judices, so--"

"Is his crown prince an obscurer," added quickly the king, "having the
more prejudices, and is capable of being ruled by mystics and exorcists.
Is not that your meaning?"

Count Herzberg nodded. The king continued with animation: "Some one has
told me of a new friend who returned from the war with the prince, and
who belongs to the Rosicrucians and exhorters, and hopes to find many
adherents here for such deceptions. Is it true?"

"Yes, sire. It is Colonel Bischofswerder, a Rosicrucian and necromancer
and of course of very pleasant address. He has indeed already gained
much power over the impressible mind of Frederick William, and his
importance is greatly on the increase."

"What does the crown prince's mistress say to it? Is she not jealous?"

"Of which one does your majesty speak?"

The king started, and his eyes flashed. "What!" he cried with vehemence,
"is there a question of several? Has the crown prince others besides
Wilhelmine Enke, whom I have tolerated?"

"Sire, unfortunately, the prince has not a very faithful heart.
Besides, it is Bischofswerder's plan, as I suppose, to separate him from
Wilhelmine, who will not subordinate herself to him, and who even dares
to mock the necromancers and visionaries, and oppose them to the crown
prince."

"Does Enke do that?" asked the king.

"Yes, sire," answered Herzberg, as the king rose and slowly paced the
room. "And one must acknowledge that in that she does well and nobly.
Otherwise one cannot reproach her. She leads a quiet, retired life,
very seldom leaving her beautiful villa at Charlottenburg, but devotes
herself to the education of her children. She is surrounded with
highly-educated men, savants, poets, and artists, who indeed all belong
to the enlightened, the so-called Illuminati, and which are a thorn in
the eye to Colonel Bischofswerder. Your majesty will perceive that I
have some good informants in this circle, and the latest news they bring
me is that the bad influence is upon the increase. The Rosicrucians
reproach the prince for his immoral connection with Wilhelmine Enke, as
they would replace her by one who gives herself up to them."

"That shall not take place," cried the king. "No, we will not suffer
that; and particularly when we are forced to recognize such abominable
connections, we should endeavor to choose the most desirable. I cannot
permit that this person, who has at least heart and understanding,
should be pushed