saw them; I was fortunate enough to be able to deliver your majesty's
letters to General Radasdy, and I can now give your highness the
general's answer, and some other important papers." He drew a small etui
from his bosom, out of which he took a penknife; then taking his hat,
ripped off the gold galloon, cu