United States or Fiji ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"How did you succeed in escaping the watchfulness of your argus to come here?" "I escaped at the moment the princess was speaking to him, and my huntresses were pursuing Actaeon, which character the Baron von Kaphengst was representing with much humor. I wanted to speak with you, for I have so much to relate to you. I must open to you my broken, my unhappy heart.
He wishes to force me to marry. Well, I will marry, but I will choose my own wife!" The prince had just made this resolve, when the door opened, and the servant announced that Messrs. Kalkreuth and Kaphengst awaited his commands. He bade them enter, and advancing smilingly gave them his hand.
"That is true, and I thank you for your prudent advice, and shall arrange all my rendezvous for the day after to-morrow. Farewell." Baron Kaphengst turned laughingly to another part of the saloon. Suddenly he felt a hand placed on his shoulder, and a low voice murmured his name. Terrified, he turned.
"In the first place, madame, you are not even capable of composing such a letter. I took the liberty of removing the original of this letter from your writing-desk. Armed with this proof, I sought le beau cousin, and demanded satisfaction. Lieutenant Kaphengst, a former friend of this handsome cavalier, accompanied me.
As the king, with his generals, rode down to the front, he immediately noticed the audacious young officer, whose eye met his askance and pleadingly. The king beckoned to him, and as Baron Kaphengst stood erect before him, the king said, laughingly; "It is truly difficult to exchange secrets with one of your height; bow down to me, I have something to whisper in you ear."
"We shall, then, have to give up our plan and remain here," said the prince. Kaphengst glanced angrily and threateningly at his friend. "And why should your highness do this?" asked Pollnitz, astonished. "All your preparations are made, all your commands fulfilled. I have procured your costumes; no one will recognize you, and if they should, would not dare to betray you to the king.
An hour later the king's order reached the commander to arrest Baron Kaphengst, and with smiling astonishment he received the answer that he had been under arrest for the last hour. In the mean time, Kaphengst had not miscalculated. The prince was put under arrest for eight days, Kalkreuth for three. He was released the next morning, early enough to appear at the parade.
He bowed close to the king, and whispered: "Listen, mask as you have recognized me, I will acknowledge the truth. Yes, I am Lieutenant von Kaphengst, and am incognito. You understand me I came to this ball incognito.
"What! is it not best that we should mount before my door and ride openly away?" said the prince, wonderingly. "It is my opinion that is the best plan," cried Baron Kaphengst, laughing gayly. "Every one will believe your highness to be simply taking a ride, while curiosity would be raised if we left the city on foot."
"I think leaving in the dark, and on foot, looks as if I were afraid," said the prince, thoughtfully. "Secrecy is good for priests and old women, but not for us," cried Kaphengst. "Secrecy suits all who wish to do wrong," said Kalkreuth, earnestly. The prince glanced hastily at him. "You believe, then, we are about to do wrong?"
Word Of The Day