d
with this Cain's mark upon our foreheads we will wander wearily through
the world." [Footnote: Count Weingarten escaped from all his troubles
happily. He married his sweetheart, the daughter of the castle-warder,
and went to Altmark, where, under the name of Veis, he lived happily for
many years.]

The king, in the mean while, after Weingarten had left him, walked
thoughtfully up and down his room. At times he raised his head and gazed
with a proud, questioning glance at the sky. Great thoughts were at work
within him. Now Frederick throws back his head proudly, and his eyes
sparkle.

"The time has come," said he, in a loud, full voice. "The hour for delay
is past; now the sword must decide between me and my enemies." He rang
a bell hastily, and ordered a valet to send a courier at once to Berlin,
to call General Winterfeldt, General Retzow, and also Marshal Schwerin,
to Sans-Souci.

CHAPTER VIII. DECLARATION OF WAR.

A few hours after the departure of the courier, the heavy movement
of wheels in the court below announced to the king, who was standing
impatiently at his window, the arrival of the expected generals. In the
same moment, his chamberlain, opening wide the library door, ushered
them into his presence.

"Ah!" said the king, welcoming them pleasantly, "I see I am not so
entirely without friends as my enemies think. I have but to call,
and Marshal Schwerin, that is, wisdom and victory, is at my side; and
Generals Winterfeldt and Retzow, that is, youth and courage, boldness
and bravery, are ready to give me all the assistance in their power.
Sirs, I thank you for coming to me at once. Let us be seated; listen to
what I have to say, and upon what earnest important subjects I wish your
advice."

And in a few words the king first showed them the situation of Europe
and of his own states, so as to prepare them for the more important
subjects he had to introduce before them.

"You will now understand," said he, "why I was so willing to make this
contract with England. I hoped thereby to gain Russia, who is allied to
England, to my side. But these hopes have been destroyed. Russia,
angry with Britain for having allied herself to Prussia, has broken her
contract. Bestuchef, it is true, wavered for a moment between his love
of English guineas and his hatred of me, but hate carried the day."

"But, sire," said Retzow, hastily, "if your majesty can succeed in
making a reconciliation between France and Eng