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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13295 ***
+
+THE YOUTH OF THE GREAT ELECTOR
+
+An Historical Romance
+
+BY
+
+L. MÃœHLBACH
+
+AUTHOR OF JOSEPH II. AND HIS COURT, FREDERICK THE GREAT AND HIS COURT,
+LOUISA OF PRUSSIA AND HER TIMES, HENRY VIII. AND HIS COURT, ETC.
+
+TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN
+BY MARY STUART SMITH
+
+
+
+1909
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+BOOK I.
+
+I. GEORGE WILLIAM, THE ELECTOR
+II. EVIL TIDINGS
+III. COUNT ADAM VON SCHWARZENBERG
+IV. SOLDIERS AND DIPLOMATISTS
+V. THE ELECTOR AND HIS FAVORITE
+VI. REVELATIONS
+
+
+BOOK II.
+
+I. THE DOUBLE RENDEZVOUS
+II. THE ELECTORAL PRINCE
+III. THE WARNING
+IV. AN IDYL
+V. MEDIA NOCTE
+VI. THE HARDEST VICTORY
+
+
+BOOK III.
+
+I. NEW PLANS
+II. COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWARZENBERG
+III. THE HOME-COMING
+IV. THE DONATION
+V. BRUTUS
+VI. REBECCA
+VII. THE OFFER
+VIII. THE BANQUET
+IX. LOVE'S SACRIFICE
+X. THE WHITE LADY
+XI. THE PURSUIT
+XII. THE DEPARTURE
+
+
+BOOK IV.
+
+I. THE YOUTHFUL SOVEREIGN
+II. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
+III. DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS
+IV. CONFIRMED IN POWER
+V. THE CATASTROPHE
+VI. REVENGE
+VII. THE SEALING OF THE DOCUMENTS
+VIII. THE FLIGHT
+IX. THE LETTER
+X. A SECRET AUDIENCE
+XI. MEETING AND PARTING
+XII. THE INVESTITURE AT WARSAW
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+
+Portrait of George William, Elector of Brandenburg
+
+The Jewess in her Bridal Dress
+
+Robbery of Peasants
+
+Portrait of Wladislaus IV, King of Poland
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: George William, Elector of Brandenburg.
+From an engraving by H. Jacopsen]
+
+THE YOUTH OF THE GREAT ELECTOR.
+
+THE HEIR TO THE THRONE.
+
+BOOK I.
+
+I.--GEORGE WILLIAM, THE ELECTOR.
+
+
+With hasty strides George William, the Elector, paced to and fro the
+length of his cabinet. His features wore a dark, agitated expression, his
+blue eyes flashed with indignation and wrath; his hands were folded behind
+his back, as if he would shut out from sight the paper they held with so
+firm a grasp, and which he had crumpled within his fist, until it bore
+greater resemblance to a ball than a letter. Yet he _must_ look at it once
+more--that unfortunate epistle, which had stirred within him such a
+tempest of fury; he _must_ withdraw his hands from his back, and again
+unfold the paper, for nothing else would satisfy his rage.
+
+"Would that I could thus crush between my hands the insolent, seditious
+authors of this letter!" he murmured, as with a sigh he smoothed the paper
+and read it over. "I see it plainly," he said then to himself; "with right
+unworthy motive, these lords of the duchy of Cleves intend to vex and
+mortify me. To ask me to give them the Electoral Prince for their
+stadtholder, to fix his residence among them! That were a fine story
+forsooth, to send our son away, that he, too, may perchance rebel against
+us. It is an abominable thing, which I shall never suffer, and I shall
+forwith give them my mind on the subject."
+
+He stepped up to the great table of carved oak-wood, took from it a silver
+whistle, and gave a loud shrill call.
+
+"Are the deputies from the duchy of Cleves already in the antechamber?" he
+asked of the servant who appeared.
+
+"Yes, your Electoral Highness, they are there."
+
+"Let them come in! Be quick!"
+
+The lackey stepped back, threw open the folding doors, beckoned into the
+entrance hall, and with loud voice announced: "The lords of the duchy of
+Cleves to wait upon his Electoral Highness."
+
+Four gentlemen entered, attired in gorgeous, richly embroidered uniforms.
+They bowed low and most respectfully before the Elector.
+
+George William did not acknowledge this reverential greeting by the
+slightest inclination of his head, but looked with contracted brow and
+threatening eyes at the envoys, who had now again lifted up their heads,
+and met with tranquillity and composure the wrathful glances of the lord
+of the land, while they seemed to await his permission to penetrate
+farther into the apartment, and to approach him.
+
+But this permission the Elector did not accord them. He left them standing
+like humble dependents near the door, and went toward them with long,
+menacing strides.
+
+"You are the lords from Cleves, who have come to present me this memorial
+in behalf of the estates?" asked George William in a harsh voice.
+
+"Gracious Elector," answered one of the gentlemen, "we were sent hither,
+in the name of the states of the duchy of Cleves, to present to you in
+person their wishes and requests. But since your Electoral Highness would
+not have the kindness to grant us an audience, but referred us to your
+minister, his excellency Count Schwarzenberg, we have preferred to intrude
+upon your Electoral Highness with a written document, in order that your
+highness might be made acquainted with the desires and petitions of the
+duchy of Cleves by means of our own writing, rather than by the mouth of
+his excellency your minister."
+
+"It pleases you, gentlemen, to impugn the character of my minister, Count
+Schwarzenberg?" asked the Elector. "You would insinuate that he might
+represent things differently from what they actually are? I give you to
+know, though, that Schwarzenberg is a servant singularly true and devoted
+to his Elector, and that I have much more reason to trust him than the
+estates of the duchy of Cleves, who have dared to make known to me through
+you their strange requests. I have had you summoned now in order to have
+confirmed by you orally what is stated in this paper, for it seems to me
+nothing less than sheer impossibility that the estates should venture to
+propose to their liege lord what you have proposed. Repeat to me,
+therefore, by word of mouth the demands of the states of Cleves, then I
+will return you my answer. Which of you is spokesman?"
+
+"I, Baron van Velsen, your Electoral Highness."
+
+"A Dutch name, as it seems to me."
+
+"My family came originally from Holland, but settled in the duchy of
+Cleves fifty years ago."
+
+"Speak then, Baron van Velsen. I am ready to hear you."
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, the states of the duchy of Cleves send us to
+seek succor from you their liege lord in this time of their necessity and
+distress. On all sides we are oppressed by soldiers, and perpetually in
+danger of being seized and consumed by one or other of the contending
+potentates, princes, and lords. In the Netherlands the contest is still
+going on between the States and the Spaniards, and daily threatens to
+involve us in the calamities and perils of war, and equally alarming to us
+is the neighborhood of the Imperial and Swedish troops. Oppressed by all,
+downtrodden by all, there is only one assured means of deliverance. It is
+this, that your highness nominate the Electoral Prince stadtholder of the
+duchy of Cleves, and permit him to take up his residence among the trusty
+people of Cleves."
+
+"Just tell me, you wise and prudent deputies from Cleves, what advantage
+can accrue to you from the stadtholdership of the Electoral Prince?" asked
+the Elector hastily. "And how far would that go in furnishing redress for
+your difficulties?"
+
+"So far as this, your highness, that our stadtholder would shield and
+protect us against the encroachments of inimical powers, and by his openly
+expressed neutrality secure us against the claims of all parties. The
+salvation of the duchy depends wholly and solely upon our having a neutral
+chief resident among us, and we beseech and implore your Electoral
+Highness to grant us such an one in the Electoral Prince, and to send his
+lordship your son to the duchy armed with plenipotentiary powers.[1] It is
+for the second time that the states of Cleves appeal with this earnest,
+humble entreaty to the heart of their liege lord, and most urgently we beg
+that this time we may have a hearing."
+
+"Are you done, or have you anything further to say?" asked the Elector
+impatiently.
+
+"Your highness, only this have we to say besides, that the Prince of
+Orange has promised to support our petition to your Electoral Highness,
+and that he also is of opinion that the welfare of Cleves depends upon her
+possessing a ruler, resident in the land and neutral."
+
+"The Prince of Orange has only written to me that the states of Cleves
+were of this mind, and had besought him to introduce it to my favorable
+notice," exclaimed the Elector warmly. "Since you are now through with
+your repeated suit, and have nothing more to say, I will give you my
+answer without delay. But you might have known beforehand--you might have
+been sure that if a sovereign has once made his subjects acquainted with
+his wishes and opinions, he can not be influenced and made to swerve in
+purpose by renewed application, but that he holds to what he has once
+determined upon. And so I tell you now for the second time, that I can not
+grant their petition to the states of Cleves. In the first place, because
+I will not have the Electoral Prince longer separated from me, since he
+has already been absent from here three years, and in these troublous
+times we wish to have our son near us. In the second place, the presence
+of the Electoral Prince in Cleves might not have the wished-for result. It
+is rather to be feared that those in opposition to the Emperor's majesty
+and the empire will not accommodate themselves to the strict treaty of
+peace, nor forbear making aggression upon the Electoral Prince's lands,
+and pay so little regard to the person and presence of the Prince that his
+safety perhaps might be imperiled. But, in the third place," continued
+the Elector with raised voice--"but, in the third place, I can not grant
+your request because such repeated demands almost force us to the
+conclusion that you are weary and disgusted with our rule, and therefore
+would seek to make of our son a sovereign lord, thus inciting the son to
+offer opposition to his own father."[2]
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," cried the Lord van Velsen, "I swear that it
+never crossed our minds, we--"
+
+"Silence! I gave you no leave to speak!" thundered the Elector. "This is
+now our final decision. We have taken it in ill part that you have
+reiterated your request, and have even approached the Electoral Prince
+himself on the subject, as if the son durst decide anything or act,
+without reference to his father and lord, since he is bound to be an
+obedient subject, as all the rest of you. Communicate this to the states
+of the duchy of Cleves, and herewith you are dismissed."
+
+And, without one gracious salutation or further token of dismissal, the
+Elector turned on his heel, and slowly traversed the spacious apartment,
+leaning upon his staff. The lords looked after him with dark, resentful
+glances; then, seeing that he had indeed spoken his last word, they slunk
+away softly, but with bitter hatred in their hearts.
+
+The Elector heard the door close behind them, and again turned round.
+
+"I have paid them off," he said, drawing a deep breath, "I have told them
+what I agreed with Schwarzenberg to say. I hope, too, that his Imperial
+Majesty will hear of this, and recognize in it my purpose to adhere firmly
+to the terms of the treaty of peace concluded at Prague and to his
+Imperial Majesty. The Swedes and the Protestant party once renounced, I am
+the Emperor's friend, and so will abide. Amen!"
+
+Again the door opened, and the old lackey announced: "The deputation from
+the townsmen of the cities of Berlin and Cologne request an audience with
+your Electoral Grace."
+
+The Elector gave the order for them to enter, while he let himself sink
+into a high-backed, leather-covered armchair, for his gouty foot pained
+him.
+
+The deputation of citizens had meanwhile entered, and lightly, on tiptoe,
+these men, with pale faces and sad countenances, passed through the
+apartment toward the armchair of the Elector, who sat with his back to
+them. Quite a strange, dismal appearance they presented, in their long
+black gowns and broad white collars plaited around the neck. They would
+have been taken, not for burgers of the two first cities of the land, but
+for gravediggers and undertakers, who had come here in the discharge of
+their melancholy offices.
+
+When George William heard the approaching steps of the burgers, he gave
+his chair a sudden push, so that it turned upon its strong rollers, and
+thus gave to the men the benefit of his Electorial countenance.
+
+Forthwith the burgers sank upon their knees, and imploringly stretched out
+their hands toward the Prince.
+
+"Wherefore have you come and what will you have of me?" inquired the
+Elector in a severe voice.
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, we have been informed by the magistrate that
+your grace was angry with the corporations of Berlin and Cologne because
+we ventured, in our anxiety and distress, to have recourse to our own
+liege lord, and to implore in a petition his support and protection."
+
+"How could you dare to do such a thing? Did you not know that the Count
+von Schwarzenberg had been appointed by me stadtholder within the Mark,
+and that to him alone you should have gone with your complaints and
+grievances?"
+
+"But we knew, besides, that our despair had reached its height, and that
+we longed for the protection and presence of our own Sovereign, as weak,
+delicate children long for the sight of a strong, tender parent. Therefore
+have the united corporations of the cities of Berlin and Cologne
+determined to send a memorial in writing to your Electoral Highness, to
+conjure our liege lord not to deal with us as step-children, since we are
+children of one and the same father, and inferior to the Prussians neither
+in love nor obedience, but only more visited by misfortune and the
+calamities of war. But on this account we implored our hereditary
+Sovereign most graciously to turn his eye upon us, and to come to our aid,
+since we stood in such great need of his help and his protecting arm.
+This, Electoral Highness and most gracious lord, this is our sole crime.
+We longed after the presence of our Sovereign, in his own most sacred
+person, and told him so."
+
+"But in what way have you presumed to speak?" cried the Elector with
+vehemence. "Not as in reverence and duty bound, but as if you would
+reproach us! What a rude expression is this when you say, in your
+petition, that you hope we shall no longer leave the Markgraviates as
+sheep without shepherd, just as if we would hand you over without
+protection to the free will and power of the enemy? Most probably those
+honorable citizens, the tailors and shoemakers, drew up this famous
+writing, but they would have done better to take into their counsel their
+priest, or at least a schoolmaster, because he could have enlightened them
+as to the proper style of address for obedient, submissive citizens to
+assume in writing to their Sovereign. I have always been an indulgent
+ruler, who continually cared for your best interests. If matters do not go
+so well with you, it is your own fault, because you would never carry out
+my intentions, which I made you acquainted with and urged upon you long
+years ago. For have we not perpetually, ever since God exalted us to the
+Electoral dignity and invested us with the reins of government, caused to
+be represented to you and to all the states in the land how highly
+necessary it was to establish another form of government? Who has it been
+but yourselves who hindered, obstructed, and opposed it? Now, however,
+when things go not so smoothly, you lament over it, and demand from me
+assistance, when in former times your pride always consisted in being
+wholly independent of us, through your free-city constitutions! Now, then,
+see what is the result, when a city will be wholly independent of its
+liege lord and persists in its obstinacy."
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, it has never entered the minds of our citizens
+to oppose themselves obstinately to the most gracious of sovereigns,"
+protested the spokesman of the burger deputation, "On the contrary, we
+have always been found ready to obey the behests of your Electoral grace."
+
+"That is not true! That is a lie!" cried the Elector vehemently. "Often
+have you declined to obey my commands in small as well as great things. I
+remember yet very well how, when three years ago I came in the summertime
+from Prussia to Berlin, I was perfectly shocked at the filth and stench in
+the streets of Cologne and Berlin, where before every house, besides
+pigstyes, there were heaped high piles of trash and manure. But when I
+ordered the high council of both cities to have the streets cleansed, they
+had the hardihood to answer me thus: 'The citizens have no time now to
+clean the streets, since they are busy with agricultural work.'[3] And
+quite recently, when I merely applied to these two capitals for their
+yearly quota of fifteen thousand dollars, in order to increase my
+bodyguard from three hundred to six hundred men during these perilous
+times of warfare, did you not refuse to grant this subsidy to your
+rightful lord?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, that was the result of the extremest affliction
+and necessity, because we were really in no condition to pay the money.
+For whence shall we procure it if poverty, want, and affliction are the
+only things that yet belong to us? Just on that very account, to bring
+this matter to the hearing of your Electoral Highness, have we been
+deputed as delegates by the corporations of Berlin and Cologne to wait
+upon your Electoral Grace, that we might represent our distresses to our
+Sovereign, and entreat him to forgive us if we are forced to decline
+contributions of money, for we are unable to raise them. Since this
+fierce, horrible war has raged in Germany between the Imperialists and
+Swedes, between the Catholics and Protestants, the cities of Berlin and
+Cologne have suffered pitiably, and have been levied upon and plundered,
+sometimes by the Swedes and sometimes by the Imperialists. Before the
+peace of Prague the Imperialists visited us quite often with cruel
+robberies and levies, but since the peace of Prague,[4] it has been yet
+worse, and what we have suffered and endured these past two years is
+enough to melt a stone, how much more the heart of a pitiful Sovereign.
+Last year first came the Swedish colonel Haderslof into our town, and
+levied upon us for sixteen thousand dollars; and hardly had he left when
+Field-Marshal Wrangel came and demanded twenty thousand dollars besides.
+Since, however, we were not in a position to pay that sum, he contented
+himself with a thousand dollars in money, but we had to furnish him in
+addition with fifteen thousand yards of cloth, three thousand pairs of
+socks, and as many pairs of shoes, and besides that he had all the cattle
+driven out of the city. And yet again, a few weeks ago came the Swedish
+colonel Haderslof, and demanded of us a contribution of eleven thousand
+dollars. It was impossible, however. We could pay no more, since we had no
+more gold, and were obliged to receive it almost as a favor that he
+promised in the compact to accept silver in payment in lieu of gold, and
+to estimate a half ounce of gilded silver at twelve groschen and a half
+ounce of white silver at nine groschen. We could do nothing but submit,
+and each householder and citizen bore all the silverware he possessed to
+the guildhall, where the Swede had ordered the contributions to be
+collected. And now, most gracious lord and Elector, now that we are poor
+and wretched, comes the stadtholder in the Mark, the Lord Count von
+Schwarzenberg, and requires of the cities of Berlin and Cologne the
+payment of their annual tax for purposes of defense."
+
+"And you are bound by duty and obligation so to do," exclaimed the Elector
+quickly. "On the committee day of the year 1626 it was decided that the
+city of Berlin should annually pay a stipend for defense of eight thousand
+five hundred dollars, that therewith might be maintained her garrison and
+the fortress of Berlin. Therefore you are bound and under obligation to
+pay this assessment at present, for it strikes me forcibly that you were
+never in greater need of a garrison than just now."
+
+"But may it please your Electoral Highness, our garrison is of no manner
+of use to us. It is much too inconsiderable to afford protection against
+the enemy, and is rather hurtful, insomuch as the soldiers readily fall
+into quarrels and brawls with our enemies, in which, however, they always
+come off losers, only embittering still more the hatred of our foes.
+Therefore, when we have anticipated the approach of the enemy, we have
+always besieged the commandant of our garrison with entreaties and
+representations, until he has consented, in order to save us from
+increased misfortunes, to retire with his garrison from the city, and to
+march out to Spandow or Brandenburg until the enemy again had taken their
+departure.[5] Your Electoral Grace sees therefore that the garrison is of
+no use at all to us, and yet we must pay a tax for defense."
+
+"Yes, must and shall pay it, for your case is not so bad as you would have
+us believe. Meantime you have refused to defray the expenses of enlarging
+my bodyguard; report has reached Königsberg of the proceedings at Berlin
+and Cologne, and truly wonderful and horrible tidings have been imparted
+to me by my chancellor, Pruckmann. I know all. I am acquainted with all
+your doings and actions, and I must say that my heart, yearning as it does
+over my subjects, has been grieved to learn the abominable godlessness and
+wickedness of the citizens of my towns of Berlin and Cologne. It is true
+that you have had to suffer many of the trials and calamities incident to
+war, but not in the least have you been improved by them or led to
+repentance. In spite of the necessities of war, you have not forsaken your
+pride and haughtiness; the women dress themselves extravagantly, and it is
+really abominable, shameful, and disgusting to behold them in the new
+French attire, which they call 'la Fontange,' and which leaves the person
+uncovered almost as far as the waist. They bedizen themselves with finery
+and flaunt through the streets in velvets and satins. And the men
+encourage them in it, join in their amusements, and waste their lives in
+banquetings and feastings. Such disgraceful lives as men must have passed
+in Sodom and Gomorrah! And although you know the enemy may come again at
+any moment and levy their contributions upon you, yet you take it not in
+the least to heart, but continue to lead a merry, luxurious life, have
+balls and drinking bouts, spend a wild, heathenish life in eating,
+drinking, gambling, and other wantonness, deck yourselves out like
+peacocks, and those who have the least, and carry all their possessions
+upon their bodies, act worst of all."
+
+"It is desperation, your Electoral Highness, which makes the people of
+Berlin so mad and wild. Well they know that they can call nothing their
+own. Why should they save when the Swede comes to-day or to-morrow, and
+takes from them their last possession? Therefore they prefer to squander
+upon themselves in desperate merriment, rather than economize and go along
+sorrowfully, to find that they have only saved for the enemy, who laughs
+at their misery."
+
+"Now, if you take it so, you might give to me also what I desire and
+demand, and I would have the citizens of Berlin and Cologne to know
+through you that I am not minded to abate in the least my requisitions for
+the payment of the expenses of my bodyguard, and the tax for the
+maintenance of my Electoral court. You must and shall pay, and in any case
+it must be preferable, to your desperation, to give your last thing to
+your Elector and Sovereign, rather than have it stolen and extorted from
+you by the Swedes. So, there you have my decision, and be off with it and
+convey it to the citizens of Berlin and Cologne. Attempt not to say
+anything more now, for I will hear nothing more. You are dismissed, go
+then!"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," the spokesman ventured to begin, "I--"
+
+But the Elector would not allow him to proceed. He took up his silver
+whistle, and with its shrill call overpowered the sound of the burger's
+words. The door of the outer chamber opened immediately, and the lackey
+appeared upon the threshold; on the outside, beside the door, were to be
+seen two of the Electoral lifeguardsmen, standing with shouldered weapons.
+
+"The burger deputation is dismissed," cried the Elector shortly. "Have the
+doors opened, and let them go out."
+
+The delegates from the oppressed cities ventured not to make opposition;
+sighing and with heads bowed low they strode through the room. Arrived at
+the door, they turned once more and bowed deeply before his Electoral
+Grace. But George William saw it not, for with an adroit jerk he had again
+turned his armchair toward his writing table. Meanwhile, although he
+affected to read the document which he took from the table, his attention
+was in fact wholly concentrated upon the departing burgers. He listened
+with a satisfied air as they slowly moved away, and, when the door of the
+antechamber closed behind them, with a deep-drawn breath deposited the
+document upon the table.
+
+"They will pay, I am certain they will pay," he said, a triumphant
+expression flitting across his troubled, peevish countenance. "I have
+properly frightened them and put them in wholesome dread, so that they
+will not dare to oppose us longer. Yes, they will pay and thus extricate
+us from the dilemma in which we find ourselves at present. Ah! what a
+hard, fearful thing is life, and how little does it fulfill the hopes with
+which I looked forward to it in the years of my youth! My blessed father
+was such a fortunate ruler! With him everything was successful. He lived
+in peace and concord with Emperor and empire, was beloved by his people,
+and had great prospects for the future, being heir to precious
+possessions. And when I thus beheld him in the glory and fullness of his
+power, I thought to myself that it was a glorious destiny to be an
+Elector, and that a clear sky always shone above the head of a Prince. Yet
+all at once clouds chased across and darkened this sky, for in Bohemia was
+kindled the war which soon split Germany into two hostile parties. My
+blessed father took sides with his brother-in-law, the new King of
+Bohemia. But then came the battle of the White Mountain, which cost my
+poor uncle, the King of Bohemia, Frederick of the Palatinate, his land and
+crown, and drove him forth into misfortune and misery. And the triumphant
+Emperor threatened all who should succor the conquered sovereign with
+proscription and the ban of the empire, and whoever should rescue him must
+cry _pater peccavi_, and penitentially confess to the Emperor and empire.
+My blessed father did so, but henceforth he might no longer sit upon the
+throne, which could only remain his through the condescension of the
+Emperor. He preferred to live independently in solitude and retirement,
+devoting himself to the meditations and practices of the reformed
+doctrines, whose confession he adopted, together with his whole family. So
+he resigned the government, and gave it to me. Alas! it was a sad
+heritage, and little enough had I to rule, for misfortune, war, and the
+Emperor ruled me and my land, so that I soon had my fill of it, and--"
+
+"May we come in?" asked a pleasant voice behind the Elector, interrupting
+him in his melancholy reminiscences.
+
+"Yes, Lady Electress," he replied, painfully rising from his
+armchair--"yes, come in and be heartily welcome to your spouse."
+
+
+
+
+II.--EVIL TIDINGS.
+
+
+The Electress Charlotte Elizabeth closed the little side door which led
+from her private apartments, and with a friendly nod of the head and
+tender glances approached her husband, who advanced slowly to meet her.
+
+"Elizabeth," he said, thoughtfully shaking his head, "I see from your
+countenance that you have something special to say to me. Your brown eyes
+shine to-day unusually bright and clear, and on your lips rests a happy,
+tender smile, such as, alas! I no longer observe often in my wife."
+
+"Gladly would I have smiled and looked cheerful, George, but have lacked
+the opportunity. You know well that we have seldom seen a blue sky above
+us; it has been always over-cast by gloomy clouds. But I beg of you, my
+lord and husband, to resume your seat, for I see, alas! that your foot is
+paining you sadly. The fatigues of travel have injured it, and it would
+indeed be wise if you would at last determine to resort to active
+remedies, and to that end allow a couple of the learned Frankfort doctors
+to be sent for."
+
+With an expression almost of alarm the Elector looked upon his wife, who
+had seated herself on a stool beside him, and soothingly and tenderly laid
+her hand upon his cheek.
+
+"You have something on your mind, Elizabeth, something surely," he said,
+"and it is nothing which can give me pleasure, else you would not use so
+much circumlocution; but speak it out frankly."
+
+"How?" asked the Electress, "must I have some special object in view, when
+I smile upon you, and fondle you a little? Know you not that my soul is
+full of tenderness toward you, and that my heart is ever speaking to you,
+even when the lips utter not aloud what the heart is whispering within?"
+
+"Elizabeth!" cried the Elector, "now I _know_ it; you have received
+tidings from our son, and vexatious tidings! Yes, yes, that is it! I know
+those tender looks and beaming eyes; it is not my wife that I recognize in
+them: it is the mother of our Electoral Prince, Frederick William."
+
+"Ah! what an acute observer you are, George, and how well you understand
+how to read my countenance! Well, now, you shall have it in all candor. I
+have news from our dear Electoral Prince."
+
+"He notifies us, I trust, that he has followed our instructions strictly
+and to the letter, and is now on his way home?" asked the Elector, gazing
+upon his wife with anxious, inquiring glances.
+
+But Elizabeth avoided his look.
+
+"What!" cried George William angrily, "you do not answer me! You can not,
+therefore, respond to my questions with a joyful Yes! Can it be possible,
+then, that the Electoral Prince has disregarded my commands, that--"
+
+"Do not allow yourself to be so excited, George," interrupted the
+Electress. "First hear his motives and excuses before you grow angry with
+our son."
+
+"From all those motives and excuses I shall only gather that he will not
+come," cried the Elector.
+
+"Say rather that he can not come," returned Elizabeth, while she gently
+forced back her husband, who in his excitement and impatience had made an
+effort to rise. "Yes, I have letters from The Hague, my dear husband,
+letters from both our uncle, the Prince of Orange, and my mother, and I
+dare affirm that these letters have given me heartfelt joy, inasmuch as my
+uncle the Stadtholder, as well as my mother, write of our dear son that he
+is an accomplished Prince, in whom one may reasonably rejoice, and whom we
+may be proud to call our son. You know, George, that during these three
+years of his sojourn in Holland, we have ever had good and complimentary
+accounts of him. His tutor, von Kalkhun, has often reported to us with
+what diligence our son applied himself to his studies at Leyden, and that
+he had become quite a learned Prince, in whom even the professors
+themselves took peculiar delight. Then when he had finished his course of
+studies at Leyden and went to Arnheim, where he met with the Princes
+William of Orange and Maurice of Nassau, they could not sufficiently laud
+the handsome appearance, lofty spirit, and noble heart of our young
+Electoral Prince."
+
+"Truly," muttered the Elector, "one could infer from your discourse that
+you are the mother of this highly praised lad. It is an old experience
+that mothers always find something remarkable in their sons, and if they
+were to be believed, then would the son of every mother be no ordinary
+specimen of mankind, but a phoenix among all other men."
+
+"But, my well-beloved Elector, I have nevertheless told nothing but the
+truth. Our son has been very successful in his studies these last three
+years in Holland, and has become a very learned and accomplished young
+man, who is well skilled in Latin and Greek, besides speaking German,
+French, and Italian in a masterly way. But most especially has he
+cultivated himself in a knowledge of the science of war, and the Princes
+of Orange and Nassau certify that he will assuredly become hereafter a
+great general and warrior, so learnedly and wisely does he even now
+discourse upon the subject."
+
+"Why do you say all this, Elizabeth?" asked the Elector. "Why do you
+praise our son, but that you are conscious that he is deserving of
+censure, and has sinned grievously against us in not having so hastened
+his return home as to be here now instead of his letters? But that he has
+already set out on the journey home I can not for a moment doubt, and
+bitterly should he experience my fatherly wrath if it were not so. Just
+tell me in short, concise words, when does my son, the Electoral Prince,
+come?"
+
+"My dear lord and husband," said the Electress with reluctance and visible
+embarrassment, "would it not be best for you to speak on this subject with
+the chamberlain, Balthazar von Schlieben--"
+
+"What!" cried the Elector, springing from his seat--"what! Is Schlieben
+here again--Schlieben, whom we sent to The Hague in order that he might
+conduct our son hither? He has come back without the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Yes, my husband, he has come back," replied the Electress, winding her
+arms tenderly around her husband's neck. "I entreat you most earnestly not
+to be angry before you have heard the reasons why the Electoral Prince
+does not come. I entreat you to admit Balthazar von Schlieben, and have an
+account rendered to you by him."
+
+"Yes!" exclaimed the Elector, vehemently--"yes, I will see him. He shall
+render me an account. Where is he? They must send for him directly; he
+must be summoned to me immediately!"
+
+"It is not necessary, George; he stands without there in the little
+passage leading to my apartments. I shall cause him to enter immediately.
+You must promise me first, though, my beloved husband, that you will
+listen to him without reproaches and anger, and that you will say nothing
+in his presence against the only son given us by Heaven."
+
+"I shall make no promises that I can not keep," cried the Elector warmly.
+"I will speak with Schlieben. He must come in. Ho! Chamberlain Balthazar
+von Schlieben, come in, I charge you to come in."
+
+The little arras door opened and disclosed to view a slender, tall young
+man, in gold-laced blue uniform, with red facings.
+
+"At the command of your Electoral Grace," he said, making a reverential
+obeisance.
+
+"Come hither, Schlieben," cried George William, "close up to me, that I
+may see if you are actually he who dares to return here without the one
+after whom I sent him. So! Look me straight in the face, and tell me why I
+sent you to Holland three months ago, and what was your errand there?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, I was sent by your grace to Holland, in order
+that I might conduct hither his Highness the Electoral Prince."
+
+"Well, then, where is the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, he is at present still at The Hague, and most
+urgently and most submissively he beseeches your Electoral Highness
+through me that he may be permitted to remain there at least for the
+winter."
+
+"He is yet at The Hague!" cried the Elector. "He ventures thus to brave
+me--to oppose himself to my strict injunctions? Or have you not handed him
+my letter, Schlieben? Or have you not repeated to him all that I said and
+urged you by word of mouth to convey to him? Did you not inform him that I
+ordered him, under penalty of my princely and fatherly displeasure, to set
+out and journey hither in the speediest manner possible?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, I carried out exactly every command given me by
+your highness, and the Electoral Prince surely would not have delayed an
+instant gratifying the demands of his revered father, if many concurring
+circumstances had not made it impossible for him. The Electoral Prince has
+himself more narrowly pointed out and explained these in this letter,
+which he has charged me to deliver to your highness."
+
+And with a deep inclination the chamberlain extended a large sealed packet
+to his Sovereign.
+
+George William took it with angry impatience, and so curious was he to
+read the contents of the packet that he hastily tore off the cover, the
+sooner to arrive at its purport. A closely written sheet of fine paper was
+within the cover, and the Elector unfolded it with eager hands. But after
+looking at this a long while, he shook his head passionately, and the
+flush of anger on his countenance grew yet darker.
+
+"What sort of new-fashioned, disrespectful handwriting is this?" growled
+George William. "This is not at all as if it had been written by a
+prince's son, but by a scholar who had carefully sought to crowd as many
+lines as possible into one page in order to save paper. A prince should
+never renounce or be unmindful of his own dignity. But it is unbecoming,
+indeed, and unworthy of a prince to write such a fine hand, as if he were
+a scholar or a writing master. I can not read these small intricate
+characters. Read the letter to me, Electress, in short, share it with me
+from the first."
+
+The Electress took the sheet held out to her, and read it over with
+hurried glances. "The Electoral Prince uses the most humble, submissive
+words," she said, finally. "It is just the letter of an obedient and
+respectful son, who is all anxiety to obey the commands of his father, and
+who is deeply grieved that he must nevertheless go contrary to them."
+
+"Must?" cried George William. "Be pleased to tell me why he must."
+
+"Only hear, my lord and husband, what the Prince writes about it," said
+the Electress, and with loud voice she read:
+
+"'There are various circumstances which compel me to prolong my stay in
+this country. In the first place, Admiral Tromp is here, and he is very
+useful in aiding me to arrive at a more perfect knowledge of nautical
+affairs, as, also, the condescension and kindness of my uncle, the Prince
+of Orange, that great general, affords me a glorious opportunity of
+perfecting myself in the science of war. And I think that, the more I
+learn and study here, the more capable will I become of serving hereafter
+under your highness. But, apart from these things, it would be exceedingly
+difficult at this season of the year and under the present conditions, to
+make the long journey from The Hague to Prussia; most probably it would
+consume a half year, and the expenses would be enormous, while next summer
+I might easily accomplish the journey in two months. The voyage by sea
+would be next to impossible during this present winter on account of the
+violent storms, which might occasion tedious delays. Moreover, I dread the
+privateers of Dunkirk, against which the Dutch convoy could hardly protect
+me. But yet more formidable seems the journey by land in the existing
+state of the times. In Westphalia the Hessians and Swedes rove about,
+rendering the roads unsafe. Even should I take my way over the flats,
+along the strand, yet the Swedish and Hessian troops could easily catch up
+with me, and overpower the escort promised me for safe-conduct by the
+counts of East Friesland and Oldenburg and the Bishop of Bremen. Or should
+I bend my course through Upper Germany and Franconia, there, again, other
+hindrances present themselves, for throughout all these provinces reigns
+the greatest wretchedness--men even devouring one another for hunger. On
+that account my uncle, the Prince Stadtholder himself, has opposed my
+undertaking the journey, considering it too dangerous. A deputation from
+the duchy of Cleves has also come and begged me to postpone my departure,
+since they had petitioned your grace anew to leave me in the duchy of
+Cleves as their stadtholder. And if all this were not so, there is yet
+another reason which must prevent my departure from here. But this I dare
+not commit to writing, for a letter may be so easily lost, and to read
+such a thing would furnish our enemies an occasion of rejoicing and
+triumph. Therefore I have told all to young Balthazar von Schlieben, and
+he will in my name faithfully and most reverentially communicate to you,
+your Electoral Highness and my most gracious father, the true and
+principal cause which prevents my setting forth from Holland.'"
+
+"Well, speak then!" cried the Elector impatiently. "Speak, Schlieben--what
+is it?"
+
+"Will not my lord and husband first hear the Electoral Prince's letter to
+the end?" asked the Electress. "Here follow some cordial, affectionate
+words, and assurances of the most filial respect and most submissive
+love."
+
+"Can I value them, yes, can I value any of them all?" answered George
+William passionately. "When we will prove nothing by deeds, then we make
+speeches, and when we are disobedient in act, then we asseverate with
+words of love and reverence. Speak, then, Balthazar von Schlieben, since
+you have been thus commissioned by the Electoral Prince. What is this most
+weighty of reasons which forbids the departure of the Electoral Prince
+from Holland?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, it is debt, it is the total want of money."
+
+The Elector started up as if an adder had stung him. "Debts!" he cried in
+thundering voice. "Want of money! Will this litany never, never cease?
+What a wild, extravagant life the Electoral Prince must lead to be for
+ever and ever wanting money, and no sooner are his debts paid than he
+contracts new ones!"
+
+"Husband," said the Electress soothingly, "it does not reflect upon the
+life our son leads that he is out of money, but proves that he has not
+received a sufficiently ample allowance. Just reflect that three years
+ago, when he undertook this journey to Holland, you did not give him a red
+cent, and that I had to give him from my little savings three thousand
+dollars that he might be able to travel at all.[6] A considerable portion
+of this must have been expended during the tedious journey, with his
+retinue."
+
+"If any one were to listen to you, Electress, he would really suppose that
+the Electoral Prince had lived upon those three thousand dollars lent him
+by you from that time up to the present. You forget, however, that,
+already in the year 1636, therefore the very next year after the Electoral
+Prince set out upon his journey, the states at the diet of Königsberg
+voted the large sum of seven thousand dollars to the Electoral Prince for
+the prosecution of his studies, over which they made a great outcry even
+then, since the owner of each rood of land must be taxed five groschen to
+pay for these acquirements, bringing down, no doubt, many a curse upon his
+Latin and Greek.[7] From these two sources alone, then, he has had ten
+thousand dollars to disburse in three years, which for so young a
+gentleman would surely seem sufficient. Besides, just half a year ago, on
+his repeated application to me for money, I sent him again one thousand
+dollars, insomuch as he felt himself compelled to purchase a stately
+equipage."
+
+"That was the time, husband, when our son went from Leyden to Arnheim, to
+reside there for a long while. There, of course, he was obliged to have a
+small household about him, in order to maintain the dignity of his father
+and his house, for there, too, dwelt the Princes of Orange and Nassau, and
+our son, the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, in order not to be surpassed
+by them, must, like them, hold his court."
+
+"And unfortunately living is very expensive in Holland," remarked the
+Chamberlain von Schlieben. "Your Electoral Grace had sent one thousand
+dollars to the Electoral Prince for the purchase of an equipage, but this
+sum was by no means adequate. The coach alone cost seven hundred dollars."
+
+"Seven hundred dollars!" cried the Elector, amazed. "How can one pay so
+much money for a mere wooden box?"
+
+"If it please your highness, the coaches in Holland are not by any means
+wooden boxes, merely painted, varnished, and gilded a little within and
+without, having hard leather-covered seats. The Electoral Prince's coach
+is hung within and without in red velvet and satin, for this custom and
+usage require of a princely personage in Holland; besides, a set of four
+horses must be bought, and each of these cost one hundred and forty
+dollars. Your Electoral Highness sees clearly, therefore, that one
+thousand dollars could not suffice to cover the expense, for coach and
+horses alone cost more than that, and now must be added the liveries and
+harness, besides the wages of coachman, footmen, and lackeys."
+
+"Yes, I see plainly that my dear son leads a stately, extravagant life,"
+cried the Elector. "I see well that it is high time for him to come away
+from there, and learn that an Elector of Brandenburg must adapt himself to
+his means, and, instead of riding in a coach drawn by four horses, must
+drive in a miserable rattle-trap pulled by two paltry beasts. It is
+therefore full time that the Electoral Prince were withdrawn from the
+scenes of his pomp and pride, and were taught again to live simply and
+sparingly. He must and shall return home! Finally, I am sick and tired of
+this eternal negotiating, this writing to and fro, and it really is high
+time that this should have an end. For a year already I have been in
+treaty with the young gentleman concerning his return home, and last of
+all dispatched my chamberlain to enjoin it upon him as my most decided and
+express will that the Prince come home, and start forthwith. But he has an
+obstinate disposition, and sends the Chamberlain von Schlieben back, and
+tranquilly remain there, where he is so well pleased, living as he does in
+pomp and luxury, while I have hardly enough money to live along scantily
+and with the strictest economy."
+
+"But only consider, my dear husband," said the Electress persuasively--"only
+consider that it is not from high-mindedness or disobedience that the
+Electoral Prince tarries in Holland. Indeed, he can not get away while he
+has no money, and on that very account most urgently appeals to the
+kindest of all fathers, through the Chamberlain von Schlieben,
+reverentially begging and beseeching him to extricate him from his
+difficulties by sending him money enough to pay his debts, and to enable
+him to travel as becomes his rank."
+
+"Money, and always money!" cried the Elector, almost in a tone of despair.
+"O God! what a tormented, unhappy man I am! Every one has something to
+crave of me, and no one anything to give me! When I demand of the states,
+provinces, cities, citizens, and peasants funds to defray my expenses,
+then from all sides I hear: 'We have no money; we are so reduced that we
+can pay no taxes.' And still all these states, provinces, cities,
+citizens, and peasants demand of me money and support, succor and alms,
+although they know that I have nothing, for they give me nothing. Money!
+money! That word has been my tormentor and enemy ever since I began to
+rule; sleeping and waking that word has pursued me. From all officers,
+from all subalterns I have heard it, as often as they came near me, and
+now comes my dear son, too, afflicting and harassing his poor, unfortunate
+father with this dreaded word. But I shall not suffer him to employ this
+hated word in his own behalf and turn it against me for his own advantage.
+I shall not allow him to remain longer at The Hague under pretext that he
+lacks money to bring him home. He shall have money, yes, he shall have it.
+I shall see to procuring it. It must be done."
+
+"My dear lord and husband," besought the Electress, "I entreat you not to
+be so much excited, for it might injure you."
+
+"And I entreat you to leave me now, Lady Electress," said George William
+impatiently. "It is useless to exhort one to tranquillity and composure,
+who has so much reason to be roused and provoked. But this fine son of
+ours shall pay for the vexation and torture that he has prepared for me.
+He may reckon upon my setting it down to his account, and not allowing
+myself to be cheated by empty speeches and by fine actions in word alone.
+You are dismissed, Sir Chamberlain von Schlieben! Badly enough have you
+fulfilled my commission, and you may be sure that never again shall you
+be selected as our messenger and legate!"
+
+"Permit me, my husband, to put in a good word for poor Schlieben!" cried
+the Electress. "He had no power to bring the Electoral Prince away by
+force, just as the Electoral Prince himself has no power to leave of his
+own free will. The whole difficulty consists in our son's having no money."
+
+"Yes, and right welcome is it to him, this time," said the Elector with a
+bitter laugh. "As he has no money, he continually contracts more and more
+debts, thereby rendering the payment more difficult, and the longer the
+delay the longer can the Prince remain in Holland, leading a merry life
+there. But I shall make an end of it, an end! Schwarzenberg shall come,
+and he must and will procure me the means. Excuse me, Lady Electress, I
+have business--pressing business."
+
+"I withdraw, my lord and husband," said Elizabeth, bowing ceremonially,
+and, turning to the Chamberlain von Schlieben, who was just sliding toward
+the door with pale, disturbed countenance, she continued: "Sir Chamberlain,
+follow me! You must tell me more about my dear Electoral Prince and all my
+dear relatives, whom you have seen and spoken with at The Hague."
+
+The countenance of the chamberlain lighted up, and with a grateful glance
+he followed the Electress through the side door into her own apartments.
+
+The Elector was alone. His head sank upon his breast, and he stood deeply
+absorbed in thought. But after a pause he slowly raised his head, and his
+sorrowful glance fell directly upon the portrait of his father, John
+Sigismund, whose sad, pale face was turned toward him, with its dark,
+melancholy eyes.
+
+"Poor father!" murmured the Elector with a heavy sigh, "I understand quite
+well and easily conceive why you voluntarily laid down your power and
+retired from the government before death had sent his summons. An Elector
+of Brandenburg has by no means a comfortable, pleasant life of it; and a
+sorely oppressive inheritance have I received from you, so that I, too,
+might despair, and do as you have done. I, too, might rid myself of the
+hard task of seeming to be an Elector and reigning sovereign, while I am
+naught but a poor, much-tormented man, who has more titles than lands,
+more debts than money, and whose nation consists not of obedient subjects
+but of obstinate brawlers, a mob of would-be politicians and starved-out
+people. No! no!" he cried, interrupting himself, "no! I shall not give my
+son so much joy. I shall not do him the pleasure of yielding up the power
+to him, and being thrown aside myself like a squeezed lemon. No, Elector
+I shall remain, and my lordly son shall submit to the paternal will, and
+return home. Schwarzenberg must provide me with the means. He is the very
+man for this--he understands it!"
+
+The Elector reached out again for his silver whistle and sounded a shrill
+call. Immediately one of the outer doors was opened, admitting a lackey.
+The Elector had already opened his mouth, to issue his commands, when he
+suddenly grew dumb and looked at the lackey with a still more clouded brow.
+
+"Fellow," he said angrily, "how dare you appear in this presence with such
+a dress? With your short bearskin jacket and patched hose, you present
+such a pitiably mean appearance that I am actually ashamed to behold you."
+
+"Pardon, your Electoral Grace," stammered the servant with downcast air,
+"I can not help it, and I am woefully ashamed myself that I must dare to
+come thus before my most gracious lord the Elector. A heavy misfortune has
+happened to my livery coat. I left it hanging on a nail, and tore a
+fearfully large three-cornered rent in it, on which the court tailor says
+he will have to stitch a whole day, and even then it may not be
+presentable after all. The livery coat, therefore, is at the tailor's,
+which is the reason why I must appear in my jacket."
+
+"You should have put on another coat," cried the Elector, impatiently,
+"for it is contrary to respect that you should enter in such shabby style."
+
+"Another coat?" asked the lackey, with an expression of the highest
+astonishment. "Pardon, your Electoral Highness, I have only that one coat!"
+
+"What!" exclaimed the Elector. "Only _one_ coat! Did I not order that new
+livery coats should be made for you lackeys before our removal from
+Königsberg?"
+
+"It was done, your Electoral Grace, we received our new livery coats
+before we left Königsberg."
+
+"Well, then, where are the old ones?"
+
+"Your Electoral Grace, the master of the wardrobe sold the old ones to the
+Jews at Königsberg, who paid him a good sum of money for them, for the old
+livery coats were trimmed with genuine gold lace, but the new ones are
+cheaper, for it is only gilt or--"
+
+"Hold your tongue and begone!" cried the Elector. "If you have no coat,
+then from to-day I dispense with your services, and Jocelyn shall take
+your place."
+
+"Forgive me, your Electoral Highness, but Jocelyn is in confinement. The
+master of the wardrobe had him put in the guardhouse three days ago."
+
+"Wherefore then--what has Jocelyn done that the master of the wardrobe
+should have him put into prison?"
+
+"He was obstinate, your highness. The paymaster has not distributed to us
+our wages for two months, so that none of us has a groschen in his pocket.
+When we reached Berlin, three days ago, Jocelyn found his old mother
+miserably sick and well-nigh starved, for the Imperialists have thoroughly
+pillaged Berlin, and robbed the old woman of her last possession. She had
+nothing to eat, and still less could she afford to send for a doctor and
+buy medicines. So, in his desperation, Jocelyn went to the paymaster and
+begged of him his month's wages, but was told that he could have nothing
+now, because the journey from Prussia here had cost so much money that all
+the coffers were empty; but that in the course of eight days the paymaster
+might be in funds again, and that then we should all have what was due us.
+But, on account of his old mother, Jocelyn could not wait, and so in
+desperation went off and sold his new livery coat to an old-clothes man,
+and carried the money to his mother. And for that reason, your Electoral
+Grace, poor Jocelyn now sits in the guardhouse."
+
+The Elector had turned away, and gazed from the window down into the
+pleasure garden, the branches of whose green trees nearly touched the
+windows of the apartment. He could no longer meet the glance of the lackey
+Conrad; he would not have him witness his mortification and the painful
+twitchings of his mouth. But after a while he turned again to old Conrad,
+who had crept softly toward the door, not venturing to go out without
+permission from his master.
+
+"You see well, old man," said the Elector confidentially, "that our
+affairs are not in so prosperous a condition as formerly when you entered
+my service, and were the body servant of the merry, cheerful young
+Electoral Prince. Now that Electoral Prince has become a very sad,
+serious, and poverty-stricken Elector, who has lived through much
+affliction, and must content himself, despite his glorious title, with
+being a poor tormented man, and therefore also a peevish man. I was once
+otherwise; that you know. But debts make the wildest tame and the most
+joyous fretful, as you see in me, old Conrad. But now listen!"
+
+He stepped to his writing table and drew forth a long purse with meshes of
+green silk and gold. Carefully counting, he shook some money out of the
+purse into his hand and then handed it to Conrad.
+
+"Conrad, there are twelve dollars. Do you know the Jew to whom Jocelyn
+sold his livery coat?"
+
+"Yes, I know him, your highness."
+
+"Then go, Conrad, and buy back the coat. How much did the Jew pay for it?"
+
+"Six dollars, your Electoral Highness."
+
+"Return him five dollars for it, and tell him that the dollar subtracted
+is by way of punishment for his having dared to purchase the coat of one
+of the servants belonging to the electoral household, for he must know
+that it is not the lackey's but electoral property. But if the Jew
+ventures to grumble, then say to him that I shall have him watched and his
+false dealings inquired into. When you have obtained the coat, carry it to
+the master of the wardrobe, and tell him to release Jocelyn from the
+guardhouse and permit him to wear his coat again. Say to him that it is my
+command. And now go and attend to this matter for me."
+
+"Forgive me, your Electoral Grace, but I know not yet what to do with the
+rest of the money. When I shall have redeemed Jocelyn's coat with five
+dollars, there will yet remain seven dollars besides, and I beg of your
+highness to point out what disposition I must make of them."
+
+"What wages do the lackeys receive by the month?"
+
+"One rixdollar and four groschen, your highness!"
+
+"That makes four dollars and sixteen groschen owing to you and Jocelyn,
+since the paymaster is in your debt for two months' wages. There will
+still be a remainder of two dollars and eight groschen, which you must
+give to Jocelyn to take to his old mother, not, however, as if it came
+from me, but as his own gift."
+
+"Ah! your Electoral Highness, what a kind, gracious master you are!" cried
+
+Conrad, with tears in his eyes. "Only extend this one act of goodness and
+condescension: permit your old Conrad to kiss your hand and thank you for
+the favor your highness has shown to Jocelyn and myself, and be not
+offended at your old servant for asking such a thing, since it is only out
+of love and hearty respect."
+
+"I know it, Conrad, I know it," said the Elector, reaching out his hand to
+the old man, and permitting him to press it to his lips. "I know your
+good, faithful heart, which has never swerved from its duty these twenty
+years that you have been in my service. Go now, old man, and do as I have
+bidden you. But hear! No one need know that I have paid you and Jocelyn
+your month's wages, for then they would all come to be paid by me; and the
+paymaster was quite right--our coffers are empty, and we must take account
+of everything until they are filled again. Keep silent, then, both of you.
+I shall tell the paymaster myself that I have just meddled a little in his
+affairs.
+
+"But now, hear one thing more, Conrad. Go straightway across into Broad
+Street, to the house of his excellency the Stadtholder in the Mark, Count
+von Schwarzenberg. We request his excellency to take the trouble to come
+immediately to us. Say from me that we have weighty business to transact
+with him that admits of no delay. Therefore, we entreat his excellency to
+come hither forthwith."
+
+"Pardon, your highness," said Conrad, anxiously and confusedly; "my
+dresscoat is still at the court tailor's. Must I go across in my jacket?
+At the Stadtholder's everything is so fearfully fine and stately. The
+lackeys, too, put on such airs that an electoral lackey can not stand up
+to them at all; they are, besides, haughty, supercilious fellows, who
+think themselves very grand, and fancy they are something quite uncommon,
+and almost more than one of us, who are court lackeys to your highness.
+Would it not make the fellows rejoice to see me in this jacket and--"
+
+"Never mind; go across in your jacket," said the Elector, laughing.
+"Remember always that you are the servant of the master, and those spruce
+fellows but the lackeys of the servant, although I must say that the
+servant is a much richer, more magnificent man than his master. Run and
+bring the Stadtholder to me!"
+
+
+
+
+III.--COUNT ADAM VON SCHWARZENBERG.
+
+
+"I thank you, Master Gabriel Nietzel, I thank you with my whole heart, for
+you have indeed prepared me a great pleasure," cried Count Adam von
+Schwarzenberg, at the same time nodding pleasantly to the young man who
+stood beside him. Then he was lost again in contemplation of the picture
+before which they both stood, and which was mounted upon an easel in one
+of the deep bay windows of the lofty apartment.
+
+"I well knew that my most gracious lord would take pleasure in this
+glorious work of art," said Master Gabriel Nietzel, smiling, "and
+therefore have I spared neither expense, toil, nor danger in bringing to
+your excellency this noble painting of the great Italian master."
+
+"And I am astonished that you have succeeded, master," exclaimed the
+count, changing his position before the picture, in order to examine it in
+a new light, from a different point of view.
+
+"Most gracious sir, if I had had in the box which I guarded so closely
+hams or other edibles, instead of this picture, or even articles of
+clothing or munitions of war, then surely I should have failed in bringing
+it here from Italy, considering all the bands of soldiers and robbers who
+fly through the German empire now, like a swarm of bees, and like locusts
+leave in their train, wherever they alight, want and wretchedness."
+
+"Yes, yes," cried Count Schwarzenberg, with a short, peculiar laugh,
+"right ill things look throughout this holy German empire; poverty, war,
+and pestilence are the locusts of which you speak, and--But why do you
+remind me of these unpleasant things? Let me enjoy one quarter of an
+hour's refreshment and joy. Let me forget care for just a little while,
+and feast my eyes upon the sight of this glorious woman!"
+
+"It is a Venus," said Master Gabriel with diffidence, "the so-called Venus
+with the Mirror. Master Titian has twice painted this design, only that in
+one picture two Cupids appear, while the other shows only one Love."
+
+"Very naturally," laughed the count. "When the great Titian painted the
+first picture one Love only existed, while at the second representation a
+second Love had arrived for the beautiful woman, to her own ineffable
+delight and that of her beloved Master Titiano Vecellio."
+
+"Pardon, your excellency," remarked Master Gabriel, "indeed the painting
+represents a Venus."
+
+"There you are now, poor child of man," cried Schwarzenberg, laughing
+aloud, "so properly reserved and so affectedly modest! A mere woman in her
+primitive beauty would wound your sense of propriety, and you would not
+venture to look at her, but a goddess has permission to appear without
+earthly clothing, and you dare, casting reserve aside, to lift your eyes
+to her glorious form. And besides, in your humility and modesty, you think
+that a woman of such godlike shape may not be found upon earth, therefore
+you exalt her to the gods, and therefore you call her a Venus, who is only
+the most voluptuous, beautiful, and charming of women."
+
+With upraised finger Master Gabriel pointed toward the naked little boys
+who, exquisitely fair, stood behind Venus and held her mirror for her.
+
+"That is an angel, as your grace sees, for he has wings upon his
+shoulders," he said, timidly.
+
+But Count Adam von Schwarzenberg hastily took the master's finger and
+directed it to another part of the picture.
+
+"It is a woman," he cried, laughing, "for she has flung a covering around
+her hips, and you can never make me believe that Venus upon Olympus wore
+velvet edged with ermine. But let us quit this strife! A beautiful woman
+is always a goddess, and he who would not acknowledge that would be a real
+heathen and barbarian. I will therefore comply with your wish, and entitle
+this wondrous woman a Venus. And I keep her, your Venus. Name the price,
+master, and you shall immediately receive your pay."
+
+"I paid two thousand ducats for the painting in Cremona, where I had the
+good luck to discover it, on my return from Rome," replied Master Gabriel
+Nietzel, with anxious countenance and timid manner, as if he dreaded an
+explosion of wrath on the part of the count, who was everywhere recognized
+and decried as avaricious and greedy of gain. "Add to that two hundred
+ducats to cover my bare outlay for the packing and freight. The rest,
+which concerns my trouble and need, and the perils I endured when we, that
+is to say, Venus and I, were seized by bands of soldiers and ransomed--all
+this can not be calculated, and in humility I leave it to your grace to
+compensate me as you may see fit."
+
+"Two thousand ducats for the picture, two hundred for expenses incurred! A
+tolerably high price, indeed, for a little piece of painted canvas!" cried
+the count, with a smile. "For that amount a whole regiment of Brandenburg
+soldiers might be armed and equipped, to aid the Elector in conquering his
+dukedom of Pomerania. But what is that dirty, down-trodden, commonplace
+Pomerania in comparison with this heavenly woman, or, if you prefer, this
+earthly Venus. Go, Master Gabriel, go directly to my treasurer, and get
+him to count out to you three thousand ducats. Eight hundred ducats for
+your toil and danger. Are you content, master?"
+
+"Your excellence, you pay like the greatest of lords and emperors!" cried
+the painter, with joy-beaming countenance. "You make me forever your
+debtor, and so long as I live I shall be ready to serve you."
+
+"Now, if you mean that in earnest, Gabriel, an opportunity presents itself
+at this very time."
+
+"Try me, your excellency, give me a commission, however difficult, and my
+most gracious lord shall be forced to admit that I have executed it most
+faithfully and valiantly."
+
+"Now listen, then, master! I herewith constitute you my agent; I take you
+into my pay and service. Were I a reigning prince, then I should say, I
+make you my court painter; but being only the little Count Schwarzenberg,
+the--"
+
+"Stadtholder in the Mark," interrupted Gabriel, with ready glibness of
+tongue, "Grand Master of the Order of St. John, first counselor and
+minister of the Elector of Brandenburg, president of the electoral counsel
+of state, lord and owner of many lands and estates, count of the empire,
+and--"
+
+"Silence, silence! enough of that!" exclaimed the count, waving him off.
+"It is with me, as with the Elector. We both have manifold titles, but
+they bring us in little enough, and no money appertains to them. You have
+sketched me graphically, master; be quiet now, and listen to me again in
+silence. I therefore take you into my pay and service, and give you from
+this day forward an annuity of five hundred dollars, which will be
+delivered to you quarterly. Hush, hush! do not speak! I read a question in
+your eyes and features, and I will forthwith supply the answer. Your
+question runs, What have I to do for this annuity? And the answer is,
+travel about in the world as a free man to hunt up pictures, and when they
+are worth it, to purchase them for me. But above all things, to tell no
+one that you are in my service, but to keep this as a secret between us
+two. Pictures you must buy for me; that is all you have to do, master. But
+sometimes you must allow me to dictate to you--where to journey in quest
+of my pictures. For example, now: You have been in Italy, prosecuting your
+studies there, and have opportunely brought home to me, thence, a Venus,
+because I desired you to make a few purchases for me. You have seen how
+delighted I was with the beautiful picture, but, on the whole, I have
+taken a greater fancy to landscapes and representations of comedy, and the
+Flemish painters are the ones I peculiarly admire. There are the Teniers,
+father and son, who have painted the most charming and amusing country
+scenes and comic pieces, and there is another young man, Wouvermann by
+name, who is said, although youthful in years, to possess great talents,
+and to understand not merely how to paint splendid clowns, but battle
+scenes as well. Now, I should like of all things to possess a couple of
+pictures by each of these three painters, and since the Teniers lived at
+Amsterdam and The Hague, and Wouvermann now resides at The Hague, I wish
+you to go to The Hague and make a few purchases there for me. But, mark
+well, without saying that you come there in my employ, or that you have a
+contract with me. I should much prefer your assuming the appearance of
+belonging to my enemies, and sounding in unison with them the trumpet of
+abuse."
+
+"Your excellency, how could I venture it, and how can you require of my
+grateful heart, that it so belie itself, and allow my lips to speak other
+than words of gratitude and reverence?"
+
+"I empower you so to do, Master Gabriel Nietzel, yes, I require it of you,
+that you carry such words upon your lips, especially if you are in the
+presence of the Electoral Prince Frederick William."
+
+"The Electoral Prince?" asked the painter in astonishment. "Your
+excellency will send me to the Electoral Prince at The Hague?"
+
+"On the contrary, you shall act before him as if you hated me, and
+belonged to the party of my opponents. But you must by all means reach the
+Electoral Prince, must seek to remain in his neighborhood, and to gain his
+confidence. You are a lively fellow, and have studied life at its
+fountains in Italy. The Electoral Prince loves gay company, and you may
+impart to him a little of your knowledge of life, and teach him that youth
+must enjoy without scruple or reserve. Be his _maître de plaisir_, Master
+Gabriel; lead him into the temple of art, and teach him that each fair
+woman is a Venus, a goddess, and therefore deserving of his worship. You
+are a clever painter, and also, as I have heard from Rome, know well how
+to sip of life's sweets; and these are two fine talents, which you must
+convert into money. For this purpose I send you to Holland. You are to buy
+pictures for me and to help the Electoral Prince to while away the hours
+and enjoy life. I shall rejoice if you succeed, and it would be agreeable
+to me for you to transmit to me exact accounts, every week, of your
+efforts, and of the life you lead there with the Electoral Prince. You
+can write, Master Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"Yes, I can write; but--"
+
+"Well, what signifies that _but_, and wherefore do you look all at once so
+gloomy and so cross? Peradventure my commission does not please you?"
+
+"No, your excellency, it does not please me, and I can not undertake it!"
+cried Master Gabriel, indignantly. "You send me to The Hague, not as a
+painter, but--let me call the thing by its right name--but as a spy, and,
+what is yet more, as the corrupter of the Electoral Prince!"
+
+"And that pleases not your virtue and your honesty?" asked the count,
+shrugging his shoulders. "Well, good then, dear master! Stick to it! Let
+all that we have said to one another be unsaid. Remain an honorable,
+independent hero of virtue, paint pictures, and see to it that you sell
+them, and if you do not succeed, then be contented to paint signboards
+for merchants and their walls for burghers, and console yourself with
+this, that you have refused a higher career from principles of virtue and
+magnanimity. Take your Venus, Master Champion of Virtue; I had not
+commissioned the purchase, and she is too dear for me. We are released
+from our mutual obligations, and have nothing more to do with one another.
+Go!"
+
+"Will not your excellency keep the picture?" asked Nietzel, shocked, great
+drops of agony standing upon his pale brow. "Will not your excellency
+indemnify me for all my labors and expenses, and shall I go from you
+with--"
+
+"With the proud consciousness of your virtue," said the count, completing
+his sentence for him. "Yes, that you shall, Master Gabriel. You shall bear
+in mind that Count von Schwarzenberg would have taken you into his
+service, and that you declined it, thereby exciting his wrath a little,
+which, as I have been told, has seldom turned to the advantage of those
+who have roused it, but always to their injury. However, you care nothing
+for that; you defy the wrath of the Stadtholder in the Mark, you--"
+
+"No farther, please, your excellency, no farther!" cried out Gabriel, pale
+as death. "Forgive my excitement and my struggles. I pray you to forget my
+improper words, and accept me for your humble and obedient servant. You
+must do me the favor to keep the Venus of Master Titiano Vecellio, for she
+is my only possession, and I have given away my whole property in her
+purchase."
+
+"Speak more clearly, master!" cried the count. "You mean to say I must
+keep your copy of the Venus, and pay for it as if it were an original one,
+for on that you base all your hopes."
+
+"Your excellency!" stammered Master Gabriel in terror, "you do not
+suppose--"
+
+"That this painting here is a copy, which you executed, and afterward hung
+up a couple of days in the chimney, to give it the appearance of a picture
+an hundred years old? Yes, my good man, I do indeed suppose so, and
+willingly grant you my testimony to the effect that you have very
+faithfully copied Titian, and expended much toil and trouble upon it."
+
+"Most gracious count, I swear to you, that I have been slandered--that--"
+
+"Swear no oath," said the count earnestly and severely. "You did not buy
+this picture at Cremona, but copied it in the palace Grimani at Venice,
+and worked upon it three whole months. You see I am well informed, and
+have my friends everywhere who furnish me with intelligence, and regard it
+as an honor to be my--spies, as you would say."
+
+"Mercy, gracious lord, mercy!" cried Nietzel, bursting into tears, and
+sinking upon his knees before the proud, lofty form of the count. "Pardon
+for my crime, for my presumption! I was in such great want and distress
+that I knew not how else to help myself, and I swear to you that my copy
+is so faithful and exact that it can not he distinguished from its
+original."
+
+"Well, no matter; we shall hang it up as an original, and allow it to be
+inspected by the connoisseurs of the electorate," said the count,
+laughing. "I keep your Titiano Vecellio, Master Nietzel, and consequently
+pay you three thousand ducats for this excellent original. That you may
+see how much in earnest I am I will immediately give you an order upon my
+treasurer, and you may forthwith receive that sum."
+
+He approached his writing table, rapidly dashed off a few words upon a
+strip of paper, and then handed it to the painter. "There, take it, Master
+Gabriel Nietzel, and collect your money."
+
+The painter gave him a long, astonished gaze. "You forgive me, your
+excellency," he said; "you accept my high estimate, although you know that
+I have cheated you and that this is only a copy?"
+
+
+"What difference does that make? The picture is beautiful, and it gives me
+pleasure to look at it, and that is the only thing, after all, that I can
+require of a painting."
+
+Master Nietzel hastily seized the count's hand, and pressed it to his
+lips. "Most gracious sir," he cried, "you have purchased my Venus with
+your money, my heart with your magnanimity! Henceforth I am yours, body
+and soul, and it is just, as if--"
+
+"As if you had leagued yourself with the devil, is it not?" laughed the
+count.
+
+"No, as if I had no longer any other will than yours--that is what I
+wished to say, most gracious lord. Only command me, say what I must do,
+and it shall be done."
+
+"You go, then, to Holland, and purchase pictures there for me, and study
+the Flemish painters?"
+
+"I will go to Holland, your excellency."
+
+"You will seek to gain access to the Electoral Prince, to acquire
+influence over him, and to cheer him up a little?"
+
+"I shall do as your grace directs."
+
+"You will send me weekly a written statement of all that you see and hear
+there?"
+
+"I shall send you a written statement," replied Gabriel, with downcast
+eyes and a hardly suppressed sigh.
+
+The count saw it and smiled contemptuously. "You will write these reports
+to me in ciphers, which I shall acquaint you with, and swear to me that
+you will give the key to these ciphers to no human being?"
+
+"I swear it, your excellency."
+
+"Now, since you are so docile and obedient, my dear Master Gabriel, I
+shall raise your salary. I had promised you an annuity of five hundred
+dollars--I shall now make it six hundred dollars. Hush! no word of thanks;
+I can imagine them all or read them in your countenance, and that
+satisfies me. Only one thing remains to be decided. From whom will you
+receive letters of recommendation to the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Your excellency, I believe the Electress will have the kindness to
+furnish me with a letter of recommendation to her son. Her most gracious
+highness is very favorably inclined toward me because I painted from
+memory a miniature of the Electoral Prince, and presented it to her. Since
+then she has been very condescending to me, and never refuses me
+admittance to her presence, and I may as well acknowledge to your
+excellency that a few days ago the Electress hinted at the probability of
+a position being offered me as electoral court painter."
+
+The count laughed aloud. "I congratulate you, master, and especially upon
+the salary which will be attached to the office. Only do not be puffed up
+and reject the little I have offered you, which you can always draw in
+secret, even when you have become electoral court painter. It is well for
+affairs to stand thus just at this juncture, for it will be easy for the
+electoral court painter to gain access to the Electoral Prince, and to be
+received into the number of his household. Repair to the Electress
+forthwith, tell her that you wish to travel to Holland in order to
+prosecute your artistic studies there, and come to me early to-morrow
+morning and acquaint me with the result of your audience. Farewell, Master
+Gabriel; go first to my treasurer and then to the Electress. No, no, say
+nothing more; no protestations, no word of thanks. I know you--that is
+enough."
+
+With proud, courtly mien he nodded to the painter in token of dismissal,
+waved his hand toward the door, and then seated himself in the window
+niche beside the Venus, turning his back to the room.
+
+Abashed and humiliated, Gabriel slunk away, and not until the sound of the
+closing door gave warning of his departure did the count turn around. His
+gaze was fixed upon the Venus, who in her wanton beauty met his looks with
+dark, flashing eyes.
+
+"You have cost me much, fair signora," he said, shrugging his shoulders.
+
+"Three thousand ducats for a copy! Who knows whether Titiano Vecellio was
+paid more for his original in his own time? Ah! you poor, beautiful woman,
+how dismal and cheerless it will seem to you in the cold north, and how
+much you will miss the golden light of your sunny Italian home here in
+this dirty northern Mark! We two must console one another, and try to
+forget that we do not live in your own fair Italy, but here, here, where
+there is more rain than sunshine, and where in place of music we often
+hear nothing but the grunting of swine and the bleating of sheep!"
+
+And, as if in confirmation of his words, just then was heard from the
+street a loud tumult, a confused discord of grunts and squeals. The count
+turned from the Italian beauty, and looked out into the street, or,
+rather, the great square fronting his palace.[8] The rain, which had
+streamed down incessantly for a few days past, had drenched the unpaved
+ground, and here and there, where the soil was impermeable to moisture,
+had formed puddles and pools. These, the sheep and hogs, which were
+ensconced in stalls before the houses, had chosen for their pleasure
+ground, and whole herds of them had come to bathe in these puddles before
+Count Schwarzenberg's palace and in the neighborhood of the cathedral. A
+few merry, naughty boys, attracted by their squealing and bleating,
+likewise ventured into the black sea of the cathedral square, but, finding
+that they forthwith sank in the same, they had called for help, shouting,
+screaming, and laughing, thereby attracting still other boys and idlers,
+who now with prudent caution stood on certain less saturated spots, and
+with shrieks of mockery and laughter watched the vain efforts of the
+sunken boys, who were striving to work themselves out of the morass. Such
+was the melancholy picture that presented itself to Count Adam von
+Schwarzenberg, and he gazed upon it with sad and gloomy looks.
+
+"And this is the residence of the Stadtholder in the Mark!" he sighed--"the
+outlook of von Schwarzenberg, count of the empire! Oh! it shall be
+otherwise! Out of this pigstye Berlin, I will construct a neat and
+handsome residence for myself, from this miserable house a splendid palace
+shall spring forth, and all the arts and sciences shall find their patron
+in the lord commanding in the Mark, when he is no longer merely called
+Stadtholder, but--"
+
+He looked anxiously behind him, as if he dreaded being overheard by some
+one. "Hush!" he murmured then, "be still! There are thoughts and plans
+which may never find expression in words, but, like Minerva from the brain
+of Jupiter, must come forth ready for action, spear in hand. Creep back
+into my heart, and never let it be perceived that you are there, until the
+right hour shall come, the hour--"
+
+He was silent, and again glanced searchingly around. Then, taking the
+silver whistle from his writing table, he let ring forth a shrill, loud
+call. A lackey in rich livery, its original material totally hidden
+beneath a mass of golden trappings and silver lace, appeared in the
+doorway.
+
+"Who is in the antechamber?" asked the count, casting a long, last glance
+upon the Venus, and then covering her again with the green stuff that hung
+at the corner of the frame.
+
+"Most gracious excellency, both entrance halls are crammed quite full of
+men of every rank and calling, for this is the hour for public audience."
+
+"Are many uniforms present?"
+
+"If you please, your excellency, very many. Besides General von Klitzing
+and Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf, the Colonels von Rochow and von Kracht
+are there."
+
+"These four gentlemen must be admitted to me," ordered the count. "The
+other people had better go, for I have no time to-day to grant audiences.
+Well, why do you stand there loitering? Why do you not go?"
+
+"Most gracious sir," entreated the lackey, "there are so many
+distinguished gentlemen there, who have already come so often in vain, and
+to whom I have promised an audience to-day, in accordance with your
+excellency's express command."
+
+"Who, for example?"
+
+"For example, your excellency, the councilors of the cities of Berlin and
+Cologne, then the states of the duchy of Cleves, and--"
+
+"Enough, enough! I see well that these lords have paid you to put me in
+mind of them, and I shall therefore have the complaisance to do honor to
+your intercession."
+
+"Alas! most gracious lord, I swear to your grace, that nobody has paid me,
+that--"
+
+"Silence! I know you all!" cried the count contemptuously. "I know that
+every audience day brings as much money to you lackeys as it prepares
+discomfort and weariness for me. Pocket your money quietly, honest
+Balthazar; you are no worse than all the rest of the servant brood and
+therefore I despise you no more than the rest. Go, conduct hither the
+military gentlemen named through the corridor, and meanwhile I shall take
+a walk through the audience chamber and you collect your pay."
+
+The gold-bedizened lackey left the cabinet with reverential and submissive
+air. But outside, he remained standing before the closed door, and boldly
+lifting up his head, with wholly altered face, hurled a look of hatred and
+defiance at the door.
+
+"No worse than all the rest of the servant brood!" he muttered, raising
+his fist in a threatening manner--"no worse than yourself, you should have
+said, proud lord. You receive bribes as well as we, take money wherever
+you can get it, lend upon pledges, and practice usury like any Jew! Ah! we
+know you, haughty count, the whole Mark of Brandenburg knows and detests
+you, and it is a sin and shame that we must bow down before the Catholic
+alien, the foreigner, the imperialist, the priest-ridden slave, and it is
+a dreadful misfortune that the Elector himself bows down before him, and
+acts as if Schwarzenberg were lord here, and he a mere servant. Well," he
+comforted himself, letting his fist drop, "I can not alter it, and father
+says what we can not alter we had better submit to, and profit by a
+little, if we can. I will now guide these gentlemen bullies to the count's
+cabinet."
+
+Count Adam von Schwarzenberg had meanwhile opened the door to his little
+private antechamber, and caused to enter his officiating equery and
+chamberlain, von Lehndorf, as also his two pages in waiting.
+
+"Lehndorf," he said, "what think you? Would it be possible to arrange a
+small hunting party for to-day?"
+
+"Most gracious sir," returned the chamberlain joyfully, "the weather seems
+just made for that. A clear, bright October day, and the does and stags in
+the park deserve that a couple of dozen of them should be shot down, for
+they have grown so bold that they hardly show any longer their wonted fear
+of man. Would your excellency believe that yesterday four does, under the
+guidance of a powerful buck, were pleased to issue forth from the park
+behind the castle and promenade a little in the worshipful towns of Berlin
+and Cologne? Such a screaming as there was of the street boys, who pursued
+the beasts, such a grunting of hogs, into whose styes the does sprang
+without respect, and such a running of honorable city women, who were
+struck with fear of being maltreated by the horned animals, who were
+nevertheless not their husbands, and such a yelping of noble butcher dogs,
+which probably took the does for calves gone mad! I swear, your
+excellency, it was divine sport."
+
+"You are a blustering fellow yourself," laughed the count, "and 'Who loves
+to dance, ne'er lacks the chance.' If you are thus minded, we shall have a
+little hunt to-day, and take it upon yourself to invite for us a few
+worthy and suitable gentlemen who have fine horses and dogs."
+
+"And will not your grace to-day, in this beautiful weather, grant these
+gentlemen the pleasure of seeing the two new greyhounds run? They have
+been here eight days already, and might as well display a little of their
+skill for the heavy sum of money they have cost."
+
+"Yes, that is true--a heavy sum of money they cost indeed," said the
+count. "My son writes me that he paid eight thousand dollars for these two
+greyhounds." [9]
+
+"But they are worth it, your excellency," cried the chamberlain, quite
+enthusiastically. "They are two wonderful animals, who have not their
+match in the wide world. I am quite in love with them, and if I had wife
+or ladylove, would gladly give her for these two greyhounds."
+
+"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!"
+
+
+
+
+BOOK II.
+
+I.--THE DOUBLE RENDEZVOUS.
+
+
+The Princess Ludovicka Hollandine walked restlessly to and fro in her
+apartment. Sometimes she stopped at the window and listened intently;
+then, finding all without still dark and silent, she stepped back and
+continued her restless walk, at times listening again at door or window.
+While passing the great Venetian mirror on the wall, on both sides of
+which were placed two silver candlesticks with immense burning wax tapers,
+she caught sight of her image as brightly and distinctly as if it had been
+a portrait, and she drew nearer, like a connoisseur bent on examining a
+picture. She saw before her within the carved gilt framework a beautiful
+maiden's form, in sky-blue satin robe that fell in wide, heavy folds
+around her full and blooming figure. The low-necked bodice left wholly
+uncovered her dazzling white shoulders, and beneath the transparent gauze
+of her sleeves shone the fair white arms as from out a silver cloud. Her
+head rested proudly and gracefully upon the slender alabaster neck, and
+was crowned by a profusion of black hair, caught up behind in great loops,
+and fastened with bows of blue satin ribbon. On the broad and lofty brow
+it was massed in the form of a diadem, with numberless pretty little
+ringlets. Her cheeks were pale, but of that clear, transparent paleness
+which has nothing in common with sickness and suffering, but is only
+peculiar to vehement, passionate natures, with whom the cheeks are
+colorless, because all the blood concentrates in the heart. Her large dark
+eyes had at the same time a languid, melting expression and the fire and
+glow of passion; the finely cut, slightly curved nose, the firm, somewhat
+projecting chin, indicated energy and decision; and around the full, rosy
+lips hovered a singular expression of good nature and frivolity.
+
+She contemplated herself for a long time, then a well-pleased smile passed
+over her fascinating countenance. "I am beautiful," she said, "yes, I am
+beautiful, and I believe those are right who suppose that I resemble my
+great-grand-mother, the beautiful Mary Stuart. O Mary! you beautiful,
+bewitching Queen--oh teach me the arts which won for you the hearts of all
+men; inspire me with the glow of passion, let it flash forth from me in
+bright flames, and grant that these flames may kindle and fire the one I
+love, whom I will possess, and on whom all my hopes and desires are fixed!
+But hush! did I not hear steps?"
+
+She again hurried to the window and listened, holding her breath. A
+shrill, thrice-repeated whistle was heard, sounding strangely awful in the
+stillness of the night.
+
+"It is he," murmured the Princess, "it is the concerted signal."
+
+She took from a table standing near a package consisting of cords and
+knots, and unrolled it. It was a rope ladder, twisted artfully and durably
+of fine cords, and held together at the top by a strong iron ring. This
+ring the Princess now slipped over the iron hook which was fixed in the
+middle of the cross work of the window, and lowered the rope ladder, while
+at the same time, as if in answer, she repeated the whistle in the same
+manner. Then she bounded back from the window, flew through the room to
+both doors, assured herself that the bolts were secured, and with hasty
+hands dropped the curtains over them.
+
+"No one can hear us, no one can see us, no one can get in here," she
+murmured; "he may come."
+
+A slight rustling was heard below the window, then a dark mass appeared in
+the open space, and a closely muffled manly form jumped from the
+windowsill down into the apartment. Wholly enveloped in the folds of an
+ample black cloak, whose hood was thrown over the head and drawn far over
+the face, it was impossible to recognize the visitor's features.
+
+
+The person thus disguised curiously and inquisitively turned his head to
+both sides of the room, strode rapidly across it, lifted the curtains from
+both doors, examined the fastenings of the bolts, went to the divan,
+peered under it, and, after completing this silent inspection of the
+chamber, returned to the window, loosened the cord from the hook, drew in
+the rope-ladder, and closed the window.
+
+Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, standing in the middle of the apartment,
+had watched this singular demeanour on the part of the mysterious intruder
+with growing astonishment. She had first held out her arms to greet the
+expected, the longed-for, to press him to her beating heart, but, finding
+that he came not to embrace her, she had slowly dropped her arms again.
+She had looked toward him with a tender glance, a fascinating smile, but
+when he hastened not to her, her glance had grown dark and her smile had
+vanished; and now, when he did approach her, she assumed an air of
+distant, proud reserve. He seemed not to see it, and, bending his knee
+before her, his head being still concealed, he pressed the hem of her
+garment reverentially to his lips.
+
+"Most beautiful, most condescending of all princesses," he whispered
+softly, "I sue for pardon, for forgiveness."
+
+The Princess shrank back, and a glowing flush overspread her cheeks. "My
+God!" she murmured, "that is not the voice--"
+
+"Not the voice of the one whom your highness desires to see," said the
+kneeling figure, concluding her sentence for her. "Yes, most amiable
+Princess, your tender, sensitive heart is not deceived. I am not the
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg. I am--"
+
+"Count d'Entragues, the French ambassador," cried the Princess, as the
+disguised man now threw back the hood of his mantle, and lifted up to her
+his youthfully handsome, smiling face.
+
+"Scream not, most gracious lady," said he, hastily, "and do not scold me,
+either; but be merciful and forgive me. I lie here at your feet and
+entreat for pardon, and will not rise until you have granted it."
+
+The Princess still kept her astonished and inquiring glance fixed upon
+him, but the sight of this handsome young man, disarmed her wrath.
+
+"Stand up, Count d'Entragues," she said--"stand up and account to me for
+this daring crime."
+
+"Your highness is right," returned he, "it is a daring crime, and only the
+extremest necessity could have driven me to this. I shall immediately
+therefore have the honor of explaining all this to the lovely, bewitching
+Princess Ludovicka Hollandine."
+
+With youthful agility he arose from his knees, took off his cloak, which
+he carelessly threw into a corner of the apartment, and presented himself
+to the Princess in a gold-embroidered velvet suit, richly trimmed with
+lace and ribbons. Ludovicka fixed her large eyes upon the proud and
+dazzling apparition of the young count, and the angry flashing of her eyes
+softened.
+
+"Sir Count," she said, imperiously, "without evasion and without
+circumlocution explain to me directly the meaning of this!"
+
+"You permit me to do so, then, fairest Princess? You thereby empower me to
+remain a half hour in your charming presence?"
+
+And while the count thus questioned, he took the hand of the Princess and
+covered it with kisses. Then, with graceful gallantry and solemn
+seriousness, as if they had been in the midst of a grand courtly
+assemblage, he conducted her to the divan. There she seated herself, and
+he bowed before her with all the formality and obsequiousness of a
+courtier as he took his place beside her.
+
+"Now your highness desires to know above all things how I can have dared
+to intrude here at so unusual an hour, and without the shadow of
+permission," he said with his mellifluous, insinuating voice. "Most
+gracious Princess, I confess that you are well justified in this
+curiosity, and I hasten to gratify it. Your grace expected a visitor
+indeed, but not the tiresome, unbidden Count d'Entragues--not the
+ambassador and servant of King Louis XIII or Cardinal Richelieu, but you
+expected an eloquent, handsome young Prince, who loves the Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine with passionate enthusiasm, and to whom after long
+and vain entreaties she has at last granted a rendezvous."
+
+"My God!" said the Princess, with an expression of horror, "how know you
+that, count?"
+
+"My most gracious Princess, I have a magician in my service, who acquaints
+me with everything that happens here at court and, above all things, in
+the palace of the Queen of Bohemia, and first of all in the apartments of
+the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine."
+
+"And the name of this magician is?"
+
+"Ducato, sweetest Princess, Ducato. Ah! if you knew what dear, precious
+secrets this magician has imparted to me, how loquaciously he blabs out to
+me everything that the fairest Princess in the world thinks and does by
+day and by night! I know, for example, how the lovely Princess stays with
+her mother with ever so much seriousness, goes with her to church, visits
+respectfully the Stadtholder of Holland, and fondles and pets the little
+Princess Louise; how she carries on her studies, plays the lute, paints
+and sings. But, God be thanked! life consists not entirely of days, but
+happily has its nights likewise."
+
+"What do you mean by that, Sir Count d'Entragues?"
+
+"I mean," replied the Count, while he smilingly bent over closer to the
+Princess--"I mean that here at The Hague there is a wonderful, charming
+combination of young gentlemen and noble young ladies, who have laid
+themselves out expressly to embellish these nights, and to indemnify
+themselves for their somber, gloomy days by joyous, merry nights. It is a
+secret order, into which it is a distinguished honor to be received, and
+which is shrouded in deepest secrecy. Never would a lady own that she
+belongs to it, and yet they say that the fairest, most exalted, most
+virtuous ladies press to be received into this order. It is not known of
+any of the ladies of the court that they belong to it, but it is suspected
+of each. No one can say that he has seen this or that one among the noble
+and virtuous ladies there, for at all the reunions of the members of the
+order the ladies wear small half-masks, and it is the first and most
+sacred law of the order that no man dares to lay so much as a finger upon
+this mask--this precious secret of the ladies. Moreover, they appear only
+in Grecian robes, so that it is difficult to recognize the beautiful forms
+of the ladies again in their elaborate court dresses and with their stiff
+Fontanges. The name of this secret society is Media Nocte, and it is
+especially an honor to belong to it, for nobody is admitted who has not
+stood his probation--that is to say, shown that he has acquired
+considerable proficiency in some art, and excels in it. He, therefore, who
+can not sing or play on the lute, paint or improvise, speak eloquently, or
+by some gift contribute to the enjoyment of the company, can never arrive
+at the distinction of becoming a member of this order. When, therefore, it
+is whispered of a gentleman that he belongs to the order, he is supposed
+to be not merely an accomplished gentleman, but an entertaining companion,
+a favorite of the Muses. If this secret is whispered of a lady, then we
+look upon her with admiration, rapture, joy for we know that we have
+before us one of those choice, enchanting, and rare beings, who are
+exalted above all prejudice; who believe not, with zealots and ascetics,
+that we live only to die, but who joyfully acknowledge that we live to
+live, and, therefore, that the noblest, worthiest task proposed is to
+render this life as pleasant as possible."
+
+"Why do you tell me all this, dear count?" asked the Princess impatiently.
+
+"It is true," replied he, smiling; "why should I tell you what you know
+already? I tell it to your highness in order to prove to you that I,
+thanks to my little magician Ducato, know the secret of the Media Nocte; I
+tell it to you in order now to whisper a secret in your ear: the Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine belongs to the society, she is a member of the order
+of the Media Nocte."
+
+The Princess only with difficulty suppressed a shriek, and stared with
+horror at the smiling countenance of the young count.
+
+"Hush, gracious lady, hush!" whispered the latter while he took her hand
+and imprinted a reverential kiss upon the tips of her rosy fingers. "Why
+should you wish to deny what is so genial and so delightful? My magician
+Ducato always tells me the truth; why should we dispute it? But it was not
+that which your highness wished to learn of me. You would ask me, how I
+know that the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg loves the beautiful Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine, and was to have his first rendezvous with her
+to-day. Once more, it is the magician Ducato who has told me that; yes,
+that good, obliging magician has done yet more for me. He put into my
+hands the pretty little note which the Princess Ludovicka sent yesterday
+through her confidential maid-servant to the confidential valet of the
+Electoral Prince, before the Prince had read it himself."
+
+"That is shameful--that is unheard of!" said the Princess, with glowing
+cheeks and tears in her eyes. "It is an abominable piece of deceit on the
+part of my maid, and she shall pay for it. To-morrow morning I shall
+dismiss her, and--"
+
+"That she may tell all the world the little secrets of her exalted
+mistress?" asked Count d'Entragues. "Oh, no, your highness; the maid is
+perfectly innocent of deceit, and it was only the magician Ducato who
+played the Princess's pretty little note into my hands. And will my
+sweetest lady know now what I did with the little note? I read it first,
+then--saw there that a rendezvous was granted the Prince at one o'clock. I
+took a very small sharp knife and--"
+
+"And? My God, go on! What did you with the knife?"
+
+"I very delicately erased and altered the number from a one into a two.
+Then I refolded the note, and handed it to my magician for further
+preferment to the Prince."
+
+"The Electoral Prince has received my note, then?" asked the Princess. "He
+will consequently--"
+
+"Come at two o'clock, instead of one o'clock," replied the count, and he
+intercepted the look which Ludovicka cast upon the large French clock upon
+the mantelpiece. "Yes, we have just a half hour before the Prince makes
+his appearance, and I hope that will suffice to obtain your highness's
+pardon for my boldness, and to establish a good understanding between
+myself and the most spirituelle, most genial, and most beautiful Princess
+of all the European courts. Will your highness be kind enough to grant me
+a hearing?"
+
+The Princess smiled imperceptibly. "The question comes somewhat late," she
+said. "If you had asked it while you stood there on the windowsill, before
+you came into my room, then I should have replied: 'No, be off! No, you
+are a shameless person, who has dared to spy out my secrets, to bribe my
+servants, and to deceive me, while he approaches me in a way that he knew
+perfectly was not open to him.' But you are here now; alas! I have not the
+power to expel you, and to punish you before all the world as you deserve."
+
+"O Princess! as if your harsh and cruel words were not a punishment, which
+touches my heart more sensibly than the cut of a sword or thrust of a
+dagger!"
+
+The Princess seemed not to have heard these words of the count, spoken
+with artistic effect, and continued: "You are here now, and I will at
+least know what inspired you to run this unheard-of risk of forcing
+yourself upon my notice. I am therefore ready to listen to you, on
+condition that you try to be short and not burden me too long with your
+presence."
+
+"Permit me to thank you, most condescending Princess," cried the count,
+while he sank from the ottoman down upon his knees, and pressed his
+glowing lips upon the hem of the Princess's robe. "I thank you, and swear
+that I will not overstep the limit prescribed, and depart at two with the
+first stroke of the clock."
+
+"Rise, count, rise and speak," said Ludovicka, in commanding tones, and
+with the full dignity of a Princess.
+
+Count d'Entragues again resumed his seat upon the divan. "Your highness
+commands now that I explain how I could have dared to come here?"
+
+"I confess that I am very anxious to hear this explanation."
+
+"Well, then, your highness is young, very young indeed, hardly eighteen
+years old, but you possess, in addition to a soft and tender heart, an
+almost masculine intellect. I apprehend from this that you interest
+yourself in politics."
+
+"There you are entirely mistaken, count. I hate, I abhor politics, and
+when my mother proposes to talk politics with me I always run away."
+
+"That is bad, very bad, your highness; for I am forced to talk politics to
+you. But I shall not be tedious, but limit myself to what is absolutely
+necessary. I shall therefore begin, in order to give your highness a proof
+of my reverential, unlimited confidence, by telling you what no one here
+knows--by telling you why I have been sent here and what my errand is.
+Princess, I have been ostensibly sent here to the Stadtholder of Orange
+and as ambassador from the King of France to the Sovereign States. In
+reality, I have been sent to two entirely different persons--to the
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg and to the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine."
+
+"To me?" asked the Princess, and her beautiful face expressed the most
+undisguised astonishment.
+
+"Yes, to yourself, most gracious Princess. And does your highness know
+why? Because our spies here, as well as the gentlemen of the French
+embassy to Holland, had reported that the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg
+was smitten with the most glowing love for your highness."
+
+The Princess blushed with pleasure, and a wondrous smile lit up her
+radiant countenance. "But," asked she, "how does it concern the court of
+France whom the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg loves?"
+
+"It concerns the court of France very nearly, your highness. I can not
+avoid now burdening your highness a little with hated politics, while I
+explain to you how it comes that the love of the Electoral Prince of
+Brandenburg is a state affair for the European courts. It comes from this,
+your highness, because the Electoral Prince, however small and
+insignificant his house, however inconsiderable, too, his future realm of
+Brandenburg, is still a very important personage. Three crowns are
+hovering in the air above his head, and if he obtains all three he will be
+a mighty Prince, and his sword may turn the scale in the balance of peace
+and war."
+
+"What three crowns are those which hover thus above the Prince's head?"
+
+"There is first the crown of the dukedom of Prussia, with which the King
+of Poland has to invest the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, and which the
+Elector of Saxony would be too glad to see fall upon his own head. Then,
+in the second place, there is the crown of the duchy of Pomerania, which
+belongs to the house of Brandenburg by right of inheritance, and which the
+Swedes are struggling for; and finally, in the third place, there is the
+crown of the duchy of Cleves, Juliers, and Berg, which the Emperor of
+Germany has indeed adjudged to that house, but which is so torn by
+Hessians and Spaniards, by the States, by the Swedes and various robbers,
+that probably hardly anything at all of it will be left. But nevertheless,
+there it is, and if the future Elector of Brandenburg actually succeeds in
+uniting upon his own head these three crowns, besides the electoral hat of
+Brandenburg, then he will be mighty and influential, and have a full
+sounding voice in the concert of the European princes. But now you must
+know that the Elector of Brandenburg is sickly, and has not many more
+years to live. Then the Electoral Prince Frederick William becomes his
+successor, and it is only needful to have seen the Prince for a few hours,
+to have looked into his fiery eyes, to be made aware that he will not
+tread in his father's footsteps, that he will not be the submissive vassal
+of the German Emperor, a mere tool in the hands of his minister, but that
+his efforts will be directed to making himself a free, independent Prince,
+and his country a strong, powerful, and self-sustaining state. The
+Minister von Schwarzenberg, the almighty representative of the present
+Elector, knows this very well, and on this account dreads and hates the
+Electoral Prince; he has therefore removed him from his father's court in
+order to take away all influence from him, and he would esteem himself
+happy if some lucky accident or criminal hand should free him from this
+inconvenient successor to the throne. But heretofore accident has not
+favored him; nor has he yet dared to press the murderous hand into his
+service; and he has therefore been compelled to devise some other method
+for securing his future, and so enchaining the Electoral Prince that he,
+too, may remain the Emperor's obedient vassal. As the best means for
+attaining this object it has occurred to them to bind the Electoral Prince
+to the German imperial house by marriage, and to receive him into the
+Hapsburg family. The Archduke Leopold, the future Emperor, has a very
+pretty daughter. She is intellectual, ardent, a strict Catholic, and has
+at heart the greatness of the Hapsburg house and the German Emperor. This
+princess, or rather archduchess, has been selected for the Electoral
+Prince of Brandenburg, and on that account the Electoral Prince is now to
+return home, for the Elector and his Minister Schwarzenberg are much bent
+upon the imperial alliance, and have already promised that the Electoral
+Prince shall make a visit to the imperial court. But, excuse me, I am
+misusing your indulgence, Princess. I am holding forth to you a
+long-winded political harangue, forgetting entirely how you hate politics,
+what a heinous crime I am committing, and that I weary you."
+
+"You do not weary me at all," replied Ludovicka quickly. "On the contrary,
+you interest me greatly. Only go on. I am listening attentively. You said
+that the Electoral Prince was to return home in order to make a visit to
+the imperial court, and to marry an archduchess of Austria?"
+
+"Pardon me, your highness. I only said this was the new plan of the
+imperial court, and consequently of the Minister Schwarzenberg and his
+Elector. And, indeed, the plan is good, for the son-in-law of the Emperor
+would be wholly dependent upon Austria, and if then the three pending
+crowns should settle upon his brow, it would be the same as if Austria
+herself wore them. Then they would cause the young married couple to make
+an agreement respecting claims of inheritance, in accordance with which
+the survivor should become heir to the first deceased. Then, some day, the
+Electoral Prince, or the young Elector, would have the misfortune to fall
+from his horse, or be pierced while hunting by some missent bullet, or
+fall a victim to a sudden problematical sickness; in short, he would die,
+and his wife would be his heiress, and through her the Electoral Mark
+Brandenburg, the duchies of Prussia, Pomerania, and Cleves, accrue to the
+imperial house. This would be then to put an end to the long, fearful war,
+to make peace with Sweden by relinquishing Pomerania to her, and, in order
+to see this war finally ended, which has desolated the whole of Germany,
+the other German powers would acquiesce in Pomerania becoming Swedish, and
+Cleves, Brandenburg, and Prussia Hapsburgian."
+
+"Sir Count!" cried the Princess, "now you become tiresome, for you have
+digressed from your subject!"
+
+"From the Electoral Prince? Oh, no; I have already come to him again,
+fairest Princess! I said all Germany would consent to this marriage.
+Poland, too, would rather invest the Catholic imperial house with the
+Prussian crown than the reformed Elector, and prefer an Austrian neighbor
+as friend to a Russian; only two European powers would look askance upon
+this union, and consequently do all they possibly could to prevent its
+consummation."
+
+"And who are these two powers, Sir Count?"
+
+"One power is France, who would never consent to so striking an
+aggrandizement of the house of Austria, and can not passively submit to
+see it spread itself so extensively north, west, and east."
+
+"And the second power, count?"
+
+"The second power is the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine of the Palatinate,
+who would never give up the handsome Electoral Prince, and would snatch at
+any means of preventing his marriage with any one else. Will you
+condescend to acknowledge that I have told the truth?"
+
+"Yes!" cried the Princess passionately--"yes, you have told the truth! I
+love him, and the only happiness upon earth for me is in becoming his
+wife!"
+
+"Princess, I presume to make a proposal to you. Let the two powers that
+wish not the marriage with an Austrian archduchess conclude together a
+league offensive and defensive. The power France accedes to this with joy.
+It promises to further and support the second power in all her plans, to
+lend her efficient aid, that the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine may wed the
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg."
+
+"Oh, heavens, count, you would do that, you--"
+
+"France will do that, not I," said the count passionately. "No, not I,
+Princess, for you know well that I was rash enough to lift my eyes to your
+heavenly apparition, my heart--But hush, you poor, foolish heart, suffer
+and be dumb, sacrifice yourself, and only busy yourself in making happy
+the sweet object of your warm and glowing love! Princess, you love the
+Electoral Prince! France offers you her assistance that you may marry him.
+This marriage will throw the Elector as well as the German Emperor into
+the greatest rage; they will both refuse their consent; they will require
+Holland to deliver up the Electoral Prince; they will proclaim invalid the
+marriage between two minor lovers, and will cut off the Electoral Prince
+from all means of subsistence."
+
+"Oh, that is shocking, you give me a glimpse of a background which fills
+me with dread and horror," lamented the Princess.
+
+"Fear nothing, dread nothing," whispered the count. "France is here to
+support you. France offers the young couple an asylum in Paris, and will
+receive them at her court with pleasure. France will take care that the
+Electoral Prince and his wife want for nothing; she will pay him rich
+subsidies, contribute vast sums of money that the Electoral Prince may
+present his young bride with a costly outfit; and finally, in the name of
+her mother, the Electress of the Palatinate, provide the Princess with a
+truly princely income."
+
+"How kind, how generous that is of France!" cried Ludovicka. "It will
+promote my happiness, it will aid me in being united with my beloved; it
+thereby pledges me to eternal gratitude, and never shall I forget that I
+owe to France the happiness of my whole life."
+
+"And that, adored Princess, that is the only thing that France claims for
+its good offices--a little gratitude! A faithful remembrance of its good
+offices rendered, the sure promise that the Elector Frederick William of
+Brandenburg will never range himself on the side of the enemies of France,
+never league himself with the house of Austria against France, but forever
+remain the faithful ally and friend of France!"
+
+"I promise you that--I give you my solemn word for it! Oh, we are no
+ingrates, to reward you with ingratitude; be sure and certain of that. The
+Electoral Prince loves me; he will bid all welcome that makes a union with
+me possible; he will be eternally grateful to those who will lend us a
+helping hand."
+
+"And--forgive me, your highness, for asking one question--has he offered
+you his hand; has he made you a formal proposal of marriage?"
+
+"He has sworn a thousand times that he loves me; he has so long and so
+often besought me to grant him an interview that I have at last done
+so--all the rest follows."
+
+"Now," said the count, with a meaning smile, "that is just as one may take
+it. In any case, this interview will be useful and to the purpose, and
+your highness must now bring the Prince to declare himself formally."
+
+"My heavens!" cried the Princess impatiently, "I tell you that he has very
+often declared himself, that he has sworn to me a thousand times that of
+all the world he loves me, and me alone! What more would you have him
+say?"
+
+"Princess, you are an angel of innocence and maidenly simplicity. When I
+say the Prince must declare himself, I mean by that that he must sue for
+your hand; he must say to you in so many words that he wishes to marry
+you."
+
+"Good! he shall do so, even to-day. Oh, sir, it pleases you to doubt the
+love of the Electoral Prince? You dare to think it possible that he may be
+only amusing himself with me--that he has no serious designs? I shall
+prove to you that you are mistaken--that you wrong me and the Electoral
+Prince alike by your doubt. This very night he shall offer me his
+hand--this very night I shall engage myself to him!"
+
+"And to-morrow night the nuptials must take place!" cried the count.
+
+The Princess shrank back and a glowing blush overspread her cheeks. "So
+soon--to-morrow night?" she murmured. "My God! this haste--"
+
+"Is necessary, if the marriage is ever to take place at all, Princess.
+There is a common but very wise proverb which says, 'Strike while the iron
+is hot.' Strike, Princess, strike, for I tell you what does not happen
+to-morrow night will be utterly impossible the day after. We have
+fortunately our secret agents everywhere, as well here as at the courts of
+Berlin and Königsberg, and we therefore know that both Count Schwarzenberg
+and the Elector have sent their messengers here to induce the Electoral
+Prince to a speedy departure, and to threaten him with his father's wrath
+in case he should allow himself to marry the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine."
+
+"But that is abominable!" cried the Princess, with tears in her eyes. "One
+of these messengers," continued the count, "and indeed the messenger of
+Count Schwarzenberg, as I suspect, has already arrived this evening, and
+the Electoral Prince has already received him. The other will probably
+come to-morrow, and if you then still delay, if you do not surprise the
+Prince in the first storm of his indignation, and thereby lead him to bind
+himself to you by a secret marriage, then all is lost, and the two powers
+Hollandine and France are conquered by Brandenburg and Austria."
+
+"That shall not be!" cried the Princess, jumping up, and with hasty steps
+moving to and fro. "No, we are not to be conquered! They shall not tear my
+beloved from me!"
+
+"Well, Princess, if you are firmly resolved, then I beg as a favor to be
+allowed to be of service to you."
+
+"Yes, help me--advise me."
+
+"I have counted upon your love and your energy, Princess, and therefore
+have already drawn up a stated plan. Will you hear it?"
+
+"Not merely hear, but execute it, too, if it is at all practicable," cried
+Ludovicka, while she remained standing in the center of the room, and
+turned her large, flaming eyes upon the count, who had likewise arisen and
+advanced smilingly toward her.
+
+"Well, then, Princess, the plan is short and simple. The Prince makes you
+to-night his offer of marriage."
+
+"Yes, this very night," said she, proudly.
+
+"He swears that he will marry you as soon as possible."
+
+"Oh, you may be sure of that; he will swear it to me."
+
+"Own to him that you have friends on whose aid and assistance you can
+count, but let him not suspect who these friends are. Then lead the
+conversation to the Media Nocte--But, my heavens!" exclaimed the count,
+interrupting himself, while he looked as if accidentally at the clock, "it
+only wants now a few minutes of two o'clock, and the Electoral Prince will
+certainly come punctually, and therefore will be here directly. I have
+written out all that it is necessary that you will have the complaisance
+to do between this and to-morrow. Read it over at your leisure, and
+impress it rightly upon your mind. Here is the paper, and may my writing
+find a hearing and favor! If such be the case, as I hope and desire, then
+will your highness have the goodness to open your window a little at ten
+o'clock and display from it an orange-colored ribbon. All the rest will
+take care of itself, and what your highness has to do is on the paper. I
+hasten to withdraw, that your highness may have time to read my writing."
+
+"But if the Prince should come now?" asked Ludovicka anxiously--"if he
+should see a man descending from my window?"
+
+"You are right, Princess; that is to be dreaded; and I, too, have
+considered that. I will not leave through the window."
+
+"Not through the window? But in what other way would you--"
+
+"Go away, would you say? By yonder door! I know perfectly well that it
+leads into the Princess's private apartment, and thence into the
+antechamber. Oh, I know the Castle Doornward well, for is it not the
+residence of the Electress of the Palatinate and her fair daughter the
+Princess? Therefore I have had drawn out for myself an exact plan of
+it. Moreover, your waiting maid Alice awaits me in the antechamber.
+Forgive her for not having been able to withstand the persuasions of her
+compatriot, the magician Ducato. Alice will permit me to slip out of the
+castle by a back door. And now, adored Princess and exalted Electress of
+the future, permit your most faithful and devoted servant ere he depart
+once more to press your beloved hand to his lips, and to tell you how
+inexpressibly happy--and, alas! how inexpressibly wretched--it makes him
+that he can and--must assist in marrying the Princess Ludovicka to the
+Electoral Prince."
+
+With a bewitching smile the Princess held out her hand to him. "Count
+d'Entragues," she said, "I shall be eternally grateful to you for your
+self-sacrifice and good faith. I shall esteem myself happy if some day I
+may find an opportunity of proving this to you. Farewell!"
+
+He pressed a long, glowing kiss upon her hand. "Farewell!" he said. "When
+I see you again, Princess, I shall accompany you to the altar, and must
+witness the transformation of the Princess Ludovicka into an Electoral
+Princess of Brandenburg, and in my heart will be prayers, but also tears!
+Farewell!"
+
+He sprang up, crossed the room with light, quick steps, unbolted the door,
+and vanished behind the curtain. The Princess watched him until he had
+disappeared, and, after she had convinced herself that he was actually
+gone, and had bolted the door again, she took out the paper and read over
+its contents slowly and with most serious attention.
+
+As she read, brighter and brighter became her face, constantly more
+radiant the smile upon her rosy lips. "Yes," she cried, after she had
+twice read it through, "that will do--it shall be so! To-morrow in the
+Media Nocte I will--"
+
+A loud shrill whistle sounded. "He comes!" whispered she, "he comes!"
+
+With trembling hands she thrust the paper into a casket belonging to her
+writing table, and hurried to the window to open it and lower the rope
+ladder.
+
+At this moment the whistle rang forth for the second time, its tones
+following one another in quick succession.
+
+"It is he--it is my beloved," murmured Ludovicka, and with a happy smile
+she listened out into the night.
+
+
+
+
+II.--THE ELECTORAL PRINCE.
+
+
+The Princess had not long to wait. The groaning and creaking of the rope
+ladder already betrayed the presence of its burden. Ludovicka leaned
+farther out of the window and saw the dark shadow mount higher and higher;
+already she heard his breath, and now--oh, now he was there, swung himself
+in at the window, and without saying a word, without seeing anything but
+herself, only herself alone. He fell on his knees before the Princess,
+flung both arms round her waist, and, looking up at her with a beaming
+smile, whispered, "I thank you, Ludovicka, I thank you!"
+
+She bent down to him with an expression of unutterable love, and their
+bright eyes met in a tender glance. They formed a beautiful picture, those
+two youthful figures combining in so lovely a group. She, bending over him
+with a look brimful of love, he gazing up at her with animated, radiant
+eyes. The full light of the wax candles in the silver chandelier
+illuminated his countenance, and Ludovicka looked down upon him with a
+smile as blissful as if she had now seen him for the first time.
+
+"You are handsome," she whispered, softly, while with her white hand she
+stroked his dark-brown hair, which fell in long waving curls, like the
+mane of a lion, over both powerful shoulders. "Yes, you are handsome," she
+smilingly repeated, and playfully passed her hand over his features, over
+the lofty, thoughtful brow, the energetic, slightly prominent, aquiline
+nose, over the full glowing lips, which breathed an ardent kiss upon the
+hand that glided past.
+
+"Now let me look into your eyes and see what is written in them,"
+continued Ludovicka, and she stooped lower over the kneeling youth, and
+looked long into those large, dark-blue eyes, which gazed up at her,
+lustrous and bright as two twinkling stars.
+
+"Have you read what is in my eyes?" he asked, after a long pause, in which
+only their glances and their beating hearts had spoken to one another.
+"Have you read it, my Ludovicka?"
+
+With a charmingly pouting expression she shook her head. "No," said she
+sadly, "I can not read it, or perhaps there is nothing in them, or at
+least nothing for me!"
+
+He jumped up, and, throwing his arms around her neck, leaned his face
+close against hers, flashed his burning glance deep into her eyes, and in
+doing so smiled a blissful, childlike smile.
+
+"Now read," he said, almost imperiously--"read and tell me what is in my
+eyes!"
+
+She slowly shook her head. "There is nothing in them," she whispered.
+"But, indeed, how can I know? The Electoral Prince Frederick William is so
+very learned, and it is only my own fault that I can not read what is in
+his eyes. It is written in Latin, or perhaps in Greek!"
+
+"No, you mischievous, you cruel one," cried he impatiently. "You just will
+not understand and read what is plainly and intelligibly written in my
+eyes. My heart speaks neither Latin nor Greek, but German, and the eyes
+are the lips with which the heart speaks."
+
+"Well then, tell me, Cousin Frederick William, what is in your eyes?"
+
+"I will tell you, Cousin Ludovicka Hollandine. They say: I love you! I
+love you! And nothing but I love you!"
+
+"But whom? To whom are these three little words addressed?"
+
+"To you, you heartless, you wicked one, to you are these words addressed.
+But not little words are they, as you say; they are great words, full of
+meaning: for a world, a whole human life, my whole future, lies in these
+three words--I love you."
+
+He embraced her and pressed her close to his heart, and Ludovicka leaned
+her head upon his shoulder and looked up at him with moist and glowing
+eyes. He nodded smilingly to her, and then took her head between his two
+hands and gazed long and rapturously upon her beautiful face.
+
+"So I have you at last, and hold you, my golden butterfly," he said
+gently. "You are mine at last, and I hold you fast by your transparent
+wings, so that you can not flutter away from me again to fly up to the
+sun, the flowers, the trees! O my butterfly! you pretty creature, made of
+ethereal dust and rainbow splendor, of air and sunshine, of lightning
+flashes and icy coldness, are you actually mine, then? May I trust you?
+Think not I am only a poor little flower on which you may smilingly rock
+yourself an hour in the sunshine, and enjoy the perfume which mounts up
+from its heart's blood, and the love songs which its sighs waft to you in
+the breeze! Tell me, you butterfly, will you no more flutter away, but be
+true and never more distress and torment me?"
+
+"I have never wished to distress and torment you, cousin."
+
+
+"And yet you have done it, so often, so grievously!" cried he, and his
+handsome open countenance grew quickly dark, while his eyes flashed with
+indignation. "Ludovicka," he continued, "you have tortured and tormented
+me, and often when I have seen how you smiled upon others and exchanged
+glances with them, and allowed yourself to be pleased by their homage,
+their devotion--often have I felt then as if an iron fist had seized my
+heart to tear it from my breast, and felt as if I enjoyed this, and as if
+I exulted with delight over my own wrath. Tear out my foolish heart, you
+iron fist of pain, said I to myself; cast it far from me, this childish
+heart, for then shall I be happy and glad, then shall I no longer feel
+love but be freed from the fearful bondage it imposes upon me. How often,
+Ludovicka, how often have I been ashamed of these chains, and bitten at
+them, as the lion, languishing in a dungeon, bites at his."
+
+"Truly, fair sir," cried Ludovicka, as arm in arm she and her beloved
+moved toward the divan--"truly, to hear you talk, one would suppose that
+love was a misfortune and a pain."
+
+"It is so indeed," said he, almost savagely--"yes, love is a misfortune
+and a pain; for with love comes doubt, jealousy, and jealousy is the most
+dreadful pain. And then I have often said to myself as I wept about you
+for rage and woe because I have seen you more friendly with others than
+with me--I have often said to myself that it is unworthy of a man to allow
+himself to be subjected by love, unworthy to make a woman the mistress of
+his thoughts, of his desires; that a man should strive for higher aims,
+aspire to nobler things."
+
+"To nobler things? Now tell me, you monster, is there anything nobler than
+a woman? Is there a higher aim than to win her love?"
+
+"No; that is true, there is nothing higher!" cried he passionately. "No
+there is nothing nobler. Oh, forgive me, Ludovicka, I was a heathen, who
+denies his goddess, and finds fault with her out of excess of feeling. My
+God! I have suffered so much through you and your cruelty! And I tell you
+if you had not now at last heard my petition, at last granted me a
+rendezvous, then--"
+
+"Then you would have killed yourself," interrupted she--"then you would
+have stabbed yourself on the threshold of my door, while you cursed me. Is
+not that what you would have said?"
+
+"No; I would have found out the man whom you preferred to me, and I would
+have killed him, and you I would have despised--that is what I would have
+said. But no, no, I can not conceive of or imagine myself despising
+you--loving you no more! My whole soul is yours, and my heart flames up
+toward you as if it were one vast and living lake of fire. You smile; you
+do not believe me, Ludovicka! But I tell you, if you do not believe me,
+neither do you believe in love itself."
+
+"I do not believe in it, either, cousin; and you are quite right, your
+heart is a lake of fire. You know, though, all fires become extinct?"
+
+"When fuel is denied them, Ludovicka--not till then. They burn constantly,
+if supplied with constant fuel."
+
+"So then, my Electoral Prince, my heart is the fuel you would require?"
+
+"Yes, my Princess, I do require it. I implore it of you. Be good,
+Ludovicka, torment me not. Let me at last feel myself blessed--let me put
+my arm around you, and say and think, she is mine! mine she remains!"
+
+"Mine she remains!" repeated Ludovicka, sighing. "Alas! Frederick, how
+long ere you will no longer wish that I were yours; how long ere all the
+oaths of your heart will be forgotten and forever hushed? I have heard it
+from all women--they all say that the love of men is perishable; that,
+like a flash of lightning, it shines forth with vivid blaze, then vanishes
+away."
+
+"And they have all deceived you or been deceived themselves, Ludovicka.
+The love of men never expires, unless forcibly extinguished by women. Be
+trustful, my Ludovicka, trustful, and pious, and let love, holy and still,
+ardent and glowing, penetrate your heart, just as I do, without trembling,
+without hesitancy, and without the fear of men."
+
+"You love me, then, love me truly?" asked Ludovicka, tenderly clinging to
+him.
+
+"I love you with wrath and pain, love you with rapture and delight, love
+you in spite of the whole world! I will know nothing, consider nothing,
+hear nothing of the folly of the wise, of the irrationality of the
+rational, of the stupidity of the sage. I will know nothing and hear
+nothing, but that I love you! Just as you are, so cruel and so lovely, so
+coquettish and so innocent, so passionate and yet so cold. Oh, you are an
+enchantress, who has changed my whole being and taken possession of all my
+thoughts and all my feelings. Formerly I loved my parents, feared my
+father, respected my friend and early teacher, the faithful Leuchtmar,
+listened to his counsels, followed his advice. But now all that is
+past--all is swallowed up. I think only of you, only know you, only hear
+you."
+
+"And yet a day will come when I shall call upon you in vain, a day when
+you shall no longer hear my voice."
+
+"It will be the day of my death."
+
+"No; the day when you leave this place. The day on which you return to
+your native land to become there a reigning lord, and leave the poor
+humbled Princess Ludovicka behind here deserted and alone."
+
+"But you? Will you not go with me?" he asked, in amazement. "Will not my
+country be yours? And if I am a reigning lord, will you not stand as
+sovereign lady by my side?"
+
+"I?" asked she, bewildered. "How do you mean? I do not understand you."
+
+"I mean," he whispered softly, while he clasped her closely to himself--"I
+mean that you shall accompany me as my wife."
+
+"But!" cried she, smiling, and with an expression of radiant joy--"but you
+have never said that I should be your wife."
+
+"Have I not told you that I love you? Have I not been repeating to you for
+a year that I love you? And does it not naturally follow that you and you
+alone are to be my wife?"
+
+"But they will not suffer it, Frederick!" cried she, with an expression of
+pain. "No, they will never suffer you to make me your wife."
+
+"Who will not suffer it, Ludovicka?"
+
+"Your parents will not suffer it, and the great Lord von Schwarzenberg,
+who rules your father, as my mother has told me, and Herr von Leuchtmar,
+who rules you and--"
+
+"Nobody rules me," interrupted he indignantly, and a flush of anger or
+shame suffused his face. "No, nobody rules me, and I shall never be
+subject to any other will than my own."
+
+"So you say now, Frederick, while you look into my eyes, while you are at
+my side. But to-morrow, when I am no longer by, when your tutor shall have
+proved with his cold, matter-of-fact arguments that the poor Princess
+Ludovicka is no fit match for the Electoral Prince of
+Brandenburg--to-morrow, when your tutor will chide his beloved
+pupil for ever having allowed so foolish a love to enter his
+heart, then--"
+
+"I am a pupil no longer," interrupted he with glowing cheek. "I am
+seventeen years old, and no tutor has any more power over me."
+
+She seemed not to have heard him, and continued in her sweet, melancholy
+voice: "To-morrow, when perhaps another messenger comes to summon you
+home, when he brings you a letter from your father with the command to set
+forth immediately, in which you are informed that he has selected a bride
+for you, oh, then will the Electoral Prince Frederick William be naught
+but the obedient son, who obeys his father's commands, who leaves this
+country to seek his native land, and to wed the bride who has been chosen
+for him by his father."
+
+"No!" shouted the Electoral Prince fiercely, while he leaped up from the
+divan, and stamped his foot upon the ground--"I say no, and once more no.
+I shall not do what they order. I shall only follow my own will. And it is
+my will, my fixed, unalterable will, to make you my wife, and this will I
+shall carry into effect, despite my father, the German Emperor, and the
+whole world. Ludovicka, I here offer you my hand. Do you accept it? Will
+you be my wife?"
+
+With a countenance irradiated by energy, pride, and love he held out his
+hand to her, and smilingly she laid her own small hand in his. "Yes," she
+said, "I will be your wife. With pride and joy I accept your beloved hand,
+and swear that I love you, and will honor and obey you as my lord and my
+beloved!"
+
+He sank upon his knees before her, and kissed the hand which rested in his
+own. "Ludovicka Hollandine, Princess of the Palatinate," he said, with
+distinct and solemn voice, "I, Frederick William, Electoral Prince of
+Brandenburg, vow and swear hereby to love and be faithful to you ever as
+your wedded husband."
+
+"I accept your oath, and return it!" she cried joyfully. "I, too, swear to
+love and be ever true to you, and to take you for my husband. And here you
+have my betrothal kiss, and here you have your destined bride. Take her,
+and love her a little, for she loves you very much, and she will die of
+chagrin if you forget her!"
+
+"I shall never forget you, Ludovicka!" cried he, tenderly embracing her.
+"Storms indeed will come, violent tempests will rage about us, but I
+rejoice in them. For strength is tried by storms, and when it thunders and
+lightens I can then prove to you that my arm is strong enough to protect
+you, and that you are safe from all danger upon my heart."
+
+"O Frederick! and still, still would they separate us. My mother just said
+to me yesterday, 'Take care not to love the Electoral Prince seriously,
+for he can never be your husband.' And when, trembling and weeping, I
+asked the reason, she at last replied, 'Because you are a poor Princess,
+and because the misfortunes of your house overshadow you likewise.' The
+Elector and his minister will never give their consent to such a union,
+and the Electoral Prince will never have the spirit to be disobedient to
+his father and to marry in opposition to his wishes."
+
+She darted a quick, searching glance at his face, and saw how he reddened
+with indignation. "I shall prove to your mother that she is mistaken in
+me," he said vehemently. "I am indeed yet young in years, but I feel
+myself in heart a man who bows to no strange will, and is only obedient to
+the law of his conscience and his own judgment. I love you, Ludovicka, and
+I will marry you!"
+
+"If they give us time, Frederick," sighed Ludovicka. "If they do not force
+me first to wed some other man."
+
+"What do you say?" cried the Electoral Prince, growing pale, as he clasped
+his beloved yet closer to his side. "Could it be possible that--"
+
+"That they sell and barter me away, just as they do other princesses? Yes,
+alas! it is possible. Ay, Frederick, more than possible--it is certain
+that they have such views. Wherefore think you, then, that the Electoral
+Prince of Hesse is here--that he came yesterday with my uncle, the
+Stadtholder, to visit my mother, and that he was even presented to me in
+my own apartment? O Frederick! my mother has told me it is a settled
+thing--that the Electoral Prince of Hesse has come to marry me. They have
+already made arrangements, and got everything in readiness. Day after
+to-morrow is to be the day for his formal wooing, and if you do not save
+me, if you know of no way of escape, then in eight days I shall be the
+bride of the Electoral Prince of Hesse. I had planned, Frederick, to try
+you first--to hear from yourself whether you actually loved me, whether
+your love was earnest. Had I discovered that you were only making sport of
+my heart, had you not formally offered me your hand and sued for me as
+your wife, then would I have gone silently away, would have buried my love
+in the depths of my soul, sacrificed myself to my mother's wishes and the
+misfortune of my house, and become the wife of the Electoral Prince of
+Hesse. But you do love me, you offer me your hand, and now I confess my
+love openly and joyfully--now I cast myself in your arms and entreat you:
+Save me, my Frederick, do not let them tear me away from you! Save me from
+the Electoral Prince of Hesse!"
+
+She flung both her arms around him, pressed him closely to her, and looked
+up to him with tenderly beseeching eye. With passionate warmth the
+Electoral Prince kissed those alluring eyes and lips responding to his
+pressure. "You shall be mine, you must be mine, for I love you
+inexpressibly. I can not, I will not live without you!"
+
+"Let us fly, my beloved," whispered she, always holding him in her
+embrace.
+
+"Let us fly before the wrath of your father, before the courtship
+of the Electoral Prince of Hesse. Let us preserve our love in some quiet
+corner of the earth; let us fly where no one can follow us, where your
+father's will and his minister's hate can have no power--let us fly!"
+
+"Yes," said he, clasping closer in his arms the tender, glowing creature
+who clung so affectionately to him--"yes, let us fly, my beloved. They
+shall not tear you from me; I will have you, in spite of them all--you
+shall be mine, even though the whole world should rise up in opposition.
+To-morrow night let us make our escape. You are right; there must be some
+quiet corner of the world where we can hide ourselves, living for
+happiness, for love alone, until it is permitted us to emerge from our
+seclusion, and assume the station in the world due to us both. Yes, we
+will flee, Ludovicka, we will flee, no matter where!"
+
+"Oh, I hope I know a place of refuge, where we may be sheltered from the
+first wrath of our relatives, my Frederick. I have friends, influential,
+mighty friends, who will gladly furnish us with an asylum, and from whom
+we may accept it. To them I shall turn--to them apply for a retreat. They
+will provide us with the means for flight. Only, my beloved," she
+continued, hesitating and with downcast eyes, "only one thing is needful
+to enable me to flee with you."
+
+"What is that, my beloved, tell me?"
+
+"Frederick, I can only follow my husband, only go with you as your wife."
+
+"Yes, you sweet, lovely girl, you can only follow me as your husband.
+To-morrow night we make our escape, and ere we escape we must be married,
+and a priest shall bless our love. You say you have influential and
+powerful friends here, and indeed I know that the richest, noblest men in
+Holland vie with one another for one kind glance from my Ludovicka. Oh,
+not in vain have the States stood godfather for my bride, and given her
+their name. Now will some rich, powerful citizen of Holland prove that he,
+too, is godfather to the lovely Princess Hollandine, and in Java or Peru,
+or perhaps on some ship, find us a republic. I accept it, beloved, I
+accept it, and swear beforehand that the future Elector shall reward the
+rich mynheer and the whole of Holland for the good now done to the
+Electoral Prince and his beloved Hollandine. Speak, therefore, to your
+good, rich friends; tell them they may help and assist us. I agree to
+everything, I accept everything. I only want you, you yourself, for you
+are my all, my life, my light!"
+
+"You give me full power, then, to make arrangements for our flight, my
+Frederick?"
+
+"I give you full power, my beloved; you are wiser, more thoughtful than I
+am; besides, you are not so strictly guarded, so encircled by spies as I
+am."
+
+"No; to-morrow I am still free," exulted she--"to-morrow the Electoral
+Prince of Hesse has as yet no power over me, and no one will be observing
+me. My mother has been detained by sickness at The Hague, and here at
+Doornward there are no spies. Yes, I take charge of all, beloved. I shall
+manage everything, and to-morrow night I shall expect you."
+
+"To-morrow night I shall come here to take you away, my, beloved."
+
+"No, not here, for to-morrow my mother comes home, and then the castle
+will no longer be so solitary and quiet; then there will be many people
+here, and our movements might be watched."
+
+"Well, where else shall I find you, Ludovicka?"
+
+She clung to him, and gazed tenderly into his glowing eyes. "Oh," she
+said, "you do not know what I have ventured and dared for you. Do you
+remember with what animation and rapture you spoke to me recently of the
+secret league which exists at The Hague, of the rare feasts which you
+solemnize there, of the pleasure and delight you experience there? Do you
+remember how you lamented that we could not enjoy this glorious
+companionship together, that I could not be there at your side? Well, see,
+beloved, now you must admit how much I love you, and how ready I am to
+please you. I have in perfect secrecy and silence had myself initiated
+into the order of the Media Nocte."
+
+"You have done that?" cried the Prince, in joyful astonishment. "You
+belong to this glorious company of great minds, naming hearts, and noble
+souls? Oh, my Ludovicka, I recognize your love in this, and I thank you,
+and am proud of it that my betrothed belongs to the genial, the
+intellectual, and the elect. Oh, you are not merely my destined bride, you
+are my muse, my goddess, and in humility I bow my head before you, and I
+kiss the hem of your robe, beloved mistress, chosen one!"
+
+He bent his knee and kissed her robe, and bowed lower to kiss the tiny
+foot in its blue satin shoe. Then he raised one of these pretty feet and
+kissed it again, and placed it on his breast, holding it fast there with
+both his hands.
+
+"Mistress," he whispered, lifting up to her his countenance, beaming with
+love and enthusiasm--"mistress, your slave lies before you. Crush me, let
+me be dust beneath your feet, if you do not love me; let me die here, or
+swear to me that you will ever love me, that to-morrow night you will link
+your destiny indissolubly with mine!"
+
+"I will ever love you," she breathed forth, with a magical smile;
+"to-morrow night I will link my fate to yours."
+
+"Give me a pledge of your vow, a sign, a token of this hour!" entreated
+he, still holding the little foot between his hands.
+
+"What sort of pledge do you require, beloved of my heart? Ask, command;
+whatever it may be, it shall be yours!"
+
+With beaming, happy look he gazed upon her glowing countenance, and nodded
+to her, and whispered words full of tenderness and love, and at the same
+time with fondling hand loosened the silver buckle which fastened the blue
+satin shoe upon her foot, drew off the slipper from her little foot, whose
+rosy hue was transparent through the white silk stocking, and smilingly
+thrust it into the breast pocket of his velvet jacket. "But, Frederick, my
+shoe--give me back my shoe," said she, laughing; and her little hand and
+wondrous arm dived into his pocket to recover the stolen shoe. But the
+Prince held fast the little hand, whose warm, soft touch he felt to the
+deepest recesses of his heart, and pressed warm, glowing kisses on that
+ravishing arm, which seemed to quiver and tremble at the touch of his lips.
+
+"My shoe," she breathed softly--"give me my shoe!"
+
+"Never!" said he energetically. "No, I swear it, so truly as I love you, I
+shall never give back to you this precious jewel. Mine it remains, and not
+for all the treasures of the earth do I give it back again. Here, on my
+heart, it shall rest, the charming little shoe, and when I die it shall
+rest beside me in my coffin."
+
+"No, no, I will have it again!" cried Ludovicka. "My heavens! what would
+my chambermaid say, if to-morrow morning one of my shoes had
+vanished--been spirited away?"
+
+"Let her say and think what she pleases, dearest. Tell her you will direct
+her where to find it on the day after to-morrow. Think you not that when
+our flight is discovered, she will readily guess who has stolen your shoe?"
+
+"But see, Frederick, see my poor foot; it is freezing, pining for its
+house!"
+
+And smilingly Ludovicka extended toward the Prince her shoeless little
+foot. He took it between his hands and breathed on it with his glowing
+breath, and pressed upon it his burning lips.
+
+"Forgive me, you beautiful foot, for having robbed you of your house. But
+look you, dear foot, the little house shall now become a sacred memento of
+my love and my betrothal; and look you, dear foot, I swear to you that you
+shall walk in pleasant paths. I shall strew flowers for you, you shall
+tread upon roses, and not a thorn shall prick you and not a stone bruise
+you. That I swear to you, you little foot of the great enchantress, and
+therefore forgive me my theft!"
+
+"It shook its head, it will not!" cried Ludovicka, swinging her foot to
+and fro.
+
+"It shall forgive, or I will punish its mistress!" cried the Prince, while
+he sprang up, ardently encircling his beloved with his arm. "Yes, you
+shall pay me for your cruel foot, and--"
+
+All at once he became silent, and, hearkening, looked toward the wall.
+Ludovicka shrank back, and turned her eye to the same spot.
+
+"Is there, a door there?" whispered he.
+
+"Yes," she breathed softly, "a tapestry door leading to the small
+corridor, and thence into my sleeping apartment."
+
+"Is any one in your sleeping room?"
+
+"My little cousin, Louisa of Orange, who came to-day, and insisted upon
+staying here--Hush, for God's sake! she is coming. Hide yourself!"
+
+He flew across the room and jumped behind the door curtain, through which
+d'Entragues had gone out a little while before. The curtain yet shook from
+the violence of his movement, when the little tapestry door on the other
+side was opened, and a lovely child appeared upon the threshold. A long
+white nightgown, trimmed with rose-colored favors, concealed the slender
+delicate form in its flowing drapery, falling from the neck to the feet,
+which, perfectly bare, peeped forth from beneath the white wrapper like
+two little rose-buds. Her fair hair was parted over the broad, open brow,
+and fell in long, heavy ringlets on each side of the lovely childish face.
+The big blue eyes looked so pious and innocent, and such a soft, gentle
+smile played about the fresh crimson lips! In this whole fair apparition
+there was such a wondrous magic, so superhuman a loveliness, that it might
+have been supposed that an angel from heaven had descended and was now
+entering this apartment, which was yet aglow with the sighs and
+protestations of passionate earthly love, and radiant as a consecrated
+altar taper shone the candle in the silver candlestick which she carried
+in her hand. Lightly and inaudibly the child tripped across the floor to
+the Princess, who had thrown herself upon the divan, and assumed the
+appearance of just being aroused from a deep slumber.
+
+"Forgive me, dear, beautiful Aunt Ludovicka," said the little girl, in a
+low, soft voice, while she placed the candle upon the table and leaned
+over the Princess--"forgive me for waking you up. But I had such a fearful
+dream, and I fancied it was real. It seemed to me as if robbers were in
+the castle. I heard them laugh and talk quite plainly, and I was
+dreadfully distressed, and called you. You did not answer me, and then I
+thought they had already murdered you, and I sprang from the sofa where
+they had prepared my couch, near to your bed. You were not there, your bed
+was cold and empty, and still I heard quite plainly the loud laughing and
+talking of the robbers, and I was so dreadfully anxious and distressed
+that I must see where you were--I must see if they had not murdered you. I
+took the light and came here running, and, God be thanked! here is my dear
+Aunt Hollandine, and no robbers have taken her away from me, and no
+murderers have killed her."
+
+With her slender childish arms she embraced the Princess, and pressed her
+rosy cheeks tenderly against Ludovicka's glowing face.
+
+"You little blockhead, how you have frightened me!" said Ludovicka,
+repulsing her almost rudely. "I was asleep here, dreaming such sweet
+dreams, and all at once you have come and waked me, you little night owl.
+Go, go to bed, Louisa, and do not be so timid, child. No robbers and
+murderers come here, and in our castle you need not be afraid."
+
+"Ah, Aunt Hollandine," whispered the child, while she cast a frightened,
+anxious glance around the room--"ah, Aunt Hollandine, I am afraid that
+this castle is haunted. It was either robbers or evil spirits who made
+such a noise and talked and laughed so loud. And"--she stooped lower and
+quite softly whispered--"and you may believe me, dear, good aunt, it is
+haunted here. I plainly saw the curtain across there shake as I entered.
+Evil spirits are abroad to-night. Do you hear how it howls and whistles
+out of doors, and how the windows rattle? Those are spirits, and they have
+flown in here and laughed and danced. O aunt! you did not hear, but I did,
+for I have been awake, and have heard and seen how the door curtain shook,
+and there they lurk now, those wicked spirits, and look at us and laugh.
+Oh, I know that, I do! My nurse, Trude, told me all about it the other
+evening, and she knows. There are good and bad spirits; but the good
+spirits make no noise, and you would not know they were here. They come to
+you so quietly and so gently, and sit by your bed and look at you, and
+their faces shine like the moon and their eyes like stars, and their
+thoughts are prayers and their smiles God's blessing. But evil spirits are
+noisy and boisterous, and laugh and make an uproar as they did to-night!"
+
+"You have been dreaming, little simpleton, and fancy now that you really
+heard what dull sleep alone was thrumming about your ears. All has been
+quiet and peaceful here, and no evil spirits were in this room--trust me."
+
+"Neither were good spirits here, aunt!" cried the child; with tearful
+voice. "The door curtain did move, and I did hear laughter--believe me.
+And, dear Aunt Hollandine, I beg you to give me your hand and come with me
+into your sleeping room, and please be kind enough to your poor little
+Louisa to take her with you into your great fine bed, and let us hug one
+another and pray together and sleep together; then the evil spirits can
+not get to us. Come, dear aunt, come!"
+
+With both her hands she seized the Princess by the arm, and tried to lift
+her from the divan. But Ludovicka hastily pushed her away.
+
+"Leave such follies, Louisa, and go to bed!" she said angrily. "Had I
+known what a restless sleeper you were, I should not have gratified your
+wish of staying with me, but had you put to bed on the other side of the
+castle with the little princesses, my sisters."
+
+
+"Aunt," said the child, in a touching tone of voice, "I will be perfectly
+still and quiet, I shall certainly not disturb you, if you will only be
+good and kind enough to come with me."
+
+"No," said Ludovicka, "no, I am not going with you, for I have something
+still to do here. But if you are good and docile, and go back quietly and
+prettily to the sleeping room, and creep into your little bed, then I
+promise you to come soon."
+
+"Well, then, I will go," sighed the child, and dropped her little head
+like a withered flower. "Yes, I will be good, that you may love me. But
+please come soon, Aunt Ludovicka, come soon."
+
+She again took the candlestick from the table, nodded to the Princess and
+tried to smile, while at the same time two long-restrained tears rolled,
+like liquid pearls, from her large blue eyes over her rosy cheeks. Softly
+and with her little head always bowed down she crossed the apartment to
+the tapestry door; but, just as she was on the verge of the threshold, she
+stopped, turned around, and an expression of radiant joy flashed across
+her pretty face.
+
+"Dear aunt," she cried, "Trude told me that when we pray evil spirits must
+fly away, and have no longer any power. I will pray, yes, I will pray for
+you."
+
+And the child sank upon her knees. Placing the candlestick at her side,
+she folded her little white hands upon her breast, raised her head and
+eyes, and prayed in a distinct, earnest voice: "Dear Heavenly Father and
+all ye holy angels on high, protect the innocent and the good! O God!
+guide us to thee with the golden star which shone upon the shepherds in
+the field when they went out to seek the child Christ! Blessed angels,
+come down and keep guard around our bed, that no evil spirits and bad
+dreams can come to trouble us! God and all ye holy angels on high, have
+pity on the innocent and good! Amen! Amen! Amen!"
+
+And at the last amen, the child rose from her knees, again took up her
+light, and tripped lightly and smiling out of the room.
+
+Ludovicka sprang to the door, shut it close, and leaned against it. The
+Electoral Prince stepped forth from the curtain on the other side, and his
+countenance was grave, and his large eyes were less fiery and passionate,
+as he now approached the Princess.
+
+"Poor child," he whispered, "how bitterly distressed she is! Go to her, my
+precious love, and pray with her for our happiness and our love."
+
+"Are you going away already, my Frederick?" she asked tenderly.
+
+He pointed with his finger to the tapestry door. "She is so distressed,
+and her dear little face was so sad, it touched me to the heart."
+
+"How foolish I was," she murmured impatiently--"how foolish not to think
+of it, that the child might disturb us! She has often before spent the
+night with me, and never waked up, never--"
+
+"Never has she been disturbed," concluded the Prince, smiling. "Never
+before have evil spirits chattered and laughed within your room, and
+roused her from her sleep. But she shall yet see that her prayer has not
+been in vain, but that it has exorcised the evil spirits. Farewell, dear
+one! Farewell, and this kiss for good-night--this kiss for my beloved
+promised bride! The last betrothal kiss, for to-morrow night you will be
+my wife! God and all ye holy angels on high, protect the innocent and
+good!"
+
+He kissed once more her lips and her dark, perfumed hair, then hastened
+with rapid step across the apartment, hurriedly opened the window, lowered
+the rope ladder, and swung himself up on the windowsill."
+
+"Farewell, dearest, farewell! To-morrow night we shall meet again!" he
+whispered, kissing the tips of his fingers to her. Then he seized the rope
+ladder with both hands, and ere the Princess, who had hastened toward him,
+had yet found time to assist him and offer her hand to aid him in
+descending, his slight, elastic figure had disappeared beneath the dark
+window frame.
+
+Ludovicka leaned out of the window, and with all the strength of her
+delicate little hands held firm the rope ladder, which swayed backward and
+forward and sighed and groaned beneath its burden. All at once the rope
+ladder stood still, and like spirit greetings were wafted up to her the
+words, "Farewell! farewell!"
+
+"He is gone," murmured Ludovicka, retreating from the window--"he is gone!
+But to-morrow, to-morrow night, I shall have him again. To-morrow night I
+shall be his wife. O Sir Count d'Entragues! you shall be forced to
+acknowledge that the Electoral Prince loves me, and that his declaration
+of love is synonymous with an offer of marriage! I think I have managed
+everything exactly as it was marked out on the paper. Let us look again."
+
+She again drew forth the paper from the casket on her writing table, and
+read it through attentively. "Yes," she murmured as she read, "all in
+order. Offer of marriage elicited. Alarmed by the threat that they will
+unite me to the Prince of Hesse. Not betray who the friends are who will
+render me their aid. Secret marriage arranged. Time presses, To-morrow
+night. All is in order. The Media Nocte, too, confessed. Only one thing is
+still wanting. I only omitted telling him that our rendezvous must be in
+the Media Nocte, and that we make our escape from there. Well, never mind,
+I can tell him to-morrow, and about ten o'clock the orange-colored ribbon
+may flutter from my window, and Count d'Entragues will be so rejoiced! Oh,
+to-morrow, to-morrow I shall be my handsome Electoral Prince's wife!"
+
+She stretched forth her arms, as if she would embrace, although he was
+invisible, the handsome, beloved youth, whose kisses yet burned upon her
+lips. Her flaming eyes wandered over the apartment, as if she still hoped
+to find there his fine and slender shape. Now, not finding him, she sighed
+heavily and fixed her eyes upon the great portrait, which hung upon the
+wall above the divan. It was the half-length likeness of a woman, a queen,
+as was shown by the diadem of pearls surmounting her high, narrow
+forehead, and behind which a crown could be discerned. A rare picture it
+was, possessed of magical attractions. The large blue eyes, so glowing and
+tender, the soft, rounded cheeks, so transparently fair, the full, pouting
+lips, so speaking--all seemed to promise joy; and yet in the whole
+expression of the face there was so much melancholy and so much pain!
+Princess Ludovicka walked softly to the portrait, and lifted up to it her
+folded hands.
+
+"I, too, will pray," she whispered. "Yes, I will pray to you, Mary Stuart,
+queen of love and beauty! O Mary! holy martyr, graciously incline thy
+glance toward thy grandchild. Let thy starry eyes rest upon me, and
+graciously protect me in the path that I shall tread to-morrow, for it is
+the path of love! Oh, let it be the path of happiness as well! Mary
+Stuart, pray for me, and protect me, your grandchild! Amen!"
+
+
+
+
+III.--THE WARNING.
+
+
+"Your Highness stayed out very late again last night," said Herr Kalkhun
+von Leuchtmar, as he entered the sleeping apartment of the Electoral
+Prince Frederick William, who was still in bed.
+
+"Yes, it is true," replied the Prince, stretching himself at his ease, "I
+did come home very late last night."
+
+"The chamberlain has already waked your highness three times, and your
+highness has each time assured him that he would get up, but has each
+time, it seems, fallen asleep again."
+
+"Yes, I did fall asleep each time," answered Frederick William, in a
+somewhat irritated tone of voice; "and what of it?"
+
+"Why," said Herr von Leuchtmar pleasantly--"why, the painter Gabriel
+Nietzel, who arrived yesterday, and, to whom your highness promised to
+give audience this morning at eight o'clock, has been waiting almost two
+hours; Count von Berg, on whom your highness was to call at nine o'clock,
+has been expecting you an hour in vain--the horse has stood saddled in the
+stable for an hour; and the private secretary Müller, with whom your
+highness was to prepare to-day a treatise upon fortifications, will
+probably make no progress whatever with the work."
+
+"It seems that I am not to have the privilege of sleeping as long as I
+choose," cried the Electoral Prince, with a mocking laugh. "My house moves
+like clockwork, in which there is no comfort or rest whatever, but where
+each must perform his prescribed service with mathematical exactness, that
+the whole be not stopped."
+
+"It is in a house as in a state," said Leuchtmar seriously: "each one,
+high and low, must do his duty, else the whole machinery stops, and, as
+your highness very justly remarked, the clockwork either stands still or
+is at the least put out of order."
+
+"Consequently, the clockwork of my house was disarranged merely because I
+stayed up two hours later than I have been accustomed to do?"
+
+"Totally disarranged, your highness."
+
+The Prince reddened with displeasure, his eyes flashed, and he had already
+opened his mouth for an angry reply, when he violently restrained himself.
+
+"I will get up," he said, "and then we can talk more about it."
+
+Herr von Leuchtmar bowed and withdrew to the antechamber. A quarter of an
+hour, however, had hardly elapsed before the chamberlain issued from the
+Prince's sleeping apartment, and announced to Herr Kalkhun von Leuchtmar,
+that breakfast was served, and that his highness, the Electoral Prince,
+awaited the baron's attendance at this meal in his drawing room. Herr von
+Leuchtmar hastened to obey the summons, and to repair to the Prince's
+drawing room. Frederick William seemed not at all conscious of his
+entrance. He sat on the divan sipping his chocolate, and at the same time
+restlessly playing with the greyhound that lay at his feet, looking up at
+him with its gentle, truthful eyes. Herr von Leuchtmar seated himself
+opposite the Prince, and took his breakfast in silent reserve. Once the
+Prince's eye scanned the noble, serious countenance of his former tutor,
+and the expression of perfect repose resting there seemed to pique and
+irritate him. He jumped up and several times walked briskly up and down
+the room. Then he paused before Leuchtmar, who had likewise risen, and
+whose large, dark-blue eyes were turned upon the Prince in gentle sorrow.
+
+"Leuchtmar," said the latter, shortly and quickly, "all is not between us
+as it should be."
+
+"I have remarked it for some time with pain," replied the baron softly.
+"Your highness is out of humor."
+
+"No, I am discontented!" cried the Prince; "and, by heavens, I have a
+right to be!"
+
+"Will your highness have the kindness to tell me why you are discontented?"
+
+"Yes, I will tell you, for you must know it in order that you may endeavor
+to alter it. I am discontented, Leuchtmar, because you and Müller will
+never forget that I have owed respect to you as my teachers."
+
+"Prince," said the baron, lifting his head a little higher--"Prince, have
+we two behaved ourselves so as no longer to deserve your respect?"
+
+"Respect, indeed; but you confound respect with obedience, and wish me to
+obey you unreservedly, as if I were still a boy, subject to his teachers."
+
+"While now you would say you are a Prince arrived at years of majority,
+who no longer needs a teacher, and whose earlier preceptors are now only
+his subjects, dependent upon him."
+
+"No, I would not say that; and it is exceedingly obliging in you to carry
+your guardianship so far as even to interpret what I would say. Meanwhile,
+you have made a remark which claims my attention. You said that I was a
+Prince in my majority?"
+
+"Certainly, your highness, you are a major in so far as the laws of the
+electoral house of Brandenburg allow the Electoral Prince, in case of his
+father's death, if he has attained his sixteenth year, to assume the reins
+of government, independent of governor or regent."
+
+"Consequently, if my father were to die (which God forbid!) I might
+administer the government independently, in my own right?"
+
+"Independently and in your own right, your highness."
+
+"Whence comes it then that I, who might undertake the government of a
+whole country, am yet perpetually under restraint in the conduct of my own
+private life, watched over and treated like an irresponsible boy? It
+grieves me, Herr von Leuchtmar, to be forced to remind you that the time
+for my education is past, for I am not sixteen years old, but already
+several weeks advanced in my eighteenth year."
+
+"I thank your highness for this admonition," replied the baron quietly,
+"and I confess that without it I should not have known that your education
+was finished."
+
+"Sir, you insult me! So you still regard me as nothing but a boy?"
+
+"No, your highness, as a man, and I believe that Socrates was right when
+he said, 'The education of man begins in the cradle and ends only in the
+grave.'"
+
+"You know very well that he meant it in a widely different sense. Our talk
+is not now of actual education, but of the relations of pupil and teacher.
+The time of my pupilage is past, Sir Baron, and you will bear in mind, I
+beg, that I no longer sit in the schoolroom."
+
+"That, again, I did not know," said Leuchtmar gently, "and again in my
+defense I cite the wise Socrates, who said, 'Man is learning his whole
+life long, to confess at last that the only certain knowledge he has
+attained is that he knows nothing.'"
+
+"Maxims and maxims forever!" cried the Prince impatiently. "You want to
+evade me--you purposely misunderstand me. Well, then, candidly speaking, I
+am sick and tired of being everlastingly found fault with, watched over,
+tutored and spied upon, and once for all I beg that a stop be put to all
+this."
+
+"Will your highness do me the favor to say who it is that finds fault
+with, watches over, tutors, and spies upon you?"
+
+"Why, yes--you, Baron Kalkhun von Leuchtmar, you and the private secretary
+Müller, you two first and foremost do those very things."
+
+"Your highness, if we have allowed ourselves to find fault with you when
+you did not deserve it, it was very presumptuous; if we have watched over
+you and tutored you, surely that might be forgiven in former tutors and
+instructors; but if we have acted as spies upon you, then have we both
+degraded ourselves and become contemptible, and your highness may esteem
+it as my last tutoring if I advise you to remove so unworthy a couple of
+subjects forever from your presence."
+
+"You will lead me _ad absurdum_, Leuchtmar!" cried the Prince. "You would
+prove to me that I am wrong and accuse you falsely. But you are mistaken,
+sir; I only speak the truth. One thing I ask you, though: have you ever
+looked upon me as an ungrateful pupil, a disobedient scholar, an
+ill-natured, idle man?"
+
+"No, never," returned Leuchtmar cordially. "No, your highness--"
+
+"Leave off those tiresome titles," interrupted the Prince. "Speak simply
+and to the point, without ceremony, as is becoming in serious moments,
+when man stands face to face with man."
+
+"Well then, no. You have ever been only a source of delight to your
+teachers and preceptors, and have ever proved yourself a kind-hearted,
+friendly, and condescending young Prince. You have (forgive me for saying
+so) been indeed the model of a young, amiable, good, and intellectual
+Prince. You have completed your studies at the universities of Arnheim and
+Leyden to the highest satisfaction of your professors. You have
+distinguished yourself at the colleges by diligence and attention, and
+perfected yourself in the languages and mastered all the sciences. Since
+you have been here at The Hague you have won for yourself the love and
+admiration of all those who have had the good fortune to come into your
+presence--"
+
+"Leuchtmar," interrupted the Prince, with difficulty suppressing a
+smile--"Leuchtmar, now you are falling into the opposite error; before you
+blamed me too much, now you praise me too much!"
+
+"Prince, I spoke before as now, only according to my inmost convictions,
+and you permit me still to utter these, do you not?"
+
+"Well," said Frederick William, hesitating, "the thing is--if your
+convictions are too flattering or too injurious, you might moderate them a
+little. For example, the way you acted in my sleeping room, a little while
+ago, was injurious. Just acknowledge it--say that you went a little too
+far, that it was not becoming in you to find fault with me, because I sat
+up a few hours too late, and all is made up."
+
+"Prince," replied Leuchtmar, after a slight pause--"Prince, forgive me,
+but I can not say it, for it would be an untruth. For a Prince, want of
+punctuality is a very dangerous and bad fault, and if he first becomes
+unreliable in his outer being, he will be so soon in his inner nature as
+well. But I do admit that perhaps I spoke in too excited a tone of voice,
+and the reason of that was, because--"
+
+"Well? Be pleased to finish your sentence. Because--"
+
+"Because, yes, let it be spoken plainly, because I know what this keeping
+of late hours means."
+
+"And what does it mean, if I may ask?"
+
+"Prince, my dear, beloved Prince, you whom in the depths of my soul I call
+my son, Prince, forgive me if I answer. It means that you have fallen into
+bad company--company which it is beneath your dignity to keep, company
+alike prejudicial to your mind and honor as to your health."
+
+"Of what company do you dare to speak so?" asked the Prince, with wrathful
+voice.
+
+"Prince, of that company which is hypocritical and deceitful as sin,
+dazzling and alluring as a poisonous flower, dangerous and deadly as
+Scylla and Charybdis, of the company of the Media Nocte."
+
+The Prince laughed aloud, and at the same time drew a deep breath, as if
+he felt his breast relieved of an oppressive burden. "Ah," he said, "is it
+only this? The Media Nocte is indeed a society which appears to all those
+who do not belong to it as a monster, a dragon, which slays with its fiery
+breath those who approach it, and daily requires for its breakfast a youth
+or a maiden. But I tell you, you anxious and short-sighted fools, you take
+an eagle for a flying dragon, and scream fire merely because you see a
+bright light! The Media Nocte is no monster, no Scylla and Charybdis, and
+we need not on her account have our arms bound, as cunning Ulysses did,
+which, by the way, always seemed to me very weak and womanly. A man must
+go to meet danger with a bold eye, with valiant spirit; he must confront
+it with his freedom of will and strength, and not seek to defend himself
+from it by outward means of resistance. Supposing that the Media Nocte
+were the dangerous society which you erroneously imagine it to be, need
+this be a ground for me to intrench myself timidly against it and flee its
+touch? No; just for that very reason would I seek it out--advance to meet
+it with the determination to do battle with it. But I tell you that you
+are mistaken in your premises! The Media Nocte is a society devoted to
+noble pleasures, to pure joys, to the highest, most intellectual
+enjoyments. All the arts, all the sciences, are fostered by it. All that
+is great and good, exalted and beautiful, is hailed there with delight,
+and only pedantry and stupidity are held aloof. Truth and nature are the
+two sacred laws observed in this society, and the noble, pure, free, and
+chaste Grecian spirit is the great exemplar of all its members. Therefore
+they all appear in Greek robes, and all their banquets are solemnized in
+the Greek style. And this it is which you wise, pedantic people stigmatize
+as blameworthy and abominable. The unusual fills you with horror, and the
+genial you call bold because it soars above what is commonplace!"
+
+"Well do I know that your highness looks upon the society in this way,"
+replied Leuchtmar, regarding with loving glances the handsome, excited
+countenance of the Prince. "Yes, I know that this is the only view you
+have had of the society of the Media Nocte, and that you would turn from
+it with horror and disgust if you were conscious of the license lurking
+behind its apparent geniality, the coarseness behind the unusual. But I
+beseech you, Prince, be not blind with your eyes open, close not
+voluntarily the avenues to light. I swear to you as an honest and a
+truthful man, that this society is like a plague spot for the noble youth
+of The Hague. Each one who touches it becomes impregnated with its poison,
+and sickens in spirit and imagination, and the fearful poison flows into
+his mind and heart, driving out from them forever truth and freshness,
+youth and innocence! Had I a son who belonged to this society with full
+understanding and appreciation of its meaning, I should mourn and lament
+him as one lost; had I a daughter, and had she even once voluntarily
+attended a meeting of the Media Nocte and participated in its pleasures,
+then should I thrust her from me with aversion and disgust--should no
+longer recognize her as my daughter, but forever expel her from my house
+in shame and disgust, for--"
+
+"Desist!" cried the Prince, with thundering voice, springing toward
+Leuchtmar and grasping his shoulders with both hands. Glaring fiercely
+upon him, he repeated, "Desist, I tell you, Leuchtmar, desist, and recall
+what you have just said, for it is a libel, a slander!"
+
+"No, it is the truth, Prince!" cried Leuchtmar, emphatically. "The Media
+Nocte is a society of the honorless and shameless, and the woman who
+belongs to it is no longer pure!"
+
+"No further, man, or I shall kill you!" said the Prince, in a high-pitched
+voice stifled by rage, while his arms clutched Leuchtmar's shoulders yet
+more firmly. "Only hear this: You know and have long guessed that I love
+the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine. Well, now, the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine belongs to the society of the Media Nocte!"
+
+"I knew that, Prince," said Leuchtmar solemnly.
+
+The Prince gave a scream of rage, and a deadly pallor overspread his
+cheeks. He still retained his grasp upon Leuchtmar's shoulders, his
+flashing eyes penetrated like dagger points Leuchtmar's countenance, and
+on his brow stood great drops of sweat, which gave witness of his inward
+tortures.
+
+"You knew that," he said, with gasping breath and gnashing teeth--"you
+knew that, and yet you dare to speak so, dare to vilify the maiden whom I
+love, dare to asperse a pure angel, to call her an outcast! Take back your
+words, man, if your life is dear to you--recall them, if you would leave
+this room alive!"
+
+"Kill me, Prince, for I do not recall them!" cried Leuchtmar, tranquilly
+meeting the flaming glances of the Prince. "No, I do not recall them, and
+if you take away my life, I shall give it up in your service and for your
+profit. You see very well I attempt no defense, although I am a strong
+man, who knows well how to defend his life. But for my own convictions and
+for you I die gladly. Kill me then!"
+
+"You do not recall them?" shrieked the Prince. "You maintain all to be
+truth that you have said of the order of the Media Nocte? You knew already
+before I told you that the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine belongs to it?"
+
+"I knew it, Prince, indeed, I knew it!"
+
+The Prince burst into a wild laugh, and with a sudden jerk thrust
+Leuchtmar so violently from him that he reeled backward against the wall.
+
+"No," he said grimly and wrathfully--"no, I will not do you the pleasure
+to kill you, for that would turn a wretched farce into a tragedy, and make
+a hero of a comedian! You are a good comedian, and you have played your
+part well! I can testify to that. Go and claim credit for this with my
+father and Count Schwarzenberg!"
+
+"I do not understand you, Prince. What does this mean?"
+
+"It means, Mr. Comedian, it means, that already this morning, while you
+supposed I was sleeping, I have had an interview with Gabriel Nietzel, my
+mother's court painter. Ah! now start back and be amazed. Yes, Gabriel
+Nietzel sat by my bed for more than an hour, and brought me a verbal
+message from my mother. She had also intrusted him with a letter for me,
+but on his journey here he has been robbed and the letter taken from him.
+Oh, I imagine the robbers took much more interest in the letters than in
+the effects of the painter, and Count Schwarzenberg and yourself both well
+know their contents. But happily my mother gave good Gabriel Nietzel a
+message to bring by word of mouth as well, which they could not steal from
+him, Baron von Leuchtmar. Can you understand now why I call you a
+comedian, who has studied his part well?"
+
+"No, Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, I can not yet."
+
+"Well, sir, then I shall tell you. Your virtuous indignation against the
+Media Nocte, your shameful allegations against a Princess, whom I love,
+your injurious accusations and slanders--all that was nothing more than a
+well-studied role prepared for you by my father and his minister. Oh,
+answer me not, do not deny it. I know what I say. Yes, I know that the
+Emperor of Germany deigns to interest himself in the marriage of the
+little Electoral Prince of Brandenburg. I know that his condescension goes
+so far as to desire to bless me with the hand of an Austrian archduchess.
+I know that on this account he has given strict orders and injunctions to
+his devoted servant, who is my father's all-powerful minister, that I
+shall be summoned away from The Hague; not, indeed, to reside at my
+father's court, but to proceed to the imperial court. But, God be thanked,
+the walls of the palace of Berlin are not o'er thick, and my mother has
+quick ears and Gabriel Nietzel is a trusty messenger. Yes, sir, I know you
+and your plans. I know, too, that the Emperor dreads my union with the
+Princess Ludovicka; that he has had my father notified that he will never
+sanction such a union, and that therefore my father and his Catholic
+minister have dispatched hither messengers and envoys, with strict orders
+never to suffer a matrimonial alliance with the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine, but to do everything to prevent it. Everything to prevent it!
+Do you understand me, sir? To calumniate also, and accuse and defame. But
+all together you shall not succeed. I shall prove to the Emperor, the
+Elector and his minister that I do not fear their wrath, and that the
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg will never, never be the vassal and
+servant of the German Emperor; that he feels himself to be an independent
+man, who claims for himself freedom of will and action, and who will only
+wed in obedience to the dictates of his own heart and his own will. But
+you, Leuchtmar, I herewith bid you farewell! We part to-day, and forever.
+That we so part, believe me, is to me a lifelong pain, for never can I
+forget what I owe you, and how faithful you have otherwise been to me.
+Leuchtmar, it is dreadful that you have turned against me. Go, we have
+parted! Go! And when you get home to Berlin, then say to my father's
+Austrian minister, that I shall never forgive him for what he has this day
+done to me, and that the Elector Frederick William will avenge the
+Electoral Prince. Tell him that I shall never accept an Austrian
+archduchess, a Catholic, as my wife--never become the humble slave of the
+Emperor of Germany. This is my farewell!"
+
+And with flaming countenance and eyes flashing with energy and passion,
+the Prince crossed the apartment, violently pulled open the door, and
+strode out. Leuchtmar looked after him with a mixture of tenderness and
+grief. "How angry he was, and yet how glorious to look upon!" he said
+softly to himself. "A young hero, who one day will perform his vow. He
+will not bow down as the vassal of the German Emperor!"
+
+A side door was just now easily and cautiously opened, and an older man of
+venerable aspect, in simple court garb, timidly entered, looking carefully
+around, as if he dreaded finding some one else in the apartment.
+
+"Baron, for heaven's sake, what has happened here?" he asked anxiously.
+"The Electoral Prince has been talking so loudly and so angrily that they
+heard him all through the house, and now he has stormed out and shouted to
+have his horse saddled. Almighty God! what has happened?"
+
+Baron Leuchtmar laid his hand upon his friend's arm, and nodded kindly to
+him. "My dear Müller," he said, with a faint smile, "nothing more has
+happened than that the Electoral Prince has just dismissed me in anger,
+and sent me home to Berlin."
+
+"For pity's sake, what is that you say?" asked the private secretary,
+clasping his trembling hands together in painful astonishment. "He has
+been so ungrateful as to thrust from him his best and truest friend?"
+
+"I tell you yes, my dear Müller, he has done so, and in wrath. You know
+well that hastiness of temper is an heirloom of the Brandenburg princes,
+and Frederick William can not deny that he has the family failing. Yes,
+he has dismissed me; but then, you know, it was perfectly natural, for he
+loves the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, and I ventured to criticise her."
+
+"It is actually true, then, that he loves her? He has allowed himself to
+be enticed by the siren! Ah! she is the genuine grandchild of Mary Stuart,
+and knows how to charm."
+
+"Hush, Müller, hush! If the Electoral Prince hears that, he will send you
+to the devil too!"
+
+"He may do so," cried the old gentleman indignantly. "If he drives you
+away, his tutor and his best friend, then I shall reckon it an honor to be
+sent away likewise."
+
+"Well, well my friend, be not so desperate. We know our dear Electoral
+Prince. He is a lion when angry, a child when his anger is appeased. Let
+us wait; to-day I shall conceal myself from him, and to-morrow, well,
+to-morrow he will call for me himself. But did you not say that he had
+given orders for his horse to be saddled?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, I heard it myself how he commanded them in angry voice to
+saddle Maurus for him--the wild hunter, you know."
+
+"Where can he be going so early in the morning?" asked Leuchtmar
+thoughtfully. "He is so much excited, and love of the Princess will lead
+him to some rash, ill-advised step; for you are right, friend, she is a
+siren! But hark! Is not that the voice of the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Yes, it is indeed. He is below in the court!"
+
+The two men hastened through the apartment to one of the windows, and,
+hiding themselves behind the curtains, looked cautiously down into the
+court. The Electoral Prince had just swung himself into the saddle. The
+horse gave a loud neigh, as if recognizing its master, then reared, but
+the Prince sat firm. His short, furred mantle was lifted high by the wind,
+the long white ostrich plumes nodded above his broad-brimmed, gold-laced
+hat, beneath which floated like a lion's mane his brown and curly hair.
+With firm, energetic hand the youth compelled the animal to stand, then
+pressed his knees into its flanks, and swift as an arrow from the bow the
+animal flew out of the court gate. Both gentlemen stepped back from the
+window.
+
+"He is a splendid young man," sighed the private secretary Müller, shaking
+his head.
+
+"Yes," echoed Leuchtmar, smiling, "I find it very comprehensible that the
+Princess Ludovicka should gladly have him as consort. But we must not
+submit to it, but do everything to prevent it, for it is contrary to
+policy and reasons of state. And I think, too, such an union would not be
+for the Prince's welfare, for the Princess--But hush! the Electoral Prince
+has forbidden me to speak evil of her, and we are here in his room. Let us
+keep silence with regard to her."
+
+"But where can he be rushing to now--the Electoral Prince, I mean?"
+
+"I fear that I can guess. To her, to the Princess, and to apologize to her
+with his looks for the injury which my words have done her. He is just an
+enthusiastic youth, and it is his first love! Believe me, he is hurrying
+to her!"
+
+
+
+
+IV.--AN IDYL.
+
+
+Yes, Leuchtmar was quite right. He was away to her--to Ludovicka. To her
+he was irresistibly drawn by vehement desire. Yes, she was his first love,
+and the magic of this delicious sensation held his whole being enthralled,
+and now drove him onward as on the wings of the hurricane. He thought of
+nothing and knew nothing but that he must see her, must prove to her how
+passionately he loved her, how fervently and devoutly he believed in her.
+The horse dashed on furiously, breathlessly, and yet it seemed to the
+Electoral Prince as if an eternity had elapsed ere he finally reached
+Castle Doornward. He breathed a glad sigh of relief, threw the reins to
+the promptly advancing servants, and vaulted from the horse. His beaming
+eyes were uplifted to his beloved's window, and he saluted her with his
+thoughts and his smile. He thought she must feel it, and his looks and
+thoughts must bring her to the window. He stopped and looked up--but
+Ludovicka did not appear at the window; only an orange-colored ribbon was
+fluttering there in the sunshine and the wind, and Frederick William
+smiled joyfully, for he took it as a token of good fortune. Then he
+entered the castle, reverentially greeted by the lackeys, who ventured
+not to oppose him, as with rapid bounds, like a young deer, he sprang up
+the steps. Straight to the apartments of the Princess Ludovicka he strode,
+through the antechamber into the drawing room. But she was not there; she
+came not to meet him in her enchanting beauty, with that affectionate
+smile upon her crimson lips. No, Ludovicka was not there, and the
+chambermaid who officiously hurried from the adjoining room informed the
+Prince that her most gracious young lady had already been gone an hour on
+a visit to The Hague, whence she would not return till the next morning.
+But the sharp, cunning eyes of the Abigail, had meanwhile peered through
+the door, which the Prince had left open, out into the antechamber, and,
+finding that no one was there, the Prince having come quite alone, she
+approached nearer to him.
+
+"Most gracious sir," she whispered, "I was, however, to have gone into
+town and handed something for the Electoral Prince to his valet, to whom I
+am engaged."
+
+"Now it will be more convenient for you, Alice," said the Electoral Prince
+cheerfully. "You need no third party. I am here myself. Give to me
+personally what you would have given to my valet, your respected
+betrothed, for me."
+
+"Here it is," whispered Alice, drawing from the pocket attached to her
+girdle by a silver chain a little note, which, with a graceful bow, she
+handed to the Prince.
+
+"And here is your reward," he said, taking a gold piece from his purse
+and handing it to her. She took it, blushing with confusion, and bowed
+down to the earth.
+
+"If it pleases your grace to read here," whispered she, "I will guard the
+door."
+
+He shook his head and rushed out. No, not in that narrow, close room, not
+in the neighborhood of that tiresome chambermaid could be read the letter
+of his beloved--that letter which he believed, nay, knew, contained the
+last decision for sealing his whole future fate. In the open air, under
+God's blue sky, in the warm and radiant autumn sun, would he receive the
+message of his beloved, would he take to his heart what the angel of his
+life had to communicate to him. As rapidly as he had stormed up he again
+sprang down the steps, and through the well-known rooms and corridors took
+the way leading to the park. He was well acquainted with it, for he had
+often taken it at the side of his aunt, the unfortunate Bohemian Queen and
+Electress, who had found a refuge here in Holland at the court of her
+uncle, the Stadtholder Frederick Henry of Orange, and had her little
+residence at Castle Doornward. He had often walked it with the princesses,
+her daughters, and very bright and pleasant hours had he passed in that
+beautiful park with Princess Ludovicka.
+
+On one of those squares, in one of those shady thickets where he had so
+often sat with her and her sisters, he would now read her message. With
+hasty step, with glowing cheeks fired by enthusiasm, with head aloft, he
+strode on, and now entered the woods near the path. They were curtained by
+festoons of wild grapevine; no one could see how he now took out the
+little note which he had so long concealed in his hand, how he pressed it
+to his lips, to his eyes, how he then unfolded it, and again, before
+reading it, pressed the beloved characters to his lips. The letter
+contained nothing but the words: "The friends are ready and willing.
+To-night about one o'clock in the Media Nocte. From there flight. A worthy
+asylum is waiting, and the priest stands before the altar to bless the
+couple."
+
+"To-night she will be mine--to-night we shall be married! To-night we
+shall make our escape!"
+
+He could think of nothing but this. His heart continually repeated it with
+loud jubilation, his lips murmured it softly in response, while, knowing
+nothing, seeing nothing of the outside world, he sped along through the
+alleys and over the squares of the garden. He knew not whither he went, he
+had no aim; he only knew that to-night he was to be indissolubly united
+with his beloved--that he would flee with her. Once he must pause, for the
+loudly beating heart denied him breath, and once, in the blissful rapture
+of his soul, he must give a loud shout of joy, otherwise his breast would
+have burst. A merry, musical laugh rang forth near to him, and as he
+turned to the side whence the sound had proceeded a lovely and pleasing
+picture met his astonished gaze. In the midst of the grassplot near which
+he was stood a great white cow, one of those splendid creatures that are
+only seen on Dutch pastures. A fine-looking maid, dressed in the national
+costume of the Dutch peasantry, with the gold-edged cap over the full,
+luxuriant hair that fell in long braids down her back, sat on a stool
+beside the cow, and was busied in milking. In melodious, regular cadence
+the steaming milk flowed over her rosy hands down into the white porcelain
+bucket which she held between her knees. At her side stood a little girl,
+in almost the identical costume, only that the wide plaited skirt was of
+black silk, the bodice of purple velvet trimmed with gold buttons and
+loops, and the white apron of finest linen edged with point lace. Below
+the short silk skirt, trimmed with purple velvet, peeped forth blue silk
+stockings with red tops; shoes with high red heels, ornamented with gold
+buckles, covered the neat little feet. It was altogether quite the costume
+of a Dutch peasant girl, only the cap was wanting on the head, and in its
+stead the hair, which fell in long fair ringlets over the child's
+shoulders, was adorned by a thick wreath of the tendrils of the wild
+grape, into which, in front just over the brow, were woven two beautiful
+purple asters. She had been busied, it appeared from the quantity of
+leaves and flowers she carried in her apron, in weaving wreaths, but now
+let the contents of her apron fall to the ground, and only kept the green
+wreath already finished, which hung upon her arm, while she sprang
+laughing over the grassplot.
+
+"Cousin Frederick William," she asked merrily, "where do you come from,
+and why do you scream so fearfully?"
+
+"Have I frightened you, Cousin Louisa Henrietta?" he asked, extending both
+hands to her in greeting.
+
+"Not me, cousin, but Hulda," she returned, holding out her little hands.
+"You must know, cousin, Hulda is very scary, and it comes from her being
+sad."
+
+"Who is Hulda? The smart dairymaid there?"
+
+"Hey, God forbid, cousin! How can you think that dairymaid could be
+scared? No, Hulda is my pretty white cow, and she is sad because she has
+lost her little calf. I am not to blame for it, and I told my poor Hulda
+that, too, and as she lowed so piteously I wept with her heartily and
+comforted her."
+
+"But why did you let them take away her little calf? Why did you suffer
+it? Is it not your own cow?"
+
+"Understand, it is my own cow," replied the little girl, seriously. "My
+good aunt, the Electress, has made me a present of it, that I may have
+some pleasure when I come here to Doornward, and it makes me feel as if I
+were at home. For you must know, cousin, that I have a regular dairy at
+The Hague."
+
+"No, cousin, I did not know it," said the Electoral Prince, while he
+looked kindly into the lovely, rosy countenance of the little Princess
+Louisa Henrietta of Orange.
+
+"You do not know that?" she cried, clapping her little hands together in
+astonishment. "Yes, I have a dairy--three cows, who belong to myself
+alone, and for which papa has had built a stable of their own, which is
+very grand and splendid. And next to the stable is a room for the milk and
+butter. O cousin! I tell you, it is splendid! The next time you come to us
+at The Hague, send for me, and I will show you my cows in their stable,
+and if you are right good, you shall have a glass of milk from my favorite
+cow."
+
+"Many thanks!" cried the Electoral Prince, laughing. "But I am no friend
+of warm milk, and understand nothing whatever of farming."
+
+"Well, why should you?" said the Princess gravely. "You are a man, and men
+have something else to do; they must go to war and govern countries. But
+women must understand management and know how to keep house."
+
+"So? Must they that?" laughed the Prince. "Common women, indeed, but you,
+Louisa, you are a Princess."
+
+"But a Princess of Holland, cousin, and my mother has told me that the
+Princesses of Holland must seek their greatest renown in becoming wise and
+prudent housewives, and understanding farming thoroughly, in order that
+all the rest of the women of Holland may learn from them. My mother says
+that a Prince of Holland should be the first servant of the Sovereign
+States, but a Princess of Holland should be the first housekeeper of the
+Dutch people, and the more skillful she is the more will the people love
+her. And therefore I shall try to be right skillful, for I shall be so
+glad if our good people would love me a little."
+
+"Would you, indeed?" asked the Electoral Prince, quite moved by the lovely
+countenance and the heartfelt tone of the little girl. "Would you be glad
+if the people loved you a little? Well, I promise you, Cousin Louisa
+Henrietta, they will love you, and whoever shall look into your good,
+truthful eyes will feel himself fortunate and glad, just as I do now. Keep
+your beautiful eyes, Louisa, and your innocence and harmlessness, and be a
+good housewife, then your people will love you very much. But tell me,
+cousin, for whom is that wreath which is hanging on your arm?"
+
+"For my beautiful cow; but if you will have it I will give it to you,
+and--no," she broke off, abashed and reddening, "no, forgive me, dear
+Cousin Frederick William; I shall not give you a wreath which I destined
+only for an animal. I shall fix it so," she cried, with a lovely smile, "I
+shall take this wreath to my Hulda, and to you, cousin, I shall give my
+own wreath."
+
+She hastily tore the wreath from her own locks, and raising herself on
+tiptoe tried with uplifted arm to place it on the Prince's head, but he
+stayed her hand.
+
+"No, cousin," he said; "that must be done properly. You are a lady, a
+Princess, and if you crown a knight, then let him bow the knee before
+you."
+
+And he bent his knee before her, and looked up at her smilingly and
+joyously. "Crown me, Cousin Louisa Henrietta," he said, with ceremonial
+pathos--"crown me and give me a device."
+
+The little maiden held the crown thoughtfully in her hand, her large blue
+eyes fixed upon the smiling countenance before her with an earnest,
+meditative expression.
+
+"Well," he said, "why do you not give me the wreath? And what are you
+thinking of?"
+
+"Of a motto, cousin," she replied seriously; "for you told me I must give
+you a device. But I am only a silly little girl, and you must bear with
+me. Mother said yesterday to me that the best motto she could give for
+everyday use is this, 'Be a good woman.' Now I think, if it were rightly
+changed and turned, it would suit you."
+
+And with charming determination she pressed the wreath upon the Prince's
+dark locks, and then laid both her hands upon his head.
+
+"Be a good man," she said, "yes, Electoral Prince Frederick William, be a
+good man."
+
+The smile had suddenly vanished from the Prince's countenance, and given
+place to a deep earnestness. "Yes," he said solemnly, "I promise you I
+shall be a good man." And just as he said this the cow bellowed aloud, and
+Princess Louisa turned her looks upon her and nodded pleasantly.
+
+"Look you, cousin," she said, "Hulda, too, gives you her blessing, and do
+not laugh at it, for God speaks in all that live; the flowers and beasts
+emanate from him as well as men. And if man does not do his duty, and is
+not good and diligent, then God does not love him, and the flower which
+blooms and the cow that gives milk are dearer to him, for they do their
+duty. But see, the milkmaid is ready, and now, Cousin Frederick William,
+now I must go to the milkroom and measure the milk into the pans, and I
+will tell you, but nobody else shall know, I secretly take a quart cup
+full of milk, and take it to the calves' stable to the calf, from my
+Hulda. It ought not, indeed, to drink milk any longer, but be an
+independent creature, eating hay and chewing the cud, but it will just
+feel that the milk comes from its own mother, and be glad. Farewell,
+Cousin Frederick William, I must be gone."
+
+She was about to slip away, but the Electoral Prince held her fast. "No,"
+he said, "not so cursory shall be our leave-taking, my darling little
+heavenly flower. Who knows when we shall meet again?"
+
+"You are not going away yet, cousin?" she asked, stroking his cheeks with
+both her little hands. "Ah! they told me that your father would by no
+means allow you to remain here any longer, and I was so sorry that it made
+me cry."
+
+"Why did it make you sorry, Cousin Louisa?" asked the Electoral Prince,
+drawing the little maiden to himself.
+
+She leaned her little head upon his shoulder. "I do not know," she said,
+looking at him with her great blue eyes. "I believe I love you so much
+because you are always so good and friendly to me, and have often talked
+and played with me, and not laughed at me when I told you about my
+animals. I thank you for it, my dear, good cousin, and I shall love you
+as long as I live."
+
+"And I, my dear, good cousin, I thank you for the motto which you have
+given me, and I shall think of it and of you as long as I live. Yes, my
+dear child, I will be a good man, and do you know, little Louisa," he
+continued, smiling, "whenever I am in trouble and danger, I shall think
+of you and pray, 'God and all ye innocent angels on high, have pity on the
+innocent and good! Amen!'"
+
+He pressed a fervent kiss on the child's forehead, nodded smilingly to
+her, took the wreath from his head to conceal it in his bosom, and then
+strode away with light, quick steps. The child looked thoughtfully after
+him with her large blue starry eyes, as if lost in thought, until the
+slender, athletic form of the young man had vanished behind the trees.
+"How does he know my prayer?" she whispered softly, "and why did he smile
+as he repeated it? Ah! surely Cousin Ludovicka has told him what a timid
+little coward I was last night. But hark! Hulda is lowing. Yes, yes, I am
+coming now!"
+
+And the little girl flew across the grassplot, and flung both her arms
+around the animal's neck, and stroked and coaxed it, calling it pet names,
+and telling it of its beautiful calf, to which she would forthwith carry
+some milk. And the cow lowed no more, but looked with its big intelligent
+eyes into the child's face.
+
+
+
+
+V.--MEDIA NOCTE.
+
+
+"The gods have come down from Olympus! The gods greet the earth! They
+greet beauty! They greet youth! They greet wisdom and the arts! The gods
+greet the earth! Long live the gods! Live Venus, the mother of love! Long
+live Minerva, the unapproachable virgin, full of wisdom! Long live Zeus,
+the god of gods, men transformed into gods, and gods into men! Olympus
+live on earth!"
+
+So sang they and rejoiced in triumphant chorus, and high above from the
+clouds pealed forth music, and from thicket and shrubbery sounded sweet
+songs, dying away in gentle whispers. Then all was still, for the gods,
+who had traversed the halls in dazzling procession, had now taken their
+places at the long rose-crowned tables. An Olympic festival was being
+solemnized that evening in the Media Nocte. Earth was forsaken now, and
+the children of earth found themselves again on Olympus, changed to gods.
+Those were not the drawing rooms in which they had been wont to assemble,
+commingling in cheerful pastimes, in hilarious merriment, these people
+clad in light Greek robes. No, this was cloud-capped Olympus, this was
+heaven upon earth; rose-colored, luminous clouds encircled the space, and
+behind them the galleries which ran round the hall had vanished. Instead
+of the ceiling usually bounding this vast room, they now looked up to the
+deep blue sky, and star after star twinkled there, and filled the
+apartment with soft mild light. And not in a hall furnished with chairs
+and divans did they find themselves this evening, but in a monstrous
+grotto in the heart of Olympus--a grotto of sparkling, glittering mountain
+crystal, bright and transparent as silver gauze, and behind this a magical
+moving to and fro of beauteous human shapes, of genii and Cupids. Only the
+long table in the middle of the grotto reminded of earth, or maybe the
+home of heathen gods.
+
+For, like the children of earth, the gods on Olympus used to carouse and
+drink, and, like the children of men, did they enjoy fullness of food and
+luscious wine. Golden goblets, wreathed with roses, stood before the
+silver plates loaded with fruits and tempting viands. In crystal flasks
+sparkled the golden wine, in silver vases the gay-colored flowers exhaled
+their sweets. Luxurious cushions, soft as swan's down, spangled and
+silvery as were the clouds which stooped from heaven, lined both sides of
+the long table, and on them the gods and goddesses had just sank in
+blissful silence, gazing on the glorious place, and rejoicing that men are
+gods and gods are men! There, on high, sits Zeus on golden throne, and
+Ganymede, the beautiful boy, stands near and hands him on golden dishes
+the fragrant ambrosia, and Hebe, the lovely, childlike maid, hovers about,
+and presents in crystal cups the gleaming purple wine, glistening like
+gold. Juno, the radiant queen of heaven, sits beside Zeus; and as if woven
+of silvery clouds and stars seems the garment that lightly and loosely
+envelops but does not hide the wondrous shape. A light cloud of silver
+gauze covers her countenance, as that of all the other goddesses.
+
+But now, as all rest in silence, these gods and goddesses, now rises Zeus
+from his golden throne and bows to both sides, greeting.
+
+"At the table of the gods must be enthroned Truth, the purest, most chaste
+of all the goddesses, and at her side the wisest, most puissant Genius,
+the Genius of Silence!" calls out Zeus, with far-resounding voice. "Do you
+admit that, ye gods and goddesses?"
+
+"We admit it!" call out all in exulting chorus.
+
+"You gods, swear by all that is sacred to you in heaven and upon earth
+that you will present this evening as a thank offering in sacrifice to the
+Genius of Silence! That never will pass your lips what your eyes see,
+never will your eyes betray the memory that shall dwell within your
+hearts!"
+
+"We swear it by all that is sacred in heaven and upon earth!" cry the
+gods.
+
+"Ye goddesses all, ye have heard!" cries Zeus, the enthroned. "Now do
+homage to Truth, as she to the Genius of Silence! Away with falsehood and
+deceit! Away with your masks!"
+
+And the plump, wanton arms of the goddesses are raised, and the
+rosy-fingered hands tear the silvery veils from their heads and cast them
+triumphantly behind them, and triumphantly the gods greet the beaming
+countenances of the goddesses, their sparkling eyes and rosy lips, the
+haunts of sweet, seductive smiles.
+
+"Long live the gods and goddesses of Olympus! No earthly memories cleave
+to them; if perchance they have borne earthly names, who knows it, who
+remembers it? The present only belongs to the gods--this hour is one of
+precious joy."
+
+Only those two sitting there at the table of the gods, arm linked in arm,
+only they remember, for not alone the present but the future, too, belongs
+to them. The gods and goddesses call the two Venus and Endymion, but they,
+in tender whispers, call each other Ludovicka and Frederick. No one
+disturbs himself about them, no one notices the happy pair, and they
+observe and regard no one, for they are thinking only of themselves.
+
+"Oh, my beloved," whispers the Prince, "how stale and insipid seems this
+fantastic feast to me to-night! Once it would have charmed me, and would
+have been to me as embodied poesy. But to-night it leaves me cold and
+empty, and I feel that the true and real contain in themselves the highest
+poetry."
+
+"You are indeed right, my Endymion," says she softly--"you are indeed
+right: love is the highest poetry, and he who possesses the true and real
+needs not the fantastic semblance. Still, this is a feast of gods;
+therefore let us enjoy it with glad hearts and swelling joy. For is it not
+our wedding feast, and are not all these gods and goddesses unwittingly
+solemnizing the hymeneal of our love? Rejoice then, my darling, rejoice
+and sing with the convivial, open your heart to the ravishing hour, drink
+into thy soul the delight and rapture of the gods!"
+
+A shadow stole over Endymion's high, clear brow, and he gently shook his
+head. "I love you so deeply and truly that I can not be merry in this
+hour," he said thoughtfully; "and this wild tumult and this uproarious joy
+seem not to me like a glorification of our love, but rather its
+profanation. Ah! my dear love, would that I were alone with you in the
+open air, beneath the broad high arch of heaven, instead of here beneath
+this artificial one; would that we sat hand in hand in one of those quiet
+shady spots in your park, where I could pour into your ear the holy
+secrets of my heart and tell you sweet stories of our love, and you should
+listen to me with tranquil, reverent heart, and you and I would solemnize
+together a glorious feast divine, more glorious than this mad joy can
+furnish us! He who is happy flees noisy pleasures, and he who loves
+ardently and truthfully longs for quiet and solitude, to meditate upon his
+love."
+
+"We shall be solitary and alone, my Frederick, when we belong to one
+another--when nothing more can separate us, when we shall no more have to
+meet under the veil of secrecy, no more have to conceal the fair, divine
+reality under borrowed tinsel! You know, love, to-night we flee."
+
+"God be praised! to-night will make you forever mine, and nothing then can
+separate us but death alone!"
+
+"Speak not of death while life encircles us with all its charms! Be
+cheerful, my beloved--be happy, my Endymion. We celebrate the godly feast
+of love, and yet is it only the foretaste of our bliss. Yield yourself to
+the delights of the moment, drink from the golden goblet of joy, my
+Endymion!"
+
+"Yes, I will drink, drink, for Venus drinks with me."
+
+"She hands you, Endymion, the flower-crowned goblet! Drink! drink! drink!
+Enjoy the moment! Taste the pleasures of this hour! But think of the
+coming hour which is to consummate our bliss!"
+
+"When will it be, beloved? And where shall I meet you?"
+
+"When all is bustle and stir and singing, then let my Endymion descend
+from Olympus and repair to the grotto of rocks close by. To the left of
+the entrance he will find a cavern. Let him go in and there find his white
+garments; put them on and wait. All the rest follows of itself."
+
+"And you, my heart--will you, too, follow of yourself?"
+
+"Follow of myself and fetch Endymion!"
+
+Music sent forth sweet strains, and from the rosy clouds the chorus of
+Cupids greeted the gods with songs of rejoicing.
+
+After the singing the Muses entered, winding round the table, quoting
+far-famed songs and praising the arts, which they protected. And suddenly
+the starry sky above became obscure, and twilight reigned. Only behind the
+crystalline walls it shone bright and ever brighter, and in sunshine
+splendor emerged the antique marble statues of the gods, and walked and
+moved, endowed with flesh and growing life. Music resounded and bands of
+Cupids sang; again the hall was lighted up, the tables at which the gods
+had reclined vanished, geniuses hovered about, strewing the ground with
+fragrant flowers, and in glad confusion mingled gods and goddesses, heroes
+and demigods, with sparkling eyes and beating hearts. They poetized and
+sang, praised the gods, and laughed and shouted, "Long live the Media
+Nocte! Long live those great minds and noble hearts which belong to it!"
+And all was bustle, stir, and song!
+
+Endymion forsook Olympus, entered the nearest grotto amid the rocks, and
+slipped into the little cavern to the left. Venus was still in the hall.
+To her came Hercules and softly whispered, "All is ready!"
+
+"But where? Tell me, where? It seems to me like a dream! You see how I
+trust you, for without question have I done everything just as the paper
+directed. Here I am, in the Media Nocte, and know not at all what remains
+to be done!"
+
+"The marriage ceremony and flight, fair Venus! Listen, however, to this
+one thing! In close proximity to this house, as you well know, stands the
+hotel of the French embassy. Well, gracious lady, walls can be leveled,
+and my enchanter Ducato can turn them into doors! Repair to the grotto
+hall and the cavern on the right. There will Venus be transformed into the
+Princess Ludovicka, and still be Venus! Then cross over to the cavern on
+the left, where, instead of Endymion, waits the Electoral Prince. She
+gives him her hand! My enchanter Ducato sees it, and all the rest takes
+care of itself. Only follow the god within your own breast! Only one thing
+more, Princess! Be Venus to him, and ravish his heart and soul, that he
+may not delay to sign the contract and inquire into its contents."
+
+"Be not uneasy," smiles Venus proudly; "he will sign anything to be able
+to call me his."
+
+Louder resound the peals of music, and all the gods sing and laugh and
+jest and shout. And the Bacchantes swing to and fro their ivy-wreathed
+staves, and their mouths with ecstasy pour forth their stammering songs of
+mirth! Venus has soared away! But no one observes it. Each is his own
+deity, here in the Media Nocte. Oh, blessed night of the gods! Forget that
+the wretched day of man will return in the morning! Louder resound the
+strains of music, and all is bustle, stir, and song there in Olympus!
+
+From the cavern on the right steps forth the Princess Ludovicka in white
+satin robe, a myrtle wreath twined in her hair, and behind her sweeps her
+veil like a silver cloud. Venus! Venus ever! full of sweet enchantment!
+
+She goes to the cavern on the left, and gently knocks. The door springs
+open, and she enters. It is bright within, and the Electoral Prince, in
+gold-embroidered suit, comes to meet her with beaming eyes, looks upon her
+radiant with happiness, and sinks down at her feet. Endymion! Endymion
+ever! Enchained by sweet magic! A door flies open; nobody has opened it,
+but there it is. The Electoral Prince jumps up and offers the Princess his
+hand. Neither of the two speaks, for their hearts are beating overloud.
+
+The merry music and uproarious shouts of the gods on Olympus penetrate to
+them even in the stillness of the cave, but through the open door other
+sounds steal near. Solemn, long-drawn organ peals are heard, uniting in
+the melody of a pious choral. How strangely blended within that narrow
+space those exultant songs and those organ tones! The young lovers hear
+only the notes of the organ, and hand in hand move toward the sound.
+
+A small pleasure boat receives them, flowers and myrtle trees line the
+banks, and inviting and alluring the organ calls them. Light glimmers at
+the end of the passage, and the lovers go toward it. They enter a large
+wide room! Solemn silence reigns here. At the farther end is a small
+altar. On it burn tall wax tapers, and before it, in full canonicals,
+stands the priest, prayer book in hand. At his sides are two gentlemen
+in simple, somber dress.
+
+Farther forward, nearer the center of the hall, is a table hung with
+green, on which lie several papers and implements of writing, and near it
+is a notary in his official garb, again attended by several men. To all
+this Prince Frederick William gives but one brief glance, then turns his
+eyes once more upon his beloved, standing at his side, radiant in beauty
+and enticingly sweet. The jubilant songs of Olympus yet ring in their
+ears, the images of the gods yet flame and flaunt before their eyes.
+
+"How beautiful you are, beloved Ludovicka! My Electoral Princess! come,
+let us go to the altar! Oh, your good, kind friends! How I thank them! How
+well they have arranged everything! Come! You see, the priest is waiting!"
+
+"Not yet, beloved! For you see before the priest stands the notary, and my
+good friends will have us go through all the formalities of legal
+marriage. Before we are married we must sign the contract!"
+
+"The contract of love is written in our hearts alone. What need for the
+intervention of signatures on paper? And how can strangers know what we
+alone can settle with one another? I swear unswerving love and fidelity to
+my Electoral Princess, and that requires no written confirmation. Come to
+the altar, dearest!"
+
+He endeavors to draw her forward, but Ludovicka flings her arm about his
+neck and holds him back. "Beloved," she whispers, "the contract which we
+sign concerns not us, but the benevolent, mighty friends, who have lent us
+their aid, and will help us still further. Ah! without these noble friends
+our flight would have been wholly impossible, and we would have been
+separated for ever! To-morrow I would have been the bride of the Prince of
+Hesse, and your father would already have found means to compel your
+return home. Ah! beloved, they would have separated us, if our noble
+friends had not helped us. They have prepared everything, cared for
+everything. As soon as we are married, we shall journey away to our safe
+asylum, and there, under the protection of friends, be sheltered and
+secure. For such love and devotion we must be grateful, must we not?"
+
+"Certainly, that we must, and shall be gladly, beloved of my heart! Let
+them say how we can prove our gratitude, and certainly it shall be done!"
+
+"They have said it, and written it down in the contract. Come, dearest, we
+will sign it, and then to the altar."
+
+She throws her arm around his neck, she draws him to the table where
+stands the notary with his witnesses. She hands him the pen and looks at
+him with a sweet smile.
+
+Venus! Venus ever!
+
+But he? He is no longer Endymion! He is the Electoral Prince Frederick
+William! And strange! like a dream, like a greeting from afar, conies
+stealing to his ears, "Be a good man."
+
+"Take the pen and sign!" whispers Venus, with glowing looks of love.
+
+He lays down the pen. "I must know what I sign. Read it, Sir Notary!"
+
+The notary bows low and reads: "In friendship and devotion to the
+Electoral Prince Frederick William of Brandenburg and his spouse, born
+Princess Ludovicka Hollandine of the Palatinate, we grant them an
+undisturbed asylum in our territories, promise to protect and defend them
+with all our power, to grant them, besides, maintenance and support,
+paying to the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg yearly subsidies of three
+hundred thousand livres, until he assumes the reins of government. On his
+side, the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg pledges himself, so soon as he
+begins to rule in his own right, to conclude a league with us for twenty
+years, and never to unite with our enemies against us, but to be true to
+us in good as also in evil days. Both parties confirm this by their
+signatures. Count d'Entragues has signed in the name of France."
+
+"France!" cried the Electoral Prince, with loudly ringing voice. "France
+is the friend who will lend us aid?"
+
+"Yes, Prince, France it is," said Count d'Entragues, approaching the
+Prince and bowing low before him. "France through me offers to the noble
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg protection and an asylum, pays him rich
+subsidies, and in return requires nothing but his alliance, and, above all
+things, his friendship. I am happy to offer the friendship and good
+offices of King Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu to the Electoral Prince
+of Brandenburg and his spouse, and to be permitted to witness the ceremony
+of their marriage."
+
+"Come, my beloved, sign," whispered Ludovicka, with pleading voice.
+
+But he thrust back the pen, and looked at the Princess with flaming eyes.
+"Did you know, Princess, that it was France who was to assist us?"
+
+"Certainly I knew it," replied she, with feigned astonishment. "Count
+d'Entragues himself offered me the assistance of France, and you gave me
+full powers to conclude all arrangements."
+
+"It is true, so I did," murmured the Prince. "I thought you had reference
+to a private person, to one of those rich mynheers whom I have met at your
+house. I told you so, Princess, and you did not contradict me. You left me
+under the impression that it was a merchant of Holland who was offering
+his help and protection. From a private citizen I could have accepted aid,
+for that pledged the man, not the Prince. But from France I can accept no
+favors, for by such would be pledged and bound the Prince, the future
+ruler of his land, so that he could not act freely according to his
+judgment and the requirements of the case, but be subjected to restraint.
+Sir Count d'Entragues, I shall not sign."
+
+The Princess uttered a shriek and threw both her arms, round him. "If you
+are serious in that, beloved, then are we lost, for who will help us if
+France will not?"
+
+"God and ourselves, Ludovicka!"
+
+"God listens not to our entreaties, and we are too weak to help ourselves.
+Oh, my beloved, prove now that you love me--that your vows are true. I am
+lost to you and you to me if we do not escape to-night--lost if we accept
+not France's aid. Look, here is the sheet of paper; our whole future lies
+on it. I offer it to you, beloved, and with it my life, my love, my
+happiness. Will you scorn me?"
+
+She held out to him both her trembling hands, and looked at him with
+glances of entreaty. He returned the look, and a deadly paleness
+overspread his face. He took the sheet of paper from her hands--she opened
+her mouth for a cry of joy--then a shrill, rasping sound--he had torn the
+paper in two, and both pieces fell slowly to the ground.
+
+"That is my answer, so help me God! I can do no otherwise."
+
+A cry sounded from Ludovicka's lips, but it was a cry of horror. She
+reeled back, as if a fearful blow had struck her, and stared at the Prince
+with wide-open eyes.
+
+"You reject me with disdain?" she asked in a toneless voice. "You will not
+flee with me?"
+
+He rushed toward her, cast himself upon his knees before her, kissing her
+dress and hands with passionate ardor.
+
+"Forgive me, Ludovicka, forgive me! I can not act differently. I can not
+be a traitor to my country, to my father, to Germany. I can not listen to
+my heart, with regard to my future, for my future belongs to my people,
+my native land, not to myself alone. Go home, beloved; be steadfast and
+courageous, as I shall be, and then we shall conquer destiny itself and
+win victory for our love."
+
+"Stand up, Electoral Prince of Brandenburg!" she cried imperiously, and
+with angry glance. "Now answer me, will you accept the help of France, and
+flee with me?"
+
+He turned away from her with a deep sigh. "No, I shall not accept the help
+of France."
+
+"Count d'Entragues," said the Princess, with shrill, quivering voice, "you
+are a gentleman; I place myself under your protection. You will
+immediately conduct me to Doornward."
+
+The count hastened to her and offered her his hand. She accepted it, and
+he led her slowly through the vast hall to one of the doors of entrance.
+
+The Electoral Prince looked after her with distorted features and burning
+eyes. Once he made a movement as if to rush after her, but by a mighty
+effort he kept his place. Arrived at the door, she paused and turned upon
+him an earnest, questioning glance; he cast down his eyes before it. Count
+d'Entragues opened the door--a breathless pause ensued--then the door
+closed behind her.
+
+The Electoral Prince placed his trembling hand upon his heart, and two
+tears rolled from his eyes. Violently he shook them away, and turned his
+head to the notary.
+
+"Sir," he said, in a firm voice--"sir, I beg you to show me the way out. I
+would go to my palace."
+
+
+
+
+VI.--THE HARDEST VICTORY.
+
+
+The Electoral Prince had returned home, but he did not sleep the whole
+night through. The chamberlain, whose room adjoined the Prince's sleeping
+apartment, had heard him restlessly pacing the floor all night long, at
+times talking to himself half aloud, and then even weeping and lamenting.
+In his anguish of heart he had wakened Baron Leuchtmar and the private
+secretary Müller, in order to impart to them the melancholy news. Both
+gentlemen had immediately risen and dressed themselves, and softly
+approached the door of the princely chamber. They, too, had heard the
+restless steps, the loud groans and lamentations of the Prince, and his
+grief had passed into their own hearts. As they looked at each other, each
+observed tears in the eyes of the other, and with quivering lips both
+whispered, "Poor young man! he must have some great grief! He suffers a
+great deal!"
+
+"You must go to him, Leuchtmar," whispered Müller. "You must ask what ails
+him, and try to comfort him."
+
+The baron mournfully shook his head. "My dear Müller," he said, "have you
+ever been in love?"
+
+"No, never!" replied Müller, in astonishment. "Why do you ask such a
+question?"
+
+"Because you would then know, friend, that there is no consolation for
+disappointment in love."
+
+"You think, then, that the Prince is disappointed in love?"
+
+"Certainly, I think so. What other grief can a young Prince of hardly
+eighteen years have, especially when his heart is engrossed with a glowing
+passion. The Prince was last night in the Media Nocte, and something
+peculiar must have occurred there, for he came home unusually early, his
+custom having been of late not to return home until daybreak, singing and
+rejoicing."
+
+"Only hear, Leuchtmar, how he sobs and groans! And now! Hush! what does he
+say?"
+
+Both gentlemen held their breath, and quite distinctly could be heard
+within the wailing, tear-choked voice of the Prince:
+
+"It is impossible--it is impossible. I can not. No, I can not. The
+sacrifice is too heavy! My heart will break!"
+
+"Hear him well," whispered Müller, amid his tears; "he can not make the
+sacrifice. He will die of grief. My God! go to him, baron. Tell him he
+need not make the sacrifice. No one can require of him the impossible. Go
+to him, man! Be humane. My God! only hear how he laments and groans!"
+
+"I hear it, but I can not go in. I do not know his sorrow, and if the
+Prince needs me he can call me."
+
+"You are a savage," said Müller desperately. "Well, if you will not
+comfort him, then shall I go to him."
+
+He stretched out his hand for the door knob, but Baron Leuchtmar held him
+back, and led the good private secretary back to his own room.
+
+"Let us go to bed, friend," he said; "even if we can not sleep, as is
+probable, yet we can rest, which is needful for our aged limbs. We can not
+yet help the Prince; and, believe me, he would never forgive us if we were
+to go to him unsummoned, thereby betraying that we have been privy to his
+suffering and his pain. He has a grief, there is no question about that;
+but he is retiringly modest, and at the same time has a stout heart that
+will admit no one to share with him a burden he has perhaps imposed upon
+himself. I am glad of this, Müller, and I tell you such hours of solitary
+grief purify the manly heart; in them the old myth is verified, from the
+fire and ashes of spent sorrows springs up the new-fledged phoenix. Should
+we prevent our Prince from passing through his purgatory, that he may
+emerge from the flames as a phoenix and a victorious hero?"
+
+"You may be right," sighed Müller, "but I only know that he is suffering
+bitterly."
+
+Baron Leuchtmar smiled sadly. "May these sufferings steel his heart," he
+said, "that he may be armed against greater and bitterer trials! Come,
+Müller, we will to bed, and to sleep."
+
+But, however composedly and resolutely the baron had opposed himself to
+the suggestions of his soft-hearted colleague, sleep that night forsook
+his eyes, and ever he heard in imagination the Prince's groans and
+laments. At times he could hardly repress his longing to get up, to creep
+to the Prince's door and listen, that he might discover whether he were
+still awake. But the baron forcibly restrained himself, and finally, as
+day already began to dawn, he actually fell asleep. He might possibly have
+slept a few hours, but his servant approached his couch and roused him.
+
+"Baron," he said, "some one is here who urgently desires to speak to you."
+
+"Who, Frederick, who is there?" asked Baron Leuchtmar, quickly rising.
+
+"The chamberlain, Baron von Marwitz, has arrived from Berlin."
+
+"Marwitz, the Elector's first chamberlain?" cried the baron. "Quick, my
+clothes, quick! Help me to dress myself. Run and tell Baron von Marwitz
+that I will be at his service directly. But first tell me whether his
+highness is already visible. Has he already ordered his breakfast?"
+
+"No, baron, I believe all is still quiet in his highness's apartments."
+
+"God be thanked! God be thanked! Now present my compliments to Baron von
+Marwitz, and then come quickly and help me."
+
+Ten minutes later Baron Kalkhun von Leuchtmar entered the Prince's
+reception room, where the chamberlain, Baron von Marwitz, awaited him. The
+two had a long conversation together, Leuchtmar listening with thoughtful
+mien to Marwitz's narration of the state of affairs at home.
+
+"Marwitz," he said, at the close of their conversation, "we have been good
+and tried friends from our childhood; I know that the electoral house and
+our fatherland lie as near to your heart as to my own, and that I can
+trust you. I therefore tell you, you have come at a fortunate hour, and
+God sends you! The heart of the Prince is wrung by a mighty sorrow, and he
+probably knows no way out of his griefs. You will show him one, and if he
+is actually the aspiring and noble-hearted Prince, whom God has sent for
+the blessing of his house and the hope of his country, then will he
+appreciate this way and walk in it. Go to him now, Marwitz, and lay before
+him candidly and without reserve, as you have done before me, the
+deplorable condition of things in our native land."
+
+"You will come with me, Leuchtmar, and present me to the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"No, baron. You must suffer yourself to be announced by the chamberlain,
+for the Prince dismissed me yesterday in wrath. Hush, my friend! say not a
+word, it is not so bad! The heart of the Prince has reached a crisis in
+its history which will soon be past, and then, well then, he will call me
+of himself again. But I shall wait for that. I can not intrude upon him
+now."
+
+"My friend," sighed Marwitz, "I begin to be afraid. If you do not support
+me, I will surely fail in my errand, and, like Schlieben, be forced to
+return disappointed to Berlin."
+
+"I think not. Only be of good courage and speak boldly, as your heart and
+your love of country dictate."
+
+"Is the Electoral Prince already up?" he asked of the man in waiting, and,
+as he received nothing but a shrug of the shoulders in reply, Leuchtmar
+beckoned to him to come nearer, and retired with him into a recess of one
+of the windows.
+
+"Well, what is it, old Dietrich? You have seen the Electoral Prince
+already, have you not?"
+
+"Yes, baron. He has not been to bed at all, but still has on the clothes
+he wore when he went away last night. He is just as pale as a sheet, and
+his eyes which usually shine so gloriously are to-day quite dim. He called
+me, and I thought he was about to order breakfast, but no! Something quite
+different he wanted, and it struck me as peculiarly strange. The Electoral
+Prince asked me who was on duty this week, I or the second valet,
+Eberhard? I told him Eberhard, for his week began yesterday. Then said the
+Electoral Prince: 'Well, Dietrich, I want you to exchange with him this
+time, for I would like to have you to wait upon me this week, and Eberhard
+shall have a holiday the whole week. I only want to see your old face
+about me!' Is not that strange, Sir Baron? Until yesterday Eberhard stood
+in such high favor, and my gracious master always preferred being dressed
+by him. Only yesterday evening Eberhard must accompany him to the feast,
+and now, all at once, my gracious master will not see him! Something must
+have happened, for last night Eberhard came home much later than the
+Electoral Prince, and asked, as if bewildered, whether his highness had
+been back long; and when I told him that the Electoral Prince had bidden
+me change with him, he turned deadly pale, trembled in every limb, and
+said, 'It is all over with me!' Baron, something surely happened last
+night."
+
+"Probably Eberhard has been guilty of some negligence," said Leuchtmar
+carelessly. "He has often been negligent of late, as it seems to me. He
+has some love affair on hand, has he not?"
+
+"Yes, Sir Baron, he has gotten in with that artful chambermaid of the
+Princess Ludovicka, out there at Doornward, and they are engaged to one
+another. But people do not say much good of Madame Alice: she is a cunning
+French girl and--"
+
+"Do not trouble yourself about what people say," interrupted the baron.
+"Do your own duty and rejoice that for this week the Electoral Prince
+gives you the preference over Eberhard. Go, now, and announce to his
+highness the chamberlain, Baron von Marwitz, from Berlin."
+
+A few minutes later the gentleman announced entered the Prince's drawing
+room. Frederick William advanced into the middle of the room to meet him,
+and greeted him with grave courtesy.
+
+"I was expecting you, baron," he said coldly.
+
+"Your highness was expecting me?" asked the baron, astonished. "Your
+highness knew already that I would come?"
+
+"Yes, I knew it, baron. My mother's court painter, Gabriel Nietzel,
+arrived yesterday, and through him my gracious mother informed me that the
+Elector would send you to me with a very serious and angry message. You
+see, I am prepared. Deliver your message now, baron. Let us be seated."
+
+The Prince sat down in the armchair and made the baron sit opposite him.
+His large eyes were fixed upon Marwitz, and burned with a strange, sad
+light. His noble pale countenance was of touching beauty.
+
+"You hesitate?" asked the Prince quietly, after a pause. "What you have to
+say to me is, then, very bad?"
+
+"No, your highness, not therefore did I delay," cried the baron, with
+feeling. "Your appearance bewildered me, because it pleased me so much. I
+have not seen your highness for three years. You were then hardly fifteen
+years old, a noble, promising boy, and now I behold you with rapture and
+delight, seeing that all our expectations have been fulfilled, and that
+out of the boy has grown a strong, noble, and serious young man. Yes,
+Prince, I read it in your countenance, your unhappy fatherland, your
+unhappy, much-to-be-pitied Brandenburgers, may look with trust and
+confidence to the future, for you will save and rescue them."
+
+"Save them from what? Rescue them from what?" asked the Prince, in cold
+and measured phrase. "Why do you call my fatherland unhappy, and why do
+you say that the Brandenburgers are to be pitied? Is not my fatherland,
+for doubtless you do not mean Germany, but my special fatherland, in which
+I have been born and reared, is not the Mark Brandenburg now quite happy
+and peaceful, as it has been for some years past, since it is again under
+the Emperor's protection and favor, in pleasant neutrality between the two
+inimical parties? And as to my good Brandenburgers, I can not imagine how
+you can call them so much to be pitied when Count Adam von Schwarzenberg
+is still Stadtholder in the Mark--Count Adam von Schwarzenberg, who
+certainly must have the good of Brandenburg at heart, since he knows how
+much my father loves him and trusts to him. He will always show himself
+worthy of confidence, I doubt not, and I have the highest respect for my
+father's great and wise minister."
+
+"Ah! your highness mistrusts me," cried Marwitz with an expression of
+pain. "Your highness takes me for one of Schwarzenberg's adherents."
+
+"No, I take you for what you are, the messenger and emissary of my father,
+the Elector of Brandenburg."
+
+"Your highness would thereby say that this messenger and emissary has
+consequently received his orders from Count Schwarzenberg, because the
+count is really lord of the Mark and the Elector's right hand. I read in
+your countenance that you do so, and that therefore you mistrust me. But I
+swear to you, Prince, you may believe in my honest, upright
+intentions--you may believe that what I say is in solemn earnest."
+
+"I believe it, certainly I believe it," said the Prince. "You have
+undertaken the commissions of the Elector and his Minister Schwarzenberg;
+naturally you will be in earnest in executing them."
+
+"Prince, I have undertaken the commissions, the behests of the Elector;
+but from himself and not from his minister did I obtain them. I have sworn
+to execute them, and do you know why?"
+
+"Why? Simply because you are your master's obedient servant."
+
+"No, Prince, because I am a faithful servant of my country, and because I
+have a heart to feel for her affliction and distress. The Elector has
+commanded me to travel to The Hague, and to convey his strict injunction
+to the Electoral Prince that he shall immediately set out and return home
+to Berlin. The Elector bids me say to your highness that he has committed
+to me five thousand dollars to defray the expenses of your journey back
+and for the liquidation of the most pressing debts. Should this sum not
+suffice, then am I empowered, in the name of his Electoral Highness, to
+give security for the payment of the other debts, and your highness is so
+to arrange your journey that your suite may follow in the least expensive
+way possible. I was to urge on you seriously and decidedly the propriety
+of departure, and your father bids me state to you that he has his own
+peculiarly strong reasons for esteeming a further sojourn in Holland
+neither safe, profitable, nor reputable. I was to assure your highness
+that you were not to be recalled, in order to be forced into a repulsive
+marriage. At the same time, the Elector desires that you return
+unembarrassed by engagements, and that you by no means entangle yourself
+by marriage without his knowledge and consent, for to such a union would
+the Elector not agree, nor ratify it."[18]
+
+"Is that all you have to say to me?" asked the Prince, when Marwitz was
+silent.
+
+"Prince, it is all I have to say to you in the Elector's name, and I have
+herewith executed the commission intrusted to me. But I have something
+still to add. I have still to execute the commissions given me by your
+future land, by your future subjects. I have to transmit to you the tears
+of the wretched, the sighs of the impoverished, the cries of the
+despairing, the agonized shriek of all the provinces, all the towns, all
+the villages, houses, and huts in the Mark. Prince, from the depth of
+their affliction all hearts uplift themselves to you; in the midst of
+their despair, the oppressed, the downtrodden, the tormented all venture
+to hope in you, and in spirit they kneel before you and with outstretched
+hands entreat you, as I do now, 'Pity our distress, future Elector of
+Brandenburg, have compassion upon the lands and provinces which shall one
+day constitute your state. Turn not a deaf ear to the prayers, the hopes
+of your future subjects.'"
+
+Marwitz had sunk upon the floor, and stretched his clasped hands out to
+the Prince, who looked thoughtfully into his excited face.
+
+"And what would my future subjects have, what do they desire of me?"
+
+"That you forthwith, without delay, return to the Mark by the speediest
+way possible."
+
+"I?" cried the Electoral Prince, with a mocking smile. "Your wishes and
+entreaties, and those of the Brandenburgers, coincide very exactly with my
+father's orders!"
+
+"Yes, they do coincide, but spring from different motives. Prince, we
+implore, we entreat you to return; no longer give us over to the caprice,
+the villainy, the tyranny and avarice of Count von Schwarzenberg. He is
+the evil demon of your father, of your country. Come home and frighten him
+away!"
+
+The Prince started, and for a moment a deep glow suffused his pale
+countenance. His look penetrated deeper into the baron's uplifted,
+beseeching eyes, as if through them he would read into the very depths of
+his heart.
+
+"Stand up, Marwitz," he said, after a long pause--"stand up, for you are
+too old and too venerable to kneel before so young a man as myself. Else,
+sit down near me, and explain your words more clearly. What good can my
+return home do, and how think you that I can benefit the land? And first
+and foremost, why do you call Count Schwarzenberg the evil demon of my
+father and his country?"
+
+"Permit me, your highness, to answer the last question first, and thus
+will you understand the rest. Count Schwarzenberg is answerable for all
+the distress, wretchedness, and misery which envelop the Mark, Prussia,
+indeed all parts of your devastated and distracted land, for he acts
+contrary to the true interests of the Elector and his land, being wholly
+devoted to the interests of his own master, the Emperor of Germany. To
+this end all is worked and manoeuvred, with this aim all efforts are
+undertaken, to ruin Brandenburg, and take from it all power and
+consideration, yea, all hope, in order that it may be rendered dependent
+upon the Emperor and empire, and become less dangerous. For the benefit of
+the Emperor, and to the detriment of the Elector and his land, has Count
+Schwarzenberg concluded the treaty of Prague. Up to that time Brandenburg
+was the ally of Sweden, now it is neutral--that is to say, it is the prey
+of both parties; it is visited, laid under contribution, and plundered by
+the Swedish and Imperialist troops, and can apply for redress to no one,
+expect aid from no one. With each day the misery increases more and more.
+All trade and commerce languish; in the country the fields remain
+untilled, in the towns the artisans are unemployed, nobody finds work or
+wages. Hunger and want, and in their retinue sickness and death, daily
+demand hundreds of victims. The Swede has possession of your rightful
+heritage, Pomerania, and the Imperialists press to invade the Pomeranian
+towns and lay them under contribution, without thinking of leaving the
+vanquished cities wherewithal to pay tribute to their Sovereign, the
+Elector of Brandenburg. Imperialist is to become the whole Mark, the whole
+of Pomerania and Prussia, Westphalia and the duchy of Cleves. Imperialist
+and Catholic--that is Count Schwarzenberg's plan, and with cruel
+consistency he puts in motion everything that can conduce to its
+accomplishment. To prevent the recovery, the prosperity of Prussia and the
+Mark is the aim of all his policy. He exhausts the land, and yet more than
+the enemy plunders and taxes the towns, enriching himself through the
+blood and tears of the tortured citizens and hungry peasantry, living in
+luxury and splendor, while the Elector is suffering want, while his land
+is starved and unproductive."
+
+"Abominable! horrible!" groaned the Electoral Prince, covering his face
+with both his hands, probably to conceal from Marwitz the tears which
+stood in his eyes.
+
+"Prince," cried Marwitz joyfully, "you are moved! The afflictions of your
+country touch your noble heart! Oh, may God be with you in this hour, and
+strengthen you for noble and great resolves!"
+
+"What do you require of me?" asked the Prince, after a pause, slowly
+withdrawing his hands from his livid face. "What can I do?"
+
+"You can come home, Prince, come home to the unhappy land whose future
+lord you are by the appointment of God. Your mere presence will be a
+comfort to the unhappy, a terror to Schwarzenberg. On you rest the hopes
+of all patriots. You are the standard around whom they rally, the banner
+to which they look up in hope and patience, for which, if needs be, they
+will battle to the last drop of their blood. You furnish us all with a
+center and support, perhaps even your father himself, who maybe sometimes
+fears his own almighty minister, certainly your mother, who longs for her
+son as her stay and support! Prince, one more last word. I say it with
+hesitation, I would not even intrust it to the air, and yet it must be
+spoken--Prince, the power of Count Schwarzenberg over your father's heart
+is great, and--and--Count Schwarzenberg is a believing Catholic! It would
+be a new pillar to his might if the Elector--"
+
+"Hush, hush!" interrupted the Electoral Prince, jumping up from his seat.
+"Not another word! You are right, the very air itself may not hear such
+words! Bury them in your heart and never again utter them! These are
+fearful tidings, which you have brought me, Marwitz, and my heart is
+bitterly, painfully moved by them, so that for an instant I--"
+
+"Oh, my beloved young master," entreated Marwitz, "let not your heart be
+merely touched by them, but be inspired and sanctified. Embrace a high
+noble decision. Conquer yourself, and--"
+
+With uplifted hand the Electoral Prince beckoned him to be silent, and
+with rapid step and head sunk he paced up and down the apartment. Then all
+at once he stopped, and, quickly raising his head, asked, "Where is
+Leuchtmar? Why did he not come with you?"
+
+"I know not, Prince--he told me he could not dare to appear in your
+presence; he--"
+
+"Ah! that is true," said the Prince mournfully; "we have not seen each
+other since--I beg of you, Marwitz, to go and fetch Leuchtmar to me."
+
+The baron made haste to execute the Prince's mandate. Frederick William
+looked after him until the door closed behind him. Then his large, moist
+eyes were slowly upraised to heaven, and his trembling lips murmured: "Oh,
+how young I am yet, and how much I have still to learn! Help me, my God,
+that I may have the needed strength!"
+
+Again the door opened, and Marwitz entered, followed by Leuchtmar, who
+remained standing at the door. The Electoral Prince looked at him with
+questioning glances, and ever brighter became his brow, ever more cheerful
+his aspect. And all at once he spread out his arms, and in a tone of most
+heartfelt love, most tender pleading, called out, "My beloved teacher!
+come to my arms!"
+
+Leuchtmar sprang forward with a cry of joy. The Prince tenderly fell on
+his neck and pressed him closely to his breast.
+
+"Oh," he murmured softly, "my friend, I have suffered much, and still
+suffer. Forgive me on account of my pain!"
+
+And he leaned his head on Leuchtmar's shoulder and wept bitterly. A long
+pause ensued. No one of the three could interrupt it, for speech remained
+locked upon the trembling lips of all, and only their tears, their sighs
+spoke. Then the door slowly opened, and the private secretary, Müller,
+appeared upon the threshold. For a moment he stood still, and looked with
+quivering lips upon the Prince, who was just slowly extricating himself
+from Leuchtmar's embrace, then he stepped resolutely forward.
+
+"Your highness," he said, "forgive me for venturing to intrude my presence
+here, without having been summoned. But old Dietrich dared not take the
+step which I do now, and so the responsibility rests upon myself alone."
+
+"And what is it?" asked the Prince. "What brings you to me, my dear, true
+friend?"
+
+"He calls me his dear, true friend!" rejoiced Müller.
+
+"All is right again, then--all is in order! We are not dismissed--we are
+not sent home!"
+
+"You may be, after all, my old friend," said the Electoral Prince, with a
+feeble smile. "But what would you say to me? What sort of responsibility
+have you taken upon yourself?"
+
+"Prince, I have taken upon myself the responsibility of admitting into
+your cabinet the veiled lady who has just come, and of requesting you to
+grant her the audience for which she has been besieging Dietrich with
+tears and lamentations. Dietrich, however, would not hear to it, and the
+lady continually called for Eberhard to come--Eberhard must lead her to
+the Prince. But, as Dietrich says, this is not Eberhard's week of service,
+so that he can not enter here. I was attracted to the antechamber by the
+loud conversation, and now the lady turned upon me, and pleaded so
+touchingly and so eloquently, that I could not refuse to grant her
+request. Your highness, I have conducted the lady into your cabinet, and
+she awaits you there."
+
+"But, Müller," cried Baron Leuchtmar despairingly, "what have you done?
+How could you be so inconsiderate?"
+
+The old man drew himself up, and his mild eye grew angry. "Inconsiderate!
+I was not at all inconsiderate, Baron Leuchtmar. On the contrary, I
+thought it would be unworthy of a noble Prince to allow a woman to plead
+in vain, and I thought, moreover, that Hercules would never have become a
+hero if he had not had the valor to meet the women who greeted him at the
+crossing of the roads."
+
+"You have done right, Müller," said Frederick William, with a faint smile;
+"it will be seen whether Hercules was perhaps my forefather. I shall speak
+to the lady. Wait for me here."
+
+He crossed the apartment hastily, and entered his cabinet. In the center
+of the room stood a veiled female form. The Prince, however, recognized
+her, although her face could not be seen, for he knew her by her pretty
+coquettish costume to be the Princess Ludovicka's French chambermaid, and
+he stepped quickly up to her.
+
+"I thought that it was you, Alice," he said softly, "and I have therefore
+come to tell you to--"
+
+With sudden movement she tore back her veil, and before the pale,
+beautiful countenance thereby revealed the Prince stepped back, as pale as
+death.
+
+"You yourself?" he murmured. "You, Ludovicka?"
+
+"Yes, I, Ludovicka! I come here in my maid's dress," said she, in a voice
+trembling with pain and emotion. "I come to you, my beloved, to ask you
+whether you will desert me, leaving me in despair, affliction, and
+heart-sickness? O Frederick, Frederick! how fearfully have I suffered this
+night!"
+
+"And I?" murmured he softly. "Have I not suffered too?"
+
+"No," she cried, "you have not suffered as I did, for you love me not as I
+love you--you love me not more than your life, your honor, your
+fatherland! You will abandon and forsake me, because it is France that has
+offered us aid! Oh, you are a cold, heartless man, as all men are, and yet
+I love you so much and can not live without you! Frederick William, you
+will not go with me to France--well then, I will go with you, wherever you
+will. I cleave to you--I will stay with you! Let shame and ignominy be my
+fate, let my mother curse me, let all the world despise me and call me
+your mistress, I will stay with you, for I love you and can not live
+without you!"
+
+Passionately she extended her arms to him, love flaming in her glances.
+But a darker shadow flitted across the Prince's face, and he shrank back.
+
+"God forbid, Ludovicka," he said, "that misery and shame should ever come
+to you through me, that your mother should curse you for my sake! We are
+both yet children, Ludovicka. I felt right painfully last night that the
+first duty of children is to obey and reverence their parents. Let us do
+our duty, Ludovicka!"
+
+"That is," replied she with swelling rage--"that is to say, you give me
+up? They have overcome your opposition, they have brought you back to
+obedience, to subjection?"
+
+"No other than myself has done it, Ludovicka."
+
+"You? You give me up? Voluntarily? And yet you swore that you loved me and
+me alone of all the world?"
+
+"And I swore truly, Ludovicka. I love you boundlessly!"
+
+"And yet you will forsake me?"
+
+"Yet I must do so, beloved! I must forsake you, but God alone, who has
+witnessed my tortures this past night, knows what I suffer. My father is
+solitary, my fatherland calls to me, and the first thing that I sacrifice
+on its altar is my love for you. I can not marry you, Ludovicka, and God
+forbid that I should accept your love without marriage!"
+
+"Words, nothing but words!" cried she indignantly. "You would palliate
+your unfaithfulness, represent your fickleness of mind as magnanimity! But
+I hear only one thing in your words--you give me up, you renounce your
+love?"
+
+"Yes!" he cried with a loud scream of pain--"yes, I renounce my love!"
+
+
+"Vengeance upon you for it!" cried she, in flaming wrath. "I, Ludovicka
+Hollandine, cry vengeance upon you, for you break my heart!"
+
+"And you will have no compassion? You will not see what I suffer?
+Ludovicka, look! Look in my eyes, they wept out last night the pains of a
+whole life--see what I suffer! Ludovicka, on my knees I beseech you, if
+you really love me, then have pity upon me--for the sake of my agony
+forgive me what you suffer!"
+
+And beside himself with emotion, he fell upon his knees, lifting up to her
+his clasped hands and his face that was bathed in tears.
+
+But now it was she who shrank back. "No," said she harshly and severely,
+"no, no compassion, no forgiveness! I do not love you, I have never loved
+you, for you are a foolish boy, and know nothing of the glow of passion!
+You are a child! Go away and act like a child, and be an obedient son!
+Love rejects you! love turns from you!" And waving him off with both
+hands, the Princess turned and walked to the door. Frederick William,
+still upon his knees, heard her quickly retreating steps, but did not
+rise. Ludovicka had already stretched out her hand to open the door; but
+she turned round once more, and in tones of mingled love and grief cried,
+"Frederick, will you let me go?"
+
+
+He did not answer, his head sank lower, and a painful groan forced itself
+from his breast. She opened the door--he heard it--he saw the streak of
+light that crossed the room through the open door, it vanished--the door
+had closed. Then was wrung from the Prince's breast a shriek of agony such
+as only issues from the lips of man under the pressure of earth's sharpest
+pangs.
+
+The three gentlemen were yet assembled in the Prince's drawing room,
+conversing and imparting to one another their fears and hopes. All at once
+the door of the cabinet opened and the Electoral Prince entered. Pale as
+death, but with firm, determined features, he stepped up to the three
+gentlemen, who looked at him with tender, anxious glances.
+
+"Marwitz," he said, "you can this very day set out on your return to
+Berlin, for your mission is fulfilled. Say to my father that as an
+obedient son I submit to his wishes, and shall forthwith depart for
+Berlin."
+
+The three gentlemen only answered him by a single cry of joy, and,
+animated by one feeling, one inspiration, sank upon their knees and prayed
+aloud, "Bless, O God! bless the Prince, who has conquered himself!"
+
+"What is going on here?" asked a loud manly voice behind them. "What means
+this? Three gentlemen on their knees, and my young cousin looking on like
+the Knight St. George!"
+
+"And so he is, Prince of Orange," cried Baron Leuchtmar, rising and
+advancing to meet the Prince, who had come in unannounced, as was his wont
+at the house of his cousin. "Yes, he is a Knight St. George, who has
+conquered the dragon. You know, Prince Henry, how sweetly they have
+enticed him, with what magic chains they have been encircling him. You
+know the Media Nocte and"--added he softly--"the Princess Ludovicka."
+
+"Well, and what more now?" asked the Prince, with eager interest. "Not
+much, cousin," said Frederick William, with a melancholy smile. "I must
+bid you farewell. I owe it to my parents, to my honor, and my country,
+forthwith to leave The Hague!"[19]
+
+"Bravo, cousin, bravo!" cried Henry of Orange. "You flee from danger and
+escape from temptation. That is to be called heroism, and herewith you
+have as truly conquered a citadel as when I vanquished Breda!"
+
+"Believe me too, cousin," said Frederick William, while he leaned upon the
+
+Prince's heroic breast--"believe me, that this victory has cost much blood
+and many tears."
+
+One moment he let his head rest on the shoulder of his fatherly friend,
+then proudly drew himself up.
+
+"Baron Leuchtmar and you, my trusty private secretary, Müller!" he cried,
+with loud voice, "to-day we leave The Hague and proceed to Arnheim, and
+thence we set forth to-morrow on our journey home. Marwitz, you travel in
+advance. The golden days of our youth are past! Let iron ones follow! I am
+prepared for all!"
+
+
+
+
+BOOK III.
+
+I.--NEW PLANS.
+
+
+"Strange, very strange," muttered Count Adam Schwarzenberg to himself.
+"The Prince must have set out on his journey four weeks ago, and still no
+news from Gabriel Nietzel! The journey by sea, it is true, offered no
+opportunity for any enterprise, and the Electoral Prince had the sublime
+fancy of choosing the water in preference to the land route, in spite of
+the severities of this season of the year. But, according to the Prince's
+scheme of traveling, and according to my own calculations, the Prince must
+have reached Hamburg full eight days ago, and as he was only to stay there
+three days, he must already have been journeying five days by land, and
+yet have I in vain looked for any tidings whatever from Gabriel Nietzel.
+Could it be possible that this man has dared to disobey me?--could he have
+carried his folly so far as to sacrifice wife and child rather than
+execute my commands?"
+
+Gloomily the count's brow wrinkled, as he asked himself this question, and
+his eyes flamed with fury. With folded arms he walked rapidly to and fro.
+
+"To think that all my plans may be wrecked by the pangs of conscience of a
+single fool!" he sighed--"to think, that for months, nay, for years, I
+have been laboring in vain to see the realization of these projects, and
+that in my highest, proudest aims I am dependent upon a blockhead,
+who--What is it Daniel? What is your errand?"
+
+"Pardon me, your excellency; some one is without who
+desires most urgently to speak with you."
+
+"Who is it?--do you know him?"
+
+"No, my lord count, I do not know him, and he will not tell what he wants
+of your excellency. He says he must speak with your lordship himself, and
+I must only announce his name. It is Gabriel Nietzel."
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel!" cried the count. "Why did you not tell me so directly,
+you fool! Bring him in without delay, and take care that no one disturbs
+us so long as the painter Gabriel Nietzel is with us."
+
+The lackey hurried off, leaving the door open for the painter, whom he
+fetched in from the first antechamber. Breathlessly, in violent
+excitement, Count Schwarzenberg looked toward this open door. "It is my
+future fate that is about to enter," he murmured. "Ah, there he is! There
+is Gabriel Nietzel!" And in his vehement agitation he rushed forward a few
+steps to meet the painter, whom he saw approaching through the entrance
+hall. But forcibly constraining himself to an appearance of moderation and
+reserve, he stood still and assumed a calm, unimpassioned expression.
+Gabriel Nietzel entered, and behind him the lackey gently closed the door.
+The sharp eyes of the count rested inquiringly upon the newcomer, who
+remained standing near the door with head sunk and humble, melancholy
+mien. This submissive, contrite silence on the part of the returning
+painter was sufficiently eloquent to the mind of the count. It told him
+that Gabriel Nietzel had nothing welcome to communicate. He subdued his
+rage and proudly threw back his head, as if to shake off, like troublesome
+insects, all his disappointed hopes.
+
+"Well, you are actually at home again, Master Court Painter!" he cried, in
+a tone that was well-nigh cheerful.
+
+"Yes, your excellency," whispered Gabriel, with downcast eyes, "here I am
+again, and report myself forthwith to your excellency."
+
+"To me?" asked Schwarzenberg, affecting astonishment. "Why do you report
+yourself to me, and what have I to do with you, Sir Court Painter Gabriel
+Nietzel? You should have gone to the palace, to the Electress, and
+gladdened her heart with your pleasing intelligence. I doubt not that you
+are the bearer of glad tidings for her, and come to forewarn her of the
+Prince's speedy arrival here in safety and good health?"
+
+"I had no wish to go to her highness the Electress," said Gabriel Nietzel
+humbly. "She knows already, independently of any information from me, that
+the Electoral Prince is safe and sound. I come to your excellency to
+excuse myself for the failure of my undertaking, and to beg your pardon."
+
+"I do not understand you at all, Sir Court Painter," replied Count
+Schwarzenberg, shrugging his shoulders. "I know not what sort of
+undertaking you had in view, what you have failed in, and what I can have
+to pardon you for."
+
+"Your excellency!" cried Gabriel with an outburst of grief--"your
+excellency, I swear that I am innocent, that it has been the result of no
+ill will, no negligence, but because I really could not find an
+opportunity for carrying out what--"
+
+"Well, carrying out what?" asked Schwarzenberg, when Gabriel faltered.
+"What do I care for your unfinished works, your abortive schemes? I only
+buy finished pictures, and, if they are well executed and successes, I pay
+for them in kingly style. With daubers, though, and wretched copyists who
+would pass off copies as originals, I have nothing to do. Speak not to me,
+then, Sir Court Painter, of your sketches and designs. I ask nothing about
+them, but only come to me when you have a completed work to exhibit."
+
+"Your excellency will not understand me," said Gabriel, while drops of
+agony trickled from his cold brow.
+
+"No," proudly retorted the count, "it is for you to understand
+_me_, Sir Court Painter Gabriel Nietzel. Were you not sent to The Hague to
+complete your studies there? Why have you returned home so soon?"
+
+"Because I was homesick, most gracious sir--because I longed inexpressibly
+after my child, my wife!"
+
+The painter ventured to lift his eyes with earnest anxiety and entreaty to
+the face of the count, but Schwarzenberg's glance remained cold.
+
+"Ah, you have a wife?" he asked, with indifference. "You left her behind
+and went alone to The Hague?"
+
+"Yes, I went there quite alone, because I had a great and important work
+to accomplish there; but before I had even stretched my canvas and
+sketched the outlines, an unexpected hindrance interposed which
+annihilated all my plans."
+
+"What sort of hindrance?" asked the count carelessly, while he played with
+the heavy golden chain about his neck, to which was attached the portrait
+of the Elector set in brilliants. "What sort of hindrance?"
+
+"The Electoral Prince, to whom the Electress had recommended me, and who
+received me into the number of his attendants, suddenly and unexpectedly
+determined to take his departure from The Hague, and straightway carried
+his resolution into effect. He himself, together with Baron von Marwitz,
+Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun, secretary Müller, and his chamberlain
+repaired forthwith to Amsterdam, in order to take ship there. He, however,
+ordered his majordomo and myself to break up his household, to pack up
+his books and paintings, and to journey with them by land to Berlin. I
+ventured to protest against this, and even preferred the request to be
+permitted to accompany the Electoral Prince upon his sea voyage; this,
+however, Baron Leuchtmar refused, and nobody was allowed to speak with the
+Electoral Prince himself. Up to the time of his departure he remained shut
+up in his chamber, and only left it to get into the carriage which
+conveyed him to Amsterdam. There, as was known, lay a passenger vessel
+ready to sail for Hamburg, and in this the Electoral Prince took passage."
+
+"And you did not see the Electoral Prince at all before he set out?"
+
+"Oh, your excellency, I had ranged myself along with all his other
+household officers at the side of his traveling carriage, and the Prince
+very condescendingly held out his hand to me, yes, he even tried to smile.
+'Gabriel Nietzel,' he said, 'make all speed to reach Berlin right soon. I
+shall desire my mother to allow you to enter my special service, and then
+you shall paint for me many a pretty picture. Until then, farewell!' He
+once more nodded kindly to me, and jumped into the carriage."
+
+"That is the only time that you have spoken at all to the Electoral
+Prince?"
+
+"No, your honor, on the very day of my arrival I had an audience with him,
+and the Electoral Prince was highly delighted to receive news from home. I
+must tell him everything in detail, and since, with your gracious
+permission, I claimed to side with your lordship's opponents, the
+Electoral Prince immediately became very confidential and affectionate to
+me, receiving me into his house and retinue, and promising to present me
+at the courts of the Stadtholder and the Queen of Bohemia."
+
+"How came it, then, that the Prince so immediately afterward suddenly took
+the resolution to depart?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, four-and-twenty hours after myself the Chamberlain von
+Marwitz arrived at The Hague, and had a long conversation with the
+Electoral Prince. Immediately after that the Electoral Prince gave orders
+for departure, and three hours later had already left The Hague."
+
+"Now it seems, therefore, that Baron von Marwitz is a very persuasive
+speaker, who well understood how to move the Electoral Prince's heart, and
+to lead him back to obedience to his father and--myself. I shall therefore
+prove my gratitude to Herr von Marwitz. I like very much to have my orders
+and commissions executed punctiliously and exactly, and this Herr von
+Marwitz has done, for I had bidden him to leave no means untried whereby
+the Electoral Prince might be induced to leave Holland."
+
+A crushing glance from his large gray eyes as he uttered these words fell
+full upon Gabriel Nietzel's pale and contrite face, making his heart quake
+with undefined dread.
+
+"Your honor is very angry with me?" he asked faintly.
+
+"You?" exclaimed the count in astonishment. "Why should I be angry with
+you? What have I to do with you? I only know you as the painter Nietzel,
+who sold me a copy for a good original, and whom I could therefore have
+condemned to the gallows as a falsifier and cheat. But you know I have
+forgiven you, and let your copy be valued as an original. I even went
+further in my magnanimous forgiveness; I had even intrusted you with
+commissions for Holland, where you were to visit the picture galleries in
+order to make copies. You have not executed my commissions, for you have
+returned home too soon. That is all, and therefore all connection between
+us is dissolved. Farewell, Mr. Court Painter Gabriel Nietzel; you are
+dismissed!"
+
+He haughtily motioned to the door, turned his back upon the painter, and
+slowly traversed the apartment. But Gabriel Nietzel did not go. There he
+stood as if rooted to the spot, and stared fixedly at the count, who
+walked to and fro, as if lost in thought, and seemed to be wholly
+unconscious that the painter had dared still to remain in his presence.
+After a long pause his eye fell quite accidentally on the spot where
+Gabriel Nietzel stood, and he started as if in sudden terror.
+
+"Why, you still here?" he asked. "You dare to brave me? To terrify me with
+your dull, pale face? Have you grown deaf, Mr. Court Painter? Did you not
+hear me dismiss you?"
+
+"I heard, but your honor knows that I can not go. Your lordship well knows
+that from your lips I await the sentence which is to seal my whole future
+fate, and that I will not leave this room until I have received this."
+
+"How? You will not leave this room. You will stay although I have bidden
+you go? Very well, then, I shall call my servants and have you put out."
+
+And already the count's hand was stretched forth to take his silver
+whistle. But Gabriel Nietzel dared to grasp this hand and hold it firmly
+between both his own.
+
+"Pity, gracious sir, pity!" he pleaded. "Drive me from your presence, take
+from me the pension you most condescendingly insured to me; I feel that I
+am indeed undeserving of your favor and graciousness. Only, for pity's
+sake, for humanity's sake, restore to me my own--give me my wife and
+child!"
+
+"What have I to do with your wife and child?" asked Count Schwarzenberg
+angrily. "Have you handed them over to me? Am I the chief of an asylum for
+deserted women and children?"
+
+"My wife, Sir Count, give me back my wife!" cried Gabriel Nietzel, sinking
+down upon his knees.
+
+"I know nothing about her, I have never seen her," said the count.
+
+"You do know about her, your excellency! You took her and my dear,
+precious child under your protection when I went to The Hague. You had my
+wife and child carried to, Spandow, and gave them an abode within your
+palace there."
+
+"Now I see plainly that you speak like a deranged man, Master Gabriel
+Nietzel," cried the count passionately. "Collect your faculties, man, or I
+shall immediately have you arrested and sent to a madhouse. I repeat,
+collect your faculties, and utter not such palpably idle tales. Very
+likely that I should have taken your wife and child into my keeping.
+Bethink yourself, Master Gabriel Nietzel, be rational, and remember that
+you are happily unincumbered and a free bachelor!"
+
+"No, no, I am not free!" shrieked Gabriel Nietzel. "I have a wife, I have
+a child, and see them again I must! Deliver them up to me, Sir Count. I
+beseech you by all that is sacred--deliver them up to me! I must have my
+wife and boy again!"
+
+"Well then, go and look for them," said Schwarzenberg composedly "Apply to
+the police, and furnish them with a description of both their persons.
+Show your marriage license and your child's certificate of baptism, that
+every one may be convinced of the truth of your deposition. Then write a
+description of your wife, or, as you are a painter, draw a likeness of
+her, publish her name and family, call upon her relatives to render you
+their assistance, and in that way, if you really have a wife, you will in
+the end succeed in discovering her."
+
+"Sir Count, you well know that I can not do so," groaned Gabriel Nietzel.
+"You well know that I am a poor, ruined man, entirely in your power. I
+beseech you, have mercy upon me! Restore to me my wife and child, and I
+will do all that you require of me. Give me back my wife, and I swear to
+you that I will do here what I was to have done on the journey. I swear
+to you that I will make good what I missed, that I--"
+
+"I do not believe your oaths, Gabriel Nietzel," interposed the count. "You
+are liberal with your oaths and promises, but come short in deeds, in
+performances. Nobody will pay for a picture before he has seen it, or at
+least a sketch of the same. Therefore take yourself off, devise a plan,
+sketch your outline, and bring it to me. If it pleases me, and is
+practicable, if I see that you are zealous and well disposed, then will I
+gladly aid you in its execution and pay you in princely style. That is my
+last word, Master Court Painter Gabriel Nietzel, and now go, and do not
+show your face here again until you can show me that sketch. You have
+understood me, have you not, Master Gabriel Nietzel? I bespeak a picture,
+and you are to furnish me with a sketch of it; then, as you are in want, I
+shall gladly pay you for it in advance."
+
+"Yes, I have understood your lordship," said Gabriel Nietzel, heaving a
+deep sigh. "I know a subject for the painting you have ordered, and will
+make a sketch of it. You shall not have to wait long for it."
+
+"It is a fine subject," said Schwarzenberg quietly. "We might call it the
+murder of Julius Cæsar."
+
+"No, it is the execution of the Emperor Conrad III--the execution and
+murder of the last Hohen-Hohenstaufen," sobbed the painter, while tears
+fell in clear streams from his eyes.
+
+"I believe another paroxysm of insanity has seized you," said the count
+contemptuously. "How can any one weep merely because he will represent a
+tragic scene? What is the last of the Hohenstaufens to you? You depict his
+death, and if the painting is a success I shall reward you handsomely for
+it, give you a splendid income, and then you can go to Italy, the home of
+all artists, to spend the remainder of your life there in pleasure and
+freedom."
+
+"It shall be just as your excellency says," sighed Gabriel. "Only, your
+excellency, only be so gracious as to give me back my wife and child."
+
+"I said so, your paroxysm of madness is coming on afresh!" cried
+Schwarzenberg, shrugging his shoulders. "Man, are you really beside
+yourself?--have you lost your senses? Do you demand your wife and child of
+me, of Count Adam von Schwarzenberg, the Stadtholder in the Mark? Go away
+with your follies. Be off, so that you can make your sketch, and when you
+come back, and it is good, you will perhaps find me inclined to answer all
+your silly questions for you!"
+
+"Sir Count, oh, for God's sake, let me at least see my Rebecca once more!"
+
+"Rebecca! your wife's name is Rebecca? Why, that really sounds as if she
+were a Jewess. And you say that she is your wife? Ah, repeat that again,
+then name the priest who celebrated your nuptials and united a Christian
+to a Jewess! By ----! I shall bring this evildoer to a strict account, and
+he shall be degraded from his office as a criminal and blot upon the
+Church, for he has sinned against God, the Church, and his Sovereign!
+Gabriel Nietzel, name the priest who married you to a Jewess!"
+
+"I can not name him," murmured Nietzel, almost inaudibly. "Sir Count, I
+will be obedient and diligent in your service. I am a wretched sinner, and
+must expiate my crime. I shall do penance, too, and will be nothing more
+than a tool in your hands. Only have mercy upon me. Let me at least see my
+wife and child, if I may not speak to them! I only wish to see them, in
+order to gain courage and strength for my difficult and dangerous
+undertaking."
+
+The count reflected for a moment, his eyes fastened upon Gabriel Nietzel's
+countenance, whose imploring, anxious expression seemed to touch him.
+
+"I have in my house at Spandow," he said, after a long pause, "a beautiful
+painting by Albrecht Dürer. It was, unfortunately, a little injured in the
+transportation, and you shall restore it for me. To-morrow morning repair
+to Spandow, and ask for me. I shall be there, and will myself put the
+painting in your charge. Perhaps you will see there another painting
+besides, which will please you, and which, perhaps, is not unknown to
+you."
+
+Gabriel Nietzel took the count's proffered hand, and with joyful
+impatience pressed it to his lips. "Sir Count, I will be your servant,
+your slave, your creature. I will damn my soul for you and suffer the
+torture of perpetual flames if you will only give back to me my wife and
+child!"
+
+"Master Court Painter," said Schwarzenberg, parodying his words, "I shall
+make you a rich and distinguished man. I shall send you to Italy, and you
+will enjoy the heavenly fires of the Italian sky, if you will only bring
+me the sketch ordered, and prove to me that you are in earnest as to its
+execution."
+
+Gabriel Nietzel laughed aloud in the joy of his heart.
+
+"Your highness shall not have long to wait. I will very soon have the
+sketch at your excellency's disposal."
+
+"We shall see," said the count, with a slight nod of his head. "And now
+that we have understood one another, and you have somewhat recovered your
+reason, now for the last time I tell you, you are dismissed!"
+
+Gabriel Nietzel bowed low, and strode through the apartment toward the
+door of entrance, reverentially going backward that he might not turn his
+back upon the high-born, all-powerful count. He had almost reached the
+door, when it was opened and a valet appeared, who announced in a loud
+voice:
+
+"His honor Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg!"
+
+"My son!" exclaimed the count. "He has returned? Where is he? Where?"
+
+"His honor has just gone to his apartments to divest himself of his
+traveling clothes, but with your highness's permission he will be here in
+a few minutes."
+
+"Tell the count, that I expect him with impatience," cried the father. The
+valet hurried out, and Gabriel Nietzel was in the act of following him,
+when Schwarzenberg called him back.
+
+"Do not go out that way now," he said; "my son is coming, and it is not
+worth while for him to see you. Go through yonder door. It leads to a
+corridor, and there you will find a small staircase by which you can
+descend to the court. Go!"
+
+
+
+
+II.--COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWARZENBERG.
+
+
+"I think I have distressed and tormented him enough," said the count to
+himself; "he will devise some means of gratifying my wishes, and in his
+despair will risk everything in order to obtain his wife and child. It is
+well that men have hearts, for they supply the most convenient handles for
+seizing hold of them and managing them. And for that reason men without
+susceptible hearts always become rulers, conquerors. Therefore have I
+become great and powerful, and will ascend yet higher, grow yet more
+mighty, for I, thank God! I have no heart! I have never been a victim to
+the silly vagaries of an enamored heart, never made a fool of myself for
+any woman; never have I felt my heart moved by any other desire than that
+of attaining a pre-eminent position and becoming a great man. Such I have
+become, but I would mount yet higher, and in this--in this that enamored
+fool Gabriel Nietzel shall assist me."
+
+The count grew suddenly silent, and looked toward the door. In the
+antechamber he had heard the sound of a voice familiar and grateful to his
+ears, a voice which awakened in his breast a rare and unwonted feeling of
+joy and happiness. "My son," he murmured, "yes, it is my son. I really
+believe that I have a heart at last, for I feel it beat higher just now,
+and feel that it is a happiness to have a son!"
+
+He hastily crossed the room, and had almost reached the door, when it
+suddenly opened and revealed the presence of a tall and slender young
+man, dressed in the elegant Spanish garb, such as was worn at the court of
+the German Emperor Ferdinand III.
+
+"Father, dear father!" he cried, with a voice full of tenderness, and with
+outstretched arms he sped toward his father to press him to his heart.
+Count Adam von Schwarzenberg smilingly submitted, and an infinite feeling
+of satisfaction penetrated his whole being under the warm pressure of his
+only son's embrace. But only one short instant did he yield to this
+sensation, for he was ashamed of his weakness, and gently extricated
+himself from his son's arms.
+
+"Here you are again, you gadabout and rover!" he said; but he could not
+subdue the brighter glistening of his eyes, as they fastened themselves
+upon his son's handsome, spirited, and youthful face.
+
+"Yes, here I am again, _cher et aimable père_," exclaimed the young man,
+laughing; "but you do me great injustice by calling me a gadabout and
+rover, for, indeed, I have only traveled on most serious and proper
+business, and it strikes me that I am vastly to be feared and honored in
+my capacity of imperial treasurer and member of the Aulic council."
+
+"What?" cried Count Adam joyfully, "the Emperor has conferred upon you
+such a high favor and honored you with such lofty titles?"
+
+The young count nodded assent. "In me he has honored my father's son,"
+said he, "and distinguished me out of veneration and respect for you."
+
+"You are far too modest, my son," cried the count, smiling. "What the
+Emperor Ferdinand has done for you he did not for your father's son, but
+in deference to your own merits."
+
+"Please, oh please, let us talk no more on the subject," said the young
+man. "You will not succeed in altering my opinion, especially as I had it
+from the exalted mouth of his Imperial Majesty himself, that he gladly
+distinguished the son of so noble, gifted, and faithful a servant as Count
+Adam Schwarzenberg had ever been to the imperial house, and in
+consideration thereof bestowed upon him the dignity of imperial treasurer,
+and nominated him independently of individual merit a member of the Aulic
+council. I beg you to observe, my noble and highly deserving count, that
+your son has fallen heir to his honors without individual merit, whence it
+naturally follows that I am a worthless treasurer, and wholly devoid of
+merit as a member of the Aulic council."
+
+"Well," laughed his father, "then I must console you with this, Adolphus,
+that you are besides that my coadjutor in my office of Grand Master of the
+Knights of St. John, and that I entertain the fixed determination of soon
+seeing you share with me the Stadtholdership of the Mark."
+
+"I assure you, I need no consolation whatever!" cried Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg. "I am your son, and that is as much as if I were the fair
+Danaë, and had a shower of gold perpetually poured out upon me."
+
+"You would deceive me," said Count Adam, gently shaking his head. "You
+would have me believe that you are satisfied with being my son, and have
+no personal ambition for yourself."
+
+"It is no deception, _cher père_" laughed the young man. "I really do not
+give myself the trouble to have personal ambition beforehand. I behold my
+much-loved father standing in the sunshine of renown, and I quite
+composedly allow a few stray beams from his splendor to alight upon
+myself. I would not say, though, that I am wholly devoid of ambition. I
+only avoid talking about it till the time comes."
+
+"My son, the time is come," said Count Adam quickly. "Yes, the time for
+ambition is come with you, too, and to-day we must discuss it at length.
+But first tell me what news do you bring me from Vienna? Come, let us sit
+down, and confer with one another like two grave politicians and
+diplomatists." He took his son's arm and led him toward the divan.
+
+"God forbid, Sir Stadtholder, that I, a mere tyro in diplomacy and
+politics, should venture to seat myself at your side," cried Count
+Adolphus. "No, father, I know my place, and you must indeed permit me to
+take my station at a reverential distance from you."
+
+He took one of the little gold-embroidered footstools which stood near the
+divan and seated himself opposite his father. Count Adam looked upon him
+with a proud yet gentle smile, and seemed to have his own pleasure in his
+son's handsome and imposing appearance.
+
+"I should like to know whether you resemble me," he said thoughtfully; "I
+should like to know whether I was ever such a lively, jovial young man."
+
+"You are more than that, most respected father," cried his son; "you were
+handsome and possessed of irresistible attractions. I know that, for you
+are still so."
+
+"So, it seems that my son has learned to flatter at the imperial court!"
+
+"No, no; I speak the truth, and I swear that every one who has the good
+fortune to be admitted to your presence will confirm my testimony. You
+understand the art of fascinating men, and once let any one love you, then
+you can never be forgotten. The Emperor Ferdinand spoke of you with
+genuine admiration, and Princess Lobkowitz assured me that you were the
+only man whom she had ardently and truly loved. And yet they say that
+Princess Lobkowitz has had many admirers and still has."
+
+"Princess Lobkowitz!" repeated Count Adam thoughtfully--"how fine that
+sounds, Princess Lobkowitz! Yet I well remember the time when Lobkowitz
+was quite a poor, inconsiderable count, who esteemed himself peculiarly
+happy when I lent him some of my pocket money, which, by the bye, I never
+saw again. We were both at that time pages at the court of Emperor
+Ferdinand I, and swore eternal friendship. But how vain are such oaths! I
+afterward left the imperial court and came to the court of Cleves, and
+thence here to Prussia. I have restlessly labored, and may well say that I
+have wielded the helm of state in this country for twenty years, and--am
+still nothing but plain Count Schwarzenberg! The little, insignificant
+Count Lobkowitz, on the other hand, has now become a Prince through the
+Emperor's favor, as have also Eggenberg, Liechtenstein, and Fürstenberg."
+
+"You shall be a Prince, too, father," said Count Adolphus softly. "Yes,
+without doubt, you have only to hint your wish to receive the title of
+Prince, and the Emperor Ferdinand will gladly remunerate you in that way,
+if he first sees his own desires fulfilled through you."
+
+The count started, and cast an inquisitive, questioning look upon his son.
+"I thank you, Adolphus," said he, "you have led back our conversation, or
+rather, my lord treasurer, our conference, to the subject in point, in a
+manner as tender as diplomatic. Yes, the question is, first of all, to
+learn what news you bring for me from his Majesty, and what orders the
+Emperor has to give me."
+
+"First of all, _cher père_, the Emperor wishes that every possible
+obstruction be interposed to prevent the Electoral Prince's marriage with
+the Princess of the Palatinate, and that, if practicable, the Electoral
+Prince be deterred from forming any matrimonial connection. It would
+greatly complicate affairs if the Electoral Prince should chance to have
+offspring soon, and thereby outwardly give more firmness and durability to
+the house of Brandenburg."
+
+The count's eyes flashed upon his son's countenance, which still preserved
+its placid, innocent expression. "Who told you that?" said he, "Who spoke
+such strange, mysterious words? Not the Emperor, no, he can not have said
+that!"
+
+"No, but the Emperor's most confidential adviser, _mio padre amato_, the
+venerable father confessor and Jesuit, Signor Silvio. By the way, I regard
+him as a man turned serpent, and would avoid exposing a shoeless heel to
+him. But one thing is certain, that he has the Emperor's ear not only in
+the confessional, but in the council chamber as well, and what he says is
+just as good as if the Emperor himself said it. For the rest, they affirm
+at the imperial court that he is a sorcerer, and can look through men's
+eyes straight into their hearts and decipher what is therein as plainly
+and distinctly as if it was written on parchment in German text."
+
+"I believe it is so," murmured the count. "I believe he has read into my
+heart, too. But further, further, my son! What more did Father Silvio say
+to you?"
+
+"He spoke much of the weak and uncertain condition of the Electoral house
+of Brandenburg, which he said rested upon only two lives, and would be
+extinct if the Electoral Prince Frederick William should perish by a
+sudden death."
+
+The count started, and a gray pallor overspread his face. His son,
+absorbed in his own discourse, observed it not and continued: "I ventured
+meanwhile to differ from the wise father, and reminded him that seven
+cousins and blood relations were still in existence, to give permanence to
+the Elector's family, and thereby lessen very greatly the weakness of the
+Brandenburg-Hohenzollerns. But Father Silvio smiled almost compassionately
+at this remark of mine, and said in a tone of lofty superiority: 'Young
+man, your father will be a better judge of this; only repeat my words to
+him: that the Emperor will not admit the claims of the collateral branches
+of the Electoral house, and if unfortunately the Electoral Prince of
+Brandenburg should die without descendants, he will consider the Electoral
+Mark as an unincumbered fief, which the Emperor of Germany, in the
+plenitude of his power and as an act of free grace, might bestow on
+another prince.'"
+
+Count Adam Schwarzenberg sprang up, and for a moment his eyes rested with
+a penetrating expression upon his son's countenance. Then he turned and
+began to move violently to and fro. Now it was his son's turn to fix his
+eyes piercingly upon _him_. When the count turned again, however, there
+was no trace of excitement visible on the young man's countenance, and
+with a friendly smile he looked at his father. Count Adam stepped close up
+to him, and laid his hand on his son's shoulder.
+
+"You did not remind wise Father Silvio, then," he asked, "that the Elector
+George William has, besides his son, two daughters? That there are two
+Electoral Princesses--Charlotte Louise and the young Sophie Hedwig?"
+
+"No, father," replied Count Adolphus carelessly, "no, I did not. I deemed
+that superfluous, because in the Brandenburg Electoral house women have no
+right to the succession. The Salic law exists here, does it not?"
+
+"As if laws could not be altered!" cried Count Adam. "As if the Emperor
+were not here to give new laws! My son, let us speak openly and candidly
+to one another, and answer me one question: On what terms are you with the
+Princess Charlotte Louise?"
+
+The young man started, and for a moment a deep blush suffused his cheeks.
+"I do not understand you, father. What do you mean? On what terms should I
+be with the Princess?"
+
+"John Adolphus, you understand me well enough, and know what I mean,"
+returned Count Schwarzenberg smiling. "When I ask on what terms you are
+with the Princess Charlotte Louise, I mean by that, what progress have you
+made in her good graces?"
+
+An almost imperceptible smile flitted across the young count's visage.
+"Well," he said, "the ladies of the Electoral house have ever been most
+condescending in their manner to me, Princess Charlotte Louise no less
+than her mother and sister, and, as I have done nothing to forfeit their
+favor, I hope that upon my return they will receive me as graciously as
+they dismissed me before I left home."
+
+"My son," said Count Adam seriously, "you answer me evasively, and that is
+not well. We two are made to support each other, and to go hand in hand in
+the difficult path which lies before us. For you know as well as I do that
+our safety is imperiled when the Electoral Prince again makes his
+appearance at court, and we will henceforth find many stones of stumbling
+in our way."
+
+"But my wise and puissant father will remove all such obstructions," cried
+the son, with a merry laugh. "Let the Electoral Prince throw ever so many
+stones in our way, we can pick them up, and your honor will find
+opportunity to hurl them back at the little Prince, the last scion of his
+house."
+
+"I shall find opportunity, and, by heavens, I will make use of it."
+
+"And if my gracious father can or will make use of me in picking up the
+stones, or maybe in throwing them, I am most heartily at his service. Your
+honor needs only to direct. I shall aim well, and hope to hit the mark."
+
+"My son, verily, you are a great diplomatist," cried Schwarzenberg, "and
+many an one who esteems himself an old adept in this art might take
+lessons from you. How cleverly you managed to evade the question I put to
+you, and lead the conversation into a different channel! But I must recur
+to my question, and, since you will throw stones subject to my direction,
+then, my son, I tell you that your relations with the Princess Charlotte
+Louise may become a most effective missile against the Electoral Prince,
+which, if you aim it accurately, may inflict a deadly blow upon the
+Prince. Therefore, my fine son, answer my question honestly: On what terms
+are you with the Princess Charlotte Louise?"
+
+A cloud of displeasure flitted across the young count's lofty and open
+brow, and his cheerful countenance became overshadowed with gloom.
+
+"My God!" he said, "what on earth has the Princess to do with politics?"
+
+"A great deal, my son. Let me remind you of Father Silvio's words, which
+you yourself reported to me. The father had me informed that in case of
+the Electoral Prince's dying without heirs, his Majesty would not
+recognize the claims of the other branches of the house of Brandenburg,
+but would consider the Electoral Mark as a vacant fief, which he might
+bestow elsewhere as matter of favor. The simplest and most natural thing
+will be, if there is no longer any son living, to pass the right of
+succession to the daughter, and for the Emperor to declare the eldest
+daughter of the Elector George William rightful successor, and to transmit
+the Electoral Mark Brandenburg to herself and her husband as an act of
+grace."
+
+"Those are very great and very far-seeing plans," murmured the young man,
+with downcast eyes.
+
+"But plans which may be realized," interposed his father hastily--"plans
+which you have very maturely weighed in your prudent brain, for--I shall
+answer my own question myself--for you are on very good terms with
+Princess Charlotte Louise. You have calculated very wisely and very
+correctly. The Princess loves you, and may bring you an electorship as a
+bridal gift."
+
+"God forbid that I should play a criminal game with the Princess's heart!"
+cried Count Adolphus, in tones louder and more energetic than he had yet
+employed. "You accuse me falsely, most gracious sir. It has never come
+into my mind to speculate on such a bridal gift, or to make of love a
+calculation."
+
+Count Adam gazed with an expression of painful astonishment upon the
+excited countenance of his son. "Unhappy boy, you love the Princess,
+then?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," exclaimed the young man vehemently--"yes, I love her! I should love
+her were she a simple village maiden. I should seek to win her were she of
+obscure and humble parentage, if she could present me with nothing but her
+heart, her affectionate nature, her charming self. Learn now, father, on
+what terms I stand with the Princess: I love her, love her passionately!"
+
+"Ah, my son, how well this enthusiasm becomes you!" said his father. "How
+happy the Princess would be if she could see you with those fiery glances
+flashing from your large bright eyes! My son, you will surpass me, for you
+have one great advantage over me, you have received from Nature a glorious
+endowment denied to me; you have a tender heart! You either feel glowing
+love or--maybe simulate, and act it to the life! We will not discuss this
+further; I only repeat it, you are destined to surpass me. You love the
+Princess Charlotte Louise! I thank you for this one confession, but add to
+it a second, Adolphus. Tell me whether the Princess returns your love?"
+
+"I have not ventured to put this question to her," replied Count Adolphus,
+with downcast eyes. "The Princess is so high above me, is so pure and
+virtuous, that it would be a sin to tempt her innocence and virtue by the
+avowal of an unsanctioned love!"
+
+"My son!" exclaimed the count, smiling, "you are a pattern of discretion
+and modesty. You amaze, you delight me. You have not ventured, and will
+not venture to declare your love to the Princess?"
+
+"No, father, at least, not so long as it is an unsanctioned love--so long
+as I do not know whether it has your approval, and through you the
+Elector's."
+
+"You would step surely, you would engage in no undertaking that does not
+promise good results! Ah, I understand now--I comprehend all now. I have
+an irresistible desire to embrace you, and I know you will pardon your
+father for this one ebullition of tenderness. Come to my heart, my great,
+my admirable son!"
+
+He flung his arms around his son's neck and imprinted a warm kiss upon his
+lips.
+
+"Count John Adolphus Schwarzenberg," he said then, "with this kiss I give
+you my consent to woo the Princess Charlotte Louise! With this kiss I
+promise so to work upon and bend the Elector's heart, that he will give
+you the Princess's hand, and agree to your union."
+
+"My dear father, you open indeed to me the gate of paradise. But this gate
+has two wings, and if I would gain admittance, both wings must open to
+me."
+
+"Oh, you mean the Electress? She will certainly be very much opposed to
+such a union, for she has a proud and willful heart, over which no one has
+any influence except the Electoral Prince, and he, indeed, will not use
+his influence in our behalf. Well, there is nothing for it but to oppose
+force to force, and to constrain the dear lady to give her consent. To
+employ such coercive measures is your affair, my son!"
+
+"You empower me to do so, father? You will not refuse me your support? You
+will not disavow my acts?"
+
+"I empower you to do everything you think needful, and you will find me a
+faithful ally, for I recognize joyfully in you my trusty coadjutor, and
+see that we may count upon each other."
+
+
+"I shall ever esteem it a sacred and delightful duty to obey you, my
+much-loved father, and I shall joyfully hold myself ready to carry out
+your wishes."
+
+"And you will do well in this, my son," said Count Adam Schwarzenberg,
+with a hearty pressure of the hand. "All that I do for myself is also done
+for you, all that I obtain is for your profit and advantage. You are my
+heir, to you will descend all my earthly possessions, my name, my renown,
+my dignities and offices, my money and estates."
+
+"_Cher père_" cried the young man, "let us not speak of such solemn
+things. I hope that it will be a long time yet ere I enter upon that great
+and sad inheritance."
+
+"I hope so, too," said Count Adam, with animation of manner. "I would
+leave you _all_ in perfect condition, and to effect this much labor is yet
+required. I have set myself a mighty task, and it is yet far from its
+accomplishment."
+
+"And yet you have already conducted and executed matters so grandly, so
+admirably, father! You have no idea with what rapture they think of you
+and your performances at the imperial court. Emperor Ferdinand spoke of
+you as his most trusted and beloved servant, and Father Silvio called you
+a lamp of the faith and a faithful son of the Church, through whom many
+will yet be saved."
+
+"Yes, many shall yet be brought within the ark of safety by my means!"
+cried Count Adam, in a lively manner. "I know what I purpose, I know the
+great aims after which I have striven for twenty years with intrepid
+spirit, with ardor never to be chilled. My son, with you I make no secret
+of my aims, and you must know them, that you may stand unflinching at my
+side. It is true, I am ambitious. I thirst for fame; it is true, I have
+labored for myself and forwarded my own personal interests as much as I
+could. My aims, however, are not restricted to these private interests,
+they are higher, nobler! I am the faithful servant and subject of my
+Emperor and lord; I am the believing and zealous son of our holy Church.
+To the Emperor and the Church belong the fruits of my striving and my
+energy, and to promote the greatness and consideration of both is the
+ultimate object of all my labors and all my schemes."
+
+"And I, most gracious father, will take my station firmly at your side,"
+said Count Adolphus fervently. "You will ever find in me an attentive
+pupil, eager to learn."
+
+"We have both a great mission to fulfill," exclaimed Count Adam, "and it
+is well for us sometimes to place this clearly before our eyes, in order
+to be ever mindful of it, and never to forget it even in the pursuance of
+private ends. You, too, remember this, my son, and act accordingly. To the
+Emperor and the Church be all our services dedicated! To render the
+Emperor great and mighty, to strengthen his consideration throughout the
+German Empire, is and shall be my aim as a statesman. To extend
+continually the power and dominion of the Catholic religion is and shall
+be my task as a Christian, as a son of the Church, within whose pale alone
+is salvation. God himself has chosen me for his tool, else how would it
+have been possible that the bigoted, reformed Elector should have selected
+me for his first and mightiest minister? God wills that through me the
+influence of the Holy Roman See and the German Emperor be promoted and
+advanced; therefore has he caused me, the subject of the Emperor, an
+Austrian born, to become the servant of the Elector of Brandenburg. But
+the servant has become master, and the Catholic Austrian is Stadtholder in
+the Mark, the almighty minister in the land of the heretic. It is so,
+because through him this land is to be led back to the true faith and the
+Emperor, because through him is to be re-established the endangered
+supremacy of the Emperor of Germany! The Protestant Electors would have
+exalted themselves against the power of Emperor and empire; with the help
+of the Swedes they would have cut up the Holy Roman Empire into a number
+of free, independent States, great and small, where Protestants,
+Reformers, and Lutherans would have enjoyed as great consideration as the
+Catholics, and over which the Emperor would no longer have exercised
+control. The Protestant Elector of the Palatinate was to have been changed
+into a King, waving his scepter over Catholic Bohemia, and in place of the
+little Elector of Brandenburg was to have arisen a mighty Prince, who was
+to have broken the power of the German Emperor in the north, and become
+the chief and center of Protestant Germany! To that end were they leagued
+with the Swedes, to that end was King Gustavus Adolphus to have furnished
+help to his cousins and brothers-in-law. But the fates were against them!
+In the battle of the White Mountain the Count Palatine lost his Bohemian
+throne, in the battle of Lützen the Swedish King his life, and in the
+peace of Prague the Swedes and other enemies of the Emperor a powerful
+ally in the Elector of Brandenburg! It was I who alienated the Elector
+from the Swedes, who made him again the obedient vassal of his Emperor and
+Sovereign. And it shall be I who will make the Mark Brandenburg
+imperialist again! For the limbs accommodate themselves to the head, and
+if the Prince acknowledges himself a professed Catholic, his subjects will
+soon follow suit."
+
+"What! most gracious father, is it possible that the Elector George
+William--"
+
+"Hush, hush, my son! who says anything about the Elector George William?
+Who thinks of the decaying tree, which can no longer bear fruit, when he
+beholds at its side a young, vigorous tree laden with blossoms, rich for
+future harvests? My son, I herewith give you my consent to woo the love of
+the Princess Charlotte Louise, but I make one condition which you must
+solemnly swear to respect: none but a Catholic becomes the wife of my son
+John Adolphus."
+
+"None but a Catholic becomes my wife!" cried the young count. "I solemnly
+give you my oath to that effect, father."
+
+"And you actually suppose that the Emperor will bestow upon me the same
+favor he has conferred upon Fürstenberg, Lobkowitz, and Liechtenstein?"
+
+"I am empowered to promise it prospectively, most gracious sir. The house
+of Austria is grateful, and forgets not that already your father before
+you rendered her important services, attending the Emperor with credit in
+his wars against the Turks; that you yourself have been through a whole
+lifetime true and unswerving in your fidelity to the Emperor's service;
+that the Stadtholder in the Mark, and the Grand Master of the Order of St.
+John has been ever mindful of his duty to the Emperor."
+
+"I must and shall be ever called a good Imperialist," cried the count
+warmly, "and prefer the Emperor's to the Elector's service.[20] Bethlen
+Gabor, Prince of Hungary, has well said that the Elector and I are upon
+one ship, and that my fortune depends upon the Elector's fortune; but he
+shall be proved to have been in error, and we prefer making our voyage in
+our own little bark to take passage in the Electoral ship."
+
+"Yes, father, that shall we!" cried the young count joyfully. "You sit at
+the helm and give management and direction to the boat. For my part, I
+shall so hoist and unfurl the sails that we catch the breeze and bound
+swiftly forward!"
+
+"Do so, my son, and always heed the wind as it blows across from the
+apartments of the Electress and her princesses, as well as from the robber
+nests and dens of the squires and waylayers of the Mark, and from the
+fortresses and garrisons. We, too, my son, voyage together in the same
+boat; I am the pilot, you unfurl the sails, and upon our flag in
+mysterious and invisible colors is inscribed this device: Good
+Imperialists, good Catholics!"
+
+"Yes, good Imperialists and good Catholics," replied the young count
+energetically. "But, dearest father, let us add besides, quite softly,
+good Schwarzenbergians!"
+
+"Yes, my son, that will we. For, in addition to those great and holy
+interests, to keep one's own interests a little in view is manly and
+justifiable. My heavens! life would have been perfectly hateful and
+abominable in this dirty, cheerless Berlin if we had not seen above us a
+glittering star, to which we could look up when all was so dismal here
+below, which shone upon our path and cheered us when we feared to sink in
+the mud and mire. This star, my son, do you know its name?"
+
+"Its name is Fame, its name is Love, _cher père_."
+
+"Well, for the sake of fame I will put up with love, foolish dreamer. You
+may bring it on board our boat as ballast. But if a storm should come and
+necessity impel, we shall throw our ballast overboard."
+
+"Dear father, if you do that, you will throw overboard likewise my
+happiness and life!" exclaimed Count Adolphus warmly. "If you call love
+ballast, then forget not, father, that in this ballast your son's heart is
+included."
+
+"Enamored fool, you really have a heart? Do you believe so?"
+
+"I believe so, most noble father, because I feel it, because--"
+
+A hasty knock, thrice repeated, at the door of the antechamber interrupted
+him, and in obedience to the Stadtholder's summons, the lackey Balthasar
+hurriedly entered.
+
+"Most gracious sir," he said, "it is a courier from the Commandant von
+Rochow at Spandow, who desires to speak with your lordship on most urgent
+business."
+
+"I am going, most gracious father, I am going," cried the young count,
+speedily rising. "I can no longer lay claim to the Stadtholder's precious
+time."
+
+"And you have very important affairs of your own to attend to, have you
+not?" asked his father. "You have been long enough diplomatist and
+politician, and that curious thing, whose possession you boast, the heart,
+will now assert its rights?"
+
+The young man laughed and pressed the count's extended hand tenderly to
+his lips. Then he nodded once more affectionately to his father, and
+bounded lightly through the room to the side door, through which he
+vanished. Count Adam Schwarzenberg looked thoughtfully after his son.
+"Strange!" he murmured. "Is he acting a comedy, or is it truth? Does he
+prudently pretend to have a heart, or has he one in reality? Well, never
+mind. The courier from Spandow!"
+
+In answer to the count's loud call a huntsman in dirty, dusty uniform made
+his appearance from the antechamber, and, making a military salute,
+remained standing near the door.
+
+"What news have you for me?" asked Count Schwarzenberg, striding toward
+him. "Where are your letters and dispatches?"
+
+"I crave pardon, your excellency, but I have no letters or dispatches. The
+Commandant von Rochow sent me with a verbal message, and entreats
+forgiveness in that haste allowed him no time for writing. I have only to
+announce that, even at the instant of my departure, the Electoral Prince
+was making his solemn entry into Spandow. All ranks and conditions of
+people from the region round about had joined the Electoral Prince, and
+followed him, in carriages, on horseback, and on foot. The commandant was
+greatly amazed to witness so much pomp, and hastened to array himself in
+parade uniform in order to go and meet the Electoral Prince with his corps
+of officers."
+
+"That is all you have to communicate to me?"
+
+"All, your excellency."
+
+"Then ride back again, and return to the commandant my warmest thanks for
+his welcome message."
+
+"Yes," repeated the count, when the courier had taken leave, "yes, this is
+a welcome message and by ----! I shall derive profit from it."
+
+"Ho, Balthasar, Balthasar! Is the commander of police in the antechamber?"
+
+"Your highness, he has been there an hour already."
+
+"Bid him come in. There you are, Master Brandt! Well, listen! Send all
+your secret friends and emissaries through the city, privately inform the
+citizens, the magistrates, the merchants, the whole inhabitants in a body,
+that the Electoral Prince will arrive here in from three to four hours,
+and that it would surely be a right great pleasure to the Elector and his
+wife if they would prepare him a public reception, and go a little way on
+the road to meet him. Say, moreover, that it would assuredly prepare a
+very great joy for the Electoral Prince if they would illuminate the city
+this evening, and if this were done voluntarily, and without suggestion,
+the Electoral Prince would be forced to admit how very glad the people of
+Berlin are to welcome him, and how much they hope for from his return.
+Excite the populace properly, that their houses be brightly illuminated,
+and that they may give great demonstrations of joy. Dispatch your agents
+everywhere, and show me to-day for once that you know how to execute my
+orders punctually, and are a worthy successor of my dear, recently
+deceased Dietrich, your predecessor in office."
+
+"Your excellency, I shall do all that lies in my power, and I doubt not
+but that I shall succeed in deserving your honor's approbation. I only
+venture to remark, that many of the citizens will find it exceedingly
+difficult to procure the candles or lamps needed for the illumination, for
+the poverty and distress are very great, and it would perhaps be well to
+aid the people and furnish them with the candles for illuminating."
+
+"Do so, Master Brandt," cried the count, smiling. "I fully empower you to
+purchase tallow candles for distribution, to the amount of a hundred
+dollars; only, take care that the people actually light and burn them up,
+and do not consume them as dainties these hard times. And one thing more,
+Brandt! It would be pleasant to me if you would excite a few people
+against me and his highness the Elector, while you tell them various bad
+things about me, and attribute it as a crime to the Elector that he is so
+devoted to me. You might then urge on to the palace such people as you
+have stirred up and goaded, so that, as soon as the Electoral Prince
+arrives, they might shout with loud distinct voices: 'Long live the
+Electoral Prince! Long live our savior and deliverer! Down with the
+Catholics. Away with Schwarzenberg!' You can at least persuade ten or
+fifteen to do this, and promise them that they shall have money to buy a
+good drink if they shout right loudly and clearly. Well, why do you smile
+so all of a sudden, man?"
+
+"Pardon me, your highness, but when I entered upon my office, four weeks
+ago, your excellency urged it upon me as a stringent duty to report truly
+to your honor, not only what happens, but what is the mood of the people
+here. Does this command always have validity, your excellency?"
+
+"It has validity for the whole term of your service, Master Brandt, or,
+rather, you will only remain chief of police so long as I am convinced
+that you always report to me the full truth in all things, without
+reserve. Speak! What would you say?"
+
+"Your highness, I would only say that it is not necessary to stir up the
+people to give utterance to such infamous and disrespectful outcries
+against your excellency. They will do so of their own accord, and if I
+should not pick up the first who raised such a cry, have him arrested, and
+carried off, then immediately would twenty fellows be found, without any
+prompting from me, to shout exactly the words which your excellency would
+gladly hear."
+
+"You mean the words: 'Away with the Catholics! Down with Schwarzenberg'?"
+
+"I beg your honor's pardon, but those are the words I mean."
+
+The count laughed clearly. "Well," he said, "so much the better! We will
+be spared then some trouble and expense, which is always a very pleasant
+thing. But hear, Sir Master of Police! If we let the fellows shout to-day,
+it does not follow that we shall not administer fitting punishment
+to-morrow. Mark the shouters very narrowly, and to-morrow, when the
+merriment is over, have them arrested and thrust into prison for a couple
+of weeks!"
+
+The chief of police shrugged his shoulders. "I crave pardon, your
+excellency; that is no punishment for the rabble in these days. They are
+glad when they are put away at Oxenhead, or here in the castle prison,
+receiving food and lodgings free of cost, and many a one, who formerly
+lived in honor and affluence, would to-day be gladly found guilty of some
+fault, for the sake of being arrested and supported in prison at the
+expense of the state."
+
+"Well, then we will not gratify the shouting mob by punishing them with
+imprisonment, but cause the jailer to administer a sound cudgeling to each
+one of them, and then let the fellows go again. Make good speed now,
+Brandt, for I expect the Electoral Prince here in a few hours, and if the
+people are not properly notified, he will make his entry before they have
+taken off their rags and donned their holiday attire. Make haste, and let
+us have this evening a right brilliant illumination. Farewell, Master
+Brandt!"
+
+The chief of police departed, and by a loud whistle Schwarzenberg called
+the lackey to him.
+
+"One of the grooms must take horse," was his command.
+
+"He must ride out on the road to Spandow about a quarter of a mile. There
+he is to halt, and wait until the Electoral Prince arrives with his
+attendants. As soon as he has seen him, he is to come back at full speed
+and make the announcement to me."
+
+"All necessary preliminaries are arranged," said Schwarzenberg, when he
+found himself again alone. "Now let the Electoral Prince come on, we are
+ready to receive him. There will be a hard struggle, but I have been
+victorious over all my enemies for twenty years, and shall probably
+conquer the little Electoral Prince too! Now a hurried toilet, and then
+to the Elector, to open the skirmish in his neighborhood! Ah, we shall
+see, my young Prince! For you shouts the rabble of Berlin, for me speaks
+the Elector! We shall see which of us two has built upon the sand!"
+
+
+
+
+III.--THE HOME-COMING.
+
+
+"May I be so bold as to come in, most noble sir?" asked Count
+Schwarzenberg, as he opened the door leading into the Electoral cabinet
+and thrust in his head, encircled by a hundred beautifully arranged curls.
+
+"Behold, there is Adam Schwarzenberg!" cried Elector George William,
+wheeling his chair from the writing table. "Why do you ask, count, since
+you know that you are always privileged to enter unannounced? Come closer,
+and be heartily welcome!"
+
+And the Elector leaned both his arms upon the wooden aims of his chair,
+making an effort to rise. But the count was at his side in a moment,
+gently forcing him back into his seat, while at the same time he half bent
+one knee and imprinted a kiss upon the Elector's right hand.
+
+"If your grace treats me with such formality, and rises on my account,
+then I must believe that you love me no longer," he said, with soft,
+insinuating voice. "But you well know, beloved master, that I could not
+live without your love, and that existence itself would seem gloomy and
+dark to me if the star of your favor and love should cease to shine upon
+it."
+
+"Live, my Adam, live merrily, then, and joyously, for you well know that I
+love you," replied George William, nodding to the count in most friendly
+manner. "And how could it be otherwise, when I know that I can depend upon
+your love, and that you are the only one truly interested in my not being
+called away yet awhile, and in having me tarry a little longer upon earth.
+Come, my friend, sit down. Draw up your armchair close to my side--no,
+opposite to me, that I may look at you. I love dearly to behold your
+handsome, noble face, and then console myself with the thought that, after
+all, the Elector of Brandenburg can not be such a pitiful little Prince,
+since such a proud, distinguished lord as Count Schwarzenberg is his
+minister."
+
+"Say his servant, his slave, his humble subject, most gracious sir! Yes,
+look at me, my much-loved master, and read in my countenance that I am
+devoted to you with my whole heart and soul. Ah! who knows how much longer
+you will read that in my face, and how soon it may come to pass that poor
+Adam Schwarzenberg will be thrust aside and no longer find a place in your
+heart! Oh, dearest sir, when I think of that, I feel perfectly wretched
+and inconsolable, and I would rather hide my head and weep and mourn, than
+go smilingly to meet the joyful countenance of him who will come to
+supplant me in your affections!"
+
+"Nobody shall do that, Adam, and I know not, indeed, who could be bold
+enough even to attempt it."
+
+"Most gracious sir, the Electoral Prince will attempt it! He who, when a
+mere little child, was my opponent. He, who has been brought up by his
+mother and other relatives to mistrust me. He will grudge me the smallest
+place in his father's heart, and will do everything to contest it with
+me!"
+
+"But he will not succeed, be assured of that, my Adam, he will not succeed
+in it. I only know too well that in you I have a faithful, devoted
+servant, in the Electoral Prince a rebellious and refractory son; that
+with you all is bound up in my life; with him all in my death!"
+
+"Oh, no, your highness, no, it is impossible that the Electoral Prince
+could be so heartless and degenerate as to wish for his father's death.
+No, I must take the part of the Electoral Prince against you. You accuse
+him falsely, most gracious sir; he surely loves you, and it is only his
+ambition and youthful arrogance that sometimes lead him to do what is not
+right, and what surely he would not do if he only reflected better. Out of
+youthful presumption he undertook, despite your commands to the contrary,
+to remain longer at The Hague, and even to send back the Chamberlain von
+Schlieben, whom you had dispatched to him with strict orders to bring him
+home. And only his stormy, boundless ambition is at fault now in inducing
+him to appear here in rather an unbecoming manner. But you must not be
+angry with him for it, dear sir, and on that very account have I come to
+you to-day, to beg and implore you most earnestly not to admit any
+feelings of resentment into your mind this day, which is to restore to you
+the Electoral Prince."
+
+"He is coming, then, at last?" cried the Elector, breathing again. "He has
+finally had the goodness to heed our oft-repeated commands, and
+condescended to return home? But this return is, as I feel, likely enough
+to prepare renewed vexation for me, and in your magnanimity you come to me
+only to sweeten a little the pill which my son gives me to swallow. Speak
+out openly, Adam, and keep back nothing! What is it? What has the
+Electoral Prince done?"
+
+"Oh, your highness, I am convinced that he means nothing bad, and has no
+design of vexing you. He naturally rejoices greatly on his return to his
+future dominions, and consequently enjoys the congratulations of his
+future subjects, and gladly allows them to receive him with demonstrations
+of delight."
+
+"Do they so, his future subjects?" inquired the Elector, and his hands,
+swollen by gout, grasped convulsively the arms of his easychair. "Do they
+welcome him with rejoicings as their future sovereign?"
+
+"Yes, most gracious sir, it is plainly to be seen how closely the people
+cling to the electoral house of Hohenzollern, and how they sympathize in
+every fortunate event occurring in that family. From the moment that the
+Electoral Prince crossed the boundaries of the Mark, the inhabitants of
+every village and town have joyfully poured forth to meet him; his journey
+is a genuine triumphal procession, and the reigning Sovereign of the
+country could not be received with more honor and delight than is the
+young Electoral Prince!"
+
+"Me, their reigning Sovereign, me, they did not receive with rejoicings,"
+exclaimed the Elector, whose face grew crimson with excitement and
+passion. "My journey was anything but a triumphal procession, resembling
+much more a funeral, so quiet and still was everything on my way. Nowhere
+did I hear a joyful welcome, nowhere did the people come forth to meet me,
+and as at Königsberg they permitted me to depart without greeting or
+acclamation, so here at Berlin they allowed me to enter without a sign of
+welcome or congratulation. I will now confess to you alone that I was much
+mortified by this, although I did not complain of it. I comforted myself
+by reflecting that the times were bad and depressing, and that in their
+afflictions the people could not even present a glad, cheerful countenance
+to the father of their country. But now it falls to my lot to hear that
+they _can_ make merry and rejoice, and that they have only saved up the
+joy in their hearts to bestow it upon the return home of my son and heir."
+
+"Pardon, your highness, but I believe that we accuse the poor people
+wrongfully if we imagine that they are now acting thus of their own free
+motion, when they were so quiet on the arrival of their beloved Sovereign.
+No, the poor, unhappy people would have been equally silent at this time
+if they had not been stirred up to make noisy demonstrations of joy, if
+they had not been paid for it. It is otherwise wholly incredible and not
+to be thought of that the populace should have prepared such a triumph for
+the young home-returning lord. It is plainly to be seen that all has been
+settled and arranged beforehand. For it is not merely the offscourings of
+the streets, but burghers, magistrates, and officials, who have extended a
+welcome to the Electoral Prince. At Spandow, for example, all the
+citizens, with the magistracy at their head, issued from the town to pay
+their respects to him--yes, even Commandant von Rochow has found it
+necessary to join in the universal rejoicings, and has ridden out with his
+officers in their dress uniforms to do honor to the Prince's arrival. Here
+at Berlin, too, your own residence, all is uproar and excitement. They are
+putting on their holiday suits, and making ready to meet the Electoral
+Prince. That proves quite clearly that his speedy approach to the city has
+been already announced to the citizens, and communicated to the
+magistrates even before any tidings of the sort had reached your highness
+or myself, the Stadtholder in the Mark. For as soon as I obtained this
+intimation from Colonel von Rochow, I hastened hither to bring to your
+highness the glad news of your son's return home, and on the way I was
+stopped by whole crowds of festive men and women hastening to the suburb
+Spandow, to plant themselves near the Pomegranate Bridge and along the
+meadow dike.[21] Indeed, it strikes me that I even saw some gentlemen of
+municipal authority going the same way in full official dress."
