"Why do you not buy it, if the count offered it to you?"

The equerry assumed a sad mien, and answered, sighing: "Sire, I
should be the happiest of men if I could buy that charming
residence, and it would be a real blessing to me if I could enjoy in
summer at times the fresh air. My finances unfortunately, do not
allow such expenses, as I am not rich, and have a large family."

"Then you are right not to spend money unnecessarily," said the
king, quietly. "You can have as much fresh air at Potsdam as can
ever enter your mouth, and it costs neither you nor I any thing. Say
to Count Schmettau that you have a purchaser for his residence at
Charlottenburg."

"Oh, you are really too kind," cried the equerry, in an excitement
of joy; "I do not know--"

Here the carriage entered the palace court, and the concluding words
were inaudible. Herr von Schwerin alighted quickly to assist the
king. "Say to Schmettau to present himself to my treasurer and
cabinet councillor, Menkon, tomorrow morning at twelve o'clock, at
Sans-Souci."

The king nodded kindly to the equerry, and passed into the Swiss
saloon, and farther on into the private rooms which he was
accustomed to occupy whenever he remained at the capital. The Swiss
saloon was fast filling, not alone with the generals and staff-
officers of the Berlin garrison, but with the officers of the
regiments from the provinces, who presented themselves at the palace