After the prince had left the room, Frederick remained for a few minutes listening, until he heard the door of the farther anteroom closed.
"Now, Hertzberg," cried he, "come out—the coast is clear."
A gigantic screen, which divided the room in two, began to move, and forth came Count Herizberg, the king's prime minister.
"Did you hear it all?" asked Frederick, laughing.
"I did, so please your majesty."
"Did you write it down, so that I can send its resume to the Empress
Catharine?"
"Yes, your majesty, as far as it was possible to do so, I have written down every word of your conference," said Hertzberg, with a dissatisfied expression of countenance.
The king raised his large eyes with an inquiring look at the face of his trusty minister. "Are you not satisfied, Hertzberg? Why do you shake your head? You have three wrinkles in your forehead, and the corners of your mouth turn down as they always do when something has displeased you. Speak out, man. Of what do you complain?"
"First, I complain that your majesty has allowed the old fox to perceive that you, as well as himself, entertain designs upon Poland, and that in a manner you are willing to guarantee to Austria her theft of the Zips. I also complain that you have consented to induce Russia, through the intervention of Austria, to make peace with Turkey."
"Is that all?" asked the king.