+
+"And you suffered this?" asked the Elector angrily. "You allowed them to
+prepare such an insult and affront as to do for the son what they have not
+found needful to do for the father? But I will not bear it; I shall not be
+humiliated by my own son. You are the Stadtholder in the Mark, you must
+provide against their offering me any cause of vexation. Send out your
+officers, Sir Stadtholder, to clear the streets of this gaping multitude,
+send the magistrates home, and order the people to remain quietly within
+their houses, to do their work and not to lounge about the streets."
+
+"My much-loved lord and Elector, I sue for a favor in behalf of your most
+faithful servant, your poor Adam. I beg you out of consideration for me to
+retract these stringent orders, for I should be ruined if I were to
+execute them. Throughout the whole Mark, yea, throughout all Germany, they
+would raise the cry of murder against me, would everywhere blazon it, that
+Count Schwarzenberg is so inimically disposed toward the Electoral Prince
+that he would not even grant him an honorable reception on his return home
+after an absence of three years. Oh, most gracious sir, you will not
+increase yet more the number of my enemies and opposers, you will not
+excite public opinion yet more against me, and render it more favorably
+disposed to the Electoral Prince! If we now forcibly restrain these
+testimonials of pleasure on the part of the people, then will it be said
+that I misuse my power and am jealous of the Electoral Prince; that I am
+seeking to thrust him aside from his exalted position. If, on the other
+hand, it is seen how joyfully I acquiesce in the Electoral Prince's
+reception with acclamations everywhere, then will they be forced to
+acknowledge that it is not I who meet the young Prince with hatred, but
+that I willingly concede to him all honors and triumphs."
+
+"It is true," muttered the Elector, "they would surely suspect and accuse
+you, and it would not mend matters to say that I myself gave orders that
+the Electoral Prince be allowed to come home quietly."
+
+"God forbid that such a thing should be said!" cried Schwarzenberg. "No,
+rather let the whole world censure and condemn me--rather let it be said
+that I have acted as the spiteful and unworthy enemy of the Electoral
+Prince--than that they should dare even to cast one shadow upon my beloved
+master's heart. What matters it that they calumniate me, if they only
+venture not to attack and suspect your highness?"
+
+"They shall not slander and suspect you, my Adam," said the Elector,
+offering him his hand. "For your sake let us suffer the Electoral Prince
+to come hither in triumph. But we will remember it against him, and our
+love for him will not be thereby increased."
+
+"Yet I entreat your highness to receive your son kindly and graciously,"
+pleaded Schwarzenberg with insinuating voice. "It is better, your
+highness, to try to chain him to you by goodness and love than by
+strictness and severity to repel him yet more, and force him to join the
+party of your opponents. It is a great and powerful party, and I well know
+that it is their plan to place the Electoral Prince at their head, and
+through him to attain their ends."
+
+"And what are their ends?" asked the Elector, with lowering brow.
+
+The count bent over closer to his ear, as if he feared letting even the
+walls hear what he had to say.
+
+"Their ends are a transference of the government, and when this is
+effected a revolt from Emperor and empire, and a league with the Swedes
+and all Protestant German princes against Emperor and empire."
+
+"The transference of the government? That means an insurrection, a
+revolution. They would hurl me from my throne and ensconce my son there?"
+
+"They hope that in your distress you will do, gracious sir, what your
+blessed father did."
+
+"Abdicate!" cried the Elector angrily. "Abdicate in favor of my son?"
+
+"In favor of the Electoral Prince, who has grown up in Holland to become a
+promising Prince, a general of the future, a brilliant leader of the
+Protestant Church, and of whom his followers say that he will be a second
+Gustavus Adolphus!"
+
+"A second plague--a second source of danger to myself!" screamed the
+Elector, striking with his clinched fist upon the arm of his chair. "It
+was not enough that my brother-in-law Gustavus Adolphus brought me into
+trouble and distress, and caused the Emperor's wrath to flame forth
+against me, so that I was really afraid that I would share the fate of my
+cousin the Margrave of Jägerndorf, whom the Emperor put under his ban,
+declaring that he had forfeited his margraviate, and giving it over as a
+feudal tenure to Prince Liechstenstein! I was only saved then from a like
+terrible fate by your intercession and fidelity! It was you who, by your
+address and eloquence, softened the Emperor's resentment against me,
+induced him to pardon me, and afterward brought about the peace of Prague,
+which reconciled the Emperor to me. Yet it was not enough to have gone
+through those times of anxiety and distress, they must be now renewed
+through my only son! In him am I to find a second Gustavus Adolphus, to
+plunge me into new perils and bring down upon me the Emperor's avenging
+wrath? But it shall not be--I solemnly swear, it shall not be! I will
+_not_ involve my land in new dangers and calamities of war. I will _not_
+depart from my neutrality. I _will_ have peace--peace with the Emperor,
+peace for my poor people, and for their unhappy Prince! But I shall not
+act as my father did, and prepare a pleasure for my son by resigning
+sovereignty and rule in my lifetime and becoming the servant and subject
+of my own son! Before me shall he bow--me shall he acknowledge to be his
+lord so long as I live, and never while I breathe shall I cease to lay to
+his charge these hours of pain and vexation. I am Elector and ruler, and
+he is nothing further than my son and subject, my successor when I die,
+but not my coregent while I live! Count Adam Schwarzenberg, I charge you
+to stand courageously at my side, to remain zealous in my service, and to
+direct your attention especially to unraveling all the arts and wiles, the
+plots and schemes of my son and his abettors; to give me always
+information on these points, to keep nothing in the background, and not to
+conceal anything from me merely to save me from vexation. Will you promise
+and swear so to manage and act, my Adam?"
+
+"I swear and promise it, and in affirmation will my Prince allow me to
+give him my hand upon it?" asked Schwarzenberg, laying his own right hand
+in the outstretched one of the Elector. "You will find in me a true
+servant and guardian of your sacred person and your throne, and he who
+would supplant or harm you must first step over the corpse of Count
+Schwarzenberg! But now, most gracious sir, I beseech you not to be
+overpowered by your feelings of indignation, and to be amiable and
+condescending toward the home-coming Electoral Prince; for it is sometimes
+very necessary to wear a mask and assume an appearance of harmlessness and
+unconcern in order the better to fathom the designs of one's enemies, and
+to make them feel secure, that they may the more easily betray themselves."
+
+"Yes, I will do so," said George William, sighing. "I will swallow down my
+rage, although it would be a relief to me to vent it a little, and to show
+my son that I know him and am not deceived by him. But what noise is that
+without, and who is knocking so violently at the door?"
+
+This door was now impetuously torn open, and the Electress Sophy Elizabeth
+entered, with beaming eyes and features lighted up by joy, while on high
+she held an open letter in her hand.
+
+"George!" she exclaimed--"George, our son is coming! Our dear Frederick
+William is coming!"
+
+"Well, I rather think he ought to have been here a half year ago," growled
+the Elector, "and we have been expecting him several months already."
+
+"But he is here now, my husband, he is actually here now. Only see what a
+good, affectionate son he is! He has halted at the inn of the Spandow
+suburb, merely to forewarn us of his arrival. It was not enough for him
+that he had sent us a messenger with a verbal communication, no, he must
+send us a written salutation, and such kind, cordial words as he has
+written. There, read, my husband, just read!"
+
+She handed the paper to the Elector, but he did not take it.
+
+"Is the letter directed to me?" he asked.
+
+"No, to me, to his mother he wrote, because he knew how happy it would
+make me, and how heartily I love him. Read, George!"
+
+"I never read letters that are not directed to myself," said the Elector,
+turning away.
+
+"Well, then, I will read it to you!" cried the Electress, who in the
+fullness of her joy heeded as little the ill humor of the Elector as she
+did the presence of Count Schwarzenberg, who upon her entrance had
+modestly withdrawn to one of the deep window recesses. "Yes, I will read
+it to you," she repeated, "for you must hear what our son writes."
+
+And with a voice trembling from joy and agitation she read:
+
+"My gracious, revered Mother: Before I enter my dear birthplace and return
+home to my beloved parents and sisters, I would announce my arrival to
+your highnesses, that you may not be alarmed by my unexpected coming, and
+that I may not come inopportunely to his grace, my father. I enjoy greatly
+getting home, and all the testimonials of love and sympathy which I have
+received ever since I set foot within my father's territories, and they
+will remain indelibly graven on my heart. I beg your grace to present my
+most submissive respects to my gracious father and Elector, and to speak a
+good word for me to him, that his grace may no longer cherish resentment
+against me on account of my long stay abroad, and that he may favorably
+incline toward and receive me, and be convinced that I am and shall ever
+remain the grateful and obedient son of my venerated parents.
+
+"FREDERICK WILLIAM."
+
+"Well" asked the Electress, "are not those affectionate, glorious words,
+and does not your fatherly heart rejoice in them? But just hear, hear, how
+they shout and hurrah! It is the good people of Berlin! They are coming to
+the palace to see our son!"
+
+Again was the door through which the Electress had entered violently
+thrown open, and two young ladies entered. Their lovely and blooming faces
+beamed with happiness and their eyes glistened with joy.
+
+"He comes! Our brother is coming!" they cried, rushing forward toward
+their parents. "Just come to the window, that we may see him, for he is
+riding around the corner into the pleasure garden"
+
+"Are you all, then, wholly beside yourselves, and gone stark mad?" cried
+the Elector passionately, while he rose from his armchair and proudly drew
+himself up. "Who gives these two young ladies the privilege of entering my
+cabinet thus, unannounced and without ceremony? Just answer me one thing,
+Miss Charlotte Louise, did I permit you to come here?"
+
+"No, dearest father," said the Princess timidly, casting down her large,
+dark eyes, "no, your grace has not indeed permitted us to do so, but we
+did not think of that in the joy of our hearts, and because from here is
+the best lookout upon the pleasure grounds, we--"
+
+"We thought," interrupted the younger sister, who had hardly attained her
+fifteenth year--"we thought our dear papa, his Electoral Grace, would
+forgive us and look out with us to catch a sight of our beloved brother.
+And were we not right, dear papa, were we mistaken in thinking so, and
+will your grace not allow your little Sophie Hedwig to lead you to the
+great corner window, that with mamma you may have a view of dear Frederick
+William?"
+
+The Princess had approached her father, and, tenderly and coaxingly
+stroking his cheeks with her little white hand, looked up at him with such
+a gentle, pleading glance in her blue eyes as George William had never
+hitherto been known to resist. But this time the eyes of his favorite had
+no power over the Elector's heart, and indignantly he repelled her
+encircling arms.
+
+"Let me alone with your 'dear Frederick William,' you saucy piece!" cried
+he passionately. "You should at all events have waited until I had given
+you leave to appear here. If, in your childish giddiness, you knew no
+better, yet your sister Charlotte Louise, at the more mature age of
+twenty, ought to have arrived at years of discretion, and known what was
+proper."
+
+"No one knows better what is becoming than the fair young Princess
+Charlotte Louise, most gracious sir," said Count Adam Schwarzenberg,
+issuing from the window recess and greeting the Princess with a
+reverential bow. "In the whole country the Electoral Princess is honored
+as a brilliant model of fine manners and noble demeanor, and every one
+feels himself blessed and honored who is permitted to approach her. And is
+not the young lady right even now, dear sir, in coming here with her young
+sister? It is surely proper and well for the united Electoral family to be
+seen by the nation as they look upon the dear son and brother, whose
+return gladdens their hearts?"
+
+"Well, for aught I care, she may be right," muttered the Elector, "and I
+will grant my wife and daughters leave to look out of the corner window.
+But, meanwhile, where is the Electress?"
+
+"Her grace is standing there before the corner window and gazing down so
+earnestly upon the square that I have not yet been so fortunate as to be
+allowed to pay my respects to her highness."
+
+"For if the whole world had been assembled together she would have seen
+nothing but the Electoral Prince," called out the Elector, shrugging his
+shoulders. "Go to her, Adam, and present my compliments to her. Tell her
+that I resign my cabinet to her and my daughters, and will withdraw into
+my sleeping apartment until this uproar has subsided."
+
+"Oh, do not do so, most honored father," cried the younger Princess. "Stay
+here, and look out of the window with us."
+
+"Do so, your Electoral Highness," pleaded the count, softly and quickly.
+"Grant the people the light of your countenance."
+
+"Well, so be it, then," sighed George William. "Call the servants,
+Charlotte Louise, that they may roll me to the window."
+
+"As if I could not have the privilege of acting as servant to your
+highness, and as if my arm were not strong enough to guide your highness's
+chair. Permit me, gracious sir, to roll you to the window."
+
+"And permit me to help your excellency," said Princess Charlotte Louise,
+smiling, while she seized one of the arms of the fauteuil.
+
+"Now truly this is a very lofty equipage," cried George William, as the
+fauteuil rolled along through the spacious apartment. "The Stadtholder in
+the Mark and a Princess of the blood drawing my equipage."
+
+"But what a man sits in it!" said Count Schwarzenberg. "A duke of Prussia,
+of Pomerania, of Cleves, an Elector of Brandenburg, and--"
+
+"Hurrah, hurrah!" sounded up from below in a chorus of hundreds of voices.
+"Hurrah! long live the Electoral Prince!"
+
+"He comes! Oh, my son, my son!" cried the Electress. "He comes! George,
+our son--"
+
+She had turned round and her eye met the count's gaze, who immediately
+bowed low and reverentially before her. The Electress only thanked him
+with a slight nod of her head, and herself sprang forward to push the
+fauteuil into the window niche. Then, with trembling hands, she opened
+both window shutters and beckoned her daughters to her side.
+
+"He must see us all, _all_" she said. "With one glance he must take in
+father, mother, and sisters."
+
+"And my most faithful and best-beloved servant, the Stadtholder in the
+Mark!" cried the Elector. "Come, Adam, place yourself close beside me,
+that the picture may be complete, and my son may see us all at once."
+
+Boundless public rejoicings seemed to be in progress below; a loud,
+long-sustained, ever-renewed cheering rolled over the square like the roar
+of the sea.
+
+"My son, my beloved son!" cried the Electress, leaning far out of the
+window and stretching out both arms toward the young man, who had just
+emerged from the shrubbery, on horseback and followed by a brilliant train.
+
+"Brother, dear brother!" called out the two Princesses, leaning out of the
+other side of the window, and waving their handkerchiefs in token of
+welcome. Behind them sat the Elector in his great armchair, quite
+forgotten and quite hidden from view by his wife and daughters, not at all
+visible to either the people or his son.
+
+"I shall remember this hour, oh! to be sure, I shall remember it," he
+said, with trembling lips; "my son shall atone to me for this hour of
+shame and mortification. I--"
+
+The huzzaing and shouting below drowned his words; they came pouring in at
+the open window like the pealing tones of an organ, like the roar of the
+sea, like claps of thunder.
+
+The Elector could no longer bear it. He looked up with glances of entreaty
+at the count, who, drawn up to his full height, stood proud and commanding
+at the side of his chair, his sharp eyes piercing down into the court over
+the ladies' heads.
+
+"Ah, Adam," sighed George William, "you, too, have forgotten me, and are
+only looking upon him who is coming!"
+
+But, however softly these words had been spoken, the count heard them, and
+tenderly he leaned over the Elector, and seized his hand to kiss it.
+
+"I am looking at the newcomer," he whispered, "but I never forget you, and
+my heart can never be unmindful of the love and fidelity it owes you."
+
+"Hurrah! Long live the Electoral Prince!" was borne up in tumultuous
+uproar from the pleasure garden. "Long live the Electoral Prince! Long
+live the Elector! Hurrah for the Elector George William!"
+
+"They are calling for you, my husband, they call for you!" said the
+Electress. "Will you not show yourself to our dear people?"
+
+"I ought, indeed, to be thankful to the dear people," returned her
+husband. "The dear people have at least reminded the Electress that I
+still exist, although she had crowded me back and rendered me entirely
+invisible behind her. Yes, I will show myself to the people, as they still
+think of me in the midst of their merriment. Step back from the window,
+ladies, make room for your Elector and lord! And you, Count Schwarzenberg,
+come and give me your arm; I would lean upon you!"
+
+The count willingly offered the Elector his arm. Powerfully drawn up by
+him, the Elector rose from his seat, and, leaning upon his favorite,
+stepped close up to the window. The shouts of joy were for a moment
+hushed; perhaps because the Electoral Prince had just ridden into the
+palace yard, perhaps because the ladies' retreat from the window was
+considered by the people a sign that the Elector was about to appear. And
+now, within the window frame, was seen the clumsy, broad figure of the
+Elector; now was seen his large head, sparsely covered with gray hairs,
+his pale, swollen face, prematurely old, with its melancholy blue eyes and
+thin, colorless lips, round which played not the slightest smile. In the
+handsome, powerful, and youthful Electoral Prince the people had just
+joyfully greeted Brandenburg's future, and now from the window of that
+gray, gloomy, wretched old palace looked out upon them the hopelessness of
+Brandenburg's present. Like gazing upon embodied care and joyless
+resignation it was, to behold the Elector's grave, forbidding aspect, and
+before it the joyous cry upon the people's lips was silenced. They stared
+up at the window in dumb horror, and only here and there sounded cries
+from compassionate or bribed mouths: "Long live the Elector! Long live
+George William!" And like a dying echo came back the answer on this side
+and on that, feebly and slowly: "Long live the Elector! Long live George
+William!"
+
+But now the people caught sight of the tall, stately form, in gold
+embroidered velvet suit, with the star of brilliants glittering on its
+breast, which stood beside the Elector; now they recognized that haughty
+countenance with its glance of sovereign contempt, its smile of lofty
+condescension upon the thin, scornful lips, and a disturbance was
+perceptible among the multitudes, as when a sudden gust of wind agitates
+the waves of the sea and lashes them up into fury and rage. All at once
+there came thundering up to the window, shrieked, howled, and hissed by
+the crowd: "Down with the Catholics! Down with Schwarzenberg! Down with
+the Imperialist!"
+
+A deep flush overspread the Elector's face. He hastily stepped back from
+the window, and looked almost timidly up at the count, whose countenance
+meanwhile had not for a moment lost its proud, smiling serenity. He seemed
+not to have heard the screams of the mob.
+
+"They would vex me to death, therefore do they scream so!" cried the
+Elector; "they know my regard for Schwarzenberg, and therefore are they so
+set against him and insult him, in order to insult me through him!"
+
+"My parents, my beloved parents!" cried a clear, rich voice, and a young
+man tore open the doors of the Electoral cabinet, revealing a tall,
+slender figure and a noble face, with sparkling eyes and smiling lips. The
+Electress uttered one scream of rapture, and hastened to meet her son with
+outstretched arms. He threw himself upon her breast, greeting her with
+phrases of fond endearment, and when he lifted himself from his mother's
+heart there were the two sisters to embrace their dear and only brother,
+to greet him with affectionate words of love, and to hold him long, long
+in their encircling arms. The Elector had again sunk back into his
+armchair. His "faithful servant," Count Schwarzenberg, had again rolled
+him back into the middle of the apartment and stationed himself
+immediately in the rear.
+
+With unpropitious frowns had the Elector witnessed the first tender
+greeting exchanged between the Electress and her son. Now, when his
+sisters in their turn engrossed him and the mother stood looking on in
+transport, now the Elector turned round to Schwarzenberg, and an
+expression of deep bitterness spoke in every feature.
+
+"My son seems not to know that I am yet in the world," he said, with
+quick, complaining tone of voice. "Had you not better remind him of it for
+decency's sake, Adam?"
+
+But at this moment the Electoral Prince freed himself from his sisters'
+arms, perceived the Elector, and sprang forward to him with open arms to
+throw himself on his heart. But, when he got a nearer view of his father's
+dark countenance, he let his arms drop, bent his knee before the Elector,
+and grasped one hand to imprint upon it a reverential kiss.
+
+"My dear father, my most gracious Sovereign and Elector!" cried he in
+tones full of tenderness, "I beg your pardon that my first word, my first
+salutation was not given to you. You see, I was always a foolish boy, whom
+my mother spoils, and who delights in being spoiled."
+
+"I beg your pardon, my husband," said the Electress, approaching her
+husband; "I alone was to blame that our son did not come first to you, as
+was his duty, and pay his first respects to his father and Sovereign. I
+stopped him, and you must not impute as a fault to the son what was
+occasioned by a mother's tenderness."
+
+The Elector made no reply, but looked down with moody resentment upon the
+Electoral Prince, who still knelt before him.
+
+"My much-loved, gracious father," cried the Prince, "I once more beg your
+pardon, and pray you kindly to forget if I have hitherto often given you
+ground for annoyance, and have not appeared here immediately on your first
+command. I see my error, and I promise, my dear, kind father, that I have
+returned home as a penitent, affectionate son, as an obedient subject,
+whose earnest endeavor shall be to deserve the forgiveness and good
+opinion of his lord and father, and to live wholly and solely in
+subjection to his will. Only bid me welcome, too, my most revered sir;
+bestow upon your son one word of welcome and fatherly love."
+
+The Prince glanced so tenderly at his father, there lay so much feeling in
+his handsome, expressive countenance, that the Elector could not resist
+him, but, in spite of himself, felt his heart stirred by tenderness and
+emotion. He bowed down to him, a rare smile lit up his face, and he was
+just opening his lips to greet his son with words of friendliness and
+love, when the shrieking and shouting down in the pleasure garden, which
+had ceased for some time (probably because their exhausted throats
+required rest), burst forth again with redoubled violence.
+
+"Away with the Catholics! Down with Schwarzenberg! Long live the Electoral
+Prince. Down with Schwarzenberg!" came up with thundering impetuosity.
+
+The friendly words died upon the Elector's lips, and the short sunshine of
+his smile vanished under a cloud of displeasure.
+
+"It seems, sir," he said, "as if your arrival were a real jubilee for the
+low rabble, who have assembled down there in the pleasure grounds, and as
+if your arrival were to be the cause of much vexation to me. What
+seditious, scandalous words are those shouted by those wretches?"
+
+"I do not know, I did not hear them," said the Electoral Prince quickly.
+
+"My whole attention was concentrated upon y father's lips, waiting to hear
+one gracious word of welcome!"
+
+"The mob saved me that trouble!" cried the Elector. They cut me off from
+speech with their 'Long live the electoral Prince!' What need is there for
+a further welcome from your old father?"
+
+"I need it much," replied the Electoral Prince, with low, melancholy
+voice. "I need a kind, gracious word from my father, on returning home
+after so long an absence; and it would seem to me as if my whole future,
+my whole life were under a cloud if I lacked the blessing of your love,
+the sunshine of your favor."
+
+"My son knows how to arrange his words prettily," said the Elector,
+shrugging his shoulders; "it is very observable that he has become quite a
+fine, elegant gentleman; who will find but little to his taste among us,
+and who will suit us just as little! But what are those people forever
+shouting?" said the Elector, interrupting himself, while he rose
+impulsively from his armchair, thus obliging the Prince to rise from his
+knees. "What infamous hubbub and howling is this, and what do you villains
+want of us?"
+
+"Nothing further, most noble Elector," replied Count Schwarzenberg, to
+whom the Elector had turned with his query--"nothing further than that
+your honor drive me away, nothing further than that you dismiss the hated
+minister, whom they abhor, simply because he is a Catholic and not a
+Reformer, and because he is named Schwarzenberg and not Rochow or Quitzow,
+nor blessed with some country bumpkin's title."
+
+"I will rout this pack of vagabonds!" cried the Elector. "Let them dare
+just once more to let such an opprobrious, insulting shout be heard!"
+
+And, quite forgetting his weakness and his limb so painfully swollen with
+gout, the Elector went rapidly to the still open corner window, and,
+leaning far out of it, lifted up his hand, commanding quiet. The people
+took this inclination of the body, this movement of the hand, for a token
+of grace, for a kind salutation on the part of their Sovereign, perhaps
+even for a granting of their demand. They roared aloud with delight, waved
+aloft their hats and caps, their arms and handkerchiefs, and cried and
+whooped and hurrahed: "Long live the Elector! Long live George William!
+Long live the Electoral Prince!"
+
+The Elector stepped back and shut the window so violently that the little
+panes of glass, framed in lead, fairly rattled.
+
+"Frantic populace!" he growled, "they mix up a wretched salad of cheers
+and curses, mingle weeds with their herbs, and fancy that we will find
+this devilish compound pleasing to our palates! We shall remember them for
+it, and--"
+
+"Most gracious sir!" cried Count Schwarzenberg, with radiant countenance,
+approaching the Elector--"most gracious sir, in this blessed hour of our
+beloved Electoral Prince's return, I have a favor to ask of your highness.
+His grace has just greeted me so amiably, so condescendingly, that he has
+caused my heart to overflow with joy, and I feel the strongest desire to
+give expression to this joy. The return of the Electoral Prince is just as
+propitious an event for me as, for the Electoral family, and for all your
+subjects it is a festive occasion which can not be sufficiently honored,
+and therefore I entreat your highness to permit me to celebrate it at my
+house also, and to gratify me by being present yourself at this _fête_,
+with all the other members of your exalted family."
+
+The Elector looked upon his minister with an expression of joyful
+tenderness, and then turned his glance upon the Electoral Prince, who
+stood silent, and with lowered eyelids, beside his mother and sisters.
+
+"Well, what say you to it, sir?" asked George William. "Do you accept the
+invitation to the feast?"
+
+"I, Electoral Lord?" asked the Prince, astonished. "It is not for me to
+accept, or to say anything. I only await the decision of your highness,
+and now allow myself to remark that I shall ever feel honored by an
+invitation from the Stadtholder in the Mark, and that no one can have a
+higher appreciation of his services and a greater respect for his
+statesman-like experience and wisdom than myself."
+
+"He knows how to speak, does he not, count?" asked the Elector, indicating
+his son by a quick nod of the head.
+
+"Well, since it depends on my decision, I shall gladly extend to you my
+leave to celebrate the Electoral Prince's return by a little merrymaking,
+were it only that the good-for-nothing people of Berlin may see that we
+and our family are devoted to Count Schwarzenberg now as before, and that
+their pitiful howls have had no influence upon us and our determinations.
+Yes, we will come to your party, Adam, we accept your invitation cordially
+and affectionately."
+
+"I thank my most gracious lord for this act of favor and condescension,"
+cried the count, pressing the Elector's proffered hand to his lips. "Will
+your highness extend your favor by appointing the day on which so
+distinguished an honor is to befall my house?"
+
+"Well, that you may not have time to make too great preparations, and put
+us to shame by the splendor of your _fête_, we will allow you but a short
+respite. To-day is Wednesday, the eighteenth of June, we therefore appoint
+Sunday, the twenty-second of June, for your festival."
+
+"Be it then on Sunday, a sunny day truly for me and for my house," cried
+Count Schwarzenberg. "My son, too, will do himself the honor to
+participate in the joys of the _fête_, which your highness will do me the
+favor to give in my house, for he has returned from his journey, and will
+this very day petition for leave to present himself."
+
+A fugitive glance from the count strayed across to the ladies, while he
+bowed low before them, but, however cursory this glance, it gave him full
+opportunity for perceiving Princess Charlotte Louise's deep blush, and the
+joyful flashing of her eyes.
+
+"She loves him," he said softly to himself, "yes, she loves him, and my
+son will be Elector of Brandenburg."
+
+"We shall be pleased to see again your son, Count John Adolphus," said
+George William kindly. "He is a very elegant and accomplished gentleman,
+besides being a very submissive and obedient son, in whom your father's
+heart may well rejoice. My son would do well to follow his example, and I
+shall be delighted for him to form a friendship with the count."
+
+"I shall diligently strive to gain the friendship of the son as well as of
+the father," replied the Electoral Prince, smiling, "and it shall not be
+my fault, indeed, if I do not obtain it."
+
+"Most honored sir, you can gain no more than you already possess,"
+exclaimed Schwarzenberg, bowing low. "Will the Electress now permit me to
+address a question to her highness?"
+
+"Ask your question quickly," cried the Electress, "that I may hear the
+request it is to introduce, for I am really curious to know what the rich
+and powerful Count Schwarzenberg can have to desire of the poor,
+uninfluential Electress."
+
+"First, then, my question, most gracious lady: At what hour does your
+highness command my _fête_ to begin?"
+
+"Will you leave the decision to me, my husband?" asked the Electress,
+smiling.
+
+The Elector nodded assent.
+
+
+"As you have invited my daughters," said the Electress, "I presume that
+there will certainly be dancing, and evening hours suit best for that. Let
+the _fête_ commence at six o'clock."
+
+The Elector's brow darkened, for he did not at all relish gay, noisy
+evening parties, and a solemn dinner at the regular hour would have been
+far more welcome to him.
+
+"Your grace has prescribed the hour for the opening of the ball," said
+Count Schwarzenberg reverentially. "But I now also entreat further that
+you name a dinner hour, for I hope your highness will favor me by dining
+with me on that day."
+
+"Yes, that honor shall be shown you," cried the Elector cheerfully. "We
+shall come, surely we shall come. And I will myself appoint the hour for
+the mid-day meal. Let it be at two o'clock. Then we shall have some
+pleasant hours at table before the dancing comes off and the music puts
+our heads in a whirl."
+
+"Two o'clock, then, most gracious sir."
+
+"And now, Sir Count," cried the Electress, "now for your request. Say
+quickly what it is. What can you have to ask of me?"
+
+"Most gracious Electress, I hardly venture to express it, and yet, by
+granting my request, you would do me a very great pleasure and honor. Some
+splendid silk stuffs have been sent me from France by my cousin, who is
+Austrian ambassador there. I had given him such a commission, as I thought
+of making a present to my aunt, the Countess Schwarzenberg at Vienna. My
+cousin bought these stuffs for me, and writes me, moreover, that they are
+the newest fabrics from the looms of Lyons, and that he has just sent
+three such dresses to the Empress and the two archduchesses at Vienna.
+Now, it did not seem to me becoming or appropriate that the Countess
+Schwarzenberg should wear robes such as the Empress and archduchesses
+wear, and I think gold and silver brocade suited to none but ladies of
+princely blood."
+
+"And you would give them to us, Sir Count?" cried the young Princess
+Sophie Hedwig, with heightened color in her cheeks and sparkling eyes.
+
+The Electress and older Princess laughed aloud at this naïve and hasty
+question, and even the Elector laughed a little.
+
+A slight blush suffused the Electoral Prince's face; he withdrew to the
+window and looked out. Count Schwarzenberg, however, looked smilingly upon
+the young Princess, whose girlish impatience had come so opportunely to
+his rescue.
+
+"I would venture," he said, "most humbly to ask her highness's permission
+to lay the brocade stuffs at her feet."
+
+"Mamma, do so," coaxed Sophie Hedwig; "take the pretty dress patterns from
+the good Stadtholder."
+
+"Well, then, I shall do so," said the Electress. "I accept your present
+for myself and the young ladies, and I thank you."
+
+She extended her hand to the count, which he kissed.
+
+"And you will give orders, Electress, that the dresses be made up in time
+for Count Schwarzenberg's _fête_!" cried the Elector cheerfully. "You must
+at least honor him by displaying his present first at his own house."
+
+"There are a few plates accompanying it," remarked Schwarzenberg--"a few
+plates on which are painted the newest styles of ladies' dresses now
+fashionable in Paris. The robes of the Empress and the archduchesses were
+made by them."
+
+"So shall our dresses be too!" cried Sophie Hedwig, joyfully clapping her
+hands. "Shall they not, dearest mamma--shall not our dresses be made by
+the fashion plates?"
+
+Just at this moment the Electoral Prince again emerged from the window
+recess, and approached his father.
+
+"I beg your highness's gracious permission to withdraw," he said. "I
+should like to retire to my own apartments a little while, in order to lay
+aside my dusty traveling suit."
+
+"Do so, my son," replied the Elector, with a friendly nod of the head. "Go
+to your rooms, which have been prepared for you a whole half year, and
+await your return. Dress yourself and rejoin us at dinner. For the rest, I
+bid you heartily welcome, and may your return be productive of good, not
+evil, to yourself and us all."
+
+"God grant that I may merit my father's favor, and ever show myself worthy
+of it!" exclaimed the Electoral Prince, with deep seriousness. "I have now
+the honor of taking my leave!"
+
+He bowed low before the Elector, and with a like salutation bade farewell
+to the Electress and the Princesses. After greeting the count with a smile
+and a wave of his hand, he hurried with light elastic step through the
+apartment to the door.
+
+
+
+
+IV.--THE DONATION.
+
+
+When the Electoral Prince left his father's cabinet he found without the
+officers and servants of the household arranged in solemn order. They
+received him with a thrice-repeated cheer that was loud enough to
+penetrate through the door into the Electoral apartment, and to reach the
+Elector's ears in a manner by no means pleasant.
+
+Affectionately and smilingly Frederick William thanked them. He could call
+each one of them by name, and charmed them all by recalling little
+incidents of his earlier days in which they had borne a part.
+
+"I hope we shall always remain good friends," he said, when he had reached
+the door of the long entrance hall, "and once more I thank you for your
+friendly greeting."
+
+Old Jock, who stood next to the door, and who looked quite grand in his
+artfully patched livery of state--old Jock had already just opened his
+mouth for another thundering hurrah, when the Electoral Prince laid his
+hand gently upon his shoulder.
+
+"Hush, Jock, hush! do not shout," he said, loud enough to be heard by
+everybody. "It is enough that I read my welcome in your eyes, and not
+necessary for your lips to pronounce the words aloud. Our much-loved and
+gracious father is sick and suffering, and we must not therefore allow his
+rest to be disturbed by loud noises. Be quiet and silent, therefore, and
+only believe me when I say that I know I am welcome to you all!"
+
+He gave them one more friendly nod, and stepped out upon the long corridor,
+on the other side of which lay his own apartments. Quickly he went on,
+opened the door of the antechamber with a vigorous pressure of his hand,
+and entered. The trunks and other baggage lay in wild disorder, heaped up
+in the outer hall, and old Dietrich, with a few other servants and
+lackeys, was busied in untying parcels and unpacking. The Electoral Prince
+went hurriedly past, and entered his sleeping room. Here, too, he found
+all in confusion; the dust lay thick upon the unwieldy old furniture,
+whose cushions were covered with faded and even here and there ragged
+tapestry. From the walls, hung with discolored papering, a few old
+ancestral portraits looked gravely and gloomily down upon him, and their
+melancholy eyes seemed to ask him what he wanted here, and why he had come
+to awaken them from their repose, and disturb the dust which had been
+collecting for years. It seemed to the Prince as if he heard this
+inhospitable question quite clearly uttered by the lips of his ancestor
+Albert Achilles, before whose picture he was just passing, and whose
+large, glittering eyes seemed to look out in defiance. Frederick William
+stopped and looked at his forefather with a sad smile. "I have come much
+against my will, Elector Albert Achilles," he said. "I assure you, very
+much against my will, and if I did not think of the future, I would go
+away again and _never_ come back. But for the sake of the future the
+present must be endured; therefore forgive me, my great, valiant ancestor,
+and believe me I will do you honor!"
+
+He nodded to the picture and strode on, advancing into the next room,
+which was to be his study. Here everything was still exactly as he had
+left it almost four years ago. The old furniture stood unmoved in its
+familiar places; there was still the brown varnished writing table at
+which he had formerly applied himself to his studies, in company with his
+tutor Leuchtmar von Kalkhun; beside it stood the simple, rude book
+shelves, and on them, covered with dust and cobwebs, the old leather-bound
+volumes from which he had drunk in knowledge and wisdom. Before both
+windows hung, just as then, the dark red silken curtains, only that the
+sun had partially deprived them of their original coloring and interwoven
+sickly streaks of yellow. The old sofa, too, was yet in existence with its
+sleek brown leather covering, and by its side stood the two leather
+armchairs, with their high, straight backs and awkwardly turned feet. No
+one had taken the trouble to repair these inroads of dilapidation, and,
+long as they had been expecting the Electoral Prince, no preparations
+whatever had been made for his reception. Four years had passed over these
+chambers without leaving any further trace of their presence than dust and
+cobwebs, and faded stripes on cushion and curtain. Sighing, the Electoral
+Prince threw himself into one of the two armchairs. The old piece of
+furniture creaked under him, as if by this sound it would greet him and
+remind him of the past. He leaned his head against the back, whose leather
+cooled his temples as if a cold hand had been laid upon the brow of him
+who had just come home. Slowly his glance swept through the room, and it
+seemed to him as if he saw the four last years glide by like phantom
+shapes through the lonely, dreary, and dusty chamber. They looked at him
+with wan smiles and lusterless eyes, and hovered past shadowlike, leaving
+behind for him nothing but dust, nothing but a hardly cicatrized wound.
+Hardly cicatrized!
+
+Sometimes it bled yet, this wound of his past. Sometimes he thought that
+there was no healing for it, that it would never close, and that its pain
+would never cease.
+
+Just so thought he as the shadows of the four years floated by him through
+that gloomy, dusty room. Just so thought he, when the youngest of these
+phantoms paused beside him, threw back her gray veil of mist, and under it
+disclosed to him a beautiful, rosy female face, with flaming eyes, pouting
+lips, and lovely smile, when she raised her hand and beckoned to him,
+whispering: "Leave all behind and come to me! _I_ am waiting for you! _I_
+love you! Oh, come to me!"
+
+How sweetly enticing were these whispered sounds, how burning was the pain
+in the wound but barely healed! Again it began to bleed, again tears rose
+to his eyes. He was not ashamed of them, and yet, as he felt them flow
+burning down his cheeks, he stretched out his hands deprecatingly to the
+phantom with the rosy cheeks and fascinating smile, to the shadow of the
+last year, and murmured: "Away from me! Come not near me, to tempt my
+heart! I may not follow you--I may not, and I _will_ not."
+
+"And I _will_ not!" he repeated quite aloud, and jumped up from his
+easychair, shaking his head defiantly and proudly, like a roused lion.
+
+"What will you not?" asked a soft voice behind him, and when he turned
+round he saw at his back Baron von Leuchtmar, who had just entered, and
+whose mild, gentle glances rested upon him with tender expression.
+
+"Leuchtmar!" cried the Prince, hastening to meet him with both hands
+outstretched. "God be praised, that you are here, that you come to me at
+this moment! Ah! would that you had not left me at Spandow, but had
+remained at my side!"
+
+"No, my Prince! It was proper that the eyes of the people should have
+greeted you alone, and that the boy, whom they had seen go off at the side
+of his tutor, should now appear to them again as a bold and independent
+young man, who relies upon his own powers only, and has no longer any
+tutor at his side, but his own sense of duty and his conscience. But why
+so sad, Prince Frederick William? Your journey was verily a triumphal
+procession; like a Roman imperator you entered your father's city, and now
+do I find you here, solitary, with troubled countenance, with tears upon
+your cheeks?"
+
+"With tears upon my cheeks?" repeated the Prince; "with imprecations, with
+wrath, and sorrow in my heart. Oh, friend, why were you not with me? You
+would have saved me perhaps from the bitterness of the last hour. You
+would have stood by me, would have encouraged me!"
+
+"My God, what has happened then?"
+
+"It has happened that I was received as if I were some criminal returning
+after a course of sin!" cried Frederick William, with indignant pain. "It
+has happened that they have treated me as if I were a rioter and inciter
+of rebellion, who had come hither with criminal designs, at the head of a
+mob, and as a captain of robbers, who had attacked his Sovereign in his
+stronghold. It has happened that they allowed me to sue for pardon upon my
+knees without lifting me up--that they have treated me like an abandoned
+villain, from whom they expected each hour to witness some new out-break."
+
+"But consider, my Prince, that you had reason to expect that your
+reception would be ungracious, and that it was your father from whom these
+trials would come to you."
+
+"No, not from my father, but from _him_--that evil spirit who, with his
+cold smile and mocking composure, stood at my father's side! He has
+poisoned my father's heart with jealousy and hate, he has filled it with
+mistrust toward his only son, and sowed discord, that he may himself reap
+a harvest from the hatred! And he was witness of my humiliation, and I saw
+how he looked down upon me with scornful superiority as I knelt before my
+father and pleaded in vain for one word of love from his lips! But _he_
+had withered this word upon his lips, and only for _him_ were words of
+tenderness and veneration there! Only for _him_ acknowledgments,
+confidence, and love! As he stood there with cold and haughty face at the
+side of my poor father, who, stooping and insignificant, cowered below
+him--oh, so far below him in his easychair--I felt it in every nerve of my
+heart, in every fiber of my brain, that _he_ and _he_ alone is ruling lord
+here, the commander and Sovereign; and that he who will not bow and cringe
+before him, will by him be hurled into the dust and trodden upon! They all
+bow before him--_all_! He is like a magician, who by the magnetic glances
+of his eyes subjects to his will all who approach him, and makes the
+stoutest hearts soft and pliant, so that like wax they allow themselves to
+be molded by his forming hands. Even my mother, who is his enemy, who has
+been battling against him for twenty years, even she is conquered by him,
+and he has become her master and forces her to his will. She knows not at
+all that she has fallen within the circle of his magic, yet is, like all
+the rest, a mere tool in his hands. But she feels it not, and fancies
+herself free, while she lies bound, and has no will of her own in his
+presence. I have seen it, I have felt it, and it has filled my heart with
+unutterable woe, with raging anger. She felt not at all the shame and
+humiliation under which I almost expired; she came not to my aid, for the
+magician was there, and in his presence my mother forgot her son so
+recently come back to her, and _he_ was the center around which all
+turned, _he_ was master of the situation, and before _him_ all shrank into
+wretched nothingness. He charmed the hearts which had remained cold at my
+reception, charmed them with the prospect of a _fête_, which, as he said,
+he was to give in my honor, and they believed the mockery, and allowed
+themselves to be touched by that noble condescension, and felt not the
+cruel boasting with which he solemnizes the return of him who is a thorn
+in his flesh, a thorn which he is firmly determined to pluck out, and
+tread under foot! I came here humble, poor, and empty-handed, and _he_
+solemnizes my return by offering presents to my mother and my sisters!
+And they accept them, feel not at all the degradation, and will appear at
+the _fête_ in clothes with which my enemy, my adversary, my murderer has
+presented them!"
+
+"Prince, you go too far. Your hatred carries you away."
+
+"No, I do not go too far!" cried the Prince, beside himself. His
+countenance was deadly pale, his eyes flashed, and his whole being seemed
+pervaded by the fire of wrath and hatred. "No, I do not go too far, and my
+hatred does not carry me away! He is the evil demon of my house--of my
+country! He is to blame for all the disasters of the last twenty years,
+for all the humiliation and shame by which my family has been visited. The
+Mark is to be ruined--that is his end, that is his aim; the Electoral
+house of Brandenburg must die out--that is his hope; and he will leave
+untried no means whereby this hope may become reality. He has already
+tried once to murder me,[22] and he will try it again. A dagger's point
+lurks in each glance that he fixes upon me, a drop of poison in each word
+that he directs to me. If I stood alone with him upon the summit of a
+tower, he would hurl me down, and then afterward follow my coffin with a
+thousand tears! And my father would lean upon him, and thank God that only
+his son had been snatched from him, not his friend, his favorite; and my
+mother would weep for me, and yet go about in mourning which he had
+presented to her, and she would esteem it a peculiar act of amiability if
+he should exert himself to divert her mind and raise her spirits. No voice
+would be raised against him, and no one would venture to accuse him, for
+my father himself would protect him, and the grace and favor of the
+Emperor would speak him clear of any suspicion. He is my master, my
+lord--that is what fills me with rage and indignation; and I will surely
+die of this if the count does not succeed in dispatching me first, and
+putting me out of the way."
+
+"He will not venture to attempt that, for he knows public opinion would
+accuse and denounce him as the murderer."
+
+"What cares he for public opinion, what asks he about it--_he_ who has
+power to repress it, _he_ who stands so secure that it can not touch
+_him_?"
+
+"Nobody stands so high, Prince, that public opinion can not reach him and
+dash him into the depths below, for public opinion is the voice of the
+nation, and the voice of the nation is the voice of God! And believe me,
+Prince, this voice will one day accuse and sentence him."
+
+"Yes, one day perhaps, when he has thrust me out of the way and murdered
+me, when my father has gone to his last home, when the Emperor has
+pronounced the Mark of Brandenburg an unincumbered fief, and bestowed it
+as an act of grace upon Count Schwarzenberg or his son. Oh, I know all his
+plans, and I know that no moment of my life is henceforth secure--know
+that I am a victim of death if prudence and cunning do not save me! I
+thought of all this during my long journey to this place. I have weighed
+all, pondered all, and my whole future lay before me like a white sheet of
+paper. I saw a hand unroll it, and with bloody letters inscribe the word
+'Death'; but I saw this word blotted out by a cautious finger, and, ere it
+was written to the end, replaced by the word 'Life' in characters small
+and hardly visible. Yes, I _will_ live, _will_ reign, _will_ have fame,
+honor, and influence, _will_ make a name for myself! Leuchtmar, I have
+left behind in Holland my youth, my hopes, my dreams, my heart! I come
+here as a man, despite my eighteen years, as a man who from the wreck of
+his youth will save only this: the future and fame! A man, who has
+suffered so much, that he can say of himself: I defy pain, and it has no
+longer any power over me! I defy life, and _will_ conquer it! Yes,
+Leuchtmar, I _will_ conquer it; and although I no longer love it, I do not
+mean to allow it to be snatched away from me. Hear me, friend, for to-day
+is the last time for a long while that I may speak openly and candidly to
+you. I entreat you, guide of my youth, to preserve for me your friendship
+and your faith. I beseech you never to lose confidence in me, and, if ever
+a doubt should intrude itself with regard to me, to remember this hour, in
+which I have laid bare to you my heart, and in which you have been a
+witness to my indignation and grief, my excitement and hatred! You are
+familiar with my countenance, friend; impress it upon your memory, in
+order that you may never forget it, even if you should not see it for a
+long time again. Look once more in my eyes, and read in my glances my love
+and reverence for you!"
+
+"I do look into your eyes, son of my heart," said Leuchtmar, deeply moved.
+"I look through your eyes into your soul, into your heart, and read
+therein great determination and heroic aims. Strive after them, my
+favorite, and when the present seems to you dark and gloomy, then lift
+your eye to the glittering star, which hovers over you and is your
+future. To endure evil, and still to remain joyful and valiant, therein
+lies true heroism. To turn from the dust of earthly needs, to step over it
+with head held heavenward, thereby is true faith proved. God bless you, my
+son! Be brave, be wise, be true! Trust in yourself, your friends, your
+people, and your God; then is the future yours, and you will overcome all
+your foes, and will triumph over the proud man who now thinks that he
+triumphs over you. I said to you, be brave, be wise, be true. I forgot one
+thing, though, which I shall now add--_be circumspect_! Remember that
+oftentimes it is not the sword which carries off the victory, but cunning;
+remember Brutus, who freed Rome."
+
+"Oh, my friend, you have spoken truth," exclaimed the Prince; "you have
+read to the bottom of my soul, and understood my inmost thoughts. Now am I
+glad and full of confidence, for my friend and teacher will never doubt
+me. And hear one thing more, my Leuchtmar. You must accept a memento of
+this hour, a memento which I prepared even before my departure from The
+Hague, and which shall be to you a proof of my gratitude. I am poor and
+powerless, and as I build all my hopes upon the future, so must I do with
+my presents as well. You must accept from me a gift of my future, friend.
+I know full well that what you have done for me can not be recompensed,
+but I would so gladly testify my gratitude to you, and therefore I give
+you this paper!"
+
+He drew forth a paper from his pocketbook, and handed it to Leuchtmar with
+a friendly smile. "Take it and read," he said.
+
+Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun took the paper, and fastened his eyes upon the
+words, which were inscribed in large letters on the outside.
+
+"A Deed of Expectancy!" he said, astonished.
+
+The Electoral Prince nodded. "A deed of expectancy, written with my own
+hand and sealed with my own signet ring. Yes, yes, my friend, I have
+nothing to give away but expectations; yet if the Electoral Prince should
+ever become Elector, he will convert these expectations into reality and
+truth. Now unfold the paper, and see what manner of expectation it holds
+out."
+
+"An act, donating the feudal tenure of Neuenhof, lying within the
+territories of Cleves!" cried Leuchtmar joyfully. "Oh, my dear Prince,
+that is truly a princely gift!"
+
+"Yet it is not the Prince, but the grateful scholar who gives it to you,"
+said Frederick William, "and in proof of this I have written these words,
+which I will read to you myself." He bent over the paper, and read: "We
+have voluntarily and with due consideration promised and engaged to give
+to Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun this estate of Neuenhof, out of the
+particular and friendly affection which we bear to him. We also swear that
+if we hereafter attain to power and authority, and our much-esteemed
+Romilian von Leuchtmar be to our sorrow cut off by death, we in the same
+way will this estate to his eldest son, and grant him the enjoyment of all
+that we assigned and destined for his father in his lifetime."[23]
+
+"That is indeed to carry happiness and reward beyond the grave!" cried
+Leuchtmar, with tears in his eyes. "Oh, I thank you, my Prince, thank you
+from my inmost soul, for myself and my children!"
+
+"You have nothing at all to thank me for, friend," said the Prince. "I
+shall ever be much more in your debt. If, however, I some day become a
+good Prince to my country and a father to my people, then you must reflect
+that this is the return I make to you, my teacher, my educator! You see I
+hope in the future, and think that I shall succeed in evading murderous
+designs and fulfill my aims. But, indeed, your warning I may never forget,
+and circumspect I _must_ be first of all. Wear a mask, as Brutus did! Let
+me embrace you once more, friend Leuchtmar; look me once more in the eye.
+And now--I hear some one coming! Farewell, Leuchtmar! I put on my mask and
+not for a moment can I withdraw it from my features."
+
+
+
+
+V.--BRUTUS.
+
+
+The door was now opened, a valet entered and announced, "Her highness the
+Electress!" And before the Electoral Prince had time to advance, the
+Electress had entered the room.
+
+"I come to welcome you once more, my Frederick!" she cried, stretching out
+her arms to her son. "Entirely without witnesses, simply as his mother
+would I greet my son, and tell him how happy I am that he is once more
+here."
+
+She flung her arms around her son's neck, and pressed him ardently to her
+bosom. Baron Leuchtmar, who upon the Electress's approach had stepped
+aside, now crept softly through the apartment to the door, and was already
+in the act of opening it, when the Electress quickly raised her head and
+looked around.
+
+"Stay where you are, Baron Leuchtmar," she said; "why would you slip away
+from us?"
+
+"I may not presume by my presence to disturb the confidential discourse
+between the Electress and her son."
+
+"You do not disturb us at all, for you belong to us, Leuchtmar," replied
+Charlotte Elizabeth, nodding kindly to him. "On the contrary, I will tell
+you that I knew you were here, and came here on that very account, in
+order to salute you without witnesses, and to have a private conversation
+with you and my son. For well I know, Leuchtmar, that we may confide in
+you, and that you belong to _us_--that is to say, to the enemies of
+Schwarzenberg, to the enemies of the Imperialists and Catholics, to the
+friends of the Swedes and Reformers."
+
+"Your highness may be well assured that I return home just as I went
+away," said Leuchtmar earnestly--"that is to say, an upright Protestant, a
+true Brandenburger, and a determined opponent of those who concluded the
+peace of Prague, and thereby separated the Elector of Brandenburg from the
+Swedes, and made him wholly and solely subservient to the Emperor's
+interests."
+
+"You will not name _him_, the evildoer, who has brought this to pass,"
+cried the Electress, "but I will name him: it is Count Schwarzenberg! It
+is the Stadtholder in the Mark, who has brought upon us all this mischief
+and disgrace, who has sundered us from our nearest blood relations, the
+family of the Swedish King, and has leagued us with and subjected us to
+those who are our sworn enemies and adversaries, the Imperialists, the
+Austrians. Oh, my son! promise me that you will some day take vengeance
+for the ignominy and humiliation which we must now undergo. Swear in this
+first hour of your return home, solemnly joining hands with me, that as
+soon as you come into power the first act of your government shall be to
+renounce allegiance to the Emperor and to ally yourself again with the
+Swedes, our natural allies."
+
+She stretched out her right hand to her son. "Swear, my son!" she cried,
+solemnly, "give me your hand upon it!"
+
+But Frederick William did not lay his hand within hers. He drew back,
+declining her proffered hand.
+
+"Forgive me, my dearest mother," he said, "forgive me; but I can not
+swear, for I do not know whether I could keep my oath! May the good God
+long preserve my gracious father's life, and grant him a glorious reign.
+But if hereafter, and surely to my deepest regret, duty and the right of
+Succession deliver into my hands the reins of government, then I must
+guide them, as circumstances direct, as determined by the contingencies of
+the times and the good of the country; and I dare not bind myself
+beforehand by any given word or by promises."
+
+"You refuse, my son, to promise me that you will make amends for all the
+evil done by that wicked enemy of your house, your family, and your
+country?"
+
+"Dearest mother, I know not of whom you speak, and who it is that has
+burdened himself with so heinous a crime."
+
+With impulsive movement the Electress laid her hand upon his arm, and
+looked him steadily in the eye.
+
+"Are you dissembling, or is that the truth?" she asked. "You do not know
+of whom I speak? You do not know who is the enemy of your house and
+family?"
+
+"I am trying in vain to study it out, mother, and I beg you not to be
+angry with me on that account, for your grace must reflect that I have
+been absent almost four years, and am therefore a little unacquainted with
+the situation of affairs here. If you had addressed that question to me
+before my departure, most assuredly I should have replied without
+hesitation, 'It is Count Schwarzenberg!' But I have since then found out
+that I had done the count injustice in many things through my inexperience
+and want of foresight; that he is a very great and experienced statesman
+and politician, who with his far-seeing glances can discern much more
+clearly than I with my unpracticed eyes the relations of things. Who knows
+but that, after all, the peace of Prague has been a real blessing to our
+land. When I behold its present pitiable and languishing condition as a
+neutral, how can I avoid reflecting with horror upon what might have been
+the state of things had we joined any decided war party. Had we sided
+with the Swedes, the enmity of the powerful Emperor, vastly surpassing us
+in material resources, would long since have destroyed us root and branch,
+and my dear father would have most probably shared the same lamentable
+fate as the Elector of the Palatinate, his brother-in-law, or the Margrave
+of Liegnitz and Jägerndorf, his cousin. He must have wandered with wife
+and children an exile in foreign lands, or died of grief among strangers.
+On the other hand, had we sided with the Emperor against the Swedes, a
+raging, implacable foe would have quartered himself in the heart of our
+dominions, and not merely Pomerania, but the Mark and the duchy of Prussia
+would have been overrun-by his warlike hordes. But on my journey hither I
+have witnessed the misery and unspeakable wretchedness of our land, and
+asked myself with heavy, sorrowing heart what would have become of our
+unhappy country in times of war if neutrality could reduce it to such
+poverty and plunge it in such want and suffering. And then I was forced to
+acknowledge that Count Schwarzenberg had acted right well as Stadtholder
+in the Mark in wishing, before all things, to preserve the Mark intrusted
+to him from yet greater calamity, by holding it to that neutrality, being
+alike impartial between the Emperor and the Swedes. I therefore begged his
+pardon in my heart for having often accused him unjustly before, for he is
+indeed a faithful and zealous servant to his master, and especially
+endeavors to further his interests, to maintain his position, and to
+console him in these times of affliction. I see, too, that not merely the
+Elector holds him in high estimation, and honors him as his true and
+valued counselor and friend, but that my mother as well has taken him into
+her favor, and that she has quite recovered from the mistrust with which
+she previously regarded him. For surely it is a proof of great favor when
+the Electress allows the count to offer presents of dresses to herself and
+her daughters, and no one of us can mistrust _him_, who so cordially
+rejoices over my return that he volunteers to celebrate it by a splendid
+festival. The whole Electoral family has accepted the invitation to this
+festival, and thereby prove to Berlin, yea, to the whole country, that we
+are on the best terms with the Stadtholder, and that nothing has
+transpired which could shake our confidence in him.'"
+
+The Electress had listened to her son with ever-growing amazement. Her
+glances had grown more and more indignant; she had often turned from her
+son to Leuchtmar, as if to read in his features whether or not he shared
+her astonishment and irritation. Now, when the Prince was silent, she
+stepped across to Leuchtmar, and laid her hand upon his arm.
+
+"Leuchtmar," she asked with trembling voice, "is he in earnest? Has he
+actually altered so entirely? Has he really gone over to our enemies and
+adversaries?"
+
+"Most gracious lady, the Electoral Prince is by far too tender a son ever
+to become alienated from his mother," replied the baron earnestly.
+
+"He speaks the truth, my dearest mother," exclaimed Frederick William,
+nearing his mother. "Never could I alter toward you, never forget the
+gratitude and love I owe you, never go over to your enemies and
+adversaries. But why should we carry politics into private life, and what
+have Swedes and Imperialists, Catholics and Reformers to do with our
+family life and our domestic circle? Let us hand politics over to those
+whose duty it is to deal with them; let us not seek to meddle in the
+government, for we have no right to do so, and should step aside for those
+who understand matters far better than we do, and who manage the machine
+of state with as much foresight as wisdom. I, at least, am determined to
+hold myself aloof from all such burdensome affairs, to enjoy my youth and
+freedom, and I thank God that I have not to bear the weight of
+administering the government, but have only the pleasant task allotted me
+of permitting myself to be governed!"
+
+"It is not possible!" cried the Electress, with an outburst of
+passion--"no, it is not possible that _my_ son can so speak and think! O
+Leuchtmar! what have you made of my son? Who has changed him, my darling,
+my only son? I hoped that he would come back a hero, around whom would
+cluster all those who are true to our house, our faith, and our
+fatherland! I hoped that in him I should find a refuge against the
+aggressions, the villainy, and the wiles of my enemy! I hoped that the son
+would succeed in winning back his father's heart, and turning him against
+that proud man who rules him entirely, and who will crush us all. O God!
+my God! for three long years I have been looking forward to his return as
+the time of vengeance and retribution, and now that son is here, and what
+do I find in him? A son weakly obedient to his father, a submissive
+admirer of Count Schwarzenberg, a weakling who longs not at all for honor
+and influence, who is glad that he has not to govern and work, but that
+others must govern and work for him! Alas! I am a poor mother, and much to
+be pitied, for in vain have I hoped that my son would assist me to avenge
+the misfortunes of my house, and punish and bring my enemies to account!"
+
+She covered her face with her hands, weeping aloud. The Electoral Prince
+gave her a look of mingled grief and pain, took one hurried step forward,
+as if he would go to her, and encircle her in his arms, then paused,
+retreated slowly, gently, ever farther from the spot where she still stood
+with face concealed and sobbing aloud. It was as if an invisible hand
+continually drew him farther from his mother, ever nearer the door of the
+antechamber. Now he stood close to it, leaned against it, and--was the old
+castle so disjointed, or had the Electoral Prince with sudden touch
+pressed upon the latch?--the door flew open. The Electoral Prince fell
+backward into the antechamber, and, had it not been for the Electress's
+valet, against whom he stumbled, would have fallen to the ground.
+
+"By my faith!" he cried, while he nodded to the lackey, who stood there
+with red face and deep embarrassment of manner--"by my faith! it was a
+piece of good luck for me that you were standing so near the door, my
+friend, else I should probably have had a bad fall. This rickety old
+castle must be repaired. One can not even lean against the doors without
+their flying open!"
+
+He nodded to the lackey, who stood there in confusion, not having at all
+recovered his self-possession, and stepped back into the room. In passing,
+his eye caught that of Leuchtmar, who replied by a nod of assent, stolen
+and significant; then he approached the Electress, who, surprised by this
+sudden and unexpected interlude, had let her hands glide from before her
+face, and now dried her tears.
+
+"I beg my revered mother's pardon for disturbing her so ridiculously," he
+said, seizing her hand and pressing it to his lips. "It was not my fault,
+and only occasioned by the insecure fastening upon the door. It was by a
+right fortunate accident that your grace commanded your valet to station
+himself close to the door of the cabinet, for he thereby saved me from an
+unpleasant fall."
+
+"I did not command the lackey to station himself in your sleeping
+apartment," said the Electress, "and consider it contrary to all rules of
+propriety."
+
+She rapidly crossed the study and opened the door just as the lackey was
+slinking through the one opposite.
+
+"Frederick, come here!" cried the Electress, and with head sunk and
+humbled mien the lackey came a few paces nearer.
+
+"Did I not order you to wait for me in the antechamber, and to forewarn us
+of the approach of any one else?" asked the Electress.
+
+"Your highness," replied the lackey humbly, "I followed your grace's
+orders exactly, and stood here in the antechamber and kept guard, but
+nobody came."
+
+"But this is not the antechamber, you blockhead!" cried the Electress. "It
+is there, without! Go out there and wait!"
+
+
+The lackey made haste to obey the order given him, and the Electress
+turned to the Prince. "I beg you, my son, to pardon the man his
+stupidity," said she; "but he deserves some indulgence in so far as he has
+only been in our service for a short while, and consequently is not well
+acquainted with the plan of the palace. My valet fell sick on the journey
+from Königsberg here, and we were obliged to leave him behind, which was
+so much the more inconvenient as he was our hairdresser besides, and
+understood how to arrange the Elector's hair as well as my own and the
+young ladies'. Count Schwarzenberg heard of it, and by a piece of good
+fortune, was able to spare us one of his valets."
+
+"Oh!" cried the Electoral Prince, smiling. "This fellow, then, has been
+transferred from the Stadtholder's service to that of your grace?"
+
+"Yes, and I must say that he is a very useful and efficient servant, who
+understands all the newest styles of French hairdressing, and is well
+skilled in other ways also. I beg you therefore to excuse him for this
+little mistake."
+
+"He is perfectly excusable," said the Electoral Prince, bowing. "So much
+the more excusable, as it might well happen that he is not yet familiar
+with this castle."
+
+"It is true," cried the Electress, casting her eyes around the room, "it
+does look a little dilapidated and desolate here, and care ought indeed to
+have been taken to refurnish your apartments and give them a more
+comfortable aspect. You know, Frederick, we only expect to tarry here for
+a short time, and think of returning to Prussia very soon, and there I
+shall see myself that you are provided with handsomer and more commodious
+rooms. There I am the princely lady of the house, and everywhere reigning
+duchess, while here, in the resident palace of Berlin, I seem to myself
+only a guest, who has nothing at all to say in the directing of the
+household, but must silently acquiesce in everything. And it _is_ so, too,
+and has come to this pass, that the Stadtholder in the Mark is the only
+ruling lord and commander, and the Elector seems to come here only as the
+Stadtholder's guest."
+
+"The Stadtholder, though, seems at least a right polite and splendid
+host," remarked the Electoral Prince, smiling, "a host who lays himself
+out to attend to the comfort and entertainment--nay, even to the
+wardrobes--of his noble guests."
+
+"Your Electoral Highnesses!" cried an advancing lackey--"your Electoral
+Highnesses, the steward of the household is without, and announces that
+dinner is served, and that the Elector and the young ladies have already
+repaired to the dining hall."
+
+"Then let us go too, my son," said the Electress, offering her hand to the
+Electoral Prince.
+
+"But, most gracious mother, I still have on my traveling suit, and--"
+
+"My son," sighed the Electress, "your traveling suit is so showy and
+elegant that I can only wish that in the future your court dress may
+always be so handsome. Come, give me your arm, and let us hurry, for your
+father does not like to be kept waiting, and is very punctual at
+mealtimes. You, Baron von Leuchtmar, follow us. We herewith invite you to
+be our guest, and to accompany us to table."
+
+The Electress took the Prince's proffered arm, and swept through the door
+held open for her by the lackey. The steward of the household, who had
+awaited them in the antechamber, golden staff in hand, now preceded them,
+the lackeys flew before them to open the doors, and through a suite of
+gloomy, deserted rooms, with old-fashioned, dusty, and half-decayed
+furniture, moved the princely pair, followed by Baron von Leuchtmar,
+behind whom strutted the lackeys at a respectful distance. The Elector
+stood with the two Princesses in the deep recess of the great window, when
+his wife and son entered; he greeted them both with a short nod of the
+head, and, casting a dark, unfriendly glance at Baron von Leuchtmar, who
+was reverentially approaching him, gave his arm to his wife, and led her
+to the two upper places at the oblong table.
+
+"It seems our son can not dispense with his tutor," said he, in a low,
+peevish tone of voice to the Electress. "He brings his tutor to dine with
+us, as if it were a matter of course."
+
+"I beg your pardon, George," whispered the Electress. "I invited the
+baron, whom I found in our son's room. Do me the favor to receive him
+affably. He has bestowed much labor and love upon our son, and has ever
+been a faithful servant to us."
+
+"To you, perhaps, but not to me," muttered the Elector, while he allowed
+himself to sink down in his great, round easychair, thereby giving the
+signal for dinner to commence.
+
+The hours of dinner were usually those in which George William was
+accustomed to dismiss all the cares and anxieties of government, and to
+give himself up with cheerful countenance to harmless conversation with
+his wife and daughters.
+
+At times he even loved to carry on a lively chat with those court
+officials who were present, at the table, or to amuse himself with hearing
+their recital of the events of the day or the gossip of the town. But
+to-day the Elector remained gloomy and taciturn. He left it to his wife to
+lead the conversation, and get from the Electoral Prince accounts of her
+dear relations at the Dutch court. The Prince answered all her questions,
+confining himself meanwhile to the duly necessary, and never
+spontaneously adding anything or entering into any details as to his own
+life and residence at the court of Holland. The Elector continued to
+listen in moody silence, and this reserve on the part of his son seemed to
+put him still more out of humor. His face continually grew darker, and he
+even disdainfully pushed away untasted his favorite dish, a wild boar's
+head, served up with lemons in its mouth, after it had been presented to
+him for the third time.
+
+"You have been beating about the bush long enough now, Electress!" he
+cried warmly. "You have made inquiries after all possible things, except
+the principal matter and person in whom you are at bottom most interested.
+It might have been expected that our Electoral Prince would have begun
+himself, since 'out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.' But
+our young gentleman remains elegantly monosyllabic, and it would seem that
+he is not at all overjoyed upon his return to the poverty-stricken, quiet
+house of his father. It is true, he has lived in much handsomer style at
+the Orange court, lived there, indeed, amid plenty and pleasure--by the
+way, we can sing a little song on that subject, for our son has seen well
+to the outlay, but the payment all fell to the lot of us at home. But now,
+sir, now tell us a little of the petty court at Doornward, of our
+sister-in-law, the widowed Countess of the Palatinate, and finally, what
+I know your mother thinks the principal thing, finally tell us also about
+her beautiful and fascinating daughter, the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine."
+
+The Prince slightly shuddered. At the mention of this name, which he had
+not heard since his departure from The Hague, he could not prevent the
+ebbing of all his heart's blood, and a deadly pallor overspread his
+cheeks. He cast down his eyes, and yet felt that all eyes were turned upon
+him with questioning, curious glances. But this very consciousness
+restored to him his self-possession and composure. Once more he raised his
+head with a vigorous start, shook back into their place the brown locks
+which had fallen down over forehead and cheeks, and met the Elector's
+looks of inquiry with a full, intrepid gaze.
+
+"Most gracious father," he said, with quiet, passionless voice, "very
+little can be said about the petty court of Doornward. Our aunt, the
+Electress of the Palatinate, reflects with sorrow upon the past; the three
+Princesses, her daughters, and their three little brothers, reflect with
+hope upon the future, and of the present therefore but little is to be
+told."
+
+"They must be very beautiful, those Princesses of the Palatinate, are
+they not?" asked the Elector.
+
+"I believe they are," replied the Prince composedly.
+
+"He only believes so!" cried his father. "Just see how they have slandered
+him, for they would have had us believe that he knew exactly, and was
+quite peculiarly edified by the beauty of the Princesses of the
+Palatinate."
+
+"And why should he not have been, your highness?" asked the Electress,
+smiling. "The Princesses of the Palatinate are our own cousins, and it
+seems very natural, surely, that he should have a cordial, cousinly regard
+for them."
+
+"Maybe, Electress!" cried George William, "but it were to be wished that
+it had stopped there! I should like, therefore, to hear something about
+the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine. Is she, indeed, so very fair as report
+represents her to be?"
+
+"Yes," replied the Prince, with husky voice--"yes, she is very fair. Only
+question Leuchtmar on the subject; he can confirm what I say."
+
+"I prefer to question yourself," said the Elector, with inexorable
+cruelty, "and to learn something more concerning your fair cousin from
+your own lips. We have been informed that the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine is a very lively, merry young lady, and that she is by no means
+disinclined to become our daughter-in-law."
+
+"But, my husband," pleaded the Electress in an undertone, "you would not
+speak of such confidential matters in the presence of our court, and--"
+
+"Ah, Electress!" interrupted George William, "these confidential matters
+have been bruited abroad everywhere; the talk has been, not merely here at
+Berlin, but throughout the land, yea, even so far as the imperial court at
+Vienna, that our son meant to surprise us on his return from the
+Netherlands by presenting to us the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine as his
+wife, without applying to us beforehand for our consent. I therefore
+desire that the Electoral Prince answer me openly and candidly, that we
+may all know once and forever how the matter stands, and what we have to
+expect. The good, gossiping city of Berlin, the whole land, even the
+imperial court and the whole world, which seems to interest itself so much
+in the marriage of our Prince, will then soon have an opportunity of
+learning directly and reliably what is the state of affairs, and that is
+exactly what seems to me desirable, and was the motive for our question.
+Therefore, let our son tell us how matters stand between the Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine and himself."
+
+The Electoral Prince sat with downcast eyes. His cheeks were still deadly
+pale, and on his high, broad brow rested a threatening cloud. He put his
+hand around the stem of the large glass goblet before him, and held it so
+firmly that the glass broke with startling clangor and poured its purple
+wine upon the tablecloth. The shrill clinking seemed to rouse him from his
+reverie; with a hasty movement he threw a napkin over the red stain, and
+again raised his eyes, slowly and tranquilly.
+
+"Your Electoral Highnesses desire me to tell you the truth with regard to
+all the reports circulated as to a marriage between the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine and myself," he said. "I will, therefore, as becomes an
+obedient and submissive son, acquaint you with the truth. And the truth is
+this," he continued, with raised voice, while at the same time his cheeks
+became suddenly scarlet and his eyes flashed with the fire of
+inspiration--"the truth is this: the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine is the
+prettiest, sweetest woman in the whole world; happy and enviable is the
+man whose fortunate destiny will permit him to take her home as his bride,
+blessed above all men he on whom this noble, fascinating, and amiable
+girl bestows her love, whom she allows to enjoy the treasures of her mind
+and heart. Your highness said that the Princess Hollandine was not ill
+inclined to become your daughter-in-law. On that point I can give you no
+information, for I perceived nothing of this inclination; but this I can
+and must confess, that _I_ experienced the most glowing desire to make
+the Princess your daughter-in-law; this I must confess, that I have loved
+the beautiful, witty, and charming Princess Hollandine with my whole soul
+and from the very depths of my heart. But never would I have ventured to
+make the noble Princess my wife in opposition to your will, father; and
+since I must admit that a union with her is not in accordance with your
+wishes, and that it is opposed by policy and state reasons, I have
+obediently submitted to your orders, and brought to you and my country the
+greatest and holiest of sacrifices that a man can offer: I have sacrificed
+my love to you, father! It has indeed been a bitter struggle with me, and
+I do not deny that I yet suffer, but I shall conquer my pain; yet that I
+can ever forget the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, I can not promise, for
+he who has truly loved never forgets. You have desired me to acquaint you
+with the truth, father, now you know it. Let it now he blazoned forth
+through all Berlin, through the whole country, even as far as the imperial
+court of Vienna, and through the whole world. The Princess Ludovicka also
+will then hear of it, and the report of this confession of my love will
+reach her. But let rumor announce this one thing more to the Emperor, to
+our country, and to her: that, while the Electoral Prince Frederick
+William of Brandenburg could, indeed, give up a marriage with a Princess
+whom he loved, out of respect and obedience to his father, he never will
+take as his wife a princess whom he does not love, out of obedience and
+respect; that the Electoral Prince thinks himself much too young and
+inexperienced to marry, and that he most humbly implores his father to
+spare him the consideration of all matrimonial projects for long years to
+come, since he is firmly determined not to marry yet, and this, indeed,
+not out of any refractoriness toward his father, nor out of any want of
+veneration for the princesses who might be proposed to him, but merely
+because his heart has received a sore wound, and because this must first
+heal. But I do not reproach the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine with having
+inflicted this wound. On the contrary, I speak it aloud, and may my speech
+penetrate to her ears as a parting salutation: Blessed be the Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine of the Palatinate, and may God send her the happiness
+she deserves so richly by her beauty, intellect, and goodness of heart!"
+
+And, carried away by his own warmth and enthusiasm, forgetting all sense
+of restraint in this moment of highest excitement, Frederick William
+jumped up from his seat, took up in his hand the unbroken cup of the glass
+whose foot he had smashed, and filled it to the brim with wine.
+
+"Most gracious mother!" he cried, "look here! the base of this goblet is
+broken off, and an apt symbol it is of my love. With the last wine which
+this glass will ever hold let me drink a last farewell to my love, and do
+you pledge her with me: To the health of the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine
+of the Palatinate!"
+
+The Electress had listened to her son with tears in her eyes, and the two
+Princesses also had been deeply moved by the vehement and painful recital
+of their brother's love. Now, upon his invitation, spoken with so much
+ardor and enthusiasm, the Electress rose from her seat and took her glass
+in her hand; the Princesses followed her example.
+
+"To the health of the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine of the Palatinate!"
+said the Electress, with full, distinct voice, and the young ladies
+repeated it after her.
+
+"Here is to her health!" cried Frederick William, with animated features
+and beaming eyes. "May she be great, happy, and blessed forever!"
+
+At one draught he emptied the chalice, then, in the fervor of the moment,
+forgetting all discretion, he threw the glass backward over his shoulder
+into the hall, so that it fell, with a crash, shivered to atoms, upon the
+floor.
+
+The Elector rose, his face flushed with passion, and violently rolled his
+chair back from the table. "Dinner is over," he said. "May this meal be
+blessed to all!"
+
+The court officials bowed low and withdrew. Herr von Leuchtmar also made a
+motion as if to go, but George William's call detained him. "Come here,"
+he said imperiously; "I have still a couple of words to speak with you.
+Just tell me, Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun, is it you who have taught the
+Electoral Prince such singular manners, or are those the fine fashions
+which he has been used to at the Orange court? Is it the custom there to
+make scandal at table, and to throw glasses behind them?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," replied Leuchtmar hesitatingly, "I do not
+know--"
+
+"Permit me, most gracious father," interposed the Electoral Prince, while
+he most respectfully drew near to his father--"permit me to answer you on
+that point myself. No, it is not the fashion to behave so strangely at the
+Netherland court, and God forbid that my former tutor, Baron von
+Leuchtmar, should have taught me such ill manners. It was only my heart,
+which for the moment was stronger than any form or fashion, and I pray you
+to forgive it, for henceforth it shall be right good and quiet, and not
+even cause it to be remarked that it still beats."
+
+The Elector only answered by a silent nod of the head, and then turned
+again to the baron.
+
+"Leuchtmar," he said, "I have now a few words to address to you, and, had
+you not appeared here to-day, I should have been obliged to have had you
+summoned to-morrow to tell you what I have to say. You have brought the
+Electoral Prince back to us, a young gentleman, who has outgrown the
+schoolroom and needs no tutor; let life then receive him into its school
+and play the tutor for him. But he has outgrown you and your protection,
+and your office is herewith at an end. I might wish, indeed, to retain you
+still near the person of my son, and so I could have done if the Electoral
+Prince had married, and we had set up a princely establishment for him, as
+would have become his rank. But the Electoral Prince's distinct
+declaration that he will not marry for some years, even if we should
+desire it, is welcome to us in so far as we shall not have to give him a
+separate household, which would have been rather hard upon us in these
+times of sore embarrassment. The Electoral Prince will therefore reside at
+our court, simply and quietly as we ourselves, and we can not provide him
+separate attendants. Therefore, you are honorably dismissed from your
+office, and it will suit us no longer to confine you to our household. You
+are free to seek another master, another office, and we herewith dismiss
+you forever from our service. It will not, indeed, be difficult for you to
+find another service, and, since you are so well disposed to the Swedes,
+you would do best to repair to The Hague, or, indeed, to Sweden itself."
+
+"If Baron von Leuchtmar will do that," exclaimed the Electress, "he shall
+not want for recommendations from me, and my uncle the Stadtholder will
+surely esteem it a privilege to receive into his service a man so
+pre-eminently wise, learned, and trustworthy as Baron von Leuchtmar. I
+will at any time write on the subject to the Stadtholder of Holland, and
+tell him what a debt of gratitude we owe you, and how little able we are
+to requite you. We shall further entreat him to do what is, alas!
+impossible for us--to give you a good, honorable, and lucrative position
+for the whole of your life."
+
+"I thank your highness out of a sincere soul for so great a favor," softly
+replied Leuchtmar. "Meanwhile I do not intend to go into any other
+service, but to content myself with quiet retirement in the bosom of my
+own family."
+
+"Do just as you choose," said the Elector, "and may good fortune attend
+you everywhere. Electress, give me your arm, and let us withdraw to our
+own apartments. And _he_, our son, will doubtless, first of all, have to
+take a most touching and tearful farewell of Leuchtmar, and sing a
+mournful ditty about the cruel father who would take away from him his
+nurse--that is to say, his tutor."
+
+"No, most gracious father," cried the Electoral Prince, laughing, "I shall
+sing no mournful ditty, but cheerfully second your decision. It is quite
+fine to have no longer a tutor at one's side, for it makes one feel as if
+he were indeed a grown-up man, no more in need of a governor; and as to
+that touching and tearful parting, that is by no means called for. Herr
+von Leuchtmar and I have had some hot disputes lately on the subject of
+noble politics. He was too much of a Swede for me, I too much of an
+Imperialist for him, and those two things accord not well together, as you
+know yourself. Meanwhile, farewell, Baron von Leuchtmar, and for all the
+good you have done me accept my best thanks! And now a last embrace, and
+then God go with you, Herr von Leuchtmar!"
+
+He flung his arms around Leuchtmar's neck, and pressed him closely to his
+heart. "Farewell, my dear friend," he whispered, "farewell; we shall meet
+again!"
+
+
+"We shall meet again, my Brutus," said Leuchtmar, quite softly, and laid
+his hand upon the Prince's brow, blessing him.
+
+Frederick William felt the tears gush from his heart to his eyes, and with
+a brusque movement repelled the baron. "Farewell!" he repeated hoarsely,
+then hurried with quick steps through the dining hall to the door.
+
+"Frederick William, come with us!" cried the Elector, but the Prince did
+not or would not hear his call. He hurried through the antechamber and the
+long corridor, and when he had gained the solitude of his own gloomy
+apartments, and not until then, rang forth from his breast the long
+restrained scream of agony, streamed from his eyes the long-restrained
+tears. He sank down upon the old creaking armchair and wept bitterly.
+
+
+
+
+VI.--REBECCA.
+
+
+"Well, Master Gabriel Nietzel, here you are," said Count Schwarzenberg,
+greeting the painter, who had just entered, with a gracious nod. "And it
+must be granted that you are a very punctual man, for I agreed to meet you
+here at Spandow by twelve o'clock, and only hear, the clock is just now
+striking the hour."
+
+"Most gracious sir, that comes from my already having stood an hour before
+the gates of your palace, waiting for the blessed moment to arrive when I
+might enter. I have been gazing this whole hour up at the dialplate of the
+steeple clock, and it seemed to me as if an eternity of torture would
+elapse while the great hour hand slowly, oh, so slowly, made its circuit
+of sixty minutes."
+
+"You are a queer creature!" cried Count Schwarzenberg, shrugging his
+shoulders. "Romantic as a young girl, full of virtuous desires, and yet
+not at all loath to commit certain delicate little crimes, and to pass off
+copies for originals, and that not merely pictures on canvas, but pictures
+in flesh and blood as well. For what else is your Rebecca but the copy of
+a respectable, decent matron, whom you thought to smuggle in as an
+original, while in reality she is nothing but a copy."
+
+"In the eyes of the law and the Stadtholder perhaps, but not in the eyes
+of God and of him who loves her more than his life and his eternal
+salvation, for he is ready, in order to possess her, to renounce even his
+honor and his peace of conscience. Oh, your excellency, be pitiful now and
+let me see my Rebecca. You have given me your word, and you will not be so
+cruel as to break your promise."
+
+"I promised you nothing further than that I would intrust certain damaged
+pictures to you for repairing, and that I would show you a picture which
+might perhaps be familiar to you--that was all. I shall perform my
+promise, and that immediately. But first, just tell me how you are
+progressing with the painting I ordered of you. Perhaps you have already
+with you some sketch of it? It would be peculiarly pleasant to me, for on
+the day after to-morrow I give a _fête_ in my palace at Berlin, and it
+would be quite opportune if I could then lay the sketch before the dear
+Electoral Prince, who is to honor the _fête_ with his presence. He is a
+connoisseur, and interests himself greatly in such things. Say, then, how
+comes on your sketch, and can it be completed by that time?"
+
+"It can, noble sir! But it is not possible for me to speak about that now,
+for my thoughts are wandering and my heart beats as though 'twere like to
+burst. If I am to become a reasonable man once more, let me--first of
+all--"
+
+"See the picture which I promised to show you?" interposed the count.
+"Well, then, you shall see it, Master Gabriel Nietzel. Remember, though,
+that I only show it to you on condition that you examine it in silence. So
+soon as you shall venture to speak to it, it vanishes, and you see it
+never more. One has to prescribe strict regulations to you, for you are
+such an odd fellow, freely entertaining bad thoughts, but shrinking from
+bad deeds like an innocent child. But you shall prove to me by deeds that
+you are in earnest about making amends for your crime against _me_, the
+world, the laws, and the Church. Only when you have done the right thing
+shall you again obtain your beloved and your child, and may depart
+unhindered from this country. Mark that, Master Nietzel; and now come.
+Follow me to my picture gallery."
+
+He nodded smilingly to the painter, and led the way out of the cabinet and
+through a suite of magnificent apartments. At the end of these they
+entered a spacious, lofty hall, whose walls were hung with great paintings.
+
+"This is my picture gallery," said the count on entering; "now look and be
+silent!"
+
+Gabriel Nietzel remained standing near the door, and leaned against one of
+its pillars. He could proceed no farther, his knees shook so, and all the
+blood in his body seemed to concentrate in head and heart. He shut his
+eyes, for it seemed to him that he must expire that very moment. But
+finally, by a mighty effort of will, he conquered this passionate emotion,
+slowly opened his eyes, and ventured to cast a weary, wandering glance
+through the hall. How wonderfully solemn this broad, handsome room seemed
+to him, and how devout and prayerful was his mind! A mild, clear light
+fell from the glass cupola above, which alone illuminated the hall, and
+displayed the pictures on the walls to the best advantage. In the middle
+of the room, beside the splendid porphyry vase standing there upon its
+gilded pedestal, leaned the tall, athletic form of Count Schwarzenberg,
+casting a long, dark shadow upon the shining surface of the inlaid floor.
+Gabriel Nietzel saw all this, and yet he felt as if he were dreaming, and
+that all would vanish so soon as he should venture to move or step
+forward. The count's voice aroused him from his stupefaction.
+
+"Now, Master Nietzel, come here, for from this point you can best survey
+the pictures, and judge of their merits."
+
+Nietzel advanced with long strides, breathless from expectation, blissful
+in hope. Now he stood at the count's side, and lifted his eyes to the
+pictures. With one rapid glance he swept the whole wall. Paintings,
+beautiful, costly paintings, but what cared he for _them_? Glorious in the
+pomp of coloring, and perfect in their truth to nature, they looked down
+upon him out of their broad gilt frames, but he had no senses for _them_.
+His eyes fastened again and again upon that broad, massive gold frame
+which hung opposite him in the center of the wall. The painting which this
+frame inclosed could not be seen, for it was hidden from view by the green
+silk drapery hanging before it, and at the side of the frame was suspended
+a string. Gabriel Nietzel saw nothing of the paintings, he only saw the
+green curtain, only the string which kept it fast. His whole soul spoke in
+the glance which he directed to them.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg intercepted this glance and smiled.
+
+"You are certainly thinking of Raphael's exquisite Madonna," he said, "and
+because that is always seen from the midst of a green curtain, you
+suppose, probably, that behind this curtain must also be concealed a
+Madonna and Child. Well, we shall see some day. Stay in your place, stir
+not, speak not, and perhaps a miracle will take place, and you shall
+behold _una Madonna col Bambino_ of flesh and blood. But silence, man, for
+you well know how it is with treasure diggers: as soon as you speak, the
+treasure vanishes. Now, then, look and stand still!"
+
+
+He stepped across to the wall and grasped the string. The curtain flew
+back and--there she stood, the Madonna with the Child in her arms, so
+beautiful, so instinct with life and warmth, as only nature has ever
+painted and art imitated from nature. There she stood with that richly
+tinted olive complexion, with those transparent, softly reddened cheeks,
+with those full crimson lips, with those large black eyes at once full of
+mildness and fire, and with that broad and noble brow full of depth of
+thought and yet full of repose. And in her arms that sweet child, that
+vigorous boy so full of life, loosely clad in his little white shirt, that
+left bare his plump arms and firm legs. Roses were on his cheeks, dimples
+in his chin, and in the great black eyes lay the deep, earnest look, full
+of innocence and wisdom, that is sometimes peculiar to children.
+
+The painter had sunk upon his knees, stretching out both arms to the
+picture, and from his eyes the tears flowed in clear streams over his
+cheeks. But indignantly he shook them away, for they prevented him from
+seeing the Madonna, _his_ Madonna. Prayers he murmured up to her, prayers
+of love and confidence, supplications for steadfastness in danger, for
+courageous perseverance during separation. But he ventured not to address
+them audibly to the beloved Madonna, for he knew that a mere word would
+have snatched her away from him.
+
+And she, she knew it too, and therefore she also was silent. Only with her
+eyes she spoke to him, and the tears which flowed from her eyes gave
+eloquent reply to his. Thus they looked at one another, at once full of
+bliss and pain. The child, which until now had sat quiet upon its mother's
+arm, silent and as if in deep thought, suddenly began to move. Its large
+eyes were fixed upon the man who lay there on his knees, and, whether it
+were the result of an involuntary movement or the instinct of love, it
+spread out its arms and smiled.
+
+"My child, my darling child!" screamed Gabriel Nietzel, springing from his
+knees and rushing forward with outstretched arms. But the frame with its
+living picture hung too high--his arms could not reach it, his lips could
+not touch that smiling, childish mouth to press upon it a father's kiss of
+blessing and seal of love. "My child!" he cried again, and now, since love
+had once opened his lips, silence could no longer be maintained.
+
+"Rebecca, my beloved," he cried.
+
+"Gabriel, my beloved," sounded down.
+
+"You have broken your word!" cried Count Schwarzenberg angrily, and he
+vehemently drew the string, so that the green curtain hastily rustled
+together. But it was in vain. A rounded, powerful female arm thrust it
+back, and now it was no more a Madonna with her Child who looked forth
+from the green curtain, but a glowing creature, a wife flaming with
+indignation and love, with defiance and grief.
+
+"Nobody shall hinder me from looking at you, from speaking to you!" she
+cried. "I _will_ see you, Gabriel. I _will_ tell you, that I love you and
+am true to you. I _will_ tell you that I would rather go barefoot through
+the world, begging with you and the child, than to live longer in this
+count's grand castle, amid splendor, without you. Gabriel, rescue me from
+this place; do all that they require of you, only take me away from here."
+
+"Rebecca, I will rescue you, for I can not live without you--without you
+the world is a desert to me. You are my sun and the light of my life."
+
+"Gabriel, release me, while yet there is time. They will make a Christian
+of me, and I shall renounce my faith and my salvation, in order to be with
+you again, but afterward I shall die of repentance."
+
+"Rebecca, I shall release you, and I too am ready to renounce my salvation
+in order to be with you. But I will not die of repentance, for I shall
+have you again, and when I look upon you and the child I shall feel no
+repentance."
+
+"Gabriel, release me, give back to me my happiness, my home, my family.
+For you are all that to me, and without you the world is a desert."
+
+"Without you the world is a wilderness, Rebecca. Swear to me that you love
+me!"
+
+"I swear to you, by the God of my fathers, that I love you!"
+
+"And would you love me if the whole world despised me?"
+
+"What matters the world to me? Would I still love you? I would love you
+more fervently yet if all the world despised you, for then you would be
+like me. They despise me too, and turn away contemptuously from me, and
+yet I have done nothing bad."
+
+"Would you love me, Rebecca, even if I had committed a crime?"
+
+"What do men call crime? Do they not say that you commit a crime in loving
+me? Would they not say, too, that the priest who blessed our union was a
+criminal? Be whatever you may, do what you will, I shall love you still.
+Your soul is my soul, and my heart is your heart. Release me, Gabriel,
+release me!"
+
+"I will release you, Rebecca; in four days you shall be free, and we shall
+journey away from here, and return to Italy, never to leave it again."
+
+"To Italy!" rejoiced she--"to my home! Oh, my Gabriel, I shall not merely
+love you, I shall worship you--you will be to me the Saviour, the Messiah,
+in whom my people have hoped so long! I--"
+
+"Now that is enough," cried Count Schwarzenberg, who had been silent
+hitherto, because he felt well how much Rebecca's words forwarded his own
+plans. "Now that is enough of refractoriness! Come, Gabriel Nietzel, and
+you, Rebecca, step back, or I shall have your child taken away, and you
+shall never see it again!"
+
+"Go, Rebecca, go!" cried Gabriel Nietzel cheerfully. "You remain with me,
+even if you go, and I shall still see and speak to you when I am far from
+you. Four days only, and then we shall be reunited!"
+
+"I am going, Gabriel! I shall spend all these four days praying for you--to
+your and my God!"
+
+"Sir Count!" cried Nietzel in cheerful tones--"Sir Count, let us now
+return to your cabinet. I have something important to communicate to you."
+
+He cast not another look up at the curtain; he had no longer any sense of
+pain in her disappearance, but this was his one absorbing thought, that in
+four days he would again embrace his Rebecca, and that it lay in the power
+of his own hands to deserve her. With firm steps he followed the count,
+who now again led him out of the hall and into his cabinet.
+
+
+"Well, speak, Master Gabriel!" cried the count; "what have you to say to
+me?"
+
+Nietzel drew a paper from his breast pocket, and handed it to the count.
+"See, your excellency, here is the sketch of the painting I am to make for
+you."
+
+"Truly, a precious sketch," said Schwarzenberg, examining the paper
+attentively. "That looks like a Holy Supper."
+
+"It is no Holy Supper, but a very unholy dinner."
+
+"In the middle of the table I see sitting a man and a youth. The man wears
+a crown upon his head and the youth wears a princely coronet."
+
+"It is the Elector and the Electoral Prince," explained Gabriel Nietzel.
+
+"Yes, indeed, the portraits are theirs. And beside them sits the
+Electress, and beside her I see myself, and quite gorgeously have you
+dressed me, with a princely ermined mantle about my shoulders and a
+prince's diadem upon my brow. But what is that which I hold in my hand and
+offer to the Electress?"
+
+"It is a lachrymatory, your excellency."
+
+"And yet the Electress smiles, Sir Painter."
+
+"She takes the lachrymatory for a golden vase, which your excellency is
+presenting to her as a present."
+
+"You are witty, it seems, Master Gabriel," said the count sharply. "But
+that your portraits are good must be admitted, and your sketch is
+altogether charming. Only you have sketched for me there a joyous
+festival, and, if I remember rightly, I ordered of you a picture which
+should represent the death of Julius Cæsar, or some such murderous
+occasion. But I see no dagger and no murderer in this sketch."
+
+"Only look at that man standing behind the Electoral Prince."
+
+"Ah, I see him now. Why, master, that is your own likeness!"
+
+"Yes, your excellency, my own likeness. You grant me your permission,
+then, to appear at the feast?"
+
+"Why not? Paul Veronese, too, has introduced his own portrait among those
+of his banqueters. What is your image there handing to the Electoral
+Prince in that basket?"
+
+"A piece of white bread, most gracious sir, nothing more."
+
+"Ah, a piece of white bread! You have become, it seems, the young
+Electoral Prince's lackey, have laid your character as artist upon the
+shelf, and become body page to the gracious Prince?"
+
+"It seems so, most gracious sir," replied Nietzel with solemn voice. "But
+see here, the truth lies on this page."
+
+And he handed the count a second sheet of paper.
+
+"What do I see? Something seems to have disturbed the banquet."
+
+"Yes, your excellency, very greatly disturbed it. Do you still see the man
+who stood behind the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"No, I see him nowhere."
+
+"He has fled, your excellency. He is the murderer of the Electoral Prince,
+who is borne out senseless."
+
+"Of the Electoral Prince? Conrad the Third, you mean! For was it not the
+murder of the last of the Hohenstaufens which you promised me?"
+
+"Yes, your excellency, and I will perform my promise if the sketch pleases
+you."
+
+"It pleases me very much, and it suits me perfectly," replied the count,
+whose glance remained ever directed to the two sketches. "Yes, yes," he
+continued slowly, "I understand, and the design has my approval, for it is
+simple and natural. You have your plan complete in your head?"
+
+"Quite complete, your excellency."
+
+"Then it is not necessary to talk any more about it, or to preserve the
+sketches," said the count, slowly tearing the two papers into little bits.
+
+"You are right, count, it is not necessary to preserve the sketches, since
+I soon expect to carry them out on a large scale. But we have something
+else to talk about, your excellency."
+
+Schwarzenberg looked in amazement at the painter, whose voice had now lost
+its reverential expression, and was very firm and determined.
+
+"We have only to speak upon such subjects as I may choose, master," he
+said haughtily.
+
+"No, Sir Count," retorted Nietzel decidedly; "but we have to speak about
+what follows the completion of my painting. We must speak of _that_, even
+should it not please your excellency. On Sunday your banquet takes place;
+on that day I should like to set off for Italy with my wife and child,
+and leave Germany forever."
+
+"Do so, Master Nietzel, I strongly advise you to do so."
+
+"Will your excellency condescend to assist me thereto?"
+
+"Joyfully, from the bottom of my heart, my dear Nietzel. You would travel
+to Italy. First of all you want funds for your journey, I suppose. Here,
+Master Nietzel, here I transmit to you a pocketbook containing twelve
+hundred dollars--your pension, which I pay you in advance for two years."
+
+"I thank your excellency," said Gabriel, taking the pocketbook. "The
+principal thing, though, is, how am I to get at my wife and child? Am I to
+come here to fetch them away?"
+
+"Not so, Master Nietzel. I shall send Rebecca and the child to you at your
+lodgings in Berlin."
+
+"Before or after the banquet?"
+
+"After the banquet, of course."
+
+"But if you do not do so, your excellency. If you should forget your
+promise to poor Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"Ah! you mistrust me, do you, Mr. Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"Do you not mistrust me, too, Sir Count? Have you not taken my Rebecca and
+my child as pledges for my keeping my word? Have you not deprived me of
+what is most precious to me in this world, not to be restored until I have
+fulfilled my oath to you? But what pledge have I that you will keep your
+word, and what means have I for forcing you to fulfill your oath to me?"
+
+"You have my word as security--the word of a nobleman, who has never yet
+forfeited his pledge," said Count Schwarzenberg solemnly. "I swear to you
+that on the day of the banquet your Rebecca and your child shall be at
+your lodgings in Berlin, and that you will find them there on your return
+from the banquet. I swear this by the Holy Virgin Mary and by Jesus Christ
+the only-begotten Son, and in affirmation of my solemn oath I lay my right
+hand here upon this crucifix."
+
+The count strode across to his escritoire, and laid his hand upon the
+crucifix of alabaster and gold, which stood upon it. "I swear and vow," he
+cried, "that next Sunday I shall send to Gabriel Nietzel's lodging his
+Rebecca and her child, and that he shall find them there when he returns
+from the banquet. Are you content now, Master Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"I am content, Sir Count. Farewell! And God grant that we may never meet
+again on earth!"
+
+He greeted the count with a passing inclination of his head, and left the
+apartment without waiting for his dismissal.
+
+
+
+
+VII.--THE OFFER.
+
+
+"And now," murmured Gabriel Nietzel to himself, as he stepped out upon the
+street--"now for work, without hesitancy and without delay, for there is
+no other way of escaping from that cruel tiger who has me in his clutches.
+He is athirst for blood, and I must sacrifice to him the blood of another
+man in order to save that of my wife and child! But, woe to him, woe, if
+he does not keep his word, if he acts the part of traitor toward me! But I
+will not think of that, I dare not think of it, for I have need of all my
+presence of mind in order to prepare everything. First, I must speak to
+the Electoral Prince; that is the most important thing."
+
+He went back to Berlin, and repaired forthwith to the palace. The
+Electoral Prince was at home, and the lackey who had announced the court
+painter Gabriel Nietzel now reverentially opened for him the door of the
+princely apartment.
+
+"Well, here you are, my dear Gabriel," cried the Electoral Prince affably.
+"Welcome, to receive my thanks for the zeal and dispatch with which you
+attended to the removal of my effects. Truly you merit praise, for I am
+told that you arrived in Berlin before me. We had contrary winds, it is
+true, and had to lie at anchor before Cuxhaven for fourteen days. Well,
+say, master, how are you pleased with Berlin?"
+
+"Very well, your highness," replied Nietzel gloomily, looking into the
+pale, sad countenance of the Electoral Prince with a glance full of
+strange meaning.
+
+"Why do you look so inquiringly at me, master?" asked the Prince restively.
+
+"Pardon me, most gracious sir, I will not do so again," said Gabriel,
+casting down his eyes. "I have something to say to your highness, and I
+would fain gather the needed courage therefore from your countenance."
+
+"Do so then, master, look at me and speak."
+
+"Step into the middle of the room, gracious sir, and permit me to come
+close to you; then I will speak, for I shall know then that no one can
+overhear us."
+
+The Electoral Prince did as Gabriel requested. The latter stepped close up
+to his side. "Most gracious sir," said he, "have you confidence in me?"
+
+"Yes, Gabriel Nietzel, I have confidence in you."
+
+"Then hear what I have to tell you. Ask no questions, require no
+intelligence and explanations. Hear my warning, and act accordingly. Count
+Schwarzenberg plots against your life!"
+
+"Do you believe that?" said the Electoral Prince, smiling.
+
+"He has invited you to a feast, which is to take place on Sunday. At that
+feast you are to be poisoned."
+
+The Electoral Prince started, and a transient flush gleamed upon his
+cheeks. "Whence know you that, Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"I beseech you ask me no questions, but believe me. Will your highness do
+so?--dare I speak further?"
+
+"Well, I will believe you. Speak further, Master Gabriel."
+
+"I told you thus much, that you were to be poisoned at Count Adam von
+Schwarzenberg's banquet. The count's valet has been bribed by him; he will
+have the honor of waiting upon you at the feast, and he will therefore
+present to you all you eat or drink, even down to the bread. Do not accept
+them from him, your highness, especially the bread."
+
+"I shall at least eat nothing, Gabriel Nietzel."
+
+"When he sees that, he will offer you some fruit or viand which will prove
+hurtful to you. The count's valet must not stand behind your seat, that is
+the principal thing; another must take his place, another, on whose
+fidelity you may rely."
+
+"Who is that other? Where is the man to be found in these parts on whose
+fidelity I may rely?"
+
+"You may rely upon me, Prince. I will stand behind your chair, I will wait
+upon you at Count Schwarzenberg's feast."
+
+"You, Gabriel Nietzel, you?" asked Frederick William, and his eyes were
+fixed upon the painter with a long glance of inquiry. Gabriel Nietzel
+sustained this glance, and succeeded in forcing a smile upon his lips.
+
+"I will be your valet at the feast. I will stand behind your chair and
+wait upon you."
+
+"Impossible, Gabriel. How could we manage that without insulting the
+count?"
+
+"Very simply, your highness. Have the kindness to say that you brought me
+with you, in order that I might make for you a painting of the banquet,
+and to that end sketch the outlines, and that, to furnish a pretext for my
+presence, you have allowed me to appear as your page."
+
+"It is true, that will suit! You have weighed all excellently, Gabriel
+Nietzel, and your plan is good."
+
+"And you accept it, gracious sir, do you not, you accept it?"
+
+Frederick William was silent, and his large, deep-blue eyes were again
+fixed testingly and questioningly upon the painter's countenance. After a
+long pause he slowly laid his hand upon Gabriel's shoulder, and his looks
+brightened.
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel," he said solemnly, "I will have confidence in you, I
+will assume that God sends you to me to save me; I will _not_ assume that
+Count Schwarzenberg sends you to me to ruin me. You shall accompany me to
+the feast and stand behind my chair as page."
+
+Gabriel Nietzel only answered by the tears, which in clear streams gushed
+from his eyes. "Oh, you weep," cried the Electoral Prince. "Now I see well
+that you mean honestly, and that I can trust you, for your tears speak for
+you."
+
+Just then the lackey opened the door of the antechamber and announced,
+"The commandant of Küstrin, Colonel von Burgsdorf, wishes to pay his
+respects!"
+
+"Let him wait an instant; I will summon him directly."
+
+"Most gracious sir," murmured Nietzel, when the door had again closed,
+"dismiss me in the colonel's presence, and immediately, that the spies may
+not have it to say that there has been to-day a meeting, of Count
+Schwarzenberg's enemies here."
+
+"Are there spies here too, Gabriel?"
+
+"Everywhere, sir, each of your servants is bribed, and you must suspect
+them. Dismiss me, sir, dismiss me."
+
+The Electoral Prince went to the door and opened it.
+
+"Colonel von Burgsdorf, come in!"
+
+"Here I am, most gracious sir, here I am!" cried Burgsdorf's rough voice,
+and with clashing sword and glittering corselet Conrad von Burgsdorf
+entered the room. The Electoral Prince nodded to him, and then turned to
+the painter, who humbly and with lowered head had crept away toward the
+door. "Master Nietzel," he said, with a condescending wave of the hand,
+"go now, and be careful to carry out my instructions. I will request my
+mother to do me the kindness to sit to you every day for her portrait,
+which you are to paint for me. Make all your preparations, and come early
+to-morrow morning with the canvas stretched."
+
+"Your highness's commands shall be punctually executed," said Gabriel
+Nietzel, and, after reverentially bowing, he left the room.
+
+"And now for you, my dear Burgsdorf!" cried the Electoral Prince,
+advancing a few paces to meet the colonel, and kindly offering him his
+hand. "You are heartily welcome, and let me hope that I, too, am welcome
+to you and your friends."
+
+"Your highness, you are more than welcome to us--you have been longed for
+by us, and we thank God from the depths of our souls that he has finally
+given you back to us. All had already abandoned hope of your return to us.
+All really believed that you would forsake us in our wretchedness and
+want, and would never more return to the unhappy Mark of Brandenburg. But
+here you are at last, my dearest young sir, and blessed be your coming and
+your staying."
+
+"I thank you, colonel, thank you with my whole heart for your good
+wishes," said Frederick William kindly; "and trust me, my dear colonel, I
+know how to treasure them, and will never forget you for these. You are
+one of the faithful ones, on whom our house can count in evil as in good
+days, and on whom an Elector of Brandenburg would never call in vain, if
+he had need of him."
+
+"Call upon us, most gracious sir," said the colonel briskly and
+joyfully--"call all your faithful ones, and you shall see they will all
+come, for they are only waiting for your summons."
+
+The Electoral Prince smilingly shook his head. "I am not the Elector of
+Brandenburg, and I have not the right to summon you."
+
+"You shall and must be Elector of Brandenburg, and that you may be so, you
+must gather your faithful ones around you."
+
+"I do not understand you," said the Electoral Prince slowly. "Whether I
+will ever be Elector of Brandenburg, God only can decide, for in his hands
+lies my father's life as well as my own. May the day be far distant when I
+enter upon the succession--may my venerated father for long years to come
+rule his land in peace and tranquillity. I long not to grasp the reins of
+government, for I know very well that I am yet much too young to guide
+them with wisdom and prudence."
+
+"You will not understand me, your highness," cried the colonel
+impatiently, and his red swollen face glowed with a brighter hue. "But I
+must still try to make you understand, for to that very end have I been
+sent hither by your friends; they have chosen me as spokesman for them
+all, and therefore I must speak, if your highness will grant me leave so
+to do."
+
+"Speak, my dear colonel, speak, and may God enlighten my heart, that I may
+rightly understand you! Let us sit down, colonel, and now let us hear what
+is the matter."
+
+"This is the matter, your highness, the Mark of Brandenburg is lost to
+you, if you do not seize it now with swift, determined hand. You do not
+believe me, sir; you shake your head incredulously and smile. Ah! I see
+plainly, that you have been suffered to remain in great darkness as
+regards the situation of affairs here, and you know very little of our
+sufferings and our distresses. You know not that poverty and want prevail
+throughout the whole land; that the peasant, the burgher, the nobleman,
+all classes of the people, in short, are equally oppressed; that trade and
+commerce lie prostrate; and the aim of each one is only how he may prolong
+a wretched existence from day to day."
+
+"Nevertheless, my dear colonel, I know that. I saw enough solitary, ruined
+villages, waste and empty towns, uncultivated and ravaged fields on my
+journey hither to prove to me what the poor inhabitants of the Mark have
+had to suffer in these evil days of war."
+
+"Have had to suffer, says your highness?" cried Burgsdorf impatiently;
+"they still suffer continuously, and their suffering will be without
+cessation or end if your highness does not take pity upon the poor people,
+upon us all."
+
+"I?" asked Frederick William, astonished. "What then can I do?"
+
+"You can do everything, my Prince, everything, and in the name of your
+future country, in the name of your subjects, I beseech you to do so. The
+Mark Brandenburg stands upon the brink of a precipice. Save it, Electoral
+Prince. The religion, policy, and independence of Brandenburg are in
+danger; take your sword in hand and save her. Speak three words, three
+little insignificant words, and all the noblemen in the Mark will rally
+exultingly about you, and the people will flock to you in crowds, and make
+you so mighty and so strong that you need only to will and your will shall
+be executed."
+
+"What three words are those, Sir Colonel von Burgsdorf?"
+
+"Those three words, your highness, which the people shouted up at the
+palace window yesterday, when you got home. The three words, 'Down with
+him!'"
+
+"Down with _him_," repeated the Electoral Prince. "And who is this _him_?"
+
+"It is Count Schwarzenberg, your highness--it is the minister who rules
+here in the Mark as if it were his own property, and as if he were not
+your father's Stadtholder, but the reigning Prince, who had obtained the
+Mark as a fief from the Emperor of Germany, to whom alone he were
+responsible. Look about you, Frederick William, look at these poor,
+wretched apartments, in which you live--look at the decay of the princely
+house, the embarrassments with which your father has to contend, and the
+privations which your mother and sisters have to undergo. And then,
+Prince, then look across at Broad Street, at Count Schwarzenberg's
+palace. There all is glory and splendor, there are to be seen lackeys in
+golden liveries, costly equipages, handsomely furnished halls. They
+practice wanton luxury, they live amid pomp and pleasure, arrange
+magnificent hunts and splendid entertainments, while the people cry out
+for hunger. They make merry in Count Schwarzenberg's palace, and while the
+burgher, whose last cent he has seized for the payment of taxes and
+imposts, creeps about in rags, _he_ struts by in velvet clothes, decked
+out with gold and precious stones, and laughingly boasts that half the
+Mark of Brandenburg might be bought at the price of one of his court
+suits. Most gracious Prince, yesterday the steward of your father, with
+the Electoral consent, brought out the velvet caps which had been kept in
+the Electoral wardrobe, took off the genuine silver lace with which they
+were trimmed, and sold it to the Jews, in order to pay the servants their
+month's wages,[24] and the count's servants yesterday received new
+liveries, so thickly set with gold lace that the scarlet cloth was hardly
+distinguishable underneath. The Stadtholder in the Mark revels in
+superfluity, while the Elector in the Mark almost suffers want, and
+esteems himself happy if he can give one piece of land after another to
+his minister as security for the payment of debt. Oh, it is enough to
+drive one to despair, and make him tear his hair for rage and grief, when
+he sees the state of things here, and must perceive that the Elector is
+nothing and the Stadtholder everything. To his adherents he gives offices
+and dignities, and those whom he knows to be attached to the interests of
+the Electoral family he removes from court, and replaces by his favorites
+and servants. Upon the Colonels von Kracht and von Rochow he has bestowed
+good positions, making them commandants of Berlin and Spandow, with double
+salaries, but me, whom he knows to be the faithful servant of the
+Electoral family, he has banished from court and sent to Küstrin with only
+half as high a salary as the other two have. From the Electoral privy
+council he has also removed all those gentlemen who were bold enough to
+lift up their voices against him, and has introduced such men as say yes
+to everything that he desires and asks. No longer does an honest, upright
+word reach the Electoral ear, and while the whole people lament and cry
+out against Schwarzenberg, fearing him as they do the devil himself, our
+Elector fancies that his Stadtholder is as much beloved by the people of
+the Mark Brandenburg as by the Emperor at Vienna. But it is just so;
+Catholics and Imperialists will Schwarzenberg make us; ever he presses us
+further and further from our comrades in the faith, the Swedes and Dutch;
+ever he draws us closer to the Catholics; and if he could succeed in
+making the Elector Catholic, removing all Evangelists and Reformers from
+court, and putting Catholics in their places, then he would rejoice and
+obtain a high reward from the Emperor and Pope."
+
+"And you believe, Burgsdorf, that he will do such a thing, and esteem such
+a thing possible?" asked the Electoral Prince, with a sly smile.
+
+"I believe that he will, and we all believe so. And with the Stadtholder
+to will is to do, for he carries through all that he undertakes. But we
+will not suffer it, Prince, we will not be turned into Imperialists and
+Catholics. We will hold to our Elector and our religion; we will not
+suffer and submit to our Elector's being any longer in dependence upon
+Emperor and empire, and nothing at all but a powerless tool in
+Schwarzenberg's hands. We want a free Elector, who has courage and power
+to defy the Emperor himself, and league himself with the Swedes against
+him. For the Swedes are our rightful allies, not merely because the mother
+of the little Queen Christina is sister to our Elector, but also because
+we are neighbors, and of one religion and one faith. Oh, my gracious young
+sir, do not allow Schwarzenberg to make us Catholics and Imperialists!
+Free your country, your subjects, and yourself from this man, who weighs
+upon us like a scourge from God!"
+
+"But, Burgsdorf, just consider what you say there. I, who have but just
+returned from a three years' absence, I, who am almost a stranger to these
+combinations and circumstances, _I_ am to free you from this most mighty
+and influential man, the Stadtholder in the Mark! I should like to know
+how to go about it."
+
+"Gracious sir, I will tell you," replied Burgsdorf, with smothered voice
+and coming close up to the Prince. "Only say that you will place yourself
+at our head; give me only a couple of words in your own handwriting to
+give assurance to your friends and adherents that you will at their head
+battle for your good rights and for the faith and law of the land. Do
+this, and then just wait eight days."
+
+"And what will happen after these eight days?"
+
+"Then will happen that you shall see an army assembled about you, my
+Prince, in eight days. We have all been long making our preparations in
+secret, and putting everything in position, to be able to break forth as
+soon as you should appear and place yourself at our head. Every nobleman
+belonging to our party has procured arms and ammunition for the equipment
+of his people, and a brave, well-appointed host will be ready to execute
+your orders. You will take Schwarzenberg prisoner in his proud palace; you
+will be able by persistency to drive the Elector to dismiss the hated
+minister and his hated son from their offices and dignities, and to banish
+them forever from the country. You will be able to force the Elector to
+nominate you Schwarzenberg's successor, and then, having the power in your
+own hands, it only depends upon yourself to break, with the Emperor, to
+recognize the peace of Prague no longer, but to renew the alliance with
+the Swedes, and united with them to battle against the encroachments of
+the Emperor, and in behalf of religion!"
+
+"Just see, colonel, you have your plan already cut and dried!" cried the
+Prince. "If I should accede to it I would have nothing further to do than
+to execute what you have previously determined and arranged, and I should
+be nothing more than a tool in your hands. Now, I must confess to you that
+such a part would not at all suit me, even if I were ready to fall in with
+your plans. But I am not ready to do so, and am thoroughly indisposed to
+accept your proposition."
+
+"You are not inclined to do so?" asked the colonel, shocked. "Not even,"
+he continued more softly, "when I tell you that the Electress knows our
+plans and consents to them?"
+
+"Not even then, colonel. However much I love my mother, yet in this matter
+I can not suffer myself to be guided by her wishes. No, Colonel von
+Burgsdorf, I am not minded to go into your plans; for have you well
+considered what you require of me? You ask me to head a revolution, to
+give you a deed of rebellion, and to call upon the noblemen of the country
+to revolt against their rightful Sovereign. You ask me, as a rebel and
+agitator, and yet at the same time only as your tool, to do force and
+violence to my lord and father, and to force him to dismiss his minister,
+to alter his system, and to make enemies of his friends and friends of his
+enemies. Truly, you offer me a great advantage in prospective, and are
+good enough to propose that I step into Count Schwarzenberg's place and
+rule the country in the Elector's name, as he has done. But I am not blind
+to my own shortcomings, and do not overestimate myself. I know very well
+that I am as yet but an inexperienced young man, who has still a great
+deal to learn, and is by no means in a position to take the place of so
+distinguished and adroit a statesman as Count Schwarzenberg. I must yet go
+to school to him, and learn from him statecraft and policy."
+
+"Will you learn from him, gracious sir?" cried Burgsdorf passionately,
+"would you go to school to him, to that Catholic, that Imperialist?"
+
+"Tell me a better schoolmaster for my father's son?" asked the Electoral
+Prince softly. "My father has bestowed full confidence upon him for these
+twenty years past, he has adhered firmly and faithfully to him in evil as
+well as in prosperous days, and therefore I conclude that the count is
+worthy of this unshaken confidence, and must well deserve his master's
+love. It would, therefore, be very disrespectful behavior on my part
+toward my father, and put me in the light of exalting myself against him
+in unchildlike disobedience, if I should make the attempt to remove Count
+Schwarzenberg from his side by force. The Elector alone is reigning
+Sovereign within his own dominions, and what he concludes must be good,
+and it does not become us to censure or presume to know better."
+
+"Your grace, then, will be nothing but an obedient and submissive son?"
+asked Burgsdorf in a cutting tone.
+
+"Nothing further, Burgsdorf," replied Frederick William quietly. "May my
+father yet live to rule long years in peace; I am still young, I am
+learning and waiting."
+
+"You are learning and waiting," cried Burgsdorf, beside himself, "and
+meanwhile your land is going wholly to ruin; the people are hungry and in
+despair; the noblemen are reduced to beggary or have, in their
+desperation, gone over to Schwarzenberg--that is to say, to the
+Emperor--who pays a rich annuity to each one who adheres faithfully to
+him. And when your grace has waited and learned enough, then will come the
+day when Count Schwarzenberg will hunt you from your heritage, even as he
+has hunted the Margrave of Jägerndorf; then will the Emperor give the Mark
+Brandenburg away, as he has done with Jägerndorf, and his favorite,
+Schwarzenberg, is here ready to receive the welcome donation. He has
+already ruled the Mark Brandenburg twenty years in the Emperor's name, why
+should he not rule the Mark as its independent Sovereign? Oh, gracious
+sir, it makes me raving mad just to think of it, and I can not believe
+that you are in earnest, that you actually thrust from you myself and
+those loyal to you, and will not enter into our plans. My dear Prince, I
+have known you all your life. I have carried you in my arms as a little
+boy; I have borne you under my cloak when you went with your mother to
+Küstrin; I have staked upon you all the hopes of my life; and it would be
+a bitter grief to me to be obliged to think that you will have nothing to
+do with me and all your friends."
+
+"And think you, man," asked the Electoral Prince, "that it would be no
+grief to my father if I should step forward as his adversary? Think you
+that it would make for him a good name in history should the son present
+himself as his father's enemy? No, Burgsdorf; I repeat it to you, I am
+learning and waiting."
+
+"And I? I have waited twenty years, to learn in this hour that all my
+waiting has been in vain. The Mark is lost, and you, Electoral Prince,
+with it. I shall tell your mother, I shall tell your friends, that you are
+lost to us. Farewell, sir, and, if you will, go to Count Schwarzenberg and
+tell him that I am a traitor and conspirator. I shall go back to Küstrin,
+and if I were not ashamed, I could weep over myself and you. No, I am not
+ashamed; look, sir, at least you have constrained me."
+
+And the tears gushed from his eyes and fell down upon his grizzly, gray
+beard. He clapped his hands before his face and sobbed aloud. The
+Electoral Prince turned pale. He fixed a glance full of confidence and
+love upon the colonel, and had already opened his lips for an answer,
+which he would probably have afterward repented, when Burgsdorf suddenly
+drew his hands from before his face and angrily shook his head.
+
+"I am a fool!" he said furiously, "and it would serve me right, old baby
+that I am, if you should laugh at me. Farewell!"
+
+He made a formal military salute, turned abruptly and crossed the
+apartment to the door. Now, when his hand was already upon the latch, the
+Electoral Prince made a few steps forward. Colonel Burgsdorf turned about.
+
+"Did you call me, sir?"
+
+"No, colonel, farewell!"
+
+The door closed, and Frederick William was alone. His large blue eyes were
+directed toward heaven with a look of inexpressible grief.
+
+"I have in this hour offered up a greater sacrifice than Abraham, when he
+sacrificed his son to his God," he whispered. "Has God accepted my
+sacrifice, will he in his mercy some day reward me for it?"
+
+
+
+
+VIII.--THE BANQUET.
+
+
+The city of Berlin was to-day in a state of unusual stir and excitement.
+Everybody made haste to finish his noon-day meal, and nobody thought of
+complaining especially that this repast was so sparingly provided and
+served in such small portions, and that the dread specter of hunger was
+ever stalking nearer to the inhabitants of the unhappy, much-plagued town.
+They were to-day looking forward to a spectacle--one, moreover, for which
+no money was to be paid, which could be had gratis, just by being upon the
+street in right time and struggling to obtain a good position on the
+cathedral square, before the palace, or much better, before Count
+Schwarzenberg's palace. For to-day the count gave a great banquet in his
+palace on Broad Street, and it was well worth the trouble of contending
+for a place before the palace, and not even being frightened by a few
+cuffs and blows. The whole fashionable world of Berlin, all the nobility
+of the regions round about, were invited to this feast, and the whole
+court was to appear there. And it was so rarely that the Electoral family
+was ever to be seen by the town. They had passed almost a year in the
+Mark, but in such quiet and retirement did they live that their presence
+would hardly have been recognized if on Sunday in the cathedral church,
+which stood in the center of the square between the palace and Broad
+Street, their lofty personages had not been discernible behind the glass
+panes of the Electoral gallery. But to-day they were not to be seen in the
+seriousness of devotion, with their solemn, church-going faces, but in the
+pomp and splendor of their exalted station, in the glitter of their
+earthly greatness. And, above all things, they were to see the Electoral
+Prince, the Prince who had but just returned home, the hope of the
+downtrodden land, the future of the Mark Brandenburg!
+
+How the good people hurried with joyful, eager faces along toward Broad
+Street, with what hasty movements did they rush across the Spree Bridge! A
+black, surging throng of men stood before the castle on the cathedral
+square, a dense, motionless mass before Count Schwarzenberg's palace. Only
+one passage was left free, broad enough to allow the carriage to drive
+across the castle square to the palace, and on both sides of this stood
+the halberdiers of the Stadtholder's bodyguard, threateningly presenting
+their halberds toward those who ventured to step forward. The Stadtholder
+in the Mark had his own bodyguard--fine, athletic fellows, of proud
+bearing, in splendid uniforms, trimmed everywhere with genuine gold and
+silver lace, while, as everybody knew, the members of the Electoral
+bodyguard wore nothing but imitation lace upon their uniforms. The
+Elector's bodyguard, indeed, were paid and clothed by citizens, and they,
+on account of their want and distress, had refused to pay the last
+bodyguard tax, while the Stadtholder's bodyguard consisted of members of
+his household and was paid and clothed by himself. And Count Schwarzenberg
+was very rich, and the citizens were very poor, but still the count had
+never once practiced mildness and mercy, and relieved the poor cities of
+their taxes and imposts, or given of his wealth to their poverty.
+
+To-day, however, he gave a _fête_, a splendid _fête_, and however much at
+other times they dreaded and hated him, his _fête_ they could still look
+upon, and with longing eyes behold all its magnificence. It was, indeed,
+glorious to look upon, and they saw, moreover, how much the Stadtholder
+honored and esteemed the Elector, for never before had he displayed such
+splendor, when he merely invited the high nobility. Above the grand door
+of entrance was stretched a canopy of crimson cloth, edged with gold, the
+golden pillars of the canopy reaching out even into the street. The four
+stone steps leading from the front door were covered with fine carpeting,
+which also stretched away to the street, to the spot where the guests were
+to alight from their carriages. On both sides of the carpet stood serried
+ranks of the Stadtholder's lackeys in their flashy gold-trimmed liveries.
+They were headed by the count's two stewards, with golden wands in their
+hands, broad gold bands about their shoulders, and monstrous
+three-cornered hats upon their heads. It was very fine to look upon, and
+not merely the merry urchins, who were swinging upon the iron railings of
+the count's park, opposite the palace on the side of the cathedral square,
+enjoyed the spectacle, but the respectable burgher, with his well-dressed
+wife upon his arm, found his pleasure in it as well. The front doors were
+wide open, and they could look into the gorgeous columned hall, decorated
+with garlands and vases of fresh flowers. Yes, it was plainly to be seen
+that the Stadtholder felt himself greatly honored by the high company he
+was to receive to-day, and this even reconciled the good people a little
+to the proud, imperious Count Schwarzenberg.
+
+And now the distinguished guests came riding up. There were the noblemen
+from the country round about, in their antiquated, rumbling vehicles,
+drawn by beautiful, handsomely harnessed horses. There were the Quitzows,
+the Götzes and Krockows, the Bülows and Arnims, and as often as a carriage
+arrived the musicians, stationed on both sides of the palace, blew a
+flourishing peal of trumpets, and the noblemen bowed right and left,
+greeting, although no one had greeted them except Count Schwarzenberg's
+chamberlain, von Lehndorf, who received the guests upon the threshold of
+the house. But now resounded a loud shouting and huzzaing, rolling nearer
+and ever nearer, like a monstrous wave, and an unusual, joyful movement
+pervaded the densely packed mass of men. "They come! they come!" sounded
+from mouth to mouth, and small people raised themselves on tiptoe, and
+tall ones turned their heads toward the corner of the cathedral square.
+Already they saw the foot runner, with his plumed hat and golden staff, as
+he came bounding on, then the two foreriders in their bright blue
+liveries, with low, round caps upon their heads, and then the electoral
+equipage, the great gilded coach of state, drawn by four black horses.
+
+"Who is sitting in the coach of state? Is the Electoral Prince in it? Does
+he come in the same carriage with his father?"
+
+The people grew dumb from impatience and expectancy, in the midst of their
+cries of joy; they wanted to see! All eyes shone with curiosity as the
+equipage rolled on. Over in the park, behind the railing, stood the
+drummers, and they began to beat a roll, which the boys riding on the
+railing seconded with genuine rapture. The trumpeters blew a flourish,
+and now Count Schwarzenberg himself issued from the broad palace door,
+followed by his son, the young Count John Adolphus. Ah! how glorious to
+behold was the Stadtholder in the Mark in his official costume as Grand
+Master of the Order of St. John, his breast quite covered with the stars
+of the order, whose gems glittered and sparkled so wondrously; and how
+handsome looked the young count, in his white suit of silver brocade, with
+puffs of purple velvet, his short, ermine-edged mantle of purple velvet,
+confined at the shoulders by clasps. The two counts made haste down the
+steps to the equipage. The Stadtholder in his amiable impatience opened
+the carriage door himself, and offered the Elector George William both his
+hands to assist him in alighting. And now, laboriously, gasping, with
+flushed face, and a forced smile upon his lips, the Elector dismounted
+from his carriage. Leaning upon his favorite's arm, slowly and clumsily he
+moved forward to the house, his stout, lofty form bent, his gait heavy,
+and his blue eyes, which were only once turned to the gaping multitude,
+sad--oh, so sad! The people looked with pity and compassion upon the poor,
+peevish gentleman, who, in spite of the great Prince's star upon his
+breast and the Electoral hat with its waving plumes, was not by far so
+splendid to behold as the proud, stately Count Adam, who strode along at
+his side.
+
+While the Stadtholder was conducting the Elector into the palace, the
+Electress alighted from the carriage, the two young Princesses following
+her. A loud cry of joy and admiration rang out, and called a smile to the
+lips of the Electress, a deep blush to the cheeks of the Princesses. The
+Electress's robe, with its long train of gold brocade, was wondrous to
+behold, and above it the blue velvet mantle with black ermine trimmings;
+and how beautifully the diadem of diamonds and sapphires gleamed and
+sparkled on the brown hair of the Princess! Again the Stadtholder came out
+of the palace with hasty steps, flew to the Electress, and offered her
+his arm, to lead her into the palace. Nor need the two Princesses walk
+alone behind; they, too, have their knight--young Count Schwarzenberg, who
+had received the Electress. He offered his arm to the Princess Charlotte
+Louise, which she accepted with a lovely smile and a becoming blush. Ah!
+what a handsome couple that was, and how remarkably their dress
+corresponded, for the Princess was also dressed in silver brocade, and
+from her shoulders fell a mantle of purple velvet edged with ermine. The
+little Princess Sophie Hedwig stepped behind her. But who was this young
+man, who suddenly stepped forward, made his way through the throng, and
+offered her his arm? Nobody had seen him or observed him, and he had come
+on foot, accompanied by a single page. Who was this handsome young man, in
+light-blue velvet suit, who with the young Princess on his arm mounted the
+steps with her, laughing merrily.
+
+"It is he! It is the Electoral Prince! It is Frederick William! Cheers for
+our Electoral Prince! Hurrah for Frederick William! Welcome, welcome home!
+Long live our Electoral Prince!"
+
+Within the hall, at the window, stood the Elector, and these shouts
+emanating from thousands of throats darkened his countenance. The people
+had kept silence when their Sovereign showed himself to them, and now they
+exulted on seeing his son!
+
+Without, at the head of the steps, stood the Electoral Prince, and the
+shouting of so many thousand voices summoned a glad smile to his face. How
+handsome he was, and what a happiness it was to look at him! How like a
+lion's mane fell his thick, fair brown hair on both sides of his narrow
+oval face, how like brilliant stars sparkled his large, dark-blue eyes,
+and what bold thoughts were written upon his broad, clear brow! And how
+stately and impressive was his figure, too--how slender, and yet how firm
+and athletic! Yes, those broad shoulders were well fitted to bear the
+burden of government, and behind that breast beat surely a strong, great
+heart!
+
+"Long live the Electoral Prince! Three cheers! Long live Frederick
+William!"
+
+He bowed once more, nodding and bestowing kind greetings upon those on
+both sides, then entered the palace, followed by his page in black velvet
+suit.
+
+Who is that page? Nobody observes him, nobody has looked at him. Who
+troubles himself about the servant when he looks at the master?--who asks
+why the page's face is so pale, why his glance so feverish and restless?
+Very few know the court painter Gabriel Nietzel, and those who do know him
+will surely never imagine that it is he who to-day acts as page to the
+Electoral Prince Frederick William. He mingles with the host of
+gold-bedizened servants and lackeys in the entrance hall, and follows them
+into the banqueting hall. The doors of the house are closed; for the
+gaping crowd without the festival is ended, for the high-born guests
+within it is but just begun. The two wings of the doors leading into the
+banqueting hall are thrown open by the halberdiers, the musicians in the
+gilded balcony to the rear blow a loud, dashing flourish, and the Elector
+enters the hall, followed by the Electress, who leans upon the arm of
+Count Schwarzenberg. On both sides of the hall stand the lords and ladies
+of the nobility, who bow down to the ground, nothing being visible but the
+bowed necks of men, the courtesying forms of women--all is reverence,
+solemnity, and silence. In the middle of the long table, just before that
+immense, solid mirror of Venetian crystal, are the places of the Electoral
+pair, as may be seen by those throne-like armchairs, on whose tall,
+straight backs is carved a golden crown--as may be seen by the glittering
+gold plate of both covers.
+
+How gorgeously is the long table laid, nothing to be seen but gold and
+silver plate! In the center is a huge piece of chased silver, representing
+Cupids and genii, who in golden shells, cornucopias, and vases offer the
+rarest fruits, the most delicious confections! Before each lady's plate,
+in wondrously cut goblets, is a magnificent bouquet of flowers; before
+each gentleman's, a silver bowl. A gold-bedizened lackey is behind each
+chair; two stand behind the chairs of each of their Electoral Highnesses.
+
+"Why stands that page behind the Electoral Prince's chair?" asks the
+Stadtholder, loud enough to be heard by the Prince, who is near him.
+
+Frederick William breaks off in the midst of his conversation with the
+young Count John Adolphus, and turns smilingly to the Stadtholder.
+
+"Pardon, your grace," says he kindly. "I wished to preserve a memento of
+this handsome entertainment, the first entertainment by which my return
+home has been solemnized, and with my father's permission I have brought
+with me the court painter Gabriel Nietzel, in order that he may look upon
+the feast and make a sketch of the scene. Since, of course, he could have
+no place at the table, he has assumed a page's garb, that he may have the
+privilege of standing behind my chair. I fancy that the vain man would
+willingly immortalize himself in that picturesque costume. But as he has
+put on a page's clothes, he will also perform a page's part, and I have
+therefore at his request consented that he shall wait upon me to-day and
+hand me all my food. Does your grace also grant him this upon my bequest?"
+
+"Oh, most gracious Prince, you need never make requests; you have only to
+command. Away there, you fellows! away from the Electoral Prince's chair,
+vacate your places for the page! Mr. Court Painter Nietzel, take good care
+not to be negligent in your duties, to-day be nothing but the Electoral
+Prince's page so long as we are at table, afterward you can again be the
+court painter!"
+
+The page bowed in silence, and Count Schwarzenberg paid no further
+attention to him, but followed the Electoral pair, who were making the
+circuit of the hall, here and there addressing a friendly word to some
+member of the nobility, sweeping past before an answer could be stammered
+forth. The circuit was completed; a thrice repeated nourish of trumpets
+resounded; the Chamberlain von Lehndorf rushed to the window, and with a
+white handkerchief made a signal down to the pleasure garden. Cannon
+thundered forth salutes, informing the town that the Elector had just sat
+down to table, that the feast at the house of the Stadtholder in the Mark
+had begun.
+
+A choice, a sumptuous banquet! Delicious viands, splendid wines! Gradually
+they forgot a little the requirements of rigid etiquette and pompous
+silence; gradually tongues were loosened, and there was talking and
+laughing; even the Elector lost his hard, peevish nature, his face glowed
+with a brighter hue, his form became more elastic, and cheerful words
+sounded from his lips.
+
+A choice, a sumptuous banquet! The Electress laughed, and had totally
+forgotten that Count Adam Schwarzenberg, sitting at her side, was her
+detested enemy. She chatted as cozily and earnestly with him as if he were
+one of her most devoted friends and servants. Opposite her sat her two
+daughters, and Princess Charlotte Louise inclined with a pleasant smile
+toward Count John Adolphus, who sat beside her, and had just been painting
+to her with glowing eloquence the glories of the imperial city, gorgeous
+Vienna.
+
+Now his bold glance darted across at the Electoral pair; they were busy
+talking and eating; nobody was noticing him.
+
+"Princess, dear, adored Princess, do you hear me when I speak so softly?"
+
+"I hear you, Sir Count."
+
+"Sir Count!" repeated he, sighing. "You retract your word, then? You
+thrust me again into the ranks of your court cavaliers and counts? You
+have no longer a word of welcome for the poor, pitiable man who worships
+you, who is blessed if he can only look at you, only hear the tones of
+your sweet voice, and who has been longing for this with desire and
+painful rapture for three long months? Not one word of welcome for me?"
+
+"I welcome you--welcome you with my whole heart! Have you only been away
+three months? Were they not three years?"
+
+"Seems it so to you, my adored mistress? I believe it was three hundred
+years--three eternities. And yet these eternities have not altered your
+angelic face. It is still ever radiant in its heavenly, rosy beauty, and
+not a feature betrays that you have suffered on my account, that you have
+longed for me."
+
+"Then my face belies me, for I have longed for you; therefore the months
+lengthened into years, and it seems to me as if I have become a very old,
+sedate person since I last saw you."
+
+"Oh, dearest, how I long for one moment of solitary communing with you,
+when I can kneel at your feet, cover your hands with kisses, and tell you
+how inexpressibly I love you! Be not cruel, Louise, in this hour of
+reunion. Tell me that you, too, long for such a moment--that you will
+grant it to me."
+
+"And if I should say so, how would it help us? You know well that I am
+watched day and night. My mother never lets me leave her side, and our
+governess watches over me still, just as if I were a child that could not
+walk a step without an attendant, nor write a line without her reading it."
+
+"Ah, you dear, sweet angel! if you only loved me half as ardently as I
+love you, your pretty, prudent little head would already have devised some
+means whereby poor John Adolphus would not have to plead in vain for one
+blissful moment passed alone with you."
+
+"I love you, John Adolphus, but oh, I dare not love you! The wrath of my
+mother would be boundless if she even suspected it."
+
+"She need not suspect it beforehand, nor hear anything about it before we
+are certain of your father's gracious consent."
+
+"You esteem that possible? You believe that my father will ever consent
+for me--"
+
+"For you to condescend to become my wife? I hope so--hope that the
+Emperor's favor exalts me a little, so that the chasm which separates us
+is not too great for you to cross, for you to carry in your bosom a strong
+heart and a true love. About all these things I must speak with you,
+sweetest Princess, for here we must be cautious. Only see with what
+earnest looks the Electress is already regarding us! Be pitiful, Louise;
+tell me that you will consent to meet me alone for one quarter of an hour."
+
+"Pass by the cathedral, then, to-morrow about ten o'clock of the forenoon.
+Old Trude will be there and have a message for you, and--"
+
+"Long live our most gracious Sovereign! Long live George William!" cried
+Count Schwarzenberg, rising from his seat and holding the golden bumper
+aloft in his right hand.
+
+All the guests started from their seats, and joined in the shouts: "Long
+live our most gracious Sovereign! Long live George William!" And the
+golden goblets clashed against one another, and the trumpets and
+kettledrums chimed in with crashing peals.
+
+The Electoral Prince, too, would rise from his seat, but his head swam,
+all was whirls and turns before his eyes, and he sank back upon his chair.
+
+Gabriel Nietzel stooped over him. "How are you, gracious sir? Are you not
+well?"
+
+"Quite well as yet, Gabriel. Only give me a fresh glass of water and put
+some sugar in it."
+
+Gabriel Nietzel flew to the sideboard, and, while he filled a glass with
+water, his pale lips murmured, "Your evil genius bade you say that!" And
+while he shook into the glass the white pulverized sugar, which, by the
+way, he had not taken from the bowl standing on the sideboard, in the
+depths of his heart he whispered, "Rebecca, this I do for you!"
+
+He took up the tall tumbler and presented it to the Electoral Prince.
+Frederick William seized the glass and drank, in long draughts. It had
+done him good, his head was easy again, there was no longer such a fearful
+roaring in his ears.
+
+George William's countenance glowed and his eyes burned. He loved the
+pleasures of the table, and the wine was costly and had driven all ill
+humor from his heart. He now felt quite comfortable, quite happy, and bent
+friendly glances across upon his son, who was so splendid, so glorious to
+look upon, and the sight of whom, although he would probably not
+acknowledge it to himself, rejoiced his father's heart.
+
+Frederick William had just removed the great goblet from his lips, and
+placed it half full upon the table. The Elector saw it, the cold liquor
+looked inviting, and at the same time he would give his son a public token
+of his kindly disposition: all the guests must see how high in his favor
+stood the Electoral Prince.
+
+"You drink water, my son?" he asked. "That is wise and prudent, and
+deserves to be imitated at this table of reveling. I will follow your
+example, Frederick William. Hand your glass across the table to me, son."
+
+The Electoral Prince hastily rose from his seat, and tried to hand the
+glass to his father; but his hand trembled so violently that he could not
+hold the glass; it escaped from his hands, and fell with a crash upon the
+table.
+
+The Electress uttered a piercing cry, the Princesses shrieked aloud. The
+music stopped in the midst of a strain commenced, the guests interrupted
+their conversation, and all eyes were directed to the middle of the table,
+where the Electoral family was seated. What did it mean? Prince Frederick
+William rose from his seat. His countenance was pale as death, but he
+still tried to keep a smile upon his lips. He bowed across the table to
+his father. "Your pardon, sir. Permit me to absent myself, for I am not
+quite well."
+
+"Go, my son!" exclaimed George William. "That comes from not being
+accustomed to strong Hungarian wine!" And the Elector turned, laughing, to
+his wife, who glanced anxiously at her son. "Your wise son," said he, "has
+learned everything, only he has not learned to drink. He has not been
+taught that in your uncle's polite and polished court, and we must supply
+their negligence here."
+
+The Electoral Prince reeled through the hall, waving off all who
+approached him or offered him assistance. "It is nothing, nothing at all,"
+he said with cheerful, broken voice. "I have taken a little cold. Let me
+get away unnoticed."
+
+All kept their seats, as the Prince desired, and as the Elector required
+by tarrying himself at the table. Only the Stadtholder, in his capacity of
+host, had risen from the table to offer his guidance to the Electoral
+Prince. He approached him, proffering the support of his arm.
+
+"Will your highness do me the honor to rest upon my arm, and permit me to
+escort you to your carriage?"
+
+The Electoral Prince shuddered, and, suddenly lifting his head, flashed an
+angry glance from his already clouded eyes into the proud, composed
+countenance of the count. But it quickly vanished, Frederick William
+accepted Schwarzenberg's proffered arm, and, leaning upon him, tottered
+out of the hall into the antechamber. His countenance was deadly pale,
+dark circles were under his eyes, his lips were colorless, his eyes
+bloodshot. But still he maintained his erect position by mere force of
+will, and even controlled himself so far as to smile and address a few
+friendly words to the count.
+
+"My heavens, noble sir!" cried Schwarzenberg, with an expression of
+painful horror, "this is more than a mere passing indisposition. You are
+really sick--you are suffering!"
+
+"Not so, count. I am not suffering at all, and it is only a trifling
+ailment. My father is quite right--the strong wine has mounted to my head.
+I am not used to drinking and feasting, that is all. To-morrow
+will--Count, I beg you to lead me to my carriage. It is dark before my
+eyes!"
+
+And the Prince sank back groaning and half unconscious. The count beckoned
+the princely Chamberlain von Götz to approach, and the two gentlemen,
+aided by a few lackeys, bore the Prince carefully out to the carriage.
+Then Frederick William opened his eyes, his wandering glance strayed
+around, and his lips stammered softly: "Where is Gabriel Nietzel? Is he
+with me?"
+
+But Gabriel Nietzel was nowhere to be seen; only the Chamberlain von Götz
+was there, and he got into the carriage, which bore the deadly sick Prince
+at full gallop to the palace.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg looked after the retreating vehicle with earnest,
+thoughtful face, then turned to re-enter the palace. On the threshold
+stood Gabriel Nietzel, and the eyes of the two men met in one glance of
+awe and horror.
+
+"Your grace sees I have kept my word," murmured Gabriel Nietzel.
+
+"Away!" commanded the count imperiously. "If you are not out of Berlin in
+one hour I shall have you arrested by the police, and accuse you as the
+murderer of the Electoral Prince, for you alone waited upon him! Be off!"
+
+But Gabriel Nietzel stirred not from the threshold, and the look which he
+fixed upon the count was not humble and reverential, but threatening.
+"Sir," asked he shortly and harshly--"sir, where are Rebecca and my child?"
+
+"At your lodgings, you fool! Hurry, I tell you!" And with ungentle hand
+the count thrust the painter from the door, and returned to the banqueting
+hall to inform the Elector and his spouse with smiling, almost mocking
+gesture, that the young gentleman himself had said that the strong wine
+had slightly affected his head, and produced a temporary indisposition.
+
+The Elector laughed aloud, and the anxious brow of the Electress cleared
+up again. The entertainment quietly proceeded.
+
+Why should they be uneasy about the young gentleman, who had no other
+sufferings than those resulting from unwonted indulgence in strong drink?
+
+The Electoral Prince had meanwhile arrived with his chamberlain at the
+castle. No one came to meet them. All the servants had dispersed hither
+and thither, in pursuit of their own business or enjoyments. They knew,
+indeed, that Count Schwarzenberg's feast would be continued to a late
+hour of the night, and who could imagine that the Electoral Prince would
+return home in so unexpected a manner? The castle was deserted, and the
+chamberlain must needs summon to his aid the sentinel who was pacing up
+and down before the castle, in order to lift the Prince from his carriage
+and into the entrance hall. Now he called aloud for help, since the Prince
+had become perfectly helpless, and lay senseless upon the stone bench in
+the hall.
+
+The porter, who was only asleep in his lodge, rushed out, and old
+Dietrich, the valet, also came hurrying down the steps.
+
+They bore the Prince to his own apartments, put him to bed upon his own
+couch, and, as the Chamberlain von Götz saw the old faithful Dietrich
+standing beside his young master, sobbing and so full of grief, he kindly
+laid his hand upon his shoulder.
+
+"It is nothing of moment, good old man. The Prince has only taken too much
+wine, that is all. Be comforted. To-morrow will make all straight again."
+
+Dietrich sorrowfully shook his head. "You are mistaken, Sir Chamberlain;
+this is not the effect of wine. The Electoral Prince is much too fine and
+noble a gentleman for that; he never drinks more than he can stand. Just
+see how pale and wretched he looks. My dear young master is sick, very
+sick. They have murdered him, they have killed him, they--"
+
+"Hush, Dietrich, for God's sake, hush!" interposed the chamberlain,
+turning pale. "Guard your tongue, that it never again utter such horrible
+words; guard your thoughts, that they dare not even think anything so
+dreadful."
+
+"It is true, nevertheless," murmured the old man, and, as he bent over the
+Electoral Prince and watched him with loving looks, the tears fell hot and
+fast from his eyes upon Frederick William's pale face. These tears roused
+the latter, restored him to consciousness.
+
+There was yet one man who loved him, who sympathized with him, who wept
+when he saw him suffer!
+
+The Electoral Prince opened his eyes, and, on recognizing old Dietrich,
+nodded to him and murmured softly, "Dietrich, I am suffering fearfully."
+
+"Hear, Sir Chamberlain," said Dietrich; "the dear Prince recognizes me, he
+has his reason, he knows what he sees and says, so you see it is not wine
+that--But he says that he suffers fearfully, and I believe it indeed; for
+what burns his vitals is--I must go for the physician, Dr. White; he must
+try every means; he must know what ails the Prince--what they have done to
+him; and he must apply remedies. Stay here, Sir Chamberlain; I will run
+for Dr. White."
+
+And old Dietrich hastily started to leave the couch, but the Prince's hand
+was laid upon his arm, and held him fast.
+
+"Stay, Dietrich, stay! You, dear Götz, go you, I beg, for Dr. White and
+fetch him here; he must come immediately, for I am really sick. I suffer.
+Make haste, dear Götz. You are younger, brisker than my good old Dietrich;
+therefore I choose you."
+
+The chamberlain pressed a kiss upon the Prince's burning, trembling hand.
+
+"Dearest sir, as swiftly as a man's anxious heart can move his feet I
+shall hasten to the doctor and bring him here!"
+
+The chamberlain flew on tiptoe from the apartment, and all was still.
+Nothing was heard but the low moans and sighs of the Prince, who lay there
+with pallid features and shaking limbs, while over him bent weeping his
+faithful old servant.
+
+After a while the Prince raised himself a little, slowly opened his eyes,
+and cast a sad, sweeping glance around the room.
+
+"Dietrich, are we alone?" he asked, in a hoarse, almost inaudible voice.
+
+"Quite alone, gracious sir."
+
+"Then hear what I have to say to you. Incline your ear close to me, for
+you alone must hear me. When the physician comes, take good care not to
+repeat to him what you said just now to the chamberlain. He and all the
+world must think that it is actually nothing but wine which has made me
+sick. He will prescribe medicine for me. Have it prepared forthwith. You
+alone must stay with me. Tell them I have ordered it, and Götz must return
+to the banquet and tell them it was nothing but wine. Dietrich, do not
+give me the medicine, but throw it away. There is only one kind of physic
+for me--milk, only milk, that is my cordial. Give me milk, Dietrich, milk
+directly, for the pains are coming on again, so dreadfully, oh, so
+dreadfully! But do not tell anybody. Nobody must know what I suffer! It
+burns like fire! Milk, Dietrich, milk!"
+
+
+
+
+IX.--LOVE'S SACRIFICE.
+
+
+As if borne on the wings of the wind, Gabriel Nietzel had flown through
+the streets to his own abode. It lay in a quiet, retired quarter of the
+town, and, as he turned into the street and looked up to the house, he saw
+leaning far out of one of the windows a woman, who, her face shaded by her
+hand, was gazing down into the street. He recognized the form, although he
+could not see her countenance, and uttered a loud cry of joy. This cry of
+joy found an echo in the window above, and the form vanished. Gabriel
+Nietzel rushed into the house and up the steps. On the top step stood a
+woman with outstretched arms, and again Gabriel uttered a cry of joy and
+pressed his wife firmly to his breast, as firmly as if he would never let
+her leave the spot, as if his love would keep and hold her there forever.
+He bore her through the open door into their chamber, bore her to the
+cradle standing in the center of the room, and then sank with her on his
+knees.
+
+They looked at one another, and then at the child, which lay there quietly
+with wide-open eyes, in sweet contentment.
+
+"My child! my child!" cried Gabriel; and it was as if now for the first
+time he saw his boy, as if he had but just been sent him by Heaven, and
+for a moment, in the blissful consciousness of being a father, he forgot
+all--yes, _all_. He snatched up the child and hugged and kissed it, lost
+in rapture and delight. But all at once there came over him the memory of
+those pale, quivering features, the dimmed eyes, and drooping form. A
+shudder ran through his whole frame; with a shriek of horror he let the
+child fall back in its cradle, and clasped both hands before his face.
+
+Rebecca tore back his hands, and her large black eyes gazed searchingly
+into his countenance. She now for the first time saw how pale he was, and
+how disturbed his mien. She now for the first time saw that he avoided her
+look, and that his breast heaved convulsively.
+
+"Gabriel," she said, with firm, impressive voice--"Gabriel, something is
+the matter with you! Something has happened to you--something shocking,
+dreadful!"
+
+"Nothing!" he cried, hastily leaping up--"nothing! But we must begone! We
+are to stay here no longer. We must away immediately--this very hour!"
+
+"I know it," replied Rebecca quietly, her eyes fixed immovably upon her
+beloved--"I know it, Gabriel, and I have prepared everything, as Count
+Schwarzenberg himself directed. I have been in Berlin ever since this
+morning, but feared to come here until you had gone to the banquet. I
+have made all needful arrangements. I have hired a vehicle, which is
+waiting for us outside the Willow-bank Gate. The count says we are to go
+on foot; that no one in the city must see you set out, and give
+intelligence with regard to your movements. Since you have been gone I
+have packed up all our effects in boxes, and our kind, faithful friend
+Samuel Cohen will send them after us to Venice. What is indispensable for
+present use I have packed up in yonder trunk, which we must take with us.
+All is ready, Gabriel, and we can go. Only one thing I know not, have you
+money enough for our journey?"
+
+[Illustration: The Jewess in her Bridal Dress]
+
+
+"Money enough!" repeated Gabriel, with a hoarse, mocking laugh. "I have
+more money in my pocket than I ever had in my whole life put together. I
+have so much money that we can buy a house in Venice, on the Ghetto; and
+we shall, too, and I will live there with you, and will become a Jew, and
+take another name, for my own name horrifies me. I will not, can not hear
+it again!"
+
+"Why not?" asked she earnestly. "It is a fine name--the name of a painter,
+an artist. Why would you never again hear your own name, Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"Because it is notorious, infamous!" groaned he--"because it is the name
+of a--"
+
+"Well, why do you hesitate, Gabriel?" asked Rebecca in anguish of soul,
+while she laid both her hands upon his shoulders, and gazed upon him with
+wistful glances. He would have avoided her eyes, but could not; his looks
+must sink deep into those glittering, black eyes. Deep they looked, deep
+as the sea, and he thought to himself that a secret could be buried there,
+and rest secure in the bottom of her heart.
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel," asked Rebecca, in a voice at once threatening and
+tender--"Gabriel Nietzel, what have you done? What lies heavy upon your
+soul?"
+
+"Nothing, my Rebecca, nothing! Ask no questions! We must begone! Make
+haste, dearest, take the child, and come; for if we do not hurry, we are
+lost!"
+
+She slowly shook her noble, graceful head and stirred not from her place.
+
+She kept Gabriel in his with her hands, which she pressed more firmly upon
+his shoulders.
+
+"Gabriel, my dear, precious Gabriel, what have you done? Tell me. I demand
+to know it as my right. When we were married on the Lido, in the solemn
+stillness of the night, when we joined hands, and both swore in the
+presence of your and my God that we would ever love one another, and that
+death alone should part us, when you said, 'I take you to be my wife,' and
+I said, 'I take you to be my husband,' then we likewise swore that we
+would live truly and confidentially with one another, and have no secrets
+from each other. Gabriel, fulfill now your oath. I demand it of you, by
+the memory of that hour, by my love for you, by our child. Gabriel, what
+have you done?"
+
+"I can not tell it, and you may not hear it, Rebecca. For, once uttered,
+that word will be a two-edged sword, and plunge us both in misery and
+shame!"
+
+"Shame! There is no shame for the Jewess! Misery! Tell me a form of misery
+which I have not suffered and endured from childhood up! My mother was
+stabbed in Venice by a nobleman because she would not break her faith with
+my father and desert him. My father was known as a sorcerer and vender of
+poisons. The noblemen used secretly to resort by night to our wretched
+house upon the Ghetto, and paid him great sums for his drugs, but if he
+showed himself upon the streets by day, the populace hooted and cast
+stones after him. And when they saw me, they hissed and mocked, bestowing
+opprobrious epithets upon me, and even went out of the way to avoid the
+contamination of my touch, for I was the daughter of a poisoner, a secret
+bravo--I was a Jewess! But when I was grown, then the young noblemen came
+to my father, not merely for the sake of his drugs and medicines, but
+also--hush! Not a breath of it! You were my deliverer--my savior! You
+rescued me from all distress; you were to me as the Messiah, in whom my
+people have hoped for a thousand years. I followed you, and I shall go
+with you my whole life long--go with you to the scaffold, if needs be. I
+know it, Gabriel, I read it in your countenance; you have committed a
+crime!"
+
+"A crime! A fearful crime!" said he, shuddering. "Turn your head away,
+Rebecca, I am not worthy that you should look upon me!"
+
+"I do look upon you, Gabriel, I condemn you not. I am thinking of what we
+said to one another in the count's picture gallery. I called to you to
+rescue me at any price. I told you that if I could purchase deliverance
+thereby, I was ready to commit a crime. That to be with you again I would
+abjure the faith of my fathers, although I knew I should die of penitence
+after the perpetration of such a crime."
+
+"And I replied to you, Rebecca, that I, too, was ready to perpetrate a
+crime for the sake of rescuing you and calling you my own again, and that
+I would not die of penitence."
+
+"And yet you do repent, Gabriel, you shudder at yourself for you have done
+it, you have committed a crime. I will have my share in it, half of it
+belongs to me. In the sight of God, I am your wife, and you have sworn to
+share everything with me. Then divide with me, Gabriel; I claim my right.
+Share with me your crime, or I shall think that you love me no more, and
+then I shall go away, and you will never see me more."
+
+"I do love you, Rebecca--I do love you! For your sake I have become a
+criminal, a murderer! I have purchased you at the price of my soul! Lay
+your ear close to my mouth, and I will tell you my dreadful secret:
+Rebecca, I am a murderer, a cursed murderer! I have committed a murder,
+which will cry out to Heaven against me as long as I live; for him whom I
+have murdered had never done me harm, but only good, and he confided in
+me, and trusted to my faith. Rebecca, I am cursed, and my name will be a
+byword in the mouths of men while books of history last. Rebecca, I have
+poisoned the Electoral Prince Frederick William!"
+
+She uttered a piercing shriek, and fell back, as if struck by a
+thunderbolt.
+
+"The Electoral Prince Frederick William! Not Count Schwarzenberg! The
+noble youth; not that detested evildoer, not him, who has deserved death a
+thousandfold?"
+
+"He had not merely my life in his power, but yours and our child's. It
+would have profited me nothing to murder him; we should only all three
+have been irretrievably lost. I was forced to obey his orders--to perform
+the horrible deed--in order to save you and myself."
+
+Rebecca pressed both hands tightly across her brow, and stared long at
+vacancy. "He must be saved!" she said. Then, after a pause, in a tone of
+firm determination, "Yes, he must be saved!"
+
+"What could we do to save him?" sighed Gabriel hopelessly. "Nothing! You
+know your father's drugs are subtle, and never fail in their effects!"
+
+"You administered to him some of the medicine which my father presented
+you with?" asked she, with a wondrous gleam of light in her black eyes.
+
+"Yes, I gave him some. You know when we took leave of your father he
+handed me three boxes as a keepsake, saying that they were the only dowry
+he could give me with you, but that many a prince would pay us immense
+sums for them, if we should sell them to him for his dear relations; for
+in these boxes were the deadliest poisons, leaving behind not a trace of
+their existence. The contents of one box causes instantaneous death, and
+he therefore called it 'the apoplexy powder.' The contents of the second
+box killed more slowly, and prolonged the patient's life ten or twelve
+days; therefore he called it 'the inflammatory powder.' The third powder,
+however, because it works slowest of all, he called 'the consumptive
+powder.'"
+
+"And of which powder did you give to the Electoral Prince?" asked Rebecca
+breathlessly.
+
+"Of the inflammatory powder, for it was least dangerous to us."
+
+"Did the Prince drink the whole potion poured out for him?"
+
+"No, he only drank half, and when he tried to hand it to his father, who
+asked for it, the glass fell from his trembling hands, and its contents
+were spilled upon the table."
+
+"Therefore the Prince only took half a powder?"
+
+"Only half. But still he must die, for your father told me one pinch would
+produce death; and I gave him two, that the count might see its effects."
+
+Rebecca did not reply. She had sunk upon her knees and folded her hands.
+Her lips moved as if in silent prayer.
+
+"What think you?" asked Gabriel Nietzel, after a pause. "Why do you not
+speak to me? Do you despise me, because I have confessed my crime to you?
+Do you turn away from the poisoner, the murderer?"
+
+"No," said she, suddenly drawing herself up erect. "No, I do not despise
+you, but I love you, and because I love you I will not that you should be
+a criminal. Had you poisoned the count, then I should have said, 'You have
+accomplished a good work. God has killed him by your hand; you are nothing
+more than the executioner, who has inflicted merited death upon the
+wicked, and has rid the world of him. Lift up your head and be joyful, for
+you were a tool in God's hand!' But you have poisoned a noble, good man,
+the son of your benefactress, and his death would cry out against you, and
+our child would be punished for the crime of his father. 'For I am a God
+of vengeance,' says the Lord, 'and I will visit the sins of the fathers
+upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.' I love you,
+Gabriel, and no sin or crime could separate me from you; for have you not
+taken to your heart the daughter of a criminal, and sinned for her sake?
+But our child shall not suffer for what his parents have done. The God of
+our fathers shall not take vengeance on our child, the sun and happiness
+shall shine upon him; for we, Gabriel, we have known night and misfortune,
+and tasted all the bitterness of life. Gabriel, our child must be free
+from stain of guilt or crime, and therefore must the Electoral Prince be
+saved."
+
+"Say how can it be done, show me a way to save him!"
+
+"I know the way, and I will take it. I would save you and the child from
+bloodguiltiness and sin. Swear to me, Gabriel, that you will do what I
+shall require of you. Think of that hour upon the Lido when I gave myself
+to you. Think of the hour when this child was born, and I laid it in your
+arms and said: 'Take it. It is a gift of my love. Take the child with whom
+God has blessed us, and pronounced us pure!' And you swore to me with
+tears that you would be a faithful father to our child all his life, and
+shield him as far as in you lay from all the pains of earth. By the memory
+of that oath I now require you, Gabriel Nietzel, to lay your hand upon my
+child's head, and solemnly swear to me, by God, by our child, and by your
+love for me, to do exactly what I shall now demand of you."
+
+With reverential, timid admiration Gabriel Nietzel looked into Rebecca's
+countenance, which was beaming with energy and beauty. He could not turn
+away his glance from her, for it seemed as if his inmost soul was held
+spellbound by her large, flaming eyes, resting fixedly upon him. Ever
+looking at Rebecca, he laid his hand upon the head of the child that lay
+slumbering in the cradle, and said in a distinct, solemn voice: "I swear
+by God, by our child, and by my love for you, Rebecca, that I shall do
+exactly what you will require of me."
+
+She nodded her head as proudly and gravely as if she had been a queen, who
+had just received the homage of her vassal.
+
+"Listen then, Gabriel," she said. "You take the trunk, I take the child,
+and let us be going, for the wagon is waiting for us outside the
+Willow-bank Gate, as you know. Do not speak to me by the way, for I have
+still much to plan and ponder. Time does not stand still, and every moment
+increases the Prince's peril. If help does not reach him to-night, then is
+he lost beyond hope of recovery. Come!"
+
+Already a question was trembling on Gabriel Nietzel's lips. He wished to
+ask, "Can he by any possibility be saved?" But she had said, "Do not speak
+to me," and, obedient to his oath, he remained dumb, took up the trunk,
+and followed Rebecca, who had tenderly lifted the child from its crib and
+had just gone out of the door. Swiftly they passed side by side through
+the streets, which were still deserted, for all loungers and street idlers
+were still tarrying in Broad Street or on the castle square. Many a time
+Gabriel cast a look of questioning entreaty upon Rebecca, but she saw it
+not; she seemed to see nothing whatever, for her eyes were gazing afar
+off; like a somnambulist, she strode along, and even when the baby in her
+arms began to cry she took no notice of it, nor sought to comfort it with
+tender, soothing words. At last they had passed the gate behind the willow
+bank, and found themselves without the city. There stood the wagon waiting
+for them, covered with a tilt of gray canvas. The Jewish boy who sat on
+the back seat under the canvas awning had fallen asleep, resting his head
+against the great wooden arch to which the cover was secured. The two lean
+little horses were greedily eating of the oats in the dirty bags around
+their necks. Not a creature was to be seen. The wretched conveyance had
+excited no attention whatever, and caused not a single passer-by to pause.
+
+Rebecca stepped up to the wagon and gently laid the child in the straw
+with which the vehicle was filled. Then, with a silent wave of the hand,
+she ordered Gabriel to set down the trunk he was carrying. He did so, and
+Rebecca took a key out of her pocket, knelt down before the trunk, and
+sought hither and thither among its contents. First she took from the
+bottom of the trunk a packet with five seals, and, as she hastily stuck it
+in her bosom, her eye was uplifted to heaven with a glance of glowing
+gratitude. Then she took out a white dress and a long white veil,
+carefully concealing these things under the great black mantle which
+enveloped her figure. Finally, she locked the trunk and handed the key to
+Gabriel.
+
+"Place the trunk gently in the wagon, so as not to wake the child," she
+said. Gabriel silently obeyed, and then, standing on the footboard of the
+wagon, reached down his hand to her, as if he would ask her to follow.
+
+She shook her head quickly. "Come, Gabriel," said she, "come, let us step
+across and talk under yon tree. The child sleeps and David Cohen sleeps,
+too. Nobody hears us. Come."
+
+With hasty steps they crossed over to the great linden tree which stood at
+the side of the road. The birds sang and hopped about amid its dense
+foliage, and the hot sunbeams drew forth the most delicious fragrance from
+the blossoms with which each branch was laden. But the pair who walked up
+and down under the tree heeded neither the singing of the birds nor the
+perfume of the flowers. They were alone with one another and the sad,
+gloomy thoughts with which both their souls were filled.
+
+"Gabriel," said Rebecca, recovering breath, "I will go to free you from
+the stain of blood, for if it remain it would not merely poison the
+Electoral Prince but your whole life. My father gave you only the half of
+my dowry, as he called it. The other half he retained and gave me. After
+he had presented you with the poison, and I was alone with him in his
+chamber, he held out to me the sacred volume, and required me to take
+three oaths, by the memory of my murdered mother and by the hatred and
+revenge which we had sworn to the whole world upon her beloved body.
+First, I must swear that I would never abjure the faith of my fathers and
+become a Christian. Secondly, I must swear that I would rear the child
+that God would give me in our own religion, and never while I lived
+consent to its being made a Christian. Thirdly, I must swear to preserve
+the sealed packet he intrusted to me as my greatest treasure, my most
+precious possession, and only to tell you of it in case of the most
+extreme danger and necessity; that I was only to make use of the contents
+to purchase wealth or happiness. 'I have given death into your dear
+Gabriel's hand,' he said, 'into your hand, my daughter, I give life, and
+surely that is something much more rare and precious. He has the poisons;
+I give you the antidotes. They are worth tons of gold; they are my most
+precious treasure, and twenty years have I labored ere I discovered them.
+When I succeeded, I thanked God for this glorious discovery, and then
+thrice I swore upon the sacred volume, with my face turned to the East and
+with loud voice, that never should a Christian obtain these priceless
+antidotes through me, that never would I impart knowledge of them to a
+Christian. I will keep my oath, and divulge the holy secret only to you,
+my Rebecca. Guard it in your bosom under three sacred seals, and only in
+the most perilous hour of your life break the seal, which I herewith lay
+upon your lips. But never may you transfer this precious treasure to other
+hands; no Christian may ever touch it. Would you save life, then you must
+do it yourself, and only from your own hands may the one smitten with
+death receive life.'
+
+"Those were the words spoken by my father, when he handed me the sealed
+packet. Then he instructed me how to apply the contents, and what I would
+have to do in order to render ineffective the three poisons given you.
+'Only,' said he to me,' the antidote must be administered before
+four-and-twenty hours have elapsed since the poison was swallowed, and
+then, still twenty-four hours later, the antidote must be used for the
+second time.' Gabriel, my best-beloved, now is the most perilous hour of
+my life, and I have loosened the seal which my father pressed upon my
+lips. I have the antidote for the inflammatory powder."
+
+"Ah, Rebecca, and you will give it to me?" asked Gabriel, seizing both her
+hands and looking into her lovely face with beaming eyes.
+
+She slowly and solemnly shook her head. "You are a Christian," she said.
+"I have sworn to my father that no Christian should touch the precious
+treasure, that no hands but my own should apply the remedy he intrusted to
+me. Gabriel, out of love for me you gave the Prince into the jaws of
+death. Out of love for you I shall restore him to life."
+
+"Rebecca!" he cried, "how will you do it--how can you accomplish it? Only
+from your hands the Prince is to receive life? That means, you will
+yourself apply the remedy? You will go to him? You would return to the
+city, venture into the castle? Know you not that Schwarzenberg has his
+spies everywhere; that every lackey in the castle is bribed by him and in
+his interests; that he knows what happens there night and day? Do you not
+know that, Rebecca? Did you not yourself often tell me so, when you
+visited the castellan's wife, who loved you, because she, too, was a
+Venetian, and could speak her native language with you. Did she not tell
+you in confidence that Count Schwarzenberg was her real lord and master,
+and that she herself every morning repeated to the count's secretary all
+that came under her observation in the castle? And now would you venture
+into that castle, that den of lions!"
+
+"Did not Daniel venture into the lion's den, and the wild beasts touched
+him not?" cried she. "Why should I fear, since my work is holy and pure as
+Daniel's was?"
+
+"I shall not suffer it. I shall cling to you and hold you back."
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel, bethink you of the oath you swore upon our child's head.
+You will do what I require of you! This you swore. Will you break your
+oath?"
+
+"No, Rebecca," he said mournfully. "Command--I shall obey."
+
+"I shall return to the city," continued Rebecca. "Old Benjamin Cohen will
+hospitably entertain me and provide me with a safe hiding place. By night
+I shall go to the castle, and make sure that no one will detain me, no one
+will recognize me, and that Count Schwarzenberg's spies shall not report
+that Rebecca Nietzel was in the castle and in the Prince's room. The dress
+which I shall assume will be a certain protection; trust to me and ask no
+questions. I know every door and inlet to the castle, for the castellan's
+wife often showed me through the palace, and stairs and corridors, secret
+doors and passages are all familiar to me. I know a little door on the
+Spree side, which is never locked, because nobody knows of its existence,
+or would regard it, for it only leads to a little niche; and that a secret
+door is concealed within this niche, not even the castellan's wife herself
+knows. I discovered it one day, when I had lost my way in the castle, and
+was wandering in distress through the corridors. I said nothing about my
+discovery, and now I shall profit by it to gain safe access and to go out
+again. The next day I shall spend in concealment at Benjamin Cohen's, and
+at night I shall go again to the palace, for the dose must be repeated.
+Twice in the course of forty-eight hours must it be administered, if life
+is to vanquish death. When I leave the castle the second night, my work
+will be done, for crime will be taken away from our heads, and our child
+will not have to suffer for the sins of its parents. Then, my Gabriel,
+then we shall return to my beautiful home, then shall we be free and
+happy! Think of that, my beloved, and let us patiently bear what must be
+borne."
+
+"I will think of that, Rebecca. But tell me, what shall I do?--how shall I
+pass the long, dreary days of our separation? Do not be cruel. Let me
+return to the city with you. Benjamin Cohen will furnish a safe retreat
+for me and the child, as well as for yourself. I swear to you that I will
+keep myself concealed in the cellar, under the roof, anywhere you will,
+only let me go with you!"
+
+"It can not be. The child's life must not be endangered, nor yours either,
+that I may maintain the courage needful for action. Consider your oath,
+and do what I require. Now get into the wagon without delay. David is a
+good driver, and perfectly devoted to us. Travel day and night until you
+reach Brandenburg. There dwells a brother of Benjamin, little David
+Cohen's uncle. At his house remain in retirement until I join you, and, O
+Gabriel! then we shall set out together."
+
+"Rebecca, I can not, indeed I can not leave you!"
+
+"You must, for your crime must be expiated. Think, Gabriel, a long life of
+happiness lies before us. Let us courageously pass through the last cloud
+of evil, for beyond is day, beyond is the sun, beyond is Italy, the land
+of love and art! Now let us part, dearest. Farewell, till we meet again in
+joy!"
+
+"Can you, Rebecca, can you so suddenly leave me and be parted from me?"
+
+"I never leave you, for my soul is ever with you. No leave-takings,
+Gabriel; they make us weak, and sternly I must go to meet stern fate. Give
+me your hand. Farewell! Above lives a God for all men. He will protect
+me."
+
+"Rebecca, only give me one parting kiss!"
+
+"I shall kiss you when atonement has been made--nor until then shall I
+kiss our child again! Know this, Gabriel, that my love for you is eternal,
+it will abide even unto the end of the world! Now, let us part. Hark! the
+child cries. He calls for his father. Go to him, Gabriel, and tell our
+child that his mother loves you both more than her own life! Go!"
+
+He tried once more to seize her hand and embrace her. She waved him back,
+and with an imperious movement pointed to the wagon.
+
+"Remember your oath, Gabriel; you must do what I require of you," she said
+firmly.
+
+"But just tell me one thing, Rebecca," implored he humbly. "When shall we
+meet again?"
+
+"In four or five days, Gabriel. Stay quietly at Brandenburg, and wait for
+me there eight days. If by that time I have not come to you at
+Brandenburg, consider it as a sign that I have chosen some other route, to
+escape the anger and pursuit of Count Schwarzenberg, and that I have
+forborne to communicate with you lest I should be betrayed. Then travel
+with the child to Venice, making all possible speed. I shall join you on
+the way; but if I can not, then we shall meet again in safety at my
+father's house in Venice."
+
+"Rebecca, it is impossible; I can not--"
+
+"Hush!" interrupted she; "the child cries still, and David Cohen, too, is
+now awake."
+
+She quickly stepped toward the vehicle and nodded to the little coachman,
+who was sleepily rubbing his eyes.
+
+"Here we are, David," she said. "Now prove yourself a brave boy and do
+honor to your father's spirit. Drive boldly, but take care not to meet
+with accidents, and make for Brandenburg without delay."
+
+"I promised dad, God bless him, that I would not know rest or repose,
+hunger or sleep, until we reached Brandenburg!" cried the boy, cracking
+his whip. "Get in, I will drive you to Brandenburg."
+
+"Get in, Gabriel," said Rebecca to Nietzel, who stood at the wagon door,
+looking at her with wistful, melancholy air. She shook her head as a
+negative answer to the dumb questioning of his eyes, and only repeated,
+"Get in, Gabriel!"
+
+He jumped into the wagon, but, as he did so, leaned forward and stretched
+out his hands to her.
+
+"Forward, David, forward!" commanded Rebecca. David whipped up his horses,
+and set off at full gallop.
+
+"Be quick, David, for I must begone!"
+
+David Cohen gave the little horses a sharp blow across their heads,
+causing them to bound forward in wild impatience. Rebecca gazed after
+them, breathless, with staring eyes. When the vehicle had disappeared from
+sight she pressed both hands before her eyes, and a sob and a groan
+escaped her breast. Soon, however, she resumed her self-control.
+
+"If I weep I am lost," she said, lifting up her head. "I have a difficult
+task to perform, and tears make one faint-hearted and cowardly. I shall
+not weep, at least not now. When my work of expiation is accomplished,
+when it has succeeded, then I shall weep. And they will be tears of joy!
+Jehovah! Almighty! stand by me, that I may weep such tears to-morrow
+night! And now to work! to work!"
+
+She turned, and with quiet, firm steps proceeded to the city.
+
+
+
+
+X.--THE WHITE LADY.
+
+
+Dietrich had faithfully obeyed the Electoral Prince's orders. The
+physician in ordinary, Dr. White, had come, felt the sick man's pulse, and
+smiled upon being told that the Prince had been taken sick at Count
+Schwarzenberg's banquet.
+
+"We know all about such sicknesses," he said, shrugging his shoulders.
+"His highness the Elector suffered from such attacks in earlier days, but
+he has inured himself against them now."
+
+"But his grace seems to be really sick," remarked the chamberlain. "Only
+see, doctor, how pale he is! Cold sweat is standing on his brow, and he
+moans pitiably."
+
+"Yes, yes, he undoubtedly has pain," said the physician gravely. "Such
+instances occur after a rich feast, where they eat many things together,
+and drink besides. I shall prescribe a composing draught for his grace,
+which must be administered regularly every fifteen minutes."
+
+And the physician repaired to the Prince's cabinet adjoining his sleeping
+room, to write his prescription. Chamberlain von Götz gazed gloomily upon
+the sick man, who just at this moment uttered a loud scream, and with
+outstretched arms and clinched hands tossed restlessly about. Old Dietrich
+bent over him and wiped the perspiration from his forehead.
+
+"He is really very sick," murmured the chamberlain. "There is nothing for
+it but to stay here. He must not be left alone."
+
+"No, Herr von Götz," said Dietrich, his old face looking perfectly
+tranquil and composed--"no; the Prince ordered me to desire you to return
+immediately to the party, and not to tarry longer here. My young master
+condescendingly owned to me himself that it was actually the strong
+Hungarian wine which had occasioned his sickness, and therefore his
+highness wishes the Chamberlain von Götz to return forthwith to the party,
+that his gracious mother may not be made uneasy, and imagine that her son
+is seriously sick. The Electoral Prince's orders are that you say to his
+mother that perhaps he may return himself to the entertainment this
+evening, and that she must not allow herself to be at all anxious, for he
+will certainly be well again to-morrow."
+
+"That is a fine errand," exclaimed the chamberlain, "and the Electress
+will be much comforted by such a message. But, nevertheless, I can not
+possibly leave the Electoral Prince alone for the whole evening."
+
+"He is not alone, for I am with him," replied Dietrich, shaking his head.
+"I, too, am a man, Chamberlain von Götze, and such my gracious young
+master esteems me, for he gave express orders that I alone should stay
+with him, and that nobody else should be admitted until early to-morrow
+morning. His grace would sleep soundly he said, and rest was the best
+medicine for him."
+
+"But he must take the medicine that the doctor prescribes for him," said
+the chamberlain earnestly. "You must insist that the Electoral Prince take
+his medicine regularly."
+
+"Dismiss all anxiety, Herr von Götz," replied Dietrich solemnly; "I shall
+see to it that the Prince regularly takes the medicine he needs."
+
+"Here is the prescription!" called out the doctor, entering the chamber
+and holding out a long strip of paper. "Hurry with it to the apothecary,
+for I fear its preparation may occasion some little delay, since it is a
+nice and particular recipe, and consists of fourteen component parts. But
+it will surely work a cure and afford his highness relief. I shall come
+again this evening and see how my exalted patient is getting on."
+
+And the medical gentleman left the room, followed by the Chamberlain von
+Götz.
+
+"You think then, doctor," asked the latter outside in the passage, "that
+the Electoral Prince is not seriously sick?"
+
+"Have you ever had the sickness which follows too free indulgence in wine,
+Sir Chamberlain?" asked the doctor gravely. "If so, you know exactly how
+the Electoral Prince feels."
+
+"Badly enough," laughed Herr von Götz. "I have certainly had my own
+frightful experiences of that sickness. You think then, doctor, I may
+without impropriety return to Count Schwarzenberg's feast?"
+
+"Without any impropriety whatever, Sir Chamberlain. What the Prince
+chiefly needs is sleep and my medicine. When he has swallowed even a few
+spoonfuls he will feel much soothed and relieved."
+
+The two gentlemen left the castle together, and Dietrich remained alone
+with the Prince. He had first hastened with the long prescription to the
+Electoral apothecary, and ordered that it should be left as soon as
+prepared in the antechamber of the Prince's rooms. Then he had fetched a
+pitcher of milk from his own chamber, and, kindling a fire in the Prince's
+sleeping apartment, warmed the milk. Now he approached with the steaming
+draught the couch of the Prince, who lay sighing and moaning, with closed
+eyes and tightly compressed lips, paying no heed to Dietrich's entreaties.
+Finally, after a long pause, he opened his eyes and fixed them with a
+vacant expression upon the weeping and trembling old man.
+
+"Dietrich, I believe I am dying," he gasped. "But do not tell anybody. No
+one must know what I suffer, else _he_, too, would come to me, and I wish
+to see his hated face no more."
+
+"Most gracious Prince, I beseech you, drink. Here is milk!"
+
+"Give it to me, give it to me, Dietrich! Perhaps there is yet hope."
+
+He emptied the cup, and again sank back. Dietrich knelt by his couch and
+murmured prayers, imploring God to be with the Electoral Prince and to
+save him from death. Hour after hour sped away. Evening drew near, the
+shades of night closed in, and still all was quiet and noiseless within
+the castle precincts. Count Schwarzenberg's feast proceeded undisturbed.
+It was truly a feast of enchantment, and even the Electress was carried
+away by it. Twice had she dispatched footmen to inquire after her son's
+health, and each time old Dietrich had sent word that the Prince had
+fallen into a sweet sleep, and that the doctor's medicine seemed to agree
+with him wonderfully well. Of this medicine Dietrich threw aside a
+spoonful every fifteen minutes, and instead of it gave the Prince his own
+prescription--warm milk. But still there was no alleviation of his
+sufferings, and even the violent vomiting, which twice ensued, had not
+diminished the Prince's pain.
+
+In Count Schwarzenberg's palace now resounded strains of the most
+inspiriting dance music, and from the banqueting hall the company
+dispersed into the two ballrooms and the adjoining apartments. In the
+Electoral garden preparations were being made for fireworks, which were to
+be displayed as soon as the night was sufficiently dark. This was the
+reason why, on the approach of twilight, the sight-loving multitude came
+streaming hither again from all directions. The Elector had seated himself
+at the card table, and the Electress took a walk through the conservatory
+and the magnificent hothouses situated in the rear of the palace, access
+to which was had through the great reception hall. From the Elector, who
+was eagerly interested in his game, Count Schwarzenberg obtained permission
+to accompany the Electress. The whole company, with the exception of the
+gentlemen busied in card playing, followed them. Like a glittering,
+gigantic serpent, sparkling in all the colors of the rainbow, wound the
+long, unbroken procession through the hothouses. They admired the exquisite
+taste by which these long rooms had been transformed into gardens and
+shrubberies; enjoyed the rare, deliciously scented flowers which peeped
+forth here and there amid thickets of myrtle and orange tree; amused
+themselves with the birds of variegated plumage, suspended from the boughs
+in wire cages of most delicate workmanship. Each Ah! of delight that
+sounded from the lips of the Electress found its repeated echo in the long
+line of gentlemen and ladies following her; and these loud exclamations of
+delight and rapture were so many acts of homage and flattery offered at
+the shrine of Count Schwarzenberg, the great and mighty possessor of all
+these glories.
+
+There were in that brilliant assemblage only two individuals who paid
+little attention to the beautiful birds and flowers about them, who did
+not chime in with the eulogies and conversation of the company. These two
+were Princess Charlotte Louise and Count John Adolphus Schwarzenberg. They
+followed immediately behind the Electress. The young count had offered the
+Princess his arm, which with a slight blush she had accepted. The
+Electress, who preceded them, was wholly absorbed in conversation with
+Count Adam Schwarzenberg, who by his witty, fascinating powers of address
+succeeded in enchaining her attention. The Princess Sophie Hedwig came
+behind her sister with two ladies of the court, chatting and laughing,
+looking hither and thither at birds and flowers, and, by her frequent
+pauses of admiration before some rare plant or chatting parrot, more than
+once detaining the whole company, so that there was an empty space between
+the first two couples and those following.
+
+"I could fall at the feet of the Princess and kiss her hands in fervent
+gratitude," whispered Count Adolphus, when again the procession tarried
+behind them.
+
+"Why so?" asked Charlotte Louise, smiling. "What has my sister done to
+merit such gratitude?"
+
+"What? Why, she has granted me a blessed moment, in which I can tell you
+that I love you, boundlessly love you. Ah! why can I not speak this word
+aloud, that like a flash of lightning it may flame through this hall? That
+would be a fire which should unfold all blossoms and ripen all fruits. I
+love you, Charlotte Louise! I could kneel down here and repeat in strains
+of perpetual adoration to you, my mistress, my goddess, I love you, I am
+yours; but, alas! you--"
+
+"Well," asked she with a beaming glance--"well, why do you not complete
+your sentence?"
+
+"You are not mine," sighed he. "Were you so, then you would not answer the
+words which gush forth hot and ardent from my heart in such strange, cold
+fashion; then would you listen to my supplications, and grant me a
+moment's interview."
+
+"Did I not tell you, Adolphus," whispered she, "that you were to meet old
+Trude on the castle square to-morrow morning early? She will be the bearer
+of a message for you."
+
+"You said so; but I tell you, if you loved me you would not need time for
+reflection, but even yesterday, as soon as you heard of my arrival, your
+heart would have suggested the importance of our meeting in private, and
+devised some scheme whereby this might be accomplished without making use
+of old Trude's intervention so late as to-morrow morning."
+
+Princess Charlotte Louise laughed and blushed at the same time. "Perhaps I
+am not so cold and indifferent as you think, Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg," she said, with a charming expression of bashfulness and
+coquetry. "Perhaps I had already reflected that a conference would be
+desirable, were it only for the purpose of scolding you for your impulsive
+manners. Perhaps, too, I already know a place where we can see each other
+without old Trude's help."
+
+"If you speak earnestly, then am I the happiest of men. But I can not
+believe you, can not believe that my proud, cold-hearted Princess
+actually--"
+
+"Can not believe me!" interrupted she, smiling; "then, unbeliever, I shall
+convince you. Attend closely to all that I do."
+
+She dropped his arm, and pausing before a rare Manilla flower, praised its
+beauty and perfume. While doing so, her little hand, accidentally of
+course, disappeared in the pocket of her ample skirt, and when she drew it
+forth again this hand was fast closed. She waited until her sister came up
+with the court ladies, and drew her attention to the beautiful flower and
+the aviary of charming birds in the rear. She then walked forward, in the
+blissful consciousness that a long time would supervene ere the Princess
+could tear herself away from the flower and birds, and that she might now
+speak to her lover secure from being overheard, since a wide space also
+separated them from the pair in front.
+
+"What have you there in your hand, Louise?" asked the count, in breathless
+suspense.
+
+"A little note to Count Adolphus von Schwarzenberg," replied she, smiling,
+and with swift movement she pressed the little twisted paper into his
+hand. His countenance lighted up with rapture, and he made a movement as
+if he would kneel before her, but the Princess restrained him.
+
+"For Heaven's sake, Adolphus, consider that we are not alone," she
+whispered hurriedly.
+
+"I am alone with you, and if millions encircled us still should I be alone
+with you in paradise. To me you are the first, the only woman upon earth.
+I look upon you with the rapture which Adam felt when he first perceived
+at his side his God-sent, heavenly wife. You have led me back to a
+paradise of innocence and peace, have changed me into an Adam who the
+first time sees and loves a woman. Oh, my beloved, you have made me
+blessed indeed! This little strip of paper that you pressed into my hand,
+as if by an enchanter's spell, has penetrated my whole being with heavenly
+fire. I _must_ see it, I _must_ with my own eyes, with my own heart, read
+the words which you have indited to me."
+
+"I will repeat to you the contents of the note," said she, smiling. "Here
+they are: 'On Tuesday evening at ten o'clock the little side door next the
+cathedral will not be locked, only closed. Through this enter a vestibule,
+to the right of which stands a door. Open this and mount the flight of
+stairs beyond. Arrived at the top, go down the little passage to the left
+until you reach a door at the end. It will be open.'"
+
+"Tuesday evening?" whispered he, with enraptured looks; "and--"
+
+Three loud cannon shots drowned his words. They announced the opening of
+the exhibition of fireworks, and Princess Sophie Hedwig now came rapidly
+forward, followed by the whole assembly, all pressing eagerly toward the
+great hall, whose windows commanded a view of the fireworks. The rockets
+flew, and artificial suns wheeled and turned in fiery circles. Even the
+Elector forsook his card playing, and, supported by Count Schwarzenberg,
+walked to the window to behold the costly spectacle. Without, the densely
+packed throng of men shouted aloud with delight at each new star which
+shot upward.
+
+The Electoral Prince Frederick William still lay within his solitary
+chamber, moaning and sighing upon his couch. Regularly every quarter of an
+hour Dietrich had thrown away a spoonful of medicine, and given the Prince
+a spoonful of warm milk. But his pains had not been diminished thereby,
+though the Electoral Prince was evidently himself, and clearly conscious
+of his situation. Several times he had addressed a few affectionate words
+to Dietrich, seeking to comfort the faithful old man, who in his agony of
+mind wept and prayed, and then tenderly pressed his beloved master's hand
+to his lips, and besought him to get well and live.
+
+"If it depends on me, Dietrich," said the Electoral Prince slowly,
+moistening his parched lips with his tongue--"if it depends on me, I
+surely shall not die. Life is still dear to me, although it has brought me
+much of bitterness and grief. On that very account, though, I hope that
+the future will indemnify me. It is a sorrowful thought to me to die and
+sink into the grave so young, so unknown. Could I prevent it, I surely
+should. But this hellish fire in my veins burns on and on, and is
+consuming my life. Give me something to drink; milk at least lessens my
+pangs in some degree."
+
+Thus passed hour after hour, and midnight drew near. Count Schwarzenberg's
+festival was not yet over, the Electoral family had not yet returned, and
+silence unbroken reigned throughout the castle. With slow, measured tread
+went the sentinels to and fro before the palace and through the inner
+corridors. At times the loud shouts of the populace penetrated in faint
+echoes even to the castle, and flew like spirit whispers through the broad
+vestibule fronting the Electoral Prince's suite of rooms. The soldier on
+guard there heard them with a shudder, and all the stories of ghosts and
+specters told about the Electoral palace awoke to his remembrance. He cast
+a disturbed glance around, and, holding his breath, listened with loudly
+beating heart to the soft sounds and murmurs vibrating through the hall.
+Suddenly he quite distinctly seemed to hear soft, gliding steps
+approaching him from the other side of the vestibule. His blood stood
+still with horror, he stared into the dusky hall. The little oil lamps
+which hung on both sides of the door leading into the Electoral Prince's
+apartments shed abroad only a glimmering, uncertain light, and left the
+background enveloped in gloom and obscurity.
+
+All at once the soldier started: he thought he saw a white figure emerge
+from the darkness. Yes--his eyes saw her, his ears heard her steps!
+
+Yes, it was no illusion! Ever nearer, ever larger loomed the white figure.
+It was wholly enveloped in a veil and robe of white, and only two large,
+sparkling black eyes looked forth from the veil. The soldier fell upon his
+knees, dropped his weapon, and, folding his hands, muttered with
+chattering teeth: "The White Lady! God Almighty be gracious to us! The
+White Lady!"
+
+He dared not look up; he only murmured in anguish of spirit the prayers by
+which spirits were exorcised; but he felt that the dreaded phantom came
+ever nearer and nearer--that he could not exorcise the Lady in White! Now
+she was close to him, her white garment grazed his bowed head, and the
+soldier shuddered and shrank within himself. It was as if he heard a door
+creak and turn softly on its hinges, then all was still.
+
+The soldier ventured to lift up his head a little--the hall was empty, the
+Lady in White had vanished! But she had been there; he had distinctly seen
+her; she had entered the Electoral Prince's apartments; the soldier had
+plainly heard that!
+
+Now an inexpressible horror, that was stronger than all discipline and
+sense of duty, seized him. He rushed out of the hall, tore open the door
+opening upon the broad corridor, on both sides of which lay the apartments
+of their Electoral Highnesses. With a loud scream he called out to the
+sentinel on guard there: "The White Lady! the White Lady!"
+
+This one, too, shrieked as loudly as if the apparition itself stood before
+him--the Lady in White, known and dreaded of all! And both soldiers,
+panicstricken, ran down the corridor to tell the news to the other
+sentinels, and throw them all into the same state of dread and
+consternation.
+
+The Electoral Prince Frederick William lay upon his bed with open eyes.
+For the past half hour the pains which raged within had somewhat slackened
+in intensity, and allowed him more repose. This season of repose had
+overcome old Dietrich, and, like the disciples on Mount Olivet, he had
+fallen "asleep for sorrow." The Prince was awake and found himself in that
+overwrought condition in which the high-strung, quivering nerves lend
+wonderful clearness and acuteness to the spirit, and in which the soul
+with wide-seeing vision takes in the whole past, the whole future. He saw
+his past rise up before him, with all its struggles, its privations, its
+inexpressible joys and their painful renunciation. And then, across all
+these sufferings, and the pain of the present, he looked into the future,
+whose shining ideal stood before him in vivid clearness, beckoning and
+calling to him. He saw fame, he saw honor; he heard the din of battle, he
+saw a wild chaos, and from this chaos emerged a something, a tangible
+shape; it grew large, it assumed form and substance, it was a country--his
+country--that he himself had created, drawn forth from chaos. And now he
+saw a happy, contented people, saw glad multitudes throng about him and
+shout: "Long live our Electoral Prince, Frederick William! Long live our
+deliverer, our father!" That ideal, which had lain so long in the secret
+depths of his soul, in fact ever since he had known thought; that ideal to
+which he had already dedicated himself, when he had stood as a boy by the
+corpse of his great-uncle Gustavus Adolphus; that ideal was now truth and
+reality before his inward vision. He was a Prince wreathed in glory; he
+was beloved by his strong and happy subjects!
+
+"I can not die," he exclaimed, in a loud, strong voice; "I need not die!"
+
+"No, you need not die," said a sonorous voice; and a white form hovered
+near, and two great, black eyes glowed upon him. Frederick William tried
+to rise, but could not, for his limbs were paralyzed, and he felt as if
+chained to his couch by iron fetters.
+
+"Who are you?" he asked softly. "What do you want here? They say that he
+to whom you appear is doomed to death; and yet you come to tell me that I
+need not die?"
+
+"We are all doomed to die," replied the white figure; "but the hour of
+your death has not come yet. I am not come merely to tell you so, but to
+save you."
+
+"To save me? You know, then, that I am in danger?"
+
+"Yes! In danger of your life! Count Schwarzenberg has poisoned you. Are
+you not consumed by inward fires? Is not your head heavy and giddy?"
+
+"I see plainly that you know what I suffer--you know the poison which was
+given me."
+
+"I know the poison, but I also know its cure. I know its antidote, and
+have brought it to you. I would save you."
+
+"You would save me?" asked the Electoral Prince. "Am I not dying fast
+enough for you? Have I not yet swallowed enough of the deadly fluid that
+you would give me more as a remedy? The invention is somewhat flimsy! I
+shall not drink!"
+
+"Unhappy Prince, you would not live, then?" asked she, in distress. "Hear
+me, Frederick William. If you delay, you are lost beyond all hope of cure.
+Nobody knows the remedy for your sufferings but myself, and nobody can
+save you if I do not! Oh, think not that I would merit your thanks and
+rewards! I have come hither at the peril of my own life, and each minute
+increases my own danger as well as yours. The soldiers have fled before
+my apparition. If a braver one should come to look closer at the White
+Lady, I am lost, and you with me, for then I could not administer to you
+the antidote."
+
+"Tell me who you are, that I may see whether I may trust you."
+
+"Who am I?" asked she. "I am a poor, mortal woman, who possesses nothing
+upon earth but a heart, which loves nothing but a poor, much-to-be-pitied
+man, whom not his own will but destiny has made a criminal. His child and
+I were threatened with death, and to save us he committed a crime.
+Electoral Prince, Count Schwarzenberg has poisoned you by means of Gabriel
+Nietzel. I come to save you. Not for your own sake. What are you to
+me?--why should I disturb myself about you? I love Gabriel Nietzel, and I
+would not have his soul burdened by a crime that would break his heart. My
+Gabriel has a tender heart; he was not made to be a criminal. Therefore
+would I absolve him from that curse, for I love Gabriel, and would not
+have him be a murderer. Do you believe me now? Will you try my palliative
+now?"
+
+The Electoral Prince lay there silent and motionless, and his large,
+wide-open eyes gazed searchingly and inquiringly up at the white figure,
+as if they would penetrate the veil and read her features.
+
+Rebecca had a consciousness of this, and let the white veil fall from her
+head. "Look in my face," she said, "and read from that whether I speak
+the truth."
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel, too, came to warn me," murmured the Prince, quivering
+with pain, "and afterward it was he who poisoned me. From him come these
+fearful tortures which are burning now like the flames of hell."
+
+"Gracious sir, oh, my dear sir!" cried Dietrich now, coming up to the bed
+and kneeling beside it, "I beseech you, take nothing from her. I have
+heard all, and I tell you it is Schwarzenberg who sends this Jewess to
+you. Trust her not, my beloved Prince, take none of her hellish mixtures!"
+
+"Trust me," said Rebecca quietly. "If life is dear to you, if you hope in
+the future, if you would take vengeance upon the man who is your real
+murderer, whose mere tool my poor husband was, then accept the remedy
+which I bring you!"
+
+"Yes," cried the Electoral Prince, with countenance lighting up, "yes, I
+will take it! Give me your remedy. Hush, Dietrich, hush! I will take it!"
+
+"Praised be Jehovah! he will take it!" said she joyfully, drawing forth
+from her bosom a little flask. "Before I give you the medicine, I have
+something to say to you, Frederick William. As soon as you have taken it,
+you will fall into a deep sleep, almost resembling death. If you are
+disturbed in this, the efficacy of my cordial will be destroyed."
+
+"Dietrich," said the Prince composedly, "you will take care that no one
+disturbs my slumbers. I command you so to do!"
+
+"I shall obey, most gracious sir," murmured Dietrich.
+
+"When you awake after six hours," continued Rebecca, "you will experience
+a feeling of ineffable comfort. Be not deluded by this, and attempt to
+leave your couch. Rest is necessary for you, and you are then only on the
+road to health. That you may be perfectly cured I must come again
+to-morrow night, and once more administer the cordial. Mind that to-morrow
+night, as at present, you be alone. No one must be with you but old
+Dietrich. He is a trusty, affectionate servant, and I hope to God will
+tell no one what he has seen and heard here, for I would be lost if he
+should do so."
+
+"I swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will keep silence," said
+Dietrich solemnly.
+
+"And now, enough of words!" cried she. "See, Dietrich, the pains begin
+anew, and his features twitch convulsively. We must procure him relief."
+
+She took a glass from the table and emptied into it half of the brown
+liquid contained in her little flask. Then she bent over the Prince and
+held the glass to his lips.
+
+"Drink this," she said, with solemnity, "and may the Lord our God bless
+the potion to you!"
+
+The Prince drank in long draughts, emptying the glass to the last drop.
+Then he uttered one shriek, and sank back senseless on the pillow.
+
+"If you have murdered him," cried Dietrich, shaking his fist with menacing
+gesture--"if you have murdered him, be sure that I shall find you out and
+hand you over to the hang-man."
+
+She slowly turned and once more drew the long white veil over her face.
+"To-morrow night I shall come again," she said. "Attend well to him,
+Dietrich, and see that he swallows nothing but what you give him yourself."
+
+Then she opened the door and stepped out. The corridor was still empty and
+tenantless; the sentinels had not yet ventured to return to their posts.
+They had all collected below in the guardroom, which was situated in the
+rear of the castle toward the Spree, and, pale with agitation and horror,
+were talking in whispers of the awful event. All at once it seemed to them
+as if a white shadow glided past outside the windows, as if two great,
+sparkling eyes looked in upon them. They jumped up, rushed out of the
+room, and out of the castle, shrieking out to the town, "The White Lady!
+the White Lady!"
+
+A couple of inquisitive men coming from Schwarzenberg's palace heard the
+shriek of terror and screamed it to others, and like a tempest of wind it
+rolled on, dragged everything into its eddying circle of awe and fright,
+rushed howling through the night and penetrated into the brilliantly
+lighted palace of Count Schwarzenberg, even into the ball-room, where the
+tired couples were whirling in the last dance.
+
+"The White Lady! the White Lady has appeared in the castle!"
+
+The words ran through the halls. The dancing ceased, and the music paused
+in the midst of a piece begun, for the Elector himself had risen from his
+game of cards, and the Electress had called the Princesses from among the
+dancers.
+
+"The White Lady has been seen in the castle!"
+
+These fearful words, brought to him by his wife, frightened the Elector
+out of his comfortable mood, and dissipated the cheering effects of the
+wine. The White Lady threatened him with death! The thought filled his
+whole soul, and made him all at once sober and serious.
+
+"The Lady in White has appeared in the castle," sighed the Electress, "and
+my son Frederick William is sick. I must go to him--I must go to my son!"
+
+The equipage rolled off to the castle. The Elector leaned back gloomily in
+the corner, thinking to himself: "If I only knew whether she wore white or
+black gloves! Perhaps she only means to warn me, perhaps there is yet time
+to escape the mischief! The air of Berlin is very bad, and I vex myself
+too much here. As we drove up to the castle when we came from Königsberg,
+one of our carriage horses stumbled and fell. That was an ill omen, and we
+should have heeded it and turned about immediately. Perhaps there may yet
+be time to flee from the threatened evil, if we go back to Königsberg! If
+I only knew what kind of gloves the White Lady wore!"
+
+"Just tell me what sort of a tale this is about the White Lady?" asked
+Count Schwarzenberg of his Chamberlain von Lehndorf, after his guests had
+taken their leave.
+
+"Your excellency, one of the sentinels on duty at the castle to-day came
+rushing into the palace, and shrieked out wildly and madly: 'The White
+Lady! I have seen the White Lady! I must speak to the Elector! I have seen
+the White Lady!' I assure your excellency, it was actually terrific to
+witness the poor man's fright. He was pale as death, with tottering knees
+and trembling in every limb. I myself felt a cold shudder creep over me,
+although usually I am neither timid nor superstitious. But it is such a
+singular coincidence, that the White Lady should appear on the very day
+when the Electoral Prince was taken so suddenly ill."
+
+"Yes, it is a singular coincidence," said Schwarzenberg, shrugging his
+shoulders, "and I should like to know the connecting link. Well, I hope to
+fathom the mystery, and then the ghost story will resolve itself into a
+ridiculous reality. Early to-morrow morning I shall have all the soldiers
+called up, who were on duty at the castle to-night, and question them
+myself. The castellan's wife, too, must be summoned. She is an honest
+woman of bold and sober wits, and from her I shall be best able to learn
+what is the meaning of this masquerade. Good-night, Lehndorf, sleep off
+your fright, you sentimental man, over whom a childish shudder still
+creeps, whenever he hears a nursery maid's tale! I really envy you your
+implicit faith, you credulous man! One thing more, though: what news have
+we from the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, according to the latest accounts, the Electoral Prince
+was enjoying a little rest, having fallen into a profound sleep."
+
+"Very fine!" said the count, entering his cabinet. "Good-night, Lehndorf!"
+
+
+
+
+XI.--THE PURSUIT.
+
+
+The next morning Count Schwarzenberg interrogated all the sentinels who
+had been on guard at the castle on the preceding night. They unanimously
+affirmed that they had been awake and watchful when they had seen the
+White Lady. The sentinel before the Electoral Prince's apartments had seen
+her enter those rooms, even distinctly heard the door creak as it closed
+behind her. Collectively the sentinels asseverated that afterward they had
+seen the White Lady pass before the guardhouse windows, and that she had
+even looked in upon them with her great black eyes. Even to-day they
+shuddered and trembled at the bare remembrance of the frightful
+apparition, and swore that they would rather die than see that horrible
+woman again. Then, when the soldiers had withdrawn, came the castellan's
+wife, who had been summoned by Chamberlain von Lehndorf.
+
+"And what say you to the goblin of last night?" asked Count Schwarzenberg,
+noticing the castellan's wife with a condescending nod.
+
+"Most noble sir," replied the old woman solemnly, "I say that a member of
+the Electoral family will die."
+
+"What? _you_, the prudent, wise, intelligent Mrs. Culwin--you, too, believe
+this ridiculous story?"
+
+"Most revered sir, I believe in it because I know the White Lady, and have
+seen her often before."
+
+"Oh, indeed," smiled the count; "you count the White Lady among your
+acquaintances; you have seen her often before? Just tell me a little about
+her, my dear dame! When did you first see the specter?"
+
+"Almost twenty years ago, if it please your honor. I had just been a year
+in Berlin. Your honor knows I came here from Venice in the capacity of
+maid to your lady of blessed memory, and had committed the folly of giving
+up the countess's good service in order to marry Culwin, the young
+castellan."
+
+"And why do you call that a folly?" asked Count Schwarzenberg, laughing.
+"I have always believed that you lived in happy wedlock with your good
+man."
+
+"That may be so, your excellency, but for all that, a lady's maid, who can
+live independently always commits a folly in submitting to a husband's
+rule. And I could support myself, for your excellency paid me such a
+handsome salary, and I was in such favor with your blessed lady. Often,
+before I stupidly left her to get married, she would call me, and we would
+talk together of our beautiful home, our beloved Venice. Ah! your
+excellency, we have often wept together, and longed ardently to behold
+once more the city of the sea. Whoever comes from there never recovers
+from homesickness and wherever he goes, and however far he may be removed,
+his heart still clings to Venice. That the gracious countess often
+remarked to me, weeping bitterly, which did her good, and--"
+
+"You were to tell me when you first saw the White Lady," interrupted Count
+Schwarzenberg, for he felt uncomfortable at being reminded of his wife,
+knowing as he did that she had spent but few happy days at his side.
+
+"That is true, and I beg your excellency's pardon," replied Mrs. Culwin.
+Well, then, I saw the White Lady for the first time in the year 1619. I
+had sat up late at night, for it was a few days before the Christmas
+festival, and, in accordance with German customs, I wished to make a
+Christmas present for my husband, but had not finished the piece of
+embroidery I destined for that purpose. As I sat thus and sewed, I felt as
+it were a cold breath of air on my cheek, as if some one rapidly moved
+past me. I looked up startled, and there stood before me a tall, womanly
+figure, clad in white, looking at me from under her veil with dark,
+flashing eyes; and then she strode toward the door, but ere she went out
+she lifted her arms toward heaven, and folded her hands, which were
+covered with black gloves, fervently together. So she stood for awhile,
+and then vanished without my seeing the door open or shut. So long as the
+specter was there I had sat stiff and motionless, as if rooted to the
+spot; my heart seemed to stand still; I tried to scream, but could not.
+When she was gone, though, I shrieked fearfully, and my husband hastened
+to me, to find me in convulsions, and for hours I screamed and wept. My
+husband, indeed, tried to talk me out of it, and made me promise to speak
+of the occurrence to no one. But my silence was of no consequence, for the
+next day it was known to all the inmates of the palace that the White Lady
+had appeared, for very many had seen her. The old Elector John Sigismund
+had such a dread of the White Lady, and feared so much that she would
+appear to him, that he left the castle that very day, and went to the
+residence of his Chamberlain Freitag. There, however, he died in the
+course of two days, just two days before Christmas.[25] The White Lady was
+therefore right, with her deep mourning and black gloves.[26] It was not
+the head of the family who died, for the old Elector had abdicated, and
+Elector George William was even then reigning Sovereign."
+
+"Truly, that sounds quite awful," cried Count Schwarzenberg; "and since
+you saw the apparition with your own eyes, I can not dispute it. You said,
+though, I think, that you had often seen it?"
+
+"Twice more, gracious sir. The second time was in the year 1625. There
+again, one night, in the center of my room stood the White Lady, and again
+lifted up her arms toward heaven before departing, and again she wore
+black gloves. And the next day died the brother of our Elector, the
+Margrave Joachim Sigismund."[27]
+
+"And the third time?"
+
+"For the third time I saw the White Lady ten years ago, therefore in 1628.
+This time she also wore black gloves, and a black veil besides. She again
+strode through my room, but neither wept nor wrung her hands. She had also
+appeared to the Elector himself, and addressed a few Latin words to him,
+which in German my husband said ran thus: 'Justice comes to the living and
+the dead.'"[28]
+
+"I remember this last story very well myself," said Count Schwarzenberg,
+with a peculiar smile. "His Electoral Grace was very much shocked by the
+apparition, and its appearance was supposed to announce years of terrible
+war, for no one in the Electoral family died. Now tell me, Mrs. Culwin, at
+what time did the White Lady appear yesterday, and how was she dressed?"
+
+"Your excellency, I can not say exactly, for I did not see her yesterday.
+The soldiers however, and watchmen, too, affirm that she was dressed
+entirely in white, which betokens the death of a person of high rank."
+
+"You did not see the White Lady yesterday, then? I think she always passes
+through your room, Mrs. Culwin?"
+
+"She took another route this time, and something quite unusual happened:
+she even appeared outside of the castle, for the soldiers maintain that
+she passed before their windows, and the watchman, who was just making his
+round, swears that he also saw a white figure glide past the wall. It
+seems that this time the White Lady came from the Spree side. She did not
+enter the great corridor at all, but repaired immediately to the Prince's
+apartments. The sentinel says she went in, and that he distinctly heard
+the door creak and shut as she passed through."
+
+"Formerly no opening or shutting of doors was to be heard, was there?"
+asked the count.
+
+"No, your excellency, I never heard anything of the kind, and it always
+seemed to me as if the door opened not at all, and as if the White Lady
+vanished like mist."
+
+"And she only visited the Prince's apartments? Do you know who was there?"
+
+"Nobody but the Electoral Prince and his valet, I hear. _I_ myself was not
+at home when the event occurred. Your excellency's stewardess had invited
+me to assist her in preparing yesterday's feast, and I only returned in
+haste as soon as it was rumored that the White Lady was abroad in the
+castle."
+
+"But you have surely seen and questioned the Prince's valet?"
+
+"He is the only man in the castle who can not be approached with good or
+evil words, your excellency, and who brooks not being questioned. Of
+course, I tried questioning him about the White Lady, but his only answer
+was that he had seen nothing, and did not believe in ghost stories. He
+only knew that his dear young Prince was sick, and he troubled himself
+about nothing else."
+
+"He is still sick then, the Electoral Prince?" asked Count Schwarzenberg
+with indifference. "Has he not slept off his intoxication yet?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, I do not believe that it was intoxication, else surely
+the Prince would be well to-day! But he is not at all better, and the
+Electress, who visited her son early this morning, broke forth into loud
+weeping when she saw him, for he must look just like a corpse."
+
+"Did he recognize the Electress? Did he speak to her?"
+
+"He knows nobody, he does not open his eyes, but lies there stiff and
+stark like a dead man, and if he did not sometimes fetch a breath, you
+would believe that he were already dead. This the little Princess herself
+told me, as I accidentally met her in the passage, when she returned from
+visiting her brother. But the doctor says this sleep is the beneficial
+result of his treatment, and that when the Electoral Prince awakes he will
+be quite restored to health. He has ordered that no one else be admitted
+to see the Prince, and Dietrich watches over him like a Cerberus."
+
+"And he does well in that, Mrs. Culwin. I thank you for your information,
+and if anything new should happen I beg of you to come to me forthwith.
+Tell me one thing more: Do you believe that the specter will come again
+to-night? Is it the custom of the White Lady to show herself oftener than
+once?"
+
+"My husband maintains that if she appears, as at this time, all in white,
+she will come again three nights consecutively. So it was when the Elector
+Sigismund died. I saw her only once, and she wore black gloves, but the
+next evening my husband saw her on the other side of the castle dressed
+all in white, and on the third evening the Elector died."
+
+"It would be interesting if the White Lady should come again to-night. I
+should like to know if it is the case, and--Well, farewell, Mrs. Culwin,
+and if you learn anything new, share it with me. Perhaps I shall come over
+to the castle myself to-night."
+
+He held out his hand to the old woman, and, as he pressed hers, he let a
+well-filled purse slip into it. He cut off her expressions of gratitude by
+a short nod of the head, and waved her toward the door. The castellan's
+wife withdrew, and, absorbed in deep thought, Count Schwarzenberg remained
+alone in his cabinet. With hands folded behind his back, he walked for a
+long while to and fro. His pace was ever steady, ever composed; his
+countenance seemed quite cheerful, quite tranquil, and yet his soul was
+stirred by passion and a storm was raging in his breast.
+
+"He is alive--he is still alive," he said to himself. "One could almost
+believe that he has a star above which watches over him and preserves him.
+It has been ever so from childhood; and at times when I think of him I
+experience an unwonted sensation--I am afraid of him. He is my deadly
+enemy, I know it. If I did not thrust him aside, he would do so with me.
+If I did not kill him, he would kill me. It was a mere act of self-defense
+to put him out of the way. If it miscarries, I am lost, for I shall not
+soon have courage for a second attempt. I am a coward in this young man's
+presence, I am afraid of him! He is my fate, my evil fate! And I can not
+avert it, can undertake nothing more. I lack a tool. Oh, what a blockhead
+I was to dismiss Nietzel! His own sins were the scourge by which I lashed
+him into action. He was as wax in my hands, and if he failed this time, he
+must have tried it again. I would have driven him to it, and he would have
+been forced to obey. If the Electoral Prince should now get well, Nietzel
+would be glad, for he is a soft-hearted fool, and had it not been for
+Rebecca's sake, he could never have brought himself to commit the deed.
+Even while he executed it his heart bled, and--My God!" he suddenly
+exclaimed, "what a thought bursts upon me! If this Nietzel--"
+
+He was silent and sank into an armchair, putting his hands before his
+face, to shut out the outer world, to be undisturbed in his deep train of
+thought.
+
+Long he sat there, silent and motionless. Then he let his hands glide
+from before his face, which had now again resumed its haughty, composed
+expression, and arose from his seat.
+
+"I must know what is the meaning of this ghost story," he said softly to
+himself. "Nowhere has the phantom been seen but in the antechamber to the
+Prince's rooms. It did not go like other spirits through walls and closed
+doors, but must needs open and shut doors, like ordinary mortals. Yet old
+Dietrich denies having seen the White Lady in the Electoral Prince's room.
+Then afterward the White Lady was seen outside the castle, she did not
+vanish through the air, but went out like a human being. It is a plot,
+that is clear. They are conspiring with the Electoral Prince, and profit
+by the mask to obtain safe access to the castle; or it may be Nietzel,
+come to confess what he has done to the Prince--maybe even to bring him a
+remedy. I must unravel it! I am sure the illusion succeeded so well last
+night that the apparition will be repeated. I shall make my regulations
+accordingly, and if it is so, then let the White Lady beware of me, for I
+am a good conjurer. I shall go to the castle myself to-night, and when the
+sentinels flee, I shall go in. Ah! we shall see who is stronger, the White
+Lady or the Stadtholder in the Mark!"
+
+Melancholy and quiet reigned all day long in the Electoral palace. The
+Elector himself remained in his cabinet and had the court preacher John
+Bergius called, that he might pray with him and edify him by a few hours'
+pious conversation. But the dreadful uncertainty as to whether the White
+Lady had appeared in deep mourning or with black gloves still continued
+to disturb him, and whenever a door opened a shudder crept through his
+veins, for he thought that the White Lady herself might be coming to call
+him away.
+
+"I shall leave Berlin," he said perpetually to himself. "I shall return to
+Königsberg; for if I stay here I will certainly die of anxiety and
+distress. I can not live in the house with a ghost. I shall go away. Ah!
+there is the door opening again! Who is it? Who dares come in here?"
+
+"It is I, my husband," cried the Electress, bursting into tears. "I am
+just from our son."
+
+"How is he?" asked the Elector carelessly. "Has he at last slept off the
+fumes of liquor?"
+
+"Alas! George, I fear this is no case of intoxication, but he is
+dangerously sick. The White Lady did not appear for nothing."
+
+"What, you think she came on our son's account?" asked the Elector,
+almost joyfully. "You think it is not for our--" He paused and drew a
+breath of relief, for he felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from
+his soul. "You really think, my dear, that the White Lady came on
+our son's account?"
+
+"I fear so, alas! I fear so! My son is sick and will probably die, and our
+house will be left desolate, become extinct, and ingloriously decay. Oh,
+my son! my son! I had built all my hopes upon him, and when I thought of
+him the future looked bright and promising."
+
+"And if he were no more, then would all look sad and gloomy to you,
+although your husband would still be at your side, which rightfully ought
+to console you. But you have ever been a cold wife to me and a tender
+mother to your son, and it really vexes me to see how you love the son and
+despise his father. What an ado you make merely because your son has taken
+a little too much liquor, and suffers from the effects of intoxication, as
+the doctor says!"
+
+"But I tell you, George, the Electoral Prince is sick, and the White
+Lady--"
+
+"I will hear no more of that," broke in the Elector passionately; "it is a
+silly, idle tale, not worthy of credit. Everybody is dinning it into my
+ears to-day, and it is simply intolerable to have to listen. I just wish
+that I could leave this place, to be rid of this tiresome ghost story, and
+not to have to undergo such torment and vexation. In Königsberg, at least,
+we live in peace and quiet, and are not forever plagued by the sight of
+sullen faces and perpetual threats of war and pestilence. In Königsberg
+Castle, too, the White Lady has never appeared, and there are no nightly
+apparitions there."
+
+"Let us return to Königsberg, George!" cried the Electress. "Do so for our
+son's sake; I tell you if we stay here, he is lost! Death stands forever
+at his side, threatening his precious young life! Ask me not what I mean,
+for I can not explain myself; yet I feel that I am right, and that he is
+lost if we do not speedily depart. Only listen this one time to my
+entreaties and representations, my husband. Let us set out before it is
+too late."
+
+"Well then, Elizabeth, I will do as you wish," said George William, who
+was glad that he could grant his wife what he  so ardently wished himself.
+"Yes, we shall promptly depart, since you urge it so pressingly."
+
+The Electress gently encircled her husband's neck with her arm and
+imprinted a kiss upon his brow. "Thank you, George," she whispered. "You
+have probably saved our son from death. May the merciful God grant him
+restoration to health, and so soon as this is the case let us set off."
+
+"Make all your preparations then, Elizabeth, for I tell you your tenderly
+beloved son is only a little tipsy, and to-morrow will be well as ever."
+
+"God grant that you speak the truth, George. Then let us commence our
+journey day after to-morrow," which is Wednesday. But hark! I have one
+more request to make of you. Tell no one of our projected trip. Let us
+make our preparations in perfect secrecy."
+
+"For all that I care," growled the Elector. "The principal thing is to be
+off. Abode here has been hateful to me ever since I heard those shouts of
+the populace the day our son returned. I can not live in a city where the
+mob undertakes to meddle in government affairs, and even prescribes to its
+Sovereign the dismissal of his minister. It is an uproarious, insolent
+rabble, the rabble of Berlin, and I shall not feel glad or tranquil until
+I have left the place."
+
+"And I, too, George, will not feel glad or tranquil until we have left the
+place, carrying our son with us. I am going to work directly, and will
+prepare everything for our departure, and consult with my daughters. But I
+must first go and see how our son is."
+
+The Electress hastened back to the apartments of the Electoral Prince, and
+old Dietrich came to meet her with joy-beaming countenance to announce to
+her that the Prince was awake, and felt perfectly well. "He only feels a
+great weakness in his limbs, and his head is heavy. The doctor has been
+here, and ordered that the Prince be kept perfectly quiet to-day, and not
+allowed to speak with any one or to leave his bed. To-morrow he will be
+quite well again."
+
+"Then I will not speak to him," exclaimed the Electress; "I will only take
+one look at him and give him one kiss."
+
+She entered her son's sleeping room and stepped up to his couch. The
+Electoral Prince smiled upon her, and his large eyes greeted her with
+tender glances. He had already opened his mouth to speak, but the
+Electress quickly laid her hand upon his lips.
+
+"Do not speak, my Frederick," she whispered softly. "Sleep and compose
+yourself; know that your mother tenderly loves you. For my sake, my son,
+keep quiet to-day; keep your bed and talk with no one. Will you not
+promise me?"
+
+He nodded smilingly and imprinted a kiss upon the hand which his mother
+still held over his lips. The Electress hurried away, and Frederick again
+remained alone with his old valet.
+
+"Now, Dietrich," he whispered softly, "now keep watch that no one enters,
+and let us quietly await the night."
+
+"Your grace thinks that the White Lady brought you good medicine last
+night, and that she will come again, do you not?"
+
+"I am convinced of it, my good old man. God has sent her for my cure. God
+will not have me die already."
+
+"The name of the Lord be blessed and praised!" murmured Dietrich, sinking
+upon his knees in fervent prayer.
+
+Deep stillness pervaded the Electoral Prince's apartments the whole day
+long, for nobody dared venture in. The doctor himself, who came toward
+evening, only peeped in through a crevice of the door, and nodded quite
+contentedly when Dietrich whisperingly told him that the Prince had again
+fallen into a gentle slumber.
+
+"I knew it," said the doctor with gravity. "My medicine was meant to cure
+him by means of sleep, and I am not surprised that my calculations have
+proved perfectly correct. To-morrow the Prince will be perfectly
+well--that is to say, if he regularly takes my medicine. It has been
+prepared for the second time, I hope?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, doctor, and the Prince has half emptied the second bottle."
+
+The doctor nodded with an important air, and repaired to the Electress, to
+inform her that the Electoral Prince had been upon the point of taking a
+violent nervous fever, but that the right medicament, which he had given
+him, had averted this evil, and saved the Prince from imminent peril.
+
+Old Dietrich, however, threw away a spoonful of medicine every quarter of
+an hour, and when night came the bottle was empty.
+
+And now the longed-for night had closed in with its curtain of darkness,
+its noiselessness and quiet. Deep silence ruled throughout the castle, no
+loud word was any longer to be heard, not a man was to be met in hall or
+passage. Before the ushering in of the momentous hour each one had made
+haste to tuck himself up in bed, and shut his eyes, for everybody dreaded
+lest the specter of the preceding night should walk abroad again and show
+itself to him. The sentinels in the corridor before the Electoral suite of
+rooms and in the vestibule of the Prince's apartments dared not walk to
+and fro, for the noise of their own steps terrified them, and the dark
+shadows of their own forms, thrown upon the ground by the dim oil lamps,
+filled them with unspeakable dread. They had planted themselves stiffly
+and rigidly beside the doors, firmly determined as soon as the awful
+apparition should show itself to take to their heels and return to the
+guardroom. And happily they had some justification for this, inasmuch as
+the soldiers had received orders from the Stadtholder in the Mark, when
+they relieved guard, to convey instant tidings to the guardhouse if
+anything remarkable should occur.
+
+In order to convey instant tidings, they must of course take to their
+heels and forsake their posts. This was the only comfort of the soldier
+who was stationed in the vestibule leading to the princely apartments, and
+therefore he stood close to the door, which was only upon the latch, that
+he might the more rapidly gain the grand corridor, and warn in his flight
+the sentinels there. Yet he dared not open his eyes, and his heart beat so
+violently that it took away his breath.
+
+The great cathedral clock tolled the hour of midnight with loud and heavy
+strokes. The clock in the castle tower gave answer, and then the wall
+clock in the great corridor slowly and solemnly struck twelve.
+
+The soldier closed his eyes, and murmured with trembling lips, "All good
+spirits praise the Lord our God."
+
+The clangor of the clocks had ceased, and all again was still.
+
+The soldier ventured to open his eyes again. As yet no sound broke in upon
+the stillness; his glance timidly and slowly made the circuit of the hall.
+The two oil lamps burned clearly enough to enable him to survey the whole
+intervening space. He saw everything quite distinctly. There the door with
+the lamps, here the door beside which he leaned; against the wall on that
+side those two huge, black wooden presses, so curiously carved, and
+between them that little door. This door began to make him uneasy. Whither
+did it lead? Why stood no guard there? Was it locked or merely latched? He
+asked himself all this with quickly beating heart, and could not turn his
+glance from it. He had never before observed it. Now it seemed to him as
+if it moved! A cold shudder ran through his whole frame.
+
+Yes, it was no illusion! Yes, the door opened, and there stood the White
+Lady in her long, flowing robes! The soldier did not shriek, for horror
+had frozen the scream upon his lips. He tore open the door, and rushed
+into the corridor, and his deadly pale and terrorstricken face imparted
+with greater rapidity than words to the two sentinels there the dreadful
+tidings. All three ran down the corridor together to the front door, down
+the steps, across the wide court, and into the guardroom.
+
+"The White Lady! the White Lady!" they gasped.
+
+"Where is she? Who has seen her?" inquired a form emerging from the rear
+of the room and approaching them; and now, as the lamplight fell upon this
+form, the soldiers recognized it very well--it was the Stadtholder in the
+Mark himself who stood before them, and behind him they saw his
+Chamberlain von Lehndorf and the police-master Brandt.
+
+"Which of you has seen the White Lady?" asked Count Schwarzenberg once
+more.
+
+"I, gracious sir," stammered one of the three with difficulty. "I was
+stationed before the Electoral Prince's rooms, and I saw the White Lady
+enter through the little door between the two presses."
+
+"And whither went she?"
+
+"That I did not see, your excellency, for--"
+
+"For you ran away directly," concluded Count Schwarzenberg for him. "And
+you two others! You stood in the great corridor; did you see the
+apparition, too?"
+
+"No, your excellency, we did not see her. She did not come through the
+great corridor."
+
+"You did not see her. Why did you run away then?"
+
+"Your excellency, we ran away because--because--we do not know ourselves."
+
+"Well, I know," cried the count, shrugging his shoulders. "You ran away
+because you are cowards! Hush! No excuses now! We shall talk about it
+early to-morrow morning. Stay here in the guardroom. I myself will go up
+and see what folly has frightened you hares. Lehndorf and Brandt, both of
+you stay here and await my return."
+
+"But, most gracious sir," implored the chamberlain, "I beg your permission
+to accompany you. Nobody can know--"
+
+"Whether the White Lady may not stab and throttle me, would you say? No,
+Lehndorf, I fear no woman's shape, be she clothed in white or black. I am
+well armed, and methinks the White Lady will find her match in me. All of
+you stay here; but if I should not return in an hour, then you may mount
+the stairs and see whether the White Lady has borne me off through the
+air.--Which of you," he said, turning to the soldiers--"which of you stood
+guard before the princely apartments?"
+
+"It was I, your excellency."
+
+"Whence came the White Lady?"
+
+"She came through the little door between the two presses in the
+vestibule."
+
+"It is well! You will all stay here. And, as I said, Lehndorf, if I return
+not in an hour, then come."
+
+He nodded kindly to the chamberlain and strode out of the room.
+
+Meanwhile above, in the Electoral Prince's chamber, the White Lady had
+been expected with glowing impatience. Dietrich had already stood for a
+quarter of an hour at the antechamber door, waiting with palpitating heart
+for her appearance. The Electoral Prince had with difficulty raised
+himself up, and, supporting himself upon his elbows, had been listening
+with uplifted head in the direction of the door ever since the midnight
+hour had struck. And now the door opened and the White Lady glided in.
+With gentle, undulating gait and veil thrown back she went to the Prince's
+bed, and when she saw him sitting up a smile lighted up her pale face.
+
+"You see, Electoral Prince Frederick William, I have not deceived you,"
+she said; "you live, and you will now get perfectly well."
+
+"Yes, I believe that I will get well," replied the Prince; "and I owe my
+life to you."
+
+"Never mind that," said she, slowly shaking her head. "I am not here for
+your sake, but for my poor Gabriel's sake, to expiate his sin and to free
+his soul from guilt. I dare not use many words. The fame of the White Lady
+has spread through the whole city, and it may well be that they are on my
+track to-night--that Count Schwarzenberg's suspicions have been aroused.
+
+"He is a bad man, and I am afraid of him."
+
+"And yet you have come here! Have not shunned danger in order to save me!"
+
+"I have not shunned danger in order to go to my beloved and be able to
+tell him--'Lift up your head and rejoice in the Lord; crime is taken away
+from your head--you are no murderer, for the Electoral Prince lives.' One
+thing I would like to add, and I beseech you to grant it to me. Say that
+you will pardon Gabriel Nietzel."
+
+"I pardon Gabriel Nietzel with my whole heart, and never shall he be
+punished for what he has done to me! You have atoned for his crime, and
+may God forgive him, as I do."
+
+"I thank you, sir. And now take your second draught."
+
+She took the little flask, poured the rest of its contents into a glass,
+and handed it to the Prince.
+
+"Drink and be glad of heart," she said, "for to-morrow, early in the
+morning, you will awake a sound man. The angel of death has swept past
+you; take good heed lest you fall a second time into his clutches. Flee
+before him to the greatest possible distance. There, take, drink life and
+health from this glass, and the Lord our God be with you in all your ways!"
+
+"I thank you, and blessed be you too!" And the Electoral Prince took the
+glass from her hand and drained it.
+
+"It is finished," said Rebecca, heaving a deep sigh.
+
+"Now I can return to my beloved and my child. Farewell!"
+
+"Give me your hand, and let our farewell be that of friends," said
+Frederick William.
+
+She reached forth her little white hand from beneath her veil, and he
+cordially pressed it within his own. "You are a noble, high-minded woman,
+and I shall ever remember you with gratitude and friendship. I owe you my
+life; it is truly a great debt, and you would be magnanimous if you could
+point out some way whereby the weight might be a little lessened. I
+beseech you tell me some way in which I may prove my gratitude."
+
+"I will do so, sir! Some day when you are Elector, and a reigning
+Sovereign in your land, then have compassion upon those who are enslaved
+and oppressed, then spare the Jews!"
+
+She turned away, drew her veil over her head, and disappeared.
+
+"My work is finished! My beloved is atoned for!" exulted her soul. As if
+borne on wings of happiness and bliss, she soared through the antechamber
+and stepped out into the vestibule.
+
+All here was still and quiet, and she did not observe that the sentinel no
+longer stood at the door. Her thoughts were withdrawn from the present,
+her soul was far away with _him_--him whom she loved, for whom she had
+risked her life.
+
+Thus she sped through the great space and approached the door between the
+two presses. All at once she started and shrank back, and the tall, manly
+form standing before this door sprang forward, and with strong hand tore
+her veil impatiently from her head.
+
+"Rebecca!"
+
+"Count Schwarzenberg!"
+
+For one moment they surveyed one another with flaming eyes.
+
+She read her death sentence in his looks. But she would not die. No, she
+would not die! She would see her beloved, her child once more! With a
+sudden jerk she freed her arm from the hand that held her prisoner. She
+knew not what to do, whither she could flee. She had only a vague
+consciousness that to be alone with him meant death--that she would he
+safe only outside the castle. Without, on the street, Schwarzenberg would
+not venture to seize her, for he knew that she possessed his secret and
+that she would accuse him. She flew across the vestibule, tore open the
+door to the long corridor, and sprang down it like a hunted deer. But the
+pursuer was behind her, close behind her! She heard his breath, he
+stretched out his hands toward her--she felt his touch, and again she
+burst loose and flew away!
+
+At the end of the corridor is a small staircase which leads to the upper
+stories. She knows the way--oh, she knows the way! Above it is another
+long corridor, and if from the head of the stairs she turns to the right,
+she will reach the great staircase. She will hurry down to the quarters of
+the castellan and his wife; she will call--scream!
+
+Oh, if she can only get so far!
+
+She flies up the little steps, but she feels the pursuer close at her
+heels. And just as she reaches the top step, his hand, like a lion's paw,
+is laid upon her shoulder.
+
+"Stand still, or I will strangle you!" he murmurs. "Stand still, and I
+swear that I will not kill you!"
+
+"No, no, I do not believe you!" she gasps, and with both hands she seizes
+his and thrusts it back. Only on, on! She no longer knows whether she
+turns to the right or left, she runs down the dimly lighted corridor, and
+he follows.
+
+"O God! O God! there is no staircase!" She has missed the way--there is no
+way out now! The dread enemy is behind her! She can no longer avoid him!
+He will kill her, for she knows his secret! No escape!--no deliverance!
+
+But at the end of the corridor she sees a door. If she can only succeed in
+opening it, jumping into the room, shutting the door, and drawing the bolt!
+
+"God help me! God be with me!" she calls out aloud and flies to the door,
+bursts it open, rushes through, and--his weight presses against it; she
+can not shut it, she can not draw the bolt. He is there with her in that
+little room, which has no other outlet. No deliverer is near! She falls
+upon her knees, and lifts up her arms to him imploringly. "Oh, sir! oh,
+sir, pity! Do not kill me! I will be silent as the grave!"
+
+"As the grave!" repeats he, with a savage smile.
+
+He stoops down and something bright glitters in his hand! She sees it
+quite clearly, for it is a bright summer night, and her eyes are inured to
+darkness.
+
+"Almighty God, you would murder me! Mercy, sir, mercy!"
+
+He has closed the door behind them, yet the shriek of her death agony has
+penetrated the door and echoed down the corridor. Nobody hears it. All the
+chambers in this upper story are bare and uninhabited, and for economy's
+sake the corridors and staircases in this upper part of the castle are
+unlighted. To-day, however, at nightfall, the Stadtholder had himself
+brought word to castellan Culwin that every passage, landing, and
+staircase in the whole castle should be lighted! And so it was, and even
+in that remote upper story lamps are burning. How long and solitary this
+corridor is! Not the slightest sound has broken the stillness since those
+two sprang into that room.
+
+But now! A fearful, piercing shriek! A death cry forces its way through
+the door and in one long echo vibrates along the corridor. It sounds like
+the wailing and moaning of invisible spirits. Then nothing more interrupts
+the silence. Nothing more!
+
+The door opens again, and Count Schwarzenberg steps into the corridor.
+
+He is alone.
+
+He locks the door and puts the key into his pocket. Then, with quiet, firm
+tread, he goes down the corridor, down the little staircase, and finally,
+with composed, haughty bearing, down the great staircase into the
+guardroom.
+
+"God be praised, your excellency, that you are here!" calls out Lehndorf,
+hastening to meet him.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg nods to him, and then turns to the soldiers, who stand
+there silent and motionless.
+
+"What fools you are!" he says, shrugging his shoulders. "To put you
+soldiers to flight no cannon is required, but only a couple of white cats.
+A white cat it was, which made cowards of you. I saw her bounding along
+before me through the great corridor, and followed her to the upper story.
+There she slipped into an open door, the last door in the upper story.
+I jumped after her into the little apartment, but she must have found some
+other way out, for I could find her nowhere again, and that is the only
+wonder of the whole story, for the windows were closed. For the rest I
+command you to let naught of this story transpire, for fear of giving rise
+to idle tales."
+
+The soldiers heard him in reverential silence, but the next morning it was
+known throughout the castle and almost through the whole city that the
+White Lady had made her appearance again, and that at last, when pursued,
+she had vanished in the form of a white cat in one of the rooms in the
+upper story of the castle. After that nobody ventured into the upper
+story, and, as it was uninhabited, it was not necessary to station
+sentinels there.
+
+
+
+
+XII.--THE DEPARTURE.
+
+
+When the Electoral Prince awoke the next morning after a long, refreshing
+slumber, his first glance fell upon his faithful old valet, who stood at
+the foot of his couch, his face actually beaming with joy.
+
+"Why, Dietrich," said Frederick William, "you look so happy! What has
+altered your old face so since yesterday?"
+
+"The sight of you, most gracious sir, for your face has altered, too. Your
+cheeks are no longer deadly pale, nor your features distorted. Your
+highness looks quite like a well man now; somewhat pale, it is true; but
+your lips are again red and your eyes bright. Ah, gracious sir, the dear
+White Lady kept her word, she saved you!"
+
+"God bless her!" said the Electoral Prince solemnly. "But hark! old man,
+tell nobody that I have been saved. You must not use such dangerous words,
+not even think them. There was no need to save me, for I have been exposed
+to no peril. I have not been sick at all, but only overcome by wine, and,
+to speak plainly, drunk--do you hear, old man? I have been drunk two whole
+days: such is the account you must give of my attack."
+
+"I shall do so, your highness, since you order it; but it is a sin and a
+shame that I should slander my own dear young master, who is such a sober,
+steady Prince."
+
+"Now, Dietrich," said the Electoral Prince, with a melancholy smile, "you
+give me more praise than I deserve. I was not quite so sober in Holland."
+
+"No, sir; in dear, blessed Holland, life was a different thing. It was
+like heaven there, and when I looked at your grace I always felt as if I
+saw before me Saint George himself, so bold, spirited, and happy you ever
+seemed."
+
+"And so I felt, too," said the Prince softly to himself. "But all that is
+past now. _All_! The costly intoxication of happiness is at an end, and I
+am sobered. Yes, yes," he continued aloud, springing with energy from his
+couch, "you are quite right, old Dietrich. Now help this sober, steady
+Prince to dress himself, that he may wait upon the Elector and Electress
+and announce his recovery to them."
+
+After the Electoral Prince had made his toilet, he repaired to the
+Electoral apartments to pay his respects. George William received his son
+with sullen peevishness of manner, hardly deigning to bestow upon him more
+than a single glance of indifference.
+
+"Why, you still look pale and weak," he said coolly. "It is no great honor
+for a Prince to be overcome by a couple of glasses of wine, and to succumb
+as if he had been struck by a cannon ball."
+
+"Most gracious sir," replied Frederick William, smiling, "I hope yet to be
+able to prove to your highness that I can stand against the fire of cannon
+balls better than Count Schwarzenberg's wine, and that I can go to meet a
+battery of artillery more bravely than a battery of bottles."
+
+"I hope it will not be in your power to prove any such thing, sir," cried
+the Elector impatiently. "I want to hear nothing about war, and you must
+banish all thoughts of war and heroic deeds from your mind, and become a
+peaceful, law-abiding citizen. Your head has been turned in Holland, but
+I rather expect to set it right again! We are going back to Prussia, and
+you will accompany us. Go now to the Electress, and disturb me no longer
+in my work."
+
+Frederick William bowed in silence and repaired to his mother's
+apartments. The Electress received him with open arms, and pressed him to
+her heart.
+
+"I have you again, my son, I have you again," she cried with warmth. "A
+merciful God has not been willing to deprive me of my only happiness; he
+has preserved you to me. Oh, my son, I love you so much, and I feel,
+moreover, that you love me, and that we shall understand each other, and
+that all causes of disagreement will disappear so soon as that hateful,
+dreaded man no longer stands between us--he, who is your enemy as well as
+mine. We are going back to Prussia, and my heart is full of joy, hope, and
+happiness. There I shall have you safe; there you are mine, and no
+murderer or enemy there threatens my beloved only son!"
+
+"But, most revered mother, there the worst, most dangerous enemy of all
+threatens me."
+
+"Who is he? What is his name?"
+
+"Idleness, your highness. I shall be condemned there to an inactive,
+useless existence. I shall have nothing to do but to live. O most gracious
+mother! intercede for me with my father and Count Schwarzenberg, that I
+may be appointed Stadtholder of Cleves, for there I would have something
+to do, there I could be useful, and they wish for my presence there."
+
+"You do not wish to stay with me, then?" asked his mother, in a tone of
+mortification. "You already wish yourself away from me and your sisters?"
+
+The Prince's countenance, which had been just aglow with enthusiasm,
+having for the moment dropped its mask, now once more assumed its serious,
+tranquil expression, and again the mask was drawn over its features.
+
+"I by no means long to be away from you," he said quietly, "but I shall
+delight in accompanying you to Prussia."
+
+"That is what I call spoken like a good, obedient child," cried the
+Electress, "and, Louise, I advise you to profit by such an example. Just
+look at your sister, Frederick, only see what a sorrowful figure she
+presents. She does not even come to welcome her brother, but sits there
+quite disconsolate with tears in her eyes."
+
+"No, dearest mother, I am not crying," replied the Princess gently. "I,
+too, am right glad that we are to return to Prussia."
+
+"That is not true, mamma," exclaimed Princess Hedwig Sophie; "she is not
+glad at all. On the contrary, she cried and lamented all last night,
+thinking that I was asleep and knew nothing about it. But I heard
+everything. I know that she would rather stay here, and that she finds it
+charming here all of a sudden, although she used to think it so dull. But
+Louise has entirely changed these last four days, and since _he_ has been
+here she finds tiresome old Berlin a splendid place, and--"
+
+"But, Hedwig," interrupted her sister, whose cheeks were suffused with a
+crimson flush, "what are you talking about, and how can you chatter such
+nonsense?"
+
+"It is true, she talks nonsense," said the Electress severely; "yet I
+should like to know what her words signify. Who is _he_ who has so
+transformed tiresome Berlin in your sister's eyes?"
+
+"Why, you do not know, mamma?" asked the mischievous child, smiling and
+putting on a look of astonishment.
+
+"You do not know who loves our Louise so ardently, so passionately? You do
+not know the man for whose sake she would leave father and mother? You do
+not know the only man whom the Princess Charlotte Louise loves?"
+
+"_I_ do not know, but I command you to tell me!" said the Electress dryly.
+
+"Well," said the Princess, smilingly surveying the group, "it is our dear,
+only brother--it is Frederick William."
+
+"You are a little blockhead!" exclaimed the Electress, shrugging her
+shoulders and smiling.
+
+"You are a dear little rogue," said Frederick William, tenderly embracing
+his willful sister. She playfully broke away from him, dancing through the
+hall, and challenging her brother to pursue and overtake her. Princess
+Louise said not a word, but the blush upon her cheeks died away, and the
+expression of horror and alarm vanished from her features.
+
+Still Princess Hedwig Sophie kept up her frolic, and as often as the
+Prince thought he had caught her she flew off again like a butterfly.
+Finally, at the extreme end of the hall, he held her fast, and now,
+laughingly and tenderly, she flung her arms about his neck, and whispered
+softly: "Expect me this evening in your room at nine o'clock. I have
+something important to tell you. Silence!"
+
+Again she let him go, and continued to hop about, laughing merrily and
+cheerfully as a child.
+
+And in the evening, when the clock in the great corridor had just struck
+the ninth hour, the Princess Hedwig Sophie slipped unperceived into the
+room of her brother, who already held the door open for her and awaited
+her coming.
+
+"Look, here you are, my princess of the fairies," said he, smiling. "What
+is there now on hand, and what playful scheme are you revolving in your
+mind to-day?"
+
+But the countenance of the Princess exhibited no signs of playfulness. It
+was pale, and her whole being seemed under the influence of violent
+excitement.
+
+"Frederick," she said hurriedly, "I have a dreadful secret to confide to
+you. Our sister Louise loves Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg."
+
+"I thought as much," murmured the Prince.
+
+"I have known it for a long while," continued the Princess, "but I took no
+notice of it, hoping that absence and separation would make her forget
+him. But since his return I have had no more hope. Last night, in her
+distress, she betrayed all to me, and I must tell you something dreadful,
+something shocking. You must reveal it to nobody--not another one must
+know it. Do you promise me that?"
+
+"I promise, Hedwig. But tell me what it is."
+
+She bent over close to his ear and whispered:
+
+"She has granted him a rendezvous."
+
+"Impossible, sister, you are mistaken!"
+
+"No, no, Frederick, I am not mistaken. I heard her myself when she told
+him so. It was in Count Schwarzenberg's hothouse; I came behind her with
+the ladies, and she thought I was paying no attention whatever to her and
+all that she was saying to Count Adolphus. But I managed to watch her
+constantly without attracting the attention of the ladies I was with. My
+eyes and ears are very sharp, and I saw her press a note into his hand,
+and heard her repeat to him the contents of the note, appointing an
+interview with him this evening at ten o'clock. Old Trude is to wait for
+him at the back side door of the castle next to the cathedral, and she is
+to conduct him to her. You must not suffer it, Frederick William; that bad
+Count Schwarzenberg shall not carry off my sister."
+
+"No, that he shall not," said the Prince. "I thank you, sister, for coming
+to me. We two shall save her--we two alone, and nobody shall know anything
+about it. Even she herself must not find out that we know her secret. We
+must be brisk and determined, though, for it is late, only wanting a half
+hour of being ten o'clock. Who is old Trude?"
+
+"Louise's chambermaid, who has been with her all her life, for Trude was
+her nurse. She idolizes our sister, and would go through fire and water
+for her sake. What Louise commands is law with her."
+
+"Then we must prevent old Trude, by force or cunning, from going to the
+door and admitting the count."
+
+"By force, impossible, for that would make a noise; but by cunning. I have
+it, Frederick, I have it! I will entice old Trude into my room and then
+lock myself in with her, playing all sorts of tricks, and seeming to have
+no object at all in view but amusement and teasing. I will take care of
+old Trude."
+
+"And I of Count Schwarzenberg. It is high time, sister! Make haste, lest
+old Trude escape you. But hark! It will be necessary for you to speak to
+the old woman, besides. You must threaten her with revealing the whole
+affair to our father if she does not do as you command, and tell our
+sister that she waited for the count a whole hour in vain."
+
+"You are right, Frederick. That is still better. Louise must believe that
+he did not come. To work!--to work!"
+
+The Princess sprang away with the fleetness of a gazelle, and the Prince
+was left alone.
+
+"I wish I could go to meet him sword in hand," he muttered between his
+clinched teeth. "I understand their game. They would have poisoned me and
+carried off my sister, so that she would have been forced to marry him,
+and then by means of the Emperor she would have been declared heiress of
+the Electoral Mark of Brandenburg. Ah! I penetrate their designs, and they
+shall not succeed. Their poison proved inefficacious, and so shall their
+love! Now away to the door through which the fine gallant was to have
+entered. He will find it locked, and I shall keep guard before it the
+livelong night."
+
+The Prince left his own apartments, and hurried down a private staircase
+and through dark passages to the door designated. It was only on latch,
+but a key was in the lock. Quickly he locked the door, and then stood
+listening intently. It struck ten o'clock, and as the last stroke vibrated
+in his ear a hand was laid upon the door latch outside, and a manly voice
+whispered: "Trude, open! It is I. The one whom you expect! Open, quick!"
+
+"Were it hell," murmured the Prince softly to himself, "yes, were it hell,
+I would open the door. But there is no admittance to paradise for you.
+Knock on, knock on! The gates of the Electoral mansion are not undone for
+you. Knock on; the castle of the Elector of Brandenburg is locked against
+you, and you must stand without, you Counts of Schwarzenberg, for you
+shall not thrust me out of the palace of my fathers! I shall be Elector of
+Brandenburg in spite of you, and then, Count Schwarzenberg, Stadtholder in
+the Mark, then be on your guard! I shall remember, Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, that your finger rapped at this door, threatening to bring
+shame and disgrace upon this house! And then, perhaps, I may open a door
+for you, and allow you to enter, but it will not be for a lover's
+rendezvous, and the door which admits you will not so easily grant you an
+escape. Now I suffer and endure, but a time of reckoning will come!
+Schwarzenbergs, beware of me!"
+
+For a long while yet the Electoral Prince stood within the door, and for a
+long while yet, at intervals, the knocking on the outside was repeated.
+Then all was still. Frederick William returned to his own apartments.
+
+Early next morning took place the departure of the Electoral family for
+Prussia. It was to be wholly without formality, and consequently no one
+had been notified. The Elector had only caused the two Counts
+Schwarzenberg to be summoned after the carriages were ready, and when they
+came in haste they found the Electoral family just on the point of
+entering their several equipages.
+
+"I meant to set out secretly," said George William, stretching out both
+hands to the Stadtholder, "in order to spare myself the pain of bidding
+you farewell, Adam. But now I find that my heart is stronger than my will,
+and I must embrace you once more before I go!"
+
+While the Elector embraced his favorite and received from him assurances
+of perpetual fidelity, Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg approached the
+Princess Charlotte Louise, who stood silent and apart in a window recess,
+looking out upon the street with pallid countenance and eyes reddened by
+weeping.
+
+"Louise," he whispered softly, "Louise, you--"
+
+But before he could utter another word, Princess Hedwig stood beside him,
+addressing him with amiable speech, and the Electoral Prince approached
+his sister and offered her his arm to conduct her to the carriage. She
+walked along, leaning on her brother's arm, without once lifting her eyes
+from the ground, deeply humiliated by the thought that her lover had
+caused her to wait for him in vain. A quarter of an hour later the two
+clumsy vehicles containing the Electoral family rolled out of the castle
+gate and struck into the road leading to Königsberg. The White Lady had
+driven away the Elector George William, and he was nevermore to behold the
+palace of his fathers.
+
+The White Lady had saved Prince Frederick William, and as he now drove
+through the gates of Berlin in that clumsy old coach he said to himself,
+with joyful anticipation: "I shall see you again, Berlin! I shall see you
+again, dear town of my fathers! I shall come back, and, please God, not
+humbly and enslaved as I go away to-day, but as a Prince, who is lord
+within his own domains, with God in his heart, a clear sky overhead, and
+no Schwarzenbergs upon the horizon!"
+
+Wearily and panting for breath the poor horses dragged the heavy carriage
+through the sands of the Mark, but within sat the Electoral Prince--within
+sat Cæsar and his fortunes.
+
+
+
+
+Book IV.
+
+I.--THE YOUTHFUL SOVEREIGN.
+
+
+The Elector George William had been gathered to his fathers. On the 1st of
+December in the year 1640 he had at last closed his weary eyes, and bidden
+farewell to a world which had brought him much grief and disquiet, little
+joy and repose, much mortification and disappointment, never a single
+triumph or solid satisfaction.
+
+The Elector George William had been gathered to his fathers, and his son
+Frederick William was Elector now. Two melancholy years of privation and
+humiliation, resignation and oppression, had he passed at his father's
+side, ever suspected by him, ever watched with jealous eyes, and forcibly
+denied any participation in the administration of the government, ever
+struggling with care, even for daily food, and forced to borrow at
+usurious rates of interest to provide even a meager support for his little
+household. It had been a severe school, but Frederick William had passed
+through it with a brave spirit and cheerful determination. Across the dark
+and gloomy present his clear eye had ever been directed to the future, and
+hope had ever lingered at his side, holding him erect when overburdened by
+care, consoling him when vexed and humiliated by his father's unjust
+suspicions and ill will. Not unexpectedly had the Elector George William
+died; full two months before his summons came, the two physicians in
+ordinary, after holding a long consultation with the celebrated Königsberg
+doctors, announced to the Electoral Prince that the Elector was drawing
+near his end, and that his dropsy and insidious fever were slowly but
+inevitably causing death.
+
+The Electoral Prince had had time, therefore, to prepare for the momentous
+hour which would call him from obscurity and inactivity--time to summon to
+him those whom he wished to have at his side in the critical hour. Up to
+the period of his father's death he had been an obedient, submissive son;
+yet he had well known that as soon as George William closed his eyes he
+would have to step into his place and be his successor. And he would be a
+worthy successor! That he had vowed, clasping his father's cold hand. He
+had told his mother so when, beside her husband's corpse, she had blessed
+him in his new dignity, and besought his protection and love for herself
+and her two daughters! Yes, he would be his father's worthy successor; he
+would force the world to respect him. Such were his thoughts as, on the
+day after his father's decease, he for the first time entered his cabinet,
+and seated himself before the great writing table at which the Elector had
+been wont to sit.
+
+To the last day of his life George William had himself held the reins of
+government, and, in the timid jealousy of his heart, angrily refused all
+aid, all assistance. No one had dared to open and read the incoming
+rescripts nor to attend to neglected business.
+
+On the table lay whole piles of unopened letters and rescripts, whole
+heaps of acts awaiting only the Electoral signature. Frederick William
+laid his hand on these acts which he had now to sign, and his large,
+deep-blue eyes were uplifted to Heaven.
+
+"Lord!" he cried fervently--"Lord, make known to me the way in which I
+should go!"
+
+These were the first words spoken by Frederick William on commencing his
+reign, and on seating himself before his father's cabinet table, which was
+now his own.
+
+[Illustration: Robbery of peasants.]
+
+He took up the first of the sealed documents and opened it. It was a
+representation from the cities of Berlin and Cologne, whose magistrates
+implored the Elector to furnish them some redress for their affliction and
+want, and besought him, even now, to make peace with the Swedes, and to
+command the Stadtholder in the Mark to institute a milder government in
+the unhappy province. In heartrending words, they pictured the distresses
+of both wretched cities, which had so far declined that they had now
+hardly seven thousand inhabitants, while ten years ago they had numbered
+more than twenty thousand. "But fire, pillage, and oppressions," so the
+writing wound up, "have reduced us to the most extreme poverty. Many of
+the inhabitants have made haste to end their wretched lives by means of
+water, cord, or knife, and the rest are upon the point of forsaking their
+homes, with their wives and children, preferring exile to remaining longer
+in these cities, the abodes of pestilence and war. The Stadtholder in the
+Mark, however, feels no pity for our sufferings, and just recently,
+despite our entreaties, has had all the suburbs burned down, because the
+Swedish general Stallhansch was on the march against us. We most urgently
+entreat your highness to have compassion upon us in our low estate, and to
+instruct the Stadtholder to slacken the severity of his rule and to spare
+us in our grief." [29]
+
+Sighing, Frederick William laid aside the melancholy writing, and took up
+the next in order. It was a petition from the town of Prenzlow, not less
+sad, not less moving than the first. The magistracy of Prenzlow likewise
+prayed for compassion and redress of grievances, and painted in moving
+words the misery of town and country. "Since," they wrote, "on account of
+the unhappy war existing, the fields hereabout had been lying idle for
+some years, such unheard-of scarcity had ensued that the people had not
+only been driven to making use of unusual articles of diet, such as dogs,
+cats, nay, even dead asses lying in the streets, but impelled by the
+fierce pangs of hunger, in town as well as in the country, had fallen
+upon, cooked, and devoured one another!" [30]
+
+"Much to be pitied land, and much to be pitied Prince as well," sighed
+Frederick William. "A heavy, an almost intolerable burden of government
+has fallen upon my shoulders. God help me to sustain it worthily!" [31]
+
+He stretched out his hand for a third paper, when the door opened and old
+Dietrich entered.
+
+"Well, old man," asked the Elector, "what brings you here? And why is your
+old face so merry to-day?"
+
+"Because I have something pleasant to communicate to your highness. The
+two gentlemen whom your honor has been expecting are here. Colonel von
+Burgsdorf and--"
+
+"Leuchtmar?" joyfully inquired the Elector, and, upon Dietrich's assent,
+he hurried himself toward the door. But after he had already stretched out
+his hand to turn the knob, he paused and slowly resumed his place in the
+middle of the room.
+
+"Who is in the antechamber, besides?" he asked.
+
+"Your highness, there are also without the gentlemen whom you summoned to
+an audience, the Chamberlain von Schulenburg, Herr von Kroytz, Herr von
+Kospoth, and the jeweler Dusnack."
+
+"Those gentlemen may wait. Desire Herr von Kalkhun to come in."
+
+Dietrich withdrew to the antechamber. The Elector's eyes were fastened
+upon the door with an expression of joyful expectancy. When it opened, and
+the tall, slender form of his friend and preceptor became visible, he
+could restrain himself no longer, but, forgetting all ceremony, all
+etiquette, hurried with outspread arms to meet Leuchtmar, and impetuously
+clasped him to his breast.
+
+"God be praised that I have you again!" he said, with a warm embrace.
+"Once more I have found a father and a faithful friend. Welcome, you man
+of loyal heart, with my whole soul I bid you welcome!"
+
+"And you, most gracious sir," cried Leuchtmar, deeply moved, "may you ever
+receive blessings and good gifts from on high, and always deserve them by
+noble thoughts and deeds! Such shall be my prayer evening and morning, and
+your highness shall verify my petition."
+
+"Amen! God grant it!" said Frederick William solemnly. "And now, look at
+me, my friend, and let me read in your features that you are the same as
+of old."
+
+"The same as of old, indeed!" smiled Leuchtmar. "These two years have made
+an old man of me, and blanched my hair. I not merely longed after you, I
+grieved for you, knowing, as I did, what your grace had to bear and
+suffer. My heart was weighed down by grief and sorrow when I thought of
+what my beloved young master was undergoing."
+
+"It is true," said Frederick William. "I have gone through hard trials and
+had many humiliations to endure. I have been treated as an adventurer and
+alien, unworthy of being employed or consulted. I was forever subjected to
+suspicion, and accused of coveting a throne before my time. If I asked
+after my father's health, he supposed I did so because I longed for his
+death; and if I made no inquiries, he accused me of indifference and want
+of natural affection. Alas! Leuchtmar, in the despair of my soul I have
+actually thought at times that the beggar on the street had an enviable
+fate compared with that of the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg--and--But
+hush! hush! I will no longer think of the past with bitterness and
+chagrin. Reproach against my father shall never pass my lips. He rests
+with God, and, as his soul has entered into everlasting rest, let us not
+stir up the ashes of memory, but let peace be between father and son,
+eternal peace! And now, my friend, be the past forgotten and blotted out,
+with all its pains and wounds, and to the present and future only be our
+thoughts dedicated. You are here; I have again my most trusted friend; and
+in this the very first hour of our reunion I will confess something to
+you, Leuchtmar, which you indeed have long since known, but which I in the
+arrogance of youth have sometimes denied. I now feel that Socrates was a
+wise man when he said, 'Our education begins with the first day of life,
+nor is complete upon the last.' Fate has indeed placed me in a difficult
+school, and I am conscious that I am far from possessing adequate
+attainments, and that there is still much for me to study and digest.
+Therefore, my friend, from you I demand aid, that I may study to some
+purpose, and that I may at least take position in the world and among
+posterity as a first-class scholar."
+
+"Ah! most gracious sir," said Leuchtmar, smiling, "you are already more
+than that, and have in these two years of trial passed your _examen
+abiturientium_ with great distinction."
+
+"And think you I am entered now as a student in the high school of
+knowledge? Yes, Leuchtmar, such is indeed the case, and since it may well
+be that at times I shall make false steps, and commit blunders through
+inadvertence or misunderstanding, I demand of you to point out to me my
+mistakes."
+
+"But, your highness, I might myself be the one in error, and in my
+short-sightedness attempt to teach one much better acquainted with the
+subject than myself."
+
+"In such case let us weigh and compare opinions, when, surely, we shall
+discover the right. Only promise me this one thing, Leuchtmar, that on all
+occasions you will speak the truth to me, according to the best of your
+knowledge and perception--that you will not conceal it from me, even when
+you may know that it will be irksome and disagreeable to me. Will you
+promise me this, my friend?"
+
+"I promise it. I promise, if your highness requests the expression of my
+views and opinions, to give you the truth, according to the inmost
+convictions of my heart."
+
+
+"No, Leuchtmar, in important matters you must give me your opinion, even
+when I have not asked for it."
+
+"Well then, your highness, I promise that too."
+
+"And on my side I promise always to listen patiently, and not to become
+angry and excited, even when our opinions disagree and you utterly oppose
+me. You smile and shake your head. Probably you think that I can not keep
+my promise."
+
+"I do think so, your highness; yet I fear not, and shall courageously
+weather the storm. I am already old and have witnessed the gathering of
+many a tempest, have seen the clouds burst, and afterward seen the bright
+blue sky and cheerful sunshine again. I shall not fear, even though the
+thunder roar and growl, for the thunder has somewhat of the voice of God,
+and there is something exalted and majestic in the lightning's flash.
+Only, gracious sir, it must not strike, but content itself with harmless
+shining. Will you most kindly promise me thus much, gracious sir?"
+
+"Am I Jupiter, that I hold the lightning in my hand, and can direct its
+stroke?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, sir, Jupiter you are, in your native element, amid the flash
+of lightnings and the roar of thunder."
+
+The Elector smiled. "Tell me, Leuchtmar, am I really then of so fiery a
+temperament and of so passionate a nature? Why do you not answer me? The
+truth, Leuchtmar, the truth!"
+
+"Well, the truth is that your highness is of quite a fiery temperament and
+of a tolerably passionate nature. But you are not to blame for this, for
+it was entailed upon you with your Hohenzollern blood. You are the worthy
+descendant of your ancestor Albert Achilles; and be glad of this, sir, for
+by sluggish blood and soft complexion great things have never been
+accomplished."
+
+"Then you expect me to accomplish great things?"
+
+"Yes, your highness, such are indeed my expectations, and I glory in them!"
+
+"We will talk of this hereafter, friend," said the Elector, gently shaking
+his head. "But now let us forget what I have become since yesterday, and
+consider that I have a heart, which is young still and full of love and
+ardor, despite all it has suffered. Two months ago, when the doctors told
+me that my dear father's case was hopeless, I dispatched secret messages
+to two friends, and requested them to come here and tarry in the
+neighborhood of Königsberg until I should have them summoned by a courier.
+I was not willing to vex my father in the least degree during his
+lifetime, and would not even see my friends in secret, but preferred to
+wait patiently until I could do so openly.[32] The two friends whom I sent
+for to be near me were Burgsdorf and yourself, my Leuchtmar. But to you I
+gave previously another commission. Have you executed it?"
+
+"Yes, your highness, I have executed it."
+
+"You have been to Holland? At The Hague and at Doornward?"
+
+"I have been there, gracious sir!"
+
+"You have been there," repeated Frederick William, drawing a deep breath.
+"O Leuchtmar! you men in private life are happy because you are free. You
+can go whither you will, and follow the dictates of your own hearts. But
+we, poor slaves to our position, must accommodate ourselves to
+circumstances, and patiently submit to the laws of necessity. How often
+has it seemed to me as if my longings could not be repressed, as if I must
+break all bonds and hasten to that free and happy land where the fairest
+days of my life were passed. How often, in reflecting upon the past, has
+it seemed as if a fire were kindled in my breast, mounting in clear flames
+to my head to lay my reason in ashes. But I durst not allow this, and with
+my own sighs extinguished the leaping flames, and, Leuchtmar, shall I
+confess it? At this moment I am cowardly, and speak so much, because--yes,
+because I lack the courage to ask one open question. But I will be bold
+and courageous, I will conquer my poor, foolish heart. Tell me, then,
+Leuchtmar, what I _must_ know! I sent you to Holland to obtain certain
+information with regard to the evil reports which have been circulated
+here. I gave no credit whatever to them, for I knew they were anxious that
+I should contract a certain marriage, and would therefore crush the love I
+was cherishing for another person. And yet this other lived within my
+heart, and when I closed my eyes I saw her before me in all her beauty and
+loveliness, and at night, when all the troubles of the day were over, and
+I was alone in my chamber, she was near me, speaking to me and consoling
+me with the sweet, kind words she whispered to my heart. Ah, you see,
+Leuchtmar, I am but a very young man, and--courage, courage! out with the
+question! Have you seen the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine?"
+
+As Frederick William asked this question he walked to the window and
+turned his back to the room. A pause ensued, then Leuchtmar replied, in
+gentle, sorrowful tones, "No, gracious sir, I have not seen the Princess."
+
+A shudder passed over the Prince's frame, but he did not turn around.
+
+"Why did you not visit her? Why did you not see her, when I had
+commissioned you to speak with the Princess herself?"
+
+"Most noble sir, I could not speak with the Princess, for she was no
+longer at The Hague."
+
+"No longer in Holland?" asked the Elector, and his question sounded like a
+cry of grief wrung from a tortured heart. "Where was she then? Where was
+Ludovicka?"
+
+"Most noble sir, you have imposed upon me the duty of always telling you
+the truth, but at this moment I feel it to be a difficult duty."
+
+"Perform it, Leuchtmar, I require you to do so! Where was the Princess
+Ludovicka, if she was no longer with her mother?"
+
+"Your highness, the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine has voluntarily forsaken
+her mother and her family, and at first they knew not whither she had
+gone."
+
+"And do they know now?"
+
+"The Electress of the Palatinate had received her first letter from the
+Princess the day before I waited upon her, and, as the Electress had ever
+honored me with her confidence, she communicated to me the contents of
+that letter."
+
+"What were they? Quick, tell them quickly, that my heart may not break
+meanwhile. What was in the letter?"
+
+"It said, most gracious sir, that of her own free will, and out of most
+tender love for the chosen of her heart, she had forsaken her mother's
+house because that Princess had refused her consent to her union with the
+man--these were her own words--with the man whom she loved above all
+others. It said, moreover, that the Princess had followed this man, the
+Count d'Entragues, to France, and that for the present she had withdrawn
+to a convent, preparatory to professing the Catholic religion and then
+marrying Count d'Entragues."[33]
+
+The Elector uttered a hollow groan, and, putting both hands before his
+face, as if he were ashamed of what he felt, sank upon a chair, and sat
+long thus, breaking the silence with occasional sighs and groans.
+
+Leuchtmar dared not interrupt this sacred silence even by a word, or to
+offer comfort to the agonized heart of the young Prince by words of
+consolation. He knew that strong heart must first vent its grief in order
+to gain repose, and that only from within could spring up that consolation
+which strengthens and sustains.
+
+After a long pause, after a bitter inward conflict, Frederick William
+allowed his hands to drop, revealing a face pale as death and lips whose
+corners twitched convulsively.
+
+"Leuchtmar," he said, "this is the baptism by which I am consecrated to my
+new office. It is, indeed, a baptism of tears, and has torn my wounded
+heart, I grant you. But such a baptism of tears was needed to wash from my
+heart all that could derogate from the lofty calling to which alone my
+whole being should be dedicated. No one on earth can accomplish anything
+great who has not first received a baptism of grief and tears. By such
+baptism the soul extricates itself from earthly wishes and selfish
+desires, and he who would be a thorough man and accomplish great things
+must be lord of himself, and have no wishes for himself, but to attain
+glory and honor! And so I now shake the past from my soul as a torn and
+tattered garment, and would despise myself if even a sensation of pain
+were left behind. No, no, I am free! My heart is coffined, and I shall
+close the lid and bid it an eternal farewell!"
+
+"Your heart coffined, your highness!" said Leuchtmar gently. "You think so
+now, but I tell you it will again rise from the dead, and beat with full
+ardor and glow, for, God be thanked, the heart of man is a tenacious
+thing, and dies not from one dagger-thrust. Its wounds can be healed, and
+then it is so much the stronger because it knows what it can suffer and
+overcome!"
+
+"Enough now, my friend, enough!" cried Frederick William, shaking his head
+so violently that his brown locks fluttered in wild disorder. "Thus I
+shake off an unworthy love and all vain lamentations. Now, Leuchtmar, I am
+the man, the Elector. A very young man, you will say, but one who has
+stood the brunt of battle and fire, who in days has lived through years,
+and consequently is old, for my twenty years count double. Baron von
+Leuchtmar, I have much to discuss with you, and I summoned you here for
+important consultations, but stay--a man is without whom I can keep
+waiting no longer, for his time is valuable, and he who makes a workman
+wait robs him of his capital. I beg you, Leuchtmar, to open the door and
+call the jeweler Dusnack."
+
+Leuchtmar hastened to obey this order. As he turned toward the door
+Frederick William once more passed his hand rapidly over his face, and
+for a moment pressed it to his eyes. As he drew it away he felt a drop
+fall burning upon his hand, and it shone there like a bright diamond,
+but--his eyes were now dry and glittered with the fire of resolution.
+
+"Well, Master Dusnack," exclaimed Frederick William to the approaching
+jeweler, "have you brought us, as directed, a few seal rings, from which
+to make our selection?"
+
+"Here they are, your Electoral Highness," replied the jeweler, holding out
+a little box and handing it open to the Elector. Frederick William
+examined with interest the bright and sparkling rings, which were in
+separate compartments, and nodded kindly to the jeweler.
+
+"You are a skillful workman, and your rings please me well," he said.
+"These things are tastefully designed and prettily executed. You must have
+very good workmen, and it pleases me that such things are made in our
+country. For I suppose, of course, these beautiful rings emanate from your
+own workshop."
+
+"Most gracious sir, I would that it were so, and it is not my fault,
+indeed, that it is otherwise. I have been long in foreign lands and
+studied and worked in the first jewelry establishments of Paris. But I
+find no apprentices here capable of executing such artistic and delicate
+work, and can only have ordinary gold and silver ware made here, such as
+forks, spoons, mourning rings, and articles of that kind; but for my finer
+ornaments and such costly rings as these I must send to Paris and Lyons,
+where the goldsmith's art flourishes, while it is frightfully depressed
+here, both for the want of purchasers and artisans."
+
+"Then we must see to it," said Frederick William, "that such times are
+ushered in, that men shall feel free to purchase golden trinkets, and that
+clever workers in gold be attracted here, in order that we may dispense
+with foreign manufactures. As soon as the times become somewhat more
+tranquil, we, too, will have need of goods of that sort, for not long
+since all the jewels of our house were stolen.[34] But I tell you, Master
+Dusnack, we shall only buy such things as have been designed and executed
+at home. Therefore exert yourself, and procure good workmen. For this time
+I must needs content myself with foreign wares and select a seal ring. I
+therefore take this one with the ruby, and you must engrave our country's
+coat of arms upon it without delay."
+
+"Your highness's orders shall be obeyed," replied the jeweler
+respectfully. "Does your highness merely wish the coat of arms upon the
+seal, or would you like a motto added?"
+
+"Yes, master, a motto shall be added, to run thus, 'Lord, make known to me
+the way in which I should go.' Will you write it down, master, that you
+may not forget it?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, it is not necessary, for you have impressed it
+on my heart."
+
+"Go then, master, and inscribe it for me right plainly on the stone."
+
+The Elector turned to Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun as soon as the jeweler
+had taken his departure, saying, "Now for you, friend, and our plans of
+government."
+
+
+
+
+II.--PLANS FOE THE FUTURE.
+
+
+"Yes, friend, I want to discuss government affairs with you," continued
+the Elector, with a faint smile, sinking back in the armchair before the
+writing table. "Sit down, Leuchtmar, quite close to me, for I shall now
+disclose to you what no other mortal ear must hear; I shall reveal to you
+my thoughts and plans. Man is, after all, but a weak and tender creature,
+and it is a necessity with him to have some trusted soul on whom he can
+rely for sympathy, and to whom he can tell all that moves his inner being.
+To me, Leuchtmar, you are that trusted soul, and in this hour I will make
+known to you the inmost recesses of my heart. You shall learn who I am,
+what I think, and what are my aspirations, that you may always comprehend
+and appreciate me, standing with ever-ready succor at my side. For I hope
+you have no engagements elsewhere, and from this moment enter my service?"
+
+"I have hitherto lived in quiet and retirement at Cologne on the Rhine,
+waiting for the hour which should summon me to my gracious master's
+presence, for you are the only Sovereign upon earth whom I would serve,
+and to you belong my being, thoughts, and all that in me is of energy and
+skill."
+
+"I have counted on you, Leuchtmar, and well I knew that my reliance would
+not be in vain. You must aid and sustain me, for I stand in urgent need of
+wise friends, of diligent, faithful workers, in order to gain the goal
+which I have placed before me in the future, and to execute the schemes
+which I have planned. In the first place, Leuchtmar, do you know properly
+who I am?"
+
+"Yes, your highness," replied Leuchtmar, smiling. "I think I know right
+well. You are the youthful hero, the Hercules to whom the gods have
+committed the twelve difficult tasks, that he may prove himself a
+demi-god, and who now begins his work with the zeal of courage and the
+inspiration of faith."
+
+"The comparison may be slightly applicable," said the Elector, "and as far
+as the Augean stable is concerned. I, too, have my stable to cleanse; only
+it belongs not to Augias, but to Schwarzenberg. Still, I will try to
+purify it. But I must set about my undertaking with dexterous hands; of
+that, however, let us speak hereafter. I shall first consider your
+simile, drawn from the story of Hercules. Do you know, Leuchtmar, the
+names of my twelve tasks, and their extent? I ask you once more, do you
+know who I am, or, rather, what my name is? Look, there lies the document
+which I am just on the point of sending to my good subjects, and by means
+of which I shall notify them of my assumption of the reins of government.
+Just read the heading, Leuchtmar."
+
+Leuchtmar took the paper handed him and read: "'We, Frederick William,
+Marquis of Brandenburg, Lord High Chancellor and Elector of the Holy Roman
+Empire, Duke of Prussia, Julich, Cleves, Stettin, Pomerania, Cassuben, and
+Vandalia, as also Duke of Silesia, Croatia, and Jägerndorf, Burgrave of
+Nuremberg, Prince of Rugen, Count of Markberg and Ravensberg, Baron of
+Ravenstein.'"
+
+"Enough!" cried the Elector. "You have now read the outlines of my
+Herculean task, you now know who I am. A Prince of long titles, not one of
+which has its foundation in truth and reality. And this is my Herculean
+task, to make these titles real, and to give a good kernel to these empty
+nut shells. Look, Leuchtmar, there is a map. Let us examine it and compare
+it with my titles, for it is a map corresponding finely with these titles,
+and on which all the counties and provinces pertaining to them are
+designated. Marquis of Brandenburg, that is my first title, and you would
+naturally suppose that this, at least, was veritable, for the Mark is the
+oldest possession of our house, and my ancestor, the Burgrave Frederick
+von Nuremberg, was invested with it by the Emperor. But what do I obtain
+from the Mark? Friend and foe have quartered there, until they have
+changed it into a desert; famine and pestilence hold sway there, and the
+despairing inhabitants have left their fields untilled and wander about
+shelterless and hungry. The only prosperous man there, possessed of power
+and consideration, is the Stadtholder in the Mark, Count Adam von
+Schwarzenberg. The Mark suffers and groans, but he is of glad heart, and
+the distress of the people touches him not. What cares he for land or
+people, save in so far as they conduce to the furtherance of his own ends,
+and do you know what those ends are?"
+
+"He is an Imperialist and a strict Catholic," said Leuchtmar, "and it must
+be confessed that he would rather see the whole Mark go to destruction
+than behold it Protestant and independent."
+
+"Yes, he has let the Mark Brandenburg go to destruction!" cried the
+Elector, with flashing eyes. "Catholic and Imperialist he would have it.
+And I can not reach him, he knows very well that I must spare him, and
+that _he_, the powerful, opposes _me_, the powerless. To him have the
+commandants of the fortresses and the soldiers sworn allegiance; the
+Emperor protects him, and would esteem it an act of rebellion against
+imperial majesty itself if I were to depose Schwarzenberg from office. It
+would be a departure from the course pursued by the Mark for twenty years
+past, for, since Schwarzenberg has nourished as Stadtholder, the Emperor
+has been the real lord of the Mark, and not an order nor rescript ever
+issued from my father's cabinet to which the Emperor had not given his
+consent, or of which he had not previous knowledge. I must therefore for
+the present still suffer Schwarzenberg to be lord of the Mark, for I have
+not power to defy the Emperor and call down upon myself his rage. The Lord
+High Chancellor and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire must for the present
+bow humbly to the Emperor, and submit in silence to the evils of his lot.
+My duchy of Pomerania the Swedes have appropriated to themselves, and I
+can not, as I should like, wrest it from them by force of arms, for I have
+no weapons, no soldiers, no army; I must now try to come to an amicable
+understanding with them, and, if possible, make peace with them. In Julich
+and Cleves I am duke, too, as my title vouches, but to be so really I must
+first rescue these countries from the Dutch, and then be able to defend
+them against the cupidity of France. And my duchies of Silesia, Croatia,
+and Jägerndorf? The Emperor has taken possession of them as if they were
+his own fiefs, and he will be little likely to restore them to the
+powerless Elector of Brandenburg. Neither will the Saxons easily
+relinquish to the weak Elector Magdeburg and Halberstadt, which counties
+they hold enthralled. Alas! Leuchtmar, you see of all my vast possessions
+I only retain the empty titles."
+
+"But one country your highness has omitted in your enumeration, and there,
+undoubtedly, you are undisputed Sovereign, no enemy having supplanted you
+in this land. You are Duke of Prussia, and there, at least, ruler also!"
+
+"Yes, I am Duke of Prussia--that is to say, if King Wladislaus of Poland
+will condescend to invest me with this duchy, and allow me to go to
+Warsaw, humbly to kneel to swear allegiance to him, and acknowledge myself
+one of his vassals. Until he has done so, I am not the legalized ruler
+even here in Prussia, and the King of Poland will already consider it as
+an infringement upon his supremacy that I have not forthwith dismissed the
+Prussian chamber of deputies, which held its sitting in my father's
+lifetime, but allowed it to prolong its session. There, too, as at the
+imperial court, I must give fair words, must show myself humble and
+obedient, so as not to excite untimely enmity against myself, and rouse
+the mighty against the weak. For what refuge would remain to me, or
+where would I find support, if the Emperor of Germany and the King of
+Poland should threaten me with their enmity?"
+
+"I should think the Swedes would be delighted to have your highness for an
+ally, to stand with them against the Emperor and the German Empire, and
+the States-General, too, would gladly give you the right hand of
+confederation."
+
+"Oh, yes, the Swedes would gladly accept me as their ally, provided that I
+would voluntarily resign to them Pomerania and Rügen, renouncing all claim
+to these lands; and the States would gladly extend to me the right hand of
+fellowship, only I must have first laid down in this hand the duchies of
+Cleves and Julich as an offering of friendship! But such a thing would I
+never do, and never shall I peaceably resign the smallest strip of land
+that should be mine to purchase thereby repose for myself. Up to this time
+I have enjoyed only the title to my lands, but it must and shall be now
+the purpose of my whole life to substantiate these claims, and not merely
+to conquer back what is my own, but, an' it please God, to enlarge my
+territories and give to them unity and compactness. I am now a Prince only
+by my armorial bearings, but I _will_ be a veritable Prince. I now wear
+only the most delapidated semblance of a Prince's mantle, inflated by
+hollow wind, but I shall change it into a purple mantle, such as no German
+Prince would be ashamed of, which every one in the German Empire shall
+respect, yea, even the Emperor himself."
+
+"And you will gain your end," cried Leuchtmar, "yes, you will gain it. It
+stands written on your lofty brow, it shines forth from your fiery eyes,
+and is spoken by every feature of your noble, energetic face. You will
+gain your end. From the confusion and chaos of the present times you will
+emerge as a distinguished, mighty Prince; out of nothingness and disorder
+you will construct a powerful state, and to your towering titles give a
+firm basis of strength and truth!"
+
+"Amen! God grant it!" said Frederick William, piously lifting his large
+eyes to Heaven. "It seems now, indeed, as if it were an unattainable
+goal," he continued, after a pause, "and to no one else would I confess
+it, for I would only become the scorn and derision of my enemies."
+
+"But the delight of your friends!" cried Leuchtmar, deeply moved, "the
+invigorator and uplifter of your friends!" "Friends, say you? Where are my
+friends? Look abroad throughout the whole German Empire, the whole of
+Europe, and then tell me where my friends are. I have not even friends in
+my next-door neighbors, not even in my nearest relations! Yes, were I rich
+and influential, had I protection to give and benefits to dispense, then
+would the Princes far and near gladly bethink themselves of the claims of
+consanguinity, and overwhelm me with civilities and attentions. But I am
+powerless, and they dread lest I should need their protection and their
+influence; therefore are they forgetful of family ties! But they shall
+find themselves mistaken in me, my dear relatives! They shall be forced
+some day to acknowledge that the Elector of Brandenburg is self-sustaining,
+and stands erect without the aid of foreign supports. You look
+at me doubtfully, and perhaps think me a braggart, promising great
+things which I may never be able to perform? It would seem so,
+indeed, now, for where are the means for accomplishing such aims? Wretched
+and in the process of dissolution is all about me, nowhere do I see
+determined friends, efficient followers!"
+
+"Oh, gracious sir, in that you go too far! You know yourself how much
+Schwarzenberg is hated in all your territories, how ardently all patriots
+long for his deposition from the government; for the league with the
+Emperor is detestable to everybody, and fear of Catholic domination and
+desire for the Swedish alliance prevail among all your subjects."
+
+"Yes," cried the Elector, "adherents of Sweden there are in my dominions,
+and Schwarzenberg has indeed opponents enough. But he has friends as well,
+whom he has purchased with his good money and his protection. But tell me,
+where is an Electoral party, one deserving the name by its unity and
+determination, a party which looks not to the right or left, but straight
+ahead in the direction that I shall take? The old friends of my house are
+dispersed, hunted into banishment, exiled, or dead; on whom else could I
+depend? All positions in the army and government, all offices has
+Schwarzenberg filled with his own creatures; and should I venture to step,
+in their way, and endeavor to effect their and his ruin, I might easily
+come to ruin myself. In what direction, then, can I look for help?"
+
+"To yourself, most noble sir, to your own mind and heart!" cried
+Leuchtmar, with enthusiasm.
+
+"It is as you say, I should be a fool were I to seek protection elsewhere.
+Protection from the Emperor, the empire, Poland? Protection from comrades
+in the faith or blood relations? My empire is within myself, and by God's
+help the foundations shall be laid! 'Man forges his own fortunes.' That is
+a good old proverb. Well, I will try to be a good smith. I have played
+anvil long enough, and hard enough have been the blows dealt me by Count
+Schwarzenberg. I shall now try being the fist that guides the hammer, and
+I think I have a tolerably strong fist, that will be able so to wield the
+hammer as to fashion for myself a worthy scepter."
+
+"A great and noble task has God committed to your highness," said
+Leuchtmar; "to you is it given to create your own state, and what you
+shall be hereafter you will owe to your own powers."
+
+"And to the assistance of true servants, tried friends and followers!"
+cried the Elector, cordially extending his hand to his faithful counselor,
+"although now I only know two men on whom I can rely--yourself and
+Burgsdorf. But together we form no contemptible trio, and I am confident
+that great results will follow our efforts, and, in order that you may see
+what I am projecting, tarry here while I call in old Burgsdorf."
+
+With alert step the Elector moved to the door and opened it. "Colonel von
+Burgsdorf!" he cried, then turned, strode through the cabinet and seated
+himself in the armchair before his father's writing table.
+
+In the door of the entrance hall now appeared Colonel von Burgsdorf, his
+broad, red face wearing an embarrassed expression. Standing still in the
+doorway, he looked across at the Elector, who, his back half turned,
+seemed to take no notice of his approach.
+
+"No doubt," said Burgsdorf to himself, "he has had me summoned in order to
+give me my discharge; he has not yet forgotten how desperate I was in the
+year '38. It is over with you, Conrad, and you can go home, because, like
+the old ass that you are, in sooth, you uttered aloud the pent-up agony of
+your soul!"
+
+But while he was talking thus to himself with deep resentment, his
+countenance expressed nothing but devotion and anxiety; in humble,
+soldierly attitude he stood in the door. The Elector had his eyes fixed
+upon some papers lying on the table before him, and seemed absorbed in
+their perusal. Leuchtmar at last ventured to accost him.
+
+"Gracious sir," he said softly, "Colonel von Burgsdorf, whom you called,
+has come in and is waiting for your orders."
+
+"He is waiting!" cried the Elector. "Then I shall certainly have to ask
+his pardon in the end, for well I know that Colonel Burgsdorf does not
+understand waiting."
+
+"Without doubt," repeated Burgsdorf to himself, "he has summoned me merely
+to give me my discharge."
+
+"Colonel von Burgsdorf!" now cried the Elector, turning half toward him
+with grave, severe countenance, "just tell me how strong was the regiment
+which you enlisted for the Electoral army last year?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, I enlisted two thousand four hundred men."
+
+"That is to say," cried the Elector sternly, "you obtained the bounty
+money for recruiting two thousand four hundred men; but I would be glad to
+learn of you how many of those men actually existed."
+
+"Your highness," stammered Burgsdorf in confusion, "I do not understand
+what your grace means. If I obtained bounty money for two thousand four
+hundred men, they certainly existed."
+
+"So one would suppose, indeed," replied the Elector; "yet it can not have
+been, for before me lies a letter from Count Schwarzenberg to my father,
+and only hear what the Stadtholder in the Mark writes. Leuchtmar, come
+here please and read."
+
+Leuchtmar hastened forward, and, taking the paper which the Elector held
+out to him, read: "'It is to be lamented that the officers contrive to
+pocket so much press money and hardly produce one out of every six men
+said to have been enlisted. Colonel von Kehrdorf received pay and rations
+for twelve hundred men, and yet had not over eighty; General von
+Klitzing's regiment ought to be two thousand strong, and in reality
+numbers only six hundred; Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf gives out that he
+has two thousand four hundred recruits, and there are not quite six
+hundred of them.'"
+
+"That is a lie--a base lie!" cried Burgsdorf, whose face was purple with
+passion. "The Stadtholder in the Mark has always been my enemy and
+opponent, and if he maintains that I only enlisted six hundred men--"
+
+"He maintains something quite untrue," interrupted the Elector; "but he
+maintains no such thing. You interrupted Leuchtmar; let him read to the
+end, and hear the conclusion." Leuchtmar read on: "'And if you pick
+perhaps two hundred able-bodied men out of the six hundred, there remain
+four hundred feeble, sickly fellows, who would fall down like dead flies
+on the very first march.'"[35]
+
+"You see that Schwarzenberg does not maintain that you enlisted six
+hundred able-bodied men."
+
+"Your highness!" cried Burgsdorf, trembling with passion, "this I see,
+that you have had me called here in order to dismiss me, to banish me
+forever from your presence--and yet I have served you so faithfully, and
+have always hoped that you would forgive me."
+
+"Forgive?" asked the Elector. "Had I anything to forgive in you?"
+
+
+"Most gracious sir, that time after your return from The Hague I let my
+old heart carry me away; it was wholly wild and ungovernable and forgot
+the deference due your grace."
+
+"Ah, I remember now," said the Elector, gently nodding his head. "That
+time when you wanted to make a revolution and required me to place myself
+at your head. You wanted to make of the poor little Electoral Prince a
+mighty rebel, and were even so kind as to promise that when with your help
+he had crushed Schwarzenberg he should become his father's prime minister
+and Stadtholder in the Mark."
