I knew this must be so--I knew the heart of my king; I
knew he would regard the day on which he gave peace to his people as
far more glorious than any day of bloody battle and triumphant
victory. The day of peace to Prussia is the most glorious, the
happiest day of her great king's life."
Frederick shook his head softly, and gazed with infinite sadness at
his friend's agitated countenance.
"Ah, D'Argens, believe me, the most beautiful, the happiest day is
that on which we take leave of life."
As Frederick turned his eyes away from his friend, they fell
accidentally upon a porcelain vase which stood upon a table near his
secretary; he sprang hastily from his chair.
"How came this vase here?" he said, in a trembling voice.
"Sire," said the marquis, "the queen-mother, shortly before her
death, ordered this vase to be placed in this room; she prized it
highly--it was a present from her royal brother, George II. Her
majesty wished that, on your return from the war, it might serve as
a remembrance of your fond mother At her command, I placed that
packet of letters at the foot of the vase, after the queen mother
had sealed and addressed it with her dying hand.
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