and if
the same ride or drive to Potsdam, they shall immediately take a message
to his royal highness the Prince of Prussia, and announce to him that
his majesty expects him at Sans-Souci at ten o'clock tomorrow morning.
The Minister von Herzberg will be in waiting to confer with the prince.
The above is communicated to Wilhelmine Enke for her strict observance,
and she will act accordingly.'"

A long silence followed the reading of this letter. Both looked down,
thoughtfully recalling the contents.

"A prisoner," murmured Wilhelmine, "a prisoner in my own house."

"And for me the peremptory command to leave immediately for Potsdam, in
order to be at Sans-Souci early in the morning. What can the king mean?"

"He will announce to you my imprisonment, my exile," sighed Wilhelmine.

The crown prince shook his head. "No," said he, "I do not believe it. If
the king would send you to prison, he would not make such preparation;
he would not commence with the house arrest, as if you were an officer,
who had been guilty of some slight insubordination, but he would act
with decision, as is his wont. He would at once have sent you to Spandau
or some other prison, and left it to me to have taken further steps.
No--the more I think it over, the more evident it is to me that the king
is not really angry; he will only torment us a little, as it pleases his
teasing spirit. The chief thing now is to obey, and give him no
further occasion for anger. You must be very careful not to leave your
apartment, or to allow any one to enter it. I shall start without delay
for Potsdam. There are spies posted as well for you as myself; our steps
are watched, and an exact account of them given. I must away quickly."

"Must you leave me a prisoner? Oh, how hard and cruel life is!"

"Yes, it is, indeed, Wilhelmine. But I must also humbly submit and obey.
Is not life hard for me, and yet I am crown prince, the heir to the
throne! I shall be reprimanded and scolded like a footman. I must obey
as a slave, and am not permitted to act according to my will. I am only
a mere peg in the great machine which he directs, and the--"

"Hush! for mercy's sake be quiet! What if some one should hear you? You
know not if the spies may not be at the door."

"True," said the prince, bitterly. "I do not know! The nurse even, who
suckles our child, may be a paid spy. The owner of this house may be
in the king's service, and creep to the door to listen. Therefore i