fore turn from the errors of sin. Rise to
virtue, that the blessed may approach you. I shudder in your presence.
Woe to you! woe! woe!"

The cloud-portrait vanished, and darkness reigned for a moment. The
prince cried in anguish: "I will hear no more; this air oppresses
me--open the door--I renounce communion with the spirits; I will go
out!"

The light reappeared in the dark room and another form hovered over the
prince--of grave, obscure face, with a great peruke, staring at him. He
recognized the distinguished philosopher Leibnitz, whom he had desired
to see, but who now filled him with unspeakable terror. Like the
former spirit, he also, when unanswered, reproached the erring prince,
conjuring him to return to virtue.

As the menacing ghost disappeared, the prince felt for the door, and
shook it with the power which terror lends, crying, "Open, open!"
It opened not, and the third summoned, the great elector, Frederick
William, appeared, with high, up-lifted arm, glittering eyes, advancing
with angry mien, shaking his lion's mane against the erring son of his
house, whom he menaced with curses and revenge, if he did not renounce
the courtesan who had seduced him to vice and unchastity.

"I will become better," groaned the prince. "I will perform the wish of
the spirits. Only have mercy on me--free me. Help! help! Open the door,
Bischofswerder, I will do better. Open the door!"

This time it really opened, and a long train of dark, masked forms
entered the dusky room surrounding the prince, wringing their hands,
imploring him to turn from sin, and forsake the unholy woman.

They whimpered, they implored, sinking upon their knees, beating their
clinched hands, and weeping: "Turn, beloved elect! Renounce Wilhelmine
Enke; renounce vice! Repulse the seductress, and turn your countenance
to Virtue which you have seen in all her beauty!"

"I will perform that which you demand," wept the prince, as the deathly
terror and nervous excitement made him yielding.

"Swear!" cried the chorus of masks.

"I swear that Wilhelmine Enke shall no longer be my mistress. I swear by
all that is holy that I will renounce her! I--"

Voice failed him; there was a ringing and buzzing in his ears; every
thing swam before his eyes, and he sank fainting. The prince awoke after
long unconsciousness, and found himself upon his bed in the new palace
at Potsdam, Bischofswerder at his side, watching him with the tenderest
sympathy. He bent