ious ennui we are made to endure here, and my
friends and myself are resolved to do so. We will no longer submit to
the shackles of etiquette, which are laid upon us; we will be free from
the wearisome constraint which hems us in on every side. These proud
ladies wish us to believe that they are modest and virtuous, because
they are stiff and ceremonious. They make a grimace at every equivoque.
We will prove to them that we are not blinded by this outward seeming,
and not disposed to lie like Dutchmen, languishing at the feet of our
inexorable fair ones. Our brave brothers have conquered the Prussians at
Hochkirch and at Bergen; we cannot stand side by side with them in the
field, but here, at least, we can humble the Prussian women!"

"I can well believe," whispered Giurgenow, "that you would be pleased to
humble the beautiful Fraulein von Marshal?"

"Ah, my friend," said Ranuzi, laughing, "you touch the wound of our
poor friend. You do not seem to know that the beautiful Marshal is
responsible for the scorn and rage of Count Belleville, she is indeed a
haughty and presumptuous beauty; she not only dared to reject the
love of the fascinating count, but she showed him the door; and when
afterward he ventured to send her a passionate and tender billet-doux,
she informed him, through her servant, that she would give the letter to
her chambermaid, for whom, without doubt, it was intended."

"Eh bien, what do you say to this insolence?" cried the enraged
Frenchman. "But she shall do penance for it. I have already made the
necessary arrangements with my friends. This is not simply a personal
affair, it touches the general honor. The whole French army, all France,
is insulted in my person. It is necessary we should have satisfaction,
not only from this presumptuous lady, but from all the ladies of the
court! We will have our revenge this evening! We will show to these dull
dames what we think of their prudery. And the queen shall see that we
are not at all inclined to bow down to her stiff ceremonies. She is,
in our eyes, not a queen--simply the wife of an enemy over whom we will
soon triumph gloriously."

"I counsel you, however, to wait till the hour of triumph for
your revenge," said Ranuzi. "Your intentions may lead to the worst
consequences for us all. The great Frederick will never be a harmless
adversary till he is dead, and we would all be ignominiously punished
for any contempt shown the queen. You have a personal