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ce one of these animals intended for the royal table； from their noble calling； and to satisfy therewith the hungry soldiers。 Count Bruhl could therefore wait patiently the arrival of the Austrian army； which was already in motion； under the command of General Brown。
While the King of Poland was living gay and joyous in the fortress of Konigstein； the queen with the princes of the royal house had remained in Dresden； and though she knew her husband's irresolute character； and knew that the King of Prussia； counting upon this； was corresponding with him； endeavoring to persuade him to neutrality； still she had no fears of her husband succumbing to his entreaties。 For was not Count Bruhl； the bitter； irreconcilable enemy of Prussia； at his side？and had not the king said to her； in a solemn manner； before leaving： 〃Better that every misfortune come upon us than to take the part of our enemies！〃 The queen； therefore； felt perfectly safe upon this point。 She remained in Dresden for two reasons： first； to watch the King of Prussia； and then to guard the archivesthose archives which contained the most precious treasures of Saxon diplomacythe most important secrets of their allies。 These papers were prized more highly by the queen than all the crown jewels now lying in their silver casket； and though the keeping of the latter was given over to some one else； no one seemed brave enough to shield the former。 No one but herself should guard these rich treasures。 The state archives were placed in those rooms of the palace which had but one outlet； and that leading into one of the queen's apartments。 In this room she remainedshe took her meals； worked； and slept therethere she received the princes and the foreign ambassadorsalways guarding the secret door； of which she carried the key fastened to a gold chain around her neck。 But still the queen was continually in fear her treasure would be torn from her； and the King of Prussia's seeming friendliness was not calculated to drive away this anxiety。 It is true the king had sent her his compliments by Marshal Keith； with the most friendly assurances of his affection； but notwithstanding this； the chancery； the college； and the mint department had been closed； all the artillery and ammunition had been taken from the Dresden arsenal and carried to Magdeburg； some of the oldest and worthiest officers of the crown had been dismissed； and the Swiss guard； intended for service in the palace； had been disarmed。 All this agreed but badly with the king's quieting assurances； and was calculated to increase the hatred of his proud enemy。 She had； nevertheless； stifled her anger so far as to invite the King of Prussia； who was staying in the palace of the Countess Morizinska； not far from his army； to her table。
Frederick had declined this invitation。 He remained quietly in the palace； whose doors were open to all； giving audience to all who desired it； listening to their prayers； and granting their wishes。
The Queen of Poland heard this with bitter anger； and the more gracious the King of Prussia showed himself to the Saxons； the more furious and enraged became the heart of this princess。
〃He will turn our people from their true ruler；〃 said she to Countess Ogliva； her first maid of honor； who was sitting at her side upon a divan placed before the princess's door。 〃This hypocritical affability will only serve to gain the favor of our subjects； and turn them from their duty。〃
〃It has succeeded pretty well；〃 said the countess； sighing。 〃The Saxon nobility are continually in the antechamber of this heretical king； and yesterday several of the city authorities； accompanied by the foreign ambassadors； waited upon him； and he received them。〃
〃Yes； he receives every one； he gives gay balls every evening； at which he laughs and jokes merrily。 He keeps open house； and the poor people assemble there in crowds to see him eat。〃 Maria Josephine sighed deeply。 〃I hate this miserable； changeable people！〃 murmured she。
〃And your majesty does well；〃 said the countess； whose wrinkled； yellow countenance was now illuminated by a strange fire。 〃The anger of God will rest upon this heretical nation that has turned from her salvation； and left the holy mother church in haughty defiance。 The King of Poland cannot even appoint true Catholic…Christians as his officersevery position of any importance is occupied by heretics。 But the deluge will surely come again upon this sinful people and destroy them。〃
The queen crossed herself； and prayed in a low voice。
The countess continued： 〃This Frederick stimulates these heretical Saxons in their wicked unbelief。 He； who it is well known； laughs and mocks at every religion； even his ownattended； yesterday； the Protestant church； to show our people that he is a protector of that church。〃
〃Woe； woe to him！〃 said the queen。
〃With listening ear he attended to his so…called preacher's sermon； and then loudly expressed his approval of it； well knowing that this preacher is a favorite of heretics in Dresden。 This cunning king wished to give them another proof of his favor。 Does your majesty wish to know of the present he made this； preacher？〃
〃What？〃 said the queen； with a mocking laugh。 〃Perhaps a Bible； with the marginal observations of his profligate friends； Voltaire and La Mettrie？〃
〃No； your majesty； the king sent this learned preacher a dozen bottles of champagne！〃
〃He is a blasphemous scoffer； even with that which he declares holy。 But punishment will overtake him。 Already the voice of my exalted nephew； the Emperor of Germany； is to be heard throughout the entire land； commanding the King of Prussia to return at once to his own kingdom； and to make apologies to the King of Poland for his late insults。 It is possible that； in his haughty pride； Frederick will take no notice of this command。 But it will be otherwise with the generals and commandants of this usurper。 They have been commanded by the emperor to leave their impious master； and not to be the sharers of his frightful crime。〃
〃I fear；〃 said Countess Ogliva； sighing； and raising her eyes heavenward〃 I fear they will not listen to the voice of our good emperor。〃
〃But they will hear the voice of his cannon；〃 cried the queen； impetuously； 〃the thunder of our artillery and the anger of God will annihilate them； and they will fall to the ground as if struck by lightning before the swords blessed by our holy priests。〃
The door of the antechamber was at this moment opened violently； and the queen's chamberlain appeared upon its threshold。
〃Your majesty； a messenger from the King of Prussia requests an audience；〃 said he。
The queen's brow became clouded； and she blushed with anger。 〃Tell this messenger that I am not in a condition to receive his visit； and that he must therefore impart to you his message。〃
〃It is； no doubt； another of his hypocritical； friendly assurances；〃 said the queen； as the chamberlain left。 〃He has； no doubt； some evil design； and wishes to soothe us before he strikes。〃
The chamberlain returned； but his countenance was now white with terror。
〃Well！〃 said the queen； 〃what is this message？〃
〃Ah； your majesty；〃 stammered the trembling courtier； 〃my lips would not dare to repeat it； and I could never find the courage to tell you what he demands。〃
〃What he demands！〃 repeated the queen； 〃has it come to that； that a foreign prince commands in our land？ Go； countess； and in my name； fully empowered by me； receive this King of Prussia's message； then return； and dare not keep the truth from me。〃
Countess Ogliva and the chamberlain left the royal apartment； and Maria Josephine was alone。 And now； there was no necessity of guarding this mask of proud quietude and security。 Alone； with her own heart； the queen's woman nature conquered。 She did not now force back the tears which streamed from her eyes； nor did she repress the sighs that oppressed her heart。 She wept； and groaned； and trembled。 But hearing a step in the antechamber； she dried her eyes； and again put on the proud mask of her royalty。 It was the countess returning。 Slowly and silently she passed through the apartment。 Upon her colorless countenance there was a dark； angry expression； and a scoff