Frederick's harsh, cruel
words had pierced her heart and quenched the tears of joy and hope
which stood in her eyes.
Elizabeth was incapable of reply. Princess Amelia came to her
relief.
"If my brother, the king, while greeting us after his long absence,
is unconscious of our presence and sees only the faces of the dead,
he must also be forced to look upon my unhappy brother, Prince
Augustus William, who died of a broken heart."
The king's piercing eyes rested a moment with a strangely melancholy
expression upon the sorrowful, sickly face of the Princess Amelia.
"Not so, my sister," said he, softly and gently; "I not only see
those who have been torn from us by death. I look upon and welcome
gladly those who have been spared to me. I am happy to see you here
to-day, my sister."
Frederick offered Amelia his hand, and bowing silently to those who
were present, he entered his apartment, followed only by the Marquis
d'Argens.
Frederick stepped rapidly through the first room, scarcely looking
at the new paintings which adorned the walls; he entered his study
and threw a long, thoughtful glance around this dear room. Every
piece of furniture, every book, recalled charming memories of the
past--every thing stood as he had left it seven years ago.
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