“No!” said he, almost harshly; “you must remain here, we have business with each other.  Swartz has brought me your contract to sign; it requires some changes, and I should have sent for you if accident had not brought you here.”

“Your majesty can command me,” said Barbarina.

“We have business and contracts to consider,” said the king roughly, “and we will speak of them alone.  Go, Pesne, and say to Swartz I await him.”

Frederick nodded to the painter, and, seizing Barbarina’s hand, led her into the adjoining room, his Tusculum, never before profaned by a woman’s foot; open only to the king’s dearest, most trusted friends.

CHAPTER XV.

The confession.

Barbarina entered this room with peculiar feelings; her heart trembled, her pulses beat quickly.  She, whose glance was usually so proud, so victorious, looked up now timidly, almost fearfully, to the king.  He had never appeared to her so handsome, so imposing as in this moment.  Silently she took her place upon the divan to which he led her.  Frederick seated himself directly in front of her.

“This is the second time,” said the king, with a smile, a the second time, signora, that I have had the honor to be alone with you.  On the first occasion you swore to me that you would hate the King of Prussia with an everlasting hatred.”

“I said that to your majesty when I did not recognize you,” said Barbarina.

“Had you known me, signora, you would surely not have spoken so frankly.  Unhappily, the world has silently resolved never to speak the truth to kings.  You avowed your resolution, therefore, at that time, because you did not know you were speaking to the king.  Oh, signora, I have not forgotten your words.  I know that you pray to God every day; not for your own happiness, as all chance of that has been destroyed by this cruel king; but for revenge on this man, who has no heart, and treads the hearts of other men under his feet.”

“Your majesty is cruel,” whispered Barbarina.

“Cruel! why?  I only repeat your words.  Cruel, because I cannot forget!  The words of Barbarina cannot be forgotten.  In that respect at least I am like other men.”

“And in that respect should your majesty the least resemble them.  The little windspiel may revenge its injuries, but the eagle forgives, and soars aloft so high in the heavens that the poor offender is no longer seen and soon forgotten.  Your majesty is like the eagle, why can you not also forget?”

“I cannot and I will not!  I remind you of that hour, because I wish to ask now for the same frankness of speech.  I wish to hear the truth once more from those proud lips.  Barbarina, will you tell me the truth?”

“Yes, on condition that your majesty promises to forget the past.”

“I promise not to remind you of it.”

“I thank your majesty; I will speak the truth.”