+
+"Your highness," cried Burgsdorf indignantly, "those were well-meant
+schemes, and originated in the excess of our love for you."
+
+"Only, if I had adopted them, my father would have easily subdued the
+princely rebel with the Emperor's support. The Stadtholder in the Mark
+would then have had the pleasure of seeing upon the scaffold the Prince
+who had dared rebel against his own father, as befell Prince Carlos of
+Spain, when he revolted against his father, King Philip. I thought a
+little about that unhappy, misguided Prince, and profited by his example.
+You probably did not think of him, Burgsdorf, and fell into a great rage.
+I am glad you remember that day, for actually I had forgotten it."
+
+"Most gracious sir, I would like to bite out my own tongue and swallow
+it," screamed Burgsdorf, raving. "I am a genuine old ass, and you do well
+to dismiss me forthwith; for I deserve nothing better, and am served quite
+right. Just speak out at once, your highness. I am discharged, am I not?"
+
+"Quietly, Burgsdorf!" commanded the Elector sternly. "I am no longer the
+Electoral Prince at whom you can scold and bluster, as you did that time
+in the palace of Berlin."
+
+"You always go back to the old story," groaned Burgsdorf.
+
+"And you," said Frederick William, "you are just as impatient as you were
+then. You cried murder and death, because the Electoral Prince would not
+do your will! I told you--I remember that very well now--I told you that I
+would learn and wait. I begged you to do the same and wait also. But you,
+you would not wait; you cried out that you had already waited twenty
+years, and that now your patience was exhausted. You had no compassion on
+the youth of eighteen years, who had just come out of a foreign land, and
+hardly knew how to distinguish friend from foe because he was not
+acquainted with the condition of things. And yet you were already old and
+in your twenty years of waiting ought to have learned a little prudence!
+But you had learned nothing at all and could not wait, and gave me up with
+wild impatience because I would not be guilty of criminal disrespect
+toward my father."
+
+"Most gracious sir, you cut me to the quick! Each of your words is a
+dagger aimed right at my heart. Let me go; let it bleed in solitude and
+retirement."
+
+And old von Burgsdorf turned and went to the door.
+
+"Stay there!" called out the Elector in commanding tone, arising from his
+seat and standing proudly erect. Burgsdorf, who had just laid his hand
+upon the door latch, let it glide down, and stood abashed and humble.
+
+"You gave me up and forsook me that time in Berlin," continued Frederick
+William, "scolded and upbraided me, merely because I wished to learn and
+wait. That proves to me that you have never learned and never waited.
+Learn now, Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf. Withdraw into that window recess,
+and wait until I speak to you again and tell you my decision with regard
+to you." And once more the Elector opened the door of the antechamber and
+called Chamberlain Werner von Schulenburg into his cabinet.
+
+
+
+
+III.--DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS.
+
+
+"Schulenburg," said the Elector to the advancing chamberlain, "you will
+set out immediately. Go to Berlin and inform the Stadtholder in the Mark,
+Count von Schwarzenberg, of my father's death. Announce to his excellency
+that it is my urgent and pressing request, that he continue to burden
+himself with the duties of the Stadtholdership."
+
+An involuntary growl issued from the window where Burgsdorf was stationed.
+The Elector took no notice of it, and proceeded: "Moreover, request the
+Stadtholder in my name to write to me immediately, advising me what to do
+with regard to the Regensburg Diet, because we can not now with the
+required dispatch rightly apprehend and maturely consider the matter on
+account of our great affliction."[36]
+
+A second growl issued from the window, and called a slight, passing smile
+to Frederick William's face.
+
+"Then," continued the Elector, "notify the Stadtholder that I shall he
+glad to retain the present governors and garrisons of the forts; but that
+it would please me if we could inflict some injury upon the enemy at one
+place or the other; but, mindful of his hitherto glorious and successful
+management, I feel that I need only direct his attention in a special
+manner to the fortresses."
+
+Old Burgsdorf's growl now became almost a shriek of pain. "It is unheard
+of," he said, in quite an audible voice.
+
+With a proud movement of the head the Elector turned to him. "Burgsdorf,"
+he said, "you were to learn to wait; be silent, then, as becomes an humble
+scholar."
+
+Again the Elector turned to the chamberlain. "That is all I have to say to
+you, Schulenburg. I hope you have forgotten nothing, and that you will
+punctiliously execute every command."
+
+"I trust that your highness is convinced of my zeal and fidelity," replied
+the chamberlain, bowing reverentially. "I shall punctiliously execute all
+your orders, and have only to ask further when I am to set off?"
+
+"Immediately," said the Elector, "and travel post haste. Farewell! But
+hark! Schulenburg, you have obtained my official dispatches, now I shall
+add a little private errand. When you have communicated all this to the
+Stadtholder, exactly as directed, then converse a little with him in the
+most friendly manner, and in the course of conversation, as if of your own
+accord, sound Count Schwarzenberg as to his inclination to pay us a speedy
+visit in Prussia, the better to consult with us concerning the onerous
+duties of the administration. Then ask him casually, but in quite an
+innocent manner, whom he would recommend meanwhile as his substitute.[37]
+And now, God speed you, Schulenburg, go and carry out all my orders to the
+letter. As you pass out, send in to me the two gentlemen waiting in the
+antechamber."
+
+With a condescending nod of the head, he offered his hand to the
+chamberlain, who pressed it fervently to his lips, and then left the
+cabinet with hasty steps.
+
+"And now for you, gentlemen," cried the Elector, advancing a few paces to
+meet Herr von Kreytz and Herr von Kospoth, who were just entering the
+cabinet. "I have an important commission to intrust to both of you. You
+are both to proceed to Poland and announce my father's death to King
+Wladislaus. That is your affair specially, John von Kospoth. You know how
+to frame courteous speeches, and will inform the King that my father
+(peace be to his ashes!) has not been a more submissive vassal than his
+successor Frederick expects to be; you will tell him that the Dukes of
+Prussia are very faithful and obedient servants to the King of Poland, and
+know very well that they should be his Majesty's most humble vassals."
+
+Again a passionate murmur proceeded from the window, and Burgsdorf's
+flushed, angry countenance appeared between the silk curtains. The Elector
+saw this by a furtive glance, and again something like a smile passed over
+his countenance.
+
+Turning to the second gentleman, he continued: "You, Wolfgang von Kreytz,
+will present my most submissive and respectful greetings to the King of
+Poland, and acquaint him with the fact that I take my predecessor's place
+as duke in the dukedom of Prussia. Inform him that I recognize the King as
+lord paramount, and humbly sue for investiture. Tell him that I have
+hitherto forborne to perform the functions of ruler, and committed the
+government to a board of regency, and am meanwhile striving with the
+greatest diligence to acquire a knowledge of the rights and privileges of
+the land. Pay, both of you, the most polite and friendly court to the King
+and all his ministers. Asseverate everywhere that we know right well that
+our succession in Prussia depends wholly upon the King's choice, and that
+we would naturally desire to present ourselves in person and swear
+allegiance to his Majesty. And after you have impressed all these
+statements fully upon his mind, add that to our deepest regret we can not
+come immediately, on account of the bad condition of our hereditary
+estates and manifold business pertaining to the Roman Empire, which just
+now prevent us from undertaking the journey. Then petition for a gracious
+dispensation from personal attendance, and request his Majesty to grant a
+written order for the feoffment. Should the King make known to you through
+his counselors that he will not grant this written order, then desire a
+private audience of the King, and represent to him that we have been
+forced to assume the government, and deprecate his displeasure. Wait also
+upon the most prominent ministers, and represent the same thing to them.
+By your eloquence and zeal I hope that you will accomplish your purpose,
+and bring me the investiture. To this end spare neither flattery nor fair
+words."
+
+"Most gracious sir," asked John von Kospoth, with a meaning smile, "but
+if, unfortunately, flattery and fair words prove of no avail, what must we
+do then?"
+
+"You answer that question for me, Wolfgang von Kreytz," said the Elector.
+
+"Most gracious sir," exclaimed the young baron spiritedly, "if all
+entreaties and persuasions fail to move, I think it will be time to assert
+your Electoral dignity, and to have recourse to a little threatening. We
+should give the King of Poland to understand that you claim the succession
+in Prussia by virtue of your own good right; that your father, the Elector
+George William, undertook the government before the investiture, and that
+you will defend your duchy of Prussia with all the means at your command,
+and will never give it up."
+
+"Very good," said a deep voice from behind the window curtain.
+
+"Do you mean to speak so too, John von Kospoth?" asked the Elector.
+
+"If flattery and persuasions bring forth no fruit," replied Kospoth, "it
+would be a satisfaction to me, too, to threaten."
+
+"A poor satisfaction!" cried the Elector, "unless we could forthwith
+follow up our threat by action, and send out our regiments to declare war!
+No, sirs, if you try in vain to bribe with fair words, then we must resort
+to money! Money is also a weapon, and, if report speak truly, an effective
+one among the Polish lords, their King himself respecting it. In
+extremity, therefore, if you can not go forward at all, then have their
+Majesties, the King as well as Queen, notified, by means of some trusty
+person, that if we obtain the grant of the government on the spot, and
+have no difficulty with regard to investiture, we shall pay to both their
+Majesties, as a bonus, the sum of sixty thousand Polish florins, and
+afterward wait upon the great chancellor, vice chancellor, and lord high
+chancellor, salute these gentlemen from me, and promise each one of them
+ten thousand Polish florins. Take care, though, to stipulate for some time
+to be allowed us for the fulfillment of these promises, for where the
+money is to come from is as yet a riddle to ourselves. Such is my
+commission, gentlemen. Hasten to execute it."
+
+"And now," exclaimed the Elector, when the two gentlemen had left the
+cabinet, "now, Colonel von Burgsdorf, you have received your first lesson,
+and have learned to wait a little. Come forward now; I have something to
+say to you."
+
+"And I, sir," called out Burgsdorf, as he rushed forth from the bay window
+and threw himself on his knees before the Elector, "first of all, I have
+something to say to you. Your highness, above all things I must beg your
+pardon from the bottom of my heart, and confess to you the evil thoughts
+that led me to suppose that the Elector at twenty years of age did not
+understand government and was only a timid young gentleman. I see now that
+you are far wiser and more prudent than the old fool Burgsdorf, and that
+you have learned more in your twenty years than will ever penetrate my
+thick skull. You are a great statesman, your highness; on my knees I
+implore your pardon for having doubted you, and beseech you, reject me
+not, sir! Forget the nonsense I gave utterance to that time at Berlin, and
+take the old broadsword into your service. It desires nothing better than
+to be worn out in your service, to fly out of its scabbard at your bidding
+and slash away at the enemy."
+
+"To slash away at the enemy!" repeated the Elector. "First of all, stand
+up, old colonel. There," he continued, smiling, holding out his hand to
+him, "I must help you a little, for your old limbs have grown stiff in my
+father's service. And now, just tell me, old broadsword, what you think
+of it. How will you attack the enemy for me now? Enemies enough we have,
+indeed, but too few soldiers, I should think, to cope with them. Or think
+you that we could soon set an army on foot? Would you go out to battle
+with your regiment of two thousand six hundred men, and win back for me my
+contested territories?"
+
+"I beg your highness not to speak of my two thousand six hundred men. You
+know well that they have long since melted away, because there was no
+money wherewith to pay them."
+
+"Well then," said the Elector, "I will gratify you by forgetting that
+splendid regiment, and by no longer reminding you of the things that were.
+But this I tell you, Burgsdorf, under my administration everything must
+correspond, and what is noted down on paper must really exist. And now we
+shall see if you are acquainted with our military affairs."
+
+"Alas! most noble sir," sighed Burgsdorf, "would that I did not know, for
+it is a most sorrowful knowledge to an old soldier and in a most
+distressing condition is the Brandenburg military department."
+
+"Yes, indeed!" exclaimed the Elector. "The knights no longer take horse,
+the citizens no longer care to defend their towns and gates, the States
+refuse to pay subsidies for the support of the army, and our coffers are
+exhausted. It is no wonder if there can be no talk of an army. How much
+infantry and cavalry have we in all, Burgsdorf?"
+
+"Most gracious sir," sighed the colonel, "in the Mark and Prussia together
+we have not more than twenty companies of infantry, allowing a hundred and
+twenty-five men to each."
+
+"That would make two thousand five hundred men," said the Elector--"a
+small nucleus for an army, truly; but something, nevertheless, provided
+that these men are attached to me, and owe fealty to none besides myself."
+
+"But that is just our misfortune," said Burgsdorf; "these men have sworn
+allegiance not only to you, but to the Emperor's Majesty. They were
+enlisted in the Emperor's name, and carry the imperial banner."
+
+"Ah!" cried the Elector, "I see you know how it is, Conrad von Burgsdorf,
+and understand the difficulties of the position in which we find
+ourselves. Yes, the regiments of the Elector of Brandenburg have given
+oath to the Emperor, and the Emperor's banners wave above our forts. All
+my officers serve the Emperor first! Tell me, Burgsdorf, are you yourself
+not in the Emperor's service? Have you not a regiment in the imperial
+army, although you are governor of Küstrin, and therefore under my
+command?"
+
+"That is so," replied Burgsdorf. "I could not refuse the imperial regiment
+because it was such a lucrative post, and the governorship paid me hardly
+anything. The emoluments for heading the imperial regiment were more in
+one year than I would have gained in twenty years from my Brandenburg
+post. Necessity drove me to it."[38]
+
+"I know that very well," said the Elector, "and I repeat that the past
+shall be forgotten if you promise that in future you will be true and
+loyal to myself alone."
+
+"Your highness!" shouted Burgsdorf, "I will be faithful to you and your
+government to the end of my life! I renounce empire and Emperor, and
+henceforth the Elector of Brandenburg is my sole lord and general! Allow
+me on the spot to give into your own hand my oath of office, and swear
+to you eternal fidelity!"
+
+"Here is my hand," said the Elector solemnly. "Swear upon this hand
+hereafter to become the sword of Brandenburg, to serve me faithfully and
+zealously, and to have no other Sovereign than myself!"
+
+"In God's name I swear that I will have no other Sovereign, and serve
+under no other Prince, than yourself alone, the Elector of Brandenburg!"
+cried Burgsdorf, laying both his hands in that of the Elector and pressing
+it fervently to his lips.
+
+"And now, having sworn you into my service," said the Elector, in a
+majestic tone, "now I commission you to return home to Küstrin and to
+administer the oath to all the officers and men there. But understand, to
+me alone, not to the Emperor."
+
+"To you alone, not to the Emperor!" cried Burgsdorf, with animation.
+
+"And I further order you to receive no imperial garrison
+into your fortress, for we have a right to exact this, since it
+is clearly stipulated in the peace of Prague that each Prince
+is at liberty to man his fortresses with his own people, which
+clause gives validity to this assertion of right."[39]
+
+"Your Electoral Highness!" cried Burgsdorf, "that was spoken like a man!
+Begin the good work in earnest, and command the Stadtholder without delay
+to swear in the other governors of your remaining fortresses!"[40]
+
+"You are of opinion, then, that this is very necessary, and that these
+gentlemen might refuse to swear allegiance to me alone?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I am strongly of that opinion, and would venture to lay a wager
+that Colonel von Rochow at Spandow, and Goldacker and Kracht in Berlin,
+will not take oath to your Electoral Highness."
+
+"Woe to them if they do it not!" cried the Elector, with flashing eyes. "I
+shall prove to them that they must bow in obedience to me, and that I
+recognize no other lord but myself within the limits of my own dominions.
+Now go back to the Mark, Burgsdorf, and do as I have bidden you. You may
+also, as would once have been so pleasant to you, go over right often to
+Berlin. Attend well to all that is going on, for it may be that I shall
+soon have occasion for you there. Be on your guard, therefore, colonel,
+and be pretty circumspect in word and deed. Ponder upon the advice given
+you by the little Electoral Prince once: 'Learn and wait.'"
+
+"Sir, you give me another thrust!" cried Burgsdorf; "but it does me good,
+and I am glad of it. Yes, I shall learn and wait, for I see plainly the
+last night of the world has not come yet, and my dearest master will not
+always have to act so on the defensive as now; when the right time comes,
+he will strike and prove to all his enemies, even the mightiest of them,
+that he is more powerful than they. Mark now, mark my words; Schwarzenberg
+may look out!"
+
+"But meanwhile let Burgsdorf look out! Farewell now, Burgsdorf, you have
+received my orders. Execute them."
+
+"Now," cried the Elector, after the colonel had left the room--"now, my
+dear Leuchtmar, you know all my views and plans. But the most weighty,
+important, and difficult task I have reserved for you."
+
+"I think I know what your highness means," said Leuchtmar, smiling. "Your
+precautionary measures have been taken in all directions; as early as
+yesterday your envoys departed laden with most submissive messages of
+respect for the Emperor. Only in one direction have you done nothing, and
+that remains for me. I am to go to Sweden, am I not?"
+
+The Elector nodded and smiled. "It is as you say--you are to go to Sweden.
+A great danger threatens my country. The Swedes are on the frontiers, or
+rather within my territories, for they hold possession of Pomerania, which
+is mine. They are on the point of invading the Mark, Banner again
+threatens my poor, exhausted lands, and it is said that he has already
+issued orders for the demolishing of Berlin. Schwarzenberg for that very
+reason had the suburbs of Berlin and Cologne burned down, thus laying the
+city open to assault; from Saxony, also, the Swedish general Stallhansch
+advances upon Brandenburg, and all is in a fair way to encircle the Mark
+in the flames of war. But, as you know, I have no money and no soldiers,
+no power and no lands. I can not conduct a war! My single purpose must now
+be, in the first place, to withdraw my oppressed land and people from
+these flames of war into lasting repose and a peaceful security, and then
+to govern them well.[41] I shall send you to Sweden, therefore, Leuchtmar,
+to conclude for me a temporary armistice with the Swedes, and also to
+negotiate the conditions of a peace. I must have peace at any price, for
+on no terms can I carry on a war. Chancellor Oxenstiern is indeed a proud
+and overbearing man, who will probably make hard conditions, but we must
+accommodate ourselves to them, yield gracefully now, and defer our revenge
+for a later day. Only if he demands Pomerania as the price of peace, you
+may not yield; we will indeed be yielding, but not suffer ourselves to be
+humbled. We can grant much, but not allow ourselves to be imposed upon in
+everything. If Oxenstiern desires money and other material things, promise
+them, but land and towns you may not give."
+
+"Not a single title to land or town, your highness!" cried Leuchtmar, "for
+you have said that you would substantiate your titles, and give kernels to
+the empty shells; therefore the Swede shall not crack a single one of your
+nuts."
+
+"Not a single one," repeated the Elector, while he smilingly extended his
+hand to his friend. "And now, one thing more, Leuchtmar. Do you remember
+the plan about which my great-uncle Gustavus Adolphus spoke to my mother,
+when he was here on a visit?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," returned Leuchtmar promptly, "I remember it, and think it
+were time now to carry it into execution. There is one means of uniting
+Sweden and Brandenburg in the bonds of peace, without reducing Brandenburg
+to humiliation. Only follow the plan of the great Gustavus Adolphus; you
+know he destined his daughter Christina for your wife."
+
+"Yes," said the Elector, and a sudden pallor overspread his cheeks--"yes,
+he meant his daughter to be my wife. Go, Leuchtmar, and woo her, but quite
+secretly and quietly. As I have already told you, my heart is dead, young
+Frederick William no longer desires anything for himself, but the young
+Elector a great deal still, and it is the Elector who offers his hand to
+Queen Christina for the good of his country. I believe the little, young
+Queen interests herself somewhat in her cousin Frederick William, at least
+so my aunt, the widowed Queen, assured me. I shall intrust to you a letter
+for the young Queen, which you must try to slip into her own hand without
+Oxenstiern knowing anything about it. Go now, dear Leuchtmar, and prepare
+all things for your journey. Meanwhile I shall write the letter."
+
+"In one hour, your highness, I shall be ready," said Leuchtmar,
+withdrawing with a low bow.
+
+The Elector thoughtfully followed him with his eyes. "In one hour he will
+be ready," he said, "and he goes away to woo for me a woman's heart. Oh,
+Love and Faith, must you, too, bow to the great laws which govern the
+world? Must you, too, be laid as sacrifices upon the altar of country?
+Hush, poor heart and murmur not! Sink down into the sea of forgetfulness,
+ye days of the past! A new era dawns upon me. I stand before the gates of
+a great future, and I write above these gates, 'I will be a mighty and
+distinguished ruler!' That is my future."
+
+
+
+
+IV.--CONFIRMED IN POWER.
+
+
+With triumphant expression of countenance Count Adam von Schwarzenberg
+walked to and fro in his cabinet. The Chamberlain Werner von Schulenburg
+had just left him, and the glad tidings which he had brought from the
+young Elector had banished all doubts, all cares from the Stadtholder's
+heart.
+
+"I did him injustice," he said cheerfully to himself. "Frederick William
+was not my enemy, not my opponent! He was only the son of his father, and
+he will now also walk in his father's ways. I therefore remain what I am,
+remain Stadtholder, the lord of the Mark! And," he continued, more softly,
+"I would have put this amiable Prince out of the way! Who knows whether it
+would have been for my advantage if he had died and my son stepped into
+his place! My son is of my blood--that is to say, he is ambitious and
+thirsts after power and distinction. He would not have left the government
+in my hands, if he could have wrested it from me, and perhaps I would not
+have remained Stadtholder in the Mark had it been in his power to displace
+me!"
+
+The count had thrown himself into a fauteuil, and supported his head on
+his hand. The triumphant expression had long since faded from his
+features, which were mow grave and lined by care.
+
+"It pleases me not," he murmured, after a long pause--"no, it pleases me
+not at all that my son associates so constantly with Goldacker, Kracht,
+and Rochow at Spandow. They are disorderly fellows, who recognize no law
+or restraint, and find their sole pleasure in tumult and strife. It would
+seem fine to them if they could embroil father and son, for they would
+surely fish in the troubled waters, and draw out some advantage for
+themselves, which is ever their only concern. They exert an evil influence
+over my son, I know that, and it would be infinitely better for him to go
+away from here and--Ha! a good thought! I shall immediately carry it out."
+
+He started up and grasped the large gold bell, which had been recently
+presented to him by the Emperor. The clear, sonorous tones called a smile
+to the count's lips.
+
+"Yes, yes," he said, "the old Elector is dead, and I ring the new times
+in; yet the new era is but a repetition of the old, and the end remains
+ever the same, although the means by which we attain it differ. I used to
+whistle, now I ring, but the object remains identically the same--to
+summon serviceable spirits to my side.
+
+"They do not come, though," he continued after a long pause, in which he
+had awaited in vain the appearance of a lackey. "No, these, my serviceable
+spirits come not; they incline not to the new order of things, and prefer
+clinging to the old."
+
+He took the little golden whistle, lying on the table beside the bell,
+and gave a loud, shrill call with it. Immediately the door opened and a
+lackey appeared.
+
+"Why have you kept me waiting?" asked the count imperiously. "Did you not
+hear the bell?"
+
+"Yes, your excellency," replied the lackey, with reverential mien, "I
+heard ringing. It was the beadle, giving notice that two women were to be
+put in the pillory on the fish market for committing twenty thefts between
+them!"
+
+"Stupid fool! It was I who rang!" cried the count. "Did I not yesterday
+notify you through the majordomo that I should no longer call you with a
+whistle, but with a bell?"
+
+"It is true, your excellency, and I beg your pardon for forgetting it,"
+replied the lackey humbly.
+
+"Mark it for all time to come," commanded the count. "Go now and tell my
+son, Count John Adolphus, that I wish to speak with him, and request him
+to come to me."
+
+The lackey bowed obsequiously and left the apartment. He paused behind the
+closed door, and with defiant, angry countenance, shook his clinched fist.
+
+"You will no longer call us by a whistle," he muttered wrathfully, "and
+yet you whistle for your parrot and your dogs. But that is quite too good
+for your servants and lackeys, and they must now listen for that sheep
+bell. Tinkle and ring for us, will you, as if you were the beadle and we
+good-for-nothing folks to be put in the pillory? Ah me! every day the rich
+and high become more haughty, and the poor and lowly must every day put up
+with more! We had hoped, indeed, that other times would come, and that the
+young Elector would shove that old tyrant of a Stadtholder aside, and oust
+him from his dignities and offices. But Count Adam von Schwarzenberg
+retains his place, and the only change for us is that he rings for us
+instead of whistling as of old. We must just submit, and when he rings
+obey his orders as if he whistled."
+
+With a deep sigh and melancholy air the lackey now walked off to execute
+his lord's commands, and summon Count John Adolphus to his father. This
+young gentleman made haste to obey the call.
+
+"My son," cried the Stadtholder, himself opening his cabinet door, "I
+recognized your step and came to meet you."
+
+"You have something very urgent to say to me then, since you have so
+anxiously expected me?" asked John Adolphus, pressing his father's hand to
+his lips.
+
+"Yes, much that is urgent," replied the Stadtholder. "The young Elector's
+envoy has arrived, and brought me a first missive from him."
+
+"Good news?" asked his son hurriedly.
+
+"Yes, good news. The Elector confirms me in all my offices and dignities.
+I remain Stadtholder in the Mark, Director of the War Department--in
+short, what I am, whence follows as a matter of course that the Elector
+Frederick remains what his father was--my obedient servant. My son, the
+power has not fallen from my hand, and your heritage remains."
+
+"I assure you, my gracious father, I have but little desire to enter upon
+this heritage of mine," cried young Count Adolphus, shrugging his
+shoulders. "May I long remain what I am now, the son of the Stadtholder in
+the Mark, the coadjutor of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John."
+
+"I thank you, Adolphus, for this kind and friendly wish," said Count Adam,
+giving his hand to his son. "It proves to me that you love your old
+father, and that delights me. Truly, man is a wonderful creature, not
+being able to live for himself alone, but always longing for some
+sympathetic heart on which to lean. I have at last made the discovery that
+I have a heart."
+
+"And I," said Count Adolphus, laughing--"I have just discovered that I no
+longer have a heart."
+
+"Or rather, you are sick at heart, are you not?" inquired his father
+quickly. "My son, you have avoided me of late--you have turned from me,
+you no longer confide in me."
+
+"I have nothing to confide, most revered sir," replied Count Adolphus,
+smiling. "I lead a merry, harmless life, and care for nothing."
+
+"For nothing?" repeated the count. "Not even for the Princess Charlotte
+Louise?"
+
+Count Adolphus slightly shuddered, and his cheeks paled a little, but he
+carelessly shook his head, and continued to smile.
+
+"My son," continued his father, "I ask you to-day, as I did two years ago,
+on what terms are you with the Princess Charlotte Louise? During all this
+time you have invariably eluded my efforts to converse on the subject. I
+indulged you, for I know my prudent, cautious son, and waited for him to
+give me his confidence voluntarily. Hitherto, however, I have but waited
+in vain, so that I am compelled to take the initiative, and sue for your
+confidence. Give it to me, Adolphus, tell me whether you love the Princess
+Charlotte Louise."
+
+"Wherefore?" asked Count Adolphus. "How would it profit you?"
+
+"Me? Not at all, but perhaps it may profit you to tell me the truth. The
+lofty hopes we once indulged in have come to naught, destiny has not
+willed their fruition. We have been disappointed in our hope of seeing
+George William's daughter become his heiress, and exalt her husband into
+an Elector of Brandenburg. Frederick William is Elector, he has entered
+upon his father's estates to their full extent. But the Princess Charlotte
+Louise is still unmarried, and has remained so because she loves you and
+is waiting for you."
+
+"She has made me wait," cried the young count, with a sudden outburst of
+passion. "She kept me standing and waiting two hours before a locked door,
+and never, while I live, never, shall I forget the shame, the torture, and
+degradation of those two hours of vain expectation. Oh, father, see what
+power you have over me! I swore then that no human being should ever hear
+of the insult put upon me by that haughty Prince's daughter, and yet I am
+confessing it to you now. Pity me not, say nothing, nothing at all, for
+each word but aggravates my pain and makes my heart swell with indignation
+and grief. Oh, I loved her, trusted her, I dreamed of a proud and
+brilliant future, which I should owe to her! And she played her part in
+such masterly style, her countenance wearing a look of such innocence and
+candor! O father! I loved her, and I, the experienced man of the world,
+allowed myself to be deceived by that young girl, who knew nothing of the
+world, and was yet such an accomplished hypocrite! Think not that I was a
+mere idle coxcomb, arrogantly basing his expectations upon his wishes. No,
+she deceived me, she disappointed me! You should have seen her at that
+_fête_ which you gave to the Electoral Prince. How tenderly she leaned
+upon my arm, as we walked through the greenhouse, with what glowing
+cheeks, with what a blissful smile did she listen to my protestations of
+love, with what amiable bashfulness did she respond to them! She even
+anticipated my boldest hopes and desires, and when I ventured to ask for
+a rendezvous, not only consented to it, but gave me a proof that she would
+have granted it without waiting for me to seek one. There, in the
+greenhouse, she pressed a little note into my hand, which stated clearly
+and distinctly that she appointed ten o'clock of the following evening for
+a rendezvous with me at the castle. And yet all was falsehood and
+deceit--all only invented for the purpose of punishing the presumptuous
+fool who had dared to lift his eyes to the proud Princess! Oh, how she
+laughed perhaps, and mocked me with her sister, mother, and brother, while
+I stood below before the locked door and waited, finally being obliged to
+slink away, burying my rage and despair in my heart! I fancy her spying
+from a neighboring window, watching me, and enjoying my confusion as I
+stood there knocking at a bolted door, having at last to go off silent and
+bowed down. It makes me furious to think of this, and yet continually the
+idea haunts me, leaving me no rest, until the remembrance of these two
+dreadful hours becomes absolute torture. O father! why have you wrenched
+this secret from my heart?--why have you persuaded me to tell you, what I
+have not even revealed to my father confessor?"
+
+"I am glad, my son, that I have succeeded in opening this secret," said
+the count quietly. "I say opening, for like a festering sore it has
+rankled in your bosom, and believe me, Adolphus, since it has been opened,
+you will experience relief and your heart will heal. It has befallen many
+another man to be caught in the snares of a coquette, and to have a few
+costly illusions dispelled. But consider, my son, each illusion lost is
+an experience gained, and experience is cheaply bought with the dreams of
+the heart. Experience, you know, brings knowledge of the world, and
+knowledge of the world forms the diplomatist and statesman. You are
+already, my son, no despicable statesman, and you will some day play a
+great game, even though you are not the Electoral Princess's husband.
+For the rest I can give you one comforting assurance, and relieve your
+mind of an oppressive consciousness. In order to do this I have allowed
+you to vent your rage, and listened with attentive ear to your passionate
+complaints. My consolation is this: you have never loved the Princess
+Charlotte Louise--that is to say, never loved her with your heart, but
+only with your vanity and ambition. It was very flattering to you to be
+loved by a Princess, and ambition whispered to you that through your wife
+you might become reigning Elector, if the Electoral Prince were only put
+out of the way by fate or some other obliging hand. There was surely some
+prospect of this, and you know how exultingly we both looked forward to
+such a future. But we made shipwreck of those plans, and now it is too
+late to build them anew. However, let us not mourn over the past, but
+forget it. This hour has witnessed your last lament over your dead past.
+Its knell has been rung, let us both now doom it to oblivion. I have
+retained one thing in my memory, however, and that is the note which the
+incautious Princess gave you that evening in the greenhouse. Do you still
+possess it?"
+
+"Yes, I still possess it, and as often as I look at it my heart is like to
+burst with indignation and wrath!"
+
+"On the contrary, Adolphus, you ought to rejoice whenever you look at it,
+for you can turn this little note into a formidable weapon against the
+Electoral house. With this note you can some day force the young Elector
+to make you my successor, confirm you in the rank of Grand Master of the
+Knights of St. John, or even, if you still wish it, make you the husband
+of his sister Charlotte Louise. Ah! my son, a note in which the Elector's
+sister invites you to a rendezvous by night is worth more to you, indeed,
+than if you could go out against your enemy with an army, for an army
+might be vanquished, but in this _billet-doux_ of the Princess each stroke
+of her hand becomes a soldier fighting with invincible armor."
+
+"You are right, most gracious father," said Count Adolphus, with a
+sinister expression of face. "The day may come when I shall march out
+these soldiers against the faithless Princess and her whole house! I hate
+her, I hate them all, and my whole heart longs for revenge, and--"
+
+"Your excellency," said a chamberlain, approaching hastily--"your
+excellency, a courier from Königsberg has just arrived, and is the bearer
+of this dispatch from the Elector."
+
+The Stadtholder took the proffered packet, and by a hurried sign dismissed
+the chamberlain.
+
+"A courier from Königsberg," he said, with a slight shaking of the head,
+as he examined the great sealed envelope which he held in his hand. "A
+writing from the Electoral Government Office, when Schulenburg was just
+with me this very day, the bearer of verbal communications! I do not
+understand it!"
+
+"The best plan would be, most revered father, to open the letter!" cried
+Count Adolphus briskly. "You will then see what news it contains."
+
+The Stadtholder made no answer, but tore off the cover and drew forth the
+inner paper. Slowly he unfolded this, and read.
+
+His son had involuntarily advanced a few steps nearer, and watched his
+father's countenance with the impatience of suspense. He saw him turn
+pale, his brow darken, and his lips become firmly compressed.
+
+"The letter contains bad news?" he said breathlessly.
+
+"Not merely bad but astonishing news," replied the count, with forced
+composure. "The Elector here makes several requirements of me, and not
+directly, but through his private secretary Götz."
+
+"What presumption!" exclaimed his son passionately.
+
+"How can that little Elector dare to forward a writ of chancery to you,
+the mighty and influential Stadtholder in the Mark, instead of addressing
+his desires and requests to you privately in his own handwriting?"
+
+"It shows at all events a little negligence and want of formality,"
+replied his father thoughtfully, "although the Elector may certainly plead
+as his excuse the many claims upon his time. For the same reason he only
+gave Schulenburg verbal messages for me."
+
+"And may I ask what the Elector demands of your grace? Or is this an
+indiscretion on my part?"
+
+"No, my son, you shall learn it. In the first place, the Elector requires
+me to send unopened to him at Königsberg all letters arriving here
+addressed to him, and not to open and answer them in his name as hitherto.
+The Elector further desires me to conclude no act of government without
+having previously called together the privy council. In the third place,
+the Elector directs me forthwith to require of all the governors and
+officers of the forts an oath of allegiance to himself. He lastly asks, if
+I can make it convenient to come to Prussia, that we may confer together,
+and that he may have the benefit of my aid and advice."
+
+"And what answer will your grace return to these demands?"
+
+"As regards the first requirement, I shall reply that the Elector's will
+is law, and that all writings shall be henceforth forwarded to him
+unopened. As to the second demand, I shall represent that it is now simply
+impossible to gratify, since only a single member of the old privy council
+is yet alive. As to binding the officers and commandants by oath to their
+duty," continued the count slowly, "I shall but require a token of their
+disposition to fulfill existing engagements. And lastly, as the Elector
+wishes it, I can hardly refuse him my advice; so that I will go to him in
+Prussia."
+
+"No," cried Count Adolphus impatiently, "no, father, you shall not. You
+shall not accept this artfully contrived invitation. You dare not go to
+Prussia. My God, sir, are your usually keen and penetrating eyes so
+blinded that they can not see what is so very palpable? Do you really not
+perceive that the Elector only wants to entice you away, in order to get
+you in his power, in order noiselessly and quietly to put you out of the
+way? Ostensibly you are to go to Königsberg to advise the young,
+inexperienced Elector. That is the pretext, the sand which they would
+scatter in the eyes of yourself, your friends, the Emperor, yea, all
+Germany, so that no one can see what is going on, or by any possibility
+guess what will happen. You may set out for Königsberg, but you will never
+get there; you will meet with an accident on the way--either your carriage
+will be overset and you fatally injured, or robbers fall upon you in the
+woods and murder you. However it may be, only as a dead man will you
+arrive at Königsberg, and the Elector will have nothing further to do than
+to decree your magnificent obsequies!"
+
+"Ah, my son!" cried the Stadtholder, smiling, "you go too far. Never will
+the Elector resort to such expedients. He is too pious and good a
+Christian for that!"
+
+"Father, are not you, too, a good, pious Christian, and yet--Believe me,
+the Elector has forgotten nothing. He remembers the man found under his
+bed once, with a murderous weapon in his hand and much gold in his pocket.
+He remembers the sickness which so suddenly seized him two years ago at
+the banquet which you had prepared for him. _Then_ you invited him, _now_
+he invites you, and if sickness seizes you, you will probably not have the
+good fortune to recover as he did."
+
+"That is true; my God! he may be right," muttered the count, turning pale.
+"It may be that they suspect me; they may have told him I meant to poison
+him at that banquet. I have proofs of it which make it seem probable, and
+that woman--Hush, hush! nothing of that--that has no place here! But I
+believe myself that you are right, and will therefore ignore the Elector's
+invitation."
+
+"God be praised, father, that you have taken this resolution!" cried the
+young count joyfully. "Now at last the crisis is upon us--open enmity and
+a rupture, regardless of consequences! Waver and hesitate no more. The
+Elector would ruin you; you must ruin him. Nay, look not so amazed and
+shocked, father! I have long foreseen this moment, and have prepared
+everything for meeting the emergency with dignity. As soon as the first
+news of the Elector George William's death reached here, I gathered about
+me my friends and yours, and held a long consultation with them, which
+satisfied me of their fidelity and devotion. Oh, most gracious sir, you
+have indeed no reason to bewail your lot, for you have many and reliable
+friends, who are ready for your sake to confront the most imminent
+dangers, to undertake what is most difficult and hazardous! All of our
+friends were convinced with me that the Electoral Prince is your
+implacable enemy, and that he only watches for an opportunity to
+accomplish your ruin. In spite of his few years, however, he is much too
+wise and cautious a man to attempt to act against you with open, swift
+determination. He knows the Emperor loves you, and that he would regard
+each act of enmity against you as directed against himself. Therefore he
+would quietly remove and undo you. Here, in the midst of your faithful
+friends, surrounded by soldiers and officers who have taken an oath of
+fidelity to you and the Emperor, in the midst of your adherents and
+retainers, the Elector would not dare to arrest and accuse you. He begins
+much more prudently, much more circumspectly! In the first place, you are
+to swear the governors and officers into the Elector's service. That is to
+say, in other words, they are no longer to recognize the Emperor as lord
+paramount or you as the Elector's representative, but their oath is to
+bind them to the Elector alone, and only on his will are they to be
+dependent. After having accomplished all this, you are to proceed to
+Prussia, where no one defends you, where your friends can not rally around
+you, where you will vanish, uncared for and unwept. No, my lord and
+father, you must not go to Prussia, or if you do, not until you have
+assembled around you your loyal subjects, when, at the head of your
+regiments, you go forth to meet the Elector as his powerful and determined
+foe, not as his servant."
+
+"What do you say, my son?" asked the Stadtholder, shocked.
+
+"I say, father, that your friends and I have been secretly active, that we
+have prepared to defend you in case the Elector threatens you. Throughout
+the whole Mark your friends are ready to make open opposition to the
+Elector, and firmly determined to protect you and their own rights and
+privileges sword in hand. Only carry out Frederick William's order,
+summon the commandants of the forts here to Berlin, and demand of them
+their oath of allegiance to the Elector. This they will refuse. All, with
+the exception of Burgsdorf of Küstrin and Trotha of Peitz, will declare
+that they have already given in their oath to the Emperor, and can not
+conscientiously take any other. The colonels of the regiments will say the
+same, especially Goldacker, the boldest, bravest of them all. They will
+keep faith with the Emperor, and therefore the Elector of Brandenburg is
+not their commander in chief. _You_, who administered the imperial oath,
+they will obey in the Emperor's name, they will follow whithersoever _you_
+lead."
+
+"But whither can I lead them?" asked the Stadtholder.
+
+"To battle against the little Elector of Brandenburg, who would revolt
+against his lord the Emperor; to battle against the heretical vassal of
+the Emperor, who threatens the German Empire and the Church, who would
+break loose from Emperor and empire, who threatens all creeds, making
+every effort to strengthen and aggrandize the reformed party. Oh, believe
+me, not merely good Catholics, but the Evangelical and Lutheran sects,
+will obey this call, and burn with enmity and wrath against the rash
+little Elector. We have spread our net, and its meshes are entangling him,
+even there in Prussia, where he thinks himself quite safe and secure. True
+friends and trusty messengers have been sent by Goldacker and myself to
+Prussia, to concert measures there with your adherents, and to rouse them
+to strong, energetic action. Sebastian von Waldow, superintendent of the
+palace and captain of Ruppin, assembles your friends together in perfect
+secrecy, and I daily expect from him exact accounts as to the success of
+his operations. In Königsberg itself we now have a powerful and efficient
+friend, who co-operates with us and is like-minded with ourselves. It is
+the ambassador whom the Emperor has sent to condole with the Elector. He
+is my best, most confidential friend, Count von Martinitz. He is
+acquainted with all my plans, he is the confidant of all my hopes and
+views, and will second them with all his might. This ambitious, heretical
+little Elector shall not rise, shall not arrive at power and distinction!
+That is not only the view the Emperor takes of it, but all German princes.
+The Elector of Brandenburg is a source of terror and embarrassment to them
+all. He threatens Saxony, he threatens Brunswick and Hesse; of all he
+claims land and property now in their possession. He has no friends,
+adherents, nor allies, this little Elector Frederick William. Holland will
+not side with him, because it will not relinquish Julich and Cleves,
+Sweden contends with him for Pomerania, and Poland about the investiture.
+He has only enemies and accusers! If, then, we attack him, he is lost! No
+hand will be lifted in his defense, no arm outstretched to save him. The
+Emperor will grant us his support and countenance, and all German princes
+will secretly rejoice that so dangerous a rival has been happily removed.
+O father! you see I have not abandoned hope of becoming some day Elector
+of Brandenburg! Only, I shall not be indebted for it to the Princess
+Charlotte Louise, but to you. I shall inherit the dignity as my father's
+son! And this shall be my revenge upon the faithless, treacherous
+Princess! I will ruin her and her whole house; I will put my father in her
+brother's place; I will one day enter as master the palace before whose
+closed portals they once insolently kept me two hours waiting. I swore
+that night to be revenged for that insult, and now the moment has come.
+Father, the fruit of revenge is ripe, and you must pluck it!"
+
+"Yes, that I will," cried the Stadtholder, with animation. "Oh, my son, a
+great, immeasurable joy fills my soul at this hour; and, first of all, let
+me beg your pardon for having entertained a horrible suspicion with regard
+to you which has lately forced itself upon me. I mistrusted you, seeing
+your activity, your strange confidential transactions with the commandants
+and officers; I felt that you were on the eve of some great undertaking,
+and suspected that in you I had a rival, and that you wished to supplant
+me! Forgive me, my son, forgive me in consideration of the misery my
+suspicions caused me!"
+
+"I have nothing to forgive, father," said Count Adolphus coldly. "It is so
+natural for those incapable of love to suppose that others are only moved
+by selfish ends! You, father, love nothing on earth but your own ambition
+and fame, and so fancied that it was the same with me, and that ambition
+could make the son a traitor to his own father!"
+
+"My Adolphus!" cried the Stadtholder, "I have already told you, and repeat
+again, that I feel I have a heart. I felt it in the pain which I
+experienced when I doubted you; I feel it now in the rapture which thrills
+me in beholding you act so boldly and courageously in behalf of your
+father. Give me your hand, Adolphus, and--if you do not disdain such a
+thing--embrace me, and kiss your old father."
+
+He held out his arms, and his son threw himself on his breast and
+imprinted a long, fervent kiss upon his lips. Long did Count Schwarzenberg
+clasp him to his heart, then took the young man's head between both his
+hands and looked at him with loving, tender glances. Finally, with a
+singular expression of embarrassment, he bent down and kissed his eyes.
+
+"My son," he said softly and quickly, "I love you. Yours are the first
+eyes that I have ever kissed, and this kiss of your father's unpolluted
+lips should be to you a life-long blessing. And now to work, now for
+action, and bold adventurous deeds! Oh, of late how weak and worn out I
+have felt myself to be, and longed to withdraw into solitude and
+retirement, to rest from all labor! I believed it was old age creeping
+upon me, and by its abominable touch unnerving my arm and crippling my
+activity. But now I feel that it was only secret grief about you which
+thus enfeebled me and robbed my arm of vigor. Now I am quite well again
+and strong; now I will dare everything that you have so prudently and
+wisely planned. Yes, yes, once more I am Schwarzenberg, the Stadtholder in
+the Mark, and I shall not allow myself to be imposed upon; I shall do
+battle with this little Frederick William, who ventures to defy and
+threaten me. He opposes the Emperor, he would be an independent Sovereign,
+while he is only the Emperor's vassal. For this he shall be punished. It
+will not be our fault if this hurls him from his little throne, and how
+could we be blamed, should the Emperor bestow the margraviate of
+Brandenburg upon Prince Schwarzenberg, as he did the margraviate of
+Jägerndorf upon Prince Lobkowitz? To work, my son, to work! Oh, now again
+my eyes see clearly--now again my head conceives fixed and energetic
+thoughts. My son, we two combined will surely be equal to the execution
+of our exalted schemes. We two combined will ruin the Elector."
+
+"And put you in his place," cried the young count.
+
+"I must go before, that you may be my successor, and that our house stand
+firm and strong, and not be inferior to that of Lobkowitz or Fürstenberg.
+Already it is clearly defined in my mind what we shall have to do. In the
+first place, we must render the Elector odious to all parties, making it
+evident to each that he is a dangerous foe to all, who would enrich
+himself at his neighbors' expense, and would arrive at honor and power by
+weakening and degrading others. We have only to say to the Emperor that he
+is his opponent, and seeks to release his officers from the oath they have
+taken. Ferdinand is passionate and jealous of his prerogatives, and will
+crush his rebellious vassal. To the Lutherans and their favorers we will
+have it whispered by our friends that the Elector, as a rigid Calvinist,
+threatens their faith, and proposes to restrict the privileges of their
+country churches and to deprive of their offices all those who will not
+confess the Calvinistic creed. The Lutherans are a hard-headed and
+fanatical sect. He who menaces their faith is their arch-enemy, and they
+will be ready to fight against him with fire and sword. The soldiers, you
+know, are always ready to follow him who pays them best, and as regards
+their officers, thanks to you, my son, we are sure of them. Let us now
+adopt a fixed plan for hastening the crisis."
+
+"I am only waiting for the return of the messenger whom I sent to
+Sebastian von Waldow. He will bring us reliable information as to the
+progress of organization among your adherents in Prussia, for Waldow has
+gone himself to Königsberg to hold a consultation with Count Martinitz,
+and to concert with our loyal friends a fixed plan of operations."
+
+"We shall be obliged to go very slowly and cautiously to work," said Count
+Adam thoughtfully. "We must first secure ourselves on all sides, and be
+sure of the result before we venture to assume the offensive. The most
+important thing now is to assure ourselves of the Emperor's favor and
+approval. You, my son, must repair forthwith to Regensburg, where the
+Emperor is at present. You will inform him that I have obtained orders
+from the Elector to release the troops from their oath to the Emperor, and
+to swear them into the Elector's service alone. You will say to his
+Majesty that I have declined to yield to this order, and in the oath
+administered to the officers have made their allegiance to the Elector
+quite secondary to their obligations to himself. You will further notify
+the Emperor that the soldiers' pay has been in arrears for a month,
+because all our coffers are empty. Therefore ask, in my name, if it would
+not perhaps be advisable, if we come to extremities, to take the
+Brandenburg troops into the Emperor's pay, to give them rations in the
+Emperor's name, and renew their oath to his Imperial Majesty. To effect
+this, we have only to stimulate a little the discontent of the troops.
+They are already tolerably desperate because they have not received their
+wages. If the Elector does not speedily pay off the troops, the
+desperation will reach its height, and a revolt break forth spontaneously."
+
+"Thence it follows, most gracious sir, that they will become as wax to be
+molded at your will."
+
+"You are right, my son; we must manage to retain authority over friend and
+foe. The troops here are a wild, lawless horde, knowing little of
+discipline and order, and bearing much closer resemblance to a robber band
+than a princely army. We must aim at having disciplined troops at hand,
+such as are accustomed to obedience, and to this end must introduce
+imperial troops into the Mark. Nothing further is necessary for this than
+to begin hostilities against the Swedes with renewed activity, drawing
+them down upon Berlin. It will then seem quite natural, considering the
+weakness of the forces here, to invite the aid of the Emperor and his
+troops in defending Berlin and protecting ourselves against the Swedes,
+but in truth to help us in this great movement against the seditious
+Elector, who would revolt against Emperor and empire.
+
+"I commission you, my son, to unravel this whole scheme to the Emperor,
+and to petition him for his countenance. For, without the imperial
+approbation and without an assurance of success, we dare not proceed
+further in this dangerous undertaking. We must have some security, too,
+that the Emperor's Majesty will proportionately reward us if we gain the
+Mark for him, and rid him of that mutinous, heretical Elector."
+
+"I shall above all things seek to come to an understanding with Father
+Silvio, and impress upon the Emperor's pious, zealous father confessor the
+extent of glory and blessing to be acquired in behalf of the Church and
+holy faith by wresting the Mark out of the hands of a heretic, and
+bestowing it upon a believing, true Catholic, such as the Stadtholder in
+the Mark. The father has the Emperor's ear, and, I believe, is favorably
+disposed toward me. I shall use every means for enlisting his favor, and
+it would be well to have some funds at my disposal for this purpose.
+Father Silvio, noble and pious though he be, loves money, and is not
+inaccessible to jewels and valuable gifts. He has in his apartments at
+Vienna costly collections of precious stones and rare gold and silver
+plate, and it affords him high gratification to add a few valuable
+pieces to them."
+
+"We will take care of that," said Count Adam, smiling. "Choose out of our
+casket of gems a few things worthy the pious father's acceptance, and for
+money you can draw upon the bankers Fugger of Nuremberg. I recently
+deposited with them considerable sums, in case of emergency. They are
+safer there than here in this starved-out Mark, among the desperadoes of
+Berlin and Cologne, who have no affection for me, and perhaps some day may
+take it into their heads to demand relief from me for their poverty and
+want, and plunder me to enrich themselves. Among such a gaunt, hungry
+populace we must be prepared for everything, and it is wise to be insured
+against mishaps. In these present evil days, however, nothing but money
+can raise an army, and only he who has money can aspire to being a
+general."
+
+"The little Elector of Brandenburg has no money!" cried Count Adolphus,
+"for which God be praised! He, therefore, can be no general. His troops
+and his land belong to us, and, like the Margrave of Jägerndorf and the
+Elector of the Palatinate, the deposed Elector of Brandenburg may soon be
+a wanderer in foreign lands, exposing his humiliation to the whole German
+Empire. Nowhere will he find compassion, nowhere sympathy, for he is a
+dangerous foe to all, and all will profit by his fall. Dear, honored
+father, let me depart this very hour for Regensburg, in order to obtain
+the Emperor's approval of our weighty plans, and to return to you the
+earlier with plenipotentiary powers."
+
+"You are right, Adolphus, haste makes speed, and we must strike while the
+iron is hot. Set off, my son, this very hour if you choose. It will not be
+necessary for me to write to the Emperor by you. You know perfectly how to
+interpret my thoughts, and your spoken word is better than my written one.
+God speed you, then, my son, I shall expect daily dispatches from you,
+acquainting me with the progress of your negotiations."
+
+"I shall write, father, and make use of the ciphers agreed upon between
+us. You have preserved the key, have you not?"
+
+"I have preserved it in my head," replied the count, pointing to his
+forehead. "Important secrets should never be committed to paper, and I say
+with Charles V, 'If one carries a great secret in his head, he should burn
+his very nightcap, that it may not betray him.' Truly may it be said of us
+two that we carry an important secret in our heads. Instead of a nightcap
+I have burned the cipher key, that it may not one day betray us!"
+
+"But the great secret will one day surprise the world," cried Count
+Adolphus joyfully; "its trumpet peals will one day startle the whole of
+Germany. From the palace balcony here in Berlin shall its triumphant
+flourishes ring forth. The people in the streets will hear them in
+astonishment, and to me they will sound as the rejoicing songs of the
+heavenly hosts, and enraptured I shall look up to my father, standing
+there majestic in the pomp of his princely power. If I may then fall at
+your feet, all the ambitious dreams and aspirations of my heart will be
+fulfilled, and all within me will rejoice and shout, 'Health and blessings
+upon Prince Schwarzenberg, Margrave of Brandenburg!' Farewell now, dear
+father! I hurry away, the earlier to return to you!"
+
+
+
+
+V.--THE CATASTROPHE.
+
+
+Their plans matured, and every day approached nearer to completion, while
+with firm hand Count Adam Schwarzenberg held the reins which guided the
+great machinery of insurrection. He had sent Colonel Goldacker with his
+regiment to Mecklenburg to draw out the Swedes, and to provoke them to
+advance upon the Mark. The Swedes took up the gauntlet thrown down to
+them, and, while they were opposed to Goldacker in Mecklenburg, other
+Swedish regiments marched from Lausitz against Berlin. This was exactly
+what the Stadtholder wished, and once more the devoted Mark saw the flames
+of war burst forth, in order that Schwarzenberg might have an excuse for
+summoning Saxon troops to his aid.
+
+To-day these troops had reached Berlin, and the Stadtholder wished to
+celebrate their arrival by a sumptuous _fête_ in his palace. To this
+entertainment he had bidden Colonel Goldacker from Mecklenburg; the
+commandants of Spandow and Berlin, with their officers, were also invited,
+and already, in the early morning, they were preparing the table in the
+great hall for the magnificent collation to be served at noon.
+
+Meanwhile lamentation and mourning reigned in the cities of Berlin and
+Cologne, while life went so merrily in the Schwarzenberg palace. The wild
+hordes of soldiers made the streets unsafe even in the daytime. Drunken
+they roved through the city, with the greatest tumult and uproar; they
+broke into the houses of peaceful citizens to plunder and rob, and
+wherever anything was refused them, they committed the most wanton acts,
+laughing and singing over the tortures they inflicted. In vain had the
+burghers applied to the officers of these ungovernable outlaws and
+besought them to restrain the soldiery from outrages, to confine them to
+their quarters, and to punish them for their thefts and robberies. The
+officers declared that there was no means of enforcing so rigid a
+discipline, and that in times of war some allowance should be made for
+soldiers who with their own bodies protected the burghers from their foes.
+
+But the poor, tormented burghers did not want war; they wanted peace!
+Peace at any price. The States, too, who held their session in Berlin,
+wanted peace, and to this end had sent out a deputation from their midst
+to the Elector at Königsberg to implore him to pity their distress and to
+command the Stadtholder in the Mark to abstain from hostilities against
+the Swedes.
+
+The same suit the citizens desired to present to the Stadtholder, and
+to-day, while preparations were in progress for a military entertainment
+in the Schwarzenberg palace, a solemn deputation of the magistracy and
+citizenship repaired to the same spot to lay before the Stadtholder their
+wishes and entreaties. Count Schwarzenberg kept them waiting a long while
+in his antechamber, and when he finally made his appearance his
+countenance was proud and haughty, and his eyes shot angry glances upon
+the poor representatives of the burghers, who stood with deprecating
+humility before him.
+
+"What would you have of me, sirs?" he cried, in a rough voice. "What have
+you to say to me?"
+
+"Most gracious sir," replied the burgomaster of Berlin, "we come to
+entreat the aid and assistance of your excellency in behalf of our
+afflicted cities. We are exhausted, hungry, plundered, driven to despair.
+We can no longer bear the frightful burden of war. Have compassion upon
+our affliction; make peace with the Swede, that he may not advance upon
+Berlin, that we may not be forced to appeal to foreigners for our defense."
+
+"Make peace!" cried the burghers, stretching out their hands imploringly
+toward the Stadtholder, their eyes filled with tears. "O sir! we have
+borne sorrow and wretchedness for so many long, bitter years! Our hearts
+are crushed and desperate! Our souls are faint! Make peace, that we may
+see some end to our trials! We have no nourishment, no money, not even a
+shelter for our heads. The Swedes plundered us; the Imperialists took from
+us what the Swedes left; and now our own soldiers drive us out of our bare
+and empty dwellings, make sport of our calamities, mock the burghers,
+insult our wives and daughters, and quarter themselves in our houses,
+while we wander homeless about the streets, not even being able to procure
+shelter in our churches because the cavalry have taken possession of these
+with their horses, and converted the temples of God into filthy barracks!
+Make peace, Sir Stadtholder, make peace!"
+
+"I have not power to do so," replied Count Schwarzenberg haughtily,
+"neither the power nor the will! The Swede is the enemy of our country,
+and we must resist him with all the means at our command. Cease your
+howling and shrieking, for it will be but in vain. War is upon us, and we
+can not as cowards retreat before it. Shame upon you for your
+pusillanimity and cowardice, since your men are still capable of bearing
+arms!"
+
+
+"Sir, our men have no more strength for fighting. Our hands are too weak
+to hold a weapon."
+
+"Oh, you will be forced to handle them!" cried Schwarzenberg, laughing
+scornfully. "When your houses are on fire, and you see your wives and
+children dragged off by soldiers, then these cowards will be turned into
+valiant warriors, who can at least defend their lives and the honor of
+their families! I tell you, though, it will come to that. Extremity is
+before you, and calls for terrible resolutions."[42]
+
+The burghers broke into loud lamentations, a few threw themselves on their
+knees, others wept and wailed, while the lords of the magistracy
+approached nearer to the count in order to make confidential
+representations of the utter hopelessness and despondency of the two
+unhappy cities of Berlin and Cologne.
+
+Schwarzenberg, however, turned away from these representations with stern
+composure. "I have not peace but war in hand," he said. "Why do you apply
+to me now when you think, nevertheless, that you can receive no good save
+from the Elector himself, who is your guardian angel, while I am the
+destroying one. Wait and see what news the deputation of the States will
+bring you from Königsberg. You besought the States in your time of trouble
+to appeal to the Elector himself. Well, be patient and await their return.
+However, I can tell you beforehand that they will bring you a refusal, for
+the Elector wishes war, and has given me orders to that effect. He has
+confirmed me in all my offices and dignities. He has most condescendingly
+assured me of his unlimited confidence, and empowered me to act according
+to my own unbiased judgment, and to guide the reins of government as I
+shall choose. I hold them tight, and shall not he turned out of my way by
+your whining and complaining. War is upon us, and should I have to lay
+Berlin in ashes to avoid giving a shelter and asylum to the Swedes, it
+shall be done, rather than conclude peace with them, yield to their
+degrading conditions, and give up Pomerania to them! I therefore advise
+you to be on good terms with the soldiers, to receive them kindly into
+your houses, to entertain them well--"
+
+"Sir," interrupted the first burgomaster, with a bitter cry of
+distress--"sir, we have nothing with which we could entertain them, we--"
+
+"Silence!" called out the Stadtholder, in a thundering voice--"silence! I
+have heard you out, and it is my turn now to speak, and yours to listen
+silently. Go and take your measures accordingly, and act as becomes
+obedient subjects."
+
+He turned upon his heel and with proud bearing re-entered his cabinet,
+while the burghers sorrowfully slunk away, to spread throughout all Berlin
+the dreadful news that all their entreaties had been in vain, and that the
+war was to be prolonged.
+
+"Yes, the war is to be prolonged," repeated Count Schwarzenberg, when he
+again found himself alone in his cabinet. "We approach the _dénouement_,
+and if I could only get decisive tidings from my son, I would hurry on a
+crisis and begin open war. He keeps me waiting for such tidings a very
+long while," continued the count, dropping into the armchair in front of
+his writing table. "He has only written once to me from Regensburg, and
+then he could only inform me that he had commenced operations, and--Ah!"
+he interrupted himself, as his glance fell upon his table, "there are
+papers and dispatches, which must have come in my absence. Perhaps there
+is among them a letter from my son."
+
+He hastily snatched up the letters and examined one after another. No,
+there was no letter from his son, only official documents from the
+Elector's cabinet.
+
+He opened the first of these, and a shudder ran through his whole frame as
+he read. In this paper the Elector commanded the Stadtholder in the Mark
+to send back to him the blank charters, intrusted to him by the Elector
+George William on his departure for Königsberg; he must, moreover, render
+a distinct and exact account of the manner in which he had disposed of the
+charters no longer in existence. _He_, Schwarzenberg, the mighty
+Stadtholder in the Mark, the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, the
+Director of the War Department--_he_, to be called to account as a servant
+by his master! He was expected to answer for what he had done in the
+plenitude of his power, and--worse than that--he must suffer that power to
+be limited! He would do nothing of the sort; he would not give up the
+blank charters not yet appropriated and send them back to the Elector!
+
+That was to curtail the privileges of his high position, to dethrone him,
+and, after having been an absolute master, to make him a dependent
+servant! These blank charters had been the princely prerogative of the
+Stadtholder, the scepter with which he ruled! These papers, on which
+nothing was written, but at the lower corner of which stood the Elector's
+sign manual--these papers had made him absolute monarch of the Mark. In
+free plenitude of power, with unfettered will, had he filled up the
+vacant sheets, bestowing by their means honors and benefits, inflicting
+punishments, imposing taxes, and the Elector's signature had legalized his
+decrees, and imparted the force of law to his will.[43]
+
+And these blank charters, before which his enemies trembled, which had
+struck his partisans and friends as a precious attribute of his
+power--these blank charters he was now called upon to resign!
+
+"I shall not do it," he exclaimed, in a loud, determined voice--"no, I
+shall not do it! I shall not be such a fool as to lessen my own power. No;
+the blank charters are mine, I shall know how to hold them fast!"
+
+He threw the rescript aside and seized another letter. Again from the
+Elector's cabinet--again a command from him to the Stadtholder in the Mark!
+
+He broke open the seal, unfolded the paper with trembling hands, and again
+shuddered as he read; and a momentary pallor overspread his cheeks. This
+writing contained the Elector's orders to suspend hostilities, and to
+refrain from any attack upon the Swedes and the places occupied by them,
+and most rigidly to confine himself to the defensive until an abiding
+peace could be concluded with Sweden.[44]
+
+"You assail me, little Elector!" he said, with smothered, threatening
+voice. "You  bring out your reserves against me, and would cause the proud
+edifice of my power to crumble away stone by stone! You fear lest if the
+great Colossus falls at once it might crush you, and therefore you would
+destroy it piecemeal, a little at a time! You shall not succeed, though,
+little Elector; the Colossus will rear its head on high, and you alone
+will fall!"
+
+At this moment loud, angry and excited voices made themselves heard from
+the antechamber, and a lackey tore open the door.
+
+"Your excellency, the Commandants von Rochow, von Kracht, and Colonel von
+Goldacker request an audience."
+
+But the three gentlemen did not wait for the granting of this audience.
+With unseemly haste they rushed into the cabinet, unceremoniously thrust
+out the lackey, and closed the door behind him.
+
+"Most gracious sir, do you know it?" screamed Rochow, the commandant of
+Spandow.
+
+"Do you know, your excellency, what things are going on?" growled Kracht,
+the commandant of Berlin.
+
+"Have you learned what bold steps the Elector is taking?" thundered
+Colonel Goldacker, shaking his fist in a most menacing way.
+
+"I know nothing, gentlemen, have heard nothing! Speak, tell me what has
+happened!"
+
+"It has happened that the Elector has sent commissioners to all our
+fortresses!" cried Herr von Rochow. "Two hours ago such a cursed fellow
+came to me at Spandow, and when he had delivered me his message I left the
+fool standing there without any answer, threw myself on my horse, and
+galloped off to confer with your excellency."
+
+"And such a confounded popinjay has been with me, too!" growled Herr von
+Kracht. "He also imparted to me his Electoral message--command, the fellow
+called it. I did just like Commandant von Rochow, left him standing while
+I hurried off to your excellency."
+
+"An Electoral mandate reached me also!" cried Colonel Goldacker, laughing.
+"I simply showed the jackanapes the door, laughed him to scorn, and am
+come to get my orders from your excellency!"
+
+"But, gentlemen, with all this I know nothing and can not find out what
+has happened. Sir Commandant von Rochow, inform me. What is the matter?"
+
+"The matter is, your excellency," said Herr von Rochow, gnashing his
+teeth, "that a commissioner from the Elector has come to me with his
+master's orders, to require an oath of allegiance to the Elector from
+myself and the whole garrison."
+
+"A like order has the Elector's deputy handed to me!" cried the commandant
+of Berlin; "the fellow wanted to swear me and my men into the Elector's
+service."
+
+"I, too, must give such an oath to the commissioner!" screamed Goldacker,
+"and my troops as well. What do you say to that, Sir Stadtholder in the
+Mark?"
+
+Just now, however, the Stadtholder said nothing. He turned pale and
+tottered backward, until his hand rested upon a chair into which he sank.
+His head swam, a sudden dizziness seized him, and he was obliged to put
+his hand over his eyes, for everything was turning and whirling in a
+circle around him. In the vehemence of their own excitement the three
+gentlemen hardly observed this, and the count, with the energy of his
+strong will, speedily recovered his composure and presence of mind.
+
+"Your excellency!" cried Commandant von Kracht, "do you not agree with us?
+Do you not find the Elector intolerably assuming?"
+
+"I was silent because I was reflecting, gentlemen," said the count,
+drawing a deep breath. "This appearance of the commissioner empowered to
+administer to you your oaths of office is a challenge, thrown down to me
+by the Elector, for I am Director of the War Department, and to me alone
+should that duty have been committed of again binding the troops in the
+Mark to him by oath. He insults me, and thereby insults the Emperor, for
+you all know that the Emperor is your commander in chief, and that you
+dare never break the oath to the Emperor, which I took from you after the
+conclusion of the peace of Prague. You swore to do your duty for Emperor
+and Elector, and for this reason, on the recent accession of the present
+Elector, I only required the colonels to give me their hands in token of
+their obligations already assumed, for an oath is an oath, and you can not
+swear to serve one to-day and another to-morrow."
+
+"We can not and will not, either," shouted Colonel Goldacker furiously. "I
+have given my word to the Emperor. I remain true to the Emperor, and the
+Emperor will protect us against the insolence of the little Elector."
+
+"Yes, the Emperor will protect us," cried Colonel von Rochow. "I shall
+take no new oath, for I have sworn to the Emperor, and not until the
+Emperor has released me from the oath, and I have made a new agreement
+with the Elector, can I swear to him. Until that time the oath which I
+have taken to the Emperor remains binding." [45]
+
+"I, too, have sworn to serve the Emperor, and shall abide by my oath,"
+said the commandant of Berlin, as if weighing each word. "No one has a
+right to command here but the Emperor and the Stadtholder in the Mark,
+whom the Elector himself appointed. What that vagabond of a commissioner
+says is nothing to the purpose--it signifies nothing to us."
+
+"No, it signifies nothing to us," repeated the other gentlemen. "From you
+alone, Sir Stadtholder, can we receive orders, for you are Director of the
+Council of War, the representative of the Emperor and Elector. To you
+alone we belong. Give us your orders; we are here to receive them!"
+
+"Gentlemen," said the Stadtholder, pointing with his finger to a sealed
+packet, lying on the writing table before him--"gentlemen, you interrupted
+me by your entrance in the perusal of important dispatches, which had just
+arrived for me from the Elector's cabinet. See, there lies an unopened
+writing with the Electoral seal. Allow me to read it, for it contains the
+Elector's commands, which may harmonize with those of his accredited
+commissioner, or at least enter into particulars with regard to them."
+
+The three officers bowed and reverentially retreated a few steps; but
+their eyes rested with intense interest upon the count, who now broke the
+seal and unfolded the paper. A deep silence followed. The piercing glances
+of the three warriors rested on the count's countenance, which maintained
+steadfastly its grave, serious expression. But now a scornful laugh burst
+from him, 'and for a moment an expression of wild joy illuminated his
+features. He rose, and with the paper in his hand approached the soldiers.
+"Gentlemen," he said quietly, "I have a piece of news to communicate to
+you, which I fear will incommode you and your men a little, and is not
+calculated to heighten the love of the military for their chief. The
+Elector commands me, until further notice, to put the troops upon summer
+allowance, and the payment now in arrears is regarded as coming under the
+same regulation. I beg you will inform your troops of this."
+
+"That is shameful! That is contemptible! That will put the soldiers in a
+perfect fury!" screamed the three officers together.
+
+"I do not mean to tell my men!" exclaimed Herr von Rochow--"no, I shall
+not tell them, for the fellows would be frantic, and in their desperation
+might commit shameful acts!"
+
+"I shall tell my men on the spot!" grumbled Herr von Kracht. "I shall tell
+them on purpose to make them desperate, to make them rave! As far as I am
+concerned, they are welcome to vent their spleen upon all Berlin, upon the
+whole region round about. Let them go around, plundering and laying the
+country under contribution; they are justified in doing so, for the
+fellows can not subsist in winter on summer allowance, and therefore must
+rob and plunder."
+
+"I shall tell my soldiers directly, too," shouted Herr von Goldacker. "Not
+but that it will give rise to a pretty tale of murder, a devilish scandal.
+There will result a military out-break, and the burghers of Berlin and
+Cologne may look to themselves; but the Elector has so willed it--the
+Elector excites us as well as our subordinates to open insurrection. Let
+him work his will now; it will only convince him that we are not to be
+ruled by scraps of paper and decrees scribbled by feather-headed clerks,
+and that he is not the irresistible lord, to whose piping we dance. The
+little Elector shall be made to know that the Emperor alone is our supreme
+officer, to him we have sworn fealty, and to him we cling despite the
+Elector and all his deputies. I am going on the spot to give my
+commissioner his dismissal--to tell him that I shall not swear, and then
+to carry to my soldiers the news of their having been put upon summer
+allowance!"
+
+"I will go with you," cried Herr von Kracht. "I will also put my
+commissioner out of the door, and convey the glad tidings to the garrison
+of Berlin."
+
+"And I," said Herr von Rochow, "will forthwith dispatch a courier to
+Spandow, to tell my lieutenant that he must send the commissioner out of
+the fort, and tell the garrison that they are put on summer allowance. It
+will stir up a fine hub-bub, I am sure of that."
+
+"I, too, believe that the end will not be perfect peace," said the
+Stadtholder, smiling. "Let the Elector learn that governing is not such an
+easy matter as he supposes, but that a man may know a good deal, and yet
+be an unskillful ruler. Go then, gentlemen, issue your orders, but forget
+not that in an hour our entertainment begins, and that we must not allow
+our feast to be disturbed by such little follies of the new _regime_."
+
+"No, we will not allow ourselves to be disturbed!" cried Herr von Rochow.
+"In one hour expect us here again, and you shall see, most gracious sir,
+that we have brought with us our cheerfulness, our fine appetites, and our
+thirst."
+
+"Yes, yes, your excellency, guard well your keys and bottles; we shall
+take the field against them."
+
+"Do so, gentlemen," said the count. "But go now, to return the sooner."
+
+He nodded kindly to the officers and followed them with his eyes until the
+door closed behind them. Then the composure of his features, the smile on
+his lip, vanished, and his whole being seemed to express agitation and
+bitterness of wrath.
+
+"He will insist upon war," he said fiercely. "He smiles upon and strokes
+me with one hand, while with the other he stabs me, inflicting wound upon
+wound. Yes, yes, stone by stone he would crumble to dust the tower of my
+strength, and thinks to crush me to atoms, supposing that I will
+voluntarily bend to avoid being bent by him. Oh, you are mistaken, little
+Elector; I am not afraid of you, I shall not bend before you! The Emperor
+alone I serve, to him alone I am subject. But to me the Emperor is a
+gracious master. He will ruin you and exalt me; he will protect me against
+your arrogance. To me belongs the future, presumptuous young Prince! who
+would rule here, where I have held undisputed sway for twenty years. To me
+alone belongs the Mark, and I shall hold it for my lord and Emperor! The
+crisis has come, and finds me prepared and resolute. The troops will
+revolt, and then shall I step out among them, appease them in the
+Emperor's name, with lavish hand scatter money among them, and again bind
+them by oath to the Emperor! Oh, my heart leaps for joy, for the hour of
+action has come. Only one thing I lack. I would just like to have certain
+news from my son, to be sure that the Emperor approves of my plan, that he
+will lift me up where the Elector would cast me down. But this, too, will
+come, this wish will also be gratified. For I am a son of good fortune,
+and all goes in accordance with my wishes! Away then with all sad and
+gloomy thoughts! I would present a cheerful countenance to my guests--I
+would appear before them in the full splendor of my glory!"
+
+
+He repaired to his dressing room, where his valets arrayed him in the
+magnificent habit of a Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, and upon
+his breast shone the cross of the order set with sparkling brilliants.
+Having completed his toilet, he went to the great mirror and, casting a
+cursory glance therein, said to himself with some satisfaction that his
+person was still stately and distinguished, well suited to a reigning
+prince and fitted for wearing a crown! This thought lighted up his
+countenance with joyful pride, and with high head he returned to his
+cabinet. Chamberlain von Lehndorf entered, to inform his most noble master
+that the guests were already assembled in the great reception room, and
+longingly awaited his appearance. The chamberlain handed the count his
+ermine-tipped velvet cap, with its long white ostrich plumes, and then
+flew before to open for him the doors leading to the small antechamber,
+where were assembled all the officers of the count's household, waiting to
+follow their master into the hall.
+
+Lehndorf stood at the door of the antechamber, and the Stadtholder smiled
+upon him as he passed.
+
+"No letters and dispatches from my son at Regensburg, Lehndorf?"
+
+"None, most gracious sir."
+
+"If a courier comes, let me know of it without delay," continued the
+count, moving forward. "Anything else new, Lehndorf?"
+
+"Nothing new, your excellency."
+
+"What noise was that just now in the antechamber, while the commandants
+were in my cabinet?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, an insolent soldier--one of those Saxons who marched
+in yesterday--forced himself into the antechamber, and with real
+importunity begged to speak to your excellency."
+
+"Why did you not bid him wait until the gentlemen had, gone, and then
+announce him?"
+
+"He would not consent to wait by any means, and with brazen face demanded
+to see your excellency on the spot. The fellow was drunk, it was plain to
+see, and in his intoxication: kept crying out that he must talk with your
+excellency about an important secret; if you would not admit him directly,
+he would go to Prussia and tell your secret to the Elector, which would
+bring your honor to the scaffold. It was positively ridiculous to hear the
+fellow talk, and the lackeys, instead of getting angry, laughed outright
+at him, which only enraged him the more; he worked his arms and legs like
+a jumping jack and made faces like a nut-cracker. However, when he again
+presumed to abuse your grace, our people made short work of the drunken
+knave, and thrust him out of doors."
+
+"Well, I hope his airing will do him good," said the count, smiling, "and
+that he came to his senses on the street."
+
+"It seems not, though," replied Chamberlain von Lehndorf, making a signal
+to the halberdiers stationed on both sides of the doors of the grand
+reception hall that they should open the door--"no, it seems that the
+airing did the drunken soldier no good. For, only think, gracious sir,
+just now, as I passed through the front entry to get to your apartments,
+there the man stood, and as soon as he saw me he sprang at me, seized my
+arm, and whispered: 'Chamberlain von Lehndorf, I _must_ speak to the
+Stadtholder. Only tell him my name, and I know that he will receive me.'"
+
+"And did he tell you his name, Lehndorf?" asked the count, as he walked
+forward.
+
+"Yes indeed, noble sir," laughed the chamberlain; "with monstrously
+important air he whispered his name in my ear, as if he had been the Pope
+in disguise or the Emperor himself. I laughed outright, and left him
+standing."
+
+The count now stood close before the wide-open doors which led into the
+grand reception hall. The halberdiers struck upon the ground with their
+gold-headed staves; in the spacious, magnificently decorated hall appeared
+a dense throng of army officers in their glittering uniforms and civil
+dignitaries in their ceremonial garbs of office. Six pages, in richly
+embroidered velvet suits, stood on both sides of the door, while in the
+raised gilded balcony opposite the musicians arose and began to pour forth
+a thundering peal of welcome as soon as they caught sight of the
+Stadtholder.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg, however, took no notice of this; he stood upon the
+threshold of the door, and his smiling face was still turned upon his
+chamberlain.
+
+
+"What name did the fellow give?" asked he carelessly.
+
+"Oh, a very fine name, gracious sir. He had the same name as the blessed
+archangel--Gabriel!"
+
+"Gabriel?" echoed the count hastily and at the top of his voice, for the
+musicians played so loud that a man could hardly hear his own voice, even
+though he shouted. "Only Gabriel, nothing further?"
+
+"Yes, most gracious sir," screamed the chamberlain, "he did call a second
+name; but I confess _I_ did not pay much attention to it. I believe,
+though, it was Nietzel. Yes, yes, I am quite sure he said Gabriel Nietzel!"
+
+He shouted this out very loud, not observing, as he pronounced his last
+words, that the music had ceased; the name Gabriel Nietzel, therefore,
+rang like a loud call through the vast apartment, and the brilliant,
+courtly assemblage laughed, although they understood not the connection
+between the loud call and the hushing of the music. Chamberlain von
+Lehndorf laughed too, and turned smiling to the count to apologize for his
+involuntary transgression.
+
+But Count Schwarzenberg did not laugh; he looked pale, and with trembling
+lips addressed his chamberlain: "Lehndorf, hurry out and conduct the
+soldier to my antechamber. Tell him I will come to him directly. Do not
+let the man get out of your sight, watch him closely. In five minutes, as
+soon as I have welcomed my guests, I will come to the antechamber and
+speak to the fellow myself. Go!"
+
+The chamberlain flew off to obey this behest, and the Stadtholder entered
+the hall. Behind him were ranged the twelve pages in their glittering
+clothes, then followed the officers of the household in splendid uniforms.
+Again the trumpets of the musicians sent forth their animating peals, and,
+ranged around the hall in a wide circle, the staff officers, high
+dignitaries, lords of the supreme court and of the magistracy, all with
+the insignia of their rank, bowed reverentially before the almighty lord,
+who now made his progress through the hall amid the clashing of trombones
+and trumpets. He passed along the brilliant rows of guests with quick,
+hurried step, but while his lips wore a smile, he thought to himself,
+"When this abominable ceremony is over and I have completed the circuit,
+I shall absent myself; I shall see if it is the veritable Gabriel Nietzel,
+the--"
+
+Just at this moment Chamberlain von Lehndorf approached him, and bent
+close to his ear. "Most gracious sir!" he cried amid the clash of
+trumpets--"most gracious sir, the man is no longer there. He has gone and
+can no longer be seen in the street!"
+
+The Stadtholder gave a slight nod of the head, and proceeded to bid his
+guests welcome.
+
+
+
+
+VI.--REVENGE.
+
+
+Sumptuous was the feast, choice were the viands, and costly the fragrant
+wines. The guests of the Stadtholder in the Mark were full of rapture,
+full of admiration, and their lips were lavish in praises of the noble
+count, while their eyes shone brighter from partaking of the generous
+wine. The lackeys flew up and down the hall, waiting upon the guests, the
+pages stood behind the count's chair, and offered his excellency food and
+drink in vessels of gold. At first they sat at table with grave and
+dignified demeanor, but gradually the delicious viands enlivened their
+hearts, the glowing wine loosened their tongues, and now they laughed and
+talked merrily and gave themselves entirely up to the pleasures of the
+table. Louder swelled the hum of mingled voices. Peals of laughter rang
+through the banquet hall, until in their turn they were drowned by bursts
+of dashing music, whose inspiring strains blended with the animated tones
+of the human voice. Count Adam Schwarzenberg, who sat at the upper end of
+the table under a canopy of purple velvet, heard all this, and yet it
+seemed to him like a dream, and as if all this bustle, laughing, and
+merrymaking came to him from the distant past. He heard the confusion of
+voices, the clangor of the music, but it sounded hollow in his ear, and
+above all rang fearfully distinct the name which Lehndorf had
+pronounced--Gabriel Nietzel! His guests sang and laughed, but he heard
+only that one name--Gabriel Nietzel!
+
+Round about the long table he saw only glad faces, beaming eyes, and
+flushed cheeks, but he saw them vanish and other faces arise before his
+inner eye, faces of the past! There sat the Elector George William, with
+his easy, good-natured countenance. He nodded smilingly at him, and his
+glance, full of affection, rested upon _him_, the favorite. Yes, he had
+loved him dearly, that good Elector! Out of the little, insignificant
+Count Schwarzenberg he had made a mighty lord, had exalted him into a
+Stadtholder, into the most powerful subject in his realm! And how had he
+requited him?
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!" He heard the maddening words ringing
+clearly and distinctly above the din of music, song, and laughter--"Gabriel
+Nietzel!"
+
+There he stood in page's dress, across there, behind the chair of the
+young Electoral Prince, whose pale, noble features had just begun to
+quiver convulsively--there he stood and cast a look of intelligence at
+_him_, Count Schwarzenberg.
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!"
+
+Ever thus rang the echo through the hall, and however varied the medley of
+sounds, to him all was embodied in that name. For long months he had
+caused search to be made for him, but nobody had been able to bring him
+any tidings of Gabriel Nietzel's whereabouts. So, gradually, he had
+forgotten him, and his anxiety about him had died away. Why must this
+dreaded name make itself heard again to-day, just to-day, when he was
+inaugurating the bright days of his future with this splendid feast? Why
+must that hateful name mingle with the rejoicings of his merry guests?
+
+He would think of it no more, no more allow himself to be haunted by
+phantoms of the past! Away with memories, away with that unhappy name!
+Vehemently, indignantly he shook his lofty head, as if these memories were
+only troublesome insects to be driven away by the mere wrinkling of his
+brow. He even called a smile to his lips, and with a proud effort at
+self-control arose from his armchair and lifted the golden beaker on high,
+in his right hand.
+
+If he spoke himself, he would no longer hear that perpetual ringing and
+singing within his breast--"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!"
+
+He lifted the golden beaker yet higher and bowed right and left to his
+guests, who had risen to their feet and looked at him full of expectancy.
+
+"To the health of the Emperor Ferdinand, our most gracious Sovereign and
+lord!"
+
+The musicians struck their most triumphant melody; with loud huzzas and
+shouts the guests repeated, "To the health of our most gracious lord and
+Emperor!"
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!" Still it rang in Schwarzenberg's ears,
+and he sank back in his armchair and felt a sense of helpless despondency
+creep over his heart.
+
+The guests followed his example and resumed their seats. A momentary
+silence ensued. All at once Chamberlain von Lehndorf rose from his place,
+took his glass with him, and went along the table to the Counselor of the
+Exchequer von Lastrow, who was carrying on an earnest conversation in an
+undertone with the burgomaster of Berlin. The chamberlain's face was
+flushed with wine, his eyes sparkled, and his gait was so wavering and
+unsteady that even the goblet in his hand swung to and fro.
+
+"Counselor von Lastrow," he said, with loud, peremptory voice, "you
+refused to drink the health proposed by his excellency the Stadtholder in
+the Mark. The toast was to his Majesty our lord and Emperor. You did not
+lift up your glass, nor touch that of your neighbor. Wherefore was this?
+Why did you not drink to the welfare of our lord and Emperor?"
+
+"I will tell you why, Chamberlain von Lehndorf," replied Herr von Lastrow,
+leaping up and confronting the chamberlain in his gay uniform, with dagger
+dangling at his side--"I will tell you why I did not accept the
+Stadtholder's toast, and may all his guests hear and ponder. I thank you,
+Sir Chamberlain, for affording me an opportunity of expressing myself
+openly and candidly on this subject. Permit me, gentlemen, to answer in
+the hearing of you all the question which the chamberlain has addressed to
+me."
+
+As the counselor thus spoke his large black eyes surveyed both sides of
+the long table. All present were silenced, all eyes were directed to the
+lower end of the table, and each one listened with strained attention to
+hear the answer of Herr von Lastrow.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg had risen from his chair and given the rash
+chamberlain a look of displeasure. Yet he felt so embarrassed by his own
+anxiety that he dared not call him.
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!" rang ever in his ears, frightening
+away all other sounds, until they seemed to reach him only as dim and
+hollow echoes from afar.
+
+"Gentlemen!" cried Herr von Lastrow now, in a loud voice, "I did not drink
+the Stadtholder's toast because it would have been contrary to my duty and
+my oath. Ferdinand is Emperor of the German Empire, and as such we owe him
+reverence and respect, but when the toast styles him our lord and Emperor
+I can not respond to it, for Ferdinand is not my lord! No, the Elector
+Frederick William is my master, and now I lift my glass and cry, 'Long
+live Frederick William, our lord and Elector!'"
+
+"Long live Frederick, our lord and Elector!" shouted voices here and there
+at the table, and all followers of the Elector sprang from their seats,
+held aloft their glasses, and shouted again and again, "Long live
+Frederick William, our lord and Elector!"
+
+"Strike up, musicians!" called Herr von Lastrow to the balcony, where the
+musicians sat, who lifted their trombones and trumpets and put them to
+their lips. But before a note was struck, Lehndorf shouted fiercely up to
+them: "Silence! Dare not to blow a single blast! I forbid you in the name
+of our master, the Emperor!"
+
+A wild yell of indignation from the Electoralists and a loud burst of
+applause from the Imperialists followed these words. Nobody remembered
+any longer that he was there as the guest of Schwarzenberg, the proud
+count and Stadtholder. All prudence, all sense of respect was swallowed up
+in the storms of political passion. With threatening aspect and flashing
+eyes stood the Electoralists and Imperialists opposite each other, and,
+while the former lifted up their glasses, to touch them in honor of their
+Sovereign and Elector, the latter knocked their glasses tumultuously on
+the table, and broke out into loud laughter and deafening imprecations. No
+one any longer paid honor to the master of the house--no one thought of
+him, in fact. He had risen from his seat with the intention of going to
+the other end of the table, where now a furious duel of words was
+progressing between his chamberlain and Herr von Lastrow. He desired to
+pacify them, to smooth over the contention; but it was already too late,
+for ere he had reached the middle of the hall, a catastrophe had occurred
+between the contending parties. Counselor von Lastrow raised his arm, and
+administered to Chamberlain Lehndorf a sounding box upon the cheek.
+
+One unanimous shriek of rage from the Imperialists, and they rushed toward
+Lehndorf and drew their swords. Behind Lastrow the Electoralists ranged
+themselves, and they, too, laid bare their weapons.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg tottered back. He perceived that it was too late to
+pacify now, that all temporizing had become impossible. He had a feeling
+that he must flee away, that it did not comport with his dignity to stand
+there powerless and inactive between two factions. In this moment of
+weakness and indecision his confidential valet approached him.
+
+"Most gracious sir," he whispered, "a courier from Regensburg, from Count
+John Adolphus, has just arrived. I have already laid the letter upon your
+excellency's writing table. It is marked 'urgent.'"
+
+Count Schwarzenberg turned to hurry from the hall, to escape the wild
+tumult, to take refuge in his cabinet, and, above all things, to read the
+long-expected letter from his son.
+
+The uproar in the hall waxed ever fiercer, weapons clashed and wild battle
+cries resounded. He quickened his pace, and opened the door of the hall.
+Behind him rang out a piercing shriek, a death cry! Quivering in every
+fiber of his being the count turned round to--Once more that piercing
+shriek was heard, and Herr von Lastrow, with Lehndorf's dagger in his
+breast, fell backward into the arms of his friends with the death rattle
+in his throat.[46]
+
+Count Schwarzenberg, seized with horror, rushed on through the deserted,
+brilliantly lighted apartments--on, ever on. But that fearful shriek went
+with him, ringing ever in his ears. It drove him onward like a fury, and
+his hair stood on end and his heart beat to bursting.
+
+He had heard it once before, that death cry!
+
+In the stillness of night it had sounded that time in the castle of
+Berlin, when a pale woman had knelt at his feet and pleaded for her life!
+Often had he heard it since; it had awakened him from sleep, it had often
+startled him when engaged in merry conversation with his friends; at the
+festive board it had drowned the music as far as he was concerned, this
+death cry, this Fury of his conscience!
+
+At last he reached his cabinet. He threw himself into a chair. God be
+thanked, he was alone here! He had quiet and solitude here!
+
+He surveyed the room and an infinite feeling of relief and security came
+over him.
+
+Alone!
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!" was whispered in his heart, and he
+looked timidly around, as if he feared to see him in each corner. Then a
+shriek resounded in his ear--that death cry!
+
+It had penetrated into his quiet cabinet, she stood behind him, she
+screamed in his ear, "Gabriel Nietzel! Rebecca!"
+
+Perfectly unmanned, the count leaned back in his easychair, the sweat
+standing in great drops upon his brow. He no longer even remembered that
+he had come there to read his son's important letter! His soul was
+shattered in its inmost depths. Gabriel Nietzel was there again! A murder
+had been committed in his house--at his table! Committed, too, by his own
+servant, his favorite, his friend! He durst not pardon him; he must punish
+the murderer according to the law. He must pronounce sentence of death on
+him, who had slain his fellow-man! He foresaw this in the future! He saw
+himself as judge, the viceregent of God and justice, opposite the pale
+criminal, his servant, his friend, upon whom he pronounced sentence!
+
+He! Would his lips dare to utter a sentence of death? Dared the murderer
+condemn?
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel! Rebecca! Rebecca!" screamed the voice
+behind his chair. But hark! what noise is that? What means that confused
+jumble of groans and yells and shouts--that howling as of fierce and
+sweeping winds, that roar as of the mighty deep? What is that so like the
+rolling of thunder? Are those wolflike howls the voices of men? Is that
+the tramp of human feet? Before his windows it surges and dashes, howls
+and roars!
+
+With difficulty Schwarzenberg rises from his chair, and, creeping to the
+window, conceals himself behind the hangings and cautiously looks out upon
+the street. A dense throng of soldiers surges beneath his windows; the
+whole street, the whole square is packed with them. Angry faces, the
+voices of furious men, hundreds upon hundreds of uplifted fists and
+portentous growls!
+
+"He shall pay us our money! He wants to cheat us out of our pay! He wants
+to put us upon summer allowance and pocket the rest of the money! It is
+said this is done by the Elector's command. But it is a lie, an abominable
+lie! Schwarzenberg lets nobody command him. He is master here. He wants us
+to starve that his own riches may be increased. We will not suffer it! He
+shall pay us for it! Hurrah! Storm the house!"
+
+"A mutiny!" muttered Count Schwarzenberg. "They were to have rebelled, and
+so they do. But they rebel against me! I flung down the sword, and its
+point is turned against myself. So the spirits of hell grant what they
+have promised us--what we have purchased at the price of our souls! They
+give the reward, but even while they are paying it out to us it becomes a
+curse and ruins us!"
+
+How they storm and rage and roar without! How they beat and hammer against
+the locked doors! Count Schwarzenberg stands behind the window and hears
+them! He hears other voices, too--Goldacker, Kracht, and Rochow
+endeavoring to calm them, exhorting them to be patient.
+
+Futile efforts! Ever louder grow the knocking and thundering against the
+house. Stones are hurled against the walls, the window shutters rattle and
+are shivered to pieces, the doors creak and give way.
+
+"If they attempt to murder me, I shall not stand on the defensive,"
+murmurs Count Schwarzenberg to himself, as he retires from the window,
+slowly traverses the apartment, and again sinks down upon the chair by his
+writing table. The door of the cabinet is violently torn open, and in rush
+the Commandants von Kracht and von Rochow, followed by the captains of
+their regiments.
+
+"Gracious sir, it is impossible to calm these madmen. They no longer heed
+orders. They are beside themselves with rage. They have already broken
+open the doors and forced their way into the entrance hall. They will
+plunder and despoil the whole palace! We can save nothing more, prevent
+nothing more! You are lost, so are we, and all Berlin!"
+
+"Be it so!" says Schwarzenberg loftily. "Let the whole earth fall down and
+overwhelm me in its ruins. I shall but be buried beneath them!"
+
+"Gracious sir, only hear! The howling and yelling come ever nearer, and
+are continually gaining in strength! Gracious sir, have pity upon us,
+upon yourself! Save us all!"
+
+"Save? How can I save any one? Will those savage hordes obey me, when they
+refuse submission to you, their officers?"
+
+"Gracious sir, they demand their pay! They demand money! Nothing will
+appease them but money, and assurances that they shall have their winter
+allowance. Give us money to quiet that raging host! Money--money!"
+
+"How much would you have? How much is needful to tame that fierce, wild
+horde?"
+
+"Three hundred dollars!" calls out Herr von Kracht.
+
+"No; four hundred dollars!" shouts Herr von Rochow.
+
+"Five hundred dollars!" growls Herr von Goldacker. "No, give us six
+hundred dollars, which would do the thing thoroughly."
+
+"Well, be it six hundred dollars then," says the count, with an expression
+of contemptuous scorn. "Stay here, gentlemen; I will return directly. I am
+only going to fetch the money."
+
+He left the cabinet and entered his sleeping apartment, where, at the side
+of the bed, stood the great iron chest to which he alone had the key.
+After a few minutes he rejoined the officers in his cabinet. He had six
+rolls of money in his hand, two of which he handed to each of the three
+gentlemen.
+
+"Here, gentlemen," he said, with bitter mockery, "here are the commandants
+who have authority to bring their troops to order. Go and show them to
+your men, and order them to follow these commandants to the cathedral
+square, and there distribute the money among them."
+
+The gentlemen wished to thank him, but with a wave of his hand he pointed
+them to the door, and they hurried out to their soldiers.
+
+Schwarzenberg looked after them, and listened to the rumbling and roaring
+without in the entrance hall of his house. Suddenly it became gentler, and
+finally ceased altogether. Then, after a pause, rang forth a loud shout of
+joy, and again the street filled with soldiers, again was heard the loud
+tramp of feet, the uproar and confusion of many tongues. "The wretches
+have marched off," murmured Count Schwarzenberg to himself. "Yes, yes,
+with money we buy love, with money hatred and--"
+
+"Hurrah! Long live Count Schwarzenberg!" sounded below his windows. "Long
+live the Stadtholder in the Mark!"
+
+"That shout costs me six hundred dollars," said he, shrugging his
+shoulders. "To-morrow, most likely the mob will come again to threaten me,
+that I may again purchase a cheer from them. Well, for the present at
+least I have rest. Nobody shall disturb me. Nobody shall intrude upon me."
+
+He stepped to the doors leading into his sleeping room and antechamber,
+and bolted them both. He did not think of the secret door which led to the
+little corridor and thence to the private staircase, and did not bolt
+that. Why should he have done so? The steps were so little used, so few
+knew of them, so few, of the existence of the little side door which led
+to them. It was not necessary to lock that door, for no one would come to
+him in that way.
+
+He was alone, God be praised, quite alone! And now again he remembered
+the important letter, which he had forgotten while the soldiers' riot was
+in progress. There lay his son's letter, on his writing table. He hastened
+thither and seated himself in the armchair, taking up the letter and
+examining its address. The sight of his son's handwriting rejoiced his
+heart, as a greeting from afar.
+
+He drew a deep sigh of relief. All anguish, all cares had left him as soon
+as he took his son's letter in his hand. Even the warning voice in his
+heart had hushed, even the Fury no longer stood behind his chair; he no
+longer heard her death cry. All was silent in that spacious apartment
+behind him, on which he turned his back.
+
+He took the letter, broke the seal, and slowly unfolded the paper. But now
+he put off reading its contents for one moment more. This sheet of paper
+contained the decision of his whole future, it would either exalt him into
+a reigning prince by bringing him the Emperor's sanction, or lower him
+into an underling of the Elector, making him a nobody, if--But no, it was
+impossible! The Emperor would not disavow him! It was folly to think of
+such a thing!
+
+He fixed his eyes on the paper and began to read. But as he read, his
+breath came ever quicker, his cheeks became more pale, his brow more
+clouded. His hands began to tremble so violently that the paper which they
+held rattled and shook, and finally dropped on the table.
+
+Motionless and gasping for breath the count sat there, staring at the
+letter. Then its contents flashed through him like a sudden shock, and,
+collecting his faculties, he once more snatched up the paper.
+
+"It is impossible!" he cried aloud, "I read falsely! That can not be! My
+eyes surely deceived me! My ears shall lend their evidence! I will hear my
+sentence of condemnation!"
+
+And with loud voice, occasionally interrupted by the convulsive groans
+which escaped his breast, he read: "I am grieved to announce to you,
+beloved and honored father, that our affairs have not prospered, as we
+hoped and expected. Through the intercession of good Father Silvio, I had
+a long interview yesterday with the Emperor. And the result of it is this:
+The Emperor loves you, it is true; he calls you his most faithful servant,
+and promises ever to be a gracious Sovereign to you, but he will never
+further your projects of becoming an independent ruler, and will not
+assist you to effect the Elector's ruin, that you may usurp his place. He
+rather wishes you to remain what you are--Stadtholder in the Mark--and to
+exert all your energies in maintaining that position, since the Emperor
+relies upon your good offices for securing him an ally in the Elector. The
+Mark is to remain Frederick William's domain, but the Elector must become
+an Imperialist. Such is the will and pleasure of the Emperor. He urged me
+to beg you to evince more complaisance and deference for the Elector, that
+you may acquire influence over him. The Emperor had been much shocked by
+the news sent him from Königsberg by Martinitz. It appears certain from
+this information, my dear father, that the Elector is much set against
+you, and that he only makes use of your continuance in office as a mask,
+behind which he may, unseen, direct his missiles against you. The Elector
+has taken your refusal to come to Königsberg upon his invitation in very
+ill part, and it has excited his highest displeasure. We have played a
+dangerous game, and I fear we have lost it."
+
+"Lost!" screamed the count, crushing the paper in his hand into a ball and
+dashing it to the ground. "Yes, I have lost and am ruined! The end and aim
+of my whole life are defeated! I aimed at the summit, and when I have
+nearly reached my goal an invisible hand hurls me back, and I am plunged
+into an abyss!"
+
+"As serves you right, for God is just!" said a solemn voice behind him,
+and a hand was laid heavily upon his shoulder.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg uttered a shriek of horror and turned round. A soldier
+stood behind him--an Imperial soldier in dirty, tattered garments, a poor,
+miserable man. And yet the count sprang from his chair, as if in the
+presence of some prince or superior being before whom he must bow with
+reverence. With bowed head he stood before this soldier, and dared not
+look him in the face!
+
+Yes, it was a prince, it was a superior being before whom he bowed! He
+stood before his judge, he stood before his conscience! He knew it, he
+felt it! A cold hand was laid upon his heart and contracted it
+convulsively; it was laid upon his head and bowed it low. Death was there,
+and his name was Gabriel Nietzel!
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel!" murmured his ashy pale lips, "Gabriel Nietzel!"
+
+"You recognize me, then?" said the soldier quietly and coldly. "Look at
+me, count, lift your eyes upon me! I want to see your countenance!"
+
+With a last effort of strength Count Schwarzenberg resumed his
+self-control. He raised his head, affecting his usual proud and
+self-satisfied air. "Gabriel Nietzel!" he cried, "Whence come you? What
+would you have of me? How did you come in here?"
+
+"How did I come in?" repeated he. "Through yon door!"
+
+And he pointed at the door opening upon the secret staircase. "I came
+twice and begged to be allowed access to you, but was refused. This time I
+admitted myself. You once sent me down the secret stairway, and pointed
+out that mode of exit to me yourself, when your son was coming to visit
+you. What do I want? I want you to give me my wife, my Rebecca; and if you
+have murdered her, I want _your life_!"
+
+"Would you murder me?" exclaimed the count in horror, while moving slowly
+backward. Keeping his eyes fixed upon Gabriel Nietzel, he sought to gain
+the door to his bedchamber. But Nietzel guessed his design and disdainfully
+shook his head. "Do not take that trouble," he said. "I have abstracted
+both keys and put them in my pocket. You can not escape me."
+
+Count Schwarzenberg's eyes darted a quick, involuntary glance across at
+the round table on which stood his bell. Nietzel intercepted this glance
+and understood that the count meant to call his people. He took up the
+bell and thrust it into his bosom.
+
+"Give up your efforts to evade me," he said. "God sends me to you. God
+will punish your crime by means of this hand, which you once bribed to
+commit a murderous deed. Count Schwarzenberg, you have acted the part of
+the devil toward me! You have robbed me of my soul! Give it back to me! I
+demand of you my soul!"
+
+"He is insane," said Count Schwarzenberg, softly to himself. But Nietzel
+caught his meaning.
+
+"No," he said sorrowfully--"no, I am not insane. God has denied me that
+consolation. I know what has been, and what is. There was a time--a
+glorious, blessed time--when I forgot everything, when all pain was
+banished, and I was happy--ah, so happy! They said, indeed, that I was
+mad; they called it sickness, forsooth, and locked me up, and tormented
+me. But I was so happy, for _I_ saw my Rebecca always before me, she was
+ever at my side and--Count, where have you left my Rebecca? Where is she?
+Give her to me! I will have her again, my own Rebecca! Give her back to
+me, directly, on the spot!"
+
+He seized him with both his arms, his hands clutching his shoulders like
+claws. "Where is Rebecca--my Rebecca?"
+
+Gabriel Nietzel stared at the count with frenzied fury, with devouring
+grief. Schwarzenberg cast down his eyes, a shudder passed over his frame,
+and terror-stricken he turned his head. It seemed to him as if, while
+Gabriel pressed upon his shoulders in front, some one came stealthily up
+to him from behind. He heard a cry--a death cry! The Fury was there again!
+He could not escape her now!
+
+"Let me go, Gabriel Nietzel," he said feebly. "Quit your hold, go away. I
+will give you treasures, honors, distinctions, if you only quit your hold
+and go away!"
+
+"What will you give me, if I let you go?" screamed Gabriel Nietzel,
+tightening his grasp and shaking him violently. "What will you give me?"
+
+"I will give you a fine house, I will give you thousands, I will give you
+rank and titles. Tell me what you want, and I will give it to you!"
+
+"Give me Rebecca! I want _her_ and her alone! Tell me where she is or I
+will kill you!"
+
+"She is in my house at Spandow," said the count hastily. "Come, we will go
+away. You shall have your Rebecca again. Come, let us go! Rebecca is
+longing for you! Come!"
+
+"You are deceiving me!" laughed Gabriel Nietzel. "I see it in your eyes,
+you are deceiving me. You want me to open the doors, and then you will
+call your people. There is no truth in what you say. Rebecca is not at
+Spandow; I know that, for I have been there. I stood many hours before the
+windows of your palace and called upon her name. She would have heard if
+she had been there; she would have come to me--she would have freed me
+from all my sufferings. For, you must know, my Rebecca loved me! Because
+she loved me, that she might expiate the crime which you had tempted me to
+commit, that she might lift the weight of sin from my head, she went back
+to Berlin and bade me go on with our child. I had solemnly sworn that to
+her, and I kept my oath. I went on, following the route we had agreed upon
+together. I waited for her at every resting place, and always waited in
+vain. I came to Venice, and went to the house of Rebecca's father; but she
+was not there. I wanted to go in search of her, but they held me fast,
+they imprisoned me in a dark dungeon. And there I sat a whole century, and
+yet was patient, ever waiting for the moment when I might escape from them
+and go to look for my Rebecca. And at last the moment came. The jailer
+entered to bring me my food; we were quite alone, and they had taken off
+my chains, for I had been harmless and gentle for some months past. I
+seized him, choked him, so that he could not scream, took his keys, and
+fled. God helped me; he always pities the poor and unfortunate--he knew
+that I wanted to search for Rebecca. I came to Germany; I enlisted as a
+soldier, for I durst not die of hunger, else I could not reach Berlin and
+find my Rebecca. But now I am here, and ask you in the name of God and in
+view of the judgment day, where is Rebecca?"
+
+"I do not know," murmured Count Schwarzenberg, whom Gabriel Nietzel still
+held closely pinioned in his grasp.
+
+"You do not know?" shrieked Gabriel Nietzel. "I read it in your face, you
+have murdered her. Yes, yes, I see it, I feel it--you have murdered her!
+Confess it, wretch! fall down upon your knees and confess that you have
+murdered Rebecca!"
+
+Schwarzenberg would have denied it, but he could not; conscience paralyzed
+his tongue, so that it could not utter the falsehood. He wanted to make
+resistance against those dreadful hands which held him fast, but he had no
+more power. Everything swam before him, there was a roaring in his ears,
+his knees tottered and shook, and the perspiration stood in great drops
+upon his brow.
+
+"Mercy," he murmured, with quivering lips--"mercy! I will make good again,
+I--"
+
+"Can you give me Rebecca again?" asked Gabriel, who now suddenly passed
+from the extreme of wrath to a cold tranquillity. "Can you undo and make
+null your evil deeds? Can you take from me the guilt you brought upon me?
+_No_, you can not, and therefore you must die, for crime must be expiated!
+You murdered my Rebecca, and therefore I shall murder you. Adam
+Schwarzenberg, pray your last prayer, for I am here to kill you!"
+
+"No, you will not!" cried Schwarzenberg. "No; you will be reasonable--you
+will accept my offers! I promise you wealth and consideration, I--"
+
+"Silence and pray, for you must die! Death is here, Adam Schwarzenberg,
+for Gabriel Nietzel is here!"
+
+He saw it, he knew that Gabriel spoke the truth. He knew that this man,
+with the pale, distorted, grief-worn face, with those large eyes flaming
+with the fires of insanity, was to be his murderer. Death had come to
+summon him away--death in the form of Gabriel Nietzel!
+
+And so, he was to die! He, the mighty, the rich, the noble Count
+Schwarzenberg! _He_ whose name all Germany revered, _he_ before whom all
+bowed in humility, who had had control over millions! _He_ was to die by
+the hand of a madman, to die alone, unwept! If his son were only with him,
+his dear, his only son, who loved him, who--"Have you prayed?" asked
+Gabriel Nietzel, who had been waiting in silence.
+
+"No," said Schwarzenberg, startled out of his train of thought--"no, I
+have not prayed! Why do you ask that?"
+
+"Because you must die!" replied Gabriel Nietzel, grasping him more firmly
+with his left hand, and with his right drawing forth a dagger from his
+breast. The count profited by this moment, tore himself loose, jumped
+back, and rushed toward the open door of the secret passage. But Nietzel
+sprang past him, and already stood before the door, confronting him again!
+As he saw the dagger glitter in the air, he remembered, with the rapidity
+of thought, the instant when he had stood before Rebecca, with the drawn
+dagger in his hand.
+
+She had cried "Mercy! mercy!" He wanted to cry so, too, but could not!
+Like a flash of lightning it darted across his eyes, like a crushing blow
+it fell upon his brain. He uttered a piercing shriek, tumbled backward,
+and fell upon the ground, with rattling in his throat and with dimmed
+eyes!
+
+Gabriel Nietzel bent over him and looked long into that convulsed
+countenance, and into those eyes which were fixed upon him with a look of
+entreaty! Nietzel understood that look. "No," he said roughly--"no, I do
+not forgive you, I have no pity upon you. Be you cursed and condemned, and
+go to the grave in your sins! God has been gracious to me; he has not
+willed it that I should be stained with your blood. He has laid his own
+hand upon you and smitten you. You will perhaps have long to suffer yet.
+Suffer!"
+
+He put up his dagger, strode through the apartment, stepped out upon the
+secret passage and closed the door behind him.
+
+"And now," he said, when he found himself outside--"now I shall go and
+acknowledge my sins to the Elector. He will be compassionate, and allow me
+to mount the scaffold. I shall then have atoned for all, and will once
+more be united to my Rebecca!"
+
+Was it possible that this wretched, sobbing, deathly pale something, lying
+there on the floor of the cabinet, was but a few hours since the proud,
+the mighty, the dreaded and courted Count Adam von Schwarzenberg, the
+Stadtholder in the Mark? Now he was a poor dying beggar, longing for a
+drink of water, and with no one near to hand him the refreshing draught;
+who longed for a tear, and had no one to weep for him; who longed for
+forgiveness, and God himself would not forgive him! Hours, eternities of
+anguish went by, and still he lay helpless and solitary upon the floor! He
+plainly heard how they came and knocked, and then moved softly away,
+because they supposed that he had shut himself up to work. He heard them,
+but he could not call, for his tongue was palsied! He could not move, for
+his limbs were paralyzed!
+
+Hours, eternities of anguish went by. Then his old valet came through the
+secret door, creeping softly in, and found him, that pitiable creature, on
+the floor, and screamed for help. Then the doors were broken down, and the
+servants came and the physicians. They lifted him up and bore him to the
+divan. He breathed, he lived! Perhaps help might not yet be impossible!
+
+Everything was tried, but all in vain. He still lived and breathed, but he
+was paralyzed in all his limbs, and soon the inner organs, too, refused to
+exercise their functions. They removed the invalid to Spandow because the
+mutinous regiments were perpetually threatening to renew their attack upon
+the count's palace, and might disturb the repose of the dying man. There
+he lay in his castle, a living corpse for four days more, with open eyes,
+giving token that he heard and understood what was passing about him.
+Finally, at the end of four days, on the 4th of March, 1641, Count Adam
+von Schwarzenberg closed his eyes, and of the haughty, powerful, dreaded
+Stadtholder in the Mark, nothing was left but cold, stiff clay![47]
+
+
+
+
+VII.--THE SEALING OF THE DOCUMENTS.
+
+
+A courier, sent to Regensburg by Herr von Kracht, commandant of Berlin,
+immediately upon the decease of Count Adam Schwarzenberg, had prompted his
+son Count John Adolphus to expedite his departure from that place, and to
+journey by forced stages to Berlin. He repaired first to Spandow. and had
+his father's embalmed remains interred with great pomp in the village
+church. After having thus discharged this first filial duty, he proceeded
+to Berlin to take possession of the inheritance left him by his father.
+
+The whole inheritance! Not the smallest part of it should be abstracted
+from him! In his father's lifetime he had been appointed his coadjutor in
+the Order of the Knights of Malta; now, since his father was dead he must
+be his successor, must be Grand Master of the Order of St. John. He sent
+orders to Sonnenberg, summoning a solemn chapter of the order to hold its
+sitting, and to send in the oath of service due him. In his father's
+lifetime he had been his associate in the office of Stadtholder; now, his
+father being no more, he claimed the stadtholdership in the Mark as his
+lawful heritage. And his friends and adherents strengthened the ambitious
+young count in these pretentions. As soon as John Adolphus had taken up
+his residence in Berlin, Commandant von Kracht placed guards before the
+gates of his palace, and every evening demanded a watchword from the young
+nobleman.
+
+Commandant von Rochow of Spandow placed himself and his garrison wholly at
+the disposal of the "young Stadtholder," and Colonel von Goldacker swore
+that he would obey the orders of none other than Count John Adolphus,
+Grand Master of the Order of St. John and Stadtholder in the Mark.
+
+Count John Adolphus allowed himself to be rocked in these olden dreams of
+power and ambition, believed in their realization, and was firmly
+determined to do everything to prove their truth. He accepted the guard,
+gave the watchword, and sent orders to Sonnenburg, as if he were already
+elected grand master; he required an oath of fealty from all those places
+which had been pledged to his father by the Elector George William. He
+also issued his mandates in Berlin, and toward magistrates and judiciary
+he assumed the attitude of Stadtholder in the Mark. And nobody ventured to
+contradict him, no court had the spirit to oppose him, for the young count
+stood at the head of a host of powerful and influential friends; the
+courts were weak and powerless, and as yet no instructions had been
+received from the Elector at Königsberg.
+
+Count John Adolphus husbanded his time well. He sent messengers in all
+directions, corresponded with all his father's friends and adherents,
+summoning them to rally around him, and to come sword in hand. He held
+correspondence also with the father confessor Silvio at Vienna, nay, even
+with the Emperor himself. Restlessly active was he from morning till
+night, his whole being absorbed in this one effort--to ruin the Elector,
+and to win for himself his rank and power! His friends seconded him in
+striving to attain this great end. Everywhere they were active, everywhere
+they sought to work for him and to procure him adherents. At Spandow and
+Berlin the Commandants von Kracht and von Rochow declared themselves ready
+to place garrison and fortress entirely under his direction; Colonel von
+Goldacker, commandant of Brandenburg, had betaken himself to his post, and
+only awaited the count's word to sound the tocsin of war. In Königsberg
+the Court Marshal von Waldow was most energetically massing the friends of
+Schwarzenberg, and his brother, Sebastian von Waldow, traveled from place
+to place, to gain friends and partisans for Count John Adolphus, and to
+ask them to come to Berlin, that, in case of danger, the count might be
+prepared to make a bold front against his foes. His friends everywhere led
+a life of bustle and stir, and all proclaimed themselves ready joyfully to
+unsheathe their swords in behalf of the young count, and to do battle for
+him if the Elector should refuse to confirm him in all his father's
+appointments.
+
+"He will not refuse," said John Adolphus to himself, when he had just
+finished reading the report of his agent, Otto von Marwitz, which had only
+that morning reached him, "No, the weak, impotent Elector will not dare to
+refuse to acknowledge me as my father's successor; for he must be well
+aware that I am even now more powerful in the Mark than himself, and
+enjoy, moreover, the favor and protection of the Emperor. He will not dare
+to attack me. I shall be sustained by him in my position of Stadtholder in
+the Mark, and then--from Stadtholder to independent Sovereign requires but
+one step, which I mean to take, and--"
+
+The door was violently burst open and Sebastian von Waldow rushed in.
+
+"Count!" he cried, gasping for breath--"Count, we are lost!"
+
+"What is the matter? Say, what is the matter?"
+
+"Conrad von Burgsdorf has captured the letters sent to you and myself,
+from Königsberg, by my brother, the marshal, in which was a full statement
+of a plan for open war."
+
+"For God's sake, who says so? How do you know that?"
+
+"One of our secret friends, who keeps his eye upon Burgsdorf, came to tell
+me, that I might have opportunity of warning you. In the course of a ride
+taken by Burgsdorf and his men in the environs of Berlin, they captured
+the servant whom my brother had intrusted with dispatches for you and
+myself.[48] The dispatches he sent forthwith by a courier to Königsberg,
+and the servant was hurried off to the fortress of Küstrin, that he might
+be unable to communicate with us."
+
+"That is bad news indeed," said John Adolphus thoughtfully. "It also
+explains to me why Burgsdorf and his men have taken up their abode here,
+and frequently talk so captiously and insolently when excited by wine. It
+is palpable that he has been commissioned to watch and, if need be, arrest
+us. We must therefore be on our guard, too, and render him harmless; that
+is to say, we must imprison him, so that he can not imprison us."
+
+"If I only knew the contents of the package," murmured Sebastian von
+Waldow. "In the last letter which I received from my brother he stated
+that he hoped soon to be able to announce with certainty whether the
+Elector would nominate you Stadtholder or select some one else. Now this
+very letter has been intercepted, and we are left in utter darkness and
+uncertainty."
+
+"Gracious sir," proclaimed an advancing lackey, "an officer from
+Commandant von Kracht begs to be admitted, as he is charged with a verbal
+message from the commandant."
+
+"Admit him," ordered the count, going hastily to meet the officer, who was
+just stepping into the room.
+
+"Sir Count, I have bad news for you. Colonel von Kracht has just been
+arrested. He commissioned me to convey the tidings to you as he was led
+away."
+
+Count John Adolphus grew slightly pale, and exchanged a rapid glance
+of intelligence with Sebastian von Waldow. "Who arrested Colonel von
+Kracht?" he asked.
+
+"Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf, most gracious sir. He showed Herr von
+Kracht his orders, signed by the Elector himself, and, as he came with a
+strong posse, the colonel could not resist, but was obliged to submit."
+
+"It is well; I thank you," said John Adolphus quietly, and the officer
+took his leave. "Well, Sebastian," he said, turning to his confidant,
+"you were right, the captured papers must have been of dangerous import,
+for we already see the results. Our enemies are active, and I like that,
+for thereby the _dénouement_ will be hastened and our victory brought
+nearer. For conquer we will!"
+
+"Conquer or die!" sighed Sebastian von Waldow.
+
+Again was the door thrown open violently, and the count's high steward
+hurried in, trembling and pale as a sheet. "Your grace, Colonel von
+Burgsdorf, Colonel von Burgsdorf," stammered he.
+
+"What of him?" inquired the count hastily. "Speak, answer me, Wallenrodt,
+what of Colonel von Burgsdorf?"
+
+"Nothing further than that he ordered your high steward to conduct him
+hither and announce him to you," said a rough, mocking voice behind the
+count.
+
+It was Conrad von Burgsdorf who thus spoke. He had just entered the
+apartment, and strode forward without apology or more formal salutation.
+
+"Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg," continued Burgsdorf, approaching
+close to the count, "I have come to do what should have been done long
+before, to seal the papers of the late Stadtholder in the Mark, and to
+take them with me."
+
+"Very fine," returned the count contemptuously. "Will you have the
+goodness to tell me whether my revered father imparted any such
+instructions to you before his death, and if so, show me the written
+order, for otherwise I would not be inclined to give you credence."
+
+"Have received no orders from the deceased count," replied Burgsdorf,
+shrugging his shoulders. "Would have received no orders from him, for
+there is only one under whom I serve, and that one is my master, the
+Elector Frederick William. He ordered me to affix his signet to all the
+papers left by Count Adam Schwarzenberg, and I have therefore come to obey
+these orders."
+
+"Where is the written order?"
+
+
+"Have no written order, but obtained a verbal one just a half hour ago."
+
+"Ah, it pleases you to jest," cried Count Adolphus scornfully. "You have
+come from Königsberg here in a half hour? If you will condescend to
+receive no commands save from the Elector, then you must have spoken with
+him, and, as far as I know, the Elector is at Königsberg."
+
+"Your knowledge goes not far, my pretty sir," said Burgsdorf
+contemptuously. "You are in everything a very unadvised and ignorant young
+gentleman. The Elector is indeed at Königsberg, but, nevertheless, he has
+made known his will to me through the newly appointed Stadtholder in the
+Mark, who arrived here, _incognito_, early this morning."
+
+"Stadtholder in the Mark!" cried Count John Adolphus defiantly. "I know no
+one who can lay claim to that title but myself alone!"
+
+"But I know some one who has not merely the title but the office itself,
+and that person is the Margrave Ernest von Jägerndorf. Herr von Metzdorf,
+come in!"
+
+In answer to Burgsdorf's loud call a young officer advanced through the
+door leading from the adjacent room, which had been left ajar, and stood
+on the threshold awaiting further orders.
+
+"Hand Count Adolphus von Schwarzenberg the Stadtholder's printed
+manifesto," said Burgsdorf. Lieutenant von Metzdorf drew near the count,
+extending toward him a huge sheet of paper. "Read, my dear little count!"
+cried Burgsdorf. "Only read! Yes, yes, it contains very interesting
+intelligence. Margrave Ernest informs the citizens of Berlin and Cologne
+that he has been nominated by our gracious Elector Stadtholder in the
+Mark, and has entered upon the duties of his new office. He further
+informs the good folks of Berlin, that his Electoral Grace has been
+pleased to appoint Conrad von Burgsdorf superintendent of all the
+fortresses within the Electorate and Mark of Brandenburg. Colonel Conrad
+von Burgsdorf am I, and in my province as superintendent of all the
+fortresses I shall have all those arrested who refuse to swear allegiance
+to their Sovereign and Elector. Colonel von Kracht has experienced this,
+and his confederates shall soon enough acquire like knowledge. Count von
+Schwarzenberg, will you have the goodness to let me proceed to seal the
+papers, or must I use force by virtue of my right and authority?"
+
+"You are the stronger," replied the count, shrugging his shoulders, "or,
+rather, brute force is on your side, and against this 'twere irrational to
+contend. Do what I can not hinder. Seal up my father's papers. I should
+think, however, that my own papers would be exempt from this procedure,
+and I hope the contents of my own desk will be respected." As he spoke he
+cast a furtive glance upon his steward von Wallenrodt, who, nodding almost
+imperceptibly, slowly retreated to the door.
+
+"I shall seal indiscriminately all the papers and desks found in the
+palace," exclaimed Colonel von Burgsdorf. "This whole palace, with all it
+contains, belonged to Count Adam Schwarzenberg, and my orders are to seal
+and remove all papers left by that gentleman. You see that I can not and
+will not make distinctions as to what is yours and what your deceased
+father's."
+
+"I believe, indeed, that the art of reading is for you difficult, nay
+almost impossible, Colonel von Burgsdorf!"
+
+"You believe so? You are mistaken, my young sir. I can even read what is
+written upon men's faces, and read upon your brow that you are not merely
+puffed up with self-importance, but that you are likewise forging wicked
+and dangerous plans, and have been led away by your ambition to desire
+things unsuitable for you. Come now, count, and accompany me into your
+father's cabinet."
+
+"No!" cried the count--"no, I will do no such thing! It shall not be said
+that I voluntarily submitted to treason and brutal violence!"
+
+"Well, my little count," cried Burgsdorf, laughing, "if you will not act
+as guide of your own accord, you must be forced to do so _nolens volens_.
+You need not show us the way, for we will merely go from chamber to
+chamber and affix our seal to all the papers we can find. But the law
+requires your presence, and your presence we shall have. Lieutenant von
+Metzdorf and Lieutenant von Frohberg, each of you give an arm to Count von
+Schwarzenberg. Sustain and support him well, for the young gentleman feels
+a little unwell and can not go alone."
+
+The two officers approached the count, who looked at them with threatening
+mien. "Do not dare to touch me!" he cried angrily. "I will not follow you!
+I will not go!"
+
+"You will not go, will you not? Not even when my officers offer you their
+arms?"
+
+"I will not go, but I shall complain to the Emperor of the violence done
+me, and he will procure me satisfaction."
+
+"Well, we shall bide our time," said Burgsdorf placidly. "For the present
+it only concerns us to obtain your honored companionship. Since, however,
+you declare that you can not go afoot, I shall carry you!"
+
+And before the young count could prevent it, Burgsdorf had seized him in
+his gigantic arms and lifted him up.
+
+"Forward now, gentlemen," he said, stepping briskly a few paces in
+advance, bearing the count as lightly and easily in his arms as if he had
+been an infant.
+
+"Let me descend from the wine cask, Colonel von Burgsdorf," said Count
+Adolphus, smilingly and composedly. "I have attained my end. I only wanted
+to defer the sealing for a few minutes. Having succeeded in effecting
+this, I shall no longer oppose any obstacle to your progress."
+
+"So much the better," cried Burgsdorf, setting him on the ground. "For,
+even if you were as light as a feather, I would rather have free use of my
+arms and hands; and, besides, do not like such close contact with any
+birds of your plumage. Now, Sir Imperial Counselor, let us to work and
+commence the process of sealing."
+
+"Well and good," said Count John Adolphus, "only permit me to ask one
+question. To what end this sealing, and when will the signet be removed? I
+am my father's sole heir; already I have had the will opened and read in
+the presence of competent witnesses, and in accordance with my father's
+expressed desire entered into possession of the whole inheritance. The
+affixing of the seal appears to me, therefore, to be superfluous. If done
+at all, it should have been attended to before the opening of the will."
+
+"It has been delayed, alas!" replied Conrad von Burgsdorf, "and it has
+resulted from the fact that since the Stadtholder's death there has been
+nobody to issue orders or defend the right. But now, as we have once more
+a Stadtholder in the Mark, all will be different, and those who put
+themselves in opposition may be on their guard, for we seal not merely
+papers, but men. As regards your question, count, the sealing affects your
+inheritance only in so far as you have presumed to include among your
+estates several districts and domains pertaining to the Elector, and have
+been in indecent haste to take possession of them."
+
+"These domains were given in pledge to my father, and never redeemed."
+
+"That remains to be decided, and, for the purpose of setting this as well
+as many other matters, the Elector has ordained that a judicial court
+shall sit. He himself named the gentlemen who were to constitute this
+board of investigation, which will enter upon its duties early to-morrow
+morning, and begin by removing the seal from the papers which I am to make
+myself master of to-day. The chairman of this committee is the president
+of the privy council, von Götze."
+
+"I know of no President von Götze."
+
+"Yes, yes, your father deprived Herr von Götze of his office because he
+would not dance to the Stadtholder's piping, and was not his devoted
+servant to say yes to everything. But for that very reason our young
+Elector has installed him again in his office, and given orders, moreover,
+that he be the president of the committee of investigation. And now, as I
+have answered all your questions with praiseworthy patience and to my own
+satisfaction, let us at last proceed to sealing, and make a beginning in
+this very room. Shut the doors, Lieutenant von Metzdorf, and allow no one
+to go out who was here at our entrance."
+
+"Colonel," replied the lieutenant, "the high steward von Wallenrodt left
+the room a while ago, but, as you had given no orders to that effect, I
+could not detain him. He went out just when you took the count up in your
+arms."
+
+"Humph! That is the reason why the count wanted to divert my attention for
+some minutes, that his steward might have time to execute his secret
+commission!" cried the colonel stamping his foot passionately. "We ought
+to have reflected that we had sly foxes to deal with, and guarded every
+outlet beforehand. Lieutenant von Metzdorf, place a man at every door and
+let no one out. Lieutenant von Frohberg, take with you four soldiers, and
+search the whole palace; if you find von Wallenrodt, arrest and search
+him."
+
+"Colonel, that is going too far!" cried Count John Adolphus, pale with
+rage and excitement. "You have no right to arrest and search my servant. I
+interpose my protest, and will bring you to account before his Majesty the
+Emperor."
+
+"I shall take care of that," replied the colonel composedly. "If I have
+done wrong, let the committee of investigation call me to account. The
+Emperor in Vienna has nothing to do with me, and has no right to meddle in
+the administration of justice among us."
+
+"We shall see about that!" cried the count, with a threatening gesture.
+
+"Yes, we shall see! But first we must see where the papers are, which we
+are to seal and carry off. Open that table drawer, count, and let us see
+what it contains."
+
+Count Adolphus had to submit to having every desk and table searched, and
+wherever papers were found, the great seal of the Electoral privy council
+was affixed, and they were then removed. He had also to submit to having
+the whole palace ransacked from garret to cellar in search of the steward
+von Wallenrodt. The sealing he could not prevent, but he had the
+satisfaction of seeing the soldiers fail in discovering the hiding place
+of his steward after making the strictest possible search, as well as of
+witnessing Colonel Burgsdorf's disappointment on opening Count Adolphus's
+own writing desk to find it perfectly empty.
+
+"I said so," growled Burgsdorf. "We forgot that we were dealing with sly
+foxes, and barred the doors too late. Count John Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg, the sealing is over. Now comes the performance of my second
+duty. I have to announce to you on the part of Margrave Ernest, Stadtholder
+in the Mark, that you are under arrest in your own house until further
+notice, and are on no account whatever to be allowed to leave the palace.
+Here is the warrant, that you may not say I am acting without orders."
+
+He drew forth a paper, unfolded it, and handed it to the count, who
+rapidly glanced over it.
+
+"I see," said he, with proud composure, "you are acting under authority,
+and are merely your master's faithful beadle. May I keep this warrant?"
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"To hand it to the Emperor, and show him with what disrespect they have
+dared to act against his counselor and chamberlain."
+
+"Keep the bill of indictment," said Burgsdorf quietly. "I shall be much
+surprised if you shortly find yourself in a condition to present it to the
+Emperor in person. Certainly not just now, for you are under arrest, and
+can not have control of your own movements. You will therefore have the
+gratification of having a guard at your door, although you are  not the
+Stadtholder. Farewell, Count John Adolphus!"
+
+Bowing to the young count, who with a scornful laugh turned his back upon
+him, he left the apartment, followed by his officers.
+
+"Metzdorf," he said outside to the young officer in the antechamber, "to
+you I intrust the guarding of the palace. I know you are incorruptible,
+and will not allow the young gentleman to escape. Go round the palace on
+the outside, and before each door station two soldiers, who are to leave
+their posts neither by day or night. Relieve them every four hours. The
+Stadtholder, alas! did not order us to guard the inner doors of the house,
+so we must only be watchful and circumspect outside. I commit the guarding
+to you, and if he escapes, the responsibility rests upon yourself."
+
+"Unless he is a magician who can vanish through the air, he shall not
+escape me, colonel," said the young officer, smiling. "I will stake my
+head upon his not going by ordinary means through the doors."
+
+"Very well, lieutenant; but hark! Place two more sentinels at the garden
+railing opposite the palace. They are to watch the windows night and day,
+sounding an alarm as soon as they observe anything suspicious. Come now.
+Reconnoiter the outer doors and post the sentinels. I am going to report
+to the Stadtholder."
+
+Colonel Burgsdorf left the count's palace, and repaired to the Electoral
+castle, where the Margrave Ernest von Jägerndorf had taken up his
+residence.
+
+Count John Adolphus had stood listening at the door, and heard every word
+spoken by Burgsdorf to his lieutenant, and then listened to his heavy,
+retreating footstep. Now he heard the slamming of the front door, and
+rushing to the window, saw Burgsdorf mount his horse and ride off,
+followed by his companions and a wagon loaded with the papers which had
+been seized.
+
+"Waldow!" cried the count, springing back from the window, "he has gone,
+and we have, God be thanked! no guard inside the house. We are unobserved."
+
+"What good will that do us, Sir Count," sighed Waldow. "We can not leave
+the house, and your papers have been seized."
+
+"Not my papers, Waldow! No, God be praised! not my papers!" exulted the
+count. "Did you not see that my writing desk was empty?"
+
+"And what does that signify?"
+
+"It signifies that my trusty steward von Wallenrodt understood my hint,
+and, while I detained Burgsdorf, abstracted and concealed my papers."
+
+"Think you so?" asked Waldow, shrugging his shoulders. "It seems to me
+more likely that the steward has imitated the rats, who always forsake a
+sinking ship, and has gone off. The palace has been ransacked and von
+Wallenrodt was nowhere to be found. He has probably gone to the new
+Stadtholder, thinking to benefit himself by betraying you."
+
+"You slander my faithful servant," said the count. "I know him better, and
+am confident that he will not betray me. Come, Waldow, accompany me to my
+father's cabinet.
+
+"I will now show you that you have judged my steward falsely," he
+continued, when they had reached the cabinet.
+
+"This apartment conceals a mystery, known only to my father, myself, and
+Wallenrodt. Now, you shall become acquainted with it, and learn at the
+same time that there is still good faith in the world."
+
+He crossed the spacious apartment to the large mirror, which, reaching
+down to the floor, filled up the whole space between the windows. He
+pressed an ornament of the frame, and the mirror flew back, having become
+a door, which opened and revealed a niche concealed in the wall. From this
+niche stepped forth the steward, with a great roll of papers in his hand.
+
+"Most gracious sir," he said quietly, handing the roll to the count, "here
+are the papers of your writing desk."
+
+"Thank you, my faithful Wallenrodt!" cried Adolphus Schwarzenberg,
+offering him his hand. "I knew that I could count upon you, and, when the
+writing desk was found empty, knew that you had understood my glance. But
+now, before we advise as to what is further to be done, let me examine
+these papers, for I do not exactly know whether they contain all that I
+would wish to conceal from Burgsdorf and my other enemies. Step into that
+window recess, friends, and let me look over these papers."
+
+The two gentlemen retired into the deep window niche, and conversed
+together in whispers, while Count Adolphus rummaged over the papers with
+quick and nervous fingers. Ever quicker, ever more nervous became the
+movements of his hand, ever darker grew his brow, ever more anxious his
+countenance. As he laid aside the last sheet a sudden pallor overspread
+his face, and for a moment he leaned back in the fauteuil, quite faint and
+exhausted.
+
+"Dearest sir!" cried the steward, hurrying toward him, "are not the papers
+all in order?"
+
+"It is just as I feared," said the count, sighing. "My whole
+correspondence with my father, during my last sojourn at Regensburg,
+besides copies of my letters to the Emperor and Marwitz, were in the
+drawer of my father's writing table, and have been carried off with the
+rest."
+
+"And did these letters compromise you, count?" asked Herr von Waldow,
+drawing nearer to him.
+
+"With these letters in his hand, President von Götze, the chairman of the
+committee of investigation, can arraign me as guilty of high treason and
+condemn me to death."
+
+A long pause ensued. With gloomy countenances all three cast their eyes
+upon the ground. Then the steward lifted up his head, with an expression
+of firm resolve.
+
+"You must flee, gracious sir," he cried earnestly.
+
+"Flee?" repeated the count, shrugging his shoulders. "Ah, you have not
+heard of what further happened after you withdrew to your place of
+concealment!"
+
+"The whole palace is surrounded by soldiers," completed Herr von Waldow.
+"At each door stand two sentinels, and even at the park gate two guards
+are stationed."
+
+"You see plainly, Wallenrodt, that flight is impossible," said the count.
+
+The steward smiled. "Through doors and windows you can not escape, in
+truth. There is a third way, however."
+
+"What sort of way, Wallenrodt?"
+
+"The secret passage, count."
+
+"I know of no secret passage."
+
+"But I do, count. Your late revered father had this secret passage built
+at the time the cities revolted and the Swedes were threatening Berlin. He
+had fifty workmen brought from Vienna, who were kept concealed in the
+palace, and worked every night upon this subterranean passage, and as soon
+as it was completed he had the men sent back to Austria. It is not to be
+supposed that you should know anything of this, count, for it happened at
+least fifteen years ago, when you were but a lad. While the work lasted
+the count resided at Spandow, taking all his household with him, that no
+one might know anything about the secret passage. Only the old castellan
+and I remained behind, to overlook the work. We were the only two besides
+the Stadtholder who knew the secret. You must flee through the
+subterranean passage, gracious sir."
+
+"Whither does the secret passage lead?" asked the count.
+
+"Winding along underground, it has its outlet in the little pavilion in
+the center of the park. The key to the outer door hangs within the
+passage, as does also the key to the garden gate. All is in good order,
+for, fearing that the count's affairs might take a bad turn, I examined
+the passage through its whole extent until I arrived at the pavilion. Your
+grace can escape in that way unperceived."
+
+"And you, my faithful friends, will accompany me," said the count,
+extending his hands to the two gentlemen. "You were right just now,
+Waldow, when you said we should conquer or die. It seems now as if we must
+be ruined. Our enemies have gone to work with more zeal and determination
+than ourselves. While we pondered, they acted; while we tarried, they
+strode energetically forward. The young Elector has made good use of his
+time, and like a spider has caught us in the net with which he had lightly
+and secretly encircled us. All my foes, all the sworn adversaries of my
+father, has he called out to battle against us. Envy, hatred, malice, are
+the regiments which the young lord musters into the field, and by means of
+these he has for the moment conquered us. But only for the moment. A day
+of reckoning will come to the haughty young sir. He thinks himself free
+and independent, but he shall learn that there is one higher than he to
+whom he must bow, to whom he owes obedience. Yes, the Emperor Ferdinand
+will avenge me upon this arrogant young man. He will cause his proud neck
+to bend, and force his vassal to give me satisfaction, and to reinstate me
+in all my offices and dignities, which he would unjustly withhold from me.
+I shall go to the Emperor at Vienna, and--Ha, what a thought!" he
+exclaimed, interrupting himself. Rushing across to his writing table,
+whose empty drawers were stretched wide open, he tore one out and thrust
+his arm into the vacant space.
+
+"The secret compartment," he cried triumphantly. "Old Burgsdorf's keen
+scent failed him this time. Here it is, safe and inviolate. Here!"
+
+When he drew forth his hand it contained a small box, which he opened by
+touching a spring. The lid flew open; the box contained nothing but a
+dainty, perfumed note. Still the count esteemed it a precious possession.
+He took the paper and waved it exultingly above his head.
+
+"This is my salvation!" he cried. "With this paper in my hand I am armed
+against all the villainy and malice of the Elector. Oh, my dear, noble
+father, I must thank you for this security, thank you that I shall come
+forth victor from this contest with my enemy. It was you who pointed out
+to me the significance of this paper, who gave me the wise counsel to
+preserve it for future use. Thank you, oh, my father! At this hour this
+paper is the most precious inheritance which you have left me. I shall use
+it in accordance with your views, and as actuated by your spirit.
+
+"Now, my friends," he continued, "now am I ready for flight. Let us
+consider what is to be done."
+
+"Gracious sir, I have already considered," replied Wallenrodt warmly, "and
+I hope you will approve my plan. You can not make use of the subterranean
+passage by day, for, as I said before, it has its outlet in the center of
+the park, and if you pass through the lower garden gate in safety, you
+have still to go through the suburbs of Cologne. Every one would recognize
+you, and who knows whether Colonel von Burgsdorf may not have placed
+sentinels there too? You must, therefore, make your escape by night. I, on
+the contrary, dressed as a simple burgher, will take advantage of the
+subterranean passage now, and, watching my opportunity, when the street is
+quiet will leave the park and go away."
+
+"Where are you going, Wallenrodt?"
+
+"To Spandow, gracious sir, to Colonel von Rochow. I want to inform him of
+the course events have taken--to tell him that you are forced to leave
+Berlin. When nightfall comes your grace will be pleased to go through the
+subterranean passage in company with Herr von Waldow, emerge into the
+park, and then proceed up the street. Without especial haste, for any
+appearance of haste might excite remark, you will go to the Willow-bank
+Gate. Outside I will await you with two saddled horses. These you will
+mount, and ride at full gallop to Spandow, where Herr von Rochow will be
+ready to receive your grace. From that place the count can depart when so
+disposed."
+
+"Your plan is good and feasible," said the count. "I accept it. Hasten,
+therefore, good friend, hasten to Colonel von Rochow with tidings of what
+has befallen us here. Tell him that the time for hesitancy and delay has
+passed, that the hour of action has come. He has hitherto manfully refused
+to give in his oath to the Elector, and therefore the fortress of Spandow
+belongs to the Emperor, the sworn lord of its commandant, rather than to
+the Elector of Brandenburg. The walls of the Imperial fort will afford us
+protection and security, and from that point we can begin our contest with
+the enemy, who has so treacherously attacked us. Be off, my Wallenrodt, be
+off, and may we meet to-night in freedom and joy!"
+
+"Only forget not to arm yourself, gracious sir, and take care that no one
+watches and pursues you."
+
+"I shall precede the count with two loaded pistols," cried Herr von
+Waldow. "I will shoot down whoever shall dare to oppose him, and open a
+free path for him to the Willow-bank Gate, where you will be waiting for
+us, Wallenrodt."
+
+"We will both go armed and defend ourselves bravely," said Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg. "We would rather die than fall into the hands of our
+enemies. Go now, Wallenrodt, for you have verily a long way before you.
+The road to Spandow is long."
+
+"In three hours I shall be there, honored sir. We shall then have ample
+time to make our preparations for defense, and meet you here at twilight
+with horses. Come now, gentlemen, that I may show you the approach to the
+subterranean passage. It is in the little corridor next your late father's
+cabinet."
+
+
+
+
+VIII.--THE FLIGHT.
+
+
+How dreary and desolate was the day which Count Adolphus now passed in the
+palace--how the hours lengthened into days, and the minutes into hours!
+How glad were they when twilight at last drew near, what sighs of relief
+they breathed when night at last set in!
+
+A dark, silent night. The sky was obscured by clouds, not a star was to be
+seen. A night well fitted for enveloping fugitives in her friendly mantle,
+and concealing them beneath her gloomy shades. Away now, away! Night is
+here! Freedom beckons! The spacious palace was to-day nothing but a close,
+oppressive prison. Nothing did Count Adolphus hear but the walking to and
+fro of the sentinels and the corporal's call to relieve guard. Nothing did
+he see, when he went to the window, but soldiers slowly pacing their round
+before the park railing.
+
+Away from this prison, whose splendor and luxury seemed like sheer
+mockery, away from this house teeming with bitter memories of past
+grandeur and glory!
+
+Night was here, the night of deliverance. Away, away!
+
+They wrapped their cloaks about them, drew their hats low over their
+foreheads, and entered the subterranean passage. Waldow lead the way, a
+burning taper in one hand, a pistol in the other. Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg followed him, a pistol in either hand, firmly determined to
+shoot down whoever might dare to oppose his progress.
+
+The passage was traversed, and safely the two emerged into the open air in
+the park pavilion. Now forward quickly, down the dark alley to the lower
+garden gate. The key was in his pocket, there was nothing to obstruct
+their flight.
+
+One moment they paused within the half-opened gateway and listened.
+Nothing moved in the street without. All life seemed already extinct, all
+the inhabitants of the wretched houses had retired to rest. Not a light
+glimmered through the windows. All was hushed and still. They pushed open
+the gate and stepped out upon the street. They looked up and down; nowhere
+did they see a sign of movement, nowhere a human form, nor anywhere hear a
+rustling sound. Forward now, forward up the street, around the corner of
+the park, across the cathedral square.
+
+The night was quite dark, and the two fugitives looked ever ahead, not
+once behind them. They did not see that another shadow followed their
+black shadows, nor that a second shadow glided across the cathedral square
+to the Electoral castle.
+
+To that castle, too, were Count Schwarzenberg's eyes directed. There it
+loomed up, veiled in mystery and gloom, its dim outlines barely
+distinguishable from the mass of overhanging clouds in the background. In
+the lower story, where was situated the guardroom, burned a bright light,
+shining like a clear, yellow star, and irradiating the darkness of the
+night.
+
+Count Adolphus saw it, and also saw the light suddenly eclipsed by a
+shadow; then flame forth again. He saw the shadow, but did not suspect
+that it bore any relationship to his person or movements. He only
+continued to look toward the castle, and to think of the past, taking
+farewell of his memories, farewell of the dreams of his youth! He thought
+of the insult put upon him that dreadful night when he had been mocked and
+deceived by her whom he loved, and he vowed vengeance for the tortures
+endured by him that night!
+
+"Forward, Waldow, forward!" He took his friend's arm, and they pressed on.
+The shadow behind them advanced when they advanced and stopped when they
+stood still. Through the pleasure garden the pair proceeded with hurried
+steps, through the gate at the castle moat they entered upon the
+Willow-bank suburb, then down the deserted little streets of wretched
+huts. They reached the great Willow-bank meadow without the walls, passing
+through a gate not far from the bridge over the Spree.
+
+"Wallenrodt, are you here?" whispered Schwarzenberg.
+
+"Yes, count, I am here."
+
+The tramp of horse's hoofs, the voices of men speaking in whispers.
+
+"Colonel von Rochow expects your grace. The whole fortress is at your
+service. He will defend you to the last man, and would rather blow the
+whole fortress into the air than surrender you to the enemy."
+
+"Yes, better be blown up by gunpowder, than fall into an enemy's hands!"
+cries the count, vaulting with glad heart into the saddle.
+
+"Are you ready, my friends?"
+
+"Yes, we are ready."
+
+The count gave the word of command, "Forward!" and grasped tighter his
+horse's reins.
+
+"Halt! halt!" called a loud voice, and the shadow which had crept behind
+them now changed into the form of a tall and powerful man, who sprang
+through the gate and seized the count's horse by the bridle.
+
+"Back!" shouted Adolphus Schwarzenberg furiously.
+
+"Halt! halt!" cried the other. "You shall not escape. In the name of
+Colonel von Burgsdorf I arrest you, Count John Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg."
+
+"Who are you, poor man, who are you who dares to oppose me?"
+
+"I am the police master Brandt. I arrest you in the name of the Stadtholder
+in the Mark!"
+
+"Wretched traitor! You swore fidelity to my father, and have now become
+the tool of his enemies. Hands off! It will cost you your life! Back!"
+
+"No, I will not leave you, I arrest you. You must stay here!"
+
+"Let us make an end of this, count," shouted von Waldow "The night is so
+pitch-dark that we can not distinguish friend from foe, else I would have
+shot him long ago."
+
+"For the last time, hands off my horse, or I shall shoot you."
+
+"For the last time. Yield peaceably, or I shall shoot you. Living or dead
+I must keep you, I have--"
+
+A flash, the report of a pistol, a death groan interrupted the police
+master's words. The three horsemen bounded forward into the night. Forward
+at breakneck speed, but for the sand, that dreadful sand. This is the
+Rehberg, they know it by the sand in which the horses sink, from which
+they extricate themselves only to sink again. Yet what matters it if they
+do make rather slow progress? They will surely reach Spandow before
+daybreak, and Colonel von Burgsdorf will be cheated out of his precious
+prisoners.
+
+What is that? What strange sound does the night wind bear to the three
+riders? Simultaneously all three turn in their saddles and listen.
+
+They hear it quite plainly. It is the noise made by trotting horses. It
+comes on--it comes nearer.
+
+"Wallenrodt, Waldow! We are pursued!"
+
+"Yes, count, but we have the Rehberg almost behind us, and they must go
+through it. We have a good start. They will not overtake us."
+
+"Forward, my friends, forward!"
+
+They put spurs to their horses, they press their knees into their flanks,
+and the animals struggle faster through the sand. In spite of every
+hindrance they have now reached firmer ground and bound bravely forward.
+But the noise behind them has not ceased, not even become more remote.
+They must have good steeds, those pursuers, for they seem to come nearer
+and nearer.
+
+"Friends, better die than fall into the hands of the enemy!" shouts the
+count. "I tell you the very moment Burgsdorf touches me I shall shoot
+myself. Greet my friends for me. Bid them farewell forever!"
+
+"You will not shoot yourself, count, for the enemy will not overtake us.
+Forward! Put spur to your horses. Heigh! Huzza! Forward!"
+
+They rush through the darkness!
+
+Clouds dark and threatening course swiftly through the sky, horsemen dark
+and threatening course swiftly over the earth.
+
+"Waldow! they come nearer! But we have still the start of them!"
+
+"Only see, count! That dark mass there against the sky. That is our goal.
+Just one quarter of an hour and we shall be safe in Spandow."
+
+"One quarter of an hour! An eternity! Heigh! Huzza! On! on!"
+
+"Halt!" is heard behind them. "Halt! in the name of the Elector, in the
+name of the law! Halt! halt!"
+
+"That is Burgsdorf's voice!" cries Count Schwarzenberg, and spurs his
+horse with such violence that it rears and then shoots forward, swift as
+an arrow from a bow. But the pursuers, too, dash forward, as if borne upon
+the wings of the wind, and the distance between them constantly grows
+less. Already they hear the horses pant; ever clearer, ever more distinct
+become the passionate outcries of Colonel Burgsdorf.
+
+He swears, he threatens, he rages! He orders the fugitives to halt, and
+swears to shoot them if they do not.
+
+What care they for threats or orders? Forward! forward! Behind them sounds
+a shot--a second, then a third! The balls whistle past their ears, and
+they laugh aloud, to prove to the enemy that they are still alive.
+
+Before them flash lights, like golden stars, like bonfires of rejoicing.
+
+"Count, those are the lights of Spandow! Just see those torches there! The
+commandant is waiting for you at the entrance to the fort with his
+torchbearers."
+
+"On! on!" shout the three, and they race onward at lightning speed. And at
+lightning speed the pursuers follow. Nearer they come, ever nearer.
+
+"I have them! I have caught them!" exults Burgsdorf, springing forward and
+stretching out his hands toward the fugitives, for it seems to him as if
+he can indeed lay his hand upon them. "Halt! halt! in the name of the
+Elector!"
+
+"Forward! forward! What care we for the Elector? What care we for
+Burgsdorf? Forward!"
+
+The lights increase in size and brilliancy. Now they distinguish
+torches and the figures of men.
+
+"Are you there, count?" calls down Colonel von Rochow from the wall.
+
+"It is I, colonel!"
+
+The gate is open, they gallop in!
+
+Over the wooden bridge gallop the pursuers after them. Now they are at the
+gate. But the gate slams to with thundering sound. The pursuers are left
+without.
+
+"Undo the bolts, Colonel von Rochow! I command you, undo the bolts!"
+
+"Who is it that dares to command me?" calls down Colonel von Rochow from
+the fortification walls.
+
+"I command you! I, the commandant in chief of all the fortresses in the
+Mark!"
+
+"I know no commandant in chief, and trouble myself about no such person. I
+am commandant of Spandow, and have sworn to serve the Emperor, and him
+alone."
+
+"Colonel von Rochow, in the name of the Elector and in the name of the
+Stadtholder in the Mark, I command you for the last time to open the gate!"
+
+"The Elector is not my master to command me, and as to the Stadtholder in
+the Mark, here he is at my side. Only Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg do I
+recognize as such, and he forbids my opening the gate. Go back quietly to
+Berlin, colonel, for the night is cold, and your ride will warm you."
+
+"And I must pocket this insult," muttered old Burgsdorf, gnashing his
+teeth. "I can do nothing but turn around and go back with shame!" Almost
+tearfully he gave his men the order to face about and return to Berlin.
+
+In the castle within, Count John Adolphus cordially offered his hand to
+Commandant von Rochow.
+
+"Colonel, you have saved my life by furnishing me a refuge. I would have
+shot myself if Burgsdorf had overtaken me. I shall commend you to the
+Emperor's Majesty for this friendly service."
+
+
+
+
+IX.--THE LETTER.
+
+
+"Well, here you are at last," exclaimed Elector Frederick William, holding
+out his hand to Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun. "You have at last returned
+from your difficult journey."
+
+"Yes, gracious sir, you may well call it a difficult journey. Four long
+months of endless debate, wrangling, and dispute with those arrogant
+Swedish lords, who were ever ready to take but never to give. Such was my
+experience day by day for four long months."
+
+"Yes, you are right," said the Elector thoughtfully. "Four months have
+indeed elapsed since you set out upon your journey and I undertook the
+duties of ruler. My God! it seems to me as if many years had rolled by
+since then, and as if I had become an old, old man! I do not believe I
+have laughed once during these four months, or enjoyed one quarter of an
+hour of pleasure or relaxation. Discord and discussion everywhere with
+Emperor and empire, with the States, with Poland, Juliers and Cleves. They
+are all my foes, and not one single hand is held out to me in friendship.
+I have felt at times right lonely, Leuchtmar, and sorely sighed for you.
+It could not be, though, and I have learned already to submit to
+necessity. Necessity alone is the despotic mistress of all princes, and we
+nothing but her humble vassals. It is a humiliating thought, but
+nevertheless true. I must learn to endure mortifications, and to consider
+them but the price which I pay for my future."
+
+"It grieves me to perceive that your highness is somewhat downcast and
+discouraged," sighed Leuchtmar, looking sadly at the Elector's pale, sober
+countenance, upon which the last four months had indeed left the imprint
+of years.
+
+"Downcast? Yes," cried Frederick William; "for my affairs progress but
+slowly, and to gain anything I am compelled on all sides to make
+unpleasant concessions and to submit to irksome restraints. But
+discouraged--no, Leuchtmar, I am not discouraged, and by God's help never
+shall be! I know my purpose, which I shall pursue with immovable
+steadfastness, and, although the results of these first four months of
+government are barely discernible, I comfort myself that in as many years
+I shall have accomplished much. It is strange, Leuchtmar, that you have
+returned to-day, the very day which brings home my Polish ambassador with
+the tidings that the King of Poland is ready solemnly to invest me with
+the dukedom of Prussia, thanks to our money and our fair speeches. This
+very day I also expect decisive news from Colonel von Burgsdorf at Berlin.
+On the self-same day I sent you forth. You were like doves sent from a
+storm-tossed ark to seek for land. Almost at the same time you return to
+the ark, but I fear that none of you brings with him an olive branch."
+
+"Yet, most noble sir, I do bring you a small olive leaf," replied
+Leuchtmar, with a gentle smile. "I come to announce to your grace that I
+have at last succeeded, after a four months' contest, in wringing from the
+Swedish lords a few concessions, and concluding an armistice, which is to
+be binding for two years."
+
+"A two years' cessation of hostilities is equivalent to ten years of
+refreshment, of reinvigoration!" cried the Elector with radiant looks.
+"Tell me, Leuchtmar, what concessions did these hard-headed Swedes make at
+the last moment?"
+
+"Your highness, they have pledged themselves not to allow their soldiery
+to enter the Mark, unless unavoidably compelled to march through on their
+way elsewhere, and that then they shall be quartered and fed only under
+the direction of an Electoral commissary; and that, moreover, separate
+agreements shall be entered into with regard to the maintenance of the
+Swedish garrisons of forts in Pomerania and the Mark." [49]
+
+"Yes," murmured the Elector, with dejected mien, "so low are we reduced
+that if they even acknowledge our natural rights, it strikes us in the
+light of a concession, a grant, and we must esteem ourselves happy in
+having obtained it! Ah! Leuchtmar, when will the time come when I can take
+my revenge for these humiliations, the time when they will bow to _me_,
+and when it will be for _me_ to concede and grant favors? Hush, ambitious
+heart, be soft and still! Go on, tell me what further settlements you
+concluded with the Swedes."
+
+"Gracious sir, I have no other concessions to mention, except that
+something has been done for the protection of our mutual traffic by sea
+and land. But that is as much to the advantage of the Swedes as of
+ourselves. The demands of the Swedes are truly far greater than their
+concessions!"
+
+"What do they demand?"
+
+"They demand in advance that they be left in undisturbed possession of the
+fortresses they are now masters of."
+
+"I have not the power to take them by force of arms!" cried the Elector,
+shrugging his shoulders. "Let them keep what I can not force from them!
+What else?"
+
+"They demand, besides, that the Werben fortress be delivered up to them."
+
+"I will not deliver it up to them!" cried the Elector; "but I will have it
+destroyed, that it be not seized by the Imperialists. What else?"
+
+"The Swedes further desire that the Küstrin Pass be closed to imperial
+troops."
+
+"To that I willingly consent, for it is in accordance with my own
+interests," said Frederick William, smiling. "By Küstrin is the road to
+Stettin, and it is important for us, too, that this way be closed to the
+Imperialists. Methinks a time will come when it shall be closed to the
+Swedes as well, and once closed, I shall not open it again. What else?"
+
+"The Swedes crave the privilege of having a resident at Küstrin, who shall
+attend to carrying out this article."
+
+"That I shall never consent to!" cried the Elector passionately. "No, that
+can not be, for such a permission would involve degradation, and the
+concessions which I am willing to make for the welfare of my torn and
+bleeding land need not go to the extent of degradation. I must have an
+armistice, that my subjects may recover from the effects of these bloody,
+trying times, and gather strength for renewed existence. I must have an
+armistice, in order to gain time for the re-establishment of law and
+order. But there need be no armistice tending to dishonor me, and place me
+under Swedish surveillance in the midst of my own land. No, no Swedish spy,
+no resident at Küstrin--that is the condition of my agreeing to the
+armistice. All else I acquiesce in."
+
+"And I hope to prevail upon the Swedish lords to recede from this claim
+yet," said Leuchtmar. "Rest is very essential to them also just at this
+time, for they have enough to do to contend with the Imperialists, and the
+Danes are threatening them with war. They will not desire to be embroiled
+with Brandenburg at the same time. I will guarantee the conclusion of the
+armistice, and, if it meets your highness's approbation, will travel again
+to Sweden to effect this alteration and then bring the articles to your
+highness for your signature."
+
+"So be it, dear Leuchtmar. Return to Stockholm. Strike the iron while it
+is hot. Much I hope from this armistice. It will make the lords of Warsaw,
+Regensburg, and Vienna more pliant and yielding, for it will show them
+that the Elector of Brandenburg is no longer drifting helplessly about in
+a leaky boat, but that he has succeeded at least in stopping one hole and
+keeping himself above water! And now, friend Leuchtmar, how fared you in
+your secret mission? Did you hand my letter to the young Queen?"
+
+"Yes, your highness; I even had the opportunity of delivering it to her in
+a private audience without witnesses."
+
+"And did she accept it in a kind and friendly manner?"
+
+"Gracious sir," replied Leuchtmar, smiling, "a queen of fourteen years of
+age is very sensitive with regard to her dignity, and takes it very ill if
+she is not treated with due reverence and extreme devotion."
+
+"Was my missive wanting in these respects?" asked Frederick William.
+
+"I beg your highness's pardon, but the young Queen seemed to be rather of
+this opinion. She was visibly delighted when I handed her your letter, and
+especially delighted that she received it secretly, without witnesses, and
+not in the presence of Chancellor Oxenstiern, whose guardianship seems to
+be very irksome and unpleasant to her. The young Queen blushed, sir, when
+she took your letter, and I must confess that at this moment she looked
+pretty and graceful enough to be the wife of my gracious master. But her
+countenance soon became clouded, as she read your communication, whose
+contents seemed to afford her little satisfaction."
+
+"But she answered my letter, did she not, and you bring me her reply?"
+
+"Oh, yes, most gracious sir, she answered it, and I have with me Queen
+Christina's reply. But I must beforehand make your grace an apology for
+this answer."
+
+"Well, let me see it, Leuchtmar. Give me the answer."
+
+Leuchtmar drew a folded paper from his pocket, and handed it to the
+Elector, who unfolded it. A number of torn bits of paper fell to the
+floor.
+
+"What is that, Leuchtmar?" asked the Elector in amazement.
+
+"Your highness," replied Leuchtmar, "that is Queen Christina's answer."
+
+The Elector picked up a few of the larger scraps of paper, and examined
+them attentively. "It seems to me, Leuchtmar," he said, "that I recognize
+specimens of my own penmanship. Yes, yes, it is my writing!"
+
+"Yes, indeed, your highness, it is your own writing. It is your letter to
+Queen Christina of Sweden."
+
+"She sends it back to me torn?"
+
+"She tore it with her own exalted hands, trampled it under her royal feet,
+and literally wept for rage."
+
+"My heavens! what have I done to enrage her little Majesty so?"
+
+"In the first place, noble sir, you wrote to the Queen in German instead
+of Latin, and she found that very wanting in respect, and thought you
+might have given yourself the trouble to write to her in the language most
+agreeable to her.[50] In the second place, you addressed the young Queen
+as 'Your highness,' when she is entitled to be called 'Most serene
+highness.' She is certain of that, for Oxenstiern had told her that he
+gained the title for her as an especial prerogative for her from your
+father and the house of Brandenburg. And in the third place, the Queen was
+annoyed that your writing was so cold and serious, and contained so few
+love words. 'If the Elector had nothing more to say to me than is
+contained in this letter,' cried the Queen, 'he need not have troubled
+himself to send it privately. This is a political document, which might
+have been handed by his envoy to the assembled States, and read aloud in
+public. But, if I do run the risk of receiving and reading a letter
+secretly, contrary to the high chancellor's wishes, let it at least be a
+love letter. I merely gave you audience because I was curious to get a
+love letter at last, and to know how such feelings are expressed. This is
+no love letter, though, and to such a note I have no other answer than
+this.' And then the Queen tore the letter into little bits and scattered
+them on the floor. I gathered up the pieces, in which she aided me
+assiduously, lest Chancellor Oxenstiern, whom she momentarily expected,
+might notice something peculiar, and suspect that she had received a
+secret missive. I asked her most serene highness if I should bring your
+grace these torn bits of paper as her answer. She replied with a
+bewitching smile that I must do so. Her cousin Frederick William might
+thereby learn to write her a better letter, when she would give him a
+better answer. This, gracious sir, is the story of the letter you
+intrusted to me for Queen Christina of Sweden."
+
+The Elector laughed aloud. "A charming story!" he cried, "for which I must
+thank my young relative, for she has lighted my somber existence by a ray
+of sunshine. It pleases me that my cousin is so forward, and thereby
+candid. The little maid of fourteen sighs for a love letter, and hopes
+that her cousin Frederick William, who sues for her hand, will write her
+one, and is so innocent as to suppose that he woos her because he loves
+her. Poor child, disappointed in her curiosity and her wish to know
+herself beloved! Yes, yes, it is the perpetual longing of the young heart
+to be loved, and when the first love letter is received, the foolish young
+creature fancies itself the happiest being upon earth, and feels itself
+transported into the blessedness of paradise. Alas! they know not that all
+this is only an illusion, a sweet morning dream from which they will
+speedily be roused by rude, ungentle hands. Leuchtmar, I can not gratify
+the little Queen of Sweden in her wish; I can write her no love letter,
+for I would be guilty of deceiving this young heart. No, I can utter no
+tender protestations, while my heart is still bleeding from inflicted
+wounds. But a cordial, friendly letter I will write to my dear cousin. I
+will write to her in faultless Latin, and couch it in most reverential
+terms. Who knows, perhaps I may yet win her heart, and she heal mine! I
+will write the letter, and you shall secretly transmit it to Queen
+Christina. I will so express it that it shall not seem to her fitted to be
+read before the assembled States, even though it be no love letter. Go
+now, Leuchtmar, and rest after the fatigues of your journey. But to-morrow
+evening, when business is ended, come to me in my cabinet, and let us read
+a couple of Horace's odes for my strength and encouragement, as we used to
+do when I was still a free young man and not the Elector, the slave of
+position."
+
+He offered the baron his hand, and affectionately conducted him to the
+door himself. Just at this moment that door was quickly opened, and a page
+appeared.
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," was his announcement, "the imperial envoy,
+Count Martinitz, craves an audience for himself, a special messenger from
+the Emperor, and his attendant."
+
+"Admit his Majesty's envoys," replied Frederick William, as he again
+crossed the room and seated himself in the armchair before his writing
+table.
+
+
+
+
+X.--A SECRET AUDIENCE.
+
+
+The three persons announced entered the Electoral cabinet. First came
+Count Martinitz with important air, dressed in the richly embroidered
+costume of a Spanish courtier, followed by an old man of venerable aspect
+and the bearing of a scholar, clad in a suit of black velvet, and by a
+young lord in a magnificent court dress. The Elector sprang up on
+beholding the latter, and a flush of indignation suffused his
+countenance.
+
+"Count Martinitz," he asked hastily, "whom do you bring to me?"
+
+"Your highness," replied. Martinitz, with firm, composed voice--"your
+highness, I beg to be allowed to present these two lords to you. This is
+Dr. Gebhard, a very learned and wise man, the Emperor Ferdinand's cabinet
+and privy counselor, sent by his Majesty to your highness, charged with a
+confidential and secret errand. Permit me now to present to your highness,
+this other gentleman."
+
+"I know him!" cried the Elector, with flashing eyes and angry mien. "I am
+only too well acquainted with Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg and all the
+plots and intrigues concocted by him in Berlin, and his efforts to lead my
+officers into insubordination and revolt. But when I ordered investigations
+to be made into these matters, and the count should have justified his
+actions, the boastful lord showed himself to be but a cowardly deserter!"
+
+"Your highness!" exclaimed the count coming forward with long strides, and
+touching the hilt of the dress-sword hanging at his side--"your highness,
+I have come to justify myself against the calumnies of my enemies. Will
+you be pleased to hear me patiently, and not impugn my honor as a
+gentleman and a count of the empire before you have listened to my
+justification?"
+
+"You would justify yourself! Do you dare to attempt this?" asked the
+Elector indignantly. "Look, here on my table lies the paper which the
+States of the Mark have addressed to me, and in which they accuse you. The
+Emperor's Majesty has sent me a scholar, who can certainly read it aright,
+if I perchance have made some mistake. Read, if you please, Dr. Gebhard,
+read these lines, and hear what the States write to me!"
+
+He handed the imperial legate the document and pointed out with his finger
+the passage in point.
+
+Dr. Gebhard read: "Count John Adolphus Schwarzenberg, however, eluded the
+investigation by flight in the night-time, and despite a guard set. In an
+unusual way and in utter contempt of your highness's received orders, he
+secretly escaped."[51]
+
+"Now," cried the Elector passionately, "would you maintain, that my States
+have reported to me what is not true?"
+
+"It is true," said Count Schwarzenberg. "I saw myself forced to escape
+unjust pursuit, and--"
+
+"Forced by your bad conscience, sir," interrupted the Elector impatiently.
+"You left it for others to draw out of the fire the chestnuts which you
+had thrown in, and when you found out that I was not the timid, powerless
+Prince you supposed me to be, who could be frightened at a contest with
+you and your faction and awed by your glory and dignity; when you saw that
+I would bring you to justice, you evaded the course of law and fled
+precipitately from the judges."
+
+"Because I knew that these judges were my enemies, and that he who was at
+their head, President von Götze, had been my father's implacable foe of
+old."
+
+"That is to say, he had been of old an honest, true Brandenburger, not
+merely having proved himself an incorruptible man, but never having
+condescended to bribe others for the sake of obtaining honor, position,
+or wealth for himself."
+
+"Your highness," called out the count hastily, "would you defame my father
+even in his grave?"
+
+"Have I pronounced your father's name?" asked the Elector, with dignity.
+
+"Is it not rather you who asperse your late father's fame by referring to
+him what I said with regard to bribery?"
+
+The count cast down his eyes and was silent. Frederick William now turned
+by a slow movement of the head to Count Martinitz.
+
+"Sir Count," he said gravely and ceremoniously, "I interrupted you in your
+presentation. Continue it, and introduce this gentleman to me. I must know
+in what capacity he dares return to my dominions and intrude upon my
+presence."
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, I have the honor of presenting to you the count
+of the empire, Adolphus John von Schwarzenberg, imperial privy counselor
+and chamberlain, also _attaché_ and associate of the Emperor's ambassador
+extraordinary, furnished with a safe conduct signed by the Emperor
+himself."
+
+"I well knew," cried the Elector, "that this gentleman had made sure of
+his own safety before venturing near me. That was the reason of my
+question. As imperial officer and chamberlain he is secure against my just
+wrath, and his Majesty's safe conduct a glorious wall behind which to hide
+himself. Let him profit by it; I shall not see him behind the wall, but
+instead only a piece of white paper, on which his Imperial Majesty has
+inscribed his name, and accordingly I shall respect this piece of paper,
+which otherwise I would tear in twain."
+
+"Your highness!" cried Count Schwarzenberg--"your highness, I--"
+
+"Count von Martinitz," interposed the Elector haughtily, "I empower you to
+say to the ambassador extraordinary of his Imperial Majesty, that I give
+him leave to deliver the Emperor's message to me and to impart to me his
+Majesty's desires."
+
+"Most respected lord and Elector," said Dr. Gebhard with solemnity, "his
+Majesty the Emperor Ferdinand sends me to your highness in the assured
+hope that in your justice and exalted wisdom your grace will be superior
+to all personal enmities, and not visit upon the son faults, perhaps
+unintentional, committed against you by the father."
+
+"Of what father and son do you speak, sir?" asked the Elector.
+
+"Of the father who for twenty years was the honored counselor and friend
+of Elector George William, who, faithful even beyond the tomb, forsook the
+earth no longer tenanted by his lord and Elector. Of the son who has
+committed no crime except that of being his father's heir, and not
+allowing his patrimony to be diminished and torn from him. For this son,
+in the Emperor's name, I would plead with your Electoral Highness for
+grace and favor, beseeching you not to deprive him of his rights, but to
+restore to him what belongs to him."
+
+"Tell me, Dr. Gebhard," asked the Elector, "what those rights are of which
+I have deprived him, according to his Majesty's opinion, and what things I
+have taken from him which belong to him?"
+
+"Already in his father's lifetime Count John Adolphus Schwarzenberg was
+elected his coadjutor in the Order of St. John, therefore on his father's
+demise he had a right to the vacant dignity of grand master, and yet this
+has not been accorded him by your highness. As his father's heir, Count
+John Adolphus received all his father's property, and entered into
+possession of it. Yet this your highness did not allow him uncontested,
+and withheld what was his. Nay, your highness even instituted a criminal
+process against the young count, his father's heir. This last proceeding
+is especially distasteful and annoying to his Majesty; the Emperor wishes
+above all things that your highness withdraw this criminal suit, referring
+it to the imperial court at Vienna, and that you again receive Count John
+into favor." [52]
+
+"Truly his Imperial Majesty asks and requires a great deal of me," cried
+Frederick William, with flashing eyes and cheeks flushed with anger. "More
+than a prince dare give, who has to act not merely in subjection and
+dependence, but as Sovereign of his people. It seems to me as if no one
+had cause to interfere in this affair of Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg, for
+it concerns the interior interests of my realm. Within the limits of my
+own country I alone am lord and ruler, and only one lord there is, before
+whom I bow, and whom I recognize as my superior--_the law_! Law is
+properly supreme within the Brandenburg provinces, and shall and must
+reign over high and low! But my favor, sir, my favor, can only flow
+spontaneously from within, and can not be arbitrarily bestowed even at an
+Emperor's behest. I have not withdrawn my favor from Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, for he never possessed it. Law and right alone must decide
+for or against him. Many of my subjects have brought accusations against
+him, and for these I am pledged to procure justice at the hands of the
+courts of justice. What was done in my lands must be also judged in my
+lands, else my subjects might be wounded in their sense of right; and to
+assign this suit to the imperial court at Vienna would be in the highest
+degree derogatory to the Electoral power and jurisdiction. I can not
+therefore gratify his Imperial Majesty in this wish.[53] As concerns his
+right to the place of grand master, that appointment belongs not to me,
+but to the members of the order. They, however, will not elect the young
+count, and I can not compel them to do so. Lastly, as regards the estates
+claimed by the heir of the Stadtholder in the Mark, his title to them is
+wanting, and, moreover, there are no accounts to prove that the money for
+which the estates were mortgaged was ever used by the Stadtholder for my
+father's benefit. Besides, even if such contracts existed, they were
+entered into without the consent of the States, and consequently by the
+laws of the land were null and void. This is the reply I have to make to
+the imperial envoy, of which I can alter and abate nothing, however I may
+deplore any apparent disrespect to his Imperial Majesty's wishes. Return
+to Vienna, Dr. Gebhard, return with your associate and _attaché_, and
+repeat to the Emperor what I have said to you. You are dismissed,
+gentlemen."
+
+"Your Electoral Highness will pardon me for venturing to add one more
+word," said Count Martinitz, "but I am empowered to do so by the imperial
+order. The Emperor Ferdinand commissioned me in his own handwriting, in
+case that your highness refused to accede to the demands made by Dr.
+Gebhard--"
+
+"Demands?" broke in the Elector. "I did not hear Dr. Gebhard make use of
+any such term. Mention was made only of imperial wishes and requests. You
+mean that in case I do not grant Dr. Gebhard's requests--Proceed, Count
+Martinitz."
+
+"I am in that case commissioned to desire your highness in the Emperor's
+name to grant a private audience to the _attaché_ of the imperial embassy,
+the Emperor's privy counselor and chamberlain, Count Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg, as he wishes to make an important and confidential
+communication to your highness."
+
+Frederick William's piercing eyes were fixed with a questioning expression
+upon the count's face, whose eyes returned the look with a bold and steady
+gaze.
+
+"You presume greatly upon the respect I owe the Emperor," said the Elector
+after a pause. "I have wished to regard you hitherto merely as a piece of
+paper hallowed by the Emperor's superscription. But now you voluntarily
+step forth from behind the protecting paper, and present yourself to me as
+a man, a self-dependent individual, who is responsible for his words and
+actions. Consider well what you risk, sir, and take my advice: retreat,
+while yet there is time! Ask me not to look upon you as you actually are,
+but be content, inasmuch as in you I respect the Emperor's safe conduct.
+Reflect once again, and then speak!"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," said the count after a pause, "the Emperor has
+condescended to request a secret audience for me of your grace. I entreat
+your highness to grant it to me."
+
+"You desire it? Be it so, then!" cried the Elector. "You, gentlemen, Count
+von Martinitz and Dr. Gebhard, are dismissed. Count Schwarzenberg may
+remain. For the Emperor's sake I am ready to grant him the secret audience.
+Take your leave, gentlemen! Your audience is at an end!"
+
+The two gentlemen bowed low and withdrew. The Elector followed them with
+his eyes until the door closed behind them. Then he slowly turned his head
+toward Count Schwarzenberg.
+
+"Speak now," he ordered coldly and severely. "Say what you have to say,
+but weigh well each word, and take heed of rousing my wrath, for I tell
+you the measure of my patience and forbearance is well-nigh exhausted!
+What would you have of me? What do you want?"
+
+"Justice, your highness, justice! Enter into no contest with me! Take not
+away from me the estates given in pledge by the Elector George William to
+my father, which have not yet been redeemed. Acknowledge me as the Grand
+Master of the Knights of St. John, graciously nominate me Stadtholder
+in the Mark, and I swear to you that I shall be your faithful and devoted
+servant, your mediator with Emperor and empire! You see, your highness, I
+ask for nothing but justice!"
+
+"Justice!" repeated Frederick William, while with flashing eyes he
+approached one step nearer the count. "Beware of reminding me that I have
+not exercised justice toward you! Ask it not, for then I must needs summon
+a guard and have you arrested! Then must I call a court-martial, have you
+tried, and see you mount the scaffold!"
+
+"The scaffold!" exclaimed the count, turning pale. "But then the Emperor
+would call you to account for this deed of violence, and--"
+
+"Deed of violence, you call it?" interposed the Elector. "You are
+mistaken, sir; it would only be a merited punishment! You deserve this
+punishment, not on account of anything done by your father, although in
+sooth you bore a full share in his deeds, but on account of your own
+crime."
+
+"Crime, your highness?"
+
+"Yes, count, crime! You are a conspirator, a rebel! You incited my
+officers to revolt, entangled them in a conspiracy, and when I would have
+brought you to judgment you fled like a cowardly woman."
+
+"Your highness!" screamed the count, "I beseech you, weigh your words,
+provoke me not too much! Otherwise I might forget the respect due you."
+
+"And if you should venture, I have ample means of leading you back to the
+proper bounds, of forcing you to respect me, to fall down in the dust, and
+plead for pardon! Do you know what you are? Do you know what you were?"
+
+"What I was I know," cried the count. "I was the favored lover of your
+sister, Princess Charlotte Louise!"
+
+"Ah! Now at last you drop your mask, now you show your real face. The face
+of a slanderer, a liar! For you utter a falsehood. You calumniate the
+virtue of a noble lady, and boast of a favor you never received."
+
+"I speak the truth, your highness, and am in a condition to prove it.
+Princess Charlotte Louise gave me her favor, and went further than was
+seemly for a modest maiden. She volunteered to grant me a rendezvous
+impelled by ardent love."
+
+"That is not true."
+
+"It is true, sir, and I can prove it! I have the writing with me, in which
+your sister invites me to a rendezvous in the castle at Berlin. She wrote
+it with her own hand, and signed it with her name. Until now, no one has
+known the secret, and no one shall know it if we can agree."
+
+"We agree?"
+
+"Yes, your highness, _we_! Your sister's letter is well worth what I ask.
+I demand nothing but my rights. Leave me my estates, acknowledge me as
+grand master, appoint me my father's successor, give me the hand of
+Princess Charlotte Louise."
+
+"My sister's hand to _you_?"
+
+"To me, for I have a right to that hand. The Princess engaged herself to
+me, and granted me favors."
+
+"Wretched man, to boast of them!" interrupted the Elector.
+
+"She appointed a meeting with me to take place by night," continued the
+count quietly. "Your honor would be destroyed if any one knew of this. Let
+me keep it intact! Give me your sister's hand! For I tell you if you do
+not the world shall hear of this _faux pas_ on the part of the Princess. I
+shall publicly expose the letter she wrote to me, and a laugh of scorn
+will pursue both you and her through the whole of Germany! Give me your
+sister's hand!"
+
+"Were you the Emperor himself I would not give her to you. And if you were
+in a position to defame my whole house, I would not give her to you! And
+were my sister to fall at my feet weeping at my refusal, I would not give
+her to you! Yes, and if I knew that my lands and wealth would be doubled
+by this marriage, I would _never_ give my sister to you! I asked you just
+now if you knew what you were and what you are. To the first question you
+replied that you were my sister's lover. Now I will tell you what you are:
+you are the son of a poisoner and a murderer!"
+
+"Sir!" screamed the count, bounding forward in fury and with a sudden
+movement drawing his dagger from its sheath--"sir, you assail my father in
+his grave, I will defend him! You owe me satisfaction for this insult! It
+is not the Elector who stands before me, but a man who has wounded my
+honor, and I demand satisfaction. You dare not refuse it, or--"
+
+"Or you will complete your father's work, will you? Will hire murderers to
+do what you dare not attempt yourself? Oh, you may very probably find a
+second Gabriel Nietzel, whom you may goad on to crime, profiting by his
+agony and distress of mind to change a thoughtless deceiver into a
+poisoner! Do not stare at me in such amazement, as if you understood not
+my words! You know Gabriel Nietzel well, and your dagger would not have
+fallen from your hand if your conscience had not struck it down!"
+
+"I know nothing of Gabriel Nietzel!" cried the count, "I only know that
+you have called my father a murderer and--"
+
+"And, I did wrong in this, for certainly the murderous deed miscarried!
+_I_ live! And _he_ was forced to die. Do you know of what your father
+died?"
+
+"Of grief, and the humiliations which you prepared for him!"
+
+"No, he died of remorse. A stroke, they say, put an end to his life. Yes,
+it was conscience that smote him to the earth. Gabriel Nietzel stood
+before him and reminded him of his deeds, demanding of him his wife, whom
+your father murdered because she saved my life!"
+
+"Horrible!" muttered the count, with sunken head and downcast eyes.
+
+"Yes, horrible!" repeated the Elector. "Gabriel Nietzel was the avenging
+sword sent from on high for your father's punishment. He, the unhappy one,
+himself confessed his crime to me, and I have forgiven him. I will forgive
+your father also, for he stands before a higher tribunal, and _He_ who
+tries the heart, will reward him according to his deeds. But I am your
+judge, and your deeds accuse you before me! I could have you arrested and
+tried, and, believe me, I would do so, despite the imperial safe conduct,
+behind which you have ensconced yourself, but I honor in you the memory of
+my father, who loved yours, and would not have the world discover how
+shamefully the magnanimous heart of George William was deceived. Regarding
+the property you claim from me, let the law decide; regarding the military
+title you aspire to, let the knights of the order decide; but regarding
+the accusation which you bring against my sister, and the offer you make
+me on her account, the Princess alone is the proper person to consult. You
+shall speak with her this very hour, for I would not have your vain heart
+puffed up with the idea that the Princess loves you, and that it is only
+my tyranny which separates you from her. No, you shall speak with the
+Princess herself, and she shall decide the question between you. And that
+you may not suppose that I have influenced my sister, you shall speak to
+her before I communicate with her myself."
+
+He took the handbell and rang; a page appeared. "Request her Electoral
+Grace the Princess Charlotte Louise to have the kindness to come to me."
+
+"Your Electoral Grace," said the page, "Colonel von Burgsdorf has just
+come into the antechamber, and urgently insists upon my announcing him to
+your grace."
+
+"Admit him and call the Princess. When the gracious young lady has entered
+the antechamber, let me know. Admit the colonel."
+
+"Here I am, your highness, here I am!" cried Conrad von Burgsdorf, coming
+in with hasty steps. "I am just from Berlin, and bring my dearest lord
+good news, and--But what is that?" interrupted he, fixing his lively gray
+eyes upon Count Schwarzenberg, who, pale and visibly disconcerted, had
+withdrawn into one of the window niches.
+
+For one moment Burgsdorf stood still, as if bewildered by the unexpected
+sight, then he sprang forward like a tiger, and laid his hands like iron
+claws upon the count's shoulders.
+
+"In the name of the Elector and the law, I arrest you Count Schwarzenberg!"
+he shrieked.
+
+"Let him go, Burgsdorf," commanded Frederick William.
+
+"No, gracious sir," cried Burgsdorf, "I can not, must not let him go. I
+must hold fast to my prisoner until I have put him in a safe prison. If I
+take my hands off him, he will surely find some mousehole to creep
+through. I know the fine gentleman, and have had experience of his
+mouselike nature. I thought I had him safe at Berlin, imprisoned in his
+own palace, and sentinels stationed everywhere. A man could not have
+escaped, but a mouse can find a hole to retire to almost anywhere. Master
+Mousy here slipped off through an underground passage. Fortunately I had
+stationed a couple of spies in front of the park, and one of them came to
+inform me that they had seen two suspicious personages issue from the
+park, while the other dogged their footsteps. I flew to horse, and,
+thinking that the young count would make for Spandow, raced with my men to
+the Spandow Gate. Exactly, they had just fled on before. We gave them
+chase. Huzza! that was a hunt! Already I thought I had the fugitives
+within my reach, and stretched out my hand to grasp them, when they
+galloped into the fortress, the gate was shut, and I stood baffled on the
+outside, and had my mortification increased by hearing Colonel Rochow's
+mocks and jeers from the wall above. And now when I can take my revenge,
+when I at last have my prisoner trapped and caught, now, your highness
+commands me to let him go. No, your highness, it is impossible; for trust
+me, as soon as I let him go he will find his way to some mousehole. I
+arrest you in the name of the Elector and the law, Count John Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg!"
+
+"Burgsdorf!" cried the Elector in a commanding tone, "once more, I command
+you to let him go, and come here. Obey without delay!"
+
+The colonel muttered between his teeth a few wild words of wrath, but
+released the count, and with bowed head and chagrined air slunk toward the
+Elector.
+
+"You treat me like a well-trained pointer, your highness!" he growled.
+"You whistle for me, and I drop the prey which you would not have me keep."
+
+"You do yourself too much honor, old Burgsdorf," said the Elector,
+smiling. "A well-trained pointer does not follow a false scent, and that
+was what you were doing just now. Did you expect to find a fugitive in
+your master's cabinet? You thought that this was Count John Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, whom I was compelled to arraign as a criminal, and who, in
+his consciousness of guilt, took refuge from trial in flight. Look closely
+at what is in the window niche and acknowledge that you were mistaken, and
+that it is not Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg."
+
+Colonel Burgsdorf, perfectly bewildered, gazed with wide-open eyes first
+on the Elector and then on the count, who returned his stare with a
+scornful smile.
+
+"Most gracious sir," he then cried, "my head is not clear enough to
+discern your meaning, and I stick to it: that is Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, my escaped prisoner."
+
+"And I repeat it, you are mistaken, your old eyes deceive you! Look once
+more right sharply and closely, and you will perceive your error and
+comprehend that this is not Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg, to whom I could
+never have granted an audience in my cabinet. Only look closer and you
+will see, old Burgsdorf, that there is nought in the window niche but a
+great sheet of parchment, inscribed with manifold characters, furnished
+with the seal of the empire, and signed by the Emperor Ferdinand's own
+hand. I know that you do not read with ease, and therefore will tell you
+what is marked on this parchment, and what it means. It means a safe
+conduct, and the Emperor himself has written upon it that this parchment
+must be held in honor and sacred from all attack."
+
+"Ah!" cried the colonel--"ah! I begin to understand now."
+
+"Well truly that is a fortunate circumstance," said the Elector, smiling.
+
+"Yes, your highness," repeated Burgsdorf, "I begin to understand. Let me
+examine the thing narrowly once again."
+
+He covered his eyes with his hand, as if he were blinded by a ray of
+light, and again stared at the window niche.
+
+"Yes, indeed," he said slowly--"yes, I see it quite plainly and distinctly
+now. Yes, that is no man, but a veritable piece of parchment, and I
+recognize, too, the imperial seal and the Emperor's handwriting. Where
+were my eyes that I did not see it from the first, and what a stupid fool
+I was to suppose that I saw a man there! What misfortune would have ensued
+if I had defaced the Emperor's handwriting or broken the seal, perhaps!"
+
+"It would have been a wrong done to Imperial Majesty itself," smiled the
+Elector, "and might have brought me under the ban of the empire, or
+perhaps produced a war."
+
+"Good heavens! a war about an ass's hide," exclaimed Burgsdorf, with an
+expression of horror.
+
+"Surely, your highness," shrieked the count, stepping forth from his place
+of retirement, pale and trembling with passion, "you can not ask me any
+longer to submit in silence to such gross insults."
+
+"Gracious sir," asked Burgsdorf, "may the ass's hide speak? May a piece of
+parchment, merely because hallowed by the Emperor's signature, venture to
+leave its place and threaten?"
+
+"Hush, Burgsdorf! And you, sir, step back into your recess, stay in the
+place pointed out to you, and wait."
+
+"Learn to wait!" cried Burgsdorf. "Oh, gracious sir, that is the very
+window niche in which I was once forced to stand in order to learn to wait.
+I thank you, gracious sir, for in this hour you give me my revenge. Now it
+is for my enemy to learn; and I beseech Your Grace to give me leave to
+open my budget from Berlin. The parchment must hear it and learn. Oh, I
+know how it feels to have to listen in silence to have to learn to wait!"
+
+"Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf," said the Elector with majesty, "you are
+here to bring me tidings from Berlin. Speak out and be assured that no one
+will venture to interrupt you. In the first place, have you executed my
+orders?"
+
+"Yes, gracious sir, according to the best of my abilities and the means at
+my disposal."
+
+"As their superior officer, have you required an oath of allegiance to me
+from the commandants and garrisons of the forts?"
+
+"I sent your orders everywhere, requiring the commandants to swear their
+men into service in your name, and to come to Berlin that I might
+administer the same oath to themselves."
+
+"And have they done so? Have my officers and troops sworn to serve me
+faithfully?"
+
+"A few commandants have done so, but Kracht, Rochow, and Goldacker have
+refused, declaring that they would rather blow their fortresses up than
+swear fealty to the Elector. Hereupon I forthwith had the commandant of
+Berlin, Colonel von Kracht, arrested, and would have proceeded in like
+manner against the Commandants von Rochow and von Goldacker, but the
+traitors got wind of my intentions. Goldacker left Brandenburg with thirty
+horse, and, report says, went over to the Imperialists. Colonel von
+Rochow, however, in his fortress assumed a warlike attitude, and gave out
+that he was ready to do battle with the enemy to the death. Meanwhile
+Margrave Ernest conferred with him under a flag of truce, and the
+committee of investigation at Berlin diligently prosecuted their labors,
+and brought to light heinous offenses committed by the two colonels and
+Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg."
+
+"Do you know the particulars? The colonels were accused of cheating and
+embezzlement, were they not?"
+
+"Yes," said Burgsdorf with a little embarrassment, "the question regards
+the payment of the troops enlisted, for which the colonels received money,
+and--and--"
+
+"And yet the men were not enlisted," said the Elector, with an
+imperceptible smile. "Had they done nothing more than this, I would have
+pardoned them; if they had shown themselves in other respects true and
+faithful, and repented of their folly."
+
+"But this they have by no means done!" cried Burgsdorf eagerly. "They have
+rather shown themselves to be obstinate and untoward. Goldacker has been
+extorting bonds in Fürstenwald, plundering whole villages, and putting the
+magistrates in chains, because they would not say that Goldacker gave the
+press money to the young fellows of the village, although these had not
+made their appearance. Colonel von Rochow put the clerk of his muster roll
+in irons, and had him condemned to the gallows by a court-martial, because
+the poor fellow would not bear false witness and swear that the colonel
+had made payments to him. When the Stadtholder demanded the clerk's
+release, Colonel von Rochow insolently refused to give him up, and now the
+margrave ordered me to arrest him. But von Rochow did as his
+accomplices--he fled and made his escape to the Imperialists."
+
+"Let the Imperialists keep Goldacker and Rochow," said the Elector. "I
+would have them know that I from this time forth cheerfully resign their
+services, and yield them up with good grace to the Emperor and empire.
+With these two, therefore, we have done. Tell me now, how the
+Schwarzenberg affair stands. We gave orders that in due time the papers
+found in the palace of the deceased count should be sealed and handed over
+to the committee of investigation. Was this done, and has it perhaps been
+made evident from the examination of the papers, that the son of the
+Stadtholder was innocent of complicity in the intrigues of his father and
+friends, and been falsely accused by us?"
+
+"On the contrary, your highness, it was proved that Count John Adolphus
+had conspired, not merely with the rebellious officers, but with other
+persons not subjects of your highness. Among the papers of the old count
+was found the young gentleman's secret correspondence. It was in cipher,
+it is true, but there are very learned men on the committee of
+investigation, and they discovered the key, and were able to read the
+letters. Oh, most gracious sir, all your faithful servants were shamefully
+slandered and calumniated in these letters. Your highness even was not
+spared, and the young gentleman expressly wrote that he would do all he
+possibly could to effect the downfall of the Elector Frederick William.
+Of the States, he said that they were almost all friends of the Swedes and
+foes of the Emperor, and, above all, he represented me, Conrad von
+Burgsdorf, as a bitter enemy to the Emperor, and said that on that account
+all orders came to me. But the States will complain to the Emperor that
+the rebellious slanderer, Count Schwarzenberg, has blackened them so
+abominably and accused them of high treason."
+
+"They can do so," said the Elector--"they can call the slanderer to
+account, and you can do so too, Burgsdorf, if it seems necessary to you."
+
+"But it does not seem at all necessary to me, your highness," cried the
+colonel. "I have only one master, yourself, and if I had injured your
+grace I should have been guilty of high treason. Henceforth I shall be
+nothing but the most devoted and diligent servant of my dear young lord
+and Elector, and I care very little about Schwarzenberg's having aspersed
+me to the Emperor if I am only blessed with your favor."
+
+"I have recognized you as a true and faithful servant," said the Elector
+kindly, "and I am no ingrate. You shall experience this hereafter, for I
+shall find means to reward my old friend as he deserves!"
+
+"Your highness, you have rewarded me already," cried Burgsdorf--"you have
+called me your friend, my Elector, and I thank you out of a full heart."
+
+The Elector nodded. "In time all the world shall learn that I honor and
+esteem you as my friend," he said. "But now tell me, what progress has
+been made in quieting the refractory soldiery in the Mark? Have you begun
+that difficult task?"
+
+"We have begun, your highness, and will also end, although at first there
+was much insubordination and mutiny, and although the cart had been driven
+so deep into the mire that we could not have drawn it out altogether
+without great difficulty, even if there had been more of us."
+
+The door of the antechamber opened, and the page made his appearance.
+
+"In accordance with your highness's request, the Princess has entered the
+antechamber."
+
+"Beg the young lady to wait a moment. I will come directly to conduct her
+grace into my cabinet."
+
+"Burgsdorf," said the Elector, turning to the colonel, "go up now, and pay
+your respects to my mother. You can tell her what is going on at Berlin.
+Her grace will hear you gladly, for she takes great interest in the cities
+of Berlin and Cologne."
+
+"Very curious stories I can tell the Electress, since your highness
+accords me that permission!" cried the colonel. "Many thrilling affairs
+have happened, and--"
+
+"Go now, my friend," said the Elector, pointing to the door through which
+Burgsdorf had entered. Then he crossed over to the opposite end of the
+apartment himself and opened the door of the inner room.
+
+
+
+
+XI.--MEETING AND PARTING.
+
+
+"Be kind enough to come in, dear sister," said the Elector, standing in
+the doorway and smilingly greeting the Princess, who now entered the
+apartment.
+
+"I have come at your bidding, Frederick," said the Princess, accepting her
+brother's proffered hand, and looking up at him with a sweet, affectionate
+smile.
+
+In the window niche stood John Adolphus Schwarzenberg, and the fires of
+passion and resentment burned in the glance which he fixed upon the
+Princess, whom he now saw for the first time after a lapse of three years.
+How much pain and mortification had he not suffered during these three
+years on her account? The only change wrought in the Princess by the
+flight of time was a more perfect development of beauty and of grace of
+carriage. The count heaved a deep, painful sigh, and the rage of despair
+took possession of his soul at the sight of that noble, tranquil
+countenance.
+
+"She has not suffered," he said to himself. "She never loved me, and will
+now despise me!"
+
+"Forgive me, sister, for troubling you to come to me," said Frederick
+William, nodding affectionately to the Princess. "I ought indeed to have
+come to you, but I wished to speak with you on a matter strictly
+confidential, which I did not wish our mother and sister to know anything
+about."
+
+"Is it really a secret, then?" asked Charlotte Louise--"no bad secret, I
+hope, Frederick?"
+
+"It at least touches very grave matters," replied the Elector. "Look
+yonder at that window niche."
+
+The Princess turned quickly, and looked in the direction indicated. A low
+scream escaped her lips, and she sank trembling upon a seat.
+
+"Adolphus!" murmured her quivering lips.
+
+This single utterance spoke more eloquently to both men than the most
+elaborate arrangement of sentences could have done. It told them that
+years of separation had not estranged the Princess from Count
+Schwarzenberg; that her heart still called him by the familiar name
+accorded him by love; that with the count, Charlotte Louise was not the
+proud Princess, but only the humble, loving maiden. The Elector understood
+this, and a cloud overshadowed his brow.
+
+The count understood it, too, and his dark countenance brightened. With
+uplifted head he rushed from the window niche to the Princess, and,
+kneeling before her, seized her hand to press it to his lips. But this
+touching of her hand seemed to restore to the Princess her strength and
+self-possession. By a hasty movement she released her hand and rose.
+
+"Brother," she said, "is it customary to greet princesses in this style?
+Be pleased to tell me, for you know I have been but little in the world,
+and am, therefore, but little conversant with its forms."
+
+"No, Louise, it is not customary," replied Frederick William, breathing
+more freely; "but Count Schwarzenberg seems to suppose, that as your
+favored lover he need not regard the laws of ceremony."
+
+"As my favored lover?" asked the Princess, a blush suddenly suffusing her
+brow and neck, while her blue eyes, usually so soft, sparkled with
+indignation. "Did I hear aright? Did you actually say that to _me_,
+brother, to your sister? Did you call this or any other man my favored
+lover?"
+
+"I only repeated the words made use of by Count John Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg in suing for your hand, sister. This gentleman affirms that
+you have granted him more favor than was seemly in a modest maiden. And
+when I doubted it he replied that he could prove it, for he possessed a
+note, written with your own hand, in which you invited him to a
+rendezvous by night."
+
+"He said that!" cried the Princess. "He said that, and you did not kill
+him on the spot?"
+
+"I did not kill him," answered the Elector gravely and solemnly, "because
+no one should die for the truth. And he maintains that he speaks the
+truth: that by means of this letter of yours he can dishonor you and my
+house in the eyes of the whole world. Say then, Louise, is it true; does
+he actually possess such a letter?"
+
+Charlotte Louise shuddered and tottered backward.
+
+"Yes!" she breathed--"yes, he speaks the truth--he does possess such a
+letter!"
+
+"No!" cried the count, "he did not speak the truth! Oh, forgive me,
+Princess, forgive me this slander, which my lips uttered, uttered in the
+delirium of pain, love, and despair! I lied, Princess, you never wrote to
+me, never! I said that in order to force your brother to give me your
+hand, because I love you, Princess, you know not how dearly! Ah! you
+little imagine with what fervor of devotion my soul clung to you, and what
+you did that time when you mocked and betrayed me, treating me like a
+despised beggar! That hour wrought a change in my whole nature! The most
+sacred blossoms of my love had been crushed by you, and I trampled them
+under foot and strove to bury my despair in mirth and pleasure. I did not
+succeed. The sacred old song of the buried love was forever making itself
+heard in low, sweet strains. I would not listen, I tried to drown it. I
+became a conspirator, a rebel, for I longed to take vengeance upon you and
+your house. Fate was against me; my revenge constituting my punishment. I
+must flee, I must leave as a fugitive the land in which you live. The
+Emperor received me graciously, giving me rank and titles, and bestowing
+upon me marks of favor and regard, thus opening to the ambitious heart a
+career of fame, dignity, and honor. All was in vain, though. I felt too
+late that love, not ambition, had urged me into the dangerous paths of
+insurrection and revolt. I could not forget you. Like a radiant star, you
+ever shone upon the midnight darkness of my soul. I must see you again, to
+obtain from your own lips my sentence of pardon or condemnation. I
+despised all danger, even the order of arrest issued against me, and
+obtained the Emperor's leave to accompany his ambassador here. I came and
+suffered the severest mortification that a man can suffer. I subjected
+myself to your brother's scorn and contempt. Then at last my heart
+rebelled, and when he scornfully refused your hand to me, I claimed it as
+my right, by virtue of the love you once vowed to me. The Elector disputed
+your love for me, and then, in the rage of my heart, I boasted of a favor
+which I never received, boasted of having received from you a letter, and
+an invitation to a rendezvous. Oh, forgive the madman who kneels here at
+your feet and suffers the agony of death. He has no right to claim
+anything, he only implores from you an act of grace!"
+
+While the count thus spoke in passionate excitement, the Elector had
+slowly retired, and, standing apart with folded arms, gazed upon the
+couple with melancholy eyes. In the beginning the Princess had sunk upon a
+chair, with bowed head and hanging arms, pale as a drooping lily. But the
+glowing words which fell upon her ear seemed to find an echo, a painful
+echo, in her heart. Slowly she raised her head, and breathlessly listened
+to his words, while the color once more mounted to her cheek. When the
+count stopped, she slowly rose and proudly and indignantly drew herself
+erect.
+
+"You speak falsely now, Count Schwarzenberg," she said, "for what you told
+my brother was true. Yes, three years ago, in the childish folly of my
+heart, I granted you a favor unseemly for a modest maiden. Yes, I wrote
+you a note with my own hand, inviting you to a rendezvous in the castle at
+nine o'clock in the evening. Brother, I confess this, although I know that
+I am thereby forever forfeiting your esteem. But this man has accused me,
+and I honor the past of my heart, while I acknowledge the fault of which
+he accuses me. Yes, I have loved him, warmly, inexpressibly, and have wept
+and lamented him in a manner little becoming a princess, but in my love I
+was only a poor simple maiden, who wanted nothing in the whole world but
+his heart. Well I know that I sinned grievously against my mother and the
+laws of virtue and propriety in carrying on a clandestine love affair, in
+allowing my heart to be deceived by his ardent protestations of love and
+even in my delusion going so far as to grant him a rendezvous--nay, even
+to ask for one."
+
+"Did you really do that, sister?"
+
+"I did, and have repented it for three long years. That I confess this,
+that I reveal my secret, should prove to you that I now speak the truth.
+And therefore you will believe me, Frederick William, when I affirm that
+this is the only favor of which the count can boast. I have to blush
+before you, but not before him."
+
+"Not before me either, Louise," said the Elector. "I know love, and in my
+own heart have battled with all its follies and illusions. I know what you
+suffer, by remembering my own experiences. It is a bitter grief to be
+obliged to admit that you have wasted the holiest feelings of your heart
+upon an unworthy object."
+
+"Yes indeed, it is a bitter grief," sighed the Princess.
+
+"O Princess! spare yourself this grief!" cried the count, still kneeling
+before her. "You have freely owned that you love me. Why, then, will you
+turn away from me? Accept me as your husband, and I will love you, serve
+you, obey you, ask nothing but the privilege of looking upon you, and
+basking in your presence."
+
+She gave him a long, cold look. "And if I decline your hand, you will
+revenge yourself, will you not, by displaying my note to the Emperor and
+the whole world, you will defame me and all my house? Was not that your
+threat?"
+
+"I spoke in frenzy, in despair. But you shall see that I will ask nothing
+from you for fear, but all for love. See, here is the note. I have
+hitherto preserved it as my most precious jewel; my father bade me do so,
+and told me that this paper might save me in the hour of greatest peril.
+This hour is now at hand, but I will not have it save me. Here is the
+note; I offer it to you. Take it, tear it up, and then decide!"
+
+With outstretched hands he held out the paper, but she took it not, and
+quickly stepped back.
+
+"Keep the paper," she said. "Why should I ask whether you will turn it
+into a weapon against me? I will accept no favor or advantage from you.
+Only let it be known at the imperial court, to the whole world, that I
+loved you; show this paper everywhere, and all will turn from you, all
+women will despise you, and all men blush for the traitor to love!"
+
+"No one shall despise me, no one shall turn, from me!" cried the count,
+springing to his feet. With trembling hands he tore the paper into little
+bits, and threw them on the floor.
+
+"There lies the secret, Princess! Now I am entirely in your power! Now I
+have no weapon of defense. Call Burgsdorf, your highness, have me
+arrested, if it seems good to you, I renounce the Emperor's safe conduct,
+as I just now renounced your sister's letter."
+
+"We accept no act of generosity or renunciation from you," replied the
+Elector with dignity. "The Emperor's safe conduct I shall respect, and as
+I allowed you to speak quietly to my sister, although you misrepresented
+much and put matters in a false light, so I will allow you to depart
+unmolested. As regards the love letter, your excuse for demanding my
+sister's hand, the fragments testify as strongly against you as the letter
+itself. My sister alone has to reply to your offer."
+
+"I have no answer to give this man, for he dare not ask anything more of
+me," said the Princess proudly. "He who can betray the secrets of the
+heart degrades himself. The man who boasts of a favor received is unworthy
+of it, and every woman will despise him. Not merely now, in the hour of
+danger, have you bethought yourself of my letter, Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, but you had spoken of it previously to your father. You
+have turned a young girl's letter into a political bond, which, as a
+cunning merchant, was to be redeemed and converted into money. Now you
+have redeemed it; there lies the letter! I give you for it my contempt."
+
+"I think you have now received my sister's answer," said the Elector, "and
+we have nothing more to say to one another, for the courts must settle
+other subjects of dispute between us. Go, Count Schwarzenberg, return home
+to Vienna, for your mission is ended. You are dismissed."
+
+The count answered not a word. One long glance of grief and rage he cast
+upon the Princess, who stood loftily erect at her brother's side. Then,
+with a slight bow of salutation, he turned and strode through the room.
+
+Not a sound interrupted the solemn silence save the count's footsteps as
+he advanced to the door. There he once more paused and turned back his
+livid, wrathful countenance. The Princess still stood erect, calm, and
+unmoved, beside the Elector. Schwarzenberg cast down his eyes and left the
+room. The Princess heard the door shut, and a heavy sigh escaped her
+breast. "He has gone," she murmured softly, "he has gone; I shall never
+see him again."
+
+She leaned her head upon her brother's shoulder and wept bitterly.
+
+"You loved him very dearly, then?" asked the Elector gently, throwing his
+arms around her neck.
+
+"Yes," she whispered softly, "I loved him dearly, and I am afraid I love
+him still, and will mourn for him forever. No one on earth has mortified
+me so deeply as he, and yet I shall never love another as I have loved
+him."
+
+"Poor child," said Frederick William sadly, "you love him still, although
+you despise him!"
+
+With folded arms he walked several times to and fro, while his sister
+dropped into a chair, covered her face with her hands, and quietly wept.
+The Elector stopped in front of her and gently drew her hands from before
+her face.
+
+"Sister," he said tenderly, "I will dry your tears, for I may do so, and
+in this hour of most sacred confidence not the shadow of an untruth shall
+lie between us. When you wrote that billet to the count three years ago he
+did not come to the rendezvous, did he?"
+
+"No!" cried the Princess; "he dared to let me expect him in vain, to
+decline the interview which I had granted him. O Frederick! when I think
+of this I could die for very shame, so much do I hate him who humiliated
+me so deeply, so much do I despise myself for having incurred and merited
+this humiliation."
+
+"Louise," said the Elector softly, "if that is your only reason for hating
+him, then you can love him again, for this is probably the only fault of
+which he is innocent. Lift up your head, sister, for I can relieve you
+from this humiliation. It was Count Schwarzenberg's wish to keep the
+appointment. He stood for two hours before a locked door seeking
+admission. I, however, stood on the other side of the door, guarding it,
+and did not depart until he had gone away in despair."
+
+"You, brother?" asked the Princess, whose cheeks grew suddenly crimson.
+"You knew about it? You prevented the interview?"
+
+"I wanted to guard my sister against her own indiscretion; I wanted to
+preserve her from error."
+
+"You knew it and kept silence, magnanimously kept my secret from my
+mother? Oh, and _he_ is innocent? He did not scorn and insult me? I can
+think of him without anger, without--No, no; forgive me, brother, I--"
+
+"Hear me, Louise," said he softly. "I will prove to you how much I have
+your happiness at heart, and how gladly I would promote it. If in spite of
+all that you have learned to-day, in spite of his mode of wooing, you
+still love Count Schwarzenberg--so love him that for his sake you can
+forever--mark well my words, _forever_--give up mother, brother and
+sister, home, country, yea, religion itself, sundering all the ties which
+bind you here--if you so love him that he is family, home, everything to
+you, then tell me so, sister, and I will overcome my repugnance and have
+the count recalled, will accept his offer, and bestow you upon him in
+marriage. Only you must choose between him and us. In that hour, when I
+join your hands, we have seen each other for the last time, and never will
+your return home be possible. But if you really love him, go, for well I
+know that love only finds its home in the heart of the beloved one.
+Choose then, sister. Will you follow him? Speak, I shall not reproach
+you--speak, and I will have him recalled!"
+
+She flung her arms around his neck and gently laid her head upon his
+breast. "No," she said softly--"no, do not call him back. He has betrayed
+and desecrated love. My heart revolts from him and turns with deep
+affection to you. Thank you, brother, for acquainting me with the truth
+and taking that weight of humiliation from my soul. Now I shall be
+comforted, now I can hold up my head again. I am not the rejected, but the
+rejecter. Yes, brother, I have renounced love and happiness. The golden
+morning dream is over, and I am awake! Let me weep, Frederick, my last
+tears for a lost love!"
+
+The Elector bent over her and imprinted a kiss upon her brow. "Weep,
+sister, weep," he said softly. "And if it can in any degree console you,
+know that I have wept and suffered as you do now."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Wladislaus IV, King of Poland]
+
+XII.--THE INVESTITURE AT WARSAW.
+
+
+At last all matters of dispute were settled, all difficulties smoothed
+over. King Wladislaus of Poland had declared himself ready to receive the
+oath of allegiance from his vassal the Elector of Brandenburg, and to
+invest him with the duchy of Prussia. Hard conditions, truly, were those
+imposed upon the young Elector, and heavy the sacrifices which the King
+and, more pressingly yet, the members of the Polish Diet required. That
+the Elector should pay a yearly tribute of thirty thousand florins,
+besides a hundred thousand florins from the naval taxes, was a condition
+to which he had agreed without a struggle; but much severer and more
+humbling compliances he had to make.
+
+They wished to make him feel that the King of Poland was still lord
+paramount of Prussia, and that the Elector must give way to him. The
+nobility of Prussia were therefore to have the right, in all civil and
+difficult cases, to appeal from the decision of the Elector to that of the
+King. On the other hand, the Elector was not, without the King's express
+permission, to occupy a neutral position with regard to any enemy of
+Poland; he was to receive the King's commissioners whenever it pleased the
+latter to send them to inspect the fortresses of Memel and Pillau. But the
+hardest thing was, that the Elector must pledge himself to protect and
+exalt the Roman Catholic worship in Prussia with all his might, and to do
+nothing for the further spread of the Reformed Church in Prussia. He was
+to build up the decaying Catholic Church at Königsberg, and, besides that,
+have a new one built. The Catholics were to be protected in the free
+exercise of their worship, and guarded against every attack of the
+Protestant preachers.
+
+Hard and degrading were these conditions, but the Elector had accepted
+them. He had bowed his proud heart and constrained it to be humble. Tears
+of indignation had stood in his eyes as they handed him the document on
+which were inscribed all these conditions; his hand had trembled when he
+took the pen, but still he had appended his signature, and none but
+Burgsdorf had seen the tears which fell from Frederick William's eyes upon
+his hand as he signed.
+
+"Burgsdorf," he said, pointing to his signature, "do you know what I have
+written there?"
+
+"No, your highness, that I do not. I am not stupid enough to give myself
+much trouble deciphering the scratches of a pen. But I know and have read
+what is written upon your face, sir."
+
+"Well, and what stands written there, old friend?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, it is written there that you suffer now, but will be
+revenged hereafter. It says that you now in a submissive manner offer your
+hand to the insolent, cursed Pole, but that on some future day you will
+shake your fist in his face, and amply requite his haughty arrogance."
+
+"Well done; you have read correctly," exclaimed the Elector, laughing.
+"You have divined my most secret thoughts."
+
+"And may a good God only deign to grant me this one favor, that I may live
+long enough to see your thoughts put in action, gracious sir! May he
+preserve me from gout and paralysis, that I too, may have a hand in the
+deeds of that blessed day, and strike a few well-aimed blows."
+
+"Well, it is to hoped that not many years will elapse ere the dawning of
+that day," said the Elector. "I shall not know ease or rest until it is
+here, and I can have my revenge. Let us think of this, old friend, and be
+meekly patient and wear a placid mien on our way to Warsaw, to humble
+ourselves. You know a man must sometimes swallow bitter medicine when he
+is sick and faint, and the bitterest will appear sweet if he drinks it in
+order to imbibe new life and health. My poor country is, indeed, sick unto
+death, and therefore I go to Warsaw to swallow a bitter pill for the
+health and salvation of my land. But we go on crutches, two hard
+crutches."
+
+"I know the names of those crutches, your highness," said Burgsdorf. "One
+crutch is called 'Imperial,' the other 'Polish.'"
+
+"You have guessed correctly, old friend," answered the Elector. "But some
+day we will throw aside the crutches on which we must now lean, and
+Prussia shall be the sword which we shall unsheathe and draw against all
+our foes. I must now submit to having a lord over me, but the time will
+come when the Prussian black eagle will feel itself strong enough to do
+battle against the white eagle of Poland, and soar aloft on bold, strong
+wing. Once more I tell you, old friend, think of that, if we do go now to
+Warsaw! You are to accompany me, and when you ride into Warsaw at the head
+of my soldiers, as their colonel and chief, show a smiling visage to the
+fair Polish women and enchant them by your grace."
+
+"I will so enchant them, your highness," laughed Burgsdorf, "that for
+rapture at sight of me they will not look at you, and not even make an
+attempt to win your heart."
+
+"My heart, Burgsdorf?" said the Elector. "I have no heart, at least no
+personal one. My thoughts and feelings belong only to my country, my
+ambition, and my future. I now go to Warsaw and bow my head in the dust,
+that at a later period I may lift it up the more proudly and
+independently."
+
+And on the 7th of October, 1641, Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg
+made his entry into Warsaw. At the head of his splendidly equipped
+regiment rode old Conrad von Burgsdorf, his broad, bloated face flushed
+crimson, and, as he stroked his long, light moustache, he bowed right and
+left, saluting the fair ladies, who looked down upon the glittering
+procession from windows hung with tapestry and decorated with flowers and
+ribbons. But the fair ladies took but little notice of old Burgsdorf.
+Their bright eyes were all turned to the handsome young nobleman, who,
+quite alone, followed the regiment of soldiers. Behind him was seen a
+brilliant array of gentlemen in handsome uniforms; but all this vanished
+unnoticed. Only upon _him_, yon youth who rides his horse so proudly and
+so gracefully, upon him alone were all eyes fixed. How finely his figure
+was outlined in that closely fitted velvet coat, trimmed with golden
+"Brandenburgs," and crossed by the golden shoulder belt from which hung
+his German broadsword. How gracefully fell his long brown hair over his
+shoulders, how boldly sat upon his head the cocked felt hat, with its
+crest of black and white ostrich plumes! How fiery and penetrating the
+glance of those dark-blue eyes, and how sweet and captivating the smile of
+those full, fresh lips.
+
+Oh, King's daughter, King's daughter, shield your heart, lest it glow with
+love for the handsome stranger who now draws near, and whom they call the
+young Elector of Brandenburg! He looks not at _you_, he thinks not of
+_you_. But _you_--you look at him and think of him. They have told you
+that they will wed you to him, that the little Elector will esteem it a
+great honor to become the husband of a daughter of the King of Poland.
+Why, she is a princess of imperial blood, for her mother is an archduchess
+of Austria, a daughter of Emperor Ferdinand I! It will, indeed, be a great
+honor to the little Elector, if they bestow upon him the hand of a king's
+daughter, an emperor's grandchild, and happy will he be to be allowed to
+receive it, and to become great by means of his great connections!
+
+Look closely at him, Princess Hildegarde; look at him with your heart and
+soul, rejoice in his youth, beauty, and proud bearing, for he is to be
+your husband! Your father will do him the honor to receive him as his
+son-in-law, and the Emperor will condescendingly admit him to his
+relationship! See now he has approached quite near the throne which has
+been erected upon the square fronting the palace. On the throne sits King
+Wladislaus in the rich national costume. Beside him stands his brother,
+Prince Casimir, while to the right and left on the steps of the throne
+stand the magnates with their insignia of rank, the bishops and prelates.
+Close behind the throne is the kingly palace, and there, upon a balcony
+hung with gold brocade, stands the Queen; to the right and left of her the
+two royal Princesses, both so lovely to look upon in their picturesque
+Polish garb, their raven tresses surmounted by the Polish cap with its
+heron's plumes.
+
+Oh, King's daughter, King's daughter, you need not fear, you are so
+charming, so attractive; surely you will win his heart, and he will woo
+you not merely from political motives, but from love!
+
+Does he see you, and is he looking up at you? No, he only looks up at the
+King as he now stands at the foot of the throne, beside that magnificent
+cushion studded with emeralds and pearls. His knights and bodyguard range
+themselves to the right and left of the throne, and reserve a small open
+space in the midst of the broad square, which is densely thronged by
+masses of people behind the closed ranks of the soldiers. In this small
+vacant space stands he, the young Elector of Brandenburg!
+
+High is his head, radiant the glance which he now lifts higher than the
+King's throne. Looks he at you, Princess Hildegarde, gazes he upon you,
+fair maiden of a royal line?
+
+No, his glance mounts higher; to heaven itself he raises both eye and
+thought! He communes with God and the forefathers of his house, who once,
+like him, stood at the foot of that throne. And he vows before God and his
+ancestors that he will be the last Hohenzollern to submit to such
+humiliation and bend the knee as vassal to the Polish King. He will free
+his land and crown, and be the vassal of none but God alone!
+
+So swore the Elector Frederick William as he stood at the foot of the
+throne on which sat the Polish King, resplendent with his crown and
+scepter, and this oath made his countenance beam with joy and his eyes
+flame with energy and spirit.
+
+Now is heard the flourish of trumpets and kettledrums, and the bell of
+every tower in Warsaw rings, for the solemn act begins: the Duke of
+Prussia is to swear allegiance to the King of Poland!
+
+Three cannon thunder from the ramparts! The bells grow dumb, the trumpets
+and drums are silent! A breathless stillness pervades that spacious
+square. The people with dark, flashing eyes gaze curiously upon the
+heretic, the unbeliever, who is to swear fealty to his Catholic Majesty.
+The Polish deputies look threateningly upon the bold duke, who dared to
+enter upon the government of Prussia before he had given his oath of
+allegiance; the papal nuncio turns his head aside with sorrowful looks,
+and can not bear to see a heretic, an apostate, invested with authority
+over a Catholic country.
+
+The King, however, smiles good-naturedly, and the ladies from the balcony
+in the rear kindly incline their heads and blushingly greet the young
+Elector, who, doffing his plumed hat, gracefully salutes them.
+
+Three senators approach the Elector. One holds out to him the red feudal
+banner, which the Elector grasps firmly in his right hand. The second
+offers him the _Juramentum fidelitatis_ (oath of fidelity), on which the
+young Prince is to lay his hands and swear. The third holds in his hand
+the parchment on which is inscribed the feudal oath. The high chancellor
+now descends from the steps of the throne and takes the parchment out of
+the senator's hands. The Elector bends his knee upon the richly
+embroidered cushion, a crimson glow flushes his cheeks, and deep in his
+soul he repeats: "I shall be the last Hohenzollern to submit to such
+humiliation and bow in the dust before another Prince. I shall make my
+Prussia and Brandenburg great. I shall free them from Emperor and King,
+and shall own no superior but God! To that end, O Lord, grant me thy
+blessing, and hear the vow my heart utters while my lips are speaking
+other words!"
+
+The King waves his golden scepter and the lord chancellor begins with
+resonant voice to read off the oath of allegiance couched in the Latin
+tongue.
+
+Loud and clearly the Elector speaks each word after him, loud and clearly
+his lips pronounce words of which his heart knows nothing. To be a
+submissive vassal, his lips swear--to fulfill faithfully and obediently
+all the obligations due from him as Duke of Prussia to the King, as is
+written in the oath of fealty subscribed by him. How full and strong is
+his voice, sounding distinctly over all the square, and yet how sweet
+and harmonious every tone!
+
+Oh, King's daughter, King's daughter, shield your heart! Look not down
+upon his lustrous eyes, heed not his voice, though it ring like music in
+your ear! Beware of loving him, for you know not whether his heart
+inclines toward you!
+
+God be praised! The formula of the oath is ended. The Elector may rise
+from his knees, and, as he does so, he says to himself: "Never again shall
+this knee bend to man! Never again shall I endure what I have endured
+to-day!"
+
+But his countenance betrays nothing of the emotions of his soul, and with
+a smile upon his lips he ascends the steps of the throne, and takes his
+place upon a seat at the left hand of the King.
+
+And again are heard the ringing of bells and nourishing of trumpets, as
+they announce to the city of Warsaw, that the Elector Frederick William
+has just sworn allegiance to the King of Poland. The solemnity is over,
+and the King, the Elector, and the nobles of his realm, repair to the
+palace to partake of a banquet which has been prepared there for them.
+
+A sumptuous banquet! The tables glitter with gold and silver plate, around
+which are ranged the nobles in their striking national costumes. The
+Brandenburg officers are arrayed in gold-laced uniforms, and between them
+sit the beautiful Polish ladies, richly adorned with flowers and sparkling
+gems, themselves the fairest flowers and their eyes the most brilliant
+gems. Between the King and Queen sits the young Elector, opposite him the
+two Princesses.
+
+Oh, King's daughter, shield your heart. He talks with you, indeed, and
+smiles upon you, and sweet words flutter like butterflies across!
+Butterflies take speedy flight, sweet words are scattered to the wind!
+Nothing remains of them but a painful memory! If it should be so with you,
+King's daughter!
+
+The Elector is no longer the humble vassal with serious face and
+melancholy mien; he is the young ruler, the hero of the future. His eyes
+glisten, his lips smile, witticisms drop from his mouth, his countenance
+beams with merriment and youthful joy. Not merely are the ladies delighted
+with him, but the men also, and the royal pair are glad of heart, for well
+pleased are they to present such a husband to their amiable daughter.
+
+Not until late at night is the _fête_ concluded, and when the Elector goes
+home to the Brandenburg Palace, all the nobility attend him with torches
+in their hands--a long procession of five thousand torches! Like a golden
+flood it streams through the streets of Warsaw, flashes in at all the
+windows, and inscribes on every wall in shining characters, "The Elector
+of Brandenburg, Duke of Prussia, has given the oath of vassalage to the
+King of Poland!"
+
+The _fête_ is over, but the next morning ushers in new festivities! To-day
+the Elector gives a splendid entertainment to the royal family and the
+chief nobility. At table the Queen sits on his right hand, on his left
+Princess Hildegarde, the King's daughter.
+
+The Elector is cheerful and unembarrassed in manner; she is thoughtful,
+reserved, and silent. She is wont to be so lively and talkative in her
+girlish innocence. The Elector, however, knows not that her manner is
+changed. His heart is a stranger to her, and his glances say no more to
+her than to all other pretty women! In the evening he dances with her
+at the Queen's ball--that is to say, the Elector dances with the King's
+daughter, but not the young man with the beautiful young girl.
+
+Will he not propose? The Queen hints at the great honor which they destine
+for him; the King says tenderly to him that he would esteem himself happy,
+if he could call so noble a young Prince his son. But the Elector
+understands neither the Queen nor the King, he is silent and does not
+propose. He is so modest and diffident--perhaps he dare not. They must
+wait awhile. If he has not declared himself on the last day of his visit,
+they must take the initiative and woo him, since he will not woo.
+
+On this last day it is the Princesses who give a ball to the Elector--a
+splendid masquerade, for which they have been preparing three months,
+arranging costumes and practicing dances. A half mask is to-day well
+chosen for the Princess Hildegarde, for it conceals her agitated features,
+her anxious countenance. She knows that to-day her fate is to be decided!
+She knows that at the close of this _fête_ she is to be betrothed to the
+Elector of Brandenburg.
+
+Yes, since he will not woo, he must be wooed! The King's daughter, the
+Emperor's grandchild, is exalted so high over the little Elector, the
+powerless duke, that he actually can not venture to sue for her hand, but
+must have his good fortune announced to him.
+
+Count Gerhard von Dönhof is selected by the King to execute this delicate
+commission, and doubts not that his proposition will be auspiciously
+received.
+
+He requests of the Elector an interview in the little Chinese pavilion
+near the conservatory, and with smiling, free, and cordial manner tells
+him how much the Queen and King love him.
+
+"And I reciprocate their feelings with all my heart," answers the
+Elector. "These delightful days, like brilliant stars, will ever live in
+my remembrance. Tell their Majesties so."
+
+"Your highness should carry home with you a lasting memento of these
+days," whispered the courtier.
+
+"What mean you, Count Dönhof?"
+
+"I believe that if you were to ask the hand of Princess Hildegarde,
+their Majesties would cheerfully grant you their consent and bestow upon
+you a royal bride."
+
+Gravely the Elector shook his head. "No," he said solemnly--"no, Count
+Dönhof, so long as I can not govern my land in peace, I dare seek no other
+bride than my own good sword." [54]
+
+And smilingly, as if he had heard nothing, as if nothing uncommon had
+happened, the Elector returns to the conservatory.
+
+The Princess Hildegarde also smiles, looks cheerful and happy, and dances
+with all the cavaliers. But not with the Elector! He does not approach her
+again.
+
+She seems not to perceive this, and maintains her cheerfulness, even when
+at last he approaches the Princesses to take leave of them.
+
+"Farewell, Sir Elector! May you have a prosperous journey home and be
+happy!" So say her lips. What says her heart?
+
+That nobody knows. The Princess has a tender but proud heart! Only at
+night was heard a low sobbing and wailing in the Princess's chamber. When
+morning broke though it was hushed. That is the deepest grief which must
+shun the light of day, and only find vent and expression in the curtained
+darkness of night.
+
+Poor Hildegarde! Poor King's daughter! Scorned! The Emperor's grandchild
+scorned by the little Elector of Brandenburg!
+
+He has returned home; he has shaken from his feet the dust of that
+humbling pilgrimage. The States of the duchy of Prussia had long delayed
+swearing allegiance to the Elector, feeling that they had been aggrieved
+as to their rights and privileges. Now at last all difficulties had been
+adjusted and the deputies of Prussia were ready to do homage to their
+Duke. Upon an open tribune before the palace stood the Elector, with bared
+head and radiant countenance, and in front of him at the foot of the
+throne the deputies from his duchy. They swore faithfulness and devotion,
+and, as in Warsaw, so in Königsberg the bells rang, and trumpets and drums
+sent forth triumphant sounds. The roar of cannon announced to Königsberg
+and all Prussia that to-day the Duke and his States were joined in a
+compact of concord, love, and unity!
+
+"Leuchtmar," said the Elector, inclining toward the friend whom
+he had summoned from Sweden, on purpose to be present at this
+festivity--"Leuchtmar, in this hour the first germ of my future
+has put forth buds!"
+
+"And a great forest will grow therefrom, a forest of myrtle and laurel,
+your highness!"
+
+"Leave the myrtle to grow and bloom, Leuchtmar. I care not for that! But I
+want a rapid growth of laurel! I long for action; and one thing I will
+tell you, friend: to-day marks a new era of my life. Until now I have been
+forced to bear and temporize, to bow my head, and patiently accommodate
+myself to the arrogance and caprices of others. I was so small and all
+about me so great. I was nothing, they were everything! I must become a
+diplomatist in order to gain even ground enough on which to stand."
+
+"And now you have gained ground. One title, at least, you have
+substantiated, and may now claim to be veritably Duke of Prussia. You have
+now won your position; and my Elector never recedes--he always moves
+forward!"
+
+"Yes, from this day he moves forward!" cried the Elector, with enthusiasm.
+"Forward in the path of glory and renown! Hear you the ringing of bells
+and thundering of cannon! God bless Prussia, my Prussia of the future--my
+great, strong, mighty Prussia, as I feel she _will_ become. To her I
+dedicate my life. Not in pride and vain ambition, but in genuine humility
+and devotion to my duty and my calling. I will have nothing for myself,
+all for my people, for the honor of my God and the good of my country! In
+the discharge of my princely functions I shall be ever mindful that I
+guard not my own, but my people's interests. And this thought will give
+me strength and joy! This be the device of my whole future: _Pro deo et
+populo_!--For God and the people!"
+
+"God save our Duke!" cried and shouted the people, as the Elector now
+descended the steps of the throne in order to return to the palace.
+"Blessings on our Duke!" cried also the representatives and deputies from
+the Prussian towns and provinces.
+
+The Elector bowed to right and left, smilingly acknowledging their
+salutations. His heart swelled with joy and love as he saw all these glad,
+happy faces, the faces of his own people; and in the recesses of his soul
+he repeated his oath, to devote his whole life and being to his
+country--"_Pro deo et populo_!--For God and the people!"
+
+END OF THE VOLUME.
+
+
+
+
+ENDNOTES
+
+
+[Endnote 1: The exact words of the deputies from Cleves. _Vide_ Droysen,
+History of the Prussian Policy, vol. in, part I, p. 175.]
+
+[Endnote 2: The Elector's own words. See F. Forster, Prussia's Heroes in
+War and Peace, i, p. 15.]
+
+[Endnote 3: Historical. _Vide_ Nicolai, Description of the Capital City
+Berlin, Introduction, p. 27.]
+
+[Endnote 4: The peace of Prague was concluded in 1635, and in this the
+Elector of Brandenburg renounced alliance with the Swedes and assumed a
+neutral position.]
+
+[Endnote 5: Historical. _Vide_ Nicolai, i, p. 33.]
+
+[Endnote 6: _Vide_ von Orlich, History of the Prussian State, etc., part
+1, p. 34.]
+
+[Endnote 7: _Vide_ von Orlich, History of the Prussian State, etc., part
+1, p. 35.]
+
+[Endnote 8: This palace of Count Schwarzenberg was situated on Broad
+Street, and the open square in front of it was where now stand the houses
+of the so-called Stechbahn. In the middle of this square stood the
+cathedral, and behind this, near the Spree, arose the electoral castle. It
+is the spot where the King's apothecary now has his stand.]
+
+[Endnote 9: A historical fact. _Vide_ von Orlich.]
+
+[Endnote 10: King, Description of Berlin, part I, p, 237.]
+
+[Endnote 11: Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, part 3, p. 172.]
+
+[Endnote 12: Count Lesle's own words. _Vide_ von Orlich, History of
+Prussia, part I, p. 40.]
+
+[Endnote 13: The Elector Frederick V of the Palatinate, brother to the
+Electress of Brandenburg, was (after the Archduke Maximilian had been
+declared to have forfeited the Bohemian throne) elected by the Bohemians
+to be their King. He accepted the nomination, but a few days after his
+coronation was defeated in the battle of the White Mountain in Austria
+(1620); wandered about homeless for a long time, and died in 1632 in
+Mainz. His wife was a daughter of the King of England, and his mother a
+Princess of Orange, wherefore his wife and children found a refuge and
+protection at The Hague.]
+
+[Endnote 14: Count Lesle's own words. _Vide_ Droysen, History of Prussian
+Politics, vol. iii, p. 173.]
+
+[Endnote 15: Historical. _Vide_ von Orlich, part 1, p. 42.]
+
+[Endnote 16: Historical. _Vide_ von Orlich.]
+
+[Endnote 17: Historical. _Vide_ von Orlich, vol. ii, p. 456.]
+
+[Endnote 18: The Elector's own words. See von Orlich, vol. i.]
+
+[Endnote 19: The precise words of the Electoral Prince, See C.D. Küster,
+The Remarkable Youth of the Great Elector, p. 39.]
+
+[Endnote 20: Count Adam Schwarzenberg's own words. _Vide_ Droysen,
+History of the Prussian Policy, vol. iii, part I, p. 35.]
+
+[Endnote 21: Count Adam Schwarzenberg's own words. _Vide_ Droysen,
+History of the Prussian Policy, vol. iii, part I, p. 35.]
+
+[Endnote 22: Shortly before the Electoral Prince left home he found one
+evening under his bed a man armed with two daggers. Upon the Prince's
+outcry, his servants hurried to his assistance and succeeded in capturing
+the murderer, who endeavored to make his escape. He confessed that he had
+come to murder the Electoral Prince, and that he had not done so of his
+own accord, but had been bribed to undertake the deed by a very
+distinguished lord. This assertion was confirmed by a considerable sum of
+money, which was found in his pockets upon being searched. They put him in
+prison, but two days afterward he had vanished, and with him his jailer,
+who had connived at his flight. The Electoral Prince was firmly convinced
+that this murderer had been suborned by Count Schwarzenberg, and shortly
+before his death himself related this story to his physician. _Vide_
+Küster, Youthful Life of the Great Elector.]
+
+[Endnote 23: von Orlich, History of the State of Prussia, vol. i, p. 42.]
+
+[Endnote 24: Historical. _Vide_ King, Description of Berlin, part 1.]
+
+[Endnote 25: Historical. _Vide_ Archives of Historical Science in Prussia.
+Edited by Leopold von Ledebur, vol. iv, p. 97.]
+
+[Endnote 26: They still made use of white as mourning in those days, and
+in half mourning wore black gloves. Therefore the White Lady appeared
+altogether in white when the death of the reigning sovereign or his wife
+was to be announced; but if only some member of their family, in white
+with black gloves.]
+
+[Endnote 27: _Vide_ Historical; Archives]
+
+[Endnote 28: _Vide_ Buchholz's History of Brandenburg.]
+
+[Endnote 29: See von Orlich, The Great Elector, vol. i, p. 50.]
+
+[Endnote 30: Von Orlich, p. 53.]
+
+[Endnote 31: Frederick William's own words. See Droysen's History of
+Prussian Policy, vol. in, p. 215.]
+
+[Endnote 32: The Elector's own words. _Vide_ Droysen, vol. iii, p. 217.]
+
+[Endnote 33: Historical. _Vide_ Letters of the Duchess of Orleans to
+Countess Louise.]
+
+[Endnote 34: In the year 1638 a ship, on board of which were all the
+Electoral jewels to the amount of sixty thousand gulden, was plundered by
+a detachment from the corps of General Monticuculi, and all the jewels
+abstracted. Count Schwarzenberg had three officers concerned in it
+arrested, and carried to Spandow for trial. Although the Emperor himself
+desired the release of the imperial officers, the Stadtholder not only
+refused this, but even subjected the three officers to the torture, in
+order to extort from them a confession of the place where the jewels had
+been hid. But they confessed nothing, meanwhile remaining in confinement
+until the Elector Frederick William restored to them their freedom.
+_Vide_ von Orlich, The Great Elector, vol. _i_, p. 53.]
+
+[Endnote 35: Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, p. 180.]
+
+[Endnote 36: The Elector's own words. _Vide_ Droysen, History of Prussian
+Politics, vol. iii, p. 220.]
+
+[Endnote 37: The Elector's own words. See von Orlich, History of Prussia.]
+
+[Endnote 38: Burgsdorf's own words. _Vide_ History of Prussia, by von
+Orlich, vol. ii, p. 390.]
+
+[Endnote 39: The Elector's own words. See Droysen, History of Prussian
+Politics, vol. iii, p. 223.]
+
+[Endnote 40: Burgsdorf's own words. See ibid., p. 224.]
+
+[Endnote 41: The Elector's own words. See Droysen, vol. in, p. 223.]
+
+[Endnote 42: Schwarzenberg's own words. See Droysen, History of Prussian
+Politics.]
+
+[Endnote 43: See von Orlich, History of Prussia, vol. i, p. 60.]
+
+[Endnote 44: See Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, vol. in, p. 223.]
+
+[Endnote 45: Rochow's own words. See Droysen, vol. in, p. 224.]
+
+[Endnote 46: This whole scene is historical. See von Orlich, History of
+Prussia, vol. i, p. 59.]
+
+[Endnote 47: Count Schwarzenberg was buried in the Tillage church at
+Spandow, his entrails in a separate case beside him. The sudden and
+unexpected death of the Stadtholder excited uncommon attention through
+Germany, and a report was circulated that upon the count's retiring to
+Spandow on account of ill health the Elector had caused him to be
+arrested, and secretly beheaded in prison. Even as late as the times of
+Frederick the Great this report was commonly believed, and Frederick, when
+he wished to write a history of the reigning house, had the count's coffin
+opened to ascertain whether the head was separate from the body. No trace
+of a violent severing of the head from the body was, however, discovered.
+See Pollnitz, Memoirs, vol. iv, p. 40; Droysen, vol. in, p. 232.]
+
+[Endnote 48: See Droysen, History of Prussian Polities.]
+
+[Endnote 49: See Droysen, vol. iii, p. 239.]
+
+[Endnote 50: Droysen, vol. iii, p. 237.]
+
+[Endnote 51: See Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, vol. iii, p. 236.]
+
+[Endnote 52: See von Orlich, History of Prussia, vol. i, p. 61.]
+
+[Endnote 53: The Elector's own words.]
+
+[Endnote 54: The Elector's own words. See von Orlich, History of Prussia,
+vol. vi, p. 77.]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Youth of the Great Elector, by L. Mühlbach
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13295 ***
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #13295 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13295)
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Youth of the Great Elector, by L. Mühlbach
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Youth of the Great Elector
+
+Author: L. Mühlbach
+
+Release Date: August 29, 2004 [EBook #13295]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUTH OF THE GREAT ELECTOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Valerine Blas and PG Distributed
+Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+
+THE YOUTH OF THE GREAT ELECTOR
+
+An Historical Romance
+
+BY
+
+L. MÜHLBACH
+
+AUTHOR OF JOSEPH II. AND HIS COURT, FREDERICK THE GREAT AND HIS COURT,
+LOUISA OF PRUSSIA AND HER TIMES, HENRY VIII. AND HIS COURT, ETC.
+
+TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN
+BY MARY STUART SMITH
+
+
+
+1909
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+BOOK I.
+
+I. GEORGE WILLIAM, THE ELECTOR
+II. EVIL TIDINGS
+III. COUNT ADAM VON SCHWARZENBERG
+IV. SOLDIERS AND DIPLOMATISTS
+V. THE ELECTOR AND HIS FAVORITE
+VI. REVELATIONS
+
+
+BOOK II.
+
+I. THE DOUBLE RENDEZVOUS
+II. THE ELECTORAL PRINCE
+III. THE WARNING
+IV. AN IDYL
+V. MEDIA NOCTE
+VI. THE HARDEST VICTORY
+
+
+BOOK III.
+
+I. NEW PLANS
+II. COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWARZENBERG
+III. THE HOME-COMING
+IV. THE DONATION
+V. BRUTUS
+VI. REBECCA
+VII. THE OFFER
+VIII. THE BANQUET
+IX. LOVE'S SACRIFICE
+X. THE WHITE LADY
+XI. THE PURSUIT
+XII. THE DEPARTURE
+
+
+BOOK IV.
+
+I. THE YOUTHFUL SOVEREIGN
+II. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
+III. DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS
+IV. CONFIRMED IN POWER
+V. THE CATASTROPHE
+VI. REVENGE
+VII. THE SEALING OF THE DOCUMENTS
+VIII. THE FLIGHT
+IX. THE LETTER
+X. A SECRET AUDIENCE
+XI. MEETING AND PARTING
+XII. THE INVESTITURE AT WARSAW
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+
+Portrait of George William, Elector of Brandenburg
+
+The Jewess in her Bridal Dress
+
+Robbery of Peasants
+
+Portrait of Wladislaus IV, King of Poland
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: George William, Elector of Brandenburg.
+From an engraving by H. Jacopsen]
+
+THE YOUTH OF THE GREAT ELECTOR.
+
+THE HEIR TO THE THRONE.
+
+BOOK I.
+
+I.--GEORGE WILLIAM, THE ELECTOR.
+
+
+With hasty strides George William, the Elector, paced to and fro the
+length of his cabinet. His features wore a dark, agitated expression, his
+blue eyes flashed with indignation and wrath; his hands were folded behind
+his back, as if he would shut out from sight the paper they held with so
+firm a grasp, and which he had crumpled within his fist, until it bore
+greater resemblance to a ball than a letter. Yet he _must_ look at it once
+more--that unfortunate epistle, which had stirred within him such a
+tempest of fury; he _must_ withdraw his hands from his back, and again
+unfold the paper, for nothing else would satisfy his rage.
+
+"Would that I could thus crush between my hands the insolent, seditious
+authors of this letter!" he murmured, as with a sigh he smoothed the paper
+and read it over. "I see it plainly," he said then to himself; "with right
+unworthy motive, these lords of the duchy of Cleves intend to vex and
+mortify me. To ask me to give them the Electoral Prince for their
+stadtholder, to fix his residence among them! That were a fine story
+forsooth, to send our son away, that he, too, may perchance rebel against
+us. It is an abominable thing, which I shall never suffer, and I shall
+forwith give them my mind on the subject."
+
+He stepped up to the great table of carved oak-wood, took from it a silver
+whistle, and gave a loud shrill call.
+
+"Are the deputies from the duchy of Cleves already in the antechamber?" he
+asked of the servant who appeared.
+
+"Yes, your Electoral Highness, they are there."
+
+"Let them come in! Be quick!"
+
+The lackey stepped back, threw open the folding doors, beckoned into the
+entrance hall, and with loud voice announced: "The lords of the duchy of
+Cleves to wait upon his Electoral Highness."
+
+Four gentlemen entered, attired in gorgeous, richly embroidered uniforms.
+They bowed low and most respectfully before the Elector.
+
+George William did not acknowledge this reverential greeting by the
+slightest inclination of his head, but looked with contracted brow and
+threatening eyes at the envoys, who had now again lifted up their heads,
+and met with tranquillity and composure the wrathful glances of the lord
+of the land, while they seemed to await his permission to penetrate
+farther into the apartment, and to approach him.
+
+But this permission the Elector did not accord them. He left them standing
+like humble dependents near the door, and went toward them with long,
+menacing strides.
+
+"You are the lords from Cleves, who have come to present me this memorial
+in behalf of the estates?" asked George William in a harsh voice.
+
+"Gracious Elector," answered one of the gentlemen, "we were sent hither,
+in the name of the states of the duchy of Cleves, to present to you in
+person their wishes and requests. But since your Electoral Highness would
+not have the kindness to grant us an audience, but referred us to your
+minister, his excellency Count Schwarzenberg, we have preferred to intrude
+upon your Electoral Highness with a written document, in order that your
+highness might be made acquainted with the desires and petitions of the
+duchy of Cleves by means of our own writing, rather than by the mouth of
+his excellency your minister."
+
+"It pleases you, gentlemen, to impugn the character of my minister, Count
+Schwarzenberg?" asked the Elector. "You would insinuate that he might
+represent things differently from what they actually are? I give you to
+know, though, that Schwarzenberg is a servant singularly true and devoted
+to his Elector, and that I have much more reason to trust him than the
+estates of the duchy of Cleves, who have dared to make known to me through
+you their strange requests. I have had you summoned now in order to have
+confirmed by you orally what is stated in this paper, for it seems to me
+nothing less than sheer impossibility that the estates should venture to
+propose to their liege lord what you have proposed. Repeat to me,
+therefore, by word of mouth the demands of the states of Cleves, then I
+will return you my answer. Which of you is spokesman?"
+
+"I, Baron van Velsen, your Electoral Highness."
+
+"A Dutch name, as it seems to me."
+
+"My family came originally from Holland, but settled in the duchy of
+Cleves fifty years ago."
+
+"Speak then, Baron van Velsen. I am ready to hear you."
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, the states of the duchy of Cleves send us to
+seek succor from you their liege lord in this time of their necessity and
+distress. On all sides we are oppressed by soldiers, and perpetually in
+danger of being seized and consumed by one or other of the contending
+potentates, princes, and lords. In the Netherlands the contest is still
+going on between the States and the Spaniards, and daily threatens to
+involve us in the calamities and perils of war, and equally alarming to us
+is the neighborhood of the Imperial and Swedish troops. Oppressed by all,
+downtrodden by all, there is only one assured means of deliverance. It is
+this, that your highness nominate the Electoral Prince stadtholder of the
+duchy of Cleves, and permit him to take up his residence among the trusty
+people of Cleves."
+
+"Just tell me, you wise and prudent deputies from Cleves, what advantage
+can accrue to you from the stadtholdership of the Electoral Prince?" asked
+the Elector hastily. "And how far would that go in furnishing redress for
+your difficulties?"
+
+"So far as this, your highness, that our stadtholder would shield and
+protect us against the encroachments of inimical powers, and by his openly
+expressed neutrality secure us against the claims of all parties. The
+salvation of the duchy depends wholly and solely upon our having a neutral
+chief resident among us, and we beseech and implore your Electoral
+Highness to grant us such an one in the Electoral Prince, and to send his
+lordship your son to the duchy armed with plenipotentiary powers.[1] It is
+for the second time that the states of Cleves appeal with this earnest,
+humble entreaty to the heart of their liege lord, and most urgently we beg
+that this time we may have a hearing."
+
+"Are you done, or have you anything further to say?" asked the Elector
+impatiently.
+
+"Your highness, only this have we to say besides, that the Prince of
+Orange has promised to support our petition to your Electoral Highness,
+and that he also is of opinion that the welfare of Cleves depends upon her
+possessing a ruler, resident in the land and neutral."
+
+"The Prince of Orange has only written to me that the states of Cleves
+were of this mind, and had besought him to introduce it to my favorable
+notice," exclaimed the Elector warmly. "Since you are now through with
+your repeated suit, and have nothing more to say, I will give you my
+answer without delay. But you might have known beforehand--you might have
+been sure that if a sovereign has once made his subjects acquainted with
+his wishes and opinions, he can not be influenced and made to swerve in
+purpose by renewed application, but that he holds to what he has once
+determined upon. And so I tell you now for the second time, that I can not
+grant their petition to the states of Cleves. In the first place, because
+I will not have the Electoral Prince longer separated from me, since he
+has already been absent from here three years, and in these troublous
+times we wish to have our son near us. In the second place, the presence
+of the Electoral Prince in Cleves might not have the wished-for result. It
+is rather to be feared that those in opposition to the Emperor's majesty
+and the empire will not accommodate themselves to the strict treaty of
+peace, nor forbear making aggression upon the Electoral Prince's lands,
+and pay so little regard to the person and presence of the Prince that his
+safety perhaps might be imperiled. But, in the third place," continued
+the Elector with raised voice--"but, in the third place, I can not grant
+your request because such repeated demands almost force us to the
+conclusion that you are weary and disgusted with our rule, and therefore
+would seek to make of our son a sovereign lord, thus inciting the son to
+offer opposition to his own father."[2]
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," cried the Lord van Velsen, "I swear that it
+never crossed our minds, we--"
+
+"Silence! I gave you no leave to speak!" thundered the Elector. "This is
+now our final decision. We have taken it in ill part that you have
+reiterated your request, and have even approached the Electoral Prince
+himself on the subject, as if the son durst decide anything or act,
+without reference to his father and lord, since he is bound to be an
+obedient subject, as all the rest of you. Communicate this to the states
+of the duchy of Cleves, and herewith you are dismissed."
+
+And, without one gracious salutation or further token of dismissal, the
+Elector turned on his heel, and slowly traversed the spacious apartment,
+leaning upon his staff. The lords looked after him with dark, resentful
+glances; then, seeing that he had indeed spoken his last word, they slunk
+away softly, but with bitter hatred in their hearts.
+
+The Elector heard the door close behind them, and again turned round.
+
+"I have paid them off," he said, drawing a deep breath, "I have told them
+what I agreed with Schwarzenberg to say. I hope, too, that his Imperial
+Majesty will hear of this, and recognize in it my purpose to adhere firmly
+to the terms of the treaty of peace concluded at Prague and to his
+Imperial Majesty. The Swedes and the Protestant party once renounced, I am
+the Emperor's friend, and so will abide. Amen!"
+
+Again the door opened, and the old lackey announced: "The deputation from
+the townsmen of the cities of Berlin and Cologne request an audience with
+your Electoral Grace."
+
+The Elector gave the order for them to enter, while he let himself sink
+into a high-backed, leather-covered armchair, for his gouty foot pained
+him.
+
+The deputation of citizens had meanwhile entered, and lightly, on tiptoe,
+these men, with pale faces and sad countenances, passed through the
+apartment toward the armchair of the Elector, who sat with his back to
+them. Quite a strange, dismal appearance they presented, in their long
+black gowns and broad white collars plaited around the neck. They would
+have been taken, not for burgers of the two first cities of the land, but
+for gravediggers and undertakers, who had come here in the discharge of
+their melancholy offices.
+
+When George William heard the approaching steps of the burgers, he gave
+his chair a sudden push, so that it turned upon its strong rollers, and
+thus gave to the men the benefit of his Electorial countenance.
+
+Forthwith the burgers sank upon their knees, and imploringly stretched out
+their hands toward the Prince.
+
+"Wherefore have you come and what will you have of me?" inquired the
+Elector in a severe voice.
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, we have been informed by the magistrate that
+your grace was angry with the corporations of Berlin and Cologne because
+we ventured, in our anxiety and distress, to have recourse to our own
+liege lord, and to implore in a petition his support and protection."
+
+"How could you dare to do such a thing? Did you not know that the Count
+von Schwarzenberg had been appointed by me stadtholder within the Mark,
+and that to him alone you should have gone with your complaints and
+grievances?"
+
+"But we knew, besides, that our despair had reached its height, and that
+we longed for the protection and presence of our own Sovereign, as weak,
+delicate children long for the sight of a strong, tender parent. Therefore
+have the united corporations of the cities of Berlin and Cologne
+determined to send a memorial in writing to your Electoral Highness, to
+conjure our liege lord not to deal with us as step-children, since we are
+children of one and the same father, and inferior to the Prussians neither
+in love nor obedience, but only more visited by misfortune and the
+calamities of war. But on this account we implored our hereditary
+Sovereign most graciously to turn his eye upon us, and to come to our aid,
+since we stood in such great need of his help and his protecting arm.
+This, Electoral Highness and most gracious lord, this is our sole crime.
+We longed after the presence of our Sovereign, in his own most sacred
+person, and told him so."
+
+"But in what way have you presumed to speak?" cried the Elector with
+vehemence. "Not as in reverence and duty bound, but as if you would
+reproach us! What a rude expression is this when you say, in your
+petition, that you hope we shall no longer leave the Markgraviates as
+sheep without shepherd, just as if we would hand you over without
+protection to the free will and power of the enemy? Most probably those
+honorable citizens, the tailors and shoemakers, drew up this famous
+writing, but they would have done better to take into their counsel their
+priest, or at least a schoolmaster, because he could have enlightened them
+as to the proper style of address for obedient, submissive citizens to
+assume in writing to their Sovereign. I have always been an indulgent
+ruler, who continually cared for your best interests. If matters do not go
+so well with you, it is your own fault, because you would never carry out
+my intentions, which I made you acquainted with and urged upon you long
+years ago. For have we not perpetually, ever since God exalted us to the
+Electoral dignity and invested us with the reins of government, caused to
+be represented to you and to all the states in the land how highly
+necessary it was to establish another form of government? Who has it been
+but yourselves who hindered, obstructed, and opposed it? Now, however,
+when things go not so smoothly, you lament over it, and demand from me
+assistance, when in former times your pride always consisted in being
+wholly independent of us, through your free-city constitutions! Now, then,
+see what is the result, when a city will be wholly independent of its
+liege lord and persists in its obstinacy."
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, it has never entered the minds of our citizens
+to oppose themselves obstinately to the most gracious of sovereigns,"
+protested the spokesman of the burger deputation, "On the contrary, we
+have always been found ready to obey the behests of your Electoral grace."
+
+"That is not true! That is a lie!" cried the Elector vehemently. "Often
+have you declined to obey my commands in small as well as great things. I
+remember yet very well how, when three years ago I came in the summertime
+from Prussia to Berlin, I was perfectly shocked at the filth and stench in
+the streets of Cologne and Berlin, where before every house, besides
+pigstyes, there were heaped high piles of trash and manure. But when I
+ordered the high council of both cities to have the streets cleansed, they
+had the hardihood to answer me thus: 'The citizens have no time now to
+clean the streets, since they are busy with agricultural work.'[3] And
+quite recently, when I merely applied to these two capitals for their
+yearly quota of fifteen thousand dollars, in order to increase my
+bodyguard from three hundred to six hundred men during these perilous
+times of warfare, did you not refuse to grant this subsidy to your
+rightful lord?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, that was the result of the extremest affliction
+and necessity, because we were really in no condition to pay the money.
+For whence shall we procure it if poverty, want, and affliction are the
+only things that yet belong to us? Just on that very account, to bring
+this matter to the hearing of your Electoral Highness, have we been
+deputed as delegates by the corporations of Berlin and Cologne to wait
+upon your Electoral Grace, that we might represent our distresses to our
+Sovereign, and entreat him to forgive us if we are forced to decline
+contributions of money, for we are unable to raise them. Since this
+fierce, horrible war has raged in Germany between the Imperialists and
+Swedes, between the Catholics and Protestants, the cities of Berlin and
+Cologne have suffered pitiably, and have been levied upon and plundered,
+sometimes by the Swedes and sometimes by the Imperialists. Before the
+peace of Prague the Imperialists visited us quite often with cruel
+robberies and levies, but since the peace of Prague,[4] it has been yet
+worse, and what we have suffered and endured these past two years is
+enough to melt a stone, how much more the heart of a pitiful Sovereign.
+Last year first came the Swedish colonel Haderslof into our town, and
+levied upon us for sixteen thousand dollars; and hardly had he left when
+Field-Marshal Wrangel came and demanded twenty thousand dollars besides.
+Since, however, we were not in a position to pay that sum, he contented
+himself with a thousand dollars in money, but we had to furnish him in
+addition with fifteen thousand yards of cloth, three thousand pairs of
+socks, and as many pairs of shoes, and besides that he had all the cattle
+driven out of the city. And yet again, a few weeks ago came the Swedish
+colonel Haderslof, and demanded of us a contribution of eleven thousand
+dollars. It was impossible, however. We could pay no more, since we had no
+more gold, and were obliged to receive it almost as a favor that he
+promised in the compact to accept silver in payment in lieu of gold, and
+to estimate a half ounce of gilded silver at twelve groschen and a half
+ounce of white silver at nine groschen. We could do nothing but submit,
+and each householder and citizen bore all the silverware he possessed to
+the guildhall, where the Swede had ordered the contributions to be
+collected. And now, most gracious lord and Elector, now that we are poor
+and wretched, comes the stadtholder in the Mark, the Lord Count von
+Schwarzenberg, and requires of the cities of Berlin and Cologne the
+payment of their annual tax for purposes of defense."
+
+"And you are bound by duty and obligation so to do," exclaimed the Elector
+quickly. "On the committee day of the year 1626 it was decided that the
+city of Berlin should annually pay a stipend for defense of eight thousand
+five hundred dollars, that therewith might be maintained her garrison and
+the fortress of Berlin. Therefore you are bound and under obligation to
+pay this assessment at present, for it strikes me forcibly that you were
+never in greater need of a garrison than just now."
+
+"But may it please your Electoral Highness, our garrison is of no manner
+of use to us. It is much too inconsiderable to afford protection against
+the enemy, and is rather hurtful, insomuch as the soldiers readily fall
+into quarrels and brawls with our enemies, in which, however, they always
+come off losers, only embittering still more the hatred of our foes.
+Therefore, when we have anticipated the approach of the enemy, we have
+always besieged the commandant of our garrison with entreaties and
+representations, until he has consented, in order to save us from
+increased misfortunes, to retire with his garrison from the city, and to
+march out to Spandow or Brandenburg until the enemy again had taken their
+departure.[5] Your Electoral Grace sees therefore that the garrison is of
+no use at all to us, and yet we must pay a tax for defense."
+
+"Yes, must and shall pay it, for your case is not so bad as you would have
+us believe. Meantime you have refused to defray the expenses of enlarging
+my bodyguard; report has reached Königsberg of the proceedings at Berlin
+and Cologne, and truly wonderful and horrible tidings have been imparted
+to me by my chancellor, Pruckmann. I know all. I am acquainted with all
+your doings and actions, and I must say that my heart, yearning as it does
+over my subjects, has been grieved to learn the abominable godlessness and
+wickedness of the citizens of my towns of Berlin and Cologne. It is true
+that you have had to suffer many of the trials and calamities incident to
+war, but not in the least have you been improved by them or led to
+repentance. In spite of the necessities of war, you have not forsaken your
+pride and haughtiness; the women dress themselves extravagantly, and it is
+really abominable, shameful, and disgusting to behold them in the new
+French attire, which they call 'la Fontange,' and which leaves the person
+uncovered almost as far as the waist. They bedizen themselves with finery
+and flaunt through the streets in velvets and satins. And the men
+encourage them in it, join in their amusements, and waste their lives in
+banquetings and feastings. Such disgraceful lives as men must have passed
+in Sodom and Gomorrah! And although you know the enemy may come again at
+any moment and levy their contributions upon you, yet you take it not in
+the least to heart, but continue to lead a merry, luxurious life, have
+balls and drinking bouts, spend a wild, heathenish life in eating,
+drinking, gambling, and other wantonness, deck yourselves out like
+peacocks, and those who have the least, and carry all their possessions
+upon their bodies, act worst of all."
+
+"It is desperation, your Electoral Highness, which makes the people of
+Berlin so mad and wild. Well they know that they can call nothing their
+own. Why should they save when the Swede comes to-day or to-morrow, and
+takes from them their last possession? Therefore they prefer to squander
+upon themselves in desperate merriment, rather than economize and go along
+sorrowfully, to find that they have only saved for the enemy, who laughs
+at their misery."
+
+"Now, if you take it so, you might give to me also what I desire and
+demand, and I would have the citizens of Berlin and Cologne to know
+through you that I am not minded to abate in the least my requisitions for
+the payment of the expenses of my bodyguard, and the tax for the
+maintenance of my Electoral court. You must and shall pay, and in any case
+it must be preferable, to your desperation, to give your last thing to
+your Elector and Sovereign, rather than have it stolen and extorted from
+you by the Swedes. So, there you have my decision, and be off with it and
+convey it to the citizens of Berlin and Cologne. Attempt not to say
+anything more now, for I will hear nothing more. You are dismissed, go
+then!"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," the spokesman ventured to begin, "I--"
+
+But the Elector would not allow him to proceed. He took up his silver
+whistle, and with its shrill call overpowered the sound of the burger's
+words. The door of the outer chamber opened immediately, and the lackey
+appeared upon the threshold; on the outside, beside the door, were to be
+seen two of the Electoral lifeguardsmen, standing with shouldered weapons.
+
+"The burger deputation is dismissed," cried the Elector shortly. "Have the
+doors opened, and let them go out."
+
+The delegates from the oppressed cities ventured not to make opposition;
+sighing and with heads bowed low they strode through the room. Arrived at
+the door, they turned once more and bowed deeply before his Electoral
+Grace. But George William saw it not, for with an adroit jerk he had again
+turned his armchair toward his writing table. Meanwhile, although he
+affected to read the document which he took from the table, his attention
+was in fact wholly concentrated upon the departing burgers. He listened
+with a satisfied air as they slowly moved away, and, when the door of the
+antechamber closed behind them, with a deep-drawn breath deposited the
+document upon the table.
+
+"They will pay, I am certain they will pay," he said, a triumphant
+expression flitting across his troubled, peevish countenance. "I have
+properly frightened them and put them in wholesome dread, so that they
+will not dare to oppose us longer. Yes, they will pay and thus extricate
+us from the dilemma in which we find ourselves at present. Ah! what a
+hard, fearful thing is life, and how little does it fulfill the hopes with
+which I looked forward to it in the years of my youth! My blessed father
+was such a fortunate ruler! With him everything was successful. He lived
+in peace and concord with Emperor and empire, was beloved by his people,
+and had great prospects for the future, being heir to precious
+possessions. And when I thus beheld him in the glory and fullness of his
+power, I thought to myself that it was a glorious destiny to be an
+Elector, and that a clear sky always shone above the head of a Prince. Yet
+all at once clouds chased across and darkened this sky, for in Bohemia was
+kindled the war which soon split Germany into two hostile parties. My
+blessed father took sides with his brother-in-law, the new King of
+Bohemia. But then came the battle of the White Mountain, which cost my
+poor uncle, the King of Bohemia, Frederick of the Palatinate, his land and
+crown, and drove him forth into misfortune and misery. And the triumphant
+Emperor threatened all who should succor the conquered sovereign with
+proscription and the ban of the empire, and whoever should rescue him must
+cry _pater peccavi_, and penitentially confess to the Emperor and empire.
+My blessed father did so, but henceforth he might no longer sit upon the
+throne, which could only remain his through the condescension of the
+Emperor. He preferred to live independently in solitude and retirement,
+devoting himself to the meditations and practices of the reformed
+doctrines, whose confession he adopted, together with his whole family. So
+he resigned the government, and gave it to me. Alas! it was a sad
+heritage, and little enough had I to rule, for misfortune, war, and the
+Emperor ruled me and my land, so that I soon had my fill of it, and--"
+
+"May we come in?" asked a pleasant voice behind the Elector, interrupting
+him in his melancholy reminiscences.
+
+"Yes, Lady Electress," he replied, painfully rising from his
+armchair--"yes, come in and be heartily welcome to your spouse."
+
+
+
+
+II.--EVIL TIDINGS.
+
+
+The Electress Charlotte Elizabeth closed the little side door which led
+from her private apartments, and with a friendly nod of the head and
+tender glances approached her husband, who advanced slowly to meet her.
+
+"Elizabeth," he said, thoughtfully shaking his head, "I see from your
+countenance that you have something special to say to me. Your brown eyes
+shine to-day unusually bright and clear, and on your lips rests a happy,
+tender smile, such as, alas! I no longer observe often in my wife."
+
+"Gladly would I have smiled and looked cheerful, George, but have lacked
+the opportunity. You know well that we have seldom seen a blue sky above
+us; it has been always over-cast by gloomy clouds. But I beg of you, my
+lord and husband, to resume your seat, for I see, alas! that your foot is
+paining you sadly. The fatigues of travel have injured it, and it would
+indeed be wise if you would at last determine to resort to active
+remedies, and to that end allow a couple of the learned Frankfort doctors
+to be sent for."
+
+With an expression almost of alarm the Elector looked upon his wife, who
+had seated herself on a stool beside him, and soothingly and tenderly laid
+her hand upon his cheek.
+
+"You have something on your mind, Elizabeth, something surely," he said,
+"and it is nothing which can give me pleasure, else you would not use so
+much circumlocution; but speak it out frankly."
+
+"How?" asked the Electress, "must I have some special object in view, when
+I smile upon you, and fondle you a little? Know you not that my soul is
+full of tenderness toward you, and that my heart is ever speaking to you,
+even when the lips utter not aloud what the heart is whispering within?"
+
+"Elizabeth!" cried the Elector, "now I _know_ it; you have received
+tidings from our son, and vexatious tidings! Yes, yes, that is it! I know
+those tender looks and beaming eyes; it is not my wife that I recognize in
+them: it is the mother of our Electoral Prince, Frederick William."
+
+"Ah! what an acute observer you are, George, and how well you understand
+how to read my countenance! Well, now, you shall have it in all candor. I
+have news from our dear Electoral Prince."
+
+"He notifies us, I trust, that he has followed our instructions strictly
+and to the letter, and is now on his way home?" asked the Elector, gazing
+upon his wife with anxious, inquiring glances.
+
+But Elizabeth avoided his look.
+
+"What!" cried George William angrily, "you do not answer me! You can not,
+therefore, respond to my questions with a joyful Yes! Can it be possible,
+then, that the Electoral Prince has disregarded my commands, that--"
+
+"Do not allow yourself to be so excited, George," interrupted the
+Electress. "First hear his motives and excuses before you grow angry with
+our son."
+
+"From all those motives and excuses I shall only gather that he will not
+come," cried the Elector.
+
+"Say rather that he can not come," returned Elizabeth, while she gently
+forced back her husband, who in his excitement and impatience had made an
+effort to rise. "Yes, I have letters from The Hague, my dear husband,
+letters from both our uncle, the Prince of Orange, and my mother, and I
+dare affirm that these letters have given me heartfelt joy, inasmuch as my
+uncle the Stadtholder, as well as my mother, write of our dear son that he
+is an accomplished Prince, in whom one may reasonably rejoice, and whom we
+may be proud to call our son. You know, George, that during these three
+years of his sojourn in Holland, we have ever had good and complimentary
+accounts of him. His tutor, von Kalkhun, has often reported to us with
+what diligence our son applied himself to his studies at Leyden, and that
+he had become quite a learned Prince, in whom even the professors
+themselves took peculiar delight. Then when he had finished his course of
+studies at Leyden and went to Arnheim, where he met with the Princes
+William of Orange and Maurice of Nassau, they could not sufficiently laud
+the handsome appearance, lofty spirit, and noble heart of our young
+Electoral Prince."
+
+"Truly," muttered the Elector, "one could infer from your discourse that
+you are the mother of this highly praised lad. It is an old experience
+that mothers always find something remarkable in their sons, and if they
+were to be believed, then would the son of every mother be no ordinary
+specimen of mankind, but a phoenix among all other men."
+
+"But, my well-beloved Elector, I have nevertheless told nothing but the
+truth. Our son has been very successful in his studies these last three
+years in Holland, and has become a very learned and accomplished young
+man, who is well skilled in Latin and Greek, besides speaking German,
+French, and Italian in a masterly way. But most especially has he
+cultivated himself in a knowledge of the science of war, and the Princes
+of Orange and Nassau certify that he will assuredly become hereafter a
+great general and warrior, so learnedly and wisely does he even now
+discourse upon the subject."
+
+"Why do you say all this, Elizabeth?" asked the Elector. "Why do you
+praise our son, but that you are conscious that he is deserving of
+censure, and has sinned grievously against us in not having so hastened
+his return home as to be here now instead of his letters? But that he has
+already set out on the journey home I can not for a moment doubt, and
+bitterly should he experience my fatherly wrath if it were not so. Just
+tell me in short, concise words, when does my son, the Electoral Prince,
+come?"
+
+"My dear lord and husband," said the Electress with reluctance and visible
+embarrassment, "would it not be best for you to speak on this subject with
+the chamberlain, Balthazar von Schlieben--"
+
+"What!" cried the Elector, springing from his seat--"what! Is Schlieben
+here again--Schlieben, whom we sent to The Hague in order that he might
+conduct our son hither? He has come back without the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Yes, my husband, he has come back," replied the Electress, winding her
+arms tenderly around her husband's neck. "I entreat you most earnestly not
+to be angry before you have heard the reasons why the Electoral Prince
+does not come. I entreat you to admit Balthazar von Schlieben, and have an
+account rendered to you by him."
+
+"Yes!" exclaimed the Elector, vehemently--"yes, I will see him. He shall
+render me an account. Where is he? They must send for him directly; he
+must be summoned to me immediately!"
+
+"It is not necessary, George; he stands without there in the little
+passage leading to my apartments. I shall cause him to enter immediately.
+You must promise me first, though, my beloved husband, that you will
+listen to him without reproaches and anger, and that you will say nothing
+in his presence against the only son given us by Heaven."
+
+"I shall make no promises that I can not keep," cried the Elector warmly.
+"I will speak with Schlieben. He must come in. Ho! Chamberlain Balthazar
+von Schlieben, come in, I charge you to come in."
+
+The little arras door opened and disclosed to view a slender, tall young
+man, in gold-laced blue uniform, with red facings.
+
+"At the command of your Electoral Grace," he said, making a reverential
+obeisance.
+
+"Come hither, Schlieben," cried George William, "close up to me, that I
+may see if you are actually he who dares to return here without the one
+after whom I sent him. So! Look me straight in the face, and tell me why I
+sent you to Holland three months ago, and what was your errand there?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, I was sent by your grace to Holland, in order
+that I might conduct hither his Highness the Electoral Prince."
+
+"Well, then, where is the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, he is at present still at The Hague, and most
+urgently and most submissively he beseeches your Electoral Highness
+through me that he may be permitted to remain there at least for the
+winter."
+
+"He is yet at The Hague!" cried the Elector. "He ventures thus to brave
+me--to oppose himself to my strict injunctions? Or have you not handed him
+my letter, Schlieben? Or have you not repeated to him all that I said and
+urged you by word of mouth to convey to him? Did you not inform him that I
+ordered him, under penalty of my princely and fatherly displeasure, to set
+out and journey hither in the speediest manner possible?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, I carried out exactly every command given me by
+your highness, and the Electoral Prince surely would not have delayed an
+instant gratifying the demands of his revered father, if many concurring
+circumstances had not made it impossible for him. The Electoral Prince has
+himself more narrowly pointed out and explained these in this letter,
+which he has charged me to deliver to your highness."
+
+And with a deep inclination the chamberlain extended a large sealed packet
+to his Sovereign.
+
+George William took it with angry impatience, and so curious was he to
+read the contents of the packet that he hastily tore off the cover, the
+sooner to arrive at its purport. A closely written sheet of fine paper was
+within the cover, and the Elector unfolded it with eager hands. But after
+looking at this a long while, he shook his head passionately, and the
+flush of anger on his countenance grew yet darker.
+
+"What sort of new-fashioned, disrespectful handwriting is this?" growled
+George William. "This is not at all as if it had been written by a
+prince's son, but by a scholar who had carefully sought to crowd as many
+lines as possible into one page in order to save paper. A prince should
+never renounce or be unmindful of his own dignity. But it is unbecoming,
+indeed, and unworthy of a prince to write such a fine hand, as if he were
+a scholar or a writing master. I can not read these small intricate
+characters. Read the letter to me, Electress, in short, share it with me
+from the first."
+
+The Electress took the sheet held out to her, and read it over with
+hurried glances. "The Electoral Prince uses the most humble, submissive
+words," she said, finally. "It is just the letter of an obedient and
+respectful son, who is all anxiety to obey the commands of his father, and
+who is deeply grieved that he must nevertheless go contrary to them."
+
+"Must?" cried George William. "Be pleased to tell me why he must."
+
+"Only hear, my lord and husband, what the Prince writes about it," said
+the Electress, and with loud voice she read:
+
+"'There are various circumstances which compel me to prolong my stay in
+this country. In the first place, Admiral Tromp is here, and he is very
+useful in aiding me to arrive at a more perfect knowledge of nautical
+affairs, as, also, the condescension and kindness of my uncle, the Prince
+of Orange, that great general, affords me a glorious opportunity of
+perfecting myself in the science of war. And I think that, the more I
+learn and study here, the more capable will I become of serving hereafter
+under your highness. But, apart from these things, it would be exceedingly
+difficult at this season of the year and under the present conditions, to
+make the long journey from The Hague to Prussia; most probably it would
+consume a half year, and the expenses would be enormous, while next summer
+I might easily accomplish the journey in two months. The voyage by sea
+would be next to impossible during this present winter on account of the
+violent storms, which might occasion tedious delays. Moreover, I dread the
+privateers of Dunkirk, against which the Dutch convoy could hardly protect
+me. But yet more formidable seems the journey by land in the existing
+state of the times. In Westphalia the Hessians and Swedes rove about,
+rendering the roads unsafe. Even should I take my way over the flats,
+along the strand, yet the Swedish and Hessian troops could easily catch up
+with me, and overpower the escort promised me for safe-conduct by the
+counts of East Friesland and Oldenburg and the Bishop of Bremen. Or should
+I bend my course through Upper Germany and Franconia, there, again, other
+hindrances present themselves, for throughout all these provinces reigns
+the greatest wretchedness--men even devouring one another for hunger. On
+that account my uncle, the Prince Stadtholder himself, has opposed my
+undertaking the journey, considering it too dangerous. A deputation from
+the duchy of Cleves has also come and begged me to postpone my departure,
+since they had petitioned your grace anew to leave me in the duchy of
+Cleves as their stadtholder. And if all this were not so, there is yet
+another reason which must prevent my departure from here. But this I dare
+not commit to writing, for a letter may be so easily lost, and to read
+such a thing would furnish our enemies an occasion of rejoicing and
+triumph. Therefore I have told all to young Balthazar von Schlieben, and
+he will in my name faithfully and most reverentially communicate to you,
+your Electoral Highness and my most gracious father, the true and
+principal cause which prevents my setting forth from Holland.'"
+
+"Well, speak then!" cried the Elector impatiently. "Speak, Schlieben--what
+is it?"
+
+"Will not my lord and husband first hear the Electoral Prince's letter to
+the end?" asked the Electress. "Here follow some cordial, affectionate
+words, and assurances of the most filial respect and most submissive
+love."
+
+"Can I value them, yes, can I value any of them all?" answered George
+William passionately. "When we will prove nothing by deeds, then we make
+speeches, and when we are disobedient in act, then we asseverate with
+words of love and reverence. Speak, then, Balthazar von Schlieben, since
+you have been thus commissioned by the Electoral Prince. What is this most
+weighty of reasons which forbids the departure of the Electoral Prince
+from Holland?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, it is debt, it is the total want of money."
+
+The Elector started up as if an adder had stung him. "Debts!" he cried in
+thundering voice. "Want of money! Will this litany never, never cease?
+What a wild, extravagant life the Electoral Prince must lead to be for
+ever and ever wanting money, and no sooner are his debts paid than he
+contracts new ones!"
+
+"Husband," said the Electress soothingly, "it does not reflect upon the
+life our son leads that he is out of money, but proves that he has not
+received a sufficiently ample allowance. Just reflect that three years
+ago, when he undertook this journey to Holland, you did not give him a red
+cent, and that I had to give him from my little savings three thousand
+dollars that he might be able to travel at all.[6] A considerable portion
+of this must have been expended during the tedious journey, with his
+retinue."
+
+"If any one were to listen to you, Electress, he would really suppose that
+the Electoral Prince had lived upon those three thousand dollars lent him
+by you from that time up to the present. You forget, however, that,
+already in the year 1636, therefore the very next year after the Electoral
+Prince set out upon his journey, the states at the diet of Königsberg
+voted the large sum of seven thousand dollars to the Electoral Prince for
+the prosecution of his studies, over which they made a great outcry even
+then, since the owner of each rood of land must be taxed five groschen to
+pay for these acquirements, bringing down, no doubt, many a curse upon his
+Latin and Greek.[7] From these two sources alone, then, he has had ten
+thousand dollars to disburse in three years, which for so young a
+gentleman would surely seem sufficient. Besides, just half a year ago, on
+his repeated application to me for money, I sent him again one thousand
+dollars, insomuch as he felt himself compelled to purchase a stately
+equipage."
+
+"That was the time, husband, when our son went from Leyden to Arnheim, to
+reside there for a long while. There, of course, he was obliged to have a
+small household about him, in order to maintain the dignity of his father
+and his house, for there, too, dwelt the Princes of Orange and Nassau, and
+our son, the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, in order not to be surpassed
+by them, must, like them, hold his court."
+
+"And unfortunately living is very expensive in Holland," remarked the
+Chamberlain von Schlieben. "Your Electoral Grace had sent one thousand
+dollars to the Electoral Prince for the purchase of an equipage, but this
+sum was by no means adequate. The coach alone cost seven hundred dollars."
+
+"Seven hundred dollars!" cried the Elector, amazed. "How can one pay so
+much money for a mere wooden box?"
+
+"If it please your highness, the coaches in Holland are not by any means
+wooden boxes, merely painted, varnished, and gilded a little within and
+without, having hard leather-covered seats. The Electoral Prince's coach
+is hung within and without in red velvet and satin, for this custom and
+usage require of a princely personage in Holland; besides, a set of four
+horses must be bought, and each of these cost one hundred and forty
+dollars. Your Electoral Highness sees clearly, therefore, that one
+thousand dollars could not suffice to cover the expense, for coach and
+horses alone cost more than that, and now must be added the liveries and
+harness, besides the wages of coachman, footmen, and lackeys."
+
+"Yes, I see plainly that my dear son leads a stately, extravagant life,"
+cried the Elector. "I see well that it is high time for him to come away
+from there, and learn that an Elector of Brandenburg must adapt himself to
+his means, and, instead of riding in a coach drawn by four horses, must
+drive in a miserable rattle-trap pulled by two paltry beasts. It is
+therefore full time that the Electoral Prince were withdrawn from the
+scenes of his pomp and pride, and were taught again to live simply and
+sparingly. He must and shall return home! Finally, I am sick and tired of
+this eternal negotiating, this writing to and fro, and it really is high
+time that this should have an end. For a year already I have been in
+treaty with the young gentleman concerning his return home, and last of
+all dispatched my chamberlain to enjoin it upon him as my most decided and
+express will that the Prince come home, and start forthwith. But he has an
+obstinate disposition, and sends the Chamberlain von Schlieben back, and
+tranquilly remain there, where he is so well pleased, living as he does in
+pomp and luxury, while I have hardly enough money to live along scantily
+and with the strictest economy."
+
+"But only consider, my dear husband," said the Electress persuasively--"only
+consider that it is not from high-mindedness or disobedience that the
+Electoral Prince tarries in Holland. Indeed, he can not get away while he
+has no money, and on that very account most urgently appeals to the
+kindest of all fathers, through the Chamberlain von Schlieben,
+reverentially begging and beseeching him to extricate him from his
+difficulties by sending him money enough to pay his debts, and to enable
+him to travel as becomes his rank."
+
+"Money, and always money!" cried the Elector, almost in a tone of despair.
+"O God! what a tormented, unhappy man I am! Every one has something to
+crave of me, and no one anything to give me! When I demand of the states,
+provinces, cities, citizens, and peasants funds to defray my expenses,
+then from all sides I hear: 'We have no money; we are so reduced that we
+can pay no taxes.' And still all these states, provinces, cities,
+citizens, and peasants demand of me money and support, succor and alms,
+although they know that I have nothing, for they give me nothing. Money!
+money! That word has been my tormentor and enemy ever since I began to
+rule; sleeping and waking that word has pursued me. From all officers,
+from all subalterns I have heard it, as often as they came near me, and
+now comes my dear son, too, afflicting and harassing his poor, unfortunate
+father with this dreaded word. But I shall not suffer him to employ this
+hated word in his own behalf and turn it against me for his own advantage.
+I shall not allow him to remain longer at The Hague under pretext that he
+lacks money to bring him home. He shall have money, yes, he shall have it.
+I shall see to procuring it. It must be done."
+
+"My dear lord and husband," besought the Electress, "I entreat you not to
+be so much excited, for it might injure you."
+
+"And I entreat you to leave me now, Lady Electress," said George William
+impatiently. "It is useless to exhort one to tranquillity and composure,
+who has so much reason to be roused and provoked. But this fine son of
+ours shall pay for the vexation and torture that he has prepared for me.
+He may reckon upon my setting it down to his account, and not allowing
+myself to be cheated by empty speeches and by fine actions in word alone.
+You are dismissed, Sir Chamberlain von Schlieben! Badly enough have you
+fulfilled my commission, and you may be sure that never again shall you
+be selected as our messenger and legate!"
+
+"Permit me, my husband, to put in a good word for poor Schlieben!" cried
+the Electress. "He had no power to bring the Electoral Prince away by
+force, just as the Electoral Prince himself has no power to leave of his
+own free will. The whole difficulty consists in our son's having no money."
+
+"Yes, and right welcome is it to him, this time," said the Elector with a
+bitter laugh. "As he has no money, he continually contracts more and more
+debts, thereby rendering the payment more difficult, and the longer the
+delay the longer can the Prince remain in Holland, leading a merry life
+there. But I shall make an end of it, an end! Schwarzenberg shall come,
+and he must and will procure me the means. Excuse me, Lady Electress, I
+have business--pressing business."
+
+"I withdraw, my lord and husband," said Elizabeth, bowing ceremonially,
+and, turning to the Chamberlain von Schlieben, who was just sliding toward
+the door with pale, disturbed countenance, she continued: "Sir Chamberlain,
+follow me! You must tell me more about my dear Electoral Prince and all my
+dear relatives, whom you have seen and spoken with at The Hague."
+
+The countenance of the chamberlain lighted up, and with a grateful glance
+he followed the Electress through the side door into her own apartments.
+
+The Elector was alone. His head sank upon his breast, and he stood deeply
+absorbed in thought. But after a pause he slowly raised his head, and his
+sorrowful glance fell directly upon the portrait of his father, John
+Sigismund, whose sad, pale face was turned toward him, with its dark,
+melancholy eyes.
+
+"Poor father!" murmured the Elector with a heavy sigh, "I understand quite
+well and easily conceive why you voluntarily laid down your power and
+retired from the government before death had sent his summons. An Elector
+of Brandenburg has by no means a comfortable, pleasant life of it; and a
+sorely oppressive inheritance have I received from you, so that I, too,
+might despair, and do as you have done. I, too, might rid myself of the
+hard task of seeming to be an Elector and reigning sovereign, while I am
+naught but a poor, much-tormented man, who has more titles than lands,
+more debts than money, and whose nation consists not of obedient subjects
+but of obstinate brawlers, a mob of would-be politicians and starved-out
+people. No! no!" he cried, interrupting himself, "no! I shall not give my
+son so much joy. I shall not do him the pleasure of yielding up the power
+to him, and being thrown aside myself like a squeezed lemon. No, Elector
+I shall remain, and my lordly son shall submit to the paternal will, and
+return home. Schwarzenberg must provide me with the means. He is the very
+man for this--he understands it!"
+
+The Elector reached out again for his silver whistle and sounded a shrill
+call. Immediately one of the outer doors was opened, admitting a lackey.
+The Elector had already opened his mouth, to issue his commands, when he
+suddenly grew dumb and looked at the lackey with a still more clouded brow.
+
+"Fellow," he said angrily, "how dare you appear in this presence with such
+a dress? With your short bearskin jacket and patched hose, you present
+such a pitiably mean appearance that I am actually ashamed to behold you."
+
+"Pardon, your Electoral Grace," stammered the servant with downcast air,
+"I can not help it, and I am woefully ashamed myself that I must dare to
+come thus before my most gracious lord the Elector. A heavy misfortune has
+happened to my livery coat. I left it hanging on a nail, and tore a
+fearfully large three-cornered rent in it, on which the court tailor says
+he will have to stitch a whole day, and even then it may not be
+presentable after all. The livery coat, therefore, is at the tailor's,
+which is the reason why I must appear in my jacket."
+
+"You should have put on another coat," cried the Elector, impatiently,
+"for it is contrary to respect that you should enter in such shabby style."
+
+"Another coat?" asked the lackey, with an expression of the highest
+astonishment. "Pardon, your Electoral Highness, I have only that one coat!"
+
+"What!" exclaimed the Elector. "Only _one_ coat! Did I not order that new
+livery coats should be made for you lackeys before our removal from
+Königsberg?"
+
+"It was done, your Electoral Grace, we received our new livery coats
+before we left Königsberg."
+
+"Well, then, where are the old ones?"
+
+"Your Electoral Grace, the master of the wardrobe sold the old ones to the
+Jews at Königsberg, who paid him a good sum of money for them, for the old
+livery coats were trimmed with genuine gold lace, but the new ones are
+cheaper, for it is only gilt or--"
+
+"Hold your tongue and begone!" cried the Elector. "If you have no coat,
+then from to-day I dispense with your services, and Jocelyn shall take
+your place."
+
+"Forgive me, your Electoral Highness, but Jocelyn is in confinement. The
+master of the wardrobe had him put in the guardhouse three days ago."
+
+"Wherefore then--what has Jocelyn done that the master of the wardrobe
+should have him put into prison?"
+
+"He was obstinate, your highness. The paymaster has not distributed to us
+our wages for two months, so that none of us has a groschen in his pocket.
+When we reached Berlin, three days ago, Jocelyn found his old mother
+miserably sick and well-nigh starved, for the Imperialists have thoroughly
+pillaged Berlin, and robbed the old woman of her last possession. She had
+nothing to eat, and still less could she afford to send for a doctor and
+buy medicines. So, in his desperation, Jocelyn went to the paymaster and
+begged of him his month's wages, but was told that he could have nothing
+now, because the journey from Prussia here had cost so much money that all
+the coffers were empty; but that in the course of eight days the paymaster
+might be in funds again, and that then we should all have what was due us.
+But, on account of his old mother, Jocelyn could not wait, and so in
+desperation went off and sold his new livery coat to an old-clothes man,
+and carried the money to his mother. And for that reason, your Electoral
+Grace, poor Jocelyn now sits in the guardhouse."
+
+The Elector had turned away, and gazed from the window down into the
+pleasure garden, the branches of whose green trees nearly touched the
+windows of the apartment. He could no longer meet the glance of the lackey
+Conrad; he would not have him witness his mortification and the painful
+twitchings of his mouth. But after a while he turned again to old Conrad,
+who had crept softly toward the door, not venturing to go out without
+permission from his master.
