"Yes, yes, many an one would relish making payments in this fashion,"

laughed the count. "It is easier to give a wife away than eight thousand

dollars, and again she is easier to obtain than such a superior greyhound.

Hurry now, Lehndorf, and arrange the hunt for me. Let the servants put on

their new red hunting suits and my huntsman also his new livery, that the

curious Berlin people may have something to gape at. Away with you,

Lehndorf! You, pages, take the baskets, now I am off for the audience

hall."

Both pages, in suits of gold-embroidered velvet, rushed into the little

antechamber, and quickly returned, each one bearing a pretty, shallow

basket in his hand. Behind them came the chamberlain, who threw across the

count's shoulders his ermine-lined velvet mantle, and put into his hand

his plumed hat, trimmed with gold lace, and his embroidered gloves. The

count hastily placed the tall, pointed hat with its nodding plumes upon

his dark, curly hair, in which showed here and there a few silver streaks,

and grasped the long gloves firmly in his right hand, sparkling with

brilliant rings.

"Open the doors!" he said authoritatively, and the chamberlain flew before

him, and tore open both halves of the folding doors. The two halberdiers,

who stood near the door on the other side, raised their halberds, and

proclaimed with thundering voices, "His excellency and grace, count of the

empire and Stadtholder in the Mark!"

Through the two long apartments, on both sides of which was ranged a dense

crowd of people of all sorts--men and women, venerable magistrates in

solemn robes of office, and soldiers in their uniforms, poorly clad

citizens and fine-dressed gentlemen, bold-looking young ladies and

respectable matrons in white garbs of widowhood--through both these long

apartments flew, as it were, one sigh, one joyful breath of relief and

surprise, and all faces, the sad and bright, the eyes reddened by wine and

night watches, as well as those sparkling with avarice and passion, all

turned toward the lofty, full form of the Stadtholder, who, so proud and

so brilliant, so august and self-conscious, stood upon the threshold of

the door. He gave no salutation; not in the least did he incline his head,

but with one sharp look let his large, gray eyes glide up and down on both

sides; and this look sufficed to cause all heads to sink in reverence, to

bow the proud and humble necks, so deeply, so reverentially, that high and

low, old and young, poor and rich were now all one and the same--the

petitioners of the electoral minister, the almighty Stadtholder in the

Mark!

He now strode forward, followed by the two pages with their empty baskets.

But these baskets were soon filled, for at each step forward a hand was

stretched out to the count, handing him a written petition, and the count

took it smilingly, and with distinguished indifference cast it into one of

the proffered baskets. But before those who had come without written

requests, and entreated a gracious personal hearing, the Stadtholder

paused, and they began hurriedly, and with embarrassment, because they

feared being heard by their neighbors, to state their wishes. It seldom

happened, however, that the count allowed them to speak to the end,

interrupting them in the midst of their speech with a hasty, "Commit it to

writing! commit it to writing!" and striding on with the same lofty

bearing, the same proud, imperturbable equanimity. Only when he neared the

spot where stood the delegates of the citizens of Berlin and Cologne a

cloud overshadowed his brow, and a flash of anger shot from his eyes.

He stopped before the burgers, and looked at them with an expression of

cold, scornful repose.

"What do you want of me?" he asked.

"Help in our need, most gracious excellency," began the spokesman, "pity

for our misfortunes! We can not pay the new war tax, we--"

"Ah! just see," the count interrupted him mockingly; "now you come to me,

to sue for my favor. Your visit, then, to his Electoral Grace, has been in

vain. The Elector has not granted the shameless petition of the

citizenship; he has not encroached upon the rights of the Stadtholder

appointed by himself to rule here in his stead. You have thought to

circumvent me, and hardly has the lord of the land come hither before you

must gain favors from himself. Well, see what favors you have obtained!

Hardly an hour ago you walked with quick, proud steps into the castle of

his Electoral Grace, and now you stand with humble, sad countenances in

the antechamber of the Stadtholder in the Mark! What will you have here,

and what have those to do with the Stadtholder who can converse with the

Elector himself?"

"Pardon, your excellency, as faithful and humble children of the country,

we turned first to our father and lord--"

"Now stick to that!" interrupted the count warmly, "and desire not to

obtain from me what the fatherly heart of your beloved liege lord has

denied you. Go, and never again appear in these parts! And you, too, my

lords, deputies from the duchy of Cleves," continued the count, striding

forward toward the deputies--"you, too, might reasonably have spared

yourselves the trouble of appearing here. Who has enjoyed the honor of

being received by his Electoral Highness need have no necessity for

antechambering at the house of his minister and Stadtholder, for all

favors and all honors flow from the almighty and exalted person of the

Elector himself, and what he has done is good, and what he has said stands

fast and is the law. Therefore, also, whoever has obtained dismissal from

his Electoral Grace need no more turn to me, for the sun has shone upon

him, and like myself he stands in the shade."

With these ambiguous words the Stadtholder moved forward, leaving the

deputies covered with shame and swelling with indignation, while his

countenance had speedily brightened. With more friendly gestures he now

accepted the written petitions, and even listened patiently and

condescendingly to those who had only come with oral supplications;

promised them redress for their difficulties, exhorted them with loud

voice to place confidence in their Stadtholder, appointed by the Elector,

and to be assured that whoever turned to him would not sue and plead in

vain, if his cause were just, fair, and practicable.

When the count had finished his circuit and stood again at his cabinet

door, the baskets were piled high with written petitions, and the count,

pointing to these with outstretched right hand, on whose fingers sparkled

many a costly jewel, asseverated with loud voice that he would himself

open, read, and examine all these writings, and do whatever was in his

power. Then, with a short, gracious nod of dismissal, he retired into his

cabinet, followed by the two pages with their baskets.

IV.--SOLDIERS AND DIPLOMATISTS.

Awaiting Count von Schwarzenberg in his cabinet were the four officers

whom the lackey had conducted there in obedience to his instructions. They

grew dumb in the midst of their conversation when the count entered, and

stood up, saluting him in stiff and military style. Count Schwarzenberg

nodded to them in a friendly manner, and an obliging smile played about

his thin and finely cut lips.

"Put the baskets on my writing table and go out," he commanded the pages,

and then turned toward the gentlemen, who still stood there with soldierly

stiffness.

"Welcome, my lord general, and you, sirs colonels," he said in playful,

jocular tone. "Truly, it is a pleasure to see one's self surrounded by

such valiant soldiers. If my gracious master the Elector had as many such

splendid soldiers as he has leaders, he would be helped indeed, and not

find it necessary to battle with the Swedes for his dukedom of Pomerania,

for then would the Swedes soon run off conquered."

"Just imagine, your excellency," cried Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf, while

he stroked his long, gray mustache with his broad fat hand--"just imagine

what respect the Swedes would have for such a regiment composed of

Klitzings, Rochows, and Krachts."

"You forget yourself, Sir Colonel," said Count Schwarzenberg, in a

friendly, insinuating tone; "you forget to say that Conrad von Burgsdorf

alone is a whole regiment in himself."

"Perhaps that is the reason why I have in fact nothing behind me," cried

Colonel von Burgsdorf, with a loud, coarse laugh. "Yes, yes, now I know

why I have so few soldiers behind me; the others all concentrate in me,

and it is merely a pity and shame that they can not come forth from me to

make front against the cursed Swedes."

"They will come forth now, depend upon it; they will come forth," said

the count, with a pleasant smile. "My lords, I have had you summoned to

confer with you about important and significant tidings. In the first

place, we shall consider what relates to yourselves, and is therefore of

greatest interest to you. General von Klitzing, henceforth you shall have

no cause to complain of having a title but no employment. For from this

very day you shall have employment, since his Electoral Grace designs

forthwith to have regiments equipped and brought into the field."

"Hurrah! now for it!" shouted Burgsdorf, waving his right arm.

"I shout hurrah, too, with your excellency's permission," said General

von Klitzing joyfully. "It has been three months since your excellency did

me the favor to recall me here from the Saxon service in order to assume

the command of the Brandenburg troops, and I have been in despair ever

since, for it has been just like acting a comedy, where they fight with

pasteboard swords and tin soldiers."

"That was the fault of the states and cities, who would not grant the

Elector taxes for the equipment of regiments," returned the count, with

emphasis. "Besides, ever since the peace of Prague the Elector has been

pledged to neutrality. And if you can take part neither for nor against,

can fight neither for friend nor foe, then it is better to have no

soldiers, and no swords that can not be unsheathed. But now all will be

different, and therefore the Elector nominates you, General von Klitzing,

commandant general of all the Brandenburg fortresses, their garrisons, and

all the electoral forces collectively."

"That is indeed an important and honorable appointment," cried the

general, "and I shall esteem myself happy if I can now succeed in bringing

the electoral forces into action."

