Part 23 (1/2)

The King followed her, and explained that they were not in the laboratory.

”But I should like to see that mysterious sanctuary,” said she.

”Madam,” replied Bottiger, ”it is such a fearful den, the air is so unhealthy, and the aspect so sad, that a G.o.ddess should not descend into such a h.e.l.l.”

”But woman's curiosity!” sighed Cosel, and looked at Augustus. The King looked at Furstenberg; but the Prince only shrugged his shoulders.

”The Countess is not accustomed to such dark stairs,” added the alchemist.

But Cosel replied,--

”The G.o.ddess commands, guide us!”

Saying this, she turned towards the door; but Bottiger pressed a b.u.t.ton in the opposite wall, and immediately a secret door flew open, and beside this the alchemist stood, candelabra in his hand.

Augustus offered no opposition, and they all descended the dark, narrow stairs, and entered a room, the walls of which were black with smoke.

Against its thick walls were several stoves, on which stood cold retorts and crucibles; there were several articles of furniture of strange shapes, and a number of bottles and jars. On the tables lay large folios with bra.s.s clasps, rolls of parchment, and various kinds of tools.

The apartment had such a strange, gloomy, and mysterious aspect that it frightened the Countess, who was leaning on the King's arm.

Having raised the light, Bottiger stood silently watching them.

Augustus looked round the laboratory that contained such wonderful hopes with a certain degree of respect. Suddenly he advanced to the table, and his gaze rested on an object that lay among the papers.

It was a cup of the colour of jasper. The King, who was a great admirer of china, thought it a product of j.a.pan.

”Bottiger,” he exclaimed, ”that looks like j.a.panese china, although it is of a different shape to theirs.”

”Your Majesty,” replied the host, bowing reverently, ”that is my plaything. I tried to make china from the lime they brought me wherewith to make gold.”

The King took the cup, examined it carefully, and then held it against the light.

”You say you made this?”

Bottiger bent down and picked up several fragments, then from beneath the papers he drew forth several saucers, which he handed to the King and Cosel.

”Why, it is the most beautiful china in the world!” exclaimed Augustus.

Bottiger was silent.

”You are truly a discoverer! You have found out a wonderful secret! For G.o.d's sake, make porcelain for me! I paid fifty thousand thalers for one Chinese service. The Prussian robbed me; he took away a company of my best-looking soldiers: you can make porcelain, and you say nothing about it!”

”It was only an experiment.”

”A most successful experiment! Bottiger, you shall make the first service for Diana!”

Seeing the King's enthusiasm, Furstenberg and Nehmitz both approached to look at the wonderful discovery, but the Prince was dissatisfied, for he feared the alchemist would neglect the gold for the porcelain.

The King rejoiced more over this discovery than he would have done had he been told that the Swedes had left Saxony. He took the cup, and, after again expressing his great satisfaction, turned towards the door.

To save the King and Cosel the trouble of ascending the narrow stairs, Bottiger opened the door that led directly into his garden, from whence they returned to the back balcony.