frederick the great and his family-第103章

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〃And　yet；　it　is　said　that　a　higher　power　rules　the　world；〃　murmured　the　king；　when　he　was　again　alone；　〃accidentaccident　decides　all　questions。　If　there　had　been　no　tailor　amongst　the　soldiers；　the　King　of　Prussia　could　not　have　received　the　ambassador　of　Tartary　to…day；　and　the　negotiations　might　have　been　broken　off。〃

At　this　moment　the　door　opened；　and　Le　Catt　entered；　followed　by　a　servant　with　the　Russian　flags　and　the　carpet。　When　he　saw　the　king　in　bed；　he　started　back；　and　asked　anxiously　〃if　his　majesty　had　been　taken　suddenly　unwell？〃

〃No；〃　said　Frederick；　〃I　am　only　making　my　toilet。〃

〃Your　toilet；　sire？〃

〃Yes；　Le　Catt；　did　you　see　a　soldier　at　the　door？〃

〃Yes；　sire。〃

〃What　was　be　doing？〃

〃He　seemed　to　be　sewing。〃

〃He　is　sewing；　and　he　is　to…day　my　first　gentleman　of　the　bedchamber；　he　is　dressing　me。　Ah！　in　the　presence　of　this　humble　patcher；　I　remember　that　a　wise　man　said；　'A　king　is　but　a　man　to　his　valet　de　chambre。'　But　do　not　allow　my　presence　to　prevent　you　from　building　my　throne；　I　will　rest　here　comfortably；　and　look　on。〃

While　the　king　lay　in　bed　waiting；　the　soldier　who　had　undertaken　the　job；　sat　on　a　bench　before　the　door。　He　bent　his　head　zealously　over　his　work；　and　did　not　once　look　up　to　his　comrade　who　stood　near　him；　leaning　against　a　large　oak；　gazing　rigidly　and　unweariedly　at　him。　But　in　this　steady　and　indefatigable　glance；　there　seemed　to　be　a　strange；　attractive　power；　which　the　soldier　could　not　resist。　He　raised　his　head　involuntarily　for　a　moment；　and　the　sweet　and　noble　face　of　Charles　Henry　Buschman　was　seen。

〃Fritz　Kober；〃　said　he；　〃why　do　you　gaze　at　me　so；　and　why　do　you　follow　me？〃

〃Because　I　have　been　so　accustomed　to　be　where　you　are！〃　said　Fritz　Kober；　quietly。　〃When　I　heard　Deesen　call　for　a　tailor；　and　you　answered；　'Here！　here！'　I　stepped　out　of　my　tent　and　followed　you；　nothing　more！　But　you　would　also　know　why　I　look　at　you？　Well；　while　it　pleases　me　to　see　you　sewing；　it　brings　strange　and　pleasant　thoughts　to　my　mind。〃

〃What　sort　of　strange　and　pleasant　thoughts；　Fritz？〃　said　Charles　Henry；　bowing　down　again　earnestly　over　his　work。

〃I　thought；〃　said　Fritz　Kober；　in　a　trembling　voice；　〃that　if　ever　I　should　take　a　wife；　she　must　look　exactly　as　you　do；　Charles　Henry；　she　must　have　the　same　neat　little　hands；　and　be　expert　with　the　needle　as　you　are。　Then　I　thought　further；　that　in　the　whole　world　there　was　no　man　so　good　and　brave；　so　gentle　and　intelligent　as　you。　Then　I　considered　what　would　become　of　me　when　the　war　was　at　an　end；　and　you　should　desert　me　and　go　back　to　your　village。　Then　I　resolved　to　follow　you　through　the　whole　world；　and　not　to　cease　my　prayers　and　entreaties　till　you　promised　to　come　into　my　hut；　and　take　all　that　was　mineunder　the　condition　that　you　would　keep　me　always　with　youat　least　as　your　servantand　never　spurn　me　or　cast　me　off。　Then；　I　thought　further；　that　if　you　said　noif　you　refused　to　come　into　my　house；　I　would　wander　far　away　in　despair；　and；　in　the　anguish　of　my　heart　I　would　become　a　bad　and　contemptible　man。　Without　you；　Charles　Henry；　there　is　no　joy　or　peace　in　this　world　for　me；　you　fire　my　good　angel！　Charles　Henry　Buschman；　do　you　wish　me　to　be　a　dissolute　drunkard？〃

〃How　can　I　wish　that；　Fritz　Kober？〃　whispered　Charles　Henry。　〃But　you　could　never　be　a　bad　man；　you　have　the　best　and　noblest　heart　in　the　world！　No　man　dare　injure　or　abuse　you！　You　give　to　those　who　ask　of　you；　you　help　those　who　suffer；　and　you　stand　by　those　who　are　in　difficulty！　Then　you　are　a　complete；　true　man；　and　know　how　to　maintain　your　own　dignity　on　every　occasion。　All　who　approach　you　are　compelled　to　respect　you；　and　no　one　will　ever　dare　to　cast　a　reproach　on　Fritz　Kober。　You　are；　at　the　same　time；　a　hero；　a　good　man；　and　an　innocent　child；　and　my　heart　rejoices　in　you。〃