"That must be done the first thing, general, yes, indeed, that must be

done," cried Burgsdorf, laughing. "Alack! up to this time we have had no

soldiers, for the couple of wretched fellows in each of the forts and the

Elector's bodyguard could hardly be accounted such, and made but a poor

show."

"Upon you, gentlemen, upon you it will henceforth devolve to create an

army," said Schwarzenberg solemnly. "Colonel von Kracht, in virtue of my

office as Stadtholder in the Mark, I this day pronounce you commandant of

the fortresses of Berlin and Cologne; with the same fullness of power, I

appoint you, Colonel von Rochow, commandant of Spandow; and lastly you,

Colonel von Burgsdorf, I constitute commandant of the Fortress Küstrin."

"I should have been better pleased if you had made me commandant of

Berlin," growled Conrad von Burgsdorf. "They lead such a dull, wearisome

life at Fortress Küstrin, and I wish that Kracht and I could change places

with one another. He knows the people of Küstrin well, and understands how

to get along with them, for the late commandant of Küstrin was his father.

Let us exchange with one another, von Kracht--here is my hand, give me

yours! You are commandant of Küstrin and I of Berlin!"

"Slowly, colonel," replied Baron von Kracht; "we must yield to order and

authority, and submit ourselves to whatever the Stadtholder in the Mark

has found good to arrange for us."

"Well said, Sir Commandant of Berlin!" cried Schwarzenberg. "I was silent,

because I wished to hear your answer. It follows, therefore, Colonel von

Burgsdorf, that you go as commandant to Fortress Küstrin."

"I know very well that you send me away to remove me as far as possible

from your residence Berlin," growled Burgsdorf. "You can not bear to see

that the Elector is attached to me, and calls me his friend. You can not

bear that another should execute and perform what you yourself can not

execute and perform. I saw plainly yesterday the look of hatred and ill

will which you darted at me, across the Elector's table, while the great

drinking match that I had proposed was going on. It was right plain to be

seen how much vexed you were, that there was anything in which Conrad von

Burgsdorf could excel the wise, the learned, and the most worshipful Count

Adam von Schwarzenberg."

"Well! you really suppose that I could be envious and jealous?" cried the

count, laughing. "No, most worthy colonel, with my whole heart I yield you

the palm for being the first and most rapid drinker at the electoral

court, and for emptying a quart cup of wine at one draught."

"And it is no trifling art, you must know, Sir Count," said Burgsdorf,

with an important air. "Think not that it is a mere pleasure--no, it is a

task too, and at times a difficult one."

"We did not observe it as such yesterday, Colonel von Burgsdorf," retorted

the count. "You proved yourself yesterday a truly intrepid hero in

drinking at the electoral table. For it is in fact an heroic deed to quaff

eighteen quarts of wine in one hour, as you did yesterday."

"Well," said Burgsdorf, flattered, "we had a drinking-match, and the

Elector had offered a fine prize to the best drinker. I had long desired

to obtain possession of the pretty and flourishing little village Danzien,

and, behold! this was the very prize the Elector had offered; so I was

obliged to do what I could, and have to thank God that I came off victor.

I drank all the other gentlemen under the table, and was alone left

standing, with my eighteen quarts of wine aboard." [10]

"Now," said the Stadtholder, smiling, "I think you did not leave me under

the table, for I kept erect in spite of you, Colonel Burgsdorf. I hope

also to keep my position yet longer, and never to be thrust under the

table by you."

He looked full in the colonel's bloated and wine-flushed face with a cold,

proud glance, and smiled when he saw how Burgsdorf's brow darkened and his

eyes flashed with fierce hatred.

"You will remain standing, Sir Stadtholder, so long as God and the Elector

please," said Burgsdorf slowly. "Many an one falls, and under the table,

too, although he may not be drunk with wine, but with pride and ambition,

avarice and rapacity."

"Enough, Burgsdorf, enough," replied the count haughtily. "I did not

summon you here to hold with you a controversy about words, for well do I

know that you are as mighty in words as in drinking. I have had you

summoned that you might receive your orders, and do and perform whatever

the Stadtholder in the Mark commands and enjoins upon you, in the names of

the Emperor's Majesty and his Electoral Grace. General von Klitzing, I

have nominated you commander in chief of all the fortifications, as you,

Colonels von Kracht, von Rochow, and von Burgsdorf, commandants of Berlin,

Spandow, and Küstrin. You may perceive from this that a new era has

dawned, and that we have great things to expect from the future. Gentlemen,

the time for waiting and delay is past. The Elector has concluded a treaty

with the Emperor, by which the Emperor declares that the dukedom of

Pomerania is the natural heritage of the Elector of Brandenburg, and

invests him with it. It is true that at present the Swedes occupy

Pomerania, and will not evacuate. But to that very end we must labor, to

force the presumptuous Swedes to do this; and thereto the Elector has

pledged himself to raise an army of five-and-twenty thousand men. To

superintend these levies is the affair of the colonels and staff officers,

therefore also your affair."

"The only question is, where is the money to come from to effect such

levies," said General Klitzing.

"Yes, that is the question," exclaimed the three colonels impatiently.

"And the answer runs: The Emperor's Majesty has assigned money for that

purpose. The Emperor's Majesty has granted the Elector a release from the

payment of two hundred Roman-months which the Elector owed him, and with

these two hundred Roman-months, which amount to three hundred and

sixty-five thousand florins, troops are to be levied. But besides this,

the Emperor expressly adds sixty thousand dollars, to be employed in

enlisting soldiers; and the money will be paid out to those leaders and

colonels who have recruited such and such a number of soldiers. For each

soldier they get eight rixdollars."

"I shall recruit!" shouted Burgsdorf. "I shall go as commandant to

Küstrin, and enlist a regiment besides!"

"It is a matter of course that we all recruit," said General von Klitzing,

"for such is the command and desire of the Elector, and him as our

commander in chief we are bound to obey."

"By no means, general!" cried the count hastily. "Your commander in chief

is the Emperor of Germany. The soldiers whom you shall enlist will of

course be subject to the command of the Elector, but they must take an

oath of allegiance to the Emperor and the empire, which runs thus, that

they will be obedient to the Emperor, and in his stead to the Elector of

Brandenburg, in order that the dukedom of Pomerania be recovered to the

Elector, its natural sovereign.[11] According to the compact between the

Emperor and the Elector, the official oath of military governors must also

conform to this formula, and the commandants of fortresses be taken into

the service of the Emperor and the empire. First and foremost is the

obedience and fealty they owe to the Emperor."

"I do not understand that; it does not penetrate through my thick skull!"

cried Burgsdorf impatiently. "How will it be if the Emperor's commands go

counter to those of the Elector? If the Emperor orders us to do _this_,

and the Elector _that_?"

"That will never happen," replied the count gravely.

"The Elector is much too loyal and faithful a vassal of the Emperor not to

coincide always with the latter's gracious purposes and desires. I have

now told you all that it is needful for you to know, have given you your

commissions and announced your several ranks, and it only remains to

administer to you the prescribed oath. In view of my absolute power as

Stadtholder in the Mark, and as head of the electoral council of war, I

will now receive your oath of fidelity to the Emperor and the Elector, and

you must engage and swear to fulfill constantly and faithfully your duties

to Emperor, empire, and Elector."

And just as the count dictated, without delay or contradiction, the four

lords repeated the formula of the oath, and swore obedience, good faith,

and service, first to the Emperor and the empire, and then to the Elector

of Brandenburg. Thereupon the count dismissed them, exhorting them to

repair instantly to their fortresses, and there to begin enlisting

soldiers for the army of the Elector.

The count's countenance cleared up and assumed a triumphant expression

when the four officers had left his cabinet, and he was now once more

alone.

"I shall now be rid of that quarrelsome and dangerous man, Burgsdorf," he

said complacently, as he sank apparently exhausted into an easy chair. "I

have rendered him harmless and shoved him aside without his being really

conscious of it. He does not suspect that we advanced and promoted the

others only to remove him, Burgsdorf, to a distance, without exciting

remark or scandal, and in order to be freed from his scurrilous tongue and

insolent presence. I am truly glad and content that we have succeeded in

this, and at the same time have taken these unreflecting and short-sighted

gentlemen into service and allegiance to the Emperor and the empire." With

a hurried "Who is there?" the count interrupted himself, starting from his

seat. "Who dares to enter here unannounced?"

"I dare," said an earnest voice, and a tall, slender gentleman, wholly

enveloped in a heavy traveling coat, his head covered with a great fur

cap, strode through the apartment toward the count.

"Count Lesle, lord high chamberlain to the Emperor!" exclaimed the

Stadtholder in surprise. "Is it you? Are you direct from Regensburg?"

