more noble minded, and think that even should your sister be wrong,
the time may come when her children may stand in need of your
assistance, and you may have the indescribable pleasure of returning
good for evil."

I never shall forget this excellent advice, which in reality was a
prophecy. My rich brother-in-law died, and, during the Russian war,
his lands and houses were laid desolate and in ruins; and, nineteen
years afterwards, when released from my imprisonment at Magdeburg, I
had an opportunity of serving the children of my sister. Such are
the turns of fate; and thus do improbabilities become facts.

My sister justified her conduct; Schell had conjectured the truth;
for ten years after I was thus expelled her house, she showed,
during my imprisonment, she was really a sister. She was shamefully
betrayed by Weingarten, secretary to the Austrian ambassador at
Berlin; lost a part of her property, and at length her life fell an
innocent sacrifice to her brother.

This event, which is interwoven with my tragical history, will be
related hereafter: my heart bleeds, my very soul shudders, when I
recollect this dreadful scene.

I have not the means fully to recompense her children; and
Weingarten, the just object of vengeance, is long since in the
grave; for did he exist, the earth should not hide him from my
sword.

I shall now continue my journal: deceived in the aid I expected, I
was obliged to change my plan, and go to my mother, who lived in