"Kalkreuth is right--we were going to do wrong, and we must avoid
it. I shall write to the king, and ask leave for you and myself to
go to Berlin."

"That is, unfortunately, impossible," said a sweet voice behind him,
and as the prince turned he saw the smiling face of Pollnitz. "I beg
pardon, your highness, for having entered unannounced, but you
allowed me to come at this hour and give you an account of the
commissions you gave me."

"Why do you say it is impossible to obtain leave of the king today?"
asked Henry, hastily.

"Because his majesty is already in the concert-saloon, and your
highness knows that he has strictly forbidden any one to disturb him
there."

"We shall, then, have to give up our plan and remain here," said the
prince.

Kaphengst glanced angrily and threateningly at his friend.

"And why should your highness do this?" asked Pollnitz, astonished.
"All your preparations are made, all your commands fulfilled. I have
procured your costumes; no one will recognize you, and if they
should, would not dare to betray you to the king. Only two persons
know that you are to visit the ball, the Prince of Prussia, and a
lovely lady, whose beautiful eyes were misty with tears when I
delivered her your message. 'Tell the prince,' she murmured, in a
tender voice, 'I will await him there, even if I knew the king would