"What are you talking of, my dear. How can you, who I know so much, have any faith in spectres?"
"That is the reason why. It is said when they are counterfeited they become offended, and do all they can to punish one."
"Then they have been a long time about punishing us, for they have left its unmolested more than a year. Bah! think no more of that, for we know well enough what we must think of these souls in trouble. Beyond doubt it was some page or subaltern, who comes in the night to ask the prayers of my prettiest woman,--the old one, therefore, of whom nothing is asked, is fearfully terrified. At first she did not wish to let you in. Why should we talk of that, though, Von Kleist? We know the king's secret, and must use it. How can we?"
"We must win this Porporina before she becomes spoiled by favor."
"Certainly. We must spare neither presents, promises, nor flattery. You must go to her house to-morrow, and ask for music and Porpora's autographs for me. She must have much unpublished music by the Italian master. Promise that I will in return give her the manuscripts of Sebastian Bach. I have many of them. We will commence by exchanges. Then I will ask her to come and teach me the execution of her music. Let me get her once into my house, and I will endeavor to secure and control her."
"Good night, Von Kleist. Come, kiss me. You are my only friend. Go to bed; and if you meet _the woman with the broom_ in the passage, look closely, and see if there be no spurs on her heels."
[Footnote 3: The opera began earlier in Frederick's time than it does in Europe at the present day. The king sate down to supper at ten o'clock.]
[Footnote 4: It is well known that Voltaire was deeply wounded by Frederick saying, "I keep him because I need him. In a year I will have other things to do, and will get rid of him. I squeeze the orange, and throw away the skin."]
On the next day, Porporina awoke from a deep slumber, completely overpowered, and found on her bed two things which her maid had just placed there. One was a _flacon_ of rock crystal, with a gold stopper, on which was engraved an "F." with a royal crown. The second was a sealed package. The servant, on being questioned, said that the king had come in person on the previous day to bring the _flacon._ When she heard the circumstances of a visit which was so _naïve_ and respectful, Porporina was much moved.