passing on, he whispered here and there a few words to the different
ambassadors. They and the count then disappeared.

The fete continued quietly; the music recommenced its gay, melodious
sounds, the birds carolled their songs, and the flowers were as
beautiful and as sweet as before. The jewels of the courtiers
sparkled as brilliantly. Their eyes alone were not so bright, and
the happy smile had left their lips. They were all weighed down by a
presentiment that danger was hovering around them.




CHAPTER XIII.

THE ARCHIVES AT DRESDEN.


Count Mattzahn's prophecy came true. The King of Prussia came to
Dresden, and there, as in every other part of Saxony, found no
resistance. Fear and terror had gone before him, disarming all
opposition. The king and prince-elector were not accustomed to have
a will of their own; and Count Bruhl, the favorite of fortune,
showed himself weak and helpless in the hour of adversity. It needed
the queen's powerful energy, and the forcible representations of the
French ambassador, Count Broglio, to arouse them from their
lethargy; and what Count Broglio's representations, and the queen's
prayers and tears commenced, hatred finished. Count Bruhl's sinking
courage rose at the thought of the possibility of still undermining
the King of Prussia, and putting an end to his victorious march. It