Napoleon and the Queen of Prussia

by L. Mühlbach

  CHAPTER XXXVI.

  PRINCE WILLIAM.

  The queen met her husband's brother with a pleasant smile, and offeredhim her hand. "I suppose, my brother, you come to bid me farewell?" sheasked.

  "I come to get from my noble sister the letter that I am to deliver tothe Emperor Napoleon," said the prince, respectfully kissing the hand ofhis sister-in-law.

  Louisa turned her eyes toward the minister. "The king knew, then, thatyou were to request me to write the letter?"

  "Yes, but he forbade me to say that he deemed it necessary. It was todepend on your majesty's unbiassed judgment whether it should be writtenor not."

  "You see, my sister," exclaimed the prince, "I had no doubt whatever asto your decision."

  "Nor I that you would set out to-day," said Louisa, smiling.

  "But will your majesty pardon me when I confess that I have not comemerely for the letter, and to take leave of you?" asked the prince. "Iheard from the king that Minister von Stein was with your majesty, andas I am going to set out to-night, and my time accordingly is verylimited, I decided to have settled a little business affair with theminister."

  "It affords me pleasure," said the queen.

  "And you, minister," asked the prince, bowing to the baron, "will yougrant me a brief audience to-day?"

  "I shall immediately repair to the anteroom of your royal highness, andwait until you return," said Stein, approaching the door.

  "Oh, no! pray, stay here," exclaimed the queen. "I offer this room tothe prince as a _salle de conferences_, and shall retire into mycabinet."

  The prince followed the queen, who was about to withdraw, and conductedher back to the sofa. "Pardon, my sister," he said, "I do not desire toconfer with the minister about secrets that your majesty cannot hear. Ionly wish to ask a favor of his excellency, the minister of finance.You, doubtless, need a great deal of money at the present time, while mywife and I are spending much less than heretofore, because we are livinghere in very humble style. We have made our calculations, andascertained that we are able to do with two-thirds of our income.Accordingly, I request you to accede to my resolution that, until timesare better, I give up one-third, and beg you to pay this amount into thestate treasury."

  "Ah, my brother," replied the queen, "you are worthy of being thebrother of the best of kings, for you vie with him in every virtue.Prussia cannot be crushed so long as such princes stand by her side."

  "And so long as she is protected by such a queen," said the prince,kissing the offered hand of his sister-in-law. He then turned again tothe minister. "Your excellency," he said, "I am commissioned to revealthe same resolution to you in the name of my brother. Prince Henry alsogives one-third of his income, and requests the minister of finance topay this amount into the state treasury. Is this verbal declarationsufficient, or will it be necessary for us to repeat it in writing?"

  "It will be necessary for your royal highness, as well as for PrinceHenry, to make a written declaration to this effect, and hand it to theminister of state. It will then be deposited in the archives of theroyal house, and will one day be a splendid monument of yourpatriotism."

  "In that case, a declaration in writing being required, I request you tobe so kind as to accompany me to my house. We will settle the matter atonce, and invite Prince Henry to participate in the transaction. Can youspare us fifteen minutes, and will you accept a seat in my carriage?"

  "I am at the service of your royal highness," said Stein, bowing.

  "Then I beg my sister to dismiss us," said the prince, approaching thequeen. "I have many things yet to attend to, so that every minute isprecious, and, above all, I have to inform my wife of my speedydeparture. Let me beg you, my sister, to be a faithful friend ofMarianne in my absence; take my beloved wife under your protection, and,when she is afflicted, permit her to be near you."

  "We shall weep together, my brother," said the queen, deeply moved. "Allof us will miss you, and it will seem as though life had become drearierwhen you are absent. But, considering your generous resolution, it doesnot behoove me to complain of our fate. Joyfully, as you have done, weshall submit to it. I entertain the firm belief that there are betterdays for Prussia. Go, my brother, and assist in hastening them by wordand deed. God will protect you, and the love of your wife, and of yourbrothers and sisters, will accompany you! Farewell!" She waved her hand,and turned away to conceal her tears.