"Yes, Count Schwarzenberg, I have come here direct from Regensburg, to

depart again without delay. My traveling carriage stands without before

your door, and I shall presently enter it, and journey hence again. You

will on that account excuse my want of ceremony, but as the Emperor

Ferdinand permits me to enter his apartments at any time, I thought that

the Stadtholder of the Mark would not be less affable. Moreover, I could

not send in my name, for no one besides yourself is to know of my being

here, and I wish to travel _incognito_. Will you, then, pardon me, Count

Schwarzenberg, and am I excused?"

"I am the one to sue for forgiveness, on account of my impatience, and I

do so most cordially. And now I entreat you, count, first of all, make

yourself comfortable. Permit me to assist you in laying aside your

cumbrous traveling habit, and accept some ease and refreshment."

With officious zeal he busied himself in aiding his visitor to emerge from

his wrappings, and soon Count Lesle stood before the Stadtholder of the

Mark in the beautiful, unique Spanish garb, such as was worn at the

imperial court.

"How glorious you look in those magnificent velvet robes!" cried Count

Schwarzenberg, with a sigh, "and how much your Spanish costume makes me

long for the sumptuous life of the imperial court! Ah! my dear count, here

among us you find hardly a trace of this costly, splendid living, and an

imperial valet or house servant has more pleasure and enjoyment than an

Electoral Stadtholder in the Mark."

"Yet it is a fine and sonorous title," said Count Lesle, smiling, while he

stretched himself out comfortably in the great armchair which Count

Schwarzenberg had rolled forward for him, "and it is also a great and

influential office. The Emperor's Majesty knows very well what a mighty

and potent man the Stadtholder in the Mark is, and that Count

Schwarzenberg is really Elector of Brandenburg."

"His Imperial Majesty knows, too, that I have never yet ceased to be the

faithful and devoted servant of the Emperor," cried Schwarzenberg, at the

same time drawing a simple chair to the side of the count's fauteuil, and

seating himself upon it. "His Imperial Majesty knows, I hope, that first

and above all other things I place my duty to the Emperor, and that I have

no higher aim than to subserve the interests of his Imperial Majesty."

"Yes, the Emperor, our most gracious Sovereign, knows that," said Count

Lesle feelingly. "He does not for a moment doubt the fidelity and

attachment of the Stadtholder in the Mark, who has always been mindful

that the Elector is only the Emperor's vassal, and the Emperor the real

lord of the whole German Empire."

"And to maintain this relation intact, yes, that is what I have made the

greatest task of my life," cried Schwarzenberg, with animation. "It is a

task, in truth, not easy to be accomplished, for the Emperor's supreme

Government has many enemies here at the electoral court, and very many

there are here who maintain that Brandenburg should free herself entirely

from imperial vassalage, and that the Elector should be sole lord within

his own domains. But now, dearest lord high chamberlain and count, tell me

wherefore you have come here so unexpectedly, and what news do you bring

from Regensburg?"

"Very serious and very subtle news I bring with me, count," replied Count

Lesle, "and of such a tender, delicate nature that we could not willingly

entrust it to paper, even in cipher, but could only transmit it from my

lips to your ear, and thence to the locked-up recesses of your breast.

Therefore I have come to you, and need hardly say that not a breath of our

conversation is to escape, and that nobody must know of my having been

here. The question is about the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg--that

young man who has already tarried more than three years in the

Netherlands, and is imbibing there the hated poison of insubordination and

passion for freedom. It is high time that the Electoral Prince were

recalled."

"Recalled!" cried Count Schwarzenberg, starting up amazed. "But, Count

Lesle, you do not know the Electoral Prince. You do not know the danger

that would accrue now if this restless, ambitious, and fiery young man

were to return home. My enemies and the secret opponents of the Emperor

here desire nothing more ardently than just this very thing, and the

Rochows and Schönungs and all the reformers have already brought matters

to such a pass that the Elector himself presses most urgently for his

son's return home, and has even peremptorily required it of him. It is a

plot of all the Swedish wellwishers, all the anti-imperialists of this

court, believe me. They wish to place the Electoral Prince at their head,

and hope by this means to bring it about that the weak and vacillating

Elector shall secede from the Emperor and ally himself with the Swedes.

They teased and goaded the Elector, until he even sent his Chamberlain von

Schlieben to The Hague in order to fetch the Prince, and the latter has

but to-day returned from his vain expedition."

"From his vain expedition, do you say? The Electoral Prince remains at The

Hague, then, despite the strict commands, the pressing messages of his

father? You see by that what fruit his stay at The Hague has already

produced, and that the poison which he has imbibed there is even now at

work. The Electoral Prince seems to be thoughtful and studious. And so

much the more dangerous is it to leave him any longer at The Hague, where

all are ill disposed toward the Spaniards, where is to be found the real

hearthstone of the great European opposition to the house of Hapsburg,

where the Prince of Orange is his instructor in the art of war, and can

educate him to be a skillful and dangerous warrior and an enemy of the

Emperor."

"All that is very true!" said Schwarzenberg gloomily. "But for all that he

is less to be dreaded there than here, where he would cross all our plans

and bring to nothing all our schemes. The Electoral Prince is a dangerous

opponent, believe me. There is something bewitching in his character, and

he would be in a position either to carry the Elector along with him in

his career or to induce George William to follow his father's example, and

resign the government in favor of his son, the Electoral Prince Frederick

William. And do you know, Count Lesle, what would be the first act of

Frederick William's reign? To depose me, to take all power out of my

hands, and to institute a new course of policy for the house of

Brandenburg!"

"Only get him here first, count, and then it is your affair to guard

against this extreme. Take example from what happened on one occasion in

Spain, where also rioters and innovators thronged around the heir to the

throne, by his abettance to overturn existing institutions and hurl the

King from his throne. My God! You know the story of King Philip and his

son Carlos. Hardly fifty years have elapsed since then. Profit by this

example, and learn from this story that if the son is dangerous, you have

only to render him suspected by his father, and he becomes innocuous. If

the son is the enemy of his father, then the father must also be made the

enemy of his son, that in this way an equilibrium be preserved. You are

much too great a statesman and too acute a diplomatist not to know how to

act in this matter. But the urgency of the case is pressing. You must have

him under your own eyes, under your own guardianship."

"It is true," said Schwarzenberg thoughtfully, "he imbibes deadly poison

there, and is quite too enthusiastic in his admiration of the Protestant

leader, the Prince of Orange. His letters to his parents overflow with

enthusiasm for the Orange general, whom he calls his master and teacher

in the art of war, and lavishes upon him extravagant praise."

"And they are giving themselves trouble enough to link the young Prince

yet more closely to the house of Orange, and the enemies of Spain and

Hapsburg," said Count Lesle emphatically. "The Emperor has obtained exact

accounts as to the practices going on at The Hague, whereby the Electoral

Prince may be brought into the land of Cleves and united by marriage with

the Palatinate house, whereby he may be brought equally under the

influence of the sovereign States and the Prince of Orange, and estranged

from the Holy Roman Empire.[12]

"He is to marry a princess of the Palatinate!" exclaimed the Stadtholder.

"Ah! now I understand why the Electress, despite her tender love for her

only son, constantly endeavors to keep him away, and to prolong his stay

at The Hague. I always thought until now that it was on my account. I

thought that the Electress believed me to have evil and malign intentions

with regard to the Electoral Prince, and for that reason alone was opposed

to her son's return. But now I see into it; she is for this Palatinate

marriage, she wishes by that means to bind her son more closely to her own

house and its interests, to alienate him further from the Emperor and the

Holy Roman Empire. It is the daughter of the banished Bohemian King, the

Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, who is to be the tie to unite him to Orange

and the Palatinate. All this becomes suddenly clear to me, and I can not

imagine how I could have been so blind and so innocent as not to have

divined and penetrated into this earlier. The Electoral Prince does,

indeed, in each of his letters make mention of the little household over

which the banished Bohemian Queen, the Electress of the Palatinate,

presides at Doornward, not far from The Hague."

"She has now removed her residence farther, to The Hague itself," said

Count Lesle dryly; "without doubt, because winter approaches, and it will

be more comfortable for the Electoral Prince not to find it necessary to

travel that long way to Doornward to see his dearly beloved one. She must

be quite a pretty girl, the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, and, moreover,

of very tender complexion, and not at all disposed to play the prude with

the young, handsome Electoral Prince, who seems particularly to please

her."

"And the Electress is particularly partial to her sister-in-law, the

Electress of the Palatinate," said Schwarzenberg thoughtfully. "Tears

always come into her eyes whenever she speaks of her, and calls to mind

her brother's unhappy fate.[13] It would, indeed, be for the advantage of

her house if the daughter of her banished brother should again exalt the

honor of her family, and find in Brandenburg amends for the lost

Palatinate. For when women take it into their heads to meddle with

politics, then are their hearts always interested; and even in politics,

match making is their especial delight. Yes, yes, Count Lesle, I see into

it now; you are right. The Electoral Prince is to wed the Palatinate

Princess, and the Electress favors this match."

"But the Emperor would be displeased at it in the highest degree," cried

Count Lesle. "It is therefore impossible that this alliance take place.

