305.]--Fancy such a salutation to the young man! Page Keith, at this moment, comes with a pair of horses, too: "Whither with the nags, Sirrah ?" Rochow asked with some sharpness.

Keith, seeing how it was, answered without visible embarrassment, "Herr, they are mine and Kunz the Page's horses" (which, I suppose, is true); "ready at the usual hour!" Keith might add.--"His Majesty does not go till five this morning;--back to the stables!" beckoned Rochow; and, according to the best accounts, did not suspect anything, or affected not to do so.
Page Keith returned, trembling in his saddle.

Friedrich strolled towards the other Barn,--at least to be out of Rochow's company.

Seckendorf emerges from the other Barn; awake at the common hour: "How do you like his Royal Highness in the red roquelaure ?" asks Rochow, as if nothing had happened.

Was there ever such a baffled Royal Highness; or young bright spirit chained in the Bear's Den in this manner?
Our Steinfurth project has gone to water; and it is not to-day we shall get across the Rhine!--Not to-day; nor any other day, on that errand, strong as our resolutions are! For new light, in a few hours afterwards, pours in upon the project; and human finesse, or ulterior schemes, avail nothing henceforth.