The scheming mother foiled--Count Königsmark too garrulous in his cups--An eaves-dropper--A forged note--A mistress’s revenge--Murder of the count--The Countess Aurora Königsmark’s account of her brother’s intimacy with the Princess--Horror of the Princess on hearing of the count’s death--Seizure and escape of Mademoiselle von Knesebeck--A divorce mooted--The Princess’s declaration of her innocence--Decision of the consistorial court-- The sages of the law foiled by the Princess--Condemned to captivity in the castle of Ahlden--Decision procured by bribery--Bribery universal in England--The Countess Aurora Königsmark becomes the mistress of Augustus, King of Poland--Her unsuccessful mission to Charles XII.--Exemplary conduct in her latter years--Becomes prioress of the nunnery of Quedlinburg 72 CHAPTER IX. PRISON AND PALACE. The prison of the captive Sophia Dorothea--Employment of her time--The church of Ahlden repaired by her--Cut off from her children--Sympathy of Ernest Augustus for his daughter-in-law--Her father’s returning affection for her--Opening prospects of the House of Hanover-- Lord Macclesfield’s embassy to Hanover, and his right-royal reception--Description of the Electress--Toland’s description of Prince George Louis--Magnificent present to Lord Macclesfield--The Princess Sophia and the English liturgy--Death of the Duke of Zell--Visit of Prince George to his captive mother prevented 95 CHAPTER X. THE SUCCESSION--DEATH OF THE ELECTRESS. Marriage of Prince George to Princess Caroline of Anspach, and of his sister to the Crown Prince of Prussia--Honours conferred by Queen Anne on Prince George--Intention to bring over to England the Princess Sophia--Opposed by Queen Anne--Foundation of the kingdom of Prussia--The establishment of this Protestant kingdom promoted by the Jesuits--The Electress Sophia’s visit to Loo--The law granting taxes on births, deaths, and marriages--Complaint of Queen Anne against the Electress--Tom D’Urfey’s doggrel verses on her--Death of the Electress--Character of her 112 CHAPTER XI. AHLDEN AND ENGLAND.