“Yes; he gave me the material for two letters, which I dictated at the same time to his secretaries, one in French and one in Latin.  He then commanded me to draw the plan of the Hare Meadow, and I did so.”

“Was he pleased?”

“He made me cornet of the guard,” said Trenck, modestly avoiding a more direct answer.

“I see you are in high favor:  in three weeks you are promoted from cadet to lieutenant! quick advancement, which the king, no doubt, signalized by some other act of grace?”

“He sent me two horses from his stable, and when I came to thank him, he gave me a purse containing two hundred ‘Fredericks.’”

Pollnitz gave a spring backward.  “Thunder! you are indeed in favor! the king gives you presents!  Ah, my young friend, I would protect you, but it seems you can patronize me.  The king has never made me a present.  And what do you desire to-day of the queen-mother?”

“As I am now a lieutenant, I belong to the court circle, and must take part in the court festivals.  So the king commanded me to pay my respects to the queen-mother.”

“Ah, the king ordered that?” said Pollnitz; “truly, young man, the king must destine you for great things—­he overloads you with favors.  You will make a glittering career, provided you are wise enough to escape the shoals and quicksands in your way.  I can tell you, there will be adroit and willing hands ready to cast you down; those who are in favor at court have always bitter enemies.”

“Yes, I am aware that I have enemies,” said Trenck; “more than once I have already been charged with being a drunkard and a rioter; but the king, happily, only laughed at the accusations.”

“He is really in high favor, and I would do well to secure his friendship,” thought Pollnitz; “the king will also be pleased with me if I am kind to him.”  He held out his hand to the young officer, and said, with fatherly tenderness:  “From this time onward, when your enemies shall please to attack you, they shall not find you alone; they will find me a friend ever at your side.  You are the son of the only woman I ever loved—­I will cherish you in my heart as my first-born!”

“And I receive you as my father with my whole heart,” said Trenck; “be my father, my friend, and my counsellor.”

“The court is a dangerous and slippery stage, upon which a young and inexperienced man may lightly slip, unless held up by a strong arm.  Many will hate you because you are in favor, and the hate of many is like the sting of hornets:  one sting is not fatal, but a general attack sometimes brings death.  Make use, therefore, of your sunshine, and fix yourself strongly in an immovable position.”

“The great question is, what shall be my first step to secure it?”

“How! you ask that question, and you are nineteen years old, six feet high, have a handsome face, a splendid figure, an old, renowned name, and are graciously received at court!  Ah! youngster, I have seen many arrive at the highest honors and distinctions, who did not possess half your glittering qualities.  If you use the right means at the right time, you cannot fail of success.”