This done, he turned to Monsieur Maurice, and said in German, so that all present might hear and understand:--
"Monsieur, so far as we have the present means of judging, you have suffered an illegal and unjust imprisonment, and a base attempt has been made upon your life. You appear to be the victim of a foul conspiracy, and it will be our first care to sift that conspiracy to the bottom. In the meanwhile, we restore your liberty, requiring only your _parole d'honneur_, as a gentleman, a soldier, and a Frenchman, to present yourself at Berlin, if summoned, at any time required within the next three months."
Monsieur Maurice bowed, laid his hand upon his heart, and said:--
"I promise it, your Majesty, on my word of honour as a gentleman, a soldier, and a Frenchman."
"You are probably in need of present funds," the King then said; "and if so, our Secretary shall make you out an order on the Treasury for five hundred thalers."
"Believing myself to be beggared of all I once possessed, I gratefully accept your Majesty's bounty," replied Monsieur Maurice.
The King then held out his hand for Monsieur Maurice to kiss, which he did on bended knee, and so went out from the royal presence, a free man.
Half an hour later, he and I were strolling hand in hand under the trees. His step was slow, and the hand that held mine had grown sadly thin and transparent.
"Let us sit here awhile, and rest," he said, as we came to the bench by the fountain.
I reminded him that we had sat and rested in the same spot the very last time we walked together.
"Ay," he replied, with a sigh. "I was stronger then."
"You will get strong again, now that you are free," I said.
"Perhaps--if liberty, like most earthly blessings, has not come too late."
"For enjoyment--for use--for everything. My friends believe me dead; my place in the life of the world is filled up; my very name is by this time forgotten. I am as one shipwrecked on the great ocean, and cast upon a foreign shore."
"Are you--are you going away soon?" I said, almost in a whisper.
"And you will--never--come back again?" I faltered.
"Heaven forbid!" he said quickly. Then, remembering how that answer would grieve me, he added; "but I will never forget thee, petite. Never, while I live."