You must do everything to prevent the Elector from granting his consent,

and however many are for it, and blow upon one horn, yet the Elector must

strike no note in harmony with this Palatinate marriage."[14]

"No, the Elector will not and shall not," replied the count decidedly. "It

is for me to prevent him, and--You are indeed right. There is nothing left

to be done but to summon the Electoral Prince from The Hague."

"It would be pleasant to the Emperor if the Electoral Prince came to his

court," remarked Count Lesle; "it would be a token of confidence, and make

an impression throughout the Holy Roman Empire upon friend and foe."

"Alas! the most important requisite of all is wanting--we want money,"

sighed Count Schwarzenberg, shrugging his shoulders.

"Well, that shall furnish no ground for objection, Sir Stadtholder. The

Emperor commissioned me expressly to announce to you that his Imperial

Majesty would gladly hold himself ready to furnish some assistance, yes,

if needful, all the money required for the expenses of this journey.[15]

And the Emperor would not be niggardly with his supplies of money for

traveling, but give such sums that the Electoral Prince need not come

merely to his Majesty at Vienna, but also make a little excursion to

Innsprück. For at Innsprück the Archduke Leopold now holds his court, and

the Electoral Prince could not fail to enjoy himself there, for the court

at Innsprück is brilliantly gay, and the archduke's youthful daughter,

Clara Isabella, is peculiarly fond of pleasure, and is a beautiful and

attractive young lady."

With a sudden movement of the head Count Schwarzenberg turned toward

Lesle. "You do not mean it?" he asked hesitatingly.

Count Lesle nodded. "It is much to be desired," he said, smiling.

"But I fear it is impossible!" cried Schwarzenberg. "Every one here will

be opposed to it; no one in favor of it. It is simply not to be thought

of, and impossible that the Electoral Prince should marry a Catholic."

"It only seems probable, and to effect it, it is only necessary to go to

work in the right way," said Count Lesle quietly. "You see by yourself how

the inconceivable can still become matter of reality. Would it not have

been supposed impossible that at this court, where there are none but

heretics, where Reformers and Lutherans contend for precedence, that a

Catholic and an imperialist could have become prime minister and

confidential adviser to the Elector? And yet so it is, and for twenty

years past the Catholic Count Schwarzenberg has been the favorite and I

may say the controller of the Elector of Brandenburg. And why should not

the Catholic minister and Stadtholder be able to negotiate a Catholic

alliance? You underrate your power, count, and are by far too modest."

"Say rather I know the ground on which I tread, Count Lesle. Believe me,

it is slippery and marshy soil, and a single incautious step may cause me

to sink."

"Then guard against an incautious step, but advance boldly forward in the

interests of his Imperial Majesty, and be assured that Ferdinand will

prove himself to be a grateful and a gracious lord. And now, count, you

know all that I came to communicate to you, and it is time for me to set

out again."

"Will you set forth again so soon, Count Lesle, before you have done me

the honor of taking a little breakfast and drinking a glass of wine with

me?"

"Thank you, count, thank you most cordially. You know well, however, that

the master's business is before all things else. My imperial master awaits

me at Regensburg, and I shall then have the honor of being permitted to

accompany him to Vienna. His Imperial Majesty is a strict and punctilious

lord, and has calculated to the very day and hour when I may again reach

the imperial palace. For our interview here he allowed me one hour; and,

lo! the cock of your great wall clock had just stepped out and crowed

eleven as I entered your room, and is already here, crowing twelve as loud

as he can. It is therefore time for me to depart. I have briefly made you

acquainted with the Emperor's intentions and desires, and your wise and

fertile brain will know how to enlarge and construe. Farewell, Sir

Stadtholder in the Mark, farewell, and may every blessing attend you!"

Count Lesle had risen and drawn his fur cap once more far over his brow.

Schwarzenberg assisted him to don his ample and heavy wrappings, and then

escorted him to the door.

"Permit me at least to conduct you to your carriage, Count Lesle," he said.

"Impossible, count; that would excite remark among your people, and give

rise to conjectures on all sides. I gave myself out on entering as one of

your officials from Sonnenburg, and your dignity does not suffer you to

act toward your officials as toward an equal. Farewell, then!"

Count Lesle stepped out briskly, and hurriedly closed the palace door.

Schwarzenberg stood listening to the retreating footsteps of the imperial

legate until they died away in the long corridor. Then he slowly turned

away and sank with a sigh into the armchair which Count Lesle had recently

occupied.

"Strange tidings those," he muttered to himself. "I must now then adopt a

wholly different line of action--must derange and newly model all my

plans. What I would altogether avoid I must now do--must recall the

Electoral Prince; must yield to him the precedence at court, both in rank

and position; must--" All at once he started up and shrank, as if a sudden

flash of lightning had interrupted his train of thought. "If it must be,"

he said quite softly to himself, "if nothing else is left for me, and I

see myself in danger, then I will do it. I shall resort to this last

expedient."

But even while he pronounced the words he grew pale and cast around him a

timid, anxious glance, as if he dreaded being overheard by some traitorous

ear. Then he leaned his head upon the back of the armchair, and sat, long,

silent, and motionless, wholly absorbed in deep and earnest thought.

"Yes, it shall be so," he said at last. "He must leave The Hague; but it

does not signify necessarily that he will arrive here so soon. The way is

long, the roads are unsafe, and he must travel cautiously and

circumspectly, for many cutthroats wander about, and who knows whether the

Swedes may not make the attempt to capture and carry off the young Prince,

or murder him, that he may not some day contest with them the possession

of Pomerania. All this must, indeed, be risked; then--Master Gabriel

Nietzel must nevertheless still go to The Hague; only I shall give him

other instructions, and he will have a wholly different errand to fulfill.

Yes, yes, it shall be so; I shall have him summoned directly."

He had already stretched out his hand for the whistle, when the outer door

opened, and the valet entered.

"Pardon, your excellency. A lackey has just come from the palace. The

Elector begs and entreats of your grace that you will have the kindness to

repair forthwith to the Elector's residence."

"Present my respects to the Elector, and say that I shall do myself the

honor of waiting upon him. Go, tell the lackey that, and have my carriage

of state ordered out forthwith."

"Most gracious sir, I beg your pardon, but your excellency can not

possibly go in the great carriage of state."

"Well, and why not?"

"Your excellency knows that it has been raining four days without

intermission, and the ground is so soaked through that a man can not cross

the streets or square without sinking up to his knees, how much less then

a heavy vehicle. The carriage of the strange gentleman who has just been

with your excellency remained stuck fast a few steps from here, and the

coachman and footman, with a couple of our stableboys, are still busied in

trying to pull it out of the mud."

"Heaven defend us!" cried the count, traversing the apartment with rapid

strides; "then I must go myself directly and help the gentleman--"

But he suddenly bethought himself, and slowly stepped back from the door.

"With the help of my stableboys, he must already be again on the road--my

official from Sonnenburg," he said. "You think, then, that I can not take

the great coach of state?"

"Not possibly, gracious sir. It is a morass, such as has not been for ages,

and the townspeople have already brought out their mud carriages again."

"What is that? What are mud carriages?"

"Your excellency, I mean the stilts on which they parade around when the

mud is very bad."

The count laughed. "The end of it is that nothing is left for me to do but

to betake myself to stilts likewise in order to reach the electoral

palace."

"It would be the easiest way, indeed," replied the lackey; "only it is not

quite consistent with respect. But the great coach can not go."

"Then let them take my light hunting chaise, and attach four of my best

coursers. In ten minutes I must be in the carriage."

V.--THE ELECTOR AND HIS FAVORITE.

In exactly ten minutes the hunting chaise stood in the inner court of the

count's palace, and, as this was paved with huge granite flagstones, the

count succeeded in reaching his carriage without spattering his white silk

stockings, extending as far as the knee, or soiling his delicate velvet

slippers, with their brilliant buckles and high red heels. Then the

lackeys opened the great trellised gate of gilded iron, and with loud

thundering the carriage rolled from the court out into the street. The

coachman lashed the air with his whip, and the four coursers flew, hardly

touching the ground with their pretty feet. The mud, to be true, splashed

in mighty waves from the wheels and hoofs, giving the benefit of its

floods to many an honest burger's wife who could not on her stilts

immediately escape; often, indeed, was heard the anguished squeak or

piteous howl of some sucking pig or dog over which the hunting equipage

had rolled; but it paused not for these, and in a few moments halted in

safety before the mean little portal of that small, dark mansion, honored

with the title of the Elector's residential palace, which was situated on

the other side of the cathedral square, near the Spree and the pleasure

garden.

Before the portal stood a wretched carriage, covered with mud and drawn by

four raw-boned horses, whose trappings and harness were wholly wanting in

polish and neatness.

"The Elector means to ride out, it seems," said the count to himself, with

a contemptuous glance at the poor electoral equipage.

