I walked hand in hand with the K—g through these enchanting scenes, and explained to him the meaning of the various groups. Beautiful! excellent! delightful! exclaimed he repeatedly. What a charming woman thou art, Minna! One of the dancers, a pretty little girl, whom I had initiated into all the mysteries of love, and whom the K—g was particularly partial to, attended us on our promenade, and, on a signal agreed between us, conducted him to a bower, the most enchanting that imagination can paint. The King would sit down upon the green, when on a sudden it opened, and presented a beautiful sopha with cushions, over which an elegant baldachin of flowers was suspended, in wreaths and festoons. At a convenient distance I had placed a male and a female singer, who were to represent a love-scene, and to accompany their amorous attitudes with songs expressive of their passions; a little farther off another voice echo-like repeated the sweet accents, whilst at a still greater distance the liquid sounds of a German flute died on the love-sick breeze, and threw the soul into that kind of pensive melancholy which generally leads to the most exquisite delights. The songster began, the flute warbled, the echo repeated, the tune was so heart-melting, the words so tender, the situation so novel, the King so pressing——.
This was the last tender scene in which we were engaged; for a few days afterwards his health declined visibly, and he was unable to leave his bed. Even on his sick couch, Mousons strove to soothe his melancholy and his pain through well-chosen amusements, but all in vain. The machine was deranged, and stopped at the very moment when I least expected it.
The man was now gone that raised me from nothing, and showered favours on me; that sun was set in whose lustre I shone with borrowed light. The veil fell off, and, seized with horror and remorse, I at once sunk again into my original insignificancy. I shook as if I had been touched by the chilling hand of death, and scarce had recollection enough to desire Mousons to order post-horses, to empty the King’s strong box, and to take possession of his large diamond and his pocket-book. At that instant an officer entered with twenty-four men, and informed me, that, by order of the new King, I was his prisoner. Mousons was immediately taken into custody, and within twenty-four hours transported to Magdeburg. Thunderstruck, I stared at the officer, collected all the effrontery I still could muster, and, with a haughty countenance and tone of voice, asked him, Who dared to arrest a Countess?—No one but the Emperor dared do so.
The Officer.—It may be so; but at present I have the order of the King my master, which both you and I must obey. Should the King be mistaken, and wrong you, Madam, I am sure he will give you ample satisfaction.
I was a prisoner; my papers were sealed up; the cursed pocket-book and the King’s ring were taken from me, and a select committee were appointed to examine my treasonable practices against the King and his subjects. I am criminal before my own conscience; I am so in the eye of the law. To whom must I appeal? Who will protect the wretch who thus has outraged humanity? Who can save me? and what have I to expect? Mercy alone I must have recourse to, and what will not mercy do? What is mercy but to forgive the criminal? And is not forgiveness the most glorious prerogative of regal power? I own my crimes are boundless; they call to Heaven for vengeance,—but all may be well yet; the King is just—but he is merciful—and I am a frail woman!
ORIGINAL PAPERS
OF THE
COUNTESS LICHTENAU,
COMMONLY CALLED
MINNA ENCKE.
I am with child, mother, and big F—— is ready to die with joy about it. But he is fond of variety. About eight days since there came an Italian strumpet here from Leipsic; I think her name is Saporetti; that cursed pander, that Frenchman, Dufour, has introduced her to him. She has been repeatedly with the Prince at Potsdam, so Rietz has told me. But patience only; I’ll contrive to let the King know, and then all her fine plans will be defeated; out of the kingdom with her in a hurry! The King, I am informed, a few days ago, said, If my nephew cannot live without a w——e, I should prefer to see him keep a German to a foreigner; the latter are much more expensive, and may some time discover and reveal secrets of the State. Your powder, mother, does wonders; whenever F—— has taken a dose of it, he is quite amorous, and loads me with caresses and favours. Let him think what he pleases, say I to myself, provided I can retain my powers over him. Yesterday George brought me a fine watch, set with brilliants, bracelets, and ear-rings of the same, a stomacher, and a superb necklace, with a medallion containing the Prince’s portrait. Herewith I sent you thirty Frederics-d’ors for my brother; I have created him my equerry; he is to dispatch my letters to Potsdam, and must have a good poney, whose oats and furniture are my concern.
The King has been pleased to send Madam Saporetti, well attended, out of the land, and given orders to look after Monsieur Dufour. He keeps himself concealed at Berlin, and, to elude all inquiry, has taken the name Chofieu. The Prince has not the least notion of all this being my doings, and is as tender and as loving as ever. Rietz himself is very glad to see that French puppy in the dumps, for who knows but he might some time have got him out of his master’s favour, for he is full of intrigue, and then all would be over with every one of us. Rietz is a good kind of stupid fellow, all on my side, and seems to be pleased to see the Prince so constant in his love to me.