  The prince withdrew in silence, followed by the minister. The queenheard the door close after him, and, raising her arms toward heaven,exclaimed in a fervent tone: "My God, protect Prussia! Oh, bless ourcountry and our people!" She stood thus praying, with uplifted arms.

  After a pause, she murmured, "Now it is time to attend to my businesswith the jeweller. The king is in his cabinet, and never comes at thishour." Having rung the bell, she ordered the footman to request thecourt-jeweller to call at once on the queen. Going to her dressing-room,she took from the table a large leathern box containing all her jewelry.She succeeded with difficulty in carrying the heavy box into thereception-room, but she thought, smilingly: "The heavier it is, thebetter." Opening the caskets, the brilliant ornaments gladdened her morethan they had ever done. The table was covered with them, and shecontemplated their beauty and value "Ah!" she exclaimed, "I did notknow that I was so rich. These precious stones will certainly bringmoney enough to pay all arrears, and there will be something over for mychildren."

  At this moment the door of the anteroom opened, and the footmanannounced Mr. Marcus, the court-jeweller. The queen ordered him to beadmitted, adding, that no one else was to be announced while he waspresent. She then locked the opposite door leading into the smallcorridor, and thence to the rooms of the king. In the mean time thejeweller had entered; he remained respectfully at the door, and waitedfor the queen to accost him.

  "Mr. Marcus," said Louisa, gracefully acknowledging his bow, "I sent foryou to confer about my jewelry. I should like to make some changes init; and then, as we cannot tell whither these stormy times may drive usor our property, I wish to make an invoice of these articles, andascertain their cash value. Please step to the table, and be kind enoughto tell me how much all this is worth."

  Mr. Marcus approached and carefully examined the magnificent arraybefore him. "These are real treasures, your majesty," he said,admiringly; "several pieces among them are exceedingly rich."

  "Yes," exclaimed the queen, "I suppose one could get a great deal ofmoney for them?"

  "Your majesty," said Mr. Marcus, shrugging his shoulders, "it needs muchmoney--in fact, an enormous fortune, to buy them. Part of their valueconsists in their artistic setting."

  "Ah, I understand; you mean to say that, if they were to be sold now,one would not get as much as was paid for them."

  "Not half as much, your majesty! The intrinsic value is very differentfrom the cost, which depends much on the setting."

  "Pray tell me, then, their intrinsic value."

  "Your majesty, to do so correctly, it would be necessary for me toexamine every piece."

  "Do so, Mr. Marcus. I will take my memorandum-book and enter each one,affixing the price. Afterward we can ascertain the whole amount."

  The jeweller looked in surprise at the queen; she apparently did notnotice it, but pointed with the lead-pencil, which she had in her hand,at one of the caskets. "There is my large diamond necklace; what do youthink that is worth, sir?"

  The jeweller took up the necklace, twinkling as a cluster of stars."These diamonds are magnificent," he said; "they are only a littleyellow, and here and there is a slight defect. I think, however, thatthe stones, without the setting, are worth five thousand dollars."

  "Five thousand dollars," wrote the queen. "Now, the necklace of rubiesand diamonds."

  "These Turkish rubies belong to that very rare kind to be met with onlyin royal treasuries," said the jeweller. "They are antique, and looklike sparkling blood. Their value is immense, your majesty; only aconnoisseur would be able to appreciate them, and it is difficult t
oappraise them but by the standard value of other Turkish rubies. Ajeweller might, however, receive twice as much as I name--four thousanddollars, according to the ordinary standard."

  "Four thousand dollars," wrote the queen; "now, the next."

  "Here," he said, "is a complete set of the most beautiful round pearls:a diadem, a necklace, earrings, and bracelets," taking up a large casewhich had not been opened, and raising its lid.

  "No," said the queen, blushing, "we will not appraise these pearls. Ihave inherited them from my lamented mother, and they are therefore ofpriceless value to me." She extended her hand and laid the casket on thetable at her side. "Now tell me the value of the other articles; takethat necklace of Indian emeralds--"

  Half an hour afterward the list was completed. "Thirty thousanddollars," said the queen; "that, then, is the full value of my jewelry?"