〃What　is　good　in　me；　I　owe　to　you；〃　said　Fritz　Kober。　〃Before　I　knew　you；　I　was　a　simple　blockhead；　and　lived　on　stupidly　from　day　to　day；　thinking　of　nothing。　Since　I　knew　you；　I　have　learned　to　open　my　eyes；　and　to　reflect。　But　all　this　will　be　changed　if　you　desert　me；　Charles　Henry；　and　I　see　that　you　will　do　so；　yes；　you　will　abandon　me。　For　three　weeks　past　you　have　taken　no　notice　of　me。　You　would　not　go　into　my　tent　with　me　at　Bunzelwitz；　but　camped　out　alone。　Here；　in　the　village；　you　would　not　come　into　my　hut；　but　quartered　with　an　old　peasant　woman。　So　I　followed　you　to…day；　to　ask　you；　once　for　all；　if　you　have　the　heart　to　leave　meto　spurn　me　from　you？　Look　at　me；　Charles　Henry！　look　at　me　and　tell　me　if　you　will　make　a　pitiful　and　unhappy　man　of　me？〃

Charles　Henry　looked　up　from　his　work；　and　gazed　at　the　pale；　agitated　face　of　his　comrade；　and　as　he　did　so；　tears　gushed　from　his　eyes。

〃God　forbid；　Fritz　Kober；　that　I　should　make　you　unhappy！　I　would　rather　shed　my　heart's　blood　to　make　you　happy。〃

〃Hurrah！　hurrah！〃　cried　Fritz　Kober。　〃If　this　is　so；　listen　to　me　and　answer　me；　Charles　Henry　Buschman；　will　you　be　my　wife？〃

A　glowing　blush　suffused　Charles　Henry's　face；　he　bowed　down　over　his　work　and　sewed　on　in　monstrous　haste。

Fritz　Kober　came　nearer　and　bowed　so　low　that　he　was　almost　kneeling。

〃Charles　Henry　Buschman；　will　you　be　my　wife？〃

Charles　Henry　did　not　answer；　tears　and　bobs　choked　his　voice；　and　trembling　with　emotion　he　laid　his　head　on　Fritz　Kober's　shoulder。

〃Does　that　mean　yes？〃　said　Fritz；　breathlessly。

〃Yes；〃　whispered　she；　softly。

And　now　Fritz　uttered　a　wild　shout；　and　threw　his　arms　around　the　soldier's　neck　and　kissed　him　heartily。

〃God　be　thanked　that　it　is　over；〃　said　he；　〃God　be　thanked　that　I　did　not　deceive　myselfthat　you　are　truly　a　girl。　When　you　were　last　sick；　and　the　surgeon　bled　you；　I　was　suspicious。　I　said　to　myself；　'That　is　not　the　arm　of　a　man。'　I　went　out；　but　in　the　evening　you　were　praying；　and　you　did　not　know　that　I　was　in　the　tent；　and　you　said；　'You　dear　parents　in　heaven；　pity　your　poor　daughter。'　I　could　have　shouted　with　rapture　and　delight；　but　I　held　my　peace。　I　wished　to　wait　and　see　if　you　would　be　good　to　me。〃

〃But　the　expression　of　your　eyes　was　so　changed；〃　whispered　Charles　Henry；　〃I　was　obliged　to　turn　away　when　their　glance　fell　upon　me。　I　felt　that　my　secret　was　discovered；　and　therefore　I　avoided　being　with　you。〃

〃Officer　Buschman；〃　cried　Deesen；　in　a　commanding　voice　from　the　house；　〃is　your　work　finished？〃

〃Immediately；　I　have　but　a　few　stitches　to　do；〃　cried　Charles　Henry。　〃Be　silent；〃　said　he　to　Fritz；　〃and　let　me　sew。〃

But　Fritz　was　not　silent；　he　crouched　near　officer　Buschman；　and　whispered　many　and　strange　things　in　his　ear。

Charles　Henry　sewed　on　zealously；　blushed　often；　and　replied　in　low；　embarrassed　words。

At　last　the　work　was　completed；　and　the　knees　of　the　great　Frederick's　breeches　were　worthily　mended　with　divers　patches。

〃I　will　carry　them　myself　to　the　king；　as　I　have　a　favor　to　ask　him；〃　said　Fritz　Kober。　〃Come　with　me；　Charles　Henry；　you　must　hear　what　the　king　says。〃

He　took　Charles　Henry's　hand　and　advanced　to　the　door；　but　Deesen　stood　there；　and　forbade　him　to　enter；　he　ordered　Fritz　to　give　him　the　breeches。

〃No；〃　said　Fritz　Kober；　resolutely；　〃we　have　a　request　to　make　of　the　king；　and　he　once　gave　us　permission　to　come　directly　to　him　when　we　had　a　favor　to　ask。〃

