The parade was over when he reached his quarters.  A guard stood before his door, and led him instantly before the king.  Frederick was alone in his cabinet.  He silently dismissed his adjutant and the guard, then walked for some time backward and forward through the room, without seeming to observe Trenck, who stood with pale but resolved countenance before the door.

Trenck followed every movement of the king with a steady glance.  “If he cashiers me, I will shoot myself,” he said in a low tone.  “If he puts me to the torture, in order to learn the secret of my love, I can bear it and be silent.”

But there was another possibility upon which, in the desperation of his soul, Trenck had not thought.  What should he do if the king approached him mildly and sorrowfully, and, with the gentle, persuasive words of a kind friend, besought him to explain this mystery?

This was exactly the course adopted by the king.  He stepped forward to the poor, pale, almost breathless youth, and looked him steadily in the eyes.  His glance was not threatening and scornful, as Trenck had expected, but sad and reproachful.

“Why have you again secretly left Potsdam?” said the king.  “Where do you find the proud courage to disobey my commands?  Captain Jaschinsky has brought serious charges against you.  He tells me that you often leave Potsdam secretly.  Do you know that, if punished according to the law, you must be cashiered?”

“Yes, I know, sire.  I also know that I will not outlive this shame.”

A scornful glance shot from the king’s eye.  “Do you intend to make me anxious?  Is that a menace?”

“Pardon, sire.  It is not in my power to make you anxious, and I do not dare to menace.  Of what importance to your majesty is this atom, this unknown and insignificant youth, who is only seen when irradiated by the sunshine of your eye?  I am nothing, and less than nothing, to your majesty; you are every thing to me.  I will not, I cannot live if your highness withdraws your favor from me, and robs me of the possibility of winning a name and position for myself.  That was my meaning, sire.”

“You are, then, ambitious, and thirst for fame?”

“Your majesty, I would gladly sell one-half of my life to the devil if he would insure me rank and glory for the other half, and after death an immortality of fame.  Oh, how gladly would I make this contract!”

“If such ambition fires your soul, how can you be so foolish, so inconsiderate, as to bring degradation and shame upon yourself by carelessness in duty?  He who is not prompt and orderly in small things, will neglect the most important duties.  Where were you last night?”

“Sire, I was on the chase.”

The king looked at him with angry, piercing eyes.  Trenck had not the courage to bear this.  He blushed and looked down.

“You have told me an untruth,” said the king.  “Think again.  Where were you last night?”