“God grant that I may.  Trenck implores me to turn to my brother, and ask him to interest the Prussian embassy in Vienna in his favor; thereby hoping to put an end to the process by which he is about to be deprived of his only inheritance—­the estate left him by his cousin, the captain of the pandours.  Alas! can I speak with my brother of Trenck?  He knows not that for five years his name has never passed my lips; he knows not that I have never been alone with my brother the king for one moment since that eventful day in which I promised to give him up forever.  We have both avoided an interview; he, because he shrank from my prayers and tears, and I, because a crust of ice had formed over my love for him, and I would not allow it to melt beneath his smiles and kindly words.  I loved Trenck with my whole heart, I was resolved to be faithful to him, and I was resentful toward my brother.  Now, Ernestine, I must overcome myself, I must speak with the king; Trenck needs my services, and I will have courage to plead for him.”

“What will your highness ask? think well, princess, before you act.  Who knows but that the king has entirely forgotten Trenck?  Perhaps it were best so.  You should not point out to the angry lion the insect which has awakened him, he will crush it in his passion.  Trenck is in want; send him gold—­gold to bribe the men of law.  It is well-known that the counsellors-at-law are dull-eyed enough to mistake sometimes the glitter of gold for the glitter of the sun of justice.  Send him gold, much gold, and he will tame the tigers who lie round about the courts of justice, and he will win his suit.”

Princess Amelia shrugged her shoulders contemptuously.  “He calls upon me for help; and I send him nothing but empty gold; he asks for my assistance, and I play the coward and hold my peace.  No, no!  I will act, and I will act to-day!  You know that only after the most urgent entreaty of the king, I consented to appear in this drama.  While my brother pleaded with me, he said, with his most winning smile, ’Grant me this favor, my sister, and be assured that the first petition you make of me, I will accord cheerfully.’  Now, then, I will remind him of this promise; I will plead for Trenck, and he dare not refuse.  Oh, Ernestine!  I know not surely, but it appears to me that for some little time past the king loves me more tenderly than heretofore; his eye rests upon me with pleasure, and often it seems to me his soft glance is imploring my love in return.  You may call me childish, foolish; but I think, sometimes, that my silent submission has touched his heart, and he is at last disposed to be merciful, and allow me to be happy—­happy, in allowing me to flee from the vain glory of a court; in forgetting that I am a princess, and remembering only that I am a woman, to whom God has given a heart capable of love.”  Amelia did not see the melancholy gaze with which her friend regarded her; she was full of ardor and enthusiasm, and with sparkling eyes and throbbing breast she sprang from the divan and cried out, “Yes, it is so; my brother will make me happy!”