frederick the great and his family-第90章

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ff。　All　these　armies　will　be　prepared　to　hasten　to　our　aid。　All　that　now　remains　to　be　done　is　to　get　this　news　safely　to　Vienna。　But　how　to　accomplish　this　is　a　hard　question。　It　were　well　could　I　go　myself。　But　I　am　a　prisoner　of　war；　and；　until　Magdeburg　is　in　our　power；　this　chain　will　clog　me。　Another　must　be　senta　messenger　full　of　courage；　determination；　and　hardihood。　I　have　said　this　in　my　letter　to　Captain　von　Kimsky；　he　must　seek　such　a　man　amongst　our　sworn　friends　of　the　citadel；　and　give　him　the　sheet　of　paper　I　send　in　my　letter。　How　harmless；　how　insignificant　this　sheet　of　paper　seems！　and　still；　were　it　to　fall　in　the　King　of　Prussia's　hands；　it　would　save　him　a　strong　fortress　and　several　millions　of　thalers；　for　all　the　money　of　the　Dresden　treasury　was　brought　to　Magdeburg　for　safe…keeping。　Ah！　ah！　how　much　would　Frederick　give　for　these　two　lines　of　writing；　and　how　richly　would　he　reward　him　who　gave　him　the　key　to　it！　I　will　send　the　key　by　a　different　messenger；　and　therefore　this　second　letter。　But　even　if　both　my　messengers　were　intercepted；　all　is　not　lost。　I　have　notified　Trenck　also　to　write　to　Vienna　for　money　and　help。　He　must　continue　to　be　the　shield　behind　which　we　intrench　ourselves。　Should　the　undertaking　miscarry；　we　will　lay　it　upon　Trenck；　should　it　succeed；　it　will　be　through　me；　and　I　will　not　be　tardy　in　claiming　my　reward。　The　general　of　our　order　is　old；　should　he；　however；　persist　in　living；　his　tenacious　nature　must〃　He　did　not　dare　to　finish　the　sentence；　but　a　wild；　demoniac　smile　supplied　the　words　his　lips　dared　not　utter。　He　arose　and　walked　several　times　up　and　down　his　chamber；　completely　lost　in　ambitious　dreams　of　the　future；　for　whose　realization；　as　a　true　Jesuit；　he　shunned　no　means；　mindful　of　the　motto　of　their　order：　〃The　end　sanctifies　the　means。〃

He　saw　a　ring　upon　his　handthat　ring；　full　of　significance；　before　which　kings　had　often　bowed；　which　was　to　the　Jesuits　what　the　crown　is　to　the　kingthe　sacred　sign　of　power　and　glorythe　indisputable　sign　of　invisible　but　supreme　power。　He　saw　himself；　this　ring　upon　his　hand；　subjugating　nations；　rewarding　his　friends；　punishing　his　enemies。　He　suddenly　awoke　from　his　dreams；　and　remembered　the　present　with　a　weary　smile。

〃I　must　not　forget；　in　dreams　of　the　future；　the　necessity　for　action。　I　have　many　important　things　to　do　this　day。　I　must　take　these　letters　to　Marietta；　see　her　address　and　post　them；　then　I　must　seek　La　Trouffle　and　receive　from　her　leave　of　absence；　on　the　plea　of　visiting　a　sick　friend　at　Magdeburg。　This　will　be　a　tedious　undertaking；　for　she　will　not　agree　willingly　to　a　separation　without　great　persuasion。　I　have　much　influence　over　her；　and　a　woman　in　love　cannot　refuse　a　request　to　the　object　of　her　tenderness。　I　will　obtain；　through　Madame　du　Trouffle；　a　near　and　influential　relative　of　the　commandant　of　Berlin；　permission　to　visit　Magdeburg；　and　through　Marietta　Taliazuchi　I　will　post　my　two　important　letters。〃　He　laughed　aloud　as　he　thought　of　these　two　women；　so　tenderly　devoted　to　him；　both　so　willing　to　be　deceived　by　him。

〃They　love　me　in　very　different　ways；〃　said　he；　as　he　finished　his　toilet　preparatory　to　going　out。　〃Marietta　Taliazuchi　with　the　humility　of　a　slave；　Louise　du　Trouffle　with　the　grateful　passion　of　an　elderly　coquette。　It　would　be　a　problem　for　a　good　arithmetician　to　solve；　which　of　these　two　loves　would　weigh　most。　Marietta's　love　is　certainly　the　more　pleasant　and　comfortable；　because　the　more　humble。　Like　a　faithful　dog　she　lies　at　my　feet；　if　I　push　her　from　me；　she　comes　back；　lies　humbly　down；　and　licks　the　foot　that　kicked　her。　Away；　then；　to　her；　to　my　tender　Marietta。〃

