This
dream was significant; it seemed to me a suggestion to give you this
sum. I therefore sent, in your name, an order on my treasurer for
four thousand louis d'or."
Amelia looked at him and trembled with terror. "Do you know the use
to which I have applied this sum?" said she, breathlessly.
"My dream was silent on this point," said Frederick, rising; "it
only told me that you needed this amount, nothing more. If I had
been curious, I might have asked your page, who has an acute ear,
and for whom no key-hole is too small."
"Ah, he has betrayed me, then," murmured Amelia.
Frederick did not appear to hear her; he took his hat, and offered
his sister his hand. Amelia did not see it, she stood as if turned
to stone in the middle of the room, and as the king advanced toward
the door, she stepped slowly and mechanically after him.
Suddenly the king turned and looked at his sister.
"I had almost forgotten to tell you a piece of news," said he,
carelessly; "something which will perhaps interest you, Amelia. Even
at this moment a prisoner is being released from his cell and
restored to life and liberty. The Empress Maria Theresa, influenced
by her fireman, it is said, has appealed to me--"
Princess Amelia uttered a heart-rending shriek, and rushing forward
she seized the arm of the king with both her trembling hands.
Pages:
1088
1089
1090
1091
1092
1093
1094
1095
1096
1097
1098
1099
1100
1101
1102
1103
1104
1105
1106
1107
1108
1109
1110
1111
1112