The moment of action had arrived; it
was, therefore no longer necessary to wear the veil of secrecy.
"Well, sir," said the king, in a loud, firm voice, "if you feel so
great a dread of this journey, I advise you to remain in Berlin. I
will go in your place into Silesia, and inform my honored cousin,
Maria Theresa, with the voice of my cannon, that the Silesian roads
are too dangerous for an Austrian, but are most convenient for the
King of Prussia to traverse on his way to Breslau." "Your majesty
intends marching to Breslau?" asked the horrified marquis.
"Yes, sir, to Breslau; and as you remarked, the roads are too
dangerous for a single traveller, and I intend taking my army with
me to protect my carriage."
"Oh!" exclaimed the marquis, "your majesty intends making a descent
on the lands of my exalted sovereign?"
The king glanced proudly and scornfully at this daring man. An
involuntary murmur arose among the courtiers; the hands of the
generals sought their swords, as if they would challenge this
presumptuous Austrian, who dared to reproach the King of Prussia.
The king quieted his generals with a slight motion of his hand, and
turning again to the marquis, he said, composedly, "You express
yourself falsely, marquis. I will make no descent upon the lands of
the Empress of Austria; I will only reclaim what is mine--mine by
acknowledged right, by inheritance, and by solemn contract.
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