f the vandal conduct of
the Saxons at Charlottenburg, had issued strict orders not to trouble
him with this business, and not to report to him about them until they
could at the same time show that the sum demanded had been paid. And
therewith sentence had been passed upon the unfortunate citizens of
Leipsic. No one dared to mention to the king the torments and tortures
to which the hostages of the pitiable town were subjected. No one
had the courage to beg for mercy for those whose only crime was, that
their riches were exhausted, their coffers empty, and that they did
not possess the means to pay the inordinate sums demanded of them.

But while the population of Leipsic was undergoing this grief,
this hard time of trial, an uninterrupted quiet and precious peace
prevailed in the house inhabited by the King of Prussia. Music was
performed, readings were held, and in the midst of these gentle
diversions and this pleasant rest Frederick drew up the plans of
fresh, battles and new and great undertakings. Fasch and Quanz had
been brought from Berlin to play music for him, the Marquis d'Argens
to philosophize for him, his dogs to amuse him. The king, who knew
enough of men to despise the wavering, erring, sinful creatures, was
also a sufficient connoisseur of dogs to love the faithful, obedient,
submissive animals with his whole heart, and devoted a great part of
his time to them. He who was deaf to the wailing and lamentations of
a whole city, had his ears open to the least whine of Biche, or his
favorite Psyche, and never would have forgiven him who had dared
to treat one of his dogs as so many of the noble and distinguished
citizens of Leipsic were being treated in his name.

* * * * *

CHAPTER III.

THE FRIEND IN NEED.

No one would have dared to speak a word for the refractory
citizens and authorities of Leipsic to the king, nor act in direct
contravention to his express orders. Even the Marquis d'Argens, his
intimate friend and confidant, had refused to be the advocate of the
unfortunate town. It seemed to be lost, without hope of redemption,
and already it had been threatened with the extreme of severity. It
had been announced to the chief men, the fathers and heads of families
who were pining in the prisons, that they would be transported on foot
to Magdeburg as recruits, with knapsacks on their backs. But at
this moment the rescuer in need, of the afflicted city, made hi