were two examples of one of the characteristics of There is no doubt that the foundation of Philippe's unhappy love was laid at Celle. Sophia Dorothea's resistance to her father's will was useless, and she was compelled to become the wife of a prince who was in after-days to justify her feelings of antipathy. doubt in a few contemptuous sentences, in his otherwise delightful and interesting account of the doings in Hanover in the days of the electors. At the time of Sophia Dorothea's marriage in 1682 there lived in a somewhat invidious position at least we should think so in these days-two sisters of whose origin and experiences a few words must be said. Elizabeth and Catherine were the daughters of a certain Count Meissenburg, who, whether of high or humble origin, will here be best described as a chevalier d'industrie. His two daughters were both beautiful, both manoeuvring, both wise in their generation, and both shared the propensities and ambition of their father; and, after much travelling about in different countries, their pecuniary resources being well-nigh exhausted, they had all several years before this time betaken themselves to the lively little court of Osnaburg, where they met with so much appreciation that, about the year 1663, they took up their abode there, and we hear no more of their father, who, we conclude, having found a refuge for his daughters, left them to work out their own fortunes under the pastoral care and vigilance of the Bishop of Osnaburg. Elizabeth, the elder, was twenty-one at this time. She was tall and handsome, with a brilliant complexion, and bold, black eyes, and her conversation was lively and witty. She was obsequious and servile to her superiors, and arrogant and insolent to her inferiors. Messrs. Platen and Busche filled the posts of governors to two of the young princes, and whether they fell victims to the charms of these very intriguing young ladies, or whether they shrewdly availed themselves of the possibilities of the situation, we know not; all we do know is that M. Platen married Elizabeth and M. Busche espoused the other; that henceforward they were attached to the episcopal court at Osnaburg, and followed it when it removed to Hanover; that Elizabeth became the reigning favorite with Ernst August; and that the mari complaisant rose higher and higher at court, until he found himself a count, and chamberlain to his master. Every member of the family of the house of Hanover was brave, and Prince George was no exception to the rule. When but fifteen, he fought at Cosnabruck, and later on he served in many campaigns, and distinguished himself in them. But neither military prowess nor adventures, neither youth nor any other quality, could break down the stolid ret icence of his apathetic nature. Taciturn, moody, and sullen, he possessed neither the charm of manner to touch the feelings of a young girl, nor the warmth of heart that would have made him naturally desirous of doing so. He simply accepted the situation as one of political necessity. Cold and calculating, selfish and imperturbable, every gracious attribute of youth was wanting in his character. During their engagement he showed her none of the attentions of a lover, and, indeed, little of the courtesy of a gentleman. What wonder that the prospect before her repulsed and mortified her? Brought up at Celle, the centre of a loving circle, the Of Ernst August's conjugal infidelities pride of her father, the idol of her mother, provided they did not interfere with the her unclouded youth was but an ill prepa- exercise of her will and pleasure, or with ration for the stormy days that wrecked her political influence-Sophia was not her life. But even the cold impartiality in the least jealous; and it is likely that of a curious and scrutinizing posterity hesitates unflinchingly to pronounce her guilty, although Thackeray dismisses the the absence of this inconvenient but common propensity riveted her sway over her husband more effectually than the pres ence of many a nobler trait would have done. But Ernst August had enough good sense to rely on the wisdom of her Counsels, and thus it was that Sophia had no objection to Madame von Platen enjoying the monopoly of what it is quite possible Ernst August called his heart, provided that her head was permitted to rule the duchy. George Louis stood in the same relationship to Busche and his wife as did his father to Platen and his; but George had just decency enough to dismiss Madame de Busche before his wife's arrival at Hanover. thea did not possess the art of dissimulation; and the contempt and disgust that she felt for her enemy were not disguised; neither, unfortunately, did she veil her sentiments when conversing with others; and Madame von Platen resolved, if it were in any way possible, to compass the ruin of the woman she hated. The contest was an unequal one. Elizabeth von Platen was endowed with unscrupulousness, with violent passions, with an unrelenting hatred of all who opposed her, and, lastly, with the full confidence of the elector, and with what, for want of a better or We hear but few details concerning the worse name, we will call his love. Her young princess in the early days of her detestation of the princess knew no residence there. It was impossible for bounds; jealousy, fury at the manner in the most fastidious to criticise her manner, which she knew she had expressed herwhich was full of grace and courtesy. self concerning her, her youth, her beauty, Dignified, and at the same time cordial to her dignity-all combined to bring Sosuch of her father-in-law's court as were phia Dorothea within the scope of Maworthy of her regard, to Madame von dame von Platen's poisonous malevolence. Platen she extended the coldest and most On the other hand the princess stood alone distant of recognitions. At this time the in her unguarded youth; her husband's elector showed his beautiful