Hiding　his　letters　in　his　breast；　he　took　his　hat　and　hastened　in　the　direction　of　Marietta's　dwelling。　She　received　him　in　her　usual　impassioned　manner；　she　told　him　how　she　had　suffered　in　their　long　separation；　how　the　thought　that　he　might　be　untrue　to　her；　that　he　loved　another　had　filled　her　with　anguish。

Ranuzi　laughed。　〃Still　the　same　old　song；　Marietta；　always　full　of　doubt　and　distrust？　Does　the　lioness　still　thirst　after　my　blood？　would　she　lacerate　my　faithless　heart？〃

Kneeling；　as　she　often　did；　at　his　feet；　she　rested　her　arms　on　his　knees；　then　dropping　her　head　on　her　folded　hands；　she　looked　up　at　him。

〃Can　you　swear　that　you　are　true　to　me？〃　said　she；　in　a　strange；　sharp　tone。　〃Can　you　swear　that　you　love　no　other　woman　but　me？〃

〃Yes；　I　can　swear　it！〃　said　he；　laughing。

〃Then　do　so；〃　cried　she；　earnestly。

〃Tell　me　an　oath　and　I　will　repeat　it　after　you。〃

She　looked　at　him　firmly　for　several　moments；　and　strange　shadows　crossed　her　emotional　countenance。

Ranuzi　did　not　perceive　them；　he　was　too　inattentive；　too　confident　of　success；　to　entertain　doubt　or　distrust。

〃Hear　the　oath！〃　said　she；　after　a　pause。　〃'I；　Count　Carlo　Ranuzi；　swear　that　I　love　no　other　woman　but　Marietta　Taliazuchi；　I　swear　that；　since　I　have　loved　her；　I　have　not　nor　ever　shall　kiss　or　breathe　words　of　love　to　any　other　woman。　May　God's　anger　reach　me；　if　my　oath　is　false！'〃

The　words　fell　slowly；　singly　from　her　lips；　and　she　gazed　with　unflinching　eyes　up　at　him。

Not　a　muscle　in　his　countenance　moved。　Laughing　gayly；　he　repeated　her　words；　then　bent　and　kissed　her　black；　shiny　hair。　〃Are　you　satisfied　now；　you　silly　child？〃

〃I　am　satisfied；　for　you　have　sworn；〃　said　she；　rising　from　her　knees。

〃Will　this　quiet　you　now；　Marietta？〃

〃Yes；　forever。〃

〃Well；　then；　now　a　moment　to　business。　There　are　two　important　letters；　my　beautiful　darling。　You　see　how　boundless　my　love　for　you　isI　confide　these　letters　to　your　care；　and　entreat　you　to　post　them　as　usual。　My　heart　and　my　secrets　are　in　your　lovely　hands。〃

He　kissed　the　hands；　and　gave　her　the　letters。

Marietta　took　and　looked　at　them　in　a　timid；　fearful　manner。

〃Do　they　contain　dangerous　secrets？〃　said　she。

〃Dangerous　in　the　extreme；　my　lovely　one。〃

〃Were　they　intercepted　and　opened；　would　you　be　liable　to　death？〃　said　she；　in　a　low；　trembling　voice。

He　saw　in　these　words　only　her　solicitude　and　love　for　him。

〃Certainly；　I　would　be　lostI　would　have　to　die　were　these　letters　opened。　But　fear　not；　my　beauteous　Mariettathey　will　not　be　opened；　no　one　would　dream　of　intercepting　the　harmless　letters　you　direct　to　your　friends　at　Magdeburg。　Apart　from　that；　no　one　is　aware　of　our　close　connection。　We　have　carefully　guarded　the　holy　secret　of　our　love；　when　your　husband　returns　from　Italy；　this　bad　world　will　have　no　evil　rumors　to　tell　of　us；　and　you　will　be　enclosed　in　his　arms　as　his　faithful　wife。　When　does　he　come？〃

〃I　expect　him　in　three　weeks。〃

〃Many　glorious；　quiet　evenings　will　we　enjoy　together　before　his　return。　And　now；　farewellI　must　leave　you。〃

〃You　must　leave　me？〃

〃I　must；　Marietta。〃

〃And　where　are　you　going？〃　said　she；　looking　at　him　earnestly。

〃Jealous　again；〃　said　he；　laughing。　〃Calm　yourself；　Marietta；　I　go　to　no　woman。　Besides　this；　have　you　not　my　oath？〃

〃Where　are　you　going？〃　said　she；　with　a　sharp　questioning　look。

〃I　have　an　engagement　to　meet　some　friendsthe　meeting　takes　place　in　the　house　of　a　Catholic　priest。　Are　you　satisfied；　Marietta？　or　do　you　still　fear　that　some　dangerous　rendezvous　calls　me　from　you？〃

〃I　fear　nothing；〃　said　she；　smiling；　〃you　have　reassured　me。〃

〃Then；　my　beloved；　I　entreat　you　to　command　me　to　go；　for　if　you　do　not；　though　I　know　I　ought；　I　cannot　leave　you。　But；　nofirst　I　will　see　you　direct　these　letters。〃