+
+"You see well, old man," said the Elector confidentially, "that our
+affairs are not in so prosperous a condition as formerly when you entered
+my service, and were the body servant of the merry, cheerful young
+Electoral Prince. Now that Electoral Prince has become a very sad,
+serious, and poverty-stricken Elector, who has lived through much
+affliction, and must content himself, despite his glorious title, with
+being a poor tormented man, and therefore also a peevish man. I was once
+otherwise; that you know. But debts make the wildest tame and the most
+joyous fretful, as you see in me, old Conrad. But now listen!"
+
+He stepped to his writing table and drew forth a long purse with meshes of
+green silk and gold. Carefully counting, he shook some money out of the
+purse into his hand and then handed it to Conrad.
+
+"Conrad, there are twelve dollars. Do you know the Jew to whom Jocelyn
+sold his livery coat?"
+
+"Yes, I know him, your highness."
+
+"Then go, Conrad, and buy back the coat. How much did the Jew pay for it?"
+
+"Six dollars, your Electoral Highness."
+
+"Return him five dollars for it, and tell him that the dollar subtracted
+is by way of punishment for his having dared to purchase the coat of one
+of the servants belonging to the electoral household, for he must know
+that it is not the lackey's but electoral property. But if the Jew
+ventures to grumble, then say to him that I shall have him watched and his
+false dealings inquired into. When you have obtained the coat, carry it to
+the master of the wardrobe, and tell him to release Jocelyn from the
+guardhouse and permit him to wear his coat again. Say to him that it is my
+command. And now go and attend to this matter for me."
+
+"Forgive me, your Electoral Grace, but I know not yet what to do with the
+rest of the money. When I shall have redeemed Jocelyn's coat with five
+dollars, there will yet remain seven dollars besides, and I beg of your
+highness to point out what disposition I must make of them."
+
+"What wages do the lackeys receive by the month?"
+
+"One rixdollar and four groschen, your highness!"
+
+"That makes four dollars and sixteen groschen owing to you and Jocelyn,
+since the paymaster is in your debt for two months' wages. There will
+still be a remainder of two dollars and eight groschen, which you must
+give to Jocelyn to take to his old mother, not, however, as if it came
+from me, but as his own gift."
+
+"Ah! your Electoral Highness, what a kind, gracious master you are!" cried
+
+Conrad, with tears in his eyes. "Only extend this one act of goodness and
+condescension: permit your old Conrad to kiss your hand and thank you for
+the favor your highness has shown to Jocelyn and myself, and be not
+offended at your old servant for asking such a thing, since it is only out
+of love and hearty respect."
+
+"I know it, Conrad, I know it," said the Elector, reaching out his hand to
+the old man, and permitting him to press it to his lips. "I know your
+good, faithful heart, which has never swerved from its duty these twenty
+years that you have been in my service. Go now, old man, and do as I have
+bidden you. But hear! No one need know that I have paid you and Jocelyn
+your month's wages, for then they would all come to be paid by me; and the
+paymaster was quite right--our coffers are empty, and we must take account
+of everything until they are filled again. Keep silent, then, both of you.
+I shall tell the paymaster myself that I have just meddled a little in his
+affairs.
+
+"But now, hear one thing more, Conrad. Go straightway across into Broad
+Street, to the house of his excellency the Stadtholder in the Mark, Count
+von Schwarzenberg. We request his excellency to take the trouble to come
+immediately to us. Say from me that we have weighty business to transact
+with him that admits of no delay. Therefore, we entreat his excellency to
+come hither forthwith."
+
+"Pardon, your highness," said Conrad, anxiously and confusedly; "my
+dresscoat is still at the court tailor's. Must I go across in my jacket?
+At the Stadtholder's everything is so fearfully fine and stately. The
+lackeys, too, put on such airs that an electoral lackey can not stand up
+to them at all; they are, besides, haughty, supercilious fellows, who
+think themselves very grand, and fancy they are something quite uncommon,
+and almost more than one of us, who are court lackeys to your highness.
+Would it not make the fellows rejoice to see me in this jacket and--"
+
+"Never mind; go across in your jacket," said the Elector, laughing.
+"Remember always that you are the servant of the master, and those spruce
+fellows but the lackeys of the servant, although I must say that the
+servant is a much richer, more magnificent man than his master. Run and
+bring the Stadtholder to me!"
+
+
+
+
+III.--COUNT ADAM VON SCHWARZENBERG.
+
+
+"I thank you, Master Gabriel Nietzel, I thank you with my whole heart, for
+you have indeed prepared me a great pleasure," cried Count Adam von
+Schwarzenberg, at the same time nodding pleasantly to the young man who
+stood beside him. Then he was lost again in contemplation of the picture
+before which they both stood, and which was mounted upon an easel in one
+of the deep bay windows of the lofty apartment.
+
+"I well knew that my most gracious lord would take pleasure in this
+glorious work of art," said Master Gabriel Nietzel, smiling, "and
+therefore have I spared neither expense, toil, nor danger in bringing to
+your excellency this noble painting of the great Italian master."
+
+"And I am astonished that you have succeeded, master," exclaimed the
+count, changing his position before the picture, in order to examine it in
+a new light, from a different point of view.
+
+"Most gracious sir, if I had had in the box which I guarded so closely
+hams or other edibles, instead of this picture, or even articles of
+clothing or munitions of war, then surely I should have failed in bringing
+it here from Italy, considering all the bands of soldiers and robbers who
+fly through the German empire now, like a swarm of bees, and like locusts
+leave in their train, wherever they alight, want and wretchedness."
+
+"Yes, yes," cried Count Schwarzenberg, with a short, peculiar laugh,
+"right ill things look throughout this holy German empire; poverty, war,
+and pestilence are the locusts of which you speak, and--But why do you
+remind me of these unpleasant things? Let me enjoy one quarter of an
+hour's refreshment and joy. Let me forget care for just a little while,
+and feast my eyes upon the sight of this glorious woman!"
+
+"It is a Venus," said Master Gabriel with diffidence, "the so-called Venus
+with the Mirror. Master Titian has twice painted this design, only that in
+one picture two Cupids appear, while the other shows only one Love."
+
+"Very naturally," laughed the count. "When the great Titian painted the
+first picture one Love only existed, while at the second representation a
+second Love had arrived for the beautiful woman, to her own ineffable
+delight and that of her beloved Master Titiano Vecellio."
+
+"Pardon, your excellency," remarked Master Gabriel, "indeed the painting
+represents a Venus."
+
+"There you are now, poor child of man," cried Schwarzenberg, laughing
+aloud, "so properly reserved and so affectedly modest! A mere woman in her
+primitive beauty would wound your sense of propriety, and you would not
+venture to look at her, but a goddess has permission to appear without
+earthly clothing, and you dare, casting reserve aside, to lift your eyes
+to her glorious form. And besides, in your humility and modesty, you think
+that a woman of such godlike shape may not be found upon earth, therefore
+you exalt her to the gods, and therefore you call her a Venus, who is only
+the most voluptuous, beautiful, and charming of women."
+
+With upraised finger Master Gabriel pointed toward the naked little boys
+who, exquisitely fair, stood behind Venus and held her mirror for her.
+
+"That is an angel, as your grace sees, for he has wings upon his
+shoulders," he said, timidly.
+
+But Count Adam von Schwarzenberg hastily took the master's finger and
+directed it to another part of the picture.
+
+"It is a woman," he cried, laughing, "for she has flung a covering around
+her hips, and you can never make me believe that Venus upon Olympus wore
+velvet edged with ermine. But let us quit this strife! A beautiful woman
+is always a goddess, and he who would not acknowledge that would be a real
+heathen and barbarian. I will therefore comply with your wish, and entitle
+this wondrous woman a Venus. And I keep her, your Venus. Name the price,
+master, and you shall immediately receive your pay."
+
+"I paid two thousand ducats for the painting in Cremona, where I had the
+good luck to discover it, on my return from Rome," replied Master Gabriel
+Nietzel, with anxious countenance and timid manner, as if he dreaded an
+explosion of wrath on the part of the count, who was everywhere recognized
+and decried as avaricious and greedy of gain. "Add to that two hundred
+ducats to cover my bare outlay for the packing and freight. The rest,
+which concerns my trouble and need, and the perils I endured when we, that
+is to say, Venus and I, were seized by bands of soldiers and ransomed--all
+this can not be calculated, and in humility I leave it to your grace to
+compensate me as you may see fit."
+
+"Two thousand ducats for the picture, two hundred for expenses incurred! A
+tolerably high price, indeed, for a little piece of painted canvas!" cried
+the count, with a smile. "For that amount a whole regiment of Brandenburg
+soldiers might be armed and equipped, to aid the Elector in conquering his
+dukedom of Pomerania. But what is that dirty, down-trodden, commonplace
+Pomerania in comparison with this heavenly woman, or, if you prefer, this
+earthly Venus. Go, Master Gabriel, go directly to my treasurer, and get
+him to count out to you three thousand ducats. Eight hundred ducats for
+your toil and danger. Are you content, master?"
+
+"Your excellence, you pay like the greatest of lords and emperors!" cried
+the painter, with joy-beaming countenance. "You make me forever your
+debtor, and so long as I live I shall be ready to serve you."
+
+"Now, if you mean that in earnest, Gabriel, an opportunity presents itself
+at this very time."
+
+"Try me, your excellency, give me a commission, however difficult, and my
+most gracious lord shall be forced to admit that I have executed it most
+faithfully and valiantly."
+
+"Now listen, then, master! I herewith constitute you my agent; I take you
+into my pay and service. Were I a reigning prince, then I should say, I
+make you my court painter; but being only the little Count Schwarzenberg,
+the--"
+
+"Stadtholder in the Mark," interrupted Gabriel, with ready glibness of
+tongue, "Grand Master of the Order of St. John, first counselor and
+minister of the Elector of Brandenburg, president of the electoral counsel
+of state, lord and owner of many lands and estates, count of the empire,
+and--"
+
+"Silence, silence! enough of that!" exclaimed the count, waving him off.
+"It is with me, as with the Elector. We both have manifold titles, but
+they bring us in little enough, and no money appertains to them. You have
+sketched me graphically, master; be quiet now, and listen to me again in
+silence. I therefore take you into my pay and service, and give you from
+this day forward an annuity of five hundred dollars, which will be
+delivered to you quarterly. Hush, hush! do not speak! I read a question in
+your eyes and features, and I will forthwith supply the answer. Your
+question runs, What have I to do for this annuity? And the answer is,
+travel about in the world as a free man to hunt up pictures, and when they
+are worth it, to purchase them for me. But above all things, to tell no
+one that you are in my service, but to keep this as a secret between us
+two. Pictures you must buy for me; that is all you have to do, master. But
+sometimes you must allow me to dictate to you--where to journey in quest
+of my pictures. For example, now: You have been in Italy, prosecuting your
+studies there, and have opportunely brought home to me, thence, a Venus,
+because I desired you to make a few purchases for me. You have seen how
+delighted I was with the beautiful picture, but, on the whole, I have
+taken a greater fancy to landscapes and representations of comedy, and the
+Flemish painters are the ones I peculiarly admire. There are the Teniers,
+father and son, who have painted the most charming and amusing country
+scenes and comic pieces, and there is another young man, Wouvermann by
+name, who is said, although youthful in years, to possess great talents,
+and to understand not merely how to paint splendid clowns, but battle
+scenes as well. Now, I should like of all things to possess a couple of
+pictures by each of these three painters, and since the Teniers lived at
+Amsterdam and The Hague, and Wouvermann now resides at The Hague, I wish
+you to go to The Hague and make a few purchases there for me. But, mark
+well, without saying that you come there in my employ, or that you have a
+contract with me. I should much prefer your assuming the appearance of
+belonging to my enemies, and sounding in unison with them the trumpet of
+abuse."
+
+"Your excellency, how could I venture it, and how can you require of my
+grateful heart, that it so belie itself, and allow my lips to speak other
+than words of gratitude and reverence?"
+
+"I empower you so to do, Master Gabriel Nietzel, yes, I require it of you,
+that you carry such words upon your lips, especially if you are in the
+presence of the Electoral Prince Frederick William."
+
+"The Electoral Prince?" asked the painter in astonishment. "Your
+excellency will send me to the Electoral Prince at The Hague?"
+
+"On the contrary, you shall act before him as if you hated me, and
+belonged to the party of my opponents. But you must by all means reach the
+Electoral Prince, must seek to remain in his neighborhood, and to gain his
+confidence. You are a lively fellow, and have studied life at its
+fountains in Italy. The Electoral Prince loves gay company, and you may
+impart to him a little of your knowledge of life, and teach him that youth
+must enjoy without scruple or reserve. Be his _maître de plaisir_, Master
+Gabriel; lead him into the temple of art, and teach him that each fair
+woman is a Venus, a goddess, and therefore deserving of his worship. You
+are a clever painter, and also, as I have heard from Rome, know well how
+to sip of life's sweets; and these are two fine talents, which you must
+convert into money. For this purpose I send you to Holland. You are to buy
+pictures for me and to help the Electoral Prince to while away the hours
+and enjoy life. I shall rejoice if you succeed, and it would be agreeable
+to me for you to transmit to me exact accounts, every week, of your
+efforts, and of the life you lead there with the Electoral Prince. You
+can write, Master Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"Yes, I can write; but--"
+
+"Well, what signifies that _but_, and wherefore do you look all at once so
+gloomy and so cross? Peradventure my commission does not please you?"
+
+"No, your excellency, it does not please me, and I can not undertake it!"
+cried Master Gabriel, indignantly. "You send me to The Hague, not as a
+painter, but--let me call the thing by its right name--but as a spy, and,
+what is yet more, as the corrupter of the Electoral Prince!"
+
+"And that pleases not your virtue and your honesty?" asked the count,
+shrugging his shoulders. "Well, good then, dear master! Stick to it! Let
+all that we have said to one another be unsaid. Remain an honorable,
+independent hero of virtue, paint pictures, and see to it that you sell
+them, and if you do not succeed, then be contented to paint signboards
+for merchants and their walls for burghers, and console yourself with
+this, that you have refused a higher career from principles of virtue and
+magnanimity. Take your Venus, Master Champion of Virtue; I had not
+commissioned the purchase, and she is too dear for me. We are released
+from our mutual obligations, and have nothing more to do with one another.
+Go!"
+
+"Will not your excellency keep the picture?" asked Nietzel, shocked, great
+drops of agony standing upon his pale brow. "Will not your excellency
+indemnify me for all my labors and expenses, and shall I go from you
+with--"
+
+"With the proud consciousness of your virtue," said the count, completing
+his sentence for him. "Yes, that you shall, Master Gabriel. You shall bear
+in mind that Count von Schwarzenberg would have taken you into his
+service, and that you declined it, thereby exciting his wrath a little,
+which, as I have been told, has seldom turned to the advantage of those
+who have roused it, but always to their injury. However, you care nothing
+for that; you defy the wrath of the Stadtholder in the Mark, you--"
+
+"No farther, please, your excellency, no farther!" cried out Gabriel, pale
+as death. "Forgive my excitement and my struggles. I pray you to forget my
+improper words, and accept me for your humble and obedient servant. You
+must do me the favor to keep the Venus of Master Titiano Vecellio, for she
+is my only possession, and I have given away my whole property in her
+purchase."
+
+"Speak more clearly, master!" cried the count. "You mean to say I must
+keep your copy of the Venus, and pay for it as if it were an original one,
+for on that you base all your hopes."
+
+"Your excellency!" stammered Master Gabriel in terror, "you do not
+suppose--"
+
+"That this painting here is a copy, which you executed, and afterward hung
+up a couple of days in the chimney, to give it the appearance of a picture
+an hundred years old? Yes, my good man, I do indeed suppose so, and
+willingly grant you my testimony to the effect that you have very
+faithfully copied Titian, and expended much toil and trouble upon it."
+
+"Most gracious count, I swear to you, that I have been slandered--that--"
+
+"Swear no oath," said the count earnestly and severely. "You did not buy
+this picture at Cremona, but copied it in the palace Grimani at Venice,
+and worked upon it three whole months. You see I am well informed, and
+have my friends everywhere who furnish me with intelligence, and regard it
+as an honor to be my--spies, as you would say."
+
+"Mercy, gracious lord, mercy!" cried Nietzel, bursting into tears, and
+sinking upon his knees before the proud, lofty form of the count. "Pardon
+for my crime, for my presumption! I was in such great want and distress
+that I knew not how else to help myself, and I swear to you that my copy
+is so faithful and exact that it can not he distinguished from its
+original."
+
+"Well, no matter; we shall hang it up as an original, and allow it to be
+inspected by the connoisseurs of the electorate," said the count,
+laughing. "I keep your Titiano Vecellio, Master Nietzel, and consequently
+pay you three thousand ducats for this excellent original. That you may
+see how much in earnest I am I will immediately give you an order upon my
+treasurer, and you may forthwith receive that sum."
+
+He approached his writing table, rapidly dashed off a few words upon a
+strip of paper, and then handed it to the painter. "There, take it, Master
+Gabriel Nietzel, and collect your money."
+
+The painter gave him a long, astonished gaze. "You forgive me, your
+excellency," he said; "you accept my high estimate, although you know that
+I have cheated you and that this is only a copy?"
+
+
+"What difference does that make? The picture is beautiful, and it gives me
+pleasure to look at it, and that is the only thing, after all, that I can
+require of a painting."
+
+Master Nietzel hastily seized the count's hand, and pressed it to his
+lips. "Most gracious sir," he cried, "you have purchased my Venus with
+your money, my heart with your magnanimity! Henceforth I am yours, body
+and soul, and it is just, as if--"
+
+"As if you had leagued yourself with the devil, is it not?" laughed the
+count.
+
+"No, as if I had no longer any other will than yours--that is what I
+wished to say, most gracious lord. Only command me, say what I must do,
+and it shall be done."
+
+"You go, then, to Holland, and purchase pictures there for me, and study
+the Flemish painters?"
+
+"I will go to Holland, your excellency."
+
+"You will seek to gain access to the Electoral Prince, to acquire
+influence over him, and to cheer him up a little?"
+
+"I shall do as your grace directs."
+
+"You will send me weekly a written statement of all that you see and hear
+there?"
+
+"I shall send you a written statement," replied Gabriel, with downcast
+eyes and a hardly suppressed sigh.
+
+The count saw it and smiled contemptuously. "You will write these reports
+to me in ciphers, which I shall acquaint you with, and swear to me that
+you will give the key to these ciphers to no human being?"
+
+"I swear it, your excellency."
+
+"Now, since you are so docile and obedient, my dear Master Gabriel, I
+shall raise your salary. I had promised you an annuity of five hundred
+dollars--I shall now make it six hundred dollars. Hush! no word of thanks;
+I can imagine them all or read them in your countenance, and that
+satisfies me. Only one thing remains to be decided. From whom will you
+receive letters of recommendation to the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Your excellency, I believe the Electress will have the kindness to
+furnish me with a letter of recommendation to her son. Her most gracious
+highness is very favorably inclined toward me because I painted from
+memory a miniature of the Electoral Prince, and presented it to her. Since
+then she has been very condescending to me, and never refuses me
+admittance to her presence, and I may as well acknowledge to your
+excellency that a few days ago the Electress hinted at the probability of
+a position being offered me as electoral court painter."
+
+The count laughed aloud. "I congratulate you, master, and especially upon
+the salary which will be attached to the office. Only do not be puffed up
+and reject the little I have offered you, which you can always draw in
+secret, even when you have become electoral court painter. It is well for
+affairs to stand thus just at this juncture, for it will be easy for the
+electoral court painter to gain access to the Electoral Prince, and to be
+received into the number of his household. Repair to the Electress
+forthwith, tell her that you wish to travel to Holland in order to
+prosecute your artistic studies there, and come to me early to-morrow
+morning and acquaint me with the result of your audience. Farewell, Master
+Gabriel; go first to my treasurer and then to the Electress. No, no, say
+nothing more; no protestations, no word of thanks. I know you--that is
+enough."
+
+With proud, courtly mien he nodded to the painter in token of dismissal,
+waved his hand toward the door, and then seated himself in the window
+niche beside the Venus, turning his back to the room.
+
+Abashed and humiliated, Gabriel slunk away, and not until the sound of the
+closing door gave warning of his departure did the count turn around. His
+gaze was fixed upon the Venus, who in her wanton beauty met his looks with
+dark, flashing eyes.
+
+"You have cost me much, fair signora," he said, shrugging his shoulders.
+
+"Three thousand ducats for a copy! Who knows whether Titiano Vecellio was
+paid more for his original in his own time? Ah! you poor, beautiful woman,
+how dismal and cheerless it will seem to you in the cold north, and how
+much you will miss the golden light of your sunny Italian home here in
+this dirty northern Mark! We two must console one another, and try to
+forget that we do not live in your own fair Italy, but here, here, where
+there is more rain than sunshine, and where in place of music we often
+hear nothing but the grunting of swine and the bleating of sheep!"
+
+And, as if in confirmation of his words, just then was heard from the
+street a loud tumult, a confused discord of grunts and squeals. The count
+turned from the Italian beauty, and looked out into the street, or,
+rather, the great square fronting his palace.[8] The rain, which had
+streamed down incessantly for a few days past, had drenched the unpaved
+ground, and here and there, where the soil was impermeable to moisture,
+had formed puddles and pools. These, the sheep and hogs, which were
+ensconced in stalls before the houses, had chosen for their pleasure
+ground, and whole herds of them had come to bathe in these puddles before
+Count Schwarzenberg's palace and in the neighborhood of the cathedral. A
+few merry, naughty boys, attracted by their squealing and bleating,
+likewise ventured into the black sea of the cathedral square, but, finding
+that they forthwith sank in the same, they had called for help, shouting,
+screaming, and laughing, thereby attracting still other boys and idlers,
+who now with prudent caution stood on certain less saturated spots, and
+with shrieks of mockery and laughter watched the vain efforts of the
+sunken boys, who were striving to work themselves out of the morass. Such
+was the melancholy picture that presented itself to Count Adam von
+Schwarzenberg, and he gazed upon it with sad and gloomy looks.
+
+"And this is the residence of the Stadtholder in the Mark!" he sighed--"the
+outlook of von Schwarzenberg, count of the empire! Oh! it shall be
+otherwise! Out of this pigstye Berlin, I will construct a neat and
+handsome residence for myself, from this miserable house a splendid palace
+shall spring forth, and all the arts and sciences shall find their patron
+in the lord commanding in the Mark, when he is no longer merely called
+Stadtholder, but--"
+
+He looked anxiously behind him, as if he dreaded being overheard by some
+one. "Hush!" he murmured then, "be still! There are thoughts and plans
+which may never find expression in words, but, like Minerva from the brain
+of Jupiter, must come forth ready for action, spear in hand. Creep back
+into my heart, and never let it be perceived that you are there, until the
+right hour shall come, the hour--"
+
+He was silent, and again glanced searchingly around. Then, taking the
+silver whistle from his writing table, he let ring forth a shrill, loud
+call. A lackey in rich livery, its original material totally hidden
+beneath a mass of golden trappings and silver lace, appeared in the
+doorway.
+
+"Who is in the antechamber?" asked the count, casting a long, last glance
+upon the Venus, and then covering her again with the green stuff that hung
+at the corner of the frame.
+
+"Most gracious excellency, both entrance halls are crammed quite full of
+men of every rank and calling, for this is the hour for public audience."
+
+"Are many uniforms present?"
+
+"If you please, your excellency, very many. Besides General von Klitzing
+and Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf, the Colonels von Rochow and von Kracht
+are there."
+
+"These four gentlemen must be admitted to me," ordered the count. "The
+other people had better go, for I have no time to-day to grant audiences.
+Well, why do you stand there loitering? Why do you not go?"
+
+"Most gracious sir," entreated the lackey, "there are so many
+distinguished gentlemen there, who have already come so often in vain, and
+to whom I have promised an audience to-day, in accordance with your
+excellency's express command."
+
+"Who, for example?"
+
+"For example, your excellency, the councilors of the cities of Berlin and
+Cologne, then the states of the duchy of Cleves, and--"
+
+"Enough, enough! I see well that these lords have paid you to put me in
+mind of them, and I shall therefore have the complaisance to do honor to
+your intercession."
+
+"Alas! most gracious lord, I swear to your grace, that nobody has paid me,
+that--"
+
+"Silence! I know you all!" cried the count contemptuously. "I know that
+every audience day brings as much money to you lackeys as it prepares
+discomfort and weariness for me. Pocket your money quietly, honest
+Balthazar; you are no worse than all the rest of the servant brood and
+therefore I despise you no more than the rest. Go, conduct hither the
+military gentlemen named through the corridor, and meanwhile I shall take
+a walk through the audience chamber and you collect your pay."
+
+The gold-bedizened lackey left the cabinet with reverential and submissive
+air. But outside, he remained standing before the closed door, and boldly
+lifting up his head, with wholly altered face, hurled a look of hatred and
+defiance at the door.
+
+"No worse than all the rest of the servant brood!" he muttered, raising
+his fist in a threatening manner--"no worse than yourself, you should have
+said, proud lord. You receive bribes as well as we, take money wherever
+you can get it, lend upon pledges, and practice usury like any Jew! Ah! we
+know you, haughty count, the whole Mark of Brandenburg knows and detests
+you, and it is a sin and shame that we must bow down before the Catholic
+alien, the foreigner, the imperialist, the priest-ridden slave, and it is
+a dreadful misfortune that the Elector himself bows down before him, and
+acts as if Schwarzenberg were lord here, and he a mere servant. Well," he
+comforted himself, letting his fist drop, "I can not alter it, and father
+says what we can not alter we had better submit to, and profit by a
+little, if we can. I will now guide these gentlemen bullies to the count's
+cabinet."
+
+Count Adam von Schwarzenberg had meanwhile opened the door to his little
+private antechamber, and caused to enter his officiating equery and
+chamberlain, von Lehndorf, as also his two pages in waiting.
+
+"Lehndorf," he said, "what think you? Would it be possible to arrange a
+small hunting party for to-day?"
+
+"Most gracious sir," returned the chamberlain joyfully, "the weather seems
+just made for that. A clear, bright October day, and the does and stags in
+the park deserve that a couple of dozen of them should be shot down, for
+they have grown so bold that they hardly show any longer their wonted fear
+of man. Would your excellency believe that yesterday four does, under the
+guidance of a powerful buck, were pleased to issue forth from the park
+behind the castle and promenade a little in the worshipful towns of Berlin
+and Cologne? Such a screaming as there was of the street boys, who pursued
+the beasts, such a grunting of hogs, into whose styes the does sprang
+without respect, and such a running of honorable city women, who were
+struck with fear of being maltreated by the horned animals, who were
+nevertheless not their husbands, and such a yelping of noble butcher dogs,
+which probably took the does for calves gone mad! I swear, your
+excellency, it was divine sport."
+
+"You are a blustering fellow yourself," laughed the count, "and 'Who loves
+to dance, ne'er lacks the chance.' If you are thus minded, we shall have a
+little hunt to-day, and take it upon yourself to invite for us a few
+worthy and suitable gentlemen who have fine horses and dogs."
+
+"And will not your grace to-day, in this beautiful weather, grant these
+gentlemen the pleasure of seeing the two new greyhounds run? They have
+been here eight days already, and might as well display a little of their
+skill for the heavy sum of money they have cost."
+
+"Yes, that is true--a heavy sum of money they cost indeed," said the
+count. "My son writes me that he paid eight thousand dollars for these two
+greyhounds." [9]
+
+"But they are worth it, your excellency," cried the chamberlain, quite
+enthusiastically. "They are two wonderful animals, who have not their
+match in the wide world. I am quite in love with them, and if I had wife
+or ladylove, would gladly give her for these two greyhounds."
+
+"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!"
+
+
+
+
+BOOK II.
+
+I.--THE DOUBLE RENDEZVOUS.
+
+
+The Princess Ludovicka Hollandine walked restlessly to and fro in her
+apartment. Sometimes she stopped at the window and listened intently;
+then, finding all without still dark and silent, she stepped back and
+continued her restless walk, at times listening again at door or window.
+While passing the great Venetian mirror on the wall, on both sides of
+which were placed two silver candlesticks with immense burning wax tapers,
+she caught sight of her image as brightly and distinctly as if it had been
+a portrait, and she drew nearer, like a connoisseur bent on examining a
+picture. She saw before her within the carved gilt framework a beautiful
+maiden's form, in sky-blue satin robe that fell in wide, heavy folds
+around her full and blooming figure. The low-necked bodice left wholly
+uncovered her dazzling white shoulders, and beneath the transparent gauze
+of her sleeves shone the fair white arms as from out a silver cloud. Her
+head rested proudly and gracefully upon the slender alabaster neck, and
+was crowned by a profusion of black hair, caught up behind in great loops,
+and fastened with bows of blue satin ribbon. On the broad and lofty brow
+it was massed in the form of a diadem, with numberless pretty little
+ringlets. Her cheeks were pale, but of that clear, transparent paleness
+which has nothing in common with sickness and suffering, but is only
+peculiar to vehement, passionate natures, with whom the cheeks are
+colorless, because all the blood concentrates in the heart. Her large dark
+eyes had at the same time a languid, melting expression and the fire and
+glow of passion; the finely cut, slightly curved nose, the firm, somewhat
+projecting chin, indicated energy and decision; and around the full, rosy
+lips hovered a singular expression of good nature and frivolity.
+
+She contemplated herself for a long time, then a well-pleased smile passed
+over her fascinating countenance. "I am beautiful," she said, "yes, I am
+beautiful, and I believe those are right who suppose that I resemble my
+great-grand-mother, the beautiful Mary Stuart. O Mary! you beautiful,
+bewitching Queen--oh teach me the arts which won for you the hearts of all
+men; inspire me with the glow of passion, let it flash forth from me in
+bright flames, and grant that these flames may kindle and fire the one I
+love, whom I will possess, and on whom all my hopes and desires are fixed!
+But hush! did I not hear steps?"
+
+She again hurried to the window and listened, holding her breath. A
+shrill, thrice-repeated whistle was heard, sounding strangely awful in the
+stillness of the night.
+
+"It is he," murmured the Princess, "it is the concerted signal."
+
+She took from a table standing near a package consisting of cords and
+knots, and unrolled it. It was a rope ladder, twisted artfully and durably
+of fine cords, and held together at the top by a strong iron ring. This
+ring the Princess now slipped over the iron hook which was fixed in the
+middle of the cross work of the window, and lowered the rope ladder, while
+at the same time, as if in answer, she repeated the whistle in the same
+manner. Then she bounded back from the window, flew through the room to
+both doors, assured herself that the bolts were secured, and with hasty
+hands dropped the curtains over them.
+
+"No one can hear us, no one can see us, no one can get in here," she
+murmured; "he may come."
+
+A slight rustling was heard below the window, then a dark mass appeared in
+the open space, and a closely muffled manly form jumped from the
+windowsill down into the apartment. Wholly enveloped in the folds of an
+ample black cloak, whose hood was thrown over the head and drawn far over
+the face, it was impossible to recognize the visitor's features.
+
+
+The person thus disguised curiously and inquisitively turned his head to
+both sides of the room, strode rapidly across it, lifted the curtains from
+both doors, examined the fastenings of the bolts, went to the divan,
+peered under it, and, after completing this silent inspection of the
+chamber, returned to the window, loosened the cord from the hook, drew in
+the rope-ladder, and closed the window.
+
+Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, standing in the middle of the apartment,
+had watched this singular demeanour on the part of the mysterious intruder
+with growing astonishment. She had first held out her arms to greet the
+expected, the longed-for, to press him to her beating heart, but, finding
+that he came not to embrace her, she had slowly dropped her arms again.
+She had looked toward him with a tender glance, a fascinating smile, but
+when he hastened not to her, her glance had grown dark and her smile had
+vanished; and now, when he did approach her, she assumed an air of
+distant, proud reserve. He seemed not to see it, and, bending his knee
+before her, his head being still concealed, he pressed the hem of her
+garment reverentially to his lips.
+
+"Most beautiful, most condescending of all princesses," he whispered
+softly, "I sue for pardon, for forgiveness."
+
+The Princess shrank back, and a glowing flush overspread her cheeks. "My
+God!" she murmured, "that is not the voice--"
+
+"Not the voice of the one whom your highness desires to see," said the
+kneeling figure, concluding her sentence for her. "Yes, most amiable
+Princess, your tender, sensitive heart is not deceived. I am not the
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg. I am--"
+
+"Count d'Entragues, the French ambassador," cried the Princess, as the
+disguised man now threw back the hood of his mantle, and lifted up to her
+his youthfully handsome, smiling face.
+
+"Scream not, most gracious lady," said he, hastily, "and do not scold me,
+either; but be merciful and forgive me. I lie here at your feet and
+entreat for pardon, and will not rise until you have granted it."
+
+The Princess still kept her astonished and inquiring glance fixed upon
+him, but the sight of this handsome young man, disarmed her wrath.
+
+"Stand up, Count d'Entragues," she said--"stand up and account to me for
+this daring crime."
+
+"Your highness is right," returned he, "it is a daring crime, and only the
+extremest necessity could have driven me to this. I shall immediately
+therefore have the honor of explaining all this to the lovely, bewitching
+Princess Ludovicka Hollandine."
+
+With youthful agility he arose from his knees, took off his cloak, which
+he carelessly threw into a corner of the apartment, and presented himself
+to the Princess in a gold-embroidered velvet suit, richly trimmed with
+lace and ribbons. Ludovicka fixed her large eyes upon the proud and
+dazzling apparition of the young count, and the angry flashing of her eyes
+softened.
+
+"Sir Count," she said, imperiously, "without evasion and without
+circumlocution explain to me directly the meaning of this!"
+
+"You permit me to do so, then, fairest Princess? You thereby empower me to
+remain a half hour in your charming presence?"
+
+And while the count thus questioned, he took the hand of the Princess and
+covered it with kisses. Then, with graceful gallantry and solemn
+seriousness, as if they had been in the midst of a grand courtly
+assemblage, he conducted her to the divan. There she seated herself, and
+he bowed before her with all the formality and obsequiousness of a
+courtier as he took his place beside her.
+
+"Now your highness desires to know above all things how I can have dared
+to intrude here at so unusual an hour, and without the shadow of
+permission," he said with his mellifluous, insinuating voice. "Most
+gracious Princess, I confess that you are well justified in this
+curiosity, and I hasten to gratify it. Your grace expected a visitor
+indeed, but not the tiresome, unbidden Count d'Entragues--not the
+ambassador and servant of King Louis XIII or Cardinal Richelieu, but you
+expected an eloquent, handsome young Prince, who loves the Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine with passionate enthusiasm, and to whom after long
+and vain entreaties she has at last granted a rendezvous."
+
+"My God!" said the Princess, with an expression of horror, "how know you
+that, count?"
+
+"My most gracious Princess, I have a magician in my service, who acquaints
+me with everything that happens here at court and, above all things, in
+the palace of the Queen of Bohemia, and first of all in the apartments of
+the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine."
+
+"And the name of this magician is?"
+
+"Ducato, sweetest Princess, Ducato. Ah! if you knew what dear, precious
+secrets this magician has imparted to me, how loquaciously he blabs out to
+me everything that the fairest Princess in the world thinks and does by
+day and by night! I know, for example, how the lovely Princess stays with
+her mother with ever so much seriousness, goes with her to church, visits
+respectfully the Stadtholder of Holland, and fondles and pets the little
+Princess Louise; how she carries on her studies, plays the lute, paints
+and sings. But, God be thanked! life consists not entirely of days, but
+happily has its nights likewise."
+
+"What do you mean by that, Sir Count d'Entragues?"
+
+"I mean," replied the Count, while he smilingly bent over closer to the
+Princess--"I mean that here at The Hague there is a wonderful, charming
+combination of young gentlemen and noble young ladies, who have laid
+themselves out expressly to embellish these nights, and to indemnify
+themselves for their somber, gloomy days by joyous, merry nights. It is a
+secret order, into which it is a distinguished honor to be received, and
+which is shrouded in deepest secrecy. Never would a lady own that she
+belongs to it, and yet they say that the fairest, most exalted, most
+virtuous ladies press to be received into this order. It is not known of
+any of the ladies of the court that they belong to it, but it is suspected
+of each. No one can say that he has seen this or that one among the noble
+and virtuous ladies there, for at all the reunions of the members of the
+order the ladies wear small half-masks, and it is the first and most
+sacred law of the order that no man dares to lay so much as a finger upon
+this mask--this precious secret of the ladies. Moreover, they appear only
+in Grecian robes, so that it is difficult to recognize the beautiful forms
+of the ladies again in their elaborate court dresses and with their stiff
+Fontanges. The name of this secret society is Media Nocte, and it is
+especially an honor to belong to it, for nobody is admitted who has not
+stood his probation--that is to say, shown that he has acquired
+considerable proficiency in some art, and excels in it. He, therefore, who
+can not sing or play on the lute, paint or improvise, speak eloquently, or
+by some gift contribute to the enjoyment of the company, can never arrive
+at the distinction of becoming a member of this order. When, therefore, it
+is whispered of a gentleman that he belongs to the order, he is supposed
+to be not merely an accomplished gentleman, but an entertaining companion,
+a favorite of the Muses. If this secret is whispered of a lady, then we
+look upon her with admiration, rapture, joy for we know that we have
+before us one of those choice, enchanting, and rare beings, who are
+exalted above all prejudice; who believe not, with zealots and ascetics,
+that we live only to die, but who joyfully acknowledge that we live to
+live, and, therefore, that the noblest, worthiest task proposed is to
+render this life as pleasant as possible."
+
+"Why do you tell me all this, dear count?" asked the Princess impatiently.
+
+"It is true," replied he, smiling; "why should I tell you what you know
+already? I tell it to your highness in order to prove to you that I,
+thanks to my little magician Ducato, know the secret of the Media Nocte; I
+tell it to you in order now to whisper a secret in your ear: the Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine belongs to the society, she is a member of the order
+of the Media Nocte."
+
+The Princess only with difficulty suppressed a shriek, and stared with
+horror at the smiling countenance of the young count.
+
+"Hush, gracious lady, hush!" whispered the latter while he took her hand
+and imprinted a reverential kiss upon the tips of her rosy fingers. "Why
+should you wish to deny what is so genial and so delightful? My magician
+Ducato always tells me the truth; why should we dispute it? But it was not
+that which your highness wished to learn of me. You would ask me, how I
+know that the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg loves the beautiful Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine, and was to have his first rendezvous with her
+to-day. Once more, it is the magician Ducato who has told me that; yes,
+that good, obliging magician has done yet more for me. He put into my
+hands the pretty little note which the Princess Ludovicka sent yesterday
+through her confidential maid-servant to the confidential valet of the
+Electoral Prince, before the Prince had read it himself."
+
+"That is shameful--that is unheard of!" said the Princess, with glowing
+cheeks and tears in her eyes. "It is an abominable piece of deceit on the
+part of my maid, and she shall pay for it. To-morrow morning I shall
+dismiss her, and--"
+
+"That she may tell all the world the little secrets of her exalted
+mistress?" asked Count d'Entragues. "Oh, no, your highness; the maid is
+perfectly innocent of deceit, and it was only the magician Ducato who
+played the Princess's pretty little note into my hands. And will my
+sweetest lady know now what I did with the little note? I read it first,
+then--saw there that a rendezvous was granted the Prince at one o'clock. I
+took a very small sharp knife and--"
+
+"And? My God, go on! What did you with the knife?"
+
+"I very delicately erased and altered the number from a one into a two.
+Then I refolded the note, and handed it to my magician for further
+preferment to the Prince."
+
+"The Electoral Prince has received my note, then?" asked the Princess. "He
+will consequently--"
+
+"Come at two o'clock, instead of one o'clock," replied the count, and he
+intercepted the look which Ludovicka cast upon the large French clock upon
+the mantelpiece. "Yes, we have just a half hour before the Prince makes
+his appearance, and I hope that will suffice to obtain your highness's
+pardon for my boldness, and to establish a good understanding between
+myself and the most spirituelle, most genial, and most beautiful Princess
+of all the European courts. Will your highness be kind enough to grant me
+a hearing?"
+
+The Princess smiled imperceptibly. "The question comes somewhat late," she
+said. "If you had asked it while you stood there on the windowsill, before
+you came into my room, then I should have replied: 'No, be off! No, you
+are a shameless person, who has dared to spy out my secrets, to bribe my
+servants, and to deceive me, while he approaches me in a way that he knew
+perfectly was not open to him.' But you are here now; alas! I have not the
+power to expel you, and to punish you before all the world as you deserve."
+
+"O Princess! as if your harsh and cruel words were not a punishment, which
+touches my heart more sensibly than the cut of a sword or thrust of a
+dagger!"
+
+The Princess seemed not to have heard these words of the count, spoken
+with artistic effect, and continued: "You are here now, and I will at
+least know what inspired you to run this unheard-of risk of forcing
+yourself upon my notice. I am therefore ready to listen to you, on
+condition that you try to be short and not burden me too long with your
+presence."
+
+"Permit me to thank you, most condescending Princess," cried the count,
+while he sank from the ottoman down upon his knees, and pressed his
+glowing lips upon the hem of the Princess's robe. "I thank you, and swear
+that I will not overstep the limit prescribed, and depart at two with the
+first stroke of the clock."
+
+"Rise, count, rise and speak," said Ludovicka, in commanding tones, and
+with the full dignity of a Princess.
+
+Count d'Entragues again resumed his seat upon the divan. "Your highness
+commands now that I explain how I could have dared to come here?"
+
+"I confess that I am very anxious to hear this explanation."
+
+"Well, then, your highness is young, very young indeed, hardly eighteen
+years old, but you possess, in addition to a soft and tender heart, an
+almost masculine intellect. I apprehend from this that you interest
+yourself in politics."
+
+"There you are entirely mistaken, count. I hate, I abhor politics, and
+when my mother proposes to talk politics with me I always run away."
+
+"That is bad, very bad, your highness; for I am forced to talk politics to
+you. But I shall not be tedious, but limit myself to what is absolutely
+necessary. I shall therefore begin, in order to give your highness a proof
+of my reverential, unlimited confidence, by telling you what no one here
+knows--by telling you why I have been sent here and what my errand is.
+Princess, I have been ostensibly sent here to the Stadtholder of Orange
+and as ambassador from the King of France to the Sovereign States. In
+reality, I have been sent to two entirely different persons--to the
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg and to the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine."
+
+"To me?" asked the Princess, and her beautiful face expressed the most
+undisguised astonishment.
+
+"Yes, to yourself, most gracious Princess. And does your highness know
+why? Because our spies here, as well as the gentlemen of the French
+embassy to Holland, had reported that the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg
+was smitten with the most glowing love for your highness."
+
+The Princess blushed with pleasure, and a wondrous smile lit up her
+radiant countenance. "But," asked she, "how does it concern the court of
+France whom the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg loves?"
+
+"It concerns the court of France very nearly, your highness. I can not
+avoid now burdening your highness a little with hated politics, while I
+explain to you how it comes that the love of the Electoral Prince of
+Brandenburg is a state affair for the European courts. It comes from this,
+your highness, because the Electoral Prince, however small and
+insignificant his house, however inconsiderable, too, his future realm of
+Brandenburg, is still a very important personage. Three crowns are
+hovering in the air above his head, and if he obtains all three he will be
+a mighty Prince, and his sword may turn the scale in the balance of peace
+and war."
+
+"What three crowns are those which hover thus above the Prince's head?"
+
+"There is first the crown of the dukedom of Prussia, with which the King
+of Poland has to invest the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, and which the
+Elector of Saxony would be too glad to see fall upon his own head. Then,
+in the second place, there is the crown of the duchy of Pomerania, which
+belongs to the house of Brandenburg by right of inheritance, and which the
+Swedes are struggling for; and finally, in the third place, there is the
+crown of the duchy of Cleves, Juliers, and Berg, which the Emperor of
+Germany has indeed adjudged to that house, but which is so torn by
+Hessians and Spaniards, by the States, by the Swedes and various robbers,
+that probably hardly anything at all of it will be left. But nevertheless,
+there it is, and if the future Elector of Brandenburg actually succeeds in
+uniting upon his own head these three crowns, besides the electoral hat of
+Brandenburg, then he will be mighty and influential, and have a full
+sounding voice in the concert of the European princes. But now you must
+know that the Elector of Brandenburg is sickly, and has not many more
+years to live. Then the Electoral Prince Frederick William becomes his
+successor, and it is only needful to have seen the Prince for a few hours,
+to have looked into his fiery eyes, to be made aware that he will not
+tread in his father's footsteps, that he will not be the submissive vassal
+of the German Emperor, a mere tool in the hands of his minister, but that
+his efforts will be directed to making himself a free, independent Prince,
+and his country a strong, powerful, and self-sustaining state. The
+Minister von Schwarzenberg, the almighty representative of the present
+Elector, knows this very well, and on this account dreads and hates the
+Electoral Prince; he has therefore removed him from his father's court in
+order to take away all influence from him, and he would esteem himself
+happy if some lucky accident or criminal hand should free him from this
+inconvenient successor to the throne. But heretofore accident has not
+favored him; nor has he yet dared to press the murderous hand into his
+service; and he has therefore been compelled to devise some other method
+for securing his future, and so enchaining the Electoral Prince that he,
+too, may remain the Emperor's obedient vassal. As the best means for
+attaining this object it has occurred to them to bind the Electoral Prince
+to the German imperial house by marriage, and to receive him into the
+Hapsburg family. The Archduke Leopold, the future Emperor, has a very
+pretty daughter. She is intellectual, ardent, a strict Catholic, and has
+at heart the greatness of the Hapsburg house and the German Emperor. This
+princess, or rather archduchess, has been selected for the Electoral
+Prince of Brandenburg, and on that account the Electoral Prince is now to
+return home, for the Elector and his Minister Schwarzenberg are much bent
+upon the imperial alliance, and have already promised that the Electoral
+Prince shall make a visit to the imperial court. But, excuse me, I am
+misusing your indulgence, Princess. I am holding forth to you a
+long-winded political harangue, forgetting entirely how you hate politics,
+what a heinous crime I am committing, and that I weary you."
+
+"You do not weary me at all," replied Ludovicka quickly. "On the contrary,
+you interest me greatly. Only go on. I am listening attentively. You said
+that the Electoral Prince was to return home in order to make a visit to
+the imperial court, and to marry an archduchess of Austria?"
+
+"Pardon me, your highness. I only said this was the new plan of the
+imperial court, and consequently of the Minister Schwarzenberg and his
+Elector. And, indeed, the plan is good, for the son-in-law of the Emperor
+would be wholly dependent upon Austria, and if then the three pending
+crowns should settle upon his brow, it would be the same as if Austria
+herself wore them. Then they would cause the young married couple to make
+an agreement respecting claims of inheritance, in accordance with which
+the survivor should become heir to the first deceased. Then, some day, the
+Electoral Prince, or the young Elector, would have the misfortune to fall
+from his horse, or be pierced while hunting by some missent bullet, or
+fall a victim to a sudden problematical sickness; in short, he would die,
+and his wife would be his heiress, and through her the Electoral Mark
+Brandenburg, the duchies of Prussia, Pomerania, and Cleves, accrue to the
+imperial house. This would be then to put an end to the long, fearful war,
+to make peace with Sweden by relinquishing Pomerania to her, and, in order
+to see this war finally ended, which has desolated the whole of Germany,
+the other German powers would acquiesce in Pomerania becoming Swedish, and
+Cleves, Brandenburg, and Prussia Hapsburgian."
+
+"Sir Count!" cried the Princess, "now you become tiresome, for you have
+digressed from your subject!"
+
+"From the Electoral Prince? Oh, no; I have already come to him again,
+fairest Princess! I said all Germany would consent to this marriage.
+Poland, too, would rather invest the Catholic imperial house with the
+Prussian crown than the reformed Elector, and prefer an Austrian neighbor
+as friend to a Russian; only two European powers would look askance upon
+this union, and consequently do all they possibly could to prevent its
+consummation."
+
+"And who are these two powers, Sir Count?"
+
+"One power is France, who would never consent to so striking an
+aggrandizement of the house of Austria, and can not passively submit to
+see it spread itself so extensively north, west, and east."
+
+"And the second power, count?"
+
+"The second power is the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine of the Palatinate,
+who would never give up the handsome Electoral Prince, and would snatch at
+any means of preventing his marriage with any one else. Will you
+condescend to acknowledge that I have told the truth?"
+
+"Yes!" cried the Princess passionately--"yes, you have told the truth! I
+love him, and the only happiness upon earth for me is in becoming his
+wife!"
+
+"Princess, I presume to make a proposal to you. Let the two powers that
+wish not the marriage with an Austrian archduchess conclude together a
+league offensive and defensive. The power France accedes to this with joy.
+It promises to further and support the second power in all her plans, to
+lend her efficient aid, that the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine may wed the
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg."
+
+"Oh, heavens, count, you would do that, you--"
+
+"France will do that, not I," said the count passionately. "No, not I,
+Princess, for you know well that I was rash enough to lift my eyes to your
+heavenly apparition, my heart--But hush, you poor, foolish heart, suffer
+and be dumb, sacrifice yourself, and only busy yourself in making happy
+the sweet object of your warm and glowing love! Princess, you love the
+Electoral Prince! France offers you her assistance that you may marry him.
+This marriage will throw the Elector as well as the German Emperor into
+the greatest rage; they will both refuse their consent; they will require
+Holland to deliver up the Electoral Prince; they will proclaim invalid the
+marriage between two minor lovers, and will cut off the Electoral Prince
+from all means of subsistence."
+
+"Oh, that is shocking, you give me a glimpse of a background which fills
+me with dread and horror," lamented the Princess.
+
+"Fear nothing, dread nothing," whispered the count. "France is here to
+support you. France offers the young couple an asylum in Paris, and will
+receive them at her court with pleasure. France will take care that the
+Electoral Prince and his wife want for nothing; she will pay him rich
+subsidies, contribute vast sums of money that the Electoral Prince may
+present his young bride with a costly outfit; and finally, in the name of
+her mother, the Electress of the Palatinate, provide the Princess with a
+truly princely income."
+
+"How kind, how generous that is of France!" cried Ludovicka. "It will
+promote my happiness, it will aid me in being united with my beloved; it
+thereby pledges me to eternal gratitude, and never shall I forget that I
+owe to France the happiness of my whole life."
+
+"And that, adored Princess, that is the only thing that France claims for
+its good offices--a little gratitude! A faithful remembrance of its good
+offices rendered, the sure promise that the Elector Frederick William of
+Brandenburg will never range himself on the side of the enemies of France,
+never league himself with the house of Austria against France, but forever
+remain the faithful ally and friend of France!"
+
+"I promise you that--I give you my solemn word for it! Oh, we are no
+ingrates, to reward you with ingratitude; be sure and certain of that. The
+Electoral Prince loves me; he will bid all welcome that makes a union with
+me possible; he will be eternally grateful to those who will lend us a
+helping hand."
+
+"And--forgive me, your highness, for asking one question--has he offered
+you his hand; has he made you a formal proposal of marriage?"
+
+"He has sworn a thousand times that he loves me; he has so long and so
+often besought me to grant him an interview that I have at last done
+so--all the rest follows."
+
+"Now," said the count, with a meaning smile, "that is just as one may take
+it. In any case, this interview will be useful and to the purpose, and
+your highness must now bring the Prince to declare himself formally."
+
+"My heavens!" cried the Princess impatiently, "I tell you that he has very
+often declared himself, that he has sworn to me a thousand times that of
+all the world he loves me, and me alone! What more would you have him
+say?"
+
+"Princess, you are an angel of innocence and maidenly simplicity. When I
+say the Prince must declare himself, I mean by that that he must sue for
+your hand; he must say to you in so many words that he wishes to marry
+you."
+
+"Good! he shall do so, even to-day. Oh, sir, it pleases you to doubt the
+love of the Electoral Prince? You dare to think it possible that he may be
+only amusing himself with me--that he has no serious designs? I shall
+prove to you that you are mistaken--that you wrong me and the Electoral
+Prince alike by your doubt. This very night he shall offer me his
+hand--this very night I shall engage myself to him!"
+
+"And to-morrow night the nuptials must take place!" cried the count.
+
+The Princess shrank back and a glowing blush overspread her cheeks. "So
+soon--to-morrow night?" she murmured. "My God! this haste--"
+
+"Is necessary, if the marriage is ever to take place at all, Princess.
+There is a common but very wise proverb which says, 'Strike while the iron
+is hot.' Strike, Princess, strike, for I tell you what does not happen
+to-morrow night will be utterly impossible the day after. We have
+fortunately our secret agents everywhere, as well here as at the courts of
+Berlin and Königsberg, and we therefore know that both Count Schwarzenberg
+and the Elector have sent their messengers here to induce the Electoral
+Prince to a speedy departure, and to threaten him with his father's wrath
+in case he should allow himself to marry the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine."
+
+"But that is abominable!" cried the Princess, with tears in her eyes. "One
+of these messengers," continued the count, "and indeed the messenger of
+Count Schwarzenberg, as I suspect, has already arrived this evening, and
+the Electoral Prince has already received him. The other will probably
+come to-morrow, and if you then still delay, if you do not surprise the
+Prince in the first storm of his indignation, and thereby lead him to bind
+himself to you by a secret marriage, then all is lost, and the two powers
+Hollandine and France are conquered by Brandenburg and Austria."
+
+"That shall not be!" cried the Princess, jumping up, and with hasty steps
+moving to and fro. "No, we are not to be conquered! They shall not tear my
+beloved from me!"
+
+"Well, Princess, if you are firmly resolved, then I beg as a favor to be
+allowed to be of service to you."
+
+"Yes, help me--advise me."
+
+"I have counted upon your love and your energy, Princess, and therefore
+have already drawn up a stated plan. Will you hear it?"
+
+"Not merely hear, but execute it, too, if it is at all practicable," cried
+Ludovicka, while she remained standing in the center of the room, and
+turned her large, flaming eyes upon the count, who had likewise arisen and
+advanced smilingly toward her.
+
+"Well, then, Princess, the plan is short and simple. The Prince makes you
+to-night his offer of marriage."
+
+"Yes, this very night," said she, proudly.
+
+"He swears that he will marry you as soon as possible."
+
+"Oh, you may be sure of that; he will swear it to me."
+
+"Own to him that you have friends on whose aid and assistance you can
+count, but let him not suspect who these friends are. Then lead the
+conversation to the Media Nocte--But, my heavens!" exclaimed the count,
+interrupting himself, while he looked as if accidentally at the clock, "it
+only wants now a few minutes of two o'clock, and the Electoral Prince will
+certainly come punctually, and therefore will be here directly. I have
+written out all that it is necessary that you will have the complaisance
+to do between this and to-morrow. Read it over at your leisure, and
+impress it rightly upon your mind. Here is the paper, and may my writing
+find a hearing and favor! If such be the case, as I hope and desire, then
+will your highness have the goodness to open your window a little at ten
+o'clock and display from it an orange-colored ribbon. All the rest will
+take care of itself, and what your highness has to do is on the paper. I
+hasten to withdraw, that your highness may have time to read my writing."
+
+"But if the Prince should come now?" asked Ludovicka anxiously--"if he
+should see a man descending from my window?"
+
+"You are right, Princess; that is to be dreaded; and I, too, have
+considered that. I will not leave through the window."
+
+"Not through the window? But in what other way would you--"
+
+"Go away, would you say? By yonder door! I know perfectly well that it
+leads into the Princess's private apartment, and thence into the
+antechamber. Oh, I know the Castle Doornward well, for is it not the
+residence of the Electress of the Palatinate and her fair daughter the
+Princess? Therefore I have had drawn out for myself an exact plan of
+it. Moreover, your waiting maid Alice awaits me in the antechamber.
+Forgive her for not having been able to withstand the persuasions of her
+compatriot, the magician Ducato. Alice will permit me to slip out of the
+castle by a back door. And now, adored Princess and exalted Electress of
+the future, permit your most faithful and devoted servant ere he depart
+once more to press your beloved hand to his lips, and to tell you how
+inexpressibly happy--and, alas! how inexpressibly wretched--it makes him
+that he can and--must assist in marrying the Princess Ludovicka to the
+Electoral Prince."
+
+With a bewitching smile the Princess held out her hand to him. "Count
+d'Entragues," she said, "I shall be eternally grateful to you for your
+self-sacrifice and good faith. I shall esteem myself happy if some day I
+may find an opportunity of proving this to you. Farewell!"
+
+He pressed a long, glowing kiss upon her hand. "Farewell!" he said. "When
+I see you again, Princess, I shall accompany you to the altar, and must
+witness the transformation of the Princess Ludovicka into an Electoral
+Princess of Brandenburg, and in my heart will be prayers, but also tears!
+Farewell!"
+
+He sprang up, crossed the room with light, quick steps, unbolted the door,
+and vanished behind the curtain. The Princess watched him until he had
+disappeared, and, after she had convinced herself that he was actually
+gone, and had bolted the door again, she took out the paper and read over
+its contents slowly and with most serious attention.
+
+As she read, brighter and brighter became her face, constantly more
+radiant the smile upon her rosy lips. "Yes," she cried, after she had
+twice read it through, "that will do--it shall be so! To-morrow in the
+Media Nocte I will--"
+
+A loud shrill whistle sounded. "He comes!" whispered she, "he comes!"
+
+With trembling hands she thrust the paper into a casket belonging to her
+writing table, and hurried to the window to open it and lower the rope
+ladder.
+
+At this moment the whistle rang forth for the second time, its tones
+following one another in quick succession.
+
+"It is he--it is my beloved," murmured Ludovicka, and with a happy smile
+she listened out into the night.
+
+
+
+
+II.--THE ELECTORAL PRINCE.
+
+
+The Princess had not long to wait. The groaning and creaking of the rope
+ladder already betrayed the presence of its burden. Ludovicka leaned
+farther out of the window and saw the dark shadow mount higher and higher;
+already she heard his breath, and now--oh, now he was there, swung himself
+in at the window, and without saying a word, without seeing anything but
+herself, only herself alone. He fell on his knees before the Princess,
+flung both arms round her waist, and, looking up at her with a beaming
+smile, whispered, "I thank you, Ludovicka, I thank you!"
+
+She bent down to him with an expression of unutterable love, and their
+bright eyes met in a tender glance. They formed a beautiful picture, those
+two youthful figures combining in so lovely a group. She, bending over him
+with a look brimful of love, he gazing up at her with animated, radiant
+eyes. The full light of the wax candles in the silver chandelier
+illuminated his countenance, and Ludovicka looked down upon him with a
+smile as blissful as if she had now seen him for the first time.
+
+"You are handsome," she whispered, softly, while with her white hand she
+stroked his dark-brown hair, which fell in long waving curls, like the
+mane of a lion, over both powerful shoulders. "Yes, you are handsome," she
+smilingly repeated, and playfully passed her hand over his features, over
+the lofty, thoughtful brow, the energetic, slightly prominent, aquiline
+nose, over the full glowing lips, which breathed an ardent kiss upon the
+hand that glided past.
+
+"Now let me look into your eyes and see what is written in them,"
+continued Ludovicka, and she stooped lower over the kneeling youth, and
+looked long into those large, dark-blue eyes, which gazed up at her,
+lustrous and bright as two twinkling stars.
+
+"Have you read what is in my eyes?" he asked, after a long pause, in which
+only their glances and their beating hearts had spoken to one another.
+"Have you read it, my Ludovicka?"
+
+With a charmingly pouting expression she shook her head. "No," said she
+sadly, "I can not read it, or perhaps there is nothing in them, or at
+least nothing for me!"
+
+He jumped up, and, throwing his arms around her neck, leaned his face
+close against hers, flashed his burning glance deep into her eyes, and in
+doing so smiled a blissful, childlike smile.
+
+"Now read," he said, almost imperiously--"read and tell me what is in my
+eyes!"
+
+She slowly shook her head. "There is nothing in them," she whispered.
+"But, indeed, how can I know? The Electoral Prince Frederick William is so
+very learned, and it is only my own fault that I can not read what is in
+his eyes. It is written in Latin, or perhaps in Greek!"
+
+"No, you mischievous, you cruel one," cried he impatiently. "You just will
+not understand and read what is plainly and intelligibly written in my
+eyes. My heart speaks neither Latin nor Greek, but German, and the eyes
+are the lips with which the heart speaks."
+
+"Well then, tell me, Cousin Frederick William, what is in your eyes?"
+
+"I will tell you, Cousin Ludovicka Hollandine. They say: I love you! I
+love you! And nothing but I love you!"
+
+"But whom? To whom are these three little words addressed?"
+
+"To you, you heartless, you wicked one, to you are these words addressed.
+But not little words are they, as you say; they are great words, full of
+meaning: for a world, a whole human life, my whole future, lies in these
+three words--I love you."
+
+He embraced her and pressed her close to his heart, and Ludovicka leaned
+her head upon his shoulder and looked up at him with moist and glowing
+eyes. He nodded smilingly to her, and then took her head between his two
+hands and gazed long and rapturously upon her beautiful face.
+
+"So I have you at last, and hold you, my golden butterfly," he said
+gently. "You are mine at last, and I hold you fast by your transparent
+wings, so that you can not flutter away from me again to fly up to the
+sun, the flowers, the trees! O my butterfly! you pretty creature, made of
+ethereal dust and rainbow splendor, of air and sunshine, of lightning
+flashes and icy coldness, are you actually mine, then? May I trust you?
+Think not I am only a poor little flower on which you may smilingly rock
+yourself an hour in the sunshine, and enjoy the perfume which mounts up
+from its heart's blood, and the love songs which its sighs waft to you in
+the breeze! Tell me, you butterfly, will you no more flutter away, but be
+true and never more distress and torment me?"
+
+"I have never wished to distress and torment you, cousin."
+
+
+"And yet you have done it, so often, so grievously!" cried he, and his
+handsome open countenance grew quickly dark, while his eyes flashed with
+indignation. "Ludovicka," he continued, "you have tortured and tormented
+me, and often when I have seen how you smiled upon others and exchanged
+glances with them, and allowed yourself to be pleased by their homage,
+their devotion--often have I felt then as if an iron fist had seized my
+heart to tear it from my breast, and felt as if I enjoyed this, and as if
+I exulted with delight over my own wrath. Tear out my foolish heart, you
+iron fist of pain, said I to myself; cast it far from me, this childish
+heart, for then shall I be happy and glad, then shall I no longer feel
+love but be freed from the fearful bondage it imposes upon me. How often,
+Ludovicka, how often have I been ashamed of these chains, and bitten at
+them, as the lion, languishing in a dungeon, bites at his."
+
+"Truly, fair sir," cried Ludovicka, as arm in arm she and her beloved
+moved toward the divan--"truly, to hear you talk, one would suppose that
+love was a misfortune and a pain."
+
+"It is so indeed," said he, almost savagely--"yes, love is a misfortune
+and a pain; for with love comes doubt, jealousy, and jealousy is the most
+dreadful pain. And then I have often said to myself as I wept about you
+for rage and woe because I have seen you more friendly with others than
+with me--I have often said to myself that it is unworthy of a man to allow
+himself to be subjected by love, unworthy to make a woman the mistress of
+his thoughts, of his desires; that a man should strive for higher aims,
+aspire to nobler things."
+
+"To nobler things? Now tell me, you monster, is there anything nobler than
+a woman? Is there a higher aim than to win her love?"
+
+"No; that is true, there is nothing higher!" cried he passionately. "No
+there is nothing nobler. Oh, forgive me, Ludovicka, I was a heathen, who
+denies his goddess, and finds fault with her out of excess of feeling. My
+God! I have suffered so much through you and your cruelty! And I tell you
+if you had not now at last heard my petition, at last granted me a
+rendezvous, then--"
+
+"Then you would have killed yourself," interrupted she--"then you would
+have stabbed yourself on the threshold of my door, while you cursed me. Is
+not that what you would have said?"
+
+"No; I would have found out the man whom you preferred to me, and I would
+have killed him, and you I would have despised--that is what I would have
+said. But no, no, I can not conceive of or imagine myself despising
+you--loving you no more! My whole soul is yours, and my heart flames up
+toward you as if it were one vast and living lake of fire. You smile; you
+do not believe me, Ludovicka! But I tell you, if you do not believe me,
+neither do you believe in love itself."
+
+"I do not believe in it, either, cousin; and you are quite right, your
+heart is a lake of fire. You know, though, all fires become extinct?"
+
+"When fuel is denied them, Ludovicka--not till then. They burn constantly,
+if supplied with constant fuel."
+
+"So then, my Electoral Prince, my heart is the fuel you would require?"
+
+"Yes, my Princess, I do require it. I implore it of you. Be good,
+Ludovicka, torment me not. Let me at last feel myself blessed--let me put
+my arm around you, and say and think, she is mine! mine she remains!"
+
+"Mine she remains!" repeated Ludovicka, sighing. "Alas! Frederick, how
+long ere you will no longer wish that I were yours; how long ere all the
+oaths of your heart will be forgotten and forever hushed? I have heard it
+from all women--they all say that the love of men is perishable; that,
+like a flash of lightning, it shines forth with vivid blaze, then vanishes
+away."
+
+"And they have all deceived you or been deceived themselves, Ludovicka.
+The love of men never expires, unless forcibly extinguished by women. Be
+trustful, my Ludovicka, trustful, and pious, and let love, holy and still,
+ardent and glowing, penetrate your heart, just as I do, without trembling,
+without hesitancy, and without the fear of men."
+
+"You love me, then, love me truly?" asked Ludovicka, tenderly clinging to
+him.
+
+"I love you with wrath and pain, love you with rapture and delight, love
+you in spite of the whole world! I will know nothing, consider nothing,
+hear nothing of the folly of the wise, of the irrationality of the
+rational, of the stupidity of the sage. I will know nothing and hear
+nothing, but that I love you! Just as you are, so cruel and so lovely, so
+coquettish and so innocent, so passionate and yet so cold. Oh, you are an
+enchantress, who has changed my whole being and taken possession of all my
+thoughts and all my feelings. Formerly I loved my parents, feared my
+father, respected my friend and early teacher, the faithful Leuchtmar,
+listened to his counsels, followed his advice. But now all that is
+past--all is swallowed up. I think only of you, only know you, only hear
+you."
+
+"And yet a day will come when I shall call upon you in vain, a day when
+you shall no longer hear my voice."
+
+"It will be the day of my death."
+
+"No; the day when you leave this place. The day on which you return to
+your native land to become there a reigning lord, and leave the poor
+humbled Princess Ludovicka behind here deserted and alone."
+
+"But you? Will you not go with me?" he asked, in amazement. "Will not my
+country be yours? And if I am a reigning lord, will you not stand as
+sovereign lady by my side?"
+
+"I?" asked she, bewildered. "How do you mean? I do not understand you."
+
+"I mean," he whispered softly, while he clasped her closely to himself--"I
+mean that you shall accompany me as my wife."
+
+"But!" cried she, smiling, and with an expression of radiant joy--"but you
+have never said that I should be your wife."
+
+"Have I not told you that I love you? Have I not been repeating to you for
+a year that I love you? And does it not naturally follow that you and you
+alone are to be my wife?"
+
+"But they will not suffer it, Frederick!" cried she, with an expression of
+pain. "No, they will never suffer you to make me your wife."
+
+"Who will not suffer it, Ludovicka?"
+
+"Your parents will not suffer it, and the great Lord von Schwarzenberg,
+who rules your father, as my mother has told me, and Herr von Leuchtmar,
+who rules you and--"
+
+"Nobody rules me," interrupted he indignantly, and a flush of anger or
+shame suffused his face. "No, nobody rules me, and I shall never be
+subject to any other will than my own."
+
+"So you say now, Frederick, while you look into my eyes, while you are at
+my side. But to-morrow, when I am no longer by, when your tutor shall have
+proved with his cold, matter-of-fact arguments that the poor Princess
+Ludovicka is no fit match for the Electoral Prince of
+Brandenburg--to-morrow, when your tutor will chide his beloved
+pupil for ever having allowed so foolish a love to enter his
+heart, then--"
+
+"I am a pupil no longer," interrupted he with glowing cheek. "I am
+seventeen years old, and no tutor has any more power over me."
+
+She seemed not to have heard him, and continued in her sweet, melancholy
+voice: "To-morrow, when perhaps another messenger comes to summon you
+home, when he brings you a letter from your father with the command to set
+forth immediately, in which you are informed that he has selected a bride
+for you, oh, then will the Electoral Prince Frederick William be naught
+but the obedient son, who obeys his father's commands, who leaves this
+country to seek his native land, and to wed the bride who has been chosen
+for him by his father."
+
+"No!" shouted the Electoral Prince fiercely, while he leaped up from the
+divan, and stamped his foot upon the ground--"I say no, and once more no.
+I shall not do what they order. I shall only follow my own will. And it is
+my will, my fixed, unalterable will, to make you my wife, and this will I
+shall carry into effect, despite my father, the German Emperor, and the
+whole world. Ludovicka, I here offer you my hand. Do you accept it? Will
+you be my wife?"
+
+With a countenance irradiated by energy, pride, and love he held out his
+hand to her, and smilingly she laid her own small hand in his. "Yes," she
+said, "I will be your wife. With pride and joy I accept your beloved hand,
+and swear that I love you, and will honor and obey you as my lord and my
+beloved!"
+
+He sank upon his knees before her, and kissed the hand which rested in his
+own. "Ludovicka Hollandine, Princess of the Palatinate," he said, with
+distinct and solemn voice, "I, Frederick William, Electoral Prince of
+Brandenburg, vow and swear hereby to love and be faithful to you ever as
+your wedded husband."
+
+"I accept your oath, and return it!" she cried joyfully. "I, too, swear to
+love and be ever true to you, and to take you for my husband. And here you
+have my betrothal kiss, and here you have your destined bride. Take her,
+and love her a little, for she loves you very much, and she will die of
+chagrin if you forget her!"
+
+"I shall never forget you, Ludovicka!" cried he, tenderly embracing her.
+"Storms indeed will come, violent tempests will rage about us, but I
+rejoice in them. For strength is tried by storms, and when it thunders and
+lightens I can then prove to you that my arm is strong enough to protect
+you, and that you are safe from all danger upon my heart."
+
+"O Frederick! and still, still would they separate us. My mother just said
+to me yesterday, 'Take care not to love the Electoral Prince seriously,
+for he can never be your husband.' And when, trembling and weeping, I
+asked the reason, she at last replied, 'Because you are a poor Princess,
+and because the misfortunes of your house overshadow you likewise.' The
+Elector and his minister will never give their consent to such a union,
+and the Electoral Prince will never have the spirit to be disobedient to
+his father and to marry in opposition to his wishes."
+
+She darted a quick, searching glance at his face, and saw how he reddened
+with indignation. "I shall prove to your mother that she is mistaken in
+me," he said vehemently. "I am indeed yet young in years, but I feel
+myself in heart a man who bows to no strange will, and is only obedient to
+the law of his conscience and his own judgment. I love you, Ludovicka, and
+I will marry you!"
+
+"If they give us time, Frederick," sighed Ludovicka. "If they do not force
+me first to wed some other man."
+
+"What do you say?" cried the Electoral Prince, growing pale, as he clasped
+his beloved yet closer to his side. "Could it be possible that--"
+
+"That they sell and barter me away, just as they do other princesses? Yes,
+alas! it is possible. Ay, Frederick, more than possible--it is certain
+that they have such views. Wherefore think you, then, that the Electoral
+Prince of Hesse is here--that he came yesterday with my uncle, the
+Stadtholder, to visit my mother, and that he was even presented to me in
+my own apartment? O Frederick! my mother has told me it is a settled
+thing--that the Electoral Prince of Hesse has come to marry me. They have
+already made arrangements, and got everything in readiness. Day after
+to-morrow is to be the day for his formal wooing, and if you do not save
+me, if you know of no way of escape, then in eight days I shall be the
+bride of the Electoral Prince of Hesse. I had planned, Frederick, to try
+you first--to hear from yourself whether you actually loved me, whether
+your love was earnest. Had I discovered that you were only making sport of
+my heart, had you not formally offered me your hand and sued for me as
+your wife, then would I have gone silently away, would have buried my love
+in the depths of my soul, sacrificed myself to my mother's wishes and the
+misfortune of my house, and become the wife of the Electoral Prince of
+Hesse. But you do love me, you offer me your hand, and now I confess my
+love openly and joyfully--now I cast myself in your arms and entreat you:
+Save me, my Frederick, do not let them tear me away from you! Save me from
+the Electoral Prince of Hesse!"
+
+She flung both her arms around him, pressed him closely to her, and looked
+up to him with tenderly beseeching eye. With passionate warmth the
+Electoral Prince kissed those alluring eyes and lips responding to his
+pressure. "You shall be mine, you must be mine, for I love you
+inexpressibly. I can not, I will not live without you!"
+
+"Let us fly, my beloved," whispered she, always holding him in her
+embrace.
+
+"Let us fly before the wrath of your father, before the courtship
+of the Electoral Prince of Hesse. Let us preserve our love in some quiet
+corner of the earth; let us fly where no one can follow us, where your
+father's will and his minister's hate can have no power--let us fly!"
+
+"Yes," said he, clasping closer in his arms the tender, glowing creature
+who clung so affectionately to him--"yes, let us fly, my beloved. They
+shall not tear you from me; I will have you, in spite of them all--you
+shall be mine, even though the whole world should rise up in opposition.
+To-morrow night let us make our escape. You are right; there must be some
+quiet corner of the world where we can hide ourselves, living for
+happiness, for love alone, until it is permitted us to emerge from our
+seclusion, and assume the station in the world due to us both. Yes, we
+will flee, Ludovicka, we will flee, no matter where!"
+
+"Oh, I hope I know a place of refuge, where we may be sheltered from the
+first wrath of our relatives, my Frederick. I have friends, influential,
+mighty friends, who will gladly furnish us with an asylum, and from whom
+we may accept it. To them I shall turn--to them apply for a retreat. They
+will provide us with the means for flight. Only, my beloved," she
+continued, hesitating and with downcast eyes, "only one thing is needful
+to enable me to flee with you."
+
+"What is that, my beloved, tell me?"
+
+"Frederick, I can only follow my husband, only go with you as your wife."
+
+"Yes, you sweet, lovely girl, you can only follow me as your husband.
+To-morrow night we make our escape, and ere we escape we must be married,
+and a priest shall bless our love. You say you have influential and
+powerful friends here, and indeed I know that the richest, noblest men in
+Holland vie with one another for one kind glance from my Ludovicka. Oh,
+not in vain have the States stood godfather for my bride, and given her
+their name. Now will some rich, powerful citizen of Holland prove that he,
+too, is godfather to the lovely Princess Hollandine, and in Java or Peru,
+or perhaps on some ship, find us a republic. I accept it, beloved, I
+accept it, and swear beforehand that the future Elector shall reward the
+rich mynheer and the whole of Holland for the good now done to the
+Electoral Prince and his beloved Hollandine. Speak, therefore, to your
+good, rich friends; tell them they may help and assist us. I agree to
+everything, I accept everything. I only want you, you yourself, for you
+are my all, my life, my light!"
+
+"You give me full power, then, to make arrangements for our flight, my
+Frederick?"
+
+"I give you full power, my beloved; you are wiser, more thoughtful than I
+am; besides, you are not so strictly guarded, so encircled by spies as I
+am."
+
+"No; to-morrow I am still free," exulted she--"to-morrow the Electoral
+Prince of Hesse has as yet no power over me, and no one will be observing
+me. My mother has been detained by sickness at The Hague, and here at
+Doornward there are no spies. Yes, I take charge of all, beloved. I shall
+manage everything, and to-morrow night I shall expect you."
+
+"To-morrow night I shall come here to take you away, my, beloved."
+
+"No, not here, for to-morrow my mother comes home, and then the castle
+will no longer be so solitary and quiet; then there will be many people
+here, and our movements might be watched."
+
+"Well, where else shall I find you, Ludovicka?"
+
+She clung to him, and gazed tenderly into his glowing eyes. "Oh," she
+said, "you do not know what I have ventured and dared for you. Do you
+remember with what animation and rapture you spoke to me recently of the
+secret league which exists at The Hague, of the rare feasts which you
+solemnize there, of the pleasure and delight you experience there? Do you
+remember how you lamented that we could not enjoy this glorious
+companionship together, that I could not be there at your side? Well, see,
+beloved, now you must admit how much I love you, and how ready I am to
+please you. I have in perfect secrecy and silence had myself initiated
+into the order of the Media Nocte."
+
+"You have done that?" cried the Prince, in joyful astonishment. "You
+belong to this glorious company of great minds, naming hearts, and noble
+souls? Oh, my Ludovicka, I recognize your love in this, and I thank you,
+and am proud of it that my betrothed belongs to the genial, the
+intellectual, and the elect. Oh, you are not merely my destined bride, you
+are my muse, my goddess, and in humility I bow my head before you, and I
+kiss the hem of your robe, beloved mistress, chosen one!"
+
+He bent his knee and kissed her robe, and bowed lower to kiss the tiny
+foot in its blue satin shoe. Then he raised one of these pretty feet and
+kissed it again, and placed it on his breast, holding it fast there with
+both his hands.
+
+"Mistress," he whispered, lifting up to her his countenance, beaming with
+love and enthusiasm--"mistress, your slave lies before you. Crush me, let
+me be dust beneath your feet, if you do not love me; let me die here, or
+swear to me that you will ever love me, that to-morrow night you will link
+your destiny indissolubly with mine!"
+
+"I will ever love you," she breathed forth, with a magical smile;
+"to-morrow night I will link my fate to yours."
+
+"Give me a pledge of your vow, a sign, a token of this hour!" entreated
+he, still holding the little foot between his hands.
+
+"What sort of pledge do you require, beloved of my heart? Ask, command;
+whatever it may be, it shall be yours!"
+
+With beaming, happy look he gazed upon her glowing countenance, and nodded
+to her, and whispered words full of tenderness and love, and at the same
+time with fondling hand loosened the silver buckle which fastened the blue
+satin shoe upon her foot, drew off the slipper from her little foot, whose
+rosy hue was transparent through the white silk stocking, and smilingly
+thrust it into the breast pocket of his velvet jacket. "But, Frederick, my
+shoe--give me back my shoe," said she, laughing; and her little hand and
+wondrous arm dived into his pocket to recover the stolen shoe. But the
+Prince held fast the little hand, whose warm, soft touch he felt to the
+deepest recesses of his heart, and pressed warm, glowing kisses on that
+ravishing arm, which seemed to quiver and tremble at the touch of his lips.
+
+"My shoe," she breathed softly--"give me my shoe!"
+
+"Never!" said he energetically. "No, I swear it, so truly as I love you, I
+shall never give back to you this precious jewel. Mine it remains, and not
+for all the treasures of the earth do I give it back again. Here, on my
+heart, it shall rest, the charming little shoe, and when I die it shall
+rest beside me in my coffin."
+
+"No, no, I will have it again!" cried Ludovicka. "My heavens! what would
+my chambermaid say, if to-morrow morning one of my shoes had
+vanished--been spirited away?"
+
+"Let her say and think what she pleases, dearest. Tell her you will direct
+her where to find it on the day after to-morrow. Think you not that when
+our flight is discovered, she will readily guess who has stolen your shoe?"
+
+"But see, Frederick, see my poor foot; it is freezing, pining for its
+house!"
+
+And smilingly Ludovicka extended toward the Prince her shoeless little
+foot. He took it between his hands and breathed on it with his glowing
+breath, and pressed upon it his burning lips.
+
+"Forgive me, you beautiful foot, for having robbed you of your house. But
+look you, dear foot, the little house shall now become a sacred memento of
+my love and my betrothal; and look you, dear foot, I swear to you that you
+shall walk in pleasant paths. I shall strew flowers for you, you shall
+tread upon roses, and not a thorn shall prick you and not a stone bruise
+you. That I swear to you, you little foot of the great enchantress, and
+therefore forgive me my theft!"
+
+"It shook its head, it will not!" cried Ludovicka, swinging her foot to
+and fro.
+
+"It shall forgive, or I will punish its mistress!" cried the Prince, while
+he sprang up, ardently encircling his beloved with his arm. "Yes, you
+shall pay me for your cruel foot, and--"
+
+All at once he became silent, and, hearkening, looked toward the wall.
+Ludovicka shrank back, and turned her eye to the same spot.
+
+"Is there, a door there?" whispered he.
+
+"Yes," she breathed softly, "a tapestry door leading to the small
+corridor, and thence into my sleeping apartment."
+
+"Is any one in your sleeping room?"
+
+"My little cousin, Louisa of Orange, who came to-day, and insisted upon
+staying here--Hush, for God's sake! she is coming. Hide yourself!"
+
+He flew across the room and jumped behind the door curtain, through which
+d'Entragues had gone out a little while before. The curtain yet shook from
+the violence of his movement, when the little tapestry door on the other
+side was opened, and a lovely child appeared upon the threshold. A long
+white nightgown, trimmed with rose-colored favors, concealed the slender
+delicate form in its flowing drapery, falling from the neck to the feet,
+which, perfectly bare, peeped forth from beneath the white wrapper like
+two little rose-buds. Her fair hair was parted over the broad, open brow,
+and fell in long, heavy ringlets on each side of the lovely childish face.
+The big blue eyes looked so pious and innocent, and such a soft, gentle
+smile played about the fresh crimson lips! In this whole fair apparition
+there was such a wondrous magic, so superhuman a loveliness, that it might
+have been supposed that an angel from heaven had descended and was now
+entering this apartment, which was yet aglow with the sighs and
+protestations of passionate earthly love, and radiant as a consecrated
+altar taper shone the candle in the silver candlestick which she carried
+in her hand. Lightly and inaudibly the child tripped across the floor to
+the Princess, who had thrown herself upon the divan, and assumed the
+appearance of just being aroused from a deep slumber.
+
+"Forgive me, dear, beautiful Aunt Ludovicka," said the little girl, in a
+low, soft voice, while she placed the candle upon the table and leaned
+over the Princess--"forgive me for waking you up. But I had such a fearful
+dream, and I fancied it was real. It seemed to me as if robbers were in
+the castle. I heard them laugh and talk quite plainly, and I was
+dreadfully distressed, and called you. You did not answer me, and then I
+thought they had already murdered you, and I sprang from the sofa where
+they had prepared my couch, near to your bed. You were not there, your bed
+was cold and empty, and still I heard quite plainly the loud laughing and
+talking of the robbers, and I was so dreadfully anxious and distressed
+that I must see where you were--I must see if they had not murdered you. I
+took the light and came here running, and, God be thanked! here is my dear
+Aunt Hollandine, and no robbers have taken her away from me, and no
+murderers have killed her."
+
+With her slender childish arms she embraced the Princess, and pressed her
+rosy cheeks tenderly against Ludovicka's glowing face.
+
+"You little blockhead, how you have frightened me!" said Ludovicka,
+repulsing her almost rudely. "I was asleep here, dreaming such sweet
+dreams, and all at once you have come and waked me, you little night owl.
+Go, go to bed, Louisa, and do not be so timid, child. No robbers and
+murderers come here, and in our castle you need not be afraid."
+
+"Ah, Aunt Hollandine," whispered the child, while she cast a frightened,
+anxious glance around the room--"ah, Aunt Hollandine, I am afraid that
+this castle is haunted. It was either robbers or evil spirits who made
+such a noise and talked and laughed so loud. And"--she stooped lower and
+quite softly whispered--"and you may believe me, dear, good aunt, it is
+haunted here. I plainly saw the curtain across there shake as I entered.
+Evil spirits are abroad to-night. Do you hear how it howls and whistles
+out of doors, and how the windows rattle? Those are spirits, and they have
+flown in here and laughed and danced. O aunt! you did not hear, but I did,
+for I have been awake, and have heard and seen how the door curtain shook,
+and there they lurk now, those wicked spirits, and look at us and laugh.
+Oh, I know that, I do! My nurse, Trude, told me all about it the other
+evening, and she knows. There are good and bad spirits; but the good
+spirits make no noise, and you would not know they were here. They come to
+you so quietly and so gently, and sit by your bed and look at you, and
+their faces shine like the moon and their eyes like stars, and their
+thoughts are prayers and their smiles God's blessing. But evil spirits are
+noisy and boisterous, and laugh and make an uproar as they did to-night!"
+
+"You have been dreaming, little simpleton, and fancy now that you really
+heard what dull sleep alone was thrumming about your ears. All has been
+quiet and peaceful here, and no evil spirits were in this room--trust me."
+
+"Neither were good spirits here, aunt!" cried the child; with tearful
+voice. "The door curtain did move, and I did hear laughter--believe me.
+And, dear Aunt Hollandine, I beg you to give me your hand and come with me
+into your sleeping room, and please be kind enough to your poor little
+Louisa to take her with you into your great fine bed, and let us hug one
+another and pray together and sleep together; then the evil spirits can
+not get to us. Come, dear aunt, come!"
+
+With both her hands she seized the Princess by the arm, and tried to lift
+her from the divan. But Ludovicka hastily pushed her away.
+
+"Leave such follies, Louisa, and go to bed!" she said angrily. "Had I
+known what a restless sleeper you were, I should not have gratified your
+wish of staying with me, but had you put to bed on the other side of the
+castle with the little princesses, my sisters."
+
+
+"Aunt," said the child, in a touching tone of voice, "I will be perfectly
+still and quiet, I shall certainly not disturb you, if you will only be
+good and kind enough to come with me."
+
+"No," said Ludovicka, "no, I am not going with you, for I have something
+still to do here. But if you are good and docile, and go back quietly and
+prettily to the sleeping room, and creep into your little bed, then I
+promise you to come soon."
+
+"Well, then, I will go," sighed the child, and dropped her little head
+like a withered flower. "Yes, I will be good, that you may love me. But
+please come soon, Aunt Ludovicka, come soon."
+
+She again took the candlestick from the table, nodded to the Princess and
+tried to smile, while at the same time two long-restrained tears rolled,
+like liquid pearls, from her large blue eyes over her rosy cheeks. Softly
+and with her little head always bowed down she crossed the apartment to
+the tapestry door; but, just as she was on the verge of the threshold, she
+stopped, turned around, and an expression of radiant joy flashed across
+her pretty face.
+
+"Dear aunt," she cried, "Trude told me that when we pray evil spirits must
+fly away, and have no longer any power. I will pray, yes, I will pray for
+you."
+
+And the child sank upon her knees. Placing the candlestick at her side,
+she folded her little white hands upon her breast, raised her head and
+eyes, and prayed in a distinct, earnest voice: "Dear Heavenly Father and
+all ye holy angels on high, protect the innocent and the good! O God!
+guide us to thee with the golden star which shone upon the shepherds in
+the field when they went out to seek the child Christ! Blessed angels,
+come down and keep guard around our bed, that no evil spirits and bad
+dreams can come to trouble us! God and all ye holy angels on high, have
+pity on the innocent and good! Amen! Amen! Amen!"
+
+And at the last amen, the child rose from her knees, again took up her
+light, and tripped lightly and smiling out of the room.
+
+Ludovicka sprang to the door, shut it close, and leaned against it. The
+Electoral Prince stepped forth from the curtain on the other side, and his
+countenance was grave, and his large eyes were less fiery and passionate,
+as he now approached the Princess.
+
+"Poor child," he whispered, "how bitterly distressed she is! Go to her, my
+precious love, and pray with her for our happiness and our love."
+
+"Are you going away already, my Frederick?" she asked tenderly.
+
+He pointed with his finger to the tapestry door. "She is so distressed,
+and her dear little face was so sad, it touched me to the heart."
+
+"How foolish I was," she murmured impatiently--"how foolish not to think
+of it, that the child might disturb us! She has often before spent the
+night with me, and never waked up, never--"
+
+"Never has she been disturbed," concluded the Prince, smiling. "Never
+before have evil spirits chattered and laughed within your room, and
+roused her from her sleep. But she shall yet see that her prayer has not
+been in vain, but that it has exorcised the evil spirits. Farewell, dear
+one! Farewell, and this kiss for good-night--this kiss for my beloved
+promised bride! The last betrothal kiss, for to-morrow night you will be
+my wife! God and all ye holy angels on high, protect the innocent and
+good!"
+
+He kissed once more her lips and her dark, perfumed hair, then hastened
+with rapid step across the apartment, hurriedly opened the window, lowered
+the rope ladder, and swung himself up on the windowsill."
+
+"Farewell, dearest, farewell! To-morrow night we shall meet again!" he
+whispered, kissing the tips of his fingers to her. Then he seized the rope
+ladder with both hands, and ere the Princess, who had hastened toward him,
+had yet found time to assist him and offer her hand to aid him in
+descending, his slight, elastic figure had disappeared beneath the dark
+window frame.
+
+Ludovicka leaned out of the window, and with all the strength of her
+delicate little hands held firm the rope ladder, which swayed backward and
+forward and sighed and groaned beneath its burden. All at once the rope
+ladder stood still, and like spirit greetings were wafted up to her the
+words, "Farewell! farewell!"
+
+"He is gone," murmured Ludovicka, retreating from the window--"he is gone!
+But to-morrow, to-morrow night, I shall have him again. To-morrow night I
+shall be his wife. O Sir Count d'Entragues! you shall be forced to
+acknowledge that the Electoral Prince loves me, and that his declaration
+of love is synonymous with an offer of marriage! I think I have managed
+everything exactly as it was marked out on the paper. Let us look again."
+
+She again drew forth the paper from the casket on her writing table, and
+read it through attentively. "Yes," she murmured as she read, "all in
+order. Offer of marriage elicited. Alarmed by the threat that they will
+unite me to the Prince of Hesse. Not betray who the friends are who will
+render me their aid. Secret marriage arranged. Time presses, To-morrow
+night. All is in order. The Media Nocte, too, confessed. Only one thing is
+still wanting. I only omitted telling him that our rendezvous must be in
+the Media Nocte, and that we make our escape from there. Well, never mind,
+I can tell him to-morrow, and about ten o'clock the orange-colored ribbon
+may flutter from my window, and Count d'Entragues will be so rejoiced! Oh,
+to-morrow, to-morrow I shall be my handsome Electoral Prince's wife!"
+
+She stretched forth her arms, as if she would embrace, although he was
+invisible, the handsome, beloved youth, whose kisses yet burned upon her
+lips. Her flaming eyes wandered over the apartment, as if she still hoped
+to find there his fine and slender shape. Now, not finding him, she sighed
+heavily and fixed her eyes upon the great portrait, which hung upon the
+wall above the divan. It was the half-length likeness of a woman, a queen,
+as was shown by the diadem of pearls surmounting her high, narrow
+forehead, and behind which a crown could be discerned. A rare picture it
+was, possessed of magical attractions. The large blue eyes, so glowing and
+tender, the soft, rounded cheeks, so transparently fair, the full, pouting
+lips, so speaking--all seemed to promise joy; and yet in the whole
+expression of the face there was so much melancholy and so much pain!
+Princess Ludovicka walked softly to the portrait, and lifted up to it her
+folded hands.
+
+"I, too, will pray," she whispered. "Yes, I will pray to you, Mary Stuart,
+queen of love and beauty! O Mary! holy martyr, graciously incline thy
+glance toward thy grandchild. Let thy starry eyes rest upon me, and
+graciously protect me in the path that I shall tread to-morrow, for it is
+the path of love! Oh, let it be the path of happiness as well! Mary
+Stuart, pray for me, and protect me, your grandchild! Amen!"
+
+
+
+
+III.--THE WARNING.
+
+
+"Your Highness stayed out very late again last night," said Herr Kalkhun
+von Leuchtmar, as he entered the sleeping apartment of the Electoral
+Prince Frederick William, who was still in bed.
+
+"Yes, it is true," replied the Prince, stretching himself at his ease, "I
+did come home very late last night."
+
+"The chamberlain has already waked your highness three times, and your
+highness has each time assured him that he would get up, but has each
+time, it seems, fallen asleep again."
+
+"Yes, I did fall asleep each time," answered Frederick William, in a
+somewhat irritated tone of voice; "and what of it?"
+
+"Why," said Herr von Leuchtmar pleasantly--"why, the painter Gabriel
+Nietzel, who arrived yesterday, and, to whom your highness promised to
+give audience this morning at eight o'clock, has been waiting almost two
+hours; Count von Berg, on whom your highness was to call at nine o'clock,
+has been expecting you an hour in vain--the horse has stood saddled in the
+stable for an hour; and the private secretary Müller, with whom your
+highness was to prepare to-day a treatise upon fortifications, will
+probably make no progress whatever with the work."
+
+"It seems that I am not to have the privilege of sleeping as long as I
+choose," cried the Electoral Prince, with a mocking laugh. "My house moves
+like clockwork, in which there is no comfort or rest whatever, but where
+each must perform his prescribed service with mathematical exactness, that
+the whole be not stopped."
+
+"It is in a house as in a state," said Leuchtmar seriously: "each one,
+high and low, must do his duty, else the whole machinery stops, and, as
+your highness very justly remarked, the clockwork either stands still or
+is at the least put out of order."
+
+"Consequently, the clockwork of my house was disarranged merely because I
+stayed up two hours later than I have been accustomed to do?"
+
+"Totally disarranged, your highness."
+
+The Prince reddened with displeasure, his eyes flashed, and he had already
+opened his mouth for an angry reply, when he violently restrained himself.
+
+"I will get up," he said, "and then we can talk more about it."
+
+Herr von Leuchtmar bowed and withdrew to the antechamber. A quarter of an
+hour, however, had hardly elapsed before the chamberlain issued from the
+Prince's sleeping apartment, and announced to Herr Kalkhun von Leuchtmar,
+that breakfast was served, and that his highness, the Electoral Prince,
+awaited the baron's attendance at this meal in his drawing room. Herr von
+Leuchtmar hastened to obey the summons, and to repair to the Prince's
+drawing room. Frederick William seemed not at all conscious of his
+entrance. He sat on the divan sipping his chocolate, and at the same time
+restlessly playing with the greyhound that lay at his feet, looking up at
+him with its gentle, truthful eyes. Herr von Leuchtmar seated himself
+opposite the Prince, and took his breakfast in silent reserve. Once the
+Prince's eye scanned the noble, serious countenance of his former tutor,
+and the expression of perfect repose resting there seemed to pique and
+irritate him. He jumped up and several times walked briskly up and down
+the room. Then he paused before Leuchtmar, who had likewise risen, and
+whose large, dark-blue eyes were turned upon the Prince in gentle sorrow.
+
+"Leuchtmar," said the latter, shortly and quickly, "all is not between us
+as it should be."
+
+"I have remarked it for some time with pain," replied the baron softly.
+"Your highness is out of humor."
+
+"No, I am discontented!" cried the Prince; "and, by heavens, I have a
+right to be!"
+
+"Will your highness have the kindness to tell me why you are discontented?"
+
+"Yes, I will tell you, for you must know it in order that you may endeavor
+to alter it. I am discontented, Leuchtmar, because you and Müller will
+never forget that I have owed respect to you as my teachers."
+
+"Prince," said the baron, lifting his head a little higher--"Prince, have
+we two behaved ourselves so as no longer to deserve your respect?"
+
+"Respect, indeed; but you confound respect with obedience, and wish me to
+obey you unreservedly, as if I were still a boy, subject to his teachers."
+
+"While now you would say you are a Prince arrived at years of majority,
+who no longer needs a teacher, and whose earlier preceptors are now only
+his subjects, dependent upon him."
+
+"No, I would not say that; and it is exceedingly obliging in you to carry
+your guardianship so far as even to interpret what I would say. Meanwhile,
+you have made a remark which claims my attention. You said that I was a
+Prince in my majority?"
+
+"Certainly, your highness, you are a major in so far as the laws of the
+electoral house of Brandenburg allow the Electoral Prince, in case of his
+father's death, if he has attained his sixteenth year, to assume the reins
+of government, independent of governor or regent."
+
+"Consequently, if my father were to die (which God forbid!) I might
+administer the government independently, in my own right?"
+
+"Independently and in your own right, your highness."
+
+"Whence comes it then that I, who might undertake the government of a
+whole country, am yet perpetually under restraint in the conduct of my own
+private life, watched over and treated like an irresponsible boy? It
+grieves me, Herr von Leuchtmar, to be forced to remind you that the time
+for my education is past, for I am not sixteen years old, but already
+several weeks advanced in my eighteenth year."
+
+"I thank your highness for this admonition," replied the baron quietly,
+"and I confess that without it I should not have known that your education
+was finished."
+
+"Sir, you insult me! So you still regard me as nothing but a boy?"
+
+"No, your highness, as a man, and I believe that Socrates was right when
+he said, 'The education of man begins in the cradle and ends only in the
+grave.'"
+
+"You know very well that he meant it in a widely different sense. Our talk
+is not now of actual education, but of the relations of pupil and teacher.
+The time of my pupilage is past, Sir Baron, and you will bear in mind, I
+beg, that I no longer sit in the schoolroom."
+
+"That, again, I did not know," said Leuchtmar gently, "and again in my
+defense I cite the wise Socrates, who said, 'Man is learning his whole
+life long, to confess at last that the only certain knowledge he has
+attained is that he knows nothing.'"
+
+"Maxims and maxims forever!" cried the Prince impatiently. "You want to
+evade me--you purposely misunderstand me. Well, then, candidly speaking, I
+am sick and tired of being everlastingly found fault with, watched over,
+tutored and spied upon, and once for all I beg that a stop be put to all
+this."
+
+"Will your highness do me the favor to say who it is that finds fault
+with, watches over, tutors, and spies upon you?"
+
+"Why, yes--you, Baron Kalkhun von Leuchtmar, you and the private secretary
+Müller, you two first and foremost do those very things."
+
+"Your highness, if we have allowed ourselves to find fault with you when
+you did not deserve it, it was very presumptuous; if we have watched over
+you and tutored you, surely that might be forgiven in former tutors and
+instructors; but if we have acted as spies upon you, then have we both
+degraded ourselves and become contemptible, and your highness may esteem
+it as my last tutoring if I advise you to remove so unworthy a couple of
+subjects forever from your presence."
+
+"You will lead me _ad absurdum_, Leuchtmar!" cried the Prince. "You would
+prove to me that I am wrong and accuse you falsely. But you are mistaken,
+sir; I only speak the truth. One thing I ask you, though: have you ever
+looked upon me as an ungrateful pupil, a disobedient scholar, an
+ill-natured, idle man?"
+
+"No, never," returned Leuchtmar cordially. "No, your highness--"
+
+"Leave off those tiresome titles," interrupted the Prince. "Speak simply
+and to the point, without ceremony, as is becoming in serious moments,
+when man stands face to face with man."
+
+"Well then, no. You have ever been only a source of delight to your
+teachers and preceptors, and have ever proved yourself a kind-hearted,
+friendly, and condescending young Prince. You have (forgive me for saying
+so) been indeed the model of a young, amiable, good, and intellectual
+Prince. You have completed your studies at the universities of Arnheim and
+Leyden to the highest satisfaction of your professors. You have
+distinguished yourself at the colleges by diligence and attention, and
+perfected yourself in the languages and mastered all the sciences. Since
+you have been here at The Hague you have won for yourself the love and
+admiration of all those who have had the good fortune to come into your
+presence--"
+
+"Leuchtmar," interrupted the Prince, with difficulty suppressing a
+smile--"Leuchtmar, now you are falling into the opposite error; before you
+blamed me too much, now you praise me too much!"
+
+"Prince, I spoke before as now, only according to my inmost convictions,
+and you permit me still to utter these, do you not?"
+
+"Well," said Frederick William, hesitating, "the thing is--if your
+convictions are too flattering or too injurious, you might moderate them a
+little. For example, the way you acted in my sleeping room, a little while
+ago, was injurious. Just acknowledge it--say that you went a little too
+far, that it was not becoming in you to find fault with me, because I sat
+up a few hours too late, and all is made up."
+
+"Prince," replied Leuchtmar, after a slight pause--"Prince, forgive me,
+but I can not say it, for it would be an untruth. For a Prince, want of
+punctuality is a very dangerous and bad fault, and if he first becomes
+unreliable in his outer being, he will be so soon in his inner nature as
+well. But I do admit that perhaps I spoke in too excited a tone of voice,
+and the reason of that was, because--"
+
+"Well? Be pleased to finish your sentence. Because--"
+
+"Because, yes, let it be spoken plainly, because I know what this keeping
+of late hours means."
+
+"And what does it mean, if I may ask?"
+
+"Prince, my dear, beloved Prince, you whom in the depths of my soul I call
+my son, Prince, forgive me if I answer. It means that you have fallen into
+bad company--company which it is beneath your dignity to keep, company
+alike prejudicial to your mind and honor as to your health."
+
+"Of what company do you dare to speak so?" asked the Prince, with wrathful
+voice.
+
+"Prince, of that company which is hypocritical and deceitful as sin,
+dazzling and alluring as a poisonous flower, dangerous and deadly as
+Scylla and Charybdis, of the company of the Media Nocte."
+
+The Prince laughed aloud, and at the same time drew a deep breath, as if
+he felt his breast relieved of an oppressive burden. "Ah," he said, "is it
+only this? The Media Nocte is indeed a society which appears to all those
+who do not belong to it as a monster, a dragon, which slays with its fiery
+breath those who approach it, and daily requires for its breakfast a youth
+or a maiden. But I tell you, you anxious and short-sighted fools, you take
+an eagle for a flying dragon, and scream fire merely because you see a
+bright light! The Media Nocte is no monster, no Scylla and Charybdis, and
+we need not on her account have our arms bound, as cunning Ulysses did,
+which, by the way, always seemed to me very weak and womanly. A man must
+go to meet danger with a bold eye, with valiant spirit; he must confront
+it with his freedom of will and strength, and not seek to defend himself
+from it by outward means of resistance. Supposing that the Media Nocte
+were the dangerous society which you erroneously imagine it to be, need
+this be a ground for me to intrench myself timidly against it and flee its
+touch? No; just for that very reason would I seek it out--advance to meet
+it with the determination to do battle with it. But I tell you that you
+are mistaken in your premises! The Media Nocte is a society devoted to
+noble pleasures, to pure joys, to the highest, most intellectual
+enjoyments. All the arts, all the sciences, are fostered by it. All that
+is great and good, exalted and beautiful, is hailed there with delight,
+and only pedantry and stupidity are held aloof. Truth and nature are the
+two sacred laws observed in this society, and the noble, pure, free, and
+chaste Grecian spirit is the great exemplar of all its members. Therefore
+they all appear in Greek robes, and all their banquets are solemnized in
+the Greek style. And this it is which you wise, pedantic people stigmatize
+as blameworthy and abominable. The unusual fills you with horror, and the
+genial you call bold because it soars above what is commonplace!"
+
+"Well do I know that your highness looks upon the society in this way,"
+replied Leuchtmar, regarding with loving glances the handsome, excited
+countenance of the Prince. "Yes, I know that this is the only view you
+have had of the society of the Media Nocte, and that you would turn from
+it with horror and disgust if you were conscious of the license lurking
+behind its apparent geniality, the coarseness behind the unusual. But I
+beseech you, Prince, be not blind with your eyes open, close not
+voluntarily the avenues to light. I swear to you as an honest and a
+truthful man, that this society is like a plague spot for the noble youth
+of The Hague. Each one who touches it becomes impregnated with its poison,
+and sickens in spirit and imagination, and the fearful poison flows into
+his mind and heart, driving out from them forever truth and freshness,
+youth and innocence! Had I a son who belonged to this society with full
+understanding and appreciation of its meaning, I should mourn and lament
+him as one lost; had I a daughter, and had she even once voluntarily
+attended a meeting of the Media Nocte and participated in its pleasures,
+then should I thrust her from me with aversion and disgust--should no
+longer recognize her as my daughter, but forever expel her from my house
+in shame and disgust, for--"
+
+"Desist!" cried the Prince, with thundering voice, springing toward
+Leuchtmar and grasping his shoulders with both hands. Glaring fiercely
+upon him, he repeated, "Desist, I tell you, Leuchtmar, desist, and recall
+what you have just said, for it is a libel, a slander!"
+
+"No, it is the truth, Prince!" cried Leuchtmar, emphatically. "The Media
+Nocte is a society of the honorless and shameless, and the woman who
+belongs to it is no longer pure!"
+
+"No further, man, or I shall kill you!" said the Prince, in a high-pitched
+voice stifled by rage, while his arms clutched Leuchtmar's shoulders yet
+more firmly. "Only hear this: You know and have long guessed that I love
+the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine. Well, now, the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine belongs to the society of the Media Nocte!"
+
+"I knew that, Prince," said Leuchtmar solemnly.
+
+The Prince gave a scream of rage, and a deadly pallor overspread his
+cheeks. He still retained his grasp upon Leuchtmar's shoulders, his
+flashing eyes penetrated like dagger points Leuchtmar's countenance, and
+on his brow stood great drops of sweat, which gave witness of his inward
+tortures.
+
+"You knew that," he said, with gasping breath and gnashing teeth--"you
+knew that, and yet you dare to speak so, dare to vilify the maiden whom I
+love, dare to asperse a pure angel, to call her an outcast! Take back your
+words, man, if your life is dear to you--recall them, if you would leave
+this room alive!"
+
+"Kill me, Prince, for I do not recall them!" cried Leuchtmar, tranquilly
+meeting the flaming glances of the Prince. "No, I do not recall them, and
+if you take away my life, I shall give it up in your service and for your
+profit. You see very well I attempt no defense, although I am a strong
+man, who knows well how to defend his life. But for my own convictions and
+for you I die gladly. Kill me then!"
+
+"You do not recall them?" shrieked the Prince. "You maintain all to be
+truth that you have said of the order of the Media Nocte? You knew already
+before I told you that the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine belongs to it?"
+
+"I knew it, Prince, indeed, I knew it!"
+
+The Prince burst into a wild laugh, and with a sudden jerk thrust
+Leuchtmar so violently from him that he reeled backward against the wall.
+
+"No," he said grimly and wrathfully--"no, I will not do you the pleasure
+to kill you, for that would turn a wretched farce into a tragedy, and make
+a hero of a comedian! You are a good comedian, and you have played your
+part well! I can testify to that. Go and claim credit for this with my
+father and Count Schwarzenberg!"
+
+"I do not understand you, Prince. What does this mean?"
+
+"It means, Mr. Comedian, it means, that already this morning, while you
+supposed I was sleeping, I have had an interview with Gabriel Nietzel, my
+mother's court painter. Ah! now start back and be amazed. Yes, Gabriel
+Nietzel sat by my bed for more than an hour, and brought me a verbal
+message from my mother. She had also intrusted him with a letter for me,
+but on his journey here he has been robbed and the letter taken from him.
+Oh, I imagine the robbers took much more interest in the letters than in
+the effects of the painter, and Count Schwarzenberg and yourself both well
+know their contents. But happily my mother gave good Gabriel Nietzel a
+message to bring by word of mouth as well, which they could not steal from
+him, Baron von Leuchtmar. Can you understand now why I call you a
+comedian, who has studied his part well?"
+
+"No, Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, I can not yet."
+
+"Well, sir, then I shall tell you. Your virtuous indignation against the
+Media Nocte, your shameful allegations against a Princess, whom I love,
+your injurious accusations and slanders--all that was nothing more than a
+well-studied role prepared for you by my father and his minister. Oh,
+answer me not, do not deny it. I know what I say. Yes, I know that the
+Emperor of Germany deigns to interest himself in the marriage of the
+little Electoral Prince of Brandenburg. I know that his condescension goes
+so far as to desire to bless me with the hand of an Austrian archduchess.
+I know that on this account he has given strict orders and injunctions to
+his devoted servant, who is my father's all-powerful minister, that I
+shall be summoned away from The Hague; not, indeed, to reside at my
+father's court, but to proceed to the imperial court. But, God be thanked,
+the walls of the palace of Berlin are not o'er thick, and my mother has
+quick ears and Gabriel Nietzel is a trusty messenger. Yes, sir, I know you
+and your plans. I know, too, that the Emperor dreads my union with the
+Princess Ludovicka; that he has had my father notified that he will never
+sanction such a union, and that therefore my father and his Catholic
+minister have dispatched hither messengers and envoys, with strict orders
+never to suffer a matrimonial alliance with the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine, but to do everything to prevent it. Everything to prevent it!
+Do you understand me, sir? To calumniate also, and accuse and defame. But
+all together you shall not succeed. I shall prove to the Emperor, the
+Elector and his minister that I do not fear their wrath, and that the
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg will never, never be the vassal and
+servant of the German Emperor; that he feels himself to be an independent
+man, who claims for himself freedom of will and action, and who will only
+wed in obedience to the dictates of his own heart and his own will. But
+you, Leuchtmar, I herewith bid you farewell! We part to-day, and forever.
+That we so part, believe me, is to me a lifelong pain, for never can I
+forget what I owe you, and how faithful you have otherwise been to me.
+Leuchtmar, it is dreadful that you have turned against me. Go, we have
+parted! Go! And when you get home to Berlin, then say to my father's
+Austrian minister, that I shall never forgive him for what he has this day
+done to me, and that the Elector Frederick William will avenge the
+Electoral Prince. Tell him that I shall never accept an Austrian
+archduchess, a Catholic, as my wife--never become the humble slave of the
+Emperor of Germany. This is my farewell!"
+
+And with flaming countenance and eyes flashing with energy and passion,
+the Prince crossed the apartment, violently pulled open the door, and
+strode out. Leuchtmar looked after him with a mixture of tenderness and
+grief. "How angry he was, and yet how glorious to look upon!" he said
+softly to himself. "A young hero, who one day will perform his vow. He
+will not bow down as the vassal of the German Emperor!"
+
+A side door was just now easily and cautiously opened, and an older man of
+venerable aspect, in simple court garb, timidly entered, looking carefully
+around, as if he dreaded finding some one else in the apartment.
+
+"Baron, for heaven's sake, what has happened here?" he asked anxiously.
+"The Electoral Prince has been talking so loudly and so angrily that they
+heard him all through the house, and now he has stormed out and shouted to
+have his horse saddled. Almighty God! what has happened?"
+
+Baron Leuchtmar laid his hand upon his friend's arm, and nodded kindly to
+him. "My dear Müller," he said, with a faint smile, "nothing more has
+happened than that the Electoral Prince has just dismissed me in anger,
+and sent me home to Berlin."
+
+"For pity's sake, what is that you say?" asked the private secretary,
+clasping his trembling hands together in painful astonishment. "He has
+been so ungrateful as to thrust from him his best and truest friend?"
+
+"I tell you yes, my dear Müller, he has done so, and in wrath. You know
+well that hastiness of temper is an heirloom of the Brandenburg princes,
+and Frederick William can not deny that he has the family failing. Yes,
+he has dismissed me; but then, you know, it was perfectly natural, for he
+loves the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, and I ventured to criticise her."
+
+"It is actually true, then, that he loves her? He has allowed himself to
+be enticed by the siren! Ah! she is the genuine grandchild of Mary Stuart,
+and knows how to charm."
+
+"Hush, Müller, hush! If the Electoral Prince hears that, he will send you
+to the devil too!"
+
+"He may do so," cried the old gentleman indignantly. "If he drives you
+away, his tutor and his best friend, then I shall reckon it an honor to be
+sent away likewise."
+
+"Well, well my friend, be not so desperate. We know our dear Electoral
+Prince. He is a lion when angry, a child when his anger is appeased. Let
+us wait; to-day I shall conceal myself from him, and to-morrow, well,
+to-morrow he will call for me himself. But did you not say that he had
+given orders for his horse to be saddled?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, I heard it myself how he commanded them in angry voice to
+saddle Maurus for him--the wild hunter, you know."
+
+"Where can he be going so early in the morning?" asked Leuchtmar
+thoughtfully. "He is so much excited, and love of the Princess will lead
+him to some rash, ill-advised step; for you are right, friend, she is a
+siren! But hark! Is not that the voice of the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Yes, it is indeed. He is below in the court!"
+
+The two men hastened through the apartment to one of the windows, and,
+hiding themselves behind the curtains, looked cautiously down into the
+court. The Electoral Prince had just swung himself into the saddle. The
+horse gave a loud neigh, as if recognizing its master, then reared, but
+the Prince sat firm. His short, furred mantle was lifted high by the wind,
+the long white ostrich plumes nodded above his broad-brimmed, gold-laced
+hat, beneath which floated like a lion's mane his brown and curly hair.
+With firm, energetic hand the youth compelled the animal to stand, then
+pressed his knees into its flanks, and swift as an arrow from the bow the
+animal flew out of the court gate. Both gentlemen stepped back from the
+window.
+
+"He is a splendid young man," sighed the private secretary Müller, shaking
+his head.
+
+"Yes," echoed Leuchtmar, smiling, "I find it very comprehensible that the
+Princess Ludovicka should gladly have him as consort. But we must not
+submit to it, but do everything to prevent it, for it is contrary to
+policy and reasons of state. And I think, too, such an union would not be
+for the Prince's welfare, for the Princess--But hush! the Electoral Prince
+has forbidden me to speak evil of her, and we are here in his room. Let us
+keep silence with regard to her."
+
+"But where can he be rushing to now--the Electoral Prince, I mean?"
+
+"I fear that I can guess. To her, to the Princess, and to apologize to her
+with his looks for the injury which my words have done her. He is just an
+enthusiastic youth, and it is his first love! Believe me, he is hurrying
+to her!"
+
+
+
+
+IV.--AN IDYL.
+
+
+Yes, Leuchtmar was quite right. He was away to her--to Ludovicka. To her
+he was irresistibly drawn by vehement desire. Yes, she was his first love,
+and the magic of this delicious sensation held his whole being enthralled,
+and now drove him onward as on the wings of the hurricane. He thought of
+nothing and knew nothing but that he must see her, must prove to her how
+passionately he loved her, how fervently and devoutly he believed in her.
+The horse dashed on furiously, breathlessly, and yet it seemed to the
+Electoral Prince as if an eternity had elapsed ere he finally reached
+Castle Doornward. He breathed a glad sigh of relief, threw the reins to
+the promptly advancing servants, and vaulted from the horse. His beaming
+eyes were uplifted to his beloved's window, and he saluted her with his
+thoughts and his smile. He thought she must feel it, and his looks and
+thoughts must bring her to the window. He stopped and looked up--but
+Ludovicka did not appear at the window; only an orange-colored ribbon was
+fluttering there in the sunshine and the wind, and Frederick William
+smiled joyfully, for he took it as a token of good fortune. Then he
+entered the castle, reverentially greeted by the lackeys, who ventured
+not to oppose him, as with rapid bounds, like a young deer, he sprang up
+the steps. Straight to the apartments of the Princess Ludovicka he strode,
+through the antechamber into the drawing room. But she was not there; she
+came not to meet him in her enchanting beauty, with that affectionate
+smile upon her crimson lips. No, Ludovicka was not there, and the
+chambermaid who officiously hurried from the adjoining room informed the
+Prince that her most gracious young lady had already been gone an hour on
+a visit to The Hague, whence she would not return till the next morning.
+But the sharp, cunning eyes of the Abigail, had meanwhile peered through
+the door, which the Prince had left open, out into the antechamber, and,
+finding that no one was there, the Prince having come quite alone, she
+approached nearer to him.
+
+"Most gracious sir," she whispered, "I was, however, to have gone into
+town and handed something for the Electoral Prince to his valet, to whom I
+am engaged."
+
+"Now it will be more convenient for you, Alice," said the Electoral Prince
+cheerfully. "You need no third party. I am here myself. Give to me
+personally what you would have given to my valet, your respected
+betrothed, for me."
+
+"Here it is," whispered Alice, drawing from the pocket attached to her
+girdle by a silver chain a little note, which, with a graceful bow, she
+handed to the Prince.
+
+"And here is your reward," he said, taking a gold piece from his purse
+and handing it to her. She took it, blushing with confusion, and bowed
+down to the earth.
+
+"If it pleases your grace to read here," whispered she, "I will guard the
+door."
+
+He shook his head and rushed out. No, not in that narrow, close room, not
+in the neighborhood of that tiresome chambermaid could be read the letter
+of his beloved--that letter which he believed, nay, knew, contained the
+last decision for sealing his whole future fate. In the open air, under
+God's blue sky, in the warm and radiant autumn sun, would he receive the
+message of his beloved, would he take to his heart what the angel of his
+life had to communicate to him. As rapidly as he had stormed up he again
+sprang down the steps, and through the well-known rooms and corridors took
+the way leading to the park. He was well acquainted with it, for he had
+often taken it at the side of his aunt, the unfortunate Bohemian Queen and
+Electress, who had found a refuge here in Holland at the court of her
+uncle, the Stadtholder Frederick Henry of Orange, and had her little
+residence at Castle Doornward. He had often walked it with the princesses,
+her daughters, and very bright and pleasant hours had he passed in that
+beautiful park with Princess Ludovicka.
+
+On one of those squares, in one of those shady thickets where he had so
+often sat with her and her sisters, he would now read her message. With
+hasty step, with glowing cheeks fired by enthusiasm, with head aloft, he
+strode on, and now entered the woods near the path. They were curtained by
+festoons of wild grapevine; no one could see how he now took out the
+little note which he had so long concealed in his hand, how he pressed it
+to his lips, to his eyes, how he then unfolded it, and again, before
+reading it, pressed the beloved characters to his lips. The letter
+contained nothing but the words: "The friends are ready and willing.
+To-night about one o'clock in the Media Nocte. From there flight. A worthy
+asylum is waiting, and the priest stands before the altar to bless the
+couple."
+
+"To-night she will be mine--to-night we shall be married! To-night we
+shall make our escape!"
+
+He could think of nothing but this. His heart continually repeated it with
+loud jubilation, his lips murmured it softly in response, while, knowing
+nothing, seeing nothing of the outside world, he sped along through the
+alleys and over the squares of the garden. He knew not whither he went, he
+had no aim; he only knew that to-night he was to be indissolubly united
+with his beloved--that he would flee with her. Once he must pause, for the
+loudly beating heart denied him breath, and once, in the blissful rapture
+of his soul, he must give a loud shout of joy, otherwise his breast would
+have burst. A merry, musical laugh rang forth near to him, and as he
+turned to the side whence the sound had proceeded a lovely and pleasing
+picture met his astonished gaze. In the midst of the grassplot near which
+he was stood a great white cow, one of those splendid creatures that are
+only seen on Dutch pastures. A fine-looking maid, dressed in the national
+costume of the Dutch peasantry, with the gold-edged cap over the full,
+luxuriant hair that fell in long braids down her back, sat on a stool
+beside the cow, and was busied in milking. In melodious, regular cadence
+the steaming milk flowed over her rosy hands down into the white porcelain
+bucket which she held between her knees. At her side stood a little girl,
+in almost the identical costume, only that the wide plaited skirt was of
+black silk, the bodice of purple velvet trimmed with gold buttons and
+loops, and the white apron of finest linen edged with point lace. Below
+the short silk skirt, trimmed with purple velvet, peeped forth blue silk
+stockings with red tops; shoes with high red heels, ornamented with gold
+buckles, covered the neat little feet. It was altogether quite the costume
+of a Dutch peasant girl, only the cap was wanting on the head, and in its
+stead the hair, which fell in long fair ringlets over the child's
+shoulders, was adorned by a thick wreath of the tendrils of the wild
+grape, into which, in front just over the brow, were woven two beautiful
+purple asters. She had been busied, it appeared from the quantity of
+leaves and flowers she carried in her apron, in weaving wreaths, but now
+let the contents of her apron fall to the ground, and only kept the green
+wreath already finished, which hung upon her arm, while she sprang
+laughing over the grassplot.
+
+"Cousin Frederick William," she asked merrily, "where do you come from,
+and why do you scream so fearfully?"
+
+"Have I frightened you, Cousin Louisa Henrietta?" he asked, extending both
+hands to her in greeting.
+
+"Not me, cousin, but Hulda," she returned, holding out her little hands.
+"You must know, cousin, Hulda is very scary, and it comes from her being
+sad."
+
+"Who is Hulda? The smart dairymaid there?"
+
+"Hey, God forbid, cousin! How can you think that dairymaid could be
+scared? No, Hulda is my pretty white cow, and she is sad because she has
+lost her little calf. I am not to blame for it, and I told my poor Hulda
+that, too, and as she lowed so piteously I wept with her heartily and
+comforted her."
+
+"But why did you let them take away her little calf? Why did you suffer
+it? Is it not your own cow?"
+
+"Understand, it is my own cow," replied the little girl, seriously. "My
+good aunt, the Electress, has made me a present of it, that I may have
+some pleasure when I come here to Doornward, and it makes me feel as if I
+were at home. For you must know, cousin, that I have a regular dairy at
+The Hague."
+
+"No, cousin, I did not know it," said the Electoral Prince, while he
+looked kindly into the lovely, rosy countenance of the little Princess
+Louisa Henrietta of Orange.
+
+"You do not know that?" she cried, clapping her little hands together in
+astonishment. "Yes, I have a dairy--three cows, who belong to myself
+alone, and for which papa has had built a stable of their own, which is
+very grand and splendid. And next to the stable is a room for the milk and
+butter. O cousin! I tell you, it is splendid! The next time you come to us
+at The Hague, send for me, and I will show you my cows in their stable,
+and if you are right good, you shall have a glass of milk from my favorite
+cow."
+
+"Many thanks!" cried the Electoral Prince, laughing. "But I am no friend
+of warm milk, and understand nothing whatever of farming."
+
+"Well, why should you?" said the Princess gravely. "You are a man, and men
+have something else to do; they must go to war and govern countries. But
+women must understand management and know how to keep house."
+
+"So? Must they that?" laughed the Prince. "Common women, indeed, but you,
+Louisa, you are a Princess."
+
+"But a Princess of Holland, cousin, and my mother has told me that the
+Princesses of Holland must seek their greatest renown in becoming wise and
+prudent housewives, and understanding farming thoroughly, in order that
+all the rest of the women of Holland may learn from them. My mother says
+that a Prince of Holland should be the first servant of the Sovereign
+States, but a Princess of Holland should be the first housekeeper of the
+Dutch people, and the more skillful she is the more will the people love
+her. And therefore I shall try to be right skillful, for I shall be so
+glad if our good people would love me a little."
+
+"Would you, indeed?" asked the Electoral Prince, quite moved by the lovely
+countenance and the heartfelt tone of the little girl. "Would you be glad
+if the people loved you a little? Well, I promise you, Cousin Louisa
+Henrietta, they will love you, and whoever shall look into your good,
+truthful eyes will feel himself fortunate and glad, just as I do now. Keep
+your beautiful eyes, Louisa, and your innocence and harmlessness, and be a
+good housewife, then your people will love you very much. But tell me,
+cousin, for whom is that wreath which is hanging on your arm?"
+
+"For my beautiful cow; but if you will have it I will give it to you,
+and--no," she broke off, abashed and reddening, "no, forgive me, dear
+Cousin Frederick William; I shall not give you a wreath which I destined
+only for an animal. I shall fix it so," she cried, with a lovely smile, "I
+shall take this wreath to my Hulda, and to you, cousin, I shall give my
+own wreath."
+
+She hastily tore the wreath from her own locks, and raising herself on
+tiptoe tried with uplifted arm to place it on the Prince's head, but he
+stayed her hand.
+
+"No, cousin," he said; "that must be done properly. You are a lady, a
+Princess, and if you crown a knight, then let him bow the knee before
+you."
+
+And he bent his knee before her, and looked up at her smilingly and
+joyously. "Crown me, Cousin Louisa Henrietta," he said, with ceremonial
+pathos--"crown me and give me a device."
+
+The little maiden held the crown thoughtfully in her hand, her large blue
+eyes fixed upon the smiling countenance before her with an earnest,
+meditative expression.
+
+"Well," he said, "why do you not give me the wreath? And what are you
+thinking of?"
+
+"Of a motto, cousin," she replied seriously; "for you told me I must give
+you a device. But I am only a silly little girl, and you must bear with
+me. Mother said yesterday to me that the best motto she could give for
+everyday use is this, 'Be a good woman.' Now I think, if it were rightly
+changed and turned, it would suit you."
+
+And with charming determination she pressed the wreath upon the Prince's
+dark locks, and then laid both her hands upon his head.
+
+"Be a good man," she said, "yes, Electoral Prince Frederick William, be a
+good man."
+
+The smile had suddenly vanished from the Prince's countenance, and given
+place to a deep earnestness. "Yes," he said solemnly, "I promise you I
+shall be a good man." And just as he said this the cow bellowed aloud, and
+Princess Louisa turned her looks upon her and nodded pleasantly.
+
+"Look you, cousin," she said, "Hulda, too, gives you her blessing, and do
+not laugh at it, for God speaks in all that live; the flowers and beasts
+emanate from him as well as men. And if man does not do his duty, and is
+not good and diligent, then God does not love him, and the flower which
+blooms and the cow that gives milk are dearer to him, for they do their
+duty. But see, the milkmaid is ready, and now, Cousin Frederick William,
+now I must go to the milkroom and measure the milk into the pans, and I
+will tell you, but nobody else shall know, I secretly take a quart cup
+full of milk, and take it to the calves' stable to the calf, from my
+Hulda. It ought not, indeed, to drink milk any longer, but be an
+independent creature, eating hay and chewing the cud, but it will just
+feel that the milk comes from its own mother, and be glad. Farewell,
+Cousin Frederick William, I must be gone."
+
+She was about to slip away, but the Electoral Prince held her fast. "No,"
+he said, "not so cursory shall be our leave-taking, my darling little
+heavenly flower. Who knows when we shall meet again?"
+
+"You are not going away yet, cousin?" she asked, stroking his cheeks with
+both her little hands. "Ah! they told me that your father would by no
+means allow you to remain here any longer, and I was so sorry that it made
+me cry."
+
+"Why did it make you sorry, Cousin Louisa?" asked the Electoral Prince,
+drawing the little maiden to himself.
+
+She leaned her little head upon his shoulder. "I do not know," she said,
+looking at him with her great blue eyes. "I believe I love you so much
+because you are always so good and friendly to me, and have often talked
+and played with me, and not laughed at me when I told you about my
+animals. I thank you for it, my dear, good cousin, and I shall love you
+as long as I live."
+
+"And I, my dear, good cousin, I thank you for the motto which you have
+given me, and I shall think of it and of you as long as I live. Yes, my
+dear child, I will be a good man, and do you know, little Louisa," he
+continued, smiling, "whenever I am in trouble and danger, I shall think
+of you and pray, 'God and all ye innocent angels on high, have pity on the
+innocent and good! Amen!'"
+
+He pressed a fervent kiss on the child's forehead, nodded smilingly to
+her, took the wreath from his head to conceal it in his bosom, and then
+strode away with light, quick steps. The child looked thoughtfully after
+him with her large blue starry eyes, as if lost in thought, until the
+slender, athletic form of the young man had vanished behind the trees.
+"How does he know my prayer?" she whispered softly, "and why did he smile
+as he repeated it? Ah! surely Cousin Ludovicka has told him what a timid
+little coward I was last night. But hark! Hulda is lowing. Yes, yes, I am
+coming now!"
+
+And the little girl flew across the grassplot, and flung both her arms
+around the animal's neck, and stroked and coaxed it, calling it pet names,
+and telling it of its beautiful calf, to which she would forthwith carry
+some milk. And the cow lowed no more, but looked with its big intelligent
+eyes into the child's face.
+
+
+
+
+V.--MEDIA NOCTE.
+
+
+"The gods have come down from Olympus! The gods greet the earth! They
+greet beauty! They greet youth! They greet wisdom and the arts! The gods
+greet the earth! Long live the gods! Live Venus, the mother of love! Long
+live Minerva, the unapproachable virgin, full of wisdom! Long live Zeus,
+the god of gods, men transformed into gods, and gods into men! Olympus
+live on earth!"
+
+So sang they and rejoiced in triumphant chorus, and high above from the
+clouds pealed forth music, and from thicket and shrubbery sounded sweet
+songs, dying away in gentle whispers. Then all was still, for the gods,
+who had traversed the halls in dazzling procession, had now taken their
+places at the long rose-crowned tables. An Olympic festival was being
+solemnized that evening in the Media Nocte. Earth was forsaken now, and
+the children of earth found themselves again on Olympus, changed to gods.
+Those were not the drawing rooms in which they had been wont to assemble,
+commingling in cheerful pastimes, in hilarious merriment, these people
+clad in light Greek robes. No, this was cloud-capped Olympus, this was
+heaven upon earth; rose-colored, luminous clouds encircled the space, and
+behind them the galleries which ran round the hall had vanished. Instead
+of the ceiling usually bounding this vast room, they now looked up to the
+deep blue sky, and star after star twinkled there, and filled the
+apartment with soft mild light. And not in a hall furnished with chairs
+and divans did they find themselves this evening, but in a monstrous
+grotto in the heart of Olympus--a grotto of sparkling, glittering mountain
+crystal, bright and transparent as silver gauze, and behind this a magical
+moving to and fro of beauteous human shapes, of genii and Cupids. Only the
+long table in the middle of the grotto reminded of earth, or maybe the
+home of heathen gods.
+
+For, like the children of earth, the gods on Olympus used to carouse and
+drink, and, like the children of men, did they enjoy fullness of food and
+luscious wine. Golden goblets, wreathed with roses, stood before the
+silver plates loaded with fruits and tempting viands. In crystal flasks
+sparkled the golden wine, in silver vases the gay-colored flowers exhaled
+their sweets. Luxurious cushions, soft as swan's down, spangled and
+silvery as were the clouds which stooped from heaven, lined both sides of
+the long table, and on them the gods and goddesses had just sank in
+blissful silence, gazing on the glorious place, and rejoicing that men are
+gods and gods are men! There, on high, sits Zeus on golden throne, and
+Ganymede, the beautiful boy, stands near and hands him on golden dishes
+the fragrant ambrosia, and Hebe, the lovely, childlike maid, hovers about,
+and presents in crystal cups the gleaming purple wine, glistening like
+gold. Juno, the radiant queen of heaven, sits beside Zeus; and as if woven
+of silvery clouds and stars seems the garment that lightly and loosely
+envelops but does not hide the wondrous shape. A light cloud of silver
+gauze covers her countenance, as that of all the other goddesses.
+
+But now, as all rest in silence, these gods and goddesses, now rises Zeus
+from his golden throne and bows to both sides, greeting.
+
+"At the table of the gods must be enthroned Truth, the purest, most chaste
+of all the goddesses, and at her side the wisest, most puissant Genius,
+the Genius of Silence!" calls out Zeus, with far-resounding voice. "Do you
+admit that, ye gods and goddesses?"
+
+"We admit it!" call out all in exulting chorus.
+
+"You gods, swear by all that is sacred to you in heaven and upon earth
+that you will present this evening as a thank offering in sacrifice to the
+Genius of Silence! That never will pass your lips what your eyes see,
+never will your eyes betray the memory that shall dwell within your
+hearts!"
+
+"We swear it by all that is sacred in heaven and upon earth!" cry the
+gods.
+
+"Ye goddesses all, ye have heard!" cries Zeus, the enthroned. "Now do
+homage to Truth, as she to the Genius of Silence! Away with falsehood and
+deceit! Away with your masks!"
+
+And the plump, wanton arms of the goddesses are raised, and the
+rosy-fingered hands tear the silvery veils from their heads and cast them
+triumphantly behind them, and triumphantly the gods greet the beaming
+countenances of the goddesses, their sparkling eyes and rosy lips, the
+haunts of sweet, seductive smiles.
+
+"Long live the gods and goddesses of Olympus! No earthly memories cleave
+to them; if perchance they have borne earthly names, who knows it, who
+remembers it? The present only belongs to the gods--this hour is one of
+precious joy."
+
+Only those two sitting there at the table of the gods, arm linked in arm,
+only they remember, for not alone the present but the future, too, belongs
+to them. The gods and goddesses call the two Venus and Endymion, but they,
+in tender whispers, call each other Ludovicka and Frederick. No one
+disturbs himself about them, no one notices the happy pair, and they
+observe and regard no one, for they are thinking only of themselves.
+
+"Oh, my beloved," whispers the Prince, "how stale and insipid seems this
+fantastic feast to me to-night! Once it would have charmed me, and would
+have been to me as embodied poesy. But to-night it leaves me cold and
+empty, and I feel that the true and real contain in themselves the highest
+poetry."
+
+"You are indeed right, my Endymion," says she softly--"you are indeed
+right: love is the highest poetry, and he who possesses the true and real
+needs not the fantastic semblance. Still, this is a feast of gods;
+therefore let us enjoy it with glad hearts and swelling joy. For is it not
+our wedding feast, and are not all these gods and goddesses unwittingly
+solemnizing the hymeneal of our love? Rejoice then, my darling, rejoice
+and sing with the convivial, open your heart to the ravishing hour, drink
+into thy soul the delight and rapture of the gods!"
+
+A shadow stole over Endymion's high, clear brow, and he gently shook his
+head. "I love you so deeply and truly that I can not be merry in this
+hour," he said thoughtfully; "and this wild tumult and this uproarious joy
+seem not to me like a glorification of our love, but rather its
+profanation. Ah! my dear love, would that I were alone with you in the
+open air, beneath the broad high arch of heaven, instead of here beneath
+this artificial one; would that we sat hand in hand in one of those quiet
+shady spots in your park, where I could pour into your ear the holy
+secrets of my heart and tell you sweet stories of our love, and you should
+listen to me with tranquil, reverent heart, and you and I would solemnize
+together a glorious feast divine, more glorious than this mad joy can
+furnish us! He who is happy flees noisy pleasures, and he who loves
+ardently and truthfully longs for quiet and solitude, to meditate upon his
+love."
+
+"We shall be solitary and alone, my Frederick, when we belong to one
+another--when nothing more can separate us, when we shall no more have to
+meet under the veil of secrecy, no more have to conceal the fair, divine
+reality under borrowed tinsel! You know, love, to-night we flee."
+
+"God be praised! to-night will make you forever mine, and nothing then can
+separate us but death alone!"
+
+"Speak not of death while life encircles us with all its charms! Be
+cheerful, my beloved--be happy, my Endymion. We celebrate the godly feast
+of love, and yet is it only the foretaste of our bliss. Yield yourself to
+the delights of the moment, drink from the golden goblet of joy, my
+Endymion!"
+
+"Yes, I will drink, drink, for Venus drinks with me."
+
+"She hands you, Endymion, the flower-crowned goblet! Drink! drink! drink!
+Enjoy the moment! Taste the pleasures of this hour! But think of the
+coming hour which is to consummate our bliss!"
+
+"When will it be, beloved? And where shall I meet you?"
+
+"When all is bustle and stir and singing, then let my Endymion descend
+from Olympus and repair to the grotto of rocks close by. To the left of
+the entrance he will find a cavern. Let him go in and there find his white
+garments; put them on and wait. All the rest follows of itself."
+
+"And you, my heart--will you, too, follow of yourself?"
+
+"Follow of myself and fetch Endymion!"
+
+Music sent forth sweet strains, and from the rosy clouds the chorus of
+Cupids greeted the gods with songs of rejoicing.
+
+After the singing the Muses entered, winding round the table, quoting
+far-famed songs and praising the arts, which they protected. And suddenly
+the starry sky above became obscure, and twilight reigned. Only behind the
+crystalline walls it shone bright and ever brighter, and in sunshine
+splendor emerged the antique marble statues of the gods, and walked and
+moved, endowed with flesh and growing life. Music resounded and bands of
+Cupids sang; again the hall was lighted up, the tables at which the gods
+had reclined vanished, geniuses hovered about, strewing the ground with
+fragrant flowers, and in glad confusion mingled gods and goddesses, heroes
+and demigods, with sparkling eyes and beating hearts. They poetized and
+sang, praised the gods, and laughed and shouted, "Long live the Media
+Nocte! Long live those great minds and noble hearts which belong to it!"
+And all was bustle, stir, and song!
+
+Endymion forsook Olympus, entered the nearest grotto amid the rocks, and
+slipped into the little cavern to the left. Venus was still in the hall.
+To her came Hercules and softly whispered, "All is ready!"
+
+"But where? Tell me, where? It seems to me like a dream! You see how I
+trust you, for without question have I done everything just as the paper
+directed. Here I am, in the Media Nocte, and know not at all what remains
+to be done!"
+
+"The marriage ceremony and flight, fair Venus! Listen, however, to this
+one thing! In close proximity to this house, as you well know, stands the
+hotel of the French embassy. Well, gracious lady, walls can be leveled,
+and my enchanter Ducato can turn them into doors! Repair to the grotto
+hall and the cavern on the right. There will Venus be transformed into the
+Princess Ludovicka, and still be Venus! Then cross over to the cavern on
+the left, where, instead of Endymion, waits the Electoral Prince. She
+gives him her hand! My enchanter Ducato sees it, and all the rest takes
+care of itself. Only follow the god within your own breast! Only one thing
+more, Princess! Be Venus to him, and ravish his heart and soul, that he
+may not delay to sign the contract and inquire into its contents."
+
+"Be not uneasy," smiles Venus proudly; "he will sign anything to be able
+to call me his."
+
+Louder resound the peals of music, and all the gods sing and laugh and
+jest and shout. And the Bacchantes swing to and fro their ivy-wreathed
+staves, and their mouths with ecstasy pour forth their stammering songs of
+mirth! Venus has soared away! But no one observes it. Each is his own
+deity, here in the Media Nocte. Oh, blessed night of the gods! Forget that
+the wretched day of man will return in the morning! Louder resound the
+strains of music, and all is bustle, stir, and song there in Olympus!
+
+From the cavern on the right steps forth the Princess Ludovicka in white
+satin robe, a myrtle wreath twined in her hair, and behind her sweeps her
+veil like a silver cloud. Venus! Venus ever! full of sweet enchantment!
+
+She goes to the cavern on the left, and gently knocks. The door springs
+open, and she enters. It is bright within, and the Electoral Prince, in
+gold-embroidered suit, comes to meet her with beaming eyes, looks upon her
+radiant with happiness, and sinks down at her feet. Endymion! Endymion
+ever! Enchained by sweet magic! A door flies open; nobody has opened it,
+but there it is. The Electoral Prince jumps up and offers the Princess his
+hand. Neither of the two speaks, for their hearts are beating overloud.
+
+The merry music and uproarious shouts of the gods on Olympus penetrate to
+them even in the stillness of the cave, but through the open door other
+sounds steal near. Solemn, long-drawn organ peals are heard, uniting in
+the melody of a pious choral. How strangely blended within that narrow
+space those exultant songs and those organ tones! The young lovers hear
+only the notes of the organ, and hand in hand move toward the sound.
+
+A small pleasure boat receives them, flowers and myrtle trees line the
+banks, and inviting and alluring the organ calls them. Light glimmers at
+the end of the passage, and the lovers go toward it. They enter a large
+wide room! Solemn silence reigns here. At the farther end is a small
+altar. On it burn tall wax tapers, and before it, in full canonicals,
+stands the priest, prayer book in hand. At his sides are two gentlemen
+in simple, somber dress.
+
+Farther forward, nearer the center of the hall, is a table hung with
+green, on which lie several papers and implements of writing, and near it
+is a notary in his official garb, again attended by several men. To all
+this Prince Frederick William gives but one brief glance, then turns his
+eyes once more upon his beloved, standing at his side, radiant in beauty
+and enticingly sweet. The jubilant songs of Olympus yet ring in their
+ears, the images of the gods yet flame and flaunt before their eyes.
+
+"How beautiful you are, beloved Ludovicka! My Electoral Princess! come,
+let us go to the altar! Oh, your good, kind friends! How I thank them! How
+well they have arranged everything! Come! You see, the priest is waiting!"
+
+"Not yet, beloved! For you see before the priest stands the notary, and my
+good friends will have us go through all the formalities of legal
+marriage. Before we are married we must sign the contract!"
+
+"The contract of love is written in our hearts alone. What need for the
+intervention of signatures on paper? And how can strangers know what we
+alone can settle with one another? I swear unswerving love and fidelity to
+my Electoral Princess, and that requires no written confirmation. Come to
+the altar, dearest!"
+
+He endeavors to draw her forward, but Ludovicka flings her arm about his
+neck and holds him back. "Beloved," she whispers, "the contract which we
+sign concerns not us, but the benevolent, mighty friends, who have lent us
+their aid, and will help us still further. Ah! without these noble friends
+our flight would have been wholly impossible, and we would have been
+separated for ever! To-morrow I would have been the bride of the Prince of
+Hesse, and your father would already have found means to compel your
+return home. Ah! beloved, they would have separated us, if our noble
+friends had not helped us. They have prepared everything, cared for
+everything. As soon as we are married, we shall journey away to our safe
+asylum, and there, under the protection of friends, be sheltered and
+secure. For such love and devotion we must be grateful, must we not?"
+
+"Certainly, that we must, and shall be gladly, beloved of my heart! Let
+them say how we can prove our gratitude, and certainly it shall be done!"
+
+"They have said it, and written it down in the contract. Come, dearest, we
+will sign it, and then to the altar."
+
+She throws her arm around his neck, she draws him to the table where
+stands the notary with his witnesses. She hands him the pen and looks at
+him with a sweet smile.
+
+Venus! Venus ever!
+
+But he? He is no longer Endymion! He is the Electoral Prince Frederick
+William! And strange! like a dream, like a greeting from afar, conies
+stealing to his ears, "Be a good man."
+
+"Take the pen and sign!" whispers Venus, with glowing looks of love.
+
+He lays down the pen. "I must know what I sign. Read it, Sir Notary!"
+
+The notary bows low and reads: "In friendship and devotion to the
+Electoral Prince Frederick William of Brandenburg and his spouse, born
+Princess Ludovicka Hollandine of the Palatinate, we grant them an
+undisturbed asylum in our territories, promise to protect and defend them
+with all our power, to grant them, besides, maintenance and support,
+paying to the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg yearly subsidies of three
+hundred thousand livres, until he assumes the reins of government. On his
+side, the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg pledges himself, so soon as he
+begins to rule in his own right, to conclude a league with us for twenty
+years, and never to unite with our enemies against us, but to be true to
+us in good as also in evil days. Both parties confirm this by their
+signatures. Count d'Entragues has signed in the name of France."
+
+"France!" cried the Electoral Prince, with loudly ringing voice. "France
+is the friend who will lend us aid?"
+
+"Yes, Prince, France it is," said Count d'Entragues, approaching the
+Prince and bowing low before him. "France through me offers to the noble
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg protection and an asylum, pays him rich
+subsidies, and in return requires nothing but his alliance, and, above all
+things, his friendship. I am happy to offer the friendship and good
+offices of King Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu to the Electoral Prince
+of Brandenburg and his spouse, and to be permitted to witness the ceremony
+of their marriage."
+
+"Come, my beloved, sign," whispered Ludovicka, with pleading voice.
+
+But he thrust back the pen, and looked at the Princess with flaming eyes.
+"Did you know, Princess, that it was France who was to assist us?"
+
+"Certainly I knew it," replied she, with feigned astonishment. "Count
+d'Entragues himself offered me the assistance of France, and you gave me
+full powers to conclude all arrangements."
+
+"It is true, so I did," murmured the Prince. "I thought you had reference
+to a private person, to one of those rich mynheers whom I have met at your
+house. I told you so, Princess, and you did not contradict me. You left me
+under the impression that it was a merchant of Holland who was offering
+his help and protection. From a private citizen I could have accepted aid,
+for that pledged the man, not the Prince. But from France I can accept no
+favors, for by such would be pledged and bound the Prince, the future
+ruler of his land, so that he could not act freely according to his
+judgment and the requirements of the case, but be subjected to restraint.
+Sir Count d'Entragues, I shall not sign."
+
+The Princess uttered a shriek and threw both her arms, round him. "If you
+are serious in that, beloved, then are we lost, for who will help us if
+France will not?"
+
+"God and ourselves, Ludovicka!"
+
+"God listens not to our entreaties, and we are too weak to help ourselves.
+Oh, my beloved, prove now that you love me--that your vows are true. I am
+lost to you and you to me if we do not escape to-night--lost if we accept
+not France's aid. Look, here is the sheet of paper; our whole future lies
+on it. I offer it to you, beloved, and with it my life, my love, my
+happiness. Will you scorn me?"
+
+She held out to him both her trembling hands, and looked at him with
+glances of entreaty. He returned the look, and a deadly paleness
+overspread his face. He took the sheet of paper from her hands--she opened
+her mouth for a cry of joy--then a shrill, rasping sound--he had torn the
+paper in two, and both pieces fell slowly to the ground.
+
+"That is my answer, so help me God! I can do no otherwise."
+
+A cry sounded from Ludovicka's lips, but it was a cry of horror. She
+reeled back, as if a fearful blow had struck her, and stared at the Prince
+with wide-open eyes.
+
+"You reject me with disdain?" she asked in a toneless voice. "You will not
+flee with me?"
+
+He rushed toward her, cast himself upon his knees before her, kissing her
+dress and hands with passionate ardor.
+
+"Forgive me, Ludovicka, forgive me! I can not act differently. I can not
+be a traitor to my country, to my father, to Germany. I can not listen to
+my heart, with regard to my future, for my future belongs to my people,
+my native land, not to myself alone. Go home, beloved; be steadfast and
+courageous, as I shall be, and then we shall conquer destiny itself and
+win victory for our love."
+
+"Stand up, Electoral Prince of Brandenburg!" she cried imperiously, and
+with angry glance. "Now answer me, will you accept the help of France, and
+flee with me?"
+
+He turned away from her with a deep sigh. "No, I shall not accept the help
+of France."
+
+"Count d'Entragues," said the Princess, with shrill, quivering voice, "you
+are a gentleman; I place myself under your protection. You will
+immediately conduct me to Doornward."
+
+The count hastened to her and offered her his hand. She accepted it, and
+he led her slowly through the vast hall to one of the doors of entrance.
+
+The Electoral Prince looked after her with distorted features and burning
+eyes. Once he made a movement as if to rush after her, but by a mighty
+effort he kept his place. Arrived at the door, she paused and turned upon
+him an earnest, questioning glance; he cast down his eyes before it. Count
+d'Entragues opened the door--a breathless pause ensued--then the door
+closed behind her.
+
+The Electoral Prince placed his trembling hand upon his heart, and two
+tears rolled from his eyes. Violently he shook them away, and turned his
+head to the notary.
+
+"Sir," he said, in a firm voice--"sir, I beg you to show me the way out. I
+would go to my palace."
+
+
+
+
+VI.--THE HARDEST VICTORY.
+
+
+The Electoral Prince had returned home, but he did not sleep the whole
+night through. The chamberlain, whose room adjoined the Prince's sleeping
+apartment, had heard him restlessly pacing the floor all night long, at
+times talking to himself half aloud, and then even weeping and lamenting.
+In his anguish of heart he had wakened Baron Leuchtmar and the private
+secretary Müller, in order to impart to them the melancholy news. Both
+gentlemen had immediately risen and dressed themselves, and softly
+approached the door of the princely chamber. They, too, had heard the
+restless steps, the loud groans and lamentations of the Prince, and his
+grief had passed into their own hearts. As they looked at each other, each
+observed tears in the eyes of the other, and with quivering lips both
+whispered, "Poor young man! he must have some great grief! He suffers a
+great deal!"
+
+"You must go to him, Leuchtmar," whispered Müller. "You must ask what ails
+him, and try to comfort him."
+
+The baron mournfully shook his head. "My dear Müller," he said, "have you
+ever been in love?"
+
+"No, never!" replied Müller, in astonishment. "Why do you ask such a
+question?"
+
+"Because you would then know, friend, that there is no consolation for
+disappointment in love."
+
+"You think, then, that the Prince is disappointed in love?"
+
+"Certainly, I think so. What other grief can a young Prince of hardly
+eighteen years have, especially when his heart is engrossed with a glowing
+passion. The Prince was last night in the Media Nocte, and something
+peculiar must have occurred there, for he came home unusually early, his
+custom having been of late not to return home until daybreak, singing and
+rejoicing."
+
+"Only hear, Leuchtmar, how he sobs and groans! And now! Hush! what does he
+say?"
+
+Both gentlemen held their breath, and quite distinctly could be heard
+within the wailing, tear-choked voice of the Prince:
+
+"It is impossible--it is impossible. I can not. No, I can not. The
+sacrifice is too heavy! My heart will break!"
+
+"Hear him well," whispered Müller, amid his tears; "he can not make the
+sacrifice. He will die of grief. My God! go to him, baron. Tell him he
+need not make the sacrifice. No one can require of him the impossible. Go
+to him, man! Be humane. My God! only hear how he laments and groans!"
+
+"I hear it, but I can not go in. I do not know his sorrow, and if the
+Prince needs me he can call me."
+
+"You are a savage," said Müller desperately. "Well, if you will not
+comfort him, then shall I go to him."
+
+He stretched out his hand for the door knob, but Baron Leuchtmar held him
+back, and led the good private secretary back to his own room.
+
+"Let us go to bed, friend," he said; "even if we can not sleep, as is
+probable, yet we can rest, which is needful for our aged limbs. We can not
+yet help the Prince; and, believe me, he would never forgive us if we were
+to go to him unsummoned, thereby betraying that we have been privy to his
+suffering and his pain. He has a grief, there is no question about that;
+but he is retiringly modest, and at the same time has a stout heart that
+will admit no one to share with him a burden he has perhaps imposed upon
+himself. I am glad of this, Müller, and I tell you such hours of solitary
+grief purify the manly heart; in them the old myth is verified, from the
+fire and ashes of spent sorrows springs up the new-fledged phoenix. Should
+we prevent our Prince from passing through his purgatory, that he may
+emerge from the flames as a phoenix and a victorious hero?"
+
+"You may be right," sighed Müller, "but I only know that he is suffering
+bitterly."
+
+Baron Leuchtmar smiled sadly. "May these sufferings steel his heart," he
+said, "that he may be armed against greater and bitterer trials! Come,
+Müller, we will to bed, and to sleep."
+
+But, however composedly and resolutely the baron had opposed himself to
+the suggestions of his soft-hearted colleague, sleep that night forsook
+his eyes, and ever he heard in imagination the Prince's groans and
+laments. At times he could hardly repress his longing to get up, to creep
+to the Prince's door and listen, that he might discover whether he were
+still awake. But the baron forcibly restrained himself, and finally, as
+day already began to dawn, he actually fell asleep. He might possibly have
+slept a few hours, but his servant approached his couch and roused him.
+
+"Baron," he said, "some one is here who urgently desires to speak to you."
+
+"Who, Frederick, who is there?" asked Baron Leuchtmar, quickly rising.
+
+"The chamberlain, Baron von Marwitz, has arrived from Berlin."
+
+"Marwitz, the Elector's first chamberlain?" cried the baron. "Quick, my
+clothes, quick! Help me to dress myself. Run and tell Baron von Marwitz
+that I will be at his service directly. But first tell me whether his
+highness is already visible. Has he already ordered his breakfast?"
+
+"No, baron, I believe all is still quiet in his highness's apartments."
+
+"God be thanked! God be thanked! Now present my compliments to Baron von
+Marwitz, and then come quickly and help me."
+
+Ten minutes later Baron Kalkhun von Leuchtmar entered the Prince's
+reception room, where the chamberlain, Baron von Marwitz, awaited him. The
+two had a long conversation together, Leuchtmar listening with thoughtful
+mien to Marwitz's narration of the state of affairs at home.
+
+"Marwitz," he said, at the close of their conversation, "we have been good
+and tried friends from our childhood; I know that the electoral house and
+our fatherland lie as near to your heart as to my own, and that I can
+trust you. I therefore tell you, you have come at a fortunate hour, and
+God sends you! The heart of the Prince is wrung by a mighty sorrow, and he
+probably knows no way out of his griefs. You will show him one, and if he
+is actually the aspiring and noble-hearted Prince, whom God has sent for
+the blessing of his house and the hope of his country, then will he
+appreciate this way and walk in it. Go to him now, Marwitz, and lay before
+him candidly and without reserve, as you have done before me, the
+deplorable condition of things in our native land."
+
+"You will come with me, Leuchtmar, and present me to the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"No, baron. You must suffer yourself to be announced by the chamberlain,
+for the Prince dismissed me yesterday in wrath. Hush, my friend! say not a
+word, it is not so bad! The heart of the Prince has reached a crisis in
+its history which will soon be past, and then, well then, he will call me
+of himself again. But I shall wait for that. I can not intrude upon him
+now."
+
+"My friend," sighed Marwitz, "I begin to be afraid. If you do not support
+me, I will surely fail in my errand, and, like Schlieben, be forced to
+return disappointed to Berlin."
+
+"I think not. Only be of good courage and speak boldly, as your heart and
+your love of country dictate."
+
+"Is the Electoral Prince already up?" he asked of the man in waiting, and,
+as he received nothing but a shrug of the shoulders in reply, Leuchtmar
+beckoned to him to come nearer, and retired with him into a recess of one
+of the windows.
+
+"Well, what is it, old Dietrich? You have seen the Electoral Prince
+already, have you not?"
+
+"Yes, baron. He has not been to bed at all, but still has on the clothes
+he wore when he went away last night. He is just as pale as a sheet, and
+his eyes which usually shine so gloriously are to-day quite dim. He called
+me, and I thought he was about to order breakfast, but no! Something quite
+different he wanted, and it struck me as peculiarly strange. The Electoral
+Prince asked me who was on duty this week, I or the second valet,
+Eberhard? I told him Eberhard, for his week began yesterday. Then said the
+Electoral Prince: 'Well, Dietrich, I want you to exchange with him this
+time, for I would like to have you to wait upon me this week, and Eberhard
+shall have a holiday the whole week. I only want to see your old face
+about me!' Is not that strange, Sir Baron? Until yesterday Eberhard stood
+in such high favor, and my gracious master always preferred being dressed
+by him. Only yesterday evening Eberhard must accompany him to the feast,
+and now, all at once, my gracious master will not see him! Something must
+have happened, for last night Eberhard came home much later than the
+Electoral Prince, and asked, as if bewildered, whether his highness had
+been back long; and when I told him that the Electoral Prince had bidden
+me change with him, he turned deadly pale, trembled in every limb, and
+said, 'It is all over with me!' Baron, something surely happened last
+night."
+
+"Probably Eberhard has been guilty of some negligence," said Leuchtmar
+carelessly. "He has often been negligent of late, as it seems to me. He
+has some love affair on hand, has he not?"
+
+"Yes, Sir Baron, he has gotten in with that artful chambermaid of the
+Princess Ludovicka, out there at Doornward, and they are engaged to one
+another. But people do not say much good of Madame Alice: she is a cunning
+French girl and--"
+
+"Do not trouble yourself about what people say," interrupted the baron.
+"Do your own duty and rejoice that for this week the Electoral Prince
+gives you the preference over Eberhard. Go, now, and announce to his
+highness the chamberlain, Baron von Marwitz, from Berlin."
+
+A few minutes later the gentleman announced entered the Prince's drawing
+room. Frederick William advanced into the middle of the room to meet him,
+and greeted him with grave courtesy.
+
+"I was expecting you, baron," he said coldly.
+
+"Your highness was expecting me?" asked the baron, astonished. "Your
+highness knew already that I would come?"
+
+"Yes, I knew it, baron. My mother's court painter, Gabriel Nietzel,
+arrived yesterday, and through him my gracious mother informed me that the
+Elector would send you to me with a very serious and angry message. You
+see, I am prepared. Deliver your message now, baron. Let us be seated."
+
+The Prince sat down in the armchair and made the baron sit opposite him.
+His large eyes were fixed upon Marwitz, and burned with a strange, sad
+light. His noble pale countenance was of touching beauty.
+
+"You hesitate?" asked the Prince quietly, after a pause. "What you have to
+say to me is, then, very bad?"
+
+"No, your highness, not therefore did I delay," cried the baron, with
+feeling. "Your appearance bewildered me, because it pleased me so much. I
+have not seen your highness for three years. You were then hardly fifteen
+years old, a noble, promising boy, and now I behold you with rapture and
+delight, seeing that all our expectations have been fulfilled, and that
+out of the boy has grown a strong, noble, and serious young man. Yes,
+Prince, I read it in your countenance, your unhappy fatherland, your
+unhappy, much-to-be-pitied Brandenburgers, may look with trust and
+confidence to the future, for you will save and rescue them."
+
+"Save them from what? Rescue them from what?" asked the Prince, in cold
+and measured phrase. "Why do you call my fatherland unhappy, and why do
+you say that the Brandenburgers are to be pitied? Is not my fatherland,
+for doubtless you do not mean Germany, but my special fatherland, in which
+I have been born and reared, is not the Mark Brandenburg now quite happy
+and peaceful, as it has been for some years past, since it is again under
+the Emperor's protection and favor, in pleasant neutrality between the two
+inimical parties? And as to my good Brandenburgers, I can not imagine how
+you can call them so much to be pitied when Count Adam von Schwarzenberg
+is still Stadtholder in the Mark--Count Adam von Schwarzenberg, who
+certainly must have the good of Brandenburg at heart, since he knows how
+much my father loves him and trusts to him. He will always show himself
+worthy of confidence, I doubt not, and I have the highest respect for my
+father's great and wise minister."
+
+"Ah! your highness mistrusts me," cried Marwitz with an expression of
+pain. "Your highness takes me for one of Schwarzenberg's adherents."
+
+"No, I take you for what you are, the messenger and emissary of my father,
+the Elector of Brandenburg."
+
+"Your highness would thereby say that this messenger and emissary has
+consequently received his orders from Count Schwarzenberg, because the
+count is really lord of the Mark and the Elector's right hand. I read in
+your countenance that you do so, and that therefore you mistrust me. But I
+swear to you, Prince, you may believe in my honest, upright
+intentions--you may believe that what I say is in solemn earnest."
+
+"I believe it, certainly I believe it," said the Prince. "You have
+undertaken the commissions of the Elector and his Minister Schwarzenberg;
+naturally you will be in earnest in executing them."
+
+"Prince, I have undertaken the commissions, the behests of the Elector;
+but from himself and not from his minister did I obtain them. I have sworn
+to execute them, and do you know why?"
+
+"Why? Simply because you are your master's obedient servant."
+
+"No, Prince, because I am a faithful servant of my country, and because I
+have a heart to feel for her affliction and distress. The Elector has
+commanded me to travel to The Hague, and to convey his strict injunction
+to the Electoral Prince that he shall immediately set out and return home
+to Berlin. The Elector bids me say to your highness that he has committed
+to me five thousand dollars to defray the expenses of your journey back
+and for the liquidation of the most pressing debts. Should this sum not
+suffice, then am I empowered, in the name of his Electoral Highness, to
+give security for the payment of the other debts, and your highness is so
+to arrange your journey that your suite may follow in the least expensive
+way possible. I was to urge on you seriously and decidedly the propriety
+of departure, and your father bids me state to you that he has his own
+peculiarly strong reasons for esteeming a further sojourn in Holland
+neither safe, profitable, nor reputable. I was to assure your highness
+that you were not to be recalled, in order to be forced into a repulsive
+marriage. At the same time, the Elector desires that you return
+unembarrassed by engagements, and that you by no means entangle yourself
+by marriage without his knowledge and consent, for to such a union would
+the Elector not agree, nor ratify it."[18]
+
+"Is that all you have to say to me?" asked the Prince, when Marwitz was
+silent.
+
+"Prince, it is all I have to say to you in the Elector's name, and I have
+herewith executed the commission intrusted to me. But I have something
+still to add. I have still to execute the commissions given me by your
+future land, by your future subjects. I have to transmit to you the tears
+of the wretched, the sighs of the impoverished, the cries of the
+despairing, the agonized shriek of all the provinces, all the towns, all
+the villages, houses, and huts in the Mark. Prince, from the depth of
+their affliction all hearts uplift themselves to you; in the midst of
+their despair, the oppressed, the downtrodden, the tormented all venture
+to hope in you, and in spirit they kneel before you and with outstretched
+hands entreat you, as I do now, 'Pity our distress, future Elector of
+Brandenburg, have compassion upon the lands and provinces which shall one
+day constitute your state. Turn not a deaf ear to the prayers, the hopes
+of your future subjects.'"
+
+Marwitz had sunk upon the floor, and stretched his clasped hands out to
+the Prince, who looked thoughtfully into his excited face.
+
+"And what would my future subjects have, what do they desire of me?"
+
+"That you forthwith, without delay, return to the Mark by the speediest
+way possible."
+
+"I?" cried the Electoral Prince, with a mocking smile. "Your wishes and
+entreaties, and those of the Brandenburgers, coincide very exactly with my
+father's orders!"
+
+"Yes, they do coincide, but spring from different motives. Prince, we
+implore, we entreat you to return; no longer give us over to the caprice,
+the villainy, the tyranny and avarice of Count von Schwarzenberg. He is
+the evil demon of your father, of your country. Come home and frighten him
+away!"
+
+The Prince started, and for a moment a deep glow suffused his pale
+countenance. His look penetrated deeper into the baron's uplifted,
+beseeching eyes, as if through them he would read into the very depths of
+his heart.
+
+"Stand up, Marwitz," he said, after a long pause--"stand up, for you are
+too old and too venerable to kneel before so young a man as myself. Else,
+sit down near me, and explain your words more clearly. What good can my
+return home do, and how think you that I can benefit the land? And first
+and foremost, why do you call Count Schwarzenberg the evil demon of my
+father and his country?"
+
+"Permit me, your highness, to answer the last question first, and thus
+will you understand the rest. Count Schwarzenberg is answerable for all
+the distress, wretchedness, and misery which envelop the Mark, Prussia,
+indeed all parts of your devastated and distracted land, for he acts
+contrary to the true interests of the Elector and his land, being wholly
+devoted to the interests of his own master, the Emperor of Germany. To
+this end all is worked and manoeuvred, with this aim all efforts are
+undertaken, to ruin Brandenburg, and take from it all power and
+consideration, yea, all hope, in order that it may be rendered dependent
+upon the Emperor and empire, and become less dangerous. For the benefit of
+the Emperor, and to the detriment of the Elector and his land, has Count
+Schwarzenberg concluded the treaty of Prague. Up to that time Brandenburg
+was the ally of Sweden, now it is neutral--that is to say, it is the prey
+of both parties; it is visited, laid under contribution, and plundered by
+the Swedish and Imperialist troops, and can apply for redress to no one,
+expect aid from no one. With each day the misery increases more and more.
+All trade and commerce languish; in the country the fields remain
+untilled, in the towns the artisans are unemployed, nobody finds work or
+wages. Hunger and want, and in their retinue sickness and death, daily
+demand hundreds of victims. The Swede has possession of your rightful
+heritage, Pomerania, and the Imperialists press to invade the Pomeranian
+towns and lay them under contribution, without thinking of leaving the
+vanquished cities wherewithal to pay tribute to their Sovereign, the
+Elector of Brandenburg. Imperialist is to become the whole Mark, the whole
+of Pomerania and Prussia, Westphalia and the duchy of Cleves. Imperialist
+and Catholic--that is Count Schwarzenberg's plan, and with cruel
+consistency he puts in motion everything that can conduce to its
+accomplishment. To prevent the recovery, the prosperity of Prussia and the
+Mark is the aim of all his policy. He exhausts the land, and yet more than
+the enemy plunders and taxes the towns, enriching himself through the
+blood and tears of the tortured citizens and hungry peasantry, living in
+luxury and splendor, while the Elector is suffering want, while his land
+is starved and unproductive."
+
+"Abominable! horrible!" groaned the Electoral Prince, covering his face
+with both his hands, probably to conceal from Marwitz the tears which
+stood in his eyes.
+
+"Prince," cried Marwitz joyfully, "you are moved! The afflictions of your
+country touch your noble heart! Oh, may God be with you in this hour, and
+strengthen you for noble and great resolves!"
+
+"What do you require of me?" asked the Prince, after a pause, slowly
+withdrawing his hands from his livid face. "What can I do?"
+
+"You can come home, Prince, come home to the unhappy land whose future
+lord you are by the appointment of God. Your mere presence will be a
+comfort to the unhappy, a terror to Schwarzenberg. On you rest the hopes
+of all patriots. You are the standard around whom they rally, the banner
+to which they look up in hope and patience, for which, if needs be, they
+will battle to the last drop of their blood. You furnish us all with a
+center and support, perhaps even your father himself, who maybe sometimes
+fears his own almighty minister, certainly your mother, who longs for her
+son as her stay and support! Prince, one more last word. I say it with
+hesitation, I would not even intrust it to the air, and yet it must be
+spoken--Prince, the power of Count Schwarzenberg over your father's heart
+is great, and--and--Count Schwarzenberg is a believing Catholic! It would
+be a new pillar to his might if the Elector--"
+
+"Hush, hush!" interrupted the Electoral Prince, jumping up from his seat.
+"Not another word! You are right, the very air itself may not hear such
+words! Bury them in your heart and never again utter them! These are
+fearful tidings, which you have brought me, Marwitz, and my heart is
+bitterly, painfully moved by them, so that for an instant I--"
+
+"Oh, my beloved young master," entreated Marwitz, "let not your heart be
+merely touched by them, but be inspired and sanctified. Embrace a high
+noble decision. Conquer yourself, and--"
+
+With uplifted hand the Electoral Prince beckoned him to be silent, and
+with rapid step and head sunk he paced up and down the apartment. Then all
+at once he stopped, and, quickly raising his head, asked, "Where is
+Leuchtmar? Why did he not come with you?"
+
+"I know not, Prince--he told me he could not dare to appear in your
+presence; he--"
+
+"Ah! that is true," said the Prince mournfully; "we have not seen each
+other since--I beg of you, Marwitz, to go and fetch Leuchtmar to me."
+
+The baron made haste to execute the Prince's mandate. Frederick William
+looked after him until the door closed behind him. Then his large, moist
+eyes were slowly upraised to heaven, and his trembling lips murmured: "Oh,
+how young I am yet, and how much I have still to learn! Help me, my God,
+that I may have the needed strength!"
+
+Again the door opened, and Marwitz entered, followed by Leuchtmar, who
+remained standing at the door. The Electoral Prince looked at him with
+questioning glances, and ever brighter became his brow, ever more cheerful
+his aspect. And all at once he spread out his arms, and in a tone of most
+heartfelt love, most tender pleading, called out, "My beloved teacher!
+come to my arms!"
+
+Leuchtmar sprang forward with a cry of joy. The Prince tenderly fell on
+his neck and pressed him closely to his breast.
+
+"Oh," he murmured softly, "my friend, I have suffered much, and still
+suffer. Forgive me on account of my pain!"
+
+And he leaned his head on Leuchtmar's shoulder and wept bitterly. A long
+pause ensued. No one of the three could interrupt it, for speech remained
+locked upon the trembling lips of all, and only their tears, their sighs
+spoke. Then the door slowly opened, and the private secretary, Müller,
+appeared upon the threshold. For a moment he stood still, and looked with
+quivering lips upon the Prince, who was just slowly extricating himself
+from Leuchtmar's embrace, then he stepped resolutely forward.
+
+"Your highness," he said, "forgive me for venturing to intrude my presence
+here, without having been summoned. But old Dietrich dared not take the
+step which I do now, and so the responsibility rests upon myself alone."
+
+"And what is it?" asked the Prince. "What brings you to me, my dear, true
+friend?"
+
+"He calls me his dear, true friend!" rejoiced Müller.
+
+"All is right again, then--all is in order! We are not dismissed--we are
+not sent home!"
+
+"You may be, after all, my old friend," said the Electoral Prince, with a
+feeble smile. "But what would you say to me? What sort of responsibility
+have you taken upon yourself?"
+
+"Prince, I have taken upon myself the responsibility of admitting into
+your cabinet the veiled lady who has just come, and of requesting you to
+grant her the audience for which she has been besieging Dietrich with
+tears and lamentations. Dietrich, however, would not hear to it, and the
+lady continually called for Eberhard to come--Eberhard must lead her to
+the Prince. But, as Dietrich says, this is not Eberhard's week of service,
+so that he can not enter here. I was attracted to the antechamber by the
+loud conversation, and now the lady turned upon me, and pleaded so
+touchingly and so eloquently, that I could not refuse to grant her
+request. Your highness, I have conducted the lady into your cabinet, and
+she awaits you there."
+
+"But, Müller," cried Baron Leuchtmar despairingly, "what have you done?
+How could you be so inconsiderate?"
+
+The old man drew himself up, and his mild eye grew angry. "Inconsiderate!
+I was not at all inconsiderate, Baron Leuchtmar. On the contrary, I
+thought it would be unworthy of a noble Prince to allow a woman to plead
+in vain, and I thought, moreover, that Hercules would never have become a
+hero if he had not had the valor to meet the women who greeted him at the
+crossing of the roads."
+
+"You have done right, Müller," said Frederick William, with a faint smile;
+"it will be seen whether Hercules was perhaps my forefather. I shall speak
+to the lady. Wait for me here."
+
+He crossed the apartment hastily, and entered his cabinet. In the center
+of the room stood a veiled female form. The Prince, however, recognized
+her, although her face could not be seen, for he knew her by her pretty
+coquettish costume to be the Princess Ludovicka's French chambermaid, and
+he stepped quickly up to her.
+
+"I thought that it was you, Alice," he said softly, "and I have therefore
+come to tell you to--"
+
+With sudden movement she tore back her veil, and before the pale,
+beautiful countenance thereby revealed the Prince stepped back, as pale as
+death.
+
+"You yourself?" he murmured. "You, Ludovicka?"
+
+"Yes, I, Ludovicka! I come here in my maid's dress," said she, in a voice
+trembling with pain and emotion. "I come to you, my beloved, to ask you
+whether you will desert me, leaving me in despair, affliction, and
+heart-sickness? O Frederick, Frederick! how fearfully have I suffered this
+night!"
+
+"And I?" murmured he softly. "Have I not suffered too?"
+
+"No," she cried, "you have not suffered as I did, for you love me not as I
+love you--you love me not more than your life, your honor, your
+fatherland! You will abandon and forsake me, because it is France that has
+offered us aid! Oh, you are a cold, heartless man, as all men are, and yet
+I love you so much and can not live without you! Frederick William, you
+will not go with me to France--well then, I will go with you, wherever you
+will. I cleave to you--I will stay with you! Let shame and ignominy be my
+fate, let my mother curse me, let all the world despise me and call me
+your mistress, I will stay with you, for I love you and can not live
+without you!"
+
+Passionately she extended her arms to him, love flaming in her glances.
+But a darker shadow flitted across the Prince's face, and he shrank back.
+
+"God forbid, Ludovicka," he said, "that misery and shame should ever come
+to you through me, that your mother should curse you for my sake! We are
+both yet children, Ludovicka. I felt right painfully last night that the
+first duty of children is to obey and reverence their parents. Let us do
+our duty, Ludovicka!"
+
+"That is," replied she with swelling rage--"that is to say, you give me
+up? They have overcome your opposition, they have brought you back to
+obedience, to subjection?"
+
+"No other than myself has done it, Ludovicka."
+
+"You? You give me up? Voluntarily? And yet you swore that you loved me and
+me alone of all the world?"
+
+"And I swore truly, Ludovicka. I love you boundlessly!"
+
+"And yet you will forsake me?"
+
+"Yet I must do so, beloved! I must forsake you, but God alone, who has
+witnessed my tortures this past night, knows what I suffer. My father is
+solitary, my fatherland calls to me, and the first thing that I sacrifice
+on its altar is my love for you. I can not marry you, Ludovicka, and God
+forbid that I should accept your love without marriage!"
+
+"Words, nothing but words!" cried she indignantly. "You would palliate
+your unfaithfulness, represent your fickleness of mind as magnanimity! But
+I hear only one thing in your words--you give me up, you renounce your
+love?"
+
+"Yes!" he cried with a loud scream of pain--"yes, I renounce my love!"
+
+
+"Vengeance upon you for it!" cried she, in flaming wrath. "I, Ludovicka
+Hollandine, cry vengeance upon you, for you break my heart!"
+
+"And you will have no compassion? You will not see what I suffer?
+Ludovicka, look! Look in my eyes, they wept out last night the pains of a
+whole life--see what I suffer! Ludovicka, on my knees I beseech you, if
+you really love me, then have pity upon me--for the sake of my agony
+forgive me what you suffer!"
+
+And beside himself with emotion, he fell upon his knees, lifting up to her
+his clasped hands and his face that was bathed in tears.
+
+But now it was she who shrank back. "No," said she harshly and severely,
+"no, no compassion, no forgiveness! I do not love you, I have never loved
+you, for you are a foolish boy, and know nothing of the glow of passion!
+You are a child! Go away and act like a child, and be an obedient son!
+Love rejects you! love turns from you!" And waving him off with both
+hands, the Princess turned and walked to the door. Frederick William,
+still upon his knees, heard her quickly retreating steps, but did not
+rise. Ludovicka had already stretched out her hand to open the door; but
+she turned round once more, and in tones of mingled love and grief cried,
+"Frederick, will you let me go?"
+
+
+He did not answer, his head sank lower, and a painful groan forced itself
+from his breast. She opened the door--he heard it--he saw the streak of
+light that crossed the room through the open door, it vanished--the door
+had closed. Then was wrung from the Prince's breast a shriek of agony such
+as only issues from the lips of man under the pressure of earth's sharpest
+pangs.
+
+The three gentlemen were yet assembled in the Prince's drawing room,
+conversing and imparting to one another their fears and hopes. All at once
+the door of the cabinet opened and the Electoral Prince entered. Pale as
+death, but with firm, determined features, he stepped up to the three
+gentlemen, who looked at him with tender, anxious glances.
+
+"Marwitz," he said, "you can this very day set out on your return to
+Berlin, for your mission is fulfilled. Say to my father that as an
+obedient son I submit to his wishes, and shall forthwith depart for
+Berlin."
+
+The three gentlemen only answered him by a single cry of joy, and,
+animated by one feeling, one inspiration, sank upon their knees and prayed
+aloud, "Bless, O God! bless the Prince, who has conquered himself!"
+
+"What is going on here?" asked a loud manly voice behind them. "What means
+this? Three gentlemen on their knees, and my young cousin looking on like
+the Knight St. George!"
+
+"And so he is, Prince of Orange," cried Baron Leuchtmar, rising and
+advancing to meet the Prince, who had come in unannounced, as was his wont
+at the house of his cousin. "Yes, he is a Knight St. George, who has
+conquered the dragon. You know, Prince Henry, how sweetly they have
+enticed him, with what magic chains they have been encircling him. You
+know the Media Nocte and"--added he softly--"the Princess Ludovicka."
+
+"Well, and what more now?" asked the Prince, with eager interest. "Not
+much, cousin," said Frederick William, with a melancholy smile. "I must
+bid you farewell. I owe it to my parents, to my honor, and my country,
+forthwith to leave The Hague!"[19]
+
+"Bravo, cousin, bravo!" cried Henry of Orange. "You flee from danger and
+escape from temptation. That is to be called heroism, and herewith you
+have as truly conquered a citadel as when I vanquished Breda!"
+
+"Believe me too, cousin," said Frederick William, while he leaned upon the
+
+Prince's heroic breast--"believe me, that this victory has cost much blood
+and many tears."
+
+One moment he let his head rest on the shoulder of his fatherly friend,
+then proudly drew himself up.
+
+"Baron Leuchtmar and you, my trusty private secretary, Müller!" he cried,
+with loud voice, "to-day we leave The Hague and proceed to Arnheim, and
+thence we set forth to-morrow on our journey home. Marwitz, you travel in
+advance. The golden days of our youth are past! Let iron ones follow! I am
+prepared for all!"
+
+
+
+
+BOOK III.
+
+I.--NEW PLANS.
+
+
+"Strange, very strange," muttered Count Adam Schwarzenberg to himself.
+"The Prince must have set out on his journey four weeks ago, and still no
+news from Gabriel Nietzel! The journey by sea, it is true, offered no
+opportunity for any enterprise, and the Electoral Prince had the sublime
+fancy of choosing the water in preference to the land route, in spite of
+the severities of this season of the year. But, according to the Prince's
+scheme of traveling, and according to my own calculations, the Prince must
+have reached Hamburg full eight days ago, and as he was only to stay there
+three days, he must already have been journeying five days by land, and
+yet have I in vain looked for any tidings whatever from Gabriel Nietzel.
+Could it be possible that this man has dared to disobey me?--could he have
+carried his folly so far as to sacrifice wife and child rather than
+execute my commands?"
+
+Gloomily the count's brow wrinkled, as he asked himself this question, and
+his eyes flamed with fury. With folded arms he walked rapidly to and fro.
+
+"To think that all my plans may be wrecked by the pangs of conscience of a
+single fool!" he sighed--"to think, that for months, nay, for years, I
+have been laboring in vain to see the realization of these projects, and
+that in my highest, proudest aims I am dependent upon a blockhead,
+who--What is it Daniel? What is your errand?"
+
+"Pardon me, your excellency; some one is without who
+desires most urgently to speak with you."
+
+"Who is it?--do you know him?"
+
+"No, my lord count, I do not know him, and he will not tell what he wants
+of your excellency. He says he must speak with your lordship himself, and
+I must only announce his name. It is Gabriel Nietzel."
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel!" cried the count. "Why did you not tell me so directly,
+you fool! Bring him in without delay, and take care that no one disturbs
+us so long as the painter Gabriel Nietzel is with us."
+
+The lackey hurried off, leaving the door open for the painter, whom he
+fetched in from the first antechamber. Breathlessly, in violent
+excitement, Count Schwarzenberg looked toward this open door. "It is my
+future fate that is about to enter," he murmured. "Ah, there he is! There
+is Gabriel Nietzel!" And in his vehement agitation he rushed forward a few
+steps to meet the painter, whom he saw approaching through the entrance
+hall. But forcibly constraining himself to an appearance of moderation and
+reserve, he stood still and assumed a calm, unimpassioned expression.
+Gabriel Nietzel entered, and behind him the lackey gently closed the door.
+The sharp eyes of the count rested inquiringly upon the newcomer, who
+remained standing near the door with head sunk and humble, melancholy
+mien. This submissive, contrite silence on the part of the returning
+painter was sufficiently eloquent to the mind of the count. It told him
+that Gabriel Nietzel had nothing welcome to communicate. He subdued his
+rage and proudly threw back his head, as if to shake off, like troublesome
+insects, all his disappointed hopes.
+
+"Well, you are actually at home again, Master Court Painter!" he cried, in
+a tone that was well-nigh cheerful.
+
+"Yes, your excellency," whispered Gabriel, with downcast eyes, "here I am
+again, and report myself forthwith to your excellency."
+
+"To me?" asked Schwarzenberg, affecting astonishment. "Why do you report
+yourself to me, and what have I to do with you, Sir Court Painter Gabriel
+Nietzel? You should have gone to the palace, to the Electress, and
+gladdened her heart with your pleasing intelligence. I doubt not that you
+are the bearer of glad tidings for her, and come to forewarn her of the
+Prince's speedy arrival here in safety and good health?"
+
+"I had no wish to go to her highness the Electress," said Gabriel Nietzel
+humbly. "She knows already, independently of any information from me, that
+the Electoral Prince is safe and sound. I come to your excellency to
+excuse myself for the failure of my undertaking, and to beg your pardon."
+
+"I do not understand you at all, Sir Court Painter," replied Count
+Schwarzenberg, shrugging his shoulders. "I know not what sort of
+undertaking you had in view, what you have failed in, and what I can have
+to pardon you for."
+
+"Your excellency!" cried Gabriel with an outburst of grief--"your
+excellency, I swear that I am innocent, that it has been the result of no
+ill will, no negligence, but because I really could not find an
+opportunity for carrying out what--"
+
+"Well, carrying out what?" asked Schwarzenberg, when Gabriel faltered.
+"What do I care for your unfinished works, your abortive schemes? I only
+buy finished pictures, and, if they are well executed and successes, I pay
+for them in kingly style. With daubers, though, and wretched copyists who
+would pass off copies as originals, I have nothing to do. Speak not to me,
+then, Sir Court Painter, of your sketches and designs. I ask nothing about
+them, but only come to me when you have a completed work to exhibit."
+
+"Your excellency will not understand me," said Gabriel, while drops of
+agony trickled from his cold brow.
+
+"No," proudly retorted the count, "it is for you to understand
+_me_, Sir Court Painter Gabriel Nietzel. Were you not sent to The Hague to
+complete your studies there? Why have you returned home so soon?"
+
+"Because I was homesick, most gracious sir--because I longed inexpressibly
+after my child, my wife!"
+
+The painter ventured to lift his eyes with earnest anxiety and entreaty to
+the face of the count, but Schwarzenberg's glance remained cold.
+
+"Ah, you have a wife?" he asked, with indifference. "You left her behind
+and went alone to The Hague?"
+
+"Yes, I went there quite alone, because I had a great and important work
+to accomplish there; but before I had even stretched my canvas and
+sketched the outlines, an unexpected hindrance interposed which
+annihilated all my plans."
+
+"What sort of hindrance?" asked the count carelessly, while he played with
+the heavy golden chain about his neck, to which was attached the portrait
+of the Elector set in brilliants. "What sort of hindrance?"
+
+"The Electoral Prince, to whom the Electress had recommended me, and who
+received me into the number of his attendants, suddenly and unexpectedly
+determined to take his departure from The Hague, and straightway carried
+his resolution into effect. He himself, together with Baron von Marwitz,
+Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun, secretary Müller, and his chamberlain
+repaired forthwith to Amsterdam, in order to take ship there. He, however,
+ordered his majordomo and myself to break up his household, to pack up
+his books and paintings, and to journey with them by land to Berlin. I
+ventured to protest against this, and even preferred the request to be
+permitted to accompany the Electoral Prince upon his sea voyage; this,
+however, Baron Leuchtmar refused, and nobody was allowed to speak with the
+Electoral Prince himself. Up to the time of his departure he remained shut
+up in his chamber, and only left it to get into the carriage which
+conveyed him to Amsterdam. There, as was known, lay a passenger vessel
+ready to sail for Hamburg, and in this the Electoral Prince took passage."
+
+"And you did not see the Electoral Prince at all before he set out?"
+
+"Oh, your excellency, I had ranged myself along with all his other
+household officers at the side of his traveling carriage, and the Prince
+very condescendingly held out his hand to me, yes, he even tried to smile.
+'Gabriel Nietzel,' he said, 'make all speed to reach Berlin right soon. I
+shall desire my mother to allow you to enter my special service, and then
+you shall paint for me many a pretty picture. Until then, farewell!' He
+once more nodded kindly to me, and jumped into the carriage."
+
+"That is the only time that you have spoken at all to the Electoral
+Prince?"
+
+"No, your honor, on the very day of my arrival I had an audience with him,
+and the Electoral Prince was highly delighted to receive news from home. I
+must tell him everything in detail, and since, with your gracious
+permission, I claimed to side with your lordship's opponents, the
+Electoral Prince immediately became very confidential and affectionate to
+me, receiving me into his house and retinue, and promising to present me
+at the courts of the Stadtholder and the Queen of Bohemia."
+
+"How came it, then, that the Prince so immediately afterward suddenly took
+the resolution to depart?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, four-and-twenty hours after myself the Chamberlain von
+Marwitz arrived at The Hague, and had a long conversation with the
+Electoral Prince. Immediately after that the Electoral Prince gave orders
+for departure, and three hours later had already left The Hague."
+
+"Now it seems, therefore, that Baron von Marwitz is a very persuasive
+speaker, who well understood how to move the Electoral Prince's heart, and
+to lead him back to obedience to his father and--myself. I shall therefore
+prove my gratitude to Herr von Marwitz. I like very much to have my orders
+and commissions executed punctiliously and exactly, and this Herr von
+Marwitz has done, for I had bidden him to leave no means untried whereby
+the Electoral Prince might be induced to leave Holland."
+
+A crushing glance from his large gray eyes as he uttered these words fell
+full upon Gabriel Nietzel's pale and contrite face, making his heart quake
+with undefined dread.
+
+"Your honor is very angry with me?" he asked faintly.
+
+"You?" exclaimed the count in astonishment. "Why should I be angry with
+you? What have I to do with you? I only know you as the painter Nietzel,
+who sold me a copy for a good original, and whom I could therefore have
+condemned to the gallows as a falsifier and cheat. But you know I have
+forgiven you, and let your copy be valued as an original. I even went
+further in my magnanimous forgiveness; I had even intrusted you with
+commissions for Holland, where you were to visit the picture galleries in
+order to make copies. You have not executed my commissions, for you have
+returned home too soon. That is all, and therefore all connection between
+us is dissolved. Farewell, Mr. Court Painter Gabriel Nietzel; you are
+dismissed!"
+
+He haughtily motioned to the door, turned his back upon the painter, and
+slowly traversed the apartment. But Gabriel Nietzel did not go. There he
+stood as if rooted to the spot, and stared fixedly at the count, who
+walked to and fro, as if lost in thought, and seemed to be wholly
+unconscious that the painter had dared still to remain in his presence.
+After a long pause his eye fell quite accidentally on the spot where
+Gabriel Nietzel stood, and he started as if in sudden terror.
+
+"Why, you still here?" he asked. "You dare to brave me? To terrify me with
+your dull, pale face? Have you grown deaf, Mr. Court Painter? Did you not
+hear me dismiss you?"
+
+"I heard, but your honor knows that I can not go. Your lordship well knows
+that from your lips I await the sentence which is to seal my whole future
+fate, and that I will not leave this room until I have received this."
+
+"How? You will not leave this room. You will stay although I have bidden
+you go? Very well, then, I shall call my servants and have you put out."
+
+And already the count's hand was stretched forth to take his silver
+whistle. But Gabriel Nietzel dared to grasp this hand and hold it firmly
+between both his own.
+
+"Pity, gracious sir, pity!" he pleaded. "Drive me from your presence, take
+from me the pension you most condescendingly insured to me; I feel that I
+am indeed undeserving of your favor and graciousness. Only, for pity's
+sake, for humanity's sake, restore to me my own--give me my wife and
+child!"
+
+"What have I to do with your wife and child?" asked Count Schwarzenberg
+angrily. "Have you handed them over to me? Am I the chief of an asylum for
+deserted women and children?"
+
+"My wife, Sir Count, give me back my wife!" cried Gabriel Nietzel, sinking
+down upon his knees.
+
+"I know nothing about her, I have never seen her," said the count.
+
+"You do know about her, your excellency! You took her and my dear,
+precious child under your protection when I went to The Hague. You had my
+wife and child carried to, Spandow, and gave them an abode within your
+palace there."
+
+"Now I see plainly that you speak like a deranged man, Master Gabriel
+Nietzel," cried the count passionately. "Collect your faculties, man, or I
+shall immediately have you arrested and sent to a madhouse. I repeat,
+collect your faculties, and utter not such palpably idle tales. Very
+likely that I should have taken your wife and child into my keeping.
+Bethink yourself, Master Gabriel Nietzel, be rational, and remember that
+you are happily unincumbered and a free bachelor!"
+
+"No, no, I am not free!" shrieked Gabriel Nietzel. "I have a wife, I have
+a child, and see them again I must! Deliver them up to me, Sir Count. I
+beseech you by all that is sacred--deliver them up to me! I must have my
+wife and boy again!"
+
+"Well then, go and look for them," said Schwarzenberg composedly "Apply to
+the police, and furnish them with a description of both their persons.
+Show your marriage license and your child's certificate of baptism, that
+every one may be convinced of the truth of your deposition. Then write a
+description of your wife, or, as you are a painter, draw a likeness of
+her, publish her name and family, call upon her relatives to render you
+their assistance, and in that way, if you really have a wife, you will in
+the end succeed in discovering her."
+
+"Sir Count, you well know that I can not do so," groaned Gabriel Nietzel.
+"You well know that I am a poor, ruined man, entirely in your power. I
+beseech you, have mercy upon me! Restore to me my wife and child, and I
+will do all that you require of me. Give me back my wife, and I swear to
+you that I will do here what I was to have done on the journey. I swear
+to you that I will make good what I missed, that I--"
+
+"I do not believe your oaths, Gabriel Nietzel," interposed the count. "You
+are liberal with your oaths and promises, but come short in deeds, in
+performances. Nobody will pay for a picture before he has seen it, or at
+least a sketch of the same. Therefore take yourself off, devise a plan,
+sketch your outline, and bring it to me. If it pleases me, and is
+practicable, if I see that you are zealous and well disposed, then will I
+gladly aid you in its execution and pay you in princely style. That is my
+last word, Master Court Painter Gabriel Nietzel, and now go, and do not
+show your face here again until you can show me that sketch. You have
+understood me, have you not, Master Gabriel Nietzel? I bespeak a picture,
+and you are to furnish me with a sketch of it; then, as you are in want, I
+shall gladly pay you for it in advance."
+
+"Yes, I have understood your lordship," said Gabriel Nietzel, heaving a
+deep sigh. "I know a subject for the painting you have ordered, and will
+make a sketch of it. You shall not have to wait long for it."
+
+"It is a fine subject," said Schwarzenberg quietly. "We might call it the
+murder of Julius Cæsar."
+
+"No, it is the execution of the Emperor Conrad III--the execution and
+murder of the last Hohen-Hohenstaufen," sobbed the painter, while tears
+fell in clear streams from his eyes.
+
+"I believe another paroxysm of insanity has seized you," said the count
+contemptuously. "How can any one weep merely because he will represent a
+tragic scene? What is the last of the Hohenstaufens to you? You depict his
+death, and if the painting is a success I shall reward you handsomely for
+it, give you a splendid income, and then you can go to Italy, the home of
+all artists, to spend the remainder of your life there in pleasure and
+freedom."
+
+"It shall be just as your excellency says," sighed Gabriel. "Only, your
+excellency, only be so gracious as to give me back my wife and child."
+
+"I said so, your paroxysm of madness is coming on afresh!" cried
+Schwarzenberg, shrugging his shoulders. "Man, are you really beside
+yourself?--have you lost your senses? Do you demand your wife and child of
+me, of Count Adam von Schwarzenberg, the Stadtholder in the Mark? Go away
+with your follies. Be off, so that you can make your sketch, and when you
+come back, and it is good, you will perhaps find me inclined to answer all
+your silly questions for you!"
+
+"Sir Count, oh, for God's sake, let me at least see my Rebecca once more!"
+
+"Rebecca! your wife's name is Rebecca? Why, that really sounds as if she
+were a Jewess. And you say that she is your wife? Ah, repeat that again,
+then name the priest who celebrated your nuptials and united a Christian
+to a Jewess! By ----! I shall bring this evildoer to a strict account, and
+he shall be degraded from his office as a criminal and blot upon the
+Church, for he has sinned against God, the Church, and his Sovereign!
+Gabriel Nietzel, name the priest who married you to a Jewess!"
+
+"I can not name him," murmured Nietzel, almost inaudibly. "Sir Count, I
+will be obedient and diligent in your service. I am a wretched sinner, and
+must expiate my crime. I shall do penance, too, and will be nothing more
+than a tool in your hands. Only have mercy upon me. Let me at least see my
+wife and child, if I may not speak to them! I only wish to see them, in
+order to gain courage and strength for my difficult and dangerous
+undertaking."
+
+The count reflected for a moment, his eyes fastened upon Gabriel Nietzel's
+countenance, whose imploring, anxious expression seemed to touch him.
+
+"I have in my house at Spandow," he said, after a long pause, "a beautiful
+painting by Albrecht Dürer. It was, unfortunately, a little injured in the
+transportation, and you shall restore it for me. To-morrow morning repair
+to Spandow, and ask for me. I shall be there, and will myself put the
+painting in your charge. Perhaps you will see there another painting
+besides, which will please you, and which, perhaps, is not unknown to
+you."
+
+Gabriel Nietzel took the count's proffered hand, and with joyful
+impatience pressed it to his lips. "Sir Count, I will be your servant,
+your slave, your creature. I will damn my soul for you and suffer the
+torture of perpetual flames if you will only give back to me my wife and
+child!"
+
+"Master Court Painter," said Schwarzenberg, parodying his words, "I shall
+make you a rich and distinguished man. I shall send you to Italy, and you
+will enjoy the heavenly fires of the Italian sky, if you will only bring
+me the sketch ordered, and prove to me that you are in earnest as to its
+execution."
+
+Gabriel Nietzel laughed aloud in the joy of his heart.
+
+"Your highness shall not have long to wait. I will very soon have the
+sketch at your excellency's disposal."
+
+"We shall see," said the count, with a slight nod of his head. "And now
+that we have understood one another, and you have somewhat recovered your
+reason, now for the last time I tell you, you are dismissed!"
+
+Gabriel Nietzel bowed low, and strode through the apartment toward the
+door of entrance, reverentially going backward that he might not turn his
+back upon the high-born, all-powerful count. He had almost reached the
+door, when it was opened and a valet appeared, who announced in a loud
+voice:
+
+"His honor Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg!"
+
+"My son!" exclaimed the count. "He has returned? Where is he? Where?"
+
+"His honor has just gone to his apartments to divest himself of his
+traveling clothes, but with your highness's permission he will be here in
+a few minutes."
+
+"Tell the count, that I expect him with impatience," cried the father. The
+valet hurried out, and Gabriel Nietzel was in the act of following him,
+when Schwarzenberg called him back.
+
+"Do not go out that way now," he said; "my son is coming, and it is not
+worth while for him to see you. Go through yonder door. It leads to a
+corridor, and there you will find a small staircase by which you can
+descend to the court. Go!"
+
+
+
+
+II.--COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWARZENBERG.
+
+
+"I think I have distressed and tormented him enough," said the count to
+himself; "he will devise some means of gratifying my wishes, and in his
+despair will risk everything in order to obtain his wife and child. It is
+well that men have hearts, for they supply the most convenient handles for
+seizing hold of them and managing them. And for that reason men without
+susceptible hearts always become rulers, conquerors. Therefore have I
+become great and powerful, and will ascend yet higher, grow yet more
+mighty, for I, thank God! I have no heart! I have never been a victim to
+the silly vagaries of an enamored heart, never made a fool of myself for
+any woman; never have I felt my heart moved by any other desire than that
+of attaining a pre-eminent position and becoming a great man. Such I have
+become, but I would mount yet higher, and in this--in this that enamored
+fool Gabriel Nietzel shall assist me."
+
+The count grew suddenly silent, and looked toward the door. In the
+antechamber he had heard the sound of a voice familiar and grateful to his
+ears, a voice which awakened in his breast a rare and unwonted feeling of
+joy and happiness. "My son," he murmured, "yes, it is my son. I really
+believe that I have a heart at last, for I feel it beat higher just now,
+and feel that it is a happiness to have a son!"
+
+He hastily crossed the room, and had almost reached the door, when it
+suddenly opened and revealed the presence of a tall and slender young
+man, dressed in the elegant Spanish garb, such as was worn at the court of
+the German Emperor Ferdinand III.
+
+"Father, dear father!" he cried, with a voice full of tenderness, and with
+outstretched arms he sped toward his father to press him to his heart.
+Count Adam von Schwarzenberg smilingly submitted, and an infinite feeling
+of satisfaction penetrated his whole being under the warm pressure of his
+only son's embrace. But only one short instant did he yield to this
+sensation, for he was ashamed of his weakness, and gently extricated
+himself from his son's arms.
+
+"Here you are again, you gadabout and rover!" he said; but he could not
+subdue the brighter glistening of his eyes, as they fastened themselves
+upon his son's handsome, spirited, and youthful face.
+
+"Yes, here I am again, _cher et aimable père_," exclaimed the young man,
+laughing; "but you do me great injustice by calling me a gadabout and
+rover, for, indeed, I have only traveled on most serious and proper
+business, and it strikes me that I am vastly to be feared and honored in
+my capacity of imperial treasurer and member of the Aulic council."
+
+"What?" cried Count Adam joyfully, "the Emperor has conferred upon you
+such a high favor and honored you with such lofty titles?"
+
+The young count nodded assent. "In me he has honored my father's son,"
+said he, "and distinguished me out of veneration and respect for you."
+
+"You are far too modest, my son," cried the count, smiling. "What the
+Emperor Ferdinand has done for you he did not for your father's son, but
+in deference to your own merits."
+
+"Please, oh please, let us talk no more on the subject," said the young
+man. "You will not succeed in altering my opinion, especially as I had it
+from the exalted mouth of his Imperial Majesty himself, that he gladly
+distinguished the son of so noble, gifted, and faithful a servant as Count
+Adam Schwarzenberg had ever been to the imperial house, and in
+consideration thereof bestowed upon him the dignity of imperial treasurer,
+and nominated him independently of individual merit a member of the Aulic
+council. I beg you to observe, my noble and highly deserving count, that
+your son has fallen heir to his honors without individual merit, whence it
+naturally follows that I am a worthless treasurer, and wholly devoid of
+merit as a member of the Aulic council."
+
+"Well," laughed his father, "then I must console you with this, Adolphus,
+that you are besides that my coadjutor in my office of Grand Master of the
+Knights of St. John, and that I entertain the fixed determination of soon
+seeing you share with me the Stadtholdership of the Mark."
+
+"I assure you, I need no consolation whatever!" cried Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg. "I am your son, and that is as much as if I were the fair
+Danaë, and had a shower of gold perpetually poured out upon me."
+
+"You would deceive me," said Count Adam, gently shaking his head. "You
+would have me believe that you are satisfied with being my son, and have
+no personal ambition for yourself."
+
+"It is no deception, _cher père_" laughed the young man. "I really do not
+give myself the trouble to have personal ambition beforehand. I behold my
+much-loved father standing in the sunshine of renown, and I quite
+composedly allow a few stray beams from his splendor to alight upon
+myself. I would not say, though, that I am wholly devoid of ambition. I
+only avoid talking about it till the time comes."
+
+"My son, the time is come," said Count Adam quickly. "Yes, the time for
+ambition is come with you, too, and to-day we must discuss it at length.
+But first tell me what news do you bring me from Vienna? Come, let us sit
+down, and confer with one another like two grave politicians and
+diplomatists." He took his son's arm and led him toward the divan.
+
+"God forbid, Sir Stadtholder, that I, a mere tyro in diplomacy and
+politics, should venture to seat myself at your side," cried Count
+Adolphus. "No, father, I know my place, and you must indeed permit me to
+take my station at a reverential distance from you."
+
+He took one of the little gold-embroidered footstools which stood near the
+divan and seated himself opposite his father. Count Adam looked upon him
+with a proud yet gentle smile, and seemed to have his own pleasure in his
+son's handsome and imposing appearance.
+
+"I should like to know whether you resemble me," he said thoughtfully; "I
+should like to know whether I was ever such a lively, jovial young man."
+
+"You are more than that, most respected father," cried his son; "you were
+handsome and possessed of irresistible attractions. I know that, for you
+are still so."
+
+"So, it seems that my son has learned to flatter at the imperial court!"
+
+"No, no; I speak the truth, and I swear that every one who has the good
+fortune to be admitted to your presence will confirm my testimony. You
+understand the art of fascinating men, and once let any one love you, then
+you can never be forgotten. The Emperor Ferdinand spoke of you with
+genuine admiration, and Princess Lobkowitz assured me that you were the
+only man whom she had ardently and truly loved. And yet they say that
+Princess Lobkowitz has had many admirers and still has."
+
+"Princess Lobkowitz!" repeated Count Adam thoughtfully--"how fine that
+sounds, Princess Lobkowitz! Yet I well remember the time when Lobkowitz
+was quite a poor, inconsiderable count, who esteemed himself peculiarly
+happy when I lent him some of my pocket money, which, by the bye, I never
+saw again. We were both at that time pages at the court of Emperor
+Ferdinand I, and swore eternal friendship. But how vain are such oaths! I
+afterward left the imperial court and came to the court of Cleves, and
+thence here to Prussia. I have restlessly labored, and may well say that I
+have wielded the helm of state in this country for twenty years, and--am
+still nothing but plain Count Schwarzenberg! The little, insignificant
+Count Lobkowitz, on the other hand, has now become a Prince through the
+Emperor's favor, as have also Eggenberg, Liechtenstein, and Fürstenberg."
+
+"You shall be a Prince, too, father," said Count Adolphus softly. "Yes,
+without doubt, you have only to hint your wish to receive the title of
+Prince, and the Emperor Ferdinand will gladly remunerate you in that way,
+if he first sees his own desires fulfilled through you."
+
+The count started, and cast an inquisitive, questioning look upon his son.
+"I thank you, Adolphus," said he, "you have led back our conversation, or
+rather, my lord treasurer, our conference, to the subject in point, in a
+manner as tender as diplomatic. Yes, the question is, first of all, to
+learn what news you bring for me from his Majesty, and what orders the
+Emperor has to give me."
+
+"First of all, _cher père_, the Emperor wishes that every possible
+obstruction be interposed to prevent the Electoral Prince's marriage with
+the Princess of the Palatinate, and that, if practicable, the Electoral
+Prince be deterred from forming any matrimonial connection. It would
+greatly complicate affairs if the Electoral Prince should chance to have
+offspring soon, and thereby outwardly give more firmness and durability to
+the house of Brandenburg."
+
+The count's eyes flashed upon his son's countenance, which still preserved
+its placid, innocent expression. "Who told you that?" said he, "Who spoke
+such strange, mysterious words? Not the Emperor, no, he can not have said
+that!"
+
+"No, but the Emperor's most confidential adviser, _mio padre amato_, the
+venerable father confessor and Jesuit, Signor Silvio. By the way, I regard
+him as a man turned serpent, and would avoid exposing a shoeless heel to
+him. But one thing is certain, that he has the Emperor's ear not only in
+the confessional, but in the council chamber as well, and what he says is
+just as good as if the Emperor himself said it. For the rest, they affirm
+at the imperial court that he is a sorcerer, and can look through men's
+eyes straight into their hearts and decipher what is therein as plainly
+and distinctly as if it was written on parchment in German text."
+
+"I believe it is so," murmured the count. "I believe he has read into my
+heart, too. But further, further, my son! What more did Father Silvio say
+to you?"
+
+"He spoke much of the weak and uncertain condition of the Electoral house
+of Brandenburg, which he said rested upon only two lives, and would be
+extinct if the Electoral Prince Frederick William should perish by a
+sudden death."
+
+The count started, and a gray pallor overspread his face. His son,
+absorbed in his own discourse, observed it not and continued: "I ventured
+meanwhile to differ from the wise father, and reminded him that seven
+cousins and blood relations were still in existence, to give permanence to
+the Elector's family, and thereby lessen very greatly the weakness of the
+Brandenburg-Hohenzollerns. But Father Silvio smiled almost compassionately
+at this remark of mine, and said in a tone of lofty superiority: 'Young
+man, your father will be a better judge of this; only repeat my words to
+him: that the Emperor will not admit the claims of the collateral branches
+of the Electoral house, and if unfortunately the Electoral Prince of
+Brandenburg should die without descendants, he will consider the Electoral
+Mark as an unincumbered fief, which the Emperor of Germany, in the
+plenitude of his power and as an act of free grace, might bestow on
+another prince.'"
+
+Count Adam Schwarzenberg sprang up, and for a moment his eyes rested with
+a penetrating expression upon his son's countenance. Then he turned and
+began to move violently to and fro. Now it was his son's turn to fix his
+eyes piercingly upon _him_. When the count turned again, however, there
+was no trace of excitement visible on the young man's countenance, and
+with a friendly smile he looked at his father. Count Adam stepped close up
+to him, and laid his hand on his son's shoulder.
+
+"You did not remind wise Father Silvio, then," he asked, "that the Elector
+George William has, besides his son, two daughters? That there are two
+Electoral Princesses--Charlotte Louise and the young Sophie Hedwig?"
+
+"No, father," replied Count Adolphus carelessly, "no, I did not. I deemed
+that superfluous, because in the Brandenburg Electoral house women have no
+right to the succession. The Salic law exists here, does it not?"
+
+"As if laws could not be altered!" cried Count Adam. "As if the Emperor
+were not here to give new laws! My son, let us speak openly and candidly
+to one another, and answer me one question: On what terms are you with the
+Princess Charlotte Louise?"
+
+The young man started, and for a moment a deep blush suffused his cheeks.
+"I do not understand you, father. What do you mean? On what terms should I
+be with the Princess?"
+
+"John Adolphus, you understand me well enough, and know what I mean,"
+returned Count Schwarzenberg smiling. "When I ask on what terms you are
+with the Princess Charlotte Louise, I mean by that, what progress have you
+made in her good graces?"
+
+An almost imperceptible smile flitted across the young count's visage.
+"Well," he said, "the ladies of the Electoral house have ever been most
+condescending in their manner to me, Princess Charlotte Louise no less
+than her mother and sister, and, as I have done nothing to forfeit their
+favor, I hope that upon my return they will receive me as graciously as
+they dismissed me before I left home."
+
+"My son," said Count Adam seriously, "you answer me evasively, and that is
+not well. We two are made to support each other, and to go hand in hand in
+the difficult path which lies before us. For you know as well as I do that
+our safety is imperiled when the Electoral Prince again makes his
+appearance at court, and we will henceforth find many stones of stumbling
+in our way."
+
+"But my wise and puissant father will remove all such obstructions," cried
+the son, with a merry laugh. "Let the Electoral Prince throw ever so many
+stones in our way, we can pick them up, and your honor will find
+opportunity to hurl them back at the little Prince, the last scion of his
+house."
+
+"I shall find opportunity, and, by heavens, I will make use of it."
+
+"And if my gracious father can or will make use of me in picking up the
+stones, or maybe in throwing them, I am most heartily at his service. Your
+honor needs only to direct. I shall aim well, and hope to hit the mark."
+
+"My son, verily, you are a great diplomatist," cried Schwarzenberg, "and
+many an one who esteems himself an old adept in this art might take
+lessons from you. How cleverly you managed to evade the question I put to
+you, and lead the conversation into a different channel! But I must recur
+to my question, and, since you will throw stones subject to my direction,
+then, my son, I tell you that your relations with the Princess Charlotte
+Louise may become a most effective missile against the Electoral Prince,
+which, if you aim it accurately, may inflict a deadly blow upon the
+Prince. Therefore, my fine son, answer my question honestly: On what terms
+are you with the Princess Charlotte Louise?"
+
+A cloud of displeasure flitted across the young count's lofty and open
+brow, and his cheerful countenance became overshadowed with gloom.
+
+"My God!" he said, "what on earth has the Princess to do with politics?"
+
+"A great deal, my son. Let me remind you of Father Silvio's words, which
+you yourself reported to me. The father had me informed that in case of
+the Electoral Prince's dying without heirs, his Majesty would not
+recognize the claims of the other branches of the house of Brandenburg,
+but would consider the Electoral Mark as a vacant fief, which he might
+bestow elsewhere as matter of favor. The simplest and most natural thing
+will be, if there is no longer any son living, to pass the right of
+succession to the daughter, and for the Emperor to declare the eldest
+daughter of the Elector George William rightful successor, and to transmit
+the Electoral Mark Brandenburg to herself and her husband as an act of
+grace."
+
+"Those are very great and very far-seeing plans," murmured the young man,
+with downcast eyes.
+
+"But plans which may be realized," interposed his father hastily--"plans
+which you have very maturely weighed in your prudent brain, for--I shall
+answer my own question myself--for you are on very good terms with
+Princess Charlotte Louise. You have calculated very wisely and very
+correctly. The Princess loves you, and may bring you an electorship as a
+bridal gift."
+
+"God forbid that I should play a criminal game with the Princess's heart!"
+cried Count Adolphus, in tones louder and more energetic than he had yet
+employed. "You accuse me falsely, most gracious sir. It has never come
+into my mind to speculate on such a bridal gift, or to make of love a
+calculation."
+
+Count Adam gazed with an expression of painful astonishment upon the
+excited countenance of his son. "Unhappy boy, you love the Princess,
+then?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," exclaimed the young man vehemently--"yes, I love her! I should love
+her were she a simple village maiden. I should seek to win her were she of
+obscure and humble parentage, if she could present me with nothing but her
+heart, her affectionate nature, her charming self. Learn now, father, on
+what terms I stand with the Princess: I love her, love her passionately!"
+
+"Ah, my son, how well this enthusiasm becomes you!" said his father. "How
+happy the Princess would be if she could see you with those fiery glances
+flashing from your large bright eyes! My son, you will surpass me, for you
+have one great advantage over me, you have received from Nature a glorious
+endowment denied to me; you have a tender heart! You either feel glowing
+love or--maybe simulate, and act it to the life! We will not discuss this
+further; I only repeat it, you are destined to surpass me. You love the
+Princess Charlotte Louise! I thank you for this one confession, but add to
+it a second, Adolphus. Tell me whether the Princess returns your love?"
+
+"I have not ventured to put this question to her," replied Count Adolphus,
+with downcast eyes. "The Princess is so high above me, is so pure and
+virtuous, that it would be a sin to tempt her innocence and virtue by the
+avowal of an unsanctioned love!"
+
+"My son!" exclaimed the count, smiling, "you are a pattern of discretion
+and modesty. You amaze, you delight me. You have not ventured, and will
+not venture to declare your love to the Princess?"
+
+"No, father, at least, not so long as it is an unsanctioned love--so long
+as I do not know whether it has your approval, and through you the
+Elector's."
+
+"You would step surely, you would engage in no undertaking that does not
+promise good results! Ah, I understand now--I comprehend all now. I have
+an irresistible desire to embrace you, and I know you will pardon your
+father for this one ebullition of tenderness. Come to my heart, my great,
+my admirable son!"
+
+He flung his arms around his son's neck and imprinted a warm kiss upon his
+lips.
+
+"Count John Adolphus Schwarzenberg," he said then, "with this kiss I give
+you my consent to woo the Princess Charlotte Louise! With this kiss I
+promise so to work upon and bend the Elector's heart, that he will give
+you the Princess's hand, and agree to your union."
+
+"My dear father, you open indeed to me the gate of paradise. But this gate
+has two wings, and if I would gain admittance, both wings must open to
+me."
+
+"Oh, you mean the Electress? She will certainly be very much opposed to
+such a union, for she has a proud and willful heart, over which no one has
+any influence except the Electoral Prince, and he, indeed, will not use
+his influence in our behalf. Well, there is nothing for it but to oppose
+force to force, and to constrain the dear lady to give her consent. To
+employ such coercive measures is your affair, my son!"
+
+"You empower me to do so, father? You will not refuse me your support? You
+will not disavow my acts?"
+
+"I empower you to do everything you think needful, and you will find me a
+faithful ally, for I recognize joyfully in you my trusty coadjutor, and
+see that we may count upon each other."
+
+
+"I shall ever esteem it a sacred and delightful duty to obey you, my
+much-loved father, and I shall joyfully hold myself ready to carry out
+your wishes."
+
+"And you will do well in this, my son," said Count Adam Schwarzenberg,
+with a hearty pressure of the hand. "All that I do for myself is also done
+for you, all that I obtain is for your profit and advantage. You are my
+heir, to you will descend all my earthly possessions, my name, my renown,
+my dignities and offices, my money and estates."
+
+"_Cher père_" cried the young man, "let us not speak of such solemn
+things. I hope that it will be a long time yet ere I enter upon that great
+and sad inheritance."
+
+"I hope so, too," said Count Adam, with animation of manner. "I would
+leave you _all_ in perfect condition, and to effect this much labor is yet
+required. I have set myself a mighty task, and it is yet far from its
+accomplishment."
+
+"And yet you have already conducted and executed matters so grandly, so
+admirably, father! You have no idea with what rapture they think of you
+and your performances at the imperial court. Emperor Ferdinand spoke of
+you as his most trusted and beloved servant, and Father Silvio called you
+a lamp of the faith and a faithful son of the Church, through whom many
+will yet be saved."
+
+"Yes, many shall yet be brought within the ark of safety by my means!"
+cried Count Adam, in a lively manner. "I know what I purpose, I know the
+great aims after which I have striven for twenty years with intrepid
+spirit, with ardor never to be chilled. My son, with you I make no secret
+of my aims, and you must know them, that you may stand unflinching at my
+side. It is true, I am ambitious. I thirst for fame; it is true, I have
+labored for myself and forwarded my own personal interests as much as I
+could. My aims, however, are not restricted to these private interests,
+they are higher, nobler! I am the faithful servant and subject of my
+Emperor and lord; I am the believing and zealous son of our holy Church.
+To the Emperor and the Church belong the fruits of my striving and my
+energy, and to promote the greatness and consideration of both is the
+ultimate object of all my labors and all my schemes."
+
+"And I, most gracious father, will take my station firmly at your side,"
+said Count Adolphus fervently. "You will ever find in me an attentive
+pupil, eager to learn."
+
+"We have both a great mission to fulfill," exclaimed Count Adam, "and it
+is well for us sometimes to place this clearly before our eyes, in order
+to be ever mindful of it, and never to forget it even in the pursuance of
+private ends. You, too, remember this, my son, and act accordingly. To the
+Emperor and the Church be all our services dedicated! To render the
+Emperor great and mighty, to strengthen his consideration throughout the
+German Empire, is and shall be my aim as a statesman. To extend
+continually the power and dominion of the Catholic religion is and shall
+be my task as a Christian, as a son of the Church, within whose pale alone
+is salvation. God himself has chosen me for his tool, else how would it
+have been possible that the bigoted, reformed Elector should have selected
+me for his first and mightiest minister? God wills that through me the
+influence of the Holy Roman See and the German Emperor be promoted and
+advanced; therefore has he caused me, the subject of the Emperor, an
+Austrian born, to become the servant of the Elector of Brandenburg. But
+the servant has become master, and the Catholic Austrian is Stadtholder in
+the Mark, the almighty minister in the land of the heretic. It is so,
+because through him this land is to be led back to the true faith and the
+Emperor, because through him is to be re-established the endangered
+supremacy of the Emperor of Germany! The Protestant Electors would have
+exalted themselves against the power of Emperor and empire; with the help
+of the Swedes they would have cut up the Holy Roman Empire into a number
+of free, independent States, great and small, where Protestants,
+Reformers, and Lutherans would have enjoyed as great consideration as the
+Catholics, and over which the Emperor would no longer have exercised
+control. The Protestant Elector of the Palatinate was to have been changed
+into a King, waving his scepter over Catholic Bohemia, and in place of the
+little Elector of Brandenburg was to have arisen a mighty Prince, who was
+to have broken the power of the German Emperor in the north, and become
+the chief and center of Protestant Germany! To that end were they leagued
+with the Swedes, to that end was King Gustavus Adolphus to have furnished
+help to his cousins and brothers-in-law. But the fates were against them!
+In the battle of the White Mountain the Count Palatine lost his Bohemian
+throne, in the battle of Lützen the Swedish King his life, and in the
+peace of Prague the Swedes and other enemies of the Emperor a powerful
+ally in the Elector of Brandenburg! It was I who alienated the Elector
+from the Swedes, who made him again the obedient vassal of his Emperor and
+Sovereign. And it shall be I who will make the Mark Brandenburg
+imperialist again! For the limbs accommodate themselves to the head, and
+if the Prince acknowledges himself a professed Catholic, his subjects will
+soon follow suit."
+
+"What! most gracious father, is it possible that the Elector George
+William--"
+
+"Hush, hush, my son! who says anything about the Elector George William?
+Who thinks of the decaying tree, which can no longer bear fruit, when he
+beholds at its side a young, vigorous tree laden with blossoms, rich for
+future harvests? My son, I herewith give you my consent to woo the love of
+the Princess Charlotte Louise, but I make one condition which you must
+solemnly swear to respect: none but a Catholic becomes the wife of my son
+John Adolphus."
+
+"None but a Catholic becomes my wife!" cried the young count. "I solemnly
+give you my oath to that effect, father."
+
+"And you actually suppose that the Emperor will bestow upon me the same
+favor he has conferred upon Fürstenberg, Lobkowitz, and Liechtenstein?"
+
+"I am empowered to promise it prospectively, most gracious sir. The house
+of Austria is grateful, and forgets not that already your father before
+you rendered her important services, attending the Emperor with credit in
+his wars against the Turks; that you yourself have been through a whole
+lifetime true and unswerving in your fidelity to the Emperor's service;
+that the Stadtholder in the Mark, and the Grand Master of the Order of St.
+John has been ever mindful of his duty to the Emperor."
+
+"I must and shall be ever called a good Imperialist," cried the count
+warmly, "and prefer the Emperor's to the Elector's service.[20] Bethlen
+Gabor, Prince of Hungary, has well said that the Elector and I are upon
+one ship, and that my fortune depends upon the Elector's fortune; but he
+shall be proved to have been in error, and we prefer making our voyage in
+our own little bark to take passage in the Electoral ship."
+
+"Yes, father, that shall we!" cried the young count joyfully. "You sit at
+the helm and give management and direction to the boat. For my part, I
+shall so hoist and unfurl the sails that we catch the breeze and bound
+swiftly forward!"
+
+"Do so, my son, and always heed the wind as it blows across from the
+apartments of the Electress and her princesses, as well as from the robber
+nests and dens of the squires and waylayers of the Mark, and from the
+fortresses and garrisons. We, too, my son, voyage together in the same
+boat; I am the pilot, you unfurl the sails, and upon our flag in
+mysterious and invisible colors is inscribed this device: Good
+Imperialists, good Catholics!"
+
+"Yes, good Imperialists and good Catholics," replied the young count
+energetically. "But, dearest father, let us add besides, quite softly,
+good Schwarzenbergians!"
+
+"Yes, my son, that will we. For, in addition to those great and holy
+interests, to keep one's own interests a little in view is manly and
+justifiable. My heavens! life would have been perfectly hateful and
+abominable in this dirty, cheerless Berlin if we had not seen above us a
+glittering star, to which we could look up when all was so dismal here
+below, which shone upon our path and cheered us when we feared to sink in
+the mud and mire. This star, my son, do you know its name?"
+
+"Its name is Fame, its name is Love, _cher père_."
+
+"Well, for the sake of fame I will put up with love, foolish dreamer. You
+may bring it on board our boat as ballast. But if a storm should come and
+necessity impel, we shall throw our ballast overboard."
+
+"Dear father, if you do that, you will throw overboard likewise my
+happiness and life!" exclaimed Count Adolphus warmly. "If you call love
+ballast, then forget not, father, that in this ballast your son's heart is
+included."
+
+"Enamored fool, you really have a heart? Do you believe so?"
+
+"I believe so, most noble father, because I feel it, because--"
+
+A hasty knock, thrice repeated, at the door of the antechamber interrupted
+him, and in obedience to the Stadtholder's summons, the lackey Balthasar
+hurriedly entered.
+
+"Most gracious sir," he said, "it is a courier from the Commandant von
+Rochow at Spandow, who desires to speak with your lordship on most urgent
+business."
+
+"I am going, most gracious father, I am going," cried the young count,
+speedily rising. "I can no longer lay claim to the Stadtholder's precious
+time."
+
+"And you have very important affairs of your own to attend to, have you
+not?" asked his father. "You have been long enough diplomatist and
+politician, and that curious thing, whose possession you boast, the heart,
+will now assert its rights?"
+
+The young man laughed and pressed the count's extended hand tenderly to
+his lips. Then he nodded once more affectionately to his father, and
+bounded lightly through the room to the side door, through which he
+vanished. Count Adam Schwarzenberg looked thoughtfully after his son.
+"Strange!" he murmured. "Is he acting a comedy, or is it truth? Does he
+prudently pretend to have a heart, or has he one in reality? Well, never
+mind. The courier from Spandow!"
+
+In answer to the count's loud call a huntsman in dirty, dusty uniform made
+his appearance from the antechamber, and, making a military salute,
+remained standing near the door.
+
+"What news have you for me?" asked Count Schwarzenberg, striding toward
+him. "Where are your letters and dispatches?"
+
+"I crave pardon, your excellency, but I have no letters or dispatches. The
+Commandant von Rochow sent me with a verbal message, and entreats
+forgiveness in that haste allowed him no time for writing. I have only to
+announce that, even at the instant of my departure, the Electoral Prince
+was making his solemn entry into Spandow. All ranks and conditions of
+people from the region round about had joined the Electoral Prince, and
+followed him, in carriages, on horseback, and on foot. The commandant was
+greatly amazed to witness so much pomp, and hastened to array himself in
+parade uniform in order to go and meet the Electoral Prince with his corps
+of officers."
+
+"That is all you have to communicate to me?"
+
+"All, your excellency."
+
+"Then ride back again, and return to the commandant my warmest thanks for
+his welcome message."
+
+"Yes," repeated the count, when the courier had taken leave, "yes, this is
+a welcome message and by ----! I shall derive profit from it."
+
+"Ho, Balthasar, Balthasar! Is the commander of police in the antechamber?"
+
+"Your highness, he has been there an hour already."
+
+"Bid him come in. There you are, Master Brandt! Well, listen! Send all
+your secret friends and emissaries through the city, privately inform the
+citizens, the magistrates, the merchants, the whole inhabitants in a body,
+that the Electoral Prince will arrive here in from three to four hours,
+and that it would surely be a right great pleasure to the Elector and his
+wife if they would prepare him a public reception, and go a little way on
+the road to meet him. Say, moreover, that it would assuredly prepare a
+very great joy for the Electoral Prince if they would illuminate the city
+this evening, and if this were done voluntarily, and without suggestion,
+the Electoral Prince would be forced to admit how very glad the people of
+Berlin are to welcome him, and how much they hope for from his return.
+Excite the populace properly, that their houses be brightly illuminated,
+and that they may give great demonstrations of joy. Dispatch your agents
+everywhere, and show me to-day for once that you know how to execute my
+orders punctually, and are a worthy successor of my dear, recently
+deceased Dietrich, your predecessor in office."
+
+"Your excellency, I shall do all that lies in my power, and I doubt not
+but that I shall succeed in deserving your honor's approbation. I only
+venture to remark, that many of the citizens will find it exceedingly
+difficult to procure the candles or lamps needed for the illumination, for
+the poverty and distress are very great, and it would perhaps be well to
+aid the people and furnish them with the candles for illuminating."
+
+"Do so, Master Brandt," cried the count, smiling. "I fully empower you to
+purchase tallow candles for distribution, to the amount of a hundred
+dollars; only, take care that the people actually light and burn them up,
+and do not consume them as dainties these hard times. And one thing more,
+Brandt! It would be pleasant to me if you would excite a few people
+against me and his highness the Elector, while you tell them various bad
+things about me, and attribute it as a crime to the Elector that he is so
+devoted to me. You might then urge on to the palace such people as you
+have stirred up and goaded, so that, as soon as the Electoral Prince
+arrives, they might shout with loud distinct voices: 'Long live the
+Electoral Prince! Long live our savior and deliverer! Down with the
+Catholics. Away with Schwarzenberg!' You can at least persuade ten or
+fifteen to do this, and promise them that they shall have money to buy a
+good drink if they shout right loudly and clearly. Well, why do you smile
+so all of a sudden, man?"
+
+"Pardon me, your highness, but when I entered upon my office, four weeks
+ago, your excellency urged it upon me as a stringent duty to report truly
+to your honor, not only what happens, but what is the mood of the people
+here. Does this command always have validity, your excellency?"
+
+"It has validity for the whole term of your service, Master Brandt, or,
+rather, you will only remain chief of police so long as I am convinced
+that you always report to me the full truth in all things, without
+reserve. Speak! What would you say?"
+
+"Your highness, I would only say that it is not necessary to stir up the
+people to give utterance to such infamous and disrespectful outcries
+against your excellency. They will do so of their own accord, and if I
+should not pick up the first who raised such a cry, have him arrested, and
+carried off, then immediately would twenty fellows be found, without any
+prompting from me, to shout exactly the words which your excellency would
+gladly hear."
+
+"You mean the words: 'Away with the Catholics! Down with Schwarzenberg'?"
+
+"I beg your honor's pardon, but those are the words I mean."
+
+The count laughed clearly. "Well," he said, "so much the better! We will
+be spared then some trouble and expense, which is always a very pleasant
+thing. But hear, Sir Master of Police! If we let the fellows shout to-day,
+it does not follow that we shall not administer fitting punishment
+to-morrow. Mark the shouters very narrowly, and to-morrow, when the
+merriment is over, have them arrested and thrust into prison for a couple
+of weeks!"
+
+The chief of police shrugged his shoulders. "I crave pardon, your
+excellency; that is no punishment for the rabble in these days. They are
+glad when they are put away at Oxenhead, or here in the castle prison,
+receiving food and lodgings free of cost, and many a one, who formerly
+lived in honor and affluence, would to-day be gladly found guilty of some
+fault, for the sake of being arrested and supported in prison at the
+expense of the state."
+
+"Well, then we will not gratify the shouting mob by punishing them with
+imprisonment, but cause the jailer to administer a sound cudgeling to each
+one of them, and then let the fellows go again. Make good speed now,
+Brandt, for I expect the Electoral Prince here in a few hours, and if the
+people are not properly notified, he will make his entry before they have
+taken off their rags and donned their holiday attire. Make haste, and let
+us have this evening a right brilliant illumination. Farewell, Master
+Brandt!"
+
+The chief of police departed, and by a loud whistle Schwarzenberg called
+the lackey to him.
+
+"One of the grooms must take horse," was his command.
+
+"He must ride out on the road to Spandow about a quarter of a mile. There
+he is to halt, and wait until the Electoral Prince arrives with his
+attendants. As soon as he has seen him, he is to come back at full speed
+and make the announcement to me."
+
+"All necessary preliminaries are arranged," said Schwarzenberg, when he
+found himself again alone. "Now let the Electoral Prince come on, we are
+ready to receive him. There will be a hard struggle, but I have been
+victorious over all my enemies for twenty years, and shall probably
+conquer the little Electoral Prince too! Now a hurried toilet, and then
+to the Elector, to open the skirmish in his neighborhood! Ah, we shall
+see, my young Prince! For you shouts the rabble of Berlin, for me speaks
+the Elector! We shall see which of us two has built upon the sand!"
+
+
+
+
+III.--THE HOME-COMING.
+
+
+"May I be so bold as to come in, most noble sir?" asked Count
+Schwarzenberg, as he opened the door leading into the Electoral cabinet
+and thrust in his head, encircled by a hundred beautifully arranged curls.
+
+"Behold, there is Adam Schwarzenberg!" cried Elector George William,
+wheeling his chair from the writing table. "Why do you ask, count, since
+you know that you are always privileged to enter unannounced? Come closer,
+and be heartily welcome!"
+
+And the Elector leaned both his arms upon the wooden aims of his chair,
+making an effort to rise. But the count was at his side in a moment,
+gently forcing him back into his seat, while at the same time he half bent
+one knee and imprinted a kiss upon the Elector's right hand.
+
+"If your grace treats me with such formality, and rises on my account,
+then I must believe that you love me no longer," he said, with soft,
+insinuating voice. "But you well know, beloved master, that I could not
+live without your love, and that existence itself would seem gloomy and
+dark to me if the star of your favor and love should cease to shine upon
+it."
+
+"Live, my Adam, live merrily, then, and joyously, for you well know that I
+love you," replied George William, nodding to the count in most friendly
+manner. "And how could it be otherwise, when I know that I can depend upon
+your love, and that you are the only one truly interested in my not being
+called away yet awhile, and in having me tarry a little longer upon earth.
+Come, my friend, sit down. Draw up your armchair close to my side--no,
+opposite to me, that I may look at you. I love dearly to behold your
+handsome, noble face, and then console myself with the thought that, after
+all, the Elector of Brandenburg can not be such a pitiful little Prince,
+since such a proud, distinguished lord as Count Schwarzenberg is his
+minister."
+
+"Say his servant, his slave, his humble subject, most gracious sir! Yes,
+look at me, my much-loved master, and read in my countenance that I am
+devoted to you with my whole heart and soul. Ah! who knows how much longer
+you will read that in my face, and how soon it may come to pass that poor
+Adam Schwarzenberg will be thrust aside and no longer find a place in your
+heart! Oh, dearest sir, when I think of that, I feel perfectly wretched
+and inconsolable, and I would rather hide my head and weep and mourn, than
+go smilingly to meet the joyful countenance of him who will come to
+supplant me in your affections!"
+
+"Nobody shall do that, Adam, and I know not, indeed, who could be bold
+enough even to attempt it."
+
+"Most gracious sir, the Electoral Prince will attempt it! He who, when a
+mere little child, was my opponent. He, who has been brought up by his
+mother and other relatives to mistrust me. He will grudge me the smallest
+place in his father's heart, and will do everything to contest it with
+me!"
+
+"But he will not succeed, be assured of that, my Adam, he will not succeed
+in it. I only know too well that in you I have a faithful, devoted
+servant, in the Electoral Prince a rebellious and refractory son; that
+with you all is bound up in my life; with him all in my death!"
+
+"Oh, no, your highness, no, it is impossible that the Electoral Prince
+could be so heartless and degenerate as to wish for his father's death.
+No, I must take the part of the Electoral Prince against you. You accuse
+him falsely, most gracious sir; he surely loves you, and it is only his
+ambition and youthful arrogance that sometimes lead him to do what is not
+right, and what surely he would not do if he only reflected better. Out of
+youthful presumption he undertook, despite your commands to the contrary,
+to remain longer at The Hague, and even to send back the Chamberlain von
+Schlieben, whom you had dispatched to him with strict orders to bring him
+home. And only his stormy, boundless ambition is at fault now in inducing
+him to appear here in rather an unbecoming manner. But you must not be
+angry with him for it, dear sir, and on that very account have I come to
+you to-day, to beg and implore you most earnestly not to admit any
+feelings of resentment into your mind this day, which is to restore to you
+the Electoral Prince."
+
+"He is coming, then, at last?" cried the Elector, breathing again. "He has
+finally had the goodness to heed our oft-repeated commands, and
+condescended to return home? But this return is, as I feel, likely enough
+to prepare renewed vexation for me, and in your magnanimity you come to me
+only to sweeten a little the pill which my son gives me to swallow. Speak
+out openly, Adam, and keep back nothing! What is it? What has the
+Electoral Prince done?"
+
+"Oh, your highness, I am convinced that he means nothing bad, and has no
+design of vexing you. He naturally rejoices greatly on his return to his
+future dominions, and consequently enjoys the congratulations of his
+future subjects, and gladly allows them to receive him with demonstrations
+of delight."
+
+"Do they so, his future subjects?" inquired the Elector, and his hands,
+swollen by gout, grasped convulsively the arms of his easychair. "Do they
+welcome him with rejoicings as their future sovereign?"
+
+"Yes, most gracious sir, it is plainly to be seen how closely the people
+cling to the electoral house of Hohenzollern, and how they sympathize in
+every fortunate event occurring in that family. From the moment that the
+Electoral Prince crossed the boundaries of the Mark, the inhabitants of
+every village and town have joyfully poured forth to meet him; his journey
+is a genuine triumphal procession, and the reigning Sovereign of the
+country could not be received with more honor and delight than is the
+young Electoral Prince!"
+
+"Me, their reigning Sovereign, me, they did not receive with rejoicings,"
+exclaimed the Elector, whose face grew crimson with excitement and
+passion. "My journey was anything but a triumphal procession, resembling
+much more a funeral, so quiet and still was everything on my way. Nowhere
+did I hear a joyful welcome, nowhere did the people come forth to meet me,
+and as at Königsberg they permitted me to depart without greeting or
+acclamation, so here at Berlin they allowed me to enter without a sign of
+welcome or congratulation. I will now confess to you alone that I was much
+mortified by this, although I did not complain of it. I comforted myself
+by reflecting that the times were bad and depressing, and that in their
+afflictions the people could not even present a glad, cheerful countenance
+to the father of their country. But now it falls to my lot to hear that
+they _can_ make merry and rejoice, and that they have only saved up the
+joy in their hearts to bestow it upon the return home of my son and heir."
+
+"Pardon, your highness, but I believe that we accuse the poor people
+wrongfully if we imagine that they are now acting thus of their own free
+motion, when they were so quiet on the arrival of their beloved Sovereign.
+No, the poor, unhappy people would have been equally silent at this time
+if they had not been stirred up to make noisy demonstrations of joy, if
+they had not been paid for it. It is otherwise wholly incredible and not
+to be thought of that the populace should have prepared such a triumph for
+the young home-returning lord. It is plainly to be seen that all has been
+settled and arranged beforehand. For it is not merely the offscourings of
+the streets, but burghers, magistrates, and officials, who have extended a
+welcome to the Electoral Prince. At Spandow, for example, all the
+citizens, with the magistracy at their head, issued from the town to pay
+their respects to him--yes, even Commandant von Rochow has found it
+necessary to join in the universal rejoicings, and has ridden out with his
+officers in their dress uniforms to do honor to the Prince's arrival. Here
+at Berlin, too, your own residence, all is uproar and excitement. They are
+putting on their holiday suits, and making ready to meet the Electoral
+Prince. That proves quite clearly that his speedy approach to the city has
+been already announced to the citizens, and communicated to the
+magistrates even before any tidings of the sort had reached your highness
+or myself, the Stadtholder in the Mark. For as soon as I obtained this
+intimation from Colonel von Rochow, I hastened hither to bring to your
+highness the glad news of your son's return home, and on the way I was
+stopped by whole crowds of festive men and women hastening to the suburb
+Spandow, to plant themselves near the Pomegranate Bridge and along the
+meadow dike.[21] Indeed, it strikes me that I even saw some gentlemen of
+municipal authority going the same way in full official dress."
+
+"And you suffered this?" asked the Elector angrily. "You allowed them to
+prepare such an insult and affront as to do for the son what they have not
+found needful to do for the father? But I will not bear it; I shall not be
+humiliated by my own son. You are the Stadtholder in the Mark, you must
+provide against their offering me any cause of vexation. Send out your
+officers, Sir Stadtholder, to clear the streets of this gaping multitude,
+send the magistrates home, and order the people to remain quietly within
+their houses, to do their work and not to lounge about the streets."
+
+"My much-loved lord and Elector, I sue for a favor in behalf of your most
+faithful servant, your poor Adam. I beg you out of consideration for me to
+retract these stringent orders, for I should be ruined if I were to
+execute them. Throughout the whole Mark, yea, throughout all Germany, they
+would raise the cry of murder against me, would everywhere blazon it, that
+Count Schwarzenberg is so inimically disposed toward the Electoral Prince
+that he would not even grant him an honorable reception on his return home
+after an absence of three years. Oh, most gracious sir, you will not
+increase yet more the number of my enemies and opposers, you will not
+excite public opinion yet more against me, and render it more favorably
+disposed to the Electoral Prince! If we now forcibly restrain these
+testimonials of pleasure on the part of the people, then will it be said
+that I misuse my power and am jealous of the Electoral Prince; that I am
+seeking to thrust him aside from his exalted position. If, on the other
+hand, it is seen how joyfully I acquiesce in the Electoral Prince's
+reception with acclamations everywhere, then will they be forced to
+acknowledge that it is not I who meet the young Prince with hatred, but
+that I willingly concede to him all honors and triumphs."
+
+"It is true," muttered the Elector, "they would surely suspect and accuse
+you, and it would not mend matters to say that I myself gave orders that
+the Electoral Prince be allowed to come home quietly."
+
+"God forbid that such a thing should be said!" cried Schwarzenberg. "No,
+rather let the whole world censure and condemn me--rather let it be said
+that I have acted as the spiteful and unworthy enemy of the Electoral
+Prince--than that they should dare even to cast one shadow upon my beloved
+master's heart. What matters it that they calumniate me, if they only
+venture not to attack and suspect your highness?"
+
+"They shall not slander and suspect you, my Adam," said the Elector,
+offering him his hand. "For your sake let us suffer the Electoral Prince
+to come hither in triumph. But we will remember it against him, and our
+love for him will not be thereby increased."
+
+"Yet I entreat your highness to receive your son kindly and graciously,"
+pleaded Schwarzenberg with insinuating voice. "It is better, your
+highness, to try to chain him to you by goodness and love than by
+strictness and severity to repel him yet more, and force him to join the
+party of your opponents. It is a great and powerful party, and I well know
+that it is their plan to place the Electoral Prince at their head, and
+through him to attain their ends."
+
+"And what are their ends?" asked the Elector, with lowering brow.
+
+The count bent over closer to his ear, as if he feared letting even the
+walls hear what he had to say.
+
+"Their ends are a transference of the government, and when this is
+effected a revolt from Emperor and empire, and a league with the Swedes
+and all Protestant German princes against Emperor and empire."
+
+"The transference of the government? That means an insurrection, a
+revolution. They would hurl me from my throne and ensconce my son there?"
+
+"They hope that in your distress you will do, gracious sir, what your
+blessed father did."
+
+"Abdicate!" cried the Elector angrily. "Abdicate in favor of my son?"
+
+"In favor of the Electoral Prince, who has grown up in Holland to become a
+promising Prince, a general of the future, a brilliant leader of the
+Protestant Church, and of whom his followers say that he will be a second
+Gustavus Adolphus!"
+
+"A second plague--a second source of danger to myself!" screamed the
+Elector, striking with his clinched fist upon the arm of his chair. "It
+was not enough that my brother-in-law Gustavus Adolphus brought me into
+trouble and distress, and caused the Emperor's wrath to flame forth
+against me, so that I was really afraid that I would share the fate of my
+cousin the Margrave of Jägerndorf, whom the Emperor put under his ban,
+declaring that he had forfeited his margraviate, and giving it over as a
+feudal tenure to Prince Liechstenstein! I was only saved then from a like
+terrible fate by your intercession and fidelity! It was you who, by your
+address and eloquence, softened the Emperor's resentment against me,
+induced him to pardon me, and afterward brought about the peace of Prague,
+which reconciled the Emperor to me. Yet it was not enough to have gone
+through those times of anxiety and distress, they must be now renewed
+through my only son! In him am I to find a second Gustavus Adolphus, to
+plunge me into new perils and bring down upon me the Emperor's avenging
+wrath? But it shall not be--I solemnly swear, it shall not be! I will
+_not_ involve my land in new dangers and calamities of war. I will _not_
+depart from my neutrality. I _will_ have peace--peace with the Emperor,
+peace for my poor people, and for their unhappy Prince! But I shall not
+act as my father did, and prepare a pleasure for my son by resigning
+sovereignty and rule in my lifetime and becoming the servant and subject
+of my own son! Before me shall he bow--me shall he acknowledge to be his
+lord so long as I live, and never while I breathe shall I cease to lay to
+his charge these hours of pain and vexation. I am Elector and ruler, and
+he is nothing further than my son and subject, my successor when I die,
+but not my coregent while I live! Count Adam Schwarzenberg, I charge you
+to stand courageously at my side, to remain zealous in my service, and to
+direct your attention especially to unraveling all the arts and wiles, the
+plots and schemes of my son and his abettors; to give me always
+information on these points, to keep nothing in the background, and not to
+conceal anything from me merely to save me from vexation. Will you promise
+and swear so to manage and act, my Adam?"
+
+"I swear and promise it, and in affirmation will my Prince allow me to
+give him my hand upon it?" asked Schwarzenberg, laying his own right hand
+in the outstretched one of the Elector. "You will find in me a true
+servant and guardian of your sacred person and your throne, and he who
+would supplant or harm you must first step over the corpse of Count
+Schwarzenberg! But now, most gracious sir, I beseech you not to be
+overpowered by your feelings of indignation, and to be amiable and
+condescending toward the home-coming Electoral Prince; for it is sometimes
+very necessary to wear a mask and assume an appearance of harmlessness and
+unconcern in order the better to fathom the designs of one's enemies, and
+to make them feel secure, that they may the more easily betray themselves."
+
+"Yes, I will do so," said George William, sighing. "I will swallow down my
+rage, although it would be a relief to me to vent it a little, and to show
+my son that I know him and am not deceived by him. But what noise is that
+without, and who is knocking so violently at the door?"
+
+This door was now impetuously torn open, and the Electress Sophy Elizabeth
+entered, with beaming eyes and features lighted up by joy, while on high
+she held an open letter in her hand.
+
+"George!" she exclaimed--"George, our son is coming! Our dear Frederick
+William is coming!"
+
+"Well, I rather think he ought to have been here a half year ago," growled
+the Elector, "and we have been expecting him several months already."
+
+"But he is here now, my husband, he is actually here now. Only see what a
+good, affectionate son he is! He has halted at the inn of the Spandow
+suburb, merely to forewarn us of his arrival. It was not enough for him
+that he had sent us a messenger with a verbal communication, no, he must
+send us a written salutation, and such kind, cordial words as he has
+written. There, read, my husband, just read!"
+
+She handed the paper to the Elector, but he did not take it.
+
+"Is the letter directed to me?" he asked.
+
+"No, to me, to his mother he wrote, because he knew how happy it would
+make me, and how heartily I love him. Read, George!"
+
+"I never read letters that are not directed to myself," said the Elector,
+turning away.
+
+"Well, then, I will read it to you!" cried the Electress, who in the
+fullness of her joy heeded as little the ill humor of the Elector as she
+did the presence of Count Schwarzenberg, who upon her entrance had
+modestly withdrawn to one of the deep window recesses. "Yes, I will read
+it to you," she repeated, "for you must hear what our son writes."
+
+And with a voice trembling from joy and agitation she read:
+
+"My gracious, revered Mother: Before I enter my dear birthplace and return
+home to my beloved parents and sisters, I would announce my arrival to
+your highnesses, that you may not be alarmed by my unexpected coming, and
+that I may not come inopportunely to his grace, my father. I enjoy greatly
+getting home, and all the testimonials of love and sympathy which I have
+received ever since I set foot within my father's territories, and they
+will remain indelibly graven on my heart. I beg your grace to present my
+most submissive respects to my gracious father and Elector, and to speak a
+good word for me to him, that his grace may no longer cherish resentment
+against me on account of my long stay abroad, and that he may favorably
+incline toward and receive me, and be convinced that I am and shall ever
+remain the grateful and obedient son of my venerated parents.
+
+"FREDERICK WILLIAM."
+
+"Well" asked the Electress, "are not those affectionate, glorious words,
+and does not your fatherly heart rejoice in them? But just hear, hear, how
+they shout and hurrah! It is the good people of Berlin! They are coming to
+the palace to see our son!"
+
+Again was the door through which the Electress had entered violently
+thrown open, and two young ladies entered. Their lovely and blooming faces
+beamed with happiness and their eyes glistened with joy.
+
+"He comes! Our brother is coming!" they cried, rushing forward toward
+their parents. "Just come to the window, that we may see him, for he is
+riding around the corner into the pleasure garden"
+
+"Are you all, then, wholly beside yourselves, and gone stark mad?" cried
+the Elector passionately, while he rose from his armchair and proudly drew
+himself up. "Who gives these two young ladies the privilege of entering my
+cabinet thus, unannounced and without ceremony? Just answer me one thing,
+Miss Charlotte Louise, did I permit you to come here?"
+
+"No, dearest father," said the Princess timidly, casting down her large,
+dark eyes, "no, your grace has not indeed permitted us to do so, but we
+did not think of that in the joy of our hearts, and because from here is
+the best lookout upon the pleasure grounds, we--"
+
+"We thought," interrupted the younger sister, who had hardly attained her
+fifteenth year--"we thought our dear papa, his Electoral Grace, would
+forgive us and look out with us to catch a sight of our beloved brother.
+And were we not right, dear papa, were we mistaken in thinking so, and
+will your grace not allow your little Sophie Hedwig to lead you to the
+great corner window, that with mamma you may have a view of dear Frederick
+William?"
+
+The Princess had approached her father, and, tenderly and coaxingly
+stroking his cheeks with her little white hand, looked up at him with such
+a gentle, pleading glance in her blue eyes as George William had never
+hitherto been known to resist. But this time the eyes of his favorite had
+no power over the Elector's heart, and indignantly he repelled her
+encircling arms.
+
+"Let me alone with your 'dear Frederick William,' you saucy piece!" cried
+he passionately. "You should at all events have waited until I had given
+you leave to appear here. If, in your childish giddiness, you knew no
+better, yet your sister Charlotte Louise, at the more mature age of
+twenty, ought to have arrived at years of discretion, and known what was
+proper."
+
+"No one knows better what is becoming than the fair young Princess
+Charlotte Louise, most gracious sir," said Count Adam Schwarzenberg,
+issuing from the window recess and greeting the Princess with a
+reverential bow. "In the whole country the Electoral Princess is honored
+as a brilliant model of fine manners and noble demeanor, and every one
+feels himself blessed and honored who is permitted to approach her. And is
+not the young lady right even now, dear sir, in coming here with her young
+sister? It is surely proper and well for the united Electoral family to be
+seen by the nation as they look upon the dear son and brother, whose
+return gladdens their hearts?"
+
+"Well, for aught I care, she may be right," muttered the Elector, "and I
+will grant my wife and daughters leave to look out of the corner window.
+But, meanwhile, where is the Electress?"
+
+"Her grace is standing there before the corner window and gazing down so
+earnestly upon the square that I have not yet been so fortunate as to be
+allowed to pay my respects to her highness."
+
+"For if the whole world had been assembled together she would have seen
+nothing but the Electoral Prince," called out the Elector, shrugging his
+shoulders. "Go to her, Adam, and present my compliments to her. Tell her
+that I resign my cabinet to her and my daughters, and will withdraw into
+my sleeping apartment until this uproar has subsided."
+
+"Oh, do not do so, most honored father," cried the younger Princess. "Stay
+here, and look out of the window with us."
+
+"Do so, your Electoral Highness," pleaded the count, softly and quickly.
+"Grant the people the light of your countenance."
+
+"Well, so be it, then," sighed George William. "Call the servants,
+Charlotte Louise, that they may roll me to the window."
+
+"As if I could not have the privilege of acting as servant to your
+highness, and as if my arm were not strong enough to guide your highness's
+chair. Permit me, gracious sir, to roll you to the window."
+
+"And permit me to help your excellency," said Princess Charlotte Louise,
+smiling, while she seized one of the arms of the fauteuil.
+
+"Now truly this is a very lofty equipage," cried George William, as the
+fauteuil rolled along through the spacious apartment. "The Stadtholder in
+the Mark and a Princess of the blood drawing my equipage."
+
+"But what a man sits in it!" said Count Schwarzenberg. "A duke of Prussia,
+of Pomerania, of Cleves, an Elector of Brandenburg, and--"
+
+"Hurrah, hurrah!" sounded up from below in a chorus of hundreds of voices.
+"Hurrah! long live the Electoral Prince!"
+
+"He comes! Oh, my son, my son!" cried the Electress. "He comes! George,
+our son--"
+
+She had turned round and her eye met the count's gaze, who immediately
+bowed low and reverentially before her. The Electress only thanked him
+with a slight nod of her head, and herself sprang forward to push the
+fauteuil into the window niche. Then, with trembling hands, she opened
+both window shutters and beckoned her daughters to her side.
+
+"He must see us all, _all_" she said. "With one glance he must take in
+father, mother, and sisters."
+
+"And my most faithful and best-beloved servant, the Stadtholder in the
+Mark!" cried the Elector. "Come, Adam, place yourself close beside me,
+that the picture may be complete, and my son may see us all at once."
+
+Boundless public rejoicings seemed to be in progress below; a loud,
+long-sustained, ever-renewed cheering rolled over the square like the roar
+of the sea.
+
+"My son, my beloved son!" cried the Electress, leaning far out of the
+window and stretching out both arms toward the young man, who had just
+emerged from the shrubbery, on horseback and followed by a brilliant train.
+
+"Brother, dear brother!" called out the two Princesses, leaning out of the
+other side of the window, and waving their handkerchiefs in token of
+welcome. Behind them sat the Elector in his great armchair, quite
+forgotten and quite hidden from view by his wife and daughters, not at all
+visible to either the people or his son.
+
+"I shall remember this hour, oh! to be sure, I shall remember it," he
+said, with trembling lips; "my son shall atone to me for this hour of
+shame and mortification. I--"
+
+The huzzaing and shouting below drowned his words; they came pouring in at
+the open window like the pealing tones of an organ, like the roar of the
+sea, like claps of thunder.
+
+The Elector could no longer bear it. He looked up with glances of entreaty
+at the count, who, drawn up to his full height, stood proud and commanding
+at the side of his chair, his sharp eyes piercing down into the court over
+the ladies' heads.
+
+"Ah, Adam," sighed George William, "you, too, have forgotten me, and are
+only looking upon him who is coming!"
+
+But, however softly these words had been spoken, the count heard them, and
+tenderly he leaned over the Elector, and seized his hand to kiss it.
+
+"I am looking at the newcomer," he whispered, "but I never forget you, and
+my heart can never be unmindful of the love and fidelity it owes you."
+
+"Hurrah! Long live the Electoral Prince!" was borne up in tumultuous
+uproar from the pleasure garden. "Long live the Electoral Prince! Long
+live the Elector! Hurrah for the Elector George William!"
+
+"They are calling for you, my husband, they call for you!" said the
+Electress. "Will you not show yourself to our dear people?"
+
+"I ought, indeed, to be thankful to the dear people," returned her
+husband. "The dear people have at least reminded the Electress that I
+still exist, although she had crowded me back and rendered me entirely
+invisible behind her. Yes, I will show myself to the people, as they still
+think of me in the midst of their merriment. Step back from the window,
+ladies, make room for your Elector and lord! And you, Count Schwarzenberg,
+come and give me your arm; I would lean upon you!"
+
+The count willingly offered the Elector his arm. Powerfully drawn up by
+him, the Elector rose from his seat, and, leaning upon his favorite,
+stepped close up to the window. The shouts of joy were for a moment
+hushed; perhaps because the Electoral Prince had just ridden into the
+palace yard, perhaps because the ladies' retreat from the window was
+considered by the people a sign that the Elector was about to appear. And
+now, within the window frame, was seen the clumsy, broad figure of the
+Elector; now was seen his large head, sparsely covered with gray hairs,
+his pale, swollen face, prematurely old, with its melancholy blue eyes and
+thin, colorless lips, round which played not the slightest smile. In the
+handsome, powerful, and youthful Electoral Prince the people had just
+joyfully greeted Brandenburg's future, and now from the window of that
+gray, gloomy, wretched old palace looked out upon them the hopelessness of
+Brandenburg's present. Like gazing upon embodied care and joyless
+resignation it was, to behold the Elector's grave, forbidding aspect, and
+before it the joyous cry upon the people's lips was silenced. They stared
+up at the window in dumb horror, and only here and there sounded cries
+from compassionate or bribed mouths: "Long live the Elector! Long live
+George William!" And like a dying echo came back the answer on this side
+and on that, feebly and slowly: "Long live the Elector! Long live George
+William!"
+
+But now the people caught sight of the tall, stately form, in gold
+embroidered velvet suit, with the star of brilliants glittering on its
+breast, which stood beside the Elector; now they recognized that haughty
+countenance with its glance of sovereign contempt, its smile of lofty
+condescension upon the thin, scornful lips, and a disturbance was
+perceptible among the multitudes, as when a sudden gust of wind agitates
+the waves of the sea and lashes them up into fury and rage. All at once
+there came thundering up to the window, shrieked, howled, and hissed by
+the crowd: "Down with the Catholics! Down with Schwarzenberg! Down with
+the Imperialist!"
+
+A deep flush overspread the Elector's face. He hastily stepped back from
+the window, and looked almost timidly up at the count, whose countenance
+meanwhile had not for a moment lost its proud, smiling serenity. He seemed
+not to have heard the screams of the mob.
+
+"They would vex me to death, therefore do they scream so!" cried the
+Elector; "they know my regard for Schwarzenberg, and therefore are they so
+set against him and insult him, in order to insult me through him!"
+
+"My parents, my beloved parents!" cried a clear, rich voice, and a young
+man tore open the doors of the Electoral cabinet, revealing a tall,
+slender figure and a noble face, with sparkling eyes and smiling lips. The
+Electress uttered one scream of rapture, and hastened to meet her son with
+outstretched arms. He threw himself upon her breast, greeting her with
+phrases of fond endearment, and when he lifted himself from his mother's
+heart there were the two sisters to embrace their dear and only brother,
+to greet him with affectionate words of love, and to hold him long, long
+in their encircling arms. The Elector had again sunk back into his
+armchair. His "faithful servant," Count Schwarzenberg, had again rolled
+him back into the middle of the apartment and stationed himself
+immediately in the rear.
+
+With unpropitious frowns had the Elector witnessed the first tender
+greeting exchanged between the Electress and her son. Now, when his
+sisters in their turn engrossed him and the mother stood looking on in
+transport, now the Elector turned round to Schwarzenberg, and an
+expression of deep bitterness spoke in every feature.
+
+"My son seems not to know that I am yet in the world," he said, with
+quick, complaining tone of voice. "Had you not better remind him of it for
+decency's sake, Adam?"
+
+But at this moment the Electoral Prince freed himself from his sisters'
+arms, perceived the Elector, and sprang forward to him with open arms to
+throw himself on his heart. But, when he got a nearer view of his father's
+dark countenance, he let his arms drop, bent his knee before the Elector,
+and grasped one hand to imprint upon it a reverential kiss.
+
+"My dear father, my most gracious Sovereign and Elector!" cried he in
+tones full of tenderness, "I beg your pardon that my first word, my first
+salutation was not given to you. You see, I was always a foolish boy, whom
+my mother spoils, and who delights in being spoiled."
+
+"I beg your pardon, my husband," said the Electress, approaching her
+husband; "I alone was to blame that our son did not come first to you, as
+was his duty, and pay his first respects to his father and Sovereign. I
+stopped him, and you must not impute as a fault to the son what was
+occasioned by a mother's tenderness."
+
+The Elector made no reply, but looked down with moody resentment upon the
+Electoral Prince, who still knelt before him.
+
+"My much-loved, gracious father," cried the Prince, "I once more beg your
+pardon, and pray you kindly to forget if I have hitherto often given you
+ground for annoyance, and have not appeared here immediately on your first
+command. I see my error, and I promise, my dear, kind father, that I have
+returned home as a penitent, affectionate son, as an obedient subject,
+whose earnest endeavor shall be to deserve the forgiveness and good
+opinion of his lord and father, and to live wholly and solely in
+subjection to his will. Only bid me welcome, too, my most revered sir;
+bestow upon your son one word of welcome and fatherly love."
+
+The Prince glanced so tenderly at his father, there lay so much feeling in
+his handsome, expressive countenance, that the Elector could not resist
+him, but, in spite of himself, felt his heart stirred by tenderness and
+emotion. He bowed down to him, a rare smile lit up his face, and he was
+just opening his lips to greet his son with words of friendliness and
+love, when the shrieking and shouting down in the pleasure garden, which
+had ceased for some time (probably because their exhausted throats
+required rest), burst forth again with redoubled violence.
+
+"Away with the Catholics! Down with Schwarzenberg! Long live the Electoral
+Prince. Down with Schwarzenberg!" came up with thundering impetuosity.
+
+The friendly words died upon the Elector's lips, and the short sunshine of
+his smile vanished under a cloud of displeasure.
+
+"It seems, sir," he said, "as if your arrival were a real jubilee for the
+low rabble, who have assembled down there in the pleasure grounds, and as
+if your arrival were to be the cause of much vexation to me. What
+seditious, scandalous words are those shouted by those wretches?"
+
+"I do not know, I did not hear them," said the Electoral Prince quickly.
+
+"My whole attention was concentrated upon y father's lips, waiting to hear
+one gracious word of welcome!"
+
+"The mob saved me that trouble!" cried the Elector. They cut me off from
+speech with their 'Long live the electoral Prince!' What need is there for
+a further welcome from your old father?"
+
+"I need it much," replied the Electoral Prince, with low, melancholy
+voice. "I need a kind, gracious word from my father, on returning home
+after so long an absence; and it would seem to me as if my whole future,
+my whole life were under a cloud if I lacked the blessing of your love,
+the sunshine of your favor."
+
+"My son knows how to arrange his words prettily," said the Elector,
+shrugging his shoulders; "it is very observable that he has become quite a
+fine, elegant gentleman; who will find but little to his taste among us,
+and who will suit us just as little! But what are those people forever
+shouting?" said the Elector, interrupting himself, while he rose
+impulsively from his armchair, thus obliging the Prince to rise from his
+knees. "What infamous hubbub and howling is this, and what do you villains
+want of us?"
+
+"Nothing further, most noble Elector," replied Count Schwarzenberg, to
+whom the Elector had turned with his query--"nothing further than that
+your honor drive me away, nothing further than that you dismiss the hated
+minister, whom they abhor, simply because he is a Catholic and not a
+Reformer, and because he is named Schwarzenberg and not Rochow or Quitzow,
+nor blessed with some country bumpkin's title."
+
+"I will rout this pack of vagabonds!" cried the Elector. "Let them dare
+just once more to let such an opprobrious, insulting shout be heard!"
+
+And, quite forgetting his weakness and his limb so painfully swollen with
+gout, the Elector went rapidly to the still open corner window, and,
+leaning far out of it, lifted up his hand, commanding quiet. The people
+took this inclination of the body, this movement of the hand, for a token
+of grace, for a kind salutation on the part of their Sovereign, perhaps
+even for a granting of their demand. They roared aloud with delight, waved
+aloft their hats and caps, their arms and handkerchiefs, and cried and
+whooped and hurrahed: "Long live the Elector! Long live George William!
+Long live the Electoral Prince!"
+
+The Elector stepped back and shut the window so violently that the little
+panes of glass, framed in lead, fairly rattled.
+
+"Frantic populace!" he growled, "they mix up a wretched salad of cheers
+and curses, mingle weeds with their herbs, and fancy that we will find
+this devilish compound pleasing to our palates! We shall remember them for
+it, and--"
+
+"Most gracious sir!" cried Count Schwarzenberg, with radiant countenance,
+approaching the Elector--"most gracious sir, in this blessed hour of our
+beloved Electoral Prince's return, I have a favor to ask of your highness.
+His grace has just greeted me so amiably, so condescendingly, that he has
+caused my heart to overflow with joy, and I feel the strongest desire to
+give expression to this joy. The return of the Electoral Prince is just as
+propitious an event for me as, for the Electoral family, and for all your
+subjects it is a festive occasion which can not be sufficiently honored,
+and therefore I entreat your highness to permit me to celebrate it at my
+house also, and to gratify me by being present yourself at this _fête_,
+with all the other members of your exalted family."
+
+The Elector looked upon his minister with an expression of joyful
+tenderness, and then turned his glance upon the Electoral Prince, who
+stood silent, and with lowered eyelids, beside his mother and sisters.
+
+"Well, what say you to it, sir?" asked George William. "Do you accept the
+invitation to the feast?"
+
+"I, Electoral Lord?" asked the Prince, astonished. "It is not for me to
+accept, or to say anything. I only await the decision of your highness,
+and now allow myself to remark that I shall ever feel honored by an
+invitation from the Stadtholder in the Mark, and that no one can have a
+higher appreciation of his services and a greater respect for his
+statesman-like experience and wisdom than myself."
+
+"He knows how to speak, does he not, count?" asked the Elector, indicating
+his son by a quick nod of the head.
+
+"Well, since it depends on my decision, I shall gladly extend to you my
+leave to celebrate the Electoral Prince's return by a little merrymaking,
+were it only that the good-for-nothing people of Berlin may see that we
+and our family are devoted to Count Schwarzenberg now as before, and that
+their pitiful howls have had no influence upon us and our determinations.
+Yes, we will come to your party, Adam, we accept your invitation cordially
+and affectionately."
+
+"I thank my most gracious lord for this act of favor and condescension,"
+cried the count, pressing the Elector's proffered hand to his lips. "Will
+your highness extend your favor by appointing the day on which so
+distinguished an honor is to befall my house?"
+
+"Well, that you may not have time to make too great preparations, and put
+us to shame by the splendor of your _fête_, we will allow you but a short
+respite. To-day is Wednesday, the eighteenth of June, we therefore appoint
+Sunday, the twenty-second of June, for your festival."
+
+"Be it then on Sunday, a sunny day truly for me and for my house," cried
+Count Schwarzenberg. "My son, too, will do himself the honor to
+participate in the joys of the _fête_, which your highness will do me the
+favor to give in my house, for he has returned from his journey, and will
+this very day petition for leave to present himself."
+
+A fugitive glance from the count strayed across to the ladies, while he
+bowed low before them, but, however cursory this glance, it gave him full
+opportunity for perceiving Princess Charlotte Louise's deep blush, and the
+joyful flashing of her eyes.
+
+"She loves him," he said softly to himself, "yes, she loves him, and my
+son will be Elector of Brandenburg."
+
+"We shall be pleased to see again your son, Count John Adolphus," said
+George William kindly. "He is a very elegant and accomplished gentleman,
+besides being a very submissive and obedient son, in whom your father's
+heart may well rejoice. My son would do well to follow his example, and I
+shall be delighted for him to form a friendship with the count."
+
+"I shall diligently strive to gain the friendship of the son as well as of
+the father," replied the Electoral Prince, smiling, "and it shall not be
+my fault, indeed, if I do not obtain it."
+
+"Most honored sir, you can gain no more than you already possess,"
+exclaimed Schwarzenberg, bowing low. "Will the Electress now permit me to
+address a question to her highness?"
+
+"Ask your question quickly," cried the Electress, "that I may hear the
+request it is to introduce, for I am really curious to know what the rich
+and powerful Count Schwarzenberg can have to desire of the poor,
+uninfluential Electress."
+
+"First, then, my question, most gracious lady: At what hour does your
+highness command my _fête_ to begin?"
+
+"Will you leave the decision to me, my husband?" asked the Electress,
+smiling.
+
+The Elector nodded assent.
+
+
+"As you have invited my daughters," said the Electress, "I presume that
+there will certainly be dancing, and evening hours suit best for that. Let
+the _fête_ commence at six o'clock."
+
+The Elector's brow darkened, for he did not at all relish gay, noisy
+evening parties, and a solemn dinner at the regular hour would have been
+far more welcome to him.
+
+"Your grace has prescribed the hour for the opening of the ball," said
+Count Schwarzenberg reverentially. "But I now also entreat further that
+you name a dinner hour, for I hope your highness will favor me by dining
+with me on that day."
+
+"Yes, that honor shall be shown you," cried the Elector cheerfully. "We
+shall come, surely we shall come. And I will myself appoint the hour for
+the mid-day meal. Let it be at two o'clock. Then we shall have some
+pleasant hours at table before the dancing comes off and the music puts
+our heads in a whirl."
+
+"Two o'clock, then, most gracious sir."
+
+"And now, Sir Count," cried the Electress, "now for your request. Say
+quickly what it is. What can you have to ask of me?"
+
+"Most gracious Electress, I hardly venture to express it, and yet, by
+granting my request, you would do me a very great pleasure and honor. Some
+splendid silk stuffs have been sent me from France by my cousin, who is
+Austrian ambassador there. I had given him such a commission, as I thought
+of making a present to my aunt, the Countess Schwarzenberg at Vienna. My
+cousin bought these stuffs for me, and writes me, moreover, that they are
+the newest fabrics from the looms of Lyons, and that he has just sent
+three such dresses to the Empress and the two archduchesses at Vienna.
+Now, it did not seem to me becoming or appropriate that the Countess
+Schwarzenberg should wear robes such as the Empress and archduchesses
+wear, and I think gold and silver brocade suited to none but ladies of
+princely blood."
+
+"And you would give them to us, Sir Count?" cried the young Princess
+Sophie Hedwig, with heightened color in her cheeks and sparkling eyes.
+
+The Electress and older Princess laughed aloud at this naïve and hasty
+question, and even the Elector laughed a little.
+
+A slight blush suffused the Electoral Prince's face; he withdrew to the
+window and looked out. Count Schwarzenberg, however, looked smilingly upon
+the young Princess, whose girlish impatience had come so opportunely to
+his rescue.
+
+"I would venture," he said, "most humbly to ask her highness's permission
+to lay the brocade stuffs at her feet."
+
+"Mamma, do so," coaxed Sophie Hedwig; "take the pretty dress patterns from
+the good Stadtholder."
+
+"Well, then, I shall do so," said the Electress. "I accept your present
+for myself and the young ladies, and I thank you."
+
+She extended her hand to the count, which he kissed.
+
+"And you will give orders, Electress, that the dresses be made up in time
+for Count Schwarzenberg's _fête_!" cried the Elector cheerfully. "You must
+at least honor him by displaying his present first at his own house."
+
+"There are a few plates accompanying it," remarked Schwarzenberg--"a few
+plates on which are painted the newest styles of ladies' dresses now
+fashionable in Paris. The robes of the Empress and the archduchesses were
+made by them."
+
+"So shall our dresses be too!" cried Sophie Hedwig, joyfully clapping her
+hands. "Shall they not, dearest mamma--shall not our dresses be made by
+the fashion plates?"
+
+Just at this moment the Electoral Prince again emerged from the window
+recess, and approached his father.
+
+"I beg your highness's gracious permission to withdraw," he said. "I
+should like to retire to my own apartments a little while, in order to lay
+aside my dusty traveling suit."
+
+"Do so, my son," replied the Elector, with a friendly nod of the head. "Go
+to your rooms, which have been prepared for you a whole half year, and
+await your return. Dress yourself and rejoin us at dinner. For the rest, I
+bid you heartily welcome, and may your return be productive of good, not
+evil, to yourself and us all."
+
+"God grant that I may merit my father's favor, and ever show myself worthy
+of it!" exclaimed the Electoral Prince, with deep seriousness. "I have now
+the honor of taking my leave!"
+
+He bowed low before the Elector, and with a like salutation bade farewell
+to the Electress and the Princesses. After greeting the count with a smile
+and a wave of his hand, he hurried with light elastic step through the
+apartment to the door.
+
+
+
+
+IV.--THE DONATION.
+
+
+When the Electoral Prince left his father's cabinet he found without the
+officers and servants of the household arranged in solemn order. They
+received him with a thrice-repeated cheer that was loud enough to
+penetrate through the door into the Electoral apartment, and to reach the
+Elector's ears in a manner by no means pleasant.
+
+Affectionately and smilingly Frederick William thanked them. He could call
+each one of them by name, and charmed them all by recalling little
+incidents of his earlier days in which they had borne a part.
+
+"I hope we shall always remain good friends," he said, when he had reached
+the door of the long entrance hall, "and once more I thank you for your
+friendly greeting."
+
+Old Jock, who stood next to the door, and who looked quite grand in his
+artfully patched livery of state--old Jock had already just opened his
+mouth for another thundering hurrah, when the Electoral Prince laid his
+hand gently upon his shoulder.
+
+"Hush, Jock, hush! do not shout," he said, loud enough to be heard by
+everybody. "It is enough that I read my welcome in your eyes, and not
+necessary for your lips to pronounce the words aloud. Our much-loved and
+gracious father is sick and suffering, and we must not therefore allow his
+rest to be disturbed by loud noises. Be quiet and silent, therefore, and
+only believe me when I say that I know I am welcome to you all!"
+
+He gave them one more friendly nod, and stepped out upon the long corridor,
+on the other side of which lay his own apartments. Quickly he went on,
+opened the door of the antechamber with a vigorous pressure of his hand,
+and entered. The trunks and other baggage lay in wild disorder, heaped up
+in the outer hall, and old Dietrich, with a few other servants and
+lackeys, was busied in untying parcels and unpacking. The Electoral Prince
+went hurriedly past, and entered his sleeping room. Here, too, he found
+all in confusion; the dust lay thick upon the unwieldy old furniture,
+whose cushions were covered with faded and even here and there ragged
+tapestry. From the walls, hung with discolored papering, a few old
+ancestral portraits looked gravely and gloomily down upon him, and their
+melancholy eyes seemed to ask him what he wanted here, and why he had come
+to awaken them from their repose, and disturb the dust which had been
+collecting for years. It seemed to the Prince as if he heard this
+inhospitable question quite clearly uttered by the lips of his ancestor
+Albert Achilles, before whose picture he was just passing, and whose
+large, glittering eyes seemed to look out in defiance. Frederick William
+stopped and looked at his forefather with a sad smile. "I have come much
+against my will, Elector Albert Achilles," he said. "I assure you, very
+much against my will, and if I did not think of the future, I would go
+away again and _never_ come back. But for the sake of the future the
+present must be endured; therefore forgive me, my great, valiant ancestor,
+and believe me I will do you honor!"
+
+He nodded to the picture and strode on, advancing into the next room,
+which was to be his study. Here everything was still exactly as he had
+left it almost four years ago. The old furniture stood unmoved in its
+familiar places; there was still the brown varnished writing table at
+which he had formerly applied himself to his studies, in company with his
+tutor Leuchtmar von Kalkhun; beside it stood the simple, rude book
+shelves, and on them, covered with dust and cobwebs, the old leather-bound
+volumes from which he had drunk in knowledge and wisdom. Before both
+windows hung, just as then, the dark red silken curtains, only that the
+sun had partially deprived them of their original coloring and interwoven
+sickly streaks of yellow. The old sofa, too, was yet in existence with its
+sleek brown leather covering, and by its side stood the two leather
+armchairs, with their high, straight backs and awkwardly turned feet. No
+one had taken the trouble to repair these inroads of dilapidation, and,
+long as they had been expecting the Electoral Prince, no preparations
+whatever had been made for his reception. Four years had passed over these
+chambers without leaving any further trace of their presence than dust and
+cobwebs, and faded stripes on cushion and curtain. Sighing, the Electoral
+Prince threw himself into one of the two armchairs. The old piece of
+furniture creaked under him, as if by this sound it would greet him and
+remind him of the past. He leaned his head against the back, whose leather
+cooled his temples as if a cold hand had been laid upon the brow of him
+who had just come home. Slowly his glance swept through the room, and it
+seemed to him as if he saw the four last years glide by like phantom
+shapes through the lonely, dreary, and dusty chamber. They looked at him
+with wan smiles and lusterless eyes, and hovered past shadowlike, leaving
+behind for him nothing but dust, nothing but a hardly cicatrized wound.
+Hardly cicatrized!
+
+Sometimes it bled yet, this wound of his past. Sometimes he thought that
+there was no healing for it, that it would never close, and that its pain
+would never cease.
+
+Just so thought he as the shadows of the four years floated by him through
+that gloomy, dusty room. Just so thought he, when the youngest of these
+phantoms paused beside him, threw back her gray veil of mist, and under it
+disclosed to him a beautiful, rosy female face, with flaming eyes, pouting
+lips, and lovely smile, when she raised her hand and beckoned to him,
+whispering: "Leave all behind and come to me! _I_ am waiting for you! _I_
+love you! Oh, come to me!"
+
+How sweetly enticing were these whispered sounds, how burning was the pain
+in the wound but barely healed! Again it began to bleed, again tears rose
+to his eyes. He was not ashamed of them, and yet, as he felt them flow
+burning down his cheeks, he stretched out his hands deprecatingly to the
+phantom with the rosy cheeks and fascinating smile, to the shadow of the
+last year, and murmured: "Away from me! Come not near me, to tempt my
+heart! I may not follow you--I may not, and I _will_ not."
+
+"And I _will_ not!" he repeated quite aloud, and jumped up from his
+easychair, shaking his head defiantly and proudly, like a roused lion.
+
+"What will you not?" asked a soft voice behind him, and when he turned
+round he saw at his back Baron von Leuchtmar, who had just entered, and
+whose mild, gentle glances rested upon him with tender expression.
+
+"Leuchtmar!" cried the Prince, hastening to meet him with both hands
+outstretched. "God be praised, that you are here, that you come to me at
+this moment! Ah! would that you had not left me at Spandow, but had
+remained at my side!"
+
+"No, my Prince! It was proper that the eyes of the people should have
+greeted you alone, and that the boy, whom they had seen go off at the side
+of his tutor, should now appear to them again as a bold and independent
+young man, who relies upon his own powers only, and has no longer any
+tutor at his side, but his own sense of duty and his conscience. But why
+so sad, Prince Frederick William? Your journey was verily a triumphal
+procession; like a Roman imperator you entered your father's city, and now
+do I find you here, solitary, with troubled countenance, with tears upon
+your cheeks?"
+
+"With tears upon my cheeks?" repeated the Prince; "with imprecations, with
+wrath, and sorrow in my heart. Oh, friend, why were you not with me? You
+would have saved me perhaps from the bitterness of the last hour. You
+would have stood by me, would have encouraged me!"
+
+"My God, what has happened then?"
+
+"It has happened that I was received as if I were some criminal returning
+after a course of sin!" cried Frederick William, with indignant pain. "It
+has happened that they have treated me as if I were a rioter and inciter
+of rebellion, who had come hither with criminal designs, at the head of a
+mob, and as a captain of robbers, who had attacked his Sovereign in his
+stronghold. It has happened that they allowed me to sue for pardon upon my
+knees without lifting me up--that they have treated me like an abandoned
+villain, from whom they expected each hour to witness some new out-break."
+
+"But consider, my Prince, that you had reason to expect that your
+reception would be ungracious, and that it was your father from whom these
+trials would come to you."
+
+"No, not from my father, but from _him_--that evil spirit who, with his
+cold smile and mocking composure, stood at my father's side! He has
+poisoned my father's heart with jealousy and hate, he has filled it with
+mistrust toward his only son, and sowed discord, that he may himself reap
+a harvest from the hatred! And he was witness of my humiliation, and I saw
+how he looked down upon me with scornful superiority as I knelt before my
+father and pleaded in vain for one word of love from his lips! But _he_
+had withered this word upon his lips, and only for _him_ were words of
+tenderness and veneration there! Only for _him_ acknowledgments,
+confidence, and love! As he stood there with cold and haughty face at the
+side of my poor father, who, stooping and insignificant, cowered below
+him--oh, so far below him in his easychair--I felt it in every nerve of my
+heart, in every fiber of my brain, that _he_ and _he_ alone is ruling lord
+here, the commander and Sovereign; and that he who will not bow and cringe
+before him, will by him be hurled into the dust and trodden upon! They all
+bow before him--_all_! He is like a magician, who by the magnetic glances
+of his eyes subjects to his will all who approach him, and makes the
+stoutest hearts soft and pliant, so that like wax they allow themselves to
+be molded by his forming hands. Even my mother, who is his enemy, who has
+been battling against him for twenty years, even she is conquered by him,
+and he has become her master and forces her to his will. She knows not at
+all that she has fallen within the circle of his magic, yet is, like all
+the rest, a mere tool in his hands. But she feels it not, and fancies
+herself free, while she lies bound, and has no will of her own in his
+presence. I have seen it, I have felt it, and it has filled my heart with
+unutterable woe, with raging anger. She felt not at all the shame and
+humiliation under which I almost expired; she came not to my aid, for the
+magician was there, and in his presence my mother forgot her son so
+recently come back to her, and _he_ was the center around which all
+turned, _he_ was master of the situation, and before _him_ all shrank into
+wretched nothingness. He charmed the hearts which had remained cold at my
+reception, charmed them with the prospect of a _fête_, which, as he said,
+he was to give in my honor, and they believed the mockery, and allowed
+themselves to be touched by that noble condescension, and felt not the
+cruel boasting with which he solemnizes the return of him who is a thorn
+in his flesh, a thorn which he is firmly determined to pluck out, and
+tread under foot! I came here humble, poor, and empty-handed, and _he_
+solemnizes my return by offering presents to my mother and my sisters!
+And they accept them, feel not at all the degradation, and will appear at
+the _fête_ in clothes with which my enemy, my adversary, my murderer has
+presented them!"
+
+"Prince, you go too far. Your hatred carries you away."
+
+"No, I do not go too far!" cried the Prince, beside himself. His
+countenance was deadly pale, his eyes flashed, and his whole being seemed
+pervaded by the fire of wrath and hatred. "No, I do not go too far, and my
+hatred does not carry me away! He is the evil demon of my house--of my
+country! He is to blame for all the disasters of the last twenty years,
+for all the humiliation and shame by which my family has been visited. The
+Mark is to be ruined--that is his end, that is his aim; the Electoral
+house of Brandenburg must die out--that is his hope; and he will leave
+untried no means whereby this hope may become reality. He has already
+tried once to murder me,[22] and he will try it again. A dagger's point
+lurks in each glance that he fixes upon me, a drop of poison in each word
+that he directs to me. If I stood alone with him upon the summit of a
+tower, he would hurl me down, and then afterward follow my coffin with a
+thousand tears! And my father would lean upon him, and thank God that only
+his son had been snatched from him, not his friend, his favorite; and my
+mother would weep for me, and yet go about in mourning which he had
+presented to her, and she would esteem it a peculiar act of amiability if
+he should exert himself to divert her mind and raise her spirits. No voice
+would be raised against him, and no one would venture to accuse him, for
+my father himself would protect him, and the grace and favor of the
+Emperor would speak him clear of any suspicion. He is my master, my
+lord--that is what fills me with rage and indignation; and I will surely
+die of this if the count does not succeed in dispatching me first, and
+putting me out of the way."
+
+"He will not venture to attempt that, for he knows public opinion would
+accuse and denounce him as the murderer."
+
+"What cares he for public opinion, what asks he about it--_he_ who has
+power to repress it, _he_ who stands so secure that it can not touch
+_him_?"
+
+"Nobody stands so high, Prince, that public opinion can not reach him and
+dash him into the depths below, for public opinion is the voice of the
+nation, and the voice of the nation is the voice of God! And believe me,
+Prince, this voice will one day accuse and sentence him."
+
+"Yes, one day perhaps, when he has thrust me out of the way and murdered
+me, when my father has gone to his last home, when the Emperor has
+pronounced the Mark of Brandenburg an unincumbered fief, and bestowed it
+as an act of grace upon Count Schwarzenberg or his son. Oh, I know all his
+plans, and I know that no moment of my life is henceforth secure--know
+that I am a victim of death if prudence and cunning do not save me! I
+thought of all this during my long journey to this place. I have weighed
+all, pondered all, and my whole future lay before me like a white sheet of
+paper. I saw a hand unroll it, and with bloody letters inscribe the word
+'Death'; but I saw this word blotted out by a cautious finger, and, ere it
+was written to the end, replaced by the word 'Life' in characters small
+and hardly visible. Yes, I _will_ live, _will_ reign, _will_ have fame,
+honor, and influence, _will_ make a name for myself! Leuchtmar, I have
+left behind in Holland my youth, my hopes, my dreams, my heart! I come
+here as a man, despite my eighteen years, as a man who from the wreck of
+his youth will save only this: the future and fame! A man, who has
+suffered so much, that he can say of himself: I defy pain, and it has no
+longer any power over me! I defy life, and _will_ conquer it! Yes,
+Leuchtmar, I _will_ conquer it; and although I no longer love it, I do not
+mean to allow it to be snatched away from me. Hear me, friend, for to-day
+is the last time for a long while that I may speak openly and candidly to
+you. I entreat you, guide of my youth, to preserve for me your friendship
+and your faith. I beseech you never to lose confidence in me, and, if ever
+a doubt should intrude itself with regard to me, to remember this hour, in
+which I have laid bare to you my heart, and in which you have been a
+witness to my indignation and grief, my excitement and hatred! You are
+familiar with my countenance, friend; impress it upon your memory, in
+order that you may never forget it, even if you should not see it for a
+long time again. Look once more in my eyes, and read in my glances my love
+and reverence for you!"
+
+"I do look into your eyes, son of my heart," said Leuchtmar, deeply moved.
+"I look through your eyes into your soul, into your heart, and read
+therein great determination and heroic aims. Strive after them, my
+favorite, and when the present seems to you dark and gloomy, then lift
+your eye to the glittering star, which hovers over you and is your
+future. To endure evil, and still to remain joyful and valiant, therein
+lies true heroism. To turn from the dust of earthly needs, to step over it
+with head held heavenward, thereby is true faith proved. God bless you, my
+son! Be brave, be wise, be true! Trust in yourself, your friends, your
+people, and your God; then is the future yours, and you will overcome all
+your foes, and will triumph over the proud man who now thinks that he
+triumphs over you. I said to you, be brave, be wise, be true. I forgot one
+thing, though, which I shall now add--_be circumspect_! Remember that
+oftentimes it is not the sword which carries off the victory, but cunning;
+remember Brutus, who freed Rome."
+
+"Oh, my friend, you have spoken truth," exclaimed the Prince; "you have
+read to the bottom of my soul, and understood my inmost thoughts. Now am I
+glad and full of confidence, for my friend and teacher will never doubt
+me. And hear one thing more, my Leuchtmar. You must accept a memento of
+this hour, a memento which I prepared even before my departure from The
+Hague, and which shall be to you a proof of my gratitude. I am poor and
+powerless, and as I build all my hopes upon the future, so must I do with
+my presents as well. You must accept from me a gift of my future, friend.