though some-admiration was not of long duration; but what alarming daughter-in-law a consideration and respect that he was not in the habit of according to others, and for this reason Madame von Platen dared not at first display the resentment and rancor that the superiority of the newly arrived princess caused her to experience. So phia Dorothea's pure mind and simple dignity, and her respectful submission to her husband's relations, won insensibly the temporary regard of her mother-in-law; and George himself, though it is impossible to say that he loved her, at all events felt a kind of pride in and lethargic admiration of her superiority, while Madame von Platen watched the growing influence of the youthful princess with angry jealousy. The birth of a son (afterwards George the Second) changed the current of her life, and she became for a time happier in her uncongenial home than she had ever hoped to be. The star of Hanover seemed to be in the ascendant at this time, and the dignity of elector was granted to Ernst August, while the chances of the British crown becoming vested in the electress appeared to be increasing. Time went on, and Countess Platen's influence over the elector did not diminish. Unscrupulous and false, no means were too base whereby to obtain her ends; and modern and ancient history too must be very diligently passed in review before so depraved and demoralized, so corrupt and debased a nature will present itself for the student's consideration. Sophia Doro she went upon her way rejoicing in the sole happiness that was permitted her that of the care and love of her children dangerously indifferent to the perils that beset her path, and haughtily ignoring the venomous serpent that hissed at her feet. Soon Madame von Platen began to intrigue for the return of her sister, hoping that the latter might regain some of her old influence over the electoral prince, and thus destroy one that she dreaded and feared. But Catherine had lost all her power over her former lover, so Madame von Platen turned her mind to another scheme. To beauty, wit, and refinement George was wholly callous, and his wife's superiority, if it pleased him at first, now bored and oppressed him. He therefore sought relief in the society of one of the ugliest and most ungainly ladies of the court, one Melusine von Schulenburg, whose leanness and general gawkiness had won for her the sobriquet of "the Maypole," together with the half-surprised, half-amused amazement of his mothernot so much at his disloyalty to his young wife, as at the selection he had made in a mistress. We may, however, remind ourselves that George was not prejudiced in favor of leanness only, for we have Horace Walpole's graphic and emphatic description of Lady Darlington, whose tendencies are wholly in the other direction; and when he landed in England, to take possession of his throne, and drove to London in his gilded coach surrounded by his seraglio, the mob that had assembled to gaze, to shout, and to criticise was shocked at, and much more disagreeably affected by, its hideous component parts than at the immorality of the existence of such an appanage. It was not long before the new liaison became known to all the Hanoverian society-a scandal soon becomes every one's property and the meetings which took place at the house of the Platens became the talk of the town. With the coarse indifference which the prince habitually displayed to the more refined usages of society, he talked openly of his connection with Melusine, and although Sophia Dorothea may not have been wounded in heart by his infidelity she was bitterly mortified by the unconcealed insult, while Madame von Platen looked on and rejoiced at every stab that was inflicted on her rival's pride. About this time an event took place that was destined to have a serious effect on the fortunes of Sophia Dorothea; but we are not told by what evil chance or unhappy design it befell that Philippe von Königsmarck entered the service of the elector of Hanover. The understanding that probably had once existed between him and the princess was suspected by all the court, and when the young colonel first made his appearance, all eyes were turned upon her, the well-known relations of her husband and herself adding interest to the scrutiny. Attired in the brilliant uniform of the Hanoverian Guard, Philippe von Königsmarck entered the state-chamber where the court was assembled with all the self-possession and audacity which formed a part of the charm which he flung over those with whom he came in contact. His tall and comely figure, his face bronzed by the suns of his various campaigns, his haughty eye, his dignified and courteous manners, all commanded the admiration of the whole assembly, and when he made his obeisance to the princess he neither flinched nor faltered. But Elizabeth von Platen how shall we describe the effect that had the appearance upon her of the handsome young soldier of twenty-seven years? She had arrived with the intention of watching for signs of emotion on both their parts, in the hope of getting more grist for the mill in which she expected to grind Sophia Dorothea, but on the entry of Philippe she was so struck with admiration at the young man's beauty and at his distinguished air that, for a time, at any rate, she occupied herself no more with Sophia Dorothea. No one be it man or woman was ever uncon scious of making such an effect upon another as did Philippe von Königsmarck on Elizabeth von Platen; therefore, we may be sure that the former (who was nothing if not vain) was fully alive to his conquest. Civility costs nothing, and buys most things; therefore, if he did not reciprocate her admiration, he at any rate received with smiles and gallantry the homage offered up at his shrine. Meanwhile the princess, in spite of her outward calm was agitated and miserable was it possible that she should be