With a loud shriek she fainted by his side. Weingarten did not raise
her; he glanced wildly at the pale, lifeless woman at his feet.

"We are both condemned," murmured he, "we have both lost our honor.
And with this Cain's mark upon our foreheads we will wander wearily
through the world." [Footnote: Count Weingarten escaped from all his
troubles happily. He married his sweetheart, the daughter of the
castle-warder, and went to Altmark, where, under the name of Veis,
he lived happily for many years.]

The king, in the mean while, after Weingarten had left him, walked
thoughtfully up and down his room. At times he raised his head and
gazed with a proud, questioning glance at the sky. Great thoughts
were at work within him. Now Frederick throws back his head proudly,
and his eyes sparkle.

"The time has come," said he, in a loud, full voice. "The hour for
delay is past; now the sword must decide between me and my enemies."
He rang a bell hastily, and ordered a valet to send a courier at
once to Berlin, to call General Winterfeldt, General Retzow, and
also Marshal Schwerin, to Sans-Souci.




CHAPTER VIII.

DECLARATION OF WAR.