“You may go further still,” said Frederick von Trenck.  “You have not stated the whole case.  This fortunate providence was a convincing proof of the danger of an engagement which might never hope to be crowned with success, never exist except under the shadows of silence and gloom, with bleeding hearts and tearful eyes; this dream of love was given up at once, fearing that at no distant day both honor and liberty might be lost in its pursuit.  They separated!  An eternal farewell was faltered!”

“That is to say, you would now deceive your confidant and former aid, in order to place yourself more securely—­and some day, perhaps, when suspicion is aroused, you can call him as a witness to prove that all intercourse was long ago given up; he must know it, being the confidant from the beginning.  This was a well-conceived plot, but you only seem to forget that Pollnitz was not the man to be deceived.  He has had too much experience, and has studied the hearts of men, and especially of women, too diligently.  A woman who is enjoying her first love and believes in its holy power, convinces herself that it can achieve wonders and overcome all obstacles.  She does not sacrifice her love to other duties or to danger, not even if she is a common woman, far less if she is a princess.  Princess Amelia has not given up her young and handsome lover; she clings to him with a frenzied constancy, which I confess to you, if I had the honor and glory of being her suitor, would fill me with apprehension and regret.  No, no, the princess is just now in a paroxysm of youthful passion, and would rather die than resign her love, and she is fantastic enough to believe in the possibility of a legitimate marriage!  Poor thing, she expects to mould the world to her wishes, and arms herself, I suppose, with hair-pins!  Princess Amelia was forced to give up her interviews upon the balcony, but she sought other means to gratify her passion.  This was simple and easy to do.  The maid of honor was taken into her confidence.  Marwitz swore to guard the secret fearfully till death; a plan was then arranged with her which was truly well conceived.  Lieutenant von Trenck must be spoken of as the suitor of Mademoiselle von Marwitz; he must act at the court-balls and fetes as the tender, sighing, and eager lover of the maid of honor; he must at last make a formal declaration, and receive permission to visit her in her rooms.  This is now his daily habit, and the good city of Berlin and the short-sighted, silly court are completely deceived, and look upon Frederick von Trenck as the happy bridegroom of Marwitz, and no one guesses that when the young officer is with the maid of honor, the Princess Amelia is also present, and changes the role with Marwitz.”

“I see it is in vain,” said Trenck, sighing; “you know all:  but if you have any real friendship for me, you will tell me who betrayed us.”