he German dream is finished, and now I must be a
Russian again." He then turned quickly to Gotzkowsky and offered him
his hand. "Gotzkowsky," said he, gently and persuasively, "consider it
once more--come with me and be my teacher."

"What I can teach you is but little. It is an easy lesson for him who
has a heart, an impossible one for him who has none. Learn to love
mankind. That is all my wisdom, and my farewell."

The general sighed. "You will not go with me? Well, then, farewell!"
And as if to disperse the painful and bitter feelings which assailed
his German heart, he turned away and called, in Russian, to his
adjutant: "Let us break up, gentlemen. To horse, to horse!"

But in the midst of the confusion of the soldiers, and the tramping
of horses, the chief burgomaster made a way for himself. He had to
sustain the honor of the Council, and pronounce the beautifully worded
oration which had cost him two sleepless nights to compose; he had to
place in the hands of the general the offering of Berlin gratitude.

At last he succeeded in reaching the general, and he began his speech.
Full and powerful did his voice sound through the New Market, and the
delighted people rejoiced over the oratorical talent of their chief
magistrate, and gazed with pride and admiration at his golden chain
of office--that chain which had gone through so much, had endured so
much, without growing pale or dim.

But General Tottleben did not accept the present which the city of
Berlin offered him. He said: "If the town believed that its fate was
rendered more tolerable by my discipline than it otherwise would have
been, let it thank the express orders of my empress. The honor of
having been commander of Berlin for three days is sufficient reward
for me."

Three hours later Berlin was freed from Russians and Austrians.
Gotzkowsky, who had finally succeeded in freeing himself from the
tumultuous expressions of gratitude of the Council, the editors, and
the Jews, returned to his home, of which he himself says: "My house
resembled more a cow-house than a dwelling, having been filled for a
while, night and day, with Russians."

* * * * *

CHAPTER XIV.

BRIDE AND DAUGHTER.

At the mere announcement of the approach of the king toward Berlin,
the Russian army had left the city and withdrawn to Frankfort. But no
inconsiderable number of officers had stayed behind; some of them
to organize the withdraw