She modestly accompanied her parents, and seemed unconscious of her transcendent beauty.

The Ranger of the Forests, his wife, and daughter, were presented to me.  I was at no loss to make myself agreeable to the parents; but before the daughter I stood like a well-scolded schoolboy, incapable of speaking a single word.

At length I hesitatingly entreated her to honour my banquet by presiding at it—­an office for which her rare endowments pointed her out as admirably fitted.  With a blush and an expressive glance she entreated to be excused; but, in still greater confusion than herself, I respectfully begged her to accept the homage of the first and most devoted of her subjects, and one glance of the count was the same as a command to the guests, who all vied with each other in acting up to the spirit of the noble host.

In her person majesty, innocence, and grace, in union with beauty, presided over this joyous banquet.  Minna’s happy parents were elated by the honours conferred upon their child.  As for me, I abandoned myself to all the intoxication of delight:  I sent for all the jewels, pearls, and precious stones still left to me—­the produce of my fatal wealth—­and, filling two vases, I placed them on the table, in the name of the Queen of the banquet, to be divided among her companions and the remainder of the ladies.

I ordered gold in the meantime to be showered down without ceasing among the happy multitude.

Next morning Bendel told me in confidence that the suspicions he had long entertained of Rascal’s honesty were now reduced to a certainty; he had yesterday embezzled many bags of gold.

“Never mind,” said I; “let him enjoy his paltry booty.  I like to spend it; why should not he?  Yesterday he, and all the newly-engaged servants whom you had hired, served me honourably, and cheerfully assisted me to enjoy the banquet.”

No more was said on the subject.  Rascal remained at the head of my domestics.  Bendel was my friend and confidant; he had by this time become accustomed to look upon my wealth as inexhaustible, without seeking to inquire into its source.  He entered into all my schemes, and effectually assisted me in devising methods of spending my money.

Of the pale, sneaking scoundrel—­the unknown—­Bendel only knew thus much, that he alone had power to release me from the curse which weighed so heavily on me, and yet that I stood in awe of him on whom all my hopes rested.  Besides, I felt convinced that he had the means of discovering me under any circumstances, while he himself remained concealed.  I therefore abandoned my fruitless inquiries, and patiently awaited the appointed day.

The magnificence of my banquet, and my deportment on the occasion, had but strengthened the credulous townspeople in their previous belief.

It appeared soon after, from accounts in the newspapers, that the whole history of the King of Prussia’s fictitious journey originated in mere idle report.  But a king I was, and a king I must remain by all means; and one of the richest and most royal, although people were at a loss to know where my territories lay.