  "Yes, your majesty, but its cost must have been several hundred thousanddollars. I have stated only the imperishable value of the stones; it isimpossible to appraise the setting."

  "Well, just now I care only for the cash equivalent," said the queen,quickly. "And now, sir, listen to me. When I was requested to procureyou the appointment of jeweller to the court, I made inquiriesconcerning your character, and heard nothing but the most flatteringopinions. You are known as an honorable man in whom all may reposeconfidence. I will prove to you the high value I attach to publicopinion, and I rely on you to keep secret what I am about to tell you."

  "I swear by all that is sacred that what your majesty is gracious enoughto reveal shall remain buried in my heart as a precious gem in thedepths of the sea."

  "I believe you," said the queen. "I want to sell all these diamonds,emeralds, and rubies--every thing, except my pearls."

  "Sell them!" exclaimed Mr. Marcus, starting back and turning pale. "Oh,no, pardon me, your majesty, I have misunderstood you. My hearing is alittle impaired. I beg pardon for my mistake, and request your majestyto be kind enough to repeat your orders."

  "You did not mistake my words," said the queen, kindly. "I do want tosell them."

  "Has it come to this," said the jeweller, sighing, "that our noble andbeautiful queen is unwilling to wear again her accustomed ornaments; andthat she considers it no longer worth while to be seen by her poor,unhappy people in the splendor of a queen?" Sobs choked his voice, and,unable to repress his tears, he turned away and covered his face withhis hands.

  "It has come to that, sir, that the queen will also take part in theprivations of her country; that she will have no other diamonds than thegrateful tears of her loyal people, and that she believes herselfsufficiently adorned when at the side of her husband, and surrounded byher children. I thank you for your sympathy, for they prove your honestdisposition toward me. But believe me, I need no pity. If every good manhas peace in his own heart, he will have cause to rejoice. And now, sir,let us talk calmly about this matter."

  "I am ready to receive the orders of your majesty," said Mr. Marcus,making an effort to regain his composure, "and entreat my august queento forgive me that my feelings overcame me in her presence. But now Imust examine the jewels more carefully than before. Believing that theywere merely to be invoiced without reference to their sale, I statedonly their lowest value. I am sure better prices might be obtained forthem, and, besides, it remains for me to ascertain the value of the goldsetting by weighing it."

  "Oh, no," said the queen, smiling. "Let us not enter into such minutedetails. Besides, the purchaser ought to have something for his trouble,and for the risk of being unable to sell again. We will, therefore, letyour first appraisement stand as it is. The question is, whether youknow of any one who is willing to pay so large a sum in cash."

  The jeweller reflected a moment. "Well," he said, "I know an opportunityto dispose of them immediately. If your majesty permits me to do so, Iwill purchase them myself. The Emperor Alexander of Russia, during hislate sojourn at this place, gave me a large order in reference to awedding-gift for the betrothed of the Grand-duke Constantine. I havereceived bills of exchange, drawn on the wealthiest banking-houses ofSt. Petersburg, and the emperor has authorized me to send in at onceprecious stones to the amount of fifty thousand dollars. I am able topay you half the appraised value to-day, and for the other half I willgive you bills, drawn on St. Petersburg bankers, payable in two weeks.But I repeat to your majesty that I have appraised the stones at a verylow rate, and that I shall make large profits, and realize at least fourthousand dollars. Your majesty ought to permit me to add the value ofthe setting."

  "I told you already that we ought not to add any thing to the firstappraisement. Well, the bargain is made," said the queen, gently. "Bringme the money and the bills of exchange, and you may then take thejewelry. Let us say I have intrusted it to you to make some alterationsin it."

  An hour afterward, the caskets disappeared from the queen's table; intheir place stood a box filled with rolls of gold-pieces, and the billsof exchange lay at its side. The queen, placing a few of the rolls inher desk and the bills in the box, hastened to write the followingletter to Baron von Stein:

  "I request you to grant me the same favor which the prince obtained fromyou. I desire likewise to pay some savings into the state treasury, andsend you, therefore, twenty-five thousand dollars with this letter. Praydo not forget to pay, in accordance with our agreement, the arrears ofsalaries due the men of science and art, and the faithful old servantsof the king. LOUISA."