+I know full well that what you have done for me can not be recompensed,
+but I would so gladly testify my gratitude to you, and therefore I give
+you this paper!"
+
+He drew forth a paper from his pocketbook, and handed it to Leuchtmar with
+a friendly smile. "Take it and read," he said.
+
+Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun took the paper, and fastened his eyes upon the
+words, which were inscribed in large letters on the outside.
+
+"A Deed of Expectancy!" he said, astonished.
+
+The Electoral Prince nodded. "A deed of expectancy, written with my own
+hand and sealed with my own signet ring. Yes, yes, my friend, I have
+nothing to give away but expectations; yet if the Electoral Prince should
+ever become Elector, he will convert these expectations into reality and
+truth. Now unfold the paper, and see what manner of expectation it holds
+out."
+
+"An act, donating the feudal tenure of Neuenhof, lying within the
+territories of Cleves!" cried Leuchtmar joyfully. "Oh, my dear Prince,
+that is truly a princely gift!"
+
+"Yet it is not the Prince, but the grateful scholar who gives it to you,"
+said Frederick William, "and in proof of this I have written these words,
+which I will read to you myself." He bent over the paper, and read: "We
+have voluntarily and with due consideration promised and engaged to give
+to Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun this estate of Neuenhof, out of the
+particular and friendly affection which we bear to him. We also swear that
+if we hereafter attain to power and authority, and our much-esteemed
+Romilian von Leuchtmar be to our sorrow cut off by death, we in the same
+way will this estate to his eldest son, and grant him the enjoyment of all
+that we assigned and destined for his father in his lifetime."[23]
+
+"That is indeed to carry happiness and reward beyond the grave!" cried
+Leuchtmar, with tears in his eyes. "Oh, I thank you, my Prince, thank you
+from my inmost soul, for myself and my children!"
+
+"You have nothing at all to thank me for, friend," said the Prince. "I
+shall ever be much more in your debt. If, however, I some day become a
+good Prince to my country and a father to my people, then you must reflect
+that this is the return I make to you, my teacher, my educator! You see I
+hope in the future, and think that I shall succeed in evading murderous
+designs and fulfill my aims. But, indeed, your warning I may never forget,
+and circumspect I _must_ be first of all. Wear a mask, as Brutus did! Let
+me embrace you once more, friend Leuchtmar; look me once more in the eye.
+And now--I hear some one coming! Farewell, Leuchtmar! I put on my mask and
+not for a moment can I withdraw it from my features."
+
+
+
+
+V.--BRUTUS.
+
+
+The door was now opened, a valet entered and announced, "Her highness the
+Electress!" And before the Electoral Prince had time to advance, the
+Electress had entered the room.
+
+"I come to welcome you once more, my Frederick!" she cried, stretching out
+her arms to her son. "Entirely without witnesses, simply as his mother
+would I greet my son, and tell him how happy I am that he is once more
+here."
+
+She flung her arms around her son's neck, and pressed him ardently to her
+bosom. Baron Leuchtmar, who upon the Electress's approach had stepped
+aside, now crept softly through the apartment to the door, and was already
+in the act of opening it, when the Electress quickly raised her head and
+looked around.
+
+"Stay where you are, Baron Leuchtmar," she said; "why would you slip away
+from us?"
+
+"I may not presume by my presence to disturb the confidential discourse
+between the Electress and her son."
+
+"You do not disturb us at all, for you belong to us, Leuchtmar," replied
+Charlotte Elizabeth, nodding kindly to him. "On the contrary, I will tell
+you that I knew you were here, and came here on that very account, in
+order to salute you without witnesses, and to have a private conversation
+with you and my son. For well I know, Leuchtmar, that we may confide in
+you, and that you belong to _us_--that is to say, to the enemies of
+Schwarzenberg, to the enemies of the Imperialists and Catholics, to the
+friends of the Swedes and Reformers."
+
+"Your highness may be well assured that I return home just as I went
+away," said Leuchtmar earnestly--"that is to say, an upright Protestant, a
+true Brandenburger, and a determined opponent of those who concluded the
+peace of Prague, and thereby separated the Elector of Brandenburg from the
+Swedes, and made him wholly and solely subservient to the Emperor's
+interests."
+
+"You will not name _him_, the evildoer, who has brought this to pass,"
+cried the Electress, "but I will name him: it is Count Schwarzenberg! It
+is the Stadtholder in the Mark, who has brought upon us all this mischief
+and disgrace, who has sundered us from our nearest blood relations, the
+family of the Swedish King, and has leagued us with and subjected us to
+those who are our sworn enemies and adversaries, the Imperialists, the
+Austrians. Oh, my son! promise me that you will some day take vengeance
+for the ignominy and humiliation which we must now undergo. Swear in this
+first hour of your return home, solemnly joining hands with me, that as
+soon as you come into power the first act of your government shall be to
+renounce allegiance to the Emperor and to ally yourself again with the
+Swedes, our natural allies."
+
+She stretched out her right hand to her son. "Swear, my son!" she cried,
+solemnly, "give me your hand upon it!"
+
+But Frederick William did not lay his hand within hers. He drew back,
+declining her proffered hand.
+
+"Forgive me, my dearest mother," he said, "forgive me; but I can not
+swear, for I do not know whether I could keep my oath! May the good God
+long preserve my gracious father's life, and grant him a glorious reign.
+But if hereafter, and surely to my deepest regret, duty and the right of
+Succession deliver into my hands the reins of government, then I must
+guide them, as circumstances direct, as determined by the contingencies of
+the times and the good of the country; and I dare not bind myself
+beforehand by any given word or by promises."
+
+"You refuse, my son, to promise me that you will make amends for all the
+evil done by that wicked enemy of your house, your family, and your
+country?"
+
+"Dearest mother, I know not of whom you speak, and who it is that has
+burdened himself with so heinous a crime."
+
+With impulsive movement the Electress laid her hand upon his arm, and
+looked him steadily in the eye.
+
+"Are you dissembling, or is that the truth?" she asked. "You do not know
+of whom I speak? You do not know who is the enemy of your house and
+family?"
+
+"I am trying in vain to study it out, mother, and I beg you not to be
+angry with me on that account, for your grace must reflect that I have
+been absent almost four years, and am therefore a little unacquainted with
+the situation of affairs here. If you had addressed that question to me
+before my departure, most assuredly I should have replied without
+hesitation, 'It is Count Schwarzenberg!' But I have since then found out
+that I had done the count injustice in many things through my inexperience
+and want of foresight; that he is a very great and experienced statesman
+and politician, who with his far-seeing glances can discern much more
+clearly than I with my unpracticed eyes the relations of things. Who knows
+but that, after all, the peace of Prague has been a real blessing to our
+land. When I behold its present pitiable and languishing condition as a
+neutral, how can I avoid reflecting with horror upon what might have been
+the state of things had we joined any decided war party. Had we sided
+with the Swedes, the enmity of the powerful Emperor, vastly surpassing us
+in material resources, would long since have destroyed us root and branch,
+and my dear father would have most probably shared the same lamentable
+fate as the Elector of the Palatinate, his brother-in-law, or the Margrave
+of Liegnitz and Jägerndorf, his cousin. He must have wandered with wife
+and children an exile in foreign lands, or died of grief among strangers.
+On the other hand, had we sided with the Emperor against the Swedes, a
+raging, implacable foe would have quartered himself in the heart of our
+dominions, and not merely Pomerania, but the Mark and the duchy of Prussia
+would have been overrun-by his warlike hordes. But on my journey hither I
+have witnessed the misery and unspeakable wretchedness of our land, and
+asked myself with heavy, sorrowing heart what would have become of our
+unhappy country in times of war if neutrality could reduce it to such
+poverty and plunge it in such want and suffering. And then I was forced to
+acknowledge that Count Schwarzenberg had acted right well as Stadtholder
+in the Mark in wishing, before all things, to preserve the Mark intrusted
+to him from yet greater calamity, by holding it to that neutrality, being
+alike impartial between the Emperor and the Swedes. I therefore begged his
+pardon in my heart for having often accused him unjustly before, for he is
+indeed a faithful and zealous servant to his master, and especially
+endeavors to further his interests, to maintain his position, and to
+console him in these times of affliction. I see, too, that not merely the
+Elector holds him in high estimation, and honors him as his true and
+valued counselor and friend, but that my mother as well has taken him into
+her favor, and that she has quite recovered from the mistrust with which
+she previously regarded him. For surely it is a proof of great favor when
+the Electress allows the count to offer presents of dresses to herself and
+her daughters, and no one of us can mistrust _him_, who so cordially
+rejoices over my return that he volunteers to celebrate it by a splendid
+festival. The whole Electoral family has accepted the invitation to this
+festival, and thereby prove to Berlin, yea, to the whole country, that we
+are on the best terms with the Stadtholder, and that nothing has
+transpired which could shake our confidence in him.'"
+
+The Electress had listened to her son with ever-growing amazement. Her
+glances had grown more and more indignant; she had often turned from her
+son to Leuchtmar, as if to read in his features whether or not he shared
+her astonishment and irritation. Now, when the Prince was silent, she
+stepped across to Leuchtmar, and laid her hand upon his arm.
+
+"Leuchtmar," she asked with trembling voice, "is he in earnest? Has he
+actually altered so entirely? Has he really gone over to our enemies and
+adversaries?"
+
+"Most gracious lady, the Electoral Prince is by far too tender a son ever
+to become alienated from his mother," replied the baron earnestly.
+
+"He speaks the truth, my dearest mother," exclaimed Frederick William,
+nearing his mother. "Never could I alter toward you, never forget the
+gratitude and love I owe you, never go over to your enemies and
+adversaries. But why should we carry politics into private life, and what
+have Swedes and Imperialists, Catholics and Reformers to do with our
+family life and our domestic circle? Let us hand politics over to those
+whose duty it is to deal with them; let us not seek to meddle in the
+government, for we have no right to do so, and should step aside for those
+who understand matters far better than we do, and who manage the machine
+of state with as much foresight as wisdom. I, at least, am determined to
+hold myself aloof from all such burdensome affairs, to enjoy my youth and
+freedom, and I thank God that I have not to bear the weight of
+administering the government, but have only the pleasant task allotted me
+of permitting myself to be governed!"
+
+"It is not possible!" cried the Electress, with an outburst of
+passion--"no, it is not possible that _my_ son can so speak and think! O
+Leuchtmar! what have you made of my son? Who has changed him, my darling,
+my only son? I hoped that he would come back a hero, around whom would
+cluster all those who are true to our house, our faith, and our
+fatherland! I hoped that in him I should find a refuge against the
+aggressions, the villainy, and the wiles of my enemy! I hoped that the son
+would succeed in winning back his father's heart, and turning him against
+that proud man who rules him entirely, and who will crush us all. O God!
+my God! for three long years I have been looking forward to his return as
+the time of vengeance and retribution, and now that son is here, and what
+do I find in him? A son weakly obedient to his father, a submissive
+admirer of Count Schwarzenberg, a weakling who longs not at all for honor
+and influence, who is glad that he has not to govern and work, but that
+others must govern and work for him! Alas! I am a poor mother, and much to
+be pitied, for in vain have I hoped that my son would assist me to avenge
+the misfortunes of my house, and punish and bring my enemies to account!"
+
+She covered her face with her hands, weeping aloud. The Electoral Prince
+gave her a look of mingled grief and pain, took one hurried step forward,
+as if he would go to her, and encircle her in his arms, then paused,
+retreated slowly, gently, ever farther from the spot where she still stood
+with face concealed and sobbing aloud. It was as if an invisible hand
+continually drew him farther from his mother, ever nearer the door of the
+antechamber. Now he stood close to it, leaned against it, and--was the old
+castle so disjointed, or had the Electoral Prince with sudden touch
+pressed upon the latch?--the door flew open. The Electoral Prince fell
+backward into the antechamber, and, had it not been for the Electress's
+valet, against whom he stumbled, would have fallen to the ground.
+
+"By my faith!" he cried, while he nodded to the lackey, who stood there
+with red face and deep embarrassment of manner--"by my faith! it was a
+piece of good luck for me that you were standing so near the door, my
+friend, else I should probably have had a bad fall. This rickety old
+castle must be repaired. One can not even lean against the doors without
+their flying open!"
+
+He nodded to the lackey, who stood there in confusion, not having at all
+recovered his self-possession, and stepped back into the room. In passing,
+his eye caught that of Leuchtmar, who replied by a nod of assent, stolen
+and significant; then he approached the Electress, who, surprised by this
+sudden and unexpected interlude, had let her hands glide from before her
+face, and now dried her tears.
+
+"I beg my revered mother's pardon for disturbing her so ridiculously," he
+said, seizing her hand and pressing it to his lips. "It was not my fault,
+and only occasioned by the insecure fastening upon the door. It was by a
+right fortunate accident that your grace commanded your valet to station
+himself close to the door of the cabinet, for he thereby saved me from an
+unpleasant fall."
+
+"I did not command the lackey to station himself in your sleeping
+apartment," said the Electress, "and consider it contrary to all rules of
+propriety."
+
+She rapidly crossed the study and opened the door just as the lackey was
+slinking through the one opposite.
+
+"Frederick, come here!" cried the Electress, and with head sunk and
+humbled mien the lackey came a few paces nearer.
+
+"Did I not order you to wait for me in the antechamber, and to forewarn us
+of the approach of any one else?" asked the Electress.
+
+"Your highness," replied the lackey humbly, "I followed your grace's
+orders exactly, and stood here in the antechamber and kept guard, but
+nobody came."
+
+"But this is not the antechamber, you blockhead!" cried the Electress. "It
+is there, without! Go out there and wait!"
+
+
+The lackey made haste to obey the order given him, and the Electress
+turned to the Prince. "I beg you, my son, to pardon the man his
+stupidity," said she; "but he deserves some indulgence in so far as he has
+only been in our service for a short while, and consequently is not well
+acquainted with the plan of the palace. My valet fell sick on the journey
+from Königsberg here, and we were obliged to leave him behind, which was
+so much the more inconvenient as he was our hairdresser besides, and
+understood how to arrange the Elector's hair as well as my own and the
+young ladies'. Count Schwarzenberg heard of it, and by a piece of good
+fortune, was able to spare us one of his valets."
+
+"Oh!" cried the Electoral Prince, smiling. "This fellow, then, has been
+transferred from the Stadtholder's service to that of your grace?"
+
+"Yes, and I must say that he is a very useful and efficient servant, who
+understands all the newest styles of French hairdressing, and is well
+skilled in other ways also. I beg you therefore to excuse him for this
+little mistake."
+
+"He is perfectly excusable," said the Electoral Prince, bowing. "So much
+the more excusable, as it might well happen that he is not yet familiar
+with this castle."
+
+"It is true," cried the Electress, casting her eyes around the room, "it
+does look a little dilapidated and desolate here, and care ought indeed to
+have been taken to refurnish your apartments and give them a more
+comfortable aspect. You know, Frederick, we only expect to tarry here for
+a short time, and think of returning to Prussia very soon, and there I
+shall see myself that you are provided with handsomer and more commodious
+rooms. There I am the princely lady of the house, and everywhere reigning
+duchess, while here, in the resident palace of Berlin, I seem to myself
+only a guest, who has nothing at all to say in the directing of the
+household, but must silently acquiesce in everything. And it _is_ so, too,
+and has come to this pass, that the Stadtholder in the Mark is the only
+ruling lord and commander, and the Elector seems to come here only as the
+Stadtholder's guest."
+
+"The Stadtholder, though, seems at least a right polite and splendid
+host," remarked the Electoral Prince, smiling, "a host who lays himself
+out to attend to the comfort and entertainment--nay, even to the
+wardrobes--of his noble guests."
+
+"Your Electoral Highnesses!" cried an advancing lackey--"your Electoral
+Highnesses, the steward of the household is without, and announces that
+dinner is served, and that the Elector and the young ladies have already
+repaired to the dining hall."
+
+"Then let us go too, my son," said the Electress, offering her hand to the
+Electoral Prince.
+
+"But, most gracious mother, I still have on my traveling suit, and--"
+
+"My son," sighed the Electress, "your traveling suit is so showy and
+elegant that I can only wish that in the future your court dress may
+always be so handsome. Come, give me your arm, and let us hurry, for your
+father does not like to be kept waiting, and is very punctual at
+mealtimes. You, Baron von Leuchtmar, follow us. We herewith invite you to
+be our guest, and to accompany us to table."
+
+The Electress took the Prince's proffered arm, and swept through the door
+held open for her by the lackey. The steward of the household, who had
+awaited them in the antechamber, golden staff in hand, now preceded them,
+the lackeys flew before them to open the doors, and through a suite of
+gloomy, deserted rooms, with old-fashioned, dusty, and half-decayed
+furniture, moved the princely pair, followed by Baron von Leuchtmar,
+behind whom strutted the lackeys at a respectful distance. The Elector
+stood with the two Princesses in the deep recess of the great window, when
+his wife and son entered; he greeted them both with a short nod of the
+head, and, casting a dark, unfriendly glance at Baron von Leuchtmar, who
+was reverentially approaching him, gave his arm to his wife, and led her
+to the two upper places at the oblong table.
+
+"It seems our son can not dispense with his tutor," said he, in a low,
+peevish tone of voice to the Electress. "He brings his tutor to dine with
+us, as if it were a matter of course."
+
+"I beg your pardon, George," whispered the Electress. "I invited the
+baron, whom I found in our son's room. Do me the favor to receive him
+affably. He has bestowed much labor and love upon our son, and has ever
+been a faithful servant to us."
+
+"To you, perhaps, but not to me," muttered the Elector, while he allowed
+himself to sink down in his great, round easychair, thereby giving the
+signal for dinner to commence.
+
+The hours of dinner were usually those in which George William was
+accustomed to dismiss all the cares and anxieties of government, and to
+give himself up with cheerful countenance to harmless conversation with
+his wife and daughters.
+
+At times he even loved to carry on a lively chat with those court
+officials who were present, at the table, or to amuse himself with hearing
+their recital of the events of the day or the gossip of the town. But
+to-day the Elector remained gloomy and taciturn. He left it to his wife to
+lead the conversation, and get from the Electoral Prince accounts of her
+dear relations at the Dutch court. The Prince answered all her questions,
+confining himself meanwhile to the duly necessary, and never
+spontaneously adding anything or entering into any details as to his own
+life and residence at the court of Holland. The Elector continued to
+listen in moody silence, and this reserve on the part of his son seemed to
+put him still more out of humor. His face continually grew darker, and he
+even disdainfully pushed away untasted his favorite dish, a wild boar's
+head, served up with lemons in its mouth, after it had been presented to
+him for the third time.
+
+"You have been beating about the bush long enough now, Electress!" he
+cried warmly. "You have made inquiries after all possible things, except
+the principal matter and person in whom you are at bottom most interested.
+It might have been expected that our Electoral Prince would have begun
+himself, since 'out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.' But
+our young gentleman remains elegantly monosyllabic, and it would seem that
+he is not at all overjoyed upon his return to the poverty-stricken, quiet
+house of his father. It is true, he has lived in much handsomer style at
+the Orange court, lived there, indeed, amid plenty and pleasure--by the
+way, we can sing a little song on that subject, for our son has seen well
+to the outlay, but the payment all fell to the lot of us at home. But now,
+sir, now tell us a little of the petty court at Doornward, of our
+sister-in-law, the widowed Countess of the Palatinate, and finally, what
+I know your mother thinks the principal thing, finally tell us also about
+her beautiful and fascinating daughter, the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine."
+
+The Prince slightly shuddered. At the mention of this name, which he had
+not heard since his departure from The Hague, he could not prevent the
+ebbing of all his heart's blood, and a deadly pallor overspread his
+cheeks. He cast down his eyes, and yet felt that all eyes were turned upon
+him with questioning, curious glances. But this very consciousness
+restored to him his self-possession and composure. Once more he raised his
+head with a vigorous start, shook back into their place the brown locks
+which had fallen down over forehead and cheeks, and met the Elector's
+looks of inquiry with a full, intrepid gaze.
+
+"Most gracious father," he said, with quiet, passionless voice, "very
+little can be said about the petty court of Doornward. Our aunt, the
+Electress of the Palatinate, reflects with sorrow upon the past; the three
+Princesses, her daughters, and their three little brothers, reflect with
+hope upon the future, and of the present therefore but little is to be
+told."
+
+"They must be very beautiful, those Princesses of the Palatinate, are
+they not?" asked the Elector.
+
+"I believe they are," replied the Prince composedly.
+
+"He only believes so!" cried his father. "Just see how they have slandered
+him, for they would have had us believe that he knew exactly, and was
+quite peculiarly edified by the beauty of the Princesses of the
+Palatinate."
+
+"And why should he not have been, your highness?" asked the Electress,
+smiling. "The Princesses of the Palatinate are our own cousins, and it
+seems very natural, surely, that he should have a cordial, cousinly regard
+for them."
+
+"Maybe, Electress!" cried George William, "but it were to be wished that
+it had stopped there! I should like, therefore, to hear something about
+the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine. Is she, indeed, so very fair as report
+represents her to be?"
+
+"Yes," replied the Prince, with husky voice--"yes, she is very fair. Only
+question Leuchtmar on the subject; he can confirm what I say."
+
+"I prefer to question yourself," said the Elector, with inexorable
+cruelty, "and to learn something more concerning your fair cousin from
+your own lips. We have been informed that the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine is a very lively, merry young lady, and that she is by no means
+disinclined to become our daughter-in-law."
+
+"But, my husband," pleaded the Electress in an undertone, "you would not
+speak of such confidential matters in the presence of our court, and--"
+
+"Ah, Electress!" interrupted George William, "these confidential matters
+have been bruited abroad everywhere; the talk has been, not merely here at
+Berlin, but throughout the land, yea, even so far as the imperial court at
+Vienna, that our son meant to surprise us on his return from the
+Netherlands by presenting to us the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine as his
+wife, without applying to us beforehand for our consent. I therefore
+desire that the Electoral Prince answer me openly and candidly, that we
+may all know once and forever how the matter stands, and what we have to
+expect. The good, gossiping city of Berlin, the whole land, even the
+imperial court and the whole world, which seems to interest itself so much
+in the marriage of our Prince, will then soon have an opportunity of
+learning directly and reliably what is the state of affairs, and that is
+exactly what seems to me desirable, and was the motive for our question.
+Therefore, let our son tell us how matters stand between the Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine and himself."
+
+The Electoral Prince sat with downcast eyes. His cheeks were still deadly
+pale, and on his high, broad brow rested a threatening cloud. He put his
+hand around the stem of the large glass goblet before him, and held it so
+firmly that the glass broke with startling clangor and poured its purple
+wine upon the tablecloth. The shrill clinking seemed to rouse him from his
+reverie; with a hasty movement he threw a napkin over the red stain, and
+again raised his eyes, slowly and tranquilly.
+
+"Your Electoral Highnesses desire me to tell you the truth with regard to
+all the reports circulated as to a marriage between the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine and myself," he said. "I will, therefore, as becomes an
+obedient and submissive son, acquaint you with the truth. And the truth is
+this," he continued, with raised voice, while at the same time his cheeks
+became suddenly scarlet and his eyes flashed with the fire of
+inspiration--"the truth is this: the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine is the
+prettiest, sweetest woman in the whole world; happy and enviable is the
+man whose fortunate destiny will permit him to take her home as his bride,
+blessed above all men he on whom this noble, fascinating, and amiable
+girl bestows her love, whom she allows to enjoy the treasures of her mind
+and heart. Your highness said that the Princess Hollandine was not ill
+inclined to become your daughter-in-law. On that point I can give you no
+information, for I perceived nothing of this inclination; but this I can
+and must confess, that _I_ experienced the most glowing desire to make
+the Princess your daughter-in-law; this I must confess, that I have loved
+the beautiful, witty, and charming Princess Hollandine with my whole soul
+and from the very depths of my heart. But never would I have ventured to
+make the noble Princess my wife in opposition to your will, father; and
+since I must admit that a union with her is not in accordance with your
+wishes, and that it is opposed by policy and state reasons, I have
+obediently submitted to your orders, and brought to you and my country the
+greatest and holiest of sacrifices that a man can offer: I have sacrificed
+my love to you, father! It has indeed been a bitter struggle with me, and
+I do not deny that I yet suffer, but I shall conquer my pain; yet that I
+can ever forget the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, I can not promise, for
+he who has truly loved never forgets. You have desired me to acquaint you
+with the truth, father, now you know it. Let it now he blazoned forth
+through all Berlin, through the whole country, even as far as the imperial
+court of Vienna, and through the whole world. The Princess Ludovicka also
+will then hear of it, and the report of this confession of my love will
+reach her. But let rumor announce this one thing more to the Emperor, to
+our country, and to her: that, while the Electoral Prince Frederick
+William of Brandenburg could, indeed, give up a marriage with a Princess
+whom he loved, out of respect and obedience to his father, he never will
+take as his wife a princess whom he does not love, out of obedience and
+respect; that the Electoral Prince thinks himself much too young and
+inexperienced to marry, and that he most humbly implores his father to
+spare him the consideration of all matrimonial projects for long years to
+come, since he is firmly determined not to marry yet, and this, indeed,
+not out of any refractoriness toward his father, nor out of any want of
+veneration for the princesses who might be proposed to him, but merely
+because his heart has received a sore wound, and because this must first
+heal. But I do not reproach the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine with having
+inflicted this wound. On the contrary, I speak it aloud, and may my speech
+penetrate to her ears as a parting salutation: Blessed be the Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine of the Palatinate, and may God send her the happiness
+she deserves so richly by her beauty, intellect, and goodness of heart!"
+
+And, carried away by his own warmth and enthusiasm, forgetting all sense
+of restraint in this moment of highest excitement, Frederick William
+jumped up from his seat, took up in his hand the unbroken cup of the glass
+whose foot he had smashed, and filled it to the brim with wine.
+
+"Most gracious mother!" he cried, "look here! the base of this goblet is
+broken off, and an apt symbol it is of my love. With the last wine which
+this glass will ever hold let me drink a last farewell to my love, and do
+you pledge her with me: To the health of the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine
+of the Palatinate!"
+
+The Electress had listened to her son with tears in her eyes, and the two
+Princesses also had been deeply moved by the vehement and painful recital
+of their brother's love. Now, upon his invitation, spoken with so much
+ardor and enthusiasm, the Electress rose from her seat and took her glass
+in her hand; the Princesses followed her example.
+
+"To the health of the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine of the Palatinate!"
+said the Electress, with full, distinct voice, and the young ladies
+repeated it after her.
+
+"Here is to her health!" cried Frederick William, with animated features
+and beaming eyes. "May she be great, happy, and blessed forever!"
+
+At one draught he emptied the chalice, then, in the fervor of the moment,
+forgetting all discretion, he threw the glass backward over his shoulder
+into the hall, so that it fell, with a crash, shivered to atoms, upon the
+floor.
+
+The Elector rose, his face flushed with passion, and violently rolled his
+chair back from the table. "Dinner is over," he said. "May this meal be
+blessed to all!"
+
+The court officials bowed low and withdrew. Herr von Leuchtmar also made a
+motion as if to go, but George William's call detained him. "Come here,"
+he said imperiously; "I have still a couple of words to speak with you.
+Just tell me, Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun, is it you who have taught the
+Electoral Prince such singular manners, or are those the fine fashions
+which he has been used to at the Orange court? Is it the custom there to
+make scandal at table, and to throw glasses behind them?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," replied Leuchtmar hesitatingly, "I do not
+know--"
+
+"Permit me, most gracious father," interposed the Electoral Prince, while
+he most respectfully drew near to his father--"permit me to answer you on
+that point myself. No, it is not the fashion to behave so strangely at the
+Netherland court, and God forbid that my former tutor, Baron von
+Leuchtmar, should have taught me such ill manners. It was only my heart,
+which for the moment was stronger than any form or fashion, and I pray you
+to forgive it, for henceforth it shall be right good and quiet, and not
+even cause it to be remarked that it still beats."
+
+The Elector only answered by a silent nod of the head, and then turned
+again to the baron.
+
+"Leuchtmar," he said, "I have now a few words to address to you, and, had
+you not appeared here to-day, I should have been obliged to have had you
+summoned to-morrow to tell you what I have to say. You have brought the
+Electoral Prince back to us, a young gentleman, who has outgrown the
+schoolroom and needs no tutor; let life then receive him into its school
+and play the tutor for him. But he has outgrown you and your protection,
+and your office is herewith at an end. I might wish, indeed, to retain you
+still near the person of my son, and so I could have done if the Electoral
+Prince had married, and we had set up a princely establishment for him, as
+would have become his rank. But the Electoral Prince's distinct
+declaration that he will not marry for some years, even if we should
+desire it, is welcome to us in so far as we shall not have to give him a
+separate household, which would have been rather hard upon us in these
+times of sore embarrassment. The Electoral Prince will therefore reside at
+our court, simply and quietly as we ourselves, and we can not provide him
+separate attendants. Therefore, you are honorably dismissed from your
+office, and it will suit us no longer to confine you to our household. You
+are free to seek another master, another office, and we herewith dismiss
+you forever from our service. It will not, indeed, be difficult for you to
+find another service, and, since you are so well disposed to the Swedes,
+you would do best to repair to The Hague, or, indeed, to Sweden itself."
+
+"If Baron von Leuchtmar will do that," exclaimed the Electress, "he shall
+not want for recommendations from me, and my uncle the Stadtholder will
+surely esteem it a privilege to receive into his service a man so
+pre-eminently wise, learned, and trustworthy as Baron von Leuchtmar. I
+will at any time write on the subject to the Stadtholder of Holland, and
+tell him what a debt of gratitude we owe you, and how little able we are
+to requite you. We shall further entreat him to do what is, alas!
+impossible for us--to give you a good, honorable, and lucrative position
+for the whole of your life."
+
+"I thank your highness out of a sincere soul for so great a favor," softly
+replied Leuchtmar. "Meanwhile I do not intend to go into any other
+service, but to content myself with quiet retirement in the bosom of my
+own family."
+
+"Do just as you choose," said the Elector, "and may good fortune attend
+you everywhere. Electress, give me your arm, and let us withdraw to our
+own apartments. And _he_, our son, will doubtless, first of all, have to
+take a most touching and tearful farewell of Leuchtmar, and sing a
+mournful ditty about the cruel father who would take away from him his
+nurse--that is to say, his tutor."
+
+"No, most gracious father," cried the Electoral Prince, laughing, "I shall
+sing no mournful ditty, but cheerfully second your decision. It is quite
+fine to have no longer a tutor at one's side, for it makes one feel as if
+he were indeed a grown-up man, no more in need of a governor; and as to
+that touching and tearful parting, that is by no means called for. Herr
+von Leuchtmar and I have had some hot disputes lately on the subject of
+noble politics. He was too much of a Swede for me, I too much of an
+Imperialist for him, and those two things accord not well together, as you
+know yourself. Meanwhile, farewell, Baron von Leuchtmar, and for all the
+good you have done me accept my best thanks! And now a last embrace, and
+then God go with you, Herr von Leuchtmar!"
+
+He flung his arms around Leuchtmar's neck, and pressed him closely to his
+heart. "Farewell, my dear friend," he whispered, "farewell; we shall meet
+again!"
+
+
+"We shall meet again, my Brutus," said Leuchtmar, quite softly, and laid
+his hand upon the Prince's brow, blessing him.
+
+Frederick William felt the tears gush from his heart to his eyes, and with
+a brusque movement repelled the baron. "Farewell!" he repeated hoarsely,
+then hurried with quick steps through the dining hall to the door.
+
+"Frederick William, come with us!" cried the Elector, but the Prince did
+not or would not hear his call. He hurried through the antechamber and the
+long corridor, and when he had gained the solitude of his own gloomy
+apartments, and not until then, rang forth from his breast the long
+restrained scream of agony, streamed from his eyes the long-restrained
+tears. He sank down upon the old creaking armchair and wept bitterly.
+
+
+
+
+VI.--REBECCA.
+
+
+"Well, Master Gabriel Nietzel, here you are," said Count Schwarzenberg,
+greeting the painter, who had just entered, with a gracious nod. "And it
+must be granted that you are a very punctual man, for I agreed to meet you
+here at Spandow by twelve o'clock, and only hear, the clock is just now
+striking the hour."
+
+"Most gracious sir, that comes from my already having stood an hour before
+the gates of your palace, waiting for the blessed moment to arrive when I
+might enter. I have been gazing this whole hour up at the dialplate of the
+steeple clock, and it seemed to me as if an eternity of torture would
+elapse while the great hour hand slowly, oh, so slowly, made its circuit
+of sixty minutes."
+
+"You are a queer creature!" cried Count Schwarzenberg, shrugging his
+shoulders. "Romantic as a young girl, full of virtuous desires, and yet
+not at all loath to commit certain delicate little crimes, and to pass off
+copies for originals, and that not merely pictures on canvas, but pictures
+in flesh and blood as well. For what else is your Rebecca but the copy of
+a respectable, decent matron, whom you thought to smuggle in as an
+original, while in reality she is nothing but a copy."
+
+"In the eyes of the law and the Stadtholder perhaps, but not in the eyes
+of God and of him who loves her more than his life and his eternal
+salvation, for he is ready, in order to possess her, to renounce even his
+honor and his peace of conscience. Oh, your excellency, be pitiful now and
+let me see my Rebecca. You have given me your word, and you will not be so
+cruel as to break your promise."
+
+"I promised you nothing further than that I would intrust certain damaged
+pictures to you for repairing, and that I would show you a picture which
+might perhaps be familiar to you--that was all. I shall perform my
+promise, and that immediately. But first, just tell me how you are
+progressing with the painting I ordered of you. Perhaps you have already
+with you some sketch of it? It would be peculiarly pleasant to me, for on
+the day after to-morrow I give a _fête_ in my palace at Berlin, and it
+would be quite opportune if I could then lay the sketch before the dear
+Electoral Prince, who is to honor the _fête_ with his presence. He is a
+connoisseur, and interests himself greatly in such things. Say, then, how
+comes on your sketch, and can it be completed by that time?"
+
+"It can, noble sir! But it is not possible for me to speak about that now,
+for my thoughts are wandering and my heart beats as though 'twere like to
+burst. If I am to become a reasonable man once more, let me--first of
+all--"
+
+"See the picture which I promised to show you?" interposed the count.
+"Well, then, you shall see it, Master Gabriel Nietzel. Remember, though,
+that I only show it to you on condition that you examine it in silence. So
+soon as you shall venture to speak to it, it vanishes, and you see it
+never more. One has to prescribe strict regulations to you, for you are
+such an odd fellow, freely entertaining bad thoughts, but shrinking from
+bad deeds like an innocent child. But you shall prove to me by deeds that
+you are in earnest about making amends for your crime against _me_, the
+world, the laws, and the Church. Only when you have done the right thing
+shall you again obtain your beloved and your child, and may depart
+unhindered from this country. Mark that, Master Nietzel; and now come.
+Follow me to my picture gallery."
+
+He nodded smilingly to the painter, and led the way out of the cabinet and
+through a suite of magnificent apartments. At the end of these they
+entered a spacious, lofty hall, whose walls were hung with great paintings.
+
+"This is my picture gallery," said the count on entering; "now look and be
+silent!"
+
+Gabriel Nietzel remained standing near the door, and leaned against one of
+its pillars. He could proceed no farther, his knees shook so, and all the
+blood in his body seemed to concentrate in head and heart. He shut his
+eyes, for it seemed to him that he must expire that very moment. But
+finally, by a mighty effort of will, he conquered this passionate emotion,
+slowly opened his eyes, and ventured to cast a weary, wandering glance
+through the hall. How wonderfully solemn this broad, handsome room seemed
+to him, and how devout and prayerful was his mind! A mild, clear light
+fell from the glass cupola above, which alone illuminated the hall, and
+displayed the pictures on the walls to the best advantage. In the middle
+of the room, beside the splendid porphyry vase standing there upon its
+gilded pedestal, leaned the tall, athletic form of Count Schwarzenberg,
+casting a long, dark shadow upon the shining surface of the inlaid floor.
+Gabriel Nietzel saw all this, and yet he felt as if he were dreaming, and
+that all would vanish so soon as he should venture to move or step
+forward. The count's voice aroused him from his stupefaction.
+
+"Now, Master Nietzel, come here, for from this point you can best survey
+the pictures, and judge of their merits."
+
+Nietzel advanced with long strides, breathless from expectation, blissful
+in hope. Now he stood at the count's side, and lifted his eyes to the
+pictures. With one rapid glance he swept the whole wall. Paintings,
+beautiful, costly paintings, but what cared he for _them_? Glorious in the
+pomp of coloring, and perfect in their truth to nature, they looked down
+upon him out of their broad gilt frames, but he had no senses for _them_.
+His eyes fastened again and again upon that broad, massive gold frame
+which hung opposite him in the center of the wall. The painting which this
+frame inclosed could not be seen, for it was hidden from view by the green
+silk drapery hanging before it, and at the side of the frame was suspended
+a string. Gabriel Nietzel saw nothing of the paintings, he only saw the
+green curtain, only the string which kept it fast. His whole soul spoke in
+the glance which he directed to them.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg intercepted this glance and smiled.
+
+"You are certainly thinking of Raphael's exquisite Madonna," he said, "and
+because that is always seen from the midst of a green curtain, you
+suppose, probably, that behind this curtain must also be concealed a
+Madonna and Child. Well, we shall see some day. Stay in your place, stir
+not, speak not, and perhaps a miracle will take place, and you shall
+behold _una Madonna col Bambino_ of flesh and blood. But silence, man, for
+you well know how it is with treasure diggers: as soon as you speak, the
+treasure vanishes. Now, then, look and stand still!"
+
+
+He stepped across to the wall and grasped the string. The curtain flew
+back and--there she stood, the Madonna with the Child in her arms, so
+beautiful, so instinct with life and warmth, as only nature has ever
+painted and art imitated from nature. There she stood with that richly
+tinted olive complexion, with those transparent, softly reddened cheeks,
+with those full crimson lips, with those large black eyes at once full of
+mildness and fire, and with that broad and noble brow full of depth of
+thought and yet full of repose. And in her arms that sweet child, that
+vigorous boy so full of life, loosely clad in his little white shirt, that
+left bare his plump arms and firm legs. Roses were on his cheeks, dimples
+in his chin, and in the great black eyes lay the deep, earnest look, full
+of innocence and wisdom, that is sometimes peculiar to children.
+
+The painter had sunk upon his knees, stretching out both arms to the
+picture, and from his eyes the tears flowed in clear streams over his
+cheeks. But indignantly he shook them away, for they prevented him from
+seeing the Madonna, _his_ Madonna. Prayers he murmured up to her, prayers
+of love and confidence, supplications for steadfastness in danger, for
+courageous perseverance during separation. But he ventured not to address
+them audibly to the beloved Madonna, for he knew that a mere word would
+have snatched her away from him.
+
+And she, she knew it too, and therefore she also was silent. Only with her
+eyes she spoke to him, and the tears which flowed from her eyes gave
+eloquent reply to his. Thus they looked at one another, at once full of
+bliss and pain. The child, which until now had sat quiet upon its mother's
+arm, silent and as if in deep thought, suddenly began to move. Its large
+eyes were fixed upon the man who lay there on his knees, and, whether it
+were the result of an involuntary movement or the instinct of love, it
+spread out its arms and smiled.
+
+"My child, my darling child!" screamed Gabriel Nietzel, springing from his
+knees and rushing forward with outstretched arms. But the frame with its
+living picture hung too high--his arms could not reach it, his lips could
+not touch that smiling, childish mouth to press upon it a father's kiss of
+blessing and seal of love. "My child!" he cried again, and now, since love
+had once opened his lips, silence could no longer be maintained.
+
+"Rebecca, my beloved," he cried.
+
+"Gabriel, my beloved," sounded down.
+
+"You have broken your word!" cried Count Schwarzenberg angrily, and he
+vehemently drew the string, so that the green curtain hastily rustled
+together. But it was in vain. A rounded, powerful female arm thrust it
+back, and now it was no more a Madonna with her Child who looked forth
+from the green curtain, but a glowing creature, a wife flaming with
+indignation and love, with defiance and grief.
+
+"Nobody shall hinder me from looking at you, from speaking to you!" she
+cried. "I _will_ see you, Gabriel. I _will_ tell you, that I love you and
+am true to you. I _will_ tell you that I would rather go barefoot through
+the world, begging with you and the child, than to live longer in this
+count's grand castle, amid splendor, without you. Gabriel, rescue me from
+this place; do all that they require of you, only take me away from here."
+
+"Rebecca, I will rescue you, for I can not live without you--without you
+the world is a desert to me. You are my sun and the light of my life."
+
+"Gabriel, release me, while yet there is time. They will make a Christian
+of me, and I shall renounce my faith and my salvation, in order to be with
+you again, but afterward I shall die of repentance."
+
+"Rebecca, I shall release you, and I too am ready to renounce my salvation
+in order to be with you. But I will not die of repentance, for I shall
+have you again, and when I look upon you and the child I shall feel no
+repentance."
+
+"Gabriel, release me, give back to me my happiness, my home, my family.
+For you are all that to me, and without you the world is a desert."
+
+"Without you the world is a wilderness, Rebecca. Swear to me that you love
+me!"
+
+"I swear to you, by the God of my fathers, that I love you!"
+
+"And would you love me if the whole world despised me?"
+
+"What matters the world to me? Would I still love you? I would love you
+more fervently yet if all the world despised you, for then you would be
+like me. They despise me too, and turn away contemptuously from me, and
+yet I have done nothing bad."
+
+"Would you love me, Rebecca, even if I had committed a crime?"
+
+"What do men call crime? Do they not say that you commit a crime in loving
+me? Would they not say, too, that the priest who blessed our union was a
+criminal? Be whatever you may, do what you will, I shall love you still.
+Your soul is my soul, and my heart is your heart. Release me, Gabriel,
+release me!"
+
+"I will release you, Rebecca; in four days you shall be free, and we shall
+journey away from here, and return to Italy, never to leave it again."
+
+"To Italy!" rejoiced she--"to my home! Oh, my Gabriel, I shall not merely
+love you, I shall worship you--you will be to me the Saviour, the Messiah,
+in whom my people have hoped so long! I--"
+
+"Now that is enough," cried Count Schwarzenberg, who had been silent
+hitherto, because he felt well how much Rebecca's words forwarded his own
+plans. "Now that is enough of refractoriness! Come, Gabriel Nietzel, and
+you, Rebecca, step back, or I shall have your child taken away, and you
+shall never see it again!"
+
+"Go, Rebecca, go!" cried Gabriel Nietzel cheerfully. "You remain with me,
+even if you go, and I shall still see and speak to you when I am far from
+you. Four days only, and then we shall be reunited!"
+
+"I am going, Gabriel! I shall spend all these four days praying for you--to
+your and my God!"
+
+"Sir Count!" cried Nietzel in cheerful tones--"Sir Count, let us now
+return to your cabinet. I have something important to communicate to you."
+
+He cast not another look up at the curtain; he had no longer any sense of
+pain in her disappearance, but this was his one absorbing thought, that in
+four days he would again embrace his Rebecca, and that it lay in the power
+of his own hands to deserve her. With firm steps he followed the count,
+who now again led him out of the hall and into his cabinet.
+
+
+"Well, speak, Master Gabriel!" cried the count; "what have you to say to
+me?"
+
+Nietzel drew a paper from his breast pocket, and handed it to the count.
+"See, your excellency, here is the sketch of the painting I am to make for
+you."
+
+"Truly, a precious sketch," said Schwarzenberg, examining the paper
+attentively. "That looks like a Holy Supper."
+
+"It is no Holy Supper, but a very unholy dinner."
+
+"In the middle of the table I see sitting a man and a youth. The man wears
+a crown upon his head and the youth wears a princely coronet."
+
+"It is the Elector and the Electoral Prince," explained Gabriel Nietzel.
+
+"Yes, indeed, the portraits are theirs. And beside them sits the
+Electress, and beside her I see myself, and quite gorgeously have you
+dressed me, with a princely ermined mantle about my shoulders and a
+prince's diadem upon my brow. But what is that which I hold in my hand and
+offer to the Electress?"
+
+"It is a lachrymatory, your excellency."
+
+"And yet the Electress smiles, Sir Painter."
+
+"She takes the lachrymatory for a golden vase, which your excellency is
+presenting to her as a present."
+
+"You are witty, it seems, Master Gabriel," said the count sharply. "But
+that your portraits are good must be admitted, and your sketch is
+altogether charming. Only you have sketched for me there a joyous
+festival, and, if I remember rightly, I ordered of you a picture which
+should represent the death of Julius Cæsar, or some such murderous
+occasion. But I see no dagger and no murderer in this sketch."
+
+"Only look at that man standing behind the Electoral Prince."
+
+"Ah, I see him now. Why, master, that is your own likeness!"
+
+"Yes, your excellency, my own likeness. You grant me your permission,
+then, to appear at the feast?"
+
+"Why not? Paul Veronese, too, has introduced his own portrait among those
+of his banqueters. What is your image there handing to the Electoral
+Prince in that basket?"
+
+"A piece of white bread, most gracious sir, nothing more."
+
+"Ah, a piece of white bread! You have become, it seems, the young
+Electoral Prince's lackey, have laid your character as artist upon the
+shelf, and become body page to the gracious Prince?"
+
+"It seems so, most gracious sir," replied Nietzel with solemn voice. "But
+see here, the truth lies on this page."
+
+And he handed the count a second sheet of paper.
+
+"What do I see? Something seems to have disturbed the banquet."
+
+"Yes, your excellency, very greatly disturbed it. Do you still see the man
+who stood behind the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"No, I see him nowhere."
+
+"He has fled, your excellency. He is the murderer of the Electoral Prince,
+who is borne out senseless."
+
+"Of the Electoral Prince? Conrad the Third, you mean! For was it not the
+murder of the last of the Hohenstaufens which you promised me?"
+
+"Yes, your excellency, and I will perform my promise if the sketch pleases
+you."
+
+"It pleases me very much, and it suits me perfectly," replied the count,
+whose glance remained ever directed to the two sketches. "Yes, yes," he
+continued slowly, "I understand, and the design has my approval, for it is
+simple and natural. You have your plan complete in your head?"
+
+"Quite complete, your excellency."
+
+"Then it is not necessary to talk any more about it, or to preserve the
+sketches," said the count, slowly tearing the two papers into little bits.
+
+"You are right, count, it is not necessary to preserve the sketches, since
+I soon expect to carry them out on a large scale. But we have something
+else to talk about, your excellency."
+
+Schwarzenberg looked in amazement at the painter, whose voice had now lost
+its reverential expression, and was very firm and determined.
+
+"We have only to speak upon such subjects as I may choose, master," he
+said haughtily.
+
+"No, Sir Count," retorted Nietzel decidedly; "but we have to speak about
+what follows the completion of my painting. We must speak of _that_, even
+should it not please your excellency. On Sunday your banquet takes place;
+on that day I should like to set off for Italy with my wife and child,
+and leave Germany forever."
+
+"Do so, Master Nietzel, I strongly advise you to do so."
+
+"Will your excellency condescend to assist me thereto?"
+
+"Joyfully, from the bottom of my heart, my dear Nietzel. You would travel
+to Italy. First of all you want funds for your journey, I suppose. Here,
+Master Nietzel, here I transmit to you a pocketbook containing twelve
+hundred dollars--your pension, which I pay you in advance for two years."
+
+"I thank your excellency," said Gabriel, taking the pocketbook. "The
+principal thing, though, is, how am I to get at my wife and child? Am I to
+come here to fetch them away?"
+
+"Not so, Master Nietzel. I shall send Rebecca and the child to you at your
+lodgings in Berlin."
+
+"Before or after the banquet?"
+
+"After the banquet, of course."
+
+"But if you do not do so, your excellency. If you should forget your
+promise to poor Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"Ah! you mistrust me, do you, Mr. Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"Do you not mistrust me, too, Sir Count? Have you not taken my Rebecca and
+my child as pledges for my keeping my word? Have you not deprived me of
+what is most precious to me in this world, not to be restored until I have
+fulfilled my oath to you? But what pledge have I that you will keep your
+word, and what means have I for forcing you to fulfill your oath to me?"
+
+"You have my word as security--the word of a nobleman, who has never yet
+forfeited his pledge," said Count Schwarzenberg solemnly. "I swear to you
+that on the day of the banquet your Rebecca and your child shall be at
+your lodgings in Berlin, and that you will find them there on your return
+from the banquet. I swear this by the Holy Virgin Mary and by Jesus Christ
+the only-begotten Son, and in affirmation of my solemn oath I lay my right
+hand here upon this crucifix."
+
+The count strode across to his escritoire, and laid his hand upon the
+crucifix of alabaster and gold, which stood upon it. "I swear and vow," he
+cried, "that next Sunday I shall send to Gabriel Nietzel's lodging his
+Rebecca and her child, and that he shall find them there when he returns
+from the banquet. Are you content now, Master Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"I am content, Sir Count. Farewell! And God grant that we may never meet
+again on earth!"
+
+He greeted the count with a passing inclination of his head, and left the
+apartment without waiting for his dismissal.
+
+
+
+
+VII.--THE OFFER.
+
+
+"And now," murmured Gabriel Nietzel to himself, as he stepped out upon the
+street--"now for work, without hesitancy and without delay, for there is
+no other way of escaping from that cruel tiger who has me in his clutches.
+He is athirst for blood, and I must sacrifice to him the blood of another
+man in order to save that of my wife and child! But, woe to him, woe, if
+he does not keep his word, if he acts the part of traitor toward me! But I
+will not think of that, I dare not think of it, for I have need of all my
+presence of mind in order to prepare everything. First, I must speak to
+the Electoral Prince; that is the most important thing."
+
+He went back to Berlin, and repaired forthwith to the palace. The
+Electoral Prince was at home, and the lackey who had announced the court
+painter Gabriel Nietzel now reverentially opened for him the door of the
+princely apartment.
+
+"Well, here you are, my dear Gabriel," cried the Electoral Prince affably.
+"Welcome, to receive my thanks for the zeal and dispatch with which you
+attended to the removal of my effects. Truly you merit praise, for I am
+told that you arrived in Berlin before me. We had contrary winds, it is
+true, and had to lie at anchor before Cuxhaven for fourteen days. Well,
+say, master, how are you pleased with Berlin?"
+
+"Very well, your highness," replied Nietzel gloomily, looking into the
+pale, sad countenance of the Electoral Prince with a glance full of
+strange meaning.
+
+"Why do you look so inquiringly at me, master?" asked the Prince restively.
+
+"Pardon me, most gracious sir, I will not do so again," said Gabriel,
+casting down his eyes. "I have something to say to your highness, and I
+would fain gather the needed courage therefore from your countenance."
+
+"Do so then, master, look at me and speak."
+
+"Step into the middle of the room, gracious sir, and permit me to come
+close to you; then I will speak, for I shall know then that no one can
+overhear us."
+
+The Electoral Prince did as Gabriel requested. The latter stepped close up
+to his side. "Most gracious sir," said he, "have you confidence in me?"
+
+"Yes, Gabriel Nietzel, I have confidence in you."
+
+"Then hear what I have to tell you. Ask no questions, require no
+intelligence and explanations. Hear my warning, and act accordingly. Count
+Schwarzenberg plots against your life!"
+
+"Do you believe that?" said the Electoral Prince, smiling.
+
+"He has invited you to a feast, which is to take place on Sunday. At that
+feast you are to be poisoned."
+
+The Electoral Prince started, and a transient flush gleamed upon his
+cheeks. "Whence know you that, Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"I beseech you ask me no questions, but believe me. Will your highness do
+so?--dare I speak further?"
+
+"Well, I will believe you. Speak further, Master Gabriel."
+
+"I told you thus much, that you were to be poisoned at Count Adam von
+Schwarzenberg's banquet. The count's valet has been bribed by him; he will
+have the honor of waiting upon you at the feast, and he will therefore
+present to you all you eat or drink, even down to the bread. Do not accept
+them from him, your highness, especially the bread."
+
+"I shall at least eat nothing, Gabriel Nietzel."
+
+"When he sees that, he will offer you some fruit or viand which will prove
+hurtful to you. The count's valet must not stand behind your seat, that is
+the principal thing; another must take his place, another, on whose
+fidelity you may rely."
+
+"Who is that other? Where is the man to be found in these parts on whose
+fidelity I may rely?"
+
+"You may rely upon me, Prince. I will stand behind your chair, I will wait
+upon you at Count Schwarzenberg's feast."
+
+"You, Gabriel Nietzel, you?" asked Frederick William, and his eyes were
+fixed upon the painter with a long glance of inquiry. Gabriel Nietzel
+sustained this glance, and succeeded in forcing a smile upon his lips.
+
+"I will be your valet at the feast. I will stand behind your chair and
+wait upon you."
+
+"Impossible, Gabriel. How could we manage that without insulting the
+count?"
+
+"Very simply, your highness. Have the kindness to say that you brought me
+with you, in order that I might make for you a painting of the banquet,
+and to that end sketch the outlines, and that, to furnish a pretext for my
+presence, you have allowed me to appear as your page."
+
+"It is true, that will suit! You have weighed all excellently, Gabriel
+Nietzel, and your plan is good."
+
+"And you accept it, gracious sir, do you not, you accept it?"
+
+Frederick William was silent, and his large, deep-blue eyes were again
+fixed testingly and questioningly upon the painter's countenance. After a
+long pause he slowly laid his hand upon Gabriel's shoulder, and his looks
+brightened.
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel," he said solemnly, "I will have confidence in you, I
+will assume that God sends you to me to save me; I will _not_ assume that
+Count Schwarzenberg sends you to me to ruin me. You shall accompany me to
+the feast and stand behind my chair as page."
+
+Gabriel Nietzel only answered by the tears, which in clear streams gushed
+from his eyes. "Oh, you weep," cried the Electoral Prince. "Now I see well
+that you mean honestly, and that I can trust you, for your tears speak for
+you."
+
+Just then the lackey opened the door of the antechamber and announced,
+"The commandant of Küstrin, Colonel von Burgsdorf, wishes to pay his
+respects!"
+
+"Let him wait an instant; I will summon him directly."
+
+"Most gracious sir," murmured Nietzel, when the door had again closed,
+"dismiss me in the colonel's presence, and immediately, that the spies may
+not have it to say that there has been to-day a meeting, of Count
+Schwarzenberg's enemies here."
+
+"Are there spies here too, Gabriel?"
+
+"Everywhere, sir, each of your servants is bribed, and you must suspect
+them. Dismiss me, sir, dismiss me."
+
+The Electoral Prince went to the door and opened it.
+
+"Colonel von Burgsdorf, come in!"
+
+"Here I am, most gracious sir, here I am!" cried Burgsdorf's rough voice,
+and with clashing sword and glittering corselet Conrad von Burgsdorf
+entered the room. The Electoral Prince nodded to him, and then turned to
+the painter, who humbly and with lowered head had crept away toward the
+door. "Master Nietzel," he said, with a condescending wave of the hand,
+"go now, and be careful to carry out my instructions. I will request my
+mother to do me the kindness to sit to you every day for her portrait,
+which you are to paint for me. Make all your preparations, and come early
+to-morrow morning with the canvas stretched."
+
+"Your highness's commands shall be punctually executed," said Gabriel
+Nietzel, and, after reverentially bowing, he left the room.
+
+"And now for you, my dear Burgsdorf!" cried the Electoral Prince,
+advancing a few paces to meet the colonel, and kindly offering him his
+hand. "You are heartily welcome, and let me hope that I, too, am welcome
+to you and your friends."
+
+"Your highness, you are more than welcome to us--you have been longed for
+by us, and we thank God from the depths of our souls that he has finally
+given you back to us. All had already abandoned hope of your return to us.
+All really believed that you would forsake us in our wretchedness and
+want, and would never more return to the unhappy Mark of Brandenburg. But
+here you are at last, my dearest young sir, and blessed be your coming and
+your staying."
+
+"I thank you, colonel, thank you with my whole heart for your good
+wishes," said Frederick William kindly; "and trust me, my dear colonel, I
+know how to treasure them, and will never forget you for these. You are
+one of the faithful ones, on whom our house can count in evil as in good
+days, and on whom an Elector of Brandenburg would never call in vain, if
+he had need of him."
+
+"Call upon us, most gracious sir," said the colonel briskly and
+joyfully--"call all your faithful ones, and you shall see they will all
+come, for they are only waiting for your summons."
+
+The Electoral Prince smilingly shook his head. "I am not the Elector of
+Brandenburg, and I have not the right to summon you."
+
+"You shall and must be Elector of Brandenburg, and that you may be so, you
+must gather your faithful ones around you."
+
+"I do not understand you," said the Electoral Prince slowly. "Whether I
+will ever be Elector of Brandenburg, God only can decide, for in his hands
+lies my father's life as well as my own. May the day be far distant when I
+enter upon the succession--may my venerated father for long years to come
+rule his land in peace and tranquillity. I long not to grasp the reins of
+government, for I know very well that I am yet much too young to guide
+them with wisdom and prudence."
+
+"You will not understand me, your highness," cried the colonel
+impatiently, and his red swollen face glowed with a brighter hue. "But I
+must still try to make you understand, for to that very end have I been
+sent hither by your friends; they have chosen me as spokesman for them
+all, and therefore I must speak, if your highness will grant me leave so
+to do."
+
+"Speak, my dear colonel, speak, and may God enlighten my heart, that I may
+rightly understand you! Let us sit down, colonel, and now let us hear what
+is the matter."
+
+"This is the matter, your highness, the Mark of Brandenburg is lost to
+you, if you do not seize it now with swift, determined hand. You do not
+believe me, sir; you shake your head incredulously and smile. Ah! I see
+plainly, that you have been suffered to remain in great darkness as
+regards the situation of affairs here, and you know very little of our
+sufferings and our distresses. You know not that poverty and want prevail
+throughout the whole land; that the peasant, the burgher, the nobleman,
+all classes of the people, in short, are equally oppressed; that trade and
+commerce lie prostrate; and the aim of each one is only how he may prolong
+a wretched existence from day to day."
+
+"Nevertheless, my dear colonel, I know that. I saw enough solitary, ruined
+villages, waste and empty towns, uncultivated and ravaged fields on my
+journey hither to prove to me what the poor inhabitants of the Mark have
+had to suffer in these evil days of war."
+
+"Have had to suffer, says your highness?" cried Burgsdorf impatiently;
+"they still suffer continuously, and their suffering will be without
+cessation or end if your highness does not take pity upon the poor people,
+upon us all."
+
+"I?" asked Frederick William, astonished. "What then can I do?"
+
+"You can do everything, my Prince, everything, and in the name of your
+future country, in the name of your subjects, I beseech you to do so. The
+Mark Brandenburg stands upon the brink of a precipice. Save it, Electoral
+Prince. The religion, policy, and independence of Brandenburg are in
+danger; take your sword in hand and save her. Speak three words, three
+little insignificant words, and all the noblemen in the Mark will rally
+exultingly about you, and the people will flock to you in crowds, and make
+you so mighty and so strong that you need only to will and your will shall
+be executed."
+
+"What three words are those, Sir Colonel von Burgsdorf?"
+
+"Those three words, your highness, which the people shouted up at the
+palace window yesterday, when you got home. The three words, 'Down with
+him!'"
+
+"Down with _him_," repeated the Electoral Prince. "And who is this _him_?"
+
+"It is Count Schwarzenberg, your highness--it is the minister who rules
+here in the Mark as if it were his own property, and as if he were not
+your father's Stadtholder, but the reigning Prince, who had obtained the
+Mark as a fief from the Emperor of Germany, to whom alone he were
+responsible. Look about you, Frederick William, look at these poor,
+wretched apartments, in which you live--look at the decay of the princely
+house, the embarrassments with which your father has to contend, and the
+privations which your mother and sisters have to undergo. And then,
+Prince, then look across at Broad Street, at Count Schwarzenberg's
+palace. There all is glory and splendor, there are to be seen lackeys in
+golden liveries, costly equipages, handsomely furnished halls. They
+practice wanton luxury, they live amid pomp and pleasure, arrange
+magnificent hunts and splendid entertainments, while the people cry out
+for hunger. They make merry in Count Schwarzenberg's palace, and while the
+burgher, whose last cent he has seized for the payment of taxes and
+imposts, creeps about in rags, _he_ struts by in velvet clothes, decked
+out with gold and precious stones, and laughingly boasts that half the
+Mark of Brandenburg might be bought at the price of one of his court
+suits. Most gracious Prince, yesterday the steward of your father, with
+the Electoral consent, brought out the velvet caps which had been kept in
+the Electoral wardrobe, took off the genuine silver lace with which they
+were trimmed, and sold it to the Jews, in order to pay the servants their
+month's wages,[24] and the count's servants yesterday received new
+liveries, so thickly set with gold lace that the scarlet cloth was hardly
+distinguishable underneath. The Stadtholder in the Mark revels in
+superfluity, while the Elector in the Mark almost suffers want, and
+esteems himself happy if he can give one piece of land after another to
+his minister as security for the payment of debt. Oh, it is enough to
+drive one to despair, and make him tear his hair for rage and grief, when
+he sees the state of things here, and must perceive that the Elector is
+nothing and the Stadtholder everything. To his adherents he gives offices
+and dignities, and those whom he knows to be attached to the interests of
+the Electoral family he removes from court, and replaces by his favorites
+and servants. Upon the Colonels von Kracht and von Rochow he has bestowed
+good positions, making them commandants of Berlin and Spandow, with double
+salaries, but me, whom he knows to be the faithful servant of the
+Electoral family, he has banished from court and sent to Küstrin with only
+half as high a salary as the other two have. From the Electoral privy
+council he has also removed all those gentlemen who were bold enough to
+lift up their voices against him, and has introduced such men as say yes
+to everything that he desires and asks. No longer does an honest, upright
+word reach the Electoral ear, and while the whole people lament and cry
+out against Schwarzenberg, fearing him as they do the devil himself, our
+Elector fancies that his Stadtholder is as much beloved by the people of
+the Mark Brandenburg as by the Emperor at Vienna. But it is just so;
+Catholics and Imperialists will Schwarzenberg make us; ever he presses us
+further and further from our comrades in the faith, the Swedes and Dutch;
+ever he draws us closer to the Catholics; and if he could succeed in
+making the Elector Catholic, removing all Evangelists and Reformers from
+court, and putting Catholics in their places, then he would rejoice and
+obtain a high reward from the Emperor and Pope."
+
+"And you believe, Burgsdorf, that he will do such a thing, and esteem such
+a thing possible?" asked the Electoral Prince, with a sly smile.
+
+"I believe that he will, and we all believe so. And with the Stadtholder
+to will is to do, for he carries through all that he undertakes. But we
+will not suffer it, Prince, we will not be turned into Imperialists and
+Catholics. We will hold to our Elector and our religion; we will not
+suffer and submit to our Elector's being any longer in dependence upon
+Emperor and empire, and nothing at all but a powerless tool in
+Schwarzenberg's hands. We want a free Elector, who has courage and power
+to defy the Emperor himself, and league himself with the Swedes against
+him. For the Swedes are our rightful allies, not merely because the mother
+of the little Queen Christina is sister to our Elector, but also because
+we are neighbors, and of one religion and one faith. Oh, my gracious young
+sir, do not allow Schwarzenberg to make us Catholics and Imperialists!
+Free your country, your subjects, and yourself from this man, who weighs
+upon us like a scourge from God!"
+
+"But, Burgsdorf, just consider what you say there. I, who have but just
+returned from a three years' absence, I, who am almost a stranger to these
+combinations and circumstances, _I_ am to free you from this most mighty
+and influential man, the Stadtholder in the Mark! I should like to know
+how to go about it."
+
+"Gracious sir, I will tell you," replied Burgsdorf, with smothered voice
+and coming close up to the Prince. "Only say that you will place yourself
+at our head; give me only a couple of words in your own handwriting to
+give assurance to your friends and adherents that you will at their head
+battle for your good rights and for the faith and law of the land. Do
+this, and then just wait eight days."
+
+"And what will happen after these eight days?"
+
+"Then will happen that you shall see an army assembled about you, my
+Prince, in eight days. We have all been long making our preparations in
+secret, and putting everything in position, to be able to break forth as
+soon as you should appear and place yourself at our head. Every nobleman
+belonging to our party has procured arms and ammunition for the equipment
+of his people, and a brave, well-appointed host will be ready to execute
+your orders. You will take Schwarzenberg prisoner in his proud palace; you
+will be able by persistency to drive the Elector to dismiss the hated
+minister and his hated son from their offices and dignities, and to banish
+them forever from the country. You will be able to force the Elector to
+nominate you Schwarzenberg's successor, and then, having the power in your
+own hands, it only depends upon yourself to break, with the Emperor, to
+recognize the peace of Prague no longer, but to renew the alliance with
+the Swedes, and united with them to battle against the encroachments of
+the Emperor, and in behalf of religion!"
+
+"Just see, colonel, you have your plan already cut and dried!" cried the
+Prince. "If I should accede to it I would have nothing further to do than
+to execute what you have previously determined and arranged, and I should
+be nothing more than a tool in your hands. Now, I must confess to you that
+such a part would not at all suit me, even if I were ready to fall in with
+your plans. But I am not ready to do so, and am thoroughly indisposed to
+accept your proposition."
+
+"You are not inclined to do so?" asked the colonel, shocked. "Not even,"
+he continued more softly, "when I tell you that the Electress knows our
+plans and consents to them?"
+
+"Not even then, colonel. However much I love my mother, yet in this matter
+I can not suffer myself to be guided by her wishes. No, Colonel von
+Burgsdorf, I am not minded to go into your plans; for have you well
+considered what you require of me? You ask me to head a revolution, to
+give you a deed of rebellion, and to call upon the noblemen of the country
+to revolt against their rightful Sovereign. You ask me, as a rebel and
+agitator, and yet at the same time only as your tool, to do force and
+violence to my lord and father, and to force him to dismiss his minister,
+to alter his system, and to make enemies of his friends and friends of his
+enemies. Truly, you offer me a great advantage in prospective, and are
+good enough to propose that I step into Count Schwarzenberg's place and
+rule the country in the Elector's name, as he has done. But I am not blind
+to my own shortcomings, and do not overestimate myself. I know very well
+that I am as yet but an inexperienced young man, who has still a great
+deal to learn, and is by no means in a position to take the place of so
+distinguished and adroit a statesman as Count Schwarzenberg. I must yet go
+to school to him, and learn from him statecraft and policy."
+
+"Will you learn from him, gracious sir?" cried Burgsdorf passionately,
+"would you go to school to him, to that Catholic, that Imperialist?"
+
+"Tell me a better schoolmaster for my father's son?" asked the Electoral
+Prince softly. "My father has bestowed full confidence upon him for these
+twenty years past, he has adhered firmly and faithfully to him in evil as
+well as in prosperous days, and therefore I conclude that the count is
+worthy of this unshaken confidence, and must well deserve his master's
+love. It would, therefore, be very disrespectful behavior on my part
+toward my father, and put me in the light of exalting myself against him
+in unchildlike disobedience, if I should make the attempt to remove Count
+Schwarzenberg from his side by force. The Elector alone is reigning
+Sovereign within his own dominions, and what he concludes must be good,
+and it does not become us to censure or presume to know better."
+
+"Your grace, then, will be nothing but an obedient and submissive son?"
+asked Burgsdorf in a cutting tone.
+
+"Nothing further, Burgsdorf," replied Frederick William quietly. "May my
+father yet live to rule long years in peace; I am still young, I am
+learning and waiting."
+
+"You are learning and waiting," cried Burgsdorf, beside himself, "and
+meanwhile your land is going wholly to ruin; the people are hungry and in
+despair; the noblemen are reduced to beggary or have, in their
+desperation, gone over to Schwarzenberg--that is to say, to the
+Emperor--who pays a rich annuity to each one who adheres faithfully to
+him. And when your grace has waited and learned enough, then will come the
+day when Count Schwarzenberg will hunt you from your heritage, even as he
+has hunted the Margrave of Jägerndorf; then will the Emperor give the Mark
+Brandenburg away, as he has done with Jägerndorf, and his favorite,
+Schwarzenberg, is here ready to receive the welcome donation. He has
+already ruled the Mark Brandenburg twenty years in the Emperor's name, why
+should he not rule the Mark as its independent Sovereign? Oh, gracious
+sir, it makes me raving mad just to think of it, and I can not believe
+that you are in earnest, that you actually thrust from you myself and
+those loyal to you, and will not enter into our plans. My dear Prince, I
+have known you all your life. I have carried you in my arms as a little
+boy; I have borne you under my cloak when you went with your mother to
+Küstrin; I have staked upon you all the hopes of my life; and it would be
+a bitter grief to me to be obliged to think that you will have nothing to
+do with me and all your friends."
+
+"And think you, man," asked the Electoral Prince, "that it would be no
+grief to my father if I should step forward as his adversary? Think you
+that it would make for him a good name in history should the son present
+himself as his father's enemy? No, Burgsdorf; I repeat it to you, I am
+learning and waiting."
+
+"And I? I have waited twenty years, to learn in this hour that all my
+waiting has been in vain. The Mark is lost, and you, Electoral Prince,
+with it. I shall tell your mother, I shall tell your friends, that you are
+lost to us. Farewell, sir, and, if you will, go to Count Schwarzenberg and
+tell him that I am a traitor and conspirator. I shall go back to Küstrin,
+and if I were not ashamed, I could weep over myself and you. No, I am not
+ashamed; look, sir, at least you have constrained me."
+
+And the tears gushed from his eyes and fell down upon his grizzly, gray
+beard. He clapped his hands before his face and sobbed aloud. The
+Electoral Prince turned pale. He fixed a glance full of confidence and
+love upon the colonel, and had already opened his lips for an answer,
+which he would probably have afterward repented, when Burgsdorf suddenly
+drew his hands from before his face and angrily shook his head.
+
+"I am a fool!" he said furiously, "and it would serve me right, old baby
+that I am, if you should laugh at me. Farewell!"
+
+He made a formal military salute, turned abruptly and crossed the
+apartment to the door. Now, when his hand was already upon the latch, the
+Electoral Prince made a few steps forward. Colonel Burgsdorf turned about.
+
+"Did you call me, sir?"
+
+"No, colonel, farewell!"
+
+The door closed, and Frederick William was alone. His large blue eyes were
+directed toward heaven with a look of inexpressible grief.
+
+"I have in this hour offered up a greater sacrifice than Abraham, when he
+sacrificed his son to his God," he whispered. "Has God accepted my
+sacrifice, will he in his mercy some day reward me for it?"
+
+
+
+
+VIII.--THE BANQUET.
+
+
+The city of Berlin was to-day in a state of unusual stir and excitement.
+Everybody made haste to finish his noon-day meal, and nobody thought of
+complaining especially that this repast was so sparingly provided and
+served in such small portions, and that the dread specter of hunger was
+ever stalking nearer to the inhabitants of the unhappy, much-plagued town.
+They were to-day looking forward to a spectacle--one, moreover, for which
+no money was to be paid, which could be had gratis, just by being upon the
+street in right time and struggling to obtain a good position on the
+cathedral square, before the palace, or much better, before Count
+Schwarzenberg's palace. For to-day the count gave a great banquet in his
+palace on Broad Street, and it was well worth the trouble of contending
+for a place before the palace, and not even being frightened by a few
+cuffs and blows. The whole fashionable world of Berlin, all the nobility
+of the regions round about, were invited to this feast, and the whole
+court was to appear there. And it was so rarely that the Electoral family
+was ever to be seen by the town. They had passed almost a year in the
+Mark, but in such quiet and retirement did they live that their presence
+would hardly have been recognized if on Sunday in the cathedral church,
+which stood in the center of the square between the palace and Broad
+Street, their lofty personages had not been discernible behind the glass
+panes of the Electoral gallery. But to-day they were not to be seen in the
+seriousness of devotion, with their solemn, church-going faces, but in the
+pomp and splendor of their exalted station, in the glitter of their
+earthly greatness. And, above all things, they were to see the Electoral
+Prince, the Prince who had but just returned home, the hope of the
+downtrodden land, the future of the Mark Brandenburg!
+
+How the good people hurried with joyful, eager faces along toward Broad
+Street, with what hasty movements did they rush across the Spree Bridge! A
+black, surging throng of men stood before the castle on the cathedral
+square, a dense, motionless mass before Count Schwarzenberg's palace. Only
+one passage was left free, broad enough to allow the carriage to drive
+across the castle square to the palace, and on both sides of this stood
+the halberdiers of the Stadtholder's bodyguard, threateningly presenting
+their halberds toward those who ventured to step forward. The Stadtholder
+in the Mark had his own bodyguard--fine, athletic fellows, of proud
+bearing, in splendid uniforms, trimmed everywhere with genuine gold and
+silver lace, while, as everybody knew, the members of the Electoral
+bodyguard wore nothing but imitation lace upon their uniforms. The
+Elector's bodyguard, indeed, were paid and clothed by citizens, and they,
+on account of their want and distress, had refused to pay the last
+bodyguard tax, while the Stadtholder's bodyguard consisted of members of
+his household and was paid and clothed by himself. And Count Schwarzenberg
+was very rich, and the citizens were very poor, but still the count had
+never once practiced mildness and mercy, and relieved the poor cities of
+their taxes and imposts, or given of his wealth to their poverty.
+
+To-day, however, he gave a _fête_, a splendid _fête_, and however much at
+other times they dreaded and hated him, his _fête_ they could still look
+upon, and with longing eyes behold all its magnificence. It was, indeed,
+glorious to look upon, and they saw, moreover, how much the Stadtholder
+honored and esteemed the Elector, for never before had he displayed such
+splendor, when he merely invited the high nobility. Above the grand door
+of entrance was stretched a canopy of crimson cloth, edged with gold, the
+golden pillars of the canopy reaching out even into the street. The four
+stone steps leading from the front door were covered with fine carpeting,
+which also stretched away to the street, to the spot where the guests were
+to alight from their carriages. On both sides of the carpet stood serried
+ranks of the Stadtholder's lackeys in their flashy gold-trimmed liveries.
+They were headed by the count's two stewards, with golden wands in their
+hands, broad gold bands about their shoulders, and monstrous
+three-cornered hats upon their heads. It was very fine to look upon, and
+not merely the merry urchins, who were swinging upon the iron railings of
+the count's park, opposite the palace on the side of the cathedral square,
+enjoyed the spectacle, but the respectable burgher, with his well-dressed
+wife upon his arm, found his pleasure in it as well. The front doors were
+wide open, and they could look into the gorgeous columned hall, decorated
+with garlands and vases of fresh flowers. Yes, it was plainly to be seen
+that the Stadtholder felt himself greatly honored by the high company he
+was to receive to-day, and this even reconciled the good people a little
+to the proud, imperious Count Schwarzenberg.
+
+And now the distinguished guests came riding up. There were the noblemen
+from the country round about, in their antiquated, rumbling vehicles,
+drawn by beautiful, handsomely harnessed horses. There were the Quitzows,
+the Götzes and Krockows, the Bülows and Arnims, and as often as a carriage
+arrived the musicians, stationed on both sides of the palace, blew a
+flourishing peal of trumpets, and the noblemen bowed right and left,
+greeting, although no one had greeted them except Count Schwarzenberg's
+chamberlain, von Lehndorf, who received the guests upon the threshold of
+the house. But now resounded a loud shouting and huzzaing, rolling nearer
+and ever nearer, like a monstrous wave, and an unusual, joyful movement
+pervaded the densely packed mass of men. "They come! they come!" sounded
+from mouth to mouth, and small people raised themselves on tiptoe, and
+tall ones turned their heads toward the corner of the cathedral square.
+Already they saw the foot runner, with his plumed hat and golden staff, as
+he came bounding on, then the two foreriders in their bright blue
+liveries, with low, round caps upon their heads, and then the electoral
+equipage, the great gilded coach of state, drawn by four black horses.
+
+"Who is sitting in the coach of state? Is the Electoral Prince in it? Does
+he come in the same carriage with his father?"
+
+The people grew dumb from impatience and expectancy, in the midst of their
+cries of joy; they wanted to see! All eyes shone with curiosity as the
+equipage rolled on. Over in the park, behind the railing, stood the
+drummers, and they began to beat a roll, which the boys riding on the
+railing seconded with genuine rapture. The trumpeters blew a flourish,
+and now Count Schwarzenberg himself issued from the broad palace door,
+followed by his son, the young Count John Adolphus. Ah! how glorious to
+behold was the Stadtholder in the Mark in his official costume as Grand
+Master of the Order of St. John, his breast quite covered with the stars
+of the order, whose gems glittered and sparkled so wondrously; and how
+handsome looked the young count, in his white suit of silver brocade, with
+puffs of purple velvet, his short, ermine-edged mantle of purple velvet,
+confined at the shoulders by clasps. The two counts made haste down the
+steps to the equipage. The Stadtholder in his amiable impatience opened
+the carriage door himself, and offered the Elector George William both his
+hands to assist him in alighting. And now, laboriously, gasping, with
+flushed face, and a forced smile upon his lips, the Elector dismounted
+from his carriage. Leaning upon his favorite's arm, slowly and clumsily he
+moved forward to the house, his stout, lofty form bent, his gait heavy,
+and his blue eyes, which were only once turned to the gaping multitude,
+sad--oh, so sad! The people looked with pity and compassion upon the poor,
+peevish gentleman, who, in spite of the great Prince's star upon his
+breast and the Electoral hat with its waving plumes, was not by far so
+splendid to behold as the proud, stately Count Adam, who strode along at
+his side.
+
+While the Stadtholder was conducting the Elector into the palace, the
+Electress alighted from the carriage, the two young Princesses following
+her. A loud cry of joy and admiration rang out, and called a smile to the
+lips of the Electress, a deep blush to the cheeks of the Princesses. The
+Electress's robe, with its long train of gold brocade, was wondrous to
+behold, and above it the blue velvet mantle with black ermine trimmings;
+and how beautifully the diadem of diamonds and sapphires gleamed and
+sparkled on the brown hair of the Princess! Again the Stadtholder came out
+of the palace with hasty steps, flew to the Electress, and offered her
+his arm, to lead her into the palace. Nor need the two Princesses walk
+alone behind; they, too, have their knight--young Count Schwarzenberg, who
+had received the Electress. He offered his arm to the Princess Charlotte
+Louise, which she accepted with a lovely smile and a becoming blush. Ah!
+what a handsome couple that was, and how remarkably their dress
+corresponded, for the Princess was also dressed in silver brocade, and
+from her shoulders fell a mantle of purple velvet edged with ermine. The
+little Princess Sophie Hedwig stepped behind her. But who was this young
+man, who suddenly stepped forward, made his way through the throng, and
+offered her his arm? Nobody had seen him or observed him, and he had come
+on foot, accompanied by a single page. Who was this handsome young man, in
+light-blue velvet suit, who with the young Princess on his arm mounted the
+steps with her, laughing merrily.
+
+"It is he! It is the Electoral Prince! It is Frederick William! Cheers for
+our Electoral Prince! Hurrah for Frederick William! Welcome, welcome home!
+Long live our Electoral Prince!"
+
+Within the hall, at the window, stood the Elector, and these shouts
+emanating from thousands of throats darkened his countenance. The people
+had kept silence when their Sovereign showed himself to them, and now they
+exulted on seeing his son!
+
+Without, at the head of the steps, stood the Electoral Prince, and the
+shouting of so many thousand voices summoned a glad smile to his face. How
+handsome he was, and what a happiness it was to look at him! How like a
+lion's mane fell his thick, fair brown hair on both sides of his narrow
+oval face, how like brilliant stars sparkled his large, dark-blue eyes,
+and what bold thoughts were written upon his broad, clear brow! And how
+stately and impressive was his figure, too--how slender, and yet how firm
+and athletic! Yes, those broad shoulders were well fitted to bear the
+burden of government, and behind that breast beat surely a strong, great
+heart!
+
+"Long live the Electoral Prince! Three cheers! Long live Frederick
+William!"
+
+He bowed once more, nodding and bestowing kind greetings upon those on
+both sides, then entered the palace, followed by his page in black velvet
+suit.
+
+Who is that page? Nobody observes him, nobody has looked at him. Who
+troubles himself about the servant when he looks at the master?--who asks
+why the page's face is so pale, why his glance so feverish and restless?
+Very few know the court painter Gabriel Nietzel, and those who do know him
+will surely never imagine that it is he who to-day acts as page to the
+Electoral Prince Frederick William. He mingles with the host of
+gold-bedizened servants and lackeys in the entrance hall, and follows them
+into the banqueting hall. The doors of the house are closed; for the
+gaping crowd without the festival is ended, for the high-born guests
+within it is but just begun. The two wings of the doors leading into the
+banqueting hall are thrown open by the halberdiers, the musicians in the
+gilded balcony to the rear blow a loud, dashing flourish, and the Elector
+enters the hall, followed by the Electress, who leans upon the arm of
+Count Schwarzenberg. On both sides of the hall stand the lords and ladies
+of the nobility, who bow down to the ground, nothing being visible but the
+bowed necks of men, the courtesying forms of women--all is reverence,
+solemnity, and silence. In the middle of the long table, just before that
+immense, solid mirror of Venetian crystal, are the places of the Electoral
+pair, as may be seen by those throne-like armchairs, on whose tall,
+straight backs is carved a golden crown--as may be seen by the glittering
+gold plate of both covers.
+
+How gorgeously is the long table laid, nothing to be seen but gold and
+silver plate! In the center is a huge piece of chased silver, representing
+Cupids and genii, who in golden shells, cornucopias, and vases offer the
+rarest fruits, the most delicious confections! Before each lady's plate,
+in wondrously cut goblets, is a magnificent bouquet of flowers; before
+each gentleman's, a silver bowl. A gold-bedizened lackey is behind each
+chair; two stand behind the chairs of each of their Electoral Highnesses.
+
+"Why stands that page behind the Electoral Prince's chair?" asks the
+Stadtholder, loud enough to be heard by the Prince, who is near him.
+
+Frederick William breaks off in the midst of his conversation with the
+young Count John Adolphus, and turns smilingly to the Stadtholder.
+
+"Pardon, your grace," says he kindly. "I wished to preserve a memento of
+this handsome entertainment, the first entertainment by which my return
+home has been solemnized, and with my father's permission I have brought
+with me the court painter Gabriel Nietzel, in order that he may look upon
+the feast and make a sketch of the scene. Since, of course, he could have
+no place at the table, he has assumed a page's garb, that he may have the
+privilege of standing behind my chair. I fancy that the vain man would
+willingly immortalize himself in that picturesque costume. But as he has
+put on a page's clothes, he will also perform a page's part, and I have
+therefore at his request consented that he shall wait upon me to-day and
+hand me all my food. Does your grace also grant him this upon my bequest?"
+
+"Oh, most gracious Prince, you need never make requests; you have only to
+command. Away there, you fellows! away from the Electoral Prince's chair,
+vacate your places for the page! Mr. Court Painter Nietzel, take good care
+not to be negligent in your duties, to-day be nothing but the Electoral
+Prince's page so long as we are at table, afterward you can again be the
+court painter!"
+
+The page bowed in silence, and Count Schwarzenberg paid no further
+attention to him, but followed the Electoral pair, who were making the
+circuit of the hall, here and there addressing a friendly word to some
+member of the nobility, sweeping past before an answer could be stammered
+forth. The circuit was completed; a thrice repeated nourish of trumpets
+resounded; the Chamberlain von Lehndorf rushed to the window, and with a
+white handkerchief made a signal down to the pleasure garden. Cannon
+thundered forth salutes, informing the town that the Elector had just sat
+down to table, that the feast at the house of the Stadtholder in the Mark
+had begun.
+
+A choice, a sumptuous banquet! Delicious viands, splendid wines! Gradually
+they forgot a little the requirements of rigid etiquette and pompous
+silence; gradually tongues were loosened, and there was talking and
+laughing; even the Elector lost his hard, peevish nature, his face glowed
+with a brighter hue, his form became more elastic, and cheerful words
+sounded from his lips.
+
+A choice, a sumptuous banquet! The Electress laughed, and had totally
+forgotten that Count Adam Schwarzenberg, sitting at her side, was her
+detested enemy. She chatted as cozily and earnestly with him as if he were
+one of her most devoted friends and servants. Opposite her sat her two
+daughters, and Princess Charlotte Louise inclined with a pleasant smile
+toward Count John Adolphus, who sat beside her, and had just been painting
+to her with glowing eloquence the glories of the imperial city, gorgeous
+Vienna.
+
+Now his bold glance darted across at the Electoral pair; they were busy
+talking and eating; nobody was noticing him.
+
+"Princess, dear, adored Princess, do you hear me when I speak so softly?"
+
+"I hear you, Sir Count."
+
+"Sir Count!" repeated he, sighing. "You retract your word, then? You
+thrust me again into the ranks of your court cavaliers and counts? You
+have no longer a word of welcome for the poor, pitiable man who worships
+you, who is blessed if he can only look at you, only hear the tones of
+your sweet voice, and who has been longing for this with desire and
+painful rapture for three long months? Not one word of welcome for me?"
+
+"I welcome you--welcome you with my whole heart! Have you only been away
+three months? Were they not three years?"
+
+"Seems it so to you, my adored mistress? I believe it was three hundred
+years--three eternities. And yet these eternities have not altered your
+angelic face. It is still ever radiant in its heavenly, rosy beauty, and
+not a feature betrays that you have suffered on my account, that you have
+longed for me."
+
+"Then my face belies me, for I have longed for you; therefore the months
+lengthened into years, and it seems to me as if I have become a very old,
+sedate person since I last saw you."
+
+"Oh, dearest, how I long for one moment of solitary communing with you,
+when I can kneel at your feet, cover your hands with kisses, and tell you
+how inexpressibly I love you! Be not cruel, Louise, in this hour of
+reunion. Tell me that you, too, long for such a moment--that you will
+grant it to me."
+
+"And if I should say so, how would it help us? You know well that I am
+watched day and night. My mother never lets me leave her side, and our
+governess watches over me still, just as if I were a child that could not
+walk a step without an attendant, nor write a line without her reading it."
+
+"Ah, you dear, sweet angel! if you only loved me half as ardently as I
+love you, your pretty, prudent little head would already have devised some
+means whereby poor John Adolphus would not have to plead in vain for one
+blissful moment passed alone with you."
+
+"I love you, John Adolphus, but oh, I dare not love you! The wrath of my
+mother would be boundless if she even suspected it."
+
+"She need not suspect it beforehand, nor hear anything about it before we
+are certain of your father's gracious consent."
+
+"You esteem that possible? You believe that my father will ever consent
+for me--"
+
+"For you to condescend to become my wife? I hope so--hope that the
+Emperor's favor exalts me a little, so that the chasm which separates us
+is not too great for you to cross, for you to carry in your bosom a strong
+heart and a true love. About all these things I must speak with you,
+sweetest Princess, for here we must be cautious. Only see with what
+earnest looks the Electress is already regarding us! Be pitiful, Louise;
+tell me that you will consent to meet me alone for one quarter of an hour."
+
+"Pass by the cathedral, then, to-morrow about ten o'clock of the forenoon.
+Old Trude will be there and have a message for you, and--"
+
+"Long live our most gracious Sovereign! Long live George William!" cried
+Count Schwarzenberg, rising from his seat and holding the golden bumper
+aloft in his right hand.
+
+All the guests started from their seats, and joined in the shouts: "Long
+live our most gracious Sovereign! Long live George William!" And the
+golden goblets clashed against one another, and the trumpets and
+kettledrums chimed in with crashing peals.
+
+The Electoral Prince, too, would rise from his seat, but his head swam,
+all was whirls and turns before his eyes, and he sank back upon his chair.
+
+Gabriel Nietzel stooped over him. "How are you, gracious sir? Are you not
+well?"
+
+"Quite well as yet, Gabriel. Only give me a fresh glass of water and put
+some sugar in it."
+
+Gabriel Nietzel flew to the sideboard, and, while he filled a glass with
+water, his pale lips murmured, "Your evil genius bade you say that!" And
+while he shook into the glass the white pulverized sugar, which, by the
+way, he had not taken from the bowl standing on the sideboard, in the
+depths of his heart he whispered, "Rebecca, this I do for you!"
+
+He took up the tall tumbler and presented it to the Electoral Prince.
+Frederick William seized the glass and drank, in long draughts. It had
+done him good, his head was easy again, there was no longer such a fearful
+roaring in his ears.
+
+George William's countenance glowed and his eyes burned. He loved the
+pleasures of the table, and the wine was costly and had driven all ill
+humor from his heart. He now felt quite comfortable, quite happy, and bent
+friendly glances across upon his son, who was so splendid, so glorious to
+look upon, and the sight of whom, although he would probably not
+acknowledge it to himself, rejoiced his father's heart.
+
+Frederick William had just removed the great goblet from his lips, and
+placed it half full upon the table. The Elector saw it, the cold liquor
+looked inviting, and at the same time he would give his son a public token
+of his kindly disposition: all the guests must see how high in his favor
+stood the Electoral Prince.
+
+"You drink water, my son?" he asked. "That is wise and prudent, and
+deserves to be imitated at this table of reveling. I will follow your
+example, Frederick William. Hand your glass across the table to me, son."
+
+The Electoral Prince hastily rose from his seat, and tried to hand the
+glass to his father; but his hand trembled so violently that he could not
+hold the glass; it escaped from his hands, and fell with a crash upon the
+table.
+
+The Electress uttered a piercing cry, the Princesses shrieked aloud. The
+music stopped in the midst of a strain commenced, the guests interrupted
+their conversation, and all eyes were directed to the middle of the table,
+where the Electoral family was seated. What did it mean? Prince Frederick
+William rose from his seat. His countenance was pale as death, but he
+still tried to keep a smile upon his lips. He bowed across the table to
+his father. "Your pardon, sir. Permit me to absent myself, for I am not
+quite well."
+
+"Go, my son!" exclaimed George William. "That comes from not being
+accustomed to strong Hungarian wine!" And the Elector turned, laughing, to
+his wife, who glanced anxiously at her son. "Your wise son," said he, "has
+learned everything, only he has not learned to drink. He has not been
+taught that in your uncle's polite and polished court, and we must supply
+their negligence here."
+
+The Electoral Prince reeled through the hall, waving off all who
+approached him or offered him assistance. "It is nothing, nothing at all,"
+he said with cheerful, broken voice. "I have taken a little cold. Let me
+get away unnoticed."
+
+All kept their seats, as the Prince desired, and as the Elector required
+by tarrying himself at the table. Only the Stadtholder, in his capacity of
+host, had risen from the table to offer his guidance to the Electoral
+Prince. He approached him, proffering the support of his arm.
+
+"Will your highness do me the honor to rest upon my arm, and permit me to
+escort you to your carriage?"
+
+The Electoral Prince shuddered, and, suddenly lifting his head, flashed an
+angry glance from his already clouded eyes into the proud, composed
+countenance of the count. But it quickly vanished, Frederick William
+accepted Schwarzenberg's proffered arm, and, leaning upon him, tottered
+out of the hall into the antechamber. His countenance was deadly pale,
+dark circles were under his eyes, his lips were colorless, his eyes
+bloodshot. But still he maintained his erect position by mere force of
+will, and even controlled himself so far as to smile and address a few
+friendly words to the count.
+
+"My heavens, noble sir!" cried Schwarzenberg, with an expression of
+painful horror, "this is more than a mere passing indisposition. You are
+really sick--you are suffering!"
+
+"Not so, count. I am not suffering at all, and it is only a trifling
+ailment. My father is quite right--the strong wine has mounted to my head.
+I am not used to drinking and feasting, that is all. To-morrow
+will--Count, I beg you to lead me to my carriage. It is dark before my
+eyes!"
+
+And the Prince sank back groaning and half unconscious. The count beckoned
+the princely Chamberlain von Götz to approach, and the two gentlemen,
+aided by a few lackeys, bore the Prince carefully out to the carriage.
+Then Frederick William opened his eyes, his wandering glance strayed
+around, and his lips stammered softly: "Where is Gabriel Nietzel? Is he
+with me?"
+
+But Gabriel Nietzel was nowhere to be seen; only the Chamberlain von Götz
+was there, and he got into the carriage, which bore the deadly sick Prince
+at full gallop to the palace.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg looked after the retreating vehicle with earnest,
+thoughtful face, then turned to re-enter the palace. On the threshold
+stood Gabriel Nietzel, and the eyes of the two men met in one glance of
+awe and horror.
+
+"Your grace sees I have kept my word," murmured Gabriel Nietzel.
+
+"Away!" commanded the count imperiously. "If you are not out of Berlin in
+one hour I shall have you arrested by the police, and accuse you as the
+murderer of the Electoral Prince, for you alone waited upon him! Be off!"
+
+But Gabriel Nietzel stirred not from the threshold, and the look which he
+fixed upon the count was not humble and reverential, but threatening.
+"Sir," asked he shortly and harshly--"sir, where are Rebecca and my child?"
+
+"At your lodgings, you fool! Hurry, I tell you!" And with ungentle hand
+the count thrust the painter from the door, and returned to the banqueting
+hall to inform the Elector and his spouse with smiling, almost mocking
+gesture, that the young gentleman himself had said that the strong wine
+had slightly affected his head, and produced a temporary indisposition.
+
+The Elector laughed aloud, and the anxious brow of the Electress cleared
+up again. The entertainment quietly proceeded.
+
+Why should they be uneasy about the young gentleman, who had no other
+sufferings than those resulting from unwonted indulgence in strong drink?
+
+The Electoral Prince had meanwhile arrived with his chamberlain at the
+castle. No one came to meet them. All the servants had dispersed hither
+and thither, in pursuit of their own business or enjoyments. They knew,
+indeed, that Count Schwarzenberg's feast would be continued to a late
+hour of the night, and who could imagine that the Electoral Prince would
+return home in so unexpected a manner? The castle was deserted, and the
+chamberlain must needs summon to his aid the sentinel who was pacing up
+and down before the castle, in order to lift the Prince from his carriage
+and into the entrance hall. Now he called aloud for help, since the Prince
+had become perfectly helpless, and lay senseless upon the stone bench in
+the hall.
+
+The porter, who was only asleep in his lodge, rushed out, and old
+Dietrich, the valet, also came hurrying down the steps.
+
+They bore the Prince to his own apartments, put him to bed upon his own
+couch, and, as the Chamberlain von Götz saw the old faithful Dietrich
+standing beside his young master, sobbing and so full of grief, he kindly
+laid his hand upon his shoulder.
+
+"It is nothing of moment, good old man. The Prince has only taken too much
+wine, that is all. Be comforted. To-morrow will make all straight again."
+
+Dietrich sorrowfully shook his head. "You are mistaken, Sir Chamberlain;
+this is not the effect of wine. The Electoral Prince is much too fine and
+noble a gentleman for that; he never drinks more than he can stand. Just
+see how pale and wretched he looks. My dear young master is sick, very
+sick. They have murdered him, they have killed him, they--"
+
+"Hush, Dietrich, for God's sake, hush!" interposed the chamberlain,
+turning pale. "Guard your tongue, that it never again utter such horrible
+words; guard your thoughts, that they dare not even think anything so
+dreadful."
+
+"It is true, nevertheless," murmured the old man, and, as he bent over the
+Electoral Prince and watched him with loving looks, the tears fell hot and
+fast from his eyes upon Frederick William's pale face. These tears roused
+the latter, restored him to consciousness.
+
+There was yet one man who loved him, who sympathized with him, who wept
+when he saw him suffer!
+
+The Electoral Prince opened his eyes, and, on recognizing old Dietrich,
+nodded to him and murmured softly, "Dietrich, I am suffering fearfully."
+
+"Hear, Sir Chamberlain," said Dietrich; "the dear Prince recognizes me, he
+has his reason, he knows what he sees and says, so you see it is not wine
+that--But he says that he suffers fearfully, and I believe it indeed; for
+what burns his vitals is--I must go for the physician, Dr. White; he must
+try every means; he must know what ails the Prince--what they have done to
+him; and he must apply remedies. Stay here, Sir Chamberlain; I will run
+for Dr. White."
+
+And old Dietrich hastily started to leave the couch, but the Prince's hand
+was laid upon his arm, and held him fast.
+
+"Stay, Dietrich, stay! You, dear Götz, go you, I beg, for Dr. White and
+fetch him here; he must come immediately, for I am really sick. I suffer.
+Make haste, dear Götz. You are younger, brisker than my good old Dietrich;
+therefore I choose you."
+
+The chamberlain pressed a kiss upon the Prince's burning, trembling hand.
+
+"Dearest sir, as swiftly as a man's anxious heart can move his feet I
+shall hasten to the doctor and bring him here!"
+
+The chamberlain flew on tiptoe from the apartment, and all was still.
+Nothing was heard but the low moans and sighs of the Prince, who lay there
+with pallid features and shaking limbs, while over him bent weeping his
+faithful old servant.
+
+After a while the Prince raised himself a little, slowly opened his eyes,
+and cast a sad, sweeping glance around the room.
+
+"Dietrich, are we alone?" he asked, in a hoarse, almost inaudible voice.
+
+"Quite alone, gracious sir."
+
+"Then hear what I have to say to you. Incline your ear close to me, for
+you alone must hear me. When the physician comes, take good care not to
+repeat to him what you said just now to the chamberlain. He and all the
+world must think that it is actually nothing but wine which has made me
+sick. He will prescribe medicine for me. Have it prepared forthwith. You
+alone must stay with me. Tell them I have ordered it, and Götz must return
+to the banquet and tell them it was nothing but wine. Dietrich, do not
+give me the medicine, but throw it away. There is only one kind of physic
+for me--milk, only milk, that is my cordial. Give me milk, Dietrich, milk
+directly, for the pains are coming on again, so dreadfully, oh, so
+dreadfully! But do not tell anybody. Nobody must know what I suffer! It
+burns like fire! Milk, Dietrich, milk!"
+
+
+
+
+IX.--LOVE'S SACRIFICE.
+
+
+As if borne on the wings of the wind, Gabriel Nietzel had flown through
+the streets to his own abode. It lay in a quiet, retired quarter of the
+town, and, as he turned into the street and looked up to the house, he saw
+leaning far out of one of the windows a woman, who, her face shaded by her
+hand, was gazing down into the street. He recognized the form, although he
+could not see her countenance, and uttered a loud cry of joy. This cry of
+joy found an echo in the window above, and the form vanished. Gabriel
+Nietzel rushed into the house and up the steps. On the top step stood a
+woman with outstretched arms, and again Gabriel uttered a cry of joy and
+pressed his wife firmly to his breast, as firmly as if he would never let
+her leave the spot, as if his love would keep and hold her there forever.
+He bore her through the open door into their chamber, bore her to the
+cradle standing in the center of the room, and then sank with her on his
+knees.
+
+They looked at one another, and then at the child, which lay there quietly
+with wide-open eyes, in sweet contentment.
+
+"My child! my child!" cried Gabriel; and it was as if now for the first
+time he saw his boy, as if he had but just been sent him by Heaven, and
+for a moment, in the blissful consciousness of being a father, he forgot
+all--yes, _all_. He snatched up the child and hugged and kissed it, lost
+in rapture and delight. But all at once there came over him the memory of
+those pale, quivering features, the dimmed eyes, and drooping form. A
+shudder ran through his whole frame; with a shriek of horror he let the
+child fall back in its cradle, and clasped both hands before his face.
+
+Rebecca tore back his hands, and her large black eyes gazed searchingly
+into his countenance. She now for the first time saw how pale he was, and
+how disturbed his mien. She now for the first time saw that he avoided her
+look, and that his breast heaved convulsively.
+
+"Gabriel," she said, with firm, impressive voice--"Gabriel, something is
+the matter with you! Something has happened to you--something shocking,
+dreadful!"
+
+"Nothing!" he cried, hastily leaping up--"nothing! But we must begone! We
+are to stay here no longer. We must away immediately--this very hour!"
+
+"I know it," replied Rebecca quietly, her eyes fixed immovably upon her
+beloved--"I know it, Gabriel, and I have prepared everything, as Count
+Schwarzenberg himself directed. I have been in Berlin ever since this
+morning, but feared to come here until you had gone to the banquet. I
+have made all needful arrangements. I have hired a vehicle, which is
+waiting for us outside the Willow-bank Gate. The count says we are to go
+on foot; that no one in the city must see you set out, and give
+intelligence with regard to your movements. Since you have been gone I
+have packed up all our effects in boxes, and our kind, faithful friend
+Samuel Cohen will send them after us to Venice. What is indispensable for
+present use I have packed up in yonder trunk, which we must take with us.
+All is ready, Gabriel, and we can go. Only one thing I know not, have you
+money enough for our journey?"
+
+[Illustration: The Jewess in her Bridal Dress]
+
+
+"Money enough!" repeated Gabriel, with a hoarse, mocking laugh. "I have
+more money in my pocket than I ever had in my whole life put together. I
+have so much money that we can buy a house in Venice, on the Ghetto; and
+we shall, too, and I will live there with you, and will become a Jew, and
+take another name, for my own name horrifies me. I will not, can not hear
+it again!"
+
+"Why not?" asked she earnestly. "It is a fine name--the name of a painter,
+an artist. Why would you never again hear your own name, Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"Because it is notorious, infamous!" groaned he--"because it is the name
+of a--"
+
+"Well, why do you hesitate, Gabriel?" asked Rebecca in anguish of soul,
+while she laid both her hands upon his shoulders, and gazed upon him with
+wistful glances. He would have avoided her eyes, but could not; his looks
+must sink deep into those glittering, black eyes. Deep they looked, deep
+as the sea, and he thought to himself that a secret could be buried there,
+and rest secure in the bottom of her heart.
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel," asked Rebecca, in a voice at once threatening and
+tender--"Gabriel Nietzel, what have you done? What lies heavy upon your
+soul?"
+
+"Nothing, my Rebecca, nothing! Ask no questions! We must begone! Make
+haste, dearest, take the child, and come; for if we do not hurry, we are
+lost!"
+
+She slowly shook her noble, graceful head and stirred not from her place.
+
+She kept Gabriel in his with her hands, which she pressed more firmly upon
+his shoulders.
+
+"Gabriel, my dear, precious Gabriel, what have you done? Tell me. I demand
+to know it as my right. When we were married on the Lido, in the solemn
+stillness of the night, when we joined hands, and both swore in the
+presence of your and my God that we would ever love one another, and that
+death alone should part us, when you said, 'I take you to be my wife,' and
+I said, 'I take you to be my husband,' then we likewise swore that we
+would live truly and confidentially with one another, and have no secrets
+from each other. Gabriel, fulfill now your oath. I demand it of you, by
+the memory of that hour, by my love for you, by our child. Gabriel, what
+have you done?"
+
+"I can not tell it, and you may not hear it, Rebecca. For, once uttered,
+that word will be a two-edged sword, and plunge us both in misery and
+shame!"
+
+"Shame! There is no shame for the Jewess! Misery! Tell me a form of misery
+which I have not suffered and endured from childhood up! My mother was
+stabbed in Venice by a nobleman because she would not break her faith with
+my father and desert him. My father was known as a sorcerer and vender of
+poisons. The noblemen used secretly to resort by night to our wretched
+house upon the Ghetto, and paid him great sums for his drugs, but if he
+showed himself upon the streets by day, the populace hooted and cast
+stones after him. And when they saw me, they hissed and mocked, bestowing
+opprobrious epithets upon me, and even went out of the way to avoid the
+contamination of my touch, for I was the daughter of a poisoner, a secret
+bravo--I was a Jewess! But when I was grown, then the young noblemen came
+to my father, not merely for the sake of his drugs and medicines, but
+also--hush! Not a breath of it! You were my deliverer--my savior! You
+rescued me from all distress; you were to me as the Messiah, in whom my
+people have hoped for a thousand years. I followed you, and I shall go
+with you my whole life long--go with you to the scaffold, if needs be. I
+know it, Gabriel, I read it in your countenance; you have committed a
+crime!"
+
+"A crime! A fearful crime!" said he, shuddering. "Turn your head away,
+Rebecca, I am not worthy that you should look upon me!"
+
+"I do look upon you, Gabriel, I condemn you not. I am thinking of what we
+said to one another in the count's picture gallery. I called to you to
+rescue me at any price. I told you that if I could purchase deliverance
+thereby, I was ready to commit a crime. That to be with you again I would
+abjure the faith of my fathers, although I knew I should die of penitence
+after the perpetration of such a crime."
+
+"And I replied to you, Rebecca, that I, too, was ready to perpetrate a
+crime for the sake of rescuing you and calling you my own again, and that
+I would not die of penitence."
+
+"And yet you do repent, Gabriel, you shudder at yourself for you have done
+it, you have committed a crime. I will have my share in it, half of it
+belongs to me. In the sight of God, I am your wife, and you have sworn to
+share everything with me. Then divide with me, Gabriel; I claim my right.
+Share with me your crime, or I shall think that you love me no more, and
+then I shall go away, and you will never see me more."
+
+"I do love you, Rebecca--I do love you! For your sake I have become a
+criminal, a murderer! I have purchased you at the price of my soul! Lay
+your ear close to my mouth, and I will tell you my dreadful secret:
+Rebecca, I am a murderer, a cursed murderer! I have committed a murder,
+which will cry out to Heaven against me as long as I live; for him whom I
+have murdered had never done me harm, but only good, and he confided in
+me, and trusted to my faith. Rebecca, I am cursed, and my name will be a
+byword in the mouths of men while books of history last. Rebecca, I have
+poisoned the Electoral Prince Frederick William!"
+
+She uttered a piercing shriek, and fell back, as if struck by a
+thunderbolt.
+
+"The Electoral Prince Frederick William! Not Count Schwarzenberg! The
+noble youth; not that detested evildoer, not him, who has deserved death a
+thousandfold?"
+
+"He had not merely my life in his power, but yours and our child's. It
+would have profited me nothing to murder him; we should only all three
+have been irretrievably lost. I was forced to obey his orders--to perform
+the horrible deed--in order to save you and myself."
+
+Rebecca pressed both hands tightly across her brow, and stared long at
+vacancy. "He must be saved!" she said. Then, after a pause, in a tone of
+firm determination, "Yes, he must be saved!"
+
+"What could we do to save him?" sighed Gabriel hopelessly. "Nothing! You
+know your father's drugs are subtle, and never fail in their effects!"
+
+"You administered to him some of the medicine which my father presented
+you with?" asked she, with a wondrous gleam of light in her black eyes.
+
+"Yes, I gave him some. You know when we took leave of your father he
+handed me three boxes as a keepsake, saying that they were the only dowry
+he could give me with you, but that many a prince would pay us immense
+sums for them, if we should sell them to him for his dear relations; for
+in these boxes were the deadliest poisons, leaving behind not a trace of
+their existence. The contents of one box causes instantaneous death, and
+he therefore called it 'the apoplexy powder.' The contents of the second
+box killed more slowly, and prolonged the patient's life ten or twelve
+days; therefore he called it 'the inflammatory powder.' The third powder,
+however, because it works slowest of all, he called 'the consumptive
+powder.'"
+
+"And of which powder did you give to the Electoral Prince?" asked Rebecca
+breathlessly.
+
+"Of the inflammatory powder, for it was least dangerous to us."
+
+"Did the Prince drink the whole potion poured out for him?"
+
+"No, he only drank half, and when he tried to hand it to his father, who
+asked for it, the glass fell from his trembling hands, and its contents
+were spilled upon the table."
+
+"Therefore the Prince only took half a powder?"
+
+"Only half. But still he must die, for your father told me one pinch would
+produce death; and I gave him two, that the count might see its effects."
+
+Rebecca did not reply. She had sunk upon her knees and folded her hands.
+Her lips moved as if in silent prayer.
+
+"What think you?" asked Gabriel Nietzel, after a pause. "Why do you not
+speak to me? Do you despise me, because I have confessed my crime to you?
+Do you turn away from the poisoner, the murderer?"
+
+"No," said she, suddenly drawing herself up erect. "No, I do not despise
+you, but I love you, and because I love you I will not that you should be
+a criminal. Had you poisoned the count, then I should have said, 'You have
+accomplished a good work. God has killed him by your hand; you are nothing
+more than the executioner, who has inflicted merited death upon the
+wicked, and has rid the world of him. Lift up your head and be joyful, for
+you were a tool in God's hand!' But you have poisoned a noble, good man,
+the son of your benefactress, and his death would cry out against you, and
+our child would be punished for the crime of his father. 'For I am a God
+of vengeance,' says the Lord, 'and I will visit the sins of the fathers
+upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.' I love you,
+Gabriel, and no sin or crime could separate me from you; for have you not
+taken to your heart the daughter of a criminal, and sinned for her sake?
+But our child shall not suffer for what his parents have done. The God of
+our fathers shall not take vengeance on our child, the sun and happiness
+shall shine upon him; for we, Gabriel, we have known night and misfortune,
+and tasted all the bitterness of life. Gabriel, our child must be free
+from stain of guilt or crime, and therefore must the Electoral Prince be
+saved."
+
+"Say how can it be done, show me a way to save him!"
+
+"I know the way, and I will take it. I would save you and the child from
+bloodguiltiness and sin. Swear to me, Gabriel, that you will do what I
+shall require of you. Think of that hour upon the Lido when I gave myself
+to you. Think of the hour when this child was born, and I laid it in your
+arms and said: 'Take it. It is a gift of my love. Take the child with whom
+God has blessed us, and pronounced us pure!' And you swore to me with
+tears that you would be a faithful father to our child all his life, and
+shield him as far as in you lay from all the pains of earth. By the memory
+of that oath I now require you, Gabriel Nietzel, to lay your hand upon my
+child's head, and solemnly swear to me, by God, by our child, and by your
+love for me, to do exactly what I shall now demand of you."
+
+With reverential, timid admiration Gabriel Nietzel looked into Rebecca's
+countenance, which was beaming with energy and beauty. He could not turn
+away his glance from her, for it seemed as if his inmost soul was held
+spellbound by her large, flaming eyes, resting fixedly upon him. Ever
+looking at Rebecca, he laid his hand upon the head of the child that lay
+slumbering in the cradle, and said in a distinct, solemn voice: "I swear
+by God, by our child, and by my love for you, Rebecca, that I shall do
+exactly what you will require of me."
+
+She nodded her head as proudly and gravely as if she had been a queen, who
+had just received the homage of her vassal.
+
+"Listen then, Gabriel," she said. "You take the trunk, I take the child,
+and let us be going, for the wagon is waiting for us outside the
+Willow-bank Gate, as you know. Do not speak to me by the way, for I have
+still much to plan and ponder. Time does not stand still, and every moment
+increases the Prince's peril. If help does not reach him to-night, then is
+he lost beyond hope of recovery. Come!"
+
+Already a question was trembling on Gabriel Nietzel's lips. He wished to
+ask, "Can he by any possibility be saved?" But she had said, "Do not speak
+to me," and, obedient to his oath, he remained dumb, took up the trunk,
+and followed Rebecca, who had tenderly lifted the child from its crib and
+had just gone out of the door. Swiftly they passed side by side through
+the streets, which were still deserted, for all loungers and street idlers
+were still tarrying in Broad Street or on the castle square. Many a time
+Gabriel cast a look of questioning entreaty upon Rebecca, but she saw it
+not; she seemed to see nothing whatever, for her eyes were gazing afar
+off; like a somnambulist, she strode along, and even when the baby in her
+arms began to cry she took no notice of it, nor sought to comfort it with
+tender, soothing words. At last they had passed the gate behind the willow
+bank, and found themselves without the city. There stood the wagon waiting
+for them, covered with a tilt of gray canvas. The Jewish boy who sat on
+the back seat under the canvas awning had fallen asleep, resting his head
+against the great wooden arch to which the cover was secured. The two lean
+little horses were greedily eating of the oats in the dirty bags around
+their necks. Not a creature was to be seen. The wretched conveyance had
+excited no attention whatever, and caused not a single passer-by to pause.
+
+Rebecca stepped up to the wagon and gently laid the child in the straw
+with which the vehicle was filled. Then, with a silent wave of the hand,
+she ordered Gabriel to set down the trunk he was carrying. He did so, and
+Rebecca took a key out of her pocket, knelt down before the trunk, and
+sought hither and thither among its contents. First she took from the
+bottom of the trunk a packet with five seals, and, as she hastily stuck it
+in her bosom, her eye was uplifted to heaven with a glance of glowing
+gratitude. Then she took out a white dress and a long white veil,
+carefully concealing these things under the great black mantle which
+enveloped her figure. Finally, she locked the trunk and handed the key to
+Gabriel.
+
+"Place the trunk gently in the wagon, so as not to wake the child," she
+said. Gabriel silently obeyed, and then, standing on the footboard of the
+wagon, reached down his hand to her, as if he would ask her to follow.
+
+She shook her head quickly. "Come, Gabriel," said she, "come, let us step
+across and talk under yon tree. The child sleeps and David Cohen sleeps,
+too. Nobody hears us. Come."
+
+With hasty steps they crossed over to the great linden tree which stood at
+the side of the road. The birds sang and hopped about amid its dense
+foliage, and the hot sunbeams drew forth the most delicious fragrance from
+the blossoms with which each branch was laden. But the pair who walked up
+and down under the tree heeded neither the singing of the birds nor the
+perfume of the flowers. They were alone with one another and the sad,
+gloomy thoughts with which both their souls were filled.
+
+"Gabriel," said Rebecca, recovering breath, "I will go to free you from
+the stain of blood, for if it remain it would not merely poison the
+Electoral Prince but your whole life. My father gave you only the half of
+my dowry, as he called it. The other half he retained and gave me. After
+he had presented you with the poison, and I was alone with him in his
+chamber, he held out to me the sacred volume, and required me to take
+three oaths, by the memory of my murdered mother and by the hatred and
+revenge which we had sworn to the whole world upon her beloved body.
+First, I must swear that I would never abjure the faith of my fathers and
+become a Christian. Secondly, I must swear that I would rear the child
+that God would give me in our own religion, and never while I lived
+consent to its being made a Christian. Thirdly, I must swear to preserve
+the sealed packet he intrusted to me as my greatest treasure, my most
+precious possession, and only to tell you of it in case of the most
+extreme danger and necessity; that I was only to make use of the contents
+to purchase wealth or happiness. 'I have given death into your dear
+Gabriel's hand,' he said, 'into your hand, my daughter, I give life, and
+surely that is something much more rare and precious. He has the poisons;
+I give you the antidotes. They are worth tons of gold; they are my most
+precious treasure, and twenty years have I labored ere I discovered them.
+When I succeeded, I thanked God for this glorious discovery, and then
+thrice I swore upon the sacred volume, with my face turned to the East and
+with loud voice, that never should a Christian obtain these priceless
+antidotes through me, that never would I impart knowledge of them to a
+Christian. I will keep my oath, and divulge the holy secret only to you,
+my Rebecca. Guard it in your bosom under three sacred seals, and only in
+the most perilous hour of your life break the seal, which I herewith lay
+upon your lips. But never may you transfer this precious treasure to other
+hands; no Christian may ever touch it. Would you save life, then you must
+do it yourself, and only from your own hands may the one smitten with
+death receive life.'
+
+"Those were the words spoken by my father, when he handed me the sealed
+packet. Then he instructed me how to apply the contents, and what I would
+have to do in order to render ineffective the three poisons given you.
+'Only,' said he to me,' the antidote must be administered before
+four-and-twenty hours have elapsed since the poison was swallowed, and
+then, still twenty-four hours later, the antidote must be used for the
+second time.' Gabriel, my best-beloved, now is the most perilous hour of
+my life, and I have loosened the seal which my father pressed upon my
+lips. I have the antidote for the inflammatory powder."
+
+"Ah, Rebecca, and you will give it to me?" asked Gabriel, seizing both her
+hands and looking into her lovely face with beaming eyes.
+
+She slowly and solemnly shook her head. "You are a Christian," she said.
+"I have sworn to my father that no Christian should touch the precious
+treasure, that no hands but my own should apply the remedy he intrusted to
+me. Gabriel, out of love for me you gave the Prince into the jaws of
+death. Out of love for you I shall restore him to life."
+
+"Rebecca!" he cried, "how will you do it--how can you accomplish it? Only
+from your hands the Prince is to receive life? That means, you will
+yourself apply the remedy? You will go to him? You would return to the
+city, venture into the castle? Know you not that Schwarzenberg has his
+spies everywhere; that every lackey in the castle is bribed by him and in
+his interests; that he knows what happens there night and day? Do you not
+know that, Rebecca? Did you not yourself often tell me so, when you
+visited the castellan's wife, who loved you, because she, too, was a
+Venetian, and could speak her native language with you. Did she not tell
+you in confidence that Count Schwarzenberg was her real lord and master,
+and that she herself every morning repeated to the count's secretary all
+that came under her observation in the castle? And now would you venture
+into that castle, that den of lions!"
+
+"Did not Daniel venture into the lion's den, and the wild beasts touched
+him not?" cried she. "Why should I fear, since my work is holy and pure as
+Daniel's was?"
+
+"I shall not suffer it. I shall cling to you and hold you back."
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel, bethink you of the oath you swore upon our child's head.
+You will do what I require of you! This you swore. Will you break your
+oath?"
+
+"No, Rebecca," he said mournfully. "Command--I shall obey."
+
+"I shall return to the city," continued Rebecca. "Old Benjamin Cohen will
+hospitably entertain me and provide me with a safe hiding place. By night
+I shall go to the castle, and make sure that no one will detain me, no one
+will recognize me, and that Count Schwarzenberg's spies shall not report
+that Rebecca Nietzel was in the castle and in the Prince's room. The dress
+which I shall assume will be a certain protection; trust to me and ask no
+questions. I know every door and inlet to the castle, for the castellan's
+wife often showed me through the palace, and stairs and corridors, secret
+doors and passages are all familiar to me. I know a little door on the
+Spree side, which is never locked, because nobody knows of its existence,
+or would regard it, for it only leads to a little niche; and that a secret
+door is concealed within this niche, not even the castellan's wife herself
+knows. I discovered it one day, when I had lost my way in the castle, and
+was wandering in distress through the corridors. I said nothing about my
+discovery, and now I shall profit by it to gain safe access and to go out
+again. The next day I shall spend in concealment at Benjamin Cohen's, and
+at night I shall go again to the palace, for the dose must be repeated.
+Twice in the course of forty-eight hours must it be administered, if life
+is to vanquish death. When I leave the castle the second night, my work
+will be done, for crime will be taken away from our heads, and our child
+will not have to suffer for the sins of its parents. Then, my Gabriel,
+then we shall return to my beautiful home, then shall we be free and
+happy! Think of that, my beloved, and let us patiently bear what must be
+borne."
+
+"I will think of that, Rebecca. But tell me, what shall I do?--how shall I
+pass the long, dreary days of our separation? Do not be cruel. Let me
+return to the city with you. Benjamin Cohen will furnish a safe retreat
+for me and the child, as well as for yourself. I swear to you that I will
+keep myself concealed in the cellar, under the roof, anywhere you will,
+only let me go with you!"
+
+"It can not be. The child's life must not be endangered, nor yours either,
+that I may maintain the courage needful for action. Consider your oath,
+and do what I require. Now get into the wagon without delay. David is a
+good driver, and perfectly devoted to us. Travel day and night until you
+reach Brandenburg. There dwells a brother of Benjamin, little David
+Cohen's uncle. At his house remain in retirement until I join you, and, O
+Gabriel! then we shall set out together."
+
+"Rebecca, I can not, indeed I can not leave you!"
+
+"You must, for your crime must be expiated. Think, Gabriel, a long life of
+happiness lies before us. Let us courageously pass through the last cloud
+of evil, for beyond is day, beyond is the sun, beyond is Italy, the land
+of love and art! Now let us part, dearest. Farewell, till we meet again in
+joy!"
+
+"Can you, Rebecca, can you so suddenly leave me and be parted from me?"
+
+"I never leave you, for my soul is ever with you. No leave-takings,
+Gabriel; they make us weak, and sternly I must go to meet stern fate. Give
+me your hand. Farewell! Above lives a God for all men. He will protect
+me."
+
+"Rebecca, only give me one parting kiss!"
+
+"I shall kiss you when atonement has been made--nor until then shall I
+kiss our child again! Know this, Gabriel, that my love for you is eternal,
+it will abide even unto the end of the world! Now, let us part. Hark! the
+child cries. He calls for his father. Go to him, Gabriel, and tell our
+child that his mother loves you both more than her own life! Go!"
+
+He tried once more to seize her hand and embrace her. She waved him back,
+and with an imperious movement pointed to the wagon.
+
+"Remember your oath, Gabriel; you must do what I require of you," she said
+firmly.
+
+"But just tell me one thing, Rebecca," implored he humbly. "When shall we
+meet again?"
+
+"In four or five days, Gabriel. Stay quietly at Brandenburg, and wait for
+me there eight days. If by that time I have not come to you at
+Brandenburg, consider it as a sign that I have chosen some other route, to
+escape the anger and pursuit of Count Schwarzenberg, and that I have
+forborne to communicate with you lest I should be betrayed. Then travel
+with the child to Venice, making all possible speed. I shall join you on
+the way; but if I can not, then we shall meet again in safety at my
+father's house in Venice."
+
+"Rebecca, it is impossible; I can not--"
+
+"Hush!" interrupted she; "the child cries still, and David Cohen, too, is
+now awake."
+
+She quickly stepped toward the vehicle and nodded to the little coachman,
+who was sleepily rubbing his eyes.
+
+"Here we are, David," she said. "Now prove yourself a brave boy and do
+honor to your father's spirit. Drive boldly, but take care not to meet
+with accidents, and make for Brandenburg without delay."
+
+"I promised dad, God bless him, that I would not know rest or repose,
+hunger or sleep, until we reached Brandenburg!" cried the boy, cracking
+his whip. "Get in, I will drive you to Brandenburg."
+
+"Get in, Gabriel," said Rebecca to Nietzel, who stood at the wagon door,
+looking at her with wistful, melancholy air. She shook her head as a
+negative answer to the dumb questioning of his eyes, and only repeated,
+"Get in, Gabriel!"
+
+He jumped into the wagon, but, as he did so, leaned forward and stretched
+out his hands to her.
+
+"Forward, David, forward!" commanded Rebecca. David whipped up his horses,
+and set off at full gallop.
+
+"Be quick, David, for I must begone!"
+
+David Cohen gave the little horses a sharp blow across their heads,
+causing them to bound forward in wild impatience. Rebecca gazed after
+them, breathless, with staring eyes. When the vehicle had disappeared from
+sight she pressed both hands before her eyes, and a sob and a groan
+escaped her breast. Soon, however, she resumed her self-control.
+
+"If I weep I am lost," she said, lifting up her head. "I have a difficult
+task to perform, and tears make one faint-hearted and cowardly. I shall
+not weep, at least not now. When my work of expiation is accomplished,
+when it has succeeded, then I shall weep. And they will be tears of joy!
+Jehovah! Almighty! stand by me, that I may weep such tears to-morrow
+night! And now to work! to work!"
+
+She turned, and with quiet, firm steps proceeded to the city.
+
+
+
+
+X.--THE WHITE LADY.
+
+
+Dietrich had faithfully obeyed the Electoral Prince's orders. The
+physician in ordinary, Dr. White, had come, felt the sick man's pulse, and
+smiled upon being told that the Prince had been taken sick at Count
+Schwarzenberg's banquet.
+
+"We know all about such sicknesses," he said, shrugging his shoulders.
+"His highness the Elector suffered from such attacks in earlier days, but
+he has inured himself against them now."
+
+"But his grace seems to be really sick," remarked the chamberlain. "Only
+see, doctor, how pale he is! Cold sweat is standing on his brow, and he
+moans pitiably."
+
+"Yes, yes, he undoubtedly has pain," said the physician gravely. "Such
+instances occur after a rich feast, where they eat many things together,
+and drink besides. I shall prescribe a composing draught for his grace,
+which must be administered regularly every fifteen minutes."
+
+And the physician repaired to the Prince's cabinet adjoining his sleeping
+room, to write his prescription. Chamberlain von Götz gazed gloomily upon
+the sick man, who just at this moment uttered a loud scream, and with
+outstretched arms and clinched hands tossed restlessly about. Old Dietrich
+bent over him and wiped the perspiration from his forehead.
+
+"He is really very sick," murmured the chamberlain. "There is nothing for
+it but to stay here. He must not be left alone."
+
+"No, Herr von Götz," said Dietrich, his old face looking perfectly
+tranquil and composed--"no; the Prince ordered me to desire you to return
+immediately to the party, and not to tarry longer here. My young master
+condescendingly owned to me himself that it was actually the strong
+Hungarian wine which had occasioned his sickness, and therefore his
+highness wishes the Chamberlain von Götz to return forthwith to the party,
+that his gracious mother may not be made uneasy, and imagine that her son
+is seriously sick. The Electoral Prince's orders are that you say to his
+mother that perhaps he may return himself to the entertainment this
+evening, and that she must not allow herself to be at all anxious, for he
+will certainly be well again to-morrow."
+
+"That is a fine errand," exclaimed the chamberlain, "and the Electress
+will be much comforted by such a message. But, nevertheless, I can not
+possibly leave the Electoral Prince alone for the whole evening."
+
+"He is not alone, for I am with him," replied Dietrich, shaking his head.
+"I, too, am a man, Chamberlain von Götze, and such my gracious young
+master esteems me, for he gave express orders that I alone should stay
+with him, and that nobody else should be admitted until early to-morrow
+morning. His grace would sleep soundly he said, and rest was the best
+medicine for him."
+
+"But he must take the medicine that the doctor prescribes for him," said
+the chamberlain earnestly. "You must insist that the Electoral Prince take
+his medicine regularly."
+
+"Dismiss all anxiety, Herr von Götz," replied Dietrich solemnly; "I shall
+see to it that the Prince regularly takes the medicine he needs."
+
+"Here is the prescription!" called out the doctor, entering the chamber
+and holding out a long strip of paper. "Hurry with it to the apothecary,
+for I fear its preparation may occasion some little delay, since it is a
+nice and particular recipe, and consists of fourteen component parts. But
+it will surely work a cure and afford his highness relief. I shall come
+again this evening and see how my exalted patient is getting on."
+
+And the medical gentleman left the room, followed by the Chamberlain von
+Götz.
+
+"You think then, doctor," asked the latter outside in the passage, "that
+the Electoral Prince is not seriously sick?"
+
+"Have you ever had the sickness which follows too free indulgence in wine,
+Sir Chamberlain?" asked the doctor gravely. "If so, you know exactly how
+the Electoral Prince feels."
+
+"Badly enough," laughed Herr von Götz. "I have certainly had my own
+frightful experiences of that sickness. You think then, doctor, I may
+without impropriety return to Count Schwarzenberg's feast?"
+
+"Without any impropriety whatever, Sir Chamberlain. What the Prince
+chiefly needs is sleep and my medicine. When he has swallowed even a few
+spoonfuls he will feel much soothed and relieved."
+
+The two gentlemen left the castle together, and Dietrich remained alone
+with the Prince. He had first hastened with the long prescription to the
+Electoral apothecary, and ordered that it should be left as soon as
+prepared in the antechamber of the Prince's rooms. Then he had fetched a
+pitcher of milk from his own chamber, and, kindling a fire in the Prince's
+sleeping apartment, warmed the milk. Now he approached with the steaming
+draught the couch of the Prince, who lay sighing and moaning, with closed
+eyes and tightly compressed lips, paying no heed to Dietrich's entreaties.
+Finally, after a long pause, he opened his eyes and fixed them with a
+vacant expression upon the weeping and trembling old man.
+
+"Dietrich, I believe I am dying," he gasped. "But do not tell anybody. No
+one must know what I suffer, else _he_, too, would come to me, and I wish
+to see his hated face no more."
+
+"Most gracious Prince, I beseech you, drink. Here is milk!"
+
+"Give it to me, give it to me, Dietrich! Perhaps there is yet hope."
+
+He emptied the cup, and again sank back. Dietrich knelt by his couch and
+murmured prayers, imploring God to be with the Electoral Prince and to
+save him from death. Hour after hour sped away. Evening drew near, the
+shades of night closed in, and still all was quiet and noiseless within
+the castle precincts. Count Schwarzenberg's feast proceeded undisturbed.
+It was truly a feast of enchantment, and even the Electress was carried
+away by it. Twice had she dispatched footmen to inquire after her son's
+health, and each time old Dietrich had sent word that the Prince had
+fallen into a sweet sleep, and that the doctor's medicine seemed to agree
+with him wonderfully well. Of this medicine Dietrich threw aside a
+spoonful every fifteen minutes, and instead of it gave the Prince his own
+prescription--warm milk. But still there was no alleviation of his
+sufferings, and even the violent vomiting, which twice ensued, had not
+diminished the Prince's pain.
+
+In Count Schwarzenberg's palace now resounded strains of the most
+inspiriting dance music, and from the banqueting hall the company
+dispersed into the two ballrooms and the adjoining apartments. In the
+Electoral garden preparations were being made for fireworks, which were to
+be displayed as soon as the night was sufficiently dark. This was the
+reason why, on the approach of twilight, the sight-loving multitude came
+streaming hither again from all directions. The Elector had seated himself
+at the card table, and the Electress took a walk through the conservatory
+and the magnificent hothouses situated in the rear of the palace, access
+to which was had through the great reception hall. From the Elector, who
+was eagerly interested in his game, Count Schwarzenberg obtained permission
+to accompany the Electress. The whole company, with the exception of the
+gentlemen busied in card playing, followed them. Like a glittering,
+gigantic serpent, sparkling in all the colors of the rainbow, wound the
+long, unbroken procession through the hothouses. They admired the exquisite
+taste by which these long rooms had been transformed into gardens and
+shrubberies; enjoyed the rare, deliciously scented flowers which peeped
+forth here and there amid thickets of myrtle and orange tree; amused
+themselves with the birds of variegated plumage, suspended from the boughs
+in wire cages of most delicate workmanship. Each Ah! of delight that
+sounded from the lips of the Electress found its repeated echo in the long
+line of gentlemen and ladies following her; and these loud exclamations of
+delight and rapture were so many acts of homage and flattery offered at
+the shrine of Count Schwarzenberg, the great and mighty possessor of all
+these glories.
+
+There were in that brilliant assemblage only two individuals who paid
+little attention to the beautiful birds and flowers about them, who did
+not chime in with the eulogies and conversation of the company. These two
+were Princess Charlotte Louise and Count John Adolphus Schwarzenberg. They
+followed immediately behind the Electress. The young count had offered the
+Princess his arm, which with a slight blush she had accepted. The
+Electress, who preceded them, was wholly absorbed in conversation with
+Count Adam Schwarzenberg, who by his witty, fascinating powers of address
+succeeded in enchaining her attention. The Princess Sophie Hedwig came
+behind her sister with two ladies of the court, chatting and laughing,
+looking hither and thither at birds and flowers, and, by her frequent
+pauses of admiration before some rare plant or chatting parrot, more than
+once detaining the whole company, so that there was an empty space between
+the first two couples and those following.
+
+"I could fall at the feet of the Princess and kiss her hands in fervent
+gratitude," whispered Count Adolphus, when again the procession tarried
+behind them.
+
+"Why so?" asked Charlotte Louise, smiling. "What has my sister done to
+merit such gratitude?"
+
+"What? Why, she has granted me a blessed moment, in which I can tell you
+that I love you, boundlessly love you. Ah! why can I not speak this word
+aloud, that like a flash of lightning it may flame through this hall? That
+would be a fire which should unfold all blossoms and ripen all fruits. I
+love you, Charlotte Louise! I could kneel down here and repeat in strains
+of perpetual adoration to you, my mistress, my goddess, I love you, I am
+yours; but, alas! you--"
+
+"Well," asked she with a beaming glance--"well, why do you not complete
+your sentence?"
+
+"You are not mine," sighed he. "Were you so, then you would not answer the
+words which gush forth hot and ardent from my heart in such strange, cold
+fashion; then would you listen to my supplications, and grant me a
+moment's interview."
+
+"Did I not tell you, Adolphus," whispered she, "that you were to meet old
+Trude on the castle square to-morrow morning early? She will be the bearer
+of a message for you."
+
+"You said so; but I tell you, if you loved me you would not need time for
+reflection, but even yesterday, as soon as you heard of my arrival, your
+heart would have suggested the importance of our meeting in private, and
+devised some scheme whereby this might be accomplished without making use
+of old Trude's intervention so late as to-morrow morning."
+
+Princess Charlotte Louise laughed and blushed at the same time. "Perhaps I
+am not so cold and indifferent as you think, Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg," she said, with a charming expression of bashfulness and
+coquetry. "Perhaps I had already reflected that a conference would be
+desirable, were it only for the purpose of scolding you for your impulsive
+manners. Perhaps, too, I already know a place where we can see each other
+without old Trude's help."
+
+"If you speak earnestly, then am I the happiest of men. But I can not
+believe you, can not believe that my proud, cold-hearted Princess
+actually--"
+
+"Can not believe me!" interrupted she, smiling; "then, unbeliever, I shall
+convince you. Attend closely to all that I do."
+
+She dropped his arm, and pausing before a rare Manilla flower, praised its
+beauty and perfume. While doing so, her little hand, accidentally of
+course, disappeared in the pocket of her ample skirt, and when she drew it
+forth again this hand was fast closed. She waited until her sister came up
+with the court ladies, and drew her attention to the beautiful flower and
+the aviary of charming birds in the rear. She then walked forward, in the
+blissful consciousness that a long time would supervene ere the Princess
+could tear herself away from the flower and birds, and that she might now
+speak to her lover secure from being overheard, since a wide space also
+separated them from the pair in front.
+
+"What have you there in your hand, Louise?" asked the count, in breathless
+suspense.
+
+"A little note to Count Adolphus von Schwarzenberg," replied she, smiling,
+and with swift movement she pressed the little twisted paper into his
+hand. His countenance lighted up with rapture, and he made a movement as
+if he would kneel before her, but the Princess restrained him.
+
+"For Heaven's sake, Adolphus, consider that we are not alone," she
+whispered hurriedly.
+
+"I am alone with you, and if millions encircled us still should I be alone
+with you in paradise. To me you are the first, the only woman upon earth.
+I look upon you with the rapture which Adam felt when he first perceived
+at his side his God-sent, heavenly wife. You have led me back to a
+paradise of innocence and peace, have changed me into an Adam who the
+first time sees and loves a woman. Oh, my beloved, you have made me
+blessed indeed! This little strip of paper that you pressed into my hand,
+as if by an enchanter's spell, has penetrated my whole being with heavenly
+fire. I _must_ see it, I _must_ with my own eyes, with my own heart, read
+the words which you have indited to me."
+
+"I will repeat to you the contents of the note," said she, smiling. "Here
+they are: 'On Tuesday evening at ten o'clock the little side door next the
+cathedral will not be locked, only closed. Through this enter a vestibule,
+to the right of which stands a door. Open this and mount the flight of
+stairs beyond. Arrived at the top, go down the little passage to the left
+until you reach a door at the end. It will be open.'"
+
+"Tuesday evening?" whispered he, with enraptured looks; "and--"
+
+Three loud cannon shots drowned his words. They announced the opening of
+the exhibition of fireworks, and Princess Sophie Hedwig now came rapidly
+forward, followed by the whole assembly, all pressing eagerly toward the
+great hall, whose windows commanded a view of the fireworks. The rockets
+flew, and artificial suns wheeled and turned in fiery circles. Even the
+Elector forsook his card playing, and, supported by Count Schwarzenberg,
+walked to the window to behold the costly spectacle. Without, the densely
+packed throng of men shouted aloud with delight at each new star which
+shot upward.
+
+The Electoral Prince Frederick William still lay within his solitary
+chamber, moaning and sighing upon his couch. Regularly every quarter of an
+hour Dietrich had thrown away a spoonful of medicine, and given the Prince
+a spoonful of warm milk. But his pains had not been diminished thereby,
+though the Electoral Prince was evidently himself, and clearly conscious
+of his situation. Several times he had addressed a few affectionate words
+to Dietrich, seeking to comfort the faithful old man, who in his agony of
+mind wept and prayed, and then tenderly pressed his beloved master's hand
+to his lips, and besought him to get well and live.
+
+"If it depends on me, Dietrich," said the Electoral Prince slowly,
+moistening his parched lips with his tongue--"if it depends on me, I
+surely shall not die. Life is still dear to me, although it has brought me
+much of bitterness and grief. On that very account, though, I hope that
+the future will indemnify me. It is a sorrowful thought to me to die and
+sink into the grave so young, so unknown. Could I prevent it, I surely
+should. But this hellish fire in my veins burns on and on, and is
+consuming my life. Give me something to drink; milk at least lessens my
+pangs in some degree."
+
+Thus passed hour after hour, and midnight drew near. Count Schwarzenberg's
+festival was not yet over, the Electoral family had not yet returned, and
+silence unbroken reigned throughout the castle. With slow, measured tread
+went the sentinels to and fro before the palace and through the inner
+corridors. At times the loud shouts of the populace penetrated in faint
+echoes even to the castle, and flew like spirit whispers through the broad
+vestibule fronting the Electoral Prince's suite of rooms. The soldier on
+guard there heard them with a shudder, and all the stories of ghosts and
+specters told about the Electoral palace awoke to his remembrance. He cast
+a disturbed glance around, and, holding his breath, listened with loudly
+beating heart to the soft sounds and murmurs vibrating through the hall.
+Suddenly he quite distinctly seemed to hear soft, gliding steps
+approaching him from the other side of the vestibule. His blood stood
+still with horror, he stared into the dusky hall. The little oil lamps
+which hung on both sides of the door leading into the Electoral Prince's
+apartments shed abroad only a glimmering, uncertain light, and left the
+background enveloped in gloom and obscurity.
+
+All at once the soldier started: he thought he saw a white figure emerge
+from the darkness. Yes--his eyes saw her, his ears heard her steps!
+
+Yes, it was no illusion! Ever nearer, ever larger loomed the white figure.
+It was wholly enveloped in a veil and robe of white, and only two large,
+sparkling black eyes looked forth from the veil. The soldier fell upon his
+knees, dropped his weapon, and, folding his hands, muttered with
+chattering teeth: "The White Lady! God Almighty be gracious to us! The
+White Lady!"
+
+He dared not look up; he only murmured in anguish of spirit the prayers by
+which spirits were exorcised; but he felt that the dreaded phantom came
+ever nearer and nearer--that he could not exorcise the Lady in White! Now
+she was close to him, her white garment grazed his bowed head, and the
+soldier shuddered and shrank within himself. It was as if he heard a door
+creak and turn softly on its hinges, then all was still.
+
+The soldier ventured to lift up his head a little--the hall was empty, the
+Lady in White had vanished! But she had been there; he had distinctly seen
+her; she had entered the Electoral Prince's apartments; the soldier had
+plainly heard that!
+
+Now an inexpressible horror, that was stronger than all discipline and
+sense of duty, seized him. He rushed out of the hall, tore open the door
+opening upon the broad corridor, on both sides of which lay the apartments
+of their Electoral Highnesses. With a loud scream he called out to the
+sentinel on guard there: "The White Lady! the White Lady!"
+
+This one, too, shrieked as loudly as if the apparition itself stood before
+him--the Lady in White, known and dreaded of all! And both soldiers,
+panicstricken, ran down the corridor to tell the news to the other
+sentinels, and throw them all into the same state of dread and
+consternation.
+
+The Electoral Prince Frederick William lay upon his bed with open eyes.
+For the past half hour the pains which raged within had somewhat slackened
+in intensity, and allowed him more repose. This season of repose had
+overcome old Dietrich, and, like the disciples on Mount Olivet, he had
+fallen "asleep for sorrow." The Prince was awake and found himself in that
+overwrought condition in which the high-strung, quivering nerves lend
+wonderful clearness and acuteness to the spirit, and in which the soul
+with wide-seeing vision takes in the whole past, the whole future. He saw
+his past rise up before him, with all its struggles, its privations, its
+inexpressible joys and their painful renunciation. And then, across all
+these sufferings, and the pain of the present, he looked into the future,
+whose shining ideal stood before him in vivid clearness, beckoning and
+calling to him. He saw fame, he saw honor; he heard the din of battle, he
+saw a wild chaos, and from this chaos emerged a something, a tangible
+shape; it grew large, it assumed form and substance, it was a country--his
+country--that he himself had created, drawn forth from chaos. And now he
+saw a happy, contented people, saw glad multitudes throng about him and
+shout: "Long live our Electoral Prince, Frederick William! Long live our
+deliverer, our father!" That ideal, which had lain so long in the secret
+depths of his soul, in fact ever since he had known thought; that ideal to
+which he had already dedicated himself, when he had stood as a boy by the
+corpse of his great-uncle Gustavus Adolphus; that ideal was now truth and
+reality before his inward vision. He was a Prince wreathed in glory; he
+was beloved by his strong and happy subjects!
+
+"I can not die," he exclaimed, in a loud, strong voice; "I need not die!"
+
+"No, you need not die," said a sonorous voice; and a white form hovered
+near, and two great, black eyes glowed upon him. Frederick William tried
+to rise, but could not, for his limbs were paralyzed, and he felt as if
+chained to his couch by iron fetters.
+
+"Who are you?" he asked softly. "What do you want here? They say that he
+to whom you appear is doomed to death; and yet you come to tell me that I
+need not die?"
+
+"We are all doomed to die," replied the white figure; "but the hour of
+your death has not come yet. I am not come merely to tell you so, but to
+save you."
+
+"To save me? You know, then, that I am in danger?"
+
+"Yes! In danger of your life! Count Schwarzenberg has poisoned you. Are
+you not consumed by inward fires? Is not your head heavy and giddy?"
+
+"I see plainly that you know what I suffer--you know the poison which was
+given me."
+
+"I know the poison, but I also know its cure. I know its antidote, and
+have brought it to you. I would save you."
+
+"You would save me?" asked the Electoral Prince. "Am I not dying fast
+enough for you? Have I not yet swallowed enough of the deadly fluid that
+you would give me more as a remedy? The invention is somewhat flimsy! I
+shall not drink!"
+
+"Unhappy Prince, you would not live, then?" asked she, in distress. "Hear
+me, Frederick William. If you delay, you are lost beyond all hope of cure.
+Nobody knows the remedy for your sufferings but myself, and nobody can
+save you if I do not! Oh, think not that I would merit your thanks and
+rewards! I have come hither at the peril of my own life, and each minute
+increases my own danger as well as yours. The soldiers have fled before
+my apparition. If a braver one should come to look closer at the White
+Lady, I am lost, and you with me, for then I could not administer to you
+the antidote."
+
+"Tell me who you are, that I may see whether I may trust you."
+
+"Who am I?" asked she. "I am a poor, mortal woman, who possesses nothing
+upon earth but a heart, which loves nothing but a poor, much-to-be-pitied
+man, whom not his own will but destiny has made a criminal. His child and
+I were threatened with death, and to save us he committed a crime.
+Electoral Prince, Count Schwarzenberg has poisoned you by means of Gabriel
+Nietzel. I come to save you. Not for your own sake. What are you to
+me?--why should I disturb myself about you? I love Gabriel Nietzel, and I
+would not have his soul burdened by a crime that would break his heart. My
+Gabriel has a tender heart; he was not made to be a criminal. Therefore
+would I absolve him from that curse, for I love Gabriel, and would not
+have him be a murderer. Do you believe me now? Will you try my palliative
+now?"
+
+The Electoral Prince lay there silent and motionless, and his large,
+wide-open eyes gazed searchingly and inquiringly up at the white figure,
+as if they would penetrate the veil and read her features.
+
+Rebecca had a consciousness of this, and let the white veil fall from her
+head. "Look in my face," she said, "and read from that whether I speak
+the truth."
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel, too, came to warn me," murmured the Prince, quivering
+with pain, "and afterward it was he who poisoned me. From him come these
+fearful tortures which are burning now like the flames of hell."
+
+"Gracious sir, oh, my dear sir!" cried Dietrich now, coming up to the bed
+and kneeling beside it, "I beseech you, take nothing from her. I have
+heard all, and I tell you it is Schwarzenberg who sends this Jewess to
+you. Trust her not, my beloved Prince, take none of her hellish mixtures!"
+
+"Trust me," said Rebecca quietly. "If life is dear to you, if you hope in
+the future, if you would take vengeance upon the man who is your real
+murderer, whose mere tool my poor husband was, then accept the remedy
+which I bring you!"
+
+"Yes," cried the Electoral Prince, with countenance lighting up, "yes, I
+will take it! Give me your remedy. Hush, Dietrich, hush! I will take it!"
+
+"Praised be Jehovah! he will take it!" said she joyfully, drawing forth
+from her bosom a little flask. "Before I give you the medicine, I have
+something to say to you, Frederick William. As soon as you have taken it,
+you will fall into a deep sleep, almost resembling death. If you are
+disturbed in this, the efficacy of my cordial will be destroyed."
+
+"Dietrich," said the Prince composedly, "you will take care that no one
+disturbs my slumbers. I command you so to do!"
+
+"I shall obey, most gracious sir," murmured Dietrich.
+
+"When you awake after six hours," continued Rebecca, "you will experience
+a feeling of ineffable comfort. Be not deluded by this, and attempt to
+leave your couch. Rest is necessary for you, and you are then only on the
+road to health. That you may be perfectly cured I must come again
+to-morrow night, and once more administer the cordial. Mind that to-morrow
+night, as at present, you be alone. No one must be with you but old
+Dietrich. He is a trusty, affectionate servant, and I hope to God will
+tell no one what he has seen and heard here, for I would be lost if he
+should do so."
+
+"I swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will keep silence," said
+Dietrich solemnly.
+
+"And now, enough of words!" cried she. "See, Dietrich, the pains begin
+anew, and his features twitch convulsively. We must procure him relief."
+
+She took a glass from the table and emptied into it half of the brown
+liquid contained in her little flask. Then she bent over the Prince and
+held the glass to his lips.
+
+"Drink this," she said, with solemnity, "and may the Lord our God bless
+the potion to you!"
+
+The Prince drank in long draughts, emptying the glass to the last drop.
+Then he uttered one shriek, and sank back senseless on the pillow.
+
+"If you have murdered him," cried Dietrich, shaking his fist with menacing
+gesture--"if you have murdered him, be sure that I shall find you out and
+hand you over to the hang-man."
+
+She slowly turned and once more drew the long white veil over her face.
+"To-morrow night I shall come again," she said. "Attend well to him,
+Dietrich, and see that he swallows nothing but what you give him yourself."
+
+Then she opened the door and stepped out. The corridor was still empty and
+tenantless; the sentinels had not yet ventured to return to their posts.
+They had all collected below in the guardroom, which was situated in the
+rear of the castle toward the Spree, and, pale with agitation and horror,
+were talking in whispers of the awful event. All at once it seemed to them
+as if a white shadow glided past outside the windows, as if two great,
+sparkling eyes looked in upon them. They jumped up, rushed out of the
+room, and out of the castle, shrieking out to the town, "The White Lady!
+the White Lady!"
+
+A couple of inquisitive men coming from Schwarzenberg's palace heard the
+shriek of terror and screamed it to others, and like a tempest of wind it
+rolled on, dragged everything into its eddying circle of awe and fright,
+rushed howling through the night and penetrated into the brilliantly
+lighted palace of Count Schwarzenberg, even into the ball-room, where the
+tired couples were whirling in the last dance.
+
+"The White Lady! the White Lady has appeared in the castle!"
+
+The words ran through the halls. The dancing ceased, and the music paused
+in the midst of a piece begun, for the Elector himself had risen from his
+game of cards, and the Electress had called the Princesses from among the
+dancers.
+
+"The White Lady has been seen in the castle!"
+
+These fearful words, brought to him by his wife, frightened the Elector
+out of his comfortable mood, and dissipated the cheering effects of the
+wine. The White Lady threatened him with death! The thought filled his
+whole soul, and made him all at once sober and serious.
+
+"The Lady in White has appeared in the castle," sighed the Electress, "and
+my son Frederick William is sick. I must go to him--I must go to my son!"
+
+The equipage rolled off to the castle. The Elector leaned back gloomily in
+the corner, thinking to himself: "If I only knew whether she wore white or
+black gloves! Perhaps she only means to warn me, perhaps there is yet time
+to escape the mischief! The air of Berlin is very bad, and I vex myself
+too much here. As we drove up to the castle when we came from Königsberg,
+one of our carriage horses stumbled and fell. That was an ill omen, and we
+should have heeded it and turned about immediately. Perhaps there may yet
+be time to flee from the threatened evil, if we go back to Königsberg! If
+I only knew what kind of gloves the White Lady wore!"
+
+"Just tell me what sort of a tale this is about the White Lady?" asked
+Count Schwarzenberg of his Chamberlain von Lehndorf, after his guests had
+taken their leave.
+
+"Your excellency, one of the sentinels on duty at the castle to-day came
+rushing into the palace, and shrieked out wildly and madly: 'The White
+Lady! I have seen the White Lady! I must speak to the Elector! I have seen
+the White Lady!' I assure your excellency, it was actually terrific to
+witness the poor man's fright. He was pale as death, with tottering knees
+and trembling in every limb. I myself felt a cold shudder creep over me,
+although usually I am neither timid nor superstitious. But it is such a
+singular coincidence, that the White Lady should appear on the very day
+when the Electoral Prince was taken so suddenly ill."
+
+"Yes, it is a singular coincidence," said Schwarzenberg, shrugging his
+shoulders, "and I should like to know the connecting link. Well, I hope to
+fathom the mystery, and then the ghost story will resolve itself into a
+ridiculous reality. Early to-morrow morning I shall have all the soldiers
+called up, who were on duty at the castle to-night, and question them
+myself. The castellan's wife, too, must be summoned. She is an honest
+woman of bold and sober wits, and from her I shall be best able to learn
+what is the meaning of this masquerade. Good-night, Lehndorf, sleep off
+your fright, you sentimental man, over whom a childish shudder still
+creeps, whenever he hears a nursery maid's tale! I really envy you your
+implicit faith, you credulous man! One thing more, though: what news have
+we from the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, according to the latest accounts, the Electoral Prince
+was enjoying a little rest, having fallen into a profound sleep."
+
+"Very fine!" said the count, entering his cabinet. "Good-night, Lehndorf!"
+
+
+
+
+XI.--THE PURSUIT.
+
+
+The next morning Count Schwarzenberg interrogated all the sentinels who
+had been on guard at the castle on the preceding night. They unanimously
+affirmed that they had been awake and watchful when they had seen the
+White Lady. The sentinel before the Electoral Prince's apartments had seen
+her enter those rooms, even distinctly heard the door creak as it closed
+behind her. Collectively the sentinels asseverated that afterward they had
+seen the White Lady pass before the guardhouse windows, and that she had
+even looked in upon them with her great black eyes. Even to-day they
+shuddered and trembled at the bare remembrance of the frightful
+apparition, and swore that they would rather die than see that horrible
+woman again. Then, when the soldiers had withdrawn, came the castellan's
+wife, who had been summoned by Chamberlain von Lehndorf.
+
+"And what say you to the goblin of last night?" asked Count Schwarzenberg,
+noticing the castellan's wife with a condescending nod.
+
+"Most noble sir," replied the old woman solemnly, "I say that a member of
+the Electoral family will die."
+
+"What? _you_, the prudent, wise, intelligent Mrs. Culwin--you, too, believe
+this ridiculous story?"
+
+"Most revered sir, I believe in it because I know the White Lady, and have
+seen her often before."
+
+"Oh, indeed," smiled the count; "you count the White Lady among your
+acquaintances; you have seen her often before? Just tell me a little about
+her, my dear dame! When did you first see the specter?"
+
+"Almost twenty years ago, if it please your honor. I had just been a year
+in Berlin. Your honor knows I came here from Venice in the capacity of
+maid to your lady of blessed memory, and had committed the folly of giving
+up the countess's good service in order to marry Culwin, the young
+castellan."
+
+"And why do you call that a folly?" asked Count Schwarzenberg, laughing.
+"I have always believed that you lived in happy wedlock with your good
+man."
+
+"That may be so, your excellency, but for all that, a lady's maid, who can
+live independently always commits a folly in submitting to a husband's
+rule. And I could support myself, for your excellency paid me such a
+handsome salary, and I was in such favor with your blessed lady. Often,
+before I stupidly left her to get married, she would call me, and we would
+talk together of our beautiful home, our beloved Venice. Ah! your
+excellency, we have often wept together, and longed ardently to behold
+once more the city of the sea. Whoever comes from there never recovers
+from homesickness and wherever he goes, and however far he may be removed,
+his heart still clings to Venice. That the gracious countess often
+remarked to me, weeping bitterly, which did her good, and--"
+
+"You were to tell me when you first saw the White Lady," interrupted Count
+Schwarzenberg, for he felt uncomfortable at being reminded of his wife,
+knowing as he did that she had spent but few happy days at his side.
+
+"That is true, and I beg your excellency's pardon," replied Mrs. Culwin.
+Well, then, I saw the White Lady for the first time in the year 1619. I
+had sat up late at night, for it was a few days before the Christmas
+festival, and, in accordance with German customs, I wished to make a
+Christmas present for my husband, but had not finished the piece of
+embroidery I destined for that purpose. As I sat thus and sewed, I felt as
+it were a cold breath of air on my cheek, as if some one rapidly moved
+past me. I looked up startled, and there stood before me a tall, womanly
+figure, clad in white, looking at me from under her veil with dark,
+flashing eyes; and then she strode toward the door, but ere she went out
+she lifted her arms toward heaven, and folded her hands, which were
+covered with black gloves, fervently together. So she stood for awhile,
+and then vanished without my seeing the door open or shut. So long as the
+specter was there I had sat stiff and motionless, as if rooted to the
+spot; my heart seemed to stand still; I tried to scream, but could not.
+When she was gone, though, I shrieked fearfully, and my husband hastened
+to me, to find me in convulsions, and for hours I screamed and wept. My
+husband, indeed, tried to talk me out of it, and made me promise to speak
+of the occurrence to no one. But my silence was of no consequence, for the
+next day it was known to all the inmates of the palace that the White Lady
+had appeared, for very many had seen her. The old Elector John Sigismund
+had such a dread of the White Lady, and feared so much that she would
+appear to him, that he left the castle that very day, and went to the
+residence of his Chamberlain Freitag. There, however, he died in the
+course of two days, just two days before Christmas.[25] The White Lady was
+therefore right, with her deep mourning and black gloves.[26] It was not
+the head of the family who died, for the old Elector had abdicated, and
+Elector George William was even then reigning Sovereign."
+
+"Truly, that sounds quite awful," cried Count Schwarzenberg; "and since
+you saw the apparition with your own eyes, I can not dispute it. You said,
+though, I think, that you had often seen it?"
+
+"Twice more, gracious sir. The second time was in the year 1625. There
+again, one night, in the center of my room stood the White Lady, and again
+lifted up her arms toward heaven before departing, and again she wore
+black gloves. And the next day died the brother of our Elector, the
+Margrave Joachim Sigismund."[27]
+
+"And the third time?"
+
+"For the third time I saw the White Lady ten years ago, therefore in 1628.
+This time she also wore black gloves, and a black veil besides. She again
+strode through my room, but neither wept nor wrung her hands. She had also
+appeared to the Elector himself, and addressed a few Latin words to him,
+which in German my husband said ran thus: 'Justice comes to the living and
+the dead.'"[28]
+
+"I remember this last story very well myself," said Count Schwarzenberg,
+with a peculiar smile. "His Electoral Grace was very much shocked by the
+apparition, and its appearance was supposed to announce years of terrible
+war, for no one in the Electoral family died. Now tell me, Mrs. Culwin, at
+what time did the White Lady appear yesterday, and how was she dressed?"
+
+"Your excellency, I can not say exactly, for I did not see her yesterday.
+The soldiers however, and watchmen, too, affirm that she was dressed
+entirely in white, which betokens the death of a person of high rank."
+
+"You did not see the White Lady yesterday, then? I think she always passes
+through your room, Mrs. Culwin?"
+
+"She took another route this time, and something quite unusual happened:
+she even appeared outside of the castle, for the soldiers maintain that
+she passed before their windows, and the watchman, who was just making his
+round, swears that he also saw a white figure glide past the wall. It
+seems that this time the White Lady came from the Spree side. She did not
+enter the great corridor at all, but repaired immediately to the Prince's
+apartments. The sentinel says she went in, and that he distinctly heard
+the door creak and shut as she passed through."
+
+"Formerly no opening or shutting of doors was to be heard, was there?"
+asked the count.
+
+"No, your excellency, I never heard anything of the kind, and it always
+seemed to me as if the door opened not at all, and as if the White Lady
+vanished like mist."
+
+"And she only visited the Prince's apartments? Do you know who was there?"
+
+"Nobody but the Electoral Prince and his valet, I hear. _I_ myself was not
+at home when the event occurred. Your excellency's stewardess had invited
+me to assist her in preparing yesterday's feast, and I only returned in
+haste as soon as it was rumored that the White Lady was abroad in the
+castle."
+
+"But you have surely seen and questioned the Prince's valet?"
+
+"He is the only man in the castle who can not be approached with good or
+evil words, your excellency, and who brooks not being questioned. Of
+course, I tried questioning him about the White Lady, but his only answer
+was that he had seen nothing, and did not believe in ghost stories. He
+only knew that his dear young Prince was sick, and he troubled himself
+about nothing else."
+
+"He is still sick then, the Electoral Prince?" asked Count Schwarzenberg
+with indifference. "Has he not slept off his intoxication yet?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, I do not believe that it was intoxication, else surely
+the Prince would be well to-day! But he is not at all better, and the
+Electress, who visited her son early this morning, broke forth into loud
+weeping when she saw him, for he must look just like a corpse."
+
+"Did he recognize the Electress? Did he speak to her?"
+
+"He knows nobody, he does not open his eyes, but lies there stiff and
+stark like a dead man, and if he did not sometimes fetch a breath, you
+would believe that he were already dead. This the little Princess herself
+told me, as I accidentally met her in the passage, when she returned from
+visiting her brother. But the doctor says this sleep is the beneficial
+result of his treatment, and that when the Electoral Prince awakes he will
+be quite restored to health. He has ordered that no one else be admitted
+to see the Prince, and Dietrich watches over him like a Cerberus."
+
+"And he does well in that, Mrs. Culwin. I thank you for your information,
+and if anything new should happen I beg of you to come to me forthwith.
+Tell me one thing more: Do you believe that the specter will come again
+to-night? Is it the custom of the White Lady to show herself oftener than
+once?"
+
+"My husband maintains that if she appears, as at this time, all in white,
+she will come again three nights consecutively. So it was when the Elector
+Sigismund died. I saw her only once, and she wore black gloves, but the
+next evening my husband saw her on the other side of the castle dressed
+all in white, and on the third evening the Elector died."
+
+"It would be interesting if the White Lady should come again to-night. I
+should like to know if it is the case, and--Well, farewell, Mrs. Culwin,
+and if you learn anything new, share it with me. Perhaps I shall come over
+to the castle myself to-night."
+
+He held out his hand to the old woman, and, as he pressed hers, he let a
+well-filled purse slip into it. He cut off her expressions of gratitude by
+a short nod of the head, and waved her toward the door. The castellan's
+wife withdrew, and, absorbed in deep thought, Count Schwarzenberg remained
+alone in his cabinet. With hands folded behind his back, he walked for a
+long while to and fro. His pace was ever steady, ever composed; his
+countenance seemed quite cheerful, quite tranquil, and yet his soul was
+stirred by passion and a storm was raging in his breast.
+
+"He is alive--he is still alive," he said to himself. "One could almost
+believe that he has a star above which watches over him and preserves him.
+It has been ever so from childhood; and at times when I think of him I
+experience an unwonted sensation--I am afraid of him. He is my deadly
+enemy, I know it. If I did not thrust him aside, he would do so with me.
+If I did not kill him, he would kill me. It was a mere act of self-defense
+to put him out of the way. If it miscarries, I am lost, for I shall not
+soon have courage for a second attempt. I am a coward in this young man's
+presence, I am afraid of him! He is my fate, my evil fate! And I can not
+avert it, can undertake nothing more. I lack a tool. Oh, what a blockhead
+I was to dismiss Nietzel! His own sins were the scourge by which I lashed
+him into action. He was as wax in my hands, and if he failed this time, he
+must have tried it again. I would have driven him to it, and he would have
+been forced to obey. If the Electoral Prince should now get well, Nietzel
+would be glad, for he is a soft-hearted fool, and had it not been for
+Rebecca's sake, he could never have brought himself to commit the deed.
+Even while he executed it his heart bled, and--My God!" he suddenly
+exclaimed, "what a thought bursts upon me! If this Nietzel--"
+
+He was silent and sank into an armchair, putting his hands before his
+face, to shut out the outer world, to be undisturbed in his deep train of
+thought.
+
+Long he sat there, silent and motionless. Then he let his hands glide
+from before his face, which had now again resumed its haughty, composed
+expression, and arose from his seat.
+
+"I must know what is the meaning of this ghost story," he said softly to
+himself. "Nowhere has the phantom been seen but in the antechamber to the
+Prince's rooms. It did not go like other spirits through walls and closed
+doors, but must needs open and shut doors, like ordinary mortals. Yet old
+Dietrich denies having seen the White Lady in the Electoral Prince's room.
+Then afterward the White Lady was seen outside the castle, she did not
+vanish through the air, but went out like a human being. It is a plot,
+that is clear. They are conspiring with the Electoral Prince, and profit
+by the mask to obtain safe access to the castle; or it may be Nietzel,
+come to confess what he has done to the Prince--maybe even to bring him a
+remedy. I must unravel it! I am sure the illusion succeeded so well last
+night that the apparition will be repeated. I shall make my regulations
+accordingly, and if it is so, then let the White Lady beware of me, for I
+am a good conjurer. I shall go to the castle myself to-night, and when the
+sentinels flee, I shall go in. Ah! we shall see who is stronger, the White
+Lady or the Stadtholder in the Mark!"
+
+Melancholy and quiet reigned all day long in the Electoral palace. The
+Elector himself remained in his cabinet and had the court preacher John
+Bergius called, that he might pray with him and edify him by a few hours'
+pious conversation. But the dreadful uncertainty as to whether the White
+Lady had appeared in deep mourning or with black gloves still continued
+to disturb him, and whenever a door opened a shudder crept through his
+veins, for he thought that the White Lady herself might be coming to call
+him away.
+
+"I shall leave Berlin," he said perpetually to himself. "I shall return to
+Königsberg; for if I stay here I will certainly die of anxiety and
+distress. I can not live in the house with a ghost. I shall go away. Ah!
+there is the door opening again! Who is it? Who dares come in here?"
+
+"It is I, my husband," cried the Electress, bursting into tears. "I am
+just from our son."
+
+"How is he?" asked the Elector carelessly. "Has he at last slept off the
+fumes of liquor?"
+
+"Alas! George, I fear this is no case of intoxication, but he is
+dangerously sick. The White Lady did not appear for nothing."
+
+"What, you think she came on our son's account?" asked the Elector,
+almost joyfully. "You think it is not for our--" He paused and drew a
+breath of relief, for he felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from
+his soul. "You really think, my dear, that the White Lady came on
+our son's account?"
+
+"I fear so, alas! I fear so! My son is sick and will probably die, and our
+house will be left desolate, become extinct, and ingloriously decay. Oh,
+my son! my son! I had built all my hopes upon him, and when I thought of
+him the future looked bright and promising."
+
+"And if he were no more, then would all look sad and gloomy to you,
+although your husband would still be at your side, which rightfully ought
+to console you. But you have ever been a cold wife to me and a tender
+mother to your son, and it really vexes me to see how you love the son and
+despise his father. What an ado you make merely because your son has taken
+a little too much liquor, and suffers from the effects of intoxication, as
+the doctor says!"
+
+"But I tell you, George, the Electoral Prince is sick, and the White
+Lady--"
+
+"I will hear no more of that," broke in the Elector passionately; "it is a
+silly, idle tale, not worthy of credit. Everybody is dinning it into my
+ears to-day, and it is simply intolerable to have to listen. I just wish
+that I could leave this place, to be rid of this tiresome ghost story, and
+not to have to undergo such torment and vexation. In Königsberg, at least,
+we live in peace and quiet, and are not forever plagued by the sight of
+sullen faces and perpetual threats of war and pestilence. In Königsberg
+Castle, too, the White Lady has never appeared, and there are no nightly
+apparitions there."
+
+"Let us return to Königsberg, George!" cried the Electress. "Do so for our
+son's sake; I tell you if we stay here, he is lost! Death stands forever
+at his side, threatening his precious young life! Ask me not what I mean,
+for I can not explain myself; yet I feel that I am right, and that he is
+lost if we do not speedily depart. Only listen this one time to my
+entreaties and representations, my husband. Let us set out before it is
+too late."
+
+"Well then, Elizabeth, I will do as you wish," said George William, who
+was glad that he could grant his wife what he  so ardently wished himself.
+"Yes, we shall promptly depart, since you urge it so pressingly."
+
+The Electress gently encircled her husband's neck with her arm and
+imprinted a kiss upon his brow. "Thank you, George," she whispered. "You
+have probably saved our son from death. May the merciful God grant him
+restoration to health, and so soon as this is the case let us set off."
+
+"Make all your preparations then, Elizabeth, for I tell you your tenderly
+beloved son is only a little tipsy, and to-morrow will be well as ever."
+
+"God grant that you speak the truth, George. Then let us commence our
+journey day after to-morrow," which is Wednesday. But hark! I have one
+more request to make of you. Tell no one of our projected trip. Let us
+make our preparations in perfect secrecy."
+
+"For all that I care," growled the Elector. "The principal thing is to be
+off. Abode here has been hateful to me ever since I heard those shouts of
+the populace the day our son returned. I can not live in a city where the
+mob undertakes to meddle in government affairs, and even prescribes to its
+Sovereign the dismissal of his minister. It is an uproarious, insolent
+rabble, the rabble of Berlin, and I shall not feel glad or tranquil until
+I have left the place."
+
+"And I, too, George, will not feel glad or tranquil until we have left the
+place, carrying our son with us. I am going to work directly, and will
+prepare everything for our departure, and consult with my daughters. But I
+must first go and see how our son is."
+
+The Electress hastened back to the apartments of the Electoral Prince, and
+old Dietrich came to meet her with joy-beaming countenance to announce to
+her that the Prince was awake, and felt perfectly well. "He only feels a
+great weakness in his limbs, and his head is heavy. The doctor has been
+here, and ordered that the Prince be kept perfectly quiet to-day, and not
+allowed to speak with any one or to leave his bed. To-morrow he will be
+quite well again."
+
+"Then I will not speak to him," exclaimed the Electress; "I will only take
+one look at him and give him one kiss."
+
+She entered her son's sleeping room and stepped up to his couch. The
+Electoral Prince smiled upon her, and his large eyes greeted her with
+tender glances. He had already opened his mouth to speak, but the
+Electress quickly laid her hand upon his lips.
+
+"Do not speak, my Frederick," she whispered softly. "Sleep and compose
+yourself; know that your mother tenderly loves you. For my sake, my son,
+keep quiet to-day; keep your bed and talk with no one. Will you not
+promise me?"
+
+He nodded smilingly and imprinted a kiss upon the hand which his mother
+still held over his lips. The Electress hurried away, and Frederick again
+remained alone with his old valet.
+
+"Now, Dietrich," he whispered softly, "now keep watch that no one enters,
+and let us quietly await the night."
+
+"Your grace thinks that the White Lady brought you good medicine last
+night, and that she will come again, do you not?"
+
+"I am convinced of it, my good old man. God has sent her for my cure. God
+will not have me die already."
+
+"The name of the Lord be blessed and praised!" murmured Dietrich, sinking
+upon his knees in fervent prayer.
+
+Deep stillness pervaded the Electoral Prince's apartments the whole day
+long, for nobody dared venture in. The doctor himself, who came toward
+evening, only peeped in through a crevice of the door, and nodded quite
+contentedly when Dietrich whisperingly told him that the Prince had again
+fallen into a gentle slumber.
+
+"I knew it," said the doctor with gravity. "My medicine was meant to cure
+him by means of sleep, and I am not surprised that my calculations have
+proved perfectly correct. To-morrow the Prince will be perfectly
+well--that is to say, if he regularly takes my medicine. It has been
+prepared for the second time, I hope?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, doctor, and the Prince has half emptied the second bottle."
+
+The doctor nodded with an important air, and repaired to the Electress, to
+inform her that the Electoral Prince had been upon the point of taking a
+violent nervous fever, but that the right medicament, which he had given
+him, had averted this evil, and saved the Prince from imminent peril.
+
+Old Dietrich, however, threw away a spoonful of medicine every quarter of
+an hour, and when night came the bottle was empty.
+
+And now the longed-for night had closed in with its curtain of darkness,
+its noiselessness and quiet. Deep silence ruled throughout the castle, no
+loud word was any longer to be heard, not a man was to be met in hall or
+passage. Before the ushering in of the momentous hour each one had made
+haste to tuck himself up in bed, and shut his eyes, for everybody dreaded
+lest the specter of the preceding night should walk abroad again and show
+itself to him. The sentinels in the corridor before the Electoral suite of
+rooms and in the vestibule of the Prince's apartments dared not walk to
+and fro, for the noise of their own steps terrified them, and the dark
+shadows of their own forms, thrown upon the ground by the dim oil lamps,
+filled them with unspeakable dread. They had planted themselves stiffly
+and rigidly beside the doors, firmly determined as soon as the awful
+apparition should show itself to take to their heels and return to the
+guardroom. And happily they had some justification for this, inasmuch as
+the soldiers had received orders from the Stadtholder in the Mark, when
+they relieved guard, to convey instant tidings to the guardhouse if
+anything remarkable should occur.
+
+In order to convey instant tidings, they must of course take to their
+heels and forsake their posts. This was the only comfort of the soldier
+who was stationed in the vestibule leading to the princely apartments, and
+therefore he stood close to the door, which was only upon the latch, that
+he might the more rapidly gain the grand corridor, and warn in his flight
+the sentinels there. Yet he dared not open his eyes, and his heart beat so
+violently that it took away his breath.
+
+The great cathedral clock tolled the hour of midnight with loud and heavy
+strokes. The clock in the castle tower gave answer, and then the wall
+clock in the great corridor slowly and solemnly struck twelve.
+
+The soldier closed his eyes, and murmured with trembling lips, "All good
+spirits praise the Lord our God."
+
+The clangor of the clocks had ceased, and all again was still.
+
+The soldier ventured to open his eyes again. As yet no sound broke in upon
+the stillness; his glance timidly and slowly made the circuit of the hall.
+The two oil lamps burned clearly enough to enable him to survey the whole
+intervening space. He saw everything quite distinctly. There the door with
+the lamps, here the door beside which he leaned; against the wall on that
+side those two huge, black wooden presses, so curiously carved, and
+between them that little door. This door began to make him uneasy. Whither
+did it lead? Why stood no guard there? Was it locked or merely latched? He
+asked himself all this with quickly beating heart, and could not turn his
+glance from it. He had never before observed it. Now it seemed to him as
+if it moved! A cold shudder ran through his whole frame.
+
+Yes, it was no illusion! Yes, the door opened, and there stood the White
+Lady in her long, flowing robes! The soldier did not shriek, for horror
+had frozen the scream upon his lips. He tore open the door, and rushed
+into the corridor, and his deadly pale and terrorstricken face imparted
+with greater rapidity than words to the two sentinels there the dreadful
+tidings. All three ran down the corridor together to the front door, down
+the steps, across the wide court, and into the guardroom.
+
+"The White Lady! the White Lady!" they gasped.
+
+"Where is she? Who has seen her?" inquired a form emerging from the rear
+of the room and approaching them; and now, as the lamplight fell upon this
+form, the soldiers recognized it very well--it was the Stadtholder in the
+Mark himself who stood before them, and behind him they saw his
+Chamberlain von Lehndorf and the police-master Brandt.
+
+"Which of you has seen the White Lady?" asked Count Schwarzenberg once
+more.
+
+"I, gracious sir," stammered one of the three with difficulty. "I was
+stationed before the Electoral Prince's rooms, and I saw the White Lady
+enter through the little door between the two presses."
+
+"And whither went she?"
+
+"That I did not see, your excellency, for--"
+
+"For you ran away directly," concluded Count Schwarzenberg for him. "And
+you two others! You stood in the great corridor; did you see the
+apparition, too?"
+
+"No, your excellency, we did not see her. She did not come through the
+great corridor."
+
+"You did not see her. Why did you run away then?"
+
+"Your excellency, we ran away because--because--we do not know ourselves."
+
+"Well, I know," cried the count, shrugging his shoulders. "You ran away
+because you are cowards! Hush! No excuses now! We shall talk about it
+early to-morrow morning. Stay here in the guardroom. I myself will go up
+and see what folly has frightened you hares. Lehndorf and Brandt, both of
+you stay here and await my return."
+
+"But, most gracious sir," implored the chamberlain, "I beg your permission
+to accompany you. Nobody can know--"
+
+"Whether the White Lady may not stab and throttle me, would you say? No,
+Lehndorf, I fear no woman's shape, be she clothed in white or black. I am
+well armed, and methinks the White Lady will find her match in me. All of
+you stay here; but if I should not return in an hour, then you may mount
+the stairs and see whether the White Lady has borne me off through the
+air.--Which of you," he said, turning to the soldiers--"which of you stood
+guard before the princely apartments?"
+
+"It was I, your excellency."
+
+"Whence came the White Lady?"
+
+"She came through the little door between the two presses in the
+vestibule."
+
+"It is well! You will all stay here. And, as I said, Lehndorf, if I return
+not in an hour, then come."
+
+He nodded kindly to the chamberlain and strode out of the room.
+
+Meanwhile above, in the Electoral Prince's chamber, the White Lady had
+been expected with glowing impatience. Dietrich had already stood for a
+quarter of an hour at the antechamber door, waiting with palpitating heart
+for her appearance. The Electoral Prince had with difficulty raised
+himself up, and, supporting himself upon his elbows, had been listening
+with uplifted head in the direction of the door ever since the midnight
+hour had struck. And now the door opened and the White Lady glided in.
+With gentle, undulating gait and veil thrown back she went to the Prince's
+bed, and when she saw him sitting up a smile lighted up her pale face.
+
+"You see, Electoral Prince Frederick William, I have not deceived you,"
+she said; "you live, and you will now get perfectly well."
+
+"Yes, I believe that I will get well," replied the Prince; "and I owe my
+life to you."
+
+"Never mind that," said she, slowly shaking her head. "I am not here for
+your sake, but for my poor Gabriel's sake, to expiate his sin and to free
+his soul from guilt. I dare not use many words. The fame of the White Lady
+has spread through the whole city, and it may well be that they are on my
+track to-night--that Count Schwarzenberg's suspicions have been aroused.
+
+"He is a bad man, and I am afraid of him."
+
+"And yet you have come here! Have not shunned danger in order to save me!"
+
+"I have not shunned danger in order to go to my beloved and be able to
+tell him--'Lift up your head and rejoice in the Lord; crime is taken away
+from your head--you are no murderer, for the Electoral Prince lives.' One
+thing I would like to add, and I beseech you to grant it to me. Say that
+you will pardon Gabriel Nietzel."
+
+"I pardon Gabriel Nietzel with my whole heart, and never shall he be
+punished for what he has done to me! You have atoned for his crime, and
+may God forgive him, as I do."
+
+"I thank you, sir. And now take your second draught."
+
+She took the little flask, poured the rest of its contents into a glass,
+and handed it to the Prince.
+
+"Drink and be glad of heart," she said, "for to-morrow, early in the
+morning, you will awake a sound man. The angel of death has swept past
+you; take good heed lest you fall a second time into his clutches. Flee
+before him to the greatest possible distance. There, take, drink life and
+health from this glass, and the Lord our God be with you in all your ways!"
+
+"I thank you, and blessed be you too!" And the Electoral Prince took the
+glass from her hand and drained it.
+
+"It is finished," said Rebecca, heaving a deep sigh.
+
+"Now I can return to my beloved and my child. Farewell!"
+
+"Give me your hand, and let our farewell be that of friends," said
+Frederick William.
+
+She reached forth her little white hand from beneath her veil, and he
+cordially pressed it within his own. "You are a noble, high-minded woman,
+and I shall ever remember you with gratitude and friendship. I owe you my
+life; it is truly a great debt, and you would be magnanimous if you could
+point out some way whereby the weight might be a little lessened. I
+beseech you tell me some way in which I may prove my gratitude."
+
+"I will do so, sir! Some day when you are Elector, and a reigning
+Sovereign in your land, then have compassion upon those who are enslaved
+and oppressed, then spare the Jews!"
+
+She turned away, drew her veil over her head, and disappeared.
+
+"My work is finished! My beloved is atoned for!" exulted her soul. As if
+borne on wings of happiness and bliss, she soared through the antechamber
+and stepped out into the vestibule.
+
+All here was still and quiet, and she did not observe that the sentinel no
+longer stood at the door. Her thoughts were withdrawn from the present,
+her soul was far away with _him_--him whom she loved, for whom she had
+risked her life.
+
+Thus she sped through the great space and approached the door between the
+two presses. All at once she started and shrank back, and the tall, manly
+form standing before this door sprang forward, and with strong hand tore
+her veil impatiently from her head.
+
+"Rebecca!"
+
+"Count Schwarzenberg!"
+
+For one moment they surveyed one another with flaming eyes.
+
+She read her death sentence in his looks. But she would not die. No, she
+would not die! She would see her beloved, her child once more! With a
+sudden jerk she freed her arm from the hand that held her prisoner. She
+knew not what to do, whither she could flee. She had only a vague
+consciousness that to be alone with him meant death--that she would he
+safe only outside the castle. Without, on the street, Schwarzenberg would
+not venture to seize her, for he knew that she possessed his secret and
+that she would accuse him. She flew across the vestibule, tore open the
+door to the long corridor, and sprang down it like a hunted deer. But the
+pursuer was behind her, close behind her! She heard his breath, he
+stretched out his hands toward her--she felt his touch, and again she
+burst loose and flew away!
+
+At the end of the corridor is a small staircase which leads to the upper
+stories. She knows the way--oh, she knows the way! Above it is another
+long corridor, and if from the head of the stairs she turns to the right,
+she will reach the great staircase. She will hurry down to the quarters of
+the castellan and his wife; she will call--scream!
+
+Oh, if she can only get so far!
+
+She flies up the little steps, but she feels the pursuer close at her
+heels. And just as she reaches the top step, his hand, like a lion's paw,
+is laid upon her shoulder.
+
+"Stand still, or I will strangle you!" he murmurs. "Stand still, and I
+swear that I will not kill you!"
+
+"No, no, I do not believe you!" she gasps, and with both hands she seizes
+his and thrusts it back. Only on, on! She no longer knows whether she
+turns to the right or left, she runs down the dimly lighted corridor, and
+he follows.
+
+"O God! O God! there is no staircase!" She has missed the way--there is no
+way out now! The dread enemy is behind her! She can no longer avoid him!
+He will kill her, for she knows his secret! No escape!--no deliverance!
+
+But at the end of the corridor she sees a door. If she can only succeed in
+opening it, jumping into the room, shutting the door, and drawing the bolt!
+
+"God help me! God be with me!" she calls out aloud and flies to the door,
+bursts it open, rushes through, and--his weight presses against it; she
+can not shut it, she can not draw the bolt. He is there with her in that
+little room, which has no other outlet. No deliverer is near! She falls
+upon her knees, and lifts up her arms to him imploringly. "Oh, sir! oh,
+sir, pity! Do not kill me! I will be silent as the grave!"
+
+"As the grave!" repeats he, with a savage smile.
+
+He stoops down and something bright glitters in his hand! She sees it
+quite clearly, for it is a bright summer night, and her eyes are inured to
+darkness.
+
+"Almighty God, you would murder me! Mercy, sir, mercy!"
+
+He has closed the door behind them, yet the shriek of her death agony has
+penetrated the door and echoed down the corridor. Nobody hears it. All the
+chambers in this upper story are bare and uninhabited, and for economy's
+sake the corridors and staircases in this upper part of the castle are
+unlighted. To-day, however, at nightfall, the Stadtholder had himself
+brought word to castellan Culwin that every passage, landing, and
+staircase in the whole castle should be lighted! And so it was, and even
+in that remote upper story lamps are burning. How long and solitary this
+corridor is! Not the slightest sound has broken the stillness since those
+two sprang into that room.
+
+But now! A fearful, piercing shriek! A death cry forces its way through
+the door and in one long echo vibrates along the corridor. It sounds like
+the wailing and moaning of invisible spirits. Then nothing more interrupts
+the silence. Nothing more!
+
+The door opens again, and Count Schwarzenberg steps into the corridor.
+
+He is alone.
+
+He locks the door and puts the key into his pocket. Then, with quiet, firm
+tread, he goes down the corridor, down the little staircase, and finally,
+with composed, haughty bearing, down the great staircase into the
+guardroom.
+
+"God be praised, your excellency, that you are here!" calls out Lehndorf,
+hastening to meet him.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg nods to him, and then turns to the soldiers, who stand
+there silent and motionless.
+
+"What fools you are!" he says, shrugging his shoulders. "To put you
+soldiers to flight no cannon is required, but only a couple of white cats.
+A white cat it was, which made cowards of you. I saw her bounding along
+before me through the great corridor, and followed her to the upper story.
+There she slipped into an open door, the last door in the upper story.
+I jumped after her into the little apartment, but she must have found some
+other way out, for I could find her nowhere again, and that is the only
+wonder of the whole story, for the windows were closed. For the rest I
+command you to let naught of this story transpire, for fear of giving rise
+to idle tales."
+
+The soldiers heard him in reverential silence, but the next morning it was
+known throughout the castle and almost through the whole city that the
+White Lady had made her appearance again, and that at last, when pursued,
+she had vanished in the form of a white cat in one of the rooms in the
+upper story of the castle. After that nobody ventured into the upper
+story, and, as it was uninhabited, it was not necessary to station
+sentinels there.
+
+
+
+
+XII.--THE DEPARTURE.
+
+
+When the Electoral Prince awoke the next morning after a long, refreshing
+slumber, his first glance fell upon his faithful old valet, who stood at
+the foot of his couch, his face actually beaming with joy.
+
+"Why, Dietrich," said Frederick William, "you look so happy! What has
+altered your old face so since yesterday?"
+
+"The sight of you, most gracious sir, for your face has altered, too. Your
+cheeks are no longer deadly pale, nor your features distorted. Your
+highness looks quite like a well man now; somewhat pale, it is true; but
+your lips are again red and your eyes bright. Ah, gracious sir, the dear
+White Lady kept her word, she saved you!"
+
+"God bless her!" said the Electoral Prince solemnly. "But hark! old man,
+tell nobody that I have been saved. You must not use such dangerous words,
+not even think them. There was no need to save me, for I have been exposed
+to no peril. I have not been sick at all, but only overcome by wine, and,
+to speak plainly, drunk--do you hear, old man? I have been drunk two whole
+days: such is the account you must give of my attack."
+
+"I shall do so, your highness, since you order it; but it is a sin and a
+shame that I should slander my own dear young master, who is such a sober,
+steady Prince."
+
+"Now, Dietrich," said the Electoral Prince, with a melancholy smile, "you
+give me more praise than I deserve. I was not quite so sober in Holland."
+
+"No, sir; in dear, blessed Holland, life was a different thing. It was
+like heaven there, and when I looked at your grace I always felt as if I
+saw before me Saint George himself, so bold, spirited, and happy you ever
+seemed."
+
+"And so I felt, too," said the Prince softly to himself. "But all that is
+past now. _All_! The costly intoxication of happiness is at an end, and I
+am sobered. Yes, yes," he continued aloud, springing with energy from his
+couch, "you are quite right, old Dietrich. Now help this sober, steady
+Prince to dress himself, that he may wait upon the Elector and Electress
+and announce his recovery to them."
+
+After the Electoral Prince had made his toilet, he repaired to the
+Electoral apartments to pay his respects. George William received his son
+with sullen peevishness of manner, hardly deigning to bestow upon him more
+than a single glance of indifference.
+
+"Why, you still look pale and weak," he said coolly. "It is no great honor
+for a Prince to be overcome by a couple of glasses of wine, and to succumb
+as if he had been struck by a cannon ball."
+
+"Most gracious sir," replied Frederick William, smiling, "I hope yet to be
+able to prove to your highness that I can stand against the fire of cannon
+balls better than Count Schwarzenberg's wine, and that I can go to meet a
+battery of artillery more bravely than a battery of bottles."
+
+"I hope it will not be in your power to prove any such thing, sir," cried
+the Elector impatiently. "I want to hear nothing about war, and you must
+banish all thoughts of war and heroic deeds from your mind, and become a
+peaceful, law-abiding citizen. Your head has been turned in Holland, but
+I rather expect to set it right again! We are going back to Prussia, and
+you will accompany us. Go now to the Electress, and disturb me no longer
+in my work."
+
+Frederick William bowed in silence and repaired to his mother's
+apartments. The Electress received him with open arms, and pressed him to
+her heart.
+
+"I have you again, my son, I have you again," she cried with warmth. "A
+merciful God has not been willing to deprive me of my only happiness; he
+has preserved you to me. Oh, my son, I love you so much, and I feel,
+moreover, that you love me, and that we shall understand each other, and
+that all causes of disagreement will disappear so soon as that hateful,
+dreaded man no longer stands between us--he, who is your enemy as well as
+mine. We are going back to Prussia, and my heart is full of joy, hope, and
+happiness. There I shall have you safe; there you are mine, and no
+murderer or enemy there threatens my beloved only son!"
+
+"But, most revered mother, there the worst, most dangerous enemy of all
+threatens me."
+
+"Who is he? What is his name?"
+
+"Idleness, your highness. I shall be condemned there to an inactive,
+useless existence. I shall have nothing to do but to live. O most gracious
+mother! intercede for me with my father and Count Schwarzenberg, that I
+may be appointed Stadtholder of Cleves, for there I would have something
+to do, there I could be useful, and they wish for my presence there."
+
+"You do not wish to stay with me, then?" asked his mother, in a tone of
+mortification. "You already wish yourself away from me and your sisters?"
+
+The Prince's countenance, which had been just aglow with enthusiasm,
+having for the moment dropped its mask, now once more assumed its serious,
+tranquil expression, and again the mask was drawn over its features.
+
+"I by no means long to be away from you," he said quietly, "but I shall
+delight in accompanying you to Prussia."
+
+"That is what I call spoken like a good, obedient child," cried the
+Electress, "and, Louise, I advise you to profit by such an example. Just
+look at your sister, Frederick, only see what a sorrowful figure she
+presents. She does not even come to welcome her brother, but sits there
+quite disconsolate with tears in her eyes."
+
+"No, dearest mother, I am not crying," replied the Princess gently. "I,
+too, am right glad that we are to return to Prussia."
+
+"That is not true, mamma," exclaimed Princess Hedwig Sophie; "she is not
+glad at all. On the contrary, she cried and lamented all last night,
+thinking that I was asleep and knew nothing about it. But I heard
+everything. I know that she would rather stay here, and that she finds it
+charming here all of a sudden, although she used to think it so dull. But
+Louise has entirely changed these last four days, and since _he_ has been
+here she finds tiresome old Berlin a splendid place, and--"
+
+"But, Hedwig," interrupted her sister, whose cheeks were suffused with a
+crimson flush, "what are you talking about, and how can you chatter such
+nonsense?"
+
+"It is true, she talks nonsense," said the Electress severely; "yet I
+should like to know what her words signify. Who is _he_ who has so
+transformed tiresome Berlin in your sister's eyes?"
+
+"Why, you do not know, mamma?" asked the mischievous child, smiling and
+putting on a look of astonishment.
+
+"You do not know who loves our Louise so ardently, so passionately? You do
+not know the man for whose sake she would leave father and mother? You do
+not know the only man whom the Princess Charlotte Louise loves?"
+
+"_I_ do not know, but I command you to tell me!" said the Electress dryly.
+
+"Well," said the Princess, smilingly surveying the group, "it is our dear,
+only brother--it is Frederick William."
+
+"You are a little blockhead!" exclaimed the Electress, shrugging her
+shoulders and smiling.
+
+"You are a dear little rogue," said Frederick William, tenderly embracing
+his willful sister. She playfully broke away from him, dancing through the
+hall, and challenging her brother to pursue and overtake her. Princess
+Louise said not a word, but the blush upon her cheeks died away, and the
+expression of horror and alarm vanished from her features.
+
+Still Princess Hedwig Sophie kept up her frolic, and as often as the
+Prince thought he had caught her she flew off again like a butterfly.
+Finally, at the extreme end of the hall, he held her fast, and now,
+laughingly and tenderly, she flung her arms about his neck, and whispered
+softly: "Expect me this evening in your room at nine o'clock. I have
+something important to tell you. Silence!"
+
+Again she let him go, and continued to hop about, laughing merrily and
+cheerfully as a child.
+
+And in the evening, when the clock in the great corridor had just struck
+the ninth hour, the Princess Hedwig Sophie slipped unperceived into the
+room of her brother, who already held the door open for her and awaited
+her coming.
+
+"Look, here you are, my princess of the fairies," said he, smiling. "What
+is there now on hand, and what playful scheme are you revolving in your
+mind to-day?"
+
+But the countenance of the Princess exhibited no signs of playfulness. It
+was pale, and her whole being seemed under the influence of violent
+excitement.
+
+"Frederick," she said hurriedly, "I have a dreadful secret to confide to
+you. Our sister Louise loves Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg."
+
+"I thought as much," murmured the Prince.
+
+"I have known it for a long while," continued the Princess, "but I took no
+notice of it, hoping that absence and separation would make her forget
+him. But since his return I have had no more hope. Last night, in her
+distress, she betrayed all to me, and I must tell you something dreadful,
+something shocking. You must reveal it to nobody--not another one must
+know it. Do you promise me that?"
+
+"I promise, Hedwig. But tell me what it is."
+
+She bent over close to his ear and whispered:
+
+"She has granted him a rendezvous."
+
+"Impossible, sister, you are mistaken!"
+
+"No, no, Frederick, I am not mistaken. I heard her myself when she told
+him so. It was in Count Schwarzenberg's hothouse; I came behind her with
+the ladies, and she thought I was paying no attention whatever to her and
+all that she was saying to Count Adolphus. But I managed to watch her
+constantly without attracting the attention of the ladies I was with. My
+eyes and ears are very sharp, and I saw her press a note into his hand,
+and heard her repeat to him the contents of the note, appointing an
+interview with him this evening at ten o'clock. Old Trude is to wait for
+him at the back side door of the castle next to the cathedral, and she is
+to conduct him to her. You must not suffer it, Frederick William; that bad
+Count Schwarzenberg shall not carry off my sister."
+
+"No, that he shall not," said the Prince. "I thank you, sister, for coming
+to me. We two shall save her--we two alone, and nobody shall know anything
+about it. Even she herself must not find out that we know her secret. We
+must be brisk and determined, though, for it is late, only wanting a half
+hour of being ten o'clock. Who is old Trude?"
+
+"Louise's chambermaid, who has been with her all her life, for Trude was
+her nurse. She idolizes our sister, and would go through fire and water
+for her sake. What Louise commands is law with her."
+
+"Then we must prevent old Trude, by force or cunning, from going to the
+door and admitting the count."
+
+"By force, impossible, for that would make a noise; but by cunning. I have
+it, Frederick, I have it! I will entice old Trude into my room and then
+lock myself in with her, playing all sorts of tricks, and seeming to have
+no object at all in view but amusement and teasing. I will take care of
+old Trude."
+
+"And I of Count Schwarzenberg. It is high time, sister! Make haste, lest
+old Trude escape you. But hark! It will be necessary for you to speak to
+the old woman, besides. You must threaten her with revealing the whole
+affair to our father if she does not do as you command, and tell our
+sister that she waited for the count a whole hour in vain."
+
+"You are right, Frederick. That is still better. Louise must believe that
+he did not come. To work!--to work!"
+
+The Princess sprang away with the fleetness of a gazelle, and the Prince
+was left alone.
+
+"I wish I could go to meet him sword in hand," he muttered between his
+clinched teeth. "I understand their game. They would have poisoned me and
+carried off my sister, so that she would have been forced to marry him,
+and then by means of the Emperor she would have been declared heiress of
+the Electoral Mark of Brandenburg. Ah! I penetrate their designs, and they
+shall not succeed. Their poison proved inefficacious, and so shall their
+love! Now away to the door through which the fine gallant was to have
+entered. He will find it locked, and I shall keep guard before it the
+livelong night."
+
+The Prince left his own apartments, and hurried down a private staircase
+and through dark passages to the door designated. It was only on latch,
+but a key was in the lock. Quickly he locked the door, and then stood
+listening intently. It struck ten o'clock, and as the last stroke vibrated
+in his ear a hand was laid upon the door latch outside, and a manly voice
+whispered: "Trude, open! It is I. The one whom you expect! Open, quick!"
+
+"Were it hell," murmured the Prince softly to himself, "yes, were it hell,
+I would open the door. But there is no admittance to paradise for you.
+Knock on, knock on! The gates of the Electoral mansion are not undone for
+you. Knock on; the castle of the Elector of Brandenburg is locked against
+you, and you must stand without, you Counts of Schwarzenberg, for you
+shall not thrust me out of the palace of my fathers! I shall be Elector of
+Brandenburg in spite of you, and then, Count Schwarzenberg, Stadtholder in
+the Mark, then be on your guard! I shall remember, Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, that your finger rapped at this door, threatening to bring
+shame and disgrace upon this house! And then, perhaps, I may open a door
+for you, and allow you to enter, but it will not be for a lover's
+rendezvous, and the door which admits you will not so easily grant you an
+escape. Now I suffer and endure, but a time of reckoning will come!
+Schwarzenbergs, beware of me!"
+
+For a long while yet the Electoral Prince stood within the door, and for a
+long while yet, at intervals, the knocking on the outside was repeated.
+Then all was still. Frederick William returned to his own apartments.
+
+Early next morning took place the departure of the Electoral family for
+Prussia. It was to be wholly without formality, and consequently no one
+had been notified. The Elector had only caused the two Counts
+Schwarzenberg to be summoned after the carriages were ready, and when they
+came in haste they found the Electoral family just on the point of
+entering their several equipages.
+
+"I meant to set out secretly," said George William, stretching out both
+hands to the Stadtholder, "in order to spare myself the pain of bidding
+you farewell, Adam. But now I find that my heart is stronger than my will,
+and I must embrace you once more before I go!"
+
+While the Elector embraced his favorite and received from him assurances
+of perpetual fidelity, Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg approached the
+Princess Charlotte Louise, who stood silent and apart in a window recess,
+looking out upon the street with pallid countenance and eyes reddened by
+weeping.
+
+"Louise," he whispered softly, "Louise, you--"
+
+But before he could utter another word, Princess Hedwig stood beside him,
+addressing him with amiable speech, and the Electoral Prince approached
+his sister and offered her his arm to conduct her to the carriage. She
+walked along, leaning on her brother's arm, without once lifting her eyes
+from the ground, deeply humiliated by the thought that her lover had
+caused her to wait for him in vain. A quarter of an hour later the two
+clumsy vehicles containing the Electoral family rolled out of the castle
+gate and struck into the road leading to Königsberg. The White Lady had
+driven away the Elector George William, and he was nevermore to behold the
+palace of his fathers.
+
+The White Lady had saved Prince Frederick William, and as he now drove
+through the gates of Berlin in that clumsy old coach he said to himself,
+with joyful anticipation: "I shall see you again, Berlin! I shall see you
+again, dear town of my fathers! I shall come back, and, please God, not
+humbly and enslaved as I go away to-day, but as a Prince, who is lord
+within his own domains, with God in his heart, a clear sky overhead, and
+no Schwarzenbergs upon the horizon!"
+
+Wearily and panting for breath the poor horses dragged the heavy carriage
+through the sands of the Mark, but within sat the Electoral Prince--within
+sat Cæsar and his fortunes.
+
+
+
+
+Book IV.
+
+I.--THE YOUTHFUL SOVEREIGN.
+
+
+The Elector George William had been gathered to his fathers. On the 1st of
+December in the year 1640 he had at last closed his weary eyes, and bidden
+farewell to a world which had brought him much grief and disquiet, little
+joy and repose, much mortification and disappointment, never a single
+triumph or solid satisfaction.
+
+The Elector George William had been gathered to his fathers, and his son
+Frederick William was Elector now. Two melancholy years of privation and
+humiliation, resignation and oppression, had he passed at his father's
+side, ever suspected by him, ever watched with jealous eyes, and forcibly
+denied any participation in the administration of the government, ever
+struggling with care, even for daily food, and forced to borrow at
+usurious rates of interest to provide even a meager support for his little
+household. It had been a severe school, but Frederick William had passed
+through it with a brave spirit and cheerful determination. Across the dark
+and gloomy present his clear eye had ever been directed to the future, and
+hope had ever lingered at his side, holding him erect when overburdened by
+care, consoling him when vexed and humiliated by his father's unjust
+suspicions and ill will. Not unexpectedly had the Elector George William
+died; full two months before his summons came, the two physicians in
+ordinary, after holding a long consultation with the celebrated Königsberg
+doctors, announced to the Electoral Prince that the Elector was drawing
+near his end, and that his dropsy and insidious fever were slowly but
+inevitably causing death.
+
+The Electoral Prince had had time, therefore, to prepare for the momentous
+hour which would call him from obscurity and inactivity--time to summon to
+him those whom he wished to have at his side in the critical hour. Up to
+the period of his father's death he had been an obedient, submissive son;
+yet he had well known that as soon as George William closed his eyes he
+would have to step into his place and be his successor. And he would be a
+worthy successor! That he had vowed, clasping his father's cold hand. He
+had told his mother so when, beside her husband's corpse, she had blessed
+him in his new dignity, and besought his protection and love for herself
+and her two daughters! Yes, he would be his father's worthy successor; he
+would force the world to respect him. Such were his thoughts as, on the
+day after his father's decease, he for the first time entered his cabinet,
+and seated himself before the great writing table at which the Elector had
+been wont to sit.
+
+To the last day of his life George William had himself held the reins of
+government, and, in the timid jealousy of his heart, angrily refused all
+aid, all assistance. No one had dared to open and read the incoming
+rescripts nor to attend to neglected business.
+
+On the table lay whole piles of unopened letters and rescripts, whole
+heaps of acts awaiting only the Electoral signature. Frederick William
+laid his hand on these acts which he had now to sign, and his large,
+deep-blue eyes were uplifted to Heaven.
+
+"Lord!" he cried fervently--"Lord, make known to me the way in which I
+should go!"
+
+These were the first words spoken by Frederick William on commencing his
+reign, and on seating himself before his father's cabinet table, which was
+now his own.
+
+[Illustration: Robbery of peasants.]
+
+He took up the first of the sealed documents and opened it. It was a
+representation from the cities of Berlin and Cologne, whose magistrates
+implored the Elector to furnish them some redress for their affliction and
+want, and besought him, even now, to make peace with the Swedes, and to
+command the Stadtholder in the Mark to institute a milder government in
+the unhappy province. In heartrending words, they pictured the distresses
+of both wretched cities, which had so far declined that they had now
+hardly seven thousand inhabitants, while ten years ago they had numbered
+more than twenty thousand. "But fire, pillage, and oppressions," so the
+writing wound up, "have reduced us to the most extreme poverty. Many of
+the inhabitants have made haste to end their wretched lives by means of
+water, cord, or knife, and the rest are upon the point of forsaking their
+homes, with their wives and children, preferring exile to remaining longer
+in these cities, the abodes of pestilence and war. The Stadtholder in the
+Mark, however, feels no pity for our sufferings, and just recently,
+despite our entreaties, has had all the suburbs burned down, because the
+Swedish general Stallhansch was on the march against us. We most urgently
+entreat your highness to have compassion upon us in our low estate, and to
+instruct the Stadtholder to slacken the severity of his rule and to spare
+us in our grief." [29]
+
+Sighing, Frederick William laid aside the melancholy writing, and took up
+the next in order. It was a petition from the town of Prenzlow, not less
+sad, not less moving than the first. The magistracy of Prenzlow likewise
+prayed for compassion and redress of grievances, and painted in moving
+words the misery of town and country. "Since," they wrote, "on account of
+the unhappy war existing, the fields hereabout had been lying idle for
+some years, such unheard-of scarcity had ensued that the people had not
+only been driven to making use of unusual articles of diet, such as dogs,
+cats, nay, even dead asses lying in the streets, but impelled by the
+fierce pangs of hunger, in town as well as in the country, had fallen
+upon, cooked, and devoured one another!" [30]
+
+"Much to be pitied land, and much to be pitied Prince as well," sighed
+Frederick William. "A heavy, an almost intolerable burden of government
+has fallen upon my shoulders. God help me to sustain it worthily!" [31]
+
+He stretched out his hand for a third paper, when the door opened and old
+Dietrich entered.
+
+"Well, old man," asked the Elector, "what brings you here? And why is your
+old face so merry to-day?"
+
+"Because I have something pleasant to communicate to your highness. The
+two gentlemen whom your honor has been expecting are here. Colonel von
+Burgsdorf and--"
+
+"Leuchtmar?" joyfully inquired the Elector, and, upon Dietrich's assent,
+he hurried himself toward the door. But after he had already stretched out
+his hand to turn the knob, he paused and slowly resumed his place in the
+middle of the room.
+
+"Who is in the antechamber, besides?" he asked.
+
+"Your highness, there are also without the gentlemen whom you summoned to
+an audience, the Chamberlain von Schulenburg, Herr von Kroytz, Herr von
+Kospoth, and the jeweler Dusnack."
+
+"Those gentlemen may wait. Desire Herr von Kalkhun to come in."
+
+Dietrich withdrew to the antechamber. The Elector's eyes were fastened
+upon the door with an expression of joyful expectancy. When it opened, and
+the tall, slender form of his friend and preceptor became visible, he
+could restrain himself no longer, but, forgetting all ceremony, all
+etiquette, hurried with outspread arms to meet Leuchtmar, and impetuously
+clasped him to his breast.
+
+"God be praised that I have you again!" he said, with a warm embrace.
+"Once more I have found a father and a faithful friend. Welcome, you man
+of loyal heart, with my whole soul I bid you welcome!"
+
+"And you, most gracious sir," cried Leuchtmar, deeply moved, "may you ever
+receive blessings and good gifts from on high, and always deserve them by
+noble thoughts and deeds! Such shall be my prayer evening and morning, and
+your highness shall verify my petition."
+
+"Amen! God grant it!" said Frederick William solemnly. "And now, look at
+me, my friend, and let me read in your features that you are the same as
+of old."
+
+"The same as of old, indeed!" smiled Leuchtmar. "These two years have made
+an old man of me, and blanched my hair. I not merely longed after you, I
+grieved for you, knowing, as I did, what your grace had to bear and
+suffer. My heart was weighed down by grief and sorrow when I thought of
+what my beloved young master was undergoing."
+
+"It is true," said Frederick William. "I have gone through hard trials and
+had many humiliations to endure. I have been treated as an adventurer and
+alien, unworthy of being employed or consulted. I was forever subjected to
+suspicion, and accused of coveting a throne before my time. If I asked
+after my father's health, he supposed I did so because I longed for his
+death; and if I made no inquiries, he accused me of indifference and want
+of natural affection. Alas! Leuchtmar, in the despair of my soul I have
+actually thought at times that the beggar on the street had an enviable
+fate compared with that of the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg--and--But
+hush! hush! I will no longer think of the past with bitterness and
+chagrin. Reproach against my father shall never pass my lips. He rests
+with God, and, as his soul has entered into everlasting rest, let us not
+stir up the ashes of memory, but let peace be between father and son,
+eternal peace! And now, my friend, be the past forgotten and blotted out,
+with all its pains and wounds, and to the present and future only be our
+thoughts dedicated. You are here; I have again my most trusted friend; and
+in this the very first hour of our reunion I will confess something to
+you, Leuchtmar, which you indeed have long since known, but which I in the
+arrogance of youth have sometimes denied. I now feel that Socrates was a
+wise man when he said, 'Our education begins with the first day of life,
+nor is complete upon the last.' Fate has indeed placed me in a difficult
+school, and I am conscious that I am far from possessing adequate
+attainments, and that there is still much for me to study and digest.
+Therefore, my friend, from you I demand aid, that I may study to some
+purpose, and that I may at least take position in the world and among
+posterity as a first-class scholar."
+
+"Ah! most gracious sir," said Leuchtmar, smiling, "you are already more
+than that, and have in these two years of trial passed your _examen
+abiturientium_ with great distinction."
+
+"And think you I am entered now as a student in the high school of
+knowledge? Yes, Leuchtmar, such is indeed the case, and since it may well
+be that at times I shall make false steps, and commit blunders through
+inadvertence or misunderstanding, I demand of you to point out to me my
+mistakes."
+
+"But, your highness, I might myself be the one in error, and in my
+short-sightedness attempt to teach one much better acquainted with the
+subject than myself."
+
+"In such case let us weigh and compare opinions, when, surely, we shall
+discover the right. Only promise me this one thing, Leuchtmar, that on all
+occasions you will speak the truth to me, according to the best of your
+knowledge and perception--that you will not conceal it from me, even when
+you may know that it will be irksome and disagreeable to me. Will you
+promise me this, my friend?"
+
+"I promise it. I promise, if your highness requests the expression of my
+views and opinions, to give you the truth, according to the inmost
+convictions of my heart."
+
+
+"No, Leuchtmar, in important matters you must give me your opinion, even
+when I have not asked for it."
+
+"Well then, your highness, I promise that too."
+
+"And on my side I promise always to listen patiently, and not to become
+angry and excited, even when our opinions disagree and you utterly oppose
+me. You smile and shake your head. Probably you think that I can not keep
+my promise."
+
+"I do think so, your highness; yet I fear not, and shall courageously
+weather the storm. I am already old and have witnessed the gathering of
+many a tempest, have seen the clouds burst, and afterward seen the bright
+blue sky and cheerful sunshine again. I shall not fear, even though the
+thunder roar and growl, for the thunder has somewhat of the voice of God,
+and there is something exalted and majestic in the lightning's flash.
+Only, gracious sir, it must not strike, but content itself with harmless
+shining. Will you most kindly promise me thus much, gracious sir?"
+
+"Am I Jupiter, that I hold the lightning in my hand, and can direct its
+stroke?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, sir, Jupiter you are, in your native element, amid the flash
+of lightnings and the roar of thunder."
+
+The Elector smiled. "Tell me, Leuchtmar, am I really then of so fiery a
+temperament and of so passionate a nature? Why do you not answer me? The
+truth, Leuchtmar, the truth!"
+
+"Well, the truth is that your highness is of quite a fiery temperament and
+of a tolerably passionate nature. But you are not to blame for this, for
+it was entailed upon you with your Hohenzollern blood. You are the worthy
+descendant of your ancestor Albert Achilles; and be glad of this, sir, for
+by sluggish blood and soft complexion great things have never been
+accomplished."
+
+"Then you expect me to accomplish great things?"
+
+"Yes, your highness, such are indeed my expectations, and I glory in them!"
+
+"We will talk of this hereafter, friend," said the Elector, gently shaking
+his head. "But now let us forget what I have become since yesterday, and
+consider that I have a heart, which is young still and full of love and
+ardor, despite all it has suffered. Two months ago, when the doctors told
+me that my dear father's case was hopeless, I dispatched secret messages
+to two friends, and requested them to come here and tarry in the
+neighborhood of Königsberg until I should have them summoned by a courier.
+I was not willing to vex my father in the least degree during his
+lifetime, and would not even see my friends in secret, but preferred to
+wait patiently until I could do so openly.[32] The two friends whom I sent
+for to be near me were Burgsdorf and yourself, my Leuchtmar. But to you I
+gave previously another commission. Have you executed it?"
+
+"Yes, your highness, I have executed it."
+
+"You have been to Holland? At The Hague and at Doornward?"
+
+"I have been there, gracious sir!"
+
+"You have been there," repeated Frederick William, drawing a deep breath.
+"O Leuchtmar! you men in private life are happy because you are free. You
+can go whither you will, and follow the dictates of your own hearts. But
+we, poor slaves to our position, must accommodate ourselves to
+circumstances, and patiently submit to the laws of necessity. How often
+has it seemed to me as if my longings could not be repressed, as if I must
+break all bonds and hasten to that free and happy land where the fairest
+days of my life were passed. How often, in reflecting upon the past, has
+it seemed as if a fire were kindled in my breast, mounting in clear flames
+to my head to lay my reason in ashes. But I durst not allow this, and with
+my own sighs extinguished the leaping flames, and, Leuchtmar, shall I
+confess it? At this moment I am cowardly, and speak so much, because--yes,
+because I lack the courage to ask one open question. But I will be bold
+and courageous, I will conquer my poor, foolish heart. Tell me, then,
+Leuchtmar, what I _must_ know! I sent you to Holland to obtain certain
+information with regard to the evil reports which have been circulated
+here. I gave no credit whatever to them, for I knew they were anxious that
+I should contract a certain marriage, and would therefore crush the love I
+was cherishing for another person. And yet this other lived within my
+heart, and when I closed my eyes I saw her before me in all her beauty and
+loveliness, and at night, when all the troubles of the day were over, and
+I was alone in my chamber, she was near me, speaking to me and consoling
+me with the sweet, kind words she whispered to my heart. Ah, you see,
+Leuchtmar, I am but a very young man, and--courage, courage! out with the
+question! Have you seen the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine?"
+
+As Frederick William asked this question he walked to the window and
+turned his back to the room. A pause ensued, then Leuchtmar replied, in
+gentle, sorrowful tones, "No, gracious sir, I have not seen the Princess."
+
+A shudder passed over the Prince's frame, but he did not turn around.
+
+"Why did you not visit her? Why did you not see her, when I had
+commissioned you to speak with the Princess herself?"
+
+"Most noble sir, I could not speak with the Princess, for she was no
+longer at The Hague."
+
+"No longer in Holland?" asked the Elector, and his question sounded like a
+cry of grief wrung from a tortured heart. "Where was she then? Where was
+Ludovicka?"
+
+"Most noble sir, you have imposed upon me the duty of always telling you
+the truth, but at this moment I feel it to be a difficult duty."
+
+"Perform it, Leuchtmar, I require you to do so! Where was the Princess
+Ludovicka, if she was no longer with her mother?"
+
+"Your highness, the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine has voluntarily forsaken
+her mother and her family, and at first they knew not whither she had
+gone."
+
+"And do they know now?"
+
+"The Electress of the Palatinate had received her first letter from the
+Princess the day before I waited upon her, and, as the Electress had ever
+honored me with her confidence, she communicated to me the contents of
+that letter."
+
+"What were they? Quick, tell them quickly, that my heart may not break
+meanwhile. What was in the letter?"
+
+"It said, most gracious sir, that of her own free will, and out of most
+tender love for the chosen of her heart, she had forsaken her mother's
+house because that Princess had refused her consent to her union with the
+man--these were her own words--with the man whom she loved above all
+others. It said, moreover, that the Princess had followed this man, the
+Count d'Entragues, to France, and that for the present she had withdrawn
+to a convent, preparatory to professing the Catholic religion and then
+marrying Count d'Entragues."[33]
+
+The Elector uttered a hollow groan, and, putting both hands before his
+face, as if he were ashamed of what he felt, sank upon a chair, and sat
+long thus, breaking the silence with occasional sighs and groans.
+
+Leuchtmar dared not interrupt this sacred silence even by a word, or to
+offer comfort to the agonized heart of the young Prince by words of
+consolation. He knew that strong heart must first vent its grief in order
+to gain repose, and that only from within could spring up that consolation
+which strengthens and sustains.
+
+After a long pause, after a bitter inward conflict, Frederick William
+allowed his hands to drop, revealing a face pale as death and lips whose
+corners twitched convulsively.
+
+"Leuchtmar," he said, "this is the baptism by which I am consecrated to my
+new office. It is, indeed, a baptism of tears, and has torn my wounded
+heart, I grant you. But such a baptism of tears was needed to wash from my
+heart all that could derogate from the lofty calling to which alone my
+whole being should be dedicated. No one on earth can accomplish anything
+great who has not first received a baptism of grief and tears. By such
+baptism the soul extricates itself from earthly wishes and selfish
+desires, and he who would be a thorough man and accomplish great things
+must be lord of himself, and have no wishes for himself, but to attain
+glory and honor! And so I now shake the past from my soul as a torn and
+tattered garment, and would despise myself if even a sensation of pain
+were left behind. No, no, I am free! My heart is coffined, and I shall
+close the lid and bid it an eternal farewell!"
+
+"Your heart coffined, your highness!" said Leuchtmar gently. "You think so
+now, but I tell you it will again rise from the dead, and beat with full
+ardor and glow, for, God be thanked, the heart of man is a tenacious
+thing, and dies not from one dagger-thrust. Its wounds can be healed, and
+then it is so much the stronger because it knows what it can suffer and
+overcome!"
+
+"Enough now, my friend, enough!" cried Frederick William, shaking his head
+so violently that his brown locks fluttered in wild disorder. "Thus I
+shake off an unworthy love and all vain lamentations. Now, Leuchtmar, I am
+the man, the Elector. A very young man, you will say, but one who has
+stood the brunt of battle and fire, who in days has lived through years,
+and consequently is old, for my twenty years count double. Baron von
+Leuchtmar, I have much to discuss with you, and I summoned you here for
+important consultations, but stay--a man is without whom I can keep
+waiting no longer, for his time is valuable, and he who makes a workman
+wait robs him of his capital. I beg you, Leuchtmar, to open the door and
+call the jeweler Dusnack."
+
+Leuchtmar hastened to obey this order. As he turned toward the door
+Frederick William once more passed his hand rapidly over his face, and
+for a moment pressed it to his eyes. As he drew it away he felt a drop
+fall burning upon his hand, and it shone there like a bright diamond,
+but--his eyes were now dry and glittered with the fire of resolution.
+
+"Well, Master Dusnack," exclaimed Frederick William to the approaching
+jeweler, "have you brought us, as directed, a few seal rings, from which
+to make our selection?"
+
+"Here they are, your Electoral Highness," replied the jeweler, holding out
+a little box and handing it open to the Elector. Frederick William
+examined with interest the bright and sparkling rings, which were in
+separate compartments, and nodded kindly to the jeweler.
+
+"You are a skillful workman, and your rings please me well," he said.
+"These things are tastefully designed and prettily executed. You must have
+very good workmen, and it pleases me that such things are made in our
+country. For I suppose, of course, these beautiful rings emanate from your
+own workshop."
+
+"Most gracious sir, I would that it were so, and it is not my fault,
+indeed, that it is otherwise. I have been long in foreign lands and
+studied and worked in the first jewelry establishments of Paris. But I
+find no apprentices here capable of executing such artistic and delicate
+work, and can only have ordinary gold and silver ware made here, such as
+forks, spoons, mourning rings, and articles of that kind; but for my finer
+ornaments and such costly rings as these I must send to Paris and Lyons,
+where the goldsmith's art flourishes, while it is frightfully depressed
+here, both for the want of purchasers and artisans."
+
+"Then we must see to it," said Frederick William, "that such times are
+ushered in, that men shall feel free to purchase golden trinkets, and that
+clever workers in gold be attracted here, in order that we may dispense
+with foreign manufactures. As soon as the times become somewhat more
+tranquil, we, too, will have need of goods of that sort, for not long
+since all the jewels of our house were stolen.[34] But I tell you, Master
+Dusnack, we shall only buy such things as have been designed and executed
+at home. Therefore exert yourself, and procure good workmen. For this time
+I must needs content myself with foreign wares and select a seal ring. I
+therefore take this one with the ruby, and you must engrave our country's
+coat of arms upon it without delay."
+
+"Your highness's orders shall be obeyed," replied the jeweler
+respectfully. "Does your highness merely wish the coat of arms upon the
+seal, or would you like a motto added?"
+
+"Yes, master, a motto shall be added, to run thus, 'Lord, make known to me
+the way in which I should go.' Will you write it down, master, that you
+may not forget it?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, it is not necessary, for you have impressed it
+on my heart."
+
+"Go then, master, and inscribe it for me right plainly on the stone."
+
+The Elector turned to Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun as soon as the jeweler
+had taken his departure, saying, "Now for you, friend, and our plans of
+government."
+
+
+
+
+II.--PLANS FOE THE FUTURE.
+
+
+"Yes, friend, I want to discuss government affairs with you," continued
+the Elector, with a faint smile, sinking back in the armchair before the
+writing table. "Sit down, Leuchtmar, quite close to me, for I shall now
+disclose to you what no other mortal ear must hear; I shall reveal to you
+my thoughts and plans. Man is, after all, but a weak and tender creature,
+and it is a necessity with him to have some trusted soul on whom he can
+rely for sympathy, and to whom he can tell all that moves his inner being.
+To me, Leuchtmar, you are that trusted soul, and in this hour I will make
+known to you the inmost recesses of my heart. You shall learn who I am,
+what I think, and what are my aspirations, that you may always comprehend
+and appreciate me, standing with ever-ready succor at my side. For I hope
+you have no engagements elsewhere, and from this moment enter my service?"
+
+"I have hitherto lived in quiet and retirement at Cologne on the Rhine,
+waiting for the hour which should summon me to my gracious master's
+presence, for you are the only Sovereign upon earth whom I would serve,
+and to you belong my being, thoughts, and all that in me is of energy and
+skill."
+
+"I have counted on you, Leuchtmar, and well I knew that my reliance would
+not be in vain. You must aid and sustain me, for I stand in urgent need of
+wise friends, of diligent, faithful workers, in order to gain the goal
+which I have placed before me in the future, and to execute the schemes
+which I have planned. In the first place, Leuchtmar, do you know properly
+who I am?"
+
+"Yes, your highness," replied Leuchtmar, smiling. "I think I know right
+well. You are the youthful hero, the Hercules to whom the gods have
+committed the twelve difficult tasks, that he may prove himself a
+demi-god, and who now begins his work with the zeal of courage and the
+inspiration of faith."
+
+"The comparison may be slightly applicable," said the Elector, "and as far
+as the Augean stable is concerned. I, too, have my stable to cleanse; only
+it belongs not to Augias, but to Schwarzenberg. Still, I will try to
+purify it. But I must set about my undertaking with dexterous hands; of
+that, however, let us speak hereafter. I shall first consider your
+simile, drawn from the story of Hercules. Do you know, Leuchtmar, the
+names of my twelve tasks, and their extent? I ask you once more, do you
+know who I am, or, rather, what my name is? Look, there lies the document
+which I am just on the point of sending to my good subjects, and by means
+of which I shall notify them of my assumption of the reins of government.
+Just read the heading, Leuchtmar."
+
+Leuchtmar took the paper handed him and read: "'We, Frederick William,
+Marquis of Brandenburg, Lord High Chancellor and Elector of the Holy Roman
+Empire, Duke of Prussia, Julich, Cleves, Stettin, Pomerania, Cassuben, and
+Vandalia, as also Duke of Silesia, Croatia, and Jägerndorf, Burgrave of
+Nuremberg, Prince of Rugen, Count of Markberg and Ravensberg, Baron of
+Ravenstein.'"
+
+"Enough!" cried the Elector. "You have now read the outlines of my
+Herculean task, you now know who I am. A Prince of long titles, not one of
+which has its foundation in truth and reality. And this is my Herculean
+task, to make these titles real, and to give a good kernel to these empty
+nut shells. Look, Leuchtmar, there is a map. Let us examine it and compare
+it with my titles, for it is a map corresponding finely with these titles,
+and on which all the counties and provinces pertaining to them are
+designated. Marquis of Brandenburg, that is my first title, and you would
+naturally suppose that this, at least, was veritable, for the Mark is the
+oldest possession of our house, and my ancestor, the Burgrave Frederick
+von Nuremberg, was invested with it by the Emperor. But what do I obtain
+from the Mark? Friend and foe have quartered there, until they have
+changed it into a desert; famine and pestilence hold sway there, and the
+despairing inhabitants have left their fields untilled and wander about
+shelterless and hungry. The only prosperous man there, possessed of power
+and consideration, is the Stadtholder in the Mark, Count Adam von
+Schwarzenberg. The Mark suffers and groans, but he is of glad heart, and
+the distress of the people touches him not. What cares he for land or
+people, save in so far as they conduce to the furtherance of his own ends,
+and do you know what those ends are?"
+
+"He is an Imperialist and a strict Catholic," said Leuchtmar, "and it must
+be confessed that he would rather see the whole Mark go to destruction
+than behold it Protestant and independent."
+
+"Yes, he has let the Mark Brandenburg go to destruction!" cried the
+Elector, with flashing eyes. "Catholic and Imperialist he would have it.
+And I can not reach him, he knows very well that I must spare him, and
+that _he_, the powerful, opposes _me_, the powerless. To him have the
+commandants of the fortresses and the soldiers sworn allegiance; the
+Emperor protects him, and would esteem it an act of rebellion against
+imperial majesty itself if I were to depose Schwarzenberg from office. It
+would be a departure from the course pursued by the Mark for twenty years
+past, for, since Schwarzenberg has nourished as Stadtholder, the Emperor
+has been the real lord of the Mark, and not an order nor rescript ever
+issued from my father's cabinet to which the Emperor had not given his
+consent, or of which he had not previous knowledge. I must therefore for
+the present still suffer Schwarzenberg to be lord of the Mark, for I have
+not power to defy the Emperor and call down upon myself his rage. The Lord
+High Chancellor and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire must for the present
+bow humbly to the Emperor, and submit in silence to the evils of his lot.
+My duchy of Pomerania the Swedes have appropriated to themselves, and I
+can not, as I should like, wrest it from them by force of arms, for I have
+no weapons, no soldiers, no army; I must now try to come to an amicable
+understanding with them, and, if possible, make peace with them. In Julich
+and Cleves I am duke, too, as my title vouches, but to be so really I must
+first rescue these countries from the Dutch, and then be able to defend
+them against the cupidity of France. And my duchies of Silesia, Croatia,
+and Jägerndorf? The Emperor has taken possession of them as if they were
+his own fiefs, and he will be little likely to restore them to the
+powerless Elector of Brandenburg. Neither will the Saxons easily
+relinquish to the weak Elector Magdeburg and Halberstadt, which counties
+they hold enthralled. Alas! Leuchtmar, you see of all my vast possessions
+I only retain the empty titles."
+
+"But one country your highness has omitted in your enumeration, and there,
+undoubtedly, you are undisputed Sovereign, no enemy having supplanted you
+in this land. You are Duke of Prussia, and there, at least, ruler also!"
+
+"Yes, I am Duke of Prussia--that is to say, if King Wladislaus of Poland
+will condescend to invest me with this duchy, and allow me to go to
+Warsaw, humbly to kneel to swear allegiance to him, and acknowledge myself
+one of his vassals. Until he has done so, I am not the legalized ruler
+even here in Prussia, and the King of Poland will already consider it as
+an infringement upon his supremacy that I have not forthwith dismissed the
+Prussian chamber of deputies, which held its sitting in my father's
+lifetime, but allowed it to prolong its session. There, too, as at the
+imperial court, I must give fair words, must show myself humble and
+obedient, so as not to excite untimely enmity against myself, and rouse
+the mighty against the weak. For what refuge would remain to me, or
+where would I find support, if the Emperor of Germany and the King of
+Poland should threaten me with their enmity?"
+
+"I should think the Swedes would be delighted to have your highness for an
+ally, to stand with them against the Emperor and the German Empire, and
+the States-General, too, would gladly give you the right hand of
+confederation."
+
+"Oh, yes, the Swedes would gladly accept me as their ally, provided that I
+would voluntarily resign to them Pomerania and Rügen, renouncing all claim
+to these lands; and the States would gladly extend to me the right hand of
+fellowship, only I must have first laid down in this hand the duchies of
+Cleves and Julich as an offering of friendship! But such a thing would I
+never do, and never shall I peaceably resign the smallest strip of land
+that should be mine to purchase thereby repose for myself. Up to this time
+I have enjoyed only the title to my lands, but it must and shall be now
+the purpose of my whole life to substantiate these claims, and not merely
+to conquer back what is my own, but, an' it please God, to enlarge my
+territories and give to them unity and compactness. I am now a Prince only
+by my armorial bearings, but I _will_ be a veritable Prince. I now wear
+only the most delapidated semblance of a Prince's mantle, inflated by
+hollow wind, but I shall change it into a purple mantle, such as no German
+Prince would be ashamed of, which every one in the German Empire shall
+respect, yea, even the Emperor himself."
+
+"And you will gain your end," cried Leuchtmar, "yes, you will gain it. It
+stands written on your lofty brow, it shines forth from your fiery eyes,
+and is spoken by every feature of your noble, energetic face. You will
+gain your end. From the confusion and chaos of the present times you will
+emerge as a distinguished, mighty Prince; out of nothingness and disorder
+you will construct a powerful state, and to your towering titles give a
+firm basis of strength and truth!"
+
+"Amen! God grant it!" said Frederick William, piously lifting his large
+eyes to Heaven. "It seems now, indeed, as if it were an unattainable
+goal," he continued, after a pause, "and to no one else would I confess
+it, for I would only become the scorn and derision of my enemies."
+
+"But the delight of your friends!" cried Leuchtmar, deeply moved, "the
+invigorator and uplifter of your friends!" "Friends, say you? Where are my
+friends? Look abroad throughout the whole German Empire, the whole of
+Europe, and then tell me where my friends are. I have not even friends in
+my next-door neighbors, not even in my nearest relations! Yes, were I rich
+and influential, had I protection to give and benefits to dispense, then
+would the Princes far and near gladly bethink themselves of the claims of
+consanguinity, and overwhelm me with civilities and attentions. But I am
+powerless, and they dread lest I should need their protection and their
+influence; therefore are they forgetful of family ties! But they shall
+find themselves mistaken in me, my dear relatives! They shall be forced
+some day to acknowledge that the Elector of Brandenburg is self-sustaining,
+and stands erect without the aid of foreign supports. You look
+at me doubtfully, and perhaps think me a braggart, promising great
+things which I may never be able to perform? It would seem so,
+indeed, now, for where are the means for accomplishing such aims? Wretched
+and in the process of dissolution is all about me, nowhere do I see
+determined friends, efficient followers!"
+
+"Oh, gracious sir, in that you go too far! You know yourself how much
+Schwarzenberg is hated in all your territories, how ardently all patriots
+long for his deposition from the government; for the league with the
+Emperor is detestable to everybody, and fear of Catholic domination and
+desire for the Swedish alliance prevail among all your subjects."
+
+"Yes," cried the Elector, "adherents of Sweden there are in my dominions,
+and Schwarzenberg has indeed opponents enough. But he has friends as well,
+whom he has purchased with his good money and his protection. But tell me,
+where is an Electoral party, one deserving the name by its unity and
+determination, a party which looks not to the right or left, but straight
+ahead in the direction that I shall take? The old friends of my house are
+dispersed, hunted into banishment, exiled, or dead; on whom else could I
+depend? All positions in the army and government, all offices has
+Schwarzenberg filled with his own creatures; and should I venture to step,
+in their way, and endeavor to effect their and his ruin, I might easily
+come to ruin myself. In what direction, then, can I look for help?"
+
+"To yourself, most noble sir, to your own mind and heart!" cried
+Leuchtmar, with enthusiasm.
+
+"It is as you say, I should be a fool were I to seek protection elsewhere.
+Protection from the Emperor, the empire, Poland? Protection from comrades
+in the faith or blood relations? My empire is within myself, and by God's
+help the foundations shall be laid! 'Man forges his own fortunes.' That is
+a good old proverb. Well, I will try to be a good smith. I have played
+anvil long enough, and hard enough have been the blows dealt me by Count
+Schwarzenberg. I shall now try being the fist that guides the hammer, and
+I think I have a tolerably strong fist, that will be able so to wield the
+hammer as to fashion for myself a worthy scepter."
+
+"A great and noble task has God committed to your highness," said
+Leuchtmar; "to you is it given to create your own state, and what you
+shall be hereafter you will owe to your own powers."
+
+"And to the assistance of true servants, tried friends and followers!"
+cried the Elector, cordially extending his hand to his faithful counselor,
+"although now I only know two men on whom I can rely--yourself and
+Burgsdorf. But together we form no contemptible trio, and I am confident
+that great results will follow our efforts, and, in order that you may see
+what I am projecting, tarry here while I call in old Burgsdorf."
+
+With alert step the Elector moved to the door and opened it. "Colonel von
+Burgsdorf!" he cried, then turned, strode through the cabinet and seated
+himself in the armchair before his father's writing table.
+
+In the door of the entrance hall now appeared Colonel von Burgsdorf, his
+broad, red face wearing an embarrassed expression. Standing still in the
+doorway, he looked across at the Elector, who, his back half turned,
+seemed to take no notice of his approach.
+
+"No doubt," said Burgsdorf to himself, "he has had me summoned in order to
+give me my discharge; he has not yet forgotten how desperate I was in the
+year '38. It is over with you, Conrad, and you can go home, because, like
+the old ass that you are, in sooth, you uttered aloud the pent-up agony of
+your soul!"
+
+But while he was talking thus to himself with deep resentment, his
+countenance expressed nothing but devotion and anxiety; in humble,
+soldierly attitude he stood in the door. The Elector had his eyes fixed
+upon some papers lying on the table before him, and seemed absorbed in
+their perusal. Leuchtmar at last ventured to accost him.
+
+"Gracious sir," he said softly, "Colonel von Burgsdorf, whom you called,
+has come in and is waiting for your orders."
+
+"He is waiting!" cried the Elector. "Then I shall certainly have to ask
+his pardon in the end, for well I know that Colonel Burgsdorf does not
+understand waiting."
+
+"Without doubt," repeated Burgsdorf to himself, "he has summoned me merely
+to give me my discharge."
+
+"Colonel von Burgsdorf!" now cried the Elector, turning half toward him
+with grave, severe countenance, "just tell me how strong was the regiment
+which you enlisted for the Electoral army last year?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, I enlisted two thousand four hundred men."
+
+"That is to say," cried the Elector sternly, "you obtained the bounty
+money for recruiting two thousand four hundred men; but I would be glad to
+learn of you how many of those men actually existed."
+
+"Your highness," stammered Burgsdorf in confusion, "I do not understand
+what your grace means. If I obtained bounty money for two thousand four
+hundred men, they certainly existed."
+
+"So one would suppose, indeed," replied the Elector; "yet it can not have
+been, for before me lies a letter from Count Schwarzenberg to my father,
+and only hear what the Stadtholder in the Mark writes. Leuchtmar, come
+here please and read."
+
+Leuchtmar hastened forward, and, taking the paper which the Elector held
+out to him, read: "'It is to be lamented that the officers contrive to
+pocket so much press money and hardly produce one out of every six men
+said to have been enlisted. Colonel von Kehrdorf received pay and rations
+for twelve hundred men, and yet had not over eighty; General von
+Klitzing's regiment ought to be two thousand strong, and in reality
+numbers only six hundred; Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf gives out that he
+has two thousand four hundred recruits, and there are not quite six
+hundred of them.'"
+
+"That is a lie--a base lie!" cried Burgsdorf, whose face was purple with
+passion. "The Stadtholder in the Mark has always been my enemy and
+opponent, and if he maintains that I only enlisted six hundred men--"
+
+"He maintains something quite untrue," interrupted the Elector; "but he
+maintains no such thing. You interrupted Leuchtmar; let him read to the
+end, and hear the conclusion." Leuchtmar read on: "'And if you pick
+perhaps two hundred able-bodied men out of the six hundred, there remain
+four hundred feeble, sickly fellows, who would fall down like dead flies
+on the very first march.'"[35]
+
+"You see that Schwarzenberg does not maintain that you enlisted six
+hundred able-bodied men."
+
+"Your highness!" cried Burgsdorf, trembling with passion, "this I see,
+that you have had me called here in order to dismiss me, to banish me
+forever from your presence--and yet I have served you so faithfully, and
+have always hoped that you would forgive me."
+
+"Forgive?" asked the Elector. "Had I anything to forgive in you?"
+
+
+"Most gracious sir, that time after your return from The Hague I let my
+old heart carry me away; it was wholly wild and ungovernable and forgot
+the deference due your grace."
+
+"Ah, I remember now," said the Elector, gently nodding his head. "That
+time when you wanted to make a revolution and required me to place myself
+at your head. You wanted to make of the poor little Electoral Prince a
+mighty rebel, and were even so kind as to promise that when with your help
+he had crushed Schwarzenberg he should become his father's prime minister
+and Stadtholder in the Mark."
+
+"Your highness," cried Burgsdorf indignantly, "those were well-meant
+schemes, and originated in the excess of our love for you."
+
+"Only, if I had adopted them, my father would have easily subdued the
+princely rebel with the Emperor's support. The Stadtholder in the Mark
+would then have had the pleasure of seeing upon the scaffold the Prince
+who had dared rebel against his own father, as befell Prince Carlos of
+Spain, when he revolted against his father, King Philip. I thought a
+little about that unhappy, misguided Prince, and profited by his example.
+You probably did not think of him, Burgsdorf, and fell into a great rage.
+I am glad you remember that day, for actually I had forgotten it."
+
+"Most gracious sir, I would like to bite out my own tongue and swallow
+it," screamed Burgsdorf, raving. "I am a genuine old ass, and you do well
+to dismiss me forthwith; for I deserve nothing better, and am served quite
+right. Just speak out at once, your highness. I am discharged, am I not?"
+
+"Quietly, Burgsdorf!" commanded the Elector sternly. "I am no longer the
+Electoral Prince at whom you can scold and bluster, as you did that time
+in the palace of Berlin."
+
+"You always go back to the old story," groaned Burgsdorf.
+
+"And you," said Frederick William, "you are just as impatient as you were
+then. You cried murder and death, because the Electoral Prince would not
+do your will! I told you--I remember that very well now--I told you that I
+would learn and wait. I begged you to do the same and wait also. But you,
+you would not wait; you cried out that you had already waited twenty
+years, and that now your patience was exhausted. You had no compassion on
+the youth of eighteen years, who had just come out of a foreign land, and
+hardly knew how to distinguish friend from foe because he was not
+acquainted with the condition of things. And yet you were already old and
+in your twenty years of waiting ought to have learned a little prudence!
+But you had learned nothing at all and could not wait, and gave me up with
+wild impatience because I would not be guilty of criminal disrespect
+toward my father."
+
+"Most gracious sir, you cut me to the quick! Each of your words is a
+dagger aimed right at my heart. Let me go; let it bleed in solitude and
+retirement."
+
+And old von Burgsdorf turned and went to the door.
+
+"Stay there!" called out the Elector in commanding tone, arising from his
+seat and standing proudly erect. Burgsdorf, who had just laid his hand
+upon the door latch, let it glide down, and stood abashed and humble.
+
+"You gave me up and forsook me that time in Berlin," continued Frederick
+William, "scolded and upbraided me, merely because I wished to learn and
+wait. That proves to me that you have never learned and never waited.
+Learn now, Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf. Withdraw into that window recess,
+and wait until I speak to you again and tell you my decision with regard
+to you." And once more the Elector opened the door of the antechamber and
+called Chamberlain Werner von Schulenburg into his cabinet.
+
+
+
+
+III.--DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS.
+
+
+"Schulenburg," said the Elector to the advancing chamberlain, "you will
+set out immediately. Go to Berlin and inform the Stadtholder in the Mark,
+Count von Schwarzenberg, of my father's death. Announce to his excellency
+that it is my urgent and pressing request, that he continue to burden
+himself with the duties of the Stadtholdership."
+
+An involuntary growl issued from the window where Burgsdorf was stationed.
+The Elector took no notice of it, and proceeded: "Moreover, request the
+Stadtholder in my name to write to me immediately, advising me what to do
+with regard to the Regensburg Diet, because we can not now with the
+required dispatch rightly apprehend and maturely consider the matter on
+account of our great affliction."[36]
+
+A second growl issued from the window, and called a slight, passing smile
+to Frederick William's face.
+
+"Then," continued the Elector, "notify the Stadtholder that I shall he
+glad to retain the present governors and garrisons of the forts; but that
+it would please me if we could inflict some injury upon the enemy at one
+place or the other; but, mindful of his hitherto glorious and successful
+management, I feel that I need only direct his attention in a special
+manner to the fortresses."
+
+Old Burgsdorf's growl now became almost a shriek of pain. "It is unheard
+of," he said, in quite an audible voice.
+
+With a proud movement of the head the Elector turned to him. "Burgsdorf,"
+he said, "you were to learn to wait; be silent, then, as becomes an humble
+scholar."
+
+Again the Elector turned to the chamberlain. "That is all I have to say to
+you, Schulenburg. I hope you have forgotten nothing, and that you will
+punctiliously execute every command."
+
+"I trust that your highness is convinced of my zeal and fidelity," replied
+the chamberlain, bowing reverentially. "I shall punctiliously execute all
+your orders, and have only to ask further when I am to set off?"
+
+"Immediately," said the Elector, "and travel post haste. Farewell! But
+hark! Schulenburg, you have obtained my official dispatches, now I shall
+add a little private errand. When you have communicated all this to the
+Stadtholder, exactly as directed, then converse a little with him in the
+most friendly manner, and in the course of conversation, as if of your own
+accord, sound Count Schwarzenberg as to his inclination to pay us a speedy
+visit in Prussia, the better to consult with us concerning the onerous
+duties of the administration. Then ask him casually, but in quite an
+innocent manner, whom he would recommend meanwhile as his substitute.[37]
+And now, God speed you, Schulenburg, go and carry out all my orders to the
+letter. As you pass out, send in to me the two gentlemen waiting in the
+antechamber."
+
+With a condescending nod of the head, he offered his hand to the
+chamberlain, who pressed it fervently to his lips, and then left the
+cabinet with hasty steps.
+
+"And now for you, gentlemen," cried the Elector, advancing a few paces to
+meet Herr von Kreytz and Herr von Kospoth, who were just entering the
+cabinet. "I have an important commission to intrust to both of you. You
+are both to proceed to Poland and announce my father's death to King
+Wladislaus. That is your affair specially, John von Kospoth. You know how
+to frame courteous speeches, and will inform the King that my father
+(peace be to his ashes!) has not been a more submissive vassal than his
+successor Frederick expects to be; you will tell him that the Dukes of
+Prussia are very faithful and obedient servants to the King of Poland, and
+know very well that they should be his Majesty's most humble vassals."
+
+Again a passionate murmur proceeded from the window, and Burgsdorf's
+flushed, angry countenance appeared between the silk curtains. The Elector
+saw this by a furtive glance, and again something like a smile passed over
+his countenance.
+
+Turning to the second gentleman, he continued: "You, Wolfgang von Kreytz,
+will present my most submissive and respectful greetings to the King of
+Poland, and acquaint him with the fact that I take my predecessor's place
+as duke in the dukedom of Prussia. Inform him that I recognize the King as
+lord paramount, and humbly sue for investiture. Tell him that I have
+hitherto forborne to perform the functions of ruler, and committed the
+government to a board of regency, and am meanwhile striving with the
+greatest diligence to acquire a knowledge of the rights and privileges of
+the land. Pay, both of you, the most polite and friendly court to the King
+and all his ministers. Asseverate everywhere that we know right well that
+our succession in Prussia depends wholly upon the King's choice, and that
+we would naturally desire to present ourselves in person and swear
+allegiance to his Majesty. And after you have impressed all these
+statements fully upon his mind, add that to our deepest regret we can not
+come immediately, on account of the bad condition of our hereditary
+estates and manifold business pertaining to the Roman Empire, which just
+now prevent us from undertaking the journey. Then petition for a gracious
+dispensation from personal attendance, and request his Majesty to grant a
+written order for the feoffment. Should the King make known to you through
+his counselors that he will not grant this written order, then desire a
+private audience of the King, and represent to him that we have been
+forced to assume the government, and deprecate his displeasure. Wait also
+upon the most prominent ministers, and represent the same thing to them.
+By your eloquence and zeal I hope that you will accomplish your purpose,
+and bring me the investiture. To this end spare neither flattery nor fair
+words."
+
+"Most gracious sir," asked John von Kospoth, with a meaning smile, "but
+if, unfortunately, flattery and fair words prove of no avail, what must we
+do then?"
+
+"You answer that question for me, Wolfgang von Kreytz," said the Elector.
+
+"Most gracious sir," exclaimed the young baron spiritedly, "if all
+entreaties and persuasions fail to move, I think it will be time to assert
+your Electoral dignity, and to have recourse to a little threatening. We
+should give the King of Poland to understand that you claim the succession
+in Prussia by virtue of your own good right; that your father, the Elector
+George William, undertook the government before the investiture, and that
+you will defend your duchy of Prussia with all the means at your command,
+and will never give it up."
+
+"Very good," said a deep voice from behind the window curtain.
+
+"Do you mean to speak so too, John von Kospoth?" asked the Elector.
+
+"If flattery and persuasions bring forth no fruit," replied Kospoth, "it
+would be a satisfaction to me, too, to threaten."
+
+"A poor satisfaction!" cried the Elector, "unless we could forthwith
+follow up our threat by action, and send out our regiments to declare war!
+No, sirs, if you try in vain to bribe with fair words, then we must resort
+to money! Money is also a weapon, and, if report speak truly, an effective
+one among the Polish lords, their King himself respecting it. In
+extremity, therefore, if you can not go forward at all, then have their
+Majesties, the King as well as Queen, notified, by means of some trusty
+person, that if we obtain the grant of the government on the spot, and
+have no difficulty with regard to investiture, we shall pay to both their
+Majesties, as a bonus, the sum of sixty thousand Polish florins, and
+afterward wait upon the great chancellor, vice chancellor, and lord high
+chancellor, salute these gentlemen from me, and promise each one of them
+ten thousand Polish florins. Take care, though, to stipulate for some time
+to be allowed us for the fulfillment of these promises, for where the
+money is to come from is as yet a riddle to ourselves. Such is my
+commission, gentlemen. Hasten to execute it."
+
+"And now," exclaimed the Elector, when the two gentlemen had left the
+cabinet, "now, Colonel von Burgsdorf, you have received your first lesson,
+and have learned to wait a little. Come forward now; I have something to
+say to you."
+
+"And I, sir," called out Burgsdorf, as he rushed forth from the bay window
+and threw himself on his knees before the Elector, "first of all, I have
+something to say to you. Your highness, above all things I must beg your
+pardon from the bottom of my heart, and confess to you the evil thoughts
+that led me to suppose that the Elector at twenty years of age did not
+understand government and was only a timid young gentleman. I see now that
+you are far wiser and more prudent than the old fool Burgsdorf, and that
+you have learned more in your twenty years than will ever penetrate my
+thick skull. You are a great statesman, your highness; on my knees I
+implore your pardon for having doubted you, and beseech you, reject me
+not, sir! Forget the nonsense I gave utterance to that time at Berlin, and
+take the old broadsword into your service. It desires nothing better than
+to be worn out in your service, to fly out of its scabbard at your bidding
+and slash away at the enemy."
+
+"To slash away at the enemy!" repeated the Elector. "First of all, stand
+up, old colonel. There," he continued, smiling, holding out his hand to
+him, "I must help you a little, for your old limbs have grown stiff in my
+father's service. And now, just tell me, old broadsword, what you think
+of it. How will you attack the enemy for me now? Enemies enough we have,
+indeed, but too few soldiers, I should think, to cope with them. Or think
+you that we could soon set an army on foot? Would you go out to battle
+with your regiment of two thousand six hundred men, and win back for me my
+contested territories?"
+
+"I beg your highness not to speak of my two thousand six hundred men. You
+know well that they have long since melted away, because there was no
+money wherewith to pay them."
+
+"Well then," said the Elector, "I will gratify you by forgetting that
+splendid regiment, and by no longer reminding you of the things that were.
+But this I tell you, Burgsdorf, under my administration everything must
+correspond, and what is noted down on paper must really exist. And now we
+shall see if you are acquainted with our military affairs."
+
+"Alas! most noble sir," sighed Burgsdorf, "would that I did not know, for
+it is a most sorrowful knowledge to an old soldier and in a most
+distressing condition is the Brandenburg military department."
+
+"Yes, indeed!" exclaimed the Elector. "The knights no longer take horse,
+the citizens no longer care to defend their towns and gates, the States
+refuse to pay subsidies for the support of the army, and our coffers are
+exhausted. It is no wonder if there can be no talk of an army. How much
+infantry and cavalry have we in all, Burgsdorf?"
+
+"Most gracious sir," sighed the colonel, "in the Mark and Prussia together
+we have not more than twenty companies of infantry, allowing a hundred and
+twenty-five men to each."
+
+"That would make two thousand five hundred men," said the Elector--"a
+small nucleus for an army, truly; but something, nevertheless, provided
+that these men are attached to me, and owe fealty to none besides myself."
+
+"But that is just our misfortune," said Burgsdorf; "these men have sworn
+allegiance not only to you, but to the Emperor's Majesty. They were
+enlisted in the Emperor's name, and carry the imperial banner."
+
+"Ah!" cried the Elector, "I see you know how it is, Conrad von Burgsdorf,
+and understand the difficulties of the position in which we find
+ourselves. Yes, the regiments of the Elector of Brandenburg have given
+oath to the Emperor, and the Emperor's banners wave above our forts. All
+my officers serve the Emperor first! Tell me, Burgsdorf, are you yourself
+not in the Emperor's service? Have you not a regiment in the imperial
+army, although you are governor of Küstrin, and therefore under my
+command?"
+
+"That is so," replied Burgsdorf. "I could not refuse the imperial regiment
+because it was such a lucrative post, and the governorship paid me hardly
+anything. The emoluments for heading the imperial regiment were more in
+one year than I would have gained in twenty years from my Brandenburg
+post. Necessity drove me to it."[38]
+
+"I know that very well," said the Elector, "and I repeat that the past
+shall be forgotten if you promise that in future you will be true and
+loyal to myself alone."
+
+"Your highness!" shouted Burgsdorf, "I will be faithful to you and your
+government to the end of my life! I renounce empire and Emperor, and
+henceforth the Elector of Brandenburg is my sole lord and general! Allow
+me on the spot to give into your own hand my oath of office, and swear
+to you eternal fidelity!"
+
+"Here is my hand," said the Elector solemnly. "Swear upon this hand
+hereafter to become the sword of Brandenburg, to serve me faithfully and
+zealously, and to have no other Sovereign than myself!"
+
+"In God's name I swear that I will have no other Sovereign, and serve
+under no other Prince, than yourself alone, the Elector of Brandenburg!"
+cried Burgsdorf, laying both his hands in that of the Elector and pressing
+it fervently to his lips.
+
+"And now, having sworn you into my service," said the Elector, in a
+majestic tone, "now I commission you to return home to Küstrin and to
+administer the oath to all the officers and men there. But understand, to
+me alone, not to the Emperor."
+
+"To you alone, not to the Emperor!" cried Burgsdorf, with animation.
+
+"And I further order you to receive no imperial garrison
+into your fortress, for we have a right to exact this, since it
+is clearly stipulated in the peace of Prague that each Prince
+is at liberty to man his fortresses with his own people, which
+clause gives validity to this assertion of right."[39]
+
+"Your Electoral Highness!" cried Burgsdorf, "that was spoken like a man!
+Begin the good work in earnest, and command the Stadtholder without delay
+to swear in the other governors of your remaining fortresses!"[40]
+
+"You are of opinion, then, that this is very necessary, and that these
+gentlemen might refuse to swear allegiance to me alone?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I am strongly of that opinion, and would venture to lay a wager
+that Colonel von Rochow at Spandow, and Goldacker and Kracht in Berlin,
+will not take oath to your Electoral Highness."
+
+"Woe to them if they do it not!" cried the Elector, with flashing eyes. "I
+shall prove to them that they must bow in obedience to me, and that I
+recognize no other lord but myself within the limits of my own dominions.
+Now go back to the Mark, Burgsdorf, and do as I have bidden you. You may
+also, as would once have been so pleasant to you, go over right often to
+Berlin. Attend well to all that is going on, for it may be that I shall
+soon have occasion for you there. Be on your guard, therefore, colonel,
+and be pretty circumspect in word and deed. Ponder upon the advice given
+you by the little Electoral Prince once: 'Learn and wait.'"
+
+"Sir, you give me another thrust!" cried Burgsdorf; "but it does me good,
+and I am glad of it. Yes, I shall learn and wait, for I see plainly the
+last night of the world has not come yet, and my dearest master will not
+always have to act so on the defensive as now; when the right time comes,
+he will strike and prove to all his enemies, even the mightiest of them,
+that he is more powerful than they. Mark now, mark my words; Schwarzenberg
+may look out!"
+
+"But meanwhile let Burgsdorf look out! Farewell now, Burgsdorf, you have
+received my orders. Execute them."
+
+"Now," cried the Elector, after the colonel had left the room--"now, my
+dear Leuchtmar, you know all my views and plans. But the most weighty,
+important, and difficult task I have reserved for you."
+
+"I think I know what your highness means," said Leuchtmar, smiling. "Your
+precautionary measures have been taken in all directions; as early as
+yesterday your envoys departed laden with most submissive messages of
+respect for the Emperor. Only in one direction have you done nothing, and
+that remains for me. I am to go to Sweden, am I not?"
+
+The Elector nodded and smiled. "It is as you say--you are to go to Sweden.
+A great danger threatens my country. The Swedes are on the frontiers, or
+rather within my territories, for they hold possession of Pomerania, which
+is mine. They are on the point of invading the Mark, Banner again
+threatens my poor, exhausted lands, and it is said that he has already
+issued orders for the demolishing of Berlin. Schwarzenberg for that very
+reason had the suburbs of Berlin and Cologne burned down, thus laying the
+city open to assault; from Saxony, also, the Swedish general Stallhansch
+advances upon Brandenburg, and all is in a fair way to encircle the Mark
+in the flames of war. But, as you know, I have no money and no soldiers,
+no power and no lands. I can not conduct a war! My single purpose must now
+be, in the first place, to withdraw my oppressed land and people from
+these flames of war into lasting repose and a peaceful security, and then
+to govern them well.[41] I shall send you to Sweden, therefore, Leuchtmar,
+to conclude for me a temporary armistice with the Swedes, and also to
+negotiate the conditions of a peace. I must have peace at any price, for
+on no terms can I carry on a war. Chancellor Oxenstiern is indeed a proud
+and overbearing man, who will probably make hard conditions, but we must
+accommodate ourselves to them, yield gracefully now, and defer our revenge
+for a later day. Only if he demands Pomerania as the price of peace, you
+may not yield; we will indeed be yielding, but not suffer ourselves to be
+humbled. We can grant much, but not allow ourselves to be imposed upon in
+everything. If Oxenstiern desires money and other material things, promise
+them, but land and towns you may not give."
+
+"Not a single title to land or town, your highness!" cried Leuchtmar, "for
+you have said that you would substantiate your titles, and give kernels to
+the empty shells; therefore the Swede shall not crack a single one of your
+nuts."
+
+"Not a single one," repeated the Elector, while he smilingly extended his
+hand to his friend. "And now, one thing more, Leuchtmar. Do you remember
+the plan about which my great-uncle Gustavus Adolphus spoke to my mother,
+when he was here on a visit?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," returned Leuchtmar promptly, "I remember it, and think it
+were time now to carry it into execution. There is one means of uniting
+Sweden and Brandenburg in the bonds of peace, without reducing Brandenburg
+to humiliation. Only follow the plan of the great Gustavus Adolphus; you
+know he destined his daughter Christina for your wife."
+
+"Yes," said the Elector, and a sudden pallor overspread his cheeks--"yes,
+he meant his daughter to be my wife. Go, Leuchtmar, and woo her, but quite
+secretly and quietly. As I have already told you, my heart is dead, young
+Frederick William no longer desires anything for himself, but the young
+Elector a great deal still, and it is the Elector who offers his hand to
+Queen Christina for the good of his country. I believe the little, young
+Queen interests herself somewhat in her cousin Frederick William, at least
+so my aunt, the widowed Queen, assured me. I shall intrust to you a letter
+for the young Queen, which you must try to slip into her own hand without
+Oxenstiern knowing anything about it. Go now, dear Leuchtmar, and prepare
+all things for your journey. Meanwhile I shall write the letter."
+
+"In one hour, your highness, I shall be ready," said Leuchtmar,
+withdrawing with a low bow.
+
+The Elector thoughtfully followed him with his eyes. "In one hour he will
+be ready," he said, "and he goes away to woo for me a woman's heart. Oh,
+Love and Faith, must you, too, bow to the great laws which govern the
+world? Must you, too, be laid as sacrifices upon the altar of country?
+Hush, poor heart and murmur not! Sink down into the sea of forgetfulness,
+ye days of the past! A new era dawns upon me. I stand before the gates of
+a great future, and I write above these gates, 'I will be a mighty and
+distinguished ruler!' That is my future."
+
+
+
+
+IV.--CONFIRMED IN POWER.
+
+
+With triumphant expression of countenance Count Adam von Schwarzenberg
+walked to and fro in his cabinet. The Chamberlain Werner von Schulenburg
+had just left him, and the glad tidings which he had brought from the
+young Elector had banished all doubts, all cares from the Stadtholder's
+heart.
+
+"I did him injustice," he said cheerfully to himself. "Frederick William
+was not my enemy, not my opponent! He was only the son of his father, and
+he will now also walk in his father's ways. I therefore remain what I am,
+remain Stadtholder, the lord of the Mark! And," he continued, more softly,
+"I would have put this amiable Prince out of the way! Who knows whether it
+would have been for my advantage if he had died and my son stepped into
+his place! My son is of my blood--that is to say, he is ambitious and
+thirsts after power and distinction. He would not have left the government
+in my hands, if he could have wrested it from me, and perhaps I would not
+have remained Stadtholder in the Mark had it been in his power to displace
+me!"
+
+The count had thrown himself into a fauteuil, and supported his head on
+his hand. The triumphant expression had long since faded from his
+features, which were mow grave and lined by care.
+
+"It pleases me not," he murmured, after a long pause--"no, it pleases me
+not at all that my son associates so constantly with Goldacker, Kracht,
+and Rochow at Spandow. They are disorderly fellows, who recognize no law
+or restraint, and find their sole pleasure in tumult and strife. It would
+seem fine to them if they could embroil father and son, for they would
+surely fish in the troubled waters, and draw out some advantage for
+themselves, which is ever their only concern. They exert an evil influence
+over my son, I know that, and it would be infinitely better for him to go
+away from here and--Ha! a good thought! I shall immediately carry it out."
+
+He started up and grasped the large gold bell, which had been recently
+presented to him by the Emperor. The clear, sonorous tones called a smile
+to the count's lips.
+
+"Yes, yes," he said, "the old Elector is dead, and I ring the new times
+in; yet the new era is but a repetition of the old, and the end remains
+ever the same, although the means by which we attain it differ. I used to
+whistle, now I ring, but the object remains identically the same--to
+summon serviceable spirits to my side.
+
+"They do not come, though," he continued after a long pause, in which he
+had awaited in vain the appearance of a lackey. "No, these, my serviceable
+spirits come not; they incline not to the new order of things, and prefer
+clinging to the old."
+
+He took the little golden whistle, lying on the table beside the bell,
+and gave a loud, shrill call with it. Immediately the door opened and a
+lackey appeared.
+
+"Why have you kept me waiting?" asked the count imperiously. "Did you not
+hear the bell?"
+
+"Yes, your excellency," replied the lackey, with reverential mien, "I
+heard ringing. It was the beadle, giving notice that two women were to be
+put in the pillory on the fish market for committing twenty thefts between
+them!"
+
+"Stupid fool! It was I who rang!" cried the count. "Did I not yesterday
+notify you through the majordomo that I should no longer call you with a
+whistle, but with a bell?"
+
+"It is true, your excellency, and I beg your pardon for forgetting it,"
+replied the lackey humbly.
+
+"Mark it for all time to come," commanded the count. "Go now and tell my
+son, Count John Adolphus, that I wish to speak with him, and request him
+to come to me."
+
+The lackey bowed obsequiously and left the apartment. He paused behind the
+closed door, and with defiant, angry countenance, shook his clinched fist.
+
+"You will no longer call us by a whistle," he muttered wrathfully, "and
+yet you whistle for your parrot and your dogs. But that is quite too good
+for your servants and lackeys, and they must now listen for that sheep
+bell. Tinkle and ring for us, will you, as if you were the beadle and we
+good-for-nothing folks to be put in the pillory? Ah me! every day the rich
+and high become more haughty, and the poor and lowly must every day put up
+with more! We had hoped, indeed, that other times would come, and that the
+young Elector would shove that old tyrant of a Stadtholder aside, and oust
+him from his dignities and offices. But Count Adam von Schwarzenberg
+retains his place, and the only change for us is that he rings for us
+instead of whistling as of old. We must just submit, and when he rings
+obey his orders as if he whistled."
+
+With a deep sigh and melancholy air the lackey now walked off to execute
+his lord's commands, and summon Count John Adolphus to his father. This
+young gentleman made haste to obey the call.
+
+"My son," cried the Stadtholder, himself opening his cabinet door, "I
+recognized your step and came to meet you."
+
+"You have something very urgent to say to me then, since you have so
+anxiously expected me?" asked John Adolphus, pressing his father's hand to
+his lips.
+
+"Yes, much that is urgent," replied the Stadtholder. "The young Elector's
+envoy has arrived, and brought me a first missive from him."
+
+"Good news?" asked his son hurriedly.
+
+"Yes, good news. The Elector confirms me in all my offices and dignities.
+I remain Stadtholder in the Mark, Director of the War Department--in
+short, what I am, whence follows as a matter of course that the Elector
+Frederick remains what his father was--my obedient servant. My son, the
+power has not fallen from my hand, and your heritage remains."
+
+"I assure you, my gracious father, I have but little desire to enter upon
+this heritage of mine," cried young Count Adolphus, shrugging his
+shoulders. "May I long remain what I am now, the son of the Stadtholder in
+the Mark, the coadjutor of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John."
+
+"I thank you, Adolphus, for this kind and friendly wish," said Count Adam,
+giving his hand to his son. "It proves to me that you love your old
+father, and that delights me. Truly, man is a wonderful creature, not
+being able to live for himself alone, but always longing for some
+sympathetic heart on which to lean. I have at last made the discovery that
+I have a heart."
+
+"And I," said Count Adolphus, laughing--"I have just discovered that I no
+longer have a heart."
+
+"Or rather, you are sick at heart, are you not?" inquired his father
+quickly. "My son, you have avoided me of late--you have turned from me,
+you no longer confide in me."
+
+"I have nothing to confide, most revered sir," replied Count Adolphus,
+smiling. "I lead a merry, harmless life, and care for nothing."
+
+"For nothing?" repeated the count. "Not even for the Princess Charlotte
+Louise?"
+
+Count Adolphus slightly shuddered, and his cheeks paled a little, but he
+carelessly shook his head, and continued to smile.
+
+"My son," continued his father, "I ask you to-day, as I did two years ago,
+on what terms are you with the Princess Charlotte Louise? During all this
+time you have invariably eluded my efforts to converse on the subject. I
+indulged you, for I know my prudent, cautious son, and waited for him to
+give me his confidence voluntarily. Hitherto, however, I have but waited
+in vain, so that I am compelled to take the initiative, and sue for your
+confidence. Give it to me, Adolphus, tell me whether you love the Princess
+Charlotte Louise."
+
+"Wherefore?" asked Count Adolphus. "How would it profit you?"
+
+"Me? Not at all, but perhaps it may profit you to tell me the truth. The
+lofty hopes we once indulged in have come to naught, destiny has not
+willed their fruition. We have been disappointed in our hope of seeing
+George William's daughter become his heiress, and exalt her husband into
+an Elector of Brandenburg. Frederick William is Elector, he has entered
+upon his father's estates to their full extent. But the Princess Charlotte
+Louise is still unmarried, and has remained so because she loves you and
+is waiting for you."
+
+"She has made me wait," cried the young count, with a sudden outburst of
+passion. "She kept me standing and waiting two hours before a locked door,
+and never, while I live, never, shall I forget the shame, the torture, and
+degradation of those two hours of vain expectation. Oh, father, see what
+power you have over me! I swore then that no human being should ever hear
+of the insult put upon me by that haughty Prince's daughter, and yet I am
+confessing it to you now. Pity me not, say nothing, nothing at all, for
+each word but aggravates my pain and makes my heart swell with indignation
+and grief. Oh, I loved her, trusted her, I dreamed of a proud and
+brilliant future, which I should owe to her! And she played her part in
+such masterly style, her countenance wearing a look of such innocence and
+candor! O father! I loved her, and I, the experienced man of the world,
+allowed myself to be deceived by that young girl, who knew nothing of the
+world, and was yet such an accomplished hypocrite! Think not that I was a
+mere idle coxcomb, arrogantly basing his expectations upon his wishes. No,
+she deceived me, she disappointed me! You should have seen her at that
+_fête_ which you gave to the Electoral Prince. How tenderly she leaned
+upon my arm, as we walked through the greenhouse, with what glowing
+cheeks, with what a blissful smile did she listen to my protestations of
+love, with what amiable bashfulness did she respond to them! She even
+anticipated my boldest hopes and desires, and when I ventured to ask for
+a rendezvous, not only consented to it, but gave me a proof that she would
+have granted it without waiting for me to seek one. There, in the
+greenhouse, she pressed a little note into my hand, which stated clearly
+and distinctly that she appointed ten o'clock of the following evening for
+a rendezvous with me at the castle. And yet all was falsehood and
+deceit--all only invented for the purpose of punishing the presumptuous
+fool who had dared to lift his eyes to the proud Princess! Oh, how she
+laughed perhaps, and mocked me with her sister, mother, and brother, while
+I stood below before the locked door and waited, finally being obliged to
+slink away, burying my rage and despair in my heart! I fancy her spying
+from a neighboring window, watching me, and enjoying my confusion as I
+stood there knocking at a bolted door, having at last to go off silent and
+bowed down. It makes me furious to think of this, and yet continually the
+idea haunts me, leaving me no rest, until the remembrance of these two
+dreadful hours becomes absolute torture. O father! why have you wrenched
+this secret from my heart?--why have you persuaded me to tell you, what I
+have not even revealed to my father confessor?"
+
+"I am glad, my son, that I have succeeded in opening this secret," said
+the count quietly. "I say opening, for like a festering sore it has
+rankled in your bosom, and believe me, Adolphus, since it has been opened,
+you will experience relief and your heart will heal. It has befallen many
+another man to be caught in the snares of a coquette, and to have a few
+costly illusions dispelled. But consider, my son, each illusion lost is
+an experience gained, and experience is cheaply bought with the dreams of
+the heart. Experience, you know, brings knowledge of the world, and
+knowledge of the world forms the diplomatist and statesman. You are
+already, my son, no despicable statesman, and you will some day play a
+great game, even though you are not the Electoral Princess's husband.
+For the rest I can give you one comforting assurance, and relieve your
+mind of an oppressive consciousness. In order to do this I have allowed
+you to vent your rage, and listened with attentive ear to your passionate
+complaints. My consolation is this: you have never loved the Princess
+Charlotte Louise--that is to say, never loved her with your heart, but
+only with your vanity and ambition. It was very flattering to you to be
+loved by a Princess, and ambition whispered to you that through your wife
+you might become reigning Elector, if the Electoral Prince were only put
+out of the way by fate or some other obliging hand. There was surely some
+prospect of this, and you know how exultingly we both looked forward to
+such a future. But we made shipwreck of those plans, and now it is too
+late to build them anew. However, let us not mourn over the past, but
+forget it. This hour has witnessed your last lament over your dead past.
+Its knell has been rung, let us both now doom it to oblivion. I have
+retained one thing in my memory, however, and that is the note which the
+incautious Princess gave you that evening in the greenhouse. Do you still
+possess it?"
+
+"Yes, I still possess it, and as often as I look at it my heart is like to
+burst with indignation and wrath!"
+
+"On the contrary, Adolphus, you ought to rejoice whenever you look at it,
+for you can turn this little note into a formidable weapon against the
+Electoral house. With this note you can some day force the young Elector
+to make you my successor, confirm you in the rank of Grand Master of the
+Knights of St. John, or even, if you still wish it, make you the husband
+of his sister Charlotte Louise. Ah! my son, a note in which the Elector's
+sister invites you to a rendezvous by night is worth more to you, indeed,
+than if you could go out against your enemy with an army, for an army
+might be vanquished, but in this _billet-doux_ of the Princess each stroke
+of her hand becomes a soldier fighting with invincible armor."
+
+"You are right, most gracious father," said Count Adolphus, with a
+sinister expression of face. "The day may come when I shall march out
+these soldiers against the faithless Princess and her whole house! I hate
+her, I hate them all, and my whole heart longs for revenge, and--"
+
+"Your excellency," said a chamberlain, approaching hastily--"your
+excellency, a courier from Königsberg has just arrived, and is the bearer
+of this dispatch from the Elector."
+
+The Stadtholder took the proffered packet, and by a hurried sign dismissed
+the chamberlain.
+
+"A courier from Königsberg," he said, with a slight shaking of the head,
+as he examined the great sealed envelope which he held in his hand. "A
+writing from the Electoral Government Office, when Schulenburg was just
+with me this very day, the bearer of verbal communications! I do not
+understand it!"
+
+"The best plan would be, most revered father, to open the letter!" cried
+Count Adolphus briskly. "You will then see what news it contains."
+
+The Stadtholder made no answer, but tore off the cover and drew forth the
+inner paper. Slowly he unfolded this, and read.
+
+His son had involuntarily advanced a few steps nearer, and watched his
+father's countenance with the impatience of suspense. He saw him turn
+pale, his brow darken, and his lips become firmly compressed.
+
+"The letter contains bad news?" he said breathlessly.
+
+"Not merely bad but astonishing news," replied the count, with forced
+composure. "The Elector here makes several requirements of me, and not
+directly, but through his private secretary Götz."
+
+"What presumption!" exclaimed his son passionately.
+
+"How can that little Elector dare to forward a writ of chancery to you,
+the mighty and influential Stadtholder in the Mark, instead of addressing
+his desires and requests to you privately in his own handwriting?"
+
+"It shows at all events a little negligence and want of formality,"
+replied his father thoughtfully, "although the Elector may certainly plead
+as his excuse the many claims upon his time. For the same reason he only
+gave Schulenburg verbal messages for me."
+
+"And may I ask what the Elector demands of your grace? Or is this an
+indiscretion on my part?"
+
+"No, my son, you shall learn it. In the first place, the Elector requires
+me to send unopened to him at Königsberg all letters arriving here
+addressed to him, and not to open and answer them in his name as hitherto.
+The Elector further desires me to conclude no act of government without
+having previously called together the privy council. In the third place,
+the Elector directs me forthwith to require of all the governors and
+officers of the forts an oath of allegiance to himself. He lastly asks, if
+I can make it convenient to come to Prussia, that we may confer together,
+and that he may have the benefit of my aid and advice."
+
+"And what answer will your grace return to these demands?"
+
+"As regards the first requirement, I shall reply that the Elector's will
+is law, and that all writings shall be henceforth forwarded to him
+unopened. As to the second demand, I shall represent that it is now simply
+impossible to gratify, since only a single member of the old privy council
+is yet alive. As to binding the officers and commandants by oath to their
+duty," continued the count slowly, "I shall but require a token of their
+disposition to fulfill existing engagements. And lastly, as the Elector
+wishes it, I can hardly refuse him my advice; so that I will go to him in
+Prussia."
+
+"No," cried Count Adolphus impatiently, "no, father, you shall not. You
+shall not accept this artfully contrived invitation. You dare not go to
+Prussia. My God, sir, are your usually keen and penetrating eyes so
+blinded that they can not see what is so very palpable? Do you really not
+perceive that the Elector only wants to entice you away, in order to get
+you in his power, in order noiselessly and quietly to put you out of the
+way? Ostensibly you are to go to Königsberg to advise the young,
+inexperienced Elector. That is the pretext, the sand which they would
+scatter in the eyes of yourself, your friends, the Emperor, yea, all
+Germany, so that no one can see what is going on, or by any possibility
+guess what will happen. You may set out for Königsberg, but you will never
+get there; you will meet with an accident on the way--either your carriage
+will be overset and you fatally injured, or robbers fall upon you in the
+woods and murder you. However it may be, only as a dead man will you
+arrive at Königsberg, and the Elector will have nothing further to do than
+to decree your magnificent obsequies!"
+
+"Ah, my son!" cried the Stadtholder, smiling, "you go too far. Never will
+the Elector resort to such expedients. He is too pious and good a
+Christian for that!"
+
+"Father, are not you, too, a good, pious Christian, and yet--Believe me,
+the Elector has forgotten nothing. He remembers the man found under his
+bed once, with a murderous weapon in his hand and much gold in his pocket.
+He remembers the sickness which so suddenly seized him two years ago at
+the banquet which you had prepared for him. _Then_ you invited him, _now_
+he invites you, and if sickness seizes you, you will probably not have the
+good fortune to recover as he did."
+
+"That is true; my God! he may be right," muttered the count, turning pale.
+"It may be that they suspect me; they may have told him I meant to poison
+him at that banquet. I have proofs of it which make it seem probable, and
+that woman--Hush, hush! nothing of that--that has no place here! But I
+believe myself that you are right, and will therefore ignore the Elector's
+invitation."
+
+"God be praised, father, that you have taken this resolution!" cried the
+young count joyfully. "Now at last the crisis is upon us--open enmity and
+a rupture, regardless of consequences! Waver and hesitate no more. The
+Elector would ruin you; you must ruin him. Nay, look not so amazed and
+shocked, father! I have long foreseen this moment, and have prepared
+everything for meeting the emergency with dignity. As soon as the first
+news of the Elector George William's death reached here, I gathered about
+me my friends and yours, and held a long consultation with them, which
+satisfied me of their fidelity and devotion. Oh, most gracious sir, you
+have indeed no reason to bewail your lot, for you have many and reliable
+friends, who are ready for your sake to confront the most imminent
+dangers, to undertake what is most difficult and hazardous! All of our
+friends were convinced with me that the Electoral Prince is your
+implacable enemy, and that he only watches for an opportunity to
+accomplish your ruin. In spite of his few years, however, he is much too
+wise and cautious a man to attempt to act against you with open, swift
+determination. He knows the Emperor loves you, and that he would regard
+each act of enmity against you as directed against himself. Therefore he
+would quietly remove and undo you. Here, in the midst of your faithful
+friends, surrounded by soldiers and officers who have taken an oath of
+fidelity to you and the Emperor, in the midst of your adherents and
+retainers, the Elector would not dare to arrest and accuse you. He begins
+much more prudently, much more circumspectly! In the first place, you are
+to swear the governors and officers into the Elector's service. That is to
+say, in other words, they are no longer to recognize the Emperor as lord
+paramount or you as the Elector's representative, but their oath is to
+bind them to the Elector alone, and only on his will are they to be
+dependent. After having accomplished all this, you are to proceed to
+Prussia, where no one defends you, where your friends can not rally around
+you, where you will vanish, uncared for and unwept. No, my lord and
+father, you must not go to Prussia, or if you do, not until you have
+assembled around you your loyal subjects, when, at the head of your
+regiments, you go forth to meet the Elector as his powerful and determined
+foe, not as his servant."
+
+"What do you say, my son?" asked the Stadtholder, shocked.
+
+"I say, father, that your friends and I have been secretly active, that we
+have prepared to defend you in case the Elector threatens you. Throughout
+the whole Mark your friends are ready to make open opposition to the
+Elector, and firmly determined to protect you and their own rights and
+privileges sword in hand. Only carry out Frederick William's order,
+summon the commandants of the forts here to Berlin, and demand of them
+their oath of allegiance to the Elector. This they will refuse. All, with
+the exception of Burgsdorf of Küstrin and Trotha of Peitz, will declare
+that they have already given in their oath to the Emperor, and can not
+conscientiously take any other. The colonels of the regiments will say the
+same, especially Goldacker, the boldest, bravest of them all. They will
+keep faith with the Emperor, and therefore the Elector of Brandenburg is
+not their commander in chief. _You_, who administered the imperial oath,
+they will obey in the Emperor's name, they will follow whithersoever _you_
+lead."
+
+"But whither can I lead them?" asked the Stadtholder.
+
+"To battle against the little Elector of Brandenburg, who would revolt
+against his lord the Emperor; to battle against the heretical vassal of
+the Emperor, who threatens the German Empire and the Church, who would
+break loose from Emperor and empire, who threatens all creeds, making
+every effort to strengthen and aggrandize the reformed party. Oh, believe
+me, not merely good Catholics, but the Evangelical and Lutheran sects,
+will obey this call, and burn with enmity and wrath against the rash
+little Elector. We have spread our net, and its meshes are entangling him,
+even there in Prussia, where he thinks himself quite safe and secure. True
+friends and trusty messengers have been sent by Goldacker and myself to
+Prussia, to concert measures there with your adherents, and to rouse them
+to strong, energetic action. Sebastian von Waldow, superintendent of the
+palace and captain of Ruppin, assembles your friends together in perfect
+secrecy, and I daily expect from him exact accounts as to the success of
+his operations. In Königsberg itself we now have a powerful and efficient
+friend, who co-operates with us and is like-minded with ourselves. It is
+the ambassador whom the Emperor has sent to condole with the Elector. He
+is my best, most confidential friend, Count von Martinitz. He is
+acquainted with all my plans, he is the confidant of all my hopes and
+views, and will second them with all his might. This ambitious, heretical
+little Elector shall not rise, shall not arrive at power and distinction!
+That is not only the view the Emperor takes of it, but all German princes.
+The Elector of Brandenburg is a source of terror and embarrassment to them
+all. He threatens Saxony, he threatens Brunswick and Hesse; of all he
+claims land and property now in their possession. He has no friends,
+adherents, nor allies, this little Elector Frederick William. Holland will
+not side with him, because it will not relinquish Julich and Cleves,
+Sweden contends with him for Pomerania, and Poland about the investiture.
+He has only enemies and accusers! If, then, we attack him, he is lost! No
+hand will be lifted in his defense, no arm outstretched to save him. The
+Emperor will grant us his support and countenance, and all German princes
+will secretly rejoice that so dangerous a rival has been happily removed.
+O father! you see I have not abandoned hope of becoming some day Elector
+of Brandenburg! Only, I shall not be indebted for it to the Princess
+Charlotte Louise, but to you. I shall inherit the dignity as my father's
+son! And this shall be my revenge upon the faithless, treacherous
+Princess! I will ruin her and her whole house; I will put my father in her
+brother's place; I will one day enter as master the palace before whose
+closed portals they once insolently kept me two hours waiting. I swore
+that night to be revenged for that insult, and now the moment has come.
+Father, the fruit of revenge is ripe, and you must pluck it!"
+
+"Yes, that I will," cried the Stadtholder, with animation. "Oh, my son, a
+great, immeasurable joy fills my soul at this hour; and, first of all, let
+me beg your pardon for having entertained a horrible suspicion with regard
+to you which has lately forced itself upon me. I mistrusted you, seeing
+your activity, your strange confidential transactions with the commandants
+and officers; I felt that you were on the eve of some great undertaking,
+and suspected that in you I had a rival, and that you wished to supplant
+me! Forgive me, my son, forgive me in consideration of the misery my
+suspicions caused me!"
+
+"I have nothing to forgive, father," said Count Adolphus coldly. "It is so
+natural for those incapable of love to suppose that others are only moved
+by selfish ends! You, father, love nothing on earth but your own ambition
+and fame, and so fancied that it was the same with me, and that ambition
+could make the son a traitor to his own father!"
+
+"My Adolphus!" cried the Stadtholder, "I have already told you, and repeat
+again, that I feel I have a heart. I felt it in the pain which I
+experienced when I doubted you; I feel it now in the rapture which thrills
+me in beholding you act so boldly and courageously in behalf of your
+father. Give me your hand, Adolphus, and--if you do not disdain such a
+thing--embrace me, and kiss your old father."
+
+He held out his arms, and his son threw himself on his breast and
+imprinted a long, fervent kiss upon his lips. Long did Count Schwarzenberg
+clasp him to his heart, then took the young man's head between both his
+hands and looked at him with loving, tender glances. Finally, with a
+singular expression of embarrassment, he bent down and kissed his eyes.
+
+"My son," he said softly and quickly, "I love you. Yours are the first
+eyes that I have ever kissed, and this kiss of your father's unpolluted
+lips should be to you a life-long blessing. And now to work, now for
+action, and bold adventurous deeds! Oh, of late how weak and worn out I
+have felt myself to be, and longed to withdraw into solitude and
+retirement, to rest from all labor! I believed it was old age creeping
+upon me, and by its abominable touch unnerving my arm and crippling my
+activity. But now I feel that it was only secret grief about you which
+thus enfeebled me and robbed my arm of vigor. Now I am quite well again
+and strong; now I will dare everything that you have so prudently and
+wisely planned. Yes, yes, once more I am Schwarzenberg, the Stadtholder in
+the Mark, and I shall not allow myself to be imposed upon; I shall do
+battle with this little Frederick William, who ventures to defy and
+threaten me. He opposes the Emperor, he would be an independent Sovereign,
+while he is only the Emperor's vassal. For this he shall be punished. It
+will not be our fault if this hurls him from his little throne, and how
+could we be blamed, should the Emperor bestow the margraviate of
+Brandenburg upon Prince Schwarzenberg, as he did the margraviate of
+Jägerndorf upon Prince Lobkowitz? To work, my son, to work! Oh, now again
+my eyes see clearly--now again my head conceives fixed and energetic
+thoughts. My son, we two combined will surely be equal to the execution
+of our exalted schemes. We two combined will ruin the Elector."
+
+"And put you in his place," cried the young count.
+
+"I must go before, that you may be my successor, and that our house stand
+firm and strong, and not be inferior to that of Lobkowitz or Fürstenberg.
+Already it is clearly defined in my mind what we shall have to do. In the
+first place, we must render the Elector odious to all parties, making it
+evident to each that he is a dangerous foe to all, who would enrich
+himself at his neighbors' expense, and would arrive at honor and power by
+weakening and degrading others. We have only to say to the Emperor that he
+is his opponent, and seeks to release his officers from the oath they have
+taken. Ferdinand is passionate and jealous of his prerogatives, and will
+crush his rebellious vassal. To the Lutherans and their favorers we will
+have it whispered by our friends that the Elector, as a rigid Calvinist,
+threatens their faith, and proposes to restrict the privileges of their
+country churches and to deprive of their offices all those who will not
+confess the Calvinistic creed. The Lutherans are a hard-headed and
+fanatical sect. He who menaces their faith is their arch-enemy, and they
+will be ready to fight against him with fire and sword. The soldiers, you
+know, are always ready to follow him who pays them best, and as regards
+their officers, thanks to you, my son, we are sure of them. Let us now
+adopt a fixed plan for hastening the crisis."
+
+"I am only waiting for the return of the messenger whom I sent to
+Sebastian von Waldow. He will bring us reliable information as to the
+progress of organization among your adherents in Prussia, for Waldow has
+gone himself to Königsberg to hold a consultation with Count Martinitz,
+and to concert with our loyal friends a fixed plan of operations."
+
+"We shall be obliged to go very slowly and cautiously to work," said Count
+Adam thoughtfully. "We must first secure ourselves on all sides, and be
+sure of the result before we venture to assume the offensive. The most
+important thing now is to assure ourselves of the Emperor's favor and
+approval. You, my son, must repair forthwith to Regensburg, where the
+Emperor is at present. You will inform him that I have obtained orders
+from the Elector to release the troops from their oath to the Emperor, and
+to swear them into the Elector's service alone. You will say to his
+Majesty that I have declined to yield to this order, and in the oath
+administered to the officers have made their allegiance to the Elector
+quite secondary to their obligations to himself. You will further notify
+the Emperor that the soldiers' pay has been in arrears for a month,
+because all our coffers are empty. Therefore ask, in my name, if it would
+not perhaps be advisable, if we come to extremities, to take the
+Brandenburg troops into the Emperor's pay, to give them rations in the
+Emperor's name, and renew their oath to his Imperial Majesty. To effect
+this, we have only to stimulate a little the discontent of the troops.
