"What I have done," cried Winterfeldt, solemnly raising his right
hand heavenward--"what I have done was done from a feeling of duty,
from love of my country, and from a firm, unshaken trust in my
king's star, which cannot fade, but must become ever more and more
resplendent! May God punish me if I have acted from other and less
noble motives!"

"Yes, may God punish you--may He not revenge your crime upon our
poor country!" said Prince Augustus William. "I have said my last
upon this sad subject. From now on, my private opinions are subdued-
-I but obey the king's commands. What he requires of me shall be
done--where he sends me I will go, without questioning or
considering, but quietly and obediently, as it becomes a true
soldier. I hope that you, my brother, Marshal Schwerin, and General
Retzow, will follow my example. The king has commanded, we have but
to obey cheerfully."

Then, arm in arm, the princes left the audience-room and returned to
Berlin.




CHAPTER X.

THE LAUREL-BRANCH.


While this last scene was passing in the audience-room, the king had