And she fronts the roaring elements in a truly grand feminine manner; as if Heaven itself and the voice of Duty called her: "The Inheritances which my Fathers left me, we will not part with these.

Death, if it so must be; but not dishonor:--Listen not to that thief in the night!" Maria Theresa has not studied, at all, the History of the Silesian Duchies; she knows only that her Father and Grandfather peaceably held them; it was not she that sent out Seckendorf to ride 25,000 miles, or broke the heart of Friedrich Wilhelm and his Household.

Pity she had not complied with Friedrich, and saved such rivers of bitterness to herself and mankind! But how could she see to do it,--especially with little George at her back, and abundance of money?
This, for the present, is her method of looking at the matter; this magnanimous, heroic, and occasionally somewhat female one.
Her Husband, the Grand Duke, an inert, but good-tempered, well-conditioned Duke after his sort, goes with her.

Him we shall see try various things; and at length take to banking and merchandise, and even meal-dealing on the great scale.

"Our Armies had most part of their meal circuitously from him," says Friedrich, of times long subsequent.
Now as always he follows loyally his Wife's lead, never she his: Wife being, intrinsically as well as extrinsically, the better man, what other can he do ?--Of compliance with Friedrich in this Court, there is practically no hope till after a great deal of beating have enlightened it.