"Drive a little aside!" screamed the count's well-dressed coachman from

his box. "Let his excellency the Stadtholder drive up to the door, for it

is just impossible for the count to alight here in this mud."

But the coachman only shook his head proudly, in token of refusal, and

darted a look full of inexpressible contempt upon the Stadtholder's

presumptuous driver.

"Drive out of the way!" shouted the count's coachman.

"Here I stand, and here I mean to stay until the Elector comes!"

"Let him remain, William, and speak not another word," commanded Count

Schwarzenberg. "Drive my carriage up so close to the electoral carriage

that I can conveniently step in."

The coachman obeyed, and the electoral charioteer, who had begun the

contention with the supercilious driver of the Stadtholder with inward

satisfaction, and hoped for a long protraction of the same, now felt

himself foiled, and saw with inexpressible astonishment the coachman turn

around, with rapid sweep make the circuit of the square, and draw up close

beside the electoral equipage. Before he yet comprehended the object of

this manoeuvre, the count had stretched forth his arm, opened with his own

hand the door of the electoral coach, stepped into it, opened the door on

the other side, and stepped out on the broad leather-covered plank which

extended like a sort of drawbridge from the threshold of the palace garden

to the electoral carriage.

"Bravo, Schwarzenberg, bravo!" called out a laughing voice, and as the

count, standing midway on the plank, looked up, he saw the Elector above

at the open window, nodding to him with friendly gesture, and greeting him

with a cheerful smile.

"That was good for the brazen scoundrel, Fritz Long," called down the

Elector; "how could the rascal dare not to move out of the way for the

Stadtholder?"

"He did right, your Electoral Grace!" called up Schwarzenberg, as he

hastily doffed his gold-edged hat with its waving plumes, and bowed so low

that the tips of the white feathers surmounting the black ones touched the

damp ground.

"Put on your hat, and come up," said the Elector. "It is cold down there."

"Only permit me first, most gracious sir, to do a little act of justice,"

cried Schwarzenberg, turning with a pleasant smile to the electoral

coachman, who stared at him with sullen mien.

"Fritz Long," he said, with amiable condescension--"Fritz Long, you have

acted as became a brave and trusty electoral coachman. You are perfectly

right; you must never drive out of the way, even should the Emperor of the

Holy Roman Empire himself come to visit the Elector. In recognition of

your honesty and truth, accept this present from me."

And the count drew from the side pocket of his richly embroidered vest two

gold pieces, and laid them in the immense hand, gloved in a dirty, yellow

gauntlet, which the Elector's joyfully surprised state coachman reached

out to him. The count again nodded affably to him, and passed through the

palace portal. "I hope," he said to himself, while he slowly ascended the

broad wooden stairs--"I hope that in the next riot my fellows will

properly punish the shameless rascal, and take out the two gold coins I

have given him in little pieces on his broad back."

The Elector advanced as far as the antechamber to meet his beloved

minister, and opened the door himself. "Listen, Schwarzenberg," he said,

with a smile; "you are such a capital man. You know how to help in all

emergencies, and even when they drive you into the deepest mud you know

how to come forth dry-shod and clean."

"Well, I may indeed have learned something of diplomacy and strategy at

the electoral court," answered the minister, at the same time offering

the support of his shoulder to assist the Elector in returning to his

cabinet. "Your grace has summoned me, and I feared lest intelligence of a

disquieting nature had reached your highness, the--"

"Very disquieting intelligence, indeed," sighed the Elector, as he sank

down groaning into his leather armchair. "But I suppose you know it

already. Schlieben is back, and our son comes not with him; he only writes

us a lamentable letter, in which he explains that he can not come home at

this season of the year, and in the present conjunction of the times."

"But that is rebellion!" exclaimed Schwarzenberg warmly; "that is putting

himself in downright opposition to his Sovereign and his father!"

"You look upon it in that light too, then, Schwarzenberg?" asked George

William. "You agree with me that the Electoral Prince has acted like a

disobedient son and disrespectful subject?"

"Oh, my God!" sighed Schwarzenberg; "would that I could not agree with

your highness! Would that an excuse might be found for this conduct of the

Electoral Prince! It is painful to see how boldly the young gentleman

dares to resist the supremacy of his father."

"It is rebellion, is it not?" asked George, his excitement waxing

continually. "We send our own Chamberlain Schlieben to The Hague; we write

our son a letter with our own hand, enjoining him to return home; we,

moreover, inform him verbally through Schlieben of the urgent necessity of

his return, and still our son insists that he will remain at The Hague,

and has the spirit to send Schlieben home without accompanying him."

"That is indeed to put himself in open opposition and rebellion against

his most gracious lord and father. And now your Electoral Highness must

persist in requiring the Electoral Prince to set out and come back."

"He must and shall come back, must he not? The Electress, indeed,

intercedes for him, and would gladly persuade us that we should grant our

son one year's longer sojourn at The Hague, to perfect himself in all

sorts of knowledge."

"Your highness," said Schwarzenberg softly, edging himself closer to the

Elector's ear--"your highness, the Electress knows very well that the

Electoral Prince has something in view at The Hague totally different from

the acquisition of knowledge."

"Well, and what may that be?"

"A marriage, your highness. A marriage with the daughter of the widowed

Electress of the Palatinate--with the fair Ludovicka Hollandine."

"That would indeed he a fine, plausible marriage!" cried the Elector,

starting up. "A Princess of nothing, the daughter of an outlawed Prince,

put under the ban by the Emperor!"

"But this Prince was the Electress's brother. It would be very pleasant to

her grace's tender heart to exalt her prostrate house once more and bring

it into consideration again, and she would therefore gladly see her

brother's daughter some day a reigning Princess. Besides, the future

Electress would then owe her mother-in-law a lifelong debt of gratitude,

and the Dowager Electress might exert great influence and share in the

government of her son."

"Yes, indeed, they all count upon my death," groaned the Elector; "they

all long for the time when I shall be gathered to my fathers. They grudge

me life, although, forsooth, it is no light, enjoyable thing to me, but

has brought me trouble, deprivation, and want enough. But still, they

grudge it to me, and if they could shorten it, would all do so."

"But I, my beloved master and Elector--I stand by you. I have placed it

before myself as my sacred aim in life to guard you as a faithful dog

guards his master, and to turn aside from you all that threatens you with

danger and vexation. The Emperor, too, as your supreme protector, keeps

his benignant eye fixed upon you, his much-loved vassal, and his wrath

would crush all that should endeavor to injure you. There are, indeed,

many here who think that the Elector of Brandenburg ought to make himself

free and independent of that very Emperor, beneficent though he be, and,

because your highness stands in their way, they attach themselves to the

son, and, placing him at their head, wish to constitute him an opponent of

the Emperor and empire. The Electress has probably not yet forgiven and

forgotten that the Emperor put her brother under the ban of the empire,

and banished him from country and friends. And the Prince of Orange, and

the Sovereign States, the Swedes and all the enemies of his Imperial

Highness and your Electoral Grace, would all unite their efforts to render

the Electoral Prince a pliant tool in their hands. Therefore they wish to

detain him yet longer at The Hague, and so to bind him there that he shall

be wholly theirs, linked by an indissoluble chain. On that account they

wish to bring about this marriage with the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine.

I must confide to your highness the information that report has already

bruited it abroad, and that it is spoken of at the imperial court. I have

to-day received dispatches from Vienna which apprise me that the Emperor

is very much opposed to this matrimonial project, and will never give his

consent to it."

"And I, too, shall never give my consent!" screamed the Elector. "I will

not again be brought to feud and strife with Emperor and empire. I will

not range myself on the side of the Emperor's foes, and neither shall my

son. I have always said that the Electoral Prince was staying far too long

in foreign parts, and that he would return an alien. But you would never

agree to it, Adam Schwarzenberg; you always thought that the Electoral

Prince was much better off in his place than here, where the malcontents

and disturbers of the peace would, throng about him, and that he could

only learn what, was good and profitable there, while here he would learn

much that was evil. And now it proves that the air there is much worse for

him still, and that the tempters have more power over him there than here."

"I was blind and short-sighted when I fancied myself wise," replied

Schwarzenberg, in a tone of contrition; "I was presumptuous enough to

suppose I knew better than my Elector and lord, and now acknowledge in

deep abasement how very wrong I was, and how far superior to myself my

noble and beloved Electoral Lord is in penetration and foresight. I crave

your pardon, most gracious sir, crave it in penitence and humiliation."

The proud Count von Schwarzenberg bowed his knee before the Elector, and

with a glance of earnest entreaty pressed his lips to his Sovereign's

hand. George William, flattered and enraptured by this humility on the

part of his almighty favorite, bent forward and imprinted a kiss upon his

lofty forehead.