otherwise? All the events of her early youth crowded into her remembrance - her joyous childhood, her heavy sorrows, the happy hours she had spent in Philippe's society and all this time he made no sign! He seemed to have no recollection of the old days, and before he had been long at Hanover he passed rapidly from one stage of intimacy with Madame von Platen to another. Every one, except the elector, was aware of the nature of the liaison, and Sophia Dorothea watched them with indignation and amazement. She had one faithful and affectionate follower in the person of one of her ladies, Mademoiselle von Knesebeck, and it is likely that she confided her sorrows to her; at all events, she was au fait of them at the time of which we are speak. ing. What had really passed between the princess and Philippe in the old days we have no means of ascertaining, but it is certain that the poor princess suffered untold agonies in every feeling that a woman holds dear in the remembrance of her former love, in the indifference and insults of her husband, in the mortification of beholding one whom she, alas! had never ceased to remember with tenderness and affection apparently in the toils of her relentless enemy; all plunged her into a sea of agony and despair. It is probable that Philippe came to Hanover filled with the hope of inspiring the princess with renewed love for himself, and grasped the opportunity that offered itself of entering the Hanoverian service; still, the springs of action can seldom be traced to all their sources, and it is probable that this tragedy, like many another, owed its evolution to minor accidents and conditions which, as frequently happens, tend to one end. Skilled as was Königs. marck in all manner of deception and intrigue, he was no match for the depraved and wicked woman to whom he had become an object of passion, and with whom he was measuring hearts and swords. If his weapons were keen, hers were poisoned, and was to banish the offender - a punishment that she by no means approved. She dared not, however, cavil at the sentence, and the count was commanded to appear before the elector. "I know all," he said as Philippe stood before him, amazed and silent; "I will not enter into any explanation with you, but you must at once leave Hanover, and remember that you are be Astonished and dismayed, Philippe could only obey. He quitted Hanover, ostensibly on leave, and furnished with a kindly letter from Ernst August to the elector of Saxony, giving him we know not what ex such love as she cherished for the young Adonis could be and was - easily turned to hatred. He was carried further than he intended in his relations with her-such liaisons are not easily kept under control - and the too obvious trouble and anxiety of the princess were not displeasing to him. He was constantly in her mind, which was in a state little short of martyr. dom, and his own heart beat with a re-ing treated with the utmost leniency." newal of the old love. A secret understanding was established between them; letters passed; interviews took place although Mademoiselle von Knesebeck, in her memoirs (which, however, we have not been fortunate enough to obtain) ear-cuse for the sudden resolve, and to Dresnestly insists on the innocence of the liai- den Philippe betook himself. Here we son, and asserts that she was always must leave him for a while, and return to present at their meetings. Königsmarck, follow the fortunes of the princess, and she says, often related to them the history watch the shadows that were gathering of his adventures; he was remarkably about her. Her position must be consid clever and amusing, and an excellent ra- ered: she was not only friendless and conteur. He ridiculed the whole court, alone, but at the mercy of her foe, and in sparing neither the elector nor Madame the midst of enemies and spies. She may von Platen, while Sophia Dorothea, who have she probably did - corresponded was full of appreciative humor, enjoyed with Philippe, but, in whatever she did the stories and anecdotes of the nimble- amiss, it was but the natural development witted Philippe, who was in the habit of of a miserable position, into which she illustrating them with mimicry, in which had been thrust through no fault of her accomplishment he was an adept. Sophia own. She took her accustomed place at Dorothea was in so miserable a plight at court, but the elector and electress hardly Hanover that it would have been almost ever addressed her, and she was, as it past the power of human endurance to were, ostracized; while an ominous calm, suffer the dreariness and solitude of her such as precedes a tempest, reigned over position, and yet turn aside from the hand all the society, and Sophia Dorothea reof sympathy and affection that was ex-mained proudly isolated from them all. tended to her. Soon, however, Madame Such a condition of things could not last von Platen suspected the intimacy. She long. Maddened by her solitude, she employed spies, and, although she ob- commenced a correspondence with the tained intelligence of their correspond- Duke of Wolfenbüttel, resolving to throw ence and of their meetings, she could not herself on his generosity, to take refuge procure proofs of what she sought to dis- at his court, and from thence to commence cover and to reveal, and, as her jealousy an action for a divorce. In her ignorance increased, her resolution to ruin the prin- of the ways of the world, she resolved to cess became more and more pronounced. communicate her intentions to Philippe Philippe now began to realize that his position demanded the utmost care and circumspection, while Madame von Platen pursued her plans with the elector, guiding them into the channel into which she desired them to flow. The latter was wholly unsuspicious of her own relations with the young count, but she became so convinced of his falseness to herself, that she lost no time in