"Why have you again secretly left Potsdam?" said the king. "Where do you find the proud courage to disobey my commands? Captain Jaschinsky has brought serious charges against you. He tells me that you often leave Potsdam secretly. Do you know that, if punished according to the law, you must be cashiered?" "Yes, I know, sire. I also know that I will not outlive this shame." A scornful glance shot from the king's eye. "Do you intend to make me anxious? Is that a menace?" "Pardon, sire. It is not in my power to make you anxious, and I do not dare to menace. Of what importance to your majesty is this atom, this unknown and insignificant youth, who is only seen when irradiated by the sunshine of your eye? I am nothing, and less than nothing, to your majesty; you are every thing to me. I will not, I cannot live if your highness withdraws your favor from me, and robs me of the possibility of winning a name and position for myself. That was my meaning, sire." "You are, then, ambitious, and thirst for fame?" "Your majesty, I would gladly sell one-half of my life to the devil if he would insure me rank and glory for the other half, and after death an immortality of fame. Oh, how gladly would I make this contract!" "If such ambition fires your soul, how can you be so foolish, so inconsiderate, as to bring degradation and shame upon yourself by carelessness in duty? He who is not prompt and orderly in small things, will neglect the most important duties. Where were you last night?" "Sire, I was on the chase." The king looked at him with angry, piercing eyes. Trenck had not the courage to bear this. He blushed and looked down. "You have told me an untruth," said the king. "Think again. Where were you last night?" "Sire, I was on the chase." "You repeat that?" "Your majesty, I repeat that." "Will you solemnly declare that this is true?" Trenck was silent. "Will you declare that this is true?" repeated the king. The young officer looked up, and this time he had the courage to meet the flaming eye of the king. "No, sire, I will not affirm it." "You confess, then, that you have told me an untruth?" "Yes, your majesty." "Do you know that that is a new and grave offence?" "Yes, your majesty, but I cannot act otherwise." "You will not, then, tell me the truth?" "I cannot." "Not if your obstinacy will lead to your being immediately cashiered, and to your imprisonment in the fortress?" "Not then, your majesty. I cannot act differently." "Trenck, Trenck, be on your guard! Remember that you speak to your lord and king, who has a right to demand the truth." "Your majesty may punish me, it is your right, and your duty, and I must bear it," said Trenck, trembling and ghastly pale, but firm and confident in himself. The king moved off for a few moments, then stood again before his lieutenant. "You will report to your captain, and ask for your discharge."