"Rise, my Adam, rise," he said tenderly. "It does not become the grand

master of the German orders, the rich and distinguished count of the

empire, to kneel before the little Elector, who is not master of an army,

but so poor that he knows not how he shall live and pay his servants; who

has nothing of his possessions but the name, and nothing of his position

but the burden! Stand up, Adam Schwarzenberg, for I love to see you erect

and stately at my side, and to be able to look up to you as to a staff on

which I may lean, and which is strong enough to bear me."

Count Schwarzenberg arose from his knees, and, resting his elbows upon the

high back of the armchair, inclined his head toward the Elector, who

looked up at him with glances of fond affection.

"My lord's coffers, then, are actually empty?" he asked.

"So empty, Adam Schwarzenberg, that my servants can not obtain their

wages, and if a beggar were to accost me on my way to church, I could give

him nothing, because not a florin is to be found in my own purse--so

empty, that our whole project of the Electoral Prince's return threatens

to be wrecked thereby, for our son has incurred debts which we are not

able to liquidate. Schlieben informs us that the debts of the Electoral

Prince amount probably to seven thousand dollars, and, besides that, he

needs at least two thousand dollars more to defray the expenses of his

journey home, together with his retinue, his carriage, and his horses."

"That is indeed a bad business," said the count thoughtfully, "for it is

almost impossible to raise money in these hard times. Nevertheless a

remedy shall and must be found, provided that my most gracious Sovereign

will condescend to accept aid from his most humble servant and retainer."

"What say you, Adam? You will help me again?" asked the Elector. "Twice

you have rescued me already from want, and supported my poverty with your

wealth. I am your debtor, your insolvent debtor, who pays no interest, to

say nothing of the capital."

"But like a magnanimous, high-spirited gentleman, always give the greater

for the less," cried Schwarzenberg, smiling. "It is true I had the good

fortune to be able to lend your highness a hundred thousand dollars on two

occasions, but your highness gave me in pledge two fair domains in Cleves,

which surely would be worth more than the sum lent if they should be sold."

"But nobody would buy them now because war and pestilence rage there, and

no one knows who is master there. I give them to you, however, these

domains of Huissen and Neustadt: from this very hour they are yours, and I

shall forthwith make out for you a deed of donation."

"Oh, my most revered sir, how kind and generous you are!" said

Schwarzenberg, "and how you shame me with your magnanimity and goodness!

With grateful and submissive heart I accept your gift, and shall this very

day tear to pieces both the bonds, and lay them at your Electoral

Highness's feet."

"By no means, Adam," said the Elector, almost indignantly, "for then I

should not have presented you with Huissen and Neustadt, but you would

have paid for them!"

"Then, at least, let me add now another sum, most honored sir, and

condescend to accept from me fifty thousand dollars without writing an

acknowledgement of debt."

"Will you lend me fifty thousand dollars?" asked the Elector, joyfully

surprised.

"I received important remittances of money from my mastership Sonnenburg,

and have also saved something from my estates," said the count. "It is

true for the time being I have nothing left for myself, but it is better

that the servant should suffer privation than his lord. I shall have the

honor of transmitting to your highness this very day the fifty thousand

dollars in specie and reliable bills of exchange."

"And I shall immediately write you a receipt for them with my own hand,"

cried the Elector, hastening with youthful speed to his writing table, and

grasping paper and pen. With alacrity he dashed off a few words on the

paper, moistened a great wafer, laid paper over it, and, pasting it

beneath the writing, pressed his great signet upon it.

"There is the deed," he said; "take it, Schwarzenberg, and send me the

money."

But the count refused the proffered paper, smilingly waving it off with

his hand, while reverentially taking one step backward.

"First the money and then the deed," he said; "all must be in order,

gracious sir, and you shall not acknowledge yourself a debtor ere you have

received your money."

"Oh! how well I feel all at once!" cried the Elector, "and what a free,

glad consciousness I have again in no longer feeling myself a poor debtor,

but once more knowing that I have money in my pockets. Now we will give

orders for our servants to be paid off; then we will pay the Electoral

Prince's debts, and send him money for his traveling expenses, that he may

come home and have no pretext for refusal and delay."

"Your highness ought to send another chamberlain to persuade the Electoral

Prince in a friendly manner to return," said the count. "There is, for

example, Herr von Marwitz, a peculiarly polished and clever gentleman, and

in good standing with the Electress and all favorers of the Swedes, but

withal a faithful servant of his honored lord."

"Yes, Marwitz shall set off for The Hague, and to-day, too," replied the

Elector, with animation. "Marwitz shall bring back my son to me, and I

shall exhort and command him under penalty of my wrath to take no excuses

whatever, and to enter into no further explanations. He shall pay his

debts, take my son money for his journey, and say to the Electoral Prince

that my accumulated wrath as father and Elector will fall upon and crush

him if he does not now obey me. I will have an obedient and submissive

son, with whom my will is law, else it were better that I had no son! This

very day Marwitz shall set out."

"I beg the favor of your Electoral Highness to defer the departure of the

Chamberlain von Marwitz until to-morrow," pleaded the count. "Your grace

will without doubt desire to write a few words to your son; the Electress,

too, will doubtless avail herself of the opportunity to communicate with

her son and dear relatives; and I also have a few dispatches to prepare

for our envoys there. Most humbly, therefore, I beseech you that Marwitz

may not commence his journey to The Hague until to-morrow or the day

after."

"To-morrow then be it, Adam, to-morrow he must start."

"Then your highness and the Electress must prepare your letters to-day,

and--candidly speaking, I had a great request to make of your Electoral

Grace. I have arranged a little hunting party for to-day, and would esteem

it an especial favor if your highness would do me the honor to take part

in it."

"I shall do so gladly, most gladly!" cried George William, delighted. "I

could desire no more pleasant diversion for the present day than a little

hunting party, and you know that well, Adam, and understand splendidly how

to guess at my wishes. Yes, we shall hunt--but I have no dogs. Mine were

all left behind in Prussian, and the head huntsman informs me that the

pack of dogs in this place is in very bad condition. I want a hunter and a

strong fellow, such a capital boarhound as I have long wished for but have

never been able to find."

"I hope that I have found such an one for your highness," said the count,

smiling. "I have had inquiries instituted everywhere, and learned that

there was a capital animal at Stargard, in Pomerania. I immediately

dispatched a special messenger to Herr von Schwiebus, to whom the animal

belongs, and in your highness's name asked the purchase price of the

boarhound, and requested that they would send the creature along for your

inspection."

"And he is here, the boarhound?" asked the Elector, with sparkling eyes.

"Adam, you do indeed understand how to rejoice my heart and guess my

wishes. Where is the boarhound? Let me see him."

"Most gracious sir, Herr von Schwiebus seems perfectly wrapped up in this

animal, and at first would not hear at all of parting with him; indeed, he

was quite angry with Count Henkel for having told me of his precious

possession. Only when he heard that it was your Electoral Grace who wished

to make the purchase, he softened down a little, and sent a picture which

he has had taken of his favorite, in order that your highness might form

an idea of the animal and decide whether it would really please you."

"Have you the picture with you, Adam?" asked the Elector eagerly.

The count hurried to the door and took from the little table standing

there a roll of paper, which he had laid there on his entrance. He

unfolded it, spread it out on a table, and on each corner of the paper

placed a weight.

"I entreat your highness just to observe the portrait of the beautiful

animal," he begged.

The Elector hastily approached, and an expression of joyful surprise

escaped from his lips at the sight of this picture, which, executed with

tolerable artistic skill in water colors, represented a large and finely

shaped hound, with massive head, clipped ears, and long tail.

"Adam, that is a wonderful animal!" cried the Elector, after a pause of

mute rapture. "That boarhound I must have, let it cost what it will. Tell

me the price, Adam, the price for this divine creature."

"Most gracious Elector, Herr von Schwiebus seems to be a queer fellow. He

said the dog would not seem dear to him in exchange for all the money in

the world. If, however, your highness insisted upon buying him, he would

give him up on condition that in payment for the dog he might cut down in

the electoral forests three thousand trees of his own selection."[16]

"He shall have his price, yes, he shall have it!" cried the Elector, his

eyes fixed immovably upon the portrait. "Send forthwith a courier from me

to Herr von Schwiebus, and have him notified that I buy the boarhound for

three thousand trees, which he may select and fell from my Letzling

forest. He shall, conformably with his terms, immediately send me the

boarhound. Make haste, Adam, and attend to this matter for me; I long so

to have the beautiful creature here. And as regards the Electoral Prince,

we will put off Marwitz's departure until the day after to-morrow, for we

shall not have time for letter writing to-day on account of the hunting

party, and that will occasion the delay of one more day."

VI.--REVELATIONS.

"Not until the day after to-morrow will Marwitz set out on his journey,"

said Count Schwarzenberg contentedly to himself, when he had left the

Elector, and was once more alone in his own cabinet. "Not until the day

after to-morrow! So Gabriel Nietzel will have three days the start of him,

and, moreover, he can travel more rapidly. The only thing to be considered

now is, what shall be the nature of his errand there? We shall at once

deliberate as to what will be best!"

