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in Berlin； but to find some pretext for remaining at Rheinsberg。 His proud soul could not endure the thought that the woman he loved； who appeared to him fit to grace the first throne of the world； would occupy an inferior position at courtwould have to stand behind the queen。 He had never envied the king his crown or his position； but his heart now craved the crown of the queen； for the brow of his own beautiful wife； who seemed much better fitted to wear it than the gentle； timid Elizabeth Christine。 Princess Wilhelmina had therefore remained at Rheinsberg； feigning sickness。
It was night！ The castle of Rheinsberg glittered with the light of the torches by which the gates were adorned； to welcome the prince to his home。 The saloons and halls were brilliantly lighted； and in them a gay； merry crowd was assembled。 All the prince's friends and acquaintances had been invited by Princess Wilhelmina to greet his return。
Every thing in the castle bore the appearance of happinessall seemed gay and cheerful。 But still； there was one whose heart was beating anxiously at the thought of the approaching hourit was the Princess Wilhelmina。 She was gorgeously dressed； diamonds glittered on her brow and throat； bright roses gleamed upon her breast； and a smile was on her full； red lips。 No one knew the agony this smile cost her！ No one knew that the red which burned upon her cheek was caused； not by joy； but terror！
Yes； terror！ She was afraid of this meeting； in which she was to receive the prince as her loved husband； while； during the long years of absence； he had become a perfect stranger to her。 Not even bound to him by the daily occurrences of life； she had no sympathies with the husband who had been forced upon her； and who had once contemptuously put aside the timid heart that was then prepared to love him。 This stranger she was now to meet with every sign of love； because he had one day waked up to the conviction that the heart he had once spurned was worthy of him。 It was her duty now to return this loveto consecrate the rich treasures of her heart to him who had once scorned them。 Her soul rose in arms at this thought like an insulted lioness； and she felt some of that burning hatred that the lioness feels for her master who wishes to tame her with an iron rod。 The prince was to her but her master； who had bound and held her heart in irons； to keep it from escaping from him。
During these seven long years； she had experienced all the freedom and happiness of girlhood； her heart had beat with a power； a fire condemned by the princess herself； but which she was incapable of extinguishing。
Trembling and restless； she wandered through the rooms； smiling when she would have given worlds to have shrieked out her pain； her agony； decked in splendid garments； when she would gladly have been in her shroud。 Every sound every step； filled her with terror； for it might announce the arrival of her husband； whom she must welcome with hypocritical love and joy。 Could she but show him her scorn； her hatred； her indifference！ But the laws of etiquette held her in their stern bonds and would not release her。 She was a princess； and could not escape from the painful restraints of her position。 She had not the courage to do so。 At times in her day…dreams； she longed to leave all the cold； deceitful glare； by which she was surrounded… …to go to some far distant valley； and there to live alone and unknown； by the side of her lover； where no etiquette would disturb their happinesswhere she would be free as the birds of the air； as careless as the flowers of the field。 But these wild dreams vanished when the cold； cruel reality appeared to her。 By the side of the once loving woman stood again the princess； who could not surrender the splendor and magnificence by which she was surrounded。 She had not the courage nor the wish to descend from her height to the daily life of common mortals。 There was dissension in her soul between the high…born princess and the loving； passionate woman。 She was capable of making any and every sacrifice for her love； but she had never openly confessed this love； and even in her wildest dreams she had never thought of changing her noble name and position for those of her lover。 She could have fled with him to some distant valley； but would she be happy？ Would she not regret her former life？ Princess Wilhelmina felt the dissension in her soul； and therefore she trembled at the thought of her husband's return。 This meeting would decide her whole future。 Perhaps she could still be saved。 The prince； returning covered with fame and crowned with laurels； might now win her love； and drive from her heart every other thought。 But if he cannot win itif his return is not sufficient to loosen the chains which bind herthen she was lostthen she could not resist the intoxicating whispers luring her to ruin。
These were Princess Wilhelmina's thoughts as she leaned against a window of the brilliant ball…room； the protection of whose heavy curtains she had sought to drive for a moment from her face the gay smile and to breathe out the sighs that were almost rending her heart。 She was gazing at the dark night withoutat the bright； starry sky above。 Her lips moved in a low prayerher timid soul turned to God with its fears。
〃O God； my God！〃 murmured she； 〃stand by me。 Take from me the sinful thoughts that fill my heart。 Make me to love my husband。 Keep my soul free from shame and sin。〃
Hasty steps； loud； merry voices from the hall； disturbed her dreams。 She left her retreat； meeting everywhere gay smiles and joyous faces。 At the door stood the prince her husband。 He advanced eagerly to her side； and ignoring etiquette and the gay assemblage alike he pressed the princess to his heart and kissed her on both cheeks。
Wilhelmina drew from him in deadly terror； and a burning anger filled her heart。 Had she loved the prince； this public demonstration of his tenderness would perhaps have pleased and surely been forgiven by her。 As it was； she took his embrace and kisses as an insult； which was only to be endured by compulsionfor which she would surely revenge herself。
Prince Henry was so joyous； so happy at meeting his wife once more； that he did not notice her embarrassed silence； her stiff haughtiness； and thought she shared his joy； his delight。
This confidence seemed to the princess presumptuous and humiliating。 She confessed to herself that the prince's manners were not in the least improved by hia long campaignthat they were somewhat brusque。 He took her hand tenderly； leading her to a divan； and seated himself beside her； but suddenly jumping up he left her； and returned in a few moments with his friend Count Kalkreuth。
〃Permit me； Wilhelmina；〃 said he； 〃to introduce to you again my dear friend and companion in arms。 Men say I have won some fame； but I assure you that if it is true； Kalkreuth deserves the largest share； for he was the gardener who tended my laurels with wise and prudent hands。 I commend him； therefore； to your kindness and friendship； Wilhelmina； and beg you to evince for him a part of that affection you owe to me； and which causes my happiness。〃
There was something so noble； so open； and knightly in the prince's manner； that Count Kalkreuth； deeply touched； thought in his heart for a moment that he would not deceive this noblo friend with treachery and faithlessness。
The prince's words had a different effect upon the princess。 Instead of being touched by his great confidence in her； she was insulted。 It indicated great arrogance and self…conceit to be so sure of her love as to see no danger； but to bring his friend to her and commend him to her kindness。 It humiliated her for the prince to speak with such confidence of her affection as of a thing impossible to lose。 She determined； therefore； to punish him。 With a bright smile； she held out her hand to the count； and said to him a few kind words of welcome。 How she had trembled at the thought of this meetinghow she had blushed at the thought of standing beside the count with the conviction that not one of her words was forgottenthat the confession of love she had made to the departing soldier belonged now to the returned nobleman！ But her husband'