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story of this war which he had just closed； and that he intended always to live at Sans…Souci； as its quiet and repose seemed more agreeable to him than the noise and turmoil of the great city。 He then dismissed the marquis for a short time； that he might rest before going to the table。
But the king did not rest。 Too many and too powerful thoughts were surging in his breast。 Leaning back in his arm…chair； he thought of the future。 He recalled his own life and arranged his future course。 After sitting thus for a long time； he suddenly arose； his countenance bright with a firm and energetic expression。
〃Yes； thus it shall be；〃 he said aloud。 〃I will be the father of my people。 I will live for them； forgetting the wickedness of men； or only avenging myself on them by the prickings of a needle。 I have no family； therefore my people shall be my family。 I have no children； therefore every one who needs my aid shall become my child； and for them I will do the duties of a father。 My country bleeds from a thousand woundsto heal these wounds shall be the task of my life。〃
True to this resolution； the king called together his ministers the next day； and commanded them to obtain exact accounts of the condition of his provinces； to inform him of the wants and necessities of the people； and to assist him in relieving them。 True to this resolution； the king was untiring in his work for the good of his people。 He wished to see all； to prove all。 He desired to be the source from which his subjects received all their strength and power。
Therefore he must know all their griefshe must lend an open ear to all their demands。
His first command was； that any one who asked for an interview should be admitted。 And when one of his ministers dared to express his astonishment at this order。 〃It is the duty of a king；〃 said Frederick； 〃to listen to the request of the most insignificant of his subjects。 I am a regent for the purpose of making my people happy。 I do not dare close my ears to their complaints。〃 And he listened sympathizingly to the sorrows of his people； and his whole mind and thoughts were given to obtain their alleviation。 He was always willing to aid with his counsel and his strength。 Untiring in the work； he read every letter； every petition； and examined every answer which was written by his cabinet council。 He and he alone； was the soul of his government。
A new life began to reign in this land； of which he was the soul。 He worked more than all of his ministers or servants； and music and science were his only pleasure and recreation。 He was a hero in peace as well as in war。 He did not require； as others do； the distraction of gay pleasures。 Study was his chief recreation conversation with his friends was his greatest pleasure。 Even the hunt； the so…called 〃knightly pleasure；〃 had no charms for him。
〃Hunting；〃 said the king； 〃is one of the senseless pleasures which excites the body but leaves the mind unemployed。 We are more cruel than the wild beasts themselves。 He who can murder an innocent animal in cold blood； would find it impossible to show mercy to his fellow…man。 Is hunting a proper employment for a thinking creature？ A gentleman who hunts can only be forgiven if he does so rarely； and then to distract his thoughts from sad and earnest business matters。 It would be wrong to deny sovereigns all relaxation； but is there a greater pleasure for a monarch than to rule well； to enrich his state； and to advance all useful sciences and arts？ He who requires other enjoyments is to be pitied。〃
CHAPTER V。
THE ENGRAVED CUP。
Princess Amelia was alone in her boudoirshe was ever alone。 She lay upon the sofa； gazed at the ceiling； and in utter despair reflected upon her miserable fate。 For years she had looked anxiously forward to the conclusion of this unhappy war in which Austria and Prussia were so fiercely opposed。 So long as they were active enemies； Trenck must remain a prisoner。 But she had said to herself； 〃When peace is declared； the prisoners of war will be released； and Maria Theresa will demand that her captain； Frederick von Trenck； be set at liberty。〃
Peace had been declared four months； and Trenck still lay in his subterranean cell at Magdeburg。 All Europe was freed from the fetters of war。 Trenck alone was unpardoned and forgotten。 This thought made Amelia sad unto death； banished sleep from her couch； and made her a restless； despairing wanderer during the day。 Amelia had no longer an objectthe last ray of hope was extinguished。 Peace had been concluded and Trenck was forgotten！ God had denied her the happiness of obtaining Trenck's freedom； He would not even grant her the consolation of seeing him released through others。 For nine years Trenck had languished in prisonfor nine years Amelia's only thought； only desire； was to enable him to escape。 Her life was consecrated to this one object。 She thought not of the gold she had sacrificedshe had offered up not only her entire private fortune； but had made debts which her income was utterly inadequate to meet。 Money had no value except as it was consecrated to her one great aim。 She felt now that her heart had been crushed and broken in her useless efforts…that her hopes were trampled in the dust； and her existence worthless。 Peace had visited all hearts but hers with new assurance of hope。 It brought to her nothing but despair and desolation。 While all others seemed to recommence life with fresh courage and confidence； Amelia withdrew to her apartments； brooding in dark discontenthating all those who laughed and were glad… spurning from her with angry jealousy the contented and happy。 The world was to her a vast tomb； and she despised all those who had the mad and blasphemous courage to dance on its brink。
Amelia avenged herself on those who avoided her； by pursuing them with spiteful jests and bitter sarcasm； hoping in this way to be relieved wholly from their presence。 She wished to be alone and always alone。 Her soul within her was desolate； and the outward world should take the same dark hue。 She lived like a prisoner secluded in her own apartments； and when some great court festival compelled her to appear in public； she revenged herself by wounding all who approached her。 The sufferings of others were a balsam to her heart； and she convinced herself that the pain she inflicted assuaged her own torments。
Amelia was alone； her maid of honor had just read aloud one of Moliere's biting； satirical comedies； and received leave of absence for a few hours。 The princess had also dismissed her chamberlain till dinner； and he had left the castle； only two pages waited in the anteroom； which was separated by two chambers from the boudoir。 Amelia had the happy consciousness of being alone in her grief； and； fearing no disturbance； she could sigh and lament aloud。 She dared give words to her rage and her despair； there were no other listeners than these dead； voiceless wallsthey had been long her only confidants。 The stillness was suddenly broken by a gentle knock at the door； and one of the pages entered。
With a frightened look； and begging earnestly to be pardoned for having dared to disturb the princess； he informed her that a stranger was without； who pleaded eagerly to be admitted。
〃What does he wish？〃 said Amelia； roughly。 〃I have neither office nor dignity to bestow； and； at present； I have no money！ Tell him this； and he will go away cheerfully。〃
〃The stranger says he is a jeweller； your highness；〃 said the page。 〃It is of great importance to him that you should look at his collection of gems； and if you will have the goodness to purchase a few trifles； you will make them the fashion in Berlin； and thus make his fortune。〃
〃Tell him he is a fool！〃 said Amelia； with a coarse laugh； 〃I have no desire to see his jewels！ Dismiss him； and do not dare disturb me again。 Well； why do you hesitate？ Why are you still here？〃
〃Ah； princess； the poor man begs so earnestly for admittance； he says your highness knew him at Magdeburg； and that the governor； the Landgrave of Hesse； expressly charged him to show the jewels to your highness。〃
These magical words aroused Amelia from her apathy。 With a quick movement she arose from the sofa； she w