Long did he pace the floor of his cabinet with bowed head and arms crossed

upon his chest; then all of a sudden he whistled for his valet, and

ordered him to look for Master Gabriel Nietzel, and to bring him in at

once.

"Your grace," replied the valet, "Master Nietzel has just come into the

antechamber, and requests an audience of you."

"Admit him. But first I have a few tasks to give you. Listen!" he beckoned

the valet to come nearer, and softly and hurriedly communicated his

instructions. "And now," he concluded, "now let the master enter, and then

make haste to do what I have told you."

"Well," cried the count, when a few minutes later Gabriel Nietzel entered

the cabinet--"well, now tell me, master, what brings you here so early. My

appointment with you was not until this evening."

"Forgive me, your excellency, but in the joy of my heart I thought you

might perhaps bestow a moment upon me. I only wished to let your

excellency know that it has turned out exactly as I hoped. I communicated

to the Electress my purpose of making an artist's tour into Holland. Her

highness seemed highly delighted at the idea, and gave me an open note to

the Electoral Prince, introducing me to her son as a skillful portrait

painter."

"Just show me this note."

The painter handed him a small, neatly folded paper, which the count tore

open and perused with a rapid glance.

"Nothing more, in fact, than a very warm recommendation," he said. "And

this is all?"

"No, your excellency, the best part is yet to come. The Electress has

appointed me her court painter. I receive the same salary as the recently

deceased court painter, Mathias Ezizeken, namely, a yearly income of fifty

dollars, board and rent free, with two suits of new clothes annually." [17]

"Now, indeed, you may well be content," laughed the count; "that is truly

a magnificent appointment, and henceforth you become a prominent man at

court here! But tell me, master, do you still accept in addition the

little stipend I have allotted you?"

"Your excellency, I esteem myself happy indeed that your grace has granted

it to me."

"And my treasurer has paid out to you the three thousand ducats?"

"Yes, your excellency, he has paid them out to me, and I am now released

from all cares."

"You have only one care left, master," said Count Schwarzenberg--"this one

care, that I may some day denounce you as a shameful deceiver, who has

sold me a bad copy of his own manufacture for an original, and be assured

that this deception may bring you to the gallows at any time if I choose

it."

"But, most gracious sir," stammered the painter, pale as death, "I thought

you had forgiven me, and--"

"Forgiven, so long as you are a faithful and obedient servant," replied

the count, in a severe tone--"forgiven, so long as I can count upon your

submission; but forget, that I shall never do. And at the slightest

mistake, the least resistance to my commands, I shall remember what a

cheat and good-for-nothing you are, and take back my forgiveness. You have

the three thousand ducats, but you have not yet given a receipt for them.

Sit you down there at my table and write the receipt. I will dictate it to

you myself."

Like an obedient slave Gabriel Nietzel slunk to the table, sank down

before it, took the pen which the count handed him, and placed it on the

paper put before him.

"Write," ordered the count, and with loud voice he dictated: "I, Gabriel

Nietzel, painter by profession, hereby affirm that I have this day

received from his excellency the Stadtholder in the Mark, Count

Schwarzenberg, the sum of three thousand ducats in ready money. This money

is the price paid for a painting by Titiano Vecellio, representing the

goddess of beauty with a Cupid, who presents Venus her looking-glass. I

bought this picture at Cremona for two thousand ducats, and I vow and

swear upon my conscience and by all that I hold sacred that this painting,

which I have sold to the count for an original painting, is actually an

original painting by Titiano Vecellio's own hand."

"Now, master, why do you hesitate? Why do you not write?"

"Oh, sir, have some pity upon me!" groaned the painter. "I can not write

that. I can not swear that it is an original by all I hold sacred."

"Why, what does it signify?" laughed the count; "paper is lenient. The

advantage to me is only that I can by means of this receipt prove to

connoisseurs and picture lovers that I have bought an original painting

from you. For the rest, if you will not write, why then, very good. I

shall have you arrested on the spot, inform the Electress of what a

deceiver you are, have the three thousand ducats forthwith taken away

again, and keep you in prison until the suit is made out against you; then

you shall be hung conformably with law and usage."

"Mercy, your excellency, mercy!" gasped Nietzel. "I am writing even now!"

And with trembling hands he completed the receipt, and, on the count's

further command, subscribed his name.

Schwarzenberg read it over attentively. "This is a document, my dear

painter," he said, smiling, "that may some day bring you to the gallows,

for, only see, I have other confirmatory evidence."

From a casket on his table he drew forth a roll of parchment, to which

were attached two great seals, hanging by silken strings, and while he

unrolled it he beckoned the painter to come near. "See," he said, "this is

a testimonial which I have had made out for me at Venice by the Duke di

Grimani, affirming that Titian's Venus is his property, and that you spent

three months in his palace painting a copy of the original. You see well,

dear court-painter Nietzel, that you are completely in my hands, and that

I can have you strung up at any time, for the Stadtholder makes short work

of cheats and perjurers, and sends them off to the gallows, where they

belong! Now say, master, will you to the gallows or will you live in honor

and joy as the Electress's court painter and my secret pensioner, my open

foe? I give you free choice. Make your own unbiased decision."

"I have no longer any choice," groaned Gabriel Nietzel. "Your excellency

well knows that I have no choice. I love life; I have not courage to die,

therefore I am your slave."

"Not at all; you are court painter to her highness the Electress, and

shall retain your office if you behave yourself wisely and discreetly.

This very day you set out on your journey to Holland."

A flash of joy gleamed in the painter's eyes, and his brow cleared. The

count remarked it and laughed aloud.

"Oh, my dear! I guess your thoughts," he cried. "You think that when you

are in Holland I can no longer reach you, and you will take good care not

to put yourself in my power again. But know that my arm is far-reaching,

and that I have spies and agents everywhere, who are very devoted to me

because I pay them well. They will find you out wherever you are, and no

jurisdiction would refuse delivering up to me a criminal if I demanded

him. But besides that, Master Gabriel Nietzel, I hold here a sure pledge

for your valuable person."

"What sort of pledge does your excellency mean?" inquired Nietzel

anxiously.

"Why, I mean the fair Rebecca, whom you brought with you from the Ghetto

of Venice, and whom it pleases you here to give out to be your wife,

married at Venice. I hope, however, that you have not committed so heinous

a sin as to take a Jewess to wife, for then you should not escape with the

gallows, but should be burned at the stake with your cursed Jewess, your

bold paramour."

Master Nietzel answered not a word. With a loud groan he sank upon a

chair, and covered his face with both his hands, weeping aloud.

"Your fair Rebecca stays behind here with your boy," continued Count

Schwarzenberg; "and that she may be in perfect safety and never lack for

my protection, I shall have her brought to Spandow, my usual place of

residence. There she shall live, well watched and cared for, and there

remain until your return. If, however, you have then proved yourself to be

a good and obedient servant, I will myself restore to you your Rebecca,

and nobody shall dare to molest you."

"Tell me what I have to do, your excellency," said the painter, with cold,

desperate decision. "I am ready and willing for everything, for I love my

Rebecca and my son, and I will deserve them."

"And it will not be made hard for you, master. You go, then, to Holland,

introduce yourself to the Electoral Prince through the Electress's letter

of recommendation, and try to make yourself as agreeable and charming to

him as possible. When you have succeeded in that, lament to him that life

in Holland does not suit you at all, that you are homesick, and entreat

most earnestly that the Electoral Prince include you in his traveling

suite. This he will naturally do, and you will accompany him on his

journey home. Have you understood me, and paid good heed to all my words,

Master Nietzel?"

"Yes, your excellency, I have noted each word."

"And you have found without doubt that it is by no means a difficult thing

that I require of you. But the journey back, Master Nietzel, the journey

back is a very dangerous and bad affair. You know, so many freebooters

rove about everywhere, and Westphalia especially is swarming with Swedes

and Hessians. If such a troop of soldiers knew beforehand that the

Electoral Prince was coming that way, they would certainly lie in wait for

him and fall upon him, either for purposes of plunder or in order to carry

him off and extort a high ransom for him. The Electoral Prince will not

passively submit to capture, but will resist; a battle will ensue, and

then it might easily happen that in the heat of conflict a dagger should

pierce the Prince or a ball go through his head. Those Swedes and Hessians

are wild, fierce soldiers, and the Prince is in perpetual danger,

especially in Westphalia. You must represent this to the Electoral Prince,

and, to prove to him your zeal and love, you will entreat permission

always to go a few hours in advance of him to make sure that the way is

free and the Electoral Prince is threatened by no danger. He will

therefore each morning acquaint you with the course of his route, and

where to arrange night quarters for him, and the point where you shall

rejoin him again. You are to precede the Electoral Prince as courier, and

if, some day, he should be attacked at a wild spot on the road by a troop

of Swedish or Hessian soldiery, robbed, taken prisoner, or even killed,

that is no fault of yours, and no one could blame you on that account, for

you have proved and evidenced your zeal in the most striking manner. You

have comprehended me, Master Nietzel? Have you paid good heed to my words?"

