Page:Maria Felicia.pdf/119

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A STORY OF BOHEMIAN LOVE
115

race, decided to allow them to return, and everything remained as of old.

In 1757 Frederick of Prussia once more invaded the country, and gave rise to the Seven Years’ War. Again he laid siege to Prague; for three whole months he kept up a bombardment. The shooting from Zizkov was so severe that a large part of the city, including some of the finest buildings, was destroyed. The Cathedral of St. Vitus took fire thirty times. Great was the narration of these events by the steward. Finally a powerful army was collected and marched against Frederick. A decisive battle was fought at Kolin, in which the Prussians were defeated; Frederick with his army fled in the wildest confusion, and Prague was free.

One evening a heavy pounding on the iron gate disturbed the steward in the most interesting part of his story. The whole company were startled; if a visit in the daytime was an uncommon occurrence, a visit in the night was an unheard-of thing. While Andrew lighted a piece of pine and hurried out to see who so