ce before his marriage; that she had
sacrificed herself to him through affection, and that she was not
entitled to become his wife, as she was not born under the canopy of a
throne.

From the depths of her conscience there again rose the tearful, sad face
of the princess, accusing her as an adulteress--as a sinner before God
and man! Terrified, she cried: "I have truly loved him, and I do still
love him; this is my excuse and my justification. She is not to be
pitied who can walk openly by the side of her husband, enjoying the
respect and sympathy of all to whom homage is paid, and who, one
day, will be queen! I am the only one, I alone! I stand in the shade,
despised and scorned, avoided and shunned by every one. Those who
recognize me, do so with a mocking smile, and when I pass by they
contemptuously shrug their shoulders and say to one another, 'That
was Enke, the mistress of the Prince of Prussia!' All this shall be
changed," she cried aloud; "I will not always be despised and degraded!
I will be revenged on my crushed and scorned youth! I will have rank and
name, honor and position, that I will--yes, that I will, indeed!"

Wilhelmine wandered on through the silent rooms, all brilliantly
illuminated, a precaution she had taken before dismissing her servants.
The bright light was a consolation to her, and, at least, she could not
be attacked by surprise, but see her enemy, and escape. "I was a fool,"
she murmured, "to grant Cagliostro this reception to-night. I know
that he is a charlatan! There are no prophets or wizards! Yet, well I
remember, though a stranger to me, in Paris, how truthfully he brought
before me my past life; with what marvellous exactness he revealed to me
secrets known only to my Maker and myself. Cagliostro must be a wizard,
then, or a prophet; he has wonderful power over me also, and reads
my most secret thoughts. He will assist me to rise from my shame
and degradation to an honored position. I shall become a rich and
influential woman! I will confide in him, never doubting him--for he is
my master and savior! Away with fear! He has said that the house should
be guarded, and it will be! Onward then, Wilhelmine, without fear!"

She hastened to the large drawing-room, in order to see the effect of
the numerous wax-lights in the superb chandeliers of rock crystal.
The great folding-doors resisted all her efforts to open them. "Who
is there?" cried a loud, threatening voice. Trembling and with b