"Do you wish me to die?" murmured the princess, sinking exhausted upon the divan. "Where is Trenck?" "He is in the fortress of Glatz," whispered Von Haak. "Ah! in a Prussian fortress; sent there by the king? He has committed some small fault in discipline, as once before, and as this is the second offence, the king punishes him more severely. That is all! I thank you; you have restored my peace of mind." "I fear, princess, that you are mistaken. It is said that Baron von Trenck has been arrested for high treason." The princess became deadly pale, and almost fainted. She overcame this weakness, however, quickly, and said smilingly: "He will then soon be free, for all must know that he is innocent." "God grant that it may be proved!" said Mademoiselle von Haak. "This is no time to shrink or be silent. You have a great, strong heart, and you love him. You must know all! Listen, therefore, princess. I also love; I also look to the future with hope! My love is calm, for it is without danger; it has my mother's consent and blessing. Our only hope is, that my lover may be promoted, and that the king will give his consent to our marriage. We are both poor, and rely only upon the favor of the king. He is now lieutenant, and is on duty in the garrison of Glatz." "In Glatz! and you say that Trenck is a prisoner in Glatz?" "Yes, I received letters yesterday from Schnell. He belongs to the officers who have guard over Trenck. He writes that he feels the profoundest pity for this young man, and that he will joyfully aid him in every way. He asks me if I know no one who has the courage to plead with the king in behalf of this unhappy youth." "My God! my God! give me strength to hear all, and yet control myself!" murmured Amelia. "Do you know the nature of his punishment?" said she, quietly. "No one knows positively the duration of his punishment; but the commandant of the fort told the officers that Trenck would be a prisoner for many years." The princess uttered one wild cry, then pressed both hands upon her lips and forced herself to silence. "What is the charge against him?" she said, after a long pause. "High treason. A treasonable correspondence has been discovered between him and his cousin the pandour." The princess shrugged her shoulders contemptuously. "He will soon justify himself, in view of this pitiful charge! His judges will acknowledge his innocence, and set him at liberty. But why is he not already free? Why has he been condemned? Who were his judges? Did you not say to me that he was condemned?" "My lover wrote me that Baron Trenck had written to the king and asked for a court-martial and trial." "This proves his innocence; he does not fear a trial! What was the king's answer?" "He ordered the commandant to place Trenck in closer confinement, and to forward no more letters from him. And now, princess, you must act promptly; use all your power and influence, if you would save him!"