"Yes, all asleep, we have nothing to fear; let us go onward." The last speaker made a few hasty steps forward, but his companion seized him hastily by the arm, and held him hack. "You forget, my young Hotspur, that we must wait for the signal. Still! still! do not stamp so impatiently with your feet; you need not shake yourself like a young lion. He who goes upon such adventures must, above all things, be self-possessed, cautious, and cool. Believe me, I have had a long range of experience, and in this species of love adventure I think I might possibly rival the famous King Charles the Second, of England." "But here there is no question of love adventure, Baron Pollnitz," said his companion impatiently, almost fiercely. "Not of love adventure, Baron Trenck! well, may I dare to ask what is the question?" "A true--an eternal love!" "Ah! a true, an eternal love," repeated Pollnitz, with a dry, mocking laugh. "All honor to this true love, which, with all the reasons for its justification, and all the pathos of its heavenly source, glides stealthily to the royal palace, and hides itself under the shadow of the silent night. My good young sentimentalist, remember I am not a novice like yourself; I am an old fogy, and call things by their right names. Every passion is a true and eternal love, and every loved one is an angel of virtue, beauty, and purity, until we weary of the adventure, and seek a new distraction." "You are a hopeless infidel," said Trenck, angrily; "truly he who has changed his faith as often as you have, has no religion--not even the religion of love. But look! a light is shown, and the window is opened; that is the signal." "You are right, that is the signal. Let us go," whispered Pollnitz; and he stepped hastily after the young officer. And now they stood before the window on the ground floor, where the light had been seen for a moment. The window was half open. "We have arrived," said Trenck, breathing heavily; "now, dear Pollnitz, farewell; it cannot certainly be your intention to go farther. The princess commissioned you to accompany me to the castle, but she did not intend you should enter with me. You must understand this. You boast that you are rich in experience, and will therefore readily comprehend that the presence of a third party is abhorrent to lovers. I know that you are too amiable to make your friends wretched. Farewell, Baron Pollnitz." Trenck was in the act of springing into the window, but the strong arm of the master of ceremonies held him back. "Let me enter first," said he, "and give me a little assistance. Your sophistical exposition of the words of our princess is entirely thrown away. She said to me, 'At eleven o'clock I will expect you and the Baron von Trenck in my room.' That is certainly explicit--as it appears to me, and needs no explanation. Lend me your arm." With a heavy sigh, Trenck gave the required assistance, and then sprang lightly into the room.