the way thither is dangerous, is terrible in this case. Be not too hard
upon your Crown-Prince. For it is certain he loves you to the last!

Captain Dickens, who alone of all the Excellencies was not at the
Wedding,--and never had believed it would be a wedding, but only a rumor
to bring England round,--duly chronicles this happy reappearance of
the Prince-Royal: "about six, yesterday evening, as the company was
dancing,--to the great joy and surprise of the whale Court;"--and adds:
"This morning the Prince came to the public Parade; where crowds of
people of all ranks flocked to see his Royal Highness, and gave the most
open demonstrations of pleasure." [Despatch 24th November, 1731.]

Wilhelmina, these noisy tumults, not all of them delightful, once done,
gets out of the perplexed hurly-burly, home towards still Baireuth,
shortly after New-year. [11th January, 1732 (Wilhelmina, ii. 20.]
"Berlin was become as odious to me as it had once been dear. I flattered
myself that, renouncing grandeurs, I might lead a soft and tranquil
life in my new Home, and begin a happier year than the one that had
just ended." Mamma was still perverse; but on the edge of departure
Wilhelmina contrived to get a word of her Father, and privately open her
heart to him. Poor Father, after all that has come and gone:--

"My discourse produced its effect; he melted into tears, could not
answer me for sobs; he explained his thoughts by his embracings of me.
Making an effort, at length, he said: 'I am in despair that I did not
know thee. They had told me such horrible tales, I hated thee as much as
I now love thee. If I had addressed myself direct to thee, I should have
escaped much trouble, and thou too. But they hindered me from speaking;
said thou wert ill-natured as the Devil, and wouldst drive me to
extremities I wanted to avoid. Thy Mother, by her intriguings, is in
part the cause of the misfortunes of the family; I have been deceived
and duped on every side. But my hands are tied; and though my heart is
torn in pieces, I must leave these iniquities unpunished!'"--The Queen's
intentions were always good, urged Wilhelmina. "Let us not enter into
that detail," answered he: "what is past is past; I will try to forget
it;" and assured Wilhelmina that she was the dearest to him of the
family, and that he would do great things for her still,--only part of
which came to effect in the sequel. "I am too sad of heart to take
leave of you," concluded