If I were in your place, I would
propose this to my court."
He now rose, which was a sign to the duke that the audience was at
an end.
"I must now send a courier at once to my court," said the duke, "and
I will not fail to state that your majesty advises us to unite with
Austria."
"You will do well; that is," said the king, with a meaning smile--
"that is, if you think your court is in need of such advice, and has
not already acted without it. When do you leave, duke?"
"To-morrow morning, sire."
"Farewell, duke, and do not forget that in my heart I am the friend
of France, though we meet as enemies on the battle-field."
The duke bowed reverentially, and, sighing deeply, left the royal
library, "the republic of letters," to hasten to Berlin.
The king looked after him thoughtfully.
"The die is cast," said he, softly. "There will be war. Our days of
peace and quietude are over, and the days of danger are
approaching!"
CHAPTER VII.
THE TRAITOR.
The sun had just risen, and was shedding its golden rays over the
garden of Sans-Souci, decking the awaking flowers with glittering
dew-drops. All was quiet--Nature alone was up and doing; no one was
to be seen, no sound was to be heard, but the rustling of trees and
the chirping of birds.
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