n a balcony, with steps
descending into the garden, which, with its flower-beds, grass-plots,
shrubbery, and the tall trees, formed a lovely background. The birds
were singing, the trees rustled, and variegated butterflies fluttered
over the odorous flowers. Upon the turf, forming a beautiful group, was
Wilhelmine playing with her daughter, and the nurse with the little boy
upon her lap, who laughingly stretched out his arms toward his mother.

"Wilhelmine--Wilhelmine!" cried the prince.

With a cry of joy she answered, and flew toward the house. "You have
come at last, my beloved lord," she cried, almost breathless, mounting
the steps. "I beg you to tell me what all this means? I am dying of
curiosity!"

"I also," said the prince, smiling. "Have the goodness to lead me to one
of the rooms, that I may set down this box."

"What does that hobgoblin contain, that it prevents your embracing me?"

"Do not ask, but hasten to assist me to relieve myself of the burden."
They entered the house, and Wilhelmine opened the wide folding-doors,
which led into a very tastefully-furnished room. Frederick William set
the box upon the marble table, and sank upon a divan with Wilhelmine in
his arms. "First of all, tell me what Von Kircheisen said to you?"

"He commanded me, in the name of the king, to give up my dwelling at
Berlin and at Potsdam, and to avoid showing myself in public at both
places, that those who had the right to the love and fidelity of the
Prince of Prussia should not be annoyed at the sight of me; that I
should live retired, and leave the appointed residence as little as
possible, for then the king would be inclined to ignore my existence,
and take no further notice of me. But, if I attempted to play a role,
his majesty would take good care that it should be forever played out."

"Those were harsh, cruel words," sighed Frederick William.

"Harsh, cruel words," repeated Wilhelmine, sorrowfully. "They pierced my
soul, and I shrieked at last from agony. Herr von Kircheisen was quite
frightened, and begged me to excuse him, that he must thus speak to me,
but the king had commanded him to repeat his very words. The carriage
was at the door, he said, ready to convey me to my future dwelling, for
I must immediately leave Berlin, and the king be informed of my setting
out. The coachman received the order, and here I am, without knowing
what I am to do, or whether I shall remain here."

"Yes, Wilhelmine, you are to r