“Pope Adrian had commanded Tintoretto to paint this picture, to make it a monument in honor of the lovely Cinnia, and to glorify her by all the power of art.  Cinnia was a very dear friend of Adrian.  He was not only a pope, but a man, and a man who took pleasure in all beautiful things.  Cinnia was enchanting, and it was Tintoretto’s first duty to paint her picture, and make her the principal object in Paradise.  But look you! the Last Judgment by Tintoretto was a large painting, so large that to count even the heads upon it is laborious.  The heads in each corner are counted separately, and then added together, It required some years, of course, to paint such a picture; and by the time Tintoretto had completed Paradise and commenced the lower regions, many sad changes had occurred.  The fond heart of the seducing Cinnia had withdrawn itself from the pope and clung tenaciously to Prince Colonna.  The Holy Father, as we have said before, notwithstanding he was pope, had some human weaknesses; he naturally hated the fair inconstant, and sought revenge.  He recommended Tintoretto to bring the erring one once more before the public—­this time, however, as a guilty and condemned shiner in hell.

“Dear Fredersdorf, I think always of this picture when I look at the favorites of princes and kings, and I amuse myself with their pride and arrogance.  When I see them in their sunny paradise of power and influence, I say to myself, ’All’s well for the fleeting present, I’ll wait patiently; soon I shall see you roasting on the glowing gridiron of royal displeasure, and the envious devils of this world filled with rapture at your downfall, will tear your flesh to pieces.’  Friend Fredersdorf, that is my answer to your question as to whether I have in one short year forgotten the quality of court life.”

“And by Heaven, that is a profound answer, which shows at least that Baron Pollnitz has undergone no change during the last year, but is still the experienced man of the world and the wise cavalier!”

“But why do you not give me my title, Fredersdorf?  Why do you not call me grand chamberlain?”

“Because you are no longer in the service of the king, but have received your dismissal.”

“Alas!  God grant that the Signora Biche is favorable to me; then will the king, as I hope, forget this dismissal.  One question more.  You say that the queen-mother has no influence; how is it with the wife of the king, Elizabeth Christine?  Is she indeed the reigning sovereign?”

“When did you return to Berlin?”

“Now, to-night; and when I left the carriage, I hastened here.”

“Well, that is some excuse for your question.  If you have only just arrived, you could not possibly know of the important event which will take place at the court to-night.  This evening the king will present his brother, Augustus William, to the court as Prince of Prussia, and his successor, I think that is a sufficient answer to your question.  As to Queen Elizabeth Christine, she lives at Schonhausen, and might be called the widow of her husband.  The king never addresses one word to her, not even on grand festal days, when etiquette compels him to take a seat by her at table.”