alkreuth, he shall receive the place you mentioned.
I have appointed him lieutenant-general of the third army corps in
Prussia. He will leave here at once. I desire you to inform him of his
promotion. As soon as you dismiss him, send him to me at Sans-Souci. You
tell me you are about to give a feast. That pleases me right well. It
is better to stifle your pain with bright flowers and gay music, than to
tear out your hair and retire to a convent. May your feast be a bright
one, and may it last forever! FREDERICK." Princess Wilhelmina, having
finished the letter, handed it to her husband. "I see," whispered she,
softly, "that you have been noble and generous, my husband. You shower
benefits upon us instead of just anger."

"I do neither the one nor the other," said the prince, coldly; "I simply
wish to pass a peaceful life, and above all things I would not have the
world think me unhappy, for unhappy I am not nor ever mean to be."

The princess gave a timid glance at his countenance, so at variance with
his words. The last three days had worked such a fearful change. His
cheeks were thin and pale, his brow dark and clouded--about his mouth
were deep lines of care never more to be effaced. Princess Wilhelmina
was deeply touched when she saw this change.

"My husband," said she softly, raising her hands imploringly to him,
"have pity on yourself--on me. Hear me before you decide. I feel that I
have sinned heavily against you, but I will endeavor to expiate my sin.
In looking at you and seeing how much you have suffered, the pain that
almost bursts my heart tells me how dear you are to me. I repent--I
repent, my husband. I will force my heart to love you, and you alone.
From now on, I will be a faithful wife; the one aim of my life shall be
to make you happy. Here I swear, as before God's altar, that I will love
and obey you as my husband and master. Will you accept this heart, that
comes to you full of repentance? Henry, will you?"

She held out her hand, with a bright, beaming glance, but he did not
take it.

"No; it is too late," said he. "I raised you a temple in my heart. You
have destroyed it, and wish now to build another with the shattered
ruins. No, princess; that which the lightning has struck must remain
in ashes. I could never believe in the stability of your building, but
would be expecting it to fall daily. This temple can never be rebuilt.
I forgive, but can never more love you. We are separated before God