air.

"I am about to enter upon a new war; no one knows if he will ever return
from a campaign. I dare not spare my life, when the honor and fame of
my house are at stake. Our life and death, however, are in God's hands.
Before we risk our lives, we should put every thing in order, and leave
nothing undone which it is our duty to do. I will write my instructions
to-day, and send them to you. Promise me, upon your word of honor as
a man, that you will act upon them, as long as you are tutor to Prince
Frederick William, even if I should not return from the campaign."

"I promise it to your majesty," answered the tutor. "I will, in all
things, according to the best of my ability, follow your majesty's
instructions."

"I believe you; I take you to be an honorable man," said the king. "You
will always be mindful of the great responsibility which rests upon you,
as you have a prince to educate who will one day govern a kingdom, and
upon whom the weal and woe of many millions are dependent. And when
those millions of men one day bless the king whom you have educated,
a part of the blessing will fall upon you; but when they curse him, so
falls the curse likewise upon your guilty head, and you will feel the
weight of it, though you may be in your grave! Be mindful of this,
and act accordingly. Now you may depart. I will write the instructions
immediately, so that you may receive them to-day."

Herr Behnisch bowed, backing out toward the door.

"One thing more," cried the king, motioning with his Staff to the tutor.
"In order that you may ever remember our interview, I will present you
with a souvenir."

He opened the drawer of his private writing-table, and took out a gold
snuff-box, with his initials set in brilliants upon the cover; handing
it to Herr Behnisch, he motioned him to retire, and thus spare him the
expression of his gratitude.

"Your majesty," stammered Herr Behnisch, with tears in his eyes, "I--"

"You are an honest man, and so long as you remain so, you can count upon
me. Adieu!--Now," said the king, as the door closed, "have you recovered
the plaything?"

"Here it is, your majesty," shouted the prince, as he held up
triumphantly the battledoor and shuttlecock high in the air.

"You deserve your reward, and you shall have it. You can stay with me
and play with it here. Take care and not make too much noise, as I wish
to write."

The king now seated himself, to draw up the instructions for Herr
Behni