He commanded his cabinet minister Uhden to ascertain by what right the dancer Barbarina dared to call herself Madame Cocceji, and, if she could establish her claim, he wished to be informed what priest had dared to bless the holy banns.  He was resolved to punish him severely.

The minister Uhden was a warm personal friend of the high chancellor, and more than willing, therefore, to carry out sternly the king’s commands.  The next day he ordered Barbarina to appear before him, stating that he had the king’s permission to pronounce judgment upon her.

When Barbarina read this order, she was lost in painful silence, and a profound melancholy was written upon her pale face.

“What will you do, sister?” said Marietta.

“I will go to the king!” replied Barbarina. rousing herself.

“But the king is at Potsdam.”

“Well, then, I will go to Potsdam.  Order my carriage; I must go in a quarter of an hour.”

“What shall I say to your husband when he returns home?”

Barbarina looked at her steadily.  “Tell him that Madame Cocceji has gone to Potsdam, to announce her marriage to the king, and ask him to acknowledge it.”

“Barbarina,” whispered her sister, “hear me!  Your husband is troubled and sorrowful; he has confided in me.  He says he fears you did not marry him from love, but for revenge, and that you love him not.”

“I am resolved to love him!  I will learn how,” said she, sadly.  “I have a strong will, and my heart shall obey me!”

She smiled, but her lovely face was overcast with grief, and Marietta’s eyes were filled with tears.

Frederick was alone in his study in the castle of Potsdam; he was busily engaged in writing.  The door was lightly opened, and the Marquis d’Argens looked in.  When he saw that the king had heard nothing, he beckoned to a lady who stood behind him to draw near.  She entered the room silently and noiselessly; the marquis bowed to her, and, smiling kindly, he stepped back and closed the door.

The lady, who up to this time had closely concealed her features, now threw back her veil, and exposed the pale but lovely countenance and flashing eyes of Barbarina.  She gazed at the king with a mingled expression of happiness and pain.

The king still heard nothing.  Suddenly he was aroused by a low sigh; it seemed to him that a soft, sweet, long-silent voice whispered his name.  He rose hastily and turned; Barbarina was kneeling at the door; it was that door before which, five years ago, she had kneeled bathed in tears and wild with despair.  She was now, as then, upon her knees, weeping bitterly, and raising her hands importunately to the king, pleading for grace and pity.

Frederick was at first pallid from surprise, and a frown was on his brow; but, as he looked upon her, and saw once more those great, dark, unfathomable eyes, a painful but sweet emotion overcame him; the cloud was lifted up, his countenance was illuminated and his eyes were soft and misty.