announcing to Ernst August, not what she knew, but what she was resolved he should believe. Ernst August was a man who avoided, as much as he was able, all the annoyances and disagreeables of life, and it was in vain that she sought to rouse him to the execution of some violent deed. All that he would consent to do and enlist his aid, and she wrote at once to him at Dresden. Königsmarck, who was more skilled in such matters, does not seem to have approved the scheme; and Sophia Dorothea, whose nature was eager and impetuous, severely reproached him for his unwillingness. Whatever were his faults, however, delay and temporizing were not amongst the number, so in response to her representations he threw wisdom to the winds and returned, putting himself unreservedly into her hands to carry out her wishes, and flinging himself into the scheme with all the romantic ardor and passion that distinguished him. He had not yet definitely quitted the service of Ernst August, but the elector of that no communication was possible between them. No time was to be lost, for the next evening was determined on for the now fully arranged journey to Wolfenbüttel, when Philippe received, to his unutterable astonishment, the following note from Mademoiselle von Knesebeck: M. le Comte, - Ma Princesse désire de vous voir; elle ne peut vous écrire, ayant brûlé la main, et m'a ordonné de vous faire sçavoir que vous pouvez vous rendre ce soir chez elle par le petit escalier comme autrefois; elle paraît inquiète de votre silence. A Dieu tirez bientôt de doubte la plus aymable princesse du monde. The unfortunate lady-in-waiting had been waylaid in the passage of the palace by Madame von Platen, had been taken to the chamber of the latter, and forced, under threats of death, to write these words. No sooner had she done so than she was conveyed to prison for fear that she should bear witness to the action. Saxony had offered him the rank of general | These latter could speak no Italian, while in his, and Philippe returned to Hanover the Italians could speak no German, so for the ostensible purpose of asking Ernst August's formal leave to resign his commission in order to profit by this offer. When he arrived the correspondence with the Duke of Wolfenbüttel was still in progress. Letters were not quickly exchanged between distant points, and it was still uncertain when all the arrangements dependent on the duke's reply and instructions would be completed. Although Ernst August at once sanctioned Königsmarck's exchange, the latter still lingered on at Hanover, somewhat to the surprise of the court, which, we may be sure, watched his movements with curious scrutiny. The fate of the princess trembled in the balance, and depended entirely on the skill and diplomacy that he could bring to bear on the manipulation of the circumstances. He was in the mean time too anxious and preoccupied to heed Madame von Platen, but when she at length realized that he finally and impatiently refused her proffered love, her fury knew no bounds. Revenge she promised herself, and that of so terrible a nature that the elector, she well knew, would not countenance; and while matters were at this point the answer came from Wolfenbüttel, and, what was more, proved eminently satisfactory. The two ducal families were not on cordial terms, and perhaps this fact induced the duke to open his doors to the princess who so pathetically craved his pity and hospitality. Whatever means Philippe and Sophia Dorothea took of communicating with one another, Madame von Platen was fully informed of them all. Smarting under the impatient scorn which the imprudent and reckless young man did not hesitate now to betray, she resolved on his death. In some accounts it is stated that she engaged some Italians for this purpose, and, although they are highly colored, there are grounds for believing this, rather than that the soldiers of the guard were bribed to do the horrible deed. The fact is that these latter were employed by the elector for the simple and lawful purpose of arresting the count. The projected plan of the elopement had been made known to him the day before its proposed execution, and, in order to frustrate the design, he had signed the order for Königsmarck's arrest in all good faith. This important point settled, Madame von Platen gave her instructions to her hirelings, whom she associated with the men who were to carry out the elector's order. The mysterious note that Philippe had found in his room had filled him with surprise and doubt. He could not feel sure that the letter was genuine, for he knew they were surrounded by spies; while, on the other hand, if it should really have emanated from her, what would she, what could she, think if he failed to obey her summons? Every detail for the journey to Wolfenbüttel had been arranged, and the next evening they fondly hoped would see them on their way thither, and the cruel Hanoverian ties broken asunder. Still, she might have some further injunction to give him, he conjectured, some warning to impart, some necessary change in her plans to request - which she could not dare to entrust to paper; and Philippe, through whose active brain all these possibilities flew, passed out into the warm July night to fulfil the duties that love and chivalry imposed upon him. The way to the princess's apartment lay through a vast hall, called the Ritter-Saal. It was hung round with tapestry; at one end there was a large Gothic stove-so high and wide that it resembled a monumental edifice and at the other a short flight of stairs leading to the princess's chamber. Philippe entered and crossed the hall, which was feebly lighted by a small, flickering lamp, and passing quickly through the room, sprang lightly and rapidly up the stair, went along a short passage, and tapped gently at the princess's door. It was immediately opened by an attendant, who displayed the greatest as |