"Yes, your excellency, I have paid good heed, and understood everything

well," returned Master Gabriel, on whose brow the sweat stood in great

drops.

"Well, I have only this to add: Should the unfortunate accident really

happen that the Electoral Prince is attacked by robbers and killed in

Westphalia or somewhere else, then look to it, that you be found that day

among his defenders, and bear off as token some wound received--for

instance, a sabre thrust on the right arm. With this true sign of your

valor and your faithfulness come here to Berlin, and be assured that no

one shall dare to suspect you when he witnesses your grief and especially

your sabre thrust. It need be no deep wound, and surely the fair Rebecca

has a healing balm which she can apply to you. Besides, the Electress will

protect you, and be certain that I will stand by you with all my might and

influence. And now, master, we have concluded all our business, and you

will set out in an hour. I permit you, however, first to take leave of

your fair Rebecca and the pretty child. Only, you must not be alone again

with the beautiful woman, and therefore I have given orders that your wife

and son be brought here. You will be pleased to stay so long at my

chamberlain's house; luncheon shall be served there for yourself and your

family, and you can take it in the presence of my chamberlain. I have

already imparted to you the needed commands, and taken care to have your

wife and child fetched directly here. A vehicle is also prepared, ready to

convey your wife to Spandow; I have a good, trustworthy housekeeper in my

house there, and with her the two can dwell, and shall want for nothing,

except it be yourself."

"Most gracious sir," said Gabriel Nietzel, with an expression of deep

anguish, "I love my wife and child above everything, and am prepared to

suffer and endure everything for them. But if I returned home and found my

wife sick, or dead, or, what were yet worse, found her--

"Well, why do you hesitate, master? Faithless, found her faithless, would

you say--well, what then?"

"Well, then life would have no value at all to me," said Gabriel Nietzel

firmly and decidedly. "Then would it be quite indifferent to me whether I

were hanged or burned; then would I desire nothing but to die, and--before

my death to avenge myself."

"Ah! I understand you quite well, master, and know you well. You please me

uncommonly with your energetic defiance and your hidden threat. In return

I, too, will give you an open, candid answer. Master Gabriel Nietzel, I am

no enamored fool, who runs after every apronstring, or generally takes any

special pleasure in women. I have neither time nor inclination for that,

and leave such things to the young, the idle, and men who have no ambition

and no head, but only a heart. I, Master Gabriel, have no heart at all, or

at least none now any longer, and I herewith give you my word of honor as

a nobleman and gentleman that your lovely Rebecca has nothing to dread

from me. On the contrary, I shall have her watched and guarded, as if she

were a ward intrusted to me, for whose honor I held myself responsible."

"I thank your excellency--I thank you with my whole heart," said Gabriel

Nietzel, breathing more freely; "and now you shall find me ready and

willing to execute your commands faithfully and punctiliously."

"It rejoices me, master, it rejoices me to see what a tender husband, or

rather lover, you are. I repeat to you, you need feel no anxiety about

your Rebecca. She will find herself quite secure in my society, while I

fear that the Electoral Prince will have but little safety in your

society, but be very often in danger."

"I fear so, too, your excellency," said Gabriel Nietzel, with a feeble

effort to smile.

"But a good old proverb has it, 'All they that take the sword shall perish

by the sword,'" continued the count. "It is not your fault, master, if the

Electoral Prince does not know this proverb. Now farewell, master, and be

of good courage, for another good proverb says, 'Fortune smiles on the

brave.' Go now, master, my chamberlain awaits you in the antechamber."

"I am going, your excellency," said Gabriel Nietzel humbly. "May almighty

God be with us all, and guard my wife and child!"

He bowed low and reverentially, then strode hastily toward the door.

"Gabriel Nietzel, one word more!" called out the count, as the painter

stood with his hand already upon the door knob. He turned and slowly came

back. "Master Gabriel Nietzel," continued the count, with a mocking laugh,

"be so good as to give me the Electress's letter."

The painter drew forth his leather pocketbook, took out the open letter of

recommendation, and handed it to the count.

But the latter smilingly rejected it. "You may keep that, master; I have

already read that. The other, the second missive from the Electress, you

must give me."

Gabriel Nietzel shrank back, and gazed into the count's large, glittering

eyes.

"The other writing," he murmured, "the second writing?"

"Why, yes, master, that secret writing, which you have naturally promised

to shield with the last drop of your blood, and to hand inviolate into the

hands of the Electoral Prince. My God! we know how often such oaths are

made, and that hardly one has ever been kept. You have not been made court

painter for nothing, with your salary of fifty dollars, free rent, and two

suits of clothes. You must give something in return. Give me that second

writing of the Electress, the one which you have sworn to hand only to the

Electoral Prince; or rather, no, you shall not forswear yourself. Just

tell me where you have stuck it, and I shall take it for myself."

"Your excellency, it sticks in my left breast pocket," whispered Gabriel

Nietzel. The count laughed aloud, and with one movement drew forth from

Master Gabriel's left breast pocket a small packet, wound round with

silken strings. With cautious hand, extremely solicitous not to break the

string, he untied it, and took out the paper found beneath. Within this,

indeed, lay a small, well-sealed letter.

"'To my dear son, the Electoral Prince Frederick William,'" read the

count, with loud voice. "You see, I was not mistaken. It is the

Electress's handwriting, and it is directed to the Electoral Prince."

"And I have solemnly sworn to give it into no other hands than his,"

murmured the painter.

"You shall keep your oath, Master Gabriel. Now go into the antechamber. My

chamberlain awaits you there, and perhaps your fair Rebecca is also there

already!"

"But my letter, your excellency--shall I not have my letter again?"

"Certainly, master, you shall have it again. In a half hour I shall come

out myself and give it to you. Oh, fear nothing. The Prince will not

suspect that any strange hand has touched it. Indeed, it concerns me very

nearly that the Electoral Prince should put confidence in you, and be

convinced of your honesty and good faith. Go now, master, I shall bring

the secret epistle back to you unscathed, and put it again into your left

breast pocket."

When Master Gabriel Nietzel had crept out slowly and sorrowfully, the

count hastened to his writing table, took up flint, tinder, and steel, and

made the sparks fly until one fired the tinder and made it glow. Now he

held a splinter of wood to the glowing tinder, and by its flame lighted

the wax taper in the golden candlestick. Then he quickly fetched, from a

secret drawer of his writing table, a small knife with a fine thin blade,

heated this at the light, and carefully and adroitly slipped it under the

great electoral seal, which he carefully detached from the letter. He laid

it carefully upon a small marble slab, and opened the letter. It was a

very long, confidential communication from the Electress to her beloved

son. With closest attention the count read it twice, and then with great

pains folded it up again.

"It is just as I thought," he said softly to himself: "the Electress

wishes the longer absence of her son. She intimates to him that she will

not be displeased if he marries there, and even promises that she will

soften his father's wrath. She counsels him not to come here, and warns

him against the evil spirit who has ensnared his father's heart, and

surely aims at the life of her dear and noble son. Well, it must be

confessed, the Electress is on the right trail. Her mother's instinct

gives her insight into the future, and makes her a prophetess. I know it

very well, Electress: we two have never loved one another, and have

carried on a bitter warfare against each other for twenty years, in

which, however, God be thanked, Schwarzenberg has always come off

victorious. I hope, too, it will continue to be so, and this letter will

furnish me with a good weapon. I shall take a copy of it. Who knows what

use I may make of it one of these days, and out of this paper fashion a

dagger which may turn against the writer and against the receiver, if it

reaches the hands of the Electoral Prince. Yes, I shall take a copy, and

then restore the original to its envelope and affix the seal. And Master

Gabriel shall take it to you, my dear Prince. Oh, take heed, and be upon

your guard, Frederick William, for your respected mother is right. I am

your evil spirit, and I can only stand if you fall; therefore, fall you

must! Oh, I have learned much to-day, and received many a good lesson. 'It

is better,' so said the Elector to me--'it is better that I have no son

than a disobedient son, who resists my will.' But he shall resist you,

Elector George William--he will be disobedient to you, and I shall do my

part toward making him so. Then how said Count Lesle: 'If the son becomes

the father's enemy, then it must be contrived to render the father the

son's enemy; thus will the equilibrium be preserved.' Oh, my dear Count

Lesle, I know very well the history of Philip of Spain and his disobedient

and rebellious son Don Carlos. Take care, take care, Electoral Prince

Frederick William, that you share not the fate of Don Carlos, and that

your father punish you not as King Philip did his son!"