It is a fact that for twelve days Madame von Kleist has sent you no message through me; it is a fact that she was not at the masked ball; that as often as I have been to her in these last days, to deliver letters for your highness, and to obtain hers in return, she has never received me, always excused herself; and, therefore, I could not receive her letters, nor deliver those of your highness." "And were you not in Berlin early this morning! Did you not go to her as I ordered you, and tell her she might expect me this evening ?" "I went to her house, but in vain; she was with the queen-mother, and I was told that she would not return until late in the evening, I therefore could not deliver the message, your highness." The prince stamped his foot impatiently, and walked hastily to and fro; his brow was clouded, his lips trembled with inward emotion.

The sharp eye of the baron followed with an attentive, pitiless glance every movement of his face, noted every sigh that came from his anxious heart, that he might judge whether the seeds of mistrust that he had sown in the breast of the prince would grow.

But Prince Henry was still young, brave, and hopeful; it was his first love they wished to poison, but his young, healthy nature withstood the venom, and vanquished its evil effects.

His countenance resumed its quiet, earnest expression, and the cloud disappeared from his brow.
"Do you know," he said, standing before Pollnitz, and looking smilingly into his cunning face--"do you know that you do not descend, as the rest of mankind, from Adam and Eve, but in a direct line from the celebrated serpent?
And truly you do honor to your ancestor! No paradise is holy to you, and to do evil gives you pleasure.

But you shall not disturb my paradise; and as much of the old Adam as is still in me, I will not be foolish enough to eat of the bitter fruit that you offer me.