〃You　shall；〃　said　she；　taking　a　pen　and　directing　them。

Ranuzi　took　the　letters　and　examined　them。

〃This　simple　feminine　address　is　the　talisman　that　protects　me　and　my　secret。　And　this　I　owe　to　you；　my　darling；　to　you　alone。　But　will　you　finish　your　work　of　mercy？　Will　you　post　these　letters　at　once？〃

〃I　will　do　so；　Carlo。〃

〃Will　you　swear　it？〃　said　he；　laughing；　〃swear　it　to　me　by　our　love。〃

〃I　swear　itswear　it　by　my　love。〃

〃And　now；　farewell；　Marietta！farewell　for　to…day。　To…morrow　I　hope　to　see　you　again。〃

He　took　her　in　his　arms　and　whispered　words　of　love　and　tenderness　in　her　ear。　He　did　not　notice；　in　his　impatience　to　leave；　how　cold　and　quiet　she　was。　He　took　his　hat；　and　bowing　gayly　left　the　room。

She　stood　where　he　had　left　her；　her　arms　hanging　listlessly　at　her　side；　her　head　bowed　upon　her　breast。　She　listened　intently　to　his　every　movement。　Now　he　was　on　the　last　stair；　now　in　the　hallwhen　he　had　crossed　it　he　would　be　at　the　street　door。　With　a　wild　shriek　she　fled　from　the　room；　and　hastened　down　the　steps。

〃Carlo！　Carlo！　wait　a　moment！〃

His　hand　was　on　the　door…knob；　he　stood　still　and　looked　back。　She　was　by　his　sidepale；　with　burning　eyes　and　trembling　lips；　she　threw　her　arms　around　him　and　kissed　him　passionately。

〃Farewell；　my　Carlo！farewell；　thou　lover　of　my　soul；　thou　light　of　my　eyes！〃

She　kissed　his　mouth；　his　eyes；　his　hands；　she　pressed　him　to　her　heart；　and　then　she　pushed　him　from　her；　saying；　in　cold；　rough　tones；　〃Go！　go；　I　say！〃

Without　again　looking　at　him　she　hurried　up　the　stairs。　Ranuzi；　laughing　and　shaking　his　head　at　her　foolishness；　left　the　house　with　a　contented　and　assured　heart。




CHAPTER　VII。

THE　ACCUSATION。


This　time　Marietta　did　not　call　him　back；　she　did　not　gaze　after　him　from　the　window；　as　she　was　accustomed　to　do；　she　stood；　pale　as　death；　in　the　middle　of　the　room；　with　panting　breath；　with　flashing　eyes；　motionless；　but　with　eager　and　expectant　mien；　as　if　listening　to　something　afar　off。

To　what　was　Marietta　listening？　Perhaps　to　the　echo　of　his　step　in　the　silent；　isolated　street；　perhaps　to　the　memories　which；　like　croaking　birds　of　death；　hovered　over　her　head；　as　if　to　lacerate　and　destroy　even　her　dead　happiness；　perhaps　she　listened　to　those　whispering　voices　which　resounded　in　her　breast　and　accused　Ranuzi　of　faithlessness　and　treachery。　And　was　he；　then；　really　guilty？　Had　he　committed　a　crime　worthy　of　death？

Marietta　was　still　motionless；　hearkening　to　these　whispered　voices　in　her　breast。

〃I　will　deliberate　yet　once　more；〃　said　she；　walking　slowly　through　the　room；　and　sinking　down　upon　the　divan。　〃I　will　sit　again　in　judgment　upon　him；　and　my　heart；　which　in　the　fury　of　its　pain　still　loves　him；　my　heart　shall　be　his　judge。〃

And　now　she　called　back　once　again　every　thing　to　her　remembrance。　The　golden；　sunny　stream　of　her　happy　youth　passed　in　review　before　her；　and　the　precious；　blissful　days　of　her　first　innocent　love。　She　recalled　all　the　agony　which　this　love　had　caused　her；　to　whose　strong　bonds　she　had　ever　returned；　and　which　she　had　never　been　able　to　crush　out　of　her　heart。　She　thought　of　the　day　in　which　she　had　first　seen　Ranuzi　in　Berlin；　how　their　hearts　had　found　each　other；　and　the　old　love；　like　a　radiant　Phoenix；　had　risen　from　the　ashes　of　the　past；　to　open　heaven　or　hell　to　them　both。　She　remembered　with　scornful　agitation　those　happy　days　of　their　new…　found　youthful　love；　she　repeated　the　ardent　oaths　of　everlasting　faith　and　love　which　Ranuzi　had　voluntarily　offered；　she　remembered　how　she　had　warned　him；　how　she　had　declared　that　she　would　revenge　his　treachery　and　inconstancy　upon　him；　how　indolently；　how　carelessly　he　had　laughed；　and　called　her　his　tigress；