Torgau and Wittenberg!"

A hollow groan escaped the king as he sank in his chair. The queen
became paler than before.

"What more?" said the king, gloomily.

"The second dispatch," continued Count Mattzahn, smilingly,
"informed his excellency Count Bruhl that the King of Prussia, my
noble and victorious master, was pressing forward, and had also
taken Leipsic without the slightest resistance!"

"How!" said the king, "he is in Leipsic?"

"Sire, I think he was there," said Count Mattzahn, laughing; "for it
seems that the Prussians, led by their king, have taken the wings of
the morning. Frederick was in Leipsic when the courier left--he must
now be on his way to Dresden. But he has commissioned me to say that
his motive for passing through Saxony is to see and request your
majesty to take a neutral part in this war between Austria and
Prussia."

"A neutral part!" said the king, angrily, "when my land is invaded
without question or permission, and peace broken in this
inexplicable manner. Have you any other message, count?"

"I have finished, sire, and humbly ask if you have any answer for my
sovereign?"

"Tell the king, your master, that I will raise my voice throughout