He　pushed　Deesen　aside　and　entered　the　room　with　Charles　Henry。

The　king　sat　in　his　bed　reading；　and　was　so　absorbed　that　he　did　not　see　them　enter。　But　Fritz　stepped　up　boldly　to　the　bed　and　laid　the　breeches　upon　the　chair。

〃Did　you　mend　them；　my　son？〃　said　the　king。

〃No；　your　majesty；　Charles　Buschman　mended　them；　but　I　came　along　to　say　something　to　your　majesty。　You　remember；　no　doubt；　what　you　said　when　we　returned　from　the　enemy's　camp　near　Kunersdorf；　after　the　battle；　when　Charles　Henry　related　so　beautifully　all　that　we　had　seen　and　heard。　You　said；　'You　are　both　officers　from　this　day；　and　if　you　ever　need　my　assistance　call　upon　me　freely。'〃

〃And　you　wish　to　do　so　now？〃　said　the　king。

〃Yes；　your　majesty；　I　have　something　to　ask。〃

〃Well；　what　is　it？〃

Fritz　Kober　drew　up　grandly　and　ceremoniously。

〃I　ask　your　majesty　to　allow　me　to　marry　officer　Charles　Henry　Buschmanto　marry　him　to…day！〃

〃Marry　him！〃　said　the　king；　amazed；　〃is；　then；　officer　Buschman〃

〃A　woman；　your　majesty！〃　interrupted　Fritz　Kober；　with　joyful　impatience。　〃He　is　a　woman；　his　name　is　Anna　Sophia　Detzloff；　from　Brunen。〃

Frederick's　sharp；　piercing　eye　rested　for　a　moment　questioningly　upon　Charles　Henry's　face；　then　nodding　his　head　smilingly　several　times；　he　said：

〃Your　bride　is　a　spruce　lad　and　a　brave　officer；　and　knows　how　to　blush　in　his　soldier's　uniform。　Officer　Charles　Henry　Buschman；　will　you　be　the　wife　of　officer　Fritz　Kober？〃

〃I　will；　if　your　majesty　consents；〃　whispered　Charles　Henry。

〃Well；　go　to　the　field…preacher；　and　be　marriedI　give　my　consent。　And　now　go；　I　must　dress。〃

〃At　last；〃　said　the　king　to　Le　Catt；　〃fortune　will　be　again　favorable　to　me。　Signs　and　wonders　are　taking　place；　as　they　did　with　Charles　VII。　of　France。　When　he　was　in　the　most　dire　necessity；　surrounded　by　his　enemies；　the　Lord　sent　the　Maid　of　Orleans　to　save　him。　To　me；　also；　has　the　Lord　now　sent　a　Joan　d'Arc；　a　maid　of　Brunen。　With　her　help　I　will　overcome　all　my　enemies。〃




CHAPTER　XVI。

THE　AMBASSADOR　AND　THE　KHAN　OF　TARTARY。


The　preparations　were　completed；　the　room　of　the　king　had　become；　by　means　of　his　inventive　genius；　a　magnificent　throne　saloon。　The　great　arm…chair；　draped　with　rich　hangings；　looked　almost　imposing；　the　dirty　floor　was　concealed　by　a　costly　Turkish　carpet。　The　door　which　led　into　the　entry　had　been　removed；　and　the　opening　hung　with　banners。　The　entry　itself　had　been　changed　by　means　of　carpets；　banners；　and　standards　into　a　tasteful　antechamber。

The　king　wore　his　general's　uniform；　and　the　chain　of　the　order　of　the　Black　Eagle；　and　the　generals　and　staff　officers　stood　near　him　in　their　glittering　dresses。　The　room　of　the　sheriff　had　indeed　become　a　royal　apartment。

And　now　an　imposing　train　approached　this　improvised　palace。　First　appeared　two　riders；　whose　gold…embroidered　mantles　fell　below　their　feet　and　concealed　the　well…shaped　bodies　of　the　small　Arabian　horses　on　which　they　were　mounted；　only　displaying　their　slender　necks；　with　their　flowing　manes　and　their　graceful　legs。　It　was　evident　from　their　dark　complexions　and　flashing　eyes　that　these　men　were　foreigners；　the　sons　of　the　South。　On　each　appeared　the　diamond…headed　hilt　of　a　sword；　glittering　amid　the　folds　of　the　costly　Turkish　shawls　which　encircled　their　slender　waists；　and　at　the　side　of　each　hung　the　jewelled　sheath　of　a　Damascus　blade；　which　was　held　in　the　right　hand；　and　presented　in　salutation。　These　Turkish　warriors　were　followed　by　two　others；　scarcely　less　richly　dressed；　and　behind　them　rode　four　men；　in　long　black　robes；　with　eyes　closed；　each　bearing　in　his　right　hand　a　book　bound　in　gold　and　velvet；　which　he　pressed　prayerfully　to　his　breast；　a　golden　pen　was　worn　in　their　girdles　in　place　of　a　weapon；　and　on　the　fez　an　artistically　arranged　and　jewelled　peacock's　feather。　Now　followed　two　other　riders；　but　these　were　not　alike；　as　the　others　had　been；　but　bore　the　most　remarkable　and　st