+They are already tolerably desperate because they have not received their
+wages. If the Elector does not speedily pay off the troops, the
+desperation will reach its height, and a revolt break forth spontaneously."
+
+"Thence it follows, most gracious sir, that they will become as wax to be
+molded at your will."
+
+"You are right, my son; we must manage to retain authority over friend and
+foe. The troops here are a wild, lawless horde, knowing little of
+discipline and order, and bearing much closer resemblance to a robber band
+than a princely army. We must aim at having disciplined troops at hand,
+such as are accustomed to obedience, and to this end must introduce
+imperial troops into the Mark. Nothing further is necessary for this than
+to begin hostilities against the Swedes with renewed activity, drawing
+them down upon Berlin. It will then seem quite natural, considering the
+weakness of the forces here, to invite the aid of the Emperor and his
+troops in defending Berlin and protecting ourselves against the Swedes,
+but in truth to help us in this great movement against the seditious
+Elector, who would revolt against Emperor and empire.
+
+"I commission you, my son, to unravel this whole scheme to the Emperor,
+and to petition him for his countenance. For, without the imperial
+approbation and without an assurance of success, we dare not proceed
+further in this dangerous undertaking. We must have some security, too,
+that the Emperor's Majesty will proportionately reward us if we gain the
+Mark for him, and rid him of that mutinous, heretical Elector."
+
+"I shall above all things seek to come to an understanding with Father
+Silvio, and impress upon the Emperor's pious, zealous father confessor the
+extent of glory and blessing to be acquired in behalf of the Church and
+holy faith by wresting the Mark out of the hands of a heretic, and
+bestowing it upon a believing, true Catholic, such as the Stadtholder in
+the Mark. The father has the Emperor's ear, and, I believe, is favorably
+disposed toward me. I shall use every means for enlisting his favor, and
+it would be well to have some funds at my disposal for this purpose.
+Father Silvio, noble and pious though he be, loves money, and is not
+inaccessible to jewels and valuable gifts. He has in his apartments at
+Vienna costly collections of precious stones and rare gold and silver
+plate, and it affords him high gratification to add a few valuable
+pieces to them."
+
+"We will take care of that," said Count Adam, smiling. "Choose out of our
+casket of gems a few things worthy the pious father's acceptance, and for
+money you can draw upon the bankers Fugger of Nuremberg. I recently
+deposited with them considerable sums, in case of emergency. They are
+safer there than here in this starved-out Mark, among the desperadoes of
+Berlin and Cologne, who have no affection for me, and perhaps some day may
+take it into their heads to demand relief from me for their poverty and
+want, and plunder me to enrich themselves. Among such a gaunt, hungry
+populace we must be prepared for everything, and it is wise to be insured
+against mishaps. In these present evil days, however, nothing but money
+can raise an army, and only he who has money can aspire to being a
+general."
+
+"The little Elector of Brandenburg has no money!" cried Count Adolphus,
+"for which God be praised! He, therefore, can be no general. His troops
+and his land belong to us, and, like the Margrave of Jägerndorf and the
+Elector of the Palatinate, the deposed Elector of Brandenburg may soon be
+a wanderer in foreign lands, exposing his humiliation to the whole German
+Empire. Nowhere will he find compassion, nowhere sympathy, for he is a
+dangerous foe to all, and all will profit by his fall. Dear, honored
+father, let me depart this very hour for Regensburg, in order to obtain
+the Emperor's approval of our weighty plans, and to return to you the
+earlier with plenipotentiary powers."
+
+"You are right, Adolphus, haste makes speed, and we must strike while the
+iron is hot. Set off, my son, this very hour if you choose. It will not be
+necessary for me to write to the Emperor by you. You know perfectly how to
+interpret my thoughts, and your spoken word is better than my written one.
+God speed you, then, my son, I shall expect daily dispatches from you,
+acquainting me with the progress of your negotiations."
+
+"I shall write, father, and make use of the ciphers agreed upon between
+us. You have preserved the key, have you not?"
+
+"I have preserved it in my head," replied the count, pointing to his
+forehead. "Important secrets should never be committed to paper, and I say
+with Charles V, 'If one carries a great secret in his head, he should burn
+his very nightcap, that it may not betray him.' Truly may it be said of us
+two that we carry an important secret in our heads. Instead of a nightcap
+I have burned the cipher key, that it may not one day betray us!"
+
+"But the great secret will one day surprise the world," cried Count
+Adolphus joyfully; "its trumpet peals will one day startle the whole of
+Germany. From the palace balcony here in Berlin shall its triumphant
+flourishes ring forth. The people in the streets will hear them in
+astonishment, and to me they will sound as the rejoicing songs of the
+heavenly hosts, and enraptured I shall look up to my father, standing
+there majestic in the pomp of his princely power. If I may then fall at
+your feet, all the ambitious dreams and aspirations of my heart will be
+fulfilled, and all within me will rejoice and shout, 'Health and blessings
+upon Prince Schwarzenberg, Margrave of Brandenburg!' Farewell now, dear
+father! I hurry away, the earlier to return to you!"
+
+
+
+
+V.--THE CATASTROPHE.
+
+
+Their plans matured, and every day approached nearer to completion, while
+with firm hand Count Adam Schwarzenberg held the reins which guided the
+great machinery of insurrection. He had sent Colonel Goldacker with his
+regiment to Mecklenburg to draw out the Swedes, and to provoke them to
+advance upon the Mark. The Swedes took up the gauntlet thrown down to
+them, and, while they were opposed to Goldacker in Mecklenburg, other
+Swedish regiments marched from Lausitz against Berlin. This was exactly
+what the Stadtholder wished, and once more the devoted Mark saw the flames
+of war burst forth, in order that Schwarzenberg might have an excuse for
+summoning Saxon troops to his aid.
+
+To-day these troops had reached Berlin, and the Stadtholder wished to
+celebrate their arrival by a sumptuous _fête_ in his palace. To this
+entertainment he had bidden Colonel Goldacker from Mecklenburg; the
+commandants of Spandow and Berlin, with their officers, were also invited,
+and already, in the early morning, they were preparing the table in the
+great hall for the magnificent collation to be served at noon.
+
+Meanwhile lamentation and mourning reigned in the cities of Berlin and
+Cologne, while life went so merrily in the Schwarzenberg palace. The wild
+hordes of soldiers made the streets unsafe even in the daytime. Drunken
+they roved through the city, with the greatest tumult and uproar; they
+broke into the houses of peaceful citizens to plunder and rob, and
+wherever anything was refused them, they committed the most wanton acts,
+laughing and singing over the tortures they inflicted. In vain had the
+burghers applied to the officers of these ungovernable outlaws and
+besought them to restrain the soldiery from outrages, to confine them to
+their quarters, and to punish them for their thefts and robberies. The
+officers declared that there was no means of enforcing so rigid a
+discipline, and that in times of war some allowance should be made for
+soldiers who with their own bodies protected the burghers from their foes.
+
+But the poor, tormented burghers did not want war; they wanted peace!
+Peace at any price. The States, too, who held their session in Berlin,
+wanted peace, and to this end had sent out a deputation from their midst
+to the Elector at Königsberg to implore him to pity their distress and to
+command the Stadtholder in the Mark to abstain from hostilities against
+the Swedes.
+
+The same suit the citizens desired to present to the Stadtholder, and
+to-day, while preparations were in progress for a military entertainment
+in the Schwarzenberg palace, a solemn deputation of the magistracy and
+citizenship repaired to the same spot to lay before the Stadtholder their
+wishes and entreaties. Count Schwarzenberg kept them waiting a long while
+in his antechamber, and when he finally made his appearance his
+countenance was proud and haughty, and his eyes shot angry glances upon
+the poor representatives of the burghers, who stood with deprecating
+humility before him.
+
+"What would you have of me, sirs?" he cried, in a rough voice. "What have
+you to say to me?"
+
+"Most gracious sir," replied the burgomaster of Berlin, "we come to
+entreat the aid and assistance of your excellency in behalf of our
+afflicted cities. We are exhausted, hungry, plundered, driven to despair.
+We can no longer bear the frightful burden of war. Have compassion upon
+our affliction; make peace with the Swede, that he may not advance upon
+Berlin, that we may not be forced to appeal to foreigners for our defense."
+
+"Make peace!" cried the burghers, stretching out their hands imploringly
+toward the Stadtholder, their eyes filled with tears. "O sir! we have
+borne sorrow and wretchedness for so many long, bitter years! Our hearts
+are crushed and desperate! Our souls are faint! Make peace, that we may
+see some end to our trials! We have no nourishment, no money, not even a
+shelter for our heads. The Swedes plundered us; the Imperialists took from
+us what the Swedes left; and now our own soldiers drive us out of our bare
+and empty dwellings, make sport of our calamities, mock the burghers,
+insult our wives and daughters, and quarter themselves in our houses,
+while we wander homeless about the streets, not even being able to procure
+shelter in our churches because the cavalry have taken possession of these
+with their horses, and converted the temples of God into filthy barracks!
+Make peace, Sir Stadtholder, make peace!"
+
+"I have not power to do so," replied Count Schwarzenberg haughtily,
+"neither the power nor the will! The Swede is the enemy of our country,
+and we must resist him with all the means at our command. Cease your
+howling and shrieking, for it will be but in vain. War is upon us, and we
+can not as cowards retreat before it. Shame upon you for your
+pusillanimity and cowardice, since your men are still capable of bearing
+arms!"
+
+
+"Sir, our men have no more strength for fighting. Our hands are too weak
+to hold a weapon."
+
+"Oh, you will be forced to handle them!" cried Schwarzenberg, laughing
+scornfully. "When your houses are on fire, and you see your wives and
+children dragged off by soldiers, then these cowards will be turned into
+valiant warriors, who can at least defend their lives and the honor of
+their families! I tell you, though, it will come to that. Extremity is
+before you, and calls for terrible resolutions."[42]
+
+The burghers broke into loud lamentations, a few threw themselves on their
+knees, others wept and wailed, while the lords of the magistracy
+approached nearer to the count in order to make confidential
+representations of the utter hopelessness and despondency of the two
+unhappy cities of Berlin and Cologne.
+
+Schwarzenberg, however, turned away from these representations with stern
+composure. "I have not peace but war in hand," he said. "Why do you apply
+to me now when you think, nevertheless, that you can receive no good save
+from the Elector himself, who is your guardian angel, while I am the
+destroying one. Wait and see what news the deputation of the States will
+bring you from Königsberg. You besought the States in your time of trouble
+to appeal to the Elector himself. Well, be patient and await their return.
+However, I can tell you beforehand that they will bring you a refusal, for
+the Elector wishes war, and has given me orders to that effect. He has
+confirmed me in all my offices and dignities. He has most condescendingly
+assured me of his unlimited confidence, and empowered me to act according
+to my own unbiased judgment, and to guide the reins of government as I
+shall choose. I hold them tight, and shall not he turned out of my way by
+your whining and complaining. War is upon us, and should I have to lay
+Berlin in ashes to avoid giving a shelter and asylum to the Swedes, it
+shall be done, rather than conclude peace with them, yield to their
+degrading conditions, and give up Pomerania to them! I therefore advise
+you to be on good terms with the soldiers, to receive them kindly into
+your houses, to entertain them well--"
+
+"Sir," interrupted the first burgomaster, with a bitter cry of
+distress--"sir, we have nothing with which we could entertain them, we--"
+
+"Silence!" called out the Stadtholder, in a thundering voice--"silence! I
+have heard you out, and it is my turn now to speak, and yours to listen
+silently. Go and take your measures accordingly, and act as becomes
+obedient subjects."
+
+He turned upon his heel and with proud bearing re-entered his cabinet,
+while the burghers sorrowfully slunk away, to spread throughout all Berlin
+the dreadful news that all their entreaties had been in vain, and that the
+war was to be prolonged.
+
+"Yes, the war is to be prolonged," repeated Count Schwarzenberg, when he
+again found himself alone in his cabinet. "We approach the _dénouement_,
+and if I could only get decisive tidings from my son, I would hurry on a
+crisis and begin open war. He keeps me waiting for such tidings a very
+long while," continued the count, dropping into the armchair in front of
+his writing table. "He has only written once to me from Regensburg, and
+then he could only inform me that he had commenced operations, and--Ah!"
+he interrupted himself, as his glance fell upon his table, "there are
+papers and dispatches, which must have come in my absence. Perhaps there
+is among them a letter from my son."
+
+He hastily snatched up the letters and examined one after another. No,
+there was no letter from his son, only official documents from the
+Elector's cabinet.
+
+He opened the first of these, and a shudder ran through his whole frame as
+he read. In this paper the Elector commanded the Stadtholder in the Mark
+to send back to him the blank charters, intrusted to him by the Elector
+George William on his departure for Königsberg; he must, moreover, render
+a distinct and exact account of the manner in which he had disposed of the
+charters no longer in existence. _He_, Schwarzenberg, the mighty
+Stadtholder in the Mark, the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, the
+Director of the War Department--_he_, to be called to account as a servant
+by his master! He was expected to answer for what he had done in the
+plenitude of his power, and--worse than that--he must suffer that power to
+be limited! He would do nothing of the sort; he would not give up the
+blank charters not yet appropriated and send them back to the Elector!
+
+That was to curtail the privileges of his high position, to dethrone him,
+and, after having been an absolute master, to make him a dependent
+servant! These blank charters had been the princely prerogative of the
+Stadtholder, the scepter with which he ruled! These papers, on which
+nothing was written, but at the lower corner of which stood the Elector's
+sign manual--these papers had made him absolute monarch of the Mark. In
+free plenitude of power, with unfettered will, had he filled up the
+vacant sheets, bestowing by their means honors and benefits, inflicting
+punishments, imposing taxes, and the Elector's signature had legalized his
+decrees, and imparted the force of law to his will.[43]
+
+And these blank charters, before which his enemies trembled, which had
+struck his partisans and friends as a precious attribute of his
+power--these blank charters he was now called upon to resign!
+
+"I shall not do it," he exclaimed, in a loud, determined voice--"no, I
+shall not do it! I shall not be such a fool as to lessen my own power. No;
+the blank charters are mine, I shall know how to hold them fast!"
+
+He threw the rescript aside and seized another letter. Again from the
+Elector's cabinet--again a command from him to the Stadtholder in the Mark!
+
+He broke open the seal, unfolded the paper with trembling hands, and again
+shuddered as he read; and a momentary pallor overspread his cheeks. This
+writing contained the Elector's orders to suspend hostilities, and to
+refrain from any attack upon the Swedes and the places occupied by them,
+and most rigidly to confine himself to the defensive until an abiding
+peace could be concluded with Sweden.[44]
+
+"You assail me, little Elector!" he said, with smothered, threatening
+voice. "You  bring out your reserves against me, and would cause the proud
+edifice of my power to crumble away stone by stone! You fear lest if the
+great Colossus falls at once it might crush you, and therefore you would
+destroy it piecemeal, a little at a time! You shall not succeed, though,
+little Elector; the Colossus will rear its head on high, and you alone
+will fall!"
+
+At this moment loud, angry and excited voices made themselves heard from
+the antechamber, and a lackey tore open the door.
+
+"Your excellency, the Commandants von Rochow, von Kracht, and Colonel von
+Goldacker request an audience."
+
+But the three gentlemen did not wait for the granting of this audience.
+With unseemly haste they rushed into the cabinet, unceremoniously thrust
+out the lackey, and closed the door behind him.
+
+"Most gracious sir, do you know it?" screamed Rochow, the commandant of
+Spandow.
+
+"Do you know, your excellency, what things are going on?" growled Kracht,
+the commandant of Berlin.
+
+"Have you learned what bold steps the Elector is taking?" thundered
+Colonel Goldacker, shaking his fist in a most menacing way.
+
+"I know nothing, gentlemen, have heard nothing! Speak, tell me what has
+happened!"
+
+"It has happened that the Elector has sent commissioners to all our
+fortresses!" cried Herr von Rochow. "Two hours ago such a cursed fellow
+came to me at Spandow, and when he had delivered me his message I left the
+fool standing there without any answer, threw myself on my horse, and
+galloped off to confer with your excellency."
+
+"And such a confounded popinjay has been with me, too!" growled Herr von
+Kracht. "He also imparted to me his Electoral message--command, the fellow
+called it. I did just like Commandant von Rochow, left him standing while
+I hurried off to your excellency."
+
+"An Electoral mandate reached me also!" cried Colonel Goldacker, laughing.
+"I simply showed the jackanapes the door, laughed him to scorn, and am
+come to get my orders from your excellency!"
+
+"But, gentlemen, with all this I know nothing and can not find out what
+has happened. Sir Commandant von Rochow, inform me. What is the matter?"
+
+"The matter is, your excellency," said Herr von Rochow, gnashing his
+teeth, "that a commissioner from the Elector has come to me with his
+master's orders, to require an oath of allegiance to the Elector from
+myself and the whole garrison."
+
+"A like order has the Elector's deputy handed to me!" cried the commandant
+of Berlin; "the fellow wanted to swear me and my men into the Elector's
+service."
+
+"I, too, must give such an oath to the commissioner!" screamed Goldacker,
+"and my troops as well. What do you say to that, Sir Stadtholder in the
+Mark?"
+
+Just now, however, the Stadtholder said nothing. He turned pale and
+tottered backward, until his hand rested upon a chair into which he sank.
+His head swam, a sudden dizziness seized him, and he was obliged to put
+his hand over his eyes, for everything was turning and whirling in a
+circle around him. In the vehemence of their own excitement the three
+gentlemen hardly observed this, and the count, with the energy of his
+strong will, speedily recovered his composure and presence of mind.
+
+"Your excellency!" cried Commandant von Kracht, "do you not agree with us?
+Do you not find the Elector intolerably assuming?"
+
+"I was silent because I was reflecting, gentlemen," said the count,
+drawing a deep breath. "This appearance of the commissioner empowered to
+administer to you your oaths of office is a challenge, thrown down to me
+by the Elector, for I am Director of the War Department, and to me alone
+should that duty have been committed of again binding the troops in the
+Mark to him by oath. He insults me, and thereby insults the Emperor, for
+you all know that the Emperor is your commander in chief, and that you
+dare never break the oath to the Emperor, which I took from you after the
+conclusion of the peace of Prague. You swore to do your duty for Emperor
+and Elector, and for this reason, on the recent accession of the present
+Elector, I only required the colonels to give me their hands in token of
+their obligations already assumed, for an oath is an oath, and you can not
+swear to serve one to-day and another to-morrow."
+
+"We can not and will not, either," shouted Colonel Goldacker furiously. "I
+have given my word to the Emperor. I remain true to the Emperor, and the
+Emperor will protect us against the insolence of the little Elector."
+
+"Yes, the Emperor will protect us," cried Colonel von Rochow. "I shall
+take no new oath, for I have sworn to the Emperor, and not until the
+Emperor has released me from the oath, and I have made a new agreement
+with the Elector, can I swear to him. Until that time the oath which I
+have taken to the Emperor remains binding." [45]
+
+"I, too, have sworn to serve the Emperor, and shall abide by my oath,"
+said the commandant of Berlin, as if weighing each word. "No one has a
+right to command here but the Emperor and the Stadtholder in the Mark,
+whom the Elector himself appointed. What that vagabond of a commissioner
+says is nothing to the purpose--it signifies nothing to us."
+
+"No, it signifies nothing to us," repeated the other gentlemen. "From you
+alone, Sir Stadtholder, can we receive orders, for you are Director of the
+Council of War, the representative of the Emperor and Elector. To you
+alone we belong. Give us your orders; we are here to receive them!"
+
+"Gentlemen," said the Stadtholder, pointing with his finger to a sealed
+packet, lying on the writing table before him--"gentlemen, you interrupted
+me by your entrance in the perusal of important dispatches, which had just
+arrived for me from the Elector's cabinet. See, there lies an unopened
+writing with the Electoral seal. Allow me to read it, for it contains the
+Elector's commands, which may harmonize with those of his accredited
+commissioner, or at least enter into particulars with regard to them."
+
+The three officers bowed and reverentially retreated a few steps; but
+their eyes rested with intense interest upon the count, who now broke the
+seal and unfolded the paper. A deep silence followed. The piercing glances
+of the three warriors rested on the count's countenance, which maintained
+steadfastly its grave, serious expression. But now a scornful laugh burst
+from him, 'and for a moment an expression of wild joy illuminated his
+features. He rose, and with the paper in his hand approached the soldiers.
+"Gentlemen," he said quietly, "I have a piece of news to communicate to
+you, which I fear will incommode you and your men a little, and is not
+calculated to heighten the love of the military for their chief. The
+Elector commands me, until further notice, to put the troops upon summer
+allowance, and the payment now in arrears is regarded as coming under the
+same regulation. I beg you will inform your troops of this."
+
+"That is shameful! That is contemptible! That will put the soldiers in a
+perfect fury!" screamed the three officers together.
+
+"I do not mean to tell my men!" exclaimed Herr von Rochow--"no, I shall
+not tell them, for the fellows would be frantic, and in their desperation
+might commit shameful acts!"
+
+"I shall tell my men on the spot!" grumbled Herr von Kracht. "I shall tell
+them on purpose to make them desperate, to make them rave! As far as I am
+concerned, they are welcome to vent their spleen upon all Berlin, upon the
+whole region round about. Let them go around, plundering and laying the
+country under contribution; they are justified in doing so, for the
+fellows can not subsist in winter on summer allowance, and therefore must
+rob and plunder."
+
+"I shall tell my soldiers directly, too," shouted Herr von Goldacker. "Not
+but that it will give rise to a pretty tale of murder, a devilish scandal.
+There will result a military out-break, and the burghers of Berlin and
+Cologne may look to themselves; but the Elector has so willed it--the
+Elector excites us as well as our subordinates to open insurrection. Let
+him work his will now; it will only convince him that we are not to be
+ruled by scraps of paper and decrees scribbled by feather-headed clerks,
+and that he is not the irresistible lord, to whose piping we dance. The
+little Elector shall be made to know that the Emperor alone is our supreme
+officer, to him we have sworn fealty, and to him we cling despite the
+Elector and all his deputies. I am going on the spot to give my
+commissioner his dismissal--to tell him that I shall not swear, and then
+to carry to my soldiers the news of their having been put upon summer
+allowance!"
+
+"I will go with you," cried Herr von Kracht. "I will also put my
+commissioner out of the door, and convey the glad tidings to the garrison
+of Berlin."
+
+"And I," said Herr von Rochow, "will forthwith dispatch a courier to
+Spandow, to tell my lieutenant that he must send the commissioner out of
+the fort, and tell the garrison that they are put on summer allowance. It
+will stir up a fine hub-bub, I am sure of that."
+
+"I, too, believe that the end will not be perfect peace," said the
+Stadtholder, smiling. "Let the Elector learn that governing is not such an
+easy matter as he supposes, but that a man may know a good deal, and yet
+be an unskillful ruler. Go then, gentlemen, issue your orders, but forget
+not that in an hour our entertainment begins, and that we must not allow
+our feast to be disturbed by such little follies of the new _regime_."
+
+"No, we will not allow ourselves to be disturbed!" cried Herr von Rochow.
+"In one hour expect us here again, and you shall see, most gracious sir,
+that we have brought with us our cheerfulness, our fine appetites, and our
+thirst."
+
+"Yes, yes, your excellency, guard well your keys and bottles; we shall
+take the field against them."
+
+"Do so, gentlemen," said the count. "But go now, to return the sooner."
+
+He nodded kindly to the officers and followed them with his eyes until the
+door closed behind them. Then the composure of his features, the smile on
+his lip, vanished, and his whole being seemed to express agitation and
+bitterness of wrath.
+
+"He will insist upon war," he said fiercely. "He smiles upon and strokes
+me with one hand, while with the other he stabs me, inflicting wound upon
+wound. Yes, yes, stone by stone he would crumble to dust the tower of my
+strength, and thinks to crush me to atoms, supposing that I will
+voluntarily bend to avoid being bent by him. Oh, you are mistaken, little
+Elector; I am not afraid of you, I shall not bend before you! The Emperor
+alone I serve, to him alone I am subject. But to me the Emperor is a
+gracious master. He will ruin you and exalt me; he will protect me against
+your arrogance. To me belongs the future, presumptuous young Prince! who
+would rule here, where I have held undisputed sway for twenty years. To me
+alone belongs the Mark, and I shall hold it for my lord and Emperor! The
+crisis has come, and finds me prepared and resolute. The troops will
+revolt, and then shall I step out among them, appease them in the
+Emperor's name, with lavish hand scatter money among them, and again bind
+them by oath to the Emperor! Oh, my heart leaps for joy, for the hour of
+action has come. Only one thing I lack. I would just like to have certain
+news from my son, to be sure that the Emperor approves of my plan, that he
+will lift me up where the Elector would cast me down. But this, too, will
+come, this wish will also be gratified. For I am a son of good fortune,
+and all goes in accordance with my wishes! Away then with all sad and
+gloomy thoughts! I would present a cheerful countenance to my guests--I
+would appear before them in the full splendor of my glory!"
+
+
+He repaired to his dressing room, where his valets arrayed him in the
+magnificent habit of a Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, and upon
+his breast shone the cross of the order set with sparkling brilliants.
+Having completed his toilet, he went to the great mirror and, casting a
+cursory glance therein, said to himself with some satisfaction that his
+person was still stately and distinguished, well suited to a reigning
+prince and fitted for wearing a crown! This thought lighted up his
+countenance with joyful pride, and with high head he returned to his
+cabinet. Chamberlain von Lehndorf entered, to inform his most noble master
+that the guests were already assembled in the great reception room, and
+longingly awaited his appearance. The chamberlain handed the count his
+ermine-tipped velvet cap, with its long white ostrich plumes, and then
+flew before to open for him the doors leading to the small antechamber,
+where were assembled all the officers of the count's household, waiting to
+follow their master into the hall.
+
+Lehndorf stood at the door of the antechamber, and the Stadtholder smiled
+upon him as he passed.
+
+"No letters and dispatches from my son at Regensburg, Lehndorf?"
+
+"None, most gracious sir."
+
+"If a courier comes, let me know of it without delay," continued the
+count, moving forward. "Anything else new, Lehndorf?"
+
+"Nothing new, your excellency."
+
+"What noise was that just now in the antechamber, while the commandants
+were in my cabinet?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, an insolent soldier--one of those Saxons who marched
+in yesterday--forced himself into the antechamber, and with real
+importunity begged to speak to your excellency."
+
+"Why did you not bid him wait until the gentlemen had, gone, and then
+announce him?"
+
+"He would not consent to wait by any means, and with brazen face demanded
+to see your excellency on the spot. The fellow was drunk, it was plain to
+see, and in his intoxication: kept crying out that he must talk with your
+excellency about an important secret; if you would not admit him directly,
+he would go to Prussia and tell your secret to the Elector, which would
+bring your honor to the scaffold. It was positively ridiculous to hear the
+fellow talk, and the lackeys, instead of getting angry, laughed outright
+at him, which only enraged him the more; he worked his arms and legs like
+a jumping jack and made faces like a nut-cracker. However, when he again
+presumed to abuse your grace, our people made short work of the drunken
+knave, and thrust him out of doors."
+
+"Well, I hope his airing will do him good," said the count, smiling, "and
+that he came to his senses on the street."
+
+"It seems not, though," replied Chamberlain von Lehndorf, making a signal
+to the halberdiers stationed on both sides of the doors of the grand
+reception hall that they should open the door--"no, it seems that the
+airing did the drunken soldier no good. For, only think, gracious sir,
+just now, as I passed through the front entry to get to your apartments,
+there the man stood, and as soon as he saw me he sprang at me, seized my
+arm, and whispered: 'Chamberlain von Lehndorf, I _must_ speak to the
+Stadtholder. Only tell him my name, and I know that he will receive me.'"
+
+"And did he tell you his name, Lehndorf?" asked the count, as he walked
+forward.
+
+"Yes indeed, noble sir," laughed the chamberlain; "with monstrously
+important air he whispered his name in my ear, as if he had been the Pope
+in disguise or the Emperor himself. I laughed outright, and left him
+standing."
+
+The count now stood close before the wide-open doors which led into the
+grand reception hall. The halberdiers struck upon the ground with their
+gold-headed staves; in the spacious, magnificently decorated hall appeared
+a dense throng of army officers in their glittering uniforms and civil
+dignitaries in their ceremonial garbs of office. Six pages, in richly
+embroidered velvet suits, stood on both sides of the door, while in the
+raised gilded balcony opposite the musicians arose and began to pour forth
+a thundering peal of welcome as soon as they caught sight of the
+Stadtholder.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg, however, took no notice of this; he stood upon the
+threshold of the door, and his smiling face was still turned upon his
+chamberlain.
+
+
+"What name did the fellow give?" asked he carelessly.
+
+"Oh, a very fine name, gracious sir. He had the same name as the blessed
+archangel--Gabriel!"
+
+"Gabriel?" echoed the count hastily and at the top of his voice, for the
+musicians played so loud that a man could hardly hear his own voice, even
+though he shouted. "Only Gabriel, nothing further?"
+
+"Yes, most gracious sir," screamed the chamberlain, "he did call a second
+name; but I confess _I_ did not pay much attention to it. I believe,
+though, it was Nietzel. Yes, yes, I am quite sure he said Gabriel Nietzel!"
+
+He shouted this out very loud, not observing, as he pronounced his last
+words, that the music had ceased; the name Gabriel Nietzel, therefore,
+rang like a loud call through the vast apartment, and the brilliant,
+courtly assemblage laughed, although they understood not the connection
+between the loud call and the hushing of the music. Chamberlain von
+Lehndorf laughed too, and turned smiling to the count to apologize for his
+involuntary transgression.
+
+But Count Schwarzenberg did not laugh; he looked pale, and with trembling
+lips addressed his chamberlain: "Lehndorf, hurry out and conduct the
+soldier to my antechamber. Tell him I will come to him directly. Do not
+let the man get out of your sight, watch him closely. In five minutes, as
+soon as I have welcomed my guests, I will come to the antechamber and
+speak to the fellow myself. Go!"
+
+The chamberlain flew off to obey this behest, and the Stadtholder entered
+the hall. Behind him were ranged the twelve pages in their glittering
+clothes, then followed the officers of the household in splendid uniforms.
+Again the trumpets of the musicians sent forth their animating peals, and,
+ranged around the hall in a wide circle, the staff officers, high
+dignitaries, lords of the supreme court and of the magistracy, all with
+the insignia of their rank, bowed reverentially before the almighty lord,
+who now made his progress through the hall amid the clashing of trombones
+and trumpets. He passed along the brilliant rows of guests with quick,
+hurried step, but while his lips wore a smile, he thought to himself,
+"When this abominable ceremony is over and I have completed the circuit,
+I shall absent myself; I shall see if it is the veritable Gabriel Nietzel,
+the--"
+
+Just at this moment Chamberlain von Lehndorf approached him, and bent
+close to his ear. "Most gracious sir!" he cried amid the clash of
+trumpets--"most gracious sir, the man is no longer there. He has gone and
+can no longer be seen in the street!"
+
+The Stadtholder gave a slight nod of the head, and proceeded to bid his
+guests welcome.
+
+
+
+
+VI.--REVENGE.
+
+
+Sumptuous was the feast, choice were the viands, and costly the fragrant
+wines. The guests of the Stadtholder in the Mark were full of rapture,
+full of admiration, and their lips were lavish in praises of the noble
+count, while their eyes shone brighter from partaking of the generous
+wine. The lackeys flew up and down the hall, waiting upon the guests, the
+pages stood behind the count's chair, and offered his excellency food and
+drink in vessels of gold. At first they sat at table with grave and
+dignified demeanor, but gradually the delicious viands enlivened their
+hearts, the glowing wine loosened their tongues, and now they laughed and
+talked merrily and gave themselves entirely up to the pleasures of the
+table. Louder swelled the hum of mingled voices. Peals of laughter rang
+through the banquet hall, until in their turn they were drowned by bursts
+of dashing music, whose inspiring strains blended with the animated tones
+of the human voice. Count Adam Schwarzenberg, who sat at the upper end of
+the table under a canopy of purple velvet, heard all this, and yet it
+seemed to him like a dream, and as if all this bustle, laughing, and
+merrymaking came to him from the distant past. He heard the confusion of
+voices, the clangor of the music, but it sounded hollow in his ear, and
+above all rang fearfully distinct the name which Lehndorf had
+pronounced--Gabriel Nietzel! His guests sang and laughed, but he heard
+only that one name--Gabriel Nietzel!
+
+Round about the long table he saw only glad faces, beaming eyes, and
+flushed cheeks, but he saw them vanish and other faces arise before his
+inner eye, faces of the past! There sat the Elector George William, with
+his easy, good-natured countenance. He nodded smilingly at him, and his
+glance, full of affection, rested upon _him_, the favorite. Yes, he had
+loved him dearly, that good Elector! Out of the little, insignificant
+Count Schwarzenberg he had made a mighty lord, had exalted him into a
+Stadtholder, into the most powerful subject in his realm! And how had he
+requited him?
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!" He heard the maddening words ringing
+clearly and distinctly above the din of music, song, and laughter--"Gabriel
+Nietzel!"
+
+There he stood in page's dress, across there, behind the chair of the
+young Electoral Prince, whose pale, noble features had just begun to
+quiver convulsively--there he stood and cast a look of intelligence at
+_him_, Count Schwarzenberg.
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!"
+
+Ever thus rang the echo through the hall, and however varied the medley of
+sounds, to him all was embodied in that name. For long months he had
+caused search to be made for him, but nobody had been able to bring him
+any tidings of Gabriel Nietzel's whereabouts. So, gradually, he had
+forgotten him, and his anxiety about him had died away. Why must this
+dreaded name make itself heard again to-day, just to-day, when he was
+inaugurating the bright days of his future with this splendid feast? Why
+must that hateful name mingle with the rejoicings of his merry guests?
+
+He would think of it no more, no more allow himself to be haunted by
+phantoms of the past! Away with memories, away with that unhappy name!
+Vehemently, indignantly he shook his lofty head, as if these memories were
+only troublesome insects to be driven away by the mere wrinkling of his
+brow. He even called a smile to his lips, and with a proud effort at
+self-control arose from his armchair and lifted the golden beaker on high,
+in his right hand.
+
+If he spoke himself, he would no longer hear that perpetual ringing and
+singing within his breast--"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!"
+
+He lifted the golden beaker yet higher and bowed right and left to his
+guests, who had risen to their feet and looked at him full of expectancy.
+
+"To the health of the Emperor Ferdinand, our most gracious Sovereign and
+lord!"
+
+The musicians struck their most triumphant melody; with loud huzzas and
+shouts the guests repeated, "To the health of our most gracious lord and
+Emperor!"
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!" Still it rang in Schwarzenberg's ears,
+and he sank back in his armchair and felt a sense of helpless despondency
+creep over his heart.
+
+The guests followed his example and resumed their seats. A momentary
+silence ensued. All at once Chamberlain von Lehndorf rose from his place,
+took his glass with him, and went along the table to the Counselor of the
+Exchequer von Lastrow, who was carrying on an earnest conversation in an
+undertone with the burgomaster of Berlin. The chamberlain's face was
+flushed with wine, his eyes sparkled, and his gait was so wavering and
+unsteady that even the goblet in his hand swung to and fro.
+
+"Counselor von Lastrow," he said, with loud, peremptory voice, "you
+refused to drink the health proposed by his excellency the Stadtholder in
+the Mark. The toast was to his Majesty our lord and Emperor. You did not
+lift up your glass, nor touch that of your neighbor. Wherefore was this?
+Why did you not drink to the welfare of our lord and Emperor?"
+
+"I will tell you why, Chamberlain von Lehndorf," replied Herr von Lastrow,
+leaping up and confronting the chamberlain in his gay uniform, with dagger
+dangling at his side--"I will tell you why I did not accept the
+Stadtholder's toast, and may all his guests hear and ponder. I thank you,
+Sir Chamberlain, for affording me an opportunity of expressing myself
+openly and candidly on this subject. Permit me, gentlemen, to answer in
+the hearing of you all the question which the chamberlain has addressed to
+me."
+
+As the counselor thus spoke his large black eyes surveyed both sides of
+the long table. All present were silenced, all eyes were directed to the
+lower end of the table, and each one listened with strained attention to
+hear the answer of Herr von Lastrow.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg had risen from his chair and given the rash
+chamberlain a look of displeasure. Yet he felt so embarrassed by his own
+anxiety that he dared not call him.
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!" rang ever in his ears, frightening
+away all other sounds, until they seemed to reach him only as dim and
+hollow echoes from afar.
+
+"Gentlemen!" cried Herr von Lastrow now, in a loud voice, "I did not drink
+the Stadtholder's toast because it would have been contrary to my duty and
+my oath. Ferdinand is Emperor of the German Empire, and as such we owe him
+reverence and respect, but when the toast styles him our lord and Emperor
+I can not respond to it, for Ferdinand is not my lord! No, the Elector
+Frederick William is my master, and now I lift my glass and cry, 'Long
+live Frederick William, our lord and Elector!'"
+
+"Long live Frederick, our lord and Elector!" shouted voices here and there
+at the table, and all followers of the Elector sprang from their seats,
+held aloft their glasses, and shouted again and again, "Long live
+Frederick William, our lord and Elector!"
+
+"Strike up, musicians!" called Herr von Lastrow to the balcony, where the
+musicians sat, who lifted their trombones and trumpets and put them to
+their lips. But before a note was struck, Lehndorf shouted fiercely up to
+them: "Silence! Dare not to blow a single blast! I forbid you in the name
+of our master, the Emperor!"
+
+A wild yell of indignation from the Electoralists and a loud burst of
+applause from the Imperialists followed these words. Nobody remembered
+any longer that he was there as the guest of Schwarzenberg, the proud
+count and Stadtholder. All prudence, all sense of respect was swallowed up
+in the storms of political passion. With threatening aspect and flashing
+eyes stood the Electoralists and Imperialists opposite each other, and,
+while the former lifted up their glasses, to touch them in honor of their
+Sovereign and Elector, the latter knocked their glasses tumultuously on
+the table, and broke out into loud laughter and deafening imprecations. No
+one any longer paid honor to the master of the house--no one thought of
+him, in fact. He had risen from his seat with the intention of going to
+the other end of the table, where now a furious duel of words was
+progressing between his chamberlain and Herr von Lastrow. He desired to
+pacify them, to smooth over the contention; but it was already too late,
+for ere he had reached the middle of the hall, a catastrophe had occurred
+between the contending parties. Counselor von Lastrow raised his arm, and
+administered to Chamberlain Lehndorf a sounding box upon the cheek.
+
+One unanimous shriek of rage from the Imperialists, and they rushed toward
+Lehndorf and drew their swords. Behind Lastrow the Electoralists ranged
+themselves, and they, too, laid bare their weapons.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg tottered back. He perceived that it was too late to
+pacify now, that all temporizing had become impossible. He had a feeling
+that he must flee away, that it did not comport with his dignity to stand
+there powerless and inactive between two factions. In this moment of
+weakness and indecision his confidential valet approached him.
+
+"Most gracious sir," he whispered, "a courier from Regensburg, from Count
+John Adolphus, has just arrived. I have already laid the letter upon your
+excellency's writing table. It is marked 'urgent.'"
+
+Count Schwarzenberg turned to hurry from the hall, to escape the wild
+tumult, to take refuge in his cabinet, and, above all things, to read the
+long-expected letter from his son.
+
+The uproar in the hall waxed ever fiercer, weapons clashed and wild battle
+cries resounded. He quickened his pace, and opened the door of the hall.
+Behind him rang out a piercing shriek, a death cry! Quivering in every
+fiber of his being the count turned round to--Once more that piercing
+shriek was heard, and Herr von Lastrow, with Lehndorf's dagger in his
+breast, fell backward into the arms of his friends with the death rattle
+in his throat.[46]
+
+Count Schwarzenberg, seized with horror, rushed on through the deserted,
+brilliantly lighted apartments--on, ever on. But that fearful shriek went
+with him, ringing ever in his ears. It drove him onward like a fury, and
+his hair stood on end and his heart beat to bursting.
+
+He had heard it once before, that death cry!
+
+In the stillness of night it had sounded that time in the castle of
+Berlin, when a pale woman had knelt at his feet and pleaded for her life!
+Often had he heard it since; it had awakened him from sleep, it had often
+startled him when engaged in merry conversation with his friends; at the
+festive board it had drowned the music as far as he was concerned, this
+death cry, this Fury of his conscience!
+
+At last he reached his cabinet. He threw himself into a chair. God be
+thanked, he was alone here! He had quiet and solitude here!
+
+He surveyed the room and an infinite feeling of relief and security came
+over him.
+
+Alone!
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!" was whispered in his heart, and he
+looked timidly around, as if he feared to see him in each corner. Then a
+shriek resounded in his ear--that death cry!
+
+It had penetrated into his quiet cabinet, she stood behind him, she
+screamed in his ear, "Gabriel Nietzel! Rebecca!"
+
+Perfectly unmanned, the count leaned back in his easychair, the sweat
+standing in great drops upon his brow. He no longer even remembered that
+he had come there to read his son's important letter! His soul was
+shattered in its inmost depths. Gabriel Nietzel was there again! A murder
+had been committed in his house--at his table! Committed, too, by his own
+servant, his favorite, his friend! He durst not pardon him; he must punish
+the murderer according to the law. He must pronounce sentence of death on
+him, who had slain his fellow-man! He foresaw this in the future! He saw
+himself as judge, the viceregent of God and justice, opposite the pale
+criminal, his servant, his friend, upon whom he pronounced sentence!
+
+He! Would his lips dare to utter a sentence of death? Dared the murderer
+condemn?
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel! Rebecca! Rebecca!" screamed the voice
+behind his chair. But hark! what noise is that? What means that confused
+jumble of groans and yells and shouts--that howling as of fierce and
+sweeping winds, that roar as of the mighty deep? What is that so like the
+rolling of thunder? Are those wolflike howls the voices of men? Is that
+the tramp of human feet? Before his windows it surges and dashes, howls
+and roars!
+
+With difficulty Schwarzenberg rises from his chair, and, creeping to the
+window, conceals himself behind the hangings and cautiously looks out upon
+the street. A dense throng of soldiers surges beneath his windows; the
+whole street, the whole square is packed with them. Angry faces, the
+voices of furious men, hundreds upon hundreds of uplifted fists and
+portentous growls!
+
+"He shall pay us our money! He wants to cheat us out of our pay! He wants
+to put us upon summer allowance and pocket the rest of the money! It is
+said this is done by the Elector's command. But it is a lie, an abominable
+lie! Schwarzenberg lets nobody command him. He is master here. He wants us
+to starve that his own riches may be increased. We will not suffer it! He
+shall pay us for it! Hurrah! Storm the house!"
+
+"A mutiny!" muttered Count Schwarzenberg. "They were to have rebelled, and
+so they do. But they rebel against me! I flung down the sword, and its
+point is turned against myself. So the spirits of hell grant what they
+have promised us--what we have purchased at the price of our souls! They
+give the reward, but even while they are paying it out to us it becomes a
+curse and ruins us!"
+
+How they storm and rage and roar without! How they beat and hammer against
+the locked doors! Count Schwarzenberg stands behind the window and hears
+them! He hears other voices, too--Goldacker, Kracht, and Rochow
+endeavoring to calm them, exhorting them to be patient.
+
+Futile efforts! Ever louder grow the knocking and thundering against the
+house. Stones are hurled against the walls, the window shutters rattle and
+are shivered to pieces, the doors creak and give way.
+
+"If they attempt to murder me, I shall not stand on the defensive,"
+murmurs Count Schwarzenberg to himself, as he retires from the window,
+slowly traverses the apartment, and again sinks down upon the chair by his
+writing table. The door of the cabinet is violently torn open, and in rush
+the Commandants von Kracht and von Rochow, followed by the captains of
+their regiments.
+
+"Gracious sir, it is impossible to calm these madmen. They no longer heed
+orders. They are beside themselves with rage. They have already broken
+open the doors and forced their way into the entrance hall. They will
+plunder and despoil the whole palace! We can save nothing more, prevent
+nothing more! You are lost, so are we, and all Berlin!"
+
+"Be it so!" says Schwarzenberg loftily. "Let the whole earth fall down and
+overwhelm me in its ruins. I shall but be buried beneath them!"
+
+"Gracious sir, only hear! The howling and yelling come ever nearer, and
+are continually gaining in strength! Gracious sir, have pity upon us,
+upon yourself! Save us all!"
+
+"Save? How can I save any one? Will those savage hordes obey me, when they
+refuse submission to you, their officers?"
+
+"Gracious sir, they demand their pay! They demand money! Nothing will
+appease them but money, and assurances that they shall have their winter
+allowance. Give us money to quiet that raging host! Money--money!"
+
+"How much would you have? How much is needful to tame that fierce, wild
+horde?"
+
+"Three hundred dollars!" calls out Herr von Kracht.
+
+"No; four hundred dollars!" shouts Herr von Rochow.
+
+"Five hundred dollars!" growls Herr von Goldacker. "No, give us six
+hundred dollars, which would do the thing thoroughly."
+
+"Well, be it six hundred dollars then," says the count, with an expression
+of contemptuous scorn. "Stay here, gentlemen; I will return directly. I am
+only going to fetch the money."
+
+He left the cabinet and entered his sleeping apartment, where, at the side
+of the bed, stood the great iron chest to which he alone had the key.
+After a few minutes he rejoined the officers in his cabinet. He had six
+rolls of money in his hand, two of which he handed to each of the three
+gentlemen.
+
+"Here, gentlemen," he said, with bitter mockery, "here are the commandants
+who have authority to bring their troops to order. Go and show them to
+your men, and order them to follow these commandants to the cathedral
+square, and there distribute the money among them."
+
+The gentlemen wished to thank him, but with a wave of his hand he pointed
+them to the door, and they hurried out to their soldiers.
+
+Schwarzenberg looked after them, and listened to the rumbling and roaring
+without in the entrance hall of his house. Suddenly it became gentler, and
+finally ceased altogether. Then, after a pause, rang forth a loud shout of
+joy, and again the street filled with soldiers, again was heard the loud
+tramp of feet, the uproar and confusion of many tongues. "The wretches
+have marched off," murmured Count Schwarzenberg to himself. "Yes, yes,
+with money we buy love, with money hatred and--"
+
+"Hurrah! Long live Count Schwarzenberg!" sounded below his windows. "Long
+live the Stadtholder in the Mark!"
+
+"That shout costs me six hundred dollars," said he, shrugging his
+shoulders. "To-morrow, most likely the mob will come again to threaten me,
+that I may again purchase a cheer from them. Well, for the present at
+least I have rest. Nobody shall disturb me. Nobody shall intrude upon me."
+
+He stepped to the doors leading into his sleeping room and antechamber,
+and bolted them both. He did not think of the secret door which led to the
+little corridor and thence to the private staircase, and did not bolt
+that. Why should he have done so? The steps were so little used, so few
+knew of them, so few, of the existence of the little side door which led
+to them. It was not necessary to lock that door, for no one would come to
+him in that way.
+
+He was alone, God be praised, quite alone! And now again he remembered
+the important letter, which he had forgotten while the soldiers' riot was
+in progress. There lay his son's letter, on his writing table. He hastened
+thither and seated himself in the armchair, taking up the letter and
+examining its address. The sight of his son's handwriting rejoiced his
+heart, as a greeting from afar.
+
+He drew a deep sigh of relief. All anguish, all cares had left him as soon
+as he took his son's letter in his hand. Even the warning voice in his
+heart had hushed, even the Fury no longer stood behind his chair; he no
+longer heard her death cry. All was silent in that spacious apartment
+behind him, on which he turned his back.
+
+He took the letter, broke the seal, and slowly unfolded the paper. But now
+he put off reading its contents for one moment more. This sheet of paper
+contained the decision of his whole future, it would either exalt him into
+a reigning prince by bringing him the Emperor's sanction, or lower him
+into an underling of the Elector, making him a nobody, if--But no, it was
+impossible! The Emperor would not disavow him! It was folly to think of
+such a thing!
+
+He fixed his eyes on the paper and began to read. But as he read, his
+breath came ever quicker, his cheeks became more pale, his brow more
+clouded. His hands began to tremble so violently that the paper which they
+held rattled and shook, and finally dropped on the table.
+
+Motionless and gasping for breath the count sat there, staring at the
+letter. Then its contents flashed through him like a sudden shock, and,
+collecting his faculties, he once more snatched up the paper.
+
+"It is impossible!" he cried aloud, "I read falsely! That can not be! My
+eyes surely deceived me! My ears shall lend their evidence! I will hear my
+sentence of condemnation!"
+
+And with loud voice, occasionally interrupted by the convulsive groans
+which escaped his breast, he read: "I am grieved to announce to you,
+beloved and honored father, that our affairs have not prospered, as we
+hoped and expected. Through the intercession of good Father Silvio, I had
+a long interview yesterday with the Emperor. And the result of it is this:
+The Emperor loves you, it is true; he calls you his most faithful servant,
+and promises ever to be a gracious Sovereign to you, but he will never
+further your projects of becoming an independent ruler, and will not
+assist you to effect the Elector's ruin, that you may usurp his place. He
+rather wishes you to remain what you are--Stadtholder in the Mark--and to
+exert all your energies in maintaining that position, since the Emperor
+relies upon your good offices for securing him an ally in the Elector. The
+Mark is to remain Frederick William's domain, but the Elector must become
+an Imperialist. Such is the will and pleasure of the Emperor. He urged me
+to beg you to evince more complaisance and deference for the Elector, that
+you may acquire influence over him. The Emperor had been much shocked by
+the news sent him from Königsberg by Martinitz. It appears certain from
+this information, my dear father, that the Elector is much set against
+you, and that he only makes use of your continuance in office as a mask,
+behind which he may, unseen, direct his missiles against you. The Elector
+has taken your refusal to come to Königsberg upon his invitation in very
+ill part, and it has excited his highest displeasure. We have played a
+dangerous game, and I fear we have lost it."
+
+"Lost!" screamed the count, crushing the paper in his hand into a ball and
+dashing it to the ground. "Yes, I have lost and am ruined! The end and aim
+of my whole life are defeated! I aimed at the summit, and when I have
+nearly reached my goal an invisible hand hurls me back, and I am plunged
+into an abyss!"
+
+"As serves you right, for God is just!" said a solemn voice behind him,
+and a hand was laid heavily upon his shoulder.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg uttered a shriek of horror and turned round. A soldier
+stood behind him--an Imperial soldier in dirty, tattered garments, a poor,
+miserable man. And yet the count sprang from his chair, as if in the
+presence of some prince or superior being before whom he must bow with
+reverence. With bowed head he stood before this soldier, and dared not
+look him in the face!
+
+Yes, it was a prince, it was a superior being before whom he bowed! He
+stood before his judge, he stood before his conscience! He knew it, he
+felt it! A cold hand was laid upon his heart and contracted it
+convulsively; it was laid upon his head and bowed it low. Death was there,
+and his name was Gabriel Nietzel!
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel!" murmured his ashy pale lips, "Gabriel Nietzel!"
+
+"You recognize me, then?" said the soldier quietly and coldly. "Look at
+me, count, lift your eyes upon me! I want to see your countenance!"
+
+With a last effort of strength Count Schwarzenberg resumed his
+self-control. He raised his head, affecting his usual proud and
+self-satisfied air. "Gabriel Nietzel!" he cried, "Whence come you? What
+would you have of me? How did you come in here?"
+
+"How did I come in?" repeated he. "Through yon door!"
+
+And he pointed at the door opening upon the secret staircase. "I came
+twice and begged to be allowed access to you, but was refused. This time I
+admitted myself. You once sent me down the secret stairway, and pointed
+out that mode of exit to me yourself, when your son was coming to visit
+you. What do I want? I want you to give me my wife, my Rebecca; and if you
+have murdered her, I want _your life_!"
+
+"Would you murder me?" exclaimed the count in horror, while moving slowly
+backward. Keeping his eyes fixed upon Gabriel Nietzel, he sought to gain
+the door to his bedchamber. But Nietzel guessed his design and disdainfully
+shook his head. "Do not take that trouble," he said. "I have abstracted
+both keys and put them in my pocket. You can not escape me."
+
+Count Schwarzenberg's eyes darted a quick, involuntary glance across at
+the round table on which stood his bell. Nietzel intercepted this glance
+and understood that the count meant to call his people. He took up the
+bell and thrust it into his bosom.
+
+"Give up your efforts to evade me," he said. "God sends me to you. God
+will punish your crime by means of this hand, which you once bribed to
+commit a murderous deed. Count Schwarzenberg, you have acted the part of
+the devil toward me! You have robbed me of my soul! Give it back to me! I
+demand of you my soul!"
+
+"He is insane," said Count Schwarzenberg, softly to himself. But Nietzel
+caught his meaning.
+
+"No," he said sorrowfully--"no, I am not insane. God has denied me that
+consolation. I know what has been, and what is. There was a time--a
+glorious, blessed time--when I forgot everything, when all pain was
+banished, and I was happy--ah, so happy! They said, indeed, that I was
+mad; they called it sickness, forsooth, and locked me up, and tormented
+me. But I was so happy, for _I_ saw my Rebecca always before me, she was
+ever at my side and--Count, where have you left my Rebecca? Where is she?
+Give her to me! I will have her again, my own Rebecca! Give her back to
+me, directly, on the spot!"
+
+He seized him with both his arms, his hands clutching his shoulders like
+claws. "Where is Rebecca--my Rebecca?"
+
+Gabriel Nietzel stared at the count with frenzied fury, with devouring
+grief. Schwarzenberg cast down his eyes, a shudder passed over his frame,
+and terror-stricken he turned his head. It seemed to him as if, while
+Gabriel pressed upon his shoulders in front, some one came stealthily up
+to him from behind. He heard a cry--a death cry! The Fury was there again!
+He could not escape her now!
+
+"Let me go, Gabriel Nietzel," he said feebly. "Quit your hold, go away. I
+will give you treasures, honors, distinctions, if you only quit your hold
+and go away!"
+
+"What will you give me, if I let you go?" screamed Gabriel Nietzel,
+tightening his grasp and shaking him violently. "What will you give me?"
+
+"I will give you a fine house, I will give you thousands, I will give you
+rank and titles. Tell me what you want, and I will give it to you!"
+
+"Give me Rebecca! I want _her_ and her alone! Tell me where she is or I
+will kill you!"
+
+"She is in my house at Spandow," said the count hastily. "Come, we will go
+away. You shall have your Rebecca again. Come, let us go! Rebecca is
+longing for you! Come!"
+
+"You are deceiving me!" laughed Gabriel Nietzel. "I see it in your eyes,
+you are deceiving me. You want me to open the doors, and then you will
+call your people. There is no truth in what you say. Rebecca is not at
+Spandow; I know that, for I have been there. I stood many hours before the
+windows of your palace and called upon her name. She would have heard if
+she had been there; she would have come to me--she would have freed me
+from all my sufferings. For, you must know, my Rebecca loved me! Because
+she loved me, that she might expiate the crime which you had tempted me to
+commit, that she might lift the weight of sin from my head, she went back
+to Berlin and bade me go on with our child. I had solemnly sworn that to
+her, and I kept my oath. I went on, following the route we had agreed upon
+together. I waited for her at every resting place, and always waited in
+vain. I came to Venice, and went to the house of Rebecca's father; but she
+was not there. I wanted to go in search of her, but they held me fast,
+they imprisoned me in a dark dungeon. And there I sat a whole century, and
+yet was patient, ever waiting for the moment when I might escape from them
+and go to look for my Rebecca. And at last the moment came. The jailer
+entered to bring me my food; we were quite alone, and they had taken off
+my chains, for I had been harmless and gentle for some months past. I
+seized him, choked him, so that he could not scream, took his keys, and
+fled. God helped me; he always pities the poor and unfortunate--he knew
+that I wanted to search for Rebecca. I came to Germany; I enlisted as a
+soldier, for I durst not die of hunger, else I could not reach Berlin and
+find my Rebecca. But now I am here, and ask you in the name of God and in
+view of the judgment day, where is Rebecca?"
+
+"I do not know," murmured Count Schwarzenberg, whom Gabriel Nietzel still
+held closely pinioned in his grasp.
+
+"You do not know?" shrieked Gabriel Nietzel. "I read it in your face, you
+have murdered her. Yes, yes, I see it, I feel it--you have murdered her!
+Confess it, wretch! fall down upon your knees and confess that you have
+murdered Rebecca!"
+
+Schwarzenberg would have denied it, but he could not; conscience paralyzed
+his tongue, so that it could not utter the falsehood. He wanted to make
+resistance against those dreadful hands which held him fast, but he had no
+more power. Everything swam before him, there was a roaring in his ears,
+his knees tottered and shook, and the perspiration stood in great drops
+upon his brow.
+
+"Mercy," he murmured, with quivering lips--"mercy! I will make good again,
+I--"
+
+"Can you give me Rebecca again?" asked Gabriel, who now suddenly passed
+from the extreme of wrath to a cold tranquillity. "Can you undo and make
+null your evil deeds? Can you take from me the guilt you brought upon me?
+_No_, you can not, and therefore you must die, for crime must be expiated!
+You murdered my Rebecca, and therefore I shall murder you. Adam
+Schwarzenberg, pray your last prayer, for I am here to kill you!"
+
+"No, you will not!" cried Schwarzenberg. "No; you will be reasonable--you
+will accept my offers! I promise you wealth and consideration, I--"
+
+"Silence and pray, for you must die! Death is here, Adam Schwarzenberg,
+for Gabriel Nietzel is here!"
+
+He saw it, he knew that Gabriel spoke the truth. He knew that this man,
+with the pale, distorted, grief-worn face, with those large eyes flaming
+with the fires of insanity, was to be his murderer. Death had come to
+summon him away--death in the form of Gabriel Nietzel!
+
+And so, he was to die! He, the mighty, the rich, the noble Count
+Schwarzenberg! _He_ whose name all Germany revered, _he_ before whom all
+bowed in humility, who had had control over millions! _He_ was to die by
+the hand of a madman, to die alone, unwept! If his son were only with him,
+his dear, his only son, who loved him, who--"Have you prayed?" asked
+Gabriel Nietzel, who had been waiting in silence.
+
+"No," said Schwarzenberg, startled out of his train of thought--"no, I
+have not prayed! Why do you ask that?"
+
+"Because you must die!" replied Gabriel Nietzel, grasping him more firmly
+with his left hand, and with his right drawing forth a dagger from his
+breast. The count profited by this moment, tore himself loose, jumped
+back, and rushed toward the open door of the secret passage. But Nietzel
+sprang past him, and already stood before the door, confronting him again!
+As he saw the dagger glitter in the air, he remembered, with the rapidity
+of thought, the instant when he had stood before Rebecca, with the drawn
+dagger in his hand.
+
+She had cried "Mercy! mercy!" He wanted to cry so, too, but could not!
+Like a flash of lightning it darted across his eyes, like a crushing blow
+it fell upon his brain. He uttered a piercing shriek, tumbled backward,
+and fell upon the ground, with rattling in his throat and with dimmed
+eyes!
+
+Gabriel Nietzel bent over him and looked long into that convulsed
+countenance, and into those eyes which were fixed upon him with a look of
+entreaty! Nietzel understood that look. "No," he said roughly--"no, I do
+not forgive you, I have no pity upon you. Be you cursed and condemned, and
+go to the grave in your sins! God has been gracious to me; he has not
+willed it that I should be stained with your blood. He has laid his own
+hand upon you and smitten you. You will perhaps have long to suffer yet.
+Suffer!"
+
+He put up his dagger, strode through the apartment, stepped out upon the
+secret passage and closed the door behind him.
+
+"And now," he said, when he found himself outside--"now I shall go and
+acknowledge my sins to the Elector. He will be compassionate, and allow me
+to mount the scaffold. I shall then have atoned for all, and will once
+more be united to my Rebecca!"
+
+Was it possible that this wretched, sobbing, deathly pale something, lying
+there on the floor of the cabinet, was but a few hours since the proud,
+the mighty, the dreaded and courted Count Adam von Schwarzenberg, the
+Stadtholder in the Mark? Now he was a poor dying beggar, longing for a
+drink of water, and with no one near to hand him the refreshing draught;
+who longed for a tear, and had no one to weep for him; who longed for
+forgiveness, and God himself would not forgive him! Hours, eternities of
+anguish went by, and still he lay helpless and solitary upon the floor! He
+plainly heard how they came and knocked, and then moved softly away,
+because they supposed that he had shut himself up to work. He heard them,
+but he could not call, for his tongue was palsied! He could not move, for
+his limbs were paralyzed!
+
+Hours, eternities of anguish went by. Then his old valet came through the
+secret door, creeping softly in, and found him, that pitiable creature, on
+the floor, and screamed for help. Then the doors were broken down, and the
+servants came and the physicians. They lifted him up and bore him to the
+divan. He breathed, he lived! Perhaps help might not yet be impossible!
+
+Everything was tried, but all in vain. He still lived and breathed, but he
+was paralyzed in all his limbs, and soon the inner organs, too, refused to
+exercise their functions. They removed the invalid to Spandow because the
+mutinous regiments were perpetually threatening to renew their attack upon
+the count's palace, and might disturb the repose of the dying man. There
+he lay in his castle, a living corpse for four days more, with open eyes,
+giving token that he heard and understood what was passing about him.
+Finally, at the end of four days, on the 4th of March, 1641, Count Adam
+von Schwarzenberg closed his eyes, and of the haughty, powerful, dreaded
+Stadtholder in the Mark, nothing was left but cold, stiff clay![47]
+
+
+
+
+VII.--THE SEALING OF THE DOCUMENTS.
+
+
+A courier, sent to Regensburg by Herr von Kracht, commandant of Berlin,
+immediately upon the decease of Count Adam Schwarzenberg, had prompted his
+son Count John Adolphus to expedite his departure from that place, and to
+journey by forced stages to Berlin. He repaired first to Spandow. and had
+his father's embalmed remains interred with great pomp in the village
+church. After having thus discharged this first filial duty, he proceeded
+to Berlin to take possession of the inheritance left him by his father.
+
+The whole inheritance! Not the smallest part of it should be abstracted
+from him! In his father's lifetime he had been appointed his coadjutor in
+the Order of the Knights of Malta; now, since his father was dead he must
+be his successor, must be Grand Master of the Order of St. John. He sent
+orders to Sonnenberg, summoning a solemn chapter of the order to hold its
+sitting, and to send in the oath of service due him. In his father's
+lifetime he had been his associate in the office of Stadtholder; now, his
+father being no more, he claimed the stadtholdership in the Mark as his
+lawful heritage. And his friends and adherents strengthened the ambitious
+young count in these pretentions. As soon as John Adolphus had taken up
+his residence in Berlin, Commandant von Kracht placed guards before the
+gates of his palace, and every evening demanded a watchword from the young
+nobleman.
+
+Commandant von Rochow of Spandow placed himself and his garrison wholly at
+the disposal of the "young Stadtholder," and Colonel von Goldacker swore
+that he would obey the orders of none other than Count John Adolphus,
+Grand Master of the Order of St. John and Stadtholder in the Mark.
+
+Count John Adolphus allowed himself to be rocked in these olden dreams of
+power and ambition, believed in their realization, and was firmly
+determined to do everything to prove their truth. He accepted the guard,
+gave the watchword, and sent orders to Sonnenburg, as if he were already
+elected grand master; he required an oath of fealty from all those places
+which had been pledged to his father by the Elector George William. He
+also issued his mandates in Berlin, and toward magistrates and judiciary
+he assumed the attitude of Stadtholder in the Mark. And nobody ventured to
+contradict him, no court had the spirit to oppose him, for the young count
+stood at the head of a host of powerful and influential friends; the
+courts were weak and powerless, and as yet no instructions had been
+received from the Elector at Königsberg.
+
+Count John Adolphus husbanded his time well. He sent messengers in all
+directions, corresponded with all his father's friends and adherents,
+summoning them to rally around him, and to come sword in hand. He held
+correspondence also with the father confessor Silvio at Vienna, nay, even
+with the Emperor himself. Restlessly active was he from morning till
+night, his whole being absorbed in this one effort--to ruin the Elector,
+and to win for himself his rank and power! His friends seconded him in
+striving to attain this great end. Everywhere they were active, everywhere
+they sought to work for him and to procure him adherents. At Spandow and
+Berlin the Commandants von Kracht and von Rochow declared themselves ready
+to place garrison and fortress entirely under his direction; Colonel von
+Goldacker, commandant of Brandenburg, had betaken himself to his post, and
+only awaited the count's word to sound the tocsin of war. In Königsberg
+the Court Marshal von Waldow was most energetically massing the friends of
+Schwarzenberg, and his brother, Sebastian von Waldow, traveled from place
+to place, to gain friends and partisans for Count John Adolphus, and to
+ask them to come to Berlin, that, in case of danger, the count might be
+prepared to make a bold front against his foes. His friends everywhere led
+a life of bustle and stir, and all proclaimed themselves ready joyfully to
+unsheathe their swords in behalf of the young count, and to do battle for
+him if the Elector should refuse to confirm him in all his father's
+appointments.
+
+"He will not refuse," said John Adolphus to himself, when he had just
+finished reading the report of his agent, Otto von Marwitz, which had only
+that morning reached him, "No, the weak, impotent Elector will not dare to
+refuse to acknowledge me as my father's successor; for he must be well
+aware that I am even now more powerful in the Mark than himself, and
+enjoy, moreover, the favor and protection of the Emperor. He will not dare
+to attack me. I shall be sustained by him in my position of Stadtholder in
+the Mark, and then--from Stadtholder to independent Sovereign requires but
+one step, which I mean to take, and--"
+
+The door was violently burst open and Sebastian von Waldow rushed in.
+
+"Count!" he cried, gasping for breath--"Count, we are lost!"
+
+"What is the matter? Say, what is the matter?"
+
+"Conrad von Burgsdorf has captured the letters sent to you and myself,
+from Königsberg, by my brother, the marshal, in which was a full statement
+of a plan for open war."
+
+"For God's sake, who says so? How do you know that?"
+
+"One of our secret friends, who keeps his eye upon Burgsdorf, came to tell
+me, that I might have opportunity of warning you. In the course of a ride
+taken by Burgsdorf and his men in the environs of Berlin, they captured
+the servant whom my brother had intrusted with dispatches for you and
+myself.[48] The dispatches he sent forthwith by a courier to Königsberg,
+and the servant was hurried off to the fortress of Küstrin, that he might
+be unable to communicate with us."
+
+"That is bad news indeed," said John Adolphus thoughtfully. "It also
+explains to me why Burgsdorf and his men have taken up their abode here,
+and frequently talk so captiously and insolently when excited by wine. It
+is palpable that he has been commissioned to watch and, if need be, arrest
+us. We must therefore be on our guard, too, and render him harmless; that
+is to say, we must imprison him, so that he can not imprison us."
+
+"If I only knew the contents of the package," murmured Sebastian von
+Waldow. "In the last letter which I received from my brother he stated
+that he hoped soon to be able to announce with certainty whether the
+Elector would nominate you Stadtholder or select some one else. Now this
+very letter has been intercepted, and we are left in utter darkness and
+uncertainty."
+
+"Gracious sir," proclaimed an advancing lackey, "an officer from
+Commandant von Kracht begs to be admitted, as he is charged with a verbal
+message from the commandant."
+
+"Admit him," ordered the count, going hastily to meet the officer, who was
+just stepping into the room.
+
+"Sir Count, I have bad news for you. Colonel von Kracht has just been
+arrested. He commissioned me to convey the tidings to you as he was led
+away."
+
+Count John Adolphus grew slightly pale, and exchanged a rapid glance
+of intelligence with Sebastian von Waldow. "Who arrested Colonel von
+Kracht?" he asked.
+
+"Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf, most gracious sir. He showed Herr von
+Kracht his orders, signed by the Elector himself, and, as he came with a
+strong posse, the colonel could not resist, but was obliged to submit."
+
+"It is well; I thank you," said John Adolphus quietly, and the officer
+took his leave. "Well, Sebastian," he said, turning to his confidant,
+"you were right, the captured papers must have been of dangerous import,
+for we already see the results. Our enemies are active, and I like that,
+for thereby the _dénouement_ will be hastened and our victory brought
+nearer. For conquer we will!"
+
+"Conquer or die!" sighed Sebastian von Waldow.
+
+Again was the door thrown open violently, and the count's high steward
+hurried in, trembling and pale as a sheet. "Your grace, Colonel von
+Burgsdorf, Colonel von Burgsdorf," stammered he.
+
+"What of him?" inquired the count hastily. "Speak, answer me, Wallenrodt,
+what of Colonel von Burgsdorf?"
+
+"Nothing further than that he ordered your high steward to conduct him
+hither and announce him to you," said a rough, mocking voice behind the
+count.
+
+It was Conrad von Burgsdorf who thus spoke. He had just entered the
+apartment, and strode forward without apology or more formal salutation.
+
+"Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg," continued Burgsdorf, approaching
+close to the count, "I have come to do what should have been done long
+before, to seal the papers of the late Stadtholder in the Mark, and to
+take them with me."
+
+"Very fine," returned the count contemptuously. "Will you have the
+goodness to tell me whether my revered father imparted any such
+instructions to you before his death, and if so, show me the written
+order, for otherwise I would not be inclined to give you credence."
+
+"Have received no orders from the deceased count," replied Burgsdorf,
+shrugging his shoulders. "Would have received no orders from him, for
+there is only one under whom I serve, and that one is my master, the
+Elector Frederick William. He ordered me to affix his signet to all the
+papers left by Count Adam Schwarzenberg, and I have therefore come to obey
+these orders."
+
+"Where is the written order?"
+
+
+"Have no written order, but obtained a verbal one just a half hour ago."
+
+"Ah, it pleases you to jest," cried Count Adolphus scornfully. "You have
+come from Königsberg here in a half hour? If you will condescend to
+receive no commands save from the Elector, then you must have spoken with
+him, and, as far as I know, the Elector is at Königsberg."
+
+"Your knowledge goes not far, my pretty sir," said Burgsdorf
+contemptuously. "You are in everything a very unadvised and ignorant young
+gentleman. The Elector is indeed at Königsberg, but, nevertheless, he has
+made known his will to me through the newly appointed Stadtholder in the
+Mark, who arrived here, _incognito_, early this morning."
+
+"Stadtholder in the Mark!" cried Count John Adolphus defiantly. "I know no
+one who can lay claim to that title but myself alone!"
+
+"But I know some one who has not merely the title but the office itself,
+and that person is the Margrave Ernest von Jägerndorf. Herr von Metzdorf,
+come in!"
+
+In answer to Burgsdorf's loud call a young officer advanced through the
+door leading from the adjacent room, which had been left ajar, and stood
+on the threshold awaiting further orders.
+
+"Hand Count Adolphus von Schwarzenberg the Stadtholder's printed
+manifesto," said Burgsdorf. Lieutenant von Metzdorf drew near the count,
+extending toward him a huge sheet of paper. "Read, my dear little count!"
+cried Burgsdorf. "Only read! Yes, yes, it contains very interesting
+intelligence. Margrave Ernest informs the citizens of Berlin and Cologne
+that he has been nominated by our gracious Elector Stadtholder in the
+Mark, and has entered upon the duties of his new office. He further
+informs the good folks of Berlin, that his Electoral Grace has been
+pleased to appoint Conrad von Burgsdorf superintendent of all the
+fortresses within the Electorate and Mark of Brandenburg. Colonel Conrad
+von Burgsdorf am I, and in my province as superintendent of all the
+fortresses I shall have all those arrested who refuse to swear allegiance
+to their Sovereign and Elector. Colonel von Kracht has experienced this,
+and his confederates shall soon enough acquire like knowledge. Count von
+Schwarzenberg, will you have the goodness to let me proceed to seal the
+papers, or must I use force by virtue of my right and authority?"
+
+"You are the stronger," replied the count, shrugging his shoulders, "or,
+rather, brute force is on your side, and against this 'twere irrational to
+contend. Do what I can not hinder. Seal up my father's papers. I should
+think, however, that my own papers would be exempt from this procedure,
+and I hope the contents of my own desk will be respected." As he spoke he
+cast a furtive glance upon his steward von Wallenrodt, who, nodding almost
+imperceptibly, slowly retreated to the door.
+
+"I shall seal indiscriminately all the papers and desks found in the
+palace," exclaimed Colonel von Burgsdorf. "This whole palace, with all it
+contains, belonged to Count Adam Schwarzenberg, and my orders are to seal
+and remove all papers left by that gentleman. You see that I can not and
+will not make distinctions as to what is yours and what your deceased
+father's."
+
+"I believe, indeed, that the art of reading is for you difficult, nay
+almost impossible, Colonel von Burgsdorf!"
+
+"You believe so? You are mistaken, my young sir. I can even read what is
+written upon men's faces, and read upon your brow that you are not merely
+puffed up with self-importance, but that you are likewise forging wicked
+and dangerous plans, and have been led away by your ambition to desire
+things unsuitable for you. Come now, count, and accompany me into your
+father's cabinet."
+
+"No!" cried the count--"no, I will do no such thing! It shall not be said
+that I voluntarily submitted to treason and brutal violence!"
+
+"Well, my little count," cried Burgsdorf, laughing, "if you will not act
+as guide of your own accord, you must be forced to do so _nolens volens_.
+You need not show us the way, for we will merely go from chamber to
+chamber and affix our seal to all the papers we can find. But the law
+requires your presence, and your presence we shall have. Lieutenant von
+Metzdorf and Lieutenant von Frohberg, each of you give an arm to Count von
+Schwarzenberg. Sustain and support him well, for the young gentleman feels
+a little unwell and can not go alone."
+
+The two officers approached the count, who looked at them with threatening
+mien. "Do not dare to touch me!" he cried angrily. "I will not follow you!
+I will not go!"
+
+"You will not go, will you not? Not even when my officers offer you their
+arms?"
+
+"I will not go, but I shall complain to the Emperor of the violence done
+me, and he will procure me satisfaction."
+
+"Well, we shall bide our time," said Burgsdorf placidly. "For the present
+it only concerns us to obtain your honored companionship. Since, however,
+you declare that you can not go afoot, I shall carry you!"
+
+And before the young count could prevent it, Burgsdorf had seized him in
+his gigantic arms and lifted him up.
+
+"Forward now, gentlemen," he said, stepping briskly a few paces in
+advance, bearing the count as lightly and easily in his arms as if he had
+been an infant.
+
+"Let me descend from the wine cask, Colonel von Burgsdorf," said Count
+Adolphus, smilingly and composedly. "I have attained my end. I only wanted
+to defer the sealing for a few minutes. Having succeeded in effecting
+this, I shall no longer oppose any obstacle to your progress."
+
+"So much the better," cried Burgsdorf, setting him on the ground. "For,
+even if you were as light as a feather, I would rather have free use of my
+arms and hands; and, besides, do not like such close contact with any
+birds of your plumage. Now, Sir Imperial Counselor, let us to work and
+commence the process of sealing."
+
+"Well and good," said Count John Adolphus, "only permit me to ask one
+question. To what end this sealing, and when will the signet be removed? I
+am my father's sole heir; already I have had the will opened and read in
+the presence of competent witnesses, and in accordance with my father's
+expressed desire entered into possession of the whole inheritance. The
+affixing of the seal appears to me, therefore, to be superfluous. If done
+at all, it should have been attended to before the opening of the will."
+
+"It has been delayed, alas!" replied Conrad von Burgsdorf, "and it has
+resulted from the fact that since the Stadtholder's death there has been
+nobody to issue orders or defend the right. But now, as we have once more
+a Stadtholder in the Mark, all will be different, and those who put
+themselves in opposition may be on their guard, for we seal not merely
+papers, but men. As regards your question, count, the sealing affects your
+inheritance only in so far as you have presumed to include among your
+estates several districts and domains pertaining to the Elector, and have
+been in indecent haste to take possession of them."
+
+"These domains were given in pledge to my father, and never redeemed."
+
+"That remains to be decided, and, for the purpose of setting this as well
+as many other matters, the Elector has ordained that a judicial court
+shall sit. He himself named the gentlemen who were to constitute this
+board of investigation, which will enter upon its duties early to-morrow
+morning, and begin by removing the seal from the papers which I am to make
+myself master of to-day. The chairman of this committee is the president
+of the privy council, von Götze."
+
+"I know of no President von Götze."
+
+"Yes, yes, your father deprived Herr von Götze of his office because he
+would not dance to the Stadtholder's piping, and was not his devoted
+servant to say yes to everything. But for that very reason our young
+Elector has installed him again in his office, and given orders, moreover,
+that he be the president of the committee of investigation. And now, as I
+have answered all your questions with praiseworthy patience and to my own
+satisfaction, let us at last proceed to sealing, and make a beginning in
+this very room. Shut the doors, Lieutenant von Metzdorf, and allow no one
+to go out who was here at our entrance."
+
+"Colonel," replied the lieutenant, "the high steward von Wallenrodt left
+the room a while ago, but, as you had given no orders to that effect, I
+could not detain him. He went out just when you took the count up in your
+arms."
+
+"Humph! That is the reason why the count wanted to divert my attention for
+some minutes, that his steward might have time to execute his secret
+commission!" cried the colonel stamping his foot passionately. "We ought
+to have reflected that we had sly foxes to deal with, and guarded every
+outlet beforehand. Lieutenant von Metzdorf, place a man at every door and
+let no one out. Lieutenant von Frohberg, take with you four soldiers, and
+search the whole palace; if you find von Wallenrodt, arrest and search
+him."
+
+"Colonel, that is going too far!" cried Count John Adolphus, pale with
+rage and excitement. "You have no right to arrest and search my servant. I
+interpose my protest, and will bring you to account before his Majesty the
+Emperor."
+
+"I shall take care of that," replied the colonel composedly. "If I have
+done wrong, let the committee of investigation call me to account. The
+Emperor in Vienna has nothing to do with me, and has no right to meddle in
+the administration of justice among us."
+
+"We shall see about that!" cried the count, with a threatening gesture.
+
+"Yes, we shall see! But first we must see where the papers are, which we
+are to seal and carry off. Open that table drawer, count, and let us see
+what it contains."
+
+Count Adolphus had to submit to having every desk and table searched, and
+wherever papers were found, the great seal of the Electoral privy council
+was affixed, and they were then removed. He had also to submit to having
+the whole palace ransacked from garret to cellar in search of the steward
+von Wallenrodt. The sealing he could not prevent, but he had the
+satisfaction of seeing the soldiers fail in discovering the hiding place
+of his steward after making the strictest possible search, as well as of
+witnessing Colonel Burgsdorf's disappointment on opening Count Adolphus's
+own writing desk to find it perfectly empty.
+
+"I said so," growled Burgsdorf. "We forgot that we were dealing with sly
+foxes, and barred the doors too late. Count John Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg, the sealing is over. Now comes the performance of my second
+duty. I have to announce to you on the part of Margrave Ernest, Stadtholder
+in the Mark, that you are under arrest in your own house until further
+notice, and are on no account whatever to be allowed to leave the palace.
+Here is the warrant, that you may not say I am acting without orders."
+
+He drew forth a paper, unfolded it, and handed it to the count, who
+rapidly glanced over it.
+
+"I see," said he, with proud composure, "you are acting under authority,
+and are merely your master's faithful beadle. May I keep this warrant?"
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"To hand it to the Emperor, and show him with what disrespect they have
+dared to act against his counselor and chamberlain."
+
+"Keep the bill of indictment," said Burgsdorf quietly. "I shall be much
+surprised if you shortly find yourself in a condition to present it to the
+Emperor in person. Certainly not just now, for you are under arrest, and
+can not have control of your own movements. You will therefore have the
+gratification of having a guard at your door, although you are  not the
+Stadtholder. Farewell, Count John Adolphus!"
+
+Bowing to the young count, who with a scornful laugh turned his back upon
+him, he left the apartment, followed by his officers.
+
+"Metzdorf," he said outside to the young officer in the antechamber, "to
+you I intrust the guarding of the palace. I know you are incorruptible,
+and will not allow the young gentleman to escape. Go round the palace on
+the outside, and before each door station two soldiers, who are to leave
+their posts neither by day or night. Relieve them every four hours. The
+Stadtholder, alas! did not order us to guard the inner doors of the house,
+so we must only be watchful and circumspect outside. I commit the guarding
+to you, and if he escapes, the responsibility rests upon yourself."
+
+"Unless he is a magician who can vanish through the air, he shall not
+escape me, colonel," said the young officer, smiling. "I will stake my
+head upon his not going by ordinary means through the doors."
+
+"Very well, lieutenant; but hark! Place two more sentinels at the garden
+railing opposite the palace. They are to watch the windows night and day,
+sounding an alarm as soon as they observe anything suspicious. Come now.
+Reconnoiter the outer doors and post the sentinels. I am going to report
+to the Stadtholder."
+
+Colonel Burgsdorf left the count's palace, and repaired to the Electoral
+castle, where the Margrave Ernest von Jägerndorf had taken up his
+residence.
+
+Count John Adolphus had stood listening at the door, and heard every word
+spoken by Burgsdorf to his lieutenant, and then listened to his heavy,
+retreating footstep. Now he heard the slamming of the front door, and
+rushing to the window, saw Burgsdorf mount his horse and ride off,
+followed by his companions and a wagon loaded with the papers which had
+been seized.
+
+"Waldow!" cried the count, springing back from the window, "he has gone,
+and we have, God be thanked! no guard inside the house. We are unobserved."
+
+"What good will that do us, Sir Count," sighed Waldow. "We can not leave
+the house, and your papers have been seized."
+
+"Not my papers, Waldow! No, God be praised! not my papers!" exulted the
+count. "Did you not see that my writing desk was empty?"
+
+"And what does that signify?"
+
+"It signifies that my trusty steward von Wallenrodt understood my hint,
+and, while I detained Burgsdorf, abstracted and concealed my papers."
+
+"Think you so?" asked Waldow, shrugging his shoulders. "It seems to me
+more likely that the steward has imitated the rats, who always forsake a
+sinking ship, and has gone off. The palace has been ransacked and von
+Wallenrodt was nowhere to be found. He has probably gone to the new
+Stadtholder, thinking to benefit himself by betraying you."
+
+"You slander my faithful servant," said the count. "I know him better, and
+am confident that he will not betray me. Come, Waldow, accompany me to my
+father's cabinet.
+
+"I will now show you that you have judged my steward falsely," he
+continued, when they had reached the cabinet.
+
+"This apartment conceals a mystery, known only to my father, myself, and
+Wallenrodt. Now, you shall become acquainted with it, and learn at the
+same time that there is still good faith in the world."
+
+He crossed the spacious apartment to the large mirror, which, reaching
+down to the floor, filled up the whole space between the windows. He
+pressed an ornament of the frame, and the mirror flew back, having become
+a door, which opened and revealed a niche concealed in the wall. From this
+niche stepped forth the steward, with a great roll of papers in his hand.
+
+"Most gracious sir," he said quietly, handing the roll to the count, "here
+are the papers of your writing desk."
+
+"Thank you, my faithful Wallenrodt!" cried Adolphus Schwarzenberg,
+offering him his hand. "I knew that I could count upon you, and, when the
+writing desk was found empty, knew that you had understood my glance. But
+now, before we advise as to what is further to be done, let me examine
+these papers, for I do not exactly know whether they contain all that I
+would wish to conceal from Burgsdorf and my other enemies. Step into that
+window recess, friends, and let me look over these papers."
+
+The two gentlemen retired into the deep window niche, and conversed
+together in whispers, while Count Adolphus rummaged over the papers with
+quick and nervous fingers. Ever quicker, ever more nervous became the
+movements of his hand, ever darker grew his brow, ever more anxious his
+countenance. As he laid aside the last sheet a sudden pallor overspread
+his face, and for a moment he leaned back in the fauteuil, quite faint and
+exhausted.
+
+"Dearest sir!" cried the steward, hurrying toward him, "are not the papers
+all in order?"
+
+"It is just as I feared," said the count, sighing. "My whole
+correspondence with my father, during my last sojourn at Regensburg,
+besides copies of my letters to the Emperor and Marwitz, were in the
+drawer of my father's writing table, and have been carried off with the
+rest."
+
+"And did these letters compromise you, count?" asked Herr von Waldow,
+drawing nearer to him.
+
+"With these letters in his hand, President von Götze, the chairman of the
+committee of investigation, can arraign me as guilty of high treason and
+condemn me to death."
+
+A long pause ensued. With gloomy countenances all three cast their eyes
+upon the ground. Then the steward lifted up his head, with an expression
+of firm resolve.
+
+"You must flee, gracious sir," he cried earnestly.
+
+"Flee?" repeated the count, shrugging his shoulders. "Ah, you have not
+heard of what further happened after you withdrew to your place of
+concealment!"
+
+"The whole palace is surrounded by soldiers," completed Herr von Waldow.
+"At each door stand two sentinels, and even at the park gate two guards
+are stationed."
+
+"You see plainly, Wallenrodt, that flight is impossible," said the count.
+
+The steward smiled. "Through doors and windows you can not escape, in
+truth. There is a third way, however."
+
+"What sort of way, Wallenrodt?"
+
+"The secret passage, count."
+
+"I know of no secret passage."
+
+"But I do, count. Your late revered father had this secret passage built
+at the time the cities revolted and the Swedes were threatening Berlin. He
+had fifty workmen brought from Vienna, who were kept concealed in the
+palace, and worked every night upon this subterranean passage, and as soon
+as it was completed he had the men sent back to Austria. It is not to be
+supposed that you should know anything of this, count, for it happened at
+least fifteen years ago, when you were but a lad. While the work lasted
+the count resided at Spandow, taking all his household with him, that no
+one might know anything about the secret passage. Only the old castellan
+and I remained behind, to overlook the work. We were the only two besides
+the Stadtholder who knew the secret. You must flee through the
+subterranean passage, gracious sir."
+
+"Whither does the secret passage lead?" asked the count.
+
+"Winding along underground, it has its outlet in the little pavilion in
+the center of the park. The key to the outer door hangs within the
+passage, as does also the key to the garden gate. All is in good order,
+for, fearing that the count's affairs might take a bad turn, I examined
+the passage through its whole extent until I arrived at the pavilion. Your
+grace can escape in that way unperceived."
+
+"And you, my faithful friends, will accompany me," said the count,
+extending his hands to the two gentlemen. "You were right just now,
+Waldow, when you said we should conquer or die. It seems now as if we must
+be ruined. Our enemies have gone to work with more zeal and determination
+than ourselves. While we pondered, they acted; while we tarried, they
+strode energetically forward. The young Elector has made good use of his
+time, and like a spider has caught us in the net with which he had lightly
+and secretly encircled us. All my foes, all the sworn adversaries of my
+father, has he called out to battle against us. Envy, hatred, malice, are
+the regiments which the young lord musters into the field, and by means of
+these he has for the moment conquered us. But only for the moment. A day
+of reckoning will come to the haughty young sir. He thinks himself free
+and independent, but he shall learn that there is one higher than he to
+whom he must bow, to whom he owes obedience. Yes, the Emperor Ferdinand
+will avenge me upon this arrogant young man. He will cause his proud neck
+to bend, and force his vassal to give me satisfaction, and to reinstate me
+in all my offices and dignities, which he would unjustly withhold from me.
+I shall go to the Emperor at Vienna, and--Ha, what a thought!" he
+exclaimed, interrupting himself. Rushing across to his writing table,
+whose empty drawers were stretched wide open, he tore one out and thrust
+his arm into the vacant space.
+
+"The secret compartment," he cried triumphantly. "Old Burgsdorf's keen
+scent failed him this time. Here it is, safe and inviolate. Here!"
+
+When he drew forth his hand it contained a small box, which he opened by
+touching a spring. The lid flew open; the box contained nothing but a
+dainty, perfumed note. Still the count esteemed it a precious possession.
+He took the paper and waved it exultingly above his head.
+
+"This is my salvation!" he cried. "With this paper in my hand I am armed
+against all the villainy and malice of the Elector. Oh, my dear, noble
+father, I must thank you for this security, thank you that I shall come
+forth victor from this contest with my enemy. It was you who pointed out
+to me the significance of this paper, who gave me the wise counsel to
+preserve it for future use. Thank you, oh, my father! At this hour this
+paper is the most precious inheritance which you have left me. I shall use
+it in accordance with your views, and as actuated by your spirit.
+
+"Now, my friends," he continued, "now am I ready for flight. Let us
+consider what is to be done."
+
+"Gracious sir, I have already considered," replied Wallenrodt warmly, "and
+I hope you will approve my plan. You can not make use of the subterranean
+passage by day, for, as I said before, it has its outlet in the center of
+the park, and if you pass through the lower garden gate in safety, you
+have still to go through the suburbs of Cologne. Every one would recognize
+you, and who knows whether Colonel von Burgsdorf may not have placed
+sentinels there too? You must, therefore, make your escape by night. I, on
+the contrary, dressed as a simple burgher, will take advantage of the
+subterranean passage now, and, watching my opportunity, when the street is
+quiet will leave the park and go away."
+
+"Where are you going, Wallenrodt?"
+
+"To Spandow, gracious sir, to Colonel von Rochow. I want to inform him of
+the course events have taken--to tell him that you are forced to leave
+Berlin. When nightfall comes your grace will be pleased to go through the
+subterranean passage in company with Herr von Waldow, emerge into the
+park, and then proceed up the street. Without especial haste, for any
+appearance of haste might excite remark, you will go to the Willow-bank
+Gate. Outside I will await you with two saddled horses. These you will
+mount, and ride at full gallop to Spandow, where Herr von Rochow will be
+ready to receive your grace. From that place the count can depart when so
+disposed."
+
+"Your plan is good and feasible," said the count. "I accept it. Hasten,
+therefore, good friend, hasten to Colonel von Rochow with tidings of what
+has befallen us here. Tell him that the time for hesitancy and delay has
+passed, that the hour of action has come. He has hitherto manfully refused
+to give in his oath to the Elector, and therefore the fortress of Spandow
+belongs to the Emperor, the sworn lord of its commandant, rather than to
+the Elector of Brandenburg. The walls of the Imperial fort will afford us
+protection and security, and from that point we can begin our contest with
+the enemy, who has so treacherously attacked us. Be off, my Wallenrodt, be
+off, and may we meet to-night in freedom and joy!"
+
+"Only forget not to arm yourself, gracious sir, and take care that no one
+watches and pursues you."
+
+"I shall precede the count with two loaded pistols," cried Herr von
+Waldow. "I will shoot down whoever shall dare to oppose him, and open a
+free path for him to the Willow-bank Gate, where you will be waiting for
+us, Wallenrodt."
+
+"We will both go armed and defend ourselves bravely," said Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg. "We would rather die than fall into the hands of our
+enemies. Go now, Wallenrodt, for you have verily a long way before you.
+The road to Spandow is long."
+
+"In three hours I shall be there, honored sir. We shall then have ample
+time to make our preparations for defense, and meet you here at twilight
+with horses. Come now, gentlemen, that I may show you the approach to the
+subterranean passage. It is in the little corridor next your late father's
+cabinet."
+
+
+
+
+VIII.--THE FLIGHT.
+
+
+How dreary and desolate was the day which Count Adolphus now passed in the
+palace--how the hours lengthened into days, and the minutes into hours!
+How glad were they when twilight at last drew near, what sighs of relief
+they breathed when night at last set in!
+
+A dark, silent night. The sky was obscured by clouds, not a star was to be
+seen. A night well fitted for enveloping fugitives in her friendly mantle,
+and concealing them beneath her gloomy shades. Away now, away! Night is
+here! Freedom beckons! The spacious palace was to-day nothing but a close,
+oppressive prison. Nothing did Count Adolphus hear but the walking to and
+fro of the sentinels and the corporal's call to relieve guard. Nothing did
+he see, when he went to the window, but soldiers slowly pacing their round
+before the park railing.
+
+Away from this prison, whose splendor and luxury seemed like sheer
+mockery, away from this house teeming with bitter memories of past
+grandeur and glory!
+
+Night was here, the night of deliverance. Away, away!
+
+They wrapped their cloaks about them, drew their hats low over their
+foreheads, and entered the subterranean passage. Waldow lead the way, a
+burning taper in one hand, a pistol in the other. Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg followed him, a pistol in either hand, firmly determined to
+shoot down whoever might dare to oppose his progress.
+
+The passage was traversed, and safely the two emerged into the open air in
+the park pavilion. Now forward quickly, down the dark alley to the lower
+garden gate. The key was in his pocket, there was nothing to obstruct
+their flight.
+
+One moment they paused within the half-opened gateway and listened.
+Nothing moved in the street without. All life seemed already extinct, all
+the inhabitants of the wretched houses had retired to rest. Not a light
+glimmered through the windows. All was hushed and still. They pushed open
+the gate and stepped out upon the street. They looked up and down; nowhere
+did they see a sign of movement, nowhere a human form, nor anywhere hear a
+rustling sound. Forward now, forward up the street, around the corner of
+the park, across the cathedral square.
+
+The night was quite dark, and the two fugitives looked ever ahead, not
+once behind them. They did not see that another shadow followed their
+black shadows, nor that a second shadow glided across the cathedral square
+to the Electoral castle.
+
+To that castle, too, were Count Schwarzenberg's eyes directed. There it
+loomed up, veiled in mystery and gloom, its dim outlines barely
+distinguishable from the mass of overhanging clouds in the background. In
+the lower story, where was situated the guardroom, burned a bright light,
+shining like a clear, yellow star, and irradiating the darkness of the
+night.
+
+Count Adolphus saw it, and also saw the light suddenly eclipsed by a
+shadow; then flame forth again. He saw the shadow, but did not suspect
+that it bore any relationship to his person or movements. He only
+continued to look toward the castle, and to think of the past, taking
+farewell of his memories, farewell of the dreams of his youth! He thought
+of the insult put upon him that dreadful night when he had been mocked and
+deceived by her whom he loved, and he vowed vengeance for the tortures
+endured by him that night!
+
+"Forward, Waldow, forward!" He took his friend's arm, and they pressed on.
+The shadow behind them advanced when they advanced and stopped when they
+stood still. Through the pleasure garden the pair proceeded with hurried
+steps, through the gate at the castle moat they entered upon the
+Willow-bank suburb, then down the deserted little streets of wretched
+huts. They reached the great Willow-bank meadow without the walls, passing
+through a gate not far from the bridge over the Spree.
+
+"Wallenrodt, are you here?" whispered Schwarzenberg.
+
+"Yes, count, I am here."
+
+The tramp of horse's hoofs, the voices of men speaking in whispers.
+
+"Colonel von Rochow expects your grace. The whole fortress is at your
+service. He will defend you to the last man, and would rather blow the
+whole fortress into the air than surrender you to the enemy."
+
+"Yes, better be blown up by gunpowder, than fall into an enemy's hands!"
+cries the count, vaulting with glad heart into the saddle.
+
+"Are you ready, my friends?"
+
+"Yes, we are ready."
+
+The count gave the word of command, "Forward!" and grasped tighter his
+horse's reins.
+
+"Halt! halt!" called a loud voice, and the shadow which had crept behind
+them now changed into the form of a tall and powerful man, who sprang
+through the gate and seized the count's horse by the bridle.
+
+"Back!" shouted Adolphus Schwarzenberg furiously.
+
+"Halt! halt!" cried the other. "You shall not escape. In the name of
+Colonel von Burgsdorf I arrest you, Count John Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg."
+
+"Who are you, poor man, who are you who dares to oppose me?"
+
+"I am the police master Brandt. I arrest you in the name of the Stadtholder
+in the Mark!"
+
+"Wretched traitor! You swore fidelity to my father, and have now become
+the tool of his enemies. Hands off! It will cost you your life! Back!"
+
+"No, I will not leave you, I arrest you. You must stay here!"
+
+"Let us make an end of this, count," shouted von Waldow "The night is so
+pitch-dark that we can not distinguish friend from foe, else I would have
+shot him long ago."
+
+"For the last time, hands off my horse, or I shall shoot you."
+
+"For the last time. Yield peaceably, or I shall shoot you. Living or dead
+I must keep you, I have--"
+
+A flash, the report of a pistol, a death groan interrupted the police
+master's words. The three horsemen bounded forward into the night. Forward
+at breakneck speed, but for the sand, that dreadful sand. This is the
+Rehberg, they know it by the sand in which the horses sink, from which
+they extricate themselves only to sink again. Yet what matters it if they
+do make rather slow progress? They will surely reach Spandow before
+daybreak, and Colonel von Burgsdorf will be cheated out of his precious
+prisoners.
+
+What is that? What strange sound does the night wind bear to the three
+riders? Simultaneously all three turn in their saddles and listen.
+
+They hear it quite plainly. It is the noise made by trotting horses. It
+comes on--it comes nearer.
+
+"Wallenrodt, Waldow! We are pursued!"
+
+"Yes, count, but we have the Rehberg almost behind us, and they must go
+through it. We have a good start. They will not overtake us."
+
+"Forward, my friends, forward!"
+
+They put spurs to their horses, they press their knees into their flanks,
+and the animals struggle faster through the sand. In spite of every
+hindrance they have now reached firmer ground and bound bravely forward.
+But the noise behind them has not ceased, not even become more remote.
+They must have good steeds, those pursuers, for they seem to come nearer
+and nearer.
+
+"Friends, better die than fall into the hands of the enemy!" shouts the
+count. "I tell you the very moment Burgsdorf touches me I shall shoot
+myself. Greet my friends for me. Bid them farewell forever!"
+
+"You will not shoot yourself, count, for the enemy will not overtake us.
+Forward! Put spur to your horses. Heigh! Huzza! Forward!"
+
+They rush through the darkness!
+
+Clouds dark and threatening course swiftly through the sky, horsemen dark
+and threatening course swiftly over the earth.
+
+"Waldow! they come nearer! But we have still the start of them!"
+
+"Only see, count! That dark mass there against the sky. That is our goal.
+Just one quarter of an hour and we shall be safe in Spandow."
+
+"One quarter of an hour! An eternity! Heigh! Huzza! On! on!"
+
+"Halt!" is heard behind them. "Halt! in the name of the Elector, in the
+name of the law! Halt! halt!"
+
+"That is Burgsdorf's voice!" cries Count Schwarzenberg, and spurs his
+horse with such violence that it rears and then shoots forward, swift as
+an arrow from a bow. But the pursuers, too, dash forward, as if borne upon
+the wings of the wind, and the distance between them constantly grows
+less. Already they hear the horses pant; ever clearer, ever more distinct
+become the passionate outcries of Colonel Burgsdorf.
+
+He swears, he threatens, he rages! He orders the fugitives to halt, and
+swears to shoot them if they do not.
+
+What care they for threats or orders? Forward! forward! Behind them sounds
+a shot--a second, then a third! The balls whistle past their ears, and
+they laugh aloud, to prove to the enemy that they are still alive.
+
+Before them flash lights, like golden stars, like bonfires of rejoicing.
+
+"Count, those are the lights of Spandow! Just see those torches there! The
+commandant is waiting for you at the entrance to the fort with his
+torchbearers."
+
+"On! on!" shout the three, and they race onward at lightning speed. And at
+lightning speed the pursuers follow. Nearer they come, ever nearer.
+
+"I have them! I have caught them!" exults Burgsdorf, springing forward and
+stretching out his hands toward the fugitives, for it seems to him as if
+he can indeed lay his hand upon them. "Halt! halt! in the name of the
+Elector!"
+
+"Forward! forward! What care we for the Elector? What care we for
+Burgsdorf? Forward!"
+
+The lights increase in size and brilliancy. Now they distinguish
+torches and the figures of men.
+
+"Are you there, count?" calls down Colonel von Rochow from the wall.
+
+"It is I, colonel!"
+
+The gate is open, they gallop in!
+
+Over the wooden bridge gallop the pursuers after them. Now they are at the
+gate. But the gate slams to with thundering sound. The pursuers are left
+without.
+
+"Undo the bolts, Colonel von Rochow! I command you, undo the bolts!"
+
+"Who is it that dares to command me?" calls down Colonel von Rochow from
+the fortification walls.
+
+"I command you! I, the commandant in chief of all the fortresses in the
+Mark!"
+
+"I know no commandant in chief, and trouble myself about no such person. I
+am commandant of Spandow, and have sworn to serve the Emperor, and him
+alone."
+
+"Colonel von Rochow, in the name of the Elector and in the name of the
+Stadtholder in the Mark, I command you for the last time to open the gate!"
+
+"The Elector is not my master to command me, and as to the Stadtholder in
+the Mark, here he is at my side. Only Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg do I
+recognize as such, and he forbids my opening the gate. Go back quietly to
+Berlin, colonel, for the night is cold, and your ride will warm you."
+
+"And I must pocket this insult," muttered old Burgsdorf, gnashing his
+teeth. "I can do nothing but turn around and go back with shame!" Almost
+tearfully he gave his men the order to face about and return to Berlin.
+
+In the castle within, Count John Adolphus cordially offered his hand to
+Commandant von Rochow.
+
+"Colonel, you have saved my life by furnishing me a refuge. I would have
+shot myself if Burgsdorf had overtaken me. I shall commend you to the
+Emperor's Majesty for this friendly service."
+
+
+
+
+IX.--THE LETTER.
+
+
+"Well, here you are at last," exclaimed Elector Frederick William, holding
+out his hand to Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun. "You have at last returned
+from your difficult journey."
+
+"Yes, gracious sir, you may well call it a difficult journey. Four long
+months of endless debate, wrangling, and dispute with those arrogant
+Swedish lords, who were ever ready to take but never to give. Such was my
+experience day by day for four long months."
+
+"Yes, you are right," said the Elector thoughtfully. "Four months have
+indeed elapsed since you set out upon your journey and I undertook the
+duties of ruler. My God! it seems to me as if many years had rolled by
+since then, and as if I had become an old, old man! I do not believe I
+have laughed once during these four months, or enjoyed one quarter of an
+hour of pleasure or relaxation. Discord and discussion everywhere with
+Emperor and empire, with the States, with Poland, Juliers and Cleves. They
+are all my foes, and not one single hand is held out to me in friendship.
+I have felt at times right lonely, Leuchtmar, and sorely sighed for you.
+It could not be, though, and I have learned already to submit to
+necessity. Necessity alone is the despotic mistress of all princes, and we
+nothing but her humble vassals. It is a humiliating thought, but
+nevertheless true. I must learn to endure mortifications, and to consider
+them but the price which I pay for my future."
+
+"It grieves me to perceive that your highness is somewhat downcast and
+discouraged," sighed Leuchtmar, looking sadly at the Elector's pale, sober
+countenance, upon which the last four months had indeed left the imprint
+of years.
+
+"Downcast? Yes," cried Frederick William; "for my affairs progress but
+slowly, and to gain anything I am compelled on all sides to make
+unpleasant concessions and to submit to irksome restraints. But
+discouraged--no, Leuchtmar, I am not discouraged, and by God's help never
+shall be! I know my purpose, which I shall pursue with immovable
+steadfastness, and, although the results of these first four months of
+government are barely discernible, I comfort myself that in as many years
+I shall have accomplished much. It is strange, Leuchtmar, that you have
+returned to-day, the very day which brings home my Polish ambassador with
+the tidings that the King of Poland is ready solemnly to invest me with
+the dukedom of Prussia, thanks to our money and our fair speeches. This
+very day I also expect decisive news from Colonel von Burgsdorf at Berlin.
+On the self-same day I sent you forth. You were like doves sent from a
+storm-tossed ark to seek for land. Almost at the same time you return to
+the ark, but I fear that none of you brings with him an olive branch."
+
+"Yet, most noble sir, I do bring you a small olive leaf," replied
+Leuchtmar, with a gentle smile. "I come to announce to your grace that I
+have at last succeeded, after a four months' contest, in wringing from the
+Swedish lords a few concessions, and concluding an armistice, which is to
+be binding for two years."
+
+"A two years' cessation of hostilities is equivalent to ten years of
+refreshment, of reinvigoration!" cried the Elector with radiant looks.
+"Tell me, Leuchtmar, what concessions did these hard-headed Swedes make at
+the last moment?"
+
+"Your highness, they have pledged themselves not to allow their soldiery
+to enter the Mark, unless unavoidably compelled to march through on their
+way elsewhere, and that then they shall be quartered and fed only under
+the direction of an Electoral commissary; and that, moreover, separate
+agreements shall be entered into with regard to the maintenance of the
+Swedish garrisons of forts in Pomerania and the Mark." [49]
+
+"Yes," murmured the Elector, with dejected mien, "so low are we reduced
+that if they even acknowledge our natural rights, it strikes us in the
+light of a concession, a grant, and we must esteem ourselves happy in
+having obtained it! Ah! Leuchtmar, when will the time come when I can take
+my revenge for these humiliations, the time when they will bow to _me_,
+and when it will be for _me_ to concede and grant favors? Hush, ambitious
+heart, be soft and still! Go on, tell me what further settlements you
+concluded with the Swedes."
+
+"Gracious sir, I have no other concessions to mention, except that
+something has been done for the protection of our mutual traffic by sea
+and land. But that is as much to the advantage of the Swedes as of
+ourselves. The demands of the Swedes are truly far greater than their
+concessions!"
+
+"What do they demand?"
+
+"They demand in advance that they be left in undisturbed possession of the
+fortresses they are now masters of."
+
+"I have not the power to take them by force of arms!" cried the Elector,
+shrugging his shoulders. "Let them keep what I can not force from them!
+What else?"
+
+"They demand, besides, that the Werben fortress be delivered up to them."
+
+"I will not deliver it up to them!" cried the Elector; "but I will have it
+destroyed, that it be not seized by the Imperialists. What else?"
+
+"The Swedes further desire that the Küstrin Pass be closed to imperial
+troops."
+
+"To that I willingly consent, for it is in accordance with my own
+interests," said Frederick William, smiling. "By Küstrin is the road to
+Stettin, and it is important for us, too, that this way be closed to the
+Imperialists. Methinks a time will come when it shall be closed to the
+Swedes as well, and once closed, I shall not open it again. What else?"
+
+"The Swedes crave the privilege of having a resident at Küstrin, who shall
+attend to carrying out this article."
+
+"That I shall never consent to!" cried the Elector passionately. "No, that
+can not be, for such a permission would involve degradation, and the
+concessions which I am willing to make for the welfare of my torn and
+bleeding land need not go to the extent of degradation. I must have an
+armistice, that my subjects may recover from the effects of these bloody,
+trying times, and gather strength for renewed existence. I must have an
+armistice, in order to gain time for the re-establishment of law and
+order. But there need be no armistice tending to dishonor me, and place me
+under Swedish surveillance in the midst of my own land. No, no Swedish spy,
+no resident at Küstrin--that is the condition of my agreeing to the
+armistice. All else I acquiesce in."
+
+"And I hope to prevail upon the Swedish lords to recede from this claim
+yet," said Leuchtmar. "Rest is very essential to them also just at this
+time, for they have enough to do to contend with the Imperialists, and the
+Danes are threatening them with war. They will not desire to be embroiled
+with Brandenburg at the same time. I will guarantee the conclusion of the
+armistice, and, if it meets your highness's approbation, will travel again
+to Sweden to effect this alteration and then bring the articles to your
+highness for your signature."
+
+"So be it, dear Leuchtmar. Return to Stockholm. Strike the iron while it
+is hot. Much I hope from this armistice. It will make the lords of Warsaw,
+Regensburg, and Vienna more pliant and yielding, for it will show them
+that the Elector of Brandenburg is no longer drifting helplessly about in
+a leaky boat, but that he has succeeded at least in stopping one hole and
+keeping himself above water! And now, friend Leuchtmar, how fared you in
+your secret mission? Did you hand my letter to the young Queen?"
+
+"Yes, your highness; I even had the opportunity of delivering it to her in
+a private audience without witnesses."
+
+"And did she accept it in a kind and friendly manner?"
+
+"Gracious sir," replied Leuchtmar, smiling, "a queen of fourteen years of
+age is very sensitive with regard to her dignity, and takes it very ill if
+she is not treated with due reverence and extreme devotion."
+
+"Was my missive wanting in these respects?" asked Frederick William.
+
+"I beg your highness's pardon, but the young Queen seemed to be rather of
+this opinion. She was visibly delighted when I handed her your letter, and
+especially delighted that she received it secretly, without witnesses, and
+not in the presence of Chancellor Oxenstiern, whose guardianship seems to
+be very irksome and unpleasant to her. The young Queen blushed, sir, when
+she took your letter, and I must confess that at this moment she looked
+pretty and graceful enough to be the wife of my gracious master. But her
+countenance soon became clouded, as she read your communication, whose
+contents seemed to afford her little satisfaction."
+
+"But she answered my letter, did she not, and you bring me her reply?"
+
+"Oh, yes, most gracious sir, she answered it, and I have with me Queen
+Christina's reply. But I must beforehand make your grace an apology for
+this answer."
+
+"Well, let me see it, Leuchtmar. Give me the answer."
+
+Leuchtmar drew a folded paper from his pocket, and handed it to the
+Elector, who unfolded it. A number of torn bits of paper fell to the
+floor.
+
+"What is that, Leuchtmar?" asked the Elector in amazement.
+
+"Your highness," replied Leuchtmar, "that is Queen Christina's answer."
+
+The Elector picked up a few of the larger scraps of paper, and examined
+them attentively. "It seems to me, Leuchtmar," he said, "that I recognize
+specimens of my own penmanship. Yes, yes, it is my writing!"
+
+"Yes, indeed, your highness, it is your own writing. It is your letter to
+Queen Christina of Sweden."
+
+"She sends it back to me torn?"
+
+"She tore it with her own exalted hands, trampled it under her royal feet,
+and literally wept for rage."
+
+"My heavens! what have I done to enrage her little Majesty so?"
+
+"In the first place, noble sir, you wrote to the Queen in German instead
+of Latin, and she found that very wanting in respect, and thought you
+might have given yourself the trouble to write to her in the language most
+agreeable to her.[50] In the second place, you addressed the young Queen
+as 'Your highness,' when she is entitled to be called 'Most serene
+highness.' She is certain of that, for Oxenstiern had told her that he
+gained the title for her as an especial prerogative for her from your
+father and the house of Brandenburg. And in the third place, the Queen was
+annoyed that your writing was so cold and serious, and contained so few
+love words. 'If the Elector had nothing more to say to me than is
+contained in this letter,' cried the Queen, 'he need not have troubled
+himself to send it privately. This is a political document, which might
+have been handed by his envoy to the assembled States, and read aloud in
+public. But, if I do run the risk of receiving and reading a letter
+secretly, contrary to the high chancellor's wishes, let it at least be a
+love letter. I merely gave you audience because I was curious to get a
+love letter at last, and to know how such feelings are expressed. This is
+no love letter, though, and to such a note I have no other answer than
+this.' And then the Queen tore the letter into little bits and scattered
+them on the floor. I gathered up the pieces, in which she aided me
+assiduously, lest Chancellor Oxenstiern, whom she momentarily expected,
+might notice something peculiar, and suspect that she had received a
+secret missive. I asked her most serene highness if I should bring your
+grace these torn bits of paper as her answer. She replied with a
+bewitching smile that I must do so. Her cousin Frederick William might
+thereby learn to write her a better letter, when she would give him a
+better answer. This, gracious sir, is the story of the letter you
+intrusted to me for Queen Christina of Sweden."
+
+The Elector laughed aloud. "A charming story!" he cried, "for which I must
+thank my young relative, for she has lighted my somber existence by a ray
+of sunshine. It pleases me that my cousin is so forward, and thereby
+candid. The little maid of fourteen sighs for a love letter, and hopes
+that her cousin Frederick William, who sues for her hand, will write her
+one, and is so innocent as to suppose that he woos her because he loves
+her. Poor child, disappointed in her curiosity and her wish to know
+herself beloved! Yes, yes, it is the perpetual longing of the young heart
+to be loved, and when the first love letter is received, the foolish young
+creature fancies itself the happiest being upon earth, and feels itself
+transported into the blessedness of paradise. Alas! they know not that all
+this is only an illusion, a sweet morning dream from which they will
+speedily be roused by rude, ungentle hands. Leuchtmar, I can not gratify
+the little Queen of Sweden in her wish; I can write her no love letter,
+for I would be guilty of deceiving this young heart. No, I can utter no
+tender protestations, while my heart is still bleeding from inflicted
+wounds. But a cordial, friendly letter I will write to my dear cousin. I
+will write to her in faultless Latin, and couch it in most reverential
+terms. Who knows, perhaps I may yet win her heart, and she heal mine! I
+will write the letter, and you shall secretly transmit it to Queen
+Christina. I will so express it that it shall not seem to her fitted to be
+read before the assembled States, even though it be no love letter. Go
+now, Leuchtmar, and rest after the fatigues of your journey. But to-morrow
+evening, when business is ended, come to me in my cabinet, and let us read
+a couple of Horace's odes for my strength and encouragement, as we used to
+do when I was still a free young man and not the Elector, the slave of
+position."
+
+He offered the baron his hand, and affectionately conducted him to the
+door himself. Just at this moment that door was quickly opened, and a page
+appeared.
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," was his announcement, "the imperial envoy,
+Count Martinitz, craves an audience for himself, a special messenger from
+the Emperor, and his attendant."
+
+"Admit his Majesty's envoys," replied Frederick William, as he again
+crossed the room and seated himself in the armchair before his writing
+table.
+
+
+
+
+X.--A SECRET AUDIENCE.
+
+
+The three persons announced entered the Electoral cabinet. First came
+Count Martinitz with important air, dressed in the richly embroidered
+costume of a Spanish courtier, followed by an old man of venerable aspect
+and the bearing of a scholar, clad in a suit of black velvet, and by a
+young lord in a magnificent court dress. The Elector sprang up on
+beholding the latter, and a flush of indignation suffused his
+countenance.
+
+"Count Martinitz," he asked hastily, "whom do you bring to me?"
+
+"Your highness," replied. Martinitz, with firm, composed voice--"your
+highness, I beg to be allowed to present these two lords to you. This is
+Dr. Gebhard, a very learned and wise man, the Emperor Ferdinand's cabinet
+and privy counselor, sent by his Majesty to your highness, charged with a
+confidential and secret errand. Permit me now to present to your highness,
+this other gentleman."
+
+"I know him!" cried the Elector, with flashing eyes and angry mien. "I am
+only too well acquainted with Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg and all the
+plots and intrigues concocted by him in Berlin, and his efforts to lead my
+officers into insubordination and revolt. But when I ordered investigations
+to be made into these matters, and the count should have justified his
+actions, the boastful lord showed himself to be but a cowardly deserter!"
+
+"Your highness!" exclaimed the count coming forward with long strides, and
+touching the hilt of the dress-sword hanging at his side--"your highness,
+I have come to justify myself against the calumnies of my enemies. Will
+you be pleased to hear me patiently, and not impugn my honor as a
+gentleman and a count of the empire before you have listened to my
+justification?"
+
+"You would justify yourself! Do you dare to attempt this?" asked the
+Elector indignantly. "Look, here on my table lies the paper which the
+States of the Mark have addressed to me, and in which they accuse you. The
+Emperor's Majesty has sent me a scholar, who can certainly read it aright,
+if I perchance have made some mistake. Read, if you please, Dr. Gebhard,
+read these lines, and hear what the States write to me!"
+
+He handed the imperial legate the document and pointed out with his finger
+the passage in point.
+
+Dr. Gebhard read: "Count John Adolphus Schwarzenberg, however, eluded the
+investigation by flight in the night-time, and despite a guard set. In an
+unusual way and in utter contempt of your highness's received orders, he
+secretly escaped."[51]
+
+"Now," cried the Elector passionately, "would you maintain, that my States
+have reported to me what is not true?"
+
+"It is true," said Count Schwarzenberg. "I saw myself forced to escape
+unjust pursuit, and--"
+
+"Forced by your bad conscience, sir," interrupted the Elector impatiently.
+"You left it for others to draw out of the fire the chestnuts which you
+had thrown in, and when you found out that I was not the timid, powerless
+Prince you supposed me to be, who could be frightened at a contest with
+you and your faction and awed by your glory and dignity; when you saw that
+I would bring you to justice, you evaded the course of law and fled
+precipitately from the judges."
+
+"Because I knew that these judges were my enemies, and that he who was at
+their head, President von Götze, had been my father's implacable foe of
+old."
+
+"That is to say, he had been of old an honest, true Brandenburger, not
+merely having proved himself an incorruptible man, but never having
+condescended to bribe others for the sake of obtaining honor, position,
+or wealth for himself."
+
+"Your highness," called out the count hastily, "would you defame my father
+even in his grave?"
+
+"Have I pronounced your father's name?" asked the Elector, with dignity.
+
+"Is it not rather you who asperse your late father's fame by referring to
+him what I said with regard to bribery?"
+
+The count cast down his eyes and was silent. Frederick William now turned
+by a slow movement of the head to Count Martinitz.
+
+"Sir Count," he said gravely and ceremoniously, "I interrupted you in your
+presentation. Continue it, and introduce this gentleman to me. I must know
+in what capacity he dares return to my dominions and intrude upon my
+presence."
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, I have the honor of presenting to you the count
+of the empire, Adolphus John von Schwarzenberg, imperial privy counselor
+and chamberlain, also _attaché_ and associate of the Emperor's ambassador
+extraordinary, furnished with a safe conduct signed by the Emperor
+himself."
+
+"I well knew," cried the Elector, "that this gentleman had made sure of
+his own safety before venturing near me. That was the reason of my
+question. As imperial officer and chamberlain he is secure against my just
+wrath, and his Majesty's safe conduct a glorious wall behind which to hide
+himself. Let him profit by it; I shall not see him behind the wall, but
+instead only a piece of white paper, on which his Imperial Majesty has
+inscribed his name, and accordingly I shall respect this piece of paper,
+which otherwise I would tear in twain."
+
+"Your highness!" cried Count Schwarzenberg--"your highness, I--"
+
+"Count von Martinitz," interposed the Elector haughtily, "I empower you to
+say to the ambassador extraordinary of his Imperial Majesty, that I give
+him leave to deliver the Emperor's message to me and to impart to me his
+Majesty's desires."
+
+"Most respected lord and Elector," said Dr. Gebhard with solemnity, "his
+Majesty the Emperor Ferdinand sends me to your highness in the assured
+hope that in your justice and exalted wisdom your grace will be superior
+to all personal enmities, and not visit upon the son faults, perhaps
+unintentional, committed against you by the father."
+
+"Of what father and son do you speak, sir?" asked the Elector.
+
+"Of the father who for twenty years was the honored counselor and friend
+of Elector George William, who, faithful even beyond the tomb, forsook the
+earth no longer tenanted by his lord and Elector. Of the son who has
+committed no crime except that of being his father's heir, and not
+allowing his patrimony to be diminished and torn from him. For this son,
+in the Emperor's name, I would plead with your Electoral Highness for
+grace and favor, beseeching you not to deprive him of his rights, but to
+restore to him what belongs to him."
+
+"Tell me, Dr. Gebhard," asked the Elector, "what those rights are of which
+I have deprived him, according to his Majesty's opinion, and what things I
+have taken from him which belong to him?"
+
+"Already in his father's lifetime Count John Adolphus Schwarzenberg was
+elected his coadjutor in the Order of St. John, therefore on his father's
+demise he had a right to the vacant dignity of grand master, and yet this
+has not been accorded him by your highness. As his father's heir, Count
+John Adolphus received all his father's property, and entered into
+possession of it. Yet this your highness did not allow him uncontested,
+and withheld what was his. Nay, your highness even instituted a criminal
+process against the young count, his father's heir. This last proceeding
+is especially distasteful and annoying to his Majesty; the Emperor wishes
+above all things that your highness withdraw this criminal suit, referring
+it to the imperial court at Vienna, and that you again receive Count John
+into favor." [52]
+
+"Truly his Imperial Majesty asks and requires a great deal of me," cried
+Frederick William, with flashing eyes and cheeks flushed with anger. "More
+than a prince dare give, who has to act not merely in subjection and
+dependence, but as Sovereign of his people. It seems to me as if no one
+had cause to interfere in this affair of Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg, for
+it concerns the interior interests of my realm. Within the limits of my
+own country I alone am lord and ruler, and only one lord there is, before
+whom I bow, and whom I recognize as my superior--_the law_! Law is
+properly supreme within the Brandenburg provinces, and shall and must
+reign over high and low! But my favor, sir, my favor, can only flow
+spontaneously from within, and can not be arbitrarily bestowed even at an
+Emperor's behest. I have not withdrawn my favor from Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, for he never possessed it. Law and right alone must decide
+for or against him. Many of my subjects have brought accusations against
+him, and for these I am pledged to procure justice at the hands of the
+courts of justice. What was done in my lands must be also judged in my
+lands, else my subjects might be wounded in their sense of right; and to
+assign this suit to the imperial court at Vienna would be in the highest
+degree derogatory to the Electoral power and jurisdiction. I can not
+therefore gratify his Imperial Majesty in this wish.[53] As concerns his
+right to the place of grand master, that appointment belongs not to me,
+but to the members of the order. They, however, will not elect the young
+count, and I can not compel them to do so. Lastly, as regards the estates
+claimed by the heir of the Stadtholder in the Mark, his title to them is
+wanting, and, moreover, there are no accounts to prove that the money for
+which the estates were mortgaged was ever used by the Stadtholder for my
+father's benefit. Besides, even if such contracts existed, they were
+entered into without the consent of the States, and consequently by the
+laws of the land were null and void. This is the reply I have to make to
+the imperial envoy, of which I can alter and abate nothing, however I may
+deplore any apparent disrespect to his Imperial Majesty's wishes. Return
+to Vienna, Dr. Gebhard, return with your associate and _attaché_, and
+repeat to the Emperor what I have said to you. You are dismissed,
+gentlemen."
+
+"Your Electoral Highness will pardon me for venturing to add one more
+word," said Count Martinitz, "but I am empowered to do so by the imperial
+order. The Emperor Ferdinand commissioned me in his own handwriting, in
+case that your highness refused to accede to the demands made by Dr.
+Gebhard--"
+
+"Demands?" broke in the Elector. "I did not hear Dr. Gebhard make use of
+any such term. Mention was made only of imperial wishes and requests. You
+mean that in case I do not grant Dr. Gebhard's requests--Proceed, Count
+Martinitz."
+
+"I am in that case commissioned to desire your highness in the Emperor's
+name to grant a private audience to the _attaché_ of the imperial embassy,
+the Emperor's privy counselor and chamberlain, Count Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg, as he wishes to make an important and confidential
+communication to your highness."
+
+Frederick William's piercing eyes were fixed with a questioning expression
+upon the count's face, whose eyes returned the look with a bold and steady
+gaze.
+
+"You presume greatly upon the respect I owe the Emperor," said the Elector
+after a pause. "I have wished to regard you hitherto merely as a piece of
+paper hallowed by the Emperor's superscription. But now you voluntarily
+step forth from behind the protecting paper, and present yourself to me as
+a man, a self-dependent individual, who is responsible for his words and
+actions. Consider well what you risk, sir, and take my advice: retreat,
+while yet there is time! Ask me not to look upon you as you actually are,
+but be content, inasmuch as in you I respect the Emperor's safe conduct.
+Reflect once again, and then speak!"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," said the count after a pause, "the Emperor has
+condescended to request a secret audience for me of your grace. I entreat
+your highness to grant it to me."
+
+"You desire it? Be it so, then!" cried the Elector. "You, gentlemen, Count
+von Martinitz and Dr. Gebhard, are dismissed. Count Schwarzenberg may
+remain. For the Emperor's sake I am ready to grant him the secret audience.
+Take your leave, gentlemen! Your audience is at an end!"
+
+The two gentlemen bowed low and withdrew. The Elector followed them with
+his eyes until the door closed behind them. Then he slowly turned his head
+toward Count Schwarzenberg.
+
+"Speak now," he ordered coldly and severely. "Say what you have to say,
+but weigh well each word, and take heed of rousing my wrath, for I tell
+you the measure of my patience and forbearance is well-nigh exhausted!
+What would you have of me? What do you want?"
+
+"Justice, your highness, justice! Enter into no contest with me! Take not
+away from me the estates given in pledge by the Elector George William to
+my father, which have not yet been redeemed. Acknowledge me as the Grand
+Master of the Knights of St. John, graciously nominate me Stadtholder
+in the Mark, and I swear to you that I shall be your faithful and devoted
+servant, your mediator with Emperor and empire! You see, your highness, I
+ask for nothing but justice!"
+
+"Justice!" repeated Frederick William, while with flashing eyes he
+approached one step nearer the count. "Beware of reminding me that I have
+not exercised justice toward you! Ask it not, for then I must needs summon
+a guard and have you arrested! Then must I call a court-martial, have you
+tried, and see you mount the scaffold!"
+
+"The scaffold!" exclaimed the count, turning pale. "But then the Emperor
+would call you to account for this deed of violence, and--"
+
+"Deed of violence, you call it?" interposed the Elector. "You are
+mistaken, sir; it would only be a merited punishment! You deserve this
+punishment, not on account of anything done by your father, although in
+sooth you bore a full share in his deeds, but on account of your own
+crime."
+
+"Crime, your highness?"
+
+"Yes, count, crime! You are a conspirator, a rebel! You incited my
+officers to revolt, entangled them in a conspiracy, and when I would have
+brought you to judgment you fled like a cowardly woman."
+
+"Your highness!" screamed the count, "I beseech you, weigh your words,
+provoke me not too much! Otherwise I might forget the respect due you."
+
+"And if you should venture, I have ample means of leading you back to the
+proper bounds, of forcing you to respect me, to fall down in the dust, and
+plead for pardon! Do you know what you are? Do you know what you were?"
+
+"What I was I know," cried the count. "I was the favored lover of your
+sister, Princess Charlotte Louise!"
+
+"Ah! Now at last you drop your mask, now you show your real face. The face
+of a slanderer, a liar! For you utter a falsehood. You calumniate the
+virtue of a noble lady, and boast of a favor you never received."
+
+"I speak the truth, your highness, and am in a condition to prove it.
+Princess Charlotte Louise gave me her favor, and went further than was
+seemly for a modest maiden. She volunteered to grant me a rendezvous
+impelled by ardent love."
+
+"That is not true."
+
+"It is true, sir, and I can prove it! I have the writing with me, in which
+your sister invites me to a rendezvous in the castle at Berlin. She wrote
+it with her own hand, and signed it with her name. Until now, no one has
+known the secret, and no one shall know it if we can agree."
+
+"We agree?"
+
+"Yes, your highness, _we_! Your sister's letter is well worth what I ask.
+I demand nothing but my rights. Leave me my estates, acknowledge me as
+grand master, appoint me my father's successor, give me the hand of
+Princess Charlotte Louise."
+
+"My sister's hand to _you_?"
+
+"To me, for I have a right to that hand. The Princess engaged herself to
+me, and granted me favors."
+
+"Wretched man, to boast of them!" interrupted the Elector.
+
+"She appointed a meeting with me to take place by night," continued the
+count quietly. "Your honor would be destroyed if any one knew of this. Let
+me keep it intact! Give me your sister's hand! For I tell you if you do
+not the world shall hear of this _faux pas_ on the part of the Princess. I
+shall publicly expose the letter she wrote to me, and a laugh of scorn
+will pursue both you and her through the whole of Germany! Give me your
+sister's hand!"
+
+"Were you the Emperor himself I would not give her to you. And if you were
+in a position to defame my whole house, I would not give her to you! And
+were my sister to fall at my feet weeping at my refusal, I would not give
+her to you! Yes, and if I knew that my lands and wealth would be doubled
+by this marriage, I would _never_ give my sister to you! I asked you just
+now if you knew what you were and what you are. To the first question you
+replied that you were my sister's lover. Now I will tell you what you are:
+you are the son of a poisoner and a murderer!"
+
+"Sir!" screamed the count, bounding forward in fury and with a sudden
+movement drawing his dagger from its sheath--"sir, you assail my father in
+his grave, I will defend him! You owe me satisfaction for this insult! It
+is not the Elector who stands before me, but a man who has wounded my
+honor, and I demand satisfaction. You dare not refuse it, or--"
+
+"Or you will complete your father's work, will you? Will hire murderers to
+do what you dare not attempt yourself? Oh, you may very probably find a
+second Gabriel Nietzel, whom you may goad on to crime, profiting by his
+agony and distress of mind to change a thoughtless deceiver into a
+poisoner! Do not stare at me in such amazement, as if you understood not
+my words! You know Gabriel Nietzel well, and your dagger would not have
+fallen from your hand if your conscience had not struck it down!"
+
+"I know nothing of Gabriel Nietzel!" cried the count, "I only know that
+you have called my father a murderer and--"
+
+"And, I did wrong in this, for certainly the murderous deed miscarried!
+_I_ live! And _he_ was forced to die. Do you know of what your father
+died?"
+
+"Of grief, and the humiliations which you prepared for him!"
+
+"No, he died of remorse. A stroke, they say, put an end to his life. Yes,
+it was conscience that smote him to the earth. Gabriel Nietzel stood
+before him and reminded him of his deeds, demanding of him his wife, whom
+your father murdered because she saved my life!"
+
+"Horrible!" muttered the count, with sunken head and downcast eyes.
+
+"Yes, horrible!" repeated the Elector. "Gabriel Nietzel was the avenging
+sword sent from on high for your father's punishment. He, the unhappy one,
+himself confessed his crime to me, and I have forgiven him. I will forgive
+your father also, for he stands before a higher tribunal, and _He_ who
+tries the heart, will reward him according to his deeds. But I am your
+judge, and your deeds accuse you before me! I could have you arrested and
+tried, and, believe me, I would do so, despite the imperial safe conduct,
+behind which you have ensconced yourself, but I honor in you the memory of
+my father, who loved yours, and would not have the world discover how
+shamefully the magnanimous heart of George William was deceived. Regarding
+the property you claim from me, let the law decide; regarding the military
+title you aspire to, let the knights of the order decide; but regarding
+the accusation which you bring against my sister, and the offer you make
+me on her account, the Princess alone is the proper person to consult. You
+shall speak with her this very hour, for I would not have your vain heart
+puffed up with the idea that the Princess loves you, and that it is only
+my tyranny which separates you from her. No, you shall speak with the
+Princess herself, and she shall decide the question between you. And that
+you may not suppose that I have influenced my sister, you shall speak to
+her before I communicate with her myself."
+
+He took the handbell and rang; a page appeared. "Request her Electoral
+Grace the Princess Charlotte Louise to have the kindness to come to me."
+
+"Your Electoral Grace," said the page, "Colonel von Burgsdorf has just
+come into the antechamber, and urgently insists upon my announcing him to
+your grace."
+
+"Admit him and call the Princess. When the gracious young lady has entered
+the antechamber, let me know. Admit the colonel."
+
+"Here I am, your highness, here I am!" cried Conrad von Burgsdorf, coming
+in with hasty steps. "I am just from Berlin, and bring my dearest lord
+good news, and--But what is that?" interrupted he, fixing his lively gray
+eyes upon Count Schwarzenberg, who, pale and visibly disconcerted, had
+withdrawn into one of the window niches.
+
+For one moment Burgsdorf stood still, as if bewildered by the unexpected
+sight, then he sprang forward like a tiger, and laid his hands like iron
+claws upon the count's shoulders.
+
+"In the name of the Elector and the law, I arrest you Count Schwarzenberg!"
+he shrieked.
+
+"Let him go, Burgsdorf," commanded Frederick William.
+
+"No, gracious sir," cried Burgsdorf, "I can not, must not let him go. I
+must hold fast to my prisoner until I have put him in a safe prison. If I
+take my hands off him, he will surely find some mousehole to creep
+through. I know the fine gentleman, and have had experience of his
+mouselike nature. I thought I had him safe at Berlin, imprisoned in his
+own palace, and sentinels stationed everywhere. A man could not have
+escaped, but a mouse can find a hole to retire to almost anywhere. Master
+Mousy here slipped off through an underground passage. Fortunately I had
+stationed a couple of spies in front of the park, and one of them came to
+inform me that they had seen two suspicious personages issue from the
+park, while the other dogged their footsteps. I flew to horse, and,
+thinking that the young count would make for Spandow, raced with my men to
+the Spandow Gate. Exactly, they had just fled on before. We gave them
+chase. Huzza! that was a hunt! Already I thought I had the fugitives
+within my reach, and stretched out my hand to grasp them, when they
+galloped into the fortress, the gate was shut, and I stood baffled on the
+outside, and had my mortification increased by hearing Colonel Rochow's
+mocks and jeers from the wall above. And now when I can take my revenge,
+when I at last have my prisoner trapped and caught, now, your highness
+commands me to let him go. No, your highness, it is impossible; for trust
+me, as soon as I let him go he will find his way to some mousehole. I
+arrest you in the name of the Elector and the law, Count John Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg!"
+
+"Burgsdorf!" cried the Elector in a commanding tone, "once more, I command
+you to let him go, and come here. Obey without delay!"
+
+The colonel muttered between his teeth a few wild words of wrath, but
+released the count, and with bowed head and chagrined air slunk toward the
+Elector.
+
+"You treat me like a well-trained pointer, your highness!" he growled.
+"You whistle for me, and I drop the prey which you would not have me keep."
+
+"You do yourself too much honor, old Burgsdorf," said the Elector,
+smiling. "A well-trained pointer does not follow a false scent, and that
+was what you were doing just now. Did you expect to find a fugitive in
+your master's cabinet? You thought that this was Count John Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, whom I was compelled to arraign as a criminal, and who, in
+his consciousness of guilt, took refuge from trial in flight. Look closely
+at what is in the window niche and acknowledge that you were mistaken, and
+that it is not Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg."
+
+Colonel Burgsdorf, perfectly bewildered, gazed with wide-open eyes first
+on the Elector and then on the count, who returned his stare with a
+scornful smile.
+
+"Most gracious sir," he then cried, "my head is not clear enough to
+discern your meaning, and I stick to it: that is Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, my escaped prisoner."
+
+"And I repeat it, you are mistaken, your old eyes deceive you! Look once
+more right sharply and closely, and you will perceive your error and
+comprehend that this is not Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg, to whom I could
+never have granted an audience in my cabinet. Only look closer and you
+will see, old Burgsdorf, that there is nought in the window niche but a
+great sheet of parchment, inscribed with manifold characters, furnished
+with the seal of the empire, and signed by the Emperor Ferdinand's own
+hand. I know that you do not read with ease, and therefore will tell you
+what is marked on this parchment, and what it means. It means a safe
+conduct, and the Emperor himself has written upon it that this parchment
+must be held in honor and sacred from all attack."
+
+"Ah!" cried the colonel--"ah! I begin to understand now."
+
+"Well truly that is a fortunate circumstance," said the Elector, smiling.
+
+"Yes, your highness," repeated Burgsdorf, "I begin to understand. Let me
+examine the thing narrowly once again."
+
+He covered his eyes with his hand, as if he were blinded by a ray of
+light, and again stared at the window niche.
+
+"Yes, indeed," he said slowly--"yes, I see it quite plainly and distinctly
+now. Yes, that is no man, but a veritable piece of parchment, and I
+recognize, too, the imperial seal and the Emperor's handwriting. Where
+were my eyes that I did not see it from the first, and what a stupid fool
+I was to suppose that I saw a man there! What misfortune would have ensued
+if I had defaced the Emperor's handwriting or broken the seal, perhaps!"
+
+"It would have been a wrong done to Imperial Majesty itself," smiled the
+Elector, "and might have brought me under the ban of the empire, or
+perhaps produced a war."
+
+"Good heavens! a war about an ass's hide," exclaimed Burgsdorf, with an
+expression of horror.
+
+"Surely, your highness," shrieked the count, stepping forth from his place
+of retirement, pale and trembling with passion, "you can not ask me any
+longer to submit in silence to such gross insults."
+
+"Gracious sir," asked Burgsdorf, "may the ass's hide speak? May a piece of
+parchment, merely because hallowed by the Emperor's signature, venture to
+leave its place and threaten?"
+
+"Hush, Burgsdorf! And you, sir, step back into your recess, stay in the
+place pointed out to you, and wait."
+
+"Learn to wait!" cried Burgsdorf. "Oh, gracious sir, that is the very
+window niche in which I was once forced to stand in order to learn to wait.
+I thank you, gracious sir, for in this hour you give me my revenge. Now it
+is for my enemy to learn; and I beseech Your Grace to give me leave to
+open my budget from Berlin. The parchment must hear it and learn. Oh, I
+know how it feels to have to listen in silence to have to learn to wait!"
+
+"Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf," said the Elector with majesty, "you are
+here to bring me tidings from Berlin. Speak out and be assured that no one
+will venture to interrupt you. In the first place, have you executed my
+orders?"
+
+"Yes, gracious sir, according to the best of my abilities and the means at
+my disposal."
+
+"As their superior officer, have you required an oath of allegiance to me
+from the commandants and garrisons of the forts?"
+
+"I sent your orders everywhere, requiring the commandants to swear their
+men into service in your name, and to come to Berlin that I might
+administer the same oath to themselves."
+
+"And have they done so? Have my officers and troops sworn to serve me
+faithfully?"
+
+"A few commandants have done so, but Kracht, Rochow, and Goldacker have
+refused, declaring that they would rather blow their fortresses up than
+swear fealty to the Elector. Hereupon I forthwith had the commandant of
+Berlin, Colonel von Kracht, arrested, and would have proceeded in like
+manner against the Commandants von Rochow and von Goldacker, but the
+traitors got wind of my intentions. Goldacker left Brandenburg with thirty
+horse, and, report says, went over to the Imperialists. Colonel von
+Rochow, however, in his fortress assumed a warlike attitude, and gave out
+that he was ready to do battle with the enemy to the death. Meanwhile
+Margrave Ernest conferred with him under a flag of truce, and the
+committee of investigation at Berlin diligently prosecuted their labors,
+and brought to light heinous offenses committed by the two colonels and
+Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg."
+
+"Do you know the particulars? The colonels were accused of cheating and
+embezzlement, were they not?"
+
+"Yes," said Burgsdorf with a little embarrassment, "the question regards
+the payment of the troops enlisted, for which the colonels received money,
+and--and--"
+
+"And yet the men were not enlisted," said the Elector, with an
+imperceptible smile. "Had they done nothing more than this, I would have
+pardoned them; if they had shown themselves in other respects true and
+faithful, and repented of their folly."
+
+"But this they have by no means done!" cried Burgsdorf eagerly. "They have
+rather shown themselves to be obstinate and untoward. Goldacker has been
+extorting bonds in Fürstenwald, plundering whole villages, and putting the
+magistrates in chains, because they would not say that Goldacker gave the
+press money to the young fellows of the village, although these had not
+made their appearance. Colonel von Rochow put the clerk of his muster roll
+in irons, and had him condemned to the gallows by a court-martial, because
+the poor fellow would not bear false witness and swear that the colonel
+had made payments to him. When the Stadtholder demanded the clerk's
+release, Colonel von Rochow insolently refused to give him up, and now the
+margrave ordered me to arrest him. But von Rochow did as his
+accomplices--he fled and made his escape to the Imperialists."
+
+"Let the Imperialists keep Goldacker and Rochow," said the Elector. "I
+would have them know that I from this time forth cheerfully resign their
+services, and yield them up with good grace to the Emperor and empire.
+With these two, therefore, we have done. Tell me now, how the
+Schwarzenberg affair stands. We gave orders that in due time the papers
+found in the palace of the deceased count should be sealed and handed over
+to the committee of investigation. Was this done, and has it perhaps been
+made evident from the examination of the papers, that the son of the
+Stadtholder was innocent of complicity in the intrigues of his father and
+friends, and been falsely accused by us?"
+
+"On the contrary, your highness, it was proved that Count John Adolphus
+had conspired, not merely with the rebellious officers, but with other
+persons not subjects of your highness. Among the papers of the old count
+was found the young gentleman's secret correspondence. It was in cipher,
+it is true, but there are very learned men on the committee of
+investigation, and they discovered the key, and were able to read the
+letters. Oh, most gracious sir, all your faithful servants were shamefully
+slandered and calumniated in these letters. Your highness even was not
+spared, and the young gentleman expressly wrote that he would do all he
+possibly could to effect the downfall of the Elector Frederick William.
+Of the States, he said that they were almost all friends of the Swedes and
+foes of the Emperor, and, above all, he represented me, Conrad von
+Burgsdorf, as a bitter enemy to the Emperor, and said that on that account
+all orders came to me. But the States will complain to the Emperor that
+the rebellious slanderer, Count Schwarzenberg, has blackened them so
+abominably and accused them of high treason."
+
+"They can do so," said the Elector--"they can call the slanderer to
+account, and you can do so too, Burgsdorf, if it seems necessary to you."
+
+"But it does not seem at all necessary to me, your highness," cried the
+colonel. "I have only one master, yourself, and if I had injured your
+grace I should have been guilty of high treason. Henceforth I shall be
+nothing but the most devoted and diligent servant of my dear young lord
+and Elector, and I care very little about Schwarzenberg's having aspersed
+me to the Emperor if I am only blessed with your favor."
+
+"I have recognized you as a true and faithful servant," said the Elector
+kindly, "and I am no ingrate. You shall experience this hereafter, for I
+shall find means to reward my old friend as he deserves!"
+
+"Your highness, you have rewarded me already," cried Burgsdorf--"you have
+called me your friend, my Elector, and I thank you out of a full heart."
+
+The Elector nodded. "In time all the world shall learn that I honor and
+esteem you as my friend," he said. "But now tell me, what progress has
+been made in quieting the refractory soldiery in the Mark? Have you begun
+that difficult task?"
+
+"We have begun, your highness, and will also end, although at first there
+was much insubordination and mutiny, and although the cart had been driven
+so deep into the mire that we could not have drawn it out altogether
+without great difficulty, even if there had been more of us."
+
+The door of the antechamber opened, and the page made his appearance.
+
+"In accordance with your highness's request, the Princess has entered the
+antechamber."
+
+"Beg the young lady to wait a moment. I will come directly to conduct her
+grace into my cabinet."
+
+"Burgsdorf," said the Elector, turning to the colonel, "go up now, and pay
+your respects to my mother. You can tell her what is going on at Berlin.
+Her grace will hear you gladly, for she takes great interest in the cities
+of Berlin and Cologne."
+
+"Very curious stories I can tell the Electress, since your highness
+accords me that permission!" cried the colonel. "Many thrilling affairs
+have happened, and--"
+
+"Go now, my friend," said the Elector, pointing to the door through which
+Burgsdorf had entered. Then he crossed over to the opposite end of the
+apartment himself and opened the door of the inner room.
+
+
+
+
+XI.--MEETING AND PARTING.
+
+
+"Be kind enough to come in, dear sister," said the Elector, standing in
+the doorway and smilingly greeting the Princess, who now entered the
+apartment.
+
+"I have come at your bidding, Frederick," said the Princess, accepting her
+brother's proffered hand, and looking up at him with a sweet, affectionate
+smile.
+
+In the window niche stood John Adolphus Schwarzenberg, and the fires of
+passion and resentment burned in the glance which he fixed upon the
+Princess, whom he now saw for the first time after a lapse of three years.
+How much pain and mortification had he not suffered during these three
+years on her account? The only change wrought in the Princess by the
+flight of time was a more perfect development of beauty and of grace of
+carriage. The count heaved a deep, painful sigh, and the rage of despair
+took possession of his soul at the sight of that noble, tranquil
+countenance.
+
+"She has not suffered," he said to himself. "She never loved me, and will
+now despise me!"
+
+"Forgive me, sister, for troubling you to come to me," said Frederick
+William, nodding affectionately to the Princess. "I ought indeed to have
+come to you, but I wished to speak with you on a matter strictly
+confidential, which I did not wish our mother and sister to know anything
+about."
+
+"Is it really a secret, then?" asked Charlotte Louise--"no bad secret, I
+hope, Frederick?"
+
+"It at least touches very grave matters," replied the Elector. "Look
+yonder at that window niche."
+
+The Princess turned quickly, and looked in the direction indicated. A low
+scream escaped her lips, and she sank trembling upon a seat.
+
+"Adolphus!" murmured her quivering lips.
+
+This single utterance spoke more eloquently to both men than the most
+elaborate arrangement of sentences could have done. It told them that
+years of separation had not estranged the Princess from Count
+Schwarzenberg; that her heart still called him by the familiar name
+accorded him by love; that with the count, Charlotte Louise was not the
+proud Princess, but only the humble, loving maiden. The Elector understood
+this, and a cloud overshadowed his brow.
+
+The count understood it, too, and his dark countenance brightened. With
+uplifted head he rushed from the window niche to the Princess, and,
+kneeling before her, seized her hand to press it to his lips. But this
+touching of her hand seemed to restore to the Princess her strength and
+self-possession. By a hasty movement she released her hand and rose.
+
+"Brother," she said, "is it customary to greet princesses in this style?
+Be pleased to tell me, for you know I have been but little in the world,
+and am, therefore, but little conversant with its forms."
+
+"No, Louise, it is not customary," replied Frederick William, breathing
+more freely; "but Count Schwarzenberg seems to suppose, that as your
+favored lover he need not regard the laws of ceremony."
+
+"As my favored lover?" asked the Princess, a blush suddenly suffusing her
+brow and neck, while her blue eyes, usually so soft, sparkled with
+indignation. "Did I hear aright? Did you actually say that to _me_,
+brother, to your sister? Did you call this or any other man my favored
+lover?"
+
+"I only repeated the words made use of by Count John Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg in suing for your hand, sister. This gentleman affirms that
+you have granted him more favor than was seemly in a modest maiden. And
+when I doubted it he replied that he could prove it, for he possessed a
+note, written with your own hand, in which you invited him to a
+rendezvous by night."
+
+"He said that!" cried the Princess. "He said that, and you did not kill
+him on the spot?"
+
+"I did not kill him," answered the Elector gravely and solemnly, "because
+no one should die for the truth. And he maintains that he speaks the
+truth: that by means of this letter of yours he can dishonor you and my
+house in the eyes of the whole world. Say then, Louise, is it true; does
+he actually possess such a letter?"
+
+Charlotte Louise shuddered and tottered backward.
+
+"Yes!" she breathed--"yes, he speaks the truth--he does possess such a
+letter!"
+
+"No!" cried the count, "he did not speak the truth! Oh, forgive me,
+Princess, forgive me this slander, which my lips uttered, uttered in the
+delirium of pain, love, and despair! I lied, Princess, you never wrote to
+me, never! I said that in order to force your brother to give me your
+hand, because I love you, Princess, you know not how dearly! Ah! you
+little imagine with what fervor of devotion my soul clung to you, and what
+you did that time when you mocked and betrayed me, treating me like a
+despised beggar! That hour wrought a change in my whole nature! The most
+sacred blossoms of my love had been crushed by you, and I trampled them
+under foot and strove to bury my despair in mirth and pleasure. I did not
+succeed. The sacred old song of the buried love was forever making itself
+heard in low, sweet strains. I would not listen, I tried to drown it. I
+became a conspirator, a rebel, for I longed to take vengeance upon you and
+your house. Fate was against me; my revenge constituting my punishment. I
+must flee, I must leave as a fugitive the land in which you live. The
+Emperor received me graciously, giving me rank and titles, and bestowing
+upon me marks of favor and regard, thus opening to the ambitious heart a
+career of fame, dignity, and honor. All was in vain, though. I felt too
+late that love, not ambition, had urged me into the dangerous paths of
+insurrection and revolt. I could not forget you. Like a radiant star, you
+ever shone upon the midnight darkness of my soul. I must see you again, to
+obtain from your own lips my sentence of pardon or condemnation. I
+despised all danger, even the order of arrest issued against me, and
+obtained the Emperor's leave to accompany his ambassador here. I came and
+suffered the severest mortification that a man can suffer. I subjected
+myself to your brother's scorn and contempt. Then at last my heart
+rebelled, and when he scornfully refused your hand to me, I claimed it as
+my right, by virtue of the love you once vowed to me. The Elector disputed
+your love for me, and then, in the rage of my heart, I boasted of a favor
+which I never received, boasted of having received from you a letter, and
+an invitation to a rendezvous. Oh, forgive the madman who kneels here at
+your feet and suffers the agony of death. He has no right to claim
+anything, he only implores from you an act of grace!"
+
+While the count thus spoke in passionate excitement, the Elector had
+slowly retired, and, standing apart with folded arms, gazed upon the
+couple with melancholy eyes. In the beginning the Princess had sunk upon a
+chair, with bowed head and hanging arms, pale as a drooping lily. But the
+glowing words which fell upon her ear seemed to find an echo, a painful
+echo, in her heart. Slowly she raised her head, and breathlessly listened
+to his words, while the color once more mounted to her cheek. When the
+count stopped, she slowly rose and proudly and indignantly drew herself
+erect.
+
+"You speak falsely now, Count Schwarzenberg," she said, "for what you told
+my brother was true. Yes, three years ago, in the childish folly of my
+heart, I granted you a favor unseemly for a modest maiden. Yes, I wrote
+you a note with my own hand, inviting you to a rendezvous in the castle at
+nine o'clock in the evening. Brother, I confess this, although I know that
+I am thereby forever forfeiting your esteem. But this man has accused me,
+and I honor the past of my heart, while I acknowledge the fault of which
+he accuses me. Yes, I have loved him, warmly, inexpressibly, and have wept
+and lamented him in a manner little becoming a princess, but in my love I
+was only a poor simple maiden, who wanted nothing in the whole world but
+his heart. Well I know that I sinned grievously against my mother and the
+laws of virtue and propriety in carrying on a clandestine love affair, in
+allowing my heart to be deceived by his ardent protestations of love and
+even in my delusion going so far as to grant him a rendezvous--nay, even
+to ask for one."
+
+"Did you really do that, sister?"
+
+"I did, and have repented it for three long years. That I confess this,
+that I reveal my secret, should prove to you that I now speak the truth.
+And therefore you will believe me, Frederick William, when I affirm that
+this is the only favor of which the count can boast. I have to blush
+before you, but not before him."
+
+"Not before me either, Louise," said the Elector. "I know love, and in my
+own heart have battled with all its follies and illusions. I know what you
+suffer, by remembering my own experiences. It is a bitter grief to be
+obliged to admit that you have wasted the holiest feelings of your heart
+upon an unworthy object."
+
+"Yes indeed, it is a bitter grief," sighed the Princess.
+
+"O Princess! spare yourself this grief!" cried the count, still kneeling
+before her. "You have freely owned that you love me. Why, then, will you
+turn away from me? Accept me as your husband, and I will love you, serve
+you, obey you, ask nothing but the privilege of looking upon you, and
+basking in your presence."
+
+She gave him a long, cold look. "And if I decline your hand, you will
+revenge yourself, will you not, by displaying my note to the Emperor and
+the whole world, you will defame me and all my house? Was not that your
+threat?"
+
+"I spoke in frenzy, in despair. But you shall see that I will ask nothing
+from you for fear, but all for love. See, here is the note. I have
+hitherto preserved it as my most precious jewel; my father bade me do so,
+and told me that this paper might save me in the hour of greatest peril.
+This hour is now at hand, but I will not have it save me. Here is the
+note; I offer it to you. Take it, tear it up, and then decide!"
+
+With outstretched hands he held out the paper, but she took it not, and
+quickly stepped back.
+
+"Keep the paper," she said. "Why should I ask whether you will turn it
+into a weapon against me? I will accept no favor or advantage from you.
+Only let it be known at the imperial court, to the whole world, that I
+loved you; show this paper everywhere, and all will turn from you, all
+women will despise you, and all men blush for the traitor to love!"
+
+"No one shall despise me, no one shall turn, from me!" cried the count,
+springing to his feet. With trembling hands he tore the paper into little
+bits, and threw them on the floor.
+
+"There lies the secret, Princess! Now I am entirely in your power! Now I
+have no weapon of defense. Call Burgsdorf, your highness, have me
+arrested, if it seems good to you, I renounce the Emperor's safe conduct,
+as I just now renounced your sister's letter."
+
+"We accept no act of generosity or renunciation from you," replied the
+Elector with dignity. "The Emperor's safe conduct I shall respect, and as
+I allowed you to speak quietly to my sister, although you misrepresented
+much and put matters in a false light, so I will allow you to depart
+unmolested. As regards the love letter, your excuse for demanding my
+sister's hand, the fragments testify as strongly against you as the letter
+itself. My sister alone has to reply to your offer."
+
+"I have no answer to give this man, for he dare not ask anything more of
+me," said the Princess proudly. "He who can betray the secrets of the
+heart degrades himself. The man who boasts of a favor received is unworthy
+of it, and every woman will despise him. Not merely now, in the hour of
+danger, have you bethought yourself of my letter, Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, but you had spoken of it previously to your father. You
+have turned a young girl's letter into a political bond, which, as a
+cunning merchant, was to be redeemed and converted into money. Now you
+have redeemed it; there lies the letter! I give you for it my contempt."
+
+"I think you have now received my sister's answer," said the Elector, "and
+we have nothing more to say to one another, for the courts must settle
+other subjects of dispute between us. Go, Count Schwarzenberg, return home
+to Vienna, for your mission is ended. You are dismissed."
+
+The count answered not a word. One long glance of grief and rage he cast
+upon the Princess, who stood loftily erect at her brother's side. Then,
+with a slight bow of salutation, he turned and strode through the room.
+
+Not a sound interrupted the solemn silence save the count's footsteps as
+he advanced to the door. There he once more paused and turned back his
+livid, wrathful countenance. The Princess still stood erect, calm, and
+unmoved, beside the Elector. Schwarzenberg cast down his eyes and left the
+room. The Princess heard the door shut, and a heavy sigh escaped her
+breast. "He has gone," she murmured softly, "he has gone; I shall never
+see him again."
+
+She leaned her head upon her brother's shoulder and wept bitterly.
+
+"You loved him very dearly, then?" asked the Elector gently, throwing his
+arms around her neck.
+
+"Yes," she whispered softly, "I loved him dearly, and I am afraid I love
+him still, and will mourn for him forever. No one on earth has mortified
+me so deeply as he, and yet I shall never love another as I have loved
+him."
+
+"Poor child," said Frederick William sadly, "you love him still, although
+you despise him!"
+
+With folded arms he walked several times to and fro, while his sister
+dropped into a chair, covered her face with her hands, and quietly wept.
+The Elector stopped in front of her and gently drew her hands from before
+her face.
+
+"Sister," he said tenderly, "I will dry your tears, for I may do so, and
+in this hour of most sacred confidence not the shadow of an untruth shall
+lie between us. When you wrote that billet to the count three years ago he
+did not come to the rendezvous, did he?"
+
+"No!" cried the Princess; "he dared to let me expect him in vain, to
+decline the interview which I had granted him. O Frederick! when I think
+of this I could die for very shame, so much do I hate him who humiliated
+me so deeply, so much do I despise myself for having incurred and merited
+this humiliation."
+
+"Louise," said the Elector softly, "if that is your only reason for hating
+him, then you can love him again, for this is probably the only fault of
+which he is innocent. Lift up your head, sister, for I can relieve you
+from this humiliation. It was Count Schwarzenberg's wish to keep the
+appointment. He stood for two hours before a locked door seeking
+admission. I, however, stood on the other side of the door, guarding it,
+and did not depart until he had gone away in despair."
+
+"You, brother?" asked the Princess, whose cheeks grew suddenly crimson.
+"You knew about it? You prevented the interview?"
+
+"I wanted to guard my sister against her own indiscretion; I wanted to
+preserve her from error."
+
+"You knew it and kept silence, magnanimously kept my secret from my
+mother? Oh, and _he_ is innocent? He did not scorn and insult me? I can
+think of him without anger, without--No, no; forgive me, brother, I--"
+
+"Hear me, Louise," said he softly. "I will prove to you how much I have
+your happiness at heart, and how gladly I would promote it. If in spite of
+all that you have learned to-day, in spite of his mode of wooing, you
+still love Count Schwarzenberg--so love him that for his sake you can
+forever--mark well my words, _forever_--give up mother, brother and
+sister, home, country, yea, religion itself, sundering all the ties which
+bind you here--if you so love him that he is family, home, everything to
+you, then tell me so, sister, and I will overcome my repugnance and have
+the count recalled, will accept his offer, and bestow you upon him in
+marriage. Only you must choose between him and us. In that hour, when I
+join your hands, we have seen each other for the last time, and never will
+your return home be possible. But if you really love him, go, for well I
+know that love only finds its home in the heart of the beloved one.
+Choose then, sister. Will you follow him? Speak, I shall not reproach
+you--speak, and I will have him recalled!"
+
+She flung her arms around his neck and gently laid her head upon his
+breast. "No," she said softly--"no, do not call him back. He has betrayed
+and desecrated love. My heart revolts from him and turns with deep
+affection to you. Thank you, brother, for acquainting me with the truth
+and taking that weight of humiliation from my soul. Now I shall be
+comforted, now I can hold up my head again. I am not the rejected, but the
+rejecter. Yes, brother, I have renounced love and happiness. The golden
+morning dream is over, and I am awake! Let me weep, Frederick, my last
+tears for a lost love!"
+
+The Elector bent over her and imprinted a kiss upon her brow. "Weep,
+sister, weep," he said softly. "And if it can in any degree console you,
+know that I have wept and suffered as you do now."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Wladislaus IV, King of Poland]
+
+XII.--THE INVESTITURE AT WARSAW.
+
+
+At last all matters of dispute were settled, all difficulties smoothed
+over. King Wladislaus of Poland had declared himself ready to receive the
+oath of allegiance from his vassal the Elector of Brandenburg, and to
+invest him with the duchy of Prussia. Hard conditions, truly, were those
+imposed upon the young Elector, and heavy the sacrifices which the King
+and, more pressingly yet, the members of the Polish Diet required. That
+the Elector should pay a yearly tribute of thirty thousand florins,
+besides a hundred thousand florins from the naval taxes, was a condition
+to which he had agreed without a struggle; but much severer and more
+humbling compliances he had to make.
+
+They wished to make him feel that the King of Poland was still lord
+paramount of Prussia, and that the Elector must give way to him. The
+nobility of Prussia were therefore to have the right, in all civil and
+difficult cases, to appeal from the decision of the Elector to that of the
+King. On the other hand, the Elector was not, without the King's express
+permission, to occupy a neutral position with regard to any enemy of
+Poland; he was to receive the King's commissioners whenever it pleased the
+latter to send them to inspect the fortresses of Memel and Pillau. But the
+hardest thing was, that the Elector must pledge himself to protect and
+exalt the Roman Catholic worship in Prussia with all his might, and to do
+nothing for the further spread of the Reformed Church in Prussia. He was
+to build up the decaying Catholic Church at Königsberg, and, besides that,
+have a new one built. The Catholics were to be protected in the free
+exercise of their worship, and guarded against every attack of the
+Protestant preachers.
+
+Hard and degrading were these conditions, but the Elector had accepted
+them. He had bowed his proud heart and constrained it to be humble. Tears
+of indignation had stood in his eyes as they handed him the document on
+which were inscribed all these conditions; his hand had trembled when he
+took the pen, but still he had appended his signature, and none but
+Burgsdorf had seen the tears which fell from Frederick William's eyes upon
+his hand as he signed.
+
+"Burgsdorf," he said, pointing to his signature, "do you know what I have
+written there?"
+
+"No, your highness, that I do not. I am not stupid enough to give myself
+much trouble deciphering the scratches of a pen. But I know and have read
+what is written upon your face, sir."
+
+"Well, and what stands written there, old friend?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, it is written there that you suffer now, but will be
+revenged hereafter. It says that you now in a submissive manner offer your
+hand to the insolent, cursed Pole, but that on some future day you will
+shake your fist in his face, and amply requite his haughty arrogance."
+
+"Well done; you have read correctly," exclaimed the Elector, laughing.
+"You have divined my most secret thoughts."
+
+"And may a good God only deign to grant me this one favor, that I may live
+long enough to see your thoughts put in action, gracious sir! May he
+preserve me from gout and paralysis, that I too, may have a hand in the
+deeds of that blessed day, and strike a few well-aimed blows."
+
+"Well, it is to hoped that not many years will elapse ere the dawning of
+that day," said the Elector. "I shall not know ease or rest until it is
+here, and I can have my revenge. Let us think of this, old friend, and be
+meekly patient and wear a placid mien on our way to Warsaw, to humble
+ourselves. You know a man must sometimes swallow bitter medicine when he
+is sick and faint, and the bitterest will appear sweet if he drinks it in
+order to imbibe new life and health. My poor country is, indeed, sick unto
+death, and therefore I go to Warsaw to swallow a bitter pill for the
+health and salvation of my land. But we go on crutches, two hard
+crutches."
+
+"I know the names of those crutches, your highness," said Burgsdorf. "One
+crutch is called 'Imperial,' the other 'Polish.'"
+
+"You have guessed correctly, old friend," answered the Elector. "But some
+day we will throw aside the crutches on which we must now lean, and
+Prussia shall be the sword which we shall unsheathe and draw against all
+our foes. I must now submit to having a lord over me, but the time will
+come when the Prussian black eagle will feel itself strong enough to do
+battle against the white eagle of Poland, and soar aloft on bold, strong
+wing. Once more I tell you, old friend, think of that, if we do go now to
+Warsaw! You are to accompany me, and when you ride into Warsaw at the head
+of my soldiers, as their colonel and chief, show a smiling visage to the
+fair Polish women and enchant them by your grace."
+
+"I will so enchant them, your highness," laughed Burgsdorf, "that for
+rapture at sight of me they will not look at you, and not even make an
+attempt to win your heart."
+
+"My heart, Burgsdorf?" said the Elector. "I have no heart, at least no
+personal one. My thoughts and feelings belong only to my country, my
+ambition, and my future. I now go to Warsaw and bow my head in the dust,
+that at a later period I may lift it up the more proudly and
+independently."
+
+And on the 7th of October, 1641, Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg
+made his entry into Warsaw. At the head of his splendidly equipped
+regiment rode old Conrad von Burgsdorf, his broad, bloated face flushed
+crimson, and, as he stroked his long, light moustache, he bowed right and
+left, saluting the fair ladies, who looked down upon the glittering
+procession from windows hung with tapestry and decorated with flowers and
+ribbons. But the fair ladies took but little notice of old Burgsdorf.
+Their bright eyes were all turned to the handsome young nobleman, who,
+quite alone, followed the regiment of soldiers. Behind him was seen a
+brilliant array of gentlemen in handsome uniforms; but all this vanished
+unnoticed. Only upon _him_, yon youth who rides his horse so proudly and
+so gracefully, upon him alone were all eyes fixed. How finely his figure
+was outlined in that closely fitted velvet coat, trimmed with golden
+"Brandenburgs," and crossed by the golden shoulder belt from which hung
+his German broadsword. How gracefully fell his long brown hair over his
+shoulders, how boldly sat upon his head the cocked felt hat, with its
+crest of black and white ostrich plumes! How fiery and penetrating the
+glance of those dark-blue eyes, and how sweet and captivating the smile of
+those full, fresh lips.
+
+Oh, King's daughter, King's daughter, shield your heart, lest it glow with
+love for the handsome stranger who now draws near, and whom they call the
+young Elector of Brandenburg! He looks not at _you_, he thinks not of
+_you_. But _you_--you look at him and think of him. They have told you
+that they will wed you to him, that the little Elector will esteem it a
+great honor to become the husband of a daughter of the King of Poland.
+Why, she is a princess of imperial blood, for her mother is an archduchess
+of Austria, a daughter of Emperor Ferdinand I! It will, indeed, be a great
+honor to the little Elector, if they bestow upon him the hand of a king's
+daughter, an emperor's grandchild, and happy will he be to be allowed to
+receive it, and to become great by means of his great connections!
+
+Look closely at him, Princess Hildegarde; look at him with your heart and
+soul, rejoice in his youth, beauty, and proud bearing, for he is to be
+your husband! Your father will do him the honor to receive him as his
+son-in-law, and the Emperor will condescendingly admit him to his
+relationship! See now he has approached quite near the throne which has
+been erected upon the square fronting the palace. On the throne sits King
+Wladislaus in the rich national costume. Beside him stands his brother,
+Prince Casimir, while to the right and left on the steps of the throne
+stand the magnates with their insignia of rank, the bishops and prelates.
+Close behind the throne is the kingly palace, and there, upon a balcony
+hung with gold brocade, stands the Queen; to the right and left of her the
+two royal Princesses, both so lovely to look upon in their picturesque
+Polish garb, their raven tresses surmounted by the Polish cap with its
+heron's plumes.
+
+Oh, King's daughter, King's daughter, you need not fear, you are so
+charming, so attractive; surely you will win his heart, and he will woo
+you not merely from political motives, but from love!
+
+Does he see you, and is he looking up at you? No, he only looks up at the
+King as he now stands at the foot of the throne, beside that magnificent
+cushion studded with emeralds and pearls. His knights and bodyguard range
+themselves to the right and left of the throne, and reserve a small open
+space in the midst of the broad square, which is densely thronged by
+masses of people behind the closed ranks of the soldiers. In this small
+vacant space stands he, the young Elector of Brandenburg!
+
+High is his head, radiant the glance which he now lifts higher than the
+King's throne. Looks he at you, Princess Hildegarde, gazes he upon you,
+fair maiden of a royal line?
+
+No, his glance mounts higher; to heaven itself he raises both eye and
+thought! He communes with God and the forefathers of his house, who once,
+like him, stood at the foot of that throne. And he vows before God and his
+ancestors that he will be the last Hohenzollern to submit to such
+humiliation and bend the knee as vassal to the Polish King. He will free
+his land and crown, and be the vassal of none but God alone!
+
+So swore the Elector Frederick William as he stood at the foot of the
+throne on which sat the Polish King, resplendent with his crown and
+scepter, and this oath made his countenance beam with joy and his eyes
+flame with energy and spirit.
+
+Now is heard the flourish of trumpets and kettledrums, and the bell of
+every tower in Warsaw rings, for the solemn act begins: the Duke of
+Prussia is to swear allegiance to the King of Poland!
+
+Three cannon thunder from the ramparts! The bells grow dumb, the trumpets
+and drums are silent! A breathless stillness pervades that spacious
+square. The people with dark, flashing eyes gaze curiously upon the
+heretic, the unbeliever, who is to swear fealty to his Catholic Majesty.
+The Polish deputies look threateningly upon the bold duke, who dared to
+enter upon the government of Prussia before he had given his oath of
+allegiance; the papal nuncio turns his head aside with sorrowful looks,
+and can not bear to see a heretic, an apostate, invested with authority
+over a Catholic country.
+
+The King, however, smiles good-naturedly, and the ladies from the balcony
+in the rear kindly incline their heads and blushingly greet the young
+Elector, who, doffing his plumed hat, gracefully salutes them.
+
+Three senators approach the Elector. One holds out to him the red feudal
+banner, which the Elector grasps firmly in his right hand. The second
+offers him the _Juramentum fidelitatis_ (oath of fidelity), on which the
+young Prince is to lay his hands and swear. The third holds in his hand
+the parchment on which is inscribed the feudal oath. The high chancellor
+now descends from the steps of the throne and takes the parchment out of
+the senator's hands. The Elector bends his knee upon the richly
+embroidered cushion, a crimson glow flushes his cheeks, and deep in his
+soul he repeats: "I shall be the last Hohenzollern to submit to such
+humiliation and bow in the dust before another Prince. I shall make my
+Prussia and Brandenburg great. I shall free them from Emperor and King,
+and shall own no superior but God! To that end, O Lord, grant me thy
+blessing, and hear the vow my heart utters while my lips are speaking
+other words!"
+
+The King waves his golden scepter and the lord chancellor begins with
+resonant voice to read off the oath of allegiance couched in the Latin
+tongue.
+
+Loud and clearly the Elector speaks each word after him, loud and clearly
+his lips pronounce words of which his heart knows nothing. To be a
+submissive vassal, his lips swear--to fulfill faithfully and obediently
+all the obligations due from him as Duke of Prussia to the King, as is
+written in the oath of fealty subscribed by him. How full and strong is
+his voice, sounding distinctly over all the square, and yet how sweet
+and harmonious every tone!
+
+Oh, King's daughter, King's daughter, shield your heart! Look not down
+upon his lustrous eyes, heed not his voice, though it ring like music in
+your ear! Beware of loving him, for you know not whether his heart
+inclines toward you!
+
+God be praised! The formula of the oath is ended. The Elector may rise
+from his knees, and, as he does so, he says to himself: "Never again shall
+this knee bend to man! Never again shall I endure what I have endured
+to-day!"
+
+But his countenance betrays nothing of the emotions of his soul, and with
+a smile upon his lips he ascends the steps of the throne, and takes his
+place upon a seat at the left hand of the King.
+
+And again are heard the ringing of bells and nourishing of trumpets, as
+they announce to the city of Warsaw, that the Elector Frederick William
+has just sworn allegiance to the King of Poland. The solemnity is over,
+and the King, the Elector, and the nobles of his realm, repair to the
+palace to partake of a banquet which has been prepared there for them.
+
+A sumptuous banquet! The tables glitter with gold and silver plate, around
+which are ranged the nobles in their striking national costumes. The
+Brandenburg officers are arrayed in gold-laced uniforms, and between them
+sit the beautiful Polish ladies, richly adorned with flowers and sparkling
+gems, themselves the fairest flowers and their eyes the most brilliant
+gems. Between the King and Queen sits the young Elector, opposite him the
+two Princesses.
+
+Oh, King's daughter, shield your heart. He talks with you, indeed, and
+smiles upon you, and sweet words flutter like butterflies across!
+Butterflies take speedy flight, sweet words are scattered to the wind!
+Nothing remains of them but a painful memory! If it should be so with you,
+King's daughter!
+
+The Elector is no longer the humble vassal with serious face and
+melancholy mien; he is the young ruler, the hero of the future. His eyes
+glisten, his lips smile, witticisms drop from his mouth, his countenance
+beams with merriment and youthful joy. Not merely are the ladies delighted
+with him, but the men also, and the royal pair are glad of heart, for well
+pleased are they to present such a husband to their amiable daughter.
+
+Not until late at night is the _fête_ concluded, and when the Elector goes
+home to the Brandenburg Palace, all the nobility attend him with torches
+in their hands--a long procession of five thousand torches! Like a golden
+flood it streams through the streets of Warsaw, flashes in at all the
+windows, and inscribes on every wall in shining characters, "The Elector
+of Brandenburg, Duke of Prussia, has given the oath of vassalage to the
+King of Poland!"
+
+The _fête_ is over, but the next morning ushers in new festivities! To-day
+the Elector gives a splendid entertainment to the royal family and the
+chief nobility. At table the Queen sits on his right hand, on his left
+Princess Hildegarde, the King's daughter.
+
+The Elector is cheerful and unembarrassed in manner; she is thoughtful,
+reserved, and silent. She is wont to be so lively and talkative in her
+girlish innocence. The Elector, however, knows not that her manner is
+changed. His heart is a stranger to her, and his glances say no more to
+her than to all other pretty women! In the evening he dances with her
+at the Queen's ball--that is to say, the Elector dances with the King's
+daughter, but not the young man with the beautiful young girl.
+
+Will he not propose? The Queen hints at the great honor which they destine
+for him; the King says tenderly to him that he would esteem himself happy,
+if he could call so noble a young Prince his son. But the Elector
+understands neither the Queen nor the King, he is silent and does not
+propose. He is so modest and diffident--perhaps he dare not. They must
+wait awhile. If he has not declared himself on the last day of his visit,
+they must take the initiative and woo him, since he will not woo.
+
+On this last day it is the Princesses who give a ball to the Elector--a
+splendid masquerade, for which they have been preparing three months,
+arranging costumes and practicing dances. A half mask is to-day well
+chosen for the Princess Hildegarde, for it conceals her agitated features,
+her anxious countenance. She knows that to-day her fate is to be decided!
+She knows that at the close of this _fête_ she is to be betrothed to the
+Elector of Brandenburg.
+
+Yes, since he will not woo, he must be wooed! The King's daughter, the
+Emperor's grandchild, is exalted so high over the little Elector, the
+powerless duke, that he actually can not venture to sue for her hand, but
+must have his good fortune announced to him.
+
+Count Gerhard von Dönhof is selected by the King to execute this delicate
+commission, and doubts not that his proposition will be auspiciously
+received.
+
+He requests of the Elector an interview in the little Chinese pavilion
+near the conservatory, and with smiling, free, and cordial manner tells
+him how much the Queen and King love him.
+
+"And I reciprocate their feelings with all my heart," answers the
+Elector. "These delightful days, like brilliant stars, will ever live in
+my remembrance. Tell their Majesties so."
+
+"Your highness should carry home with you a lasting memento of these
+days," whispered the courtier.
+
+"What mean you, Count Dönhof?"
+
+"I believe that if you were to ask the hand of Princess Hildegarde,
+their Majesties would cheerfully grant you their consent and bestow upon
+you a royal bride."
+
+Gravely the Elector shook his head. "No," he said solemnly--"no, Count
+Dönhof, so long as I can not govern my land in peace, I dare seek no other
+bride than my own good sword." [54]
+
+And smilingly, as if he had heard nothing, as if nothing uncommon had
+happened, the Elector returns to the conservatory.
+
+The Princess Hildegarde also smiles, looks cheerful and happy, and dances
+with all the cavaliers. But not with the Elector! He does not approach her
+again.
+
+She seems not to perceive this, and maintains her cheerfulness, even when
+at last he approaches the Princesses to take leave of them.
+
+"Farewell, Sir Elector! May you have a prosperous journey home and be
+happy!" So say her lips. What says her heart?
+
+That nobody knows. The Princess has a tender but proud heart! Only at
+night was heard a low sobbing and wailing in the Princess's chamber. When
+morning broke though it was hushed. That is the deepest grief which must
+shun the light of day, and only find vent and expression in the curtained
+darkness of night.
+
+Poor Hildegarde! Poor King's daughter! Scorned! The Emperor's grandchild
+scorned by the little Elector of Brandenburg!
+
+He has returned home; he has shaken from his feet the dust of that
+humbling pilgrimage. The States of the duchy of Prussia had long delayed
+swearing allegiance to the Elector, feeling that they had been aggrieved
+as to their rights and privileges. Now at last all difficulties had been
+adjusted and the deputies of Prussia were ready to do homage to their
+Duke. Upon an open tribune before the palace stood the Elector, with bared
+head and radiant countenance, and in front of him at the foot of the
+throne the deputies from his duchy. They swore faithfulness and devotion,
+and, as in Warsaw, so in Königsberg the bells rang, and trumpets and drums
+sent forth triumphant sounds. The roar of cannon announced to Königsberg
+and all Prussia that to-day the Duke and his States were joined in a
+compact of concord, love, and unity!
+
+"Leuchtmar," said the Elector, inclining toward the friend whom
+he had summoned from Sweden, on purpose to be present at this
+festivity--"Leuchtmar, in this hour the first germ of my future
+has put forth buds!"
+
+"And a great forest will grow therefrom, a forest of myrtle and laurel,
+your highness!"
+
+"Leave the myrtle to grow and bloom, Leuchtmar. I care not for that! But I
+want a rapid growth of laurel! I long for action; and one thing I will
+tell you, friend: to-day marks a new era of my life. Until now I have been
+forced to bear and temporize, to bow my head, and patiently accommodate
+myself to the arrogance and caprices of others. I was so small and all
+about me so great. I was nothing, they were everything! I must become a
+diplomatist in order to gain even ground enough on which to stand."
+
+"And now you have gained ground. One title, at least, you have
+substantiated, and may now claim to be veritably Duke of Prussia. You have
+now won your position; and my Elector never recedes--he always moves
+forward!"
+
+"Yes, from this day he moves forward!" cried the Elector, with enthusiasm.
+"Forward in the path of glory and renown! Hear you the ringing of bells
+and thundering of cannon! God bless Prussia, my Prussia of the future--my
+great, strong, mighty Prussia, as I feel she _will_ become. To her I
+dedicate my life. Not in pride and vain ambition, but in genuine humility
+and devotion to my duty and my calling. I will have nothing for myself,
+all for my people, for the honor of my God and the good of my country! In
+the discharge of my princely functions I shall be ever mindful that I
+guard not my own, but my people's interests. And this thought will give
+me strength and joy! This be the device of my whole future: _Pro deo et
+populo_!--For God and the people!"
+
+"God save our Duke!" cried and shouted the people, as the Elector now
+descended the steps of the throne in order to return to the palace.
+"Blessings on our Duke!" cried also the representatives and deputies from
+the Prussian towns and provinces.
+
+The Elector bowed to right and left, smilingly acknowledging their
+salutations. His heart swelled with joy and love as he saw all these glad,
+happy faces, the faces of his own people; and in the recesses of his soul
+he repeated his oath, to devote his whole life and being to his
+country--"_Pro deo et populo_!--For God and the people!"
+
+END OF THE VOLUME.
+
+
+
+
+ENDNOTES
+
+
+[Endnote 1: The exact words of the deputies from Cleves. _Vide_ Droysen,
+History of the Prussian Policy, vol. in, part I, p. 175.]
+
+[Endnote 2: The Elector's own words. See F. Forster, Prussia's Heroes in
+War and Peace, i, p. 15.]
+
+[Endnote 3: Historical. _Vide_ Nicolai, Description of the Capital City
+Berlin, Introduction, p. 27.]
+
+[Endnote 4: The peace of Prague was concluded in 1635, and in this the
+Elector of Brandenburg renounced alliance with the Swedes and assumed a
+neutral position.]
+
+[Endnote 5: Historical. _Vide_ Nicolai, i, p. 33.]
+
+[Endnote 6: _Vide_ von Orlich, History of the Prussian State, etc., part
+1, p. 34.]
+
+[Endnote 7: _Vide_ von Orlich, History of the Prussian State, etc., part
+1, p. 35.]
+
+[Endnote 8: This palace of Count Schwarzenberg was situated on Broad
+Street, and the open square in front of it was where now stand the houses
+of the so-called Stechbahn. In the middle of this square stood the
+cathedral, and behind this, near the Spree, arose the electoral castle. It
+is the spot where the King's apothecary now has his stand.]
+
+[Endnote 9: A historical fact. _Vide_ von Orlich.]
+
+[Endnote 10: King, Description of Berlin, part I, p, 237.]
+
+[Endnote 11: Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, part 3, p. 172.]
+
+[Endnote 12: Count Lesle's own words. _Vide_ von Orlich, History of
+Prussia, part I, p. 40.]
+
+[Endnote 13: The Elector Frederick V of the Palatinate, brother to the
+Electress of Brandenburg, was (after the Archduke Maximilian had been
+declared to have forfeited the Bohemian throne) elected by the Bohemians
+to be their King. He accepted the nomination, but a few days after his
+coronation was defeated in the battle of the White Mountain in Austria
+(1620); wandered about homeless for a long time, and died in 1632 in
+Mainz. His wife was a daughter of the King of England, and his mother a
+Princess of Orange, wherefore his wife and children found a refuge and
+protection at The Hague.]
+
+[Endnote 14: Count Lesle's own words. _Vide_ Droysen, History of Prussian
+Politics, vol. iii, p. 173.]
+
+[Endnote 15: Historical. _Vide_ von Orlich, part 1, p. 42.]
+
+[Endnote 16: Historical. _Vide_ von Orlich.]
+
+[Endnote 17: Historical. _Vide_ von Orlich, vol. ii, p. 456.]
+
+[Endnote 18: The Elector's own words. See von Orlich, vol. i.]
+
+[Endnote 19: The precise words of the Electoral Prince, See C.D. Küster,
+The Remarkable Youth of the Great Elector, p. 39.]
+
+[Endnote 20: Count Adam Schwarzenberg's own words. _Vide_ Droysen,
+History of the Prussian Policy, vol. iii, part I, p. 35.]
+
+[Endnote 21: Count Adam Schwarzenberg's own words. _Vide_ Droysen,
+History of the Prussian Policy, vol. iii, part I, p. 35.]
+
+[Endnote 22: Shortly before the Electoral Prince left home he found one
+evening under his bed a man armed with two daggers. Upon the Prince's
+outcry, his servants hurried to his assistance and succeeded in capturing
+the murderer, who endeavored to make his escape. He confessed that he had
+come to murder the Electoral Prince, and that he had not done so of his
+own accord, but had been bribed to undertake the deed by a very
+distinguished lord. This assertion was confirmed by a considerable sum of
+money, which was found in his pockets upon being searched. They put him in
+prison, but two days afterward he had vanished, and with him his jailer,
+who had connived at his flight. The Electoral Prince was firmly convinced
+that this murderer had been suborned by Count Schwarzenberg, and shortly
+before his death himself related this story to his physician. _Vide_
+Küster, Youthful Life of the Great Elector.]
+
+[Endnote 23: von Orlich, History of the State of Prussia, vol. i, p. 42.]
+
+[Endnote 24: Historical. _Vide_ King, Description of Berlin, part 1.]
+
+[Endnote 25: Historical. _Vide_ Archives of Historical Science in Prussia.
+Edited by Leopold von Ledebur, vol. iv, p. 97.]
+
+[Endnote 26: They still made use of white as mourning in those days, and
+in half mourning wore black gloves. Therefore the White Lady appeared
+altogether in white when the death of the reigning sovereign or his wife
+was to be announced; but if only some member of their family, in white
+with black gloves.]
+
+[Endnote 27: _Vide_ Historical; Archives]
+
+[Endnote 28: _Vide_ Buchholz's History of Brandenburg.]
+
+[Endnote 29: See von Orlich, The Great Elector, vol. i, p. 50.]
+
+[Endnote 30: Von Orlich, p. 53.]
+
+[Endnote 31: Frederick William's own words. See Droysen's History of
+Prussian Policy, vol. in, p. 215.]
+
+[Endnote 32: The Elector's own words. _Vide_ Droysen, vol. iii, p. 217.]
+
+[Endnote 33: Historical. _Vide_ Letters of the Duchess of Orleans to
+Countess Louise.]
+
+[Endnote 34: In the year 1638 a ship, on board of which were all the
+Electoral jewels to the amount of sixty thousand gulden, was plundered by
+a detachment from the corps of General Monticuculi, and all the jewels
+abstracted. Count Schwarzenberg had three officers concerned in it
+arrested, and carried to Spandow for trial. Although the Emperor himself
+desired the release of the imperial officers, the Stadtholder not only
+refused this, but even subjected the three officers to the torture, in
+order to extort from them a confession of the place where the jewels had
+been hid. But they confessed nothing, meanwhile remaining in confinement
+until the Elector Frederick William restored to them their freedom.
+_Vide_ von Orlich, The Great Elector, vol. _i_, p. 53.]
+
+[Endnote 35: Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, p. 180.]
+
+[Endnote 36: The Elector's own words. _Vide_ Droysen, History of Prussian
+Politics, vol. iii, p. 220.]
+
+[Endnote 37: The Elector's own words. See von Orlich, History of Prussia.]
+
+[Endnote 38: Burgsdorf's own words. _Vide_ History of Prussia, by von
+Orlich, vol. ii, p. 390.]
+
+[Endnote 39: The Elector's own words. See Droysen, History of Prussian
+Politics, vol. iii, p. 223.]
+
+[Endnote 40: Burgsdorf's own words. See ibid., p. 224.]
+
+[Endnote 41: The Elector's own words. See Droysen, vol. in, p. 223.]
+
+[Endnote 42: Schwarzenberg's own words. See Droysen, History of Prussian
+Politics.]
+
+[Endnote 43: See von Orlich, History of Prussia, vol. i, p. 60.]
+
+[Endnote 44: See Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, vol. in, p. 223.]
+
+[Endnote 45: Rochow's own words. See Droysen, vol. in, p. 224.]
+
+[Endnote 46: This whole scene is historical. See von Orlich, History of
+Prussia, vol. i, p. 59.]
+
+[Endnote 47: Count Schwarzenberg was buried in the Tillage church at
+Spandow, his entrails in a separate case beside him. The sudden and
+unexpected death of the Stadtholder excited uncommon attention through
+Germany, and a report was circulated that upon the count's retiring to
+Spandow on account of ill health the Elector had caused him to be
+arrested, and secretly beheaded in prison. Even as late as the times of
+Frederick the Great this report was commonly believed, and Frederick, when
+he wished to write a history of the reigning house, had the count's coffin
+opened to ascertain whether the head was separate from the body. No trace
+of a violent severing of the head from the body was, however, discovered.
+See Pollnitz, Memoirs, vol. iv, p. 40; Droysen, vol. in, p. 232.]
+
+[Endnote 48: See Droysen, History of Prussian Polities.]
+
+[Endnote 49: See Droysen, vol. iii, p. 239.]
+
+[Endnote 50: Droysen, vol. iii, p. 237.]
+
+[Endnote 51: See Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, vol. iii, p. 236.]
+
+[Endnote 52: See von Orlich, History of Prussia, vol. i, p. 61.]
+
+[Endnote 53: The Elector's own words.]
+
+[Endnote 54: The Elector's own words. See von Orlich, History of Prussia,
+vol. vi, p. 77.]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Youth of the Great Elector, by L. Mühlbach
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Youth of the Great Elector, by L. Muhlbach
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Youth of the Great Elector
+
+Author: L. Muhlbach
+
+Release Date: August 29, 2004 [EBook #13295]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUTH OF THE GREAT ELECTOR ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Valerine Blas and PG Distributed
+Proofreaders
+
+
+
+
+
+THE YOUTH OF THE GREAT ELECTOR
+
+An Historical Romance
+
+BY
+
+L. MUHLBACH
+
+AUTHOR OF JOSEPH II. AND HIS COURT, FREDERICK THE GREAT AND HIS COURT,
+LOUISA OF PRUSSIA AND HER TIMES, HENRY VIII. AND HIS COURT, ETC.
+
+TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN
+BY MARY STUART SMITH
+
+
+
+1909
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+BOOK I.
+
+I. GEORGE WILLIAM, THE ELECTOR
+II. EVIL TIDINGS
+III. COUNT ADAM VON SCHWARZENBERG
+IV. SOLDIERS AND DIPLOMATISTS
+V. THE ELECTOR AND HIS FAVORITE
+VI. REVELATIONS
+
+
+BOOK II.
+
+I. THE DOUBLE RENDEZVOUS
+II. THE ELECTORAL PRINCE
+III. THE WARNING
+IV. AN IDYL
+V. MEDIA NOCTE
+VI. THE HARDEST VICTORY
+
+
+BOOK III.
+
+I. NEW PLANS
+II. COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWARZENBERG
+III. THE HOME-COMING
+IV. THE DONATION
+V. BRUTUS
+VI. REBECCA
+VII. THE OFFER
+VIII. THE BANQUET
+IX. LOVE'S SACRIFICE
+X. THE WHITE LADY
+XI. THE PURSUIT
+XII. THE DEPARTURE
+
+
+BOOK IV.
+
+I. THE YOUTHFUL SOVEREIGN
+II. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
+III. DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS
+IV. CONFIRMED IN POWER
+V. THE CATASTROPHE
+VI. REVENGE
+VII. THE SEALING OF THE DOCUMENTS
+VIII. THE FLIGHT
+IX. THE LETTER
+X. A SECRET AUDIENCE
+XI. MEETING AND PARTING
+XII. THE INVESTITURE AT WARSAW
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+
+Portrait of George William, Elector of Brandenburg
+
+The Jewess in her Bridal Dress
+
+Robbery of Peasants
+
+Portrait of Wladislaus IV, King of Poland
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: George William, Elector of Brandenburg.
+From an engraving by H. Jacopsen]
+
+THE YOUTH OF THE GREAT ELECTOR.
+
+THE HEIR TO THE THRONE.
+
+BOOK I.
+
+I.--GEORGE WILLIAM, THE ELECTOR.
+
+
+With hasty strides George William, the Elector, paced to and fro the
+length of his cabinet. His features wore a dark, agitated expression, his
+blue eyes flashed with indignation and wrath; his hands were folded behind
+his back, as if he would shut out from sight the paper they held with so
+firm a grasp, and which he had crumpled within his fist, until it bore
+greater resemblance to a ball than a letter. Yet he _must_ look at it once
+more--that unfortunate epistle, which had stirred within him such a
+tempest of fury; he _must_ withdraw his hands from his back, and again
+unfold the paper, for nothing else would satisfy his rage.
+
+"Would that I could thus crush between my hands the insolent, seditious
+authors of this letter!" he murmured, as with a sigh he smoothed the paper
+and read it over. "I see it plainly," he said then to himself; "with right
+unworthy motive, these lords of the duchy of Cleves intend to vex and
+mortify me. To ask me to give them the Electoral Prince for their
+stadtholder, to fix his residence among them! That were a fine story
+forsooth, to send our son away, that he, too, may perchance rebel against
+us. It is an abominable thing, which I shall never suffer, and I shall
+forwith give them my mind on the subject."
+
+He stepped up to the great table of carved oak-wood, took from it a silver
+whistle, and gave a loud shrill call.
+
+"Are the deputies from the duchy of Cleves already in the antechamber?" he
+asked of the servant who appeared.
+
+"Yes, your Electoral Highness, they are there."
+
+"Let them come in! Be quick!"
+
+The lackey stepped back, threw open the folding doors, beckoned into the
+entrance hall, and with loud voice announced: "The lords of the duchy of
+Cleves to wait upon his Electoral Highness."
+
+Four gentlemen entered, attired in gorgeous, richly embroidered uniforms.
+They bowed low and most respectfully before the Elector.
+
+George William did not acknowledge this reverential greeting by the
+slightest inclination of his head, but looked with contracted brow and
+threatening eyes at the envoys, who had now again lifted up their heads,
+and met with tranquillity and composure the wrathful glances of the lord
+of the land, while they seemed to await his permission to penetrate
+farther into the apartment, and to approach him.
+
+But this permission the Elector did not accord them. He left them standing
+like humble dependents near the door, and went toward them with long,
+menacing strides.
+
+"You are the lords from Cleves, who have come to present me this memorial
+in behalf of the estates?" asked George William in a harsh voice.
+
+"Gracious Elector," answered one of the gentlemen, "we were sent hither,
+in the name of the states of the duchy of Cleves, to present to you in
+person their wishes and requests. But since your Electoral Highness would
+not have the kindness to grant us an audience, but referred us to your
+minister, his excellency Count Schwarzenberg, we have preferred to intrude
+upon your Electoral Highness with a written document, in order that your
+highness might be made acquainted with the desires and petitions of the
+duchy of Cleves by means of our own writing, rather than by the mouth of
+his excellency your minister."
+
+"It pleases you, gentlemen, to impugn the character of my minister, Count
+Schwarzenberg?" asked the Elector. "You would insinuate that he might
+represent things differently from what they actually are? I give you to
+know, though, that Schwarzenberg is a servant singularly true and devoted
+to his Elector, and that I have much more reason to trust him than the
+estates of the duchy of Cleves, who have dared to make known to me through
+you their strange requests. I have had you summoned now in order to have
+confirmed by you orally what is stated in this paper, for it seems to me
+nothing less than sheer impossibility that the estates should venture to
+propose to their liege lord what you have proposed. Repeat to me,
+therefore, by word of mouth the demands of the states of Cleves, then I
+will return you my answer. Which of you is spokesman?"
+
+"I, Baron van Velsen, your Electoral Highness."
+
+"A Dutch name, as it seems to me."
+
+"My family came originally from Holland, but settled in the duchy of
+Cleves fifty years ago."
+
+"Speak then, Baron van Velsen. I am ready to hear you."
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, the states of the duchy of Cleves send us to
+seek succor from you their liege lord in this time of their necessity and
+distress. On all sides we are oppressed by soldiers, and perpetually in
+danger of being seized and consumed by one or other of the contending
+potentates, princes, and lords. In the Netherlands the contest is still
+going on between the States and the Spaniards, and daily threatens to
+involve us in the calamities and perils of war, and equally alarming to us
+is the neighborhood of the Imperial and Swedish troops. Oppressed by all,
+downtrodden by all, there is only one assured means of deliverance. It is
+this, that your highness nominate the Electoral Prince stadtholder of the
+duchy of Cleves, and permit him to take up his residence among the trusty
+people of Cleves."
+
+"Just tell me, you wise and prudent deputies from Cleves, what advantage
+can accrue to you from the stadtholdership of the Electoral Prince?" asked
+the Elector hastily. "And how far would that go in furnishing redress for
+your difficulties?"
+
+"So far as this, your highness, that our stadtholder would shield and
+protect us against the encroachments of inimical powers, and by his openly
+expressed neutrality secure us against the claims of all parties. The
+salvation of the duchy depends wholly and solely upon our having a neutral
+chief resident among us, and we beseech and implore your Electoral
+Highness to grant us such an one in the Electoral Prince, and to send his
+lordship your son to the duchy armed with plenipotentiary powers.[1] It is
+for the second time that the states of Cleves appeal with this earnest,
+humble entreaty to the heart of their liege lord, and most urgently we beg
+that this time we may have a hearing."
+
+"Are you done, or have you anything further to say?" asked the Elector
+impatiently.
+
+"Your highness, only this have we to say besides, that the Prince of
+Orange has promised to support our petition to your Electoral Highness,
+and that he also is of opinion that the welfare of Cleves depends upon her
+possessing a ruler, resident in the land and neutral."
+
+"The Prince of Orange has only written to me that the states of Cleves
+were of this mind, and had besought him to introduce it to my favorable
+notice," exclaimed the Elector warmly. "Since you are now through with
+your repeated suit, and have nothing more to say, I will give you my
+answer without delay. But you might have known beforehand--you might have
+been sure that if a sovereign has once made his subjects acquainted with
+his wishes and opinions, he can not be influenced and made to swerve in
+purpose by renewed application, but that he holds to what he has once
+determined upon. And so I tell you now for the second time, that I can not
+grant their petition to the states of Cleves. In the first place, because
+I will not have the Electoral Prince longer separated from me, since he
+has already been absent from here three years, and in these troublous
+times we wish to have our son near us. In the second place, the presence
+of the Electoral Prince in Cleves might not have the wished-for result. It
+is rather to be feared that those in opposition to the Emperor's majesty
+and the empire will not accommodate themselves to the strict treaty of
+peace, nor forbear making aggression upon the Electoral Prince's lands,
+and pay so little regard to the person and presence of the Prince that his
+safety perhaps might be imperiled. But, in the third place," continued
+the Elector with raised voice--"but, in the third place, I can not grant
+your request because such repeated demands almost force us to the
+conclusion that you are weary and disgusted with our rule, and therefore
+would seek to make of our son a sovereign lord, thus inciting the son to
+offer opposition to his own father."[2]
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," cried the Lord van Velsen, "I swear that it
+never crossed our minds, we--"
+
+"Silence! I gave you no leave to speak!" thundered the Elector. "This is
+now our final decision. We have taken it in ill part that you have
+reiterated your request, and have even approached the Electoral Prince
+himself on the subject, as if the son durst decide anything or act,
+without reference to his father and lord, since he is bound to be an
+obedient subject, as all the rest of you. Communicate this to the states
+of the duchy of Cleves, and herewith you are dismissed."
+
+And, without one gracious salutation or further token of dismissal, the
+Elector turned on his heel, and slowly traversed the spacious apartment,
+leaning upon his staff. The lords looked after him with dark, resentful
+glances; then, seeing that he had indeed spoken his last word, they slunk
+away softly, but with bitter hatred in their hearts.
+
+The Elector heard the door close behind them, and again turned round.
+
+"I have paid them off," he said, drawing a deep breath, "I have told them
+what I agreed with Schwarzenberg to say. I hope, too, that his Imperial
+Majesty will hear of this, and recognize in it my purpose to adhere firmly
+to the terms of the treaty of peace concluded at Prague and to his
+Imperial Majesty. The Swedes and the Protestant party once renounced, I am
+the Emperor's friend, and so will abide. Amen!"
+
+Again the door opened, and the old lackey announced: "The deputation from
+the townsmen of the cities of Berlin and Cologne request an audience with
+your Electoral Grace."
+
+The Elector gave the order for them to enter, while he let himself sink
+into a high-backed, leather-covered armchair, for his gouty foot pained
+him.
+
+The deputation of citizens had meanwhile entered, and lightly, on tiptoe,
+these men, with pale faces and sad countenances, passed through the
+apartment toward the armchair of the Elector, who sat with his back to
+them. Quite a strange, dismal appearance they presented, in their long
+black gowns and broad white collars plaited around the neck. They would
+have been taken, not for burgers of the two first cities of the land, but
+for gravediggers and undertakers, who had come here in the discharge of
+their melancholy offices.
+
+When George William heard the approaching steps of the burgers, he gave
+his chair a sudden push, so that it turned upon its strong rollers, and
+thus gave to the men the benefit of his Electorial countenance.
+
+Forthwith the burgers sank upon their knees, and imploringly stretched out
+their hands toward the Prince.
+
+"Wherefore have you come and what will you have of me?" inquired the
+Elector in a severe voice.
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, we have been informed by the magistrate that
+your grace was angry with the corporations of Berlin and Cologne because
+we ventured, in our anxiety and distress, to have recourse to our own
+liege lord, and to implore in a petition his support and protection."
+
+"How could you dare to do such a thing? Did you not know that the Count
+von Schwarzenberg had been appointed by me stadtholder within the Mark,
+and that to him alone you should have gone with your complaints and
+grievances?"
+
+"But we knew, besides, that our despair had reached its height, and that
+we longed for the protection and presence of our own Sovereign, as weak,
+delicate children long for the sight of a strong, tender parent. Therefore
+have the united corporations of the cities of Berlin and Cologne
+determined to send a memorial in writing to your Electoral Highness, to
+conjure our liege lord not to deal with us as step-children, since we are
+children of one and the same father, and inferior to the Prussians neither
+in love nor obedience, but only more visited by misfortune and the
+calamities of war. But on this account we implored our hereditary
+Sovereign most graciously to turn his eye upon us, and to come to our aid,
+since we stood in such great need of his help and his protecting arm.
+This, Electoral Highness and most gracious lord, this is our sole crime.
+We longed after the presence of our Sovereign, in his own most sacred
+person, and told him so."
+
+"But in what way have you presumed to speak?" cried the Elector with
+vehemence. "Not as in reverence and duty bound, but as if you would
+reproach us! What a rude expression is this when you say, in your
+petition, that you hope we shall no longer leave the Markgraviates as
+sheep without shepherd, just as if we would hand you over without
+protection to the free will and power of the enemy? Most probably those
+honorable citizens, the tailors and shoemakers, drew up this famous
+writing, but they would have done better to take into their counsel their
+priest, or at least a schoolmaster, because he could have enlightened them
+as to the proper style of address for obedient, submissive citizens to
+assume in writing to their Sovereign. I have always been an indulgent
+ruler, who continually cared for your best interests. If matters do not go
+so well with you, it is your own fault, because you would never carry out
+my intentions, which I made you acquainted with and urged upon you long
+years ago. For have we not perpetually, ever since God exalted us to the
+Electoral dignity and invested us with the reins of government, caused to
+be represented to you and to all the states in the land how highly
+necessary it was to establish another form of government? Who has it been
+but yourselves who hindered, obstructed, and opposed it? Now, however,
+when things go not so smoothly, you lament over it, and demand from me
+assistance, when in former times your pride always consisted in being
+wholly independent of us, through your free-city constitutions! Now, then,
+see what is the result, when a city will be wholly independent of its
+liege lord and persists in its obstinacy."
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, it has never entered the minds of our citizens
+to oppose themselves obstinately to the most gracious of sovereigns,"
+protested the spokesman of the burger deputation, "On the contrary, we
+have always been found ready to obey the behests of your Electoral grace."
+
+"That is not true! That is a lie!" cried the Elector vehemently. "Often
+have you declined to obey my commands in small as well as great things. I
+remember yet very well how, when three years ago I came in the summertime
+from Prussia to Berlin, I was perfectly shocked at the filth and stench in
+the streets of Cologne and Berlin, where before every house, besides
+pigstyes, there were heaped high piles of trash and manure. But when I
+ordered the high council of both cities to have the streets cleansed, they
+had the hardihood to answer me thus: 'The citizens have no time now to
+clean the streets, since they are busy with agricultural work.'[3] And
+quite recently, when I merely applied to these two capitals for their
+yearly quota of fifteen thousand dollars, in order to increase my
+bodyguard from three hundred to six hundred men during these perilous
+times of warfare, did you not refuse to grant this subsidy to your
+rightful lord?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, that was the result of the extremest affliction
+and necessity, because we were really in no condition to pay the money.
+For whence shall we procure it if poverty, want, and affliction are the
+only things that yet belong to us? Just on that very account, to bring
+this matter to the hearing of your Electoral Highness, have we been
+deputed as delegates by the corporations of Berlin and Cologne to wait
+upon your Electoral Grace, that we might represent our distresses to our
+Sovereign, and entreat him to forgive us if we are forced to decline
+contributions of money, for we are unable to raise them. Since this
+fierce, horrible war has raged in Germany between the Imperialists and
+Swedes, between the Catholics and Protestants, the cities of Berlin and
+Cologne have suffered pitiably, and have been levied upon and plundered,
+sometimes by the Swedes and sometimes by the Imperialists. Before the
+peace of Prague the Imperialists visited us quite often with cruel
+robberies and levies, but since the peace of Prague,[4] it has been yet
+worse, and what we have suffered and endured these past two years is
+enough to melt a stone, how much more the heart of a pitiful Sovereign.
+Last year first came the Swedish colonel Haderslof into our town, and
+levied upon us for sixteen thousand dollars; and hardly had he left when
+Field-Marshal Wrangel came and demanded twenty thousand dollars besides.
+Since, however, we were not in a position to pay that sum, he contented
+himself with a thousand dollars in money, but we had to furnish him in
+addition with fifteen thousand yards of cloth, three thousand pairs of
+socks, and as many pairs of shoes, and besides that he had all the cattle
+driven out of the city. And yet again, a few weeks ago came the Swedish
+colonel Haderslof, and demanded of us a contribution of eleven thousand
+dollars. It was impossible, however. We could pay no more, since we had no
+more gold, and were obliged to receive it almost as a favor that he
+promised in the compact to accept silver in payment in lieu of gold, and
+to estimate a half ounce of gilded silver at twelve groschen and a half
+ounce of white silver at nine groschen. We could do nothing but submit,
+and each householder and citizen bore all the silverware he possessed to
+the guildhall, where the Swede had ordered the contributions to be
+collected. And now, most gracious lord and Elector, now that we are poor
+and wretched, comes the stadtholder in the Mark, the Lord Count von
+Schwarzenberg, and requires of the cities of Berlin and Cologne the
+payment of their annual tax for purposes of defense."
+
+"And you are bound by duty and obligation so to do," exclaimed the Elector
+quickly. "On the committee day of the year 1626 it was decided that the
+city of Berlin should annually pay a stipend for defense of eight thousand
+five hundred dollars, that therewith might be maintained her garrison and
+the fortress of Berlin. Therefore you are bound and under obligation to
+pay this assessment at present, for it strikes me forcibly that you were
+never in greater need of a garrison than just now."
+
+"But may it please your Electoral Highness, our garrison is of no manner
+of use to us. It is much too inconsiderable to afford protection against
+the enemy, and is rather hurtful, insomuch as the soldiers readily fall
+into quarrels and brawls with our enemies, in which, however, they always
+come off losers, only embittering still more the hatred of our foes.
+Therefore, when we have anticipated the approach of the enemy, we have
+always besieged the commandant of our garrison with entreaties and
+representations, until he has consented, in order to save us from
+increased misfortunes, to retire with his garrison from the city, and to
+march out to Spandow or Brandenburg until the enemy again had taken their
+departure.[5] Your Electoral Grace sees therefore that the garrison is of
+no use at all to us, and yet we must pay a tax for defense."
+
+"Yes, must and shall pay it, for your case is not so bad as you would have
+us believe. Meantime you have refused to defray the expenses of enlarging
+my bodyguard; report has reached Koenigsberg of the proceedings at Berlin
+and Cologne, and truly wonderful and horrible tidings have been imparted
+to me by my chancellor, Pruckmann. I know all. I am acquainted with all
+your doings and actions, and I must say that my heart, yearning as it does
+over my subjects, has been grieved to learn the abominable godlessness and
+wickedness of the citizens of my towns of Berlin and Cologne. It is true
+that you have had to suffer many of the trials and calamities incident to
+war, but not in the least have you been improved by them or led to
+repentance. In spite of the necessities of war, you have not forsaken your
+pride and haughtiness; the women dress themselves extravagantly, and it is
+really abominable, shameful, and disgusting to behold them in the new
+French attire, which they call 'la Fontange,' and which leaves the person
+uncovered almost as far as the waist. They bedizen themselves with finery
+and flaunt through the streets in velvets and satins. And the men
+encourage them in it, join in their amusements, and waste their lives in
+banquetings and feastings. Such disgraceful lives as men must have passed
+in Sodom and Gomorrah! And although you know the enemy may come again at
+any moment and levy their contributions upon you, yet you take it not in
+the least to heart, but continue to lead a merry, luxurious life, have
+balls and drinking bouts, spend a wild, heathenish life in eating,
+drinking, gambling, and other wantonness, deck yourselves out like
+peacocks, and those who have the least, and carry all their possessions
+upon their bodies, act worst of all."
+
+"It is desperation, your Electoral Highness, which makes the people of
+Berlin so mad and wild. Well they know that they can call nothing their
+own. Why should they save when the Swede comes to-day or to-morrow, and
+takes from them their last possession? Therefore they prefer to squander
+upon themselves in desperate merriment, rather than economize and go along
+sorrowfully, to find that they have only saved for the enemy, who laughs
+at their misery."
+
+"Now, if you take it so, you might give to me also what I desire and
+demand, and I would have the citizens of Berlin and Cologne to know
+through you that I am not minded to abate in the least my requisitions for
+the payment of the expenses of my bodyguard, and the tax for the
+maintenance of my Electoral court. You must and shall pay, and in any case
+it must be preferable, to your desperation, to give your last thing to
+your Elector and Sovereign, rather than have it stolen and extorted from
+you by the Swedes. So, there you have my decision, and be off with it and
+convey it to the citizens of Berlin and Cologne. Attempt not to say
+anything more now, for I will hear nothing more. You are dismissed, go
+then!"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," the spokesman ventured to begin, "I--"
+
+But the Elector would not allow him to proceed. He took up his silver
+whistle, and with its shrill call overpowered the sound of the burger's
+words. The door of the outer chamber opened immediately, and the lackey
+appeared upon the threshold; on the outside, beside the door, were to be
+seen two of the Electoral lifeguardsmen, standing with shouldered weapons.
+
+"The burger deputation is dismissed," cried the Elector shortly. "Have the
+doors opened, and let them go out."
+
+The delegates from the oppressed cities ventured not to make opposition;
+sighing and with heads bowed low they strode through the room. Arrived at
+the door, they turned once more and bowed deeply before his Electoral
+Grace. But George William saw it not, for with an adroit jerk he had again
+turned his armchair toward his writing table. Meanwhile, although he
+affected to read the document which he took from the table, his attention
+was in fact wholly concentrated upon the departing burgers. He listened
+with a satisfied air as they slowly moved away, and, when the door of the
+antechamber closed behind them, with a deep-drawn breath deposited the
+document upon the table.
+
+"They will pay, I am certain they will pay," he said, a triumphant
+expression flitting across his troubled, peevish countenance. "I have
+properly frightened them and put them in wholesome dread, so that they
+will not dare to oppose us longer. Yes, they will pay and thus extricate
+us from the dilemma in which we find ourselves at present. Ah! what a
+hard, fearful thing is life, and how little does it fulfill the hopes with
+which I looked forward to it in the years of my youth! My blessed father
+was such a fortunate ruler! With him everything was successful. He lived
+in peace and concord with Emperor and empire, was beloved by his people,
+and had great prospects for the future, being heir to precious
+possessions. And when I thus beheld him in the glory and fullness of his
+power, I thought to myself that it was a glorious destiny to be an
+Elector, and that a clear sky always shone above the head of a Prince. Yet
+all at once clouds chased across and darkened this sky, for in Bohemia was
+kindled the war which soon split Germany into two hostile parties. My
+blessed father took sides with his brother-in-law, the new King of
+Bohemia. But then came the battle of the White Mountain, which cost my
+poor uncle, the King of Bohemia, Frederick of the Palatinate, his land and
+crown, and drove him forth into misfortune and misery. And the triumphant
+Emperor threatened all who should succor the conquered sovereign with
+proscription and the ban of the empire, and whoever should rescue him must
+cry _pater peccavi_, and penitentially confess to the Emperor and empire.
+My blessed father did so, but henceforth he might no longer sit upon the
+throne, which could only remain his through the condescension of the
+Emperor. He preferred to live independently in solitude and retirement,
+devoting himself to the meditations and practices of the reformed
+doctrines, whose confession he adopted, together with his whole family. So
+he resigned the government, and gave it to me. Alas! it was a sad
+heritage, and little enough had I to rule, for misfortune, war, and the
+Emperor ruled me and my land, so that I soon had my fill of it, and--"
+
+"May we come in?" asked a pleasant voice behind the Elector, interrupting
+him in his melancholy reminiscences.
+
+"Yes, Lady Electress," he replied, painfully rising from his
+armchair--"yes, come in and be heartily welcome to your spouse."
+
+
+
+
+II.--EVIL TIDINGS.
+
+
+The Electress Charlotte Elizabeth closed the little side door which led
+from her private apartments, and with a friendly nod of the head and
+tender glances approached her husband, who advanced slowly to meet her.
+
+"Elizabeth," he said, thoughtfully shaking his head, "I see from your
+countenance that you have something special to say to me. Your brown eyes
+shine to-day unusually bright and clear, and on your lips rests a happy,
+tender smile, such as, alas! I no longer observe often in my wife."
+
+"Gladly would I have smiled and looked cheerful, George, but have lacked
+the opportunity. You know well that we have seldom seen a blue sky above
+us; it has been always over-cast by gloomy clouds. But I beg of you, my
+lord and husband, to resume your seat, for I see, alas! that your foot is
+paining you sadly. The fatigues of travel have injured it, and it would
+indeed be wise if you would at last determine to resort to active
+remedies, and to that end allow a couple of the learned Frankfort doctors
+to be sent for."
+
+With an expression almost of alarm the Elector looked upon his wife, who
+had seated herself on a stool beside him, and soothingly and tenderly laid
+her hand upon his cheek.
+
+"You have something on your mind, Elizabeth, something surely," he said,
+"and it is nothing which can give me pleasure, else you would not use so
+much circumlocution; but speak it out frankly."
+
+"How?" asked the Electress, "must I have some special object in view, when
+I smile upon you, and fondle you a little? Know you not that my soul is
+full of tenderness toward you, and that my heart is ever speaking to you,
+even when the lips utter not aloud what the heart is whispering within?"
+
+"Elizabeth!" cried the Elector, "now I _know_ it; you have received
+tidings from our son, and vexatious tidings! Yes, yes, that is it! I know
+those tender looks and beaming eyes; it is not my wife that I recognize in
+them: it is the mother of our Electoral Prince, Frederick William."
+
+"Ah! what an acute observer you are, George, and how well you understand
+how to read my countenance! Well, now, you shall have it in all candor. I
+have news from our dear Electoral Prince."
+
+"He notifies us, I trust, that he has followed our instructions strictly
+and to the letter, and is now on his way home?" asked the Elector, gazing
+upon his wife with anxious, inquiring glances.
+
+But Elizabeth avoided his look.
+
+"What!" cried George William angrily, "you do not answer me! You can not,
+therefore, respond to my questions with a joyful Yes! Can it be possible,
+then, that the Electoral Prince has disregarded my commands, that--"
+
+"Do not allow yourself to be so excited, George," interrupted the
+Electress. "First hear his motives and excuses before you grow angry with
+our son."
+
+"From all those motives and excuses I shall only gather that he will not
+come," cried the Elector.
+
+"Say rather that he can not come," returned Elizabeth, while she gently
+forced back her husband, who in his excitement and impatience had made an
+effort to rise. "Yes, I have letters from The Hague, my dear husband,
+letters from both our uncle, the Prince of Orange, and my mother, and I
+dare affirm that these letters have given me heartfelt joy, inasmuch as my
+uncle the Stadtholder, as well as my mother, write of our dear son that he
+is an accomplished Prince, in whom one may reasonably rejoice, and whom we
+may be proud to call our son. You know, George, that during these three
+years of his sojourn in Holland, we have ever had good and complimentary
+accounts of him. His tutor, von Kalkhun, has often reported to us with
+what diligence our son applied himself to his studies at Leyden, and that
+he had become quite a learned Prince, in whom even the professors
+themselves took peculiar delight. Then when he had finished his course of
+studies at Leyden and went to Arnheim, where he met with the Princes
+William of Orange and Maurice of Nassau, they could not sufficiently laud
+the handsome appearance, lofty spirit, and noble heart of our young
+Electoral Prince."
+
+"Truly," muttered the Elector, "one could infer from your discourse that
+you are the mother of this highly praised lad. It is an old experience
+that mothers always find something remarkable in their sons, and if they
+were to be believed, then would the son of every mother be no ordinary
+specimen of mankind, but a phoenix among all other men."
+
+"But, my well-beloved Elector, I have nevertheless told nothing but the
+truth. Our son has been very successful in his studies these last three
+years in Holland, and has become a very learned and accomplished young
+man, who is well skilled in Latin and Greek, besides speaking German,
+French, and Italian in a masterly way. But most especially has he
+cultivated himself in a knowledge of the science of war, and the Princes
+of Orange and Nassau certify that he will assuredly become hereafter a
+great general and warrior, so learnedly and wisely does he even now
+discourse upon the subject."
+
+"Why do you say all this, Elizabeth?" asked the Elector. "Why do you
+praise our son, but that you are conscious that he is deserving of
+censure, and has sinned grievously against us in not having so hastened
+his return home as to be here now instead of his letters? But that he has
+already set out on the journey home I can not for a moment doubt, and
+bitterly should he experience my fatherly wrath if it were not so. Just
+tell me in short, concise words, when does my son, the Electoral Prince,
+come?"
+
+"My dear lord and husband," said the Electress with reluctance and visible
+embarrassment, "would it not be best for you to speak on this subject with
+the chamberlain, Balthazar von Schlieben--"
+
+"What!" cried the Elector, springing from his seat--"what! Is Schlieben
+here again--Schlieben, whom we sent to The Hague in order that he might
+conduct our son hither? He has come back without the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Yes, my husband, he has come back," replied the Electress, winding her
+arms tenderly around her husband's neck. "I entreat you most earnestly not
+to be angry before you have heard the reasons why the Electoral Prince
+does not come. I entreat you to admit Balthazar von Schlieben, and have an
+account rendered to you by him."
+
+"Yes!" exclaimed the Elector, vehemently--"yes, I will see him. He shall
+render me an account. Where is he? They must send for him directly; he
+must be summoned to me immediately!"
+
+"It is not necessary, George; he stands without there in the little
+passage leading to my apartments. I shall cause him to enter immediately.
+You must promise me first, though, my beloved husband, that you will
+listen to him without reproaches and anger, and that you will say nothing
+in his presence against the only son given us by Heaven."
+
+"I shall make no promises that I can not keep," cried the Elector warmly.
+"I will speak with Schlieben. He must come in. Ho! Chamberlain Balthazar
+von Schlieben, come in, I charge you to come in."
+
+The little arras door opened and disclosed to view a slender, tall young
+man, in gold-laced blue uniform, with red facings.
+
+"At the command of your Electoral Grace," he said, making a reverential
+obeisance.
+
+"Come hither, Schlieben," cried George William, "close up to me, that I
+may see if you are actually he who dares to return here without the one
+after whom I sent him. So! Look me straight in the face, and tell me why I
+sent you to Holland three months ago, and what was your errand there?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, I was sent by your grace to Holland, in order
+that I might conduct hither his Highness the Electoral Prince."
+
+"Well, then, where is the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, he is at present still at The Hague, and most
+urgently and most submissively he beseeches your Electoral Highness
+through me that he may be permitted to remain there at least for the
+winter."
+
+"He is yet at The Hague!" cried the Elector. "He ventures thus to brave
+me--to oppose himself to my strict injunctions? Or have you not handed him
+my letter, Schlieben? Or have you not repeated to him all that I said and
+urged you by word of mouth to convey to him? Did you not inform him that I
+ordered him, under penalty of my princely and fatherly displeasure, to set
+out and journey hither in the speediest manner possible?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, I carried out exactly every command given me by
+your highness, and the Electoral Prince surely would not have delayed an
+instant gratifying the demands of his revered father, if many concurring
+circumstances had not made it impossible for him. The Electoral Prince has
+himself more narrowly pointed out and explained these in this letter,
+which he has charged me to deliver to your highness."
+
+And with a deep inclination the chamberlain extended a large sealed packet
+to his Sovereign.
+
+George William took it with angry impatience, and so curious was he to
+read the contents of the packet that he hastily tore off the cover, the
+sooner to arrive at its purport. A closely written sheet of fine paper was
+within the cover, and the Elector unfolded it with eager hands. But after
+looking at this a long while, he shook his head passionately, and the
+flush of anger on his countenance grew yet darker.
+
+"What sort of new-fashioned, disrespectful handwriting is this?" growled
+George William. "This is not at all as if it had been written by a
+prince's son, but by a scholar who had carefully sought to crowd as many
+lines as possible into one page in order to save paper. A prince should
+never renounce or be unmindful of his own dignity. But it is unbecoming,
+indeed, and unworthy of a prince to write such a fine hand, as if he were
+a scholar or a writing master. I can not read these small intricate
+characters. Read the letter to me, Electress, in short, share it with me
+from the first."
+
+The Electress took the sheet held out to her, and read it over with
+hurried glances. "The Electoral Prince uses the most humble, submissive
+words," she said, finally. "It is just the letter of an obedient and
+respectful son, who is all anxiety to obey the commands of his father, and
+who is deeply grieved that he must nevertheless go contrary to them."
+
+"Must?" cried George William. "Be pleased to tell me why he must."
+
+"Only hear, my lord and husband, what the Prince writes about it," said
+the Electress, and with loud voice she read:
+
+"'There are various circumstances which compel me to prolong my stay in
+this country. In the first place, Admiral Tromp is here, and he is very
+useful in aiding me to arrive at a more perfect knowledge of nautical
+affairs, as, also, the condescension and kindness of my uncle, the Prince
+of Orange, that great general, affords me a glorious opportunity of
+perfecting myself in the science of war. And I think that, the more I
+learn and study here, the more capable will I become of serving hereafter
+under your highness. But, apart from these things, it would be exceedingly
+difficult at this season of the year and under the present conditions, to
+make the long journey from The Hague to Prussia; most probably it would
+consume a half year, and the expenses would be enormous, while next summer
+I might easily accomplish the journey in two months. The voyage by sea
+would be next to impossible during this present winter on account of the
+violent storms, which might occasion tedious delays. Moreover, I dread the
+privateers of Dunkirk, against which the Dutch convoy could hardly protect
+me. But yet more formidable seems the journey by land in the existing
+state of the times. In Westphalia the Hessians and Swedes rove about,
+rendering the roads unsafe. Even should I take my way over the flats,
+along the strand, yet the Swedish and Hessian troops could easily catch up
+with me, and overpower the escort promised me for safe-conduct by the
+counts of East Friesland and Oldenburg and the Bishop of Bremen. Or should
+I bend my course through Upper Germany and Franconia, there, again, other
+hindrances present themselves, for throughout all these provinces reigns
+the greatest wretchedness--men even devouring one another for hunger. On
+that account my uncle, the Prince Stadtholder himself, has opposed my
+undertaking the journey, considering it too dangerous. A deputation from
+the duchy of Cleves has also come and begged me to postpone my departure,
+since they had petitioned your grace anew to leave me in the duchy of
+Cleves as their stadtholder. And if all this were not so, there is yet
+another reason which must prevent my departure from here. But this I dare
+not commit to writing, for a letter may be so easily lost, and to read
+such a thing would furnish our enemies an occasion of rejoicing and
+triumph. Therefore I have told all to young Balthazar von Schlieben, and
+he will in my name faithfully and most reverentially communicate to you,
+your Electoral Highness and my most gracious father, the true and
+principal cause which prevents my setting forth from Holland.'"
+
+"Well, speak then!" cried the Elector impatiently. "Speak, Schlieben--what
+is it?"
+
+"Will not my lord and husband first hear the Electoral Prince's letter to
+the end?" asked the Electress. "Here follow some cordial, affectionate
+words, and assurances of the most filial respect and most submissive
+love."
+
+"Can I value them, yes, can I value any of them all?" answered George
+William passionately. "When we will prove nothing by deeds, then we make
+speeches, and when we are disobedient in act, then we asseverate with
+words of love and reverence. Speak, then, Balthazar von Schlieben, since
+you have been thus commissioned by the Electoral Prince. What is this most
+weighty of reasons which forbids the departure of the Electoral Prince
+from Holland?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, it is debt, it is the total want of money."
+
+The Elector started up as if an adder had stung him. "Debts!" he cried in
+thundering voice. "Want of money! Will this litany never, never cease?
+What a wild, extravagant life the Electoral Prince must lead to be for
+ever and ever wanting money, and no sooner are his debts paid than he
+contracts new ones!"
+
+"Husband," said the Electress soothingly, "it does not reflect upon the
+life our son leads that he is out of money, but proves that he has not
+received a sufficiently ample allowance. Just reflect that three years
+ago, when he undertook this journey to Holland, you did not give him a red
+cent, and that I had to give him from my little savings three thousand
+dollars that he might be able to travel at all.[6] A considerable portion
+of this must have been expended during the tedious journey, with his
+retinue."
+
+"If any one were to listen to you, Electress, he would really suppose that
+the Electoral Prince had lived upon those three thousand dollars lent him
+by you from that time up to the present. You forget, however, that,
+already in the year 1636, therefore the very next year after the Electoral
+Prince set out upon his journey, the states at the diet of Koenigsberg
+voted the large sum of seven thousand dollars to the Electoral Prince for
+the prosecution of his studies, over which they made a great outcry even
+then, since the owner of each rood of land must be taxed five groschen to
+pay for these acquirements, bringing down, no doubt, many a curse upon his
+Latin and Greek.[7] From these two sources alone, then, he has had ten
+thousand dollars to disburse in three years, which for so young a
+gentleman would surely seem sufficient. Besides, just half a year ago, on
+his repeated application to me for money, I sent him again one thousand
+dollars, insomuch as he felt himself compelled to purchase a stately
+equipage."
+
+"That was the time, husband, when our son went from Leyden to Arnheim, to
+reside there for a long while. There, of course, he was obliged to have a
+small household about him, in order to maintain the dignity of his father
+and his house, for there, too, dwelt the Princes of Orange and Nassau, and
+our son, the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, in order not to be surpassed
+by them, must, like them, hold his court."
+
+"And unfortunately living is very expensive in Holland," remarked the
+Chamberlain von Schlieben. "Your Electoral Grace had sent one thousand
+dollars to the Electoral Prince for the purchase of an equipage, but this
+sum was by no means adequate. The coach alone cost seven hundred dollars."
+
+"Seven hundred dollars!" cried the Elector, amazed. "How can one pay so
+much money for a mere wooden box?"
+
+"If it please your highness, the coaches in Holland are not by any means
+wooden boxes, merely painted, varnished, and gilded a little within and
+without, having hard leather-covered seats. The Electoral Prince's coach
+is hung within and without in red velvet and satin, for this custom and
+usage require of a princely personage in Holland; besides, a set of four
+horses must be bought, and each of these cost one hundred and forty
+dollars. Your Electoral Highness sees clearly, therefore, that one
+thousand dollars could not suffice to cover the expense, for coach and
+horses alone cost more than that, and now must be added the liveries and
+harness, besides the wages of coachman, footmen, and lackeys."
+
+"Yes, I see plainly that my dear son leads a stately, extravagant life,"
+cried the Elector. "I see well that it is high time for him to come away
+from there, and learn that an Elector of Brandenburg must adapt himself to
+his means, and, instead of riding in a coach drawn by four horses, must
+drive in a miserable rattle-trap pulled by two paltry beasts. It is
+therefore full time that the Electoral Prince were withdrawn from the
+scenes of his pomp and pride, and were taught again to live simply and
+sparingly. He must and shall return home! Finally, I am sick and tired of
+this eternal negotiating, this writing to and fro, and it really is high
+time that this should have an end. For a year already I have been in
+treaty with the young gentleman concerning his return home, and last of
+all dispatched my chamberlain to enjoin it upon him as my most decided and
+express will that the Prince come home, and start forthwith. But he has an
+obstinate disposition, and sends the Chamberlain von Schlieben back, and
+tranquilly remain there, where he is so well pleased, living as he does in
+pomp and luxury, while I have hardly enough money to live along scantily
+and with the strictest economy."
+
+"But only consider, my dear husband," said the Electress persuasively--"only
+consider that it is not from high-mindedness or disobedience that the
+Electoral Prince tarries in Holland. Indeed, he can not get away while he
+has no money, and on that very account most urgently appeals to the
+kindest of all fathers, through the Chamberlain von Schlieben,
+reverentially begging and beseeching him to extricate him from his
+difficulties by sending him money enough to pay his debts, and to enable
+him to travel as becomes his rank."
+
+"Money, and always money!" cried the Elector, almost in a tone of despair.
+"O God! what a tormented, unhappy man I am! Every one has something to
+crave of me, and no one anything to give me! When I demand of the states,
+provinces, cities, citizens, and peasants funds to defray my expenses,
+then from all sides I hear: 'We have no money; we are so reduced that we
+can pay no taxes.' And still all these states, provinces, cities,
+citizens, and peasants demand of me money and support, succor and alms,
+although they know that I have nothing, for they give me nothing. Money!
+money! That word has been my tormentor and enemy ever since I began to
+rule; sleeping and waking that word has pursued me. From all officers,
+from all subalterns I have heard it, as often as they came near me, and
+now comes my dear son, too, afflicting and harassing his poor, unfortunate
+father with this dreaded word. But I shall not suffer him to employ this
+hated word in his own behalf and turn it against me for his own advantage.
+I shall not allow him to remain longer at The Hague under pretext that he
+lacks money to bring him home. He shall have money, yes, he shall have it.
+I shall see to procuring it. It must be done."
+
+"My dear lord and husband," besought the Electress, "I entreat you not to
+be so much excited, for it might injure you."
+
+"And I entreat you to leave me now, Lady Electress," said George William
+impatiently. "It is useless to exhort one to tranquillity and composure,
+who has so much reason to be roused and provoked. But this fine son of
+ours shall pay for the vexation and torture that he has prepared for me.
+He may reckon upon my setting it down to his account, and not allowing
+myself to be cheated by empty speeches and by fine actions in word alone.
+You are dismissed, Sir Chamberlain von Schlieben! Badly enough have you
+fulfilled my commission, and you may be sure that never again shall you
+be selected as our messenger and legate!"
+
+"Permit me, my husband, to put in a good word for poor Schlieben!" cried
+the Electress. "He had no power to bring the Electoral Prince away by
+force, just as the Electoral Prince himself has no power to leave of his
+own free will. The whole difficulty consists in our son's having no money."
+
+"Yes, and right welcome is it to him, this time," said the Elector with a
+bitter laugh. "As he has no money, he continually contracts more and more
+debts, thereby rendering the payment more difficult, and the longer the
+delay the longer can the Prince remain in Holland, leading a merry life
+there. But I shall make an end of it, an end! Schwarzenberg shall come,
+and he must and will procure me the means. Excuse me, Lady Electress, I
+have business--pressing business."
+
+"I withdraw, my lord and husband," said Elizabeth, bowing ceremonially,
+and, turning to the Chamberlain von Schlieben, who was just sliding toward
+the door with pale, disturbed countenance, she continued: "Sir Chamberlain,
+follow me! You must tell me more about my dear Electoral Prince and all my
+dear relatives, whom you have seen and spoken with at The Hague."
+
+The countenance of the chamberlain lighted up, and with a grateful glance
+he followed the Electress through the side door into her own apartments.
+
+The Elector was alone. His head sank upon his breast, and he stood deeply
+absorbed in thought. But after a pause he slowly raised his head, and his
+sorrowful glance fell directly upon the portrait of his father, John
+Sigismund, whose sad, pale face was turned toward him, with its dark,
+melancholy eyes.
+
+"Poor father!" murmured the Elector with a heavy sigh, "I understand quite
+well and easily conceive why you voluntarily laid down your power and
+retired from the government before death had sent his summons. An Elector
+of Brandenburg has by no means a comfortable, pleasant life of it; and a
+sorely oppressive inheritance have I received from you, so that I, too,
+might despair, and do as you have done. I, too, might rid myself of the
+hard task of seeming to be an Elector and reigning sovereign, while I am
+naught but a poor, much-tormented man, who has more titles than lands,
+more debts than money, and whose nation consists not of obedient subjects
+but of obstinate brawlers, a mob of would-be politicians and starved-out
+people. No! no!" he cried, interrupting himself, "no! I shall not give my
+son so much joy. I shall not do him the pleasure of yielding up the power
+to him, and being thrown aside myself like a squeezed lemon. No, Elector
+I shall remain, and my lordly son shall submit to the paternal will, and
+return home. Schwarzenberg must provide me with the means. He is the very
+man for this--he understands it!"
+
+The Elector reached out again for his silver whistle and sounded a shrill
+call. Immediately one of the outer doors was opened, admitting a lackey.
+The Elector had already opened his mouth, to issue his commands, when he
+suddenly grew dumb and looked at the lackey with a still more clouded brow.
+
+"Fellow," he said angrily, "how dare you appear in this presence with such
+a dress? With your short bearskin jacket and patched hose, you present
+such a pitiably mean appearance that I am actually ashamed to behold you."
+
+"Pardon, your Electoral Grace," stammered the servant with downcast air,
+"I can not help it, and I am woefully ashamed myself that I must dare to
+come thus before my most gracious lord the Elector. A heavy misfortune has
+happened to my livery coat. I left it hanging on a nail, and tore a
+fearfully large three-cornered rent in it, on which the court tailor says
+he will have to stitch a whole day, and even then it may not be
+presentable after all. The livery coat, therefore, is at the tailor's,
+which is the reason why I must appear in my jacket."
+
+"You should have put on another coat," cried the Elector, impatiently,
+"for it is contrary to respect that you should enter in such shabby style."
+
+"Another coat?" asked the lackey, with an expression of the highest
+astonishment. "Pardon, your Electoral Highness, I have only that one coat!"
+
+"What!" exclaimed the Elector. "Only _one_ coat! Did I not order that new
+livery coats should be made for you lackeys before our removal from
+Koenigsberg?"
+
+"It was done, your Electoral Grace, we received our new livery coats
+before we left Koenigsberg."
+
+"Well, then, where are the old ones?"
+
+"Your Electoral Grace, the master of the wardrobe sold the old ones to the
+Jews at Koenigsberg, who paid him a good sum of money for them, for the old
+livery coats were trimmed with genuine gold lace, but the new ones are
+cheaper, for it is only gilt or--"
+
+"Hold your tongue and begone!" cried the Elector. "If you have no coat,
+then from to-day I dispense with your services, and Jocelyn shall take
+your place."
+
+"Forgive me, your Electoral Highness, but Jocelyn is in confinement. The
+master of the wardrobe had him put in the guardhouse three days ago."
+
+"Wherefore then--what has Jocelyn done that the master of the wardrobe
+should have him put into prison?"
+
+"He was obstinate, your highness. The paymaster has not distributed to us
+our wages for two months, so that none of us has a groschen in his pocket.
+When we reached Berlin, three days ago, Jocelyn found his old mother
+miserably sick and well-nigh starved, for the Imperialists have thoroughly
+pillaged Berlin, and robbed the old woman of her last possession. She had
+nothing to eat, and still less could she afford to send for a doctor and
+buy medicines. So, in his desperation, Jocelyn went to the paymaster and
+begged of him his month's wages, but was told that he could have nothing
+now, because the journey from Prussia here had cost so much money that all
+the coffers were empty; but that in the course of eight days the paymaster
+might be in funds again, and that then we should all have what was due us.
+But, on account of his old mother, Jocelyn could not wait, and so in
+desperation went off and sold his new livery coat to an old-clothes man,
+and carried the money to his mother. And for that reason, your Electoral
+Grace, poor Jocelyn now sits in the guardhouse."
+
+The Elector had turned away, and gazed from the window down into the
+pleasure garden, the branches of whose green trees nearly touched the
+windows of the apartment. He could no longer meet the glance of the lackey
+Conrad; he would not have him witness his mortification and the painful
+twitchings of his mouth. But after a while he turned again to old Conrad,
+who had crept softly toward the door, not venturing to go out without
+permission from his master.
+
+"You see well, old man," said the Elector confidentially, "that our
+affairs are not in so prosperous a condition as formerly when you entered
+my service, and were the body servant of the merry, cheerful young
+Electoral Prince. Now that Electoral Prince has become a very sad,
+serious, and poverty-stricken Elector, who has lived through much
+affliction, and must content himself, despite his glorious title, with
+being a poor tormented man, and therefore also a peevish man. I was once
+otherwise; that you know. But debts make the wildest tame and the most
+joyous fretful, as you see in me, old Conrad. But now listen!"
+
+He stepped to his writing table and drew forth a long purse with meshes of
+green silk and gold. Carefully counting, he shook some money out of the
+purse into his hand and then handed it to Conrad.
+
+"Conrad, there are twelve dollars. Do you know the Jew to whom Jocelyn
+sold his livery coat?"
+
+"Yes, I know him, your highness."
+
+"Then go, Conrad, and buy back the coat. How much did the Jew pay for it?"
+
+"Six dollars, your Electoral Highness."
+
+"Return him five dollars for it, and tell him that the dollar subtracted
+is by way of punishment for his having dared to purchase the coat of one
+of the servants belonging to the electoral household, for he must know
+that it is not the lackey's but electoral property. But if the Jew
+ventures to grumble, then say to him that I shall have him watched and his
+false dealings inquired into. When you have obtained the coat, carry it to
+the master of the wardrobe, and tell him to release Jocelyn from the
+guardhouse and permit him to wear his coat again. Say to him that it is my
+command. And now go and attend to this matter for me."
+
+"Forgive me, your Electoral Grace, but I know not yet what to do with the
+rest of the money. When I shall have redeemed Jocelyn's coat with five
+dollars, there will yet remain seven dollars besides, and I beg of your
+highness to point out what disposition I must make of them."
+
+"What wages do the lackeys receive by the month?"
+
+"One rixdollar and four groschen, your highness!"
+
+"That makes four dollars and sixteen groschen owing to you and Jocelyn,
+since the paymaster is in your debt for two months' wages. There will
+still be a remainder of two dollars and eight groschen, which you must
+give to Jocelyn to take to his old mother, not, however, as if it came
+from me, but as his own gift."
+
+"Ah! your Electoral Highness, what a kind, gracious master you are!" cried
+
+Conrad, with tears in his eyes. "Only extend this one act of goodness and
+condescension: permit your old Conrad to kiss your hand and thank you for
+the favor your highness has shown to Jocelyn and myself, and be not
+offended at your old servant for asking such a thing, since it is only out
+of love and hearty respect."
+
+"I know it, Conrad, I know it," said the Elector, reaching out his hand to
+the old man, and permitting him to press it to his lips. "I know your
+good, faithful heart, which has never swerved from its duty these twenty
+years that you have been in my service. Go now, old man, and do as I have
+bidden you. But hear! No one need know that I have paid you and Jocelyn
+your month's wages, for then they would all come to be paid by me; and the
+paymaster was quite right--our coffers are empty, and we must take account
+of everything until they are filled again. Keep silent, then, both of you.
+I shall tell the paymaster myself that I have just meddled a little in his
+affairs.
+
+"But now, hear one thing more, Conrad. Go straightway across into Broad
+Street, to the house of his excellency the Stadtholder in the Mark, Count
+von Schwarzenberg. We request his excellency to take the trouble to come
+immediately to us. Say from me that we have weighty business to transact
+with him that admits of no delay. Therefore, we entreat his excellency to
+come hither forthwith."
+
+"Pardon, your highness," said Conrad, anxiously and confusedly; "my
+dresscoat is still at the court tailor's. Must I go across in my jacket?
+At the Stadtholder's everything is so fearfully fine and stately. The
+lackeys, too, put on such airs that an electoral lackey can not stand up
+to them at all; they are, besides, haughty, supercilious fellows, who
+think themselves very grand, and fancy they are something quite uncommon,
+and almost more than one of us, who are court lackeys to your highness.
+Would it not make the fellows rejoice to see me in this jacket and--"
+
+"Never mind; go across in your jacket," said the Elector, laughing.
+"Remember always that you are the servant of the master, and those spruce
+fellows but the lackeys of the servant, although I must say that the
+servant is a much richer, more magnificent man than his master. Run and
+bring the Stadtholder to me!"
+
+
+
+
+III.--COUNT ADAM VON SCHWARZENBERG.
+
+
+"I thank you, Master Gabriel Nietzel, I thank you with my whole heart, for
+you have indeed prepared me a great pleasure," cried Count Adam von
+Schwarzenberg, at the same time nodding pleasantly to the young man who
+stood beside him. Then he was lost again in contemplation of the picture
+before which they both stood, and which was mounted upon an easel in one
+of the deep bay windows of the lofty apartment.
+
+"I well knew that my most gracious lord would take pleasure in this
+glorious work of art," said Master Gabriel Nietzel, smiling, "and
+therefore have I spared neither expense, toil, nor danger in bringing to
+your excellency this noble painting of the great Italian master."
+
+"And I am astonished that you have succeeded, master," exclaimed the
+count, changing his position before the picture, in order to examine it in
+a new light, from a different point of view.
+
+"Most gracious sir, if I had had in the box which I guarded so closely
+hams or other edibles, instead of this picture, or even articles of
+clothing or munitions of war, then surely I should have failed in bringing
+it here from Italy, considering all the bands of soldiers and robbers who
+fly through the German empire now, like a swarm of bees, and like locusts
+leave in their train, wherever they alight, want and wretchedness."
+
+"Yes, yes," cried Count Schwarzenberg, with a short, peculiar laugh,
+"right ill things look throughout this holy German empire; poverty, war,
+and pestilence are the locusts of which you speak, and--But why do you
+remind me of these unpleasant things? Let me enjoy one quarter of an
+hour's refreshment and joy. Let me forget care for just a little while,
+and feast my eyes upon the sight of this glorious woman!"
+
+"It is a Venus," said Master Gabriel with diffidence, "the so-called Venus
+with the Mirror. Master Titian has twice painted this design, only that in
+one picture two Cupids appear, while the other shows only one Love."
+
+"Very naturally," laughed the count. "When the great Titian painted the
+first picture one Love only existed, while at the second representation a
+second Love had arrived for the beautiful woman, to her own ineffable
+delight and that of her beloved Master Titiano Vecellio."
+
+"Pardon, your excellency," remarked Master Gabriel, "indeed the painting
+represents a Venus."
+
+"There you are now, poor child of man," cried Schwarzenberg, laughing
+aloud, "so properly reserved and so affectedly modest! A mere woman in her
+primitive beauty would wound your sense of propriety, and you would not
+venture to look at her, but a goddess has permission to appear without
+earthly clothing, and you dare, casting reserve aside, to lift your eyes
+to her glorious form. And besides, in your humility and modesty, you think
+that a woman of such godlike shape may not be found upon earth, therefore
+you exalt her to the gods, and therefore you call her a Venus, who is only
+the most voluptuous, beautiful, and charming of women."
+
+With upraised finger Master Gabriel pointed toward the naked little boys
+who, exquisitely fair, stood behind Venus and held her mirror for her.
+
+"That is an angel, as your grace sees, for he has wings upon his
+shoulders," he said, timidly.
+
+But Count Adam von Schwarzenberg hastily took the master's finger and
+directed it to another part of the picture.
+
+"It is a woman," he cried, laughing, "for she has flung a covering around
+her hips, and you can never make me believe that Venus upon Olympus wore
+velvet edged with ermine. But let us quit this strife! A beautiful woman
+is always a goddess, and he who would not acknowledge that would be a real
+heathen and barbarian. I will therefore comply with your wish, and entitle
+this wondrous woman a Venus. And I keep her, your Venus. Name the price,
+master, and you shall immediately receive your pay."
+
+"I paid two thousand ducats for the painting in Cremona, where I had the
+good luck to discover it, on my return from Rome," replied Master Gabriel
+Nietzel, with anxious countenance and timid manner, as if he dreaded an
+explosion of wrath on the part of the count, who was everywhere recognized
+and decried as avaricious and greedy of gain. "Add to that two hundred
+ducats to cover my bare outlay for the packing and freight. The rest,
+which concerns my trouble and need, and the perils I endured when we, that
+is to say, Venus and I, were seized by bands of soldiers and ransomed--all
+this can not be calculated, and in humility I leave it to your grace to
+compensate me as you may see fit."
+
+"Two thousand ducats for the picture, two hundred for expenses incurred! A
+tolerably high price, indeed, for a little piece of painted canvas!" cried
+the count, with a smile. "For that amount a whole regiment of Brandenburg
+soldiers might be armed and equipped, to aid the Elector in conquering his
+dukedom of Pomerania. But what is that dirty, down-trodden, commonplace
+Pomerania in comparison with this heavenly woman, or, if you prefer, this
+earthly Venus. Go, Master Gabriel, go directly to my treasurer, and get
+him to count out to you three thousand ducats. Eight hundred ducats for
+your toil and danger. Are you content, master?"
+
+"Your excellence, you pay like the greatest of lords and emperors!" cried
+the painter, with joy-beaming countenance. "You make me forever your
+debtor, and so long as I live I shall be ready to serve you."
+
+"Now, if you mean that in earnest, Gabriel, an opportunity presents itself
+at this very time."
+
+"Try me, your excellency, give me a commission, however difficult, and my
+most gracious lord shall be forced to admit that I have executed it most
+faithfully and valiantly."
+
+"Now listen, then, master! I herewith constitute you my agent; I take you
+into my pay and service. Were I a reigning prince, then I should say, I
+make you my court painter; but being only the little Count Schwarzenberg,
+the--"
+
+"Stadtholder in the Mark," interrupted Gabriel, with ready glibness of
+tongue, "Grand Master of the Order of St. John, first counselor and
+minister of the Elector of Brandenburg, president of the electoral counsel
+of state, lord and owner of many lands and estates, count of the empire,
+and--"
+
+"Silence, silence! enough of that!" exclaimed the count, waving him off.
+"It is with me, as with the Elector. We both have manifold titles, but
+they bring us in little enough, and no money appertains to them. You have
+sketched me graphically, master; be quiet now, and listen to me again in
+silence. I therefore take you into my pay and service, and give you from
+this day forward an annuity of five hundred dollars, which will be
+delivered to you quarterly. Hush, hush! do not speak! I read a question in
+your eyes and features, and I will forthwith supply the answer. Your
+question runs, What have I to do for this annuity? And the answer is,
+travel about in the world as a free man to hunt up pictures, and when they
+are worth it, to purchase them for me. But above all things, to tell no
+one that you are in my service, but to keep this as a secret between us
+two. Pictures you must buy for me; that is all you have to do, master. But
+sometimes you must allow me to dictate to you--where to journey in quest
+of my pictures. For example, now: You have been in Italy, prosecuting your
+studies there, and have opportunely brought home to me, thence, a Venus,
+because I desired you to make a few purchases for me. You have seen how
+delighted I was with the beautiful picture, but, on the whole, I have
+taken a greater fancy to landscapes and representations of comedy, and the
+Flemish painters are the ones I peculiarly admire. There are the Teniers,
+father and son, who have painted the most charming and amusing country
+scenes and comic pieces, and there is another young man, Wouvermann by
+name, who is said, although youthful in years, to possess great talents,
+and to understand not merely how to paint splendid clowns, but battle
+scenes as well. Now, I should like of all things to possess a couple of
+pictures by each of these three painters, and since the Teniers lived at
+Amsterdam and The Hague, and Wouvermann now resides at The Hague, I wish
+you to go to The Hague and make a few purchases there for me. But, mark
+well, without saying that you come there in my employ, or that you have a
+contract with me. I should much prefer your assuming the appearance of
+belonging to my enemies, and sounding in unison with them the trumpet of
+abuse."
+
+"Your excellency, how could I venture it, and how can you require of my
+grateful heart, that it so belie itself, and allow my lips to speak other
+than words of gratitude and reverence?"
+
+"I empower you so to do, Master Gabriel Nietzel, yes, I require it of you,
+that you carry such words upon your lips, especially if you are in the
+presence of the Electoral Prince Frederick William."
+
+"The Electoral Prince?" asked the painter in astonishment. "Your
+excellency will send me to the Electoral Prince at The Hague?"
+
+"On the contrary, you shall act before him as if you hated me, and
+belonged to the party of my opponents. But you must by all means reach the
+Electoral Prince, must seek to remain in his neighborhood, and to gain his
+confidence. You are a lively fellow, and have studied life at its
+fountains in Italy. The Electoral Prince loves gay company, and you may
+impart to him a little of your knowledge of life, and teach him that youth
+must enjoy without scruple or reserve. Be his _maitre de plaisir_, Master
+Gabriel; lead him into the temple of art, and teach him that each fair
+woman is a Venus, a goddess, and therefore deserving of his worship. You
+are a clever painter, and also, as I have heard from Rome, know well how
+to sip of life's sweets; and these are two fine talents, which you must
+convert into money. For this purpose I send you to Holland. You are to buy
+pictures for me and to help the Electoral Prince to while away the hours
+and enjoy life. I shall rejoice if you succeed, and it would be agreeable
+to me for you to transmit to me exact accounts, every week, of your
+efforts, and of the life you lead there with the Electoral Prince. You
+can write, Master Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"Yes, I can write; but--"
+
+"Well, what signifies that _but_, and wherefore do you look all at once so
+gloomy and so cross? Peradventure my commission does not please you?"
+
+"No, your excellency, it does not please me, and I can not undertake it!"
+cried Master Gabriel, indignantly. "You send me to The Hague, not as a
+painter, but--let me call the thing by its right name--but as a spy, and,
+what is yet more, as the corrupter of the Electoral Prince!"
+
+"And that pleases not your virtue and your honesty?" asked the count,
+shrugging his shoulders. "Well, good then, dear master! Stick to it! Let
+all that we have said to one another be unsaid. Remain an honorable,
+independent hero of virtue, paint pictures, and see to it that you sell
+them, and if you do not succeed, then be contented to paint signboards
+for merchants and their walls for burghers, and console yourself with
+this, that you have refused a higher career from principles of virtue and
+magnanimity. Take your Venus, Master Champion of Virtue; I had not
+commissioned the purchase, and she is too dear for me. We are released
+from our mutual obligations, and have nothing more to do with one another.
+Go!"
+
+"Will not your excellency keep the picture?" asked Nietzel, shocked, great
+drops of agony standing upon his pale brow. "Will not your excellency
+indemnify me for all my labors and expenses, and shall I go from you
+with--"
+
+"With the proud consciousness of your virtue," said the count, completing
+his sentence for him. "Yes, that you shall, Master Gabriel. You shall bear
+in mind that Count von Schwarzenberg would have taken you into his
+service, and that you declined it, thereby exciting his wrath a little,
+which, as I have been told, has seldom turned to the advantage of those
+who have roused it, but always to their injury. However, you care nothing
+for that; you defy the wrath of the Stadtholder in the Mark, you--"
+
+"No farther, please, your excellency, no farther!" cried out Gabriel, pale
+as death. "Forgive my excitement and my struggles. I pray you to forget my
+improper words, and accept me for your humble and obedient servant. You
+must do me the favor to keep the Venus of Master Titiano Vecellio, for she
+is my only possession, and I have given away my whole property in her
+purchase."
+
+"Speak more clearly, master!" cried the count. "You mean to say I must
+keep your copy of the Venus, and pay for it as if it were an original one,
+for on that you base all your hopes."
+
+"Your excellency!" stammered Master Gabriel in terror, "you do not
+suppose--"
+
+"That this painting here is a copy, which you executed, and afterward hung
+up a couple of days in the chimney, to give it the appearance of a picture
+an hundred years old? Yes, my good man, I do indeed suppose so, and
+willingly grant you my testimony to the effect that you have very
+faithfully copied Titian, and expended much toil and trouble upon it."
+
+"Most gracious count, I swear to you, that I have been slandered--that--"
+
+"Swear no oath," said the count earnestly and severely. "You did not buy
+this picture at Cremona, but copied it in the palace Grimani at Venice,
+and worked upon it three whole months. You see I am well informed, and
+have my friends everywhere who furnish me with intelligence, and regard it
+as an honor to be my--spies, as you would say."
+
+"Mercy, gracious lord, mercy!" cried Nietzel, bursting into tears, and
+sinking upon his knees before the proud, lofty form of the count. "Pardon
+for my crime, for my presumption! I was in such great want and distress
+that I knew not how else to help myself, and I swear to you that my copy
+is so faithful and exact that it can not he distinguished from its
+original."
+
+"Well, no matter; we shall hang it up as an original, and allow it to be
+inspected by the connoisseurs of the electorate," said the count,
+laughing. "I keep your Titiano Vecellio, Master Nietzel, and consequently
+pay you three thousand ducats for this excellent original. That you may
+see how much in earnest I am I will immediately give you an order upon my
+treasurer, and you may forthwith receive that sum."
+
+He approached his writing table, rapidly dashed off a few words upon a
+strip of paper, and then handed it to the painter. "There, take it, Master
+Gabriel Nietzel, and collect your money."
+
+The painter gave him a long, astonished gaze. "You forgive me, your
+excellency," he said; "you accept my high estimate, although you know that
+I have cheated you and that this is only a copy?"
+
+
+"What difference does that make? The picture is beautiful, and it gives me
+pleasure to look at it, and that is the only thing, after all, that I can
+require of a painting."
+
+Master Nietzel hastily seized the count's hand, and pressed it to his
+lips. "Most gracious sir," he cried, "you have purchased my Venus with
+your money, my heart with your magnanimity! Henceforth I am yours, body
+and soul, and it is just, as if--"
+
+"As if you had leagued yourself with the devil, is it not?" laughed the
+count.
+
+"No, as if I had no longer any other will than yours--that is what I
+wished to say, most gracious lord. Only command me, say what I must do,
+and it shall be done."
+
+"You go, then, to Holland, and purchase pictures there for me, and study
+the Flemish painters?"
+
+"I will go to Holland, your excellency."
+
+"You will seek to gain access to the Electoral Prince, to acquire
+influence over him, and to cheer him up a little?"
+
+"I shall do as your grace directs."
+
+"You will send me weekly a written statement of all that you see and hear
+there?"
+
+"I shall send you a written statement," replied Gabriel, with downcast
+eyes and a hardly suppressed sigh.
+
+The count saw it and smiled contemptuously. "You will write these reports
+to me in ciphers, which I shall acquaint you with, and swear to me that
+you will give the key to these ciphers to no human being?"
+
+"I swear it, your excellency."
+
+"Now, since you are so docile and obedient, my dear Master Gabriel, I
+shall raise your salary. I had promised you an annuity of five hundred
+dollars--I shall now make it six hundred dollars. Hush! no word of thanks;
+I can imagine them all or read them in your countenance, and that
+satisfies me. Only one thing remains to be decided. From whom will you
+receive letters of recommendation to the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Your excellency, I believe the Electress will have the kindness to
+furnish me with a letter of recommendation to her son. Her most gracious
+highness is very favorably inclined toward me because I painted from
+memory a miniature of the Electoral Prince, and presented it to her. Since
+then she has been very condescending to me, and never refuses me
+admittance to her presence, and I may as well acknowledge to your
+excellency that a few days ago the Electress hinted at the probability of
+a position being offered me as electoral court painter."
+
+The count laughed aloud. "I congratulate you, master, and especially upon
+the salary which will be attached to the office. Only do not be puffed up
+and reject the little I have offered you, which you can always draw in
+secret, even when you have become electoral court painter. It is well for
+affairs to stand thus just at this juncture, for it will be easy for the
+electoral court painter to gain access to the Electoral Prince, and to be
+received into the number of his household. Repair to the Electress
+forthwith, tell her that you wish to travel to Holland in order to
+prosecute your artistic studies there, and come to me early to-morrow
+morning and acquaint me with the result of your audience. Farewell, Master
+Gabriel; go first to my treasurer and then to the Electress. No, no, say
+nothing more; no protestations, no word of thanks. I know you--that is
+enough."
+
+With proud, courtly mien he nodded to the painter in token of dismissal,
+waved his hand toward the door, and then seated himself in the window
+niche beside the Venus, turning his back to the room.
+
+Abashed and humiliated, Gabriel slunk away, and not until the sound of the
+closing door gave warning of his departure did the count turn around. His
+gaze was fixed upon the Venus, who in her wanton beauty met his looks with
+dark, flashing eyes.
+
+"You have cost me much, fair signora," he said, shrugging his shoulders.
+
+"Three thousand ducats for a copy! Who knows whether Titiano Vecellio was
+paid more for his original in his own time? Ah! you poor, beautiful woman,
+how dismal and cheerless it will seem to you in the cold north, and how
+much you will miss the golden light of your sunny Italian home here in
+this dirty northern Mark! We two must console one another, and try to
+forget that we do not live in your own fair Italy, but here, here, where
+there is more rain than sunshine, and where in place of music we often
+hear nothing but the grunting of swine and the bleating of sheep!"
+
+And, as if in confirmation of his words, just then was heard from the
+street a loud tumult, a confused discord of grunts and squeals. The count
+turned from the Italian beauty, and looked out into the street, or,
+rather, the great square fronting his palace.[8] The rain, which had
+streamed down incessantly for a few days past, had drenched the unpaved
+ground, and here and there, where the soil was impermeable to moisture,
+had formed puddles and pools. These, the sheep and hogs, which were
+ensconced in stalls before the houses, had chosen for their pleasure
+ground, and whole herds of them had come to bathe in these puddles before
+Count Schwarzenberg's palace and in the neighborhood of the cathedral. A
+few merry, naughty boys, attracted by their squealing and bleating,
+likewise ventured into the black sea of the cathedral square, but, finding
+that they forthwith sank in the same, they had called for help, shouting,
+screaming, and laughing, thereby attracting still other boys and idlers,
+who now with prudent caution stood on certain less saturated spots, and
+with shrieks of mockery and laughter watched the vain efforts of the
+sunken boys, who were striving to work themselves out of the morass. Such
+was the melancholy picture that presented itself to Count Adam von
+Schwarzenberg, and he gazed upon it with sad and gloomy looks.
+
+"And this is the residence of the Stadtholder in the Mark!" he sighed--"the
+outlook of von Schwarzenberg, count of the empire! Oh! it shall be
+otherwise! Out of this pigstye Berlin, I will construct a neat and
+handsome residence for myself, from this miserable house a splendid palace
+shall spring forth, and all the arts and sciences shall find their patron
+in the lord commanding in the Mark, when he is no longer merely called
+Stadtholder, but--"
+
+He looked anxiously behind him, as if he dreaded being overheard by some
+one. "Hush!" he murmured then, "be still! There are thoughts and plans
+which may never find expression in words, but, like Minerva from the brain
+of Jupiter, must come forth ready for action, spear in hand. Creep back
+into my heart, and never let it be perceived that you are there, until the
+right hour shall come, the hour--"
+
+He was silent, and again glanced searchingly around. Then, taking the
+silver whistle from his writing table, he let ring forth a shrill, loud
+call. A lackey in rich livery, its original material totally hidden
+beneath a mass of golden trappings and silver lace, appeared in the
+doorway.
+
+"Who is in the antechamber?" asked the count, casting a long, last glance
+upon the Venus, and then covering her again with the green stuff that hung
+at the corner of the frame.
+
+"Most gracious excellency, both entrance halls are crammed quite full of
+men of every rank and calling, for this is the hour for public audience."
+
+"Are many uniforms present?"
+
+"If you please, your excellency, very many. Besides General von Klitzing
+and Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf, the Colonels von Rochow and von Kracht
+are there."
+
+"These four gentlemen must be admitted to me," ordered the count. "The
+other people had better go, for I have no time to-day to grant audiences.
+Well, why do you stand there loitering? Why do you not go?"
+
+"Most gracious sir," entreated the lackey, "there are so many
+distinguished gentlemen there, who have already come so often in vain, and
+to whom I have promised an audience to-day, in accordance with your
+excellency's express command."
+
+"Who, for example?"
+
+"For example, your excellency, the councilors of the cities of Berlin and
+Cologne, then the states of the duchy of Cleves, and--"
+
+"Enough, enough! I see well that these lords have paid you to put me in
+mind of them, and I shall therefore have the complaisance to do honor to
+your intercession."
+
+"Alas! most gracious lord, I swear to your grace, that nobody has paid me,
+that--"
+
+"Silence! I know you all!" cried the count contemptuously. "I know that
+every audience day brings as much money to you lackeys as it prepares
+discomfort and weariness for me. Pocket your money quietly, honest
+Balthazar; you are no worse than all the rest of the servant brood and
+therefore I despise you no more than the rest. Go, conduct hither the
+military gentlemen named through the corridor, and meanwhile I shall take
+a walk through the audience chamber and you collect your pay."
+
+The gold-bedizened lackey left the cabinet with reverential and submissive
+air. But outside, he remained standing before the closed door, and boldly
+lifting up his head, with wholly altered face, hurled a look of hatred and
+defiance at the door.
+
+"No worse than all the rest of the servant brood!" he muttered, raising
+his fist in a threatening manner--"no worse than yourself, you should have
+said, proud lord. You receive bribes as well as we, take money wherever
+you can get it, lend upon pledges, and practice usury like any Jew! Ah! we
+know you, haughty count, the whole Mark of Brandenburg knows and detests
+you, and it is a sin and shame that we must bow down before the Catholic
+alien, the foreigner, the imperialist, the priest-ridden slave, and it is
+a dreadful misfortune that the Elector himself bows down before him, and
+acts as if Schwarzenberg were lord here, and he a mere servant. Well," he
+comforted himself, letting his fist drop, "I can not alter it, and father
+says what we can not alter we had better submit to, and profit by a
+little, if we can. I will now guide these gentlemen bullies to the count's
+cabinet."
+
+Count Adam von Schwarzenberg had meanwhile opened the door to his little
+private antechamber, and caused to enter his officiating equery and
+chamberlain, von Lehndorf, as also his two pages in waiting.
+
+"Lehndorf," he said, "what think you? Would it be possible to arrange a
+small hunting party for to-day?"
+
+"Most gracious sir," returned the chamberlain joyfully, "the weather seems
+just made for that. A clear, bright October day, and the does and stags in
+the park deserve that a couple of dozen of them should be shot down, for
+they have grown so bold that they hardly show any longer their wonted fear
+of man. Would your excellency believe that yesterday four does, under the
+guidance of a powerful buck, were pleased to issue forth from the park
+behind the castle and promenade a little in the worshipful towns of Berlin
+and Cologne? Such a screaming as there was of the street boys, who pursued
+the beasts, such a grunting of hogs, into whose styes the does sprang
+without respect, and such a running of honorable city women, who were
+struck with fear of being maltreated by the horned animals, who were
+nevertheless not their husbands, and such a yelping of noble butcher dogs,
+which probably took the does for calves gone mad! I swear, your
+excellency, it was divine sport."
+
+"You are a blustering fellow yourself," laughed the count, "and 'Who loves
+to dance, ne'er lacks the chance.' If you are thus minded, we shall have a
+little hunt to-day, and take it upon yourself to invite for us a few
+worthy and suitable gentlemen who have fine horses and dogs."
+
+"And will not your grace to-day, in this beautiful weather, grant these
+gentlemen the pleasure of seeing the two new greyhounds run? They have
+been here eight days already, and might as well display a little of their
+skill for the heavy sum of money they have cost."
+
+"Yes, that is true--a heavy sum of money they cost indeed," said the
+count. "My son writes me that he paid eight thousand dollars for these two
+greyhounds." [9]
+
+"But they are worth it, your excellency," cried the chamberlain, quite
+enthusiastically. "They are two wonderful animals, who have not their
+match in the wide world. I am quite in love with them, and if I had wife
+or ladylove, would gladly give her for these two greyhounds."
+
+"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 Kuestrin."
+
+"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 Kuestrin, and I wish that Kracht and I could change places
+with one another. He knows the people of Kuestrin well, and understands how
+to get along with them, for the late commandant of Kuestrin was his father.
+Let us exchange with one another, von Kracht--here is my hand, give me
+yours! You are commandant of Kuestrin 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 Kuestrin."
+
+"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 Kuestrin. 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
+Kuestrin, 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 Schoenungs 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
+Innsprueck. For at Innsprueck the Archduke Leopold now holds his court, and
+the Electoral Prince could not fail to enjoy himself there, for the court
+at Innsprueck 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!"
+
+
+
+
+BOOK II.
+
+I.--THE DOUBLE RENDEZVOUS.
+
+
+The Princess Ludovicka Hollandine walked restlessly to and fro in her
+apartment. Sometimes she stopped at the window and listened intently;
+then, finding all without still dark and silent, she stepped back and
+continued her restless walk, at times listening again at door or window.
+While passing the great Venetian mirror on the wall, on both sides of
+which were placed two silver candlesticks with immense burning wax tapers,
+she caught sight of her image as brightly and distinctly as if it had been
+a portrait, and she drew nearer, like a connoisseur bent on examining a
+picture. She saw before her within the carved gilt framework a beautiful
+maiden's form, in sky-blue satin robe that fell in wide, heavy folds
+around her full and blooming figure. The low-necked bodice left wholly
+uncovered her dazzling white shoulders, and beneath the transparent gauze
+of her sleeves shone the fair white arms as from out a silver cloud. Her
+head rested proudly and gracefully upon the slender alabaster neck, and
+was crowned by a profusion of black hair, caught up behind in great loops,
+and fastened with bows of blue satin ribbon. On the broad and lofty brow
+it was massed in the form of a diadem, with numberless pretty little
+ringlets. Her cheeks were pale, but of that clear, transparent paleness
+which has nothing in common with sickness and suffering, but is only
+peculiar to vehement, passionate natures, with whom the cheeks are
+colorless, because all the blood concentrates in the heart. Her large dark
+eyes had at the same time a languid, melting expression and the fire and
+glow of passion; the finely cut, slightly curved nose, the firm, somewhat
+projecting chin, indicated energy and decision; and around the full, rosy
+lips hovered a singular expression of good nature and frivolity.
+
+She contemplated herself for a long time, then a well-pleased smile passed
+over her fascinating countenance. "I am beautiful," she said, "yes, I am
+beautiful, and I believe those are right who suppose that I resemble my
+great-grand-mother, the beautiful Mary Stuart. O Mary! you beautiful,
+bewitching Queen--oh teach me the arts which won for you the hearts of all
+men; inspire me with the glow of passion, let it flash forth from me in
+bright flames, and grant that these flames may kindle and fire the one I
+love, whom I will possess, and on whom all my hopes and desires are fixed!
+But hush! did I not hear steps?"
+
+She again hurried to the window and listened, holding her breath. A
+shrill, thrice-repeated whistle was heard, sounding strangely awful in the
+stillness of the night.
+
+"It is he," murmured the Princess, "it is the concerted signal."
+
+She took from a table standing near a package consisting of cords and
+knots, and unrolled it. It was a rope ladder, twisted artfully and durably
+of fine cords, and held together at the top by a strong iron ring. This
+ring the Princess now slipped over the iron hook which was fixed in the
+middle of the cross work of the window, and lowered the rope ladder, while
+at the same time, as if in answer, she repeated the whistle in the same
+manner. Then she bounded back from the window, flew through the room to
+both doors, assured herself that the bolts were secured, and with hasty
+hands dropped the curtains over them.
+
+"No one can hear us, no one can see us, no one can get in here," she
+murmured; "he may come."
+
+A slight rustling was heard below the window, then a dark mass appeared in
+the open space, and a closely muffled manly form jumped from the
+windowsill down into the apartment. Wholly enveloped in the folds of an
+ample black cloak, whose hood was thrown over the head and drawn far over
+the face, it was impossible to recognize the visitor's features.
+
+
+The person thus disguised curiously and inquisitively turned his head to
+both sides of the room, strode rapidly across it, lifted the curtains from
+both doors, examined the fastenings of the bolts, went to the divan,
+peered under it, and, after completing this silent inspection of the
+chamber, returned to the window, loosened the cord from the hook, drew in
+the rope-ladder, and closed the window.
+
+Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, standing in the middle of the apartment,
+had watched this singular demeanour on the part of the mysterious intruder
+with growing astonishment. She had first held out her arms to greet the
+expected, the longed-for, to press him to her beating heart, but, finding
+that he came not to embrace her, she had slowly dropped her arms again.
+She had looked toward him with a tender glance, a fascinating smile, but
+when he hastened not to her, her glance had grown dark and her smile had
+vanished; and now, when he did approach her, she assumed an air of
+distant, proud reserve. He seemed not to see it, and, bending his knee
+before her, his head being still concealed, he pressed the hem of her
+garment reverentially to his lips.
+
+"Most beautiful, most condescending of all princesses," he whispered
+softly, "I sue for pardon, for forgiveness."
+
+The Princess shrank back, and a glowing flush overspread her cheeks. "My
+God!" she murmured, "that is not the voice--"
+
+"Not the voice of the one whom your highness desires to see," said the
+kneeling figure, concluding her sentence for her. "Yes, most amiable
+Princess, your tender, sensitive heart is not deceived. I am not the
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg. I am--"
+
+"Count d'Entragues, the French ambassador," cried the Princess, as the
+disguised man now threw back the hood of his mantle, and lifted up to her
+his youthfully handsome, smiling face.
+
+"Scream not, most gracious lady," said he, hastily, "and do not scold me,
+either; but be merciful and forgive me. I lie here at your feet and
+entreat for pardon, and will not rise until you have granted it."
+
+The Princess still kept her astonished and inquiring glance fixed upon
+him, but the sight of this handsome young man, disarmed her wrath.
+
+"Stand up, Count d'Entragues," she said--"stand up and account to me for
+this daring crime."
+
+"Your highness is right," returned he, "it is a daring crime, and only the
+extremest necessity could have driven me to this. I shall immediately
+therefore have the honor of explaining all this to the lovely, bewitching
+Princess Ludovicka Hollandine."
+
+With youthful agility he arose from his knees, took off his cloak, which
+he carelessly threw into a corner of the apartment, and presented himself
+to the Princess in a gold-embroidered velvet suit, richly trimmed with
+lace and ribbons. Ludovicka fixed her large eyes upon the proud and
+dazzling apparition of the young count, and the angry flashing of her eyes
+softened.
+
+"Sir Count," she said, imperiously, "without evasion and without
+circumlocution explain to me directly the meaning of this!"
+
+"You permit me to do so, then, fairest Princess? You thereby empower me to
+remain a half hour in your charming presence?"
+
+And while the count thus questioned, he took the hand of the Princess and
+covered it with kisses. Then, with graceful gallantry and solemn
+seriousness, as if they had been in the midst of a grand courtly
+assemblage, he conducted her to the divan. There she seated herself, and
+he bowed before her with all the formality and obsequiousness of a
+courtier as he took his place beside her.
+
+"Now your highness desires to know above all things how I can have dared
+to intrude here at so unusual an hour, and without the shadow of
+permission," he said with his mellifluous, insinuating voice. "Most
+gracious Princess, I confess that you are well justified in this
+curiosity, and I hasten to gratify it. Your grace expected a visitor
+indeed, but not the tiresome, unbidden Count d'Entragues--not the
+ambassador and servant of King Louis XIII or Cardinal Richelieu, but you
+expected an eloquent, handsome young Prince, who loves the Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine with passionate enthusiasm, and to whom after long
+and vain entreaties she has at last granted a rendezvous."
+
+"My God!" said the Princess, with an expression of horror, "how know you
+that, count?"
+
+"My most gracious Princess, I have a magician in my service, who acquaints
+me with everything that happens here at court and, above all things, in
+the palace of the Queen of Bohemia, and first of all in the apartments of
+the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine."
+
+"And the name of this magician is?"
+
+"Ducato, sweetest Princess, Ducato. Ah! if you knew what dear, precious
+secrets this magician has imparted to me, how loquaciously he blabs out to
+me everything that the fairest Princess in the world thinks and does by
+day and by night! I know, for example, how the lovely Princess stays with
+her mother with ever so much seriousness, goes with her to church, visits
+respectfully the Stadtholder of Holland, and fondles and pets the little
+Princess Louise; how she carries on her studies, plays the lute, paints
+and sings. But, God be thanked! life consists not entirely of days, but
+happily has its nights likewise."
+
+"What do you mean by that, Sir Count d'Entragues?"
+
+"I mean," replied the Count, while he smilingly bent over closer to the
+Princess--"I mean that here at The Hague there is a wonderful, charming
+combination of young gentlemen and noble young ladies, who have laid
+themselves out expressly to embellish these nights, and to indemnify
+themselves for their somber, gloomy days by joyous, merry nights. It is a
+secret order, into which it is a distinguished honor to be received, and
+which is shrouded in deepest secrecy. Never would a lady own that she
+belongs to it, and yet they say that the fairest, most exalted, most
+virtuous ladies press to be received into this order. It is not known of
+any of the ladies of the court that they belong to it, but it is suspected
+of each. No one can say that he has seen this or that one among the noble
+and virtuous ladies there, for at all the reunions of the members of the
+order the ladies wear small half-masks, and it is the first and most
+sacred law of the order that no man dares to lay so much as a finger upon
+this mask--this precious secret of the ladies. Moreover, they appear only
+in Grecian robes, so that it is difficult to recognize the beautiful forms
+of the ladies again in their elaborate court dresses and with their stiff
+Fontanges. The name of this secret society is Media Nocte, and it is
+especially an honor to belong to it, for nobody is admitted who has not
+stood his probation--that is to say, shown that he has acquired
+considerable proficiency in some art, and excels in it. He, therefore, who
+can not sing or play on the lute, paint or improvise, speak eloquently, or
+by some gift contribute to the enjoyment of the company, can never arrive
+at the distinction of becoming a member of this order. When, therefore, it
+is whispered of a gentleman that he belongs to the order, he is supposed
+to be not merely an accomplished gentleman, but an entertaining companion,
+a favorite of the Muses. If this secret is whispered of a lady, then we
+look upon her with admiration, rapture, joy for we know that we have
+before us one of those choice, enchanting, and rare beings, who are
+exalted above all prejudice; who believe not, with zealots and ascetics,
+that we live only to die, but who joyfully acknowledge that we live to
+live, and, therefore, that the noblest, worthiest task proposed is to
+render this life as pleasant as possible."
+
+"Why do you tell me all this, dear count?" asked the Princess impatiently.
+
+"It is true," replied he, smiling; "why should I tell you what you know
+already? I tell it to your highness in order to prove to you that I,
+thanks to my little magician Ducato, know the secret of the Media Nocte; I
+tell it to you in order now to whisper a secret in your ear: the Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine belongs to the society, she is a member of the order
+of the Media Nocte."
+
+The Princess only with difficulty suppressed a shriek, and stared with
+horror at the smiling countenance of the young count.
+
+"Hush, gracious lady, hush!" whispered the latter while he took her hand
+and imprinted a reverential kiss upon the tips of her rosy fingers. "Why
+should you wish to deny what is so genial and so delightful? My magician
+Ducato always tells me the truth; why should we dispute it? But it was not
+that which your highness wished to learn of me. You would ask me, how I
+know that the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg loves the beautiful Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine, and was to have his first rendezvous with her
+to-day. Once more, it is the magician Ducato who has told me that; yes,
+that good, obliging magician has done yet more for me. He put into my
+hands the pretty little note which the Princess Ludovicka sent yesterday
+through her confidential maid-servant to the confidential valet of the
+Electoral Prince, before the Prince had read it himself."
+
+"That is shameful--that is unheard of!" said the Princess, with glowing
+cheeks and tears in her eyes. "It is an abominable piece of deceit on the
+part of my maid, and she shall pay for it. To-morrow morning I shall
+dismiss her, and--"
+
+"That she may tell all the world the little secrets of her exalted
+mistress?" asked Count d'Entragues. "Oh, no, your highness; the maid is
+perfectly innocent of deceit, and it was only the magician Ducato who
+played the Princess's pretty little note into my hands. And will my
+sweetest lady know now what I did with the little note? I read it first,
+then--saw there that a rendezvous was granted the Prince at one o'clock. I
+took a very small sharp knife and--"
+
+"And? My God, go on! What did you with the knife?"
+
+"I very delicately erased and altered the number from a one into a two.
+Then I refolded the note, and handed it to my magician for further
+preferment to the Prince."
+
+"The Electoral Prince has received my note, then?" asked the Princess. "He
+will consequently--"
+
+"Come at two o'clock, instead of one o'clock," replied the count, and he
+intercepted the look which Ludovicka cast upon the large French clock upon
+the mantelpiece. "Yes, we have just a half hour before the Prince makes
+his appearance, and I hope that will suffice to obtain your highness's
+pardon for my boldness, and to establish a good understanding between
+myself and the most spirituelle, most genial, and most beautiful Princess
+of all the European courts. Will your highness be kind enough to grant me
+a hearing?"
+
+The Princess smiled imperceptibly. "The question comes somewhat late," she
+said. "If you had asked it while you stood there on the windowsill, before
+you came into my room, then I should have replied: 'No, be off! No, you
+are a shameless person, who has dared to spy out my secrets, to bribe my
+servants, and to deceive me, while he approaches me in a way that he knew
+perfectly was not open to him.' But you are here now; alas! I have not the
+power to expel you, and to punish you before all the world as you deserve."
+
+"O Princess! as if your harsh and cruel words were not a punishment, which
+touches my heart more sensibly than the cut of a sword or thrust of a
+dagger!"
+
+The Princess seemed not to have heard these words of the count, spoken
+with artistic effect, and continued: "You are here now, and I will at
+least know what inspired you to run this unheard-of risk of forcing
+yourself upon my notice. I am therefore ready to listen to you, on
+condition that you try to be short and not burden me too long with your
+presence."
+
+"Permit me to thank you, most condescending Princess," cried the count,
+while he sank from the ottoman down upon his knees, and pressed his
+glowing lips upon the hem of the Princess's robe. "I thank you, and swear
+that I will not overstep the limit prescribed, and depart at two with the
+first stroke of the clock."
+
+"Rise, count, rise and speak," said Ludovicka, in commanding tones, and
+with the full dignity of a Princess.
+
+Count d'Entragues again resumed his seat upon the divan. "Your highness
+commands now that I explain how I could have dared to come here?"
+
+"I confess that I am very anxious to hear this explanation."
+
+"Well, then, your highness is young, very young indeed, hardly eighteen
+years old, but you possess, in addition to a soft and tender heart, an
+almost masculine intellect. I apprehend from this that you interest
+yourself in politics."
+
+"There you are entirely mistaken, count. I hate, I abhor politics, and
+when my mother proposes to talk politics with me I always run away."
+
+"That is bad, very bad, your highness; for I am forced to talk politics to
+you. But I shall not be tedious, but limit myself to what is absolutely
+necessary. I shall therefore begin, in order to give your highness a proof
+of my reverential, unlimited confidence, by telling you what no one here
+knows--by telling you why I have been sent here and what my errand is.
+Princess, I have been ostensibly sent here to the Stadtholder of Orange
+and as ambassador from the King of France to the Sovereign States. In
+reality, I have been sent to two entirely different persons--to the
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg and to the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine."
+
+"To me?" asked the Princess, and her beautiful face expressed the most
+undisguised astonishment.
+
+"Yes, to yourself, most gracious Princess. And does your highness know
+why? Because our spies here, as well as the gentlemen of the French
+embassy to Holland, had reported that the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg
+was smitten with the most glowing love for your highness."
+
+The Princess blushed with pleasure, and a wondrous smile lit up her
+radiant countenance. "But," asked she, "how does it concern the court of
+France whom the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg loves?"
+
+"It concerns the court of France very nearly, your highness. I can not
+avoid now burdening your highness a little with hated politics, while I
+explain to you how it comes that the love of the Electoral Prince of
+Brandenburg is a state affair for the European courts. It comes from this,
+your highness, because the Electoral Prince, however small and
+insignificant his house, however inconsiderable, too, his future realm of
+Brandenburg, is still a very important personage. Three crowns are
+hovering in the air above his head, and if he obtains all three he will be
+a mighty Prince, and his sword may turn the scale in the balance of peace
+and war."
+
+"What three crowns are those which hover thus above the Prince's head?"
+
+"There is first the crown of the dukedom of Prussia, with which the King
+of Poland has to invest the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, and which the
+Elector of Saxony would be too glad to see fall upon his own head. Then,
+in the second place, there is the crown of the duchy of Pomerania, which
+belongs to the house of Brandenburg by right of inheritance, and which the
+Swedes are struggling for; and finally, in the third place, there is the
+crown of the duchy of Cleves, Juliers, and Berg, which the Emperor of
+Germany has indeed adjudged to that house, but which is so torn by
+Hessians and Spaniards, by the States, by the Swedes and various robbers,
+that probably hardly anything at all of it will be left. But nevertheless,
+there it is, and if the future Elector of Brandenburg actually succeeds in
+uniting upon his own head these three crowns, besides the electoral hat of
+Brandenburg, then he will be mighty and influential, and have a full
+sounding voice in the concert of the European princes. But now you must
+know that the Elector of Brandenburg is sickly, and has not many more
+years to live. Then the Electoral Prince Frederick William becomes his
+successor, and it is only needful to have seen the Prince for a few hours,
+to have looked into his fiery eyes, to be made aware that he will not
+tread in his father's footsteps, that he will not be the submissive vassal
+of the German Emperor, a mere tool in the hands of his minister, but that
+his efforts will be directed to making himself a free, independent Prince,
+and his country a strong, powerful, and self-sustaining state. The
+Minister von Schwarzenberg, the almighty representative of the present
+Elector, knows this very well, and on this account dreads and hates the
+Electoral Prince; he has therefore removed him from his father's court in
+order to take away all influence from him, and he would esteem himself
+happy if some lucky accident or criminal hand should free him from this
+inconvenient successor to the throne. But heretofore accident has not
+favored him; nor has he yet dared to press the murderous hand into his
+service; and he has therefore been compelled to devise some other method
+for securing his future, and so enchaining the Electoral Prince that he,
+too, may remain the Emperor's obedient vassal. As the best means for
+attaining this object it has occurred to them to bind the Electoral Prince
+to the German imperial house by marriage, and to receive him into the
+Hapsburg family. The Archduke Leopold, the future Emperor, has a very
+pretty daughter. She is intellectual, ardent, a strict Catholic, and has
+at heart the greatness of the Hapsburg house and the German Emperor. This
+princess, or rather archduchess, has been selected for the Electoral
+Prince of Brandenburg, and on that account the Electoral Prince is now to
+return home, for the Elector and his Minister Schwarzenberg are much bent
+upon the imperial alliance, and have already promised that the Electoral
+Prince shall make a visit to the imperial court. But, excuse me, I am
+misusing your indulgence, Princess. I am holding forth to you a
+long-winded political harangue, forgetting entirely how you hate politics,
+what a heinous crime I am committing, and that I weary you."
+
+"You do not weary me at all," replied Ludovicka quickly. "On the contrary,
+you interest me greatly. Only go on. I am listening attentively. You said
+that the Electoral Prince was to return home in order to make a visit to
+the imperial court, and to marry an archduchess of Austria?"
