sembled in the Prince's drawing room,
conversing and imparting to one another their fears and hopes. All at once
the door of the cabinet opened and the Electoral Prince entered. Pale as
death, but with firm, determined features, he stepped up to the three
gentlemen, who looked at him with tender, anxious glances.

"Marwitz," he said, "you can this very day set out on your return to
Berlin, for your mission is fulfilled. Say to my father that as an
obedient son I submit to his wishes, and shall forthwith depart for
Berlin."

The three gentlemen only answered him by a single cry of joy, and,
animated by one feeling, one inspiration, sank upon their knees and prayed
aloud, "Bless, O God! bless the Prince, who has conquered himself!"

"What is going on here?" asked a loud manly voice behind them. "What means
this? Three gentlemen on their knees, and my young cousin looking on like
the Knight St. George!"

"And so he is, Prince of Orange," cried Baron Leuchtmar, rising and
advancing to meet the Prince, who had come in unannounced, as was his wont
at the house of his cousin. "Yes, he is a Knight St. George, who has
conquered the dragon. You know, Prince Henry, how sweetly they have
enticed him, with what magic chains they have been encircling him. You
know the Media Nocte and"--added he softly--"the Princess Ludovicka."

"Well, and what more now?" asked the Prince, with eager interest. "Not
much, cousin," said Frederick William, with a melancholy smile. "I must
bid you farewell. I owe it to my parents, to my honor, and my country,
forthwith to leave The Hague!"[19]

"Bravo, cousin, bravo!" cried Henry of Orange. "You flee from danger and
escape from temptation. That is to be called heroism, and herewith you
have as truly conquered a citadel as when I vanquished Breda!"

"Believe me too, cousin," said Frederick William, while he leaned upon the

Prince's heroic breast--"believe me, that this victory has cost much blood
and many tears."

One moment he let his head rest on the shoulder of his fatherly friend,
then proudly drew himself up.

"Baron Leuchtmar and you, my trusty private secretary, Mueller!" he cried,
with loud voice, "to-day we leave The Hague and proceed to Arnheim, and
thence we set forth to-morrow on our journey home. Marwitz, you travel in
advance. The golden days of our youth are past! Let iron ones follow! I am
prepared for all!"

BOOK III.

I.--NEW PLANS.

"Strange, very strange," mutt