“He cannot come—­he is a prisoner.”

“A prisoner!  God be thanked it is no worse!  The king will obtain his liberation.  My brother cares for his young officers—­he will not leave him in the hands of the Austrians.  Oh!  I thank you—­I thank you.  You are indeed a messenger of glad tidings.  And now the king will be pleased with me.  I can be merry and laugh, and jest with him.”

Mademoiselle von Haak bowed her head sadly, and sighed.  “He is not in an Austrian prison,” she said, in low tones.

“Not in an Austrian prison?” repeated Amelia, astonished, “where is he, then?  My God! why do you not speak?  Where is Trenck?  Who has captured him?  Speak!  I die with impatience and anxiety.”

“In God’s name, princess, listen to me calmly, and above all things, speak softly.  I am sure you are surrounded by spies.  If we are heard, we are lost!”

“Do you wish me to die?” murmured the princess, sinking exhausted upon the divan.  “Where is Trenck?”

“He is in the fortress of Glatz,” whispered Von Haak.

“Ah! in a Prussian fortress; sent there by the king?  He has committed some small fault in discipline, as once before, and as this is the second offence, the king punishes him more severely.  That is all!  I thank you; you have restored my peace of mind.”

“I fear, princess, that you are mistaken.  It is said that Baron von Trenck has been arrested for high treason.”

The princess became deadly pale, and almost fainted.  She overcame this weakness, however, quickly, and said smilingly:  “He will then soon be free, for all must know that he is innocent.”

“God grant that it may be proved!” said Mademoiselle von Haak.  “This is no time to shrink or be silent.  You have a great, strong heart, and you love him.  You must know all!  Listen, therefore, princess.  I also love; I also look to the future with hope!  My love is calm, for it is without danger; it has my mother’s consent and blessing.  Our only hope is, that my lover may be promoted, and that the king will give his consent to our marriage.  We are both poor, and rely only upon the favor of the king.  He is now lieutenant, and is on duty in the garrison of Glatz.”

“In Glatz! and you say that Trenck is a prisoner in Glatz?”

“Yes, I received letters yesterday from Schnell.  He belongs to the officers who have guard over Trenck.  He writes that he feels the profoundest pity for this young man, and that he will joyfully aid him in every way.  He asks me if I know no one who has the courage to plead with the king in behalf of this unhappy youth.”

“My God! my God! give me strength to hear all, and yet control myself!” murmured Amelia.  “Do you know the nature of his punishment?” said she, quietly.

“No one knows positively the duration of his punishment; but the commandant of the fort told the officers that Trenck would be a prisoner for many years.”