Sighing, Frederick William laid aside the melancholy writing, and took up the next in order.  It was a petition from the town of Prenzlow, not less sad, not less moving than the first.  The magistracy of Prenzlow likewise prayed for compassion and redress of grievances, and painted in moving words the misery of town and country.  “Since,” they wrote, “on account of the unhappy war existing, the fields hereabout had been lying idle for some years, such unheard-of scarcity had ensued that the people had not only been driven to making use of unusual articles of diet, such as dogs, cats, nay, even dead asses lying in the streets, but impelled by the fierce pangs of hunger, in town as well as in the country, had fallen upon, cooked, and devoured one another!” [30]

“Much to be pitied land, and much to be pitied Prince as well,” sighed Frederick William.  “A heavy, an almost intolerable burden of government has fallen upon my shoulders.  God help me to sustain it worthily!” [31]

He stretched out his hand for a third paper, when the door opened and old Dietrich entered.

“Well, old man,” asked the Elector, “what brings you here?  And why is your old face so merry to-day?”

“Because I have something pleasant to communicate to your highness.  The two gentlemen whom your honor has been expecting are here.  Colonel von Burgsdorf and—­”

“Leuchtmar?” joyfully inquired the Elector, and, upon Dietrich’s assent, he hurried himself toward the door.  But after he had already stretched out his hand to turn the knob, he paused and slowly resumed his place in the middle of the room.

“Who is in the antechamber, besides?” he asked.

“Your highness, there are also without the gentlemen whom you summoned to an audience, the Chamberlain von Schulenburg, Herr von Kroytz, Herr von Kospoth, and the jeweler Dusnack.”

“Those gentlemen may wait.  Desire Herr von Kalkhun to come in.”

Dietrich withdrew to the antechamber.  The Elector’s eyes were fastened upon the door with an expression of joyful expectancy.  When it opened, and the tall, slender form of his friend and preceptor became visible, he could restrain himself no longer, but, forgetting all ceremony, all etiquette, hurried with outspread arms to meet Leuchtmar, and impetuously clasped him to his breast.

“God be praised that I have you again!” he said, with a warm embrace.  “Once more I have found a father and a faithful friend.  Welcome, you man of loyal heart, with my whole soul I bid you welcome!”

“And you, most gracious sir,” cried Leuchtmar, deeply moved, “may you ever receive blessings and good gifts from on high, and always deserve them by noble thoughts and deeds!  Such shall be my prayer evening and morning, and your highness shall verify my petition.”

“Amen!  God grant it!” said Frederick William solemnly.  “And now, look at me, my friend, and let me read in your features that you are the same as of old.”