t Prussian History," vol. 1., p. 74]
Will you sign it?"

"I will do any thing that will grant me your affection, in spite of my
unhappy oath. Give me the paper. I will sign it. When is the wedding?"

"The moment that you, my dear lord and master, have inscribed your
name," said Wilhelmine, handing him the pen, and pointing to the paper.

The prince wrote the desired signature, quickly throwing the pen across
the room, shouting, "Long live Wilhelmine Rietz, who has rescued me from
perjury and sin! Come to my arms, outstretched to press to my heart the
most beautiful, most intelligent, and most diplomatic of women!"

Two days later it was related in Berlin that Wilhelmine Enke had married
the princely valet de chambre Rietz, the crown prince being present at
the ceremony, which took place at a small village near Potsdam.

Under the head of marriages, the Berlin newspapers announced "Wilhelmine
Enke to Carl Rietz."

"Ah, my Rosicrucians," cried Wilhelmine, laughingly, as she read this
notice, a mischievous triumph sparkling in her eyes; "ah, my heroes in
virtue, for once you are outwitted, and I am victorious! I would like
to witness their surprise. How they will laugh and swear over it! The
favorite of a prince married to a valet de chambre! Wait until the
prince becomes a king, then Wilhelmine Rietz will develop into a
beautiful butterfly, and the wife of the valet de chambre will become
a countess--nay, a princess. The Great Kophta has promised it, and
he shall keep his word. I wear his ring, which sparkles and glistens,
although the jeweller declares the diamond has been exchanged for a
false stone. No matter, if it only shines like the real one. Every thing
earthly is deception, falsehood, and glitter. Every one is storming and
pressing on in savage eagerness toward fortune, honor, and fame! I will
have my part in it. The storm and pressure of the world rage in my own
heart. The fire of ambition is lighted in my soul, and the insatiable
thirst for fortune consumes me. Blaze and burn until the day that
Frederick William ascends the throne; then the low-born daughter of
the trumpeter will become the high-born countess. The false stone will
change to the sparkling diamond and Cagliostro shall then serve me."

CHAPTER XXXVIII. REVENGE FULFILLED.

Since the soiree at the house of the rich banker, Ebenstreit, an
entire winter had passed in pleasures and fetes. The position of Baron
Ebenstreit von Leuthen had