“Most gracious sir,” replied Frederick William, smiling, “I hope yet to be able to prove to your highness that I can stand against the fire of cannon balls better than Count Schwarzenberg’s wine, and that I can go to meet a battery of artillery more bravely than a battery of bottles.”

“I hope it will not be in your power to prove any such thing, sir,” cried the Elector impatiently.  “I want to hear nothing about war, and you must banish all thoughts of war and heroic deeds from your mind, and become a peaceful, law-abiding citizen.  Your head has been turned in Holland, but I rather expect to set it right again!  We are going back to Prussia, and you will accompany us.  Go now to the Electress, and disturb me no longer in my work.”

Frederick William bowed in silence and repaired to his mother’s apartments.  The Electress received him with open arms, and pressed him to her heart.

“I have you again, my son, I have you again,” she cried with warmth.  “A merciful God has not been willing to deprive me of my only happiness; he has preserved you to me.  Oh, my son, I love you so much, and I feel, moreover, that you love me, and that we shall understand each other, and that all causes of disagreement will disappear so soon as that hateful, dreaded man no longer stands between us—­he, who is your enemy as well as mine.  We are going back to Prussia, and my heart is full of joy, hope, and happiness.  There I shall have you safe; there you are mine, and no murderer or enemy there threatens my beloved only son!”

“But, most revered mother, there the worst, most dangerous enemy of all threatens me.”

“Who is he?  What is his name?”

“Idleness, your highness.  I shall be condemned there to an inactive, useless existence.  I shall have nothing to do but to live.  O most gracious mother! intercede for me with my father and Count Schwarzenberg, that I may be appointed Stadtholder of Cleves, for there I would have something to do, there I could be useful, and they wish for my presence there.”

“You do not wish to stay with me, then?” asked his mother, in a tone of mortification.  “You already wish yourself away from me and your sisters?”

The Prince’s countenance, which had been just aglow with enthusiasm, having for the moment dropped its mask, now once more assumed its serious, tranquil expression, and again the mask was drawn over its features.

“I by no means long to be away from you,” he said quietly, “but I shall delight in accompanying you to Prussia.”

“That is what I call spoken like a good, obedient child,” cried the Electress, “and, Louise, I advise you to profit by such an example.  Just look at your sister, Frederick, only see what a sorrowful figure she presents.  She does not even come to welcome her brother, but sits there quite disconsolate with tears in her eyes.”

“No, dearest mother, I am not crying,” replied the Princess gently.  “I, too, am right glad that we are to return to Prussia.”