practise protection. I will keep
the spinning-wheel and the wool ready for you; that you may count upon.
Remember, also, that it is very disagreeable to me that you visit my
park, as I like to breathe pure air. Direct your promenade elsewhere,
and avoid meeting me in future."

"Your majesty, I--"

"Silence! I have heard sufficient. You have nothing more to say to me.
Go, hide your head, that no one may recognize your shame, or the levity
of the prince. Go--and, farewell forever!" He motioned impatiently to
her to retire, fastening his eyes with a fiery, penetrating glance upon
her pale, agitated face, her bowed, humble attitude, and still continued
to regard her as she painfully dragged herself down the walk, as if her
limbs were giving way under her. Long stood the king gazing after her,
resting upon his staff; and as she disappeared at the end of the walk,
he still stood there immovable. By degrees his face assumed a milder
expression. "He who is free from sin, let him cast the first stone at
her," said the king, softened, as he slowly turned down the path which
would lead to his carriage, waiting outside the park.

Frederick was lost in thought, and addressed no conversation to the
equerry, Von Schwerin, who sat opposite to him. But as they drove
through the beautiful street Unten den Linden, at Berlin, Frederick
glanced at the equerry, and found that he had fallen asleep, wearied
with the long silence and the monotony of the drive. The king spoke
to Alkmene, loud and earnestly, until Herr von Schwerin, awakened
and startled, glanced at the king, frightened, and trying to discover
whether his fearful crime against etiquette would draw upon him the
royal censure. Frederick, however, appeared not to notice his fright,
and spoke kindly to him: "Did you not tell me, Schwerin, that Count
Schmettau would sell his country residence at Charlottenburg?"

"At your service, your majesty, he asked me to purchase it, or find him
a purchaser."

"How much is it worth?"

"Sire, Count Schmettau demands eight thousand dollars for it. There is
a beautiful park belonging to it, and the house is worthy the name of a
castle, so large is it."

"Why do you not buy it, if the count offered it to you?"

The equerry assumed a sad mien, and answered, sighing: "Sire, I should
be the happiest of men if I could buy that charming residence, and it
would be a real blessing to me if I could enjoy in summer at times the
fresh air. My finance