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〃How！〃 said the king； 〃he is in Leipsic？〃
〃Sire； I think he was there；〃 said Count Mattzahn； laughing； 〃for it seems that the Prussians； led by their king； have taken the wings of the morning。 Frederick was in Leipsic when the courier lefthe must now be on his way to Dresden。 But he has commissioned me to say that his motive for passing through Saxony is to see and request your majesty to take a neutral part in this war between Austria and Prussia。〃
〃A neutral part！〃 said the king； angrily； 〃when my land is invaded without question or permission； and peace broken in this inexplicable manner。 Have you any other message； count？〃
〃I have finished； sire； and humbly ask if you have any answer for my sovereign？〃
〃Tell the king； your master； that I will raise my voice throughout the land of Germany to complain of this unheard…of and arbitrary infringement of the peace。 At the throne of the German emperor I will demand by what right the King of Prussia dares to enter Saxony with his army and take possession of my cities。 You can depart； sir； I have no further answer for his majesty！〃
The count； bowing reverentially to the king and queen； left the royal tent。
Every eye was fixed upon the prime minister。 From him alone； who was considered the soul of the kingdom of Saxony； help and counsel was expected。 All important questions were referred to him； and all were now eagerly looking for his decision。 But the powerful favorite was in despair。 He knew how utterly impossible it was to withstand the King of Prussia's army。 Every arrangement for this war had been made on paper； but in reality little had been accomplished。 The army was not in readiness！ The prime minister had been in want of a few luxuries of late； and had； therefore； as he believed there would be no war until the following spring； reduced it。 He knew how little Saxony was prepared to battle against the King of Prussia's disciplined troops； and the ambassador's friendly assurances did not deceive him。
〃Well； count；〃 said the king； after a long pause； 〃how is this strange request of Frederick II。； that we should remain neutral； to be answered？〃
Before the count was able to answer； the queen said； in a loud voice：
〃By a declaration of war； my husband！ This is due to your honor。 We have been insulted； it therefore becomes you to throw down the gauntlet to your presumptuous adversary。〃
〃We will continue this conversation in my apartments；〃 said the king； rising； 〃this is no place for it。 Our beautiful feast has been disturbed in a most brutal manner。 Count Bruhl； notify the different ambassadors that； in an hour； I will receive them at my palace。〃
〃This hour is mine！〃 thought the queen； as she arose； 〃in it I will stimulate my husband's soft and gentle heart to a brave； warlike decision； he will yield to my prayers and tears。〃 She took the king's arm with a gay smile； and left the tent； followed by the princes； and the host and hostess。
Silently they passed the festive tables； from which the guests had risen to greet them。 The courtiers sought to read in their countenances the solution of that riddle which had occupied them since the arrival of the Prussian ambassador； and about which they had been anxiously debating。
But； upon the queen's countenance there was now her general look of indifference。 It is true； the king was not smiling as was his wont when amongst his subjects； but his pleasant countenance betrayed no fear or sorrow。 The queen maintained her exalted bearing； nothing had passed to bow her proud head。 After the royal guests had left； Count Bruhl returned。 He also had regained his usual serenity。 With ingenious friendliness he turned to his guests； and while requesting them； in a flattering manner； to continue to grace his wife's fete by their presence； demanded for himself leave of absence。 Then passing on； he whispered here and there a few words to the different ambassadors。 They and the count then disappeared。
The fete continued quietly； the music recommenced its gay； melodious sounds； the birds carolled their songs； and the flowers were as beautiful and as sweet as before。 The jewels of the courtiers sparkled as brilliantly。 Their eyes alone were not so bright； and the happy smile had left their lips。 They were all weighed down by a presentiment that danger was hovering around them。
CHAPTER XIII。
THE ARCHIVES AT DRESDEN。
Count Mattzahn's prophecy came true。 The King of Prussia came to Dresden； and there； as in every other part of Saxony； found no resistance。 Fear and terror had gone before him； disarming all opposition。 The king and prince…elector were not accustomed to have a will of their own； and Count Bruhl； the favorite of fortune； showed himself weak and helpless in the hour of adversity。 It needed the queen's powerful energy； and the forcible representations of the French ambassador； Count Broglio； to arouse them from their lethargy； and what Count Broglio's representations； and the queen's prayers and tears commenced； hatred finished。 Count Bruhl's sinking courage rose at the thought of the possibility of still undermining the King of Prussia； and putting an end to his victorious march。 It was only necessary to detain him； to prevent him from reaching the Bohemian borders； until the Austrian army came to their assistance； until the French troops had entered and taken possession of Prussia。 Therefore； Count Bruhl sent courier after courier to Saxony's allies； to spread her cry for help to every friendly court。 He then collected the army； ordered them to camp at Pirna； which was very near the boundary of Bohemia； and； as it was guarded on one side by the Elbe； and on the other by high rocks； appeared perfectly secure。 When these preparations were commenced； the count's courage rose considerably； and he determined to prove himself a hero； and to give the Saxon army the inspiring consciousness that； in the hour of danger； their king would be in their midst。 The king therefore left for the fortress of Konigstein； accompanied by Count Bruhl； leaving the army； consisting of about seventeen thousand men； to follow under the command of General Rutrosky； and to encamp at the foot of Konigstein。 Arrived at Konigstein； where they thought themselves perfectly secure； they gave themselves up to the free and careless life of former days。 They had only changed their residence； not their character； their dreams were of future victories； of the many provinces they would take from the King of Prussia； and with this delightful prospect the old gay； luxurious； and wanton life was continued。 What difference did it make to Count Bruhl that the army was only provided with commissary stores for fourteen days； and that this time was almost past； and no way had been found to furnish them with additional supplies。 The King of Prussia had garrisoned every outlet； and only the King of Saxony's forage…wagon was allowed to pass。
Frederick knew better than the Saxon generals the fearful； invincible enemy that was marching to the camp of Pirna。 What were the barricades； the palisades； and ambushes； by which the camp was surrounded； to this enemy？ This foe was in the camp； not outside of ithe had no need to climb the barricadeshe came hither flying through the air； breathing； like a gloomy bird of death； his horrible cries of woe。 This enemy was hungerenervating； discouraging； demoralizing hunger！
The fourteen days had expired； and in the camp of Pirna languished seventeen thousand men！ The bread rations became smaller and smaller； but the third part of the usual meat ration was given； the horses' food also was considerably shortened。 Sorrow and starvation reigned in the camp。 Why should this distress Count Bruhl？ He lived in his usual luxurious splendor； with the king。 Looking out from his handsome apartments upon the valley lying at his feet； he saw on a little meadow by which the Elbe was flowing； herds of cows and calves； sheep and beeves； which were there to die like the Saxon soldiers； for their king。 These herds were for the royal table； there was； therefore； no danger that the enemy visiting the army should find its way to the fortress。 It was also forbidden； upon pain of death； to force one of these animals intended for the