And now, the pale and anxious face of Brother Anastasius appeared.
He entered hastily, closed and fastened the door.
"Pardon," said he, trembling and breathless—"pardon that I have dared to enter. The danger is great; the Austrians surround the cloister."
"Are they already here?" said the king.
"No; but they have sent a courier, who commands us immediately to open all the doors and give entrance to the soldiers of Maria Theresa."
"Have they given a reason for this command?"
"Yes; they say they know assuredly that the King of Prussia is concealed here, and they come to search the cloister."
"Have you not said to them, that we are not only the servants of God, but the servants of the King of Prussia? Have you not said to them that the doors of our cloister can only open to Prussian troops?"
"Yes, your excellency. I told the soldier all this, but he laughed, and said the pandours of Colonel von Trenck knew how to obtain an entrance."
"Ah! it is Trenck, with his pandours," cried the king, casting a searching glance at Frederick von Trenck, who stood opposite, with pale and tightly-compressed lips; he met the eye of the king boldly, however, and looked him steadily in the face.
"Is Colonel Trenck your relation?" said the king, hastily.