The door was thrown open and the princes entered. First came the Prince
of Prussia, whose pale, dejected countenance was to-day paler and
sadder than usual. Then Prince Henry, whose quick bright eyes were fixed
inquiringly on General Retzow. The general shrugged his shoulders, and
shook his head. Prince Henry must have understood these movements, for
his brow became clouded, and a deep red suffused his countenance. The
king, who had seen this, laughed mockingly, and let the princes approach
very close to him, before addressing them.

"Sirs," said he, "I have called you here, because I have some important
news to communicate. The days of peace are over and war is at hand!"

"War! and with whom?" said the Prince of Prussia, earnestly. "War with
our enemies!" cried the king. "War with those who have sworn Prussia's
destruction. War with Austria, France, Saxony, and Russia!"

"That is impossible, my brother," cried the prince, angrily. "You cannot
dream of warring against such powerful nations. You cannot believe in
the possibility of victory. Powerful and mighty as your spirit is it
will have to succumb before the tremendous force opposed to it. Oh! my
brother! my king! be merciful to yourself, to us, to our country. Do
not desire the impossible! Do not venture into the stormy sea of war,
to fight with your frail barks against the powerful men of war that your
enemies, will direct against you. We cannot be victorious! Preserve to
your country your own precious life, and that of her brave sons."

The king's eyes burned with anger; they were fixed with an expression of
deep hatred upon the prince.

"Truly, my brother," said he, in a cold, cutting tone, "fear has made
you eloquent. You speak as if inspired."

A groan escaped the prince, and he laid his hand unwittingly upon his
sword. He was deadly pale, and his lips trembled so violently, that he
could scarcely speak.

"Fear!" said he, slowly. "That is an accusation which none but the king
would dare to bring against me, and of which I will clear myself, if it
comes to this unhappy war which your majesty proposes, and which I now
protest against, in the name of my rights, my children, and my country."

"And I," said Prince Henry, earnestly--"I also protest against this war!
Have pity on us, my king. Much as I thirst for renown and glory, often
as I have prayed to God to grant me an occasion to distinguish myself,
I now swear to subdue forever this craving for renow