looked with painful anxiety for intelligence from the Duke de
Nivernois that the old alliance was renewed and fully ratified, and
she had, therefore, nothing to fear from Prussia. This uncertainty
was no longer to be borne, and the duke determined to end it by a
coup d'etat.

He wrote, therefore, to the king, and asked for a private audience.
To his great joy his request was granted; the king invited him to
come the next day to Sans-Souci.

"At last! at last!" said the duke, drawing a long breath; and with
proud, French assurance, he added, "To-morrow, then, we will renew
this contract which binds the hands of Prussia, and gives France
liberty of action."




CHAPTER VI.

THE PRIVATE AUDIENCE.


The king received the French ambassador without ceremony. There were
no guards, no pages, no swarms of curious listening courtiers, only
a few of his trusty friends, who welcomed the duke and conversed
with him, while Pollnitz entered the adjoining room and informed the
king of his arrival.

"His majesty entreats the duke to enter." said Pollnitz, opening the