em."

"Yes, he receives every one; he gives gay balls every evening, at which
he laughs and jokes merrily. He keeps open house, and the poor people
assemble there in crowds to see him eat." Maria Josephine sighed deeply.
"I hate this miserable, changeable people!" murmured she.

"And your majesty does well," said the countess, whose wrinkled, yellow
countenance was now illuminated by a strange fire. "The anger of God
will rest upon this heretical nation that has turned from her salvation,
and left the holy mother church in haughty defiance. The King of Poland
cannot even appoint true Catholic-Christians as his officers--every
position of any importance is occupied by heretics. But the deluge will
surely come again upon this sinful people and destroy them."

The queen crossed herself, and prayed in a low voice.

The countess continued: "This Frederick stimulates these heretical
Saxons in their wicked unbelief. He, who it is well known, laughs
and mocks at every religion, even his own--attended, yesterday, the
Protestant church, to show our people that he is a protector of that
church."

"Woe, woe to him!" said the queen.

"With listening ear he attended to his so-called preacher's sermon,
and then loudly expressed his approval of it, well knowing that this
preacher is a favorite of heretics in Dresden. This cunning king wished
to give them another proof of his favor. Does your majesty wish to know
of the present he made this, preacher?"

"What?" said the queen, with a mocking laugh. "Perhaps a Bible, with
the marginal observations of his profligate friends, Voltaire and La
Mettrie?"

"No, your majesty; the king sent this learned preacher a dozen bottles
of champagne!"

"He is a blasphemous scoffer, even with that which he declares holy. But
punishment will overtake him. Already the voice of my exalted nephew,
the Emperor of Germany, is to be heard throughout the entire land,
commanding the King of Prussia to return at once to his own kingdom,
and to make apologies to the King of Poland for his late insults. It is
possible that, in his haughty pride, Frederick will take no notice of
this command. But it will be otherwise with the generals and commandants
of this usurper. They have been commanded by the emperor to leave their
impious master, and not to be the sharers of his frightful crime."

"I fear," said Countess Ogliva, sighing, and raising her eyes
heavenward--"I fear they will not listen to the voice of o