And now they passed from the little allee and entered the great avenue; an expression of admiration burst from the lips of the marquis; with flashing eyes he gazed around upon the magnificent and enchanting scene.  Here, just before them, was the grand basin of marble, surrounded with groups of marble statues; farther off the lofty terraces, adorned with enormous orange-trees, rustling their glossy leaves and pearly blossoms in the morning breeze, greeting their king with their intoxicating fragrance.  Upon the top of these superb terraces, between groups of marble forms and laughing cascades, stood the little castle of Weinberg, beautiful in its simplicity; upon its central cupola stood a golden crown, which sparkled and glittered in the sunshine.

The king pointed to the crown.  “Look,” said he, “how it flashes in the sun, and throws its shadow upon all beneath it:  so is it, or may it be, with my whole life!  May my crown and my reign be glorious!”

The marquis pressed his hand tenderly.  “They will be great and glorious through all time,” said he.  “Your grand-children and your great-grandchildren will speak of the lustre which played upon that crown, and when they speak of Prussia’s greatness they will say:  ’When Frederick the Second lived, the earth was glad with light and sunshine.’”

Arm in arm, and silently, they mounted the marble steps of the terrace.  Deep, holy silence surrounded them, the cascades prattled softly.  The tops of the tall trees which bordered the terrace bowed and whispered lowly with the winds; here and there was heard the melodious note of a bird.  No noise of the mad world, no discord interrupted this holy peace of nature.  They seemed to have left the world behind them, and with solemn awe to enter upon a new existence.

Now they had reached the height; they turned and looked back upon the beautiful panorama which lay at their feet.  The luxurious freshness, the artistic forms, the blue and graceful river winding through the wooded heights and green valleys, formed an enchanting spectacle.

“Is not this heavenly?” said Frederick, and his face glowed with enjoyment.  “Can we not rest here in peace, away from all the sorrows and sufferings of this world?”

“This is, indeed, a paradise,” cried the marquis.  He spread out his arms in ecstasy as if he would clasp the whole lovely picture to his breast; then, turning his eyes to heaven, he exclaimed, “O God! grant that my king may be happy in this consecrated spot!”

“Happy?” repeated Frederick, with a slight shrug.  “Say content, marquis.  I believe that is the highest point any man attains upon this earth.  And now let us enter the house.”

He took the arm of the marquis, and then stepped over the golden sand to the large glass door which led to the round saloon.  As Frederick opened the door he fixed his great blue eyes steadily upon D’Argens.

“Pray! marquis, pray! we stand upon the threshold of a new existence, which now opens her mysterious portals to us.”