tle Girl--Well, who knows!

Besides her three Boys (one of whom, as Reigning Duke, will become
notorious enough to Wilhelmina and mankind), the Lais Duchess has left
at Berlin--at least, I guess she has now left him, in exchange perhaps
for some other--a certain very gallant, vagabond young Marquis d'Argens,
"from Constantinople" last; originally from the Provence countries;
extremely dissolute creature, still young (whom Papa has had to
disinherit), but full of good-humor, of gesticulative loyal talk, and
frothy speculation of an Anti-Jesuit turn (has written many frothy
Books, too, in that strain, which are now forgotten): who became a very
great favorite with Friedrich, and will be much mentioned in subsequent
times.

"In the end of July," continues Wilhelmina, "we went to Stouccard
[Stuttgard, capital of Wurtemberg, O beautiful glib tongue!], whither
the Duchess had invited us: but--" And there we are on blank paper;
our dear Wilhelmina has ceased speaking to us: her MEMOIRS end; and
oblivious silence wraps the remainder!--

Concerning this effulgent Dowager of Wurtemberg, and her late ways at
Berlin, here, from Bielfeld, is another snatch, which we will excerpt,
under the usual conditions:

"BERLIN, FEBRUARY, 1742 [real date of all that is not fabulous in
Bielfeld, who chaotically dates it "6th December" of that Year]. ... A
day or two after this [no matter WHAT] I went to the German Play, the
only spectacle which is yet fairly afoot in Berlin. In passing in, I
noticed the Duchess Dowager of Wurtemberg, who had arrived, during my
absence, with a numerous and brilliant suite, as well to salute the King
and the Queens [King off, on his Moravian Business, before she came],
and to unite herself more intimately with our Court, as to see the Three
Princes her Children settled in their new place, where, by consent of
the States of Wurtemberg, they are to be educated henceforth.

"As I had not yet had myself presented to the Duchess, I did not presume
to approach too near, and passed up into the Theatre. But she noticed
me in the side-scenes; asked who I was [such a handsome fashionable
fellow], and sent me order to come immediately and pay my respects. To
be sure, I did so; was most graciously received; and, of course, called
early next day at her Palace. Her Grand-Chamberlain had appointed me the
hour of noon. He now introduced me accordingly: but what was my surprise
to find the Princess in bed; in a negligee all n