  "Oh," said the queen, laying aside the pen, and looking up with agrateful expression, "how many worthy men will be delivered fromdistress by this unexpected payment! What fervent prayers for their kingwill ascend to heaven! Merciful God, hear them, and let my husband andchildren be again happy; then I shall have nothing more to desire onearth!"

  In the evening of the same day Prince William, accompanied only by anadjutant and a footman, set out for Paris in order to deliver to theEmperor Napoleon the financial plan drawn up by Minister von Stein, andthe letter of Queen Louisa, and to try to induce Napoleon by verbalremonstrances to withdraw his demands, and accept less ruinousconditions. Before entering his travelling-coach, the prince, in hiscabinet, bade farewell to her whom he loved so passionately. Theyremained long without uttering a word or even a sigh. The beautiful faceof the Princess Marianne was pale, but her tearless eyes beamed withhope. "Go, my beloved husband," she said, disengaging herself at lastfrom the arms of the prince, "go and perform your noble sacrifice! Mylove will accompany you. Your life is my life, and your death my death!Go! I fear nothing."

  "But at this solemn hour I must communicate a secret to you, Marianne,"said the prince, "and ask your consent to a resolution that I havetaken. Should all my efforts be of no avail--should Napoleon be inducedneither by Stein's plan nor by the queen's letter, nor by my ownsolicitations, to consent to the proposed mode of liquidation, owing tohis belief that he would not have sufficient security for the payment ofthe contributions, then, Marianne, a last remedy would remain, and Iwould assuredly not shrink from it. In that case I shall offer myself asa hostage. I shall tell him that I must remain his prisoner, and allowmyself to be transported to If, to Cayenne, or where he pleases, untilthe king has made all the promised payments. This will prove to him thatI myself feel convinced that these will be made. He may be sure theking's brother will be redeemed. Tell me now, Marianne, do you approvemy resolution?"

  The princess laid her hand on the head of her husband. "You offer tosurrender not only yourself but both of us," she said. "Both of us,William, for I want to be where you are. I will also share your devotionto Prussia. You may offer both of us as hostages to the emperor. I shallbe happy when with you, whether in a dungeon or in a palace. The loveuniting us will sustain us even then, and, when our captivity is over,we will return happy to our beloved country. But if it be otherwise--ifcircumstances occur delaying the payments, and calling down upon you thewrath of the conqueror--if he then desire to take revenge upon you--oh,then, I shall know how to find a way to his heart so that he will p
ermitme to die with you. We are alone; our children are dead, and, therefore,we are at liberty to pursue such a course. Oh, William, then we shall behappy forever! Go, my beloved husband! and when the hour comes, call meto your side. Let us live, and, if need be, die for the fatherland! Letit be inscribed on our coffin: 'They have done their duty. Thefatherland is content with them!'"[34]

  [Footnote 34: Prince William really carried out this resolution. Hefound at his first interview that Napoleon was by no means friendlytoward Prussia, and particularly toward King Frederick William. Carriedaway by his enthusiasm and generosity, the prince took at this audiencethe step which he had intended to reserve if all else should proveunavailing. He offered himself and his wife as hostages to the emperor,and entreated him to permit them to remain in French captivity until thepayments were made. Napoleon listened to him, and while he was speakingthe countenance of the emperor gradually became milder. He approachedthe prince, embraced him affectionately, and exclaimed, "That is verygenerous, but it is impossible. Never would I accept such asacrifice--never!" For the rest, the mission of the prince was an utterfailure. Napoleon referred him to Minister Champagny, who, by all sortsof subterfuges, managed to protract and finally to break off thenegotiations. The prince was detained several months in Paris, andreturned, without having accomplished any thing, to Koenigsberg, whitherthe royal family had removed in the mean time.]