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"Was she alone?" asked the king, bending over to caress Alkmene, who lay at his feet. "Well," answered Kretzschmar, grinning, "I do not know whether she was alone or not. I only know that, as I waited a little on the corner of the street, I saw a gentleman go out, wrapped in a cloak, a tall, broad-shouldered gentleman, whom I "
The owner of this house may be in the king's service, and creep to the door to listen. Therefore it is necessary, above all things, that we act according to the king's commands. Farewell, Wilhelmine, I must set off at once. Kretzschmar is no doubt at the corner of the street to see whether I, as an obedient servant of his master, leave here.
The king closed the drawer, saying: "Judas only received twenty shillings for betraying his Master. Twenty-five is quite enough for Kretzschmar for betraying his comrade." Kretzschmar slunk away. The king fixed his great eyes upon him until the door closed. "Man is a miserable race; for gold he would sell his own brother would sell his own soul, if there could be found a purchaser," he murmured.
"Come in," she said, "and tell me who you are." "I think you recognize me," said Kretzschmar, with an impudent smile. "You have often seen me at Potsdam in company with the king. I saw you this morning as the king did you the honor to speak with you, and I believe did not compliment you." "Did his majesty send you here to say this to me?"
"What will you give me for trinkgeld, Mamselle Enke?" asked the footman, as she gave him the receipt. "Your own rudeness and insult," answered Wilhelmine proudly, as she turned, without saluting him, to the sitting-room. Kretzschmar laughed aloud. "She will play the great and proud lady," said he. "She will get over that when in prison.
Wilhelmine withdrew from the window, and hastened to the prince, who had retired to the back part of the room. "It is Kretzschmar, the king's footman and spy," she whispered. "Hide yourself, that he does not discover you. Go there to the children." "No, Wilhelmine, I will remain here. Wilhelmine pressed her hand upon his mouth, and forced him into the side-room, bolting the door.
Alkmene, stronger, or more adroit, with one bound leaped to the saddle; while poor Diana landed upon the crouper, and, as if ashamed, with hanging head and tail, withdrew behind the horse. "Alkmene has won!" said Kretzschmar to his companion. "Yes, Alkmene is the court-lady to-day, and Diana the companion," he nodded. "She will be cross, and I do not blame her."
Kretzschmar swung himself from his saddle, threw Schultz the reins, and, as the king drew up at the side-door of the palace of Sans-Souci, he stood ready to assist him to dismount. The king had given strict orders that no one should notice his going or coming, and to-day, as usual, he entered without pomp or ceremony into his private room, followed by Kretzschmar alone.
If Schultz is such a drunken fellow I did not know it, and he is to be pitied. You can go now; I give you a day to make your farewells to your friends, and to console them with the hope of meeting you again. Put every thing in order that concerns you. If you have debts, pay them." "I have no money to pay them, your majesty," sighed Kretzschmar.
"Nor I," said Kretzschmar; "there is a great difference between the court-lady and the companion. "One could almost envy the king's greyhounds!" sighed the second footman. "We get dogs' wages, and they the chicken and good treatment. It is a pity!" "The worst of it is, the king forbids us to marry!" said Kretzschmar sadly.
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