+
+"Pardon me, your highness. I only said this was the new plan of the
+imperial court, and consequently of the Minister Schwarzenberg and his
+Elector. And, indeed, the plan is good, for the son-in-law of the Emperor
+would be wholly dependent upon Austria, and if then the three pending
+crowns should settle upon his brow, it would be the same as if Austria
+herself wore them. Then they would cause the young married couple to make
+an agreement respecting claims of inheritance, in accordance with which
+the survivor should become heir to the first deceased. Then, some day, the
+Electoral Prince, or the young Elector, would have the misfortune to fall
+from his horse, or be pierced while hunting by some missent bullet, or
+fall a victim to a sudden problematical sickness; in short, he would die,
+and his wife would be his heiress, and through her the Electoral Mark
+Brandenburg, the duchies of Prussia, Pomerania, and Cleves, accrue to the
+imperial house. This would be then to put an end to the long, fearful war,
+to make peace with Sweden by relinquishing Pomerania to her, and, in order
+to see this war finally ended, which has desolated the whole of Germany,
+the other German powers would acquiesce in Pomerania becoming Swedish, and
+Cleves, Brandenburg, and Prussia Hapsburgian."
+
+"Sir Count!" cried the Princess, "now you become tiresome, for you have
+digressed from your subject!"
+
+"From the Electoral Prince? Oh, no; I have already come to him again,
+fairest Princess! I said all Germany would consent to this marriage.
+Poland, too, would rather invest the Catholic imperial house with the
+Prussian crown than the reformed Elector, and prefer an Austrian neighbor
+as friend to a Russian; only two European powers would look askance upon
+this union, and consequently do all they possibly could to prevent its
+consummation."
+
+"And who are these two powers, Sir Count?"
+
+"One power is France, who would never consent to so striking an
+aggrandizement of the house of Austria, and can not passively submit to
+see it spread itself so extensively north, west, and east."
+
+"And the second power, count?"
+
+"The second power is the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine of the Palatinate,
+who would never give up the handsome Electoral Prince, and would snatch at
+any means of preventing his marriage with any one else. Will you
+condescend to acknowledge that I have told the truth?"
+
+"Yes!" cried the Princess passionately--"yes, you have told the truth! I
+love him, and the only happiness upon earth for me is in becoming his
+wife!"
+
+"Princess, I presume to make a proposal to you. Let the two powers that
+wish not the marriage with an Austrian archduchess conclude together a
+league offensive and defensive. The power France accedes to this with joy.
+It promises to further and support the second power in all her plans, to
+lend her efficient aid, that the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine may wed the
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg."
+
+"Oh, heavens, count, you would do that, you--"
+
+"France will do that, not I," said the count passionately. "No, not I,
+Princess, for you know well that I was rash enough to lift my eyes to your
+heavenly apparition, my heart--But hush, you poor, foolish heart, suffer
+and be dumb, sacrifice yourself, and only busy yourself in making happy
+the sweet object of your warm and glowing love! Princess, you love the
+Electoral Prince! France offers you her assistance that you may marry him.
+This marriage will throw the Elector as well as the German Emperor into
+the greatest rage; they will both refuse their consent; they will require
+Holland to deliver up the Electoral Prince; they will proclaim invalid the
+marriage between two minor lovers, and will cut off the Electoral Prince
+from all means of subsistence."
+
+"Oh, that is shocking, you give me a glimpse of a background which fills
+me with dread and horror," lamented the Princess.
+
+"Fear nothing, dread nothing," whispered the count. "France is here to
+support you. France offers the young couple an asylum in Paris, and will
+receive them at her court with pleasure. France will take care that the
+Electoral Prince and his wife want for nothing; she will pay him rich
+subsidies, contribute vast sums of money that the Electoral Prince may
+present his young bride with a costly outfit; and finally, in the name of
+her mother, the Electress of the Palatinate, provide the Princess with a
+truly princely income."
+
+"How kind, how generous that is of France!" cried Ludovicka. "It will
+promote my happiness, it will aid me in being united with my beloved; it
+thereby pledges me to eternal gratitude, and never shall I forget that I
+owe to France the happiness of my whole life."
+
+"And that, adored Princess, that is the only thing that France claims for
+its good offices--a little gratitude! A faithful remembrance of its good
+offices rendered, the sure promise that the Elector Frederick William of
+Brandenburg will never range himself on the side of the enemies of France,
+never league himself with the house of Austria against France, but forever
+remain the faithful ally and friend of France!"
+
+"I promise you that--I give you my solemn word for it! Oh, we are no
+ingrates, to reward you with ingratitude; be sure and certain of that. The
+Electoral Prince loves me; he will bid all welcome that makes a union with
+me possible; he will be eternally grateful to those who will lend us a
+helping hand."
+
+"And--forgive me, your highness, for asking one question--has he offered
+you his hand; has he made you a formal proposal of marriage?"
+
+"He has sworn a thousand times that he loves me; he has so long and so
+often besought me to grant him an interview that I have at last done
+so--all the rest follows."
+
+"Now," said the count, with a meaning smile, "that is just as one may take
+it. In any case, this interview will be useful and to the purpose, and
+your highness must now bring the Prince to declare himself formally."
+
+"My heavens!" cried the Princess impatiently, "I tell you that he has very
+often declared himself, that he has sworn to me a thousand times that of
+all the world he loves me, and me alone! What more would you have him
+say?"
+
+"Princess, you are an angel of innocence and maidenly simplicity. When I
+say the Prince must declare himself, I mean by that that he must sue for
+your hand; he must say to you in so many words that he wishes to marry
+you."
+
+"Good! he shall do so, even to-day. Oh, sir, it pleases you to doubt the
+love of the Electoral Prince? You dare to think it possible that he may be
+only amusing himself with me--that he has no serious designs? I shall
+prove to you that you are mistaken--that you wrong me and the Electoral
+Prince alike by your doubt. This very night he shall offer me his
+hand--this very night I shall engage myself to him!"
+
+"And to-morrow night the nuptials must take place!" cried the count.
+
+The Princess shrank back and a glowing blush overspread her cheeks. "So
+soon--to-morrow night?" she murmured. "My God! this haste--"
+
+"Is necessary, if the marriage is ever to take place at all, Princess.
+There is a common but very wise proverb which says, 'Strike while the iron
+is hot.' Strike, Princess, strike, for I tell you what does not happen
+to-morrow night will be utterly impossible the day after. We have
+fortunately our secret agents everywhere, as well here as at the courts of
+Berlin and Koenigsberg, and we therefore know that both Count Schwarzenberg
+and the Elector have sent their messengers here to induce the Electoral
+Prince to a speedy departure, and to threaten him with his father's wrath
+in case he should allow himself to marry the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine."
+
+"But that is abominable!" cried the Princess, with tears in her eyes. "One
+of these messengers," continued the count, "and indeed the messenger of
+Count Schwarzenberg, as I suspect, has already arrived this evening, and
+the Electoral Prince has already received him. The other will probably
+come to-morrow, and if you then still delay, if you do not surprise the
+Prince in the first storm of his indignation, and thereby lead him to bind
+himself to you by a secret marriage, then all is lost, and the two powers
+Hollandine and France are conquered by Brandenburg and Austria."
+
+"That shall not be!" cried the Princess, jumping up, and with hasty steps
+moving to and fro. "No, we are not to be conquered! They shall not tear my
+beloved from me!"
+
+"Well, Princess, if you are firmly resolved, then I beg as a favor to be
+allowed to be of service to you."
+
+"Yes, help me--advise me."
+
+"I have counted upon your love and your energy, Princess, and therefore
+have already drawn up a stated plan. Will you hear it?"
+
+"Not merely hear, but execute it, too, if it is at all practicable," cried
+Ludovicka, while she remained standing in the center of the room, and
+turned her large, flaming eyes upon the count, who had likewise arisen and
+advanced smilingly toward her.
+
+"Well, then, Princess, the plan is short and simple. The Prince makes you
+to-night his offer of marriage."
+
+"Yes, this very night," said she, proudly.
+
+"He swears that he will marry you as soon as possible."
+
+"Oh, you may be sure of that; he will swear it to me."
+
+"Own to him that you have friends on whose aid and assistance you can
+count, but let him not suspect who these friends are. Then lead the
+conversation to the Media Nocte--But, my heavens!" exclaimed the count,
+interrupting himself, while he looked as if accidentally at the clock, "it
+only wants now a few minutes of two o'clock, and the Electoral Prince will
+certainly come punctually, and therefore will be here directly. I have
+written out all that it is necessary that you will have the complaisance
+to do between this and to-morrow. Read it over at your leisure, and
+impress it rightly upon your mind. Here is the paper, and may my writing
+find a hearing and favor! If such be the case, as I hope and desire, then
+will your highness have the goodness to open your window a little at ten
+o'clock and display from it an orange-colored ribbon. All the rest will
+take care of itself, and what your highness has to do is on the paper. I
+hasten to withdraw, that your highness may have time to read my writing."
+
+"But if the Prince should come now?" asked Ludovicka anxiously--"if he
+should see a man descending from my window?"
+
+"You are right, Princess; that is to be dreaded; and I, too, have
+considered that. I will not leave through the window."
+
+"Not through the window? But in what other way would you--"
+
+"Go away, would you say? By yonder door! I know perfectly well that it
+leads into the Princess's private apartment, and thence into the
+antechamber. Oh, I know the Castle Doornward well, for is it not the
+residence of the Electress of the Palatinate and her fair daughter the
+Princess? Therefore I have had drawn out for myself an exact plan of
+it. Moreover, your waiting maid Alice awaits me in the antechamber.
+Forgive her for not having been able to withstand the persuasions of her
+compatriot, the magician Ducato. Alice will permit me to slip out of the
+castle by a back door. And now, adored Princess and exalted Electress of
+the future, permit your most faithful and devoted servant ere he depart
+once more to press your beloved hand to his lips, and to tell you how
+inexpressibly happy--and, alas! how inexpressibly wretched--it makes him
+that he can and--must assist in marrying the Princess Ludovicka to the
+Electoral Prince."
+
+With a bewitching smile the Princess held out her hand to him. "Count
+d'Entragues," she said, "I shall be eternally grateful to you for your
+self-sacrifice and good faith. I shall esteem myself happy if some day I
+may find an opportunity of proving this to you. Farewell!"
+
+He pressed a long, glowing kiss upon her hand. "Farewell!" he said. "When
+I see you again, Princess, I shall accompany you to the altar, and must
+witness the transformation of the Princess Ludovicka into an Electoral
+Princess of Brandenburg, and in my heart will be prayers, but also tears!
+Farewell!"
+
+He sprang up, crossed the room with light, quick steps, unbolted the door,
+and vanished behind the curtain. The Princess watched him until he had
+disappeared, and, after she had convinced herself that he was actually
+gone, and had bolted the door again, she took out the paper and read over
+its contents slowly and with most serious attention.
+
+As she read, brighter and brighter became her face, constantly more
+radiant the smile upon her rosy lips. "Yes," she cried, after she had
+twice read it through, "that will do--it shall be so! To-morrow in the
+Media Nocte I will--"
+
+A loud shrill whistle sounded. "He comes!" whispered she, "he comes!"
+
+With trembling hands she thrust the paper into a casket belonging to her
+writing table, and hurried to the window to open it and lower the rope
+ladder.
+
+At this moment the whistle rang forth for the second time, its tones
+following one another in quick succession.
+
+"It is he--it is my beloved," murmured Ludovicka, and with a happy smile
+she listened out into the night.
+
+
+
+
+II.--THE ELECTORAL PRINCE.
+
+
+The Princess had not long to wait. The groaning and creaking of the rope
+ladder already betrayed the presence of its burden. Ludovicka leaned
+farther out of the window and saw the dark shadow mount higher and higher;
+already she heard his breath, and now--oh, now he was there, swung himself
+in at the window, and without saying a word, without seeing anything but
+herself, only herself alone. He fell on his knees before the Princess,
+flung both arms round her waist, and, looking up at her with a beaming
+smile, whispered, "I thank you, Ludovicka, I thank you!"
+
+She bent down to him with an expression of unutterable love, and their
+bright eyes met in a tender glance. They formed a beautiful picture, those
+two youthful figures combining in so lovely a group. She, bending over him
+with a look brimful of love, he gazing up at her with animated, radiant
+eyes. The full light of the wax candles in the silver chandelier
+illuminated his countenance, and Ludovicka looked down upon him with a
+smile as blissful as if she had now seen him for the first time.
+
+"You are handsome," she whispered, softly, while with her white hand she
+stroked his dark-brown hair, which fell in long waving curls, like the
+mane of a lion, over both powerful shoulders. "Yes, you are handsome," she
+smilingly repeated, and playfully passed her hand over his features, over
+the lofty, thoughtful brow, the energetic, slightly prominent, aquiline
+nose, over the full glowing lips, which breathed an ardent kiss upon the
+hand that glided past.
+
+"Now let me look into your eyes and see what is written in them,"
+continued Ludovicka, and she stooped lower over the kneeling youth, and
+looked long into those large, dark-blue eyes, which gazed up at her,
+lustrous and bright as two twinkling stars.
+
+"Have you read what is in my eyes?" he asked, after a long pause, in which
+only their glances and their beating hearts had spoken to one another.
+"Have you read it, my Ludovicka?"
+
+With a charmingly pouting expression she shook her head. "No," said she
+sadly, "I can not read it, or perhaps there is nothing in them, or at
+least nothing for me!"
+
+He jumped up, and, throwing his arms around her neck, leaned his face
+close against hers, flashed his burning glance deep into her eyes, and in
+doing so smiled a blissful, childlike smile.
+
+"Now read," he said, almost imperiously--"read and tell me what is in my
+eyes!"
+
+She slowly shook her head. "There is nothing in them," she whispered.
+"But, indeed, how can I know? The Electoral Prince Frederick William is so
+very learned, and it is only my own fault that I can not read what is in
+his eyes. It is written in Latin, or perhaps in Greek!"
+
+"No, you mischievous, you cruel one," cried he impatiently. "You just will
+not understand and read what is plainly and intelligibly written in my
+eyes. My heart speaks neither Latin nor Greek, but German, and the eyes
+are the lips with which the heart speaks."
+
+"Well then, tell me, Cousin Frederick William, what is in your eyes?"
+
+"I will tell you, Cousin Ludovicka Hollandine. They say: I love you! I
+love you! And nothing but I love you!"
+
+"But whom? To whom are these three little words addressed?"
+
+"To you, you heartless, you wicked one, to you are these words addressed.
+But not little words are they, as you say; they are great words, full of
+meaning: for a world, a whole human life, my whole future, lies in these
+three words--I love you."
+
+He embraced her and pressed her close to his heart, and Ludovicka leaned
+her head upon his shoulder and looked up at him with moist and glowing
+eyes. He nodded smilingly to her, and then took her head between his two
+hands and gazed long and rapturously upon her beautiful face.
+
+"So I have you at last, and hold you, my golden butterfly," he said
+gently. "You are mine at last, and I hold you fast by your transparent
+wings, so that you can not flutter away from me again to fly up to the
+sun, the flowers, the trees! O my butterfly! you pretty creature, made of
+ethereal dust and rainbow splendor, of air and sunshine, of lightning
+flashes and icy coldness, are you actually mine, then? May I trust you?
+Think not I am only a poor little flower on which you may smilingly rock
+yourself an hour in the sunshine, and enjoy the perfume which mounts up
+from its heart's blood, and the love songs which its sighs waft to you in
+the breeze! Tell me, you butterfly, will you no more flutter away, but be
+true and never more distress and torment me?"
+
+"I have never wished to distress and torment you, cousin."
+
+
+"And yet you have done it, so often, so grievously!" cried he, and his
+handsome open countenance grew quickly dark, while his eyes flashed with
+indignation. "Ludovicka," he continued, "you have tortured and tormented
+me, and often when I have seen how you smiled upon others and exchanged
+glances with them, and allowed yourself to be pleased by their homage,
+their devotion--often have I felt then as if an iron fist had seized my
+heart to tear it from my breast, and felt as if I enjoyed this, and as if
+I exulted with delight over my own wrath. Tear out my foolish heart, you
+iron fist of pain, said I to myself; cast it far from me, this childish
+heart, for then shall I be happy and glad, then shall I no longer feel
+love but be freed from the fearful bondage it imposes upon me. How often,
+Ludovicka, how often have I been ashamed of these chains, and bitten at
+them, as the lion, languishing in a dungeon, bites at his."
+
+"Truly, fair sir," cried Ludovicka, as arm in arm she and her beloved
+moved toward the divan--"truly, to hear you talk, one would suppose that
+love was a misfortune and a pain."
+
+"It is so indeed," said he, almost savagely--"yes, love is a misfortune
+and a pain; for with love comes doubt, jealousy, and jealousy is the most
+dreadful pain. And then I have often said to myself as I wept about you
+for rage and woe because I have seen you more friendly with others than
+with me--I have often said to myself that it is unworthy of a man to allow
+himself to be subjected by love, unworthy to make a woman the mistress of
+his thoughts, of his desires; that a man should strive for higher aims,
+aspire to nobler things."
+
+"To nobler things? Now tell me, you monster, is there anything nobler than
+a woman? Is there a higher aim than to win her love?"
+
+"No; that is true, there is nothing higher!" cried he passionately. "No
+there is nothing nobler. Oh, forgive me, Ludovicka, I was a heathen, who
+denies his goddess, and finds fault with her out of excess of feeling. My
+God! I have suffered so much through you and your cruelty! And I tell you
+if you had not now at last heard my petition, at last granted me a
+rendezvous, then--"
+
+"Then you would have killed yourself," interrupted she--"then you would
+have stabbed yourself on the threshold of my door, while you cursed me. Is
+not that what you would have said?"
+
+"No; I would have found out the man whom you preferred to me, and I would
+have killed him, and you I would have despised--that is what I would have
+said. But no, no, I can not conceive of or imagine myself despising
+you--loving you no more! My whole soul is yours, and my heart flames up
+toward you as if it were one vast and living lake of fire. You smile; you
+do not believe me, Ludovicka! But I tell you, if you do not believe me,
+neither do you believe in love itself."
+
+"I do not believe in it, either, cousin; and you are quite right, your
+heart is a lake of fire. You know, though, all fires become extinct?"
+
+"When fuel is denied them, Ludovicka--not till then. They burn constantly,
+if supplied with constant fuel."
+
+"So then, my Electoral Prince, my heart is the fuel you would require?"
+
+"Yes, my Princess, I do require it. I implore it of you. Be good,
+Ludovicka, torment me not. Let me at last feel myself blessed--let me put
+my arm around you, and say and think, she is mine! mine she remains!"
+
+"Mine she remains!" repeated Ludovicka, sighing. "Alas! Frederick, how
+long ere you will no longer wish that I were yours; how long ere all the
+oaths of your heart will be forgotten and forever hushed? I have heard it
+from all women--they all say that the love of men is perishable; that,
+like a flash of lightning, it shines forth with vivid blaze, then vanishes
+away."
+
+"And they have all deceived you or been deceived themselves, Ludovicka.
+The love of men never expires, unless forcibly extinguished by women. Be
+trustful, my Ludovicka, trustful, and pious, and let love, holy and still,
+ardent and glowing, penetrate your heart, just as I do, without trembling,
+without hesitancy, and without the fear of men."
+
+"You love me, then, love me truly?" asked Ludovicka, tenderly clinging to
+him.
+
+"I love you with wrath and pain, love you with rapture and delight, love
+you in spite of the whole world! I will know nothing, consider nothing,
+hear nothing of the folly of the wise, of the irrationality of the
+rational, of the stupidity of the sage. I will know nothing and hear
+nothing, but that I love you! Just as you are, so cruel and so lovely, so
+coquettish and so innocent, so passionate and yet so cold. Oh, you are an
+enchantress, who has changed my whole being and taken possession of all my
+thoughts and all my feelings. Formerly I loved my parents, feared my
+father, respected my friend and early teacher, the faithful Leuchtmar,
+listened to his counsels, followed his advice. But now all that is
+past--all is swallowed up. I think only of you, only know you, only hear
+you."
+
+"And yet a day will come when I shall call upon you in vain, a day when
+you shall no longer hear my voice."
+
+"It will be the day of my death."
+
+"No; the day when you leave this place. The day on which you return to
+your native land to become there a reigning lord, and leave the poor
+humbled Princess Ludovicka behind here deserted and alone."
+
+"But you? Will you not go with me?" he asked, in amazement. "Will not my
+country be yours? And if I am a reigning lord, will you not stand as
+sovereign lady by my side?"
+
+"I?" asked she, bewildered. "How do you mean? I do not understand you."
+
+"I mean," he whispered softly, while he clasped her closely to himself--"I
+mean that you shall accompany me as my wife."
+
+"But!" cried she, smiling, and with an expression of radiant joy--"but you
+have never said that I should be your wife."
+
+"Have I not told you that I love you? Have I not been repeating to you for
+a year that I love you? And does it not naturally follow that you and you
+alone are to be my wife?"
+
+"But they will not suffer it, Frederick!" cried she, with an expression of
+pain. "No, they will never suffer you to make me your wife."
+
+"Who will not suffer it, Ludovicka?"
+
+"Your parents will not suffer it, and the great Lord von Schwarzenberg,
+who rules your father, as my mother has told me, and Herr von Leuchtmar,
+who rules you and--"
+
+"Nobody rules me," interrupted he indignantly, and a flush of anger or
+shame suffused his face. "No, nobody rules me, and I shall never be
+subject to any other will than my own."
+
+"So you say now, Frederick, while you look into my eyes, while you are at
+my side. But to-morrow, when I am no longer by, when your tutor shall have
+proved with his cold, matter-of-fact arguments that the poor Princess
+Ludovicka is no fit match for the Electoral Prince of
+Brandenburg--to-morrow, when your tutor will chide his beloved
+pupil for ever having allowed so foolish a love to enter his
+heart, then--"
+
+"I am a pupil no longer," interrupted he with glowing cheek. "I am
+seventeen years old, and no tutor has any more power over me."
+
+She seemed not to have heard him, and continued in her sweet, melancholy
+voice: "To-morrow, when perhaps another messenger comes to summon you
+home, when he brings you a letter from your father with the command to set
+forth immediately, in which you are informed that he has selected a bride
+for you, oh, then will the Electoral Prince Frederick William be naught
+but the obedient son, who obeys his father's commands, who leaves this
+country to seek his native land, and to wed the bride who has been chosen
+for him by his father."
+
+"No!" shouted the Electoral Prince fiercely, while he leaped up from the
+divan, and stamped his foot upon the ground--"I say no, and once more no.
+I shall not do what they order. I shall only follow my own will. And it is
+my will, my fixed, unalterable will, to make you my wife, and this will I
+shall carry into effect, despite my father, the German Emperor, and the
+whole world. Ludovicka, I here offer you my hand. Do you accept it? Will
+you be my wife?"
+
+With a countenance irradiated by energy, pride, and love he held out his
+hand to her, and smilingly she laid her own small hand in his. "Yes," she
+said, "I will be your wife. With pride and joy I accept your beloved hand,
+and swear that I love you, and will honor and obey you as my lord and my
+beloved!"
+
+He sank upon his knees before her, and kissed the hand which rested in his
+own. "Ludovicka Hollandine, Princess of the Palatinate," he said, with
+distinct and solemn voice, "I, Frederick William, Electoral Prince of
+Brandenburg, vow and swear hereby to love and be faithful to you ever as
+your wedded husband."
+
+"I accept your oath, and return it!" she cried joyfully. "I, too, swear to
+love and be ever true to you, and to take you for my husband. And here you
+have my betrothal kiss, and here you have your destined bride. Take her,
+and love her a little, for she loves you very much, and she will die of
+chagrin if you forget her!"
+
+"I shall never forget you, Ludovicka!" cried he, tenderly embracing her.
+"Storms indeed will come, violent tempests will rage about us, but I
+rejoice in them. For strength is tried by storms, and when it thunders and
+lightens I can then prove to you that my arm is strong enough to protect
+you, and that you are safe from all danger upon my heart."
+
+"O Frederick! and still, still would they separate us. My mother just said
+to me yesterday, 'Take care not to love the Electoral Prince seriously,
+for he can never be your husband.' And when, trembling and weeping, I
+asked the reason, she at last replied, 'Because you are a poor Princess,
+and because the misfortunes of your house overshadow you likewise.' The
+Elector and his minister will never give their consent to such a union,
+and the Electoral Prince will never have the spirit to be disobedient to
+his father and to marry in opposition to his wishes."
+
+She darted a quick, searching glance at his face, and saw how he reddened
+with indignation. "I shall prove to your mother that she is mistaken in
+me," he said vehemently. "I am indeed yet young in years, but I feel
+myself in heart a man who bows to no strange will, and is only obedient to
+the law of his conscience and his own judgment. I love you, Ludovicka, and
+I will marry you!"
+
+"If they give us time, Frederick," sighed Ludovicka. "If they do not force
+me first to wed some other man."
+
+"What do you say?" cried the Electoral Prince, growing pale, as he clasped
+his beloved yet closer to his side. "Could it be possible that--"
+
+"That they sell and barter me away, just as they do other princesses? Yes,
+alas! it is possible. Ay, Frederick, more than possible--it is certain
+that they have such views. Wherefore think you, then, that the Electoral
+Prince of Hesse is here--that he came yesterday with my uncle, the
+Stadtholder, to visit my mother, and that he was even presented to me in
+my own apartment? O Frederick! my mother has told me it is a settled
+thing--that the Electoral Prince of Hesse has come to marry me. They have
+already made arrangements, and got everything in readiness. Day after
+to-morrow is to be the day for his formal wooing, and if you do not save
+me, if you know of no way of escape, then in eight days I shall be the
+bride of the Electoral Prince of Hesse. I had planned, Frederick, to try
+you first--to hear from yourself whether you actually loved me, whether
+your love was earnest. Had I discovered that you were only making sport of
+my heart, had you not formally offered me your hand and sued for me as
+your wife, then would I have gone silently away, would have buried my love
+in the depths of my soul, sacrificed myself to my mother's wishes and the
+misfortune of my house, and become the wife of the Electoral Prince of
+Hesse. But you do love me, you offer me your hand, and now I confess my
+love openly and joyfully--now I cast myself in your arms and entreat you:
+Save me, my Frederick, do not let them tear me away from you! Save me from
+the Electoral Prince of Hesse!"
+
+She flung both her arms around him, pressed him closely to her, and looked
+up to him with tenderly beseeching eye. With passionate warmth the
+Electoral Prince kissed those alluring eyes and lips responding to his
+pressure. "You shall be mine, you must be mine, for I love you
+inexpressibly. I can not, I will not live without you!"
+
+"Let us fly, my beloved," whispered she, always holding him in her
+embrace.
+
+"Let us fly before the wrath of your father, before the courtship
+of the Electoral Prince of Hesse. Let us preserve our love in some quiet
+corner of the earth; let us fly where no one can follow us, where your
+father's will and his minister's hate can have no power--let us fly!"
+
+"Yes," said he, clasping closer in his arms the tender, glowing creature
+who clung so affectionately to him--"yes, let us fly, my beloved. They
+shall not tear you from me; I will have you, in spite of them all--you
+shall be mine, even though the whole world should rise up in opposition.
+To-morrow night let us make our escape. You are right; there must be some
+quiet corner of the world where we can hide ourselves, living for
+happiness, for love alone, until it is permitted us to emerge from our
+seclusion, and assume the station in the world due to us both. Yes, we
+will flee, Ludovicka, we will flee, no matter where!"
+
+"Oh, I hope I know a place of refuge, where we may be sheltered from the
+first wrath of our relatives, my Frederick. I have friends, influential,
+mighty friends, who will gladly furnish us with an asylum, and from whom
+we may accept it. To them I shall turn--to them apply for a retreat. They
+will provide us with the means for flight. Only, my beloved," she
+continued, hesitating and with downcast eyes, "only one thing is needful
+to enable me to flee with you."
+
+"What is that, my beloved, tell me?"
+
+"Frederick, I can only follow my husband, only go with you as your wife."
+
+"Yes, you sweet, lovely girl, you can only follow me as your husband.
+To-morrow night we make our escape, and ere we escape we must be married,
+and a priest shall bless our love. You say you have influential and
+powerful friends here, and indeed I know that the richest, noblest men in
+Holland vie with one another for one kind glance from my Ludovicka. Oh,
+not in vain have the States stood godfather for my bride, and given her
+their name. Now will some rich, powerful citizen of Holland prove that he,
+too, is godfather to the lovely Princess Hollandine, and in Java or Peru,
+or perhaps on some ship, find us a republic. I accept it, beloved, I
+accept it, and swear beforehand that the future Elector shall reward the
+rich mynheer and the whole of Holland for the good now done to the
+Electoral Prince and his beloved Hollandine. Speak, therefore, to your
+good, rich friends; tell them they may help and assist us. I agree to
+everything, I accept everything. I only want you, you yourself, for you
+are my all, my life, my light!"
+
+"You give me full power, then, to make arrangements for our flight, my
+Frederick?"
+
+"I give you full power, my beloved; you are wiser, more thoughtful than I
+am; besides, you are not so strictly guarded, so encircled by spies as I
+am."
+
+"No; to-morrow I am still free," exulted she--"to-morrow the Electoral
+Prince of Hesse has as yet no power over me, and no one will be observing
+me. My mother has been detained by sickness at The Hague, and here at
+Doornward there are no spies. Yes, I take charge of all, beloved. I shall
+manage everything, and to-morrow night I shall expect you."
+
+"To-morrow night I shall come here to take you away, my, beloved."
+
+"No, not here, for to-morrow my mother comes home, and then the castle
+will no longer be so solitary and quiet; then there will be many people
+here, and our movements might be watched."
+
+"Well, where else shall I find you, Ludovicka?"
+
+She clung to him, and gazed tenderly into his glowing eyes. "Oh," she
+said, "you do not know what I have ventured and dared for you. Do you
+remember with what animation and rapture you spoke to me recently of the
+secret league which exists at The Hague, of the rare feasts which you
+solemnize there, of the pleasure and delight you experience there? Do you
+remember how you lamented that we could not enjoy this glorious
+companionship together, that I could not be there at your side? Well, see,
+beloved, now you must admit how much I love you, and how ready I am to
+please you. I have in perfect secrecy and silence had myself initiated
+into the order of the Media Nocte."
+
+"You have done that?" cried the Prince, in joyful astonishment. "You
+belong to this glorious company of great minds, naming hearts, and noble
+souls? Oh, my Ludovicka, I recognize your love in this, and I thank you,
+and am proud of it that my betrothed belongs to the genial, the
+intellectual, and the elect. Oh, you are not merely my destined bride, you
+are my muse, my goddess, and in humility I bow my head before you, and I
+kiss the hem of your robe, beloved mistress, chosen one!"
+
+He bent his knee and kissed her robe, and bowed lower to kiss the tiny
+foot in its blue satin shoe. Then he raised one of these pretty feet and
+kissed it again, and placed it on his breast, holding it fast there with
+both his hands.
+
+"Mistress," he whispered, lifting up to her his countenance, beaming with
+love and enthusiasm--"mistress, your slave lies before you. Crush me, let
+me be dust beneath your feet, if you do not love me; let me die here, or
+swear to me that you will ever love me, that to-morrow night you will link
+your destiny indissolubly with mine!"
+
+"I will ever love you," she breathed forth, with a magical smile;
+"to-morrow night I will link my fate to yours."
+
+"Give me a pledge of your vow, a sign, a token of this hour!" entreated
+he, still holding the little foot between his hands.
+
+"What sort of pledge do you require, beloved of my heart? Ask, command;
+whatever it may be, it shall be yours!"
+
+With beaming, happy look he gazed upon her glowing countenance, and nodded
+to her, and whispered words full of tenderness and love, and at the same
+time with fondling hand loosened the silver buckle which fastened the blue
+satin shoe upon her foot, drew off the slipper from her little foot, whose
+rosy hue was transparent through the white silk stocking, and smilingly
+thrust it into the breast pocket of his velvet jacket. "But, Frederick, my
+shoe--give me back my shoe," said she, laughing; and her little hand and
+wondrous arm dived into his pocket to recover the stolen shoe. But the
+Prince held fast the little hand, whose warm, soft touch he felt to the
+deepest recesses of his heart, and pressed warm, glowing kisses on that
+ravishing arm, which seemed to quiver and tremble at the touch of his lips.
+
+"My shoe," she breathed softly--"give me my shoe!"
+
+"Never!" said he energetically. "No, I swear it, so truly as I love you, I
+shall never give back to you this precious jewel. Mine it remains, and not
+for all the treasures of the earth do I give it back again. Here, on my
+heart, it shall rest, the charming little shoe, and when I die it shall
+rest beside me in my coffin."
+
+"No, no, I will have it again!" cried Ludovicka. "My heavens! what would
+my chambermaid say, if to-morrow morning one of my shoes had
+vanished--been spirited away?"
+
+"Let her say and think what she pleases, dearest. Tell her you will direct
+her where to find it on the day after to-morrow. Think you not that when
+our flight is discovered, she will readily guess who has stolen your shoe?"
+
+"But see, Frederick, see my poor foot; it is freezing, pining for its
+house!"
+
+And smilingly Ludovicka extended toward the Prince her shoeless little
+foot. He took it between his hands and breathed on it with his glowing
+breath, and pressed upon it his burning lips.
+
+"Forgive me, you beautiful foot, for having robbed you of your house. But
+look you, dear foot, the little house shall now become a sacred memento of
+my love and my betrothal; and look you, dear foot, I swear to you that you
+shall walk in pleasant paths. I shall strew flowers for you, you shall
+tread upon roses, and not a thorn shall prick you and not a stone bruise
+you. That I swear to you, you little foot of the great enchantress, and
+therefore forgive me my theft!"
+
+"It shook its head, it will not!" cried Ludovicka, swinging her foot to
+and fro.
+
+"It shall forgive, or I will punish its mistress!" cried the Prince, while
+he sprang up, ardently encircling his beloved with his arm. "Yes, you
+shall pay me for your cruel foot, and--"
+
+All at once he became silent, and, hearkening, looked toward the wall.
+Ludovicka shrank back, and turned her eye to the same spot.
+
+"Is there, a door there?" whispered he.
+
+"Yes," she breathed softly, "a tapestry door leading to the small
+corridor, and thence into my sleeping apartment."
+
+"Is any one in your sleeping room?"
+
+"My little cousin, Louisa of Orange, who came to-day, and insisted upon
+staying here--Hush, for God's sake! she is coming. Hide yourself!"
+
+He flew across the room and jumped behind the door curtain, through which
+d'Entragues had gone out a little while before. The curtain yet shook from
+the violence of his movement, when the little tapestry door on the other
+side was opened, and a lovely child appeared upon the threshold. A long
+white nightgown, trimmed with rose-colored favors, concealed the slender
+delicate form in its flowing drapery, falling from the neck to the feet,
+which, perfectly bare, peeped forth from beneath the white wrapper like
+two little rose-buds. Her fair hair was parted over the broad, open brow,
+and fell in long, heavy ringlets on each side of the lovely childish face.
+The big blue eyes looked so pious and innocent, and such a soft, gentle
+smile played about the fresh crimson lips! In this whole fair apparition
+there was such a wondrous magic, so superhuman a loveliness, that it might
+have been supposed that an angel from heaven had descended and was now
+entering this apartment, which was yet aglow with the sighs and
+protestations of passionate earthly love, and radiant as a consecrated
+altar taper shone the candle in the silver candlestick which she carried
+in her hand. Lightly and inaudibly the child tripped across the floor to
+the Princess, who had thrown herself upon the divan, and assumed the
+appearance of just being aroused from a deep slumber.
+
+"Forgive me, dear, beautiful Aunt Ludovicka," said the little girl, in a
+low, soft voice, while she placed the candle upon the table and leaned
+over the Princess--"forgive me for waking you up. But I had such a fearful
+dream, and I fancied it was real. It seemed to me as if robbers were in
+the castle. I heard them laugh and talk quite plainly, and I was
+dreadfully distressed, and called you. You did not answer me, and then I
+thought they had already murdered you, and I sprang from the sofa where
+they had prepared my couch, near to your bed. You were not there, your bed
+was cold and empty, and still I heard quite plainly the loud laughing and
+talking of the robbers, and I was so dreadfully anxious and distressed
+that I must see where you were--I must see if they had not murdered you. I
+took the light and came here running, and, God be thanked! here is my dear
+Aunt Hollandine, and no robbers have taken her away from me, and no
+murderers have killed her."
+
+With her slender childish arms she embraced the Princess, and pressed her
+rosy cheeks tenderly against Ludovicka's glowing face.
+
+"You little blockhead, how you have frightened me!" said Ludovicka,
+repulsing her almost rudely. "I was asleep here, dreaming such sweet
+dreams, and all at once you have come and waked me, you little night owl.
+Go, go to bed, Louisa, and do not be so timid, child. No robbers and
+murderers come here, and in our castle you need not be afraid."
+
+"Ah, Aunt Hollandine," whispered the child, while she cast a frightened,
+anxious glance around the room--"ah, Aunt Hollandine, I am afraid that
+this castle is haunted. It was either robbers or evil spirits who made
+such a noise and talked and laughed so loud. And"--she stooped lower and
+quite softly whispered--"and you may believe me, dear, good aunt, it is
+haunted here. I plainly saw the curtain across there shake as I entered.
+Evil spirits are abroad to-night. Do you hear how it howls and whistles
+out of doors, and how the windows rattle? Those are spirits, and they have
+flown in here and laughed and danced. O aunt! you did not hear, but I did,
+for I have been awake, and have heard and seen how the door curtain shook,
+and there they lurk now, those wicked spirits, and look at us and laugh.
+Oh, I know that, I do! My nurse, Trude, told me all about it the other
+evening, and she knows. There are good and bad spirits; but the good
+spirits make no noise, and you would not know they were here. They come to
+you so quietly and so gently, and sit by your bed and look at you, and
+their faces shine like the moon and their eyes like stars, and their
+thoughts are prayers and their smiles God's blessing. But evil spirits are
+noisy and boisterous, and laugh and make an uproar as they did to-night!"
+
+"You have been dreaming, little simpleton, and fancy now that you really
+heard what dull sleep alone was thrumming about your ears. All has been
+quiet and peaceful here, and no evil spirits were in this room--trust me."
+
+"Neither were good spirits here, aunt!" cried the child; with tearful
+voice. "The door curtain did move, and I did hear laughter--believe me.
+And, dear Aunt Hollandine, I beg you to give me your hand and come with me
+into your sleeping room, and please be kind enough to your poor little
+Louisa to take her with you into your great fine bed, and let us hug one
+another and pray together and sleep together; then the evil spirits can
+not get to us. Come, dear aunt, come!"
+
+With both her hands she seized the Princess by the arm, and tried to lift
+her from the divan. But Ludovicka hastily pushed her away.
+
+"Leave such follies, Louisa, and go to bed!" she said angrily. "Had I
+known what a restless sleeper you were, I should not have gratified your
+wish of staying with me, but had you put to bed on the other side of the
+castle with the little princesses, my sisters."
+
+
+"Aunt," said the child, in a touching tone of voice, "I will be perfectly
+still and quiet, I shall certainly not disturb you, if you will only be
+good and kind enough to come with me."
+
+"No," said Ludovicka, "no, I am not going with you, for I have something
+still to do here. But if you are good and docile, and go back quietly and
+prettily to the sleeping room, and creep into your little bed, then I
+promise you to come soon."
+
+"Well, then, I will go," sighed the child, and dropped her little head
+like a withered flower. "Yes, I will be good, that you may love me. But
+please come soon, Aunt Ludovicka, come soon."
+
+She again took the candlestick from the table, nodded to the Princess and
+tried to smile, while at the same time two long-restrained tears rolled,
+like liquid pearls, from her large blue eyes over her rosy cheeks. Softly
+and with her little head always bowed down she crossed the apartment to
+the tapestry door; but, just as she was on the verge of the threshold, she
+stopped, turned around, and an expression of radiant joy flashed across
+her pretty face.
+
+"Dear aunt," she cried, "Trude told me that when we pray evil spirits must
+fly away, and have no longer any power. I will pray, yes, I will pray for
+you."
+
+And the child sank upon her knees. Placing the candlestick at her side,
+she folded her little white hands upon her breast, raised her head and
+eyes, and prayed in a distinct, earnest voice: "Dear Heavenly Father and
+all ye holy angels on high, protect the innocent and the good! O God!
+guide us to thee with the golden star which shone upon the shepherds in
+the field when they went out to seek the child Christ! Blessed angels,
+come down and keep guard around our bed, that no evil spirits and bad
+dreams can come to trouble us! God and all ye holy angels on high, have
+pity on the innocent and good! Amen! Amen! Amen!"
+
+And at the last amen, the child rose from her knees, again took up her
+light, and tripped lightly and smiling out of the room.
+
+Ludovicka sprang to the door, shut it close, and leaned against it. The
+Electoral Prince stepped forth from the curtain on the other side, and his
+countenance was grave, and his large eyes were less fiery and passionate,
+as he now approached the Princess.
+
+"Poor child," he whispered, "how bitterly distressed she is! Go to her, my
+precious love, and pray with her for our happiness and our love."
+
+"Are you going away already, my Frederick?" she asked tenderly.
+
+He pointed with his finger to the tapestry door. "She is so distressed,
+and her dear little face was so sad, it touched me to the heart."
+
+"How foolish I was," she murmured impatiently--"how foolish not to think
+of it, that the child might disturb us! She has often before spent the
+night with me, and never waked up, never--"
+
+"Never has she been disturbed," concluded the Prince, smiling. "Never
+before have evil spirits chattered and laughed within your room, and
+roused her from her sleep. But she shall yet see that her prayer has not
+been in vain, but that it has exorcised the evil spirits. Farewell, dear
+one! Farewell, and this kiss for good-night--this kiss for my beloved
+promised bride! The last betrothal kiss, for to-morrow night you will be
+my wife! God and all ye holy angels on high, protect the innocent and
+good!"
+
+He kissed once more her lips and her dark, perfumed hair, then hastened
+with rapid step across the apartment, hurriedly opened the window, lowered
+the rope ladder, and swung himself up on the windowsill."
+
+"Farewell, dearest, farewell! To-morrow night we shall meet again!" he
+whispered, kissing the tips of his fingers to her. Then he seized the rope
+ladder with both hands, and ere the Princess, who had hastened toward him,
+had yet found time to assist him and offer her hand to aid him in
+descending, his slight, elastic figure had disappeared beneath the dark
+window frame.
+
+Ludovicka leaned out of the window, and with all the strength of her
+delicate little hands held firm the rope ladder, which swayed backward and
+forward and sighed and groaned beneath its burden. All at once the rope
+ladder stood still, and like spirit greetings were wafted up to her the
+words, "Farewell! farewell!"
+
+"He is gone," murmured Ludovicka, retreating from the window--"he is gone!
+But to-morrow, to-morrow night, I shall have him again. To-morrow night I
+shall be his wife. O Sir Count d'Entragues! you shall be forced to
+acknowledge that the Electoral Prince loves me, and that his declaration
+of love is synonymous with an offer of marriage! I think I have managed
+everything exactly as it was marked out on the paper. Let us look again."
+
+She again drew forth the paper from the casket on her writing table, and
+read it through attentively. "Yes," she murmured as she read, "all in
+order. Offer of marriage elicited. Alarmed by the threat that they will
+unite me to the Prince of Hesse. Not betray who the friends are who will
+render me their aid. Secret marriage arranged. Time presses, To-morrow
+night. All is in order. The Media Nocte, too, confessed. Only one thing is
+still wanting. I only omitted telling him that our rendezvous must be in
+the Media Nocte, and that we make our escape from there. Well, never mind,
+I can tell him to-morrow, and about ten o'clock the orange-colored ribbon
+may flutter from my window, and Count d'Entragues will be so rejoiced! Oh,
+to-morrow, to-morrow I shall be my handsome Electoral Prince's wife!"
+
+She stretched forth her arms, as if she would embrace, although he was
+invisible, the handsome, beloved youth, whose kisses yet burned upon her
+lips. Her flaming eyes wandered over the apartment, as if she still hoped
+to find there his fine and slender shape. Now, not finding him, she sighed
+heavily and fixed her eyes upon the great portrait, which hung upon the
+wall above the divan. It was the half-length likeness of a woman, a queen,
+as was shown by the diadem of pearls surmounting her high, narrow
+forehead, and behind which a crown could be discerned. A rare picture it
+was, possessed of magical attractions. The large blue eyes, so glowing and
+tender, the soft, rounded cheeks, so transparently fair, the full, pouting
+lips, so speaking--all seemed to promise joy; and yet in the whole
+expression of the face there was so much melancholy and so much pain!
+Princess Ludovicka walked softly to the portrait, and lifted up to it her
+folded hands.
+
+"I, too, will pray," she whispered. "Yes, I will pray to you, Mary Stuart,
+queen of love and beauty! O Mary! holy martyr, graciously incline thy
+glance toward thy grandchild. Let thy starry eyes rest upon me, and
+graciously protect me in the path that I shall tread to-morrow, for it is
+the path of love! Oh, let it be the path of happiness as well! Mary
+Stuart, pray for me, and protect me, your grandchild! Amen!"
+
+
+
+
+III.--THE WARNING.
+
+
+"Your Highness stayed out very late again last night," said Herr Kalkhun
+von Leuchtmar, as he entered the sleeping apartment of the Electoral
+Prince Frederick William, who was still in bed.
+
+"Yes, it is true," replied the Prince, stretching himself at his ease, "I
+did come home very late last night."
+
+"The chamberlain has already waked your highness three times, and your
+highness has each time assured him that he would get up, but has each
+time, it seems, fallen asleep again."
+
+"Yes, I did fall asleep each time," answered Frederick William, in a
+somewhat irritated tone of voice; "and what of it?"
+
+"Why," said Herr von Leuchtmar pleasantly--"why, the painter Gabriel
+Nietzel, who arrived yesterday, and, to whom your highness promised to
+give audience this morning at eight o'clock, has been waiting almost two
+hours; Count von Berg, on whom your highness was to call at nine o'clock,
+has been expecting you an hour in vain--the horse has stood saddled in the
+stable for an hour; and the private secretary Mueller, with whom your
+highness was to prepare to-day a treatise upon fortifications, will
+probably make no progress whatever with the work."
+
+"It seems that I am not to have the privilege of sleeping as long as I
+choose," cried the Electoral Prince, with a mocking laugh. "My house moves
+like clockwork, in which there is no comfort or rest whatever, but where
+each must perform his prescribed service with mathematical exactness, that
+the whole be not stopped."
+
+"It is in a house as in a state," said Leuchtmar seriously: "each one,
+high and low, must do his duty, else the whole machinery stops, and, as
+your highness very justly remarked, the clockwork either stands still or
+is at the least put out of order."
+
+"Consequently, the clockwork of my house was disarranged merely because I
+stayed up two hours later than I have been accustomed to do?"
+
+"Totally disarranged, your highness."
+
+The Prince reddened with displeasure, his eyes flashed, and he had already
+opened his mouth for an angry reply, when he violently restrained himself.
+
+"I will get up," he said, "and then we can talk more about it."
+
+Herr von Leuchtmar bowed and withdrew to the antechamber. A quarter of an
+hour, however, had hardly elapsed before the chamberlain issued from the
+Prince's sleeping apartment, and announced to Herr Kalkhun von Leuchtmar,
+that breakfast was served, and that his highness, the Electoral Prince,
+awaited the baron's attendance at this meal in his drawing room. Herr von
+Leuchtmar hastened to obey the summons, and to repair to the Prince's
+drawing room. Frederick William seemed not at all conscious of his
+entrance. He sat on the divan sipping his chocolate, and at the same time
+restlessly playing with the greyhound that lay at his feet, looking up at
+him with its gentle, truthful eyes. Herr von Leuchtmar seated himself
+opposite the Prince, and took his breakfast in silent reserve. Once the
+Prince's eye scanned the noble, serious countenance of his former tutor,
+and the expression of perfect repose resting there seemed to pique and
+irritate him. He jumped up and several times walked briskly up and down
+the room. Then he paused before Leuchtmar, who had likewise risen, and
+whose large, dark-blue eyes were turned upon the Prince in gentle sorrow.
+
+"Leuchtmar," said the latter, shortly and quickly, "all is not between us
+as it should be."
+
+"I have remarked it for some time with pain," replied the baron softly.
+"Your highness is out of humor."
+
+"No, I am discontented!" cried the Prince; "and, by heavens, I have a
+right to be!"
+
+"Will your highness have the kindness to tell me why you are discontented?"
+
+"Yes, I will tell you, for you must know it in order that you may endeavor
+to alter it. I am discontented, Leuchtmar, because you and Mueller will
+never forget that I have owed respect to you as my teachers."
+
+"Prince," said the baron, lifting his head a little higher--"Prince, have
+we two behaved ourselves so as no longer to deserve your respect?"
+
+"Respect, indeed; but you confound respect with obedience, and wish me to
+obey you unreservedly, as if I were still a boy, subject to his teachers."
+
+"While now you would say you are a Prince arrived at years of majority,
+who no longer needs a teacher, and whose earlier preceptors are now only
+his subjects, dependent upon him."
+
+"No, I would not say that; and it is exceedingly obliging in you to carry
+your guardianship so far as even to interpret what I would say. Meanwhile,
+you have made a remark which claims my attention. You said that I was a
+Prince in my majority?"
+
+"Certainly, your highness, you are a major in so far as the laws of the
+electoral house of Brandenburg allow the Electoral Prince, in case of his
+father's death, if he has attained his sixteenth year, to assume the reins
+of government, independent of governor or regent."
+
+"Consequently, if my father were to die (which God forbid!) I might
+administer the government independently, in my own right?"
+
+"Independently and in your own right, your highness."
+
+"Whence comes it then that I, who might undertake the government of a
+whole country, am yet perpetually under restraint in the conduct of my own
+private life, watched over and treated like an irresponsible boy? It
+grieves me, Herr von Leuchtmar, to be forced to remind you that the time
+for my education is past, for I am not sixteen years old, but already
+several weeks advanced in my eighteenth year."
+
+"I thank your highness for this admonition," replied the baron quietly,
+"and I confess that without it I should not have known that your education
+was finished."
+
+"Sir, you insult me! So you still regard me as nothing but a boy?"
+
+"No, your highness, as a man, and I believe that Socrates was right when
+he said, 'The education of man begins in the cradle and ends only in the
+grave.'"
+
+"You know very well that he meant it in a widely different sense. Our talk
+is not now of actual education, but of the relations of pupil and teacher.
+The time of my pupilage is past, Sir Baron, and you will bear in mind, I
+beg, that I no longer sit in the schoolroom."
+
+"That, again, I did not know," said Leuchtmar gently, "and again in my
+defense I cite the wise Socrates, who said, 'Man is learning his whole
+life long, to confess at last that the only certain knowledge he has
+attained is that he knows nothing.'"
+
+"Maxims and maxims forever!" cried the Prince impatiently. "You want to
+evade me--you purposely misunderstand me. Well, then, candidly speaking, I
+am sick and tired of being everlastingly found fault with, watched over,
+tutored and spied upon, and once for all I beg that a stop be put to all
+this."
+
+"Will your highness do me the favor to say who it is that finds fault
+with, watches over, tutors, and spies upon you?"
+
+"Why, yes--you, Baron Kalkhun von Leuchtmar, you and the private secretary
+Mueller, you two first and foremost do those very things."
+
+"Your highness, if we have allowed ourselves to find fault with you when
+you did not deserve it, it was very presumptuous; if we have watched over
+you and tutored you, surely that might be forgiven in former tutors and
+instructors; but if we have acted as spies upon you, then have we both
+degraded ourselves and become contemptible, and your highness may esteem
+it as my last tutoring if I advise you to remove so unworthy a couple of
+subjects forever from your presence."
+
+"You will lead me _ad absurdum_, Leuchtmar!" cried the Prince. "You would
+prove to me that I am wrong and accuse you falsely. But you are mistaken,
+sir; I only speak the truth. One thing I ask you, though: have you ever
+looked upon me as an ungrateful pupil, a disobedient scholar, an
+ill-natured, idle man?"
+
+"No, never," returned Leuchtmar cordially. "No, your highness--"
+
+"Leave off those tiresome titles," interrupted the Prince. "Speak simply
+and to the point, without ceremony, as is becoming in serious moments,
+when man stands face to face with man."
+
+"Well then, no. You have ever been only a source of delight to your
+teachers and preceptors, and have ever proved yourself a kind-hearted,
+friendly, and condescending young Prince. You have (forgive me for saying
+so) been indeed the model of a young, amiable, good, and intellectual
+Prince. You have completed your studies at the universities of Arnheim and
+Leyden to the highest satisfaction of your professors. You have
+distinguished yourself at the colleges by diligence and attention, and
+perfected yourself in the languages and mastered all the sciences. Since
+you have been here at The Hague you have won for yourself the love and
+admiration of all those who have had the good fortune to come into your
+presence--"
+
+"Leuchtmar," interrupted the Prince, with difficulty suppressing a
+smile--"Leuchtmar, now you are falling into the opposite error; before you
+blamed me too much, now you praise me too much!"
+
+"Prince, I spoke before as now, only according to my inmost convictions,
+and you permit me still to utter these, do you not?"
+
+"Well," said Frederick William, hesitating, "the thing is--if your
+convictions are too flattering or too injurious, you might moderate them a
+little. For example, the way you acted in my sleeping room, a little while
+ago, was injurious. Just acknowledge it--say that you went a little too
+far, that it was not becoming in you to find fault with me, because I sat
+up a few hours too late, and all is made up."
+
+"Prince," replied Leuchtmar, after a slight pause--"Prince, forgive me,
+but I can not say it, for it would be an untruth. For a Prince, want of
+punctuality is a very dangerous and bad fault, and if he first becomes
+unreliable in his outer being, he will be so soon in his inner nature as
+well. But I do admit that perhaps I spoke in too excited a tone of voice,
+and the reason of that was, because--"
+
+"Well? Be pleased to finish your sentence. Because--"
+
+"Because, yes, let it be spoken plainly, because I know what this keeping
+of late hours means."
+
+"And what does it mean, if I may ask?"
+
+"Prince, my dear, beloved Prince, you whom in the depths of my soul I call
+my son, Prince, forgive me if I answer. It means that you have fallen into
+bad company--company which it is beneath your dignity to keep, company
+alike prejudicial to your mind and honor as to your health."
+
+"Of what company do you dare to speak so?" asked the Prince, with wrathful
+voice.
+
+"Prince, of that company which is hypocritical and deceitful as sin,
+dazzling and alluring as a poisonous flower, dangerous and deadly as
+Scylla and Charybdis, of the company of the Media Nocte."
+
+The Prince laughed aloud, and at the same time drew a deep breath, as if
+he felt his breast relieved of an oppressive burden. "Ah," he said, "is it
+only this? The Media Nocte is indeed a society which appears to all those
+who do not belong to it as a monster, a dragon, which slays with its fiery
+breath those who approach it, and daily requires for its breakfast a youth
+or a maiden. But I tell you, you anxious and short-sighted fools, you take
+an eagle for a flying dragon, and scream fire merely because you see a
+bright light! The Media Nocte is no monster, no Scylla and Charybdis, and
+we need not on her account have our arms bound, as cunning Ulysses did,
+which, by the way, always seemed to me very weak and womanly. A man must
+go to meet danger with a bold eye, with valiant spirit; he must confront
+it with his freedom of will and strength, and not seek to defend himself
+from it by outward means of resistance. Supposing that the Media Nocte
+were the dangerous society which you erroneously imagine it to be, need
+this be a ground for me to intrench myself timidly against it and flee its
+touch? No; just for that very reason would I seek it out--advance to meet
+it with the determination to do battle with it. But I tell you that you
+are mistaken in your premises! The Media Nocte is a society devoted to
+noble pleasures, to pure joys, to the highest, most intellectual
+enjoyments. All the arts, all the sciences, are fostered by it. All that
+is great and good, exalted and beautiful, is hailed there with delight,
+and only pedantry and stupidity are held aloof. Truth and nature are the
+two sacred laws observed in this society, and the noble, pure, free, and
+chaste Grecian spirit is the great exemplar of all its members. Therefore
+they all appear in Greek robes, and all their banquets are solemnized in
+the Greek style. And this it is which you wise, pedantic people stigmatize
+as blameworthy and abominable. The unusual fills you with horror, and the
+genial you call bold because it soars above what is commonplace!"
+
+"Well do I know that your highness looks upon the society in this way,"
+replied Leuchtmar, regarding with loving glances the handsome, excited
+countenance of the Prince. "Yes, I know that this is the only view you
+have had of the society of the Media Nocte, and that you would turn from
+it with horror and disgust if you were conscious of the license lurking
+behind its apparent geniality, the coarseness behind the unusual. But I
+beseech you, Prince, be not blind with your eyes open, close not
+voluntarily the avenues to light. I swear to you as an honest and a
+truthful man, that this society is like a plague spot for the noble youth
+of The Hague. Each one who touches it becomes impregnated with its poison,
+and sickens in spirit and imagination, and the fearful poison flows into
+his mind and heart, driving out from them forever truth and freshness,
+youth and innocence! Had I a son who belonged to this society with full
+understanding and appreciation of its meaning, I should mourn and lament
+him as one lost; had I a daughter, and had she even once voluntarily
+attended a meeting of the Media Nocte and participated in its pleasures,
+then should I thrust her from me with aversion and disgust--should no
+longer recognize her as my daughter, but forever expel her from my house
+in shame and disgust, for--"
+
+"Desist!" cried the Prince, with thundering voice, springing toward
+Leuchtmar and grasping his shoulders with both hands. Glaring fiercely
+upon him, he repeated, "Desist, I tell you, Leuchtmar, desist, and recall
+what you have just said, for it is a libel, a slander!"
+
+"No, it is the truth, Prince!" cried Leuchtmar, emphatically. "The Media
+Nocte is a society of the honorless and shameless, and the woman who
+belongs to it is no longer pure!"
+
+"No further, man, or I shall kill you!" said the Prince, in a high-pitched
+voice stifled by rage, while his arms clutched Leuchtmar's shoulders yet
+more firmly. "Only hear this: You know and have long guessed that I love
+the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine. Well, now, the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine belongs to the society of the Media Nocte!"
+
+"I knew that, Prince," said Leuchtmar solemnly.
+
+The Prince gave a scream of rage, and a deadly pallor overspread his
+cheeks. He still retained his grasp upon Leuchtmar's shoulders, his
+flashing eyes penetrated like dagger points Leuchtmar's countenance, and
+on his brow stood great drops of sweat, which gave witness of his inward
+tortures.
+
+"You knew that," he said, with gasping breath and gnashing teeth--"you
+knew that, and yet you dare to speak so, dare to vilify the maiden whom I
+love, dare to asperse a pure angel, to call her an outcast! Take back your
+words, man, if your life is dear to you--recall them, if you would leave
+this room alive!"
+
+"Kill me, Prince, for I do not recall them!" cried Leuchtmar, tranquilly
+meeting the flaming glances of the Prince. "No, I do not recall them, and
+if you take away my life, I shall give it up in your service and for your
+profit. You see very well I attempt no defense, although I am a strong
+man, who knows well how to defend his life. But for my own convictions and
+for you I die gladly. Kill me then!"
+
+"You do not recall them?" shrieked the Prince. "You maintain all to be
+truth that you have said of the order of the Media Nocte? You knew already
+before I told you that the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine belongs to it?"
+
+"I knew it, Prince, indeed, I knew it!"
+
+The Prince burst into a wild laugh, and with a sudden jerk thrust
+Leuchtmar so violently from him that he reeled backward against the wall.
+
+"No," he said grimly and wrathfully--"no, I will not do you the pleasure
+to kill you, for that would turn a wretched farce into a tragedy, and make
+a hero of a comedian! You are a good comedian, and you have played your
+part well! I can testify to that. Go and claim credit for this with my
+father and Count Schwarzenberg!"
+
+"I do not understand you, Prince. What does this mean?"
+
+"It means, Mr. Comedian, it means, that already this morning, while you
+supposed I was sleeping, I have had an interview with Gabriel Nietzel, my
+mother's court painter. Ah! now start back and be amazed. Yes, Gabriel
+Nietzel sat by my bed for more than an hour, and brought me a verbal
+message from my mother. She had also intrusted him with a letter for me,
+but on his journey here he has been robbed and the letter taken from him.
+Oh, I imagine the robbers took much more interest in the letters than in
+the effects of the painter, and Count Schwarzenberg and yourself both well
+know their contents. But happily my mother gave good Gabriel Nietzel a
+message to bring by word of mouth as well, which they could not steal from
+him, Baron von Leuchtmar. Can you understand now why I call you a
+comedian, who has studied his part well?"
+
+"No, Electoral Prince of Brandenburg, I can not yet."
+
+"Well, sir, then I shall tell you. Your virtuous indignation against the
+Media Nocte, your shameful allegations against a Princess, whom I love,
+your injurious accusations and slanders--all that was nothing more than a
+well-studied role prepared for you by my father and his minister. Oh,
+answer me not, do not deny it. I know what I say. Yes, I know that the
+Emperor of Germany deigns to interest himself in the marriage of the
+little Electoral Prince of Brandenburg. I know that his condescension goes
+so far as to desire to bless me with the hand of an Austrian archduchess.
+I know that on this account he has given strict orders and injunctions to
+his devoted servant, who is my father's all-powerful minister, that I
+shall be summoned away from The Hague; not, indeed, to reside at my
+father's court, but to proceed to the imperial court. But, God be thanked,
+the walls of the palace of Berlin are not o'er thick, and my mother has
+quick ears and Gabriel Nietzel is a trusty messenger. Yes, sir, I know you
+and your plans. I know, too, that the Emperor dreads my union with the
+Princess Ludovicka; that he has had my father notified that he will never
+sanction such a union, and that therefore my father and his Catholic
+minister have dispatched hither messengers and envoys, with strict orders
+never to suffer a matrimonial alliance with the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine, but to do everything to prevent it. Everything to prevent it!
+Do you understand me, sir? To calumniate also, and accuse and defame. But
+all together you shall not succeed. I shall prove to the Emperor, the
+Elector and his minister that I do not fear their wrath, and that the
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg will never, never be the vassal and
+servant of the German Emperor; that he feels himself to be an independent
+man, who claims for himself freedom of will and action, and who will only
+wed in obedience to the dictates of his own heart and his own will. But
+you, Leuchtmar, I herewith bid you farewell! We part to-day, and forever.
+That we so part, believe me, is to me a lifelong pain, for never can I
+forget what I owe you, and how faithful you have otherwise been to me.
+Leuchtmar, it is dreadful that you have turned against me. Go, we have
+parted! Go! And when you get home to Berlin, then say to my father's
+Austrian minister, that I shall never forgive him for what he has this day
+done to me, and that the Elector Frederick William will avenge the
+Electoral Prince. Tell him that I shall never accept an Austrian
+archduchess, a Catholic, as my wife--never become the humble slave of the
+Emperor of Germany. This is my farewell!"
+
+And with flaming countenance and eyes flashing with energy and passion,
+the Prince crossed the apartment, violently pulled open the door, and
+strode out. Leuchtmar looked after him with a mixture of tenderness and
+grief. "How angry he was, and yet how glorious to look upon!" he said
+softly to himself. "A young hero, who one day will perform his vow. He
+will not bow down as the vassal of the German Emperor!"
+
+A side door was just now easily and cautiously opened, and an older man of
+venerable aspect, in simple court garb, timidly entered, looking carefully
+around, as if he dreaded finding some one else in the apartment.
+
+"Baron, for heaven's sake, what has happened here?" he asked anxiously.
+"The Electoral Prince has been talking so loudly and so angrily that they
+heard him all through the house, and now he has stormed out and shouted to
+have his horse saddled. Almighty God! what has happened?"
+
+Baron Leuchtmar laid his hand upon his friend's arm, and nodded kindly to
+him. "My dear Mueller," he said, with a faint smile, "nothing more has
+happened than that the Electoral Prince has just dismissed me in anger,
+and sent me home to Berlin."
+
+"For pity's sake, what is that you say?" asked the private secretary,
+clasping his trembling hands together in painful astonishment. "He has
+been so ungrateful as to thrust from him his best and truest friend?"
+
+"I tell you yes, my dear Mueller, he has done so, and in wrath. You know
+well that hastiness of temper is an heirloom of the Brandenburg princes,
+and Frederick William can not deny that he has the family failing. Yes,
+he has dismissed me; but then, you know, it was perfectly natural, for he
+loves the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, and I ventured to criticise her."
+
+"It is actually true, then, that he loves her? He has allowed himself to
+be enticed by the siren! Ah! she is the genuine grandchild of Mary Stuart,
+and knows how to charm."
+
+"Hush, Mueller, hush! If the Electoral Prince hears that, he will send you
+to the devil too!"
+
+"He may do so," cried the old gentleman indignantly. "If he drives you
+away, his tutor and his best friend, then I shall reckon it an honor to be
+sent away likewise."
+
+"Well, well my friend, be not so desperate. We know our dear Electoral
+Prince. He is a lion when angry, a child when his anger is appeased. Let
+us wait; to-day I shall conceal myself from him, and to-morrow, well,
+to-morrow he will call for me himself. But did you not say that he had
+given orders for his horse to be saddled?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, I heard it myself how he commanded them in angry voice to
+saddle Maurus for him--the wild hunter, you know."
+
+"Where can he be going so early in the morning?" asked Leuchtmar
+thoughtfully. "He is so much excited, and love of the Princess will lead
+him to some rash, ill-advised step; for you are right, friend, she is a
+siren! But hark! Is not that the voice of the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Yes, it is indeed. He is below in the court!"
+
+The two men hastened through the apartment to one of the windows, and,
+hiding themselves behind the curtains, looked cautiously down into the
+court. The Electoral Prince had just swung himself into the saddle. The
+horse gave a loud neigh, as if recognizing its master, then reared, but
+the Prince sat firm. His short, furred mantle was lifted high by the wind,
+the long white ostrich plumes nodded above his broad-brimmed, gold-laced
+hat, beneath which floated like a lion's mane his brown and curly hair.
+With firm, energetic hand the youth compelled the animal to stand, then
+pressed his knees into its flanks, and swift as an arrow from the bow the
+animal flew out of the court gate. Both gentlemen stepped back from the
+window.
+
+"He is a splendid young man," sighed the private secretary Mueller, shaking
+his head.
+
+"Yes," echoed Leuchtmar, smiling, "I find it very comprehensible that the
+Princess Ludovicka should gladly have him as consort. But we must not
+submit to it, but do everything to prevent it, for it is contrary to
+policy and reasons of state. And I think, too, such an union would not be
+for the Prince's welfare, for the Princess--But hush! the Electoral Prince
+has forbidden me to speak evil of her, and we are here in his room. Let us
+keep silence with regard to her."
+
+"But where can he be rushing to now--the Electoral Prince, I mean?"
+
+"I fear that I can guess. To her, to the Princess, and to apologize to her
+with his looks for the injury which my words have done her. He is just an
+enthusiastic youth, and it is his first love! Believe me, he is hurrying
+to her!"
+
+
+
+
+IV.--AN IDYL.
+
+
+Yes, Leuchtmar was quite right. He was away to her--to Ludovicka. To her
+he was irresistibly drawn by vehement desire. Yes, she was his first love,
+and the magic of this delicious sensation held his whole being enthralled,
+and now drove him onward as on the wings of the hurricane. He thought of
+nothing and knew nothing but that he must see her, must prove to her how
+passionately he loved her, how fervently and devoutly he believed in her.
+The horse dashed on furiously, breathlessly, and yet it seemed to the
+Electoral Prince as if an eternity had elapsed ere he finally reached
+Castle Doornward. He breathed a glad sigh of relief, threw the reins to
+the promptly advancing servants, and vaulted from the horse. His beaming
+eyes were uplifted to his beloved's window, and he saluted her with his
+thoughts and his smile. He thought she must feel it, and his looks and
+thoughts must bring her to the window. He stopped and looked up--but
+Ludovicka did not appear at the window; only an orange-colored ribbon was
+fluttering there in the sunshine and the wind, and Frederick William
+smiled joyfully, for he took it as a token of good fortune. Then he
+entered the castle, reverentially greeted by the lackeys, who ventured
+not to oppose him, as with rapid bounds, like a young deer, he sprang up
+the steps. Straight to the apartments of the Princess Ludovicka he strode,
+through the antechamber into the drawing room. But she was not there; she
+came not to meet him in her enchanting beauty, with that affectionate
+smile upon her crimson lips. No, Ludovicka was not there, and the
+chambermaid who officiously hurried from the adjoining room informed the
+Prince that her most gracious young lady had already been gone an hour on
+a visit to The Hague, whence she would not return till the next morning.
+But the sharp, cunning eyes of the Abigail, had meanwhile peered through
+the door, which the Prince had left open, out into the antechamber, and,
+finding that no one was there, the Prince having come quite alone, she
+approached nearer to him.
+
+"Most gracious sir," she whispered, "I was, however, to have gone into
+town and handed something for the Electoral Prince to his valet, to whom I
+am engaged."
+
+"Now it will be more convenient for you, Alice," said the Electoral Prince
+cheerfully. "You need no third party. I am here myself. Give to me
+personally what you would have given to my valet, your respected
+betrothed, for me."
+
+"Here it is," whispered Alice, drawing from the pocket attached to her
+girdle by a silver chain a little note, which, with a graceful bow, she
+handed to the Prince.
+
+"And here is your reward," he said, taking a gold piece from his purse
+and handing it to her. She took it, blushing with confusion, and bowed
+down to the earth.
+
+"If it pleases your grace to read here," whispered she, "I will guard the
+door."
+
+He shook his head and rushed out. No, not in that narrow, close room, not
+in the neighborhood of that tiresome chambermaid could be read the letter
+of his beloved--that letter which he believed, nay, knew, contained the
+last decision for sealing his whole future fate. In the open air, under
+God's blue sky, in the warm and radiant autumn sun, would he receive the
+message of his beloved, would he take to his heart what the angel of his
+life had to communicate to him. As rapidly as he had stormed up he again
+sprang down the steps, and through the well-known rooms and corridors took
+the way leading to the park. He was well acquainted with it, for he had
+often taken it at the side of his aunt, the unfortunate Bohemian Queen and
+Electress, who had found a refuge here in Holland at the court of her
+uncle, the Stadtholder Frederick Henry of Orange, and had her little
+residence at Castle Doornward. He had often walked it with the princesses,
+her daughters, and very bright and pleasant hours had he passed in that
+beautiful park with Princess Ludovicka.
+
+On one of those squares, in one of those shady thickets where he had so
+often sat with her and her sisters, he would now read her message. With
+hasty step, with glowing cheeks fired by enthusiasm, with head aloft, he
+strode on, and now entered the woods near the path. They were curtained by
+festoons of wild grapevine; no one could see how he now took out the
+little note which he had so long concealed in his hand, how he pressed it
+to his lips, to his eyes, how he then unfolded it, and again, before
+reading it, pressed the beloved characters to his lips. The letter
+contained nothing but the words: "The friends are ready and willing.
+To-night about one o'clock in the Media Nocte. From there flight. A worthy
+asylum is waiting, and the priest stands before the altar to bless the
+couple."
+
+"To-night she will be mine--to-night we shall be married! To-night we
+shall make our escape!"
+
+He could think of nothing but this. His heart continually repeated it with
+loud jubilation, his lips murmured it softly in response, while, knowing
+nothing, seeing nothing of the outside world, he sped along through the
+alleys and over the squares of the garden. He knew not whither he went, he
+had no aim; he only knew that to-night he was to be indissolubly united
+with his beloved--that he would flee with her. Once he must pause, for the
+loudly beating heart denied him breath, and once, in the blissful rapture
+of his soul, he must give a loud shout of joy, otherwise his breast would
+have burst. A merry, musical laugh rang forth near to him, and as he
+turned to the side whence the sound had proceeded a lovely and pleasing
+picture met his astonished gaze. In the midst of the grassplot near which
+he was stood a great white cow, one of those splendid creatures that are
+only seen on Dutch pastures. A fine-looking maid, dressed in the national
+costume of the Dutch peasantry, with the gold-edged cap over the full,
+luxuriant hair that fell in long braids down her back, sat on a stool
+beside the cow, and was busied in milking. In melodious, regular cadence
+the steaming milk flowed over her rosy hands down into the white porcelain
+bucket which she held between her knees. At her side stood a little girl,
+in almost the identical costume, only that the wide plaited skirt was of
+black silk, the bodice of purple velvet trimmed with gold buttons and
+loops, and the white apron of finest linen edged with point lace. Below
+the short silk skirt, trimmed with purple velvet, peeped forth blue silk
+stockings with red tops; shoes with high red heels, ornamented with gold
+buckles, covered the neat little feet. It was altogether quite the costume
+of a Dutch peasant girl, only the cap was wanting on the head, and in its
+stead the hair, which fell in long fair ringlets over the child's
+shoulders, was adorned by a thick wreath of the tendrils of the wild
+grape, into which, in front just over the brow, were woven two beautiful
+purple asters. She had been busied, it appeared from the quantity of
+leaves and flowers she carried in her apron, in weaving wreaths, but now
+let the contents of her apron fall to the ground, and only kept the green
+wreath already finished, which hung upon her arm, while she sprang
+laughing over the grassplot.
+
+"Cousin Frederick William," she asked merrily, "where do you come from,
+and why do you scream so fearfully?"
+
+"Have I frightened you, Cousin Louisa Henrietta?" he asked, extending both
+hands to her in greeting.
+
+"Not me, cousin, but Hulda," she returned, holding out her little hands.
+"You must know, cousin, Hulda is very scary, and it comes from her being
+sad."
+
+"Who is Hulda? The smart dairymaid there?"
+
+"Hey, God forbid, cousin! How can you think that dairymaid could be
+scared? No, Hulda is my pretty white cow, and she is sad because she has
+lost her little calf. I am not to blame for it, and I told my poor Hulda
+that, too, and as she lowed so piteously I wept with her heartily and
+comforted her."
+
+"But why did you let them take away her little calf? Why did you suffer
+it? Is it not your own cow?"
+
+"Understand, it is my own cow," replied the little girl, seriously. "My
+good aunt, the Electress, has made me a present of it, that I may have
+some pleasure when I come here to Doornward, and it makes me feel as if I
+were at home. For you must know, cousin, that I have a regular dairy at
+The Hague."
+
+"No, cousin, I did not know it," said the Electoral Prince, while he
+looked kindly into the lovely, rosy countenance of the little Princess
+Louisa Henrietta of Orange.
+
+"You do not know that?" she cried, clapping her little hands together in
+astonishment. "Yes, I have a dairy--three cows, who belong to myself
+alone, and for which papa has had built a stable of their own, which is
+very grand and splendid. And next to the stable is a room for the milk and
+butter. O cousin! I tell you, it is splendid! The next time you come to us
+at The Hague, send for me, and I will show you my cows in their stable,
+and if you are right good, you shall have a glass of milk from my favorite
+cow."
+
+"Many thanks!" cried the Electoral Prince, laughing. "But I am no friend
+of warm milk, and understand nothing whatever of farming."
+
+"Well, why should you?" said the Princess gravely. "You are a man, and men
+have something else to do; they must go to war and govern countries. But
+women must understand management and know how to keep house."
+
+"So? Must they that?" laughed the Prince. "Common women, indeed, but you,
+Louisa, you are a Princess."
+
+"But a Princess of Holland, cousin, and my mother has told me that the
+Princesses of Holland must seek their greatest renown in becoming wise and
+prudent housewives, and understanding farming thoroughly, in order that
+all the rest of the women of Holland may learn from them. My mother says
+that a Prince of Holland should be the first servant of the Sovereign
+States, but a Princess of Holland should be the first housekeeper of the
+Dutch people, and the more skillful she is the more will the people love
+her. And therefore I shall try to be right skillful, for I shall be so
+glad if our good people would love me a little."
+
+"Would you, indeed?" asked the Electoral Prince, quite moved by the lovely
+countenance and the heartfelt tone of the little girl. "Would you be glad
+if the people loved you a little? Well, I promise you, Cousin Louisa
+Henrietta, they will love you, and whoever shall look into your good,
+truthful eyes will feel himself fortunate and glad, just as I do now. Keep
+your beautiful eyes, Louisa, and your innocence and harmlessness, and be a
+good housewife, then your people will love you very much. But tell me,
+cousin, for whom is that wreath which is hanging on your arm?"
+
+"For my beautiful cow; but if you will have it I will give it to you,
+and--no," she broke off, abashed and reddening, "no, forgive me, dear
+Cousin Frederick William; I shall not give you a wreath which I destined
+only for an animal. I shall fix it so," she cried, with a lovely smile, "I
+shall take this wreath to my Hulda, and to you, cousin, I shall give my
+own wreath."
+
+She hastily tore the wreath from her own locks, and raising herself on
+tiptoe tried with uplifted arm to place it on the Prince's head, but he
+stayed her hand.
+
+"No, cousin," he said; "that must be done properly. You are a lady, a
+Princess, and if you crown a knight, then let him bow the knee before
+you."
+
+And he bent his knee before her, and looked up at her smilingly and
+joyously. "Crown me, Cousin Louisa Henrietta," he said, with ceremonial
+pathos--"crown me and give me a device."
+
+The little maiden held the crown thoughtfully in her hand, her large blue
+eyes fixed upon the smiling countenance before her with an earnest,
+meditative expression.
+
+"Well," he said, "why do you not give me the wreath? And what are you
+thinking of?"
+
+"Of a motto, cousin," she replied seriously; "for you told me I must give
+you a device. But I am only a silly little girl, and you must bear with
+me. Mother said yesterday to me that the best motto she could give for
+everyday use is this, 'Be a good woman.' Now I think, if it were rightly
+changed and turned, it would suit you."
+
+And with charming determination she pressed the wreath upon the Prince's
+dark locks, and then laid both her hands upon his head.
+
+"Be a good man," she said, "yes, Electoral Prince Frederick William, be a
+good man."
+
+The smile had suddenly vanished from the Prince's countenance, and given
+place to a deep earnestness. "Yes," he said solemnly, "I promise you I
+shall be a good man." And just as he said this the cow bellowed aloud, and
+Princess Louisa turned her looks upon her and nodded pleasantly.
+
+"Look you, cousin," she said, "Hulda, too, gives you her blessing, and do
+not laugh at it, for God speaks in all that live; the flowers and beasts
+emanate from him as well as men. And if man does not do his duty, and is
+not good and diligent, then God does not love him, and the flower which
+blooms and the cow that gives milk are dearer to him, for they do their
+duty. But see, the milkmaid is ready, and now, Cousin Frederick William,
+now I must go to the milkroom and measure the milk into the pans, and I
+will tell you, but nobody else shall know, I secretly take a quart cup
+full of milk, and take it to the calves' stable to the calf, from my
+Hulda. It ought not, indeed, to drink milk any longer, but be an
+independent creature, eating hay and chewing the cud, but it will just
+feel that the milk comes from its own mother, and be glad. Farewell,
+Cousin Frederick William, I must be gone."
+
+She was about to slip away, but the Electoral Prince held her fast. "No,"
+he said, "not so cursory shall be our leave-taking, my darling little
+heavenly flower. Who knows when we shall meet again?"
+
+"You are not going away yet, cousin?" she asked, stroking his cheeks with
+both her little hands. "Ah! they told me that your father would by no
+means allow you to remain here any longer, and I was so sorry that it made
+me cry."
+
+"Why did it make you sorry, Cousin Louisa?" asked the Electoral Prince,
+drawing the little maiden to himself.
+
+She leaned her little head upon his shoulder. "I do not know," she said,
+looking at him with her great blue eyes. "I believe I love you so much
+because you are always so good and friendly to me, and have often talked
+and played with me, and not laughed at me when I told you about my
+animals. I thank you for it, my dear, good cousin, and I shall love you
+as long as I live."
+
+"And I, my dear, good cousin, I thank you for the motto which you have
+given me, and I shall think of it and of you as long as I live. Yes, my
+dear child, I will be a good man, and do you know, little Louisa," he
+continued, smiling, "whenever I am in trouble and danger, I shall think
+of you and pray, 'God and all ye innocent angels on high, have pity on the
+innocent and good! Amen!'"
+
+He pressed a fervent kiss on the child's forehead, nodded smilingly to
+her, took the wreath from his head to conceal it in his bosom, and then
+strode away with light, quick steps. The child looked thoughtfully after
+him with her large blue starry eyes, as if lost in thought, until the
+slender, athletic form of the young man had vanished behind the trees.
+"How does he know my prayer?" she whispered softly, "and why did he smile
+as he repeated it? Ah! surely Cousin Ludovicka has told him what a timid
+little coward I was last night. But hark! Hulda is lowing. Yes, yes, I am
+coming now!"
+
+And the little girl flew across the grassplot, and flung both her arms
+around the animal's neck, and stroked and coaxed it, calling it pet names,
+and telling it of its beautiful calf, to which she would forthwith carry
+some milk. And the cow lowed no more, but looked with its big intelligent
+eyes into the child's face.
+
+
+
+
+V.--MEDIA NOCTE.
+
+
+"The gods have come down from Olympus! The gods greet the earth! They
+greet beauty! They greet youth! They greet wisdom and the arts! The gods
+greet the earth! Long live the gods! Live Venus, the mother of love! Long
+live Minerva, the unapproachable virgin, full of wisdom! Long live Zeus,
+the god of gods, men transformed into gods, and gods into men! Olympus
+live on earth!"
+
+So sang they and rejoiced in triumphant chorus, and high above from the
+clouds pealed forth music, and from thicket and shrubbery sounded sweet
+songs, dying away in gentle whispers. Then all was still, for the gods,
+who had traversed the halls in dazzling procession, had now taken their
+places at the long rose-crowned tables. An Olympic festival was being
+solemnized that evening in the Media Nocte. Earth was forsaken now, and
+the children of earth found themselves again on Olympus, changed to gods.
+Those were not the drawing rooms in which they had been wont to assemble,
+commingling in cheerful pastimes, in hilarious merriment, these people
+clad in light Greek robes. No, this was cloud-capped Olympus, this was
+heaven upon earth; rose-colored, luminous clouds encircled the space, and
+behind them the galleries which ran round the hall had vanished. Instead
+of the ceiling usually bounding this vast room, they now looked up to the
+deep blue sky, and star after star twinkled there, and filled the
+apartment with soft mild light. And not in a hall furnished with chairs
+and divans did they find themselves this evening, but in a monstrous
+grotto in the heart of Olympus--a grotto of sparkling, glittering mountain
+crystal, bright and transparent as silver gauze, and behind this a magical
+moving to and fro of beauteous human shapes, of genii and Cupids. Only the
+long table in the middle of the grotto reminded of earth, or maybe the
+home of heathen gods.
+
+For, like the children of earth, the gods on Olympus used to carouse and
+drink, and, like the children of men, did they enjoy fullness of food and
+luscious wine. Golden goblets, wreathed with roses, stood before the
+silver plates loaded with fruits and tempting viands. In crystal flasks
+sparkled the golden wine, in silver vases the gay-colored flowers exhaled
+their sweets. Luxurious cushions, soft as swan's down, spangled and
+silvery as were the clouds which stooped from heaven, lined both sides of
+the long table, and on them the gods and goddesses had just sank in
+blissful silence, gazing on the glorious place, and rejoicing that men are
+gods and gods are men! There, on high, sits Zeus on golden throne, and
+Ganymede, the beautiful boy, stands near and hands him on golden dishes
+the fragrant ambrosia, and Hebe, the lovely, childlike maid, hovers about,
+and presents in crystal cups the gleaming purple wine, glistening like
+gold. Juno, the radiant queen of heaven, sits beside Zeus; and as if woven
+of silvery clouds and stars seems the garment that lightly and loosely
+envelops but does not hide the wondrous shape. A light cloud of silver
+gauze covers her countenance, as that of all the other goddesses.
+
+But now, as all rest in silence, these gods and goddesses, now rises Zeus
+from his golden throne and bows to both sides, greeting.
+
+"At the table of the gods must be enthroned Truth, the purest, most chaste
+of all the goddesses, and at her side the wisest, most puissant Genius,
+the Genius of Silence!" calls out Zeus, with far-resounding voice. "Do you
+admit that, ye gods and goddesses?"
+
+"We admit it!" call out all in exulting chorus.
+
+"You gods, swear by all that is sacred to you in heaven and upon earth
+that you will present this evening as a thank offering in sacrifice to the
+Genius of Silence! That never will pass your lips what your eyes see,
+never will your eyes betray the memory that shall dwell within your
+hearts!"
+
+"We swear it by all that is sacred in heaven and upon earth!" cry the
+gods.
+
+"Ye goddesses all, ye have heard!" cries Zeus, the enthroned. "Now do
+homage to Truth, as she to the Genius of Silence! Away with falsehood and
+deceit! Away with your masks!"
+
+And the plump, wanton arms of the goddesses are raised, and the
+rosy-fingered hands tear the silvery veils from their heads and cast them
+triumphantly behind them, and triumphantly the gods greet the beaming
+countenances of the goddesses, their sparkling eyes and rosy lips, the
+haunts of sweet, seductive smiles.
+
+"Long live the gods and goddesses of Olympus! No earthly memories cleave
+to them; if perchance they have borne earthly names, who knows it, who
+remembers it? The present only belongs to the gods--this hour is one of
+precious joy."
+
+Only those two sitting there at the table of the gods, arm linked in arm,
+only they remember, for not alone the present but the future, too, belongs
+to them. The gods and goddesses call the two Venus and Endymion, but they,
+in tender whispers, call each other Ludovicka and Frederick. No one
+disturbs himself about them, no one notices the happy pair, and they
+observe and regard no one, for they are thinking only of themselves.
+
+"Oh, my beloved," whispers the Prince, "how stale and insipid seems this
+fantastic feast to me to-night! Once it would have charmed me, and would
+have been to me as embodied poesy. But to-night it leaves me cold and
+empty, and I feel that the true and real contain in themselves the highest
+poetry."
+
+"You are indeed right, my Endymion," says she softly--"you are indeed
+right: love is the highest poetry, and he who possesses the true and real
+needs not the fantastic semblance. Still, this is a feast of gods;
+therefore let us enjoy it with glad hearts and swelling joy. For is it not
+our wedding feast, and are not all these gods and goddesses unwittingly
+solemnizing the hymeneal of our love? Rejoice then, my darling, rejoice
+and sing with the convivial, open your heart to the ravishing hour, drink
+into thy soul the delight and rapture of the gods!"
+
+A shadow stole over Endymion's high, clear brow, and he gently shook his
+head. "I love you so deeply and truly that I can not be merry in this
+hour," he said thoughtfully; "and this wild tumult and this uproarious joy
+seem not to me like a glorification of our love, but rather its
+profanation. Ah! my dear love, would that I were alone with you in the
+open air, beneath the broad high arch of heaven, instead of here beneath
+this artificial one; would that we sat hand in hand in one of those quiet
+shady spots in your park, where I could pour into your ear the holy
+secrets of my heart and tell you sweet stories of our love, and you should
+listen to me with tranquil, reverent heart, and you and I would solemnize
+together a glorious feast divine, more glorious than this mad joy can
+furnish us! He who is happy flees noisy pleasures, and he who loves
+ardently and truthfully longs for quiet and solitude, to meditate upon his
+love."
+
+"We shall be solitary and alone, my Frederick, when we belong to one
+another--when nothing more can separate us, when we shall no more have to
+meet under the veil of secrecy, no more have to conceal the fair, divine
+reality under borrowed tinsel! You know, love, to-night we flee."
+
+"God be praised! to-night will make you forever mine, and nothing then can
+separate us but death alone!"
+
+"Speak not of death while life encircles us with all its charms! Be
+cheerful, my beloved--be happy, my Endymion. We celebrate the godly feast
+of love, and yet is it only the foretaste of our bliss. Yield yourself to
+the delights of the moment, drink from the golden goblet of joy, my
+Endymion!"
+
+"Yes, I will drink, drink, for Venus drinks with me."
+
+"She hands you, Endymion, the flower-crowned goblet! Drink! drink! drink!
+Enjoy the moment! Taste the pleasures of this hour! But think of the
+coming hour which is to consummate our bliss!"
+
+"When will it be, beloved? And where shall I meet you?"
+
+"When all is bustle and stir and singing, then let my Endymion descend
+from Olympus and repair to the grotto of rocks close by. To the left of
+the entrance he will find a cavern. Let him go in and there find his white
+garments; put them on and wait. All the rest follows of itself."
+
+"And you, my heart--will you, too, follow of yourself?"
+
+"Follow of myself and fetch Endymion!"
+
+Music sent forth sweet strains, and from the rosy clouds the chorus of
+Cupids greeted the gods with songs of rejoicing.
+
+After the singing the Muses entered, winding round the table, quoting
+far-famed songs and praising the arts, which they protected. And suddenly
+the starry sky above became obscure, and twilight reigned. Only behind the
+crystalline walls it shone bright and ever brighter, and in sunshine
+splendor emerged the antique marble statues of the gods, and walked and
+moved, endowed with flesh and growing life. Music resounded and bands of
+Cupids sang; again the hall was lighted up, the tables at which the gods
+had reclined vanished, geniuses hovered about, strewing the ground with
+fragrant flowers, and in glad confusion mingled gods and goddesses, heroes
+and demigods, with sparkling eyes and beating hearts. They poetized and
+sang, praised the gods, and laughed and shouted, "Long live the Media
+Nocte! Long live those great minds and noble hearts which belong to it!"
+And all was bustle, stir, and song!
+
+Endymion forsook Olympus, entered the nearest grotto amid the rocks, and
+slipped into the little cavern to the left. Venus was still in the hall.
+To her came Hercules and softly whispered, "All is ready!"
+
+"But where? Tell me, where? It seems to me like a dream! You see how I
+trust you, for without question have I done everything just as the paper
+directed. Here I am, in the Media Nocte, and know not at all what remains
+to be done!"
+
+"The marriage ceremony and flight, fair Venus! Listen, however, to this
+one thing! In close proximity to this house, as you well know, stands the
+hotel of the French embassy. Well, gracious lady, walls can be leveled,
+and my enchanter Ducato can turn them into doors! Repair to the grotto
+hall and the cavern on the right. There will Venus be transformed into the
+Princess Ludovicka, and still be Venus! Then cross over to the cavern on
+the left, where, instead of Endymion, waits the Electoral Prince. She
+gives him her hand! My enchanter Ducato sees it, and all the rest takes
+care of itself. Only follow the god within your own breast! Only one thing
+more, Princess! Be Venus to him, and ravish his heart and soul, that he
+may not delay to sign the contract and inquire into its contents."
+
+"Be not uneasy," smiles Venus proudly; "he will sign anything to be able
+to call me his."
+
+Louder resound the peals of music, and all the gods sing and laugh and
+jest and shout. And the Bacchantes swing to and fro their ivy-wreathed
+staves, and their mouths with ecstasy pour forth their stammering songs of
+mirth! Venus has soared away! But no one observes it. Each is his own
+deity, here in the Media Nocte. Oh, blessed night of the gods! Forget that
+the wretched day of man will return in the morning! Louder resound the
+strains of music, and all is bustle, stir, and song there in Olympus!
+
+From the cavern on the right steps forth the Princess Ludovicka in white
+satin robe, a myrtle wreath twined in her hair, and behind her sweeps her
+veil like a silver cloud. Venus! Venus ever! full of sweet enchantment!
+
+She goes to the cavern on the left, and gently knocks. The door springs
+open, and she enters. It is bright within, and the Electoral Prince, in
+gold-embroidered suit, comes to meet her with beaming eyes, looks upon her
+radiant with happiness, and sinks down at her feet. Endymion! Endymion
+ever! Enchained by sweet magic! A door flies open; nobody has opened it,
+but there it is. The Electoral Prince jumps up and offers the Princess his
+hand. Neither of the two speaks, for their hearts are beating overloud.
+
+The merry music and uproarious shouts of the gods on Olympus penetrate to
+them even in the stillness of the cave, but through the open door other
+sounds steal near. Solemn, long-drawn organ peals are heard, uniting in
+the melody of a pious choral. How strangely blended within that narrow
+space those exultant songs and those organ tones! The young lovers hear
+only the notes of the organ, and hand in hand move toward the sound.
+
+A small pleasure boat receives them, flowers and myrtle trees line the
+banks, and inviting and alluring the organ calls them. Light glimmers at
+the end of the passage, and the lovers go toward it. They enter a large
+wide room! Solemn silence reigns here. At the farther end is a small
+altar. On it burn tall wax tapers, and before it, in full canonicals,
+stands the priest, prayer book in hand. At his sides are two gentlemen
+in simple, somber dress.
+
+Farther forward, nearer the center of the hall, is a table hung with
+green, on which lie several papers and implements of writing, and near it
+is a notary in his official garb, again attended by several men. To all
+this Prince Frederick William gives but one brief glance, then turns his
+eyes once more upon his beloved, standing at his side, radiant in beauty
+and enticingly sweet. The jubilant songs of Olympus yet ring in their
+ears, the images of the gods yet flame and flaunt before their eyes.
+
+"How beautiful you are, beloved Ludovicka! My Electoral Princess! come,
+let us go to the altar! Oh, your good, kind friends! How I thank them! How
+well they have arranged everything! Come! You see, the priest is waiting!"
+
+"Not yet, beloved! For you see before the priest stands the notary, and my
+good friends will have us go through all the formalities of legal
+marriage. Before we are married we must sign the contract!"
+
+"The contract of love is written in our hearts alone. What need for the
+intervention of signatures on paper? And how can strangers know what we
+alone can settle with one another? I swear unswerving love and fidelity to
+my Electoral Princess, and that requires no written confirmation. Come to
+the altar, dearest!"
+
+He endeavors to draw her forward, but Ludovicka flings her arm about his
+neck and holds him back. "Beloved," she whispers, "the contract which we
+sign concerns not us, but the benevolent, mighty friends, who have lent us
+their aid, and will help us still further. Ah! without these noble friends
+our flight would have been wholly impossible, and we would have been
+separated for ever! To-morrow I would have been the bride of the Prince of
+Hesse, and your father would already have found means to compel your
+return home. Ah! beloved, they would have separated us, if our noble
+friends had not helped us. They have prepared everything, cared for
+everything. As soon as we are married, we shall journey away to our safe
+asylum, and there, under the protection of friends, be sheltered and
+secure. For such love and devotion we must be grateful, must we not?"
+
+"Certainly, that we must, and shall be gladly, beloved of my heart! Let
+them say how we can prove our gratitude, and certainly it shall be done!"
+
+"They have said it, and written it down in the contract. Come, dearest, we
+will sign it, and then to the altar."
+
+She throws her arm around his neck, she draws him to the table where
+stands the notary with his witnesses. She hands him the pen and looks at
+him with a sweet smile.
+
+Venus! Venus ever!
+
+But he? He is no longer Endymion! He is the Electoral Prince Frederick
+William! And strange! like a dream, like a greeting from afar, conies
+stealing to his ears, "Be a good man."
+
+"Take the pen and sign!" whispers Venus, with glowing looks of love.
+
+He lays down the pen. "I must know what I sign. Read it, Sir Notary!"
+
+The notary bows low and reads: "In friendship and devotion to the
+Electoral Prince Frederick William of Brandenburg and his spouse, born
+Princess Ludovicka Hollandine of the Palatinate, we grant them an
+undisturbed asylum in our territories, promise to protect and defend them
+with all our power, to grant them, besides, maintenance and support,
+paying to the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg yearly subsidies of three
+hundred thousand livres, until he assumes the reins of government. On his
+side, the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg pledges himself, so soon as he
+begins to rule in his own right, to conclude a league with us for twenty
+years, and never to unite with our enemies against us, but to be true to
+us in good as also in evil days. Both parties confirm this by their
+signatures. Count d'Entragues has signed in the name of France."
+
+"France!" cried the Electoral Prince, with loudly ringing voice. "France
+is the friend who will lend us aid?"
+
+"Yes, Prince, France it is," said Count d'Entragues, approaching the
+Prince and bowing low before him. "France through me offers to the noble
+Electoral Prince of Brandenburg protection and an asylum, pays him rich
+subsidies, and in return requires nothing but his alliance, and, above all
+things, his friendship. I am happy to offer the friendship and good
+offices of King Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu to the Electoral Prince
+of Brandenburg and his spouse, and to be permitted to witness the ceremony
+of their marriage."
+
+"Come, my beloved, sign," whispered Ludovicka, with pleading voice.
+
+But he thrust back the pen, and looked at the Princess with flaming eyes.
+"Did you know, Princess, that it was France who was to assist us?"
+
+"Certainly I knew it," replied she, with feigned astonishment. "Count
+d'Entragues himself offered me the assistance of France, and you gave me
+full powers to conclude all arrangements."
+
+"It is true, so I did," murmured the Prince. "I thought you had reference
+to a private person, to one of those rich mynheers whom I have met at your
+house. I told you so, Princess, and you did not contradict me. You left me
+under the impression that it was a merchant of Holland who was offering
+his help and protection. From a private citizen I could have accepted aid,
+for that pledged the man, not the Prince. But from France I can accept no
+favors, for by such would be pledged and bound the Prince, the future
+ruler of his land, so that he could not act freely according to his
+judgment and the requirements of the case, but be subjected to restraint.
+Sir Count d'Entragues, I shall not sign."
+
+The Princess uttered a shriek and threw both her arms, round him. "If you
+are serious in that, beloved, then are we lost, for who will help us if
+France will not?"
+
+"God and ourselves, Ludovicka!"
+
+"God listens not to our entreaties, and we are too weak to help ourselves.
+Oh, my beloved, prove now that you love me--that your vows are true. I am
+lost to you and you to me if we do not escape to-night--lost if we accept
+not France's aid. Look, here is the sheet of paper; our whole future lies
+on it. I offer it to you, beloved, and with it my life, my love, my
+happiness. Will you scorn me?"
+
+She held out to him both her trembling hands, and looked at him with
+glances of entreaty. He returned the look, and a deadly paleness
+overspread his face. He took the sheet of paper from her hands--she opened
+her mouth for a cry of joy--then a shrill, rasping sound--he had torn the
+paper in two, and both pieces fell slowly to the ground.
+
+"That is my answer, so help me God! I can do no otherwise."
+
+A cry sounded from Ludovicka's lips, but it was a cry of horror. She
+reeled back, as if a fearful blow had struck her, and stared at the Prince
+with wide-open eyes.
+
+"You reject me with disdain?" she asked in a toneless voice. "You will not
+flee with me?"
+
+He rushed toward her, cast himself upon his knees before her, kissing her
+dress and hands with passionate ardor.
+
+"Forgive me, Ludovicka, forgive me! I can not act differently. I can not
+be a traitor to my country, to my father, to Germany. I can not listen to
+my heart, with regard to my future, for my future belongs to my people,
+my native land, not to myself alone. Go home, beloved; be steadfast and
+courageous, as I shall be, and then we shall conquer destiny itself and
+win victory for our love."
+
+"Stand up, Electoral Prince of Brandenburg!" she cried imperiously, and
+with angry glance. "Now answer me, will you accept the help of France, and
+flee with me?"
+
+He turned away from her with a deep sigh. "No, I shall not accept the help
+of France."
+
+"Count d'Entragues," said the Princess, with shrill, quivering voice, "you
+are a gentleman; I place myself under your protection. You will
+immediately conduct me to Doornward."
+
+The count hastened to her and offered her his hand. She accepted it, and
+he led her slowly through the vast hall to one of the doors of entrance.
+
+The Electoral Prince looked after her with distorted features and burning
+eyes. Once he made a movement as if to rush after her, but by a mighty
+effort he kept his place. Arrived at the door, she paused and turned upon
+him an earnest, questioning glance; he cast down his eyes before it. Count
+d'Entragues opened the door--a breathless pause ensued--then the door
+closed behind her.
+
+The Electoral Prince placed his trembling hand upon his heart, and two
+tears rolled from his eyes. Violently he shook them away, and turned his
+head to the notary.
+
+"Sir," he said, in a firm voice--"sir, I beg you to show me the way out. I
+would go to my palace."
+
+
+
+
+VI.--THE HARDEST VICTORY.
+
+
+The Electoral Prince had returned home, but he did not sleep the whole
+night through. The chamberlain, whose room adjoined the Prince's sleeping
+apartment, had heard him restlessly pacing the floor all night long, at
+times talking to himself half aloud, and then even weeping and lamenting.
+In his anguish of heart he had wakened Baron Leuchtmar and the private
+secretary Mueller, in order to impart to them the melancholy news. Both
+gentlemen had immediately risen and dressed themselves, and softly
+approached the door of the princely chamber. They, too, had heard the
+restless steps, the loud groans and lamentations of the Prince, and his
+grief had passed into their own hearts. As they looked at each other, each
+observed tears in the eyes of the other, and with quivering lips both
+whispered, "Poor young man! he must have some great grief! He suffers a
+great deal!"
+
+"You must go to him, Leuchtmar," whispered Mueller. "You must ask what ails
+him, and try to comfort him."
+
+The baron mournfully shook his head. "My dear Mueller," he said, "have you
+ever been in love?"
+
+"No, never!" replied Mueller, in astonishment. "Why do you ask such a
+question?"
+
+"Because you would then know, friend, that there is no consolation for
+disappointment in love."
+
+"You think, then, that the Prince is disappointed in love?"
+
+"Certainly, I think so. What other grief can a young Prince of hardly
+eighteen years have, especially when his heart is engrossed with a glowing
+passion. The Prince was last night in the Media Nocte, and something
+peculiar must have occurred there, for he came home unusually early, his
+custom having been of late not to return home until daybreak, singing and
+rejoicing."
+
+"Only hear, Leuchtmar, how he sobs and groans! And now! Hush! what does he
+say?"
+
+Both gentlemen held their breath, and quite distinctly could be heard
+within the wailing, tear-choked voice of the Prince:
+
+"It is impossible--it is impossible. I can not. No, I can not. The
+sacrifice is too heavy! My heart will break!"
+
+"Hear him well," whispered Mueller, amid his tears; "he can not make the
+sacrifice. He will die of grief. My God! go to him, baron. Tell him he
+need not make the sacrifice. No one can require of him the impossible. Go
+to him, man! Be humane. My God! only hear how he laments and groans!"
+
+"I hear it, but I can not go in. I do not know his sorrow, and if the
+Prince needs me he can call me."
+
+"You are a savage," said Mueller desperately. "Well, if you will not
+comfort him, then shall I go to him."
+
+He stretched out his hand for the door knob, but Baron Leuchtmar held him
+back, and led the good private secretary back to his own room.
+
+"Let us go to bed, friend," he said; "even if we can not sleep, as is
+probable, yet we can rest, which is needful for our aged limbs. We can not
+yet help the Prince; and, believe me, he would never forgive us if we were
+to go to him unsummoned, thereby betraying that we have been privy to his
+suffering and his pain. He has a grief, there is no question about that;
+but he is retiringly modest, and at the same time has a stout heart that
+will admit no one to share with him a burden he has perhaps imposed upon
+himself. I am glad of this, Mueller, and I tell you such hours of solitary
+grief purify the manly heart; in them the old myth is verified, from the
+fire and ashes of spent sorrows springs up the new-fledged phoenix. Should
+we prevent our Prince from passing through his purgatory, that he may
+emerge from the flames as a phoenix and a victorious hero?"
+
+"You may be right," sighed Mueller, "but I only know that he is suffering
+bitterly."
+
+Baron Leuchtmar smiled sadly. "May these sufferings steel his heart," he
+said, "that he may be armed against greater and bitterer trials! Come,
+Mueller, we will to bed, and to sleep."
+
+But, however composedly and resolutely the baron had opposed himself to
+the suggestions of his soft-hearted colleague, sleep that night forsook
+his eyes, and ever he heard in imagination the Prince's groans and
+laments. At times he could hardly repress his longing to get up, to creep
+to the Prince's door and listen, that he might discover whether he were
+still awake. But the baron forcibly restrained himself, and finally, as
+day already began to dawn, he actually fell asleep. He might possibly have
+slept a few hours, but his servant approached his couch and roused him.
+
+"Baron," he said, "some one is here who urgently desires to speak to you."
+
+"Who, Frederick, who is there?" asked Baron Leuchtmar, quickly rising.
+
+"The chamberlain, Baron von Marwitz, has arrived from Berlin."
+
+"Marwitz, the Elector's first chamberlain?" cried the baron. "Quick, my
+clothes, quick! Help me to dress myself. Run and tell Baron von Marwitz
+that I will be at his service directly. But first tell me whether his
+highness is already visible. Has he already ordered his breakfast?"
+
+"No, baron, I believe all is still quiet in his highness's apartments."
+
+"God be thanked! God be thanked! Now present my compliments to Baron von
+Marwitz, and then come quickly and help me."
+
+Ten minutes later Baron Kalkhun von Leuchtmar entered the Prince's
+reception room, where the chamberlain, Baron von Marwitz, awaited him. The
+two had a long conversation together, Leuchtmar listening with thoughtful
+mien to Marwitz's narration of the state of affairs at home.
+
+"Marwitz," he said, at the close of their conversation, "we have been good
+and tried friends from our childhood; I know that the electoral house and
+our fatherland lie as near to your heart as to my own, and that I can
+trust you. I therefore tell you, you have come at a fortunate hour, and
+God sends you! The heart of the Prince is wrung by a mighty sorrow, and he
+probably knows no way out of his griefs. You will show him one, and if he
+is actually the aspiring and noble-hearted Prince, whom God has sent for
+the blessing of his house and the hope of his country, then will he
+appreciate this way and walk in it. Go to him now, Marwitz, and lay before
+him candidly and without reserve, as you have done before me, the
+deplorable condition of things in our native land."
+
+"You will come with me, Leuchtmar, and present me to the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"No, baron. You must suffer yourself to be announced by the chamberlain,
+for the Prince dismissed me yesterday in wrath. Hush, my friend! say not a
+word, it is not so bad! The heart of the Prince has reached a crisis in
+its history which will soon be past, and then, well then, he will call me
+of himself again. But I shall wait for that. I can not intrude upon him
+now."
+
+"My friend," sighed Marwitz, "I begin to be afraid. If you do not support
+me, I will surely fail in my errand, and, like Schlieben, be forced to
+return disappointed to Berlin."
+
+"I think not. Only be of good courage and speak boldly, as your heart and
+your love of country dictate."
+
+"Is the Electoral Prince already up?" he asked of the man in waiting, and,
+as he received nothing but a shrug of the shoulders in reply, Leuchtmar
+beckoned to him to come nearer, and retired with him into a recess of one
+of the windows.
+
+"Well, what is it, old Dietrich? You have seen the Electoral Prince
+already, have you not?"
+
+"Yes, baron. He has not been to bed at all, but still has on the clothes
+he wore when he went away last night. He is just as pale as a sheet, and
+his eyes which usually shine so gloriously are to-day quite dim. He called
+me, and I thought he was about to order breakfast, but no! Something quite
+different he wanted, and it struck me as peculiarly strange. The Electoral
+Prince asked me who was on duty this week, I or the second valet,
+Eberhard? I told him Eberhard, for his week began yesterday. Then said the
+Electoral Prince: 'Well, Dietrich, I want you to exchange with him this
+time, for I would like to have you to wait upon me this week, and Eberhard
+shall have a holiday the whole week. I only want to see your old face
+about me!' Is not that strange, Sir Baron? Until yesterday Eberhard stood
+in such high favor, and my gracious master always preferred being dressed
+by him. Only yesterday evening Eberhard must accompany him to the feast,
+and now, all at once, my gracious master will not see him! Something must
+have happened, for last night Eberhard came home much later than the
+Electoral Prince, and asked, as if bewildered, whether his highness had
+been back long; and when I told him that the Electoral Prince had bidden
+me change with him, he turned deadly pale, trembled in every limb, and
+said, 'It is all over with me!' Baron, something surely happened last
+night."
+
+"Probably Eberhard has been guilty of some negligence," said Leuchtmar
+carelessly. "He has often been negligent of late, as it seems to me. He
+has some love affair on hand, has he not?"
+
+"Yes, Sir Baron, he has gotten in with that artful chambermaid of the
+Princess Ludovicka, out there at Doornward, and they are engaged to one
+another. But people do not say much good of Madame Alice: she is a cunning
+French girl and--"
+
+"Do not trouble yourself about what people say," interrupted the baron.
+"Do your own duty and rejoice that for this week the Electoral Prince
+gives you the preference over Eberhard. Go, now, and announce to his
+highness the chamberlain, Baron von Marwitz, from Berlin."
+
+A few minutes later the gentleman announced entered the Prince's drawing
+room. Frederick William advanced into the middle of the room to meet him,
+and greeted him with grave courtesy.
+
+"I was expecting you, baron," he said coldly.
+
+"Your highness was expecting me?" asked the baron, astonished. "Your
+highness knew already that I would come?"
+
+"Yes, I knew it, baron. My mother's court painter, Gabriel Nietzel,
+arrived yesterday, and through him my gracious mother informed me that the
+Elector would send you to me with a very serious and angry message. You
+see, I am prepared. Deliver your message now, baron. Let us be seated."
+
+The Prince sat down in the armchair and made the baron sit opposite him.
+His large eyes were fixed upon Marwitz, and burned with a strange, sad
+light. His noble pale countenance was of touching beauty.
+
+"You hesitate?" asked the Prince quietly, after a pause. "What you have to
+say to me is, then, very bad?"
+
+"No, your highness, not therefore did I delay," cried the baron, with
+feeling. "Your appearance bewildered me, because it pleased me so much. I
+have not seen your highness for three years. You were then hardly fifteen
+years old, a noble, promising boy, and now I behold you with rapture and
+delight, seeing that all our expectations have been fulfilled, and that
+out of the boy has grown a strong, noble, and serious young man. Yes,
+Prince, I read it in your countenance, your unhappy fatherland, your
+unhappy, much-to-be-pitied Brandenburgers, may look with trust and
+confidence to the future, for you will save and rescue them."
+
+"Save them from what? Rescue them from what?" asked the Prince, in cold
+and measured phrase. "Why do you call my fatherland unhappy, and why do
+you say that the Brandenburgers are to be pitied? Is not my fatherland,
+for doubtless you do not mean Germany, but my special fatherland, in which
+I have been born and reared, is not the Mark Brandenburg now quite happy
+and peaceful, as it has been for some years past, since it is again under
+the Emperor's protection and favor, in pleasant neutrality between the two
+inimical parties? And as to my good Brandenburgers, I can not imagine how
+you can call them so much to be pitied when Count Adam von Schwarzenberg
+is still Stadtholder in the Mark--Count Adam von Schwarzenberg, who
+certainly must have the good of Brandenburg at heart, since he knows how
+much my father loves him and trusts to him. He will always show himself
+worthy of confidence, I doubt not, and I have the highest respect for my
+father's great and wise minister."
+
+"Ah! your highness mistrusts me," cried Marwitz with an expression of
+pain. "Your highness takes me for one of Schwarzenberg's adherents."
+
+"No, I take you for what you are, the messenger and emissary of my father,
+the Elector of Brandenburg."
+
+"Your highness would thereby say that this messenger and emissary has
+consequently received his orders from Count Schwarzenberg, because the
+count is really lord of the Mark and the Elector's right hand. I read in
+your countenance that you do so, and that therefore you mistrust me. But I
+swear to you, Prince, you may believe in my honest, upright
+intentions--you may believe that what I say is in solemn earnest."
+
+"I believe it, certainly I believe it," said the Prince. "You have
+undertaken the commissions of the Elector and his Minister Schwarzenberg;
+naturally you will be in earnest in executing them."
+
+"Prince, I have undertaken the commissions, the behests of the Elector;
+but from himself and not from his minister did I obtain them. I have sworn
+to execute them, and do you know why?"
+
+"Why? Simply because you are your master's obedient servant."
+
+"No, Prince, because I am a faithful servant of my country, and because I
+have a heart to feel for her affliction and distress. The Elector has
+commanded me to travel to The Hague, and to convey his strict injunction
+to the Electoral Prince that he shall immediately set out and return home
+to Berlin. The Elector bids me say to your highness that he has committed
+to me five thousand dollars to defray the expenses of your journey back
+and for the liquidation of the most pressing debts. Should this sum not
+suffice, then am I empowered, in the name of his Electoral Highness, to
+give security for the payment of the other debts, and your highness is so
+to arrange your journey that your suite may follow in the least expensive
+way possible. I was to urge on you seriously and decidedly the propriety
+of departure, and your father bids me state to you that he has his own
+peculiarly strong reasons for esteeming a further sojourn in Holland
+neither safe, profitable, nor reputable. I was to assure your highness
+that you were not to be recalled, in order to be forced into a repulsive
+marriage. At the same time, the Elector desires that you return
+unembarrassed by engagements, and that you by no means entangle yourself
+by marriage without his knowledge and consent, for to such a union would
+the Elector not agree, nor ratify it."[18]
+
+"Is that all you have to say to me?" asked the Prince, when Marwitz was
+silent.
+
+"Prince, it is all I have to say to you in the Elector's name, and I have
+herewith executed the commission intrusted to me. But I have something
+still to add. I have still to execute the commissions given me by your
+future land, by your future subjects. I have to transmit to you the tears
+of the wretched, the sighs of the impoverished, the cries of the
+despairing, the agonized shriek of all the provinces, all the towns, all
+the villages, houses, and huts in the Mark. Prince, from the depth of
+their affliction all hearts uplift themselves to you; in the midst of
+their despair, the oppressed, the downtrodden, the tormented all venture
+to hope in you, and in spirit they kneel before you and with outstretched
+hands entreat you, as I do now, 'Pity our distress, future Elector of
+Brandenburg, have compassion upon the lands and provinces which shall one
+day constitute your state. Turn not a deaf ear to the prayers, the hopes
+of your future subjects.'"
+
+Marwitz had sunk upon the floor, and stretched his clasped hands out to
+the Prince, who looked thoughtfully into his excited face.
+
+"And what would my future subjects have, what do they desire of me?"
+
+"That you forthwith, without delay, return to the Mark by the speediest
+way possible."
+
+"I?" cried the Electoral Prince, with a mocking smile. "Your wishes and
+entreaties, and those of the Brandenburgers, coincide very exactly with my
+father's orders!"
+
+"Yes, they do coincide, but spring from different motives. Prince, we
+implore, we entreat you to return; no longer give us over to the caprice,
+the villainy, the tyranny and avarice of Count von Schwarzenberg. He is
+the evil demon of your father, of your country. Come home and frighten him
+away!"
+
+The Prince started, and for a moment a deep glow suffused his pale
+countenance. His look penetrated deeper into the baron's uplifted,
+beseeching eyes, as if through them he would read into the very depths of
+his heart.
+
+"Stand up, Marwitz," he said, after a long pause--"stand up, for you are
+too old and too venerable to kneel before so young a man as myself. Else,
+sit down near me, and explain your words more clearly. What good can my
+return home do, and how think you that I can benefit the land? And first
+and foremost, why do you call Count Schwarzenberg the evil demon of my
+father and his country?"
+
+"Permit me, your highness, to answer the last question first, and thus
+will you understand the rest. Count Schwarzenberg is answerable for all
+the distress, wretchedness, and misery which envelop the Mark, Prussia,
+indeed all parts of your devastated and distracted land, for he acts
+contrary to the true interests of the Elector and his land, being wholly
+devoted to the interests of his own master, the Emperor of Germany. To
+this end all is worked and manoeuvred, with this aim all efforts are
+undertaken, to ruin Brandenburg, and take from it all power and
+consideration, yea, all hope, in order that it may be rendered dependent
+upon the Emperor and empire, and become less dangerous. For the benefit of
+the Emperor, and to the detriment of the Elector and his land, has Count
+Schwarzenberg concluded the treaty of Prague. Up to that time Brandenburg
+was the ally of Sweden, now it is neutral--that is to say, it is the prey
+of both parties; it is visited, laid under contribution, and plundered by
+the Swedish and Imperialist troops, and can apply for redress to no one,
+expect aid from no one. With each day the misery increases more and more.
+All trade and commerce languish; in the country the fields remain
+untilled, in the towns the artisans are unemployed, nobody finds work or
+wages. Hunger and want, and in their retinue sickness and death, daily
+demand hundreds of victims. The Swede has possession of your rightful
+heritage, Pomerania, and the Imperialists press to invade the Pomeranian
+towns and lay them under contribution, without thinking of leaving the
+vanquished cities wherewithal to pay tribute to their Sovereign, the
+Elector of Brandenburg. Imperialist is to become the whole Mark, the whole
+of Pomerania and Prussia, Westphalia and the duchy of Cleves. Imperialist
+and Catholic--that is Count Schwarzenberg's plan, and with cruel
+consistency he puts in motion everything that can conduce to its
+accomplishment. To prevent the recovery, the prosperity of Prussia and the
+Mark is the aim of all his policy. He exhausts the land, and yet more than
+the enemy plunders and taxes the towns, enriching himself through the
+blood and tears of the tortured citizens and hungry peasantry, living in
+luxury and splendor, while the Elector is suffering want, while his land
+is starved and unproductive."
+
+"Abominable! horrible!" groaned the Electoral Prince, covering his face
+with both his hands, probably to conceal from Marwitz the tears which
+stood in his eyes.
+
+"Prince," cried Marwitz joyfully, "you are moved! The afflictions of your
+country touch your noble heart! Oh, may God be with you in this hour, and
+strengthen you for noble and great resolves!"
+
+"What do you require of me?" asked the Prince, after a pause, slowly
+withdrawing his hands from his livid face. "What can I do?"
+
+"You can come home, Prince, come home to the unhappy land whose future
+lord you are by the appointment of God. Your mere presence will be a
+comfort to the unhappy, a terror to Schwarzenberg. On you rest the hopes
+of all patriots. You are the standard around whom they rally, the banner
+to which they look up in hope and patience, for which, if needs be, they
+will battle to the last drop of their blood. You furnish us all with a
+center and support, perhaps even your father himself, who maybe sometimes
+fears his own almighty minister, certainly your mother, who longs for her
+son as her stay and support! Prince, one more last word. I say it with
+hesitation, I would not even intrust it to the air, and yet it must be
+spoken--Prince, the power of Count Schwarzenberg over your father's heart
+is great, and--and--Count Schwarzenberg is a believing Catholic! It would
+be a new pillar to his might if the Elector--"
+
+"Hush, hush!" interrupted the Electoral Prince, jumping up from his seat.
+"Not another word! You are right, the very air itself may not hear such
+words! Bury them in your heart and never again utter them! These are
+fearful tidings, which you have brought me, Marwitz, and my heart is
+bitterly, painfully moved by them, so that for an instant I--"
+
+"Oh, my beloved young master," entreated Marwitz, "let not your heart be
+merely touched by them, but be inspired and sanctified. Embrace a high
+noble decision. Conquer yourself, and--"
+
+With uplifted hand the Electoral Prince beckoned him to be silent, and
+with rapid step and head sunk he paced up and down the apartment. Then all
+at once he stopped, and, quickly raising his head, asked, "Where is
+Leuchtmar? Why did he not come with you?"
+
+"I know not, Prince--he told me he could not dare to appear in your
+presence; he--"
+
+"Ah! that is true," said the Prince mournfully; "we have not seen each
+other since--I beg of you, Marwitz, to go and fetch Leuchtmar to me."
+
+The baron made haste to execute the Prince's mandate. Frederick William
+looked after him until the door closed behind him. Then his large, moist
+eyes were slowly upraised to heaven, and his trembling lips murmured: "Oh,
+how young I am yet, and how much I have still to learn! Help me, my God,
+that I may have the needed strength!"
+
+Again the door opened, and Marwitz entered, followed by Leuchtmar, who
+remained standing at the door. The Electoral Prince looked at him with
+questioning glances, and ever brighter became his brow, ever more cheerful
+his aspect. And all at once he spread out his arms, and in a tone of most
+heartfelt love, most tender pleading, called out, "My beloved teacher!
+come to my arms!"
+
+Leuchtmar sprang forward with a cry of joy. The Prince tenderly fell on
+his neck and pressed him closely to his breast.
+
+"Oh," he murmured softly, "my friend, I have suffered much, and still
+suffer. Forgive me on account of my pain!"
+
+And he leaned his head on Leuchtmar's shoulder and wept bitterly. A long
+pause ensued. No one of the three could interrupt it, for speech remained
+locked upon the trembling lips of all, and only their tears, their sighs
+spoke. Then the door slowly opened, and the private secretary, Mueller,
+appeared upon the threshold. For a moment he stood still, and looked with
+quivering lips upon the Prince, who was just slowly extricating himself
+from Leuchtmar's embrace, then he stepped resolutely forward.
+
+"Your highness," he said, "forgive me for venturing to intrude my presence
+here, without having been summoned. But old Dietrich dared not take the
+step which I do now, and so the responsibility rests upon myself alone."
+
+"And what is it?" asked the Prince. "What brings you to me, my dear, true
+friend?"
+
+"He calls me his dear, true friend!" rejoiced Mueller.
+
+"All is right again, then--all is in order! We are not dismissed--we are
+not sent home!"
+
+"You may be, after all, my old friend," said the Electoral Prince, with a
+feeble smile. "But what would you say to me? What sort of responsibility
+have you taken upon yourself?"
+
+"Prince, I have taken upon myself the responsibility of admitting into
+your cabinet the veiled lady who has just come, and of requesting you to
+grant her the audience for which she has been besieging Dietrich with
+tears and lamentations. Dietrich, however, would not hear to it, and the
+lady continually called for Eberhard to come--Eberhard must lead her to
+the Prince. But, as Dietrich says, this is not Eberhard's week of service,
+so that he can not enter here. I was attracted to the antechamber by the
+loud conversation, and now the lady turned upon me, and pleaded so
+touchingly and so eloquently, that I could not refuse to grant her
+request. Your highness, I have conducted the lady into your cabinet, and
+she awaits you there."
+
+"But, Mueller," cried Baron Leuchtmar despairingly, "what have you done?
+How could you be so inconsiderate?"
+
+The old man drew himself up, and his mild eye grew angry. "Inconsiderate!
+I was not at all inconsiderate, Baron Leuchtmar. On the contrary, I
+thought it would be unworthy of a noble Prince to allow a woman to plead
+in vain, and I thought, moreover, that Hercules would never have become a
+hero if he had not had the valor to meet the women who greeted him at the
+crossing of the roads."
+
+"You have done right, Mueller," said Frederick William, with a faint smile;
+"it will be seen whether Hercules was perhaps my forefather. I shall speak
+to the lady. Wait for me here."
+
+He crossed the apartment hastily, and entered his cabinet. In the center
+of the room stood a veiled female form. The Prince, however, recognized
+her, although her face could not be seen, for he knew her by her pretty
+coquettish costume to be the Princess Ludovicka's French chambermaid, and
+he stepped quickly up to her.
+
+"I thought that it was you, Alice," he said softly, "and I have therefore
+come to tell you to--"
+
+With sudden movement she tore back her veil, and before the pale,
+beautiful countenance thereby revealed the Prince stepped back, as pale as
+death.
+
+"You yourself?" he murmured. "You, Ludovicka?"
+
+"Yes, I, Ludovicka! I come here in my maid's dress," said she, in a voice
+trembling with pain and emotion. "I come to you, my beloved, to ask you
+whether you will desert me, leaving me in despair, affliction, and
+heart-sickness? O Frederick, Frederick! how fearfully have I suffered this
+night!"
+
+"And I?" murmured he softly. "Have I not suffered too?"
+
+"No," she cried, "you have not suffered as I did, for you love me not as I
+love you--you love me not more than your life, your honor, your
+fatherland! You will abandon and forsake me, because it is France that has
+offered us aid! Oh, you are a cold, heartless man, as all men are, and yet
+I love you so much and can not live without you! Frederick William, you
+will not go with me to France--well then, I will go with you, wherever you
+will. I cleave to you--I will stay with you! Let shame and ignominy be my
+fate, let my mother curse me, let all the world despise me and call me
+your mistress, I will stay with you, for I love you and can not live
+without you!"
+
+Passionately she extended her arms to him, love flaming in her glances.
+But a darker shadow flitted across the Prince's face, and he shrank back.
+
+"God forbid, Ludovicka," he said, "that misery and shame should ever come
+to you through me, that your mother should curse you for my sake! We are
+both yet children, Ludovicka. I felt right painfully last night that the
+first duty of children is to obey and reverence their parents. Let us do
+our duty, Ludovicka!"
+
+"That is," replied she with swelling rage--"that is to say, you give me
+up? They have overcome your opposition, they have brought you back to
+obedience, to subjection?"
+
+"No other than myself has done it, Ludovicka."
+
+"You? You give me up? Voluntarily? And yet you swore that you loved me and
+me alone of all the world?"
+
+"And I swore truly, Ludovicka. I love you boundlessly!"
+
+"And yet you will forsake me?"
+
+"Yet I must do so, beloved! I must forsake you, but God alone, who has
+witnessed my tortures this past night, knows what I suffer. My father is
+solitary, my fatherland calls to me, and the first thing that I sacrifice
+on its altar is my love for you. I can not marry you, Ludovicka, and God
+forbid that I should accept your love without marriage!"
+
+"Words, nothing but words!" cried she indignantly. "You would palliate
+your unfaithfulness, represent your fickleness of mind as magnanimity! But
+I hear only one thing in your words--you give me up, you renounce your
+love?"
+
+"Yes!" he cried with a loud scream of pain--"yes, I renounce my love!"
+
+
+"Vengeance upon you for it!" cried she, in flaming wrath. "I, Ludovicka
+Hollandine, cry vengeance upon you, for you break my heart!"
+
+"And you will have no compassion? You will not see what I suffer?
+Ludovicka, look! Look in my eyes, they wept out last night the pains of a
+whole life--see what I suffer! Ludovicka, on my knees I beseech you, if
+you really love me, then have pity upon me--for the sake of my agony
+forgive me what you suffer!"
+
+And beside himself with emotion, he fell upon his knees, lifting up to her
+his clasped hands and his face that was bathed in tears.
+
+But now it was she who shrank back. "No," said she harshly and severely,
+"no, no compassion, no forgiveness! I do not love you, I have never loved
+you, for you are a foolish boy, and know nothing of the glow of passion!
+You are a child! Go away and act like a child, and be an obedient son!
+Love rejects you! love turns from you!" And waving him off with both
+hands, the Princess turned and walked to the door. Frederick William,
+still upon his knees, heard her quickly retreating steps, but did not
+rise. Ludovicka had already stretched out her hand to open the door; but
+she turned round once more, and in tones of mingled love and grief cried,
+"Frederick, will you let me go?"
+
+
+He did not answer, his head sank lower, and a painful groan forced itself
+from his breast. She opened the door--he heard it--he saw the streak of
+light that crossed the room through the open door, it vanished--the door
+had closed. Then was wrung from the Prince's breast a shriek of agony such
+as only issues from the lips of man under the pressure of earth's sharpest
+pangs.
+
+The three gentlemen were yet assembled in the Prince's drawing room,
+conversing and imparting to one another their fears and hopes. All at once
+the door of the cabinet opened and the Electoral Prince entered. Pale as
+death, but with firm, determined features, he stepped up to the three
+gentlemen, who looked at him with tender, anxious glances.
+
+"Marwitz," he said, "you can this very day set out on your return to
+Berlin, for your mission is fulfilled. Say to my father that as an
+obedient son I submit to his wishes, and shall forthwith depart for
+Berlin."
+
+The three gentlemen only answered him by a single cry of joy, and,
+animated by one feeling, one inspiration, sank upon their knees and prayed
+aloud, "Bless, O God! bless the Prince, who has conquered himself!"
+
+"What is going on here?" asked a loud manly voice behind them. "What means
+this? Three gentlemen on their knees, and my young cousin looking on like
+the Knight St. George!"
+
+"And so he is, Prince of Orange," cried Baron Leuchtmar, rising and
+advancing to meet the Prince, who had come in unannounced, as was his wont
+at the house of his cousin. "Yes, he is a Knight St. George, who has
+conquered the dragon. You know, Prince Henry, how sweetly they have
+enticed him, with what magic chains they have been encircling him. You
+know the Media Nocte and"--added he softly--"the Princess Ludovicka."
+
+"Well, and what more now?" asked the Prince, with eager interest. "Not
+much, cousin," said Frederick William, with a melancholy smile. "I must
+bid you farewell. I owe it to my parents, to my honor, and my country,
+forthwith to leave The Hague!"[19]
+
+"Bravo, cousin, bravo!" cried Henry of Orange. "You flee from danger and
+escape from temptation. That is to be called heroism, and herewith you
+have as truly conquered a citadel as when I vanquished Breda!"
+
+"Believe me too, cousin," said Frederick William, while he leaned upon the
+
+Prince's heroic breast--"believe me, that this victory has cost much blood
+and many tears."
+
+One moment he let his head rest on the shoulder of his fatherly friend,
+then proudly drew himself up.
+
+"Baron Leuchtmar and you, my trusty private secretary, Mueller!" he cried,
+with loud voice, "to-day we leave The Hague and proceed to Arnheim, and
+thence we set forth to-morrow on our journey home. Marwitz, you travel in
+advance. The golden days of our youth are past! Let iron ones follow! I am
+prepared for all!"
+
+
+
+
+BOOK III.
+
+I.--NEW PLANS.
+
+
+"Strange, very strange," muttered Count Adam Schwarzenberg to himself.
+"The Prince must have set out on his journey four weeks ago, and still no
+news from Gabriel Nietzel! The journey by sea, it is true, offered no
+opportunity for any enterprise, and the Electoral Prince had the sublime
+fancy of choosing the water in preference to the land route, in spite of
+the severities of this season of the year. But, according to the Prince's
+scheme of traveling, and according to my own calculations, the Prince must
+have reached Hamburg full eight days ago, and as he was only to stay there
+three days, he must already have been journeying five days by land, and
+yet have I in vain looked for any tidings whatever from Gabriel Nietzel.
+Could it be possible that this man has dared to disobey me?--could he have
+carried his folly so far as to sacrifice wife and child rather than
+execute my commands?"
+
+Gloomily the count's brow wrinkled, as he asked himself this question, and
+his eyes flamed with fury. With folded arms he walked rapidly to and fro.
+
+"To think that all my plans may be wrecked by the pangs of conscience of a
+single fool!" he sighed--"to think, that for months, nay, for years, I
+have been laboring in vain to see the realization of these projects, and
+that in my highest, proudest aims I am dependent upon a blockhead,
+who--What is it Daniel? What is your errand?"
+
+"Pardon me, your excellency; some one is without who
+desires most urgently to speak with you."
+
+"Who is it?--do you know him?"
+
+"No, my lord count, I do not know him, and he will not tell what he wants
+of your excellency. He says he must speak with your lordship himself, and
+I must only announce his name. It is Gabriel Nietzel."
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel!" cried the count. "Why did you not tell me so directly,
+you fool! Bring him in without delay, and take care that no one disturbs
+us so long as the painter Gabriel Nietzel is with us."
+
+The lackey hurried off, leaving the door open for the painter, whom he
+fetched in from the first antechamber. Breathlessly, in violent
+excitement, Count Schwarzenberg looked toward this open door. "It is my
+future fate that is about to enter," he murmured. "Ah, there he is! There
+is Gabriel Nietzel!" And in his vehement agitation he rushed forward a few
+steps to meet the painter, whom he saw approaching through the entrance
+hall. But forcibly constraining himself to an appearance of moderation and
+reserve, he stood still and assumed a calm, unimpassioned expression.
+Gabriel Nietzel entered, and behind him the lackey gently closed the door.
+The sharp eyes of the count rested inquiringly upon the newcomer, who
+remained standing near the door with head sunk and humble, melancholy
+mien. This submissive, contrite silence on the part of the returning
+painter was sufficiently eloquent to the mind of the count. It told him
+that Gabriel Nietzel had nothing welcome to communicate. He subdued his
+rage and proudly threw back his head, as if to shake off, like troublesome
+insects, all his disappointed hopes.
+
+"Well, you are actually at home again, Master Court Painter!" he cried, in
+a tone that was well-nigh cheerful.
+
+"Yes, your excellency," whispered Gabriel, with downcast eyes, "here I am
+again, and report myself forthwith to your excellency."
+
+"To me?" asked Schwarzenberg, affecting astonishment. "Why do you report
+yourself to me, and what have I to do with you, Sir Court Painter Gabriel
+Nietzel? You should have gone to the palace, to the Electress, and
+gladdened her heart with your pleasing intelligence. I doubt not that you
+are the bearer of glad tidings for her, and come to forewarn her of the
+Prince's speedy arrival here in safety and good health?"
+
+"I had no wish to go to her highness the Electress," said Gabriel Nietzel
+humbly. "She knows already, independently of any information from me, that
+the Electoral Prince is safe and sound. I come to your excellency to
+excuse myself for the failure of my undertaking, and to beg your pardon."
+
+"I do not understand you at all, Sir Court Painter," replied Count
+Schwarzenberg, shrugging his shoulders. "I know not what sort of
+undertaking you had in view, what you have failed in, and what I can have
+to pardon you for."
+
+"Your excellency!" cried Gabriel with an outburst of grief--"your
+excellency, I swear that I am innocent, that it has been the result of no
+ill will, no negligence, but because I really could not find an
+opportunity for carrying out what--"
+
+"Well, carrying out what?" asked Schwarzenberg, when Gabriel faltered.
+"What do I care for your unfinished works, your abortive schemes? I only
+buy finished pictures, and, if they are well executed and successes, I pay
+for them in kingly style. With daubers, though, and wretched copyists who
+would pass off copies as originals, I have nothing to do. Speak not to me,
+then, Sir Court Painter, of your sketches and designs. I ask nothing about
+them, but only come to me when you have a completed work to exhibit."
+
+"Your excellency will not understand me," said Gabriel, while drops of
+agony trickled from his cold brow.
+
+"No," proudly retorted the count, "it is for you to understand
+_me_, Sir Court Painter Gabriel Nietzel. Were you not sent to The Hague to
+complete your studies there? Why have you returned home so soon?"
+
+"Because I was homesick, most gracious sir--because I longed inexpressibly
+after my child, my wife!"
+
+The painter ventured to lift his eyes with earnest anxiety and entreaty to
+the face of the count, but Schwarzenberg's glance remained cold.
+
+"Ah, you have a wife?" he asked, with indifference. "You left her behind
+and went alone to The Hague?"
+
+"Yes, I went there quite alone, because I had a great and important work
+to accomplish there; but before I had even stretched my canvas and
+sketched the outlines, an unexpected hindrance interposed which
+annihilated all my plans."
+
+"What sort of hindrance?" asked the count carelessly, while he played with
+the heavy golden chain about his neck, to which was attached the portrait
+of the Elector set in brilliants. "What sort of hindrance?"
+
+"The Electoral Prince, to whom the Electress had recommended me, and who
+received me into the number of his attendants, suddenly and unexpectedly
+determined to take his departure from The Hague, and straightway carried
+his resolution into effect. He himself, together with Baron von Marwitz,
+Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun, secretary Mueller, and his chamberlain
+repaired forthwith to Amsterdam, in order to take ship there. He, however,
+ordered his majordomo and myself to break up his household, to pack up
+his books and paintings, and to journey with them by land to Berlin. I
+ventured to protest against this, and even preferred the request to be
+permitted to accompany the Electoral Prince upon his sea voyage; this,
+however, Baron Leuchtmar refused, and nobody was allowed to speak with the
+Electoral Prince himself. Up to the time of his departure he remained shut
+up in his chamber, and only left it to get into the carriage which
+conveyed him to Amsterdam. There, as was known, lay a passenger vessel
+ready to sail for Hamburg, and in this the Electoral Prince took passage."
+
+"And you did not see the Electoral Prince at all before he set out?"
+
+"Oh, your excellency, I had ranged myself along with all his other
+household officers at the side of his traveling carriage, and the Prince
+very condescendingly held out his hand to me, yes, he even tried to smile.
+'Gabriel Nietzel,' he said, 'make all speed to reach Berlin right soon. I
+shall desire my mother to allow you to enter my special service, and then
+you shall paint for me many a pretty picture. Until then, farewell!' He
+once more nodded kindly to me, and jumped into the carriage."
+
+"That is the only time that you have spoken at all to the Electoral
+Prince?"
+
+"No, your honor, on the very day of my arrival I had an audience with him,
+and the Electoral Prince was highly delighted to receive news from home. I
+must tell him everything in detail, and since, with your gracious
+permission, I claimed to side with your lordship's opponents, the
+Electoral Prince immediately became very confidential and affectionate to
+me, receiving me into his house and retinue, and promising to present me
+at the courts of the Stadtholder and the Queen of Bohemia."
+
+"How came it, then, that the Prince so immediately afterward suddenly took
+the resolution to depart?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, four-and-twenty hours after myself the Chamberlain von
+Marwitz arrived at The Hague, and had a long conversation with the
+Electoral Prince. Immediately after that the Electoral Prince gave orders
+for departure, and three hours later had already left The Hague."
+
+"Now it seems, therefore, that Baron von Marwitz is a very persuasive
+speaker, who well understood how to move the Electoral Prince's heart, and
+to lead him back to obedience to his father and--myself. I shall therefore
+prove my gratitude to Herr von Marwitz. I like very much to have my orders
+and commissions executed punctiliously and exactly, and this Herr von
+Marwitz has done, for I had bidden him to leave no means untried whereby
+the Electoral Prince might be induced to leave Holland."
+
+A crushing glance from his large gray eyes as he uttered these words fell
+full upon Gabriel Nietzel's pale and contrite face, making his heart quake
+with undefined dread.
+
+"Your honor is very angry with me?" he asked faintly.
+
+"You?" exclaimed the count in astonishment. "Why should I be angry with
+you? What have I to do with you? I only know you as the painter Nietzel,
+who sold me a copy for a good original, and whom I could therefore have
+condemned to the gallows as a falsifier and cheat. But you know I have
+forgiven you, and let your copy be valued as an original. I even went
+further in my magnanimous forgiveness; I had even intrusted you with
+commissions for Holland, where you were to visit the picture galleries in
+order to make copies. You have not executed my commissions, for you have
+returned home too soon. That is all, and therefore all connection between
+us is dissolved. Farewell, Mr. Court Painter Gabriel Nietzel; you are
+dismissed!"
+
+He haughtily motioned to the door, turned his back upon the painter, and
+slowly traversed the apartment. But Gabriel Nietzel did not go. There he
+stood as if rooted to the spot, and stared fixedly at the count, who
+walked to and fro, as if lost in thought, and seemed to be wholly
+unconscious that the painter had dared still to remain in his presence.
+After a long pause his eye fell quite accidentally on the spot where
+Gabriel Nietzel stood, and he started as if in sudden terror.
+
+"Why, you still here?" he asked. "You dare to brave me? To terrify me with
+your dull, pale face? Have you grown deaf, Mr. Court Painter? Did you not
+hear me dismiss you?"
+
+"I heard, but your honor knows that I can not go. Your lordship well knows
+that from your lips I await the sentence which is to seal my whole future
+fate, and that I will not leave this room until I have received this."
+
+"How? You will not leave this room. You will stay although I have bidden
+you go? Very well, then, I shall call my servants and have you put out."
+
+And already the count's hand was stretched forth to take his silver
+whistle. But Gabriel Nietzel dared to grasp this hand and hold it firmly
+between both his own.
+
+"Pity, gracious sir, pity!" he pleaded. "Drive me from your presence, take
+from me the pension you most condescendingly insured to me; I feel that I
+am indeed undeserving of your favor and graciousness. Only, for pity's
+sake, for humanity's sake, restore to me my own--give me my wife and
+child!"
+
+"What have I to do with your wife and child?" asked Count Schwarzenberg
+angrily. "Have you handed them over to me? Am I the chief of an asylum for
+deserted women and children?"
+
+"My wife, Sir Count, give me back my wife!" cried Gabriel Nietzel, sinking
+down upon his knees.
+
+"I know nothing about her, I have never seen her," said the count.
+
+"You do know about her, your excellency! You took her and my dear,
+precious child under your protection when I went to The Hague. You had my
+wife and child carried to, Spandow, and gave them an abode within your
+palace there."
+
+"Now I see plainly that you speak like a deranged man, Master Gabriel
+Nietzel," cried the count passionately. "Collect your faculties, man, or I
+shall immediately have you arrested and sent to a madhouse. I repeat,
+collect your faculties, and utter not such palpably idle tales. Very
+likely that I should have taken your wife and child into my keeping.
+Bethink yourself, Master Gabriel Nietzel, be rational, and remember that
+you are happily unincumbered and a free bachelor!"
+
+"No, no, I am not free!" shrieked Gabriel Nietzel. "I have a wife, I have
+a child, and see them again I must! Deliver them up to me, Sir Count. I
+beseech you by all that is sacred--deliver them up to me! I must have my
+wife and boy again!"
+
+"Well then, go and look for them," said Schwarzenberg composedly "Apply to
+the police, and furnish them with a description of both their persons.
+Show your marriage license and your child's certificate of baptism, that
+every one may be convinced of the truth of your deposition. Then write a
+description of your wife, or, as you are a painter, draw a likeness of
+her, publish her name and family, call upon her relatives to render you
+their assistance, and in that way, if you really have a wife, you will in
+the end succeed in discovering her."
+
+"Sir Count, you well know that I can not do so," groaned Gabriel Nietzel.
+"You well know that I am a poor, ruined man, entirely in your power. I
+beseech you, have mercy upon me! Restore to me my wife and child, and I
+will do all that you require of me. Give me back my wife, and I swear to
+you that I will do here what I was to have done on the journey. I swear
+to you that I will make good what I missed, that I--"
+
+"I do not believe your oaths, Gabriel Nietzel," interposed the count. "You
+are liberal with your oaths and promises, but come short in deeds, in
+performances. Nobody will pay for a picture before he has seen it, or at
+least a sketch of the same. Therefore take yourself off, devise a plan,
+sketch your outline, and bring it to me. If it pleases me, and is
+practicable, if I see that you are zealous and well disposed, then will I
+gladly aid you in its execution and pay you in princely style. That is my
+last word, Master Court Painter Gabriel Nietzel, and now go, and do not
+show your face here again until you can show me that sketch. You have
+understood me, have you not, Master Gabriel Nietzel? I bespeak a picture,
+and you are to furnish me with a sketch of it; then, as you are in want, I
+shall gladly pay you for it in advance."
+
+"Yes, I have understood your lordship," said Gabriel Nietzel, heaving a
+deep sigh. "I know a subject for the painting you have ordered, and will
+make a sketch of it. You shall not have to wait long for it."
+
+"It is a fine subject," said Schwarzenberg quietly. "We might call it the
+murder of Julius Caesar."
+
+"No, it is the execution of the Emperor Conrad III--the execution and
+murder of the last Hohen-Hohenstaufen," sobbed the painter, while tears
+fell in clear streams from his eyes.
+
+"I believe another paroxysm of insanity has seized you," said the count
+contemptuously. "How can any one weep merely because he will represent a
+tragic scene? What is the last of the Hohenstaufens to you? You depict his
+death, and if the painting is a success I shall reward you handsomely for
+it, give you a splendid income, and then you can go to Italy, the home of
+all artists, to spend the remainder of your life there in pleasure and
+freedom."
+
+"It shall be just as your excellency says," sighed Gabriel. "Only, your
+excellency, only be so gracious as to give me back my wife and child."
+
+"I said so, your paroxysm of madness is coming on afresh!" cried
+Schwarzenberg, shrugging his shoulders. "Man, are you really beside
+yourself?--have you lost your senses? Do you demand your wife and child of
+me, of Count Adam von Schwarzenberg, the Stadtholder in the Mark? Go away
+with your follies. Be off, so that you can make your sketch, and when you
+come back, and it is good, you will perhaps find me inclined to answer all
+your silly questions for you!"
+
+"Sir Count, oh, for God's sake, let me at least see my Rebecca once more!"
+
+"Rebecca! your wife's name is Rebecca? Why, that really sounds as if she
+were a Jewess. And you say that she is your wife? Ah, repeat that again,
+then name the priest who celebrated your nuptials and united a Christian
+to a Jewess! By ----! I shall bring this evildoer to a strict account, and
+he shall be degraded from his office as a criminal and blot upon the
+Church, for he has sinned against God, the Church, and his Sovereign!
+Gabriel Nietzel, name the priest who married you to a Jewess!"
+
+"I can not name him," murmured Nietzel, almost inaudibly. "Sir Count, I
+will be obedient and diligent in your service. I am a wretched sinner, and
+must expiate my crime. I shall do penance, too, and will be nothing more
+than a tool in your hands. Only have mercy upon me. Let me at least see my
+wife and child, if I may not speak to them! I only wish to see them, in
+order to gain courage and strength for my difficult and dangerous
+undertaking."
+
+The count reflected for a moment, his eyes fastened upon Gabriel Nietzel's
+countenance, whose imploring, anxious expression seemed to touch him.
+
+"I have in my house at Spandow," he said, after a long pause, "a beautiful
+painting by Albrecht Duerer. It was, unfortunately, a little injured in the
+transportation, and you shall restore it for me. To-morrow morning repair
+to Spandow, and ask for me. I shall be there, and will myself put the
+painting in your charge. Perhaps you will see there another painting
+besides, which will please you, and which, perhaps, is not unknown to
+you."
+
+Gabriel Nietzel took the count's proffered hand, and with joyful
+impatience pressed it to his lips. "Sir Count, I will be your servant,
+your slave, your creature. I will damn my soul for you and suffer the
+torture of perpetual flames if you will only give back to me my wife and
+child!"
+
+"Master Court Painter," said Schwarzenberg, parodying his words, "I shall
+make you a rich and distinguished man. I shall send you to Italy, and you
+will enjoy the heavenly fires of the Italian sky, if you will only bring
+me the sketch ordered, and prove to me that you are in earnest as to its
+execution."
+
+Gabriel Nietzel laughed aloud in the joy of his heart.
+
+"Your highness shall not have long to wait. I will very soon have the
+sketch at your excellency's disposal."
+
+"We shall see," said the count, with a slight nod of his head. "And now
+that we have understood one another, and you have somewhat recovered your
+reason, now for the last time I tell you, you are dismissed!"
+
+Gabriel Nietzel bowed low, and strode through the apartment toward the
+door of entrance, reverentially going backward that he might not turn his
+back upon the high-born, all-powerful count. He had almost reached the
+door, when it was opened and a valet appeared, who announced in a loud
+voice:
+
+"His honor Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg!"
+
+"My son!" exclaimed the count. "He has returned? Where is he? Where?"
+
+"His honor has just gone to his apartments to divest himself of his
+traveling clothes, but with your highness's permission he will be here in
+a few minutes."
+
+"Tell the count, that I expect him with impatience," cried the father. The
+valet hurried out, and Gabriel Nietzel was in the act of following him,
+when Schwarzenberg called him back.
+
+"Do not go out that way now," he said; "my son is coming, and it is not
+worth while for him to see you. Go through yonder door. It leads to a
+corridor, and there you will find a small staircase by which you can
+descend to the court. Go!"
+
+
+
+
+II.--COUNT JOHN ADOLPHUS VON SCHWARZENBERG.
+
+
+"I think I have distressed and tormented him enough," said the count to
+himself; "he will devise some means of gratifying my wishes, and in his
+despair will risk everything in order to obtain his wife and child. It is
+well that men have hearts, for they supply the most convenient handles for
+seizing hold of them and managing them. And for that reason men without
+susceptible hearts always become rulers, conquerors. Therefore have I
+become great and powerful, and will ascend yet higher, grow yet more
+mighty, for I, thank God! I have no heart! I have never been a victim to
+the silly vagaries of an enamored heart, never made a fool of myself for
+any woman; never have I felt my heart moved by any other desire than that
+of attaining a pre-eminent position and becoming a great man. Such I have
+become, but I would mount yet higher, and in this--in this that enamored
+fool Gabriel Nietzel shall assist me."
+
+The count grew suddenly silent, and looked toward the door. In the
+antechamber he had heard the sound of a voice familiar and grateful to his
+ears, a voice which awakened in his breast a rare and unwonted feeling of
+joy and happiness. "My son," he murmured, "yes, it is my son. I really
+believe that I have a heart at last, for I feel it beat higher just now,
+and feel that it is a happiness to have a son!"
+
+He hastily crossed the room, and had almost reached the door, when it
+suddenly opened and revealed the presence of a tall and slender young
+man, dressed in the elegant Spanish garb, such as was worn at the court of
+the German Emperor Ferdinand III.
+
+"Father, dear father!" he cried, with a voice full of tenderness, and with
+outstretched arms he sped toward his father to press him to his heart.
+Count Adam von Schwarzenberg smilingly submitted, and an infinite feeling
+of satisfaction penetrated his whole being under the warm pressure of his
+only son's embrace. But only one short instant did he yield to this
+sensation, for he was ashamed of his weakness, and gently extricated
+himself from his son's arms.
+
+"Here you are again, you gadabout and rover!" he said; but he could not
+subdue the brighter glistening of his eyes, as they fastened themselves
+upon his son's handsome, spirited, and youthful face.
+
+"Yes, here I am again, _cher et aimable pere_," exclaimed the young man,
+laughing; "but you do me great injustice by calling me a gadabout and
+rover, for, indeed, I have only traveled on most serious and proper
+business, and it strikes me that I am vastly to be feared and honored in
+my capacity of imperial treasurer and member of the Aulic council."
+
+"What?" cried Count Adam joyfully, "the Emperor has conferred upon you
+such a high favor and honored you with such lofty titles?"
+
+The young count nodded assent. "In me he has honored my father's son,"
+said he, "and distinguished me out of veneration and respect for you."
+
+"You are far too modest, my son," cried the count, smiling. "What the
+Emperor Ferdinand has done for you he did not for your father's son, but
+in deference to your own merits."
+
+"Please, oh please, let us talk no more on the subject," said the young
+man. "You will not succeed in altering my opinion, especially as I had it
+from the exalted mouth of his Imperial Majesty himself, that he gladly
+distinguished the son of so noble, gifted, and faithful a servant as Count
+Adam Schwarzenberg had ever been to the imperial house, and in
+consideration thereof bestowed upon him the dignity of imperial treasurer,
+and nominated him independently of individual merit a member of the Aulic
+council. I beg you to observe, my noble and highly deserving count, that
+your son has fallen heir to his honors without individual merit, whence it
+naturally follows that I am a worthless treasurer, and wholly devoid of
+merit as a member of the Aulic council."
+
+"Well," laughed his father, "then I must console you with this, Adolphus,
+that you are besides that my coadjutor in my office of Grand Master of the
+Knights of St. John, and that I entertain the fixed determination of soon
+seeing you share with me the Stadtholdership of the Mark."
+
+"I assure you, I need no consolation whatever!" cried Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg. "I am your son, and that is as much as if I were the fair
+Danae, and had a shower of gold perpetually poured out upon me."
+
+"You would deceive me," said Count Adam, gently shaking his head. "You
+would have me believe that you are satisfied with being my son, and have
+no personal ambition for yourself."
+
+"It is no deception, _cher pere_" laughed the young man. "I really do not
+give myself the trouble to have personal ambition beforehand. I behold my
+much-loved father standing in the sunshine of renown, and I quite
+composedly allow a few stray beams from his splendor to alight upon
+myself. I would not say, though, that I am wholly devoid of ambition. I
+only avoid talking about it till the time comes."
+
+"My son, the time is come," said Count Adam quickly. "Yes, the time for
+ambition is come with you, too, and to-day we must discuss it at length.
+But first tell me what news do you bring me from Vienna? Come, let us sit
+down, and confer with one another like two grave politicians and
+diplomatists." He took his son's arm and led him toward the divan.
+
+"God forbid, Sir Stadtholder, that I, a mere tyro in diplomacy and
+politics, should venture to seat myself at your side," cried Count
+Adolphus. "No, father, I know my place, and you must indeed permit me to
+take my station at a reverential distance from you."
+
+He took one of the little gold-embroidered footstools which stood near the
+divan and seated himself opposite his father. Count Adam looked upon him
+with a proud yet gentle smile, and seemed to have his own pleasure in his
+son's handsome and imposing appearance.
+
+"I should like to know whether you resemble me," he said thoughtfully; "I
+should like to know whether I was ever such a lively, jovial young man."
+
+"You are more than that, most respected father," cried his son; "you were
+handsome and possessed of irresistible attractions. I know that, for you
+are still so."
+
+"So, it seems that my son has learned to flatter at the imperial court!"
+
+"No, no; I speak the truth, and I swear that every one who has the good
+fortune to be admitted to your presence will confirm my testimony. You
+understand the art of fascinating men, and once let any one love you, then
+you can never be forgotten. The Emperor Ferdinand spoke of you with
+genuine admiration, and Princess Lobkowitz assured me that you were the
+only man whom she had ardently and truly loved. And yet they say that
+Princess Lobkowitz has had many admirers and still has."
+
+"Princess Lobkowitz!" repeated Count Adam thoughtfully--"how fine that
+sounds, Princess Lobkowitz! Yet I well remember the time when Lobkowitz
+was quite a poor, inconsiderable count, who esteemed himself peculiarly
+happy when I lent him some of my pocket money, which, by the bye, I never
+saw again. We were both at that time pages at the court of Emperor
+Ferdinand I, and swore eternal friendship. But how vain are such oaths! I
+afterward left the imperial court and came to the court of Cleves, and
+thence here to Prussia. I have restlessly labored, and may well say that I
+have wielded the helm of state in this country for twenty years, and--am
+still nothing but plain Count Schwarzenberg! The little, insignificant
+Count Lobkowitz, on the other hand, has now become a Prince through the
+Emperor's favor, as have also Eggenberg, Liechtenstein, and Fuerstenberg."
+
+"You shall be a Prince, too, father," said Count Adolphus softly. "Yes,
+without doubt, you have only to hint your wish to receive the title of
+Prince, and the Emperor Ferdinand will gladly remunerate you in that way,
+if he first sees his own desires fulfilled through you."
+
+The count started, and cast an inquisitive, questioning look upon his son.
+"I thank you, Adolphus," said he, "you have led back our conversation, or
+rather, my lord treasurer, our conference, to the subject in point, in a
+manner as tender as diplomatic. Yes, the question is, first of all, to
+learn what news you bring for me from his Majesty, and what orders the
+Emperor has to give me."
+
+"First of all, _cher pere_, the Emperor wishes that every possible
+obstruction be interposed to prevent the Electoral Prince's marriage with
+the Princess of the Palatinate, and that, if practicable, the Electoral
+Prince be deterred from forming any matrimonial connection. It would
+greatly complicate affairs if the Electoral Prince should chance to have
+offspring soon, and thereby outwardly give more firmness and durability to
+the house of Brandenburg."
+
+The count's eyes flashed upon his son's countenance, which still preserved
+its placid, innocent expression. "Who told you that?" said he, "Who spoke
+such strange, mysterious words? Not the Emperor, no, he can not have said
+that!"
+
+"No, but the Emperor's most confidential adviser, _mio padre amato_, the
+venerable father confessor and Jesuit, Signor Silvio. By the way, I regard
+him as a man turned serpent, and would avoid exposing a shoeless heel to
+him. But one thing is certain, that he has the Emperor's ear not only in
+the confessional, but in the council chamber as well, and what he says is
+just as good as if the Emperor himself said it. For the rest, they affirm
+at the imperial court that he is a sorcerer, and can look through men's
+eyes straight into their hearts and decipher what is therein as plainly
+and distinctly as if it was written on parchment in German text."
+
+"I believe it is so," murmured the count. "I believe he has read into my
+heart, too. But further, further, my son! What more did Father Silvio say
+to you?"
+
+"He spoke much of the weak and uncertain condition of the Electoral house
+of Brandenburg, which he said rested upon only two lives, and would be
+extinct if the Electoral Prince Frederick William should perish by a
+sudden death."
+
+The count started, and a gray pallor overspread his face. His son,
+absorbed in his own discourse, observed it not and continued: "I ventured
+meanwhile to differ from the wise father, and reminded him that seven
+cousins and blood relations were still in existence, to give permanence to
+the Elector's family, and thereby lessen very greatly the weakness of the
+Brandenburg-Hohenzollerns. But Father Silvio smiled almost compassionately
+at this remark of mine, and said in a tone of lofty superiority: 'Young
+man, your father will be a better judge of this; only repeat my words to
+him: that the Emperor will not admit the claims of the collateral branches
+of the Electoral house, and if unfortunately the Electoral Prince of
+Brandenburg should die without descendants, he will consider the Electoral
+Mark as an unincumbered fief, which the Emperor of Germany, in the
+plenitude of his power and as an act of free grace, might bestow on
+another prince.'"
+
+Count Adam Schwarzenberg sprang up, and for a moment his eyes rested with
+a penetrating expression upon his son's countenance. Then he turned and
+began to move violently to and fro. Now it was his son's turn to fix his
+eyes piercingly upon _him_. When the count turned again, however, there
+was no trace of excitement visible on the young man's countenance, and
+with a friendly smile he looked at his father. Count Adam stepped close up
+to him, and laid his hand on his son's shoulder.
+
+"You did not remind wise Father Silvio, then," he asked, "that the Elector
+George William has, besides his son, two daughters? That there are two
+Electoral Princesses--Charlotte Louise and the young Sophie Hedwig?"
+
+"No, father," replied Count Adolphus carelessly, "no, I did not. I deemed
+that superfluous, because in the Brandenburg Electoral house women have no
+right to the succession. The Salic law exists here, does it not?"
+
+"As if laws could not be altered!" cried Count Adam. "As if the Emperor
+were not here to give new laws! My son, let us speak openly and candidly
+to one another, and answer me one question: On what terms are you with the
+Princess Charlotte Louise?"
+
+The young man started, and for a moment a deep blush suffused his cheeks.
+"I do not understand you, father. What do you mean? On what terms should I
+be with the Princess?"
+
+"John Adolphus, you understand me well enough, and know what I mean,"
+returned Count Schwarzenberg smiling. "When I ask on what terms you are
+with the Princess Charlotte Louise, I mean by that, what progress have you
+made in her good graces?"
+
+An almost imperceptible smile flitted across the young count's visage.
+"Well," he said, "the ladies of the Electoral house have ever been most
+condescending in their manner to me, Princess Charlotte Louise no less
+than her mother and sister, and, as I have done nothing to forfeit their
+favor, I hope that upon my return they will receive me as graciously as
+they dismissed me before I left home."
+
+"My son," said Count Adam seriously, "you answer me evasively, and that is
+not well. We two are made to support each other, and to go hand in hand in
+the difficult path which lies before us. For you know as well as I do that
+our safety is imperiled when the Electoral Prince again makes his
+appearance at court, and we will henceforth find many stones of stumbling
+in our way."
+
+"But my wise and puissant father will remove all such obstructions," cried
+the son, with a merry laugh. "Let the Electoral Prince throw ever so many
+stones in our way, we can pick them up, and your honor will find
+opportunity to hurl them back at the little Prince, the last scion of his
+house."
+
+"I shall find opportunity, and, by heavens, I will make use of it."
+
+"And if my gracious father can or will make use of me in picking up the
+stones, or maybe in throwing them, I am most heartily at his service. Your
+honor needs only to direct. I shall aim well, and hope to hit the mark."
+
+"My son, verily, you are a great diplomatist," cried Schwarzenberg, "and
+many an one who esteems himself an old adept in this art might take
+lessons from you. How cleverly you managed to evade the question I put to
+you, and lead the conversation into a different channel! But I must recur
+to my question, and, since you will throw stones subject to my direction,
+then, my son, I tell you that your relations with the Princess Charlotte
+Louise may become a most effective missile against the Electoral Prince,
+which, if you aim it accurately, may inflict a deadly blow upon the
+Prince. Therefore, my fine son, answer my question honestly: On what terms
+are you with the Princess Charlotte Louise?"
+
+A cloud of displeasure flitted across the young count's lofty and open
+brow, and his cheerful countenance became overshadowed with gloom.
+
+"My God!" he said, "what on earth has the Princess to do with politics?"
+
+"A great deal, my son. Let me remind you of Father Silvio's words, which
+you yourself reported to me. The father had me informed that in case of
+the Electoral Prince's dying without heirs, his Majesty would not
+recognize the claims of the other branches of the house of Brandenburg,
+but would consider the Electoral Mark as a vacant fief, which he might
+bestow elsewhere as matter of favor. The simplest and most natural thing
+will be, if there is no longer any son living, to pass the right of
+succession to the daughter, and for the Emperor to declare the eldest
+daughter of the Elector George William rightful successor, and to transmit
+the Electoral Mark Brandenburg to herself and her husband as an act of
+grace."
+
+"Those are very great and very far-seeing plans," murmured the young man,
+with downcast eyes.
+
+"But plans which may be realized," interposed his father hastily--"plans
+which you have very maturely weighed in your prudent brain, for--I shall
+answer my own question myself--for you are on very good terms with
+Princess Charlotte Louise. You have calculated very wisely and very
+correctly. The Princess loves you, and may bring you an electorship as a
+bridal gift."
+
+"God forbid that I should play a criminal game with the Princess's heart!"
+cried Count Adolphus, in tones louder and more energetic than he had yet
+employed. "You accuse me falsely, most gracious sir. It has never come
+into my mind to speculate on such a bridal gift, or to make of love a
+calculation."
+
+Count Adam gazed with an expression of painful astonishment upon the
+excited countenance of his son. "Unhappy boy, you love the Princess,
+then?" he asked.
+
+"Yes," exclaimed the young man vehemently--"yes, I love her! I should love
+her were she a simple village maiden. I should seek to win her were she of
+obscure and humble parentage, if she could present me with nothing but her
+heart, her affectionate nature, her charming self. Learn now, father, on
+what terms I stand with the Princess: I love her, love her passionately!"
+
+"Ah, my son, how well this enthusiasm becomes you!" said his father. "How
+happy the Princess would be if she could see you with those fiery glances
+flashing from your large bright eyes! My son, you will surpass me, for you
+have one great advantage over me, you have received from Nature a glorious
+endowment denied to me; you have a tender heart! You either feel glowing
+love or--maybe simulate, and act it to the life! We will not discuss this
+further; I only repeat it, you are destined to surpass me. You love the
+Princess Charlotte Louise! I thank you for this one confession, but add to
+it a second, Adolphus. Tell me whether the Princess returns your love?"
+
+"I have not ventured to put this question to her," replied Count Adolphus,
+with downcast eyes. "The Princess is so high above me, is so pure and
+virtuous, that it would be a sin to tempt her innocence and virtue by the
+avowal of an unsanctioned love!"
+
+"My son!" exclaimed the count, smiling, "you are a pattern of discretion
+and modesty. You amaze, you delight me. You have not ventured, and will
+not venture to declare your love to the Princess?"
+
+"No, father, at least, not so long as it is an unsanctioned love--so long
+as I do not know whether it has your approval, and through you the
+Elector's."
+
+"You would step surely, you would engage in no undertaking that does not
+promise good results! Ah, I understand now--I comprehend all now. I have
+an irresistible desire to embrace you, and I know you will pardon your
+father for this one ebullition of tenderness. Come to my heart, my great,
+my admirable son!"
+
+He flung his arms around his son's neck and imprinted a warm kiss upon his
+lips.
+
+"Count John Adolphus Schwarzenberg," he said then, "with this kiss I give
+you my consent to woo the Princess Charlotte Louise! With this kiss I
+promise so to work upon and bend the Elector's heart, that he will give
+you the Princess's hand, and agree to your union."
+
+"My dear father, you open indeed to me the gate of paradise. But this gate
+has two wings, and if I would gain admittance, both wings must open to
+me."
+
+"Oh, you mean the Electress? She will certainly be very much opposed to
+such a union, for she has a proud and willful heart, over which no one has
+any influence except the Electoral Prince, and he, indeed, will not use
+his influence in our behalf. Well, there is nothing for it but to oppose
+force to force, and to constrain the dear lady to give her consent. To
+employ such coercive measures is your affair, my son!"
+
+"You empower me to do so, father? You will not refuse me your support? You
+will not disavow my acts?"
+
+"I empower you to do everything you think needful, and you will find me a
+faithful ally, for I recognize joyfully in you my trusty coadjutor, and
+see that we may count upon each other."
+
+
+"I shall ever esteem it a sacred and delightful duty to obey you, my
+much-loved father, and I shall joyfully hold myself ready to carry out
+your wishes."
+
+"And you will do well in this, my son," said Count Adam Schwarzenberg,
+with a hearty pressure of the hand. "All that I do for myself is also done
+for you, all that I obtain is for your profit and advantage. You are my
+heir, to you will descend all my earthly possessions, my name, my renown,
+my dignities and offices, my money and estates."
+
+"_Cher pere_" cried the young man, "let us not speak of such solemn
+things. I hope that it will be a long time yet ere I enter upon that great
+and sad inheritance."
+
+"I hope so, too," said Count Adam, with animation of manner. "I would
+leave you _all_ in perfect condition, and to effect this much labor is yet
+required. I have set myself a mighty task, and it is yet far from its
+accomplishment."
+
+"And yet you have already conducted and executed matters so grandly, so
+admirably, father! You have no idea with what rapture they think of you
+and your performances at the imperial court. Emperor Ferdinand spoke of
+you as his most trusted and beloved servant, and Father Silvio called you
+a lamp of the faith and a faithful son of the Church, through whom many
+will yet be saved."
+
+"Yes, many shall yet be brought within the ark of safety by my means!"
+cried Count Adam, in a lively manner. "I know what I purpose, I know the
+great aims after which I have striven for twenty years with intrepid
+spirit, with ardor never to be chilled. My son, with you I make no secret
+of my aims, and you must know them, that you may stand unflinching at my
+side. It is true, I am ambitious. I thirst for fame; it is true, I have
+labored for myself and forwarded my own personal interests as much as I
+could. My aims, however, are not restricted to these private interests,
+they are higher, nobler! I am the faithful servant and subject of my
+Emperor and lord; I am the believing and zealous son of our holy Church.
+To the Emperor and the Church belong the fruits of my striving and my
+energy, and to promote the greatness and consideration of both is the
+ultimate object of all my labors and all my schemes."
+
+"And I, most gracious father, will take my station firmly at your side,"
+said Count Adolphus fervently. "You will ever find in me an attentive
+pupil, eager to learn."
+
+"We have both a great mission to fulfill," exclaimed Count Adam, "and it
+is well for us sometimes to place this clearly before our eyes, in order
+to be ever mindful of it, and never to forget it even in the pursuance of
+private ends. You, too, remember this, my son, and act accordingly. To the
+Emperor and the Church be all our services dedicated! To render the
+Emperor great and mighty, to strengthen his consideration throughout the
+German Empire, is and shall be my aim as a statesman. To extend
+continually the power and dominion of the Catholic religion is and shall
+be my task as a Christian, as a son of the Church, within whose pale alone
+is salvation. God himself has chosen me for his tool, else how would it
+have been possible that the bigoted, reformed Elector should have selected
+me for his first and mightiest minister? God wills that through me the
+influence of the Holy Roman See and the German Emperor be promoted and
+advanced; therefore has he caused me, the subject of the Emperor, an
+Austrian born, to become the servant of the Elector of Brandenburg. But
+the servant has become master, and the Catholic Austrian is Stadtholder in
+the Mark, the almighty minister in the land of the heretic. It is so,
+because through him this land is to be led back to the true faith and the
+Emperor, because through him is to be re-established the endangered
+supremacy of the Emperor of Germany! The Protestant Electors would have
+exalted themselves against the power of Emperor and empire; with the help
+of the Swedes they would have cut up the Holy Roman Empire into a number
+of free, independent States, great and small, where Protestants,
+Reformers, and Lutherans would have enjoyed as great consideration as the
+Catholics, and over which the Emperor would no longer have exercised
+control. The Protestant Elector of the Palatinate was to have been changed
+into a King, waving his scepter over Catholic Bohemia, and in place of the
+little Elector of Brandenburg was to have arisen a mighty Prince, who was
+to have broken the power of the German Emperor in the north, and become
+the chief and center of Protestant Germany! To that end were they leagued
+with the Swedes, to that end was King Gustavus Adolphus to have furnished
+help to his cousins and brothers-in-law. But the fates were against them!
+In the battle of the White Mountain the Count Palatine lost his Bohemian
+throne, in the battle of Luetzen the Swedish King his life, and in the
+peace of Prague the Swedes and other enemies of the Emperor a powerful
+ally in the Elector of Brandenburg! It was I who alienated the Elector
+from the Swedes, who made him again the obedient vassal of his Emperor and
+Sovereign. And it shall be I who will make the Mark Brandenburg
+imperialist again! For the limbs accommodate themselves to the head, and
+if the Prince acknowledges himself a professed Catholic, his subjects will
+soon follow suit."
+
+"What! most gracious father, is it possible that the Elector George
+William--"
+
+"Hush, hush, my son! who says anything about the Elector George William?
+Who thinks of the decaying tree, which can no longer bear fruit, when he
+beholds at its side a young, vigorous tree laden with blossoms, rich for
+future harvests? My son, I herewith give you my consent to woo the love of
+the Princess Charlotte Louise, but I make one condition which you must
+solemnly swear to respect: none but a Catholic becomes the wife of my son
+John Adolphus."
+
+"None but a Catholic becomes my wife!" cried the young count. "I solemnly
+give you my oath to that effect, father."
+
+"And you actually suppose that the Emperor will bestow upon me the same
+favor he has conferred upon Fuerstenberg, Lobkowitz, and Liechtenstein?"
+
+"I am empowered to promise it prospectively, most gracious sir. The house
+of Austria is grateful, and forgets not that already your father before
+you rendered her important services, attending the Emperor with credit in
+his wars against the Turks; that you yourself have been through a whole
+lifetime true and unswerving in your fidelity to the Emperor's service;
+that the Stadtholder in the Mark, and the Grand Master of the Order of St.
+John has been ever mindful of his duty to the Emperor."
+
+"I must and shall be ever called a good Imperialist," cried the count
+warmly, "and prefer the Emperor's to the Elector's service.[20] Bethlen
+Gabor, Prince of Hungary, has well said that the Elector and I are upon
+one ship, and that my fortune depends upon the Elector's fortune; but he
+shall be proved to have been in error, and we prefer making our voyage in
+our own little bark to take passage in the Electoral ship."
+
+"Yes, father, that shall we!" cried the young count joyfully. "You sit at
+the helm and give management and direction to the boat. For my part, I
+shall so hoist and unfurl the sails that we catch the breeze and bound
+swiftly forward!"
+
+"Do so, my son, and always heed the wind as it blows across from the
+apartments of the Electress and her princesses, as well as from the robber
+nests and dens of the squires and waylayers of the Mark, and from the
+fortresses and garrisons. We, too, my son, voyage together in the same
+boat; I am the pilot, you unfurl the sails, and upon our flag in
+mysterious and invisible colors is inscribed this device: Good
+Imperialists, good Catholics!"
+
+"Yes, good Imperialists and good Catholics," replied the young count
+energetically. "But, dearest father, let us add besides, quite softly,
+good Schwarzenbergians!"
+
+"Yes, my son, that will we. For, in addition to those great and holy
+interests, to keep one's own interests a little in view is manly and
+justifiable. My heavens! life would have been perfectly hateful and
+abominable in this dirty, cheerless Berlin if we had not seen above us a
+glittering star, to which we could look up when all was so dismal here
+below, which shone upon our path and cheered us when we feared to sink in
+the mud and mire. This star, my son, do you know its name?"
+
+"Its name is Fame, its name is Love, _cher pere_."
+
+"Well, for the sake of fame I will put up with love, foolish dreamer. You
+may bring it on board our boat as ballast. But if a storm should come and
+necessity impel, we shall throw our ballast overboard."
+
+"Dear father, if you do that, you will throw overboard likewise my
+happiness and life!" exclaimed Count Adolphus warmly. "If you call love
+ballast, then forget not, father, that in this ballast your son's heart is
+included."
+
+"Enamored fool, you really have a heart? Do you believe so?"
+
+"I believe so, most noble father, because I feel it, because--"
+
+A hasty knock, thrice repeated, at the door of the antechamber interrupted
+him, and in obedience to the Stadtholder's summons, the lackey Balthasar
+hurriedly entered.
+
+"Most gracious sir," he said, "it is a courier from the Commandant von
+Rochow at Spandow, who desires to speak with your lordship on most urgent
+business."
+
+"I am going, most gracious father, I am going," cried the young count,
+speedily rising. "I can no longer lay claim to the Stadtholder's precious
+time."
+
+"And you have very important affairs of your own to attend to, have you
+not?" asked his father. "You have been long enough diplomatist and
+politician, and that curious thing, whose possession you boast, the heart,
+will now assert its rights?"
+
+The young man laughed and pressed the count's extended hand tenderly to
+his lips. Then he nodded once more affectionately to his father, and
+bounded lightly through the room to the side door, through which he
+vanished. Count Adam Schwarzenberg looked thoughtfully after his son.
+"Strange!" he murmured. "Is he acting a comedy, or is it truth? Does he
+prudently pretend to have a heart, or has he one in reality? Well, never
+mind. The courier from Spandow!"
+
+In answer to the count's loud call a huntsman in dirty, dusty uniform made
+his appearance from the antechamber, and, making a military salute,
+remained standing near the door.
+
+"What news have you for me?" asked Count Schwarzenberg, striding toward
+him. "Where are your letters and dispatches?"
+
+"I crave pardon, your excellency, but I have no letters or dispatches. The
+Commandant von Rochow sent me with a verbal message, and entreats
+forgiveness in that haste allowed him no time for writing. I have only to
+announce that, even at the instant of my departure, the Electoral Prince
+was making his solemn entry into Spandow. All ranks and conditions of
+people from the region round about had joined the Electoral Prince, and
+followed him, in carriages, on horseback, and on foot. The commandant was
+greatly amazed to witness so much pomp, and hastened to array himself in
+parade uniform in order to go and meet the Electoral Prince with his corps
+of officers."
+
+"That is all you have to communicate to me?"
+
+"All, your excellency."
+
+"Then ride back again, and return to the commandant my warmest thanks for
+his welcome message."
+
+"Yes," repeated the count, when the courier had taken leave, "yes, this is
+a welcome message and by ----! I shall derive profit from it."
+
+"Ho, Balthasar, Balthasar! Is the commander of police in the antechamber?"
+
+"Your highness, he has been there an hour already."
+
+"Bid him come in. There you are, Master Brandt! Well, listen! Send all
+your secret friends and emissaries through the city, privately inform the
+citizens, the magistrates, the merchants, the whole inhabitants in a body,
+that the Electoral Prince will arrive here in from three to four hours,
+and that it would surely be a right great pleasure to the Elector and his
+wife if they would prepare him a public reception, and go a little way on
+the road to meet him. Say, moreover, that it would assuredly prepare a
+very great joy for the Electoral Prince if they would illuminate the city
+this evening, and if this were done voluntarily, and without suggestion,
+the Electoral Prince would be forced to admit how very glad the people of
+Berlin are to welcome him, and how much they hope for from his return.
+Excite the populace properly, that their houses be brightly illuminated,
+and that they may give great demonstrations of joy. Dispatch your agents
+everywhere, and show me to-day for once that you know how to execute my
+orders punctually, and are a worthy successor of my dear, recently
+deceased Dietrich, your predecessor in office."
+
+"Your excellency, I shall do all that lies in my power, and I doubt not
+but that I shall succeed in deserving your honor's approbation. I only
+venture to remark, that many of the citizens will find it exceedingly
+difficult to procure the candles or lamps needed for the illumination, for
+the poverty and distress are very great, and it would perhaps be well to
+aid the people and furnish them with the candles for illuminating."
+
+"Do so, Master Brandt," cried the count, smiling. "I fully empower you to
+purchase tallow candles for distribution, to the amount of a hundred
+dollars; only, take care that the people actually light and burn them up,
+and do not consume them as dainties these hard times. And one thing more,
+Brandt! It would be pleasant to me if you would excite a few people
+against me and his highness the Elector, while you tell them various bad
+things about me, and attribute it as a crime to the Elector that he is so
+devoted to me. You might then urge on to the palace such people as you
+have stirred up and goaded, so that, as soon as the Electoral Prince
+arrives, they might shout with loud distinct voices: 'Long live the
+Electoral Prince! Long live our savior and deliverer! Down with the
+Catholics. Away with Schwarzenberg!' You can at least persuade ten or
+fifteen to do this, and promise them that they shall have money to buy a
+good drink if they shout right loudly and clearly. Well, why do you smile
+so all of a sudden, man?"
+
+"Pardon me, your highness, but when I entered upon my office, four weeks
+ago, your excellency urged it upon me as a stringent duty to report truly
+to your honor, not only what happens, but what is the mood of the people
+here. Does this command always have validity, your excellency?"
+
+"It has validity for the whole term of your service, Master Brandt, or,
+rather, you will only remain chief of police so long as I am convinced
+that you always report to me the full truth in all things, without
+reserve. Speak! What would you say?"
+
+"Your highness, I would only say that it is not necessary to stir up the
+people to give utterance to such infamous and disrespectful outcries
+against your excellency. They will do so of their own accord, and if I
+should not pick up the first who raised such a cry, have him arrested, and
+carried off, then immediately would twenty fellows be found, without any
+prompting from me, to shout exactly the words which your excellency would
+gladly hear."
+
+"You mean the words: 'Away with the Catholics! Down with Schwarzenberg'?"
+
+"I beg your honor's pardon, but those are the words I mean."
+
+The count laughed clearly. "Well," he said, "so much the better! We will
+be spared then some trouble and expense, which is always a very pleasant
+thing. But hear, Sir Master of Police! If we let the fellows shout to-day,
+it does not follow that we shall not administer fitting punishment
+to-morrow. Mark the shouters very narrowly, and to-morrow, when the
+merriment is over, have them arrested and thrust into prison for a couple
+of weeks!"
+
+The chief of police shrugged his shoulders. "I crave pardon, your
+excellency; that is no punishment for the rabble in these days. They are
+glad when they are put away at Oxenhead, or here in the castle prison,
+receiving food and lodgings free of cost, and many a one, who formerly
+lived in honor and affluence, would to-day be gladly found guilty of some
+fault, for the sake of being arrested and supported in prison at the
+expense of the state."
+
+"Well, then we will not gratify the shouting mob by punishing them with
+imprisonment, but cause the jailer to administer a sound cudgeling to each
+one of them, and then let the fellows go again. Make good speed now,
+Brandt, for I expect the Electoral Prince here in a few hours, and if the
+people are not properly notified, he will make his entry before they have
+taken off their rags and donned their holiday attire. Make haste, and let
+us have this evening a right brilliant illumination. Farewell, Master
+Brandt!"
+
+The chief of police departed, and by a loud whistle Schwarzenberg called
+the lackey to him.
+
+"One of the grooms must take horse," was his command.
+
+"He must ride out on the road to Spandow about a quarter of a mile. There
+he is to halt, and wait until the Electoral Prince arrives with his
+attendants. As soon as he has seen him, he is to come back at full speed
+and make the announcement to me."
+
+"All necessary preliminaries are arranged," said Schwarzenberg, when he
+found himself again alone. "Now let the Electoral Prince come on, we are
+ready to receive him. There will be a hard struggle, but I have been
+victorious over all my enemies for twenty years, and shall probably
+conquer the little Electoral Prince too! Now a hurried toilet, and then
+to the Elector, to open the skirmish in his neighborhood! Ah, we shall
+see, my young Prince! For you shouts the rabble of Berlin, for me speaks
+the Elector! We shall see which of us two has built upon the sand!"
+
+
+
+
+III.--THE HOME-COMING.
+
+
+"May I be so bold as to come in, most noble sir?" asked Count
+Schwarzenberg, as he opened the door leading into the Electoral cabinet
+and thrust in his head, encircled by a hundred beautifully arranged curls.
+
+"Behold, there is Adam Schwarzenberg!" cried Elector George William,
+wheeling his chair from the writing table. "Why do you ask, count, since
+you know that you are always privileged to enter unannounced? Come closer,
+and be heartily welcome!"
+
+And the Elector leaned both his arms upon the wooden aims of his chair,
+making an effort to rise. But the count was at his side in a moment,
+gently forcing him back into his seat, while at the same time he half bent
+one knee and imprinted a kiss upon the Elector's right hand.
+
+"If your grace treats me with such formality, and rises on my account,
+then I must believe that you love me no longer," he said, with soft,
+insinuating voice. "But you well know, beloved master, that I could not
+live without your love, and that existence itself would seem gloomy and
+dark to me if the star of your favor and love should cease to shine upon
+it."
+
+"Live, my Adam, live merrily, then, and joyously, for you well know that I
+love you," replied George William, nodding to the count in most friendly
+manner. "And how could it be otherwise, when I know that I can depend upon
+your love, and that you are the only one truly interested in my not being
+called away yet awhile, and in having me tarry a little longer upon earth.
+Come, my friend, sit down. Draw up your armchair close to my side--no,
+opposite to me, that I may look at you. I love dearly to behold your
+handsome, noble face, and then console myself with the thought that, after
+all, the Elector of Brandenburg can not be such a pitiful little Prince,
+since such a proud, distinguished lord as Count Schwarzenberg is his
+minister."
+
+"Say his servant, his slave, his humble subject, most gracious sir! Yes,
+look at me, my much-loved master, and read in my countenance that I am
+devoted to you with my whole heart and soul. Ah! who knows how much longer
+you will read that in my face, and how soon it may come to pass that poor
+Adam Schwarzenberg will be thrust aside and no longer find a place in your
+heart! Oh, dearest sir, when I think of that, I feel perfectly wretched
+and inconsolable, and I would rather hide my head and weep and mourn, than
+go smilingly to meet the joyful countenance of him who will come to
+supplant me in your affections!"
+
+"Nobody shall do that, Adam, and I know not, indeed, who could be bold
+enough even to attempt it."
+
+"Most gracious sir, the Electoral Prince will attempt it! He who, when a
+mere little child, was my opponent. He, who has been brought up by his
+mother and other relatives to mistrust me. He will grudge me the smallest
+place in his father's heart, and will do everything to contest it with
+me!"
+
+"But he will not succeed, be assured of that, my Adam, he will not succeed
+in it. I only know too well that in you I have a faithful, devoted
+servant, in the Electoral Prince a rebellious and refractory son; that
+with you all is bound up in my life; with him all in my death!"
+
+"Oh, no, your highness, no, it is impossible that the Electoral Prince
+could be so heartless and degenerate as to wish for his father's death.
+No, I must take the part of the Electoral Prince against you. You accuse
+him falsely, most gracious sir; he surely loves you, and it is only his
+ambition and youthful arrogance that sometimes lead him to do what is not
+right, and what surely he would not do if he only reflected better. Out of
+youthful presumption he undertook, despite your commands to the contrary,
+to remain longer at The Hague, and even to send back the Chamberlain von
+Schlieben, whom you had dispatched to him with strict orders to bring him
+home. And only his stormy, boundless ambition is at fault now in inducing
+him to appear here in rather an unbecoming manner. But you must not be
+angry with him for it, dear sir, and on that very account have I come to
+you to-day, to beg and implore you most earnestly not to admit any
+feelings of resentment into your mind this day, which is to restore to you
+the Electoral Prince."
+
+"He is coming, then, at last?" cried the Elector, breathing again. "He has
+finally had the goodness to heed our oft-repeated commands, and
+condescended to return home? But this return is, as I feel, likely enough
+to prepare renewed vexation for me, and in your magnanimity you come to me
+only to sweeten a little the pill which my son gives me to swallow. Speak
+out openly, Adam, and keep back nothing! What is it? What has the
+Electoral Prince done?"
+
+"Oh, your highness, I am convinced that he means nothing bad, and has no
+design of vexing you. He naturally rejoices greatly on his return to his
+future dominions, and consequently enjoys the congratulations of his
+future subjects, and gladly allows them to receive him with demonstrations
+of delight."
+
+"Do they so, his future subjects?" inquired the Elector, and his hands,
+swollen by gout, grasped convulsively the arms of his easychair. "Do they
+welcome him with rejoicings as their future sovereign?"
+
+"Yes, most gracious sir, it is plainly to be seen how closely the people
+cling to the electoral house of Hohenzollern, and how they sympathize in
+every fortunate event occurring in that family. From the moment that the
+Electoral Prince crossed the boundaries of the Mark, the inhabitants of
+every village and town have joyfully poured forth to meet him; his journey
+is a genuine triumphal procession, and the reigning Sovereign of the
+country could not be received with more honor and delight than is the
+young Electoral Prince!"
+
+"Me, their reigning Sovereign, me, they did not receive with rejoicings,"
+exclaimed the Elector, whose face grew crimson with excitement and
+passion. "My journey was anything but a triumphal procession, resembling
+much more a funeral, so quiet and still was everything on my way. Nowhere
+did I hear a joyful welcome, nowhere did the people come forth to meet me,
+and as at Koenigsberg they permitted me to depart without greeting or
+acclamation, so here at Berlin they allowed me to enter without a sign of
+welcome or congratulation. I will now confess to you alone that I was much
+mortified by this, although I did not complain of it. I comforted myself
+by reflecting that the times were bad and depressing, and that in their
+afflictions the people could not even present a glad, cheerful countenance
+to the father of their country. But now it falls to my lot to hear that
+they _can_ make merry and rejoice, and that they have only saved up the
+joy in their hearts to bestow it upon the return home of my son and heir."
+
+"Pardon, your highness, but I believe that we accuse the poor people
+wrongfully if we imagine that they are now acting thus of their own free
+motion, when they were so quiet on the arrival of their beloved Sovereign.
+No, the poor, unhappy people would have been equally silent at this time
+if they had not been stirred up to make noisy demonstrations of joy, if
+they had not been paid for it. It is otherwise wholly incredible and not
+to be thought of that the populace should have prepared such a triumph for
+the young home-returning lord. It is plainly to be seen that all has been
+settled and arranged beforehand. For it is not merely the offscourings of
+the streets, but burghers, magistrates, and officials, who have extended a
+welcome to the Electoral Prince. At Spandow, for example, all the
+citizens, with the magistracy at their head, issued from the town to pay
+their respects to him--yes, even Commandant von Rochow has found it
+necessary to join in the universal rejoicings, and has ridden out with his
+officers in their dress uniforms to do honor to the Prince's arrival. Here
+at Berlin, too, your own residence, all is uproar and excitement. They are
+putting on their holiday suits, and making ready to meet the Electoral
+Prince. That proves quite clearly that his speedy approach to the city has
+been already announced to the citizens, and communicated to the
+magistrates even before any tidings of the sort had reached your highness
+or myself, the Stadtholder in the Mark. For as soon as I obtained this
+intimation from Colonel von Rochow, I hastened hither to bring to your
+highness the glad news of your son's return home, and on the way I was
+stopped by whole crowds of festive men and women hastening to the suburb
+Spandow, to plant themselves near the Pomegranate Bridge and along the
+meadow dike.[21] Indeed, it strikes me that I even saw some gentlemen of
+municipal authority going the same way in full official dress."
+
+"And you suffered this?" asked the Elector angrily. "You allowed them to
+prepare such an insult and affront as to do for the son what they have not
+found needful to do for the father? But I will not bear it; I shall not be
+humiliated by my own son. You are the Stadtholder in the Mark, you must
+provide against their offering me any cause of vexation. Send out your
+officers, Sir Stadtholder, to clear the streets of this gaping multitude,
+send the magistrates home, and order the people to remain quietly within
+their houses, to do their work and not to lounge about the streets."
+
+"My much-loved lord and Elector, I sue for a favor in behalf of your most
+faithful servant, your poor Adam. I beg you out of consideration for me to
+retract these stringent orders, for I should be ruined if I were to
+execute them. Throughout the whole Mark, yea, throughout all Germany, they
+would raise the cry of murder against me, would everywhere blazon it, that
+Count Schwarzenberg is so inimically disposed toward the Electoral Prince
+that he would not even grant him an honorable reception on his return home
+after an absence of three years. Oh, most gracious sir, you will not
+increase yet more the number of my enemies and opposers, you will not
+excite public opinion yet more against me, and render it more favorably
+disposed to the Electoral Prince! If we now forcibly restrain these
+testimonials of pleasure on the part of the people, then will it be said
+that I misuse my power and am jealous of the Electoral Prince; that I am
+seeking to thrust him aside from his exalted position. If, on the other
+hand, it is seen how joyfully I acquiesce in the Electoral Prince's
+reception with acclamations everywhere, then will they be forced to
+acknowledge that it is not I who meet the young Prince with hatred, but
+that I willingly concede to him all honors and triumphs."
+
+"It is true," muttered the Elector, "they would surely suspect and accuse
+you, and it would not mend matters to say that I myself gave orders that
+the Electoral Prince be allowed to come home quietly."
+
+"God forbid that such a thing should be said!" cried Schwarzenberg. "No,
+rather let the whole world censure and condemn me--rather let it be said
+that I have acted as the spiteful and unworthy enemy of the Electoral
+Prince--than that they should dare even to cast one shadow upon my beloved
+master's heart. What matters it that they calumniate me, if they only
+venture not to attack and suspect your highness?"
+
+"They shall not slander and suspect you, my Adam," said the Elector,
+offering him his hand. "For your sake let us suffer the Electoral Prince
+to come hither in triumph. But we will remember it against him, and our
+love for him will not be thereby increased."
+
+"Yet I entreat your highness to receive your son kindly and graciously,"
+pleaded Schwarzenberg with insinuating voice. "It is better, your
+highness, to try to chain him to you by goodness and love than by
+strictness and severity to repel him yet more, and force him to join the
+party of your opponents. It is a great and powerful party, and I well know
+that it is their plan to place the Electoral Prince at their head, and
+through him to attain their ends."
+
+"And what are their ends?" asked the Elector, with lowering brow.
+
+The count bent over closer to his ear, as if he feared letting even the
+walls hear what he had to say.
+
+"Their ends are a transference of the government, and when this is
+effected a revolt from Emperor and empire, and a league with the Swedes
+and all Protestant German princes against Emperor and empire."
+
+"The transference of the government? That means an insurrection, a
+revolution. They would hurl me from my throne and ensconce my son there?"
+
+"They hope that in your distress you will do, gracious sir, what your
+blessed father did."
+
+"Abdicate!" cried the Elector angrily. "Abdicate in favor of my son?"
+
+"In favor of the Electoral Prince, who has grown up in Holland to become a
+promising Prince, a general of the future, a brilliant leader of the
+Protestant Church, and of whom his followers say that he will be a second
+Gustavus Adolphus!"
+
+"A second plague--a second source of danger to myself!" screamed the
+Elector, striking with his clinched fist upon the arm of his chair. "It
+was not enough that my brother-in-law Gustavus Adolphus brought me into
+trouble and distress, and caused the Emperor's wrath to flame forth
+against me, so that I was really afraid that I would share the fate of my
+cousin the Margrave of Jaegerndorf, whom the Emperor put under his ban,
+declaring that he had forfeited his margraviate, and giving it over as a
+feudal tenure to Prince Liechstenstein! I was only saved then from a like
+terrible fate by your intercession and fidelity! It was you who, by your
+address and eloquence, softened the Emperor's resentment against me,
+induced him to pardon me, and afterward brought about the peace of Prague,
+which reconciled the Emperor to me. Yet it was not enough to have gone
+through those times of anxiety and distress, they must be now renewed
+through my only son! In him am I to find a second Gustavus Adolphus, to
+plunge me into new perils and bring down upon me the Emperor's avenging
+wrath? But it shall not be--I solemnly swear, it shall not be! I will
+_not_ involve my land in new dangers and calamities of war. I will _not_
+depart from my neutrality. I _will_ have peace--peace with the Emperor,
+peace for my poor people, and for their unhappy Prince! But I shall not
+act as my father did, and prepare a pleasure for my son by resigning
+sovereignty and rule in my lifetime and becoming the servant and subject
+of my own son! Before me shall he bow--me shall he acknowledge to be his
+lord so long as I live, and never while I breathe shall I cease to lay to
+his charge these hours of pain and vexation. I am Elector and ruler, and
+he is nothing further than my son and subject, my successor when I die,
+but not my coregent while I live! Count Adam Schwarzenberg, I charge you
+to stand courageously at my side, to remain zealous in my service, and to
+direct your attention especially to unraveling all the arts and wiles, the
+plots and schemes of my son and his abettors; to give me always
+information on these points, to keep nothing in the background, and not to
+conceal anything from me merely to save me from vexation. Will you promise
+and swear so to manage and act, my Adam?"
+
+"I swear and promise it, and in affirmation will my Prince allow me to
+give him my hand upon it?" asked Schwarzenberg, laying his own right hand
+in the outstretched one of the Elector. "You will find in me a true
+servant and guardian of your sacred person and your throne, and he who
+would supplant or harm you must first step over the corpse of Count
+Schwarzenberg! But now, most gracious sir, I beseech you not to be
+overpowered by your feelings of indignation, and to be amiable and
+condescending toward the home-coming Electoral Prince; for it is sometimes
+very necessary to wear a mask and assume an appearance of harmlessness and
+unconcern in order the better to fathom the designs of one's enemies, and
+to make them feel secure, that they may the more easily betray themselves."
+
+"Yes, I will do so," said George William, sighing. "I will swallow down my
+rage, although it would be a relief to me to vent it a little, and to show
+my son that I know him and am not deceived by him. But what noise is that
+without, and who is knocking so violently at the door?"
+
+This door was now impetuously torn open, and the Electress Sophy Elizabeth
+entered, with beaming eyes and features lighted up by joy, while on high
+she held an open letter in her hand.
+
+"George!" she exclaimed--"George, our son is coming! Our dear Frederick
+William is coming!"
+
+"Well, I rather think he ought to have been here a half year ago," growled
+the Elector, "and we have been expecting him several months already."
+
+"But he is here now, my husband, he is actually here now. Only see what a
+good, affectionate son he is! He has halted at the inn of the Spandow
+suburb, merely to forewarn us of his arrival. It was not enough for him
+that he had sent us a messenger with a verbal communication, no, he must
+send us a written salutation, and such kind, cordial words as he has
+written. There, read, my husband, just read!"
+
+She handed the paper to the Elector, but he did not take it.
+
+"Is the letter directed to me?" he asked.
+
+"No, to me, to his mother he wrote, because he knew how happy it would
+make me, and how heartily I love him. Read, George!"
+
+"I never read letters that are not directed to myself," said the Elector,
+turning away.
+
+"Well, then, I will read it to you!" cried the Electress, who in the
+fullness of her joy heeded as little the ill humor of the Elector as she
+did the presence of Count Schwarzenberg, who upon her entrance had
+modestly withdrawn to one of the deep window recesses. "Yes, I will read
+it to you," she repeated, "for you must hear what our son writes."
+
+And with a voice trembling from joy and agitation she read:
+
+"My gracious, revered Mother: Before I enter my dear birthplace and return
+home to my beloved parents and sisters, I would announce my arrival to
+your highnesses, that you may not be alarmed by my unexpected coming, and
+that I may not come inopportunely to his grace, my father. I enjoy greatly
+getting home, and all the testimonials of love and sympathy which I have
+received ever since I set foot within my father's territories, and they
+will remain indelibly graven on my heart. I beg your grace to present my
+most submissive respects to my gracious father and Elector, and to speak a
+good word for me to him, that his grace may no longer cherish resentment
+against me on account of my long stay abroad, and that he may favorably
+incline toward and receive me, and be convinced that I am and shall ever
+remain the grateful and obedient son of my venerated parents.
+
+"FREDERICK WILLIAM."
+
+"Well" asked the Electress, "are not those affectionate, glorious words,
+and does not your fatherly heart rejoice in them? But just hear, hear, how
+they shout and hurrah! It is the good people of Berlin! They are coming to
+the palace to see our son!"
+
+Again was the door through which the Electress had entered violently
+thrown open, and two young ladies entered. Their lovely and blooming faces
+beamed with happiness and their eyes glistened with joy.
+
+"He comes! Our brother is coming!" they cried, rushing forward toward
+their parents. "Just come to the window, that we may see him, for he is
+riding around the corner into the pleasure garden"
+
+"Are you all, then, wholly beside yourselves, and gone stark mad?" cried
+the Elector passionately, while he rose from his armchair and proudly drew
+himself up. "Who gives these two young ladies the privilege of entering my
+cabinet thus, unannounced and without ceremony? Just answer me one thing,
+Miss Charlotte Louise, did I permit you to come here?"
+
+"No, dearest father," said the Princess timidly, casting down her large,
+dark eyes, "no, your grace has not indeed permitted us to do so, but we
+did not think of that in the joy of our hearts, and because from here is
+the best lookout upon the pleasure grounds, we--"
+
+"We thought," interrupted the younger sister, who had hardly attained her
+fifteenth year--"we thought our dear papa, his Electoral Grace, would
+forgive us and look out with us to catch a sight of our beloved brother.
+And were we not right, dear papa, were we mistaken in thinking so, and
+will your grace not allow your little Sophie Hedwig to lead you to the
+great corner window, that with mamma you may have a view of dear Frederick
+William?"
+
+The Princess had approached her father, and, tenderly and coaxingly
+stroking his cheeks with her little white hand, looked up at him with such
+a gentle, pleading glance in her blue eyes as George William had never
+hitherto been known to resist. But this time the eyes of his favorite had
+no power over the Elector's heart, and indignantly he repelled her
+encircling arms.
+
+"Let me alone with your 'dear Frederick William,' you saucy piece!" cried
+he passionately. "You should at all events have waited until I had given
+you leave to appear here. If, in your childish giddiness, you knew no
+better, yet your sister Charlotte Louise, at the more mature age of
+twenty, ought to have arrived at years of discretion, and known what was
+proper."
+
+"No one knows better what is becoming than the fair young Princess
+Charlotte Louise, most gracious sir," said Count Adam Schwarzenberg,
+issuing from the window recess and greeting the Princess with a
+reverential bow. "In the whole country the Electoral Princess is honored
+as a brilliant model of fine manners and noble demeanor, and every one
+feels himself blessed and honored who is permitted to approach her. And is
+not the young lady right even now, dear sir, in coming here with her young
+sister? It is surely proper and well for the united Electoral family to be
+seen by the nation as they look upon the dear son and brother, whose
+return gladdens their hearts?"
+
+"Well, for aught I care, she may be right," muttered the Elector, "and I
+will grant my wife and daughters leave to look out of the corner window.
+But, meanwhile, where is the Electress?"
+
+"Her grace is standing there before the corner window and gazing down so
+earnestly upon the square that I have not yet been so fortunate as to be
+allowed to pay my respects to her highness."
+
+"For if the whole world had been assembled together she would have seen
+nothing but the Electoral Prince," called out the Elector, shrugging his
+shoulders. "Go to her, Adam, and present my compliments to her. Tell her
+that I resign my cabinet to her and my daughters, and will withdraw into
+my sleeping apartment until this uproar has subsided."
+
+"Oh, do not do so, most honored father," cried the younger Princess. "Stay
+here, and look out of the window with us."
+
+"Do so, your Electoral Highness," pleaded the count, softly and quickly.
+"Grant the people the light of your countenance."
+
+"Well, so be it, then," sighed George William. "Call the servants,
+Charlotte Louise, that they may roll me to the window."
+
+"As if I could not have the privilege of acting as servant to your
+highness, and as if my arm were not strong enough to guide your highness's
+chair. Permit me, gracious sir, to roll you to the window."
+
+"And permit me to help your excellency," said Princess Charlotte Louise,
+smiling, while she seized one of the arms of the fauteuil.
+
+"Now truly this is a very lofty equipage," cried George William, as the
+fauteuil rolled along through the spacious apartment. "The Stadtholder in
+the Mark and a Princess of the blood drawing my equipage."
+
+"But what a man sits in it!" said Count Schwarzenberg. "A duke of Prussia,
+of Pomerania, of Cleves, an Elector of Brandenburg, and--"
+
+"Hurrah, hurrah!" sounded up from below in a chorus of hundreds of voices.
+"Hurrah! long live the Electoral Prince!"
+
+"He comes! Oh, my son, my son!" cried the Electress. "He comes! George,
+our son--"
+
+She had turned round and her eye met the count's gaze, who immediately
+bowed low and reverentially before her. The Electress only thanked him
+with a slight nod of her head, and herself sprang forward to push the
+fauteuil into the window niche. Then, with trembling hands, she opened
+both window shutters and beckoned her daughters to her side.
+
+"He must see us all, _all_" she said. "With one glance he must take in
+father, mother, and sisters."
+
+"And my most faithful and best-beloved servant, the Stadtholder in the
+Mark!" cried the Elector. "Come, Adam, place yourself close beside me,
+that the picture may be complete, and my son may see us all at once."
+
+Boundless public rejoicings seemed to be in progress below; a loud,
+long-sustained, ever-renewed cheering rolled over the square like the roar
+of the sea.
+
+"My son, my beloved son!" cried the Electress, leaning far out of the
+window and stretching out both arms toward the young man, who had just
+emerged from the shrubbery, on horseback and followed by a brilliant train.
+
+"Brother, dear brother!" called out the two Princesses, leaning out of the
+other side of the window, and waving their handkerchiefs in token of
+welcome. Behind them sat the Elector in his great armchair, quite
+forgotten and quite hidden from view by his wife and daughters, not at all
+visible to either the people or his son.
+
+"I shall remember this hour, oh! to be sure, I shall remember it," he
+said, with trembling lips; "my son shall atone to me for this hour of
+shame and mortification. I--"
+
+The huzzaing and shouting below drowned his words; they came pouring in at
+the open window like the pealing tones of an organ, like the roar of the
+sea, like claps of thunder.
+
+The Elector could no longer bear it. He looked up with glances of entreaty
+at the count, who, drawn up to his full height, stood proud and commanding
+at the side of his chair, his sharp eyes piercing down into the court over
+the ladies' heads.
+
+"Ah, Adam," sighed George William, "you, too, have forgotten me, and are
+only looking upon him who is coming!"
+
+But, however softly these words had been spoken, the count heard them, and
+tenderly he leaned over the Elector, and seized his hand to kiss it.
+
+"I am looking at the newcomer," he whispered, "but I never forget you, and
+my heart can never be unmindful of the love and fidelity it owes you."
+
+"Hurrah! Long live the Electoral Prince!" was borne up in tumultuous
+uproar from the pleasure garden. "Long live the Electoral Prince! Long
+live the Elector! Hurrah for the Elector George William!"
+
+"They are calling for you, my husband, they call for you!" said the
+Electress. "Will you not show yourself to our dear people?"
+
+"I ought, indeed, to be thankful to the dear people," returned her
+husband. "The dear people have at least reminded the Electress that I
+still exist, although she had crowded me back and rendered me entirely
+invisible behind her. Yes, I will show myself to the people, as they still
+think of me in the midst of their merriment. Step back from the window,
+ladies, make room for your Elector and lord! And you, Count Schwarzenberg,
+come and give me your arm; I would lean upon you!"
+
+The count willingly offered the Elector his arm. Powerfully drawn up by
+him, the Elector rose from his seat, and, leaning upon his favorite,
+stepped close up to the window. The shouts of joy were for a moment
+hushed; perhaps because the Electoral Prince had just ridden into the
+palace yard, perhaps because the ladies' retreat from the window was
+considered by the people a sign that the Elector was about to appear. And
+now, within the window frame, was seen the clumsy, broad figure of the
+Elector; now was seen his large head, sparsely covered with gray hairs,
+his pale, swollen face, prematurely old, with its melancholy blue eyes and
+thin, colorless lips, round which played not the slightest smile. In the
+handsome, powerful, and youthful Electoral Prince the people had just
+joyfully greeted Brandenburg's future, and now from the window of that
+gray, gloomy, wretched old palace looked out upon them the hopelessness of
+Brandenburg's present. Like gazing upon embodied care and joyless
+resignation it was, to behold the Elector's grave, forbidding aspect, and
+before it the joyous cry upon the people's lips was silenced. They stared
+up at the window in dumb horror, and only here and there sounded cries
+from compassionate or bribed mouths: "Long live the Elector! Long live
+George William!" And like a dying echo came back the answer on this side
+and on that, feebly and slowly: "Long live the Elector! Long live George
+William!"
+
+But now the people caught sight of the tall, stately form, in gold
+embroidered velvet suit, with the star of brilliants glittering on its
+breast, which stood beside the Elector; now they recognized that haughty
+countenance with its glance of sovereign contempt, its smile of lofty
+condescension upon the thin, scornful lips, and a disturbance was
+perceptible among the multitudes, as when a sudden gust of wind agitates
+the waves of the sea and lashes them up into fury and rage. All at once
+there came thundering up to the window, shrieked, howled, and hissed by
+the crowd: "Down with the Catholics! Down with Schwarzenberg! Down with
+the Imperialist!"
+
+A deep flush overspread the Elector's face. He hastily stepped back from
+the window, and looked almost timidly up at the count, whose countenance
+meanwhile had not for a moment lost its proud, smiling serenity. He seemed
+not to have heard the screams of the mob.
+
+"They would vex me to death, therefore do they scream so!" cried the
+Elector; "they know my regard for Schwarzenberg, and therefore are they so
+set against him and insult him, in order to insult me through him!"
+
+"My parents, my beloved parents!" cried a clear, rich voice, and a young
+man tore open the doors of the Electoral cabinet, revealing a tall,
+slender figure and a noble face, with sparkling eyes and smiling lips. The
+Electress uttered one scream of rapture, and hastened to meet her son with
+outstretched arms. He threw himself upon her breast, greeting her with
+phrases of fond endearment, and when he lifted himself from his mother's
+heart there were the two sisters to embrace their dear and only brother,
+to greet him with affectionate words of love, and to hold him long, long
+in their encircling arms. The Elector had again sunk back into his
+armchair. His "faithful servant," Count Schwarzenberg, had again rolled
+him back into the middle of the apartment and stationed himself
+immediately in the rear.
+
+With unpropitious frowns had the Elector witnessed the first tender
+greeting exchanged between the Electress and her son. Now, when his
+sisters in their turn engrossed him and the mother stood looking on in
+transport, now the Elector turned round to Schwarzenberg, and an
+expression of deep bitterness spoke in every feature.
+
+"My son seems not to know that I am yet in the world," he said, with
+quick, complaining tone of voice. "Had you not better remind him of it for
+decency's sake, Adam?"
+
+But at this moment the Electoral Prince freed himself from his sisters'
+arms, perceived the Elector, and sprang forward to him with open arms to
+throw himself on his heart. But, when he got a nearer view of his father's
+dark countenance, he let his arms drop, bent his knee before the Elector,
+and grasped one hand to imprint upon it a reverential kiss.
+
+"My dear father, my most gracious Sovereign and Elector!" cried he in
+tones full of tenderness, "I beg your pardon that my first word, my first
+salutation was not given to you. You see, I was always a foolish boy, whom
+my mother spoils, and who delights in being spoiled."
+
+"I beg your pardon, my husband," said the Electress, approaching her
+husband; "I alone was to blame that our son did not come first to you, as
+was his duty, and pay his first respects to his father and Sovereign. I
+stopped him, and you must not impute as a fault to the son what was
+occasioned by a mother's tenderness."
+
+The Elector made no reply, but looked down with moody resentment upon the
+Electoral Prince, who still knelt before him.
+
+"My much-loved, gracious father," cried the Prince, "I once more beg your
+pardon, and pray you kindly to forget if I have hitherto often given you
+ground for annoyance, and have not appeared here immediately on your first
+command. I see my error, and I promise, my dear, kind father, that I have
+returned home as a penitent, affectionate son, as an obedient subject,
+whose earnest endeavor shall be to deserve the forgiveness and good
+opinion of his lord and father, and to live wholly and solely in
+subjection to his will. Only bid me welcome, too, my most revered sir;
+bestow upon your son one word of welcome and fatherly love."
+
+The Prince glanced so tenderly at his father, there lay so much feeling in
+his handsome, expressive countenance, that the Elector could not resist
+him, but, in spite of himself, felt his heart stirred by tenderness and
+emotion. He bowed down to him, a rare smile lit up his face, and he was
+just opening his lips to greet his son with words of friendliness and
+love, when the shrieking and shouting down in the pleasure garden, which
+had ceased for some time (probably because their exhausted throats
+required rest), burst forth again with redoubled violence.
+
+"Away with the Catholics! Down with Schwarzenberg! Long live the Electoral
+Prince. Down with Schwarzenberg!" came up with thundering impetuosity.
+
+The friendly words died upon the Elector's lips, and the short sunshine of
+his smile vanished under a cloud of displeasure.
+
+"It seems, sir," he said, "as if your arrival were a real jubilee for the
+low rabble, who have assembled down there in the pleasure grounds, and as
+if your arrival were to be the cause of much vexation to me. What
+seditious, scandalous words are those shouted by those wretches?"
+
+"I do not know, I did not hear them," said the Electoral Prince quickly.
+
+"My whole attention was concentrated upon y father's lips, waiting to hear
+one gracious word of welcome!"
+
+"The mob saved me that trouble!" cried the Elector. They cut me off from
+speech with their 'Long live the electoral Prince!' What need is there for
+a further welcome from your old father?"
+
+"I need it much," replied the Electoral Prince, with low, melancholy
+voice. "I need a kind, gracious word from my father, on returning home
+after so long an absence; and it would seem to me as if my whole future,
+my whole life were under a cloud if I lacked the blessing of your love,
+the sunshine of your favor."
+
+"My son knows how to arrange his words prettily," said the Elector,
+shrugging his shoulders; "it is very observable that he has become quite a
+fine, elegant gentleman; who will find but little to his taste among us,
+and who will suit us just as little! But what are those people forever
+shouting?" said the Elector, interrupting himself, while he rose
+impulsively from his armchair, thus obliging the Prince to rise from his
+knees. "What infamous hubbub and howling is this, and what do you villains
+want of us?"
+
+"Nothing further, most noble Elector," replied Count Schwarzenberg, to
+whom the Elector had turned with his query--"nothing further than that
+your honor drive me away, nothing further than that you dismiss the hated
+minister, whom they abhor, simply because he is a Catholic and not a
+Reformer, and because he is named Schwarzenberg and not Rochow or Quitzow,
+nor blessed with some country bumpkin's title."
+
+"I will rout this pack of vagabonds!" cried the Elector. "Let them dare
+just once more to let such an opprobrious, insulting shout be heard!"
+
+And, quite forgetting his weakness and his limb so painfully swollen with
+gout, the Elector went rapidly to the still open corner window, and,
+leaning far out of it, lifted up his hand, commanding quiet. The people
+took this inclination of the body, this movement of the hand, for a token
+of grace, for a kind salutation on the part of their Sovereign, perhaps
+even for a granting of their demand. They roared aloud with delight, waved
+aloft their hats and caps, their arms and handkerchiefs, and cried and
+whooped and hurrahed: "Long live the Elector! Long live George William!
+Long live the Electoral Prince!"
+
+The Elector stepped back and shut the window so violently that the little
+panes of glass, framed in lead, fairly rattled.
+
+"Frantic populace!" he growled, "they mix up a wretched salad of cheers
+and curses, mingle weeds with their herbs, and fancy that we will find
+this devilish compound pleasing to our palates! We shall remember them for
+it, and--"
+
+"Most gracious sir!" cried Count Schwarzenberg, with radiant countenance,
+approaching the Elector--"most gracious sir, in this blessed hour of our
+beloved Electoral Prince's return, I have a favor to ask of your highness.
+His grace has just greeted me so amiably, so condescendingly, that he has
+caused my heart to overflow with joy, and I feel the strongest desire to
+give expression to this joy. The return of the Electoral Prince is just as
+propitious an event for me as, for the Electoral family, and for all your
+subjects it is a festive occasion which can not be sufficiently honored,
+and therefore I entreat your highness to permit me to celebrate it at my
+house also, and to gratify me by being present yourself at this _fete_,
+with all the other members of your exalted family."
+
+The Elector looked upon his minister with an expression of joyful
+tenderness, and then turned his glance upon the Electoral Prince, who
+stood silent, and with lowered eyelids, beside his mother and sisters.
+
+"Well, what say you to it, sir?" asked George William. "Do you accept the
+invitation to the feast?"
+
+"I, Electoral Lord?" asked the Prince, astonished. "It is not for me to
+accept, or to say anything. I only await the decision of your highness,
+and now allow myself to remark that I shall ever feel honored by an
+invitation from the Stadtholder in the Mark, and that no one can have a
+higher appreciation of his services and a greater respect for his
+statesman-like experience and wisdom than myself."
+
+"He knows how to speak, does he not, count?" asked the Elector, indicating
+his son by a quick nod of the head.
+
+"Well, since it depends on my decision, I shall gladly extend to you my
+leave to celebrate the Electoral Prince's return by a little merrymaking,
+were it only that the good-for-nothing people of Berlin may see that we
+and our family are devoted to Count Schwarzenberg now as before, and that
+their pitiful howls have had no influence upon us and our determinations.
+Yes, we will come to your party, Adam, we accept your invitation cordially
+and affectionately."
+
+"I thank my most gracious lord for this act of favor and condescension,"
+cried the count, pressing the Elector's proffered hand to his lips. "Will
+your highness extend your favor by appointing the day on which so
+distinguished an honor is to befall my house?"
+
+"Well, that you may not have time to make too great preparations, and put
+us to shame by the splendor of your _fete_, we will allow you but a short
+respite. To-day is Wednesday, the eighteenth of June, we therefore appoint
+Sunday, the twenty-second of June, for your festival."
+
+"Be it then on Sunday, a sunny day truly for me and for my house," cried
+Count Schwarzenberg. "My son, too, will do himself the honor to
+participate in the joys of the _fete_, which your highness will do me the
+favor to give in my house, for he has returned from his journey, and will
+this very day petition for leave to present himself."
+
+A fugitive glance from the count strayed across to the ladies, while he
+bowed low before them, but, however cursory this glance, it gave him full
+opportunity for perceiving Princess Charlotte Louise's deep blush, and the
+joyful flashing of her eyes.
+
+"She loves him," he said softly to himself, "yes, she loves him, and my
+son will be Elector of Brandenburg."
+
+"We shall be pleased to see again your son, Count John Adolphus," said
+George William kindly. "He is a very elegant and accomplished gentleman,
+besides being a very submissive and obedient son, in whom your father's
+heart may well rejoice. My son would do well to follow his example, and I
+shall be delighted for him to form a friendship with the count."
+
+"I shall diligently strive to gain the friendship of the son as well as of
+the father," replied the Electoral Prince, smiling, "and it shall not be
+my fault, indeed, if I do not obtain it."
+
+"Most honored sir, you can gain no more than you already possess,"
+exclaimed Schwarzenberg, bowing low. "Will the Electress now permit me to
+address a question to her highness?"
+
+"Ask your question quickly," cried the Electress, "that I may hear the
+request it is to introduce, for I am really curious to know what the rich
+and powerful Count Schwarzenberg can have to desire of the poor,
+uninfluential Electress."
+
+"First, then, my question, most gracious lady: At what hour does your
+highness command my _fete_ to begin?"
+
+"Will you leave the decision to me, my husband?" asked the Electress,
+smiling.
+
+The Elector nodded assent.
+
+
+"As you have invited my daughters," said the Electress, "I presume that
+there will certainly be dancing, and evening hours suit best for that. Let
+the _fete_ commence at six o'clock."
+
+The Elector's brow darkened, for he did not at all relish gay, noisy
+evening parties, and a solemn dinner at the regular hour would have been
+far more welcome to him.
+
+"Your grace has prescribed the hour for the opening of the ball," said
+Count Schwarzenberg reverentially. "But I now also entreat further that
+you name a dinner hour, for I hope your highness will favor me by dining
+with me on that day."
+
+"Yes, that honor shall be shown you," cried the Elector cheerfully. "We
+shall come, surely we shall come. And I will myself appoint the hour for
+the mid-day meal. Let it be at two o'clock. Then we shall have some
+pleasant hours at table before the dancing comes off and the music puts
+our heads in a whirl."
+
+"Two o'clock, then, most gracious sir."
+
+"And now, Sir Count," cried the Electress, "now for your request. Say
+quickly what it is. What can you have to ask of me?"
+
+"Most gracious Electress, I hardly venture to express it, and yet, by
+granting my request, you would do me a very great pleasure and honor. Some
+splendid silk stuffs have been sent me from France by my cousin, who is
+Austrian ambassador there. I had given him such a commission, as I thought
+of making a present to my aunt, the Countess Schwarzenberg at Vienna. My
+cousin bought these stuffs for me, and writes me, moreover, that they are
+the newest fabrics from the looms of Lyons, and that he has just sent
+three such dresses to the Empress and the two archduchesses at Vienna.
+Now, it did not seem to me becoming or appropriate that the Countess
+Schwarzenberg should wear robes such as the Empress and archduchesses
+wear, and I think gold and silver brocade suited to none but ladies of
+princely blood."
+
+"And you would give them to us, Sir Count?" cried the young Princess
+Sophie Hedwig, with heightened color in her cheeks and sparkling eyes.
+
+The Electress and older Princess laughed aloud at this naive and hasty
+question, and even the Elector laughed a little.
+
+A slight blush suffused the Electoral Prince's face; he withdrew to the
+window and looked out. Count Schwarzenberg, however, looked smilingly upon
+the young Princess, whose girlish impatience had come so opportunely to
+his rescue.
+
+"I would venture," he said, "most humbly to ask her highness's permission
+to lay the brocade stuffs at her feet."
+
+"Mamma, do so," coaxed Sophie Hedwig; "take the pretty dress patterns from
+the good Stadtholder."
+
+"Well, then, I shall do so," said the Electress. "I accept your present
+for myself and the young ladies, and I thank you."
+
+She extended her hand to the count, which he kissed.
+
+"And you will give orders, Electress, that the dresses be made up in time
+for Count Schwarzenberg's _fete_!" cried the Elector cheerfully. "You must
+at least honor him by displaying his present first at his own house."
+
+"There are a few plates accompanying it," remarked Schwarzenberg--"a few
+plates on which are painted the newest styles of ladies' dresses now
+fashionable in Paris. The robes of the Empress and the archduchesses were
+made by them."
+
+"So shall our dresses be too!" cried Sophie Hedwig, joyfully clapping her
+hands. "Shall they not, dearest mamma--shall not our dresses be made by
+the fashion plates?"
+
+Just at this moment the Electoral Prince again emerged from the window
+recess, and approached his father.
+
+"I beg your highness's gracious permission to withdraw," he said. "I
+should like to retire to my own apartments a little while, in order to lay
+aside my dusty traveling suit."
+
+"Do so, my son," replied the Elector, with a friendly nod of the head. "Go
+to your rooms, which have been prepared for you a whole half year, and
+await your return. Dress yourself and rejoin us at dinner. For the rest, I
+bid you heartily welcome, and may your return be productive of good, not
+evil, to yourself and us all."
+
+"God grant that I may merit my father's favor, and ever show myself worthy
+of it!" exclaimed the Electoral Prince, with deep seriousness. "I have now
+the honor of taking my leave!"
+
+He bowed low before the Elector, and with a like salutation bade farewell
+to the Electress and the Princesses. After greeting the count with a smile
+and a wave of his hand, he hurried with light elastic step through the
+apartment to the door.
+
+
+
+
+IV.--THE DONATION.
+
+
+When the Electoral Prince left his father's cabinet he found without the
+officers and servants of the household arranged in solemn order. They
+received him with a thrice-repeated cheer that was loud enough to
+penetrate through the door into the Electoral apartment, and to reach the
+Elector's ears in a manner by no means pleasant.
+
+Affectionately and smilingly Frederick William thanked them. He could call
+each one of them by name, and charmed them all by recalling little
+incidents of his earlier days in which they had borne a part.
+
+"I hope we shall always remain good friends," he said, when he had reached
+the door of the long entrance hall, "and once more I thank you for your
+friendly greeting."
+
+Old Jock, who stood next to the door, and who looked quite grand in his
+artfully patched livery of state--old Jock had already just opened his
+mouth for another thundering hurrah, when the Electoral Prince laid his
+hand gently upon his shoulder.
+
+"Hush, Jock, hush! do not shout," he said, loud enough to be heard by
+everybody. "It is enough that I read my welcome in your eyes, and not
+necessary for your lips to pronounce the words aloud. Our much-loved and
+gracious father is sick and suffering, and we must not therefore allow his
+rest to be disturbed by loud noises. Be quiet and silent, therefore, and
+only believe me when I say that I know I am welcome to you all!"
+
+He gave them one more friendly nod, and stepped out upon the long corridor,
+on the other side of which lay his own apartments. Quickly he went on,
+opened the door of the antechamber with a vigorous pressure of his hand,
+and entered. The trunks and other baggage lay in wild disorder, heaped up
+in the outer hall, and old Dietrich, with a few other servants and
+lackeys, was busied in untying parcels and unpacking. The Electoral Prince
+went hurriedly past, and entered his sleeping room. Here, too, he found
+all in confusion; the dust lay thick upon the unwieldy old furniture,
+whose cushions were covered with faded and even here and there ragged
+tapestry. From the walls, hung with discolored papering, a few old
+ancestral portraits looked gravely and gloomily down upon him, and their
+melancholy eyes seemed to ask him what he wanted here, and why he had come
+to awaken them from their repose, and disturb the dust which had been
+collecting for years. It seemed to the Prince as if he heard this
+inhospitable question quite clearly uttered by the lips of his ancestor
+Albert Achilles, before whose picture he was just passing, and whose
+large, glittering eyes seemed to look out in defiance. Frederick William
+stopped and looked at his forefather with a sad smile. "I have come much
+against my will, Elector Albert Achilles," he said. "I assure you, very
+much against my will, and if I did not think of the future, I would go
+away again and _never_ come back. But for the sake of the future the
+present must be endured; therefore forgive me, my great, valiant ancestor,
+and believe me I will do you honor!"
+
+He nodded to the picture and strode on, advancing into the next room,
+which was to be his study. Here everything was still exactly as he had
+left it almost four years ago. The old furniture stood unmoved in its
+familiar places; there was still the brown varnished writing table at
+which he had formerly applied himself to his studies, in company with his
+tutor Leuchtmar von Kalkhun; beside it stood the simple, rude book
+shelves, and on them, covered with dust and cobwebs, the old leather-bound
+volumes from which he had drunk in knowledge and wisdom. Before both
+windows hung, just as then, the dark red silken curtains, only that the
+sun had partially deprived them of their original coloring and interwoven
+sickly streaks of yellow. The old sofa, too, was yet in existence with its
+sleek brown leather covering, and by its side stood the two leather
+armchairs, with their high, straight backs and awkwardly turned feet. No
+one had taken the trouble to repair these inroads of dilapidation, and,
+long as they had been expecting the Electoral Prince, no preparations
+whatever had been made for his reception. Four years had passed over these
+chambers without leaving any further trace of their presence than dust and
+cobwebs, and faded stripes on cushion and curtain. Sighing, the Electoral
+Prince threw himself into one of the two armchairs. The old piece of
+furniture creaked under him, as if by this sound it would greet him and
+remind him of the past. He leaned his head against the back, whose leather
+cooled his temples as if a cold hand had been laid upon the brow of him
+who had just come home. Slowly his glance swept through the room, and it
+seemed to him as if he saw the four last years glide by like phantom
+shapes through the lonely, dreary, and dusty chamber. They looked at him
+with wan smiles and lusterless eyes, and hovered past shadowlike, leaving
+behind for him nothing but dust, nothing but a hardly cicatrized wound.
+Hardly cicatrized!
+
+Sometimes it bled yet, this wound of his past. Sometimes he thought that
+there was no healing for it, that it would never close, and that its pain
+would never cease.
+
+Just so thought he as the shadows of the four years floated by him through
+that gloomy, dusty room. Just so thought he, when the youngest of these
+phantoms paused beside him, threw back her gray veil of mist, and under it
+disclosed to him a beautiful, rosy female face, with flaming eyes, pouting
+lips, and lovely smile, when she raised her hand and beckoned to him,
+whispering: "Leave all behind and come to me! _I_ am waiting for you! _I_
+love you! Oh, come to me!"
+
+How sweetly enticing were these whispered sounds, how burning was the pain
+in the wound but barely healed! Again it began to bleed, again tears rose
+to his eyes. He was not ashamed of them, and yet, as he felt them flow
+burning down his cheeks, he stretched out his hands deprecatingly to the
+phantom with the rosy cheeks and fascinating smile, to the shadow of the
+last year, and murmured: "Away from me! Come not near me, to tempt my
+heart! I may not follow you--I may not, and I _will_ not."
+
+"And I _will_ not!" he repeated quite aloud, and jumped up from his
+easychair, shaking his head defiantly and proudly, like a roused lion.
+
+"What will you not?" asked a soft voice behind him, and when he turned
+round he saw at his back Baron von Leuchtmar, who had just entered, and
+whose mild, gentle glances rested upon him with tender expression.
+
+"Leuchtmar!" cried the Prince, hastening to meet him with both hands
+outstretched. "God be praised, that you are here, that you come to me at
+this moment! Ah! would that you had not left me at Spandow, but had
+remained at my side!"
+
+"No, my Prince! It was proper that the eyes of the people should have
+greeted you alone, and that the boy, whom they had seen go off at the side
+of his tutor, should now appear to them again as a bold and independent
+young man, who relies upon his own powers only, and has no longer any
+tutor at his side, but his own sense of duty and his conscience. But why
+so sad, Prince Frederick William? Your journey was verily a triumphal
+procession; like a Roman imperator you entered your father's city, and now
+do I find you here, solitary, with troubled countenance, with tears upon
+your cheeks?"
+
+"With tears upon my cheeks?" repeated the Prince; "with imprecations, with
+wrath, and sorrow in my heart. Oh, friend, why were you not with me? You
+would have saved me perhaps from the bitterness of the last hour. You
+would have stood by me, would have encouraged me!"
+
+"My God, what has happened then?"
+
+"It has happened that I was received as if I were some criminal returning
+after a course of sin!" cried Frederick William, with indignant pain. "It
+has happened that they have treated me as if I were a rioter and inciter
+of rebellion, who had come hither with criminal designs, at the head of a
+mob, and as a captain of robbers, who had attacked his Sovereign in his
+stronghold. It has happened that they allowed me to sue for pardon upon my
+knees without lifting me up--that they have treated me like an abandoned
+villain, from whom they expected each hour to witness some new out-break."
+
+"But consider, my Prince, that you had reason to expect that your
+reception would be ungracious, and that it was your father from whom these
+trials would come to you."
+
+"No, not from my father, but from _him_--that evil spirit who, with his
+cold smile and mocking composure, stood at my father's side! He has
+poisoned my father's heart with jealousy and hate, he has filled it with
+mistrust toward his only son, and sowed discord, that he may himself reap
+a harvest from the hatred! And he was witness of my humiliation, and I saw
+how he looked down upon me with scornful superiority as I knelt before my
+father and pleaded in vain for one word of love from his lips! But _he_
+had withered this word upon his lips, and only for _him_ were words of
+tenderness and veneration there! Only for _him_ acknowledgments,
+confidence, and love! As he stood there with cold and haughty face at the
+side of my poor father, who, stooping and insignificant, cowered below
+him--oh, so far below him in his easychair--I felt it in every nerve of my
+heart, in every fiber of my brain, that _he_ and _he_ alone is ruling lord
+here, the commander and Sovereign; and that he who will not bow and cringe
+before him, will by him be hurled into the dust and trodden upon! They all
+bow before him--_all_! He is like a magician, who by the magnetic glances
+of his eyes subjects to his will all who approach him, and makes the
+stoutest hearts soft and pliant, so that like wax they allow themselves to
+be molded by his forming hands. Even my mother, who is his enemy, who has
+been battling against him for twenty years, even she is conquered by him,
+and he has become her master and forces her to his will. She knows not at
+all that she has fallen within the circle of his magic, yet is, like all
+the rest, a mere tool in his hands. But she feels it not, and fancies
+herself free, while she lies bound, and has no will of her own in his
+presence. I have seen it, I have felt it, and it has filled my heart with
+unutterable woe, with raging anger. She felt not at all the shame and
+humiliation under which I almost expired; she came not to my aid, for the
+magician was there, and in his presence my mother forgot her son so
+recently come back to her, and _he_ was the center around which all
+turned, _he_ was master of the situation, and before _him_ all shrank into
+wretched nothingness. He charmed the hearts which had remained cold at my
+reception, charmed them with the prospect of a _fete_, which, as he said,
+he was to give in my honor, and they believed the mockery, and allowed
+themselves to be touched by that noble condescension, and felt not the
+cruel boasting with which he solemnizes the return of him who is a thorn
+in his flesh, a thorn which he is firmly determined to pluck out, and
+tread under foot! I came here humble, poor, and empty-handed, and _he_
+solemnizes my return by offering presents to my mother and my sisters!
+And they accept them, feel not at all the degradation, and will appear at
+the _fete_ in clothes with which my enemy, my adversary, my murderer has
+presented them!"
+
+"Prince, you go too far. Your hatred carries you away."
+
+"No, I do not go too far!" cried the Prince, beside himself. His
+countenance was deadly pale, his eyes flashed, and his whole being seemed
+pervaded by the fire of wrath and hatred. "No, I do not go too far, and my
+hatred does not carry me away! He is the evil demon of my house--of my
+country! He is to blame for all the disasters of the last twenty years,
+for all the humiliation and shame by which my family has been visited. The
+Mark is to be ruined--that is his end, that is his aim; the Electoral
+house of Brandenburg must die out--that is his hope; and he will leave
+untried no means whereby this hope may become reality. He has already
+tried once to murder me,[22] and he will try it again. A dagger's point
+lurks in each glance that he fixes upon me, a drop of poison in each word
+that he directs to me. If I stood alone with him upon the summit of a
+tower, he would hurl me down, and then afterward follow my coffin with a
+thousand tears! And my father would lean upon him, and thank God that only
+his son had been snatched from him, not his friend, his favorite; and my
+mother would weep for me, and yet go about in mourning which he had
+presented to her, and she would esteem it a peculiar act of amiability if
+he should exert himself to divert her mind and raise her spirits. No voice
+would be raised against him, and no one would venture to accuse him, for
+my father himself would protect him, and the grace and favor of the
+Emperor would speak him clear of any suspicion. He is my master, my
+lord--that is what fills me with rage and indignation; and I will surely
+die of this if the count does not succeed in dispatching me first, and
+putting me out of the way."
+
+"He will not venture to attempt that, for he knows public opinion would
+accuse and denounce him as the murderer."
+
+"What cares he for public opinion, what asks he about it--_he_ who has
+power to repress it, _he_ who stands so secure that it can not touch
+_him_?"
+
+"Nobody stands so high, Prince, that public opinion can not reach him and
+dash him into the depths below, for public opinion is the voice of the
+nation, and the voice of the nation is the voice of God! And believe me,
+Prince, this voice will one day accuse and sentence him."
+
+"Yes, one day perhaps, when he has thrust me out of the way and murdered
+me, when my father has gone to his last home, when the Emperor has
+pronounced the Mark of Brandenburg an unincumbered fief, and bestowed it
+as an act of grace upon Count Schwarzenberg or his son. Oh, I know all his
+plans, and I know that no moment of my life is henceforth secure--know
+that I am a victim of death if prudence and cunning do not save me! I
+thought of all this during my long journey to this place. I have weighed
+all, pondered all, and my whole future lay before me like a white sheet of
+paper. I saw a hand unroll it, and with bloody letters inscribe the word
+'Death'; but I saw this word blotted out by a cautious finger, and, ere it
+was written to the end, replaced by the word 'Life' in characters small
+and hardly visible. Yes, I _will_ live, _will_ reign, _will_ have fame,
+honor, and influence, _will_ make a name for myself! Leuchtmar, I have
+left behind in Holland my youth, my hopes, my dreams, my heart! I come
+here as a man, despite my eighteen years, as a man who from the wreck of
+his youth will save only this: the future and fame! A man, who has
+suffered so much, that he can say of himself: I defy pain, and it has no
+longer any power over me! I defy life, and _will_ conquer it! Yes,
+Leuchtmar, I _will_ conquer it; and although I no longer love it, I do not
+mean to allow it to be snatched away from me. Hear me, friend, for to-day
+is the last time for a long while that I may speak openly and candidly to
+you. I entreat you, guide of my youth, to preserve for me your friendship
+and your faith. I beseech you never to lose confidence in me, and, if ever
+a doubt should intrude itself with regard to me, to remember this hour, in
+which I have laid bare to you my heart, and in which you have been a
+witness to my indignation and grief, my excitement and hatred! You are
+familiar with my countenance, friend; impress it upon your memory, in
+order that you may never forget it, even if you should not see it for a
+long time again. Look once more in my eyes, and read in my glances my love
+and reverence for you!"
+
+"I do look into your eyes, son of my heart," said Leuchtmar, deeply moved.
+"I look through your eyes into your soul, into your heart, and read
+therein great determination and heroic aims. Strive after them, my
+favorite, and when the present seems to you dark and gloomy, then lift
+your eye to the glittering star, which hovers over you and is your
+future. To endure evil, and still to remain joyful and valiant, therein
+lies true heroism. To turn from the dust of earthly needs, to step over it
+with head held heavenward, thereby is true faith proved. God bless you, my
+son! Be brave, be wise, be true! Trust in yourself, your friends, your
+people, and your God; then is the future yours, and you will overcome all
+your foes, and will triumph over the proud man who now thinks that he
+triumphs over you. I said to you, be brave, be wise, be true. I forgot one
+thing, though, which I shall now add--_be circumspect_! Remember that
+oftentimes it is not the sword which carries off the victory, but cunning;
+remember Brutus, who freed Rome."
+
+"Oh, my friend, you have spoken truth," exclaimed the Prince; "you have
+read to the bottom of my soul, and understood my inmost thoughts. Now am I
+glad and full of confidence, for my friend and teacher will never doubt
+me. And hear one thing more, my Leuchtmar. You must accept a memento of
+this hour, a memento which I prepared even before my departure from The
+Hague, and which shall be to you a proof of my gratitude. I am poor and
+powerless, and as I build all my hopes upon the future, so must I do with
+my presents as well. You must accept from me a gift of my future, friend.
+I know full well that what you have done for me can not be recompensed,
+but I would so gladly testify my gratitude to you, and therefore I give
+you this paper!"
+
+He drew forth a paper from his pocketbook, and handed it to Leuchtmar with
+a friendly smile. "Take it and read," he said.
+
+Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun took the paper, and fastened his eyes upon the
+words, which were inscribed in large letters on the outside.
+
+"A Deed of Expectancy!" he said, astonished.
+
+The Electoral Prince nodded. "A deed of expectancy, written with my own
+hand and sealed with my own signet ring. Yes, yes, my friend, I have
+nothing to give away but expectations; yet if the Electoral Prince should
+ever become Elector, he will convert these expectations into reality and
+truth. Now unfold the paper, and see what manner of expectation it holds
+out."
+
+"An act, donating the feudal tenure of Neuenhof, lying within the
+territories of Cleves!" cried Leuchtmar joyfully. "Oh, my dear Prince,
+that is truly a princely gift!"
+
+"Yet it is not the Prince, but the grateful scholar who gives it to you,"
+said Frederick William, "and in proof of this I have written these words,
+which I will read to you myself." He bent over the paper, and read: "We
+have voluntarily and with due consideration promised and engaged to give
+to Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun this estate of Neuenhof, out of the
+particular and friendly affection which we bear to him. We also swear that
+if we hereafter attain to power and authority, and our much-esteemed
+Romilian von Leuchtmar be to our sorrow cut off by death, we in the same
+way will this estate to his eldest son, and grant him the enjoyment of all
+that we assigned and destined for his father in his lifetime."[23]
+
+"That is indeed to carry happiness and reward beyond the grave!" cried
+Leuchtmar, with tears in his eyes. "Oh, I thank you, my Prince, thank you
+from my inmost soul, for myself and my children!"
+
+"You have nothing at all to thank me for, friend," said the Prince. "I
+shall ever be much more in your debt. If, however, I some day become a
+good Prince to my country and a father to my people, then you must reflect
+that this is the return I make to you, my teacher, my educator! You see I
+hope in the future, and think that I shall succeed in evading murderous
+designs and fulfill my aims. But, indeed, your warning I may never forget,
+and circumspect I _must_ be first of all. Wear a mask, as Brutus did! Let
+me embrace you once more, friend Leuchtmar; look me once more in the eye.
+And now--I hear some one coming! Farewell, Leuchtmar! I put on my mask and
+not for a moment can I withdraw it from my features."
+
+
+
+
+V.--BRUTUS.
+
+
+The door was now opened, a valet entered and announced, "Her highness the
+Electress!" And before the Electoral Prince had time to advance, the
+Electress had entered the room.
+
+"I come to welcome you once more, my Frederick!" she cried, stretching out
+her arms to her son. "Entirely without witnesses, simply as his mother
+would I greet my son, and tell him how happy I am that he is once more
+here."
+
+She flung her arms around her son's neck, and pressed him ardently to her
+bosom. Baron Leuchtmar, who upon the Electress's approach had stepped
+aside, now crept softly through the apartment to the door, and was already
+in the act of opening it, when the Electress quickly raised her head and
+looked around.
+
+"Stay where you are, Baron Leuchtmar," she said; "why would you slip away
+from us?"
+
+"I may not presume by my presence to disturb the confidential discourse
+between the Electress and her son."
+
+"You do not disturb us at all, for you belong to us, Leuchtmar," replied
+Charlotte Elizabeth, nodding kindly to him. "On the contrary, I will tell
+you that I knew you were here, and came here on that very account, in
+order to salute you without witnesses, and to have a private conversation
+with you and my son. For well I know, Leuchtmar, that we may confide in
+you, and that you belong to _us_--that is to say, to the enemies of
+Schwarzenberg, to the enemies of the Imperialists and Catholics, to the
+friends of the Swedes and Reformers."
+
+"Your highness may be well assured that I return home just as I went
+away," said Leuchtmar earnestly--"that is to say, an upright Protestant, a
+true Brandenburger, and a determined opponent of those who concluded the
+peace of Prague, and thereby separated the Elector of Brandenburg from the
+Swedes, and made him wholly and solely subservient to the Emperor's
+interests."
+
+"You will not name _him_, the evildoer, who has brought this to pass,"
+cried the Electress, "but I will name him: it is Count Schwarzenberg! It
+is the Stadtholder in the Mark, who has brought upon us all this mischief
+and disgrace, who has sundered us from our nearest blood relations, the
+family of the Swedish King, and has leagued us with and subjected us to
+those who are our sworn enemies and adversaries, the Imperialists, the
+Austrians. Oh, my son! promise me that you will some day take vengeance
+for the ignominy and humiliation which we must now undergo. Swear in this
+first hour of your return home, solemnly joining hands with me, that as
+soon as you come into power the first act of your government shall be to
+renounce allegiance to the Emperor and to ally yourself again with the
+Swedes, our natural allies."
+
+She stretched out her right hand to her son. "Swear, my son!" she cried,
+solemnly, "give me your hand upon it!"
+
+But Frederick William did not lay his hand within hers. He drew back,
+declining her proffered hand.
+
+"Forgive me, my dearest mother," he said, "forgive me; but I can not
+swear, for I do not know whether I could keep my oath! May the good God
+long preserve my gracious father's life, and grant him a glorious reign.
+But if hereafter, and surely to my deepest regret, duty and the right of
+Succession deliver into my hands the reins of government, then I must
+guide them, as circumstances direct, as determined by the contingencies of
+the times and the good of the country; and I dare not bind myself
+beforehand by any given word or by promises."
+
+"You refuse, my son, to promise me that you will make amends for all the
+evil done by that wicked enemy of your house, your family, and your
+country?"
+
+"Dearest mother, I know not of whom you speak, and who it is that has
+burdened himself with so heinous a crime."
+
+With impulsive movement the Electress laid her hand upon his arm, and
+looked him steadily in the eye.
+
+"Are you dissembling, or is that the truth?" she asked. "You do not know
+of whom I speak? You do not know who is the enemy of your house and
+family?"
+
+"I am trying in vain to study it out, mother, and I beg you not to be
+angry with me on that account, for your grace must reflect that I have
+been absent almost four years, and am therefore a little unacquainted with
+the situation of affairs here. If you had addressed that question to me
+before my departure, most assuredly I should have replied without
+hesitation, 'It is Count Schwarzenberg!' But I have since then found out
+that I had done the count injustice in many things through my inexperience
+and want of foresight; that he is a very great and experienced statesman
+and politician, who with his far-seeing glances can discern much more
+clearly than I with my unpracticed eyes the relations of things. Who knows
+but that, after all, the peace of Prague has been a real blessing to our
+land. When I behold its present pitiable and languishing condition as a
+neutral, how can I avoid reflecting with horror upon what might have been
+the state of things had we joined any decided war party. Had we sided
+with the Swedes, the enmity of the powerful Emperor, vastly surpassing us
+in material resources, would long since have destroyed us root and branch,
+and my dear father would have most probably shared the same lamentable
+fate as the Elector of the Palatinate, his brother-in-law, or the Margrave
+of Liegnitz and Jaegerndorf, his cousin. He must have wandered with wife
+and children an exile in foreign lands, or died of grief among strangers.
+On the other hand, had we sided with the Emperor against the Swedes, a
+raging, implacable foe would have quartered himself in the heart of our
+dominions, and not merely Pomerania, but the Mark and the duchy of Prussia
+would have been overrun-by his warlike hordes. But on my journey hither I
+have witnessed the misery and unspeakable wretchedness of our land, and
+asked myself with heavy, sorrowing heart what would have become of our
+unhappy country in times of war if neutrality could reduce it to such
+poverty and plunge it in such want and suffering. And then I was forced to
+acknowledge that Count Schwarzenberg had acted right well as Stadtholder
+in the Mark in wishing, before all things, to preserve the Mark intrusted
+to him from yet greater calamity, by holding it to that neutrality, being
+alike impartial between the Emperor and the Swedes. I therefore begged his
+pardon in my heart for having often accused him unjustly before, for he is
+indeed a faithful and zealous servant to his master, and especially
+endeavors to further his interests, to maintain his position, and to
+console him in these times of affliction. I see, too, that not merely the
+Elector holds him in high estimation, and honors him as his true and
+valued counselor and friend, but that my mother as well has taken him into
+her favor, and that she has quite recovered from the mistrust with which
+she previously regarded him. For surely it is a proof of great favor when
+the Electress allows the count to offer presents of dresses to herself and
+her daughters, and no one of us can mistrust _him_, who so cordially
+rejoices over my return that he volunteers to celebrate it by a splendid
+festival. The whole Electoral family has accepted the invitation to this
+festival, and thereby prove to Berlin, yea, to the whole country, that we
+are on the best terms with the Stadtholder, and that nothing has
+transpired which could shake our confidence in him.'"
+
+The Electress had listened to her son with ever-growing amazement. Her
+glances had grown more and more indignant; she had often turned from her
+son to Leuchtmar, as if to read in his features whether or not he shared
+her astonishment and irritation. Now, when the Prince was silent, she
+stepped across to Leuchtmar, and laid her hand upon his arm.
+
+"Leuchtmar," she asked with trembling voice, "is he in earnest? Has he
+actually altered so entirely? Has he really gone over to our enemies and
+adversaries?"
+
+"Most gracious lady, the Electoral Prince is by far too tender a son ever
+to become alienated from his mother," replied the baron earnestly.
+
+"He speaks the truth, my dearest mother," exclaimed Frederick William,
+nearing his mother. "Never could I alter toward you, never forget the
+gratitude and love I owe you, never go over to your enemies and
+adversaries. But why should we carry politics into private life, and what
+have Swedes and Imperialists, Catholics and Reformers to do with our
+family life and our domestic circle? Let us hand politics over to those
+whose duty it is to deal with them; let us not seek to meddle in the
+government, for we have no right to do so, and should step aside for those
+who understand matters far better than we do, and who manage the machine
+of state with as much foresight as wisdom. I, at least, am determined to
+hold myself aloof from all such burdensome affairs, to enjoy my youth and
+freedom, and I thank God that I have not to bear the weight of
+administering the government, but have only the pleasant task allotted me
+of permitting myself to be governed!"
+
+"It is not possible!" cried the Electress, with an outburst of
+passion--"no, it is not possible that _my_ son can so speak and think! O
+Leuchtmar! what have you made of my son? Who has changed him, my darling,
+my only son? I hoped that he would come back a hero, around whom would
+cluster all those who are true to our house, our faith, and our
+fatherland! I hoped that in him I should find a refuge against the
+aggressions, the villainy, and the wiles of my enemy! I hoped that the son
+would succeed in winning back his father's heart, and turning him against
+that proud man who rules him entirely, and who will crush us all. O God!
+my God! for three long years I have been looking forward to his return as
+the time of vengeance and retribution, and now that son is here, and what
+do I find in him? A son weakly obedient to his father, a submissive
+admirer of Count Schwarzenberg, a weakling who longs not at all for honor
+and influence, who is glad that he has not to govern and work, but that
+others must govern and work for him! Alas! I am a poor mother, and much to
+be pitied, for in vain have I hoped that my son would assist me to avenge
+the misfortunes of my house, and punish and bring my enemies to account!"
+
+She covered her face with her hands, weeping aloud. The Electoral Prince
+gave her a look of mingled grief and pain, took one hurried step forward,
+as if he would go to her, and encircle her in his arms, then paused,
+retreated slowly, gently, ever farther from the spot where she still stood
+with face concealed and sobbing aloud. It was as if an invisible hand
+continually drew him farther from his mother, ever nearer the door of the
+antechamber. Now he stood close to it, leaned against it, and--was the old
+castle so disjointed, or had the Electoral Prince with sudden touch
+pressed upon the latch?--the door flew open. The Electoral Prince fell
+backward into the antechamber, and, had it not been for the Electress's
+valet, against whom he stumbled, would have fallen to the ground.
+
+"By my faith!" he cried, while he nodded to the lackey, who stood there
+with red face and deep embarrassment of manner--"by my faith! it was a
+piece of good luck for me that you were standing so near the door, my
+friend, else I should probably have had a bad fall. This rickety old
+castle must be repaired. One can not even lean against the doors without
+their flying open!"
+
+He nodded to the lackey, who stood there in confusion, not having at all
+recovered his self-possession, and stepped back into the room. In passing,
+his eye caught that of Leuchtmar, who replied by a nod of assent, stolen
+and significant; then he approached the Electress, who, surprised by this
+sudden and unexpected interlude, had let her hands glide from before her
+face, and now dried her tears.
+
+"I beg my revered mother's pardon for disturbing her so ridiculously," he
+said, seizing her hand and pressing it to his lips. "It was not my fault,
+and only occasioned by the insecure fastening upon the door. It was by a
+right fortunate accident that your grace commanded your valet to station
+himself close to the door of the cabinet, for he thereby saved me from an
+unpleasant fall."
+
+"I did not command the lackey to station himself in your sleeping
+apartment," said the Electress, "and consider it contrary to all rules of
+propriety."
+
+She rapidly crossed the study and opened the door just as the lackey was
+slinking through the one opposite.
+
+"Frederick, come here!" cried the Electress, and with head sunk and
+humbled mien the lackey came a few paces nearer.
+
+"Did I not order you to wait for me in the antechamber, and to forewarn us
+of the approach of any one else?" asked the Electress.
+
+"Your highness," replied the lackey humbly, "I followed your grace's
+orders exactly, and stood here in the antechamber and kept guard, but
+nobody came."
+
+"But this is not the antechamber, you blockhead!" cried the Electress. "It
+is there, without! Go out there and wait!"
+
+
+The lackey made haste to obey the order given him, and the Electress
+turned to the Prince. "I beg you, my son, to pardon the man his
+stupidity," said she; "but he deserves some indulgence in so far as he has
+only been in our service for a short while, and consequently is not well
+acquainted with the plan of the palace. My valet fell sick on the journey
+from Koenigsberg here, and we were obliged to leave him behind, which was
+so much the more inconvenient as he was our hairdresser besides, and
+understood how to arrange the Elector's hair as well as my own and the
+young ladies'. Count Schwarzenberg heard of it, and by a piece of good
+fortune, was able to spare us one of his valets."
+
+"Oh!" cried the Electoral Prince, smiling. "This fellow, then, has been
+transferred from the Stadtholder's service to that of your grace?"
+
+"Yes, and I must say that he is a very useful and efficient servant, who
+understands all the newest styles of French hairdressing, and is well
+skilled in other ways also. I beg you therefore to excuse him for this
+little mistake."
+
+"He is perfectly excusable," said the Electoral Prince, bowing. "So much
+the more excusable, as it might well happen that he is not yet familiar
+with this castle."
+
+"It is true," cried the Electress, casting her eyes around the room, "it
+does look a little dilapidated and desolate here, and care ought indeed to
+have been taken to refurnish your apartments and give them a more
+comfortable aspect. You know, Frederick, we only expect to tarry here for
+a short time, and think of returning to Prussia very soon, and there I
+shall see myself that you are provided with handsomer and more commodious
+rooms. There I am the princely lady of the house, and everywhere reigning
+duchess, while here, in the resident palace of Berlin, I seem to myself
+only a guest, who has nothing at all to say in the directing of the
+household, but must silently acquiesce in everything. And it _is_ so, too,
+and has come to this pass, that the Stadtholder in the Mark is the only
+ruling lord and commander, and the Elector seems to come here only as the
+Stadtholder's guest."
+
+"The Stadtholder, though, seems at least a right polite and splendid
+host," remarked the Electoral Prince, smiling, "a host who lays himself
+out to attend to the comfort and entertainment--nay, even to the
+wardrobes--of his noble guests."
+
+"Your Electoral Highnesses!" cried an advancing lackey--"your Electoral
+Highnesses, the steward of the household is without, and announces that
+dinner is served, and that the Elector and the young ladies have already
+repaired to the dining hall."
+
+"Then let us go too, my son," said the Electress, offering her hand to the
+Electoral Prince.
+
+"But, most gracious mother, I still have on my traveling suit, and--"
+
+"My son," sighed the Electress, "your traveling suit is so showy and
+elegant that I can only wish that in the future your court dress may
+always be so handsome. Come, give me your arm, and let us hurry, for your
+father does not like to be kept waiting, and is very punctual at
+mealtimes. You, Baron von Leuchtmar, follow us. We herewith invite you to
+be our guest, and to accompany us to table."
+
+The Electress took the Prince's proffered arm, and swept through the door
+held open for her by the lackey. The steward of the household, who had
+awaited them in the antechamber, golden staff in hand, now preceded them,
+the lackeys flew before them to open the doors, and through a suite of
+gloomy, deserted rooms, with old-fashioned, dusty, and half-decayed
+furniture, moved the princely pair, followed by Baron von Leuchtmar,
+behind whom strutted the lackeys at a respectful distance. The Elector
+stood with the two Princesses in the deep recess of the great window, when
+his wife and son entered; he greeted them both with a short nod of the
+head, and, casting a dark, unfriendly glance at Baron von Leuchtmar, who
+was reverentially approaching him, gave his arm to his wife, and led her
+to the two upper places at the oblong table.
+
+"It seems our son can not dispense with his tutor," said he, in a low,
+peevish tone of voice to the Electress. "He brings his tutor to dine with
+us, as if it were a matter of course."
+
+"I beg your pardon, George," whispered the Electress. "I invited the
+baron, whom I found in our son's room. Do me the favor to receive him
+affably. He has bestowed much labor and love upon our son, and has ever
+been a faithful servant to us."
+
+"To you, perhaps, but not to me," muttered the Elector, while he allowed
+himself to sink down in his great, round easychair, thereby giving the
+signal for dinner to commence.
+
+The hours of dinner were usually those in which George William was
+accustomed to dismiss all the cares and anxieties of government, and to
+give himself up with cheerful countenance to harmless conversation with
+his wife and daughters.
+
+At times he even loved to carry on a lively chat with those court
+officials who were present, at the table, or to amuse himself with hearing
+their recital of the events of the day or the gossip of the town. But
+to-day the Elector remained gloomy and taciturn. He left it to his wife to
+lead the conversation, and get from the Electoral Prince accounts of her
+dear relations at the Dutch court. The Prince answered all her questions,
+confining himself meanwhile to the duly necessary, and never
+spontaneously adding anything or entering into any details as to his own
+life and residence at the court of Holland. The Elector continued to
+listen in moody silence, and this reserve on the part of his son seemed to
+put him still more out of humor. His face continually grew darker, and he
+even disdainfully pushed away untasted his favorite dish, a wild boar's
+head, served up with lemons in its mouth, after it had been presented to
+him for the third time.
+
+"You have been beating about the bush long enough now, Electress!" he
+cried warmly. "You have made inquiries after all possible things, except
+the principal matter and person in whom you are at bottom most interested.
+It might have been expected that our Electoral Prince would have begun
+himself, since 'out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.' But
+our young gentleman remains elegantly monosyllabic, and it would seem that
+he is not at all overjoyed upon his return to the poverty-stricken, quiet
+house of his father. It is true, he has lived in much handsomer style at
+the Orange court, lived there, indeed, amid plenty and pleasure--by the
+way, we can sing a little song on that subject, for our son has seen well
+to the outlay, but the payment all fell to the lot of us at home. But now,
+sir, now tell us a little of the petty court at Doornward, of our
+sister-in-law, the widowed Countess of the Palatinate, and finally, what
+I know your mother thinks the principal thing, finally tell us also about
+her beautiful and fascinating daughter, the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine."
+
+The Prince slightly shuddered. At the mention of this name, which he had
+not heard since his departure from The Hague, he could not prevent the
+ebbing of all his heart's blood, and a deadly pallor overspread his
+cheeks. He cast down his eyes, and yet felt that all eyes were turned upon
+him with questioning, curious glances. But this very consciousness
+restored to him his self-possession and composure. Once more he raised his
+head with a vigorous start, shook back into their place the brown locks
+which had fallen down over forehead and cheeks, and met the Elector's
+looks of inquiry with a full, intrepid gaze.
+
+"Most gracious father," he said, with quiet, passionless voice, "very
+little can be said about the petty court of Doornward. Our aunt, the
+Electress of the Palatinate, reflects with sorrow upon the past; the three
+Princesses, her daughters, and their three little brothers, reflect with
+hope upon the future, and of the present therefore but little is to be
+told."
+
+"They must be very beautiful, those Princesses of the Palatinate, are
+they not?" asked the Elector.
+
+"I believe they are," replied the Prince composedly.
+
+"He only believes so!" cried his father. "Just see how they have slandered
+him, for they would have had us believe that he knew exactly, and was
+quite peculiarly edified by the beauty of the Princesses of the
+Palatinate."
+
+"And why should he not have been, your highness?" asked the Electress,
+smiling. "The Princesses of the Palatinate are our own cousins, and it
+seems very natural, surely, that he should have a cordial, cousinly regard
+for them."
+
+"Maybe, Electress!" cried George William, "but it were to be wished that
+it had stopped there! I should like, therefore, to hear something about
+the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine. Is she, indeed, so very fair as report
+represents her to be?"
+
+"Yes," replied the Prince, with husky voice--"yes, she is very fair. Only
+question Leuchtmar on the subject; he can confirm what I say."
+
+"I prefer to question yourself," said the Elector, with inexorable
+cruelty, "and to learn something more concerning your fair cousin from
+your own lips. We have been informed that the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine is a very lively, merry young lady, and that she is by no means
+disinclined to become our daughter-in-law."
+
+"But, my husband," pleaded the Electress in an undertone, "you would not
+speak of such confidential matters in the presence of our court, and--"
+
+"Ah, Electress!" interrupted George William, "these confidential matters
+have been bruited abroad everywhere; the talk has been, not merely here at
+Berlin, but throughout the land, yea, even so far as the imperial court at
+Vienna, that our son meant to surprise us on his return from the
+Netherlands by presenting to us the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine as his
+wife, without applying to us beforehand for our consent. I therefore
+desire that the Electoral Prince answer me openly and candidly, that we
+may all know once and forever how the matter stands, and what we have to
+expect. The good, gossiping city of Berlin, the whole land, even the
+imperial court and the whole world, which seems to interest itself so much
+in the marriage of our Prince, will then soon have an opportunity of
+learning directly and reliably what is the state of affairs, and that is
+exactly what seems to me desirable, and was the motive for our question.
+Therefore, let our son tell us how matters stand between the Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine and himself."
+
+The Electoral Prince sat with downcast eyes. His cheeks were still deadly
+pale, and on his high, broad brow rested a threatening cloud. He put his
+hand around the stem of the large glass goblet before him, and held it so
+firmly that the glass broke with startling clangor and poured its purple
+wine upon the tablecloth. The shrill clinking seemed to rouse him from his
+reverie; with a hasty movement he threw a napkin over the red stain, and
+again raised his eyes, slowly and tranquilly.
+
+"Your Electoral Highnesses desire me to tell you the truth with regard to
+all the reports circulated as to a marriage between the Princess Ludovicka
+Hollandine and myself," he said. "I will, therefore, as becomes an
+obedient and submissive son, acquaint you with the truth. And the truth is
+this," he continued, with raised voice, while at the same time his cheeks
+became suddenly scarlet and his eyes flashed with the fire of
+inspiration--"the truth is this: the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine is the
+prettiest, sweetest woman in the whole world; happy and enviable is the
+man whose fortunate destiny will permit him to take her home as his bride,
+blessed above all men he on whom this noble, fascinating, and amiable
+girl bestows her love, whom she allows to enjoy the treasures of her mind
+and heart. Your highness said that the Princess Hollandine was not ill
+inclined to become your daughter-in-law. On that point I can give you no
+information, for I perceived nothing of this inclination; but this I can
+and must confess, that _I_ experienced the most glowing desire to make
+the Princess your daughter-in-law; this I must confess, that I have loved
+the beautiful, witty, and charming Princess Hollandine with my whole soul
+and from the very depths of my heart. But never would I have ventured to
+make the noble Princess my wife in opposition to your will, father; and
+since I must admit that a union with her is not in accordance with your
+wishes, and that it is opposed by policy and state reasons, I have
+obediently submitted to your orders, and brought to you and my country the
+greatest and holiest of sacrifices that a man can offer: I have sacrificed
+my love to you, father! It has indeed been a bitter struggle with me, and
+I do not deny that I yet suffer, but I shall conquer my pain; yet that I
+can ever forget the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine, I can not promise, for
+he who has truly loved never forgets. You have desired me to acquaint you
+with the truth, father, now you know it. Let it now he blazoned forth
+through all Berlin, through the whole country, even as far as the imperial
+court of Vienna, and through the whole world. The Princess Ludovicka also
+will then hear of it, and the report of this confession of my love will
+reach her. But let rumor announce this one thing more to the Emperor, to
+our country, and to her: that, while the Electoral Prince Frederick
+William of Brandenburg could, indeed, give up a marriage with a Princess
+whom he loved, out of respect and obedience to his father, he never will
+take as his wife a princess whom he does not love, out of obedience and
+respect; that the Electoral Prince thinks himself much too young and
+inexperienced to marry, and that he most humbly implores his father to
+spare him the consideration of all matrimonial projects for long years to
+come, since he is firmly determined not to marry yet, and this, indeed,
+not out of any refractoriness toward his father, nor out of any want of
+veneration for the princesses who might be proposed to him, but merely
+because his heart has received a sore wound, and because this must first
+heal. But I do not reproach the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine with having
+inflicted this wound. On the contrary, I speak it aloud, and may my speech
+penetrate to her ears as a parting salutation: Blessed be the Princess
+Ludovicka Hollandine of the Palatinate, and may God send her the happiness
+she deserves so richly by her beauty, intellect, and goodness of heart!"
+
+And, carried away by his own warmth and enthusiasm, forgetting all sense
+of restraint in this moment of highest excitement, Frederick William
+jumped up from his seat, took up in his hand the unbroken cup of the glass
+whose foot he had smashed, and filled it to the brim with wine.
+
+"Most gracious mother!" he cried, "look here! the base of this goblet is
+broken off, and an apt symbol it is of my love. With the last wine which
+this glass will ever hold let me drink a last farewell to my love, and do
+you pledge her with me: To the health of the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine
+of the Palatinate!"
+
+The Electress had listened to her son with tears in her eyes, and the two
+Princesses also had been deeply moved by the vehement and painful recital
+of their brother's love. Now, upon his invitation, spoken with so much
+ardor and enthusiasm, the Electress rose from her seat and took her glass
+in her hand; the Princesses followed her example.
+
+"To the health of the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine of the Palatinate!"
+said the Electress, with full, distinct voice, and the young ladies
+repeated it after her.
+
+"Here is to her health!" cried Frederick William, with animated features
+and beaming eyes. "May she be great, happy, and blessed forever!"
+
+At one draught he emptied the chalice, then, in the fervor of the moment,
+forgetting all discretion, he threw the glass backward over his shoulder
+into the hall, so that it fell, with a crash, shivered to atoms, upon the
+floor.
+
+The Elector rose, his face flushed with passion, and violently rolled his
+chair back from the table. "Dinner is over," he said. "May this meal be
+blessed to all!"
+
+The court officials bowed low and withdrew. Herr von Leuchtmar also made a
+motion as if to go, but George William's call detained him. "Come here,"
+he said imperiously; "I have still a couple of words to speak with you.
+Just tell me, Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun, is it you who have taught the
+Electoral Prince such singular manners, or are those the fine fashions
+which he has been used to at the Orange court? Is it the custom there to
+make scandal at table, and to throw glasses behind them?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," replied Leuchtmar hesitatingly, "I do not
+know--"
+
+"Permit me, most gracious father," interposed the Electoral Prince, while
+he most respectfully drew near to his father--"permit me to answer you on
+that point myself. No, it is not the fashion to behave so strangely at the
+Netherland court, and God forbid that my former tutor, Baron von
+Leuchtmar, should have taught me such ill manners. It was only my heart,
+which for the moment was stronger than any form or fashion, and I pray you
+to forgive it, for henceforth it shall be right good and quiet, and not
+even cause it to be remarked that it still beats."
+
+The Elector only answered by a silent nod of the head, and then turned
+again to the baron.
+
+"Leuchtmar," he said, "I have now a few words to address to you, and, had
+you not appeared here to-day, I should have been obliged to have had you
+summoned to-morrow to tell you what I have to say. You have brought the
+Electoral Prince back to us, a young gentleman, who has outgrown the
+schoolroom and needs no tutor; let life then receive him into its school
+and play the tutor for him. But he has outgrown you and your protection,
+and your office is herewith at an end. I might wish, indeed, to retain you
+still near the person of my son, and so I could have done if the Electoral
+Prince had married, and we had set up a princely establishment for him, as
+would have become his rank. But the Electoral Prince's distinct
+declaration that he will not marry for some years, even if we should
+desire it, is welcome to us in so far as we shall not have to give him a
+separate household, which would have been rather hard upon us in these
+times of sore embarrassment. The Electoral Prince will therefore reside at
+our court, simply and quietly as we ourselves, and we can not provide him
+separate attendants. Therefore, you are honorably dismissed from your
+office, and it will suit us no longer to confine you to our household. You
+are free to seek another master, another office, and we herewith dismiss
+you forever from our service. It will not, indeed, be difficult for you to
+find another service, and, since you are so well disposed to the Swedes,
+you would do best to repair to The Hague, or, indeed, to Sweden itself."
+
+"If Baron von Leuchtmar will do that," exclaimed the Electress, "he shall
+not want for recommendations from me, and my uncle the Stadtholder will
+surely esteem it a privilege to receive into his service a man so
+pre-eminently wise, learned, and trustworthy as Baron von Leuchtmar. I
+will at any time write on the subject to the Stadtholder of Holland, and
+tell him what a debt of gratitude we owe you, and how little able we are
+to requite you. We shall further entreat him to do what is, alas!
+impossible for us--to give you a good, honorable, and lucrative position
+for the whole of your life."
+
+"I thank your highness out of a sincere soul for so great a favor," softly
+replied Leuchtmar. "Meanwhile I do not intend to go into any other
+service, but to content myself with quiet retirement in the bosom of my
+own family."
+
+"Do just as you choose," said the Elector, "and may good fortune attend
+you everywhere. Electress, give me your arm, and let us withdraw to our
+own apartments. And _he_, our son, will doubtless, first of all, have to
+take a most touching and tearful farewell of Leuchtmar, and sing a
+mournful ditty about the cruel father who would take away from him his
+nurse--that is to say, his tutor."
+
+"No, most gracious father," cried the Electoral Prince, laughing, "I shall
+sing no mournful ditty, but cheerfully second your decision. It is quite
+fine to have no longer a tutor at one's side, for it makes one feel as if
+he were indeed a grown-up man, no more in need of a governor; and as to
+that touching and tearful parting, that is by no means called for. Herr
+von Leuchtmar and I have had some hot disputes lately on the subject of
+noble politics. He was too much of a Swede for me, I too much of an
+Imperialist for him, and those two things accord not well together, as you
+know yourself. Meanwhile, farewell, Baron von Leuchtmar, and for all the
+good you have done me accept my best thanks! And now a last embrace, and
+then God go with you, Herr von Leuchtmar!"
+
+He flung his arms around Leuchtmar's neck, and pressed him closely to his
+heart. "Farewell, my dear friend," he whispered, "farewell; we shall meet
+again!"
+
+
+"We shall meet again, my Brutus," said Leuchtmar, quite softly, and laid
+his hand upon the Prince's brow, blessing him.
+
+Frederick William felt the tears gush from his heart to his eyes, and with
+a brusque movement repelled the baron. "Farewell!" he repeated hoarsely,
+then hurried with quick steps through the dining hall to the door.
+
+"Frederick William, come with us!" cried the Elector, but the Prince did
+not or would not hear his call. He hurried through the antechamber and the
+long corridor, and when he had gained the solitude of his own gloomy
+apartments, and not until then, rang forth from his breast the long
+restrained scream of agony, streamed from his eyes the long-restrained
+tears. He sank down upon the old creaking armchair and wept bitterly.
+
+
+
+
+VI.--REBECCA.
+
+
+"Well, Master Gabriel Nietzel, here you are," said Count Schwarzenberg,
+greeting the painter, who had just entered, with a gracious nod. "And it
+must be granted that you are a very punctual man, for I agreed to meet you
+here at Spandow by twelve o'clock, and only hear, the clock is just now
+striking the hour."
+
+"Most gracious sir, that comes from my already having stood an hour before
+the gates of your palace, waiting for the blessed moment to arrive when I
+might enter. I have been gazing this whole hour up at the dialplate of the
+steeple clock, and it seemed to me as if an eternity of torture would
+elapse while the great hour hand slowly, oh, so slowly, made its circuit
+of sixty minutes."
+
+"You are a queer creature!" cried Count Schwarzenberg, shrugging his
+shoulders. "Romantic as a young girl, full of virtuous desires, and yet
+not at all loath to commit certain delicate little crimes, and to pass off
+copies for originals, and that not merely pictures on canvas, but pictures
+in flesh and blood as well. For what else is your Rebecca but the copy of
+a respectable, decent matron, whom you thought to smuggle in as an
+original, while in reality she is nothing but a copy."
+
+"In the eyes of the law and the Stadtholder perhaps, but not in the eyes
+of God and of him who loves her more than his life and his eternal
+salvation, for he is ready, in order to possess her, to renounce even his
+honor and his peace of conscience. Oh, your excellency, be pitiful now and
+let me see my Rebecca. You have given me your word, and you will not be so
+cruel as to break your promise."
+
+"I promised you nothing further than that I would intrust certain damaged
+pictures to you for repairing, and that I would show you a picture which
+might perhaps be familiar to you--that was all. I shall perform my
+promise, and that immediately. But first, just tell me how you are
+progressing with the painting I ordered of you. Perhaps you have already
+with you some sketch of it? It would be peculiarly pleasant to me, for on
+the day after to-morrow I give a _fete_ in my palace at Berlin, and it
+would be quite opportune if I could then lay the sketch before the dear
+Electoral Prince, who is to honor the _fete_ with his presence. He is a
+connoisseur, and interests himself greatly in such things. Say, then, how
+comes on your sketch, and can it be completed by that time?"
+
+"It can, noble sir! But it is not possible for me to speak about that now,
+for my thoughts are wandering and my heart beats as though 'twere like to
+burst. If I am to become a reasonable man once more, let me--first of
+all--"
+
+"See the picture which I promised to show you?" interposed the count.
+"Well, then, you shall see it, Master Gabriel Nietzel. Remember, though,
+that I only show it to you on condition that you examine it in silence. So
+soon as you shall venture to speak to it, it vanishes, and you see it
+never more. One has to prescribe strict regulations to you, for you are
+such an odd fellow, freely entertaining bad thoughts, but shrinking from
+bad deeds like an innocent child. But you shall prove to me by deeds that
+you are in earnest about making amends for your crime against _me_, the
+world, the laws, and the Church. Only when you have done the right thing
+shall you again obtain your beloved and your child, and may depart
+unhindered from this country. Mark that, Master Nietzel; and now come.
+Follow me to my picture gallery."
+
+He nodded smilingly to the painter, and led the way out of the cabinet and
+through a suite of magnificent apartments. At the end of these they
+entered a spacious, lofty hall, whose walls were hung with great paintings.
+
+"This is my picture gallery," said the count on entering; "now look and be
+silent!"
+
+Gabriel Nietzel remained standing near the door, and leaned against one of
+its pillars. He could proceed no farther, his knees shook so, and all the
+blood in his body seemed to concentrate in head and heart. He shut his
+eyes, for it seemed to him that he must expire that very moment. But
+finally, by a mighty effort of will, he conquered this passionate emotion,
+slowly opened his eyes, and ventured to cast a weary, wandering glance
+through the hall. How wonderfully solemn this broad, handsome room seemed
+to him, and how devout and prayerful was his mind! A mild, clear light
+fell from the glass cupola above, which alone illuminated the hall, and
+displayed the pictures on the walls to the best advantage. In the middle
+of the room, beside the splendid porphyry vase standing there upon its
+gilded pedestal, leaned the tall, athletic form of Count Schwarzenberg,
+casting a long, dark shadow upon the shining surface of the inlaid floor.
+Gabriel Nietzel saw all this, and yet he felt as if he were dreaming, and
+that all would vanish so soon as he should venture to move or step
+forward. The count's voice aroused him from his stupefaction.
+
+"Now, Master Nietzel, come here, for from this point you can best survey
+the pictures, and judge of their merits."
+
+Nietzel advanced with long strides, breathless from expectation, blissful
+in hope. Now he stood at the count's side, and lifted his eyes to the
+pictures. With one rapid glance he swept the whole wall. Paintings,
+beautiful, costly paintings, but what cared he for _them_? Glorious in the
+pomp of coloring, and perfect in their truth to nature, they looked down
+upon him out of their broad gilt frames, but he had no senses for _them_.
+His eyes fastened again and again upon that broad, massive gold frame
+which hung opposite him in the center of the wall. The painting which this
+frame inclosed could not be seen, for it was hidden from view by the green
+silk drapery hanging before it, and at the side of the frame was suspended
+a string. Gabriel Nietzel saw nothing of the paintings, he only saw the
+green curtain, only the string which kept it fast. His whole soul spoke in
+the glance which he directed to them.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg intercepted this glance and smiled.
+
+"You are certainly thinking of Raphael's exquisite Madonna," he said, "and
+because that is always seen from the midst of a green curtain, you
+suppose, probably, that behind this curtain must also be concealed a
+Madonna and Child. Well, we shall see some day. Stay in your place, stir
+not, speak not, and perhaps a miracle will take place, and you shall
+behold _una Madonna col Bambino_ of flesh and blood. But silence, man, for
+you well know how it is with treasure diggers: as soon as you speak, the
+treasure vanishes. Now, then, look and stand still!"
+
+
+He stepped across to the wall and grasped the string. The curtain flew
+back and--there she stood, the Madonna with the Child in her arms, so
+beautiful, so instinct with life and warmth, as only nature has ever
+painted and art imitated from nature. There she stood with that richly
+tinted olive complexion, with those transparent, softly reddened cheeks,
+with those full crimson lips, with those large black eyes at once full of
+mildness and fire, and with that broad and noble brow full of depth of
+thought and yet full of repose. And in her arms that sweet child, that
+vigorous boy so full of life, loosely clad in his little white shirt, that
+left bare his plump arms and firm legs. Roses were on his cheeks, dimples
+in his chin, and in the great black eyes lay the deep, earnest look, full
+of innocence and wisdom, that is sometimes peculiar to children.
+
+The painter had sunk upon his knees, stretching out both arms to the
+picture, and from his eyes the tears flowed in clear streams over his
+cheeks. But indignantly he shook them away, for they prevented him from
+seeing the Madonna, _his_ Madonna. Prayers he murmured up to her, prayers
+of love and confidence, supplications for steadfastness in danger, for
+courageous perseverance during separation. But he ventured not to address
+them audibly to the beloved Madonna, for he knew that a mere word would
+have snatched her away from him.
+
+And she, she knew it too, and therefore she also was silent. Only with her
+eyes she spoke to him, and the tears which flowed from her eyes gave
+eloquent reply to his. Thus they looked at one another, at once full of
+bliss and pain. The child, which until now had sat quiet upon its mother's
+arm, silent and as if in deep thought, suddenly began to move. Its large
+eyes were fixed upon the man who lay there on his knees, and, whether it
+were the result of an involuntary movement or the instinct of love, it
+spread out its arms and smiled.
+
+"My child, my darling child!" screamed Gabriel Nietzel, springing from his
+knees and rushing forward with outstretched arms. But the frame with its
+living picture hung too high--his arms could not reach it, his lips could
+not touch that smiling, childish mouth to press upon it a father's kiss of
+blessing and seal of love. "My child!" he cried again, and now, since love
+had once opened his lips, silence could no longer be maintained.
+
+"Rebecca, my beloved," he cried.
+
+"Gabriel, my beloved," sounded down.
+
+"You have broken your word!" cried Count Schwarzenberg angrily, and he
+vehemently drew the string, so that the green curtain hastily rustled
+together. But it was in vain. A rounded, powerful female arm thrust it
+back, and now it was no more a Madonna with her Child who looked forth
+from the green curtain, but a glowing creature, a wife flaming with
+indignation and love, with defiance and grief.
+
+"Nobody shall hinder me from looking at you, from speaking to you!" she
+cried. "I _will_ see you, Gabriel. I _will_ tell you, that I love you and
+am true to you. I _will_ tell you that I would rather go barefoot through
+the world, begging with you and the child, than to live longer in this
+count's grand castle, amid splendor, without you. Gabriel, rescue me from
+this place; do all that they require of you, only take me away from here."
+
+"Rebecca, I will rescue you, for I can not live without you--without you
+the world is a desert to me. You are my sun and the light of my life."
+
+"Gabriel, release me, while yet there is time. They will make a Christian
+of me, and I shall renounce my faith and my salvation, in order to be with
+you again, but afterward I shall die of repentance."
+
+"Rebecca, I shall release you, and I too am ready to renounce my salvation
+in order to be with you. But I will not die of repentance, for I shall
+have you again, and when I look upon you and the child I shall feel no
+repentance."
+
+"Gabriel, release me, give back to me my happiness, my home, my family.
+For you are all that to me, and without you the world is a desert."
+
+"Without you the world is a wilderness, Rebecca. Swear to me that you love
+me!"
+
+"I swear to you, by the God of my fathers, that I love you!"
+
+"And would you love me if the whole world despised me?"
+
+"What matters the world to me? Would I still love you? I would love you
+more fervently yet if all the world despised you, for then you would be
+like me. They despise me too, and turn away contemptuously from me, and
+yet I have done nothing bad."
+
+"Would you love me, Rebecca, even if I had committed a crime?"
+
+"What do men call crime? Do they not say that you commit a crime in loving
+me? Would they not say, too, that the priest who blessed our union was a
+criminal? Be whatever you may, do what you will, I shall love you still.
+Your soul is my soul, and my heart is your heart. Release me, Gabriel,
+release me!"
+
+"I will release you, Rebecca; in four days you shall be free, and we shall
+journey away from here, and return to Italy, never to leave it again."
+
+"To Italy!" rejoiced she--"to my home! Oh, my Gabriel, I shall not merely
+love you, I shall worship you--you will be to me the Saviour, the Messiah,
+in whom my people have hoped so long! I--"
+
+"Now that is enough," cried Count Schwarzenberg, who had been silent
+hitherto, because he felt well how much Rebecca's words forwarded his own
+plans. "Now that is enough of refractoriness! Come, Gabriel Nietzel, and
+you, Rebecca, step back, or I shall have your child taken away, and you
+shall never see it again!"
+
+"Go, Rebecca, go!" cried Gabriel Nietzel cheerfully. "You remain with me,
+even if you go, and I shall still see and speak to you when I am far from
+you. Four days only, and then we shall be reunited!"
+
+"I am going, Gabriel! I shall spend all these four days praying for you--to
+your and my God!"
+
+"Sir Count!" cried Nietzel in cheerful tones--"Sir Count, let us now
+return to your cabinet. I have something important to communicate to you."
+
+He cast not another look up at the curtain; he had no longer any sense of
+pain in her disappearance, but this was his one absorbing thought, that in
+four days he would again embrace his Rebecca, and that it lay in the power
+of his own hands to deserve her. With firm steps he followed the count,
+who now again led him out of the hall and into his cabinet.
+
+
+"Well, speak, Master Gabriel!" cried the count; "what have you to say to
+me?"
+
+Nietzel drew a paper from his breast pocket, and handed it to the count.
+"See, your excellency, here is the sketch of the painting I am to make for
+you."
+
+"Truly, a precious sketch," said Schwarzenberg, examining the paper
+attentively. "That looks like a Holy Supper."
+
+"It is no Holy Supper, but a very unholy dinner."
+
+"In the middle of the table I see sitting a man and a youth. The man wears
+a crown upon his head and the youth wears a princely coronet."
+
+"It is the Elector and the Electoral Prince," explained Gabriel Nietzel.
+
+"Yes, indeed, the portraits are theirs. And beside them sits the
+Electress, and beside her I see myself, and quite gorgeously have you
+dressed me, with a princely ermined mantle about my shoulders and a
+prince's diadem upon my brow. But what is that which I hold in my hand and
+offer to the Electress?"
+
+"It is a lachrymatory, your excellency."
+
+"And yet the Electress smiles, Sir Painter."
+
+"She takes the lachrymatory for a golden vase, which your excellency is
+presenting to her as a present."
+
+"You are witty, it seems, Master Gabriel," said the count sharply. "But
+that your portraits are good must be admitted, and your sketch is
+altogether charming. Only you have sketched for me there a joyous
+festival, and, if I remember rightly, I ordered of you a picture which
+should represent the death of Julius Caesar, or some such murderous
+occasion. But I see no dagger and no murderer in this sketch."
+
+"Only look at that man standing behind the Electoral Prince."
+
+"Ah, I see him now. Why, master, that is your own likeness!"
+
+"Yes, your excellency, my own likeness. You grant me your permission,
+then, to appear at the feast?"
+
+"Why not? Paul Veronese, too, has introduced his own portrait among those
+of his banqueters. What is your image there handing to the Electoral
+Prince in that basket?"
+
+"A piece of white bread, most gracious sir, nothing more."
+
+"Ah, a piece of white bread! You have become, it seems, the young
+Electoral Prince's lackey, have laid your character as artist upon the
+shelf, and become body page to the gracious Prince?"
+
+"It seems so, most gracious sir," replied Nietzel with solemn voice. "But
+see here, the truth lies on this page."
+
+And he handed the count a second sheet of paper.
+
+"What do I see? Something seems to have disturbed the banquet."
+
+"Yes, your excellency, very greatly disturbed it. Do you still see the man
+who stood behind the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"No, I see him nowhere."
+
+"He has fled, your excellency. He is the murderer of the Electoral Prince,
+who is borne out senseless."
+
+"Of the Electoral Prince? Conrad the Third, you mean! For was it not the
+murder of the last of the Hohenstaufens which you promised me?"
+
+"Yes, your excellency, and I will perform my promise if the sketch pleases
+you."
+
+"It pleases me very much, and it suits me perfectly," replied the count,
+whose glance remained ever directed to the two sketches. "Yes, yes," he
+continued slowly, "I understand, and the design has my approval, for it is
+simple and natural. You have your plan complete in your head?"
+
+"Quite complete, your excellency."
+
+"Then it is not necessary to talk any more about it, or to preserve the
+sketches," said the count, slowly tearing the two papers into little bits.
