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the war over seven million crowns。
In the strict meaning of the term； Prussia had made no debt； but she was； in fact； as much impoverished as her adversaries。 The Prussian money which was circulated during the war was worthless。
At the close of the war； all those who carried these promissory notes shared the fate of the rich man in the fairy tale。 The money collected at night turned to ashes before morning。 This was the fatal fruit of the war which for seven years had scourged Europe。 Prussia； however； had reason to be satisfied and even grateful。 Although bleeding from a thousand wounds； exhausted and faint unto death； she promised a speedy recovery； she was full of youthful power and energyhad grown； morally； during this seven years' strugglehad become great under the pressure of hardship and self… denial； and now ranked with the most powerful nations of Europe。
To…day； however； suffering and destitution were forgotten： only smiling； joyous faces were seen in Berlin。 The whole city seemed to be invigorated by the golden rays of fortune； no one appeared to suffer； no one to mourn for the lostand yet amongst the ninety… eight thousand inhabitants of Berlin； over thirty thousand received alms weeklyso that a third of the population were objects of charity。 To…day no one thirsted； no one was hungry； all hearts were merry； all faces glad！
They had not seen their great King Frederick for seven years； they would look upon him to…day。 The royal family had arrived from Magdeburg。
Every one hastened to the streets to see Frederick； who on his departure had been but the hero…king of Prussia； but who now； on his return； was the hero of all Europewhom all nations greetedwhose name was uttered in Tartary； in Africa； with wonder and admiration yes； in all parts of the civilized and uncivilized world！
The streets were filled with laughing crowds； all pressed toward the Frankfort gate； where the king was to enter。 The largest arch of triumph was erected over this gate； and all other streets were decorated somewhat in the same manner。 Every eye was turned toward this street； all were awaiting with loudly…beating hearts the appearance of that hero whose brow was decked with so many costly laurels。 No heart was more impatient； no one gazed so eagerly at the Frankfort gate as the good Marquis d'Argens； he stood at the head of the burghers； near the arch of triumph； he had organized the citizens for this festal reception； he had left his cherished retirement for love of his royal friend； to welcome him； he had ventured into the cutting wind of a cold March morning。 For Frederick's sake he had mounted a horse； a deed of daring he had not ventured upon for many a year； in his lively impatience； he even forgot the danger of being run away with or dragged in the dust。
The marquis knew well that nothing could be more disagreeable to the king than this public reception； but his heart was overflowing with hope and happiness； and he felt the necessity of shouting his vivats in the sunny air。 In the egotism of his love； he forgot to respect the preferences of the king。
Perhaps Frederick suspected this triumph which his good Berliners had prepared for him。 Perhaps it appeared to his acute sensibilities and noble heart altogether inappropriate to welcome the returned soldiers with wild shouts of joy； when so many thousand loved ones were lying buried on the bloody battle…field。 Perhaps he did not wish to see Berlin； where his mother had so lately died； adorned in festal array。
Hour after hour passed。 The sun was setting。 The flowers which had been taken from the greenhouses to decorate the arch of triumph； bowed their lovely heads sadly in the rough March winds。 The fresh； cool breeze whistled through the light draperies and displaced their artistic folds。 Notwithstanding the enthusiasm of the citizens； they began to be hungry； and to long greatly for the conclusion of these solemnities。 Still the king came not。 The Berliners waited awhile longer； and then one after another quietly withdrew。 This bad example was speedily imitated； and the gay cortege of riders grew small by degrees and beautifully less。 At sunset but a few hundred citizens remained at the gate； and even these heroic Spartans showed but little of the enthusiasm of the morning。
Marquis d'Argens was in despair； and if Frederick had arrived at this moment he would have heard a reproachful phillipic from his impatient friend instead of a hearty welcome。 But fortune did not favor him。 so far as to give him the opportunity to relieve his temper。 The king did not appear。 The marquis at last proposed to the citizens to get torches； and thus in spite of the darkness give to their king a glittering reception。 They agreed cheerfully； and the most of them dashed off to the city to make the necessary preparations。
The streets were soon brilliantly lighted； and now in the distance the king's carriage was seen approaching。 Throughout the vast train shouts and vivats were heard； and the proud voices of this happy people filled the air as with the thunder of artillery。
〃Long life to the king！ Long life to Frederick the Great！〃
The carriage came nearer and nearer； and now myriads of lights danced around it。 The citizens had returned with their torches； and the carriage of Frederick rolled on as if in a sea of fire。 It drew up at the arch of triumph。 The king rose and turned his face toward his people； who were shouting their glad welcome。 The light from the torches fell upon his countenance； and their red lustre gave his cheek a fresh and youthful appearance。
His subjects saw once more his sparkling； speaking eye； in which shone the same energy； the same imperial power； as in days gone by。 They saw the soft； sympathetic smile which played around his eloquent lipsthey saw him； their king； their hero； and were glad。 They laughed and shouted with rapture。 They stretched out their arms as if to clasp in one universal embrace their dear…loved king； who was so great； so beautiful； so far above them in his bright radiance。 They threw him fond kisses； and every utterance of his name seemed a prayer to God for his happiness。
But one stood by the carriage who could not speakwhose silent； trembling lips were more eloquent than words。 No language could express the delight of D'Argentno words could paint the emotion which moved his soul and filled his eyes with tears。
The king recognized him； and holding out his hand invited him to take a seat in the carriage。 Then giving one more greeting to his people； he said； 〃Onwardonward to Charlottenburg。〃
At a quick pace the carriage drove through Berlin。 Those who had not had the courage and strength to await the king at the Frankfort gate； were now crowding the streets to welcome him。
Frederick did not raise himself again from the dark corner of the carriage。 He left it to the Duke of Brunswick to return the salutations of the people。 He remained motionless； and did not even appear to hear the shouts of his subjects。 Not once did he raise his hand to greet themnot a word passed his lips。
When they crossed the king's bridge and reached the castle grounds； the people were assembled and closely crowded together。 Frederick now raised himself； but he did not see themhe did not regard the brilliantly illuminated houses； or the grounds sparkling in a flood of light。 He turned slowly and sadly toward the castlehis eye rested upon that dark； gloomy mass of stone； which arose to the right； and contrasted mysteriously with the brilliant houses around it。 It looked like a monstrous coffin surrounded by death…lights。 Frederick gazed long and steadily at the castle。 He raised his head once more； but not to greet his subjects。 He covered his facehe would not be looked at in his grief。 D'Argens heard him murmur； 〃My mother； oh my mother！ Oh； my sister！〃
The Prussians welcomed joyously the return of their great king； but Frederick thought only at this moment of those who could never returnthose whom death had torn from him forever。 Onward； onward through the lighted streets！ All the inhabitants of Berlin seemed to be abroad。 This was a Roman triumph； well calculated to fill the heart of a sovereign with just pride。
The Berliners did not see