frederick the great and his family-第133节
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or her love； but she had never openly confessed this love； and even in her wildest dreams she had never thought of changing her noble name and position for those of her lover。 She could have fled with him to some distant valley； but would she be happy？ Would she not regret her former life？ Princess Wilhelmina felt the dissension in her soul； and therefore she trembled at the thought of her husband's return。 This meeting would decide her whole future。 Perhaps she could still be saved。 The prince； returning covered with fame and crowned with laurels； might now win her love； and drive from her heart every other thought。 But if he cannot win itif his return is not sufficient to loosen the chains which bind herthen she was lostthen she could not resist the intoxicating whispers luring her to ruin。
These were Princess Wilhelmina's thoughts as she leaned against a window of the brilliant ball…room； the protection of whose heavy curtains she had sought to drive for a moment from her face the gay smile and to breathe out the sighs that were almost rending her heart。 She was gazing at the dark night withoutat the bright； starry sky above。 Her lips moved in a low prayerher timid soul turned to God with its fears。
〃O God； my God！〃 murmured she； 〃stand by me。 Take from me the sinful thoughts that fill my heart。 Make me to love my husband。 Keep my soul free from shame and sin。〃
Hasty steps； loud； merry voices from the hall； disturbed her dreams。 She left her retreat； meeting everywhere gay smiles and joyous faces。 At the door stood the prince her husband。 He advanced eagerly to her side； and ignoring etiquette and the gay assemblage alike he pressed the princess to his heart and kissed her on both cheeks。
Wilhelmina drew from him in deadly terror； and a burning anger filled her heart。 Had she loved the prince； this public demonstration of his tenderness would perhaps have pleased and surely been forgiven by her。 As it was； she took his embrace and kisses as an insult； which was only to be endured by compulsionfor which she would surely revenge herself。
Prince Henry was so joyous； so happy at meeting his wife once more； that he did not notice her embarrassed silence； her stiff haughtiness； and thought she shared his joy； his delight。
This confidence seemed to the princess presumptuous and humiliating。 She confessed to herself that the prince's manners were not in the least improved by hia long campaignthat they were somewhat brusque。 He took her hand tenderly； leading her to a divan； and seated himself beside her； but suddenly jumping up he left her； and returned in a few moments with his friend Count Kalkreuth。
〃Permit me； Wilhelmina；〃 said he； 〃to introduce to you again my dear friend and companion in arms。 Men say I have won some fame； but I assure you that if it is true； Kalkreuth deserves the largest share； for he was the gardener who tended my laurels with wise and prudent hands。 I commend him； therefore； to your kindness and friendship； Wilhelmina； and beg you to evince for him a part of that affection you owe to me； and which causes my happiness。〃
There was something so noble； so open； and knightly in the prince's manner； that Count Kalkreuth； deeply touched； thought in his heart for a moment that he would not deceive this noblo friend with treachery and faithlessness。
The prince's words had a different effect upon the princess。 Instead of being touched by his great confidence in her； she was insulted。 It indicated great arrogance and self…conceit to be so sure of her love as to see no danger； but to bring his friend to her and commend him to her kindness。 It humiliated her for the prince to speak with such confidence of her affection as of a thing impossible to lose。 She determined； therefore； to punish him。 With a bright smile； she held out her hand to the count； and said to him a few kind words of welcome。 How she had trembled at the thought of this meetinghow she had blushed at the thought of standing beside the count with the conviction that not one of her words was forgottenthat the confession of love she had made to the departing soldier belonged now to the returned nobleman！ But her husband's confidence had shorn the meeting of all its terror； and made the road she had to travel easy。
The count bowed deeply before her and pressed her hand to his lips。 She returned the pressure of his hand； and； as he raised his head and fixed an almost imploring glance upon her； he encountered her eyes beaming with unutterable love。
The court assembly stood in groups； looking with cold； inquisitive eyes at the piquant scene the prince in the innocence of his heart had prepared for themwhich was to them an inimitable jest； an excellent amusement。 They all knewwhat the prince did not for a moment suspectthat Count Kalkreuth adored the princess。 They now desired to see if this love was returned by the princess； or suffered by her as a coquette。
None had gazed at this scene with such breathless sympathy； such cruel joy； as Madame du Trouffle。 Being one of the usual circle at Rheinsberg； she had been invited by the princess to the present fete； and it seemed to her very amusing to receive her own husband； not at their home； but at the castle of her former lover。 Major du Trouffle was on the prince's staff； and had accompanied him to Rheinsberg。
Louise had not as yet found time to greet her husband。 Her glance was fixed eagerly upon the princess； she noticed her every movement； her every look； she watched every smile； every quiver of her lip。 Her husband stood at her sidehe had been there for some time； greeting her in low； tender wordsbut Louise did not attend to him。 She seemed not to see him； her whole soul was in her eyes； and they were occupied with the princess。 Suddenly she turns her sparkling eyes upon her husband and murmurs。 〃He is lost！ His laurels will be insufficient to cover the brand which from to…day on will glow upon his brow！〃 Her husband looked at her in amazement。
〃Is this your welcome； after seven long years of absence； Louise？〃 said he； sadly。
She laid her hand hastily upon his arm； saying； 〃Hush； hush！〃 Once more she gazed at the princess； who was talking and laughing gayly with her husband and Count Kalkreuth。 〃How her cheeks glow； and what tender glances she throws him！〃 murmured Louise。 〃Ah！ the prince has fallen a victim to his ingenuousness！ Verily； he is again praising the merits of his friend。 He tells her how Kalkreuth saved his life… …how he received the blow meant for his own head。 Poor prince！ You will pay dearly for the wound Kalkreuth received for you。 I said； and I repeat ithe is lost！〃
Her husband looked at her as if he feared she had gone mad during his absence。 〃Of whom do you speak； Louise？〃 whispered he。 〃What do you mean？ Will you not speak one word of welcome to me to convince me that you know methat I have not become a stranger to you？〃 The princess now arose from her seat； and leaning on her husband's arm she passed through the room； talking merrily with Count Kalkreuth at her side。 〃They have gone to the conservatory；〃 said Louise； grasping her husband's arm。 〃We will also go and find some quiet； deserted place where we can talk undisturbed。〃
CHAPTER III。
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER。
Louise du Trouffle drew her husband onward； and they both followed silently the great crowd which was now entering the splendidly illuminated conservatories。 The view offered to the eye was superb。 You seemed to be suddenly transplanted as if by magic from the stiff； ceremonious court…saloons into the fresh； fragrant； blooming world of nature。 You breathed with rapture the odor of those rare and lovely flowers which were arranged in picturesque order between the evergreen myrtles and oranges。 The windows； and indeed the ceiling were entirely covered with vines； and seemed to give color to the illusion that you were really walking in an open alley。 Colored Chinese balloons attached to fine chains； fell from the ceiling； and seemed to float like gay butterflies between the trees and flowers。 They threw their soft； faint； many…colored lights through these enchanting halls； on each side of which little grottoes had been formed by twining together myrtles； palms； and fragrant bushes。 Each one of these held a little grass…plot； or green divan； and these were so arranged that the branches of the palms were bent down over the seats； and concealed those who rested there behind a leafy screen。
To one of these grottoes Louise now led her husband。 〃We will rest here awhile；〃 said she。 〃This grotto has one advantageit lies at the corner of the wall and has but one open side； and leafy bushes are thickly grouped about it。 We have no listeners to fear； and may chat together frankly and harmlessly。 And now； first of all； welcome； my husbandwelcome to your home！〃
〃God be thanked； LouiseGod be thanked that you have at last known how to speak one earnest word； and welcome me to your side！ Believe me； when I say that through all these weary years； each day I have rejoiced at the thought of this moment。 It has been my refreshment and my consolation。 I truly believe that the thought of you and my ardent desire to see you was a talisman which kept death afar off。 It seemed to me impossible to di