+
+"You are right, count, it is not necessary to preserve the sketches, since
+I soon expect to carry them out on a large scale. But we have something
+else to talk about, your excellency."
+
+Schwarzenberg looked in amazement at the painter, whose voice had now lost
+its reverential expression, and was very firm and determined.
+
+"We have only to speak upon such subjects as I may choose, master," he
+said haughtily.
+
+"No, Sir Count," retorted Nietzel decidedly; "but we have to speak about
+what follows the completion of my painting. We must speak of _that_, even
+should it not please your excellency. On Sunday your banquet takes place;
+on that day I should like to set off for Italy with my wife and child,
+and leave Germany forever."
+
+"Do so, Master Nietzel, I strongly advise you to do so."
+
+"Will your excellency condescend to assist me thereto?"
+
+"Joyfully, from the bottom of my heart, my dear Nietzel. You would travel
+to Italy. First of all you want funds for your journey, I suppose. Here,
+Master Nietzel, here I transmit to you a pocketbook containing twelve
+hundred dollars--your pension, which I pay you in advance for two years."
+
+"I thank your excellency," said Gabriel, taking the pocketbook. "The
+principal thing, though, is, how am I to get at my wife and child? Am I to
+come here to fetch them away?"
+
+"Not so, Master Nietzel. I shall send Rebecca and the child to you at your
+lodgings in Berlin."
+
+"Before or after the banquet?"
+
+"After the banquet, of course."
+
+"But if you do not do so, your excellency. If you should forget your
+promise to poor Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"Ah! you mistrust me, do you, Mr. Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"Do you not mistrust me, too, Sir Count? Have you not taken my Rebecca and
+my child as pledges for my keeping my word? Have you not deprived me of
+what is most precious to me in this world, not to be restored until I have
+fulfilled my oath to you? But what pledge have I that you will keep your
+word, and what means have I for forcing you to fulfill your oath to me?"
+
+"You have my word as security--the word of a nobleman, who has never yet
+forfeited his pledge," said Count Schwarzenberg solemnly. "I swear to you
+that on the day of the banquet your Rebecca and your child shall be at
+your lodgings in Berlin, and that you will find them there on your return
+from the banquet. I swear this by the Holy Virgin Mary and by Jesus Christ
+the only-begotten Son, and in affirmation of my solemn oath I lay my right
+hand here upon this crucifix."
+
+The count strode across to his escritoire, and laid his hand upon the
+crucifix of alabaster and gold, which stood upon it. "I swear and vow," he
+cried, "that next Sunday I shall send to Gabriel Nietzel's lodging his
+Rebecca and her child, and that he shall find them there when he returns
+from the banquet. Are you content now, Master Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"I am content, Sir Count. Farewell! And God grant that we may never meet
+again on earth!"
+
+He greeted the count with a passing inclination of his head, and left the
+apartment without waiting for his dismissal.
+
+
+
+
+VII.--THE OFFER.
+
+
+"And now," murmured Gabriel Nietzel to himself, as he stepped out upon the
+street--"now for work, without hesitancy and without delay, for there is
+no other way of escaping from that cruel tiger who has me in his clutches.
+He is athirst for blood, and I must sacrifice to him the blood of another
+man in order to save that of my wife and child! But, woe to him, woe, if
+he does not keep his word, if he acts the part of traitor toward me! But I
+will not think of that, I dare not think of it, for I have need of all my
+presence of mind in order to prepare everything. First, I must speak to
+the Electoral Prince; that is the most important thing."
+
+He went back to Berlin, and repaired forthwith to the palace. The
+Electoral Prince was at home, and the lackey who had announced the court
+painter Gabriel Nietzel now reverentially opened for him the door of the
+princely apartment.
+
+"Well, here you are, my dear Gabriel," cried the Electoral Prince affably.
+"Welcome, to receive my thanks for the zeal and dispatch with which you
+attended to the removal of my effects. Truly you merit praise, for I am
+told that you arrived in Berlin before me. We had contrary winds, it is
+true, and had to lie at anchor before Cuxhaven for fourteen days. Well,
+say, master, how are you pleased with Berlin?"
+
+"Very well, your highness," replied Nietzel gloomily, looking into the
+pale, sad countenance of the Electoral Prince with a glance full of
+strange meaning.
+
+"Why do you look so inquiringly at me, master?" asked the Prince restively.
+
+"Pardon me, most gracious sir, I will not do so again," said Gabriel,
+casting down his eyes. "I have something to say to your highness, and I
+would fain gather the needed courage therefore from your countenance."
+
+"Do so then, master, look at me and speak."
+
+"Step into the middle of the room, gracious sir, and permit me to come
+close to you; then I will speak, for I shall know then that no one can
+overhear us."
+
+The Electoral Prince did as Gabriel requested. The latter stepped close up
+to his side. "Most gracious sir," said he, "have you confidence in me?"
+
+"Yes, Gabriel Nietzel, I have confidence in you."
+
+"Then hear what I have to tell you. Ask no questions, require no
+intelligence and explanations. Hear my warning, and act accordingly. Count
+Schwarzenberg plots against your life!"
+
+"Do you believe that?" said the Electoral Prince, smiling.
+
+"He has invited you to a feast, which is to take place on Sunday. At that
+feast you are to be poisoned."
+
+The Electoral Prince started, and a transient flush gleamed upon his
+cheeks. "Whence know you that, Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"I beseech you ask me no questions, but believe me. Will your highness do
+so?--dare I speak further?"
+
+"Well, I will believe you. Speak further, Master Gabriel."
+
+"I told you thus much, that you were to be poisoned at Count Adam von
+Schwarzenberg's banquet. The count's valet has been bribed by him; he will
+have the honor of waiting upon you at the feast, and he will therefore
+present to you all you eat or drink, even down to the bread. Do not accept
+them from him, your highness, especially the bread."
+
+"I shall at least eat nothing, Gabriel Nietzel."
+
+"When he sees that, he will offer you some fruit or viand which will prove
+hurtful to you. The count's valet must not stand behind your seat, that is
+the principal thing; another must take his place, another, on whose
+fidelity you may rely."
+
+"Who is that other? Where is the man to be found in these parts on whose
+fidelity I may rely?"
+
+"You may rely upon me, Prince. I will stand behind your chair, I will wait
+upon you at Count Schwarzenberg's feast."
+
+"You, Gabriel Nietzel, you?" asked Frederick William, and his eyes were
+fixed upon the painter with a long glance of inquiry. Gabriel Nietzel
+sustained this glance, and succeeded in forcing a smile upon his lips.
+
+"I will be your valet at the feast. I will stand behind your chair and
+wait upon you."
+
+"Impossible, Gabriel. How could we manage that without insulting the
+count?"
+
+"Very simply, your highness. Have the kindness to say that you brought me
+with you, in order that I might make for you a painting of the banquet,
+and to that end sketch the outlines, and that, to furnish a pretext for my
+presence, you have allowed me to appear as your page."
+
+"It is true, that will suit! You have weighed all excellently, Gabriel
+Nietzel, and your plan is good."
+
+"And you accept it, gracious sir, do you not, you accept it?"
+
+Frederick William was silent, and his large, deep-blue eyes were again
+fixed testingly and questioningly upon the painter's countenance. After a
+long pause he slowly laid his hand upon Gabriel's shoulder, and his looks
+brightened.
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel," he said solemnly, "I will have confidence in you, I
+will assume that God sends you to me to save me; I will _not_ assume that
+Count Schwarzenberg sends you to me to ruin me. You shall accompany me to
+the feast and stand behind my chair as page."
+
+Gabriel Nietzel only answered by the tears, which in clear streams gushed
+from his eyes. "Oh, you weep," cried the Electoral Prince. "Now I see well
+that you mean honestly, and that I can trust you, for your tears speak for
+you."
+
+Just then the lackey opened the door of the antechamber and announced,
+"The commandant of Kuestrin, Colonel von Burgsdorf, wishes to pay his
+respects!"
+
+"Let him wait an instant; I will summon him directly."
+
+"Most gracious sir," murmured Nietzel, when the door had again closed,
+"dismiss me in the colonel's presence, and immediately, that the spies may
+not have it to say that there has been to-day a meeting, of Count
+Schwarzenberg's enemies here."
+
+"Are there spies here too, Gabriel?"
+
+"Everywhere, sir, each of your servants is bribed, and you must suspect
+them. Dismiss me, sir, dismiss me."
+
+The Electoral Prince went to the door and opened it.
+
+"Colonel von Burgsdorf, come in!"
+
+"Here I am, most gracious sir, here I am!" cried Burgsdorf's rough voice,
+and with clashing sword and glittering corselet Conrad von Burgsdorf
+entered the room. The Electoral Prince nodded to him, and then turned to
+the painter, who humbly and with lowered head had crept away toward the
+door. "Master Nietzel," he said, with a condescending wave of the hand,
+"go now, and be careful to carry out my instructions. I will request my
+mother to do me the kindness to sit to you every day for her portrait,
+which you are to paint for me. Make all your preparations, and come early
+to-morrow morning with the canvas stretched."
+
+"Your highness's commands shall be punctually executed," said Gabriel
+Nietzel, and, after reverentially bowing, he left the room.
+
+"And now for you, my dear Burgsdorf!" cried the Electoral Prince,
+advancing a few paces to meet the colonel, and kindly offering him his
+hand. "You are heartily welcome, and let me hope that I, too, am welcome
+to you and your friends."
+
+"Your highness, you are more than welcome to us--you have been longed for
+by us, and we thank God from the depths of our souls that he has finally
+given you back to us. All had already abandoned hope of your return to us.
+All really believed that you would forsake us in our wretchedness and
+want, and would never more return to the unhappy Mark of Brandenburg. But
+here you are at last, my dearest young sir, and blessed be your coming and
+your staying."
+
+"I thank you, colonel, thank you with my whole heart for your good
+wishes," said Frederick William kindly; "and trust me, my dear colonel, I
+know how to treasure them, and will never forget you for these. You are
+one of the faithful ones, on whom our house can count in evil as in good
+days, and on whom an Elector of Brandenburg would never call in vain, if
+he had need of him."
+
+"Call upon us, most gracious sir," said the colonel briskly and
+joyfully--"call all your faithful ones, and you shall see they will all
+come, for they are only waiting for your summons."
+
+The Electoral Prince smilingly shook his head. "I am not the Elector of
+Brandenburg, and I have not the right to summon you."
+
+"You shall and must be Elector of Brandenburg, and that you may be so, you
+must gather your faithful ones around you."
+
+"I do not understand you," said the Electoral Prince slowly. "Whether I
+will ever be Elector of Brandenburg, God only can decide, for in his hands
+lies my father's life as well as my own. May the day be far distant when I
+enter upon the succession--may my venerated father for long years to come
+rule his land in peace and tranquillity. I long not to grasp the reins of
+government, for I know very well that I am yet much too young to guide
+them with wisdom and prudence."
+
+"You will not understand me, your highness," cried the colonel
+impatiently, and his red swollen face glowed with a brighter hue. "But I
+must still try to make you understand, for to that very end have I been
+sent hither by your friends; they have chosen me as spokesman for them
+all, and therefore I must speak, if your highness will grant me leave so
+to do."
+
+"Speak, my dear colonel, speak, and may God enlighten my heart, that I may
+rightly understand you! Let us sit down, colonel, and now let us hear what
+is the matter."
+
+"This is the matter, your highness, the Mark of Brandenburg is lost to
+you, if you do not seize it now with swift, determined hand. You do not
+believe me, sir; you shake your head incredulously and smile. Ah! I see
+plainly, that you have been suffered to remain in great darkness as
+regards the situation of affairs here, and you know very little of our
+sufferings and our distresses. You know not that poverty and want prevail
+throughout the whole land; that the peasant, the burgher, the nobleman,
+all classes of the people, in short, are equally oppressed; that trade and
+commerce lie prostrate; and the aim of each one is only how he may prolong
+a wretched existence from day to day."
+
+"Nevertheless, my dear colonel, I know that. I saw enough solitary, ruined
+villages, waste and empty towns, uncultivated and ravaged fields on my
+journey hither to prove to me what the poor inhabitants of the Mark have
+had to suffer in these evil days of war."
+
+"Have had to suffer, says your highness?" cried Burgsdorf impatiently;
+"they still suffer continuously, and their suffering will be without
+cessation or end if your highness does not take pity upon the poor people,
+upon us all."
+
+"I?" asked Frederick William, astonished. "What then can I do?"
+
+"You can do everything, my Prince, everything, and in the name of your
+future country, in the name of your subjects, I beseech you to do so. The
+Mark Brandenburg stands upon the brink of a precipice. Save it, Electoral
+Prince. The religion, policy, and independence of Brandenburg are in
+danger; take your sword in hand and save her. Speak three words, three
+little insignificant words, and all the noblemen in the Mark will rally
+exultingly about you, and the people will flock to you in crowds, and make
+you so mighty and so strong that you need only to will and your will shall
+be executed."
+
+"What three words are those, Sir Colonel von Burgsdorf?"
+
+"Those three words, your highness, which the people shouted up at the
+palace window yesterday, when you got home. The three words, 'Down with
+him!'"
+
+"Down with _him_," repeated the Electoral Prince. "And who is this _him_?"
+
+"It is Count Schwarzenberg, your highness--it is the minister who rules
+here in the Mark as if it were his own property, and as if he were not
+your father's Stadtholder, but the reigning Prince, who had obtained the
+Mark as a fief from the Emperor of Germany, to whom alone he were
+responsible. Look about you, Frederick William, look at these poor,
+wretched apartments, in which you live--look at the decay of the princely
+house, the embarrassments with which your father has to contend, and the
+privations which your mother and sisters have to undergo. And then,
+Prince, then look across at Broad Street, at Count Schwarzenberg's
+palace. There all is glory and splendor, there are to be seen lackeys in
+golden liveries, costly equipages, handsomely furnished halls. They
+practice wanton luxury, they live amid pomp and pleasure, arrange
+magnificent hunts and splendid entertainments, while the people cry out
+for hunger. They make merry in Count Schwarzenberg's palace, and while the
+burgher, whose last cent he has seized for the payment of taxes and
+imposts, creeps about in rags, _he_ struts by in velvet clothes, decked
+out with gold and precious stones, and laughingly boasts that half the
+Mark of Brandenburg might be bought at the price of one of his court
+suits. Most gracious Prince, yesterday the steward of your father, with
+the Electoral consent, brought out the velvet caps which had been kept in
+the Electoral wardrobe, took off the genuine silver lace with which they
+were trimmed, and sold it to the Jews, in order to pay the servants their
+month's wages,[24] and the count's servants yesterday received new
+liveries, so thickly set with gold lace that the scarlet cloth was hardly
+distinguishable underneath. The Stadtholder in the Mark revels in
+superfluity, while the Elector in the Mark almost suffers want, and
+esteems himself happy if he can give one piece of land after another to
+his minister as security for the payment of debt. Oh, it is enough to
+drive one to despair, and make him tear his hair for rage and grief, when
+he sees the state of things here, and must perceive that the Elector is
+nothing and the Stadtholder everything. To his adherents he gives offices
+and dignities, and those whom he knows to be attached to the interests of
+the Electoral family he removes from court, and replaces by his favorites
+and servants. Upon the Colonels von Kracht and von Rochow he has bestowed
+good positions, making them commandants of Berlin and Spandow, with double
+salaries, but me, whom he knows to be the faithful servant of the
+Electoral family, he has banished from court and sent to Kuestrin with only
+half as high a salary as the other two have. From the Electoral privy
+council he has also removed all those gentlemen who were bold enough to
+lift up their voices against him, and has introduced such men as say yes
+to everything that he desires and asks. No longer does an honest, upright
+word reach the Electoral ear, and while the whole people lament and cry
+out against Schwarzenberg, fearing him as they do the devil himself, our
+Elector fancies that his Stadtholder is as much beloved by the people of
+the Mark Brandenburg as by the Emperor at Vienna. But it is just so;
+Catholics and Imperialists will Schwarzenberg make us; ever he presses us
+further and further from our comrades in the faith, the Swedes and Dutch;
+ever he draws us closer to the Catholics; and if he could succeed in
+making the Elector Catholic, removing all Evangelists and Reformers from
+court, and putting Catholics in their places, then he would rejoice and
+obtain a high reward from the Emperor and Pope."
+
+"And you believe, Burgsdorf, that he will do such a thing, and esteem such
+a thing possible?" asked the Electoral Prince, with a sly smile.
+
+"I believe that he will, and we all believe so. And with the Stadtholder
+to will is to do, for he carries through all that he undertakes. But we
+will not suffer it, Prince, we will not be turned into Imperialists and
+Catholics. We will hold to our Elector and our religion; we will not
+suffer and submit to our Elector's being any longer in dependence upon
+Emperor and empire, and nothing at all but a powerless tool in
+Schwarzenberg's hands. We want a free Elector, who has courage and power
+to defy the Emperor himself, and league himself with the Swedes against
+him. For the Swedes are our rightful allies, not merely because the mother
+of the little Queen Christina is sister to our Elector, but also because
+we are neighbors, and of one religion and one faith. Oh, my gracious young
+sir, do not allow Schwarzenberg to make us Catholics and Imperialists!
+Free your country, your subjects, and yourself from this man, who weighs
+upon us like a scourge from God!"
+
+"But, Burgsdorf, just consider what you say there. I, who have but just
+returned from a three years' absence, I, who am almost a stranger to these
+combinations and circumstances, _I_ am to free you from this most mighty
+and influential man, the Stadtholder in the Mark! I should like to know
+how to go about it."
+
+"Gracious sir, I will tell you," replied Burgsdorf, with smothered voice
+and coming close up to the Prince. "Only say that you will place yourself
+at our head; give me only a couple of words in your own handwriting to
+give assurance to your friends and adherents that you will at their head
+battle for your good rights and for the faith and law of the land. Do
+this, and then just wait eight days."
+
+"And what will happen after these eight days?"
+
+"Then will happen that you shall see an army assembled about you, my
+Prince, in eight days. We have all been long making our preparations in
+secret, and putting everything in position, to be able to break forth as
+soon as you should appear and place yourself at our head. Every nobleman
+belonging to our party has procured arms and ammunition for the equipment
+of his people, and a brave, well-appointed host will be ready to execute
+your orders. You will take Schwarzenberg prisoner in his proud palace; you
+will be able by persistency to drive the Elector to dismiss the hated
+minister and his hated son from their offices and dignities, and to banish
+them forever from the country. You will be able to force the Elector to
+nominate you Schwarzenberg's successor, and then, having the power in your
+own hands, it only depends upon yourself to break, with the Emperor, to
+recognize the peace of Prague no longer, but to renew the alliance with
+the Swedes, and united with them to battle against the encroachments of
+the Emperor, and in behalf of religion!"
+
+"Just see, colonel, you have your plan already cut and dried!" cried the
+Prince. "If I should accede to it I would have nothing further to do than
+to execute what you have previously determined and arranged, and I should
+be nothing more than a tool in your hands. Now, I must confess to you that
+such a part would not at all suit me, even if I were ready to fall in with
+your plans. But I am not ready to do so, and am thoroughly indisposed to
+accept your proposition."
+
+"You are not inclined to do so?" asked the colonel, shocked. "Not even,"
+he continued more softly, "when I tell you that the Electress knows our
+plans and consents to them?"
+
+"Not even then, colonel. However much I love my mother, yet in this matter
+I can not suffer myself to be guided by her wishes. No, Colonel von
+Burgsdorf, I am not minded to go into your plans; for have you well
+considered what you require of me? You ask me to head a revolution, to
+give you a deed of rebellion, and to call upon the noblemen of the country
+to revolt against their rightful Sovereign. You ask me, as a rebel and
+agitator, and yet at the same time only as your tool, to do force and
+violence to my lord and father, and to force him to dismiss his minister,
+to alter his system, and to make enemies of his friends and friends of his
+enemies. Truly, you offer me a great advantage in prospective, and are
+good enough to propose that I step into Count Schwarzenberg's place and
+rule the country in the Elector's name, as he has done. But I am not blind
+to my own shortcomings, and do not overestimate myself. I know very well
+that I am as yet but an inexperienced young man, who has still a great
+deal to learn, and is by no means in a position to take the place of so
+distinguished and adroit a statesman as Count Schwarzenberg. I must yet go
+to school to him, and learn from him statecraft and policy."
+
+"Will you learn from him, gracious sir?" cried Burgsdorf passionately,
+"would you go to school to him, to that Catholic, that Imperialist?"
+
+"Tell me a better schoolmaster for my father's son?" asked the Electoral
+Prince softly. "My father has bestowed full confidence upon him for these
+twenty years past, he has adhered firmly and faithfully to him in evil as
+well as in prosperous days, and therefore I conclude that the count is
+worthy of this unshaken confidence, and must well deserve his master's
+love. It would, therefore, be very disrespectful behavior on my part
+toward my father, and put me in the light of exalting myself against him
+in unchildlike disobedience, if I should make the attempt to remove Count
+Schwarzenberg from his side by force. The Elector alone is reigning
+Sovereign within his own dominions, and what he concludes must be good,
+and it does not become us to censure or presume to know better."
+
+"Your grace, then, will be nothing but an obedient and submissive son?"
+asked Burgsdorf in a cutting tone.
+
+"Nothing further, Burgsdorf," replied Frederick William quietly. "May my
+father yet live to rule long years in peace; I am still young, I am
+learning and waiting."
+
+"You are learning and waiting," cried Burgsdorf, beside himself, "and
+meanwhile your land is going wholly to ruin; the people are hungry and in
+despair; the noblemen are reduced to beggary or have, in their
+desperation, gone over to Schwarzenberg--that is to say, to the
+Emperor--who pays a rich annuity to each one who adheres faithfully to
+him. And when your grace has waited and learned enough, then will come the
+day when Count Schwarzenberg will hunt you from your heritage, even as he
+has hunted the Margrave of Jaegerndorf; then will the Emperor give the Mark
+Brandenburg away, as he has done with Jaegerndorf, and his favorite,
+Schwarzenberg, is here ready to receive the welcome donation. He has
+already ruled the Mark Brandenburg twenty years in the Emperor's name, why
+should he not rule the Mark as its independent Sovereign? Oh, gracious
+sir, it makes me raving mad just to think of it, and I can not believe
+that you are in earnest, that you actually thrust from you myself and
+those loyal to you, and will not enter into our plans. My dear Prince, I
+have known you all your life. I have carried you in my arms as a little
+boy; I have borne you under my cloak when you went with your mother to
+Kuestrin; I have staked upon you all the hopes of my life; and it would be
+a bitter grief to me to be obliged to think that you will have nothing to
+do with me and all your friends."
+
+"And think you, man," asked the Electoral Prince, "that it would be no
+grief to my father if I should step forward as his adversary? Think you
+that it would make for him a good name in history should the son present
+himself as his father's enemy? No, Burgsdorf; I repeat it to you, I am
+learning and waiting."
+
+"And I? I have waited twenty years, to learn in this hour that all my
+waiting has been in vain. The Mark is lost, and you, Electoral Prince,
+with it. I shall tell your mother, I shall tell your friends, that you are
+lost to us. Farewell, sir, and, if you will, go to Count Schwarzenberg and
+tell him that I am a traitor and conspirator. I shall go back to Kuestrin,
+and if I were not ashamed, I could weep over myself and you. No, I am not
+ashamed; look, sir, at least you have constrained me."
+
+And the tears gushed from his eyes and fell down upon his grizzly, gray
+beard. He clapped his hands before his face and sobbed aloud. The
+Electoral Prince turned pale. He fixed a glance full of confidence and
+love upon the colonel, and had already opened his lips for an answer,
+which he would probably have afterward repented, when Burgsdorf suddenly
+drew his hands from before his face and angrily shook his head.
+
+"I am a fool!" he said furiously, "and it would serve me right, old baby
+that I am, if you should laugh at me. Farewell!"
+
+He made a formal military salute, turned abruptly and crossed the
+apartment to the door. Now, when his hand was already upon the latch, the
+Electoral Prince made a few steps forward. Colonel Burgsdorf turned about.
+
+"Did you call me, sir?"
+
+"No, colonel, farewell!"
+
+The door closed, and Frederick William was alone. His large blue eyes were
+directed toward heaven with a look of inexpressible grief.
+
+"I have in this hour offered up a greater sacrifice than Abraham, when he
+sacrificed his son to his God," he whispered. "Has God accepted my
+sacrifice, will he in his mercy some day reward me for it?"
+
+
+
+
+VIII.--THE BANQUET.
+
+
+The city of Berlin was to-day in a state of unusual stir and excitement.
+Everybody made haste to finish his noon-day meal, and nobody thought of
+complaining especially that this repast was so sparingly provided and
+served in such small portions, and that the dread specter of hunger was
+ever stalking nearer to the inhabitants of the unhappy, much-plagued town.
+They were to-day looking forward to a spectacle--one, moreover, for which
+no money was to be paid, which could be had gratis, just by being upon the
+street in right time and struggling to obtain a good position on the
+cathedral square, before the palace, or much better, before Count
+Schwarzenberg's palace. For to-day the count gave a great banquet in his
+palace on Broad Street, and it was well worth the trouble of contending
+for a place before the palace, and not even being frightened by a few
+cuffs and blows. The whole fashionable world of Berlin, all the nobility
+of the regions round about, were invited to this feast, and the whole
+court was to appear there. And it was so rarely that the Electoral family
+was ever to be seen by the town. They had passed almost a year in the
+Mark, but in such quiet and retirement did they live that their presence
+would hardly have been recognized if on Sunday in the cathedral church,
+which stood in the center of the square between the palace and Broad
+Street, their lofty personages had not been discernible behind the glass
+panes of the Electoral gallery. But to-day they were not to be seen in the
+seriousness of devotion, with their solemn, church-going faces, but in the
+pomp and splendor of their exalted station, in the glitter of their
+earthly greatness. And, above all things, they were to see the Electoral
+Prince, the Prince who had but just returned home, the hope of the
+downtrodden land, the future of the Mark Brandenburg!
+
+How the good people hurried with joyful, eager faces along toward Broad
+Street, with what hasty movements did they rush across the Spree Bridge! A
+black, surging throng of men stood before the castle on the cathedral
+square, a dense, motionless mass before Count Schwarzenberg's palace. Only
+one passage was left free, broad enough to allow the carriage to drive
+across the castle square to the palace, and on both sides of this stood
+the halberdiers of the Stadtholder's bodyguard, threateningly presenting
+their halberds toward those who ventured to step forward. The Stadtholder
+in the Mark had his own bodyguard--fine, athletic fellows, of proud
+bearing, in splendid uniforms, trimmed everywhere with genuine gold and
+silver lace, while, as everybody knew, the members of the Electoral
+bodyguard wore nothing but imitation lace upon their uniforms. The
+Elector's bodyguard, indeed, were paid and clothed by citizens, and they,
+on account of their want and distress, had refused to pay the last
+bodyguard tax, while the Stadtholder's bodyguard consisted of members of
+his household and was paid and clothed by himself. And Count Schwarzenberg
+was very rich, and the citizens were very poor, but still the count had
+never once practiced mildness and mercy, and relieved the poor cities of
+their taxes and imposts, or given of his wealth to their poverty.
+
+To-day, however, he gave a _fete_, a splendid _fete_, and however much at
+other times they dreaded and hated him, his _fete_ they could still look
+upon, and with longing eyes behold all its magnificence. It was, indeed,
+glorious to look upon, and they saw, moreover, how much the Stadtholder
+honored and esteemed the Elector, for never before had he displayed such
+splendor, when he merely invited the high nobility. Above the grand door
+of entrance was stretched a canopy of crimson cloth, edged with gold, the
+golden pillars of the canopy reaching out even into the street. The four
+stone steps leading from the front door were covered with fine carpeting,
+which also stretched away to the street, to the spot where the guests were
+to alight from their carriages. On both sides of the carpet stood serried
+ranks of the Stadtholder's lackeys in their flashy gold-trimmed liveries.
+They were headed by the count's two stewards, with golden wands in their
+hands, broad gold bands about their shoulders, and monstrous
+three-cornered hats upon their heads. It was very fine to look upon, and
+not merely the merry urchins, who were swinging upon the iron railings of
+the count's park, opposite the palace on the side of the cathedral square,
+enjoyed the spectacle, but the respectable burgher, with his well-dressed
+wife upon his arm, found his pleasure in it as well. The front doors were
+wide open, and they could look into the gorgeous columned hall, decorated
+with garlands and vases of fresh flowers. Yes, it was plainly to be seen
+that the Stadtholder felt himself greatly honored by the high company he
+was to receive to-day, and this even reconciled the good people a little
+to the proud, imperious Count Schwarzenberg.
+
+And now the distinguished guests came riding up. There were the noblemen
+from the country round about, in their antiquated, rumbling vehicles,
+drawn by beautiful, handsomely harnessed horses. There were the Quitzows,
+the Goetzes and Krockows, the Buelows and Arnims, and as often as a carriage
+arrived the musicians, stationed on both sides of the palace, blew a
+flourishing peal of trumpets, and the noblemen bowed right and left,
+greeting, although no one had greeted them except Count Schwarzenberg's
+chamberlain, von Lehndorf, who received the guests upon the threshold of
+the house. But now resounded a loud shouting and huzzaing, rolling nearer
+and ever nearer, like a monstrous wave, and an unusual, joyful movement
+pervaded the densely packed mass of men. "They come! they come!" sounded
+from mouth to mouth, and small people raised themselves on tiptoe, and
+tall ones turned their heads toward the corner of the cathedral square.
+Already they saw the foot runner, with his plumed hat and golden staff, as
+he came bounding on, then the two foreriders in their bright blue
+liveries, with low, round caps upon their heads, and then the electoral
+equipage, the great gilded coach of state, drawn by four black horses.
+
+"Who is sitting in the coach of state? Is the Electoral Prince in it? Does
+he come in the same carriage with his father?"
+
+The people grew dumb from impatience and expectancy, in the midst of their
+cries of joy; they wanted to see! All eyes shone with curiosity as the
+equipage rolled on. Over in the park, behind the railing, stood the
+drummers, and they began to beat a roll, which the boys riding on the
+railing seconded with genuine rapture. The trumpeters blew a flourish,
+and now Count Schwarzenberg himself issued from the broad palace door,
+followed by his son, the young Count John Adolphus. Ah! how glorious to
+behold was the Stadtholder in the Mark in his official costume as Grand
+Master of the Order of St. John, his breast quite covered with the stars
+of the order, whose gems glittered and sparkled so wondrously; and how
+handsome looked the young count, in his white suit of silver brocade, with
+puffs of purple velvet, his short, ermine-edged mantle of purple velvet,
+confined at the shoulders by clasps. The two counts made haste down the
+steps to the equipage. The Stadtholder in his amiable impatience opened
+the carriage door himself, and offered the Elector George William both his
+hands to assist him in alighting. And now, laboriously, gasping, with
+flushed face, and a forced smile upon his lips, the Elector dismounted
+from his carriage. Leaning upon his favorite's arm, slowly and clumsily he
+moved forward to the house, his stout, lofty form bent, his gait heavy,
+and his blue eyes, which were only once turned to the gaping multitude,
+sad--oh, so sad! The people looked with pity and compassion upon the poor,
+peevish gentleman, who, in spite of the great Prince's star upon his
+breast and the Electoral hat with its waving plumes, was not by far so
+splendid to behold as the proud, stately Count Adam, who strode along at
+his side.
+
+While the Stadtholder was conducting the Elector into the palace, the
+Electress alighted from the carriage, the two young Princesses following
+her. A loud cry of joy and admiration rang out, and called a smile to the
+lips of the Electress, a deep blush to the cheeks of the Princesses. The
+Electress's robe, with its long train of gold brocade, was wondrous to
+behold, and above it the blue velvet mantle with black ermine trimmings;
+and how beautifully the diadem of diamonds and sapphires gleamed and
+sparkled on the brown hair of the Princess! Again the Stadtholder came out
+of the palace with hasty steps, flew to the Electress, and offered her
+his arm, to lead her into the palace. Nor need the two Princesses walk
+alone behind; they, too, have their knight--young Count Schwarzenberg, who
+had received the Electress. He offered his arm to the Princess Charlotte
+Louise, which she accepted with a lovely smile and a becoming blush. Ah!
+what a handsome couple that was, and how remarkably their dress
+corresponded, for the Princess was also dressed in silver brocade, and
+from her shoulders fell a mantle of purple velvet edged with ermine. The
+little Princess Sophie Hedwig stepped behind her. But who was this young
+man, who suddenly stepped forward, made his way through the throng, and
+offered her his arm? Nobody had seen him or observed him, and he had come
+on foot, accompanied by a single page. Who was this handsome young man, in
+light-blue velvet suit, who with the young Princess on his arm mounted the
+steps with her, laughing merrily.
+
+"It is he! It is the Electoral Prince! It is Frederick William! Cheers for
+our Electoral Prince! Hurrah for Frederick William! Welcome, welcome home!
+Long live our Electoral Prince!"
+
+Within the hall, at the window, stood the Elector, and these shouts
+emanating from thousands of throats darkened his countenance. The people
+had kept silence when their Sovereign showed himself to them, and now they
+exulted on seeing his son!
+
+Without, at the head of the steps, stood the Electoral Prince, and the
+shouting of so many thousand voices summoned a glad smile to his face. How
+handsome he was, and what a happiness it was to look at him! How like a
+lion's mane fell his thick, fair brown hair on both sides of his narrow
+oval face, how like brilliant stars sparkled his large, dark-blue eyes,
+and what bold thoughts were written upon his broad, clear brow! And how
+stately and impressive was his figure, too--how slender, and yet how firm
+and athletic! Yes, those broad shoulders were well fitted to bear the
+burden of government, and behind that breast beat surely a strong, great
+heart!
+
+"Long live the Electoral Prince! Three cheers! Long live Frederick
+William!"
+
+He bowed once more, nodding and bestowing kind greetings upon those on
+both sides, then entered the palace, followed by his page in black velvet
+suit.
+
+Who is that page? Nobody observes him, nobody has looked at him. Who
+troubles himself about the servant when he looks at the master?--who asks
+why the page's face is so pale, why his glance so feverish and restless?
+Very few know the court painter Gabriel Nietzel, and those who do know him
+will surely never imagine that it is he who to-day acts as page to the
+Electoral Prince Frederick William. He mingles with the host of
+gold-bedizened servants and lackeys in the entrance hall, and follows them
+into the banqueting hall. The doors of the house are closed; for the
+gaping crowd without the festival is ended, for the high-born guests
+within it is but just begun. The two wings of the doors leading into the
+banqueting hall are thrown open by the halberdiers, the musicians in the
+gilded balcony to the rear blow a loud, dashing flourish, and the Elector
+enters the hall, followed by the Electress, who leans upon the arm of
+Count Schwarzenberg. On both sides of the hall stand the lords and ladies
+of the nobility, who bow down to the ground, nothing being visible but the
+bowed necks of men, the courtesying forms of women--all is reverence,
+solemnity, and silence. In the middle of the long table, just before that
+immense, solid mirror of Venetian crystal, are the places of the Electoral
+pair, as may be seen by those throne-like armchairs, on whose tall,
+straight backs is carved a golden crown--as may be seen by the glittering
+gold plate of both covers.
+
+How gorgeously is the long table laid, nothing to be seen but gold and
+silver plate! In the center is a huge piece of chased silver, representing
+Cupids and genii, who in golden shells, cornucopias, and vases offer the
+rarest fruits, the most delicious confections! Before each lady's plate,
+in wondrously cut goblets, is a magnificent bouquet of flowers; before
+each gentleman's, a silver bowl. A gold-bedizened lackey is behind each
+chair; two stand behind the chairs of each of their Electoral Highnesses.
+
+"Why stands that page behind the Electoral Prince's chair?" asks the
+Stadtholder, loud enough to be heard by the Prince, who is near him.
+
+Frederick William breaks off in the midst of his conversation with the
+young Count John Adolphus, and turns smilingly to the Stadtholder.
+
+"Pardon, your grace," says he kindly. "I wished to preserve a memento of
+this handsome entertainment, the first entertainment by which my return
+home has been solemnized, and with my father's permission I have brought
+with me the court painter Gabriel Nietzel, in order that he may look upon
+the feast and make a sketch of the scene. Since, of course, he could have
+no place at the table, he has assumed a page's garb, that he may have the
+privilege of standing behind my chair. I fancy that the vain man would
+willingly immortalize himself in that picturesque costume. But as he has
+put on a page's clothes, he will also perform a page's part, and I have
+therefore at his request consented that he shall wait upon me to-day and
+hand me all my food. Does your grace also grant him this upon my bequest?"
+
+"Oh, most gracious Prince, you need never make requests; you have only to
+command. Away there, you fellows! away from the Electoral Prince's chair,
+vacate your places for the page! Mr. Court Painter Nietzel, take good care
+not to be negligent in your duties, to-day be nothing but the Electoral
+Prince's page so long as we are at table, afterward you can again be the
+court painter!"
+
+The page bowed in silence, and Count Schwarzenberg paid no further
+attention to him, but followed the Electoral pair, who were making the
+circuit of the hall, here and there addressing a friendly word to some
+member of the nobility, sweeping past before an answer could be stammered
+forth. The circuit was completed; a thrice repeated nourish of trumpets
+resounded; the Chamberlain von Lehndorf rushed to the window, and with a
+white handkerchief made a signal down to the pleasure garden. Cannon
+thundered forth salutes, informing the town that the Elector had just sat
+down to table, that the feast at the house of the Stadtholder in the Mark
+had begun.
+
+A choice, a sumptuous banquet! Delicious viands, splendid wines! Gradually
+they forgot a little the requirements of rigid etiquette and pompous
+silence; gradually tongues were loosened, and there was talking and
+laughing; even the Elector lost his hard, peevish nature, his face glowed
+with a brighter hue, his form became more elastic, and cheerful words
+sounded from his lips.
+
+A choice, a sumptuous banquet! The Electress laughed, and had totally
+forgotten that Count Adam Schwarzenberg, sitting at her side, was her
+detested enemy. She chatted as cozily and earnestly with him as if he were
+one of her most devoted friends and servants. Opposite her sat her two
+daughters, and Princess Charlotte Louise inclined with a pleasant smile
+toward Count John Adolphus, who sat beside her, and had just been painting
+to her with glowing eloquence the glories of the imperial city, gorgeous
+Vienna.
+
+Now his bold glance darted across at the Electoral pair; they were busy
+talking and eating; nobody was noticing him.
+
+"Princess, dear, adored Princess, do you hear me when I speak so softly?"
+
+"I hear you, Sir Count."
+
+"Sir Count!" repeated he, sighing. "You retract your word, then? You
+thrust me again into the ranks of your court cavaliers and counts? You
+have no longer a word of welcome for the poor, pitiable man who worships
+you, who is blessed if he can only look at you, only hear the tones of
+your sweet voice, and who has been longing for this with desire and
+painful rapture for three long months? Not one word of welcome for me?"
+
+"I welcome you--welcome you with my whole heart! Have you only been away
+three months? Were they not three years?"
+
+"Seems it so to you, my adored mistress? I believe it was three hundred
+years--three eternities. And yet these eternities have not altered your
+angelic face. It is still ever radiant in its heavenly, rosy beauty, and
+not a feature betrays that you have suffered on my account, that you have
+longed for me."
+
+"Then my face belies me, for I have longed for you; therefore the months
+lengthened into years, and it seems to me as if I have become a very old,
+sedate person since I last saw you."
+
+"Oh, dearest, how I long for one moment of solitary communing with you,
+when I can kneel at your feet, cover your hands with kisses, and tell you
+how inexpressibly I love you! Be not cruel, Louise, in this hour of
+reunion. Tell me that you, too, long for such a moment--that you will
+grant it to me."
+
+"And if I should say so, how would it help us? You know well that I am
+watched day and night. My mother never lets me leave her side, and our
+governess watches over me still, just as if I were a child that could not
+walk a step without an attendant, nor write a line without her reading it."
+
+"Ah, you dear, sweet angel! if you only loved me half as ardently as I
+love you, your pretty, prudent little head would already have devised some
+means whereby poor John Adolphus would not have to plead in vain for one
+blissful moment passed alone with you."
+
+"I love you, John Adolphus, but oh, I dare not love you! The wrath of my
+mother would be boundless if she even suspected it."
+
+"She need not suspect it beforehand, nor hear anything about it before we
+are certain of your father's gracious consent."
+
+"You esteem that possible? You believe that my father will ever consent
+for me--"
+
+"For you to condescend to become my wife? I hope so--hope that the
+Emperor's favor exalts me a little, so that the chasm which separates us
+is not too great for you to cross, for you to carry in your bosom a strong
+heart and a true love. About all these things I must speak with you,
+sweetest Princess, for here we must be cautious. Only see with what
+earnest looks the Electress is already regarding us! Be pitiful, Louise;
+tell me that you will consent to meet me alone for one quarter of an hour."
+
+"Pass by the cathedral, then, to-morrow about ten o'clock of the forenoon.
+Old Trude will be there and have a message for you, and--"
+
+"Long live our most gracious Sovereign! Long live George William!" cried
+Count Schwarzenberg, rising from his seat and holding the golden bumper
+aloft in his right hand.
+
+All the guests started from their seats, and joined in the shouts: "Long
+live our most gracious Sovereign! Long live George William!" And the
+golden goblets clashed against one another, and the trumpets and
+kettledrums chimed in with crashing peals.
+
+The Electoral Prince, too, would rise from his seat, but his head swam,
+all was whirls and turns before his eyes, and he sank back upon his chair.
+
+Gabriel Nietzel stooped over him. "How are you, gracious sir? Are you not
+well?"
+
+"Quite well as yet, Gabriel. Only give me a fresh glass of water and put
+some sugar in it."
+
+Gabriel Nietzel flew to the sideboard, and, while he filled a glass with
+water, his pale lips murmured, "Your evil genius bade you say that!" And
+while he shook into the glass the white pulverized sugar, which, by the
+way, he had not taken from the bowl standing on the sideboard, in the
+depths of his heart he whispered, "Rebecca, this I do for you!"
+
+He took up the tall tumbler and presented it to the Electoral Prince.
+Frederick William seized the glass and drank, in long draughts. It had
+done him good, his head was easy again, there was no longer such a fearful
+roaring in his ears.
+
+George William's countenance glowed and his eyes burned. He loved the
+pleasures of the table, and the wine was costly and had driven all ill
+humor from his heart. He now felt quite comfortable, quite happy, and bent
+friendly glances across upon his son, who was so splendid, so glorious to
+look upon, and the sight of whom, although he would probably not
+acknowledge it to himself, rejoiced his father's heart.
+
+Frederick William had just removed the great goblet from his lips, and
+placed it half full upon the table. The Elector saw it, the cold liquor
+looked inviting, and at the same time he would give his son a public token
+of his kindly disposition: all the guests must see how high in his favor
+stood the Electoral Prince.
+
+"You drink water, my son?" he asked. "That is wise and prudent, and
+deserves to be imitated at this table of reveling. I will follow your
+example, Frederick William. Hand your glass across the table to me, son."
+
+The Electoral Prince hastily rose from his seat, and tried to hand the
+glass to his father; but his hand trembled so violently that he could not
+hold the glass; it escaped from his hands, and fell with a crash upon the
+table.
+
+The Electress uttered a piercing cry, the Princesses shrieked aloud. The
+music stopped in the midst of a strain commenced, the guests interrupted
+their conversation, and all eyes were directed to the middle of the table,
+where the Electoral family was seated. What did it mean? Prince Frederick
+William rose from his seat. His countenance was pale as death, but he
+still tried to keep a smile upon his lips. He bowed across the table to
+his father. "Your pardon, sir. Permit me to absent myself, for I am not
+quite well."
+
+"Go, my son!" exclaimed George William. "That comes from not being
+accustomed to strong Hungarian wine!" And the Elector turned, laughing, to
+his wife, who glanced anxiously at her son. "Your wise son," said he, "has
+learned everything, only he has not learned to drink. He has not been
+taught that in your uncle's polite and polished court, and we must supply
+their negligence here."
+
+The Electoral Prince reeled through the hall, waving off all who
+approached him or offered him assistance. "It is nothing, nothing at all,"
+he said with cheerful, broken voice. "I have taken a little cold. Let me
+get away unnoticed."
+
+All kept their seats, as the Prince desired, and as the Elector required
+by tarrying himself at the table. Only the Stadtholder, in his capacity of
+host, had risen from the table to offer his guidance to the Electoral
+Prince. He approached him, proffering the support of his arm.
+
+"Will your highness do me the honor to rest upon my arm, and permit me to
+escort you to your carriage?"
+
+The Electoral Prince shuddered, and, suddenly lifting his head, flashed an
+angry glance from his already clouded eyes into the proud, composed
+countenance of the count. But it quickly vanished, Frederick William
+accepted Schwarzenberg's proffered arm, and, leaning upon him, tottered
+out of the hall into the antechamber. His countenance was deadly pale,
+dark circles were under his eyes, his lips were colorless, his eyes
+bloodshot. But still he maintained his erect position by mere force of
+will, and even controlled himself so far as to smile and address a few
+friendly words to the count.
+
+"My heavens, noble sir!" cried Schwarzenberg, with an expression of
+painful horror, "this is more than a mere passing indisposition. You are
+really sick--you are suffering!"
+
+"Not so, count. I am not suffering at all, and it is only a trifling
+ailment. My father is quite right--the strong wine has mounted to my head.
+I am not used to drinking and feasting, that is all. To-morrow
+will--Count, I beg you to lead me to my carriage. It is dark before my
+eyes!"
+
+And the Prince sank back groaning and half unconscious. The count beckoned
+the princely Chamberlain von Goetz to approach, and the two gentlemen,
+aided by a few lackeys, bore the Prince carefully out to the carriage.
+Then Frederick William opened his eyes, his wandering glance strayed
+around, and his lips stammered softly: "Where is Gabriel Nietzel? Is he
+with me?"
+
+But Gabriel Nietzel was nowhere to be seen; only the Chamberlain von Goetz
+was there, and he got into the carriage, which bore the deadly sick Prince
+at full gallop to the palace.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg looked after the retreating vehicle with earnest,
+thoughtful face, then turned to re-enter the palace. On the threshold
+stood Gabriel Nietzel, and the eyes of the two men met in one glance of
+awe and horror.
+
+"Your grace sees I have kept my word," murmured Gabriel Nietzel.
+
+"Away!" commanded the count imperiously. "If you are not out of Berlin in
+one hour I shall have you arrested by the police, and accuse you as the
+murderer of the Electoral Prince, for you alone waited upon him! Be off!"
+
+But Gabriel Nietzel stirred not from the threshold, and the look which he
+fixed upon the count was not humble and reverential, but threatening.
+"Sir," asked he shortly and harshly--"sir, where are Rebecca and my child?"
+
+"At your lodgings, you fool! Hurry, I tell you!" And with ungentle hand
+the count thrust the painter from the door, and returned to the banqueting
+hall to inform the Elector and his spouse with smiling, almost mocking
+gesture, that the young gentleman himself had said that the strong wine
+had slightly affected his head, and produced a temporary indisposition.
+
+The Elector laughed aloud, and the anxious brow of the Electress cleared
+up again. The entertainment quietly proceeded.
+
+Why should they be uneasy about the young gentleman, who had no other
+sufferings than those resulting from unwonted indulgence in strong drink?
+
+The Electoral Prince had meanwhile arrived with his chamberlain at the
+castle. No one came to meet them. All the servants had dispersed hither
+and thither, in pursuit of their own business or enjoyments. They knew,
+indeed, that Count Schwarzenberg's feast would be continued to a late
+hour of the night, and who could imagine that the Electoral Prince would
+return home in so unexpected a manner? The castle was deserted, and the
+chamberlain must needs summon to his aid the sentinel who was pacing up
+and down before the castle, in order to lift the Prince from his carriage
+and into the entrance hall. Now he called aloud for help, since the Prince
+had become perfectly helpless, and lay senseless upon the stone bench in
+the hall.
+
+The porter, who was only asleep in his lodge, rushed out, and old
+Dietrich, the valet, also came hurrying down the steps.
+
+They bore the Prince to his own apartments, put him to bed upon his own
+couch, and, as the Chamberlain von Goetz saw the old faithful Dietrich
+standing beside his young master, sobbing and so full of grief, he kindly
+laid his hand upon his shoulder.
+
+"It is nothing of moment, good old man. The Prince has only taken too much
+wine, that is all. Be comforted. To-morrow will make all straight again."
+
+Dietrich sorrowfully shook his head. "You are mistaken, Sir Chamberlain;
+this is not the effect of wine. The Electoral Prince is much too fine and
+noble a gentleman for that; he never drinks more than he can stand. Just
+see how pale and wretched he looks. My dear young master is sick, very
+sick. They have murdered him, they have killed him, they--"
+
+"Hush, Dietrich, for God's sake, hush!" interposed the chamberlain,
+turning pale. "Guard your tongue, that it never again utter such horrible
+words; guard your thoughts, that they dare not even think anything so
+dreadful."
+
+"It is true, nevertheless," murmured the old man, and, as he bent over the
+Electoral Prince and watched him with loving looks, the tears fell hot and
+fast from his eyes upon Frederick William's pale face. These tears roused
+the latter, restored him to consciousness.
+
+There was yet one man who loved him, who sympathized with him, who wept
+when he saw him suffer!
+
+The Electoral Prince opened his eyes, and, on recognizing old Dietrich,
+nodded to him and murmured softly, "Dietrich, I am suffering fearfully."
+
+"Hear, Sir Chamberlain," said Dietrich; "the dear Prince recognizes me, he
+has his reason, he knows what he sees and says, so you see it is not wine
+that--But he says that he suffers fearfully, and I believe it indeed; for
+what burns his vitals is--I must go for the physician, Dr. White; he must
+try every means; he must know what ails the Prince--what they have done to
+him; and he must apply remedies. Stay here, Sir Chamberlain; I will run
+for Dr. White."
+
+And old Dietrich hastily started to leave the couch, but the Prince's hand
+was laid upon his arm, and held him fast.
+
+"Stay, Dietrich, stay! You, dear Goetz, go you, I beg, for Dr. White and
+fetch him here; he must come immediately, for I am really sick. I suffer.
+Make haste, dear Goetz. You are younger, brisker than my good old Dietrich;
+therefore I choose you."
+
+The chamberlain pressed a kiss upon the Prince's burning, trembling hand.
+
+"Dearest sir, as swiftly as a man's anxious heart can move his feet I
+shall hasten to the doctor and bring him here!"
+
+The chamberlain flew on tiptoe from the apartment, and all was still.
+Nothing was heard but the low moans and sighs of the Prince, who lay there
+with pallid features and shaking limbs, while over him bent weeping his
+faithful old servant.
+
+After a while the Prince raised himself a little, slowly opened his eyes,
+and cast a sad, sweeping glance around the room.
+
+"Dietrich, are we alone?" he asked, in a hoarse, almost inaudible voice.
+
+"Quite alone, gracious sir."
+
+"Then hear what I have to say to you. Incline your ear close to me, for
+you alone must hear me. When the physician comes, take good care not to
+repeat to him what you said just now to the chamberlain. He and all the
+world must think that it is actually nothing but wine which has made me
+sick. He will prescribe medicine for me. Have it prepared forthwith. You
+alone must stay with me. Tell them I have ordered it, and Goetz must return
+to the banquet and tell them it was nothing but wine. Dietrich, do not
+give me the medicine, but throw it away. There is only one kind of physic
+for me--milk, only milk, that is my cordial. Give me milk, Dietrich, milk
+directly, for the pains are coming on again, so dreadfully, oh, so
+dreadfully! But do not tell anybody. Nobody must know what I suffer! It
+burns like fire! Milk, Dietrich, milk!"
+
+
+
+
+IX.--LOVE'S SACRIFICE.
+
+
+As if borne on the wings of the wind, Gabriel Nietzel had flown through
+the streets to his own abode. It lay in a quiet, retired quarter of the
+town, and, as he turned into the street and looked up to the house, he saw
+leaning far out of one of the windows a woman, who, her face shaded by her
+hand, was gazing down into the street. He recognized the form, although he
+could not see her countenance, and uttered a loud cry of joy. This cry of
+joy found an echo in the window above, and the form vanished. Gabriel
+Nietzel rushed into the house and up the steps. On the top step stood a
+woman with outstretched arms, and again Gabriel uttered a cry of joy and
+pressed his wife firmly to his breast, as firmly as if he would never let
+her leave the spot, as if his love would keep and hold her there forever.
+He bore her through the open door into their chamber, bore her to the
+cradle standing in the center of the room, and then sank with her on his
+knees.
+
+They looked at one another, and then at the child, which lay there quietly
+with wide-open eyes, in sweet contentment.
+
+"My child! my child!" cried Gabriel; and it was as if now for the first
+time he saw his boy, as if he had but just been sent him by Heaven, and
+for a moment, in the blissful consciousness of being a father, he forgot
+all--yes, _all_. He snatched up the child and hugged and kissed it, lost
+in rapture and delight. But all at once there came over him the memory of
+those pale, quivering features, the dimmed eyes, and drooping form. A
+shudder ran through his whole frame; with a shriek of horror he let the
+child fall back in its cradle, and clasped both hands before his face.
+
+Rebecca tore back his hands, and her large black eyes gazed searchingly
+into his countenance. She now for the first time saw how pale he was, and
+how disturbed his mien. She now for the first time saw that he avoided her
+look, and that his breast heaved convulsively.
+
+"Gabriel," she said, with firm, impressive voice--"Gabriel, something is
+the matter with you! Something has happened to you--something shocking,
+dreadful!"
+
+"Nothing!" he cried, hastily leaping up--"nothing! But we must begone! We
+are to stay here no longer. We must away immediately--this very hour!"
+
+"I know it," replied Rebecca quietly, her eyes fixed immovably upon her
+beloved--"I know it, Gabriel, and I have prepared everything, as Count
+Schwarzenberg himself directed. I have been in Berlin ever since this
+morning, but feared to come here until you had gone to the banquet. I
+have made all needful arrangements. I have hired a vehicle, which is
+waiting for us outside the Willow-bank Gate. The count says we are to go
+on foot; that no one in the city must see you set out, and give
+intelligence with regard to your movements. Since you have been gone I
+have packed up all our effects in boxes, and our kind, faithful friend
+Samuel Cohen will send them after us to Venice. What is indispensable for
+present use I have packed up in yonder trunk, which we must take with us.
+All is ready, Gabriel, and we can go. Only one thing I know not, have you
+money enough for our journey?"
+
+[Illustration: The Jewess in her Bridal Dress]
+
+
+"Money enough!" repeated Gabriel, with a hoarse, mocking laugh. "I have
+more money in my pocket than I ever had in my whole life put together. I
+have so much money that we can buy a house in Venice, on the Ghetto; and
+we shall, too, and I will live there with you, and will become a Jew, and
+take another name, for my own name horrifies me. I will not, can not hear
+it again!"
+
+"Why not?" asked she earnestly. "It is a fine name--the name of a painter,
+an artist. Why would you never again hear your own name, Gabriel Nietzel?"
+
+"Because it is notorious, infamous!" groaned he--"because it is the name
+of a--"
+
+"Well, why do you hesitate, Gabriel?" asked Rebecca in anguish of soul,
+while she laid both her hands upon his shoulders, and gazed upon him with
+wistful glances. He would have avoided her eyes, but could not; his looks
+must sink deep into those glittering, black eyes. Deep they looked, deep
+as the sea, and he thought to himself that a secret could be buried there,
+and rest secure in the bottom of her heart.
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel," asked Rebecca, in a voice at once threatening and
+tender--"Gabriel Nietzel, what have you done? What lies heavy upon your
+soul?"
+
+"Nothing, my Rebecca, nothing! Ask no questions! We must begone! Make
+haste, dearest, take the child, and come; for if we do not hurry, we are
+lost!"
+
+She slowly shook her noble, graceful head and stirred not from her place.
+
+She kept Gabriel in his with her hands, which she pressed more firmly upon
+his shoulders.
+
+"Gabriel, my dear, precious Gabriel, what have you done? Tell me. I demand
+to know it as my right. When we were married on the Lido, in the solemn
+stillness of the night, when we joined hands, and both swore in the
+presence of your and my God that we would ever love one another, and that
+death alone should part us, when you said, 'I take you to be my wife,' and
+I said, 'I take you to be my husband,' then we likewise swore that we
+would live truly and confidentially with one another, and have no secrets
+from each other. Gabriel, fulfill now your oath. I demand it of you, by
+the memory of that hour, by my love for you, by our child. Gabriel, what
+have you done?"
+
+"I can not tell it, and you may not hear it, Rebecca. For, once uttered,
+that word will be a two-edged sword, and plunge us both in misery and
+shame!"
+
+"Shame! There is no shame for the Jewess! Misery! Tell me a form of misery
+which I have not suffered and endured from childhood up! My mother was
+stabbed in Venice by a nobleman because she would not break her faith with
+my father and desert him. My father was known as a sorcerer and vender of
+poisons. The noblemen used secretly to resort by night to our wretched
+house upon the Ghetto, and paid him great sums for his drugs, but if he
+showed himself upon the streets by day, the populace hooted and cast
+stones after him. And when they saw me, they hissed and mocked, bestowing
+opprobrious epithets upon me, and even went out of the way to avoid the
+contamination of my touch, for I was the daughter of a poisoner, a secret
+bravo--I was a Jewess! But when I was grown, then the young noblemen came
+to my father, not merely for the sake of his drugs and medicines, but
+also--hush! Not a breath of it! You were my deliverer--my savior! You
+rescued me from all distress; you were to me as the Messiah, in whom my
+people have hoped for a thousand years. I followed you, and I shall go
+with you my whole life long--go with you to the scaffold, if needs be. I
+know it, Gabriel, I read it in your countenance; you have committed a
+crime!"
+
+"A crime! A fearful crime!" said he, shuddering. "Turn your head away,
+Rebecca, I am not worthy that you should look upon me!"
+
+"I do look upon you, Gabriel, I condemn you not. I am thinking of what we
+said to one another in the count's picture gallery. I called to you to
+rescue me at any price. I told you that if I could purchase deliverance
+thereby, I was ready to commit a crime. That to be with you again I would
+abjure the faith of my fathers, although I knew I should die of penitence
+after the perpetration of such a crime."
+
+"And I replied to you, Rebecca, that I, too, was ready to perpetrate a
+crime for the sake of rescuing you and calling you my own again, and that
+I would not die of penitence."
+
+"And yet you do repent, Gabriel, you shudder at yourself for you have done
+it, you have committed a crime. I will have my share in it, half of it
+belongs to me. In the sight of God, I am your wife, and you have sworn to
+share everything with me. Then divide with me, Gabriel; I claim my right.
+Share with me your crime, or I shall think that you love me no more, and
+then I shall go away, and you will never see me more."
+
+"I do love you, Rebecca--I do love you! For your sake I have become a
+criminal, a murderer! I have purchased you at the price of my soul! Lay
+your ear close to my mouth, and I will tell you my dreadful secret:
+Rebecca, I am a murderer, a cursed murderer! I have committed a murder,
+which will cry out to Heaven against me as long as I live; for him whom I
+have murdered had never done me harm, but only good, and he confided in
+me, and trusted to my faith. Rebecca, I am cursed, and my name will be a
+byword in the mouths of men while books of history last. Rebecca, I have
+poisoned the Electoral Prince Frederick William!"
+
+She uttered a piercing shriek, and fell back, as if struck by a
+thunderbolt.
+
+"The Electoral Prince Frederick William! Not Count Schwarzenberg! The
+noble youth; not that detested evildoer, not him, who has deserved death a
+thousandfold?"
+
+"He had not merely my life in his power, but yours and our child's. It
+would have profited me nothing to murder him; we should only all three
+have been irretrievably lost. I was forced to obey his orders--to perform
+the horrible deed--in order to save you and myself."
+
+Rebecca pressed both hands tightly across her brow, and stared long at
+vacancy. "He must be saved!" she said. Then, after a pause, in a tone of
+firm determination, "Yes, he must be saved!"
+
+"What could we do to save him?" sighed Gabriel hopelessly. "Nothing! You
+know your father's drugs are subtle, and never fail in their effects!"
+
+"You administered to him some of the medicine which my father presented
+you with?" asked she, with a wondrous gleam of light in her black eyes.
+
+"Yes, I gave him some. You know when we took leave of your father he
+handed me three boxes as a keepsake, saying that they were the only dowry
+he could give me with you, but that many a prince would pay us immense
+sums for them, if we should sell them to him for his dear relations; for
+in these boxes were the deadliest poisons, leaving behind not a trace of
+their existence. The contents of one box causes instantaneous death, and
+he therefore called it 'the apoplexy powder.' The contents of the second
+box killed more slowly, and prolonged the patient's life ten or twelve
+days; therefore he called it 'the inflammatory powder.' The third powder,
+however, because it works slowest of all, he called 'the consumptive
+powder.'"
+
+"And of which powder did you give to the Electoral Prince?" asked Rebecca
+breathlessly.
+
+"Of the inflammatory powder, for it was least dangerous to us."
+
+"Did the Prince drink the whole potion poured out for him?"
+
+"No, he only drank half, and when he tried to hand it to his father, who
+asked for it, the glass fell from his trembling hands, and its contents
+were spilled upon the table."
+
+"Therefore the Prince only took half a powder?"
+
+"Only half. But still he must die, for your father told me one pinch would
+produce death; and I gave him two, that the count might see its effects."
+
+Rebecca did not reply. She had sunk upon her knees and folded her hands.
+Her lips moved as if in silent prayer.
+
+"What think you?" asked Gabriel Nietzel, after a pause. "Why do you not
+speak to me? Do you despise me, because I have confessed my crime to you?
+Do you turn away from the poisoner, the murderer?"
+
+"No," said she, suddenly drawing herself up erect. "No, I do not despise
+you, but I love you, and because I love you I will not that you should be
+a criminal. Had you poisoned the count, then I should have said, 'You have
+accomplished a good work. God has killed him by your hand; you are nothing
+more than the executioner, who has inflicted merited death upon the
+wicked, and has rid the world of him. Lift up your head and be joyful, for
+you were a tool in God's hand!' But you have poisoned a noble, good man,
+the son of your benefactress, and his death would cry out against you, and
+our child would be punished for the crime of his father. 'For I am a God
+of vengeance,' says the Lord, 'and I will visit the sins of the fathers
+upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.' I love you,
+Gabriel, and no sin or crime could separate me from you; for have you not
+taken to your heart the daughter of a criminal, and sinned for her sake?
+But our child shall not suffer for what his parents have done. The God of
+our fathers shall not take vengeance on our child, the sun and happiness
+shall shine upon him; for we, Gabriel, we have known night and misfortune,
+and tasted all the bitterness of life. Gabriel, our child must be free
+from stain of guilt or crime, and therefore must the Electoral Prince be
+saved."
+
+"Say how can it be done, show me a way to save him!"
+
+"I know the way, and I will take it. I would save you and the child from
+bloodguiltiness and sin. Swear to me, Gabriel, that you will do what I
+shall require of you. Think of that hour upon the Lido when I gave myself
+to you. Think of the hour when this child was born, and I laid it in your
+arms and said: 'Take it. It is a gift of my love. Take the child with whom
+God has blessed us, and pronounced us pure!' And you swore to me with
+tears that you would be a faithful father to our child all his life, and
+shield him as far as in you lay from all the pains of earth. By the memory
+of that oath I now require you, Gabriel Nietzel, to lay your hand upon my
+child's head, and solemnly swear to me, by God, by our child, and by your
+love for me, to do exactly what I shall now demand of you."
+
+With reverential, timid admiration Gabriel Nietzel looked into Rebecca's
+countenance, which was beaming with energy and beauty. He could not turn
+away his glance from her, for it seemed as if his inmost soul was held
+spellbound by her large, flaming eyes, resting fixedly upon him. Ever
+looking at Rebecca, he laid his hand upon the head of the child that lay
+slumbering in the cradle, and said in a distinct, solemn voice: "I swear
+by God, by our child, and by my love for you, Rebecca, that I shall do
+exactly what you will require of me."
+
+She nodded her head as proudly and gravely as if she had been a queen, who
+had just received the homage of her vassal.
+
+"Listen then, Gabriel," she said. "You take the trunk, I take the child,
+and let us be going, for the wagon is waiting for us outside the
+Willow-bank Gate, as you know. Do not speak to me by the way, for I have
+still much to plan and ponder. Time does not stand still, and every moment
+increases the Prince's peril. If help does not reach him to-night, then is
+he lost beyond hope of recovery. Come!"
+
+Already a question was trembling on Gabriel Nietzel's lips. He wished to
+ask, "Can he by any possibility be saved?" But she had said, "Do not speak
+to me," and, obedient to his oath, he remained dumb, took up the trunk,
+and followed Rebecca, who had tenderly lifted the child from its crib and
+had just gone out of the door. Swiftly they passed side by side through
+the streets, which were still deserted, for all loungers and street idlers
+were still tarrying in Broad Street or on the castle square. Many a time
+Gabriel cast a look of questioning entreaty upon Rebecca, but she saw it
+not; she seemed to see nothing whatever, for her eyes were gazing afar
+off; like a somnambulist, she strode along, and even when the baby in her
+arms began to cry she took no notice of it, nor sought to comfort it with
+tender, soothing words. At last they had passed the gate behind the willow
+bank, and found themselves without the city. There stood the wagon waiting
+for them, covered with a tilt of gray canvas. The Jewish boy who sat on
+the back seat under the canvas awning had fallen asleep, resting his head
+against the great wooden arch to which the cover was secured. The two lean
+little horses were greedily eating of the oats in the dirty bags around
+their necks. Not a creature was to be seen. The wretched conveyance had
+excited no attention whatever, and caused not a single passer-by to pause.
+
+Rebecca stepped up to the wagon and gently laid the child in the straw
+with which the vehicle was filled. Then, with a silent wave of the hand,
+she ordered Gabriel to set down the trunk he was carrying. He did so, and
+Rebecca took a key out of her pocket, knelt down before the trunk, and
+sought hither and thither among its contents. First she took from the
+bottom of the trunk a packet with five seals, and, as she hastily stuck it
+in her bosom, her eye was uplifted to heaven with a glance of glowing
+gratitude. Then she took out a white dress and a long white veil,
+carefully concealing these things under the great black mantle which
+enveloped her figure. Finally, she locked the trunk and handed the key to
+Gabriel.
+
+"Place the trunk gently in the wagon, so as not to wake the child," she
+said. Gabriel silently obeyed, and then, standing on the footboard of the
+wagon, reached down his hand to her, as if he would ask her to follow.
+
+She shook her head quickly. "Come, Gabriel," said she, "come, let us step
+across and talk under yon tree. The child sleeps and David Cohen sleeps,
+too. Nobody hears us. Come."
+
+With hasty steps they crossed over to the great linden tree which stood at
+the side of the road. The birds sang and hopped about amid its dense
+foliage, and the hot sunbeams drew forth the most delicious fragrance from
+the blossoms with which each branch was laden. But the pair who walked up
+and down under the tree heeded neither the singing of the birds nor the
+perfume of the flowers. They were alone with one another and the sad,
+gloomy thoughts with which both their souls were filled.
+
+"Gabriel," said Rebecca, recovering breath, "I will go to free you from
+the stain of blood, for if it remain it would not merely poison the
+Electoral Prince but your whole life. My father gave you only the half of
+my dowry, as he called it. The other half he retained and gave me. After
+he had presented you with the poison, and I was alone with him in his
+chamber, he held out to me the sacred volume, and required me to take
+three oaths, by the memory of my murdered mother and by the hatred and
+revenge which we had sworn to the whole world upon her beloved body.
+First, I must swear that I would never abjure the faith of my fathers and
+become a Christian. Secondly, I must swear that I would rear the child
+that God would give me in our own religion, and never while I lived
+consent to its being made a Christian. Thirdly, I must swear to preserve
+the sealed packet he intrusted to me as my greatest treasure, my most
+precious possession, and only to tell you of it in case of the most
+extreme danger and necessity; that I was only to make use of the contents
+to purchase wealth or happiness. 'I have given death into your dear
+Gabriel's hand,' he said, 'into your hand, my daughter, I give life, and
+surely that is something much more rare and precious. He has the poisons;
+I give you the antidotes. They are worth tons of gold; they are my most
+precious treasure, and twenty years have I labored ere I discovered them.
+When I succeeded, I thanked God for this glorious discovery, and then
+thrice I swore upon the sacred volume, with my face turned to the East and
+with loud voice, that never should a Christian obtain these priceless
+antidotes through me, that never would I impart knowledge of them to a
+Christian. I will keep my oath, and divulge the holy secret only to you,
+my Rebecca. Guard it in your bosom under three sacred seals, and only in
+the most perilous hour of your life break the seal, which I herewith lay
+upon your lips. But never may you transfer this precious treasure to other
+hands; no Christian may ever touch it. Would you save life, then you must
+do it yourself, and only from your own hands may the one smitten with
+death receive life.'
+
+"Those were the words spoken by my father, when he handed me the sealed
+packet. Then he instructed me how to apply the contents, and what I would
+have to do in order to render ineffective the three poisons given you.
+'Only,' said he to me,' the antidote must be administered before
+four-and-twenty hours have elapsed since the poison was swallowed, and
+then, still twenty-four hours later, the antidote must be used for the
+second time.' Gabriel, my best-beloved, now is the most perilous hour of
+my life, and I have loosened the seal which my father pressed upon my
+lips. I have the antidote for the inflammatory powder."
+
+"Ah, Rebecca, and you will give it to me?" asked Gabriel, seizing both her
+hands and looking into her lovely face with beaming eyes.
+
+She slowly and solemnly shook her head. "You are a Christian," she said.
+"I have sworn to my father that no Christian should touch the precious
+treasure, that no hands but my own should apply the remedy he intrusted to
+me. Gabriel, out of love for me you gave the Prince into the jaws of
+death. Out of love for you I shall restore him to life."
+
+"Rebecca!" he cried, "how will you do it--how can you accomplish it? Only
+from your hands the Prince is to receive life? That means, you will
+yourself apply the remedy? You will go to him? You would return to the
+city, venture into the castle? Know you not that Schwarzenberg has his
+spies everywhere; that every lackey in the castle is bribed by him and in
+his interests; that he knows what happens there night and day? Do you not
+know that, Rebecca? Did you not yourself often tell me so, when you
+visited the castellan's wife, who loved you, because she, too, was a
+Venetian, and could speak her native language with you. Did she not tell
+you in confidence that Count Schwarzenberg was her real lord and master,
+and that she herself every morning repeated to the count's secretary all
+that came under her observation in the castle? And now would you venture
+into that castle, that den of lions!"
+
+"Did not Daniel venture into the lion's den, and the wild beasts touched
+him not?" cried she. "Why should I fear, since my work is holy and pure as
+Daniel's was?"
+
+"I shall not suffer it. I shall cling to you and hold you back."
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel, bethink you of the oath you swore upon our child's head.
+You will do what I require of you! This you swore. Will you break your
+oath?"
+
+"No, Rebecca," he said mournfully. "Command--I shall obey."
+
+"I shall return to the city," continued Rebecca. "Old Benjamin Cohen will
+hospitably entertain me and provide me with a safe hiding place. By night
+I shall go to the castle, and make sure that no one will detain me, no one
+will recognize me, and that Count Schwarzenberg's spies shall not report
+that Rebecca Nietzel was in the castle and in the Prince's room. The dress
+which I shall assume will be a certain protection; trust to me and ask no
+questions. I know every door and inlet to the castle, for the castellan's
+wife often showed me through the palace, and stairs and corridors, secret
+doors and passages are all familiar to me. I know a little door on the
+Spree side, which is never locked, because nobody knows of its existence,
+or would regard it, for it only leads to a little niche; and that a secret
+door is concealed within this niche, not even the castellan's wife herself
+knows. I discovered it one day, when I had lost my way in the castle, and
+was wandering in distress through the corridors. I said nothing about my
+discovery, and now I shall profit by it to gain safe access and to go out
+again. The next day I shall spend in concealment at Benjamin Cohen's, and
+at night I shall go again to the palace, for the dose must be repeated.
+Twice in the course of forty-eight hours must it be administered, if life
+is to vanquish death. When I leave the castle the second night, my work
+will be done, for crime will be taken away from our heads, and our child
+will not have to suffer for the sins of its parents. Then, my Gabriel,
+then we shall return to my beautiful home, then shall we be free and
+happy! Think of that, my beloved, and let us patiently bear what must be
+borne."
+
+"I will think of that, Rebecca. But tell me, what shall I do?--how shall I
+pass the long, dreary days of our separation? Do not be cruel. Let me
+return to the city with you. Benjamin Cohen will furnish a safe retreat
+for me and the child, as well as for yourself. I swear to you that I will
+keep myself concealed in the cellar, under the roof, anywhere you will,
+only let me go with you!"
+
+"It can not be. The child's life must not be endangered, nor yours either,
+that I may maintain the courage needful for action. Consider your oath,
+and do what I require. Now get into the wagon without delay. David is a
+good driver, and perfectly devoted to us. Travel day and night until you
+reach Brandenburg. There dwells a brother of Benjamin, little David
+Cohen's uncle. At his house remain in retirement until I join you, and, O
+Gabriel! then we shall set out together."
+
+"Rebecca, I can not, indeed I can not leave you!"
+
+"You must, for your crime must be expiated. Think, Gabriel, a long life of
+happiness lies before us. Let us courageously pass through the last cloud
+of evil, for beyond is day, beyond is the sun, beyond is Italy, the land
+of love and art! Now let us part, dearest. Farewell, till we meet again in
+joy!"
+
+"Can you, Rebecca, can you so suddenly leave me and be parted from me?"
+
+"I never leave you, for my soul is ever with you. No leave-takings,
+Gabriel; they make us weak, and sternly I must go to meet stern fate. Give
+me your hand. Farewell! Above lives a God for all men. He will protect
+me."
+
+"Rebecca, only give me one parting kiss!"
+
+"I shall kiss you when atonement has been made--nor until then shall I
+kiss our child again! Know this, Gabriel, that my love for you is eternal,
+it will abide even unto the end of the world! Now, let us part. Hark! the
+child cries. He calls for his father. Go to him, Gabriel, and tell our
+child that his mother loves you both more than her own life! Go!"
+
+He tried once more to seize her hand and embrace her. She waved him back,
+and with an imperious movement pointed to the wagon.
+
+"Remember your oath, Gabriel; you must do what I require of you," she said
+firmly.
+
+"But just tell me one thing, Rebecca," implored he humbly. "When shall we
+meet again?"
+
+"In four or five days, Gabriel. Stay quietly at Brandenburg, and wait for
+me there eight days. If by that time I have not come to you at
+Brandenburg, consider it as a sign that I have chosen some other route, to
+escape the anger and pursuit of Count Schwarzenberg, and that I have
+forborne to communicate with you lest I should be betrayed. Then travel
+with the child to Venice, making all possible speed. I shall join you on
+the way; but if I can not, then we shall meet again in safety at my
+father's house in Venice."
+
+"Rebecca, it is impossible; I can not--"
+
+"Hush!" interrupted she; "the child cries still, and David Cohen, too, is
+now awake."
+
+She quickly stepped toward the vehicle and nodded to the little coachman,
+who was sleepily rubbing his eyes.
+
+"Here we are, David," she said. "Now prove yourself a brave boy and do
+honor to your father's spirit. Drive boldly, but take care not to meet
+with accidents, and make for Brandenburg without delay."
+
+"I promised dad, God bless him, that I would not know rest or repose,
+hunger or sleep, until we reached Brandenburg!" cried the boy, cracking
+his whip. "Get in, I will drive you to Brandenburg."
+
+"Get in, Gabriel," said Rebecca to Nietzel, who stood at the wagon door,
+looking at her with wistful, melancholy air. She shook her head as a
+negative answer to the dumb questioning of his eyes, and only repeated,
+"Get in, Gabriel!"
+
+He jumped into the wagon, but, as he did so, leaned forward and stretched
+out his hands to her.
+
+"Forward, David, forward!" commanded Rebecca. David whipped up his horses,
+and set off at full gallop.
+
+"Be quick, David, for I must begone!"
+
+David Cohen gave the little horses a sharp blow across their heads,
+causing them to bound forward in wild impatience. Rebecca gazed after
+them, breathless, with staring eyes. When the vehicle had disappeared from
+sight she pressed both hands before her eyes, and a sob and a groan
+escaped her breast. Soon, however, she resumed her self-control.
+
+"If I weep I am lost," she said, lifting up her head. "I have a difficult
+task to perform, and tears make one faint-hearted and cowardly. I shall
+not weep, at least not now. When my work of expiation is accomplished,
+when it has succeeded, then I shall weep. And they will be tears of joy!
+Jehovah! Almighty! stand by me, that I may weep such tears to-morrow
+night! And now to work! to work!"
+
+She turned, and with quiet, firm steps proceeded to the city.
+
+
+
+
+X.--THE WHITE LADY.
+
+
+Dietrich had faithfully obeyed the Electoral Prince's orders. The
+physician in ordinary, Dr. White, had come, felt the sick man's pulse, and
+smiled upon being told that the Prince had been taken sick at Count
+Schwarzenberg's banquet.
+
+"We know all about such sicknesses," he said, shrugging his shoulders.
+"His highness the Elector suffered from such attacks in earlier days, but
+he has inured himself against them now."
+
+"But his grace seems to be really sick," remarked the chamberlain. "Only
+see, doctor, how pale he is! Cold sweat is standing on his brow, and he
+moans pitiably."
+
+"Yes, yes, he undoubtedly has pain," said the physician gravely. "Such
+instances occur after a rich feast, where they eat many things together,
+and drink besides. I shall prescribe a composing draught for his grace,
+which must be administered regularly every fifteen minutes."
+
+And the physician repaired to the Prince's cabinet adjoining his sleeping
+room, to write his prescription. Chamberlain von Goetz gazed gloomily upon
+the sick man, who just at this moment uttered a loud scream, and with
+outstretched arms and clinched hands tossed restlessly about. Old Dietrich
+bent over him and wiped the perspiration from his forehead.
+
+"He is really very sick," murmured the chamberlain. "There is nothing for
+it but to stay here. He must not be left alone."
+
+"No, Herr von Goetz," said Dietrich, his old face looking perfectly
+tranquil and composed--"no; the Prince ordered me to desire you to return
+immediately to the party, and not to tarry longer here. My young master
+condescendingly owned to me himself that it was actually the strong
+Hungarian wine which had occasioned his sickness, and therefore his
+highness wishes the Chamberlain von Goetz to return forthwith to the party,
+that his gracious mother may not be made uneasy, and imagine that her son
+is seriously sick. The Electoral Prince's orders are that you say to his
+mother that perhaps he may return himself to the entertainment this
+evening, and that she must not allow herself to be at all anxious, for he
+will certainly be well again to-morrow."
+
+"That is a fine errand," exclaimed the chamberlain, "and the Electress
+will be much comforted by such a message. But, nevertheless, I can not
+possibly leave the Electoral Prince alone for the whole evening."
+
+"He is not alone, for I am with him," replied Dietrich, shaking his head.
+"I, too, am a man, Chamberlain von Goetze, and such my gracious young
+master esteems me, for he gave express orders that I alone should stay
+with him, and that nobody else should be admitted until early to-morrow
+morning. His grace would sleep soundly he said, and rest was the best
+medicine for him."
+
+"But he must take the medicine that the doctor prescribes for him," said
+the chamberlain earnestly. "You must insist that the Electoral Prince take
+his medicine regularly."
+
+"Dismiss all anxiety, Herr von Goetz," replied Dietrich solemnly; "I shall
+see to it that the Prince regularly takes the medicine he needs."
+
+"Here is the prescription!" called out the doctor, entering the chamber
+and holding out a long strip of paper. "Hurry with it to the apothecary,
+for I fear its preparation may occasion some little delay, since it is a
+nice and particular recipe, and consists of fourteen component parts. But
+it will surely work a cure and afford his highness relief. I shall come
+again this evening and see how my exalted patient is getting on."
+
+And the medical gentleman left the room, followed by the Chamberlain von
+Goetz.
+
+"You think then, doctor," asked the latter outside in the passage, "that
+the Electoral Prince is not seriously sick?"
+
+"Have you ever had the sickness which follows too free indulgence in wine,
+Sir Chamberlain?" asked the doctor gravely. "If so, you know exactly how
+the Electoral Prince feels."
+
+"Badly enough," laughed Herr von Goetz. "I have certainly had my own
+frightful experiences of that sickness. You think then, doctor, I may
+without impropriety return to Count Schwarzenberg's feast?"
+
+"Without any impropriety whatever, Sir Chamberlain. What the Prince
+chiefly needs is sleep and my medicine. When he has swallowed even a few
+spoonfuls he will feel much soothed and relieved."
+
+The two gentlemen left the castle together, and Dietrich remained alone
+with the Prince. He had first hastened with the long prescription to the
+Electoral apothecary, and ordered that it should be left as soon as
+prepared in the antechamber of the Prince's rooms. Then he had fetched a
+pitcher of milk from his own chamber, and, kindling a fire in the Prince's
+sleeping apartment, warmed the milk. Now he approached with the steaming
+draught the couch of the Prince, who lay sighing and moaning, with closed
+eyes and tightly compressed lips, paying no heed to Dietrich's entreaties.
+Finally, after a long pause, he opened his eyes and fixed them with a
+vacant expression upon the weeping and trembling old man.
+
+"Dietrich, I believe I am dying," he gasped. "But do not tell anybody. No
+one must know what I suffer, else _he_, too, would come to me, and I wish
+to see his hated face no more."
+
+"Most gracious Prince, I beseech you, drink. Here is milk!"
+
+"Give it to me, give it to me, Dietrich! Perhaps there is yet hope."
+
+He emptied the cup, and again sank back. Dietrich knelt by his couch and
+murmured prayers, imploring God to be with the Electoral Prince and to
+save him from death. Hour after hour sped away. Evening drew near, the
+shades of night closed in, and still all was quiet and noiseless within
+the castle precincts. Count Schwarzenberg's feast proceeded undisturbed.
+It was truly a feast of enchantment, and even the Electress was carried
+away by it. Twice had she dispatched footmen to inquire after her son's
+health, and each time old Dietrich had sent word that the Prince had
+fallen into a sweet sleep, and that the doctor's medicine seemed to agree
+with him wonderfully well. Of this medicine Dietrich threw aside a
+spoonful every fifteen minutes, and instead of it gave the Prince his own
+prescription--warm milk. But still there was no alleviation of his
+sufferings, and even the violent vomiting, which twice ensued, had not
+diminished the Prince's pain.
+
+In Count Schwarzenberg's palace now resounded strains of the most
+inspiriting dance music, and from the banqueting hall the company
+dispersed into the two ballrooms and the adjoining apartments. In the
+Electoral garden preparations were being made for fireworks, which were to
+be displayed as soon as the night was sufficiently dark. This was the
+reason why, on the approach of twilight, the sight-loving multitude came
+streaming hither again from all directions. The Elector had seated himself
+at the card table, and the Electress took a walk through the conservatory
+and the magnificent hothouses situated in the rear of the palace, access
+to which was had through the great reception hall. From the Elector, who
+was eagerly interested in his game, Count Schwarzenberg obtained permission
+to accompany the Electress. The whole company, with the exception of the
+gentlemen busied in card playing, followed them. Like a glittering,
+gigantic serpent, sparkling in all the colors of the rainbow, wound the
+long, unbroken procession through the hothouses. They admired the exquisite
+taste by which these long rooms had been transformed into gardens and
+shrubberies; enjoyed the rare, deliciously scented flowers which peeped
+forth here and there amid thickets of myrtle and orange tree; amused
+themselves with the birds of variegated plumage, suspended from the boughs
+in wire cages of most delicate workmanship. Each Ah! of delight that
+sounded from the lips of the Electress found its repeated echo in the long
+line of gentlemen and ladies following her; and these loud exclamations of
+delight and rapture were so many acts of homage and flattery offered at
+the shrine of Count Schwarzenberg, the great and mighty possessor of all
+these glories.
+
+There were in that brilliant assemblage only two individuals who paid
+little attention to the beautiful birds and flowers about them, who did
+not chime in with the eulogies and conversation of the company. These two
+were Princess Charlotte Louise and Count John Adolphus Schwarzenberg. They
+followed immediately behind the Electress. The young count had offered the
+Princess his arm, which with a slight blush she had accepted. The
+Electress, who preceded them, was wholly absorbed in conversation with
+Count Adam Schwarzenberg, who by his witty, fascinating powers of address
+succeeded in enchaining her attention. The Princess Sophie Hedwig came
+behind her sister with two ladies of the court, chatting and laughing,
+looking hither and thither at birds and flowers, and, by her frequent
+pauses of admiration before some rare plant or chatting parrot, more than
+once detaining the whole company, so that there was an empty space between
+the first two couples and those following.
+
+"I could fall at the feet of the Princess and kiss her hands in fervent
+gratitude," whispered Count Adolphus, when again the procession tarried
+behind them.
+
+"Why so?" asked Charlotte Louise, smiling. "What has my sister done to
+merit such gratitude?"
+
+"What? Why, she has granted me a blessed moment, in which I can tell you
+that I love you, boundlessly love you. Ah! why can I not speak this word
+aloud, that like a flash of lightning it may flame through this hall? That
+would be a fire which should unfold all blossoms and ripen all fruits. I
+love you, Charlotte Louise! I could kneel down here and repeat in strains
+of perpetual adoration to you, my mistress, my goddess, I love you, I am
+yours; but, alas! you--"
+
+"Well," asked she with a beaming glance--"well, why do you not complete
+your sentence?"
+
+"You are not mine," sighed he. "Were you so, then you would not answer the
+words which gush forth hot and ardent from my heart in such strange, cold
+fashion; then would you listen to my supplications, and grant me a
+moment's interview."
+
+"Did I not tell you, Adolphus," whispered she, "that you were to meet old
+Trude on the castle square to-morrow morning early? She will be the bearer
+of a message for you."
+
+"You said so; but I tell you, if you loved me you would not need time for
+reflection, but even yesterday, as soon as you heard of my arrival, your
+heart would have suggested the importance of our meeting in private, and
+devised some scheme whereby this might be accomplished without making use
+of old Trude's intervention so late as to-morrow morning."
+
+Princess Charlotte Louise laughed and blushed at the same time. "Perhaps I
+am not so cold and indifferent as you think, Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg," she said, with a charming expression of bashfulness and
+coquetry. "Perhaps I had already reflected that a conference would be
+desirable, were it only for the purpose of scolding you for your impulsive
+manners. Perhaps, too, I already know a place where we can see each other
+without old Trude's help."
+
+"If you speak earnestly, then am I the happiest of men. But I can not
+believe you, can not believe that my proud, cold-hearted Princess
+actually--"
+
+"Can not believe me!" interrupted she, smiling; "then, unbeliever, I shall
+convince you. Attend closely to all that I do."
+
+She dropped his arm, and pausing before a rare Manilla flower, praised its
+beauty and perfume. While doing so, her little hand, accidentally of
+course, disappeared in the pocket of her ample skirt, and when she drew it
+forth again this hand was fast closed. She waited until her sister came up
+with the court ladies, and drew her attention to the beautiful flower and
+the aviary of charming birds in the rear. She then walked forward, in the
+blissful consciousness that a long time would supervene ere the Princess
+could tear herself away from the flower and birds, and that she might now
+speak to her lover secure from being overheard, since a wide space also
+separated them from the pair in front.
+
+"What have you there in your hand, Louise?" asked the count, in breathless
+suspense.
+
+"A little note to Count Adolphus von Schwarzenberg," replied she, smiling,
+and with swift movement she pressed the little twisted paper into his
+hand. His countenance lighted up with rapture, and he made a movement as
+if he would kneel before her, but the Princess restrained him.
+
+"For Heaven's sake, Adolphus, consider that we are not alone," she
+whispered hurriedly.
+
+"I am alone with you, and if millions encircled us still should I be alone
+with you in paradise. To me you are the first, the only woman upon earth.
+I look upon you with the rapture which Adam felt when he first perceived
+at his side his God-sent, heavenly wife. You have led me back to a
+paradise of innocence and peace, have changed me into an Adam who the
+first time sees and loves a woman. Oh, my beloved, you have made me
+blessed indeed! This little strip of paper that you pressed into my hand,
+as if by an enchanter's spell, has penetrated my whole being with heavenly
+fire. I _must_ see it, I _must_ with my own eyes, with my own heart, read
+the words which you have indited to me."
+
+"I will repeat to you the contents of the note," said she, smiling. "Here
+they are: 'On Tuesday evening at ten o'clock the little side door next the
+cathedral will not be locked, only closed. Through this enter a vestibule,
+to the right of which stands a door. Open this and mount the flight of
+stairs beyond. Arrived at the top, go down the little passage to the left
+until you reach a door at the end. It will be open.'"
+
+"Tuesday evening?" whispered he, with enraptured looks; "and--"
+
+Three loud cannon shots drowned his words. They announced the opening of
+the exhibition of fireworks, and Princess Sophie Hedwig now came rapidly
+forward, followed by the whole assembly, all pressing eagerly toward the
+great hall, whose windows commanded a view of the fireworks. The rockets
+flew, and artificial suns wheeled and turned in fiery circles. Even the
+Elector forsook his card playing, and, supported by Count Schwarzenberg,
+walked to the window to behold the costly spectacle. Without, the densely
+packed throng of men shouted aloud with delight at each new star which
+shot upward.
+
+The Electoral Prince Frederick William still lay within his solitary
+chamber, moaning and sighing upon his couch. Regularly every quarter of an
+hour Dietrich had thrown away a spoonful of medicine, and given the Prince
+a spoonful of warm milk. But his pains had not been diminished thereby,
+though the Electoral Prince was evidently himself, and clearly conscious
+of his situation. Several times he had addressed a few affectionate words
+to Dietrich, seeking to comfort the faithful old man, who in his agony of
+mind wept and prayed, and then tenderly pressed his beloved master's hand
+to his lips, and besought him to get well and live.
+
+"If it depends on me, Dietrich," said the Electoral Prince slowly,
+moistening his parched lips with his tongue--"if it depends on me, I
+surely shall not die. Life is still dear to me, although it has brought me
+much of bitterness and grief. On that very account, though, I hope that
+the future will indemnify me. It is a sorrowful thought to me to die and
+sink into the grave so young, so unknown. Could I prevent it, I surely
+should. But this hellish fire in my veins burns on and on, and is
+consuming my life. Give me something to drink; milk at least lessens my
+pangs in some degree."
+
+Thus passed hour after hour, and midnight drew near. Count Schwarzenberg's
+festival was not yet over, the Electoral family had not yet returned, and
+silence unbroken reigned throughout the castle. With slow, measured tread
+went the sentinels to and fro before the palace and through the inner
+corridors. At times the loud shouts of the populace penetrated in faint
+echoes even to the castle, and flew like spirit whispers through the broad
+vestibule fronting the Electoral Prince's suite of rooms. The soldier on
+guard there heard them with a shudder, and all the stories of ghosts and
+specters told about the Electoral palace awoke to his remembrance. He cast
+a disturbed glance around, and, holding his breath, listened with loudly
+beating heart to the soft sounds and murmurs vibrating through the hall.
+Suddenly he quite distinctly seemed to hear soft, gliding steps
+approaching him from the other side of the vestibule. His blood stood
+still with horror, he stared into the dusky hall. The little oil lamps
+which hung on both sides of the door leading into the Electoral Prince's
+apartments shed abroad only a glimmering, uncertain light, and left the
+background enveloped in gloom and obscurity.
+
+All at once the soldier started: he thought he saw a white figure emerge
+from the darkness. Yes--his eyes saw her, his ears heard her steps!
+
+Yes, it was no illusion! Ever nearer, ever larger loomed the white figure.
+It was wholly enveloped in a veil and robe of white, and only two large,
+sparkling black eyes looked forth from the veil. The soldier fell upon his
+knees, dropped his weapon, and, folding his hands, muttered with
+chattering teeth: "The White Lady! God Almighty be gracious to us! The
+White Lady!"
+
+He dared not look up; he only murmured in anguish of spirit the prayers by
+which spirits were exorcised; but he felt that the dreaded phantom came
+ever nearer and nearer--that he could not exorcise the Lady in White! Now
+she was close to him, her white garment grazed his bowed head, and the
+soldier shuddered and shrank within himself. It was as if he heard a door
+creak and turn softly on its hinges, then all was still.
+
+The soldier ventured to lift up his head a little--the hall was empty, the
+Lady in White had vanished! But she had been there; he had distinctly seen
+her; she had entered the Electoral Prince's apartments; the soldier had
+plainly heard that!
+
+Now an inexpressible horror, that was stronger than all discipline and
+sense of duty, seized him. He rushed out of the hall, tore open the door
+opening upon the broad corridor, on both sides of which lay the apartments
+of their Electoral Highnesses. With a loud scream he called out to the
+sentinel on guard there: "The White Lady! the White Lady!"
+
+This one, too, shrieked as loudly as if the apparition itself stood before
+him--the Lady in White, known and dreaded of all! And both soldiers,
+panicstricken, ran down the corridor to tell the news to the other
+sentinels, and throw them all into the same state of dread and
+consternation.
+
+The Electoral Prince Frederick William lay upon his bed with open eyes.
+For the past half hour the pains which raged within had somewhat slackened
+in intensity, and allowed him more repose. This season of repose had
+overcome old Dietrich, and, like the disciples on Mount Olivet, he had
+fallen "asleep for sorrow." The Prince was awake and found himself in that
+overwrought condition in which the high-strung, quivering nerves lend
+wonderful clearness and acuteness to the spirit, and in which the soul
+with wide-seeing vision takes in the whole past, the whole future. He saw
+his past rise up before him, with all its struggles, its privations, its
+inexpressible joys and their painful renunciation. And then, across all
+these sufferings, and the pain of the present, he looked into the future,
+whose shining ideal stood before him in vivid clearness, beckoning and
+calling to him. He saw fame, he saw honor; he heard the din of battle, he
+saw a wild chaos, and from this chaos emerged a something, a tangible
+shape; it grew large, it assumed form and substance, it was a country--his
+country--that he himself had created, drawn forth from chaos. And now he
+saw a happy, contented people, saw glad multitudes throng about him and
+shout: "Long live our Electoral Prince, Frederick William! Long live our
+deliverer, our father!" That ideal, which had lain so long in the secret
+depths of his soul, in fact ever since he had known thought; that ideal to
+which he had already dedicated himself, when he had stood as a boy by the
+corpse of his great-uncle Gustavus Adolphus; that ideal was now truth and
+reality before his inward vision. He was a Prince wreathed in glory; he
+was beloved by his strong and happy subjects!
+
+"I can not die," he exclaimed, in a loud, strong voice; "I need not die!"
+
+"No, you need not die," said a sonorous voice; and a white form hovered
+near, and two great, black eyes glowed upon him. Frederick William tried
+to rise, but could not, for his limbs were paralyzed, and he felt as if
+chained to his couch by iron fetters.
+
+"Who are you?" he asked softly. "What do you want here? They say that he
+to whom you appear is doomed to death; and yet you come to tell me that I
+need not die?"
+
+"We are all doomed to die," replied the white figure; "but the hour of
+your death has not come yet. I am not come merely to tell you so, but to
+save you."
+
+"To save me? You know, then, that I am in danger?"
+
+"Yes! In danger of your life! Count Schwarzenberg has poisoned you. Are
+you not consumed by inward fires? Is not your head heavy and giddy?"
+
+"I see plainly that you know what I suffer--you know the poison which was
+given me."
+
+"I know the poison, but I also know its cure. I know its antidote, and
+have brought it to you. I would save you."
+
+"You would save me?" asked the Electoral Prince. "Am I not dying fast
+enough for you? Have I not yet swallowed enough of the deadly fluid that
+you would give me more as a remedy? The invention is somewhat flimsy! I
+shall not drink!"
+
+"Unhappy Prince, you would not live, then?" asked she, in distress. "Hear
+me, Frederick William. If you delay, you are lost beyond all hope of cure.
+Nobody knows the remedy for your sufferings but myself, and nobody can
+save you if I do not! Oh, think not that I would merit your thanks and
+rewards! I have come hither at the peril of my own life, and each minute
+increases my own danger as well as yours. The soldiers have fled before
+my apparition. If a braver one should come to look closer at the White
+Lady, I am lost, and you with me, for then I could not administer to you
+the antidote."
+
+"Tell me who you are, that I may see whether I may trust you."
+
+"Who am I?" asked she. "I am a poor, mortal woman, who possesses nothing
+upon earth but a heart, which loves nothing but a poor, much-to-be-pitied
+man, whom not his own will but destiny has made a criminal. His child and
+I were threatened with death, and to save us he committed a crime.
+Electoral Prince, Count Schwarzenberg has poisoned you by means of Gabriel
+Nietzel. I come to save you. Not for your own sake. What are you to
+me?--why should I disturb myself about you? I love Gabriel Nietzel, and I
+would not have his soul burdened by a crime that would break his heart. My
+Gabriel has a tender heart; he was not made to be a criminal. Therefore
+would I absolve him from that curse, for I love Gabriel, and would not
+have him be a murderer. Do you believe me now? Will you try my palliative
+now?"
+
+The Electoral Prince lay there silent and motionless, and his large,
+wide-open eyes gazed searchingly and inquiringly up at the white figure,
+as if they would penetrate the veil and read her features.
+
+Rebecca had a consciousness of this, and let the white veil fall from her
+head. "Look in my face," she said, "and read from that whether I speak
+the truth."
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel, too, came to warn me," murmured the Prince, quivering
+with pain, "and afterward it was he who poisoned me. From him come these
+fearful tortures which are burning now like the flames of hell."
+
+"Gracious sir, oh, my dear sir!" cried Dietrich now, coming up to the bed
+and kneeling beside it, "I beseech you, take nothing from her. I have
+heard all, and I tell you it is Schwarzenberg who sends this Jewess to
+you. Trust her not, my beloved Prince, take none of her hellish mixtures!"
+
+"Trust me," said Rebecca quietly. "If life is dear to you, if you hope in
+the future, if you would take vengeance upon the man who is your real
+murderer, whose mere tool my poor husband was, then accept the remedy
+which I bring you!"
+
+"Yes," cried the Electoral Prince, with countenance lighting up, "yes, I
+will take it! Give me your remedy. Hush, Dietrich, hush! I will take it!"
+
+"Praised be Jehovah! he will take it!" said she joyfully, drawing forth
+from her bosom a little flask. "Before I give you the medicine, I have
+something to say to you, Frederick William. As soon as you have taken it,
+you will fall into a deep sleep, almost resembling death. If you are
+disturbed in this, the efficacy of my cordial will be destroyed."
+
+"Dietrich," said the Prince composedly, "you will take care that no one
+disturbs my slumbers. I command you so to do!"
+
+"I shall obey, most gracious sir," murmured Dietrich.
+
+"When you awake after six hours," continued Rebecca, "you will experience
+a feeling of ineffable comfort. Be not deluded by this, and attempt to
+leave your couch. Rest is necessary for you, and you are then only on the
+road to health. That you may be perfectly cured I must come again
+to-morrow night, and once more administer the cordial. Mind that to-morrow
+night, as at present, you be alone. No one must be with you but old
+Dietrich. He is a trusty, affectionate servant, and I hope to God will
+tell no one what he has seen and heard here, for I would be lost if he
+should do so."
+
+"I swear, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will keep silence," said
+Dietrich solemnly.
+
+"And now, enough of words!" cried she. "See, Dietrich, the pains begin
+anew, and his features twitch convulsively. We must procure him relief."
+
+She took a glass from the table and emptied into it half of the brown
+liquid contained in her little flask. Then she bent over the Prince and
+held the glass to his lips.
+
+"Drink this," she said, with solemnity, "and may the Lord our God bless
+the potion to you!"
+
+The Prince drank in long draughts, emptying the glass to the last drop.
+Then he uttered one shriek, and sank back senseless on the pillow.
+
+"If you have murdered him," cried Dietrich, shaking his fist with menacing
+gesture--"if you have murdered him, be sure that I shall find you out and
+hand you over to the hang-man."
+
+She slowly turned and once more drew the long white veil over her face.
+"To-morrow night I shall come again," she said. "Attend well to him,
+Dietrich, and see that he swallows nothing but what you give him yourself."
+
+Then she opened the door and stepped out. The corridor was still empty and
+tenantless; the sentinels had not yet ventured to return to their posts.
+They had all collected below in the guardroom, which was situated in the
+rear of the castle toward the Spree, and, pale with agitation and horror,
+were talking in whispers of the awful event. All at once it seemed to them
+as if a white shadow glided past outside the windows, as if two great,
+sparkling eyes looked in upon them. They jumped up, rushed out of the
+room, and out of the castle, shrieking out to the town, "The White Lady!
+the White Lady!"
+
+A couple of inquisitive men coming from Schwarzenberg's palace heard the
+shriek of terror and screamed it to others, and like a tempest of wind it
+rolled on, dragged everything into its eddying circle of awe and fright,
+rushed howling through the night and penetrated into the brilliantly
+lighted palace of Count Schwarzenberg, even into the ball-room, where the
+tired couples were whirling in the last dance.
+
+"The White Lady! the White Lady has appeared in the castle!"
+
+The words ran through the halls. The dancing ceased, and the music paused
+in the midst of a piece begun, for the Elector himself had risen from his
+game of cards, and the Electress had called the Princesses from among the
+dancers.
+
+"The White Lady has been seen in the castle!"
+
+These fearful words, brought to him by his wife, frightened the Elector
+out of his comfortable mood, and dissipated the cheering effects of the
+wine. The White Lady threatened him with death! The thought filled his
+whole soul, and made him all at once sober and serious.
+
+"The Lady in White has appeared in the castle," sighed the Electress, "and
+my son Frederick William is sick. I must go to him--I must go to my son!"
+
+The equipage rolled off to the castle. The Elector leaned back gloomily in
+the corner, thinking to himself: "If I only knew whether she wore white or
+black gloves! Perhaps she only means to warn me, perhaps there is yet time
+to escape the mischief! The air of Berlin is very bad, and I vex myself
+too much here. As we drove up to the castle when we came from Koenigsberg,
+one of our carriage horses stumbled and fell. That was an ill omen, and we
+should have heeded it and turned about immediately. Perhaps there may yet
+be time to flee from the threatened evil, if we go back to Koenigsberg! If
+I only knew what kind of gloves the White Lady wore!"
+
+"Just tell me what sort of a tale this is about the White Lady?" asked
+Count Schwarzenberg of his Chamberlain von Lehndorf, after his guests had
+taken their leave.
+
+"Your excellency, one of the sentinels on duty at the castle to-day came
+rushing into the palace, and shrieked out wildly and madly: 'The White
+Lady! I have seen the White Lady! I must speak to the Elector! I have seen
+the White Lady!' I assure your excellency, it was actually terrific to
+witness the poor man's fright. He was pale as death, with tottering knees
+and trembling in every limb. I myself felt a cold shudder creep over me,
+although usually I am neither timid nor superstitious. But it is such a
+singular coincidence, that the White Lady should appear on the very day
+when the Electoral Prince was taken so suddenly ill."
+
+"Yes, it is a singular coincidence," said Schwarzenberg, shrugging his
+shoulders, "and I should like to know the connecting link. Well, I hope to
+fathom the mystery, and then the ghost story will resolve itself into a
+ridiculous reality. Early to-morrow morning I shall have all the soldiers
+called up, who were on duty at the castle to-night, and question them
+myself. The castellan's wife, too, must be summoned. She is an honest
+woman of bold and sober wits, and from her I shall be best able to learn
+what is the meaning of this masquerade. Good-night, Lehndorf, sleep off
+your fright, you sentimental man, over whom a childish shudder still
+creeps, whenever he hears a nursery maid's tale! I really envy you your
+implicit faith, you credulous man! One thing more, though: what news have
+we from the Electoral Prince?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, according to the latest accounts, the Electoral Prince
+was enjoying a little rest, having fallen into a profound sleep."
+
+"Very fine!" said the count, entering his cabinet. "Good-night, Lehndorf!"
+
+
+
+
+XI.--THE PURSUIT.
+
+
+The next morning Count Schwarzenberg interrogated all the sentinels who
+had been on guard at the castle on the preceding night. They unanimously
+affirmed that they had been awake and watchful when they had seen the
+White Lady. The sentinel before the Electoral Prince's apartments had seen
+her enter those rooms, even distinctly heard the door creak as it closed
+behind her. Collectively the sentinels asseverated that afterward they had
+seen the White Lady pass before the guardhouse windows, and that she had
+even looked in upon them with her great black eyes. Even to-day they
+shuddered and trembled at the bare remembrance of the frightful
+apparition, and swore that they would rather die than see that horrible
+woman again. Then, when the soldiers had withdrawn, came the castellan's
+wife, who had been summoned by Chamberlain von Lehndorf.
+
+"And what say you to the goblin of last night?" asked Count Schwarzenberg,
+noticing the castellan's wife with a condescending nod.
+
+"Most noble sir," replied the old woman solemnly, "I say that a member of
+the Electoral family will die."
+
+"What? _you_, the prudent, wise, intelligent Mrs. Culwin--you, too, believe
+this ridiculous story?"
+
+"Most revered sir, I believe in it because I know the White Lady, and have
+seen her often before."
+
+"Oh, indeed," smiled the count; "you count the White Lady among your
+acquaintances; you have seen her often before? Just tell me a little about
+her, my dear dame! When did you first see the specter?"
+
+"Almost twenty years ago, if it please your honor. I had just been a year
+in Berlin. Your honor knows I came here from Venice in the capacity of
+maid to your lady of blessed memory, and had committed the folly of giving
+up the countess's good service in order to marry Culwin, the young
+castellan."
+
+"And why do you call that a folly?" asked Count Schwarzenberg, laughing.
+"I have always believed that you lived in happy wedlock with your good
+man."
+
+"That may be so, your excellency, but for all that, a lady's maid, who can
+live independently always commits a folly in submitting to a husband's
+rule. And I could support myself, for your excellency paid me such a
+handsome salary, and I was in such favor with your blessed lady. Often,
+before I stupidly left her to get married, she would call me, and we would
+talk together of our beautiful home, our beloved Venice. Ah! your
+excellency, we have often wept together, and longed ardently to behold
+once more the city of the sea. Whoever comes from there never recovers
+from homesickness and wherever he goes, and however far he may be removed,
+his heart still clings to Venice. That the gracious countess often
+remarked to me, weeping bitterly, which did her good, and--"
+
+"You were to tell me when you first saw the White Lady," interrupted Count
+Schwarzenberg, for he felt uncomfortable at being reminded of his wife,
+knowing as he did that she had spent but few happy days at his side.
+
+"That is true, and I beg your excellency's pardon," replied Mrs. Culwin.
+Well, then, I saw the White Lady for the first time in the year 1619. I
+had sat up late at night, for it was a few days before the Christmas
+festival, and, in accordance with German customs, I wished to make a
+Christmas present for my husband, but had not finished the piece of
+embroidery I destined for that purpose. As I sat thus and sewed, I felt as
+it were a cold breath of air on my cheek, as if some one rapidly moved
+past me. I looked up startled, and there stood before me a tall, womanly
+figure, clad in white, looking at me from under her veil with dark,
+flashing eyes; and then she strode toward the door, but ere she went out
+she lifted her arms toward heaven, and folded her hands, which were
+covered with black gloves, fervently together. So she stood for awhile,
+and then vanished without my seeing the door open or shut. So long as the
+specter was there I had sat stiff and motionless, as if rooted to the
+spot; my heart seemed to stand still; I tried to scream, but could not.
+When she was gone, though, I shrieked fearfully, and my husband hastened
+to me, to find me in convulsions, and for hours I screamed and wept. My
+husband, indeed, tried to talk me out of it, and made me promise to speak
+of the occurrence to no one. But my silence was of no consequence, for the
+next day it was known to all the inmates of the palace that the White Lady
+had appeared, for very many had seen her. The old Elector John Sigismund
+had such a dread of the White Lady, and feared so much that she would
+appear to him, that he left the castle that very day, and went to the
+residence of his Chamberlain Freitag. There, however, he died in the
+course of two days, just two days before Christmas.[25] The White Lady was
+therefore right, with her deep mourning and black gloves.[26] It was not
+the head of the family who died, for the old Elector had abdicated, and
+Elector George William was even then reigning Sovereign."
+
+"Truly, that sounds quite awful," cried Count Schwarzenberg; "and since
+you saw the apparition with your own eyes, I can not dispute it. You said,
+though, I think, that you had often seen it?"
+
+"Twice more, gracious sir. The second time was in the year 1625. There
+again, one night, in the center of my room stood the White Lady, and again
+lifted up her arms toward heaven before departing, and again she wore
+black gloves. And the next day died the brother of our Elector, the
+Margrave Joachim Sigismund."[27]
+
+"And the third time?"
+
+"For the third time I saw the White Lady ten years ago, therefore in 1628.
+This time she also wore black gloves, and a black veil besides. She again
+strode through my room, but neither wept nor wrung her hands. She had also
+appeared to the Elector himself, and addressed a few Latin words to him,
+which in German my husband said ran thus: 'Justice comes to the living and
+the dead.'"[28]
+
+"I remember this last story very well myself," said Count Schwarzenberg,
+with a peculiar smile. "His Electoral Grace was very much shocked by the
+apparition, and its appearance was supposed to announce years of terrible
+war, for no one in the Electoral family died. Now tell me, Mrs. Culwin, at
+what time did the White Lady appear yesterday, and how was she dressed?"
+
+"Your excellency, I can not say exactly, for I did not see her yesterday.
+The soldiers however, and watchmen, too, affirm that she was dressed
+entirely in white, which betokens the death of a person of high rank."
+
+"You did not see the White Lady yesterday, then? I think she always passes
+through your room, Mrs. Culwin?"
+
+"She took another route this time, and something quite unusual happened:
+she even appeared outside of the castle, for the soldiers maintain that
+she passed before their windows, and the watchman, who was just making his
+round, swears that he also saw a white figure glide past the wall. It
+seems that this time the White Lady came from the Spree side. She did not
+enter the great corridor at all, but repaired immediately to the Prince's
+apartments. The sentinel says she went in, and that he distinctly heard
+the door creak and shut as she passed through."
+
+"Formerly no opening or shutting of doors was to be heard, was there?"
+asked the count.
+
+"No, your excellency, I never heard anything of the kind, and it always
+seemed to me as if the door opened not at all, and as if the White Lady
+vanished like mist."
+
+"And she only visited the Prince's apartments? Do you know who was there?"
+
+"Nobody but the Electoral Prince and his valet, I hear. _I_ myself was not
+at home when the event occurred. Your excellency's stewardess had invited
+me to assist her in preparing yesterday's feast, and I only returned in
+haste as soon as it was rumored that the White Lady was abroad in the
+castle."
+
+"But you have surely seen and questioned the Prince's valet?"
+
+"He is the only man in the castle who can not be approached with good or
+evil words, your excellency, and who brooks not being questioned. Of
+course, I tried questioning him about the White Lady, but his only answer
+was that he had seen nothing, and did not believe in ghost stories. He
+only knew that his dear young Prince was sick, and he troubled himself
+about nothing else."
+
+"He is still sick then, the Electoral Prince?" asked Count Schwarzenberg
+with indifference. "Has he not slept off his intoxication yet?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, I do not believe that it was intoxication, else surely
+the Prince would be well to-day! But he is not at all better, and the
+Electress, who visited her son early this morning, broke forth into loud
+weeping when she saw him, for he must look just like a corpse."
+
+"Did he recognize the Electress? Did he speak to her?"
+
+"He knows nobody, he does not open his eyes, but lies there stiff and
+stark like a dead man, and if he did not sometimes fetch a breath, you
+would believe that he were already dead. This the little Princess herself
+told me, as I accidentally met her in the passage, when she returned from
+visiting her brother. But the doctor says this sleep is the beneficial
+result of his treatment, and that when the Electoral Prince awakes he will
+be quite restored to health. He has ordered that no one else be admitted
+to see the Prince, and Dietrich watches over him like a Cerberus."
+
+"And he does well in that, Mrs. Culwin. I thank you for your information,
+and if anything new should happen I beg of you to come to me forthwith.
+Tell me one thing more: Do you believe that the specter will come again
+to-night? Is it the custom of the White Lady to show herself oftener than
+once?"
+
+"My husband maintains that if she appears, as at this time, all in white,
+she will come again three nights consecutively. So it was when the Elector
+Sigismund died. I saw her only once, and she wore black gloves, but the
+next evening my husband saw her on the other side of the castle dressed
+all in white, and on the third evening the Elector died."
+
+"It would be interesting if the White Lady should come again to-night. I
+should like to know if it is the case, and--Well, farewell, Mrs. Culwin,
+and if you learn anything new, share it with me. Perhaps I shall come over
+to the castle myself to-night."
+
+He held out his hand to the old woman, and, as he pressed hers, he let a
+well-filled purse slip into it. He cut off her expressions of gratitude by
+a short nod of the head, and waved her toward the door. The castellan's
+wife withdrew, and, absorbed in deep thought, Count Schwarzenberg remained
+alone in his cabinet. With hands folded behind his back, he walked for a
+long while to and fro. His pace was ever steady, ever composed; his
+countenance seemed quite cheerful, quite tranquil, and yet his soul was
+stirred by passion and a storm was raging in his breast.
+
+"He is alive--he is still alive," he said to himself. "One could almost
+believe that he has a star above which watches over him and preserves him.
+It has been ever so from childhood; and at times when I think of him I
+experience an unwonted sensation--I am afraid of him. He is my deadly
+enemy, I know it. If I did not thrust him aside, he would do so with me.
+If I did not kill him, he would kill me. It was a mere act of self-defense
+to put him out of the way. If it miscarries, I am lost, for I shall not
+soon have courage for a second attempt. I am a coward in this young man's
+presence, I am afraid of him! He is my fate, my evil fate! And I can not
+avert it, can undertake nothing more. I lack a tool. Oh, what a blockhead
+I was to dismiss Nietzel! His own sins were the scourge by which I lashed
+him into action. He was as wax in my hands, and if he failed this time, he
+must have tried it again. I would have driven him to it, and he would have
+been forced to obey. If the Electoral Prince should now get well, Nietzel
+would be glad, for he is a soft-hearted fool, and had it not been for
+Rebecca's sake, he could never have brought himself to commit the deed.
+Even while he executed it his heart bled, and--My God!" he suddenly
+exclaimed, "what a thought bursts upon me! If this Nietzel--"
+
+He was silent and sank into an armchair, putting his hands before his
+face, to shut out the outer world, to be undisturbed in his deep train of
+thought.
+
+Long he sat there, silent and motionless. Then he let his hands glide
+from before his face, which had now again resumed its haughty, composed
+expression, and arose from his seat.
+
+"I must know what is the meaning of this ghost story," he said softly to
+himself. "Nowhere has the phantom been seen but in the antechamber to the
+Prince's rooms. It did not go like other spirits through walls and closed
+doors, but must needs open and shut doors, like ordinary mortals. Yet old
+Dietrich denies having seen the White Lady in the Electoral Prince's room.
+Then afterward the White Lady was seen outside the castle, she did not
+vanish through the air, but went out like a human being. It is a plot,
+that is clear. They are conspiring with the Electoral Prince, and profit
+by the mask to obtain safe access to the castle; or it may be Nietzel,
+come to confess what he has done to the Prince--maybe even to bring him a
+remedy. I must unravel it! I am sure the illusion succeeded so well last
+night that the apparition will be repeated. I shall make my regulations
+accordingly, and if it is so, then let the White Lady beware of me, for I
+am a good conjurer. I shall go to the castle myself to-night, and when the
+sentinels flee, I shall go in. Ah! we shall see who is stronger, the White
+Lady or the Stadtholder in the Mark!"
+
+Melancholy and quiet reigned all day long in the Electoral palace. The
+Elector himself remained in his cabinet and had the court preacher John
+Bergius called, that he might pray with him and edify him by a few hours'
+pious conversation. But the dreadful uncertainty as to whether the White
+Lady had appeared in deep mourning or with black gloves still continued
+to disturb him, and whenever a door opened a shudder crept through his
+veins, for he thought that the White Lady herself might be coming to call
+him away.
+
+"I shall leave Berlin," he said perpetually to himself. "I shall return to
+Koenigsberg; for if I stay here I will certainly die of anxiety and
+distress. I can not live in the house with a ghost. I shall go away. Ah!
+there is the door opening again! Who is it? Who dares come in here?"
+
+"It is I, my husband," cried the Electress, bursting into tears. "I am
+just from our son."
+
+"How is he?" asked the Elector carelessly. "Has he at last slept off the
+fumes of liquor?"
+
+"Alas! George, I fear this is no case of intoxication, but he is
+dangerously sick. The White Lady did not appear for nothing."
+
+"What, you think she came on our son's account?" asked the Elector,
+almost joyfully. "You think it is not for our--" He paused and drew a
+breath of relief, for he felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from
+his soul. "You really think, my dear, that the White Lady came on
+our son's account?"
+
+"I fear so, alas! I fear so! My son is sick and will probably die, and our
+house will be left desolate, become extinct, and ingloriously decay. Oh,
+my son! my son! I had built all my hopes upon him, and when I thought of
+him the future looked bright and promising."
+
+"And if he were no more, then would all look sad and gloomy to you,
+although your husband would still be at your side, which rightfully ought
+to console you. But you have ever been a cold wife to me and a tender
+mother to your son, and it really vexes me to see how you love the son and
+despise his father. What an ado you make merely because your son has taken
+a little too much liquor, and suffers from the effects of intoxication, as
+the doctor says!"
+
+"But I tell you, George, the Electoral Prince is sick, and the White
+Lady--"
+
+"I will hear no more of that," broke in the Elector passionately; "it is a
+silly, idle tale, not worthy of credit. Everybody is dinning it into my
+ears to-day, and it is simply intolerable to have to listen. I just wish
+that I could leave this place, to be rid of this tiresome ghost story, and
+not to have to undergo such torment and vexation. In Koenigsberg, at least,
+we live in peace and quiet, and are not forever plagued by the sight of
+sullen faces and perpetual threats of war and pestilence. In Koenigsberg
+Castle, too, the White Lady has never appeared, and there are no nightly
+apparitions there."
+
+"Let us return to Koenigsberg, George!" cried the Electress. "Do so for our
+son's sake; I tell you if we stay here, he is lost! Death stands forever
+at his side, threatening his precious young life! Ask me not what I mean,
+for I can not explain myself; yet I feel that I am right, and that he is
+lost if we do not speedily depart. Only listen this one time to my
+entreaties and representations, my husband. Let us set out before it is
+too late."
+
+"Well then, Elizabeth, I will do as you wish," said George William, who
+was glad that he could grant his wife what he  so ardently wished himself.
+"Yes, we shall promptly depart, since you urge it so pressingly."
+
+The Electress gently encircled her husband's neck with her arm and
+imprinted a kiss upon his brow. "Thank you, George," she whispered. "You
+have probably saved our son from death. May the merciful God grant him
+restoration to health, and so soon as this is the case let us set off."
+
+"Make all your preparations then, Elizabeth, for I tell you your tenderly
+beloved son is only a little tipsy, and to-morrow will be well as ever."
+
+"God grant that you speak the truth, George. Then let us commence our
+journey day after to-morrow," which is Wednesday. But hark! I have one
+more request to make of you. Tell no one of our projected trip. Let us
+make our preparations in perfect secrecy."
+
+"For all that I care," growled the Elector. "The principal thing is to be
+off. Abode here has been hateful to me ever since I heard those shouts of
+the populace the day our son returned. I can not live in a city where the
+mob undertakes to meddle in government affairs, and even prescribes to its
+Sovereign the dismissal of his minister. It is an uproarious, insolent
+rabble, the rabble of Berlin, and I shall not feel glad or tranquil until
+I have left the place."
+
+"And I, too, George, will not feel glad or tranquil until we have left the
+place, carrying our son with us. I am going to work directly, and will
+prepare everything for our departure, and consult with my daughters. But I
+must first go and see how our son is."
+
+The Electress hastened back to the apartments of the Electoral Prince, and
+old Dietrich came to meet her with joy-beaming countenance to announce to
+her that the Prince was awake, and felt perfectly well. "He only feels a
+great weakness in his limbs, and his head is heavy. The doctor has been
+here, and ordered that the Prince be kept perfectly quiet to-day, and not
+allowed to speak with any one or to leave his bed. To-morrow he will be
+quite well again."
+
+"Then I will not speak to him," exclaimed the Electress; "I will only take
+one look at him and give him one kiss."
+
+She entered her son's sleeping room and stepped up to his couch. The
+Electoral Prince smiled upon her, and his large eyes greeted her with
+tender glances. He had already opened his mouth to speak, but the
+Electress quickly laid her hand upon his lips.
+
+"Do not speak, my Frederick," she whispered softly. "Sleep and compose
+yourself; know that your mother tenderly loves you. For my sake, my son,
+keep quiet to-day; keep your bed and talk with no one. Will you not
+promise me?"
+
+He nodded smilingly and imprinted a kiss upon the hand which his mother
+still held over his lips. The Electress hurried away, and Frederick again
+remained alone with his old valet.
+
+"Now, Dietrich," he whispered softly, "now keep watch that no one enters,
+and let us quietly await the night."
+
+"Your grace thinks that the White Lady brought you good medicine last
+night, and that she will come again, do you not?"
+
+"I am convinced of it, my good old man. God has sent her for my cure. God
+will not have me die already."
+
+"The name of the Lord be blessed and praised!" murmured Dietrich, sinking
+upon his knees in fervent prayer.
+
+Deep stillness pervaded the Electoral Prince's apartments the whole day
+long, for nobody dared venture in. The doctor himself, who came toward
+evening, only peeped in through a crevice of the door, and nodded quite
+contentedly when Dietrich whisperingly told him that the Prince had again
+fallen into a gentle slumber.
+
+"I knew it," said the doctor with gravity. "My medicine was meant to cure
+him by means of sleep, and I am not surprised that my calculations have
+proved perfectly correct. To-morrow the Prince will be perfectly
+well--that is to say, if he regularly takes my medicine. It has been
+prepared for the second time, I hope?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, doctor, and the Prince has half emptied the second bottle."
+
+The doctor nodded with an important air, and repaired to the Electress, to
+inform her that the Electoral Prince had been upon the point of taking a
+violent nervous fever, but that the right medicament, which he had given
+him, had averted this evil, and saved the Prince from imminent peril.
+
+Old Dietrich, however, threw away a spoonful of medicine every quarter of
+an hour, and when night came the bottle was empty.
+
+And now the longed-for night had closed in with its curtain of darkness,
+its noiselessness and quiet. Deep silence ruled throughout the castle, no
+loud word was any longer to be heard, not a man was to be met in hall or
+passage. Before the ushering in of the momentous hour each one had made
+haste to tuck himself up in bed, and shut his eyes, for everybody dreaded
+lest the specter of the preceding night should walk abroad again and show
+itself to him. The sentinels in the corridor before the Electoral suite of
+rooms and in the vestibule of the Prince's apartments dared not walk to
+and fro, for the noise of their own steps terrified them, and the dark
+shadows of their own forms, thrown upon the ground by the dim oil lamps,
+filled them with unspeakable dread. They had planted themselves stiffly
+and rigidly beside the doors, firmly determined as soon as the awful
+apparition should show itself to take to their heels and return to the
+guardroom. And happily they had some justification for this, inasmuch as
+the soldiers had received orders from the Stadtholder in the Mark, when
+they relieved guard, to convey instant tidings to the guardhouse if
+anything remarkable should occur.
+
+In order to convey instant tidings, they must of course take to their
+heels and forsake their posts. This was the only comfort of the soldier
+who was stationed in the vestibule leading to the princely apartments, and
+therefore he stood close to the door, which was only upon the latch, that
+he might the more rapidly gain the grand corridor, and warn in his flight
+the sentinels there. Yet he dared not open his eyes, and his heart beat so
+violently that it took away his breath.
+
+The great cathedral clock tolled the hour of midnight with loud and heavy
+strokes. The clock in the castle tower gave answer, and then the wall
+clock in the great corridor slowly and solemnly struck twelve.
+
+The soldier closed his eyes, and murmured with trembling lips, "All good
+spirits praise the Lord our God."
+
+The clangor of the clocks had ceased, and all again was still.
+
+The soldier ventured to open his eyes again. As yet no sound broke in upon
+the stillness; his glance timidly and slowly made the circuit of the hall.
+The two oil lamps burned clearly enough to enable him to survey the whole
+intervening space. He saw everything quite distinctly. There the door with
+the lamps, here the door beside which he leaned; against the wall on that
+side those two huge, black wooden presses, so curiously carved, and
+between them that little door. This door began to make him uneasy. Whither
+did it lead? Why stood no guard there? Was it locked or merely latched? He
+asked himself all this with quickly beating heart, and could not turn his
+glance from it. He had never before observed it. Now it seemed to him as
+if it moved! A cold shudder ran through his whole frame.
+
+Yes, it was no illusion! Yes, the door opened, and there stood the White
+Lady in her long, flowing robes! The soldier did not shriek, for horror
+had frozen the scream upon his lips. He tore open the door, and rushed
+into the corridor, and his deadly pale and terrorstricken face imparted
+with greater rapidity than words to the two sentinels there the dreadful
+tidings. All three ran down the corridor together to the front door, down
+the steps, across the wide court, and into the guardroom.
+
+"The White Lady! the White Lady!" they gasped.
+
+"Where is she? Who has seen her?" inquired a form emerging from the rear
+of the room and approaching them; and now, as the lamplight fell upon this
+form, the soldiers recognized it very well--it was the Stadtholder in the
+Mark himself who stood before them, and behind him they saw his
+Chamberlain von Lehndorf and the police-master Brandt.
+
+"Which of you has seen the White Lady?" asked Count Schwarzenberg once
+more.
+
+"I, gracious sir," stammered one of the three with difficulty. "I was
+stationed before the Electoral Prince's rooms, and I saw the White Lady
+enter through the little door between the two presses."
+
+"And whither went she?"
+
+"That I did not see, your excellency, for--"
+
+"For you ran away directly," concluded Count Schwarzenberg for him. "And
+you two others! You stood in the great corridor; did you see the
+apparition, too?"
+
+"No, your excellency, we did not see her. She did not come through the
+great corridor."
+
+"You did not see her. Why did you run away then?"
+
+"Your excellency, we ran away because--because--we do not know ourselves."
+
+"Well, I know," cried the count, shrugging his shoulders. "You ran away
+because you are cowards! Hush! No excuses now! We shall talk about it
+early to-morrow morning. Stay here in the guardroom. I myself will go up
+and see what folly has frightened you hares. Lehndorf and Brandt, both of
+you stay here and await my return."
+
+"But, most gracious sir," implored the chamberlain, "I beg your permission
+to accompany you. Nobody can know--"
+
+"Whether the White Lady may not stab and throttle me, would you say? No,
+Lehndorf, I fear no woman's shape, be she clothed in white or black. I am
+well armed, and methinks the White Lady will find her match in me. All of
+you stay here; but if I should not return in an hour, then you may mount
+the stairs and see whether the White Lady has borne me off through the
+air.--Which of you," he said, turning to the soldiers--"which of you stood
+guard before the princely apartments?"
+
+"It was I, your excellency."
+
+"Whence came the White Lady?"
+
+"She came through the little door between the two presses in the
+vestibule."
+
+"It is well! You will all stay here. And, as I said, Lehndorf, if I return
+not in an hour, then come."
+
+He nodded kindly to the chamberlain and strode out of the room.
+
+Meanwhile above, in the Electoral Prince's chamber, the White Lady had
+been expected with glowing impatience. Dietrich had already stood for a
+quarter of an hour at the antechamber door, waiting with palpitating heart
+for her appearance. The Electoral Prince had with difficulty raised
+himself up, and, supporting himself upon his elbows, had been listening
+with uplifted head in the direction of the door ever since the midnight
+hour had struck. And now the door opened and the White Lady glided in.
+With gentle, undulating gait and veil thrown back she went to the Prince's
+bed, and when she saw him sitting up a smile lighted up her pale face.
+
+"You see, Electoral Prince Frederick William, I have not deceived you,"
+she said; "you live, and you will now get perfectly well."
+
+"Yes, I believe that I will get well," replied the Prince; "and I owe my
+life to you."
+
+"Never mind that," said she, slowly shaking her head. "I am not here for
+your sake, but for my poor Gabriel's sake, to expiate his sin and to free
+his soul from guilt. I dare not use many words. The fame of the White Lady
+has spread through the whole city, and it may well be that they are on my
+track to-night--that Count Schwarzenberg's suspicions have been aroused.
+
+"He is a bad man, and I am afraid of him."
+
+"And yet you have come here! Have not shunned danger in order to save me!"
+
+"I have not shunned danger in order to go to my beloved and be able to
+tell him--'Lift up your head and rejoice in the Lord; crime is taken away
+from your head--you are no murderer, for the Electoral Prince lives.' One
+thing I would like to add, and I beseech you to grant it to me. Say that
+you will pardon Gabriel Nietzel."
+
+"I pardon Gabriel Nietzel with my whole heart, and never shall he be
+punished for what he has done to me! You have atoned for his crime, and
+may God forgive him, as I do."
+
+"I thank you, sir. And now take your second draught."
+
+She took the little flask, poured the rest of its contents into a glass,
+and handed it to the Prince.
+
+"Drink and be glad of heart," she said, "for to-morrow, early in the
+morning, you will awake a sound man. The angel of death has swept past
+you; take good heed lest you fall a second time into his clutches. Flee
+before him to the greatest possible distance. There, take, drink life and
+health from this glass, and the Lord our God be with you in all your ways!"
+
+"I thank you, and blessed be you too!" And the Electoral Prince took the
+glass from her hand and drained it.
+
+"It is finished," said Rebecca, heaving a deep sigh.
+
+"Now I can return to my beloved and my child. Farewell!"
+
+"Give me your hand, and let our farewell be that of friends," said
+Frederick William.
+
+She reached forth her little white hand from beneath her veil, and he
+cordially pressed it within his own. "You are a noble, high-minded woman,
+and I shall ever remember you with gratitude and friendship. I owe you my
+life; it is truly a great debt, and you would be magnanimous if you could
+point out some way whereby the weight might be a little lessened. I
+beseech you tell me some way in which I may prove my gratitude."
+
+"I will do so, sir! Some day when you are Elector, and a reigning
+Sovereign in your land, then have compassion upon those who are enslaved
+and oppressed, then spare the Jews!"
+
+She turned away, drew her veil over her head, and disappeared.
+
+"My work is finished! My beloved is atoned for!" exulted her soul. As if
+borne on wings of happiness and bliss, she soared through the antechamber
+and stepped out into the vestibule.
+
+All here was still and quiet, and she did not observe that the sentinel no
+longer stood at the door. Her thoughts were withdrawn from the present,
+her soul was far away with _him_--him whom she loved, for whom she had
+risked her life.
+
+Thus she sped through the great space and approached the door between the
+two presses. All at once she started and shrank back, and the tall, manly
+form standing before this door sprang forward, and with strong hand tore
+her veil impatiently from her head.
+
+"Rebecca!"
+
+"Count Schwarzenberg!"
+
+For one moment they surveyed one another with flaming eyes.
+
+She read her death sentence in his looks. But she would not die. No, she
+would not die! She would see her beloved, her child once more! With a
+sudden jerk she freed her arm from the hand that held her prisoner. She
+knew not what to do, whither she could flee. She had only a vague
+consciousness that to be alone with him meant death--that she would he
+safe only outside the castle. Without, on the street, Schwarzenberg would
+not venture to seize her, for he knew that she possessed his secret and
+that she would accuse him. She flew across the vestibule, tore open the
+door to the long corridor, and sprang down it like a hunted deer. But the
+pursuer was behind her, close behind her! She heard his breath, he
+stretched out his hands toward her--she felt his touch, and again she
+burst loose and flew away!
+
+At the end of the corridor is a small staircase which leads to the upper
+stories. She knows the way--oh, she knows the way! Above it is another
+long corridor, and if from the head of the stairs she turns to the right,
+she will reach the great staircase. She will hurry down to the quarters of
+the castellan and his wife; she will call--scream!
+
+Oh, if she can only get so far!
+
+She flies up the little steps, but she feels the pursuer close at her
+heels. And just as she reaches the top step, his hand, like a lion's paw,
+is laid upon her shoulder.
+
+"Stand still, or I will strangle you!" he murmurs. "Stand still, and I
+swear that I will not kill you!"
+
+"No, no, I do not believe you!" she gasps, and with both hands she seizes
+his and thrusts it back. Only on, on! She no longer knows whether she
+turns to the right or left, she runs down the dimly lighted corridor, and
+he follows.
+
+"O God! O God! there is no staircase!" She has missed the way--there is no
+way out now! The dread enemy is behind her! She can no longer avoid him!
+He will kill her, for she knows his secret! No escape!--no deliverance!
+
+But at the end of the corridor she sees a door. If she can only succeed in
+opening it, jumping into the room, shutting the door, and drawing the bolt!
+
+"God help me! God be with me!" she calls out aloud and flies to the door,
+bursts it open, rushes through, and--his weight presses against it; she
+can not shut it, she can not draw the bolt. He is there with her in that
+little room, which has no other outlet. No deliverer is near! She falls
+upon her knees, and lifts up her arms to him imploringly. "Oh, sir! oh,
+sir, pity! Do not kill me! I will be silent as the grave!"
+
+"As the grave!" repeats he, with a savage smile.
+
+He stoops down and something bright glitters in his hand! She sees it
+quite clearly, for it is a bright summer night, and her eyes are inured to
+darkness.
+
+"Almighty God, you would murder me! Mercy, sir, mercy!"
+
+He has closed the door behind them, yet the shriek of her death agony has
+penetrated the door and echoed down the corridor. Nobody hears it. All the
+chambers in this upper story are bare and uninhabited, and for economy's
+sake the corridors and staircases in this upper part of the castle are
+unlighted. To-day, however, at nightfall, the Stadtholder had himself
+brought word to castellan Culwin that every passage, landing, and
+staircase in the whole castle should be lighted! And so it was, and even
+in that remote upper story lamps are burning. How long and solitary this
+corridor is! Not the slightest sound has broken the stillness since those
+two sprang into that room.
+
+But now! A fearful, piercing shriek! A death cry forces its way through
+the door and in one long echo vibrates along the corridor. It sounds like
+the wailing and moaning of invisible spirits. Then nothing more interrupts
+the silence. Nothing more!
+
+The door opens again, and Count Schwarzenberg steps into the corridor.
+
+He is alone.
+
+He locks the door and puts the key into his pocket. Then, with quiet, firm
+tread, he goes down the corridor, down the little staircase, and finally,
+with composed, haughty bearing, down the great staircase into the
+guardroom.
+
+"God be praised, your excellency, that you are here!" calls out Lehndorf,
+hastening to meet him.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg nods to him, and then turns to the soldiers, who stand
+there silent and motionless.
+
+"What fools you are!" he says, shrugging his shoulders. "To put you
+soldiers to flight no cannon is required, but only a couple of white cats.
+A white cat it was, which made cowards of you. I saw her bounding along
+before me through the great corridor, and followed her to the upper story.
+There she slipped into an open door, the last door in the upper story.
+I jumped after her into the little apartment, but she must have found some
+other way out, for I could find her nowhere again, and that is the only
+wonder of the whole story, for the windows were closed. For the rest I
+command you to let naught of this story transpire, for fear of giving rise
+to idle tales."
+
+The soldiers heard him in reverential silence, but the next morning it was
+known throughout the castle and almost through the whole city that the
+White Lady had made her appearance again, and that at last, when pursued,
+she had vanished in the form of a white cat in one of the rooms in the
+upper story of the castle. After that nobody ventured into the upper
+story, and, as it was uninhabited, it was not necessary to station
+sentinels there.
+
+
+
+
+XII.--THE DEPARTURE.
+
+
+When the Electoral Prince awoke the next morning after a long, refreshing
+slumber, his first glance fell upon his faithful old valet, who stood at
+the foot of his couch, his face actually beaming with joy.
+
+"Why, Dietrich," said Frederick William, "you look so happy! What has
+altered your old face so since yesterday?"
+
+"The sight of you, most gracious sir, for your face has altered, too. Your
+cheeks are no longer deadly pale, nor your features distorted. Your
+highness looks quite like a well man now; somewhat pale, it is true; but
+your lips are again red and your eyes bright. Ah, gracious sir, the dear
+White Lady kept her word, she saved you!"
+
+"God bless her!" said the Electoral Prince solemnly. "But hark! old man,
+tell nobody that I have been saved. You must not use such dangerous words,
+not even think them. There was no need to save me, for I have been exposed
+to no peril. I have not been sick at all, but only overcome by wine, and,
+to speak plainly, drunk--do you hear, old man? I have been drunk two whole
+days: such is the account you must give of my attack."
+
+"I shall do so, your highness, since you order it; but it is a sin and a
+shame that I should slander my own dear young master, who is such a sober,
+steady Prince."
+
+"Now, Dietrich," said the Electoral Prince, with a melancholy smile, "you
+give me more praise than I deserve. I was not quite so sober in Holland."
+
+"No, sir; in dear, blessed Holland, life was a different thing. It was
+like heaven there, and when I looked at your grace I always felt as if I
+saw before me Saint George himself, so bold, spirited, and happy you ever
+seemed."
+
+"And so I felt, too," said the Prince softly to himself. "But all that is
+past now. _All_! The costly intoxication of happiness is at an end, and I
+am sobered. Yes, yes," he continued aloud, springing with energy from his
+couch, "you are quite right, old Dietrich. Now help this sober, steady
+Prince to dress himself, that he may wait upon the Elector and Electress
+and announce his recovery to them."
+
+After the Electoral Prince had made his toilet, he repaired to the
+Electoral apartments to pay his respects. George William received his son
+with sullen peevishness of manner, hardly deigning to bestow upon him more
+than a single glance of indifference.
+
+"Why, you still look pale and weak," he said coolly. "It is no great honor
+for a Prince to be overcome by a couple of glasses of wine, and to succumb
+as if he had been struck by a cannon ball."
+
+"Most gracious sir," replied Frederick William, smiling, "I hope yet to be
+able to prove to your highness that I can stand against the fire of cannon
+balls better than Count Schwarzenberg's wine, and that I can go to meet a
+battery of artillery more bravely than a battery of bottles."
+
+"I hope it will not be in your power to prove any such thing, sir," cried
+the Elector impatiently. "I want to hear nothing about war, and you must
+banish all thoughts of war and heroic deeds from your mind, and become a
+peaceful, law-abiding citizen. Your head has been turned in Holland, but
+I rather expect to set it right again! We are going back to Prussia, and
+you will accompany us. Go now to the Electress, and disturb me no longer
+in my work."
+
+Frederick William bowed in silence and repaired to his mother's
+apartments. The Electress received him with open arms, and pressed him to
+her heart.
+
+"I have you again, my son, I have you again," she cried with warmth. "A
+merciful God has not been willing to deprive me of my only happiness; he
+has preserved you to me. Oh, my son, I love you so much, and I feel,
+moreover, that you love me, and that we shall understand each other, and
+that all causes of disagreement will disappear so soon as that hateful,
+dreaded man no longer stands between us--he, who is your enemy as well as
+mine. We are going back to Prussia, and my heart is full of joy, hope, and
+happiness. There I shall have you safe; there you are mine, and no
+murderer or enemy there threatens my beloved only son!"
+
+"But, most revered mother, there the worst, most dangerous enemy of all
+threatens me."
+
+"Who is he? What is his name?"
+
+"Idleness, your highness. I shall be condemned there to an inactive,
+useless existence. I shall have nothing to do but to live. O most gracious
+mother! intercede for me with my father and Count Schwarzenberg, that I
+may be appointed Stadtholder of Cleves, for there I would have something
+to do, there I could be useful, and they wish for my presence there."
+
+"You do not wish to stay with me, then?" asked his mother, in a tone of
+mortification. "You already wish yourself away from me and your sisters?"
+
+The Prince's countenance, which had been just aglow with enthusiasm,
+having for the moment dropped its mask, now once more assumed its serious,
+tranquil expression, and again the mask was drawn over its features.
+
+"I by no means long to be away from you," he said quietly, "but I shall
+delight in accompanying you to Prussia."
+
+"That is what I call spoken like a good, obedient child," cried the
+Electress, "and, Louise, I advise you to profit by such an example. Just
+look at your sister, Frederick, only see what a sorrowful figure she
+presents. She does not even come to welcome her brother, but sits there
+quite disconsolate with tears in her eyes."
+
+"No, dearest mother, I am not crying," replied the Princess gently. "I,
+too, am right glad that we are to return to Prussia."
+
+"That is not true, mamma," exclaimed Princess Hedwig Sophie; "she is not
+glad at all. On the contrary, she cried and lamented all last night,
+thinking that I was asleep and knew nothing about it. But I heard
+everything. I know that she would rather stay here, and that she finds it
+charming here all of a sudden, although she used to think it so dull. But
+Louise has entirely changed these last four days, and since _he_ has been
+here she finds tiresome old Berlin a splendid place, and--"
+
+"But, Hedwig," interrupted her sister, whose cheeks were suffused with a
+crimson flush, "what are you talking about, and how can you chatter such
+nonsense?"
+
+"It is true, she talks nonsense," said the Electress severely; "yet I
+should like to know what her words signify. Who is _he_ who has so
+transformed tiresome Berlin in your sister's eyes?"
+
+"Why, you do not know, mamma?" asked the mischievous child, smiling and
+putting on a look of astonishment.
+
+"You do not know who loves our Louise so ardently, so passionately? You do
+not know the man for whose sake she would leave father and mother? You do
+not know the only man whom the Princess Charlotte Louise loves?"
+
+"_I_ do not know, but I command you to tell me!" said the Electress dryly.
+
+"Well," said the Princess, smilingly surveying the group, "it is our dear,
+only brother--it is Frederick William."
+
+"You are a little blockhead!" exclaimed the Electress, shrugging her
+shoulders and smiling.
+
+"You are a dear little rogue," said Frederick William, tenderly embracing
+his willful sister. She playfully broke away from him, dancing through the
+hall, and challenging her brother to pursue and overtake her. Princess
+Louise said not a word, but the blush upon her cheeks died away, and the
+expression of horror and alarm vanished from her features.
+
+Still Princess Hedwig Sophie kept up her frolic, and as often as the
+Prince thought he had caught her she flew off again like a butterfly.
+Finally, at the extreme end of the hall, he held her fast, and now,
+laughingly and tenderly, she flung her arms about his neck, and whispered
+softly: "Expect me this evening in your room at nine o'clock. I have
+something important to tell you. Silence!"
+
+Again she let him go, and continued to hop about, laughing merrily and
+cheerfully as a child.
+
+And in the evening, when the clock in the great corridor had just struck
+the ninth hour, the Princess Hedwig Sophie slipped unperceived into the
+room of her brother, who already held the door open for her and awaited
+her coming.
+
+"Look, here you are, my princess of the fairies," said he, smiling. "What
+is there now on hand, and what playful scheme are you revolving in your
+mind to-day?"
+
+But the countenance of the Princess exhibited no signs of playfulness. It
+was pale, and her whole being seemed under the influence of violent
+excitement.
+
+"Frederick," she said hurriedly, "I have a dreadful secret to confide to
+you. Our sister Louise loves Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg."
+
+"I thought as much," murmured the Prince.
+
+"I have known it for a long while," continued the Princess, "but I took no
+notice of it, hoping that absence and separation would make her forget
+him. But since his return I have had no more hope. Last night, in her
+distress, she betrayed all to me, and I must tell you something dreadful,
+something shocking. You must reveal it to nobody--not another one must
+know it. Do you promise me that?"
+
+"I promise, Hedwig. But tell me what it is."
+
+She bent over close to his ear and whispered:
+
+"She has granted him a rendezvous."
+
+"Impossible, sister, you are mistaken!"
+
+"No, no, Frederick, I am not mistaken. I heard her myself when she told
+him so. It was in Count Schwarzenberg's hothouse; I came behind her with
+the ladies, and she thought I was paying no attention whatever to her and
+all that she was saying to Count Adolphus. But I managed to watch her
+constantly without attracting the attention of the ladies I was with. My
+eyes and ears are very sharp, and I saw her press a note into his hand,
+and heard her repeat to him the contents of the note, appointing an
+interview with him this evening at ten o'clock. Old Trude is to wait for
+him at the back side door of the castle next to the cathedral, and she is
+to conduct him to her. You must not suffer it, Frederick William; that bad
+Count Schwarzenberg shall not carry off my sister."
+
+"No, that he shall not," said the Prince. "I thank you, sister, for coming
+to me. We two shall save her--we two alone, and nobody shall know anything
+about it. Even she herself must not find out that we know her secret. We
+must be brisk and determined, though, for it is late, only wanting a half
+hour of being ten o'clock. Who is old Trude?"
+
+"Louise's chambermaid, who has been with her all her life, for Trude was
+her nurse. She idolizes our sister, and would go through fire and water
+for her sake. What Louise commands is law with her."
+
+"Then we must prevent old Trude, by force or cunning, from going to the
+door and admitting the count."
+
+"By force, impossible, for that would make a noise; but by cunning. I have
+it, Frederick, I have it! I will entice old Trude into my room and then
+lock myself in with her, playing all sorts of tricks, and seeming to have
+no object at all in view but amusement and teasing. I will take care of
+old Trude."
+
+"And I of Count Schwarzenberg. It is high time, sister! Make haste, lest
+old Trude escape you. But hark! It will be necessary for you to speak to
+the old woman, besides. You must threaten her with revealing the whole
+affair to our father if she does not do as you command, and tell our
+sister that she waited for the count a whole hour in vain."
+
+"You are right, Frederick. That is still better. Louise must believe that
+he did not come. To work!--to work!"
+
+The Princess sprang away with the fleetness of a gazelle, and the Prince
+was left alone.
+
+"I wish I could go to meet him sword in hand," he muttered between his
+clinched teeth. "I understand their game. They would have poisoned me and
+carried off my sister, so that she would have been forced to marry him,
+and then by means of the Emperor she would have been declared heiress of
+the Electoral Mark of Brandenburg. Ah! I penetrate their designs, and they
+shall not succeed. Their poison proved inefficacious, and so shall their
+love! Now away to the door through which the fine gallant was to have
+entered. He will find it locked, and I shall keep guard before it the
+livelong night."
+
+The Prince left his own apartments, and hurried down a private staircase
+and through dark passages to the door designated. It was only on latch,
+but a key was in the lock. Quickly he locked the door, and then stood
+listening intently. It struck ten o'clock, and as the last stroke vibrated
+in his ear a hand was laid upon the door latch outside, and a manly voice
+whispered: "Trude, open! It is I. The one whom you expect! Open, quick!"
+
+"Were it hell," murmured the Prince softly to himself, "yes, were it hell,
+I would open the door. But there is no admittance to paradise for you.
+Knock on, knock on! The gates of the Electoral mansion are not undone for
+you. Knock on; the castle of the Elector of Brandenburg is locked against
+you, and you must stand without, you Counts of Schwarzenberg, for you
+shall not thrust me out of the palace of my fathers! I shall be Elector of
+Brandenburg in spite of you, and then, Count Schwarzenberg, Stadtholder in
+the Mark, then be on your guard! I shall remember, Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, that your finger rapped at this door, threatening to bring
+shame and disgrace upon this house! And then, perhaps, I may open a door
+for you, and allow you to enter, but it will not be for a lover's
+rendezvous, and the door which admits you will not so easily grant you an
+escape. Now I suffer and endure, but a time of reckoning will come!
+Schwarzenbergs, beware of me!"
+
+For a long while yet the Electoral Prince stood within the door, and for a
+long while yet, at intervals, the knocking on the outside was repeated.
+Then all was still. Frederick William returned to his own apartments.
+
+Early next morning took place the departure of the Electoral family for
+Prussia. It was to be wholly without formality, and consequently no one
+had been notified. The Elector had only caused the two Counts
+Schwarzenberg to be summoned after the carriages were ready, and when they
+came in haste they found the Electoral family just on the point of
+entering their several equipages.
+
+"I meant to set out secretly," said George William, stretching out both
+hands to the Stadtholder, "in order to spare myself the pain of bidding
+you farewell, Adam. But now I find that my heart is stronger than my will,
+and I must embrace you once more before I go!"
+
+While the Elector embraced his favorite and received from him assurances
+of perpetual fidelity, Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg approached the
+Princess Charlotte Louise, who stood silent and apart in a window recess,
+looking out upon the street with pallid countenance and eyes reddened by
+weeping.
+
+"Louise," he whispered softly, "Louise, you--"
+
+But before he could utter another word, Princess Hedwig stood beside him,
+addressing him with amiable speech, and the Electoral Prince approached
+his sister and offered her his arm to conduct her to the carriage. She
+walked along, leaning on her brother's arm, without once lifting her eyes
+from the ground, deeply humiliated by the thought that her lover had
+caused her to wait for him in vain. A quarter of an hour later the two
+clumsy vehicles containing the Electoral family rolled out of the castle
+gate and struck into the road leading to Koenigsberg. The White Lady had
+driven away the Elector George William, and he was nevermore to behold the
+palace of his fathers.
+
+The White Lady had saved Prince Frederick William, and as he now drove
+through the gates of Berlin in that clumsy old coach he said to himself,
+with joyful anticipation: "I shall see you again, Berlin! I shall see you
+again, dear town of my fathers! I shall come back, and, please God, not
+humbly and enslaved as I go away to-day, but as a Prince, who is lord
+within his own domains, with God in his heart, a clear sky overhead, and
+no Schwarzenbergs upon the horizon!"
+
+Wearily and panting for breath the poor horses dragged the heavy carriage
+through the sands of the Mark, but within sat the Electoral Prince--within
+sat Caesar and his fortunes.
+
+
+
+
+Book IV.
+
+I.--THE YOUTHFUL SOVEREIGN.
+
+
+The Elector George William had been gathered to his fathers. On the 1st of
+December in the year 1640 he had at last closed his weary eyes, and bidden
+farewell to a world which had brought him much grief and disquiet, little
+joy and repose, much mortification and disappointment, never a single
+triumph or solid satisfaction.
+
+The Elector George William had been gathered to his fathers, and his son
+Frederick William was Elector now. Two melancholy years of privation and
+humiliation, resignation and oppression, had he passed at his father's
+side, ever suspected by him, ever watched with jealous eyes, and forcibly
+denied any participation in the administration of the government, ever
+struggling with care, even for daily food, and forced to borrow at
+usurious rates of interest to provide even a meager support for his little
+household. It had been a severe school, but Frederick William had passed
+through it with a brave spirit and cheerful determination. Across the dark
+and gloomy present his clear eye had ever been directed to the future, and
+hope had ever lingered at his side, holding him erect when overburdened by
+care, consoling him when vexed and humiliated by his father's unjust
+suspicions and ill will. Not unexpectedly had the Elector George William
+died; full two months before his summons came, the two physicians in
+ordinary, after holding a long consultation with the celebrated Koenigsberg
+doctors, announced to the Electoral Prince that the Elector was drawing
+near his end, and that his dropsy and insidious fever were slowly but
+inevitably causing death.
+
+The Electoral Prince had had time, therefore, to prepare for the momentous
+hour which would call him from obscurity and inactivity--time to summon to
+him those whom he wished to have at his side in the critical hour. Up to
+the period of his father's death he had been an obedient, submissive son;
+yet he had well known that as soon as George William closed his eyes he
+would have to step into his place and be his successor. And he would be a
+worthy successor! That he had vowed, clasping his father's cold hand. He
+had told his mother so when, beside her husband's corpse, she had blessed
+him in his new dignity, and besought his protection and love for herself
+and her two daughters! Yes, he would be his father's worthy successor; he
+would force the world to respect him. Such were his thoughts as, on the
+day after his father's decease, he for the first time entered his cabinet,
+and seated himself before the great writing table at which the Elector had
+been wont to sit.
+
+To the last day of his life George William had himself held the reins of
+government, and, in the timid jealousy of his heart, angrily refused all
+aid, all assistance. No one had dared to open and read the incoming
+rescripts nor to attend to neglected business.
+
+On the table lay whole piles of unopened letters and rescripts, whole
+heaps of acts awaiting only the Electoral signature. Frederick William
+laid his hand on these acts which he had now to sign, and his large,
+deep-blue eyes were uplifted to Heaven.
+
+"Lord!" he cried fervently--"Lord, make known to me the way in which I
+should go!"
+
+These were the first words spoken by Frederick William on commencing his
+reign, and on seating himself before his father's cabinet table, which was
+now his own.
+
+[Illustration: Robbery of peasants.]
+
+He took up the first of the sealed documents and opened it. It was a
+representation from the cities of Berlin and Cologne, whose magistrates
+implored the Elector to furnish them some redress for their affliction and
+want, and besought him, even now, to make peace with the Swedes, and to
+command the Stadtholder in the Mark to institute a milder government in
+the unhappy province. In heartrending words, they pictured the distresses
+of both wretched cities, which had so far declined that they had now
+hardly seven thousand inhabitants, while ten years ago they had numbered
+more than twenty thousand. "But fire, pillage, and oppressions," so the
+writing wound up, "have reduced us to the most extreme poverty. Many of
+the inhabitants have made haste to end their wretched lives by means of
+water, cord, or knife, and the rest are upon the point of forsaking their
+homes, with their wives and children, preferring exile to remaining longer
+in these cities, the abodes of pestilence and war. The Stadtholder in the
+Mark, however, feels no pity for our sufferings, and just recently,
+despite our entreaties, has had all the suburbs burned down, because the
+Swedish general Stallhansch was on the march against us. We most urgently
+entreat your highness to have compassion upon us in our low estate, and to
+instruct the Stadtholder to slacken the severity of his rule and to spare
+us in our grief." [29]
+
+Sighing, Frederick William laid aside the melancholy writing, and took up
+the next in order. It was a petition from the town of Prenzlow, not less
+sad, not less moving than the first. The magistracy of Prenzlow likewise
+prayed for compassion and redress of grievances, and painted in moving
+words the misery of town and country. "Since," they wrote, "on account of
+the unhappy war existing, the fields hereabout had been lying idle for
+some years, such unheard-of scarcity had ensued that the people had not
+only been driven to making use of unusual articles of diet, such as dogs,
+cats, nay, even dead asses lying in the streets, but impelled by the
+fierce pangs of hunger, in town as well as in the country, had fallen
+upon, cooked, and devoured one another!" [30]
+
+"Much to be pitied land, and much to be pitied Prince as well," sighed
+Frederick William. "A heavy, an almost intolerable burden of government
+has fallen upon my shoulders. God help me to sustain it worthily!" [31]
+
+He stretched out his hand for a third paper, when the door opened and old
+Dietrich entered.
+
+"Well, old man," asked the Elector, "what brings you here? And why is your
+old face so merry to-day?"
+
+"Because I have something pleasant to communicate to your highness. The
+two gentlemen whom your honor has been expecting are here. Colonel von
+Burgsdorf and--"
+
+"Leuchtmar?" joyfully inquired the Elector, and, upon Dietrich's assent,
+he hurried himself toward the door. But after he had already stretched out
+his hand to turn the knob, he paused and slowly resumed his place in the
+middle of the room.
+
+"Who is in the antechamber, besides?" he asked.
+
+"Your highness, there are also without the gentlemen whom you summoned to
+an audience, the Chamberlain von Schulenburg, Herr von Kroytz, Herr von
+Kospoth, and the jeweler Dusnack."
+
+"Those gentlemen may wait. Desire Herr von Kalkhun to come in."
+
+Dietrich withdrew to the antechamber. The Elector's eyes were fastened
+upon the door with an expression of joyful expectancy. When it opened, and
+the tall, slender form of his friend and preceptor became visible, he
+could restrain himself no longer, but, forgetting all ceremony, all
+etiquette, hurried with outspread arms to meet Leuchtmar, and impetuously
+clasped him to his breast.
+
+"God be praised that I have you again!" he said, with a warm embrace.
+"Once more I have found a father and a faithful friend. Welcome, you man
+of loyal heart, with my whole soul I bid you welcome!"
+
+"And you, most gracious sir," cried Leuchtmar, deeply moved, "may you ever
+receive blessings and good gifts from on high, and always deserve them by
+noble thoughts and deeds! Such shall be my prayer evening and morning, and
+your highness shall verify my petition."
+
+"Amen! God grant it!" said Frederick William solemnly. "And now, look at
+me, my friend, and let me read in your features that you are the same as
+of old."
+
+"The same as of old, indeed!" smiled Leuchtmar. "These two years have made
+an old man of me, and blanched my hair. I not merely longed after you, I
+grieved for you, knowing, as I did, what your grace had to bear and
+suffer. My heart was weighed down by grief and sorrow when I thought of
+what my beloved young master was undergoing."
+
+"It is true," said Frederick William. "I have gone through hard trials and
+had many humiliations to endure. I have been treated as an adventurer and
+alien, unworthy of being employed or consulted. I was forever subjected to
+suspicion, and accused of coveting a throne before my time. If I asked
+after my father's health, he supposed I did so because I longed for his
+death; and if I made no inquiries, he accused me of indifference and want
+of natural affection. Alas! Leuchtmar, in the despair of my soul I have
+actually thought at times that the beggar on the street had an enviable
+fate compared with that of the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg--and--But
+hush! hush! I will no longer think of the past with bitterness and
+chagrin. Reproach against my father shall never pass my lips. He rests
+with God, and, as his soul has entered into everlasting rest, let us not
+stir up the ashes of memory, but let peace be between father and son,
+eternal peace! And now, my friend, be the past forgotten and blotted out,
+with all its pains and wounds, and to the present and future only be our
+thoughts dedicated. You are here; I have again my most trusted friend; and
+in this the very first hour of our reunion I will confess something to
+you, Leuchtmar, which you indeed have long since known, but which I in the
+arrogance of youth have sometimes denied. I now feel that Socrates was a
+wise man when he said, 'Our education begins with the first day of life,
+nor is complete upon the last.' Fate has indeed placed me in a difficult
+school, and I am conscious that I am far from possessing adequate
+attainments, and that there is still much for me to study and digest.
+Therefore, my friend, from you I demand aid, that I may study to some
+purpose, and that I may at least take position in the world and among
+posterity as a first-class scholar."
+
+"Ah! most gracious sir," said Leuchtmar, smiling, "you are already more
+than that, and have in these two years of trial passed your _examen
+abiturientium_ with great distinction."
+
+"And think you I am entered now as a student in the high school of
+knowledge? Yes, Leuchtmar, such is indeed the case, and since it may well
+be that at times I shall make false steps, and commit blunders through
+inadvertence or misunderstanding, I demand of you to point out to me my
+mistakes."
+
+"But, your highness, I might myself be the one in error, and in my
+short-sightedness attempt to teach one much better acquainted with the
+subject than myself."
+
+"In such case let us weigh and compare opinions, when, surely, we shall
+discover the right. Only promise me this one thing, Leuchtmar, that on all
+occasions you will speak the truth to me, according to the best of your
+knowledge and perception--that you will not conceal it from me, even when
+you may know that it will be irksome and disagreeable to me. Will you
+promise me this, my friend?"
+
+"I promise it. I promise, if your highness requests the expression of my
+views and opinions, to give you the truth, according to the inmost
+convictions of my heart."
+
+
+"No, Leuchtmar, in important matters you must give me your opinion, even
+when I have not asked for it."
+
+"Well then, your highness, I promise that too."
+
+"And on my side I promise always to listen patiently, and not to become
+angry and excited, even when our opinions disagree and you utterly oppose
+me. You smile and shake your head. Probably you think that I can not keep
+my promise."
+
+"I do think so, your highness; yet I fear not, and shall courageously
+weather the storm. I am already old and have witnessed the gathering of
+many a tempest, have seen the clouds burst, and afterward seen the bright
+blue sky and cheerful sunshine again. I shall not fear, even though the
+thunder roar and growl, for the thunder has somewhat of the voice of God,
+and there is something exalted and majestic in the lightning's flash.
+Only, gracious sir, it must not strike, but content itself with harmless
+shining. Will you most kindly promise me thus much, gracious sir?"
+
+"Am I Jupiter, that I hold the lightning in my hand, and can direct its
+stroke?"
+
+"Yes, indeed, sir, Jupiter you are, in your native element, amid the flash
+of lightnings and the roar of thunder."
+
+The Elector smiled. "Tell me, Leuchtmar, am I really then of so fiery a
+temperament and of so passionate a nature? Why do you not answer me? The
+truth, Leuchtmar, the truth!"
+
+"Well, the truth is that your highness is of quite a fiery temperament and
+of a tolerably passionate nature. But you are not to blame for this, for
+it was entailed upon you with your Hohenzollern blood. You are the worthy
+descendant of your ancestor Albert Achilles; and be glad of this, sir, for
+by sluggish blood and soft complexion great things have never been
+accomplished."
+
+"Then you expect me to accomplish great things?"
+
+"Yes, your highness, such are indeed my expectations, and I glory in them!"
+
+"We will talk of this hereafter, friend," said the Elector, gently shaking
+his head. "But now let us forget what I have become since yesterday, and
+consider that I have a heart, which is young still and full of love and
+ardor, despite all it has suffered. Two months ago, when the doctors told
+me that my dear father's case was hopeless, I dispatched secret messages
+to two friends, and requested them to come here and tarry in the
+neighborhood of Koenigsberg until I should have them summoned by a courier.
+I was not willing to vex my father in the least degree during his
+lifetime, and would not even see my friends in secret, but preferred to
+wait patiently until I could do so openly.[32] The two friends whom I sent
+for to be near me were Burgsdorf and yourself, my Leuchtmar. But to you I
+gave previously another commission. Have you executed it?"
+
+"Yes, your highness, I have executed it."
+
+"You have been to Holland? At The Hague and at Doornward?"
+
+"I have been there, gracious sir!"
+
+"You have been there," repeated Frederick William, drawing a deep breath.
+"O Leuchtmar! you men in private life are happy because you are free. You
+can go whither you will, and follow the dictates of your own hearts. But
+we, poor slaves to our position, must accommodate ourselves to
+circumstances, and patiently submit to the laws of necessity. How often
+has it seemed to me as if my longings could not be repressed, as if I must
+break all bonds and hasten to that free and happy land where the fairest
+days of my life were passed. How often, in reflecting upon the past, has
+it seemed as if a fire were kindled in my breast, mounting in clear flames
+to my head to lay my reason in ashes. But I durst not allow this, and with
+my own sighs extinguished the leaping flames, and, Leuchtmar, shall I
+confess it? At this moment I am cowardly, and speak so much, because--yes,
+because I lack the courage to ask one open question. But I will be bold
+and courageous, I will conquer my poor, foolish heart. Tell me, then,
+Leuchtmar, what I _must_ know! I sent you to Holland to obtain certain
+information with regard to the evil reports which have been circulated
+here. I gave no credit whatever to them, for I knew they were anxious that
+I should contract a certain marriage, and would therefore crush the love I
+was cherishing for another person. And yet this other lived within my
+heart, and when I closed my eyes I saw her before me in all her beauty and
+loveliness, and at night, when all the troubles of the day were over, and
+I was alone in my chamber, she was near me, speaking to me and consoling
+me with the sweet, kind words she whispered to my heart. Ah, you see,
+Leuchtmar, I am but a very young man, and--courage, courage! out with the
+question! Have you seen the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine?"
+
+As Frederick William asked this question he walked to the window and
+turned his back to the room. A pause ensued, then Leuchtmar replied, in
+gentle, sorrowful tones, "No, gracious sir, I have not seen the Princess."
+
+A shudder passed over the Prince's frame, but he did not turn around.
+
+"Why did you not visit her? Why did you not see her, when I had
+commissioned you to speak with the Princess herself?"
+
+"Most noble sir, I could not speak with the Princess, for she was no
+longer at The Hague."
+
+"No longer in Holland?" asked the Elector, and his question sounded like a
+cry of grief wrung from a tortured heart. "Where was she then? Where was
+Ludovicka?"
+
+"Most noble sir, you have imposed upon me the duty of always telling you
+the truth, but at this moment I feel it to be a difficult duty."
+
+"Perform it, Leuchtmar, I require you to do so! Where was the Princess
+Ludovicka, if she was no longer with her mother?"
+
+"Your highness, the Princess Ludovicka Hollandine has voluntarily forsaken
+her mother and her family, and at first they knew not whither she had
+gone."
+
+"And do they know now?"
+
+"The Electress of the Palatinate had received her first letter from the
+Princess the day before I waited upon her, and, as the Electress had ever
+honored me with her confidence, she communicated to me the contents of
+that letter."
+
+"What were they? Quick, tell them quickly, that my heart may not break
+meanwhile. What was in the letter?"
+
+"It said, most gracious sir, that of her own free will, and out of most
+tender love for the chosen of her heart, she had forsaken her mother's
+house because that Princess had refused her consent to her union with the
+man--these were her own words--with the man whom she loved above all
+others. It said, moreover, that the Princess had followed this man, the
+Count d'Entragues, to France, and that for the present she had withdrawn
+to a convent, preparatory to professing the Catholic religion and then
+marrying Count d'Entragues."[33]
+
+The Elector uttered a hollow groan, and, putting both hands before his
+face, as if he were ashamed of what he felt, sank upon a chair, and sat
+long thus, breaking the silence with occasional sighs and groans.
+
+Leuchtmar dared not interrupt this sacred silence even by a word, or to
+offer comfort to the agonized heart of the young Prince by words of
+consolation. He knew that strong heart must first vent its grief in order
+to gain repose, and that only from within could spring up that consolation
+which strengthens and sustains.
+
+After a long pause, after a bitter inward conflict, Frederick William
+allowed his hands to drop, revealing a face pale as death and lips whose
+corners twitched convulsively.
+
+"Leuchtmar," he said, "this is the baptism by which I am consecrated to my
+new office. It is, indeed, a baptism of tears, and has torn my wounded
+heart, I grant you. But such a baptism of tears was needed to wash from my
+heart all that could derogate from the lofty calling to which alone my
+whole being should be dedicated. No one on earth can accomplish anything
+great who has not first received a baptism of grief and tears. By such
+baptism the soul extricates itself from earthly wishes and selfish
+desires, and he who would be a thorough man and accomplish great things
+must be lord of himself, and have no wishes for himself, but to attain
+glory and honor! And so I now shake the past from my soul as a torn and
+tattered garment, and would despise myself if even a sensation of pain
+were left behind. No, no, I am free! My heart is coffined, and I shall
+close the lid and bid it an eternal farewell!"
+
+"Your heart coffined, your highness!" said Leuchtmar gently. "You think so
+now, but I tell you it will again rise from the dead, and beat with full
+ardor and glow, for, God be thanked, the heart of man is a tenacious
+thing, and dies not from one dagger-thrust. Its wounds can be healed, and
+then it is so much the stronger because it knows what it can suffer and
+overcome!"
+
+"Enough now, my friend, enough!" cried Frederick William, shaking his head
+so violently that his brown locks fluttered in wild disorder. "Thus I
+shake off an unworthy love and all vain lamentations. Now, Leuchtmar, I am
+the man, the Elector. A very young man, you will say, but one who has
+stood the brunt of battle and fire, who in days has lived through years,
+and consequently is old, for my twenty years count double. Baron von
+Leuchtmar, I have much to discuss with you, and I summoned you here for
+important consultations, but stay--a man is without whom I can keep
+waiting no longer, for his time is valuable, and he who makes a workman
+wait robs him of his capital. I beg you, Leuchtmar, to open the door and
+call the jeweler Dusnack."
+
+Leuchtmar hastened to obey this order. As he turned toward the door
+Frederick William once more passed his hand rapidly over his face, and
+for a moment pressed it to his eyes. As he drew it away he felt a drop
+fall burning upon his hand, and it shone there like a bright diamond,
+but--his eyes were now dry and glittered with the fire of resolution.
+
+"Well, Master Dusnack," exclaimed Frederick William to the approaching
+jeweler, "have you brought us, as directed, a few seal rings, from which
+to make our selection?"
+
+"Here they are, your Electoral Highness," replied the jeweler, holding out
+a little box and handing it open to the Elector. Frederick William
+examined with interest the bright and sparkling rings, which were in
+separate compartments, and nodded kindly to the jeweler.
+
+"You are a skillful workman, and your rings please me well," he said.
+"These things are tastefully designed and prettily executed. You must have
+very good workmen, and it pleases me that such things are made in our
+country. For I suppose, of course, these beautiful rings emanate from your
+own workshop."
+
+"Most gracious sir, I would that it were so, and it is not my fault,
+indeed, that it is otherwise. I have been long in foreign lands and
+studied and worked in the first jewelry establishments of Paris. But I
+find no apprentices here capable of executing such artistic and delicate
+work, and can only have ordinary gold and silver ware made here, such as
+forks, spoons, mourning rings, and articles of that kind; but for my finer
+ornaments and such costly rings as these I must send to Paris and Lyons,
+where the goldsmith's art flourishes, while it is frightfully depressed
+here, both for the want of purchasers and artisans."
+
+"Then we must see to it," said Frederick William, "that such times are
+ushered in, that men shall feel free to purchase golden trinkets, and that
+clever workers in gold be attracted here, in order that we may dispense
+with foreign manufactures. As soon as the times become somewhat more
+tranquil, we, too, will have need of goods of that sort, for not long
+since all the jewels of our house were stolen.[34] But I tell you, Master
+Dusnack, we shall only buy such things as have been designed and executed
+at home. Therefore exert yourself, and procure good workmen. For this time
+I must needs content myself with foreign wares and select a seal ring. I
+therefore take this one with the ruby, and you must engrave our country's
+coat of arms upon it without delay."
+
+"Your highness's orders shall be obeyed," replied the jeweler
+respectfully. "Does your highness merely wish the coat of arms upon the
+seal, or would you like a motto added?"
+
+"Yes, master, a motto shall be added, to run thus, 'Lord, make known to me
+the way in which I should go.' Will you write it down, master, that you
+may not forget it?"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, it is not necessary, for you have impressed it
+on my heart."
+
+"Go then, master, and inscribe it for me right plainly on the stone."
+
+The Elector turned to Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun as soon as the jeweler
+had taken his departure, saying, "Now for you, friend, and our plans of
+government."
+
+
+
+
+II.--PLANS FOE THE FUTURE.
+
+
+"Yes, friend, I want to discuss government affairs with you," continued
+the Elector, with a faint smile, sinking back in the armchair before the
+writing table. "Sit down, Leuchtmar, quite close to me, for I shall now
+disclose to you what no other mortal ear must hear; I shall reveal to you
+my thoughts and plans. Man is, after all, but a weak and tender creature,
+and it is a necessity with him to have some trusted soul on whom he can
+rely for sympathy, and to whom he can tell all that moves his inner being.
+To me, Leuchtmar, you are that trusted soul, and in this hour I will make
+known to you the inmost recesses of my heart. You shall learn who I am,
+what I think, and what are my aspirations, that you may always comprehend
+and appreciate me, standing with ever-ready succor at my side. For I hope
+you have no engagements elsewhere, and from this moment enter my service?"
+
+"I have hitherto lived in quiet and retirement at Cologne on the Rhine,
+waiting for the hour which should summon me to my gracious master's
+presence, for you are the only Sovereign upon earth whom I would serve,
+and to you belong my being, thoughts, and all that in me is of energy and
+skill."
+
+"I have counted on you, Leuchtmar, and well I knew that my reliance would
+not be in vain. You must aid and sustain me, for I stand in urgent need of
+wise friends, of diligent, faithful workers, in order to gain the goal
+which I have placed before me in the future, and to execute the schemes
+which I have planned. In the first place, Leuchtmar, do you know properly
+who I am?"
+
+"Yes, your highness," replied Leuchtmar, smiling. "I think I know right
+well. You are the youthful hero, the Hercules to whom the gods have
+committed the twelve difficult tasks, that he may prove himself a
+demi-god, and who now begins his work with the zeal of courage and the
+inspiration of faith."
+
+"The comparison may be slightly applicable," said the Elector, "and as far
+as the Augean stable is concerned. I, too, have my stable to cleanse; only
+it belongs not to Augias, but to Schwarzenberg. Still, I will try to
+purify it. But I must set about my undertaking with dexterous hands; of
+that, however, let us speak hereafter. I shall first consider your
+simile, drawn from the story of Hercules. Do you know, Leuchtmar, the
+names of my twelve tasks, and their extent? I ask you once more, do you
+know who I am, or, rather, what my name is? Look, there lies the document
+which I am just on the point of sending to my good subjects, and by means
+of which I shall notify them of my assumption of the reins of government.
+Just read the heading, Leuchtmar."
+
+Leuchtmar took the paper handed him and read: "'We, Frederick William,
+Marquis of Brandenburg, Lord High Chancellor and Elector of the Holy Roman
+Empire, Duke of Prussia, Julich, Cleves, Stettin, Pomerania, Cassuben, and
+Vandalia, as also Duke of Silesia, Croatia, and Jaegerndorf, Burgrave of
+Nuremberg, Prince of Rugen, Count of Markberg and Ravensberg, Baron of
+Ravenstein.'"
+
+"Enough!" cried the Elector. "You have now read the outlines of my
+Herculean task, you now know who I am. A Prince of long titles, not one of
+which has its foundation in truth and reality. And this is my Herculean
+task, to make these titles real, and to give a good kernel to these empty
+nut shells. Look, Leuchtmar, there is a map. Let us examine it and compare
+it with my titles, for it is a map corresponding finely with these titles,
+and on which all the counties and provinces pertaining to them are
+designated. Marquis of Brandenburg, that is my first title, and you would
+naturally suppose that this, at least, was veritable, for the Mark is the
+oldest possession of our house, and my ancestor, the Burgrave Frederick
+von Nuremberg, was invested with it by the Emperor. But what do I obtain
+from the Mark? Friend and foe have quartered there, until they have
+changed it into a desert; famine and pestilence hold sway there, and the
+despairing inhabitants have left their fields untilled and wander about
+shelterless and hungry. The only prosperous man there, possessed of power
+and consideration, is the Stadtholder in the Mark, Count Adam von
+Schwarzenberg. The Mark suffers and groans, but he is of glad heart, and
+the distress of the people touches him not. What cares he for land or
+people, save in so far as they conduce to the furtherance of his own ends,
+and do you know what those ends are?"
+
+"He is an Imperialist and a strict Catholic," said Leuchtmar, "and it must
+be confessed that he would rather see the whole Mark go to destruction
+than behold it Protestant and independent."
+
+"Yes, he has let the Mark Brandenburg go to destruction!" cried the
+Elector, with flashing eyes. "Catholic and Imperialist he would have it.
+And I can not reach him, he knows very well that I must spare him, and
+that _he_, the powerful, opposes _me_, the powerless. To him have the
+commandants of the fortresses and the soldiers sworn allegiance; the
+Emperor protects him, and would esteem it an act of rebellion against
+imperial majesty itself if I were to depose Schwarzenberg from office. It
+would be a departure from the course pursued by the Mark for twenty years
+past, for, since Schwarzenberg has nourished as Stadtholder, the Emperor
+has been the real lord of the Mark, and not an order nor rescript ever
+issued from my father's cabinet to which the Emperor had not given his
+consent, or of which he had not previous knowledge. I must therefore for
+the present still suffer Schwarzenberg to be lord of the Mark, for I have
+not power to defy the Emperor and call down upon myself his rage. The Lord
+High Chancellor and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire must for the present
+bow humbly to the Emperor, and submit in silence to the evils of his lot.
+My duchy of Pomerania the Swedes have appropriated to themselves, and I
+can not, as I should like, wrest it from them by force of arms, for I have
+no weapons, no soldiers, no army; I must now try to come to an amicable
+understanding with them, and, if possible, make peace with them. In Julich
+and Cleves I am duke, too, as my title vouches, but to be so really I must
+first rescue these countries from the Dutch, and then be able to defend
+them against the cupidity of France. And my duchies of Silesia, Croatia,
+and Jaegerndorf? The Emperor has taken possession of them as if they were
+his own fiefs, and he will be little likely to restore them to the
+powerless Elector of Brandenburg. Neither will the Saxons easily
+relinquish to the weak Elector Magdeburg and Halberstadt, which counties
+they hold enthralled. Alas! Leuchtmar, you see of all my vast possessions
+I only retain the empty titles."
+
+"But one country your highness has omitted in your enumeration, and there,
+undoubtedly, you are undisputed Sovereign, no enemy having supplanted you
+in this land. You are Duke of Prussia, and there, at least, ruler also!"
+
+"Yes, I am Duke of Prussia--that is to say, if King Wladislaus of Poland
+will condescend to invest me with this duchy, and allow me to go to
+Warsaw, humbly to kneel to swear allegiance to him, and acknowledge myself
+one of his vassals. Until he has done so, I am not the legalized ruler
+even here in Prussia, and the King of Poland will already consider it as
+an infringement upon his supremacy that I have not forthwith dismissed the
+Prussian chamber of deputies, which held its sitting in my father's
+lifetime, but allowed it to prolong its session. There, too, as at the
+imperial court, I must give fair words, must show myself humble and
+obedient, so as not to excite untimely enmity against myself, and rouse
+the mighty against the weak. For what refuge would remain to me, or
+where would I find support, if the Emperor of Germany and the King of
+Poland should threaten me with their enmity?"
+
+"I should think the Swedes would be delighted to have your highness for an
+ally, to stand with them against the Emperor and the German Empire, and
+the States-General, too, would gladly give you the right hand of
+confederation."
+
+"Oh, yes, the Swedes would gladly accept me as their ally, provided that I
+would voluntarily resign to them Pomerania and Ruegen, renouncing all claim
+to these lands; and the States would gladly extend to me the right hand of
+fellowship, only I must have first laid down in this hand the duchies of
+Cleves and Julich as an offering of friendship! But such a thing would I
+never do, and never shall I peaceably resign the smallest strip of land
+that should be mine to purchase thereby repose for myself. Up to this time
+I have enjoyed only the title to my lands, but it must and shall be now
+the purpose of my whole life to substantiate these claims, and not merely
+to conquer back what is my own, but, an' it please God, to enlarge my
+territories and give to them unity and compactness. I am now a Prince only
+by my armorial bearings, but I _will_ be a veritable Prince. I now wear
+only the most delapidated semblance of a Prince's mantle, inflated by
+hollow wind, but I shall change it into a purple mantle, such as no German
+Prince would be ashamed of, which every one in the German Empire shall
+respect, yea, even the Emperor himself."
+
+"And you will gain your end," cried Leuchtmar, "yes, you will gain it. It
+stands written on your lofty brow, it shines forth from your fiery eyes,
+and is spoken by every feature of your noble, energetic face. You will
+gain your end. From the confusion and chaos of the present times you will
+emerge as a distinguished, mighty Prince; out of nothingness and disorder
+you will construct a powerful state, and to your towering titles give a
+firm basis of strength and truth!"
+
+"Amen! God grant it!" said Frederick William, piously lifting his large
+eyes to Heaven. "It seems now, indeed, as if it were an unattainable
+goal," he continued, after a pause, "and to no one else would I confess
+it, for I would only become the scorn and derision of my enemies."
+
+"But the delight of your friends!" cried Leuchtmar, deeply moved, "the
+invigorator and uplifter of your friends!" "Friends, say you? Where are my
+friends? Look abroad throughout the whole German Empire, the whole of
+Europe, and then tell me where my friends are. I have not even friends in
+my next-door neighbors, not even in my nearest relations! Yes, were I rich
+and influential, had I protection to give and benefits to dispense, then
+would the Princes far and near gladly bethink themselves of the claims of
+consanguinity, and overwhelm me with civilities and attentions. But I am
+powerless, and they dread lest I should need their protection and their
+influence; therefore are they forgetful of family ties! But they shall
+find themselves mistaken in me, my dear relatives! They shall be forced
+some day to acknowledge that the Elector of Brandenburg is self-sustaining,
+and stands erect without the aid of foreign supports. You look
+at me doubtfully, and perhaps think me a braggart, promising great
+things which I may never be able to perform? It would seem so,
+indeed, now, for where are the means for accomplishing such aims? Wretched
+and in the process of dissolution is all about me, nowhere do I see
+determined friends, efficient followers!"
+
+"Oh, gracious sir, in that you go too far! You know yourself how much
+Schwarzenberg is hated in all your territories, how ardently all patriots
+long for his deposition from the government; for the league with the
+Emperor is detestable to everybody, and fear of Catholic domination and
+desire for the Swedish alliance prevail among all your subjects."
+
+"Yes," cried the Elector, "adherents of Sweden there are in my dominions,
+and Schwarzenberg has indeed opponents enough. But he has friends as well,
+whom he has purchased with his good money and his protection. But tell me,
+where is an Electoral party, one deserving the name by its unity and
+determination, a party which looks not to the right or left, but straight
+ahead in the direction that I shall take? The old friends of my house are
+dispersed, hunted into banishment, exiled, or dead; on whom else could I
+depend? All positions in the army and government, all offices has
+Schwarzenberg filled with his own creatures; and should I venture to step,
+in their way, and endeavor to effect their and his ruin, I might easily
+come to ruin myself. In what direction, then, can I look for help?"
+
+"To yourself, most noble sir, to your own mind and heart!" cried
+Leuchtmar, with enthusiasm.
+
+"It is as you say, I should be a fool were I to seek protection elsewhere.
+Protection from the Emperor, the empire, Poland? Protection from comrades
+in the faith or blood relations? My empire is within myself, and by God's
+help the foundations shall be laid! 'Man forges his own fortunes.' That is
+a good old proverb. Well, I will try to be a good smith. I have played
+anvil long enough, and hard enough have been the blows dealt me by Count
+Schwarzenberg. I shall now try being the fist that guides the hammer, and
+I think I have a tolerably strong fist, that will be able so to wield the
+hammer as to fashion for myself a worthy scepter."
+
+"A great and noble task has God committed to your highness," said
+Leuchtmar; "to you is it given to create your own state, and what you
+shall be hereafter you will owe to your own powers."
+
+"And to the assistance of true servants, tried friends and followers!"
+cried the Elector, cordially extending his hand to his faithful counselor,
+"although now I only know two men on whom I can rely--yourself and
+Burgsdorf. But together we form no contemptible trio, and I am confident
+that great results will follow our efforts, and, in order that you may see
+what I am projecting, tarry here while I call in old Burgsdorf."
+
+With alert step the Elector moved to the door and opened it. "Colonel von
+Burgsdorf!" he cried, then turned, strode through the cabinet and seated
+himself in the armchair before his father's writing table.
+
+In the door of the entrance hall now appeared Colonel von Burgsdorf, his
+broad, red face wearing an embarrassed expression. Standing still in the
+doorway, he looked across at the Elector, who, his back half turned,
+seemed to take no notice of his approach.
+
+"No doubt," said Burgsdorf to himself, "he has had me summoned in order to
+give me my discharge; he has not yet forgotten how desperate I was in the
+year '38. It is over with you, Conrad, and you can go home, because, like
+the old ass that you are, in sooth, you uttered aloud the pent-up agony of
+your soul!"
+
+But while he was talking thus to himself with deep resentment, his
+countenance expressed nothing but devotion and anxiety; in humble,
+soldierly attitude he stood in the door. The Elector had his eyes fixed
+upon some papers lying on the table before him, and seemed absorbed in
+their perusal. Leuchtmar at last ventured to accost him.
+
+"Gracious sir," he said softly, "Colonel von Burgsdorf, whom you called,
+has come in and is waiting for your orders."
+
+"He is waiting!" cried the Elector. "Then I shall certainly have to ask
+his pardon in the end, for well I know that Colonel Burgsdorf does not
+understand waiting."
+
+"Without doubt," repeated Burgsdorf to himself, "he has summoned me merely
+to give me my discharge."
+
+"Colonel von Burgsdorf!" now cried the Elector, turning half toward him
+with grave, severe countenance, "just tell me how strong was the regiment
+which you enlisted for the Electoral army last year?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, I enlisted two thousand four hundred men."
+
+"That is to say," cried the Elector sternly, "you obtained the bounty
+money for recruiting two thousand four hundred men; but I would be glad to
+learn of you how many of those men actually existed."
+
+"Your highness," stammered Burgsdorf in confusion, "I do not understand
+what your grace means. If I obtained bounty money for two thousand four
+hundred men, they certainly existed."
+
+"So one would suppose, indeed," replied the Elector; "yet it can not have
+been, for before me lies a letter from Count Schwarzenberg to my father,
+and only hear what the Stadtholder in the Mark writes. Leuchtmar, come
+here please and read."
+
+Leuchtmar hastened forward, and, taking the paper which the Elector held
+out to him, read: "'It is to be lamented that the officers contrive to
+pocket so much press money and hardly produce one out of every six men
+said to have been enlisted. Colonel von Kehrdorf received pay and rations
+for twelve hundred men, and yet had not over eighty; General von
+Klitzing's regiment ought to be two thousand strong, and in reality
+numbers only six hundred; Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf gives out that he
+has two thousand four hundred recruits, and there are not quite six
+hundred of them.'"
+
+"That is a lie--a base lie!" cried Burgsdorf, whose face was purple with
+passion. "The Stadtholder in the Mark has always been my enemy and
+opponent, and if he maintains that I only enlisted six hundred men--"
+
+"He maintains something quite untrue," interrupted the Elector; "but he
+maintains no such thing. You interrupted Leuchtmar; let him read to the
+end, and hear the conclusion." Leuchtmar read on: "'And if you pick
+perhaps two hundred able-bodied men out of the six hundred, there remain
+four hundred feeble, sickly fellows, who would fall down like dead flies
+on the very first march.'"[35]
+
+"You see that Schwarzenberg does not maintain that you enlisted six
+hundred able-bodied men."
+
+"Your highness!" cried Burgsdorf, trembling with passion, "this I see,
+that you have had me called here in order to dismiss me, to banish me
+forever from your presence--and yet I have served you so faithfully, and
+have always hoped that you would forgive me."
+
+"Forgive?" asked the Elector. "Had I anything to forgive in you?"
+
+
+"Most gracious sir, that time after your return from The Hague I let my
+old heart carry me away; it was wholly wild and ungovernable and forgot
+the deference due your grace."
+
+"Ah, I remember now," said the Elector, gently nodding his head. "That
+time when you wanted to make a revolution and required me to place myself
+at your head. You wanted to make of the poor little Electoral Prince a
+mighty rebel, and were even so kind as to promise that when with your help
+he had crushed Schwarzenberg he should become his father's prime minister
+and Stadtholder in the Mark."
+
+"Your highness," cried Burgsdorf indignantly, "those were well-meant
+schemes, and originated in the excess of our love for you."
+
+"Only, if I had adopted them, my father would have easily subdued the
+princely rebel with the Emperor's support. The Stadtholder in the Mark
+would then have had the pleasure of seeing upon the scaffold the Prince
+who had dared rebel against his own father, as befell Prince Carlos of
+Spain, when he revolted against his father, King Philip. I thought a
+little about that unhappy, misguided Prince, and profited by his example.
+You probably did not think of him, Burgsdorf, and fell into a great rage.
+I am glad you remember that day, for actually I had forgotten it."
+
+"Most gracious sir, I would like to bite out my own tongue and swallow
+it," screamed Burgsdorf, raving. "I am a genuine old ass, and you do well
+to dismiss me forthwith; for I deserve nothing better, and am served quite
+right. Just speak out at once, your highness. I am discharged, am I not?"
+
+"Quietly, Burgsdorf!" commanded the Elector sternly. "I am no longer the
+Electoral Prince at whom you can scold and bluster, as you did that time
+in the palace of Berlin."
+
+"You always go back to the old story," groaned Burgsdorf.
+
+"And you," said Frederick William, "you are just as impatient as you were
+then. You cried murder and death, because the Electoral Prince would not
+do your will! I told you--I remember that very well now--I told you that I
+would learn and wait. I begged you to do the same and wait also. But you,
+you would not wait; you cried out that you had already waited twenty
+years, and that now your patience was exhausted. You had no compassion on
+the youth of eighteen years, who had just come out of a foreign land, and
+hardly knew how to distinguish friend from foe because he was not
+acquainted with the condition of things. And yet you were already old and
+in your twenty years of waiting ought to have learned a little prudence!
+But you had learned nothing at all and could not wait, and gave me up with
+wild impatience because I would not be guilty of criminal disrespect
+toward my father."
+
+"Most gracious sir, you cut me to the quick! Each of your words is a
+dagger aimed right at my heart. Let me go; let it bleed in solitude and
+retirement."
+
+And old von Burgsdorf turned and went to the door.
+
+"Stay there!" called out the Elector in commanding tone, arising from his
+seat and standing proudly erect. Burgsdorf, who had just laid his hand
+upon the door latch, let it glide down, and stood abashed and humble.
+
+"You gave me up and forsook me that time in Berlin," continued Frederick
+William, "scolded and upbraided me, merely because I wished to learn and
+wait. That proves to me that you have never learned and never waited.
+Learn now, Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf. Withdraw into that window recess,
+and wait until I speak to you again and tell you my decision with regard
+to you." And once more the Elector opened the door of the antechamber and
+called Chamberlain Werner von Schulenburg into his cabinet.
+
+
+
+
+III.--DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS.
+
+
+"Schulenburg," said the Elector to the advancing chamberlain, "you will
+set out immediately. Go to Berlin and inform the Stadtholder in the Mark,
+Count von Schwarzenberg, of my father's death. Announce to his excellency
+that it is my urgent and pressing request, that he continue to burden
+himself with the duties of the Stadtholdership."
+
+An involuntary growl issued from the window where Burgsdorf was stationed.
+The Elector took no notice of it, and proceeded: "Moreover, request the
+Stadtholder in my name to write to me immediately, advising me what to do
+with regard to the Regensburg Diet, because we can not now with the
+required dispatch rightly apprehend and maturely consider the matter on
+account of our great affliction."[36]
+
+A second growl issued from the window, and called a slight, passing smile
+to Frederick William's face.
+
+"Then," continued the Elector, "notify the Stadtholder that I shall he
+glad to retain the present governors and garrisons of the forts; but that
+it would please me if we could inflict some injury upon the enemy at one
+place or the other; but, mindful of his hitherto glorious and successful
+management, I feel that I need only direct his attention in a special
+manner to the fortresses."
+
+Old Burgsdorf's growl now became almost a shriek of pain. "It is unheard
+of," he said, in quite an audible voice.
+
+With a proud movement of the head the Elector turned to him. "Burgsdorf,"
+he said, "you were to learn to wait; be silent, then, as becomes an humble
+scholar."
+
+Again the Elector turned to the chamberlain. "That is all I have to say to
+you, Schulenburg. I hope you have forgotten nothing, and that you will
+punctiliously execute every command."
+
+"I trust that your highness is convinced of my zeal and fidelity," replied
+the chamberlain, bowing reverentially. "I shall punctiliously execute all
+your orders, and have only to ask further when I am to set off?"
+
+"Immediately," said the Elector, "and travel post haste. Farewell! But
+hark! Schulenburg, you have obtained my official dispatches, now I shall
+add a little private errand. When you have communicated all this to the
+Stadtholder, exactly as directed, then converse a little with him in the
+most friendly manner, and in the course of conversation, as if of your own
+accord, sound Count Schwarzenberg as to his inclination to pay us a speedy
+visit in Prussia, the better to consult with us concerning the onerous
+duties of the administration. Then ask him casually, but in quite an
+innocent manner, whom he would recommend meanwhile as his substitute.[37]
+And now, God speed you, Schulenburg, go and carry out all my orders to the
+letter. As you pass out, send in to me the two gentlemen waiting in the
+antechamber."
+
+With a condescending nod of the head, he offered his hand to the
+chamberlain, who pressed it fervently to his lips, and then left the
+cabinet with hasty steps.
+
+"And now for you, gentlemen," cried the Elector, advancing a few paces to
+meet Herr von Kreytz and Herr von Kospoth, who were just entering the
+cabinet. "I have an important commission to intrust to both of you. You
+are both to proceed to Poland and announce my father's death to King
+Wladislaus. That is your affair specially, John von Kospoth. You know how
+to frame courteous speeches, and will inform the King that my father
+(peace be to his ashes!) has not been a more submissive vassal than his
+successor Frederick expects to be; you will tell him that the Dukes of
+Prussia are very faithful and obedient servants to the King of Poland, and
+know very well that they should be his Majesty's most humble vassals."
+
+Again a passionate murmur proceeded from the window, and Burgsdorf's
+flushed, angry countenance appeared between the silk curtains. The Elector
+saw this by a furtive glance, and again something like a smile passed over
+his countenance.
+
+Turning to the second gentleman, he continued: "You, Wolfgang von Kreytz,
+will present my most submissive and respectful greetings to the King of
+Poland, and acquaint him with the fact that I take my predecessor's place
+as duke in the dukedom of Prussia. Inform him that I recognize the King as
+lord paramount, and humbly sue for investiture. Tell him that I have
+hitherto forborne to perform the functions of ruler, and committed the
+government to a board of regency, and am meanwhile striving with the
+greatest diligence to acquire a knowledge of the rights and privileges of
+the land. Pay, both of you, the most polite and friendly court to the King
+and all his ministers. Asseverate everywhere that we know right well that
+our succession in Prussia depends wholly upon the King's choice, and that
+we would naturally desire to present ourselves in person and swear
+allegiance to his Majesty. And after you have impressed all these
+statements fully upon his mind, add that to our deepest regret we can not
+come immediately, on account of the bad condition of our hereditary
+estates and manifold business pertaining to the Roman Empire, which just
+now prevent us from undertaking the journey. Then petition for a gracious
+dispensation from personal attendance, and request his Majesty to grant a
+written order for the feoffment. Should the King make known to you through
+his counselors that he will not grant this written order, then desire a
+private audience of the King, and represent to him that we have been
+forced to assume the government, and deprecate his displeasure. Wait also
+upon the most prominent ministers, and represent the same thing to them.
+By your eloquence and zeal I hope that you will accomplish your purpose,
+and bring me the investiture. To this end spare neither flattery nor fair
+words."
+
+"Most gracious sir," asked John von Kospoth, with a meaning smile, "but
+if, unfortunately, flattery and fair words prove of no avail, what must we
+do then?"
+
+"You answer that question for me, Wolfgang von Kreytz," said the Elector.
+
+"Most gracious sir," exclaimed the young baron spiritedly, "if all
+entreaties and persuasions fail to move, I think it will be time to assert
+your Electoral dignity, and to have recourse to a little threatening. We
+should give the King of Poland to understand that you claim the succession
+in Prussia by virtue of your own good right; that your father, the Elector
+George William, undertook the government before the investiture, and that
+you will defend your duchy of Prussia with all the means at your command,
+and will never give it up."
+
+"Very good," said a deep voice from behind the window curtain.
+
+"Do you mean to speak so too, John von Kospoth?" asked the Elector.
+
+"If flattery and persuasions bring forth no fruit," replied Kospoth, "it
+would be a satisfaction to me, too, to threaten."
+
+"A poor satisfaction!" cried the Elector, "unless we could forthwith
+follow up our threat by action, and send out our regiments to declare war!
+No, sirs, if you try in vain to bribe with fair words, then we must resort
+to money! Money is also a weapon, and, if report speak truly, an effective
+one among the Polish lords, their King himself respecting it. In
+extremity, therefore, if you can not go forward at all, then have their
+Majesties, the King as well as Queen, notified, by means of some trusty
+person, that if we obtain the grant of the government on the spot, and
+have no difficulty with regard to investiture, we shall pay to both their
+Majesties, as a bonus, the sum of sixty thousand Polish florins, and
+afterward wait upon the great chancellor, vice chancellor, and lord high
+chancellor, salute these gentlemen from me, and promise each one of them
+ten thousand Polish florins. Take care, though, to stipulate for some time
+to be allowed us for the fulfillment of these promises, for where the
+money is to come from is as yet a riddle to ourselves. Such is my
+commission, gentlemen. Hasten to execute it."
+
+"And now," exclaimed the Elector, when the two gentlemen had left the
+cabinet, "now, Colonel von Burgsdorf, you have received your first lesson,
+and have learned to wait a little. Come forward now; I have something to
+say to you."
+
+"And I, sir," called out Burgsdorf, as he rushed forth from the bay window
+and threw himself on his knees before the Elector, "first of all, I have
+something to say to you. Your highness, above all things I must beg your
+pardon from the bottom of my heart, and confess to you the evil thoughts
+that led me to suppose that the Elector at twenty years of age did not
+understand government and was only a timid young gentleman. I see now that
+you are far wiser and more prudent than the old fool Burgsdorf, and that
+you have learned more in your twenty years than will ever penetrate my
+thick skull. You are a great statesman, your highness; on my knees I
+implore your pardon for having doubted you, and beseech you, reject me
+not, sir! Forget the nonsense I gave utterance to that time at Berlin, and
+take the old broadsword into your service. It desires nothing better than
+to be worn out in your service, to fly out of its scabbard at your bidding
+and slash away at the enemy."
+
+"To slash away at the enemy!" repeated the Elector. "First of all, stand
+up, old colonel. There," he continued, smiling, holding out his hand to
+him, "I must help you a little, for your old limbs have grown stiff in my
+father's service. And now, just tell me, old broadsword, what you think
+of it. How will you attack the enemy for me now? Enemies enough we have,
+indeed, but too few soldiers, I should think, to cope with them. Or think
+you that we could soon set an army on foot? Would you go out to battle
+with your regiment of two thousand six hundred men, and win back for me my
+contested territories?"
+
+"I beg your highness not to speak of my two thousand six hundred men. You
+know well that they have long since melted away, because there was no
+money wherewith to pay them."
+
+"Well then," said the Elector, "I will gratify you by forgetting that
+splendid regiment, and by no longer reminding you of the things that were.
+But this I tell you, Burgsdorf, under my administration everything must
+correspond, and what is noted down on paper must really exist. And now we
+shall see if you are acquainted with our military affairs."
+
+"Alas! most noble sir," sighed Burgsdorf, "would that I did not know, for
+it is a most sorrowful knowledge to an old soldier and in a most
+distressing condition is the Brandenburg military department."
+
+"Yes, indeed!" exclaimed the Elector. "The knights no longer take horse,
+the citizens no longer care to defend their towns and gates, the States
+refuse to pay subsidies for the support of the army, and our coffers are
+exhausted. It is no wonder if there can be no talk of an army. How much
+infantry and cavalry have we in all, Burgsdorf?"
+
+"Most gracious sir," sighed the colonel, "in the Mark and Prussia together
+we have not more than twenty companies of infantry, allowing a hundred and
+twenty-five men to each."
+
+"That would make two thousand five hundred men," said the Elector--"a
+small nucleus for an army, truly; but something, nevertheless, provided
+that these men are attached to me, and owe fealty to none besides myself."
+
+"But that is just our misfortune," said Burgsdorf; "these men have sworn
+allegiance not only to you, but to the Emperor's Majesty. They were
+enlisted in the Emperor's name, and carry the imperial banner."
+
+"Ah!" cried the Elector, "I see you know how it is, Conrad von Burgsdorf,
+and understand the difficulties of the position in which we find
+ourselves. Yes, the regiments of the Elector of Brandenburg have given
+oath to the Emperor, and the Emperor's banners wave above our forts. All
+my officers serve the Emperor first! Tell me, Burgsdorf, are you yourself
+not in the Emperor's service? Have you not a regiment in the imperial
+army, although you are governor of Kuestrin, and therefore under my
+command?"
+
+"That is so," replied Burgsdorf. "I could not refuse the imperial regiment
+because it was such a lucrative post, and the governorship paid me hardly
+anything. The emoluments for heading the imperial regiment were more in
+one year than I would have gained in twenty years from my Brandenburg
+post. Necessity drove me to it."[38]
+
+"I know that very well," said the Elector, "and I repeat that the past
+shall be forgotten if you promise that in future you will be true and
+loyal to myself alone."
+
+"Your highness!" shouted Burgsdorf, "I will be faithful to you and your
+government to the end of my life! I renounce empire and Emperor, and
+henceforth the Elector of Brandenburg is my sole lord and general! Allow
+me on the spot to give into your own hand my oath of office, and swear
+to you eternal fidelity!"
+
+"Here is my hand," said the Elector solemnly. "Swear upon this hand
+hereafter to become the sword of Brandenburg, to serve me faithfully and
+zealously, and to have no other Sovereign than myself!"
+
+"In God's name I swear that I will have no other Sovereign, and serve
+under no other Prince, than yourself alone, the Elector of Brandenburg!"
+cried Burgsdorf, laying both his hands in that of the Elector and pressing
+it fervently to his lips.
+
+"And now, having sworn you into my service," said the Elector, in a
+majestic tone, "now I commission you to return home to Kuestrin and to
+administer the oath to all the officers and men there. But understand, to
+me alone, not to the Emperor."
+
+"To you alone, not to the Emperor!" cried Burgsdorf, with animation.
+
+"And I further order you to receive no imperial garrison
+into your fortress, for we have a right to exact this, since it
+is clearly stipulated in the peace of Prague that each Prince
+is at liberty to man his fortresses with his own people, which
+clause gives validity to this assertion of right."[39]
+
+"Your Electoral Highness!" cried Burgsdorf, "that was spoken like a man!
+Begin the good work in earnest, and command the Stadtholder without delay
+to swear in the other governors of your remaining fortresses!"[40]
+
+"You are of opinion, then, that this is very necessary, and that these
+gentlemen might refuse to swear allegiance to me alone?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I am strongly of that opinion, and would venture to lay a wager
+that Colonel von Rochow at Spandow, and Goldacker and Kracht in Berlin,
+will not take oath to your Electoral Highness."
+
+"Woe to them if they do it not!" cried the Elector, with flashing eyes. "I
+shall prove to them that they must bow in obedience to me, and that I
+recognize no other lord but myself within the limits of my own dominions.
+Now go back to the Mark, Burgsdorf, and do as I have bidden you. You may
+also, as would once have been so pleasant to you, go over right often to
+Berlin. Attend well to all that is going on, for it may be that I shall
+soon have occasion for you there. Be on your guard, therefore, colonel,
+and be pretty circumspect in word and deed. Ponder upon the advice given
+you by the little Electoral Prince once: 'Learn and wait.'"
+
+"Sir, you give me another thrust!" cried Burgsdorf; "but it does me good,
+and I am glad of it. Yes, I shall learn and wait, for I see plainly the
+last night of the world has not come yet, and my dearest master will not
+always have to act so on the defensive as now; when the right time comes,
+he will strike and prove to all his enemies, even the mightiest of them,
+that he is more powerful than they. Mark now, mark my words; Schwarzenberg
+may look out!"
+
+"But meanwhile let Burgsdorf look out! Farewell now, Burgsdorf, you have
+received my orders. Execute them."
+
+"Now," cried the Elector, after the colonel had left the room--"now, my
+dear Leuchtmar, you know all my views and plans. But the most weighty,
+important, and difficult task I have reserved for you."
+
+"I think I know what your highness means," said Leuchtmar, smiling. "Your
+precautionary measures have been taken in all directions; as early as
+yesterday your envoys departed laden with most submissive messages of
+respect for the Emperor. Only in one direction have you done nothing, and
+that remains for me. I am to go to Sweden, am I not?"
+
+The Elector nodded and smiled. "It is as you say--you are to go to Sweden.
+A great danger threatens my country. The Swedes are on the frontiers, or
+rather within my territories, for they hold possession of Pomerania, which
+is mine. They are on the point of invading the Mark, Banner again
+threatens my poor, exhausted lands, and it is said that he has already
+issued orders for the demolishing of Berlin. Schwarzenberg for that very
+reason had the suburbs of Berlin and Cologne burned down, thus laying the
+city open to assault; from Saxony, also, the Swedish general Stallhansch
+advances upon Brandenburg, and all is in a fair way to encircle the Mark
+in the flames of war. But, as you know, I have no money and no soldiers,
+no power and no lands. I can not conduct a war! My single purpose must now
+be, in the first place, to withdraw my oppressed land and people from
+these flames of war into lasting repose and a peaceful security, and then
+to govern them well.[41] I shall send you to Sweden, therefore, Leuchtmar,
+to conclude for me a temporary armistice with the Swedes, and also to
+negotiate the conditions of a peace. I must have peace at any price, for
+on no terms can I carry on a war. Chancellor Oxenstiern is indeed a proud
+and overbearing man, who will probably make hard conditions, but we must
+accommodate ourselves to them, yield gracefully now, and defer our revenge
+for a later day. Only if he demands Pomerania as the price of peace, you
+may not yield; we will indeed be yielding, but not suffer ourselves to be
+humbled. We can grant much, but not allow ourselves to be imposed upon in
+everything. If Oxenstiern desires money and other material things, promise
+them, but land and towns you may not give."
+
+"Not a single title to land or town, your highness!" cried Leuchtmar, "for
+you have said that you would substantiate your titles, and give kernels to
+the empty shells; therefore the Swede shall not crack a single one of your
+nuts."
+
+"Not a single one," repeated the Elector, while he smilingly extended his
+hand to his friend. "And now, one thing more, Leuchtmar. Do you remember
+the plan about which my great-uncle Gustavus Adolphus spoke to my mother,
+when he was here on a visit?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," returned Leuchtmar promptly, "I remember it, and think it
+were time now to carry it into execution. There is one means of uniting
+Sweden and Brandenburg in the bonds of peace, without reducing Brandenburg
+to humiliation. Only follow the plan of the great Gustavus Adolphus; you
+know he destined his daughter Christina for your wife."
+
+"Yes," said the Elector, and a sudden pallor overspread his cheeks--"yes,
+he meant his daughter to be my wife. Go, Leuchtmar, and woo her, but quite
+secretly and quietly. As I have already told you, my heart is dead, young
+Frederick William no longer desires anything for himself, but the young
+Elector a great deal still, and it is the Elector who offers his hand to
+Queen Christina for the good of his country. I believe the little, young
+Queen interests herself somewhat in her cousin Frederick William, at least
+so my aunt, the widowed Queen, assured me. I shall intrust to you a letter
+for the young Queen, which you must try to slip into her own hand without
+Oxenstiern knowing anything about it. Go now, dear Leuchtmar, and prepare
+all things for your journey. Meanwhile I shall write the letter."
+
+"In one hour, your highness, I shall be ready," said Leuchtmar,
+withdrawing with a low bow.
+
+The Elector thoughtfully followed him with his eyes. "In one hour he will
+be ready," he said, "and he goes away to woo for me a woman's heart. Oh,
+Love and Faith, must you, too, bow to the great laws which govern the
+world? Must you, too, be laid as sacrifices upon the altar of country?
+Hush, poor heart and murmur not! Sink down into the sea of forgetfulness,
+ye days of the past! A new era dawns upon me. I stand before the gates of
+a great future, and I write above these gates, 'I will be a mighty and
+distinguished ruler!' That is my future."
+
+
+
+
+IV.--CONFIRMED IN POWER.
+
+
+With triumphant expression of countenance Count Adam von Schwarzenberg
+walked to and fro in his cabinet. The Chamberlain Werner von Schulenburg
+had just left him, and the glad tidings which he had brought from the
+young Elector had banished all doubts, all cares from the Stadtholder's
+heart.
+
+"I did him injustice," he said cheerfully to himself. "Frederick William
+was not my enemy, not my opponent! He was only the son of his father, and
+he will now also walk in his father's ways. I therefore remain what I am,
+remain Stadtholder, the lord of the Mark! And," he continued, more softly,
+"I would have put this amiable Prince out of the way! Who knows whether it
+would have been for my advantage if he had died and my son stepped into
+his place! My son is of my blood--that is to say, he is ambitious and
+thirsts after power and distinction. He would not have left the government
+in my hands, if he could have wrested it from me, and perhaps I would not
+have remained Stadtholder in the Mark had it been in his power to displace
+me!"
+
+The count had thrown himself into a fauteuil, and supported his head on
+his hand. The triumphant expression had long since faded from his
+features, which were mow grave and lined by care.
+
+"It pleases me not," he murmured, after a long pause--"no, it pleases me
+not at all that my son associates so constantly with Goldacker, Kracht,
+and Rochow at Spandow. They are disorderly fellows, who recognize no law
+or restraint, and find their sole pleasure in tumult and strife. It would
+seem fine to them if they could embroil father and son, for they would
+surely fish in the troubled waters, and draw out some advantage for
+themselves, which is ever their only concern. They exert an evil influence
+over my son, I know that, and it would be infinitely better for him to go
+away from here and--Ha! a good thought! I shall immediately carry it out."
+
+He started up and grasped the large gold bell, which had been recently
+presented to him by the Emperor. The clear, sonorous tones called a smile
+to the count's lips.
+
+"Yes, yes," he said, "the old Elector is dead, and I ring the new times
+in; yet the new era is but a repetition of the old, and the end remains
+ever the same, although the means by which we attain it differ. I used to
+whistle, now I ring, but the object remains identically the same--to
+summon serviceable spirits to my side.
+
+"They do not come, though," he continued after a long pause, in which he
+had awaited in vain the appearance of a lackey. "No, these, my serviceable
+spirits come not; they incline not to the new order of things, and prefer
+clinging to the old."
+
+He took the little golden whistle, lying on the table beside the bell,
+and gave a loud, shrill call with it. Immediately the door opened and a
+lackey appeared.
+
+"Why have you kept me waiting?" asked the count imperiously. "Did you not
+hear the bell?"
+
+"Yes, your excellency," replied the lackey, with reverential mien, "I
+heard ringing. It was the beadle, giving notice that two women were to be
+put in the pillory on the fish market for committing twenty thefts between
+them!"
+
+"Stupid fool! It was I who rang!" cried the count. "Did I not yesterday
+notify you through the majordomo that I should no longer call you with a
+whistle, but with a bell?"
+
+"It is true, your excellency, and I beg your pardon for forgetting it,"
+replied the lackey humbly.
+
+"Mark it for all time to come," commanded the count. "Go now and tell my
+son, Count John Adolphus, that I wish to speak with him, and request him
+to come to me."
+
+The lackey bowed obsequiously and left the apartment. He paused behind the
+closed door, and with defiant, angry countenance, shook his clinched fist.
+
+"You will no longer call us by a whistle," he muttered wrathfully, "and
+yet you whistle for your parrot and your dogs. But that is quite too good
+for your servants and lackeys, and they must now listen for that sheep
+bell. Tinkle and ring for us, will you, as if you were the beadle and we
+good-for-nothing folks to be put in the pillory? Ah me! every day the rich
+and high become more haughty, and the poor and lowly must every day put up
+with more! We had hoped, indeed, that other times would come, and that the
+young Elector would shove that old tyrant of a Stadtholder aside, and oust
+him from his dignities and offices. But Count Adam von Schwarzenberg
+retains his place, and the only change for us is that he rings for us
+instead of whistling as of old. We must just submit, and when he rings
+obey his orders as if he whistled."
+
+With a deep sigh and melancholy air the lackey now walked off to execute
+his lord's commands, and summon Count John Adolphus to his father. This
+young gentleman made haste to obey the call.
+
+"My son," cried the Stadtholder, himself opening his cabinet door, "I
+recognized your step and came to meet you."
+
+"You have something very urgent to say to me then, since you have so
+anxiously expected me?" asked John Adolphus, pressing his father's hand to
+his lips.
+
+"Yes, much that is urgent," replied the Stadtholder. "The young Elector's
+envoy has arrived, and brought me a first missive from him."
+
+"Good news?" asked his son hurriedly.
+
+"Yes, good news. The Elector confirms me in all my offices and dignities.
+I remain Stadtholder in the Mark, Director of the War Department--in
+short, what I am, whence follows as a matter of course that the Elector
+Frederick remains what his father was--my obedient servant. My son, the
+power has not fallen from my hand, and your heritage remains."
+
+"I assure you, my gracious father, I have but little desire to enter upon
+this heritage of mine," cried young Count Adolphus, shrugging his
+shoulders. "May I long remain what I am now, the son of the Stadtholder in
+the Mark, the coadjutor of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John."
+
+"I thank you, Adolphus, for this kind and friendly wish," said Count Adam,
+giving his hand to his son. "It proves to me that you love your old
+father, and that delights me. Truly, man is a wonderful creature, not
+being able to live for himself alone, but always longing for some
+sympathetic heart on which to lean. I have at last made the discovery that
+I have a heart."
+
+"And I," said Count Adolphus, laughing--"I have just discovered that I no
+longer have a heart."
+
+"Or rather, you are sick at heart, are you not?" inquired his father
+quickly. "My son, you have avoided me of late--you have turned from me,
+you no longer confide in me."
+
+"I have nothing to confide, most revered sir," replied Count Adolphus,
+smiling. "I lead a merry, harmless life, and care for nothing."
+
+"For nothing?" repeated the count. "Not even for the Princess Charlotte
+Louise?"
+
+Count Adolphus slightly shuddered, and his cheeks paled a little, but he
+carelessly shook his head, and continued to smile.
+
+"My son," continued his father, "I ask you to-day, as I did two years ago,
+on what terms are you with the Princess Charlotte Louise? During all this
+time you have invariably eluded my efforts to converse on the subject. I
+indulged you, for I know my prudent, cautious son, and waited for him to
+give me his confidence voluntarily. Hitherto, however, I have but waited
+in vain, so that I am compelled to take the initiative, and sue for your
+confidence. Give it to me, Adolphus, tell me whether you love the Princess
+Charlotte Louise."
+
+"Wherefore?" asked Count Adolphus. "How would it profit you?"
+
+"Me? Not at all, but perhaps it may profit you to tell me the truth. The
+lofty hopes we once indulged in have come to naught, destiny has not
+willed their fruition. We have been disappointed in our hope of seeing
+George William's daughter become his heiress, and exalt her husband into
+an Elector of Brandenburg. Frederick William is Elector, he has entered
+upon his father's estates to their full extent. But the Princess Charlotte
+Louise is still unmarried, and has remained so because she loves you and
+is waiting for you."
+
+"She has made me wait," cried the young count, with a sudden outburst of
+passion. "She kept me standing and waiting two hours before a locked door,
+and never, while I live, never, shall I forget the shame, the torture, and
+degradation of those two hours of vain expectation. Oh, father, see what
+power you have over me! I swore then that no human being should ever hear
+of the insult put upon me by that haughty Prince's daughter, and yet I am
+confessing it to you now. Pity me not, say nothing, nothing at all, for
+each word but aggravates my pain and makes my heart swell with indignation
+and grief. Oh, I loved her, trusted her, I dreamed of a proud and
+brilliant future, which I should owe to her! And she played her part in
+such masterly style, her countenance wearing a look of such innocence and
+candor! O father! I loved her, and I, the experienced man of the world,
+allowed myself to be deceived by that young girl, who knew nothing of the
+world, and was yet such an accomplished hypocrite! Think not that I was a
+mere idle coxcomb, arrogantly basing his expectations upon his wishes. No,
+she deceived me, she disappointed me! You should have seen her at that
+_fete_ which you gave to the Electoral Prince. How tenderly she leaned
+upon my arm, as we walked through the greenhouse, with what glowing
+cheeks, with what a blissful smile did she listen to my protestations of
+love, with what amiable bashfulness did she respond to them! She even
+anticipated my boldest hopes and desires, and when I ventured to ask for
+a rendezvous, not only consented to it, but gave me a proof that she would
+have granted it without waiting for me to seek one. There, in the
+greenhouse, she pressed a little note into my hand, which stated clearly
+and distinctly that she appointed ten o'clock of the following evening for
+a rendezvous with me at the castle. And yet all was falsehood and
+deceit--all only invented for the purpose of punishing the presumptuous
+fool who had dared to lift his eyes to the proud Princess! Oh, how she
+laughed perhaps, and mocked me with her sister, mother, and brother, while
+I stood below before the locked door and waited, finally being obliged to
+slink away, burying my rage and despair in my heart! I fancy her spying
+from a neighboring window, watching me, and enjoying my confusion as I
+stood there knocking at a bolted door, having at last to go off silent and
+bowed down. It makes me furious to think of this, and yet continually the
+idea haunts me, leaving me no rest, until the remembrance of these two
+dreadful hours becomes absolute torture. O father! why have you wrenched
+this secret from my heart?--why have you persuaded me to tell you, what I
+have not even revealed to my father confessor?"
+
+"I am glad, my son, that I have succeeded in opening this secret," said
+the count quietly. "I say opening, for like a festering sore it has
+rankled in your bosom, and believe me, Adolphus, since it has been opened,
+you will experience relief and your heart will heal. It has befallen many
+another man to be caught in the snares of a coquette, and to have a few
+costly illusions dispelled. But consider, my son, each illusion lost is
+an experience gained, and experience is cheaply bought with the dreams of
+the heart. Experience, you know, brings knowledge of the world, and
+knowledge of the world forms the diplomatist and statesman. You are
+already, my son, no despicable statesman, and you will some day play a
+great game, even though you are not the Electoral Princess's husband.
+For the rest I can give you one comforting assurance, and relieve your
+mind of an oppressive consciousness. In order to do this I have allowed
+you to vent your rage, and listened with attentive ear to your passionate
+complaints. My consolation is this: you have never loved the Princess
+Charlotte Louise--that is to say, never loved her with your heart, but
+only with your vanity and ambition. It was very flattering to you to be
+loved by a Princess, and ambition whispered to you that through your wife
+you might become reigning Elector, if the Electoral Prince were only put
+out of the way by fate or some other obliging hand. There was surely some
+prospect of this, and you know how exultingly we both looked forward to
+such a future. But we made shipwreck of those plans, and now it is too
+late to build them anew. However, let us not mourn over the past, but
+forget it. This hour has witnessed your last lament over your dead past.
+Its knell has been rung, let us both now doom it to oblivion. I have
+retained one thing in my memory, however, and that is the note which the
+incautious Princess gave you that evening in the greenhouse. Do you still
+possess it?"
+
+"Yes, I still possess it, and as often as I look at it my heart is like to
+burst with indignation and wrath!"
+
+"On the contrary, Adolphus, you ought to rejoice whenever you look at it,
+for you can turn this little note into a formidable weapon against the
+Electoral house. With this note you can some day force the young Elector
+to make you my successor, confirm you in the rank of Grand Master of the
+Knights of St. John, or even, if you still wish it, make you the husband
+of his sister Charlotte Louise. Ah! my son, a note in which the Elector's
+sister invites you to a rendezvous by night is worth more to you, indeed,
+than if you could go out against your enemy with an army, for an army
+might be vanquished, but in this _billet-doux_ of the Princess each stroke
+of her hand becomes a soldier fighting with invincible armor."
+
+"You are right, most gracious father," said Count Adolphus, with a
+sinister expression of face. "The day may come when I shall march out
+these soldiers against the faithless Princess and her whole house! I hate
+her, I hate them all, and my whole heart longs for revenge, and--"
+
+"Your excellency," said a chamberlain, approaching hastily--"your
+excellency, a courier from Koenigsberg has just arrived, and is the bearer
+of this dispatch from the Elector."
+
+The Stadtholder took the proffered packet, and by a hurried sign dismissed
+the chamberlain.
+
+"A courier from Koenigsberg," he said, with a slight shaking of the head,
+as he examined the great sealed envelope which he held in his hand. "A
+writing from the Electoral Government Office, when Schulenburg was just
+with me this very day, the bearer of verbal communications! I do not
+understand it!"
+
+"The best plan would be, most revered father, to open the letter!" cried
+Count Adolphus briskly. "You will then see what news it contains."
+
+The Stadtholder made no answer, but tore off the cover and drew forth the
+inner paper. Slowly he unfolded this, and read.
+
+His son had involuntarily advanced a few steps nearer, and watched his
+father's countenance with the impatience of suspense. He saw him turn
+pale, his brow darken, and his lips become firmly compressed.
+
+"The letter contains bad news?" he said breathlessly.
+
+"Not merely bad but astonishing news," replied the count, with forced
+composure. "The Elector here makes several requirements of me, and not
+directly, but through his private secretary Goetz."
+
+"What presumption!" exclaimed his son passionately.
+
+"How can that little Elector dare to forward a writ of chancery to you,
+the mighty and influential Stadtholder in the Mark, instead of addressing
+his desires and requests to you privately in his own handwriting?"
+
+"It shows at all events a little negligence and want of formality,"
+replied his father thoughtfully, "although the Elector may certainly plead
+as his excuse the many claims upon his time. For the same reason he only
+gave Schulenburg verbal messages for me."
+
+"And may I ask what the Elector demands of your grace? Or is this an
+indiscretion on my part?"
+
+"No, my son, you shall learn it. In the first place, the Elector requires
+me to send unopened to him at Koenigsberg all letters arriving here
+addressed to him, and not to open and answer them in his name as hitherto.
+The Elector further desires me to conclude no act of government without
+having previously called together the privy council. In the third place,
+the Elector directs me forthwith to require of all the governors and
+officers of the forts an oath of allegiance to himself. He lastly asks, if
+I can make it convenient to come to Prussia, that we may confer together,
+and that he may have the benefit of my aid and advice."
+
+"And what answer will your grace return to these demands?"
+
+"As regards the first requirement, I shall reply that the Elector's will
+is law, and that all writings shall be henceforth forwarded to him
+unopened. As to the second demand, I shall represent that it is now simply
+impossible to gratify, since only a single member of the old privy council
+is yet alive. As to binding the officers and commandants by oath to their
+duty," continued the count slowly, "I shall but require a token of their
+disposition to fulfill existing engagements. And lastly, as the Elector
+wishes it, I can hardly refuse him my advice; so that I will go to him in
+Prussia."
+
+"No," cried Count Adolphus impatiently, "no, father, you shall not. You
+shall not accept this artfully contrived invitation. You dare not go to
+Prussia. My God, sir, are your usually keen and penetrating eyes so
+blinded that they can not see what is so very palpable? Do you really not
+perceive that the Elector only wants to entice you away, in order to get
+you in his power, in order noiselessly and quietly to put you out of the
+way? Ostensibly you are to go to Koenigsberg to advise the young,
+inexperienced Elector. That is the pretext, the sand which they would
+scatter in the eyes of yourself, your friends, the Emperor, yea, all
+Germany, so that no one can see what is going on, or by any possibility
+guess what will happen. You may set out for Koenigsberg, but you will never
+get there; you will meet with an accident on the way--either your carriage
+will be overset and you fatally injured, or robbers fall upon you in the
+woods and murder you. However it may be, only as a dead man will you
+arrive at Koenigsberg, and the Elector will have nothing further to do than
+to decree your magnificent obsequies!"
+
+"Ah, my son!" cried the Stadtholder, smiling, "you go too far. Never will
+the Elector resort to such expedients. He is too pious and good a
+Christian for that!"
+
+"Father, are not you, too, a good, pious Christian, and yet--Believe me,
+the Elector has forgotten nothing. He remembers the man found under his
+bed once, with a murderous weapon in his hand and much gold in his pocket.
+He remembers the sickness which so suddenly seized him two years ago at
+the banquet which you had prepared for him. _Then_ you invited him, _now_
+he invites you, and if sickness seizes you, you will probably not have the
+good fortune to recover as he did."
+
+"That is true; my God! he may be right," muttered the count, turning pale.
+"It may be that they suspect me; they may have told him I meant to poison
+him at that banquet. I have proofs of it which make it seem probable, and
+that woman--Hush, hush! nothing of that--that has no place here! But I
+believe myself that you are right, and will therefore ignore the Elector's
+invitation."
+
+"God be praised, father, that you have taken this resolution!" cried the
+young count joyfully. "Now at last the crisis is upon us--open enmity and
+a rupture, regardless of consequences! Waver and hesitate no more. The
+Elector would ruin you; you must ruin him. Nay, look not so amazed and
+shocked, father! I have long foreseen this moment, and have prepared
+everything for meeting the emergency with dignity. As soon as the first
+news of the Elector George William's death reached here, I gathered about
+me my friends and yours, and held a long consultation with them, which
+satisfied me of their fidelity and devotion. Oh, most gracious sir, you
+have indeed no reason to bewail your lot, for you have many and reliable
+friends, who are ready for your sake to confront the most imminent
+dangers, to undertake what is most difficult and hazardous! All of our
+friends were convinced with me that the Electoral Prince is your
+implacable enemy, and that he only watches for an opportunity to
+accomplish your ruin. In spite of his few years, however, he is much too
+wise and cautious a man to attempt to act against you with open, swift
+determination. He knows the Emperor loves you, and that he would regard
+each act of enmity against you as directed against himself. Therefore he
+would quietly remove and undo you. Here, in the midst of your faithful
+friends, surrounded by soldiers and officers who have taken an oath of
+fidelity to you and the Emperor, in the midst of your adherents and
+retainers, the Elector would not dare to arrest and accuse you. He begins
+much more prudently, much more circumspectly! In the first place, you are
+to swear the governors and officers into the Elector's service. That is to
+say, in other words, they are no longer to recognize the Emperor as lord
+paramount or you as the Elector's representative, but their oath is to
+bind them to the Elector alone, and only on his will are they to be
+dependent. After having accomplished all this, you are to proceed to
+Prussia, where no one defends you, where your friends can not rally around
+you, where you will vanish, uncared for and unwept. No, my lord and
+father, you must not go to Prussia, or if you do, not until you have
+assembled around you your loyal subjects, when, at the head of your
+regiments, you go forth to meet the Elector as his powerful and determined
+foe, not as his servant."
+
+"What do you say, my son?" asked the Stadtholder, shocked.
+
+"I say, father, that your friends and I have been secretly active, that we
+have prepared to defend you in case the Elector threatens you. Throughout
+the whole Mark your friends are ready to make open opposition to the
+Elector, and firmly determined to protect you and their own rights and
+privileges sword in hand. Only carry out Frederick William's order,
+summon the commandants of the forts here to Berlin, and demand of them
+their oath of allegiance to the Elector. This they will refuse. All, with
+the exception of Burgsdorf of Kuestrin and Trotha of Peitz, will declare
+that they have already given in their oath to the Emperor, and can not
+conscientiously take any other. The colonels of the regiments will say the
+same, especially Goldacker, the boldest, bravest of them all. They will
+keep faith with the Emperor, and therefore the Elector of Brandenburg is
+not their commander in chief. _You_, who administered the imperial oath,
+they will obey in the Emperor's name, they will follow whithersoever _you_
+lead."
+
+"But whither can I lead them?" asked the Stadtholder.
+
+"To battle against the little Elector of Brandenburg, who would revolt
+against his lord the Emperor; to battle against the heretical vassal of
+the Emperor, who threatens the German Empire and the Church, who would
+break loose from Emperor and empire, who threatens all creeds, making
+every effort to strengthen and aggrandize the reformed party. Oh, believe
+me, not merely good Catholics, but the Evangelical and Lutheran sects,
+will obey this call, and burn with enmity and wrath against the rash
+little Elector. We have spread our net, and its meshes are entangling him,
+even there in Prussia, where he thinks himself quite safe and secure. True
+friends and trusty messengers have been sent by Goldacker and myself to
+Prussia, to concert measures there with your adherents, and to rouse them
+to strong, energetic action. Sebastian von Waldow, superintendent of the
+palace and captain of Ruppin, assembles your friends together in perfect
+secrecy, and I daily expect from him exact accounts as to the success of
+his operations. In Koenigsberg itself we now have a powerful and efficient
+friend, who co-operates with us and is like-minded with ourselves. It is
+the ambassador whom the Emperor has sent to condole with the Elector. He
+is my best, most confidential friend, Count von Martinitz. He is
+acquainted with all my plans, he is the confidant of all my hopes and
+views, and will second them with all his might. This ambitious, heretical
+little Elector shall not rise, shall not arrive at power and distinction!
+That is not only the view the Emperor takes of it, but all German princes.
+The Elector of Brandenburg is a source of terror and embarrassment to them
+all. He threatens Saxony, he threatens Brunswick and Hesse; of all he
+claims land and property now in their possession. He has no friends,
+adherents, nor allies, this little Elector Frederick William. Holland will
+not side with him, because it will not relinquish Julich and Cleves,
+Sweden contends with him for Pomerania, and Poland about the investiture.
+He has only enemies and accusers! If, then, we attack him, he is lost! No
+hand will be lifted in his defense, no arm outstretched to save him. The
+Emperor will grant us his support and countenance, and all German princes
+will secretly rejoice that so dangerous a rival has been happily removed.
+O father! you see I have not abandoned hope of becoming some day Elector
+of Brandenburg! Only, I shall not be indebted for it to the Princess
+Charlotte Louise, but to you. I shall inherit the dignity as my father's
+son! And this shall be my revenge upon the faithless, treacherous
+Princess! I will ruin her and her whole house; I will put my father in her
+brother's place; I will one day enter as master the palace before whose
+closed portals they once insolently kept me two hours waiting. I swore
+that night to be revenged for that insult, and now the moment has come.
+Father, the fruit of revenge is ripe, and you must pluck it!"
+
+"Yes, that I will," cried the Stadtholder, with animation. "Oh, my son, a
+great, immeasurable joy fills my soul at this hour; and, first of all, let
+me beg your pardon for having entertained a horrible suspicion with regard
+to you which has lately forced itself upon me. I mistrusted you, seeing
+your activity, your strange confidential transactions with the commandants
+and officers; I felt that you were on the eve of some great undertaking,
+and suspected that in you I had a rival, and that you wished to supplant
+me! Forgive me, my son, forgive me in consideration of the misery my
+suspicions caused me!"
+
+"I have nothing to forgive, father," said Count Adolphus coldly. "It is so
+natural for those incapable of love to suppose that others are only moved
+by selfish ends! You, father, love nothing on earth but your own ambition
+and fame, and so fancied that it was the same with me, and that ambition
+could make the son a traitor to his own father!"
+
+"My Adolphus!" cried the Stadtholder, "I have already told you, and repeat
+again, that I feel I have a heart. I felt it in the pain which I
+experienced when I doubted you; I feel it now in the rapture which thrills
+me in beholding you act so boldly and courageously in behalf of your
+father. Give me your hand, Adolphus, and--if you do not disdain such a
+thing--embrace me, and kiss your old father."
+
+He held out his arms, and his son threw himself on his breast and
+imprinted a long, fervent kiss upon his lips. Long did Count Schwarzenberg
+clasp him to his heart, then took the young man's head between both his
+hands and looked at him with loving, tender glances. Finally, with a
+singular expression of embarrassment, he bent down and kissed his eyes.
+
+"My son," he said softly and quickly, "I love you. Yours are the first
+eyes that I have ever kissed, and this kiss of your father's unpolluted
+lips should be to you a life-long blessing. And now to work, now for
+action, and bold adventurous deeds! Oh, of late how weak and worn out I
+have felt myself to be, and longed to withdraw into solitude and
+retirement, to rest from all labor! I believed it was old age creeping
+upon me, and by its abominable touch unnerving my arm and crippling my
+activity. But now I feel that it was only secret grief about you which
+thus enfeebled me and robbed my arm of vigor. Now I am quite well again
+and strong; now I will dare everything that you have so prudently and
+wisely planned. Yes, yes, once more I am Schwarzenberg, the Stadtholder in
+the Mark, and I shall not allow myself to be imposed upon; I shall do
+battle with this little Frederick William, who ventures to defy and
+threaten me. He opposes the Emperor, he would be an independent Sovereign,
+while he is only the Emperor's vassal. For this he shall be punished. It
+will not be our fault if this hurls him from his little throne, and how
+could we be blamed, should the Emperor bestow the margraviate of
+Brandenburg upon Prince Schwarzenberg, as he did the margraviate of
+Jaegerndorf upon Prince Lobkowitz? To work, my son, to work! Oh, now again
+my eyes see clearly--now again my head conceives fixed and energetic
+thoughts. My son, we two combined will surely be equal to the execution
+of our exalted schemes. We two combined will ruin the Elector."
+
+"And put you in his place," cried the young count.
+
+"I must go before, that you may be my successor, and that our house stand
+firm and strong, and not be inferior to that of Lobkowitz or Fuerstenberg.
+Already it is clearly defined in my mind what we shall have to do. In the
+first place, we must render the Elector odious to all parties, making it
+evident to each that he is a dangerous foe to all, who would enrich
+himself at his neighbors' expense, and would arrive at honor and power by
+weakening and degrading others. We have only to say to the Emperor that he
+is his opponent, and seeks to release his officers from the oath they have
+taken. Ferdinand is passionate and jealous of his prerogatives, and will
+crush his rebellious vassal. To the Lutherans and their favorers we will
+have it whispered by our friends that the Elector, as a rigid Calvinist,
+threatens their faith, and proposes to restrict the privileges of their
+country churches and to deprive of their offices all those who will not
+confess the Calvinistic creed. The Lutherans are a hard-headed and
+fanatical sect. He who menaces their faith is their arch-enemy, and they
+will be ready to fight against him with fire and sword. The soldiers, you
+know, are always ready to follow him who pays them best, and as regards
+their officers, thanks to you, my son, we are sure of them. Let us now
+adopt a fixed plan for hastening the crisis."
+
+"I am only waiting for the return of the messenger whom I sent to
+Sebastian von Waldow. He will bring us reliable information as to the
+progress of organization among your adherents in Prussia, for Waldow has
+gone himself to Koenigsberg to hold a consultation with Count Martinitz,
+and to concert with our loyal friends a fixed plan of operations."
+
+"We shall be obliged to go very slowly and cautiously to work," said Count
+Adam thoughtfully. "We must first secure ourselves on all sides, and be
+sure of the result before we venture to assume the offensive. The most
+important thing now is to assure ourselves of the Emperor's favor and
+approval. You, my son, must repair forthwith to Regensburg, where the
+Emperor is at present. You will inform him that I have obtained orders
+from the Elector to release the troops from their oath to the Emperor, and
+to swear them into the Elector's service alone. You will say to his
+Majesty that I have declined to yield to this order, and in the oath
+administered to the officers have made their allegiance to the Elector
+quite secondary to their obligations to himself. You will further notify
+the Emperor that the soldiers' pay has been in arrears for a month,
+because all our coffers are empty. Therefore ask, in my name, if it would
+not perhaps be advisable, if we come to extremities, to take the
+Brandenburg troops into the Emperor's pay, to give them rations in the
+Emperor's name, and renew their oath to his Imperial Majesty. To effect
+this, we have only to stimulate a little the discontent of the troops.
+They are already tolerably desperate because they have not received their
+wages. If the Elector does not speedily pay off the troops, the
+desperation will reach its height, and a revolt break forth spontaneously."
+
+"Thence it follows, most gracious sir, that they will become as wax to be
+molded at your will."
+
+"You are right, my son; we must manage to retain authority over friend and
+foe. The troops here are a wild, lawless horde, knowing little of
+discipline and order, and bearing much closer resemblance to a robber band
+than a princely army. We must aim at having disciplined troops at hand,
+such as are accustomed to obedience, and to this end must introduce
+imperial troops into the Mark. Nothing further is necessary for this than
+to begin hostilities against the Swedes with renewed activity, drawing
+them down upon Berlin. It will then seem quite natural, considering the
+weakness of the forces here, to invite the aid of the Emperor and his
+troops in defending Berlin and protecting ourselves against the Swedes,
+but in truth to help us in this great movement against the seditious
+Elector, who would revolt against Emperor and empire.
+
+"I commission you, my son, to unravel this whole scheme to the Emperor,
+and to petition him for his countenance. For, without the imperial
+approbation and without an assurance of success, we dare not proceed
+further in this dangerous undertaking. We must have some security, too,
+that the Emperor's Majesty will proportionately reward us if we gain the
+Mark for him, and rid him of that mutinous, heretical Elector."
+
+"I shall above all things seek to come to an understanding with Father
+Silvio, and impress upon the Emperor's pious, zealous father confessor the
+extent of glory and blessing to be acquired in behalf of the Church and
+holy faith by wresting the Mark out of the hands of a heretic, and
+bestowing it upon a believing, true Catholic, such as the Stadtholder in
+the Mark. The father has the Emperor's ear, and, I believe, is favorably
+disposed toward me. I shall use every means for enlisting his favor, and
+it would be well to have some funds at my disposal for this purpose.
+Father Silvio, noble and pious though he be, loves money, and is not
+inaccessible to jewels and valuable gifts. He has in his apartments at
+Vienna costly collections of precious stones and rare gold and silver
+plate, and it affords him high gratification to add a few valuable
+pieces to them."
+
+"We will take care of that," said Count Adam, smiling. "Choose out of our
+casket of gems a few things worthy the pious father's acceptance, and for
+money you can draw upon the bankers Fugger of Nuremberg. I recently
+deposited with them considerable sums, in case of emergency. They are
+safer there than here in this starved-out Mark, among the desperadoes of
+Berlin and Cologne, who have no affection for me, and perhaps some day may
+take it into their heads to demand relief from me for their poverty and
+want, and plunder me to enrich themselves. Among such a gaunt, hungry
+populace we must be prepared for everything, and it is wise to be insured
+against mishaps. In these present evil days, however, nothing but money
+can raise an army, and only he who has money can aspire to being a
+general."
+
+"The little Elector of Brandenburg has no money!" cried Count Adolphus,
+"for which God be praised! He, therefore, can be no general. His troops
+and his land belong to us, and, like the Margrave of Jaegerndorf and the
+Elector of the Palatinate, the deposed Elector of Brandenburg may soon be
+a wanderer in foreign lands, exposing his humiliation to the whole German
+Empire. Nowhere will he find compassion, nowhere sympathy, for he is a
+dangerous foe to all, and all will profit by his fall. Dear, honored
+father, let me depart this very hour for Regensburg, in order to obtain
+the Emperor's approval of our weighty plans, and to return to you the
+earlier with plenipotentiary powers."
+
+"You are right, Adolphus, haste makes speed, and we must strike while the
+iron is hot. Set off, my son, this very hour if you choose. It will not be
+necessary for me to write to the Emperor by you. You know perfectly how to
+interpret my thoughts, and your spoken word is better than my written one.
+God speed you, then, my son, I shall expect daily dispatches from you,
+acquainting me with the progress of your negotiations."
+
+"I shall write, father, and make use of the ciphers agreed upon between
+us. You have preserved the key, have you not?"
+
+"I have preserved it in my head," replied the count, pointing to his
+forehead. "Important secrets should never be committed to paper, and I say
+with Charles V, 'If one carries a great secret in his head, he should burn
+his very nightcap, that it may not betray him.' Truly may it be said of us
+two that we carry an important secret in our heads. Instead of a nightcap
+I have burned the cipher key, that it may not one day betray us!"
+
+"But the great secret will one day surprise the world," cried Count
+Adolphus joyfully; "its trumpet peals will one day startle the whole of
+Germany. From the palace balcony here in Berlin shall its triumphant
+flourishes ring forth. The people in the streets will hear them in
+astonishment, and to me they will sound as the rejoicing songs of the
+heavenly hosts, and enraptured I shall look up to my father, standing
+there majestic in the pomp of his princely power. If I may then fall at
+your feet, all the ambitious dreams and aspirations of my heart will be
+fulfilled, and all within me will rejoice and shout, 'Health and blessings
+upon Prince Schwarzenberg, Margrave of Brandenburg!' Farewell now, dear
+father! I hurry away, the earlier to return to you!"
+
+
+
+
+V.--THE CATASTROPHE.
+
+
+Their plans matured, and every day approached nearer to completion, while
+with firm hand Count Adam Schwarzenberg held the reins which guided the
+great machinery of insurrection. He had sent Colonel Goldacker with his
+regiment to Mecklenburg to draw out the Swedes, and to provoke them to
+advance upon the Mark. The Swedes took up the gauntlet thrown down to
+them, and, while they were opposed to Goldacker in Mecklenburg, other
+Swedish regiments marched from Lausitz against Berlin. This was exactly
+what the Stadtholder wished, and once more the devoted Mark saw the flames
+of war burst forth, in order that Schwarzenberg might have an excuse for
+summoning Saxon troops to his aid.
+
+To-day these troops had reached Berlin, and the Stadtholder wished to
+celebrate their arrival by a sumptuous _fete_ in his palace. To this
+entertainment he had bidden Colonel Goldacker from Mecklenburg; the
+commandants of Spandow and Berlin, with their officers, were also invited,
+and already, in the early morning, they were preparing the table in the
+great hall for the magnificent collation to be served at noon.
+
+Meanwhile lamentation and mourning reigned in the cities of Berlin and
+Cologne, while life went so merrily in the Schwarzenberg palace. The wild
+hordes of soldiers made the streets unsafe even in the daytime. Drunken
+they roved through the city, with the greatest tumult and uproar; they
+broke into the houses of peaceful citizens to plunder and rob, and
+wherever anything was refused them, they committed the most wanton acts,
+laughing and singing over the tortures they inflicted. In vain had the
+burghers applied to the officers of these ungovernable outlaws and
+besought them to restrain the soldiery from outrages, to confine them to
+their quarters, and to punish them for their thefts and robberies. The
+officers declared that there was no means of enforcing so rigid a
+discipline, and that in times of war some allowance should be made for
+soldiers who with their own bodies protected the burghers from their foes.
+
+But the poor, tormented burghers did not want war; they wanted peace!
+Peace at any price. The States, too, who held their session in Berlin,
+wanted peace, and to this end had sent out a deputation from their midst
+to the Elector at Koenigsberg to implore him to pity their distress and to
+command the Stadtholder in the Mark to abstain from hostilities against
+the Swedes.
+
+The same suit the citizens desired to present to the Stadtholder, and
+to-day, while preparations were in progress for a military entertainment
+in the Schwarzenberg palace, a solemn deputation of the magistracy and
+citizenship repaired to the same spot to lay before the Stadtholder their
+wishes and entreaties. Count Schwarzenberg kept them waiting a long while
+in his antechamber, and when he finally made his appearance his
+countenance was proud and haughty, and his eyes shot angry glances upon
+the poor representatives of the burghers, who stood with deprecating
+humility before him.
+
+"What would you have of me, sirs?" he cried, in a rough voice. "What have
+you to say to me?"
+
+"Most gracious sir," replied the burgomaster of Berlin, "we come to
+entreat the aid and assistance of your excellency in behalf of our
+afflicted cities. We are exhausted, hungry, plundered, driven to despair.
+We can no longer bear the frightful burden of war. Have compassion upon
+our affliction; make peace with the Swede, that he may not advance upon
+Berlin, that we may not be forced to appeal to foreigners for our defense."
+
+"Make peace!" cried the burghers, stretching out their hands imploringly
+toward the Stadtholder, their eyes filled with tears. "O sir! we have
+borne sorrow and wretchedness for so many long, bitter years! Our hearts
+are crushed and desperate! Our souls are faint! Make peace, that we may
+see some end to our trials! We have no nourishment, no money, not even a
+shelter for our heads. The Swedes plundered us; the Imperialists took from
+us what the Swedes left; and now our own soldiers drive us out of our bare
+and empty dwellings, make sport of our calamities, mock the burghers,
+insult our wives and daughters, and quarter themselves in our houses,
+while we wander homeless about the streets, not even being able to procure
+shelter in our churches because the cavalry have taken possession of these
+with their horses, and converted the temples of God into filthy barracks!
+Make peace, Sir Stadtholder, make peace!"
+
+"I have not power to do so," replied Count Schwarzenberg haughtily,
+"neither the power nor the will! The Swede is the enemy of our country,
+and we must resist him with all the means at our command. Cease your
+howling and shrieking, for it will be but in vain. War is upon us, and we
+can not as cowards retreat before it. Shame upon you for your
+pusillanimity and cowardice, since your men are still capable of bearing
+arms!"
+
+
+"Sir, our men have no more strength for fighting. Our hands are too weak
+to hold a weapon."
+
+"Oh, you will be forced to handle them!" cried Schwarzenberg, laughing
+scornfully. "When your houses are on fire, and you see your wives and
+children dragged off by soldiers, then these cowards will be turned into
+valiant warriors, who can at least defend their lives and the honor of
+their families! I tell you, though, it will come to that. Extremity is
+before you, and calls for terrible resolutions."[42]
+
+The burghers broke into loud lamentations, a few threw themselves on their
+knees, others wept and wailed, while the lords of the magistracy
+approached nearer to the count in order to make confidential
+representations of the utter hopelessness and despondency of the two
+unhappy cities of Berlin and Cologne.
+
+Schwarzenberg, however, turned away from these representations with stern
+composure. "I have not peace but war in hand," he said. "Why do you apply
+to me now when you think, nevertheless, that you can receive no good save
+from the Elector himself, who is your guardian angel, while I am the
+destroying one. Wait and see what news the deputation of the States will
+bring you from Koenigsberg. You besought the States in your time of trouble
+to appeal to the Elector himself. Well, be patient and await their return.
+However, I can tell you beforehand that they will bring you a refusal, for
+the Elector wishes war, and has given me orders to that effect. He has
+confirmed me in all my offices and dignities. He has most condescendingly
+assured me of his unlimited confidence, and empowered me to act according
+to my own unbiased judgment, and to guide the reins of government as I
+shall choose. I hold them tight, and shall not he turned out of my way by
+your whining and complaining. War is upon us, and should I have to lay
+Berlin in ashes to avoid giving a shelter and asylum to the Swedes, it
+shall be done, rather than conclude peace with them, yield to their
+degrading conditions, and give up Pomerania to them! I therefore advise
+you to be on good terms with the soldiers, to receive them kindly into
+your houses, to entertain them well--"
+
+"Sir," interrupted the first burgomaster, with a bitter cry of
+distress--"sir, we have nothing with which we could entertain them, we--"
+
+"Silence!" called out the Stadtholder, in a thundering voice--"silence! I
+have heard you out, and it is my turn now to speak, and yours to listen
+silently. Go and take your measures accordingly, and act as becomes
+obedient subjects."
+
+He turned upon his heel and with proud bearing re-entered his cabinet,
+while the burghers sorrowfully slunk away, to spread throughout all Berlin
+the dreadful news that all their entreaties had been in vain, and that the
+war was to be prolonged.
+
+"Yes, the war is to be prolonged," repeated Count Schwarzenberg, when he
+again found himself alone in his cabinet. "We approach the _denouement_,
+and if I could only get decisive tidings from my son, I would hurry on a
+crisis and begin open war. He keeps me waiting for such tidings a very
+long while," continued the count, dropping into the armchair in front of
+his writing table. "He has only written once to me from Regensburg, and
+then he could only inform me that he had commenced operations, and--Ah!"
+he interrupted himself, as his glance fell upon his table, "there are
+papers and dispatches, which must have come in my absence. Perhaps there
+is among them a letter from my son."
+
+He hastily snatched up the letters and examined one after another. No,
+there was no letter from his son, only official documents from the
+Elector's cabinet.
+
+He opened the first of these, and a shudder ran through his whole frame as
+he read. In this paper the Elector commanded the Stadtholder in the Mark
+to send back to him the blank charters, intrusted to him by the Elector
+George William on his departure for Koenigsberg; he must, moreover, render
+a distinct and exact account of the manner in which he had disposed of the
+charters no longer in existence. _He_, Schwarzenberg, the mighty
+Stadtholder in the Mark, the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, the
+Director of the War Department--_he_, to be called to account as a servant
+by his master! He was expected to answer for what he had done in the
+plenitude of his power, and--worse than that--he must suffer that power to
+be limited! He would do nothing of the sort; he would not give up the
+blank charters not yet appropriated and send them back to the Elector!
+
+That was to curtail the privileges of his high position, to dethrone him,
+and, after having been an absolute master, to make him a dependent
+servant! These blank charters had been the princely prerogative of the
+Stadtholder, the scepter with which he ruled! These papers, on which
+nothing was written, but at the lower corner of which stood the Elector's
+sign manual--these papers had made him absolute monarch of the Mark. In
+free plenitude of power, with unfettered will, had he filled up the
+vacant sheets, bestowing by their means honors and benefits, inflicting
+punishments, imposing taxes, and the Elector's signature had legalized his
+decrees, and imparted the force of law to his will.[43]
+
+And these blank charters, before which his enemies trembled, which had
+struck his partisans and friends as a precious attribute of his
+power--these blank charters he was now called upon to resign!
+
+"I shall not do it," he exclaimed, in a loud, determined voice--"no, I
+shall not do it! I shall not be such a fool as to lessen my own power. No;
+the blank charters are mine, I shall know how to hold them fast!"
+
+He threw the rescript aside and seized another letter. Again from the
+Elector's cabinet--again a command from him to the Stadtholder in the Mark!
+
+He broke open the seal, unfolded the paper with trembling hands, and again
+shuddered as he read; and a momentary pallor overspread his cheeks. This
+writing contained the Elector's orders to suspend hostilities, and to
+refrain from any attack upon the Swedes and the places occupied by them,
+and most rigidly to confine himself to the defensive until an abiding
+peace could be concluded with Sweden.[44]
+
+"You assail me, little Elector!" he said, with smothered, threatening
+voice. "You  bring out your reserves against me, and would cause the proud
+edifice of my power to crumble away stone by stone! You fear lest if the
+great Colossus falls at once it might crush you, and therefore you would
+destroy it piecemeal, a little at a time! You shall not succeed, though,
+little Elector; the Colossus will rear its head on high, and you alone
+will fall!"
+
+At this moment loud, angry and excited voices made themselves heard from
+the antechamber, and a lackey tore open the door.
+
+"Your excellency, the Commandants von Rochow, von Kracht, and Colonel von
+Goldacker request an audience."
+
+But the three gentlemen did not wait for the granting of this audience.
+With unseemly haste they rushed into the cabinet, unceremoniously thrust
+out the lackey, and closed the door behind him.
+
+"Most gracious sir, do you know it?" screamed Rochow, the commandant of
+Spandow.
+
+"Do you know, your excellency, what things are going on?" growled Kracht,
+the commandant of Berlin.
+
+"Have you learned what bold steps the Elector is taking?" thundered
+Colonel Goldacker, shaking his fist in a most menacing way.
+
+"I know nothing, gentlemen, have heard nothing! Speak, tell me what has
+happened!"
+
+"It has happened that the Elector has sent commissioners to all our
+fortresses!" cried Herr von Rochow. "Two hours ago such a cursed fellow
+came to me at Spandow, and when he had delivered me his message I left the
+fool standing there without any answer, threw myself on my horse, and
+galloped off to confer with your excellency."
+
+"And such a confounded popinjay has been with me, too!" growled Herr von
+Kracht. "He also imparted to me his Electoral message--command, the fellow
+called it. I did just like Commandant von Rochow, left him standing while
+I hurried off to your excellency."
+
+"An Electoral mandate reached me also!" cried Colonel Goldacker, laughing.
+"I simply showed the jackanapes the door, laughed him to scorn, and am
+come to get my orders from your excellency!"
+
+"But, gentlemen, with all this I know nothing and can not find out what
+has happened. Sir Commandant von Rochow, inform me. What is the matter?"
+
+"The matter is, your excellency," said Herr von Rochow, gnashing his
+teeth, "that a commissioner from the Elector has come to me with his
+master's orders, to require an oath of allegiance to the Elector from
+myself and the whole garrison."
+
+"A like order has the Elector's deputy handed to me!" cried the commandant
+of Berlin; "the fellow wanted to swear me and my men into the Elector's
+service."
+
+"I, too, must give such an oath to the commissioner!" screamed Goldacker,
+"and my troops as well. What do you say to that, Sir Stadtholder in the
+Mark?"
+
+Just now, however, the Stadtholder said nothing. He turned pale and
+tottered backward, until his hand rested upon a chair into which he sank.
+His head swam, a sudden dizziness seized him, and he was obliged to put
+his hand over his eyes, for everything was turning and whirling in a
+circle around him. In the vehemence of their own excitement the three
+gentlemen hardly observed this, and the count, with the energy of his
+strong will, speedily recovered his composure and presence of mind.
+
+"Your excellency!" cried Commandant von Kracht, "do you not agree with us?
+Do you not find the Elector intolerably assuming?"
+
+"I was silent because I was reflecting, gentlemen," said the count,
+drawing a deep breath. "This appearance of the commissioner empowered to
+administer to you your oaths of office is a challenge, thrown down to me
+by the Elector, for I am Director of the War Department, and to me alone
+should that duty have been committed of again binding the troops in the
+Mark to him by oath. He insults me, and thereby insults the Emperor, for
+you all know that the Emperor is your commander in chief, and that you
+dare never break the oath to the Emperor, which I took from you after the
+conclusion of the peace of Prague. You swore to do your duty for Emperor
+and Elector, and for this reason, on the recent accession of the present
+Elector, I only required the colonels to give me their hands in token of
+their obligations already assumed, for an oath is an oath, and you can not
+swear to serve one to-day and another to-morrow."
+
+"We can not and will not, either," shouted Colonel Goldacker furiously. "I
+have given my word to the Emperor. I remain true to the Emperor, and the
+Emperor will protect us against the insolence of the little Elector."
+
+"Yes, the Emperor will protect us," cried Colonel von Rochow. "I shall
+take no new oath, for I have sworn to the Emperor, and not until the
+Emperor has released me from the oath, and I have made a new agreement
+with the Elector, can I swear to him. Until that time the oath which I
+have taken to the Emperor remains binding." [45]
+
+"I, too, have sworn to serve the Emperor, and shall abide by my oath,"
+said the commandant of Berlin, as if weighing each word. "No one has a
+right to command here but the Emperor and the Stadtholder in the Mark,
+whom the Elector himself appointed. What that vagabond of a commissioner
+says is nothing to the purpose--it signifies nothing to us."
+
+"No, it signifies nothing to us," repeated the other gentlemen. "From you
+alone, Sir Stadtholder, can we receive orders, for you are Director of the
+Council of War, the representative of the Emperor and Elector. To you
+alone we belong. Give us your orders; we are here to receive them!"
+
+"Gentlemen," said the Stadtholder, pointing with his finger to a sealed
+packet, lying on the writing table before him--"gentlemen, you interrupted
+me by your entrance in the perusal of important dispatches, which had just
+arrived for me from the Elector's cabinet. See, there lies an unopened
+writing with the Electoral seal. Allow me to read it, for it contains the
+Elector's commands, which may harmonize with those of his accredited
+commissioner, or at least enter into particulars with regard to them."
+
+The three officers bowed and reverentially retreated a few steps; but
+their eyes rested with intense interest upon the count, who now broke the
+seal and unfolded the paper. A deep silence followed. The piercing glances
+of the three warriors rested on the count's countenance, which maintained
+steadfastly its grave, serious expression. But now a scornful laugh burst
+from him, 'and for a moment an expression of wild joy illuminated his
+features. He rose, and with the paper in his hand approached the soldiers.
+"Gentlemen," he said quietly, "I have a piece of news to communicate to
+you, which I fear will incommode you and your men a little, and is not
+calculated to heighten the love of the military for their chief. The
+Elector commands me, until further notice, to put the troops upon summer
+allowance, and the payment now in arrears is regarded as coming under the
+same regulation. I beg you will inform your troops of this."
+
+"That is shameful! That is contemptible! That will put the soldiers in a
+perfect fury!" screamed the three officers together.
+
+"I do not mean to tell my men!" exclaimed Herr von Rochow--"no, I shall
+not tell them, for the fellows would be frantic, and in their desperation
+might commit shameful acts!"
+
+"I shall tell my men on the spot!" grumbled Herr von Kracht. "I shall tell
+them on purpose to make them desperate, to make them rave! As far as I am
+concerned, they are welcome to vent their spleen upon all Berlin, upon the
+whole region round about. Let them go around, plundering and laying the
+country under contribution; they are justified in doing so, for the
+fellows can not subsist in winter on summer allowance, and therefore must
+rob and plunder."
+
+"I shall tell my soldiers directly, too," shouted Herr von Goldacker. "Not
+but that it will give rise to a pretty tale of murder, a devilish scandal.
+There will result a military out-break, and the burghers of Berlin and
+Cologne may look to themselves; but the Elector has so willed it--the
+Elector excites us as well as our subordinates to open insurrection. Let
+him work his will now; it will only convince him that we are not to be
+ruled by scraps of paper and decrees scribbled by feather-headed clerks,
+and that he is not the irresistible lord, to whose piping we dance. The
+little Elector shall be made to know that the Emperor alone is our supreme
+officer, to him we have sworn fealty, and to him we cling despite the
+Elector and all his deputies. I am going on the spot to give my
+commissioner his dismissal--to tell him that I shall not swear, and then
+to carry to my soldiers the news of their having been put upon summer
+allowance!"
+
+"I will go with you," cried Herr von Kracht. "I will also put my
+commissioner out of the door, and convey the glad tidings to the garrison
+of Berlin."
+
+"And I," said Herr von Rochow, "will forthwith dispatch a courier to
+Spandow, to tell my lieutenant that he must send the commissioner out of
+the fort, and tell the garrison that they are put on summer allowance. It
+will stir up a fine hub-bub, I am sure of that."
+
+"I, too, believe that the end will not be perfect peace," said the
+Stadtholder, smiling. "Let the Elector learn that governing is not such an
+easy matter as he supposes, but that a man may know a good deal, and yet
+be an unskillful ruler. Go then, gentlemen, issue your orders, but forget
+not that in an hour our entertainment begins, and that we must not allow
+our feast to be disturbed by such little follies of the new _regime_."
+
+"No, we will not allow ourselves to be disturbed!" cried Herr von Rochow.
+"In one hour expect us here again, and you shall see, most gracious sir,
+that we have brought with us our cheerfulness, our fine appetites, and our
+thirst."
+
+"Yes, yes, your excellency, guard well your keys and bottles; we shall
+take the field against them."
+
+"Do so, gentlemen," said the count. "But go now, to return the sooner."
+
+He nodded kindly to the officers and followed them with his eyes until the
+door closed behind them. Then the composure of his features, the smile on
+his lip, vanished, and his whole being seemed to express agitation and
+bitterness of wrath.
+
+"He will insist upon war," he said fiercely. "He smiles upon and strokes
+me with one hand, while with the other he stabs me, inflicting wound upon
+wound. Yes, yes, stone by stone he would crumble to dust the tower of my
+strength, and thinks to crush me to atoms, supposing that I will
+voluntarily bend to avoid being bent by him. Oh, you are mistaken, little
+Elector; I am not afraid of you, I shall not bend before you! The Emperor
+alone I serve, to him alone I am subject. But to me the Emperor is a
+gracious master. He will ruin you and exalt me; he will protect me against
+your arrogance. To me belongs the future, presumptuous young Prince! who
+would rule here, where I have held undisputed sway for twenty years. To me
+alone belongs the Mark, and I shall hold it for my lord and Emperor! The
+crisis has come, and finds me prepared and resolute. The troops will
+revolt, and then shall I step out among them, appease them in the
+Emperor's name, with lavish hand scatter money among them, and again bind
+them by oath to the Emperor! Oh, my heart leaps for joy, for the hour of
+action has come. Only one thing I lack. I would just like to have certain
+news from my son, to be sure that the Emperor approves of my plan, that he
+will lift me up where the Elector would cast me down. But this, too, will
+come, this wish will also be gratified. For I am a son of good fortune,
+and all goes in accordance with my wishes! Away then with all sad and
+gloomy thoughts! I would present a cheerful countenance to my guests--I
+would appear before them in the full splendor of my glory!"
+
+
+He repaired to his dressing room, where his valets arrayed him in the
+magnificent habit of a Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, and upon
+his breast shone the cross of the order set with sparkling brilliants.
+Having completed his toilet, he went to the great mirror and, casting a
+cursory glance therein, said to himself with some satisfaction that his
+person was still stately and distinguished, well suited to a reigning
+prince and fitted for wearing a crown! This thought lighted up his
+countenance with joyful pride, and with high head he returned to his
+cabinet. Chamberlain von Lehndorf entered, to inform his most noble master
+that the guests were already assembled in the great reception room, and
+longingly awaited his appearance. The chamberlain handed the count his
+ermine-tipped velvet cap, with its long white ostrich plumes, and then
+flew before to open for him the doors leading to the small antechamber,
+where were assembled all the officers of the count's household, waiting to
+follow their master into the hall.
+
+Lehndorf stood at the door of the antechamber, and the Stadtholder smiled
+upon him as he passed.
+
+"No letters and dispatches from my son at Regensburg, Lehndorf?"
+
+"None, most gracious sir."
+
+"If a courier comes, let me know of it without delay," continued the
+count, moving forward. "Anything else new, Lehndorf?"
+
+"Nothing new, your excellency."
+
+"What noise was that just now in the antechamber, while the commandants
+were in my cabinet?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, an insolent soldier--one of those Saxons who marched
+in yesterday--forced himself into the antechamber, and with real
+importunity begged to speak to your excellency."
+
+"Why did you not bid him wait until the gentlemen had, gone, and then
+announce him?"
+
+"He would not consent to wait by any means, and with brazen face demanded
+to see your excellency on the spot. The fellow was drunk, it was plain to
+see, and in his intoxication: kept crying out that he must talk with your
+excellency about an important secret; if you would not admit him directly,
+he would go to Prussia and tell your secret to the Elector, which would
+bring your honor to the scaffold. It was positively ridiculous to hear the
+fellow talk, and the lackeys, instead of getting angry, laughed outright
+at him, which only enraged him the more; he worked his arms and legs like
+a jumping jack and made faces like a nut-cracker. However, when he again
+presumed to abuse your grace, our people made short work of the drunken
+knave, and thrust him out of doors."
+
+"Well, I hope his airing will do him good," said the count, smiling, "and
+that he came to his senses on the street."
+
+"It seems not, though," replied Chamberlain von Lehndorf, making a signal
+to the halberdiers stationed on both sides of the doors of the grand
+reception hall that they should open the door--"no, it seems that the
+airing did the drunken soldier no good. For, only think, gracious sir,
+just now, as I passed through the front entry to get to your apartments,
+there the man stood, and as soon as he saw me he sprang at me, seized my
+arm, and whispered: 'Chamberlain von Lehndorf, I _must_ speak to the
+Stadtholder. Only tell him my name, and I know that he will receive me.'"
+
+"And did he tell you his name, Lehndorf?" asked the count, as he walked
+forward.
+
+"Yes indeed, noble sir," laughed the chamberlain; "with monstrously
+important air he whispered his name in my ear, as if he had been the Pope
+in disguise or the Emperor himself. I laughed outright, and left him
+standing."
+
+The count now stood close before the wide-open doors which led into the
+grand reception hall. The halberdiers struck upon the ground with their
+gold-headed staves; in the spacious, magnificently decorated hall appeared
+a dense throng of army officers in their glittering uniforms and civil
+dignitaries in their ceremonial garbs of office. Six pages, in richly
+embroidered velvet suits, stood on both sides of the door, while in the
+raised gilded balcony opposite the musicians arose and began to pour forth
+a thundering peal of welcome as soon as they caught sight of the
+Stadtholder.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg, however, took no notice of this; he stood upon the
+threshold of the door, and his smiling face was still turned upon his
+chamberlain.
+
+
+"What name did the fellow give?" asked he carelessly.
+
+"Oh, a very fine name, gracious sir. He had the same name as the blessed
+archangel--Gabriel!"
+
+"Gabriel?" echoed the count hastily and at the top of his voice, for the
+musicians played so loud that a man could hardly hear his own voice, even
+though he shouted. "Only Gabriel, nothing further?"
+
+"Yes, most gracious sir," screamed the chamberlain, "he did call a second
+name; but I confess _I_ did not pay much attention to it. I believe,
+though, it was Nietzel. Yes, yes, I am quite sure he said Gabriel Nietzel!"
+
+He shouted this out very loud, not observing, as he pronounced his last
+words, that the music had ceased; the name Gabriel Nietzel, therefore,
+rang like a loud call through the vast apartment, and the brilliant,
+courtly assemblage laughed, although they understood not the connection
+between the loud call and the hushing of the music. Chamberlain von
+Lehndorf laughed too, and turned smiling to the count to apologize for his
+involuntary transgression.
+
+But Count Schwarzenberg did not laugh; he looked pale, and with trembling
+lips addressed his chamberlain: "Lehndorf, hurry out and conduct the
+soldier to my antechamber. Tell him I will come to him directly. Do not
+let the man get out of your sight, watch him closely. In five minutes, as
+soon as I have welcomed my guests, I will come to the antechamber and
+speak to the fellow myself. Go!"
+
+The chamberlain flew off to obey this behest, and the Stadtholder entered
+the hall. Behind him were ranged the twelve pages in their glittering
+clothes, then followed the officers of the household in splendid uniforms.
+Again the trumpets of the musicians sent forth their animating peals, and,
+ranged around the hall in a wide circle, the staff officers, high
+dignitaries, lords of the supreme court and of the magistracy, all with
+the insignia of their rank, bowed reverentially before the almighty lord,
+who now made his progress through the hall amid the clashing of trombones
+and trumpets. He passed along the brilliant rows of guests with quick,
+hurried step, but while his lips wore a smile, he thought to himself,
+"When this abominable ceremony is over and I have completed the circuit,
+I shall absent myself; I shall see if it is the veritable Gabriel Nietzel,
+the--"
+
+Just at this moment Chamberlain von Lehndorf approached him, and bent
+close to his ear. "Most gracious sir!" he cried amid the clash of
+trumpets--"most gracious sir, the man is no longer there. He has gone and
+can no longer be seen in the street!"
+
+The Stadtholder gave a slight nod of the head, and proceeded to bid his
+guests welcome.
+
+
+
+
+VI.--REVENGE.
+
+
+Sumptuous was the feast, choice were the viands, and costly the fragrant
+wines. The guests of the Stadtholder in the Mark were full of rapture,
+full of admiration, and their lips were lavish in praises of the noble
+count, while their eyes shone brighter from partaking of the generous
+wine. The lackeys flew up and down the hall, waiting upon the guests, the
+pages stood behind the count's chair, and offered his excellency food and
+drink in vessels of gold. At first they sat at table with grave and
+dignified demeanor, but gradually the delicious viands enlivened their
+hearts, the glowing wine loosened their tongues, and now they laughed and
+talked merrily and gave themselves entirely up to the pleasures of the
+table. Louder swelled the hum of mingled voices. Peals of laughter rang
+through the banquet hall, until in their turn they were drowned by bursts
+of dashing music, whose inspiring strains blended with the animated tones
+of the human voice. Count Adam Schwarzenberg, who sat at the upper end of
+the table under a canopy of purple velvet, heard all this, and yet it
+seemed to him like a dream, and as if all this bustle, laughing, and
+merrymaking came to him from the distant past. He heard the confusion of
+voices, the clangor of the music, but it sounded hollow in his ear, and
+above all rang fearfully distinct the name which Lehndorf had
+pronounced--Gabriel Nietzel! His guests sang and laughed, but he heard
+only that one name--Gabriel Nietzel!
+
+Round about the long table he saw only glad faces, beaming eyes, and
+flushed cheeks, but he saw them vanish and other faces arise before his
+inner eye, faces of the past! There sat the Elector George William, with
+his easy, good-natured countenance. He nodded smilingly at him, and his
+glance, full of affection, rested upon _him_, the favorite. Yes, he had
+loved him dearly, that good Elector! Out of the little, insignificant
+Count Schwarzenberg he had made a mighty lord, had exalted him into a
+Stadtholder, into the most powerful subject in his realm! And how had he
+requited him?
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!" He heard the maddening words ringing
+clearly and distinctly above the din of music, song, and laughter--"Gabriel
+Nietzel!"
+
+There he stood in page's dress, across there, behind the chair of the
+young Electoral Prince, whose pale, noble features had just begun to
+quiver convulsively--there he stood and cast a look of intelligence at
+_him_, Count Schwarzenberg.
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!"
+
+Ever thus rang the echo through the hall, and however varied the medley of
+sounds, to him all was embodied in that name. For long months he had
+caused search to be made for him, but nobody had been able to bring him
+any tidings of Gabriel Nietzel's whereabouts. So, gradually, he had
+forgotten him, and his anxiety about him had died away. Why must this
+dreaded name make itself heard again to-day, just to-day, when he was
+inaugurating the bright days of his future with this splendid feast? Why
+must that hateful name mingle with the rejoicings of his merry guests?
+
+He would think of it no more, no more allow himself to be haunted by
+phantoms of the past! Away with memories, away with that unhappy name!
+Vehemently, indignantly he shook his lofty head, as if these memories were
+only troublesome insects to be driven away by the mere wrinkling of his
+brow. He even called a smile to his lips, and with a proud effort at
+self-control arose from his armchair and lifted the golden beaker on high,
+in his right hand.
+
+If he spoke himself, he would no longer hear that perpetual ringing and
+singing within his breast--"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!"
+
+He lifted the golden beaker yet higher and bowed right and left to his
+guests, who had risen to their feet and looked at him full of expectancy.
+
+"To the health of the Emperor Ferdinand, our most gracious Sovereign and
+lord!"
+
+The musicians struck their most triumphant melody; with loud huzzas and
+shouts the guests repeated, "To the health of our most gracious lord and
+Emperor!"
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!" Still it rang in Schwarzenberg's ears,
+and he sank back in his armchair and felt a sense of helpless despondency
+creep over his heart.
+
+The guests followed his example and resumed their seats. A momentary
+silence ensued. All at once Chamberlain von Lehndorf rose from his place,
+took his glass with him, and went along the table to the Counselor of the
+Exchequer von Lastrow, who was carrying on an earnest conversation in an
+undertone with the burgomaster of Berlin. The chamberlain's face was
+flushed with wine, his eyes sparkled, and his gait was so wavering and
+unsteady that even the goblet in his hand swung to and fro.
+
+"Counselor von Lastrow," he said, with loud, peremptory voice, "you
+refused to drink the health proposed by his excellency the Stadtholder in
+the Mark. The toast was to his Majesty our lord and Emperor. You did not
+lift up your glass, nor touch that of your neighbor. Wherefore was this?
+Why did you not drink to the welfare of our lord and Emperor?"
+
+"I will tell you why, Chamberlain von Lehndorf," replied Herr von Lastrow,
+leaping up and confronting the chamberlain in his gay uniform, with dagger
+dangling at his side--"I will tell you why I did not accept the
+Stadtholder's toast, and may all his guests hear and ponder. I thank you,
+Sir Chamberlain, for affording me an opportunity of expressing myself
+openly and candidly on this subject. Permit me, gentlemen, to answer in
+the hearing of you all the question which the chamberlain has addressed to
+me."
+
+As the counselor thus spoke his large black eyes surveyed both sides of
+the long table. All present were silenced, all eyes were directed to the
+lower end of the table, and each one listened with strained attention to
+hear the answer of Herr von Lastrow.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg had risen from his chair and given the rash
+chamberlain a look of displeasure. Yet he felt so embarrassed by his own
+anxiety that he dared not call him.
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!" rang ever in his ears, frightening
+away all other sounds, until they seemed to reach him only as dim and
+hollow echoes from afar.
+
+"Gentlemen!" cried Herr von Lastrow now, in a loud voice, "I did not drink
+the Stadtholder's toast because it would have been contrary to my duty and
+my oath. Ferdinand is Emperor of the German Empire, and as such we owe him
+reverence and respect, but when the toast styles him our lord and Emperor
+I can not respond to it, for Ferdinand is not my lord! No, the Elector
+Frederick William is my master, and now I lift my glass and cry, 'Long
+live Frederick William, our lord and Elector!'"
+
+"Long live Frederick, our lord and Elector!" shouted voices here and there
+at the table, and all followers of the Elector sprang from their seats,
+held aloft their glasses, and shouted again and again, "Long live
+Frederick William, our lord and Elector!"
+
+"Strike up, musicians!" called Herr von Lastrow to the balcony, where the
+musicians sat, who lifted their trombones and trumpets and put them to
+their lips. But before a note was struck, Lehndorf shouted fiercely up to
+them: "Silence! Dare not to blow a single blast! I forbid you in the name
+of our master, the Emperor!"
+
+A wild yell of indignation from the Electoralists and a loud burst of
+applause from the Imperialists followed these words. Nobody remembered
+any longer that he was there as the guest of Schwarzenberg, the proud
+count and Stadtholder. All prudence, all sense of respect was swallowed up
+in the storms of political passion. With threatening aspect and flashing
+eyes stood the Electoralists and Imperialists opposite each other, and,
+while the former lifted up their glasses, to touch them in honor of their
+Sovereign and Elector, the latter knocked their glasses tumultuously on
+the table, and broke out into loud laughter and deafening imprecations. No
+one any longer paid honor to the master of the house--no one thought of
+him, in fact. He had risen from his seat with the intention of going to
+the other end of the table, where now a furious duel of words was
+progressing between his chamberlain and Herr von Lastrow. He desired to
+pacify them, to smooth over the contention; but it was already too late,
+for ere he had reached the middle of the hall, a catastrophe had occurred
+between the contending parties. Counselor von Lastrow raised his arm, and
+administered to Chamberlain Lehndorf a sounding box upon the cheek.
+
+One unanimous shriek of rage from the Imperialists, and they rushed toward
+Lehndorf and drew their swords. Behind Lastrow the Electoralists ranged
+themselves, and they, too, laid bare their weapons.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg tottered back. He perceived that it was too late to
+pacify now, that all temporizing had become impossible. He had a feeling
+that he must flee away, that it did not comport with his dignity to stand
+there powerless and inactive between two factions. In this moment of
+weakness and indecision his confidential valet approached him.
+
+"Most gracious sir," he whispered, "a courier from Regensburg, from Count
+John Adolphus, has just arrived. I have already laid the letter upon your
+excellency's writing table. It is marked 'urgent.'"
+
+Count Schwarzenberg turned to hurry from the hall, to escape the wild
+tumult, to take refuge in his cabinet, and, above all things, to read the
+long-expected letter from his son.
+
+The uproar in the hall waxed ever fiercer, weapons clashed and wild battle
+cries resounded. He quickened his pace, and opened the door of the hall.
+Behind him rang out a piercing shriek, a death cry! Quivering in every
+fiber of his being the count turned round to--Once more that piercing
+shriek was heard, and Herr von Lastrow, with Lehndorf's dagger in his
+breast, fell backward into the arms of his friends with the death rattle
+in his throat.[46]
+
+Count Schwarzenberg, seized with horror, rushed on through the deserted,
+brilliantly lighted apartments--on, ever on. But that fearful shriek went
+with him, ringing ever in his ears. It drove him onward like a fury, and
+his hair stood on end and his heart beat to bursting.
+
+He had heard it once before, that death cry!
+
+In the stillness of night it had sounded that time in the castle of
+Berlin, when a pale woman had knelt at his feet and pleaded for her life!
+Often had he heard it since; it had awakened him from sleep, it had often
+startled him when engaged in merry conversation with his friends; at the
+festive board it had drowned the music as far as he was concerned, this
+death cry, this Fury of his conscience!
+
+At last he reached his cabinet. He threw himself into a chair. God be
+thanked, he was alone here! He had quiet and solitude here!
+
+He surveyed the room and an infinite feeling of relief and security came
+over him.
+
+Alone!
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel!" was whispered in his heart, and he
+looked timidly around, as if he feared to see him in each corner. Then a
+shriek resounded in his ear--that death cry!
+
+It had penetrated into his quiet cabinet, she stood behind him, she
+screamed in his ear, "Gabriel Nietzel! Rebecca!"
+
+Perfectly unmanned, the count leaned back in his easychair, the sweat
+standing in great drops upon his brow. He no longer even remembered that
+he had come there to read his son's important letter! His soul was
+shattered in its inmost depths. Gabriel Nietzel was there again! A murder
+had been committed in his house--at his table! Committed, too, by his own
+servant, his favorite, his friend! He durst not pardon him; he must punish
+the murderer according to the law. He must pronounce sentence of death on
+him, who had slain his fellow-man! He foresaw this in the future! He saw
+himself as judge, the viceregent of God and justice, opposite the pale
+criminal, his servant, his friend, upon whom he pronounced sentence!
+
+He! Would his lips dare to utter a sentence of death? Dared the murderer
+condemn?
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel! Gabriel Nietzel! Rebecca! Rebecca!" screamed the voice
+behind his chair. But hark! what noise is that? What means that confused
+jumble of groans and yells and shouts--that howling as of fierce and
+sweeping winds, that roar as of the mighty deep? What is that so like the
+rolling of thunder? Are those wolflike howls the voices of men? Is that
+the tramp of human feet? Before his windows it surges and dashes, howls
+and roars!
+
+With difficulty Schwarzenberg rises from his chair, and, creeping to the
+window, conceals himself behind the hangings and cautiously looks out upon
+the street. A dense throng of soldiers surges beneath his windows; the
+whole street, the whole square is packed with them. Angry faces, the
+voices of furious men, hundreds upon hundreds of uplifted fists and
+portentous growls!
+
+"He shall pay us our money! He wants to cheat us out of our pay! He wants
+to put us upon summer allowance and pocket the rest of the money! It is
+said this is done by the Elector's command. But it is a lie, an abominable
+lie! Schwarzenberg lets nobody command him. He is master here. He wants us
+to starve that his own riches may be increased. We will not suffer it! He
+shall pay us for it! Hurrah! Storm the house!"
+
+"A mutiny!" muttered Count Schwarzenberg. "They were to have rebelled, and
+so they do. But they rebel against me! I flung down the sword, and its
+point is turned against myself. So the spirits of hell grant what they
+have promised us--what we have purchased at the price of our souls! They
+give the reward, but even while they are paying it out to us it becomes a
+curse and ruins us!"
+
+How they storm and rage and roar without! How they beat and hammer against
+the locked doors! Count Schwarzenberg stands behind the window and hears
+them! He hears other voices, too--Goldacker, Kracht, and Rochow
+endeavoring to calm them, exhorting them to be patient.
+
+Futile efforts! Ever louder grow the knocking and thundering against the
+house. Stones are hurled against the walls, the window shutters rattle and
+are shivered to pieces, the doors creak and give way.
+
+"If they attempt to murder me, I shall not stand on the defensive,"
+murmurs Count Schwarzenberg to himself, as he retires from the window,
+slowly traverses the apartment, and again sinks down upon the chair by his
+writing table. The door of the cabinet is violently torn open, and in rush
+the Commandants von Kracht and von Rochow, followed by the captains of
+their regiments.
+
+"Gracious sir, it is impossible to calm these madmen. They no longer heed
+orders. They are beside themselves with rage. They have already broken
+open the doors and forced their way into the entrance hall. They will
+plunder and despoil the whole palace! We can save nothing more, prevent
+nothing more! You are lost, so are we, and all Berlin!"
+
+"Be it so!" says Schwarzenberg loftily. "Let the whole earth fall down and
+overwhelm me in its ruins. I shall but be buried beneath them!"
+
+"Gracious sir, only hear! The howling and yelling come ever nearer, and
+are continually gaining in strength! Gracious sir, have pity upon us,
+upon yourself! Save us all!"
+
+"Save? How can I save any one? Will those savage hordes obey me, when they
+refuse submission to you, their officers?"
+
+"Gracious sir, they demand their pay! They demand money! Nothing will
+appease them but money, and assurances that they shall have their winter
+allowance. Give us money to quiet that raging host! Money--money!"
+
+"How much would you have? How much is needful to tame that fierce, wild
+horde?"
+
+"Three hundred dollars!" calls out Herr von Kracht.
+
+"No; four hundred dollars!" shouts Herr von Rochow.
+
+"Five hundred dollars!" growls Herr von Goldacker. "No, give us six
+hundred dollars, which would do the thing thoroughly."
+
+"Well, be it six hundred dollars then," says the count, with an expression
+of contemptuous scorn. "Stay here, gentlemen; I will return directly. I am
+only going to fetch the money."
+
+He left the cabinet and entered his sleeping apartment, where, at the side
+of the bed, stood the great iron chest to which he alone had the key.
+After a few minutes he rejoined the officers in his cabinet. He had six
+rolls of money in his hand, two of which he handed to each of the three
+gentlemen.
+
+"Here, gentlemen," he said, with bitter mockery, "here are the commandants
+who have authority to bring their troops to order. Go and show them to
+your men, and order them to follow these commandants to the cathedral
+square, and there distribute the money among them."
+
+The gentlemen wished to thank him, but with a wave of his hand he pointed
+them to the door, and they hurried out to their soldiers.
+
+Schwarzenberg looked after them, and listened to the rumbling and