Part 55 (1/2)
”We must compromise the matter.”
Woellner sprang up, and a flush of anger or from champagne overspread his face ”Compromise with the sinful creature!” he cried, impetuously.
”Make peace with the seductress, who leads the prince from the path of virtue!”
”Yes, we must be on friendly terms with this woman, who could greatly injure us as an enemy, and aid us infinitely as a friend. This is my intention, and I am the more convinced that we must accept this middle course, as she is protected by the king.”
”Because he knows from his spies that she mingles with the Illuminati and the Freemasons, and that she is our opponent,” said Woellner.
”The more the reason, my n.o.ble zealot, to win her friends.h.i.+p, who will have validity and power until the crown prince reigns, and this old G.o.dless freethinker of a king is in his gravel Then Prussia will commence a new era, and we shall be lords, and guide the machine of state. For such lofty aims one ought to be ready to compromise with his Satanic majesty even. Then why not with this little she-devil, whose power is fading every year with her youth and beauty?”
”It is quite true, we should be mindful of the device of our Invisible Fathers. The end sanctifies the means,” sighed Woellner.
”I believe it to be indispensable, and you will grant that I am right.
Do you not see that the prince has availed himself of our absence to go there, and has not yet returned?”
”What!” shrieked Woellner, clasping his hands--”you do not mean that--”
”That Rinaldo has returned to the enchanted garden of Armida.”
”Oh, let us hasten to release him at once, and revue his soul from perdition!” cried Woellner, springing up.
”On the contrary, let us await him here without a word of reproach upon his return. This will touch his tender heart which we must work upon, if we would get him into our power, for to us he must belong. Fill our gla.s.ses with the sparkling wine, and drink to the contract with Wilhelmine Enke.”
Just as merrily they quaffed the champagne in the little cosy dining-room at Charlottenburg, where the prince and Wilhelmine were rejoicing over a reconciliation, no one being present but the two children. Their joyous laugh and innocent jests delighted the father, and the beaming eyes, sweet smile, and witty conversation of his favorite, filled his heart with pleasure.
Not a word of reproach escaped her, but exultant and joyous she hastened with outstretched arms to meet him, kissing away all his attempts to implore pardon, and thanking him that he had returned to her.
At first the prince gave himself up to the joy of the reunion with his beloved Wilhelmine sad children; but now, as the first outburst had pa.s.sed, the quiet, happy dinner being finished, and they had returned to the sitting-room, a tinge of melancholy earnestness overshadowed his amiable face.
Wilhelmine threw her arms gently around his neck as she sat beside him upon the divan, and looked up to him with a tender questioning glance.
”Your thoughts are veiled, dearest; will you not confide to me that which lies concealed there?”
”Ah, Wilhelmine, it is a mourning veil, and hides the sorrow of renunciation.”
”I do not understand you, Frederick,” she smilingly replied. ”Who could compel you to an abnegation which would cause you grief?”
”Listen to me, Wilhelmine, and understand that I am suffering from circ.u.mstances--an oath taken in the pressure of the moment. Try to comprehend me, my dear child.”
Drawing her closer to him, he faithfully related to her the night of the communion of the spirits, and his consequent oath.
”Is that all, my dear?” she replied, smiling, as he finished.
”What do you mean?” he asked, astonished.
”Nothing more than I would know if you have only sworn to renounce Wilhelmine Enke!”
”What could I have done more prejudicial to you?” he cried, not a little irritated.
”Surely you could not injure or grieve me more, and therefore I am not a little surprised that the pious Fathers could so carelessly word their oaths. You have sworn to renounce your affection to and separate from Wilhelmine Enke; so it follows that the Invisibles only demand that you give up my name, not myself, and that is easily changed, and my dear prince will not become a perjurer.”