Je ne parlerai pas de sa tete chaneelante et se soutenant a peine de ses jambes, pour lesquelles son corps appauvri etait un poids si lourd de ses bras; et de ses mains plus d’a moitie paralyse; mais quels puissants motifs out pu amener cette belle et aimable princesse a se faire elle-meme un sort si triste?  Quelle philosophie a pu lui donner assez de force pour le supporter, et ne pas s’en plaindre? quelle energie tous cea faits ne prouvent-ils pas?—­ Thiebault, ii., 287-289.]

CHAPTER XI.

Barbarina.

The visit which the proud wife of the High-Chancellor Cocceji had made to the still prouder dancer, had brought the trembling and irresolute heart of Barbarina to a conclusion.  This heart, which had not been influenced by her own wishes or the eloquent prayers of her young lover, was wounded by the insane pride of Madame Cocceji, and forced to a final resolve.  The visit was unfortunate, and its results exactly the opposite of her hopes.

She had come to prove to Barbarina that she should not even dare to think of becoming the wife of her son.  By her wild passion and abusive words she had so exasperated her, that she determined to do that for revenge which she had firmly refused to love.  In flashing scorn she had sworn this to the proud wife of the high chancellor; and her honor and her pride demanded the fulfilment of her oath.

And now a fierce contest commenced between them—­carried on by both parties with bitterness and energy.  The high chancellor threatened his son with his curse.  He solemnly declared he would disinherit him.  Cocceji only loved the Barbarina the more glowingly; and, as his mother spoke to him of the dancer, and uttered passionate and abusive words, he replied respectfully but decisively that he would not listen to such accusations against the woman who was to be his wife, and must forbid them positively.  Madame Cocceji was beside herself with rage; by her prayers and persuasions, she induced her husband to take refuge in the last and most violent resource that remained—­in the power of arrest which the king had granted him.  He resolved to confine his son in the castle of Mt.  Landsberg, and thus break the magical bands of Ariadne.

One day, the Councillor Cocceji did not appear in the halls of justice, and no one knew what had become of him.  The servants stated that a carriage stopped at his dwelling in the middle of the night; that General Haak with two soldiers entered Cocceji’s room, and remained with him some time.  They had then all entered the general’s carriage, and driven away.

Cocceji had, however, found a secret opportunity to slip a piece of paper into the servant’s hand, and to whisper, “Quick, to the signora!”

The faithful servant obeyed this order.  The paper contained only these words:  “I am arrested; make all necessary preparations; expect me daily.  As soon as I am free, our marriage will take place.”