ays the vehement Princess], we heard a
sharp tapping at the window; and started up in surprise, to see what it
could be. It was a raven, carrying in its beak a bit of bread, which it
left on the window-sill, and flew away." [Ib. i. 316.]

"Tears came into our eyes at this adventure." Are we become as Hebrew
Elijahs, then; so that the wild ravens have to bring us food? Truth is,
there was nothing miraculous, as Wilhelmina found by and by. It was a
tame raven,--not the soul of old George I., which lives at Isleworth on
good pensions; but the pet raven of a certain Margravine, which lost
its way among the intricate roofs here. But the incident was touching.
"Well," exclaimed Wilhelmina, "in the Roman Histories I am now reading,
it is often said those creatures betoken good luck." All Berlin, such
the appetite for gossip, and such the famine of it in Berlin at present,
talked of this minute event: and the French Colony--old Protestant
Colony, practical considerate people--were so struck by it, they brought
baskets of comfortable things to us, and left them daily, as if by
accident, on some neutral ground, where the maid could pick them up,
sentries refusing to see unless compelled. Which fine procedure has
attached Wilhelmina to the French nation ever since, as a dexterous
useful people, and has given her a disposition to help them where she
could.

The omen of the raven did not at once bring good luck: however, it did
chance to be the turning-point, solstice of this long Greenland winter;
after which, amid storms and alarms, daylight came steadily nearer.
Storms and alarms: for there came rumors of quarrels out at Potsdam,
quarrels on the old score between the Royal Spouses there; and frightful
messages, through one Eversmann, an insolent royal lackey, about wedding
Weissenfels, about imprisonment for life and other hard things; through
all which Wilhelmina studied to keep her poor head steady, and answer
with dignity yet discreetly. On the other hand, her Sisters are
permitted to visit her, and perceptible assuagements come. At length, on
the 11th of May, there came solemn Deputation, Borck, Grumkow, Thulmeyer
in it, old real friends and pretended new; which set poor Wilhelmina
wringing her hands (having had a Letter from Mamma overnight); but did
bring about a solution. It was Friday, 11th of May; a day of crisis in
Wilhelmina's history; Queen commanding one thing, King another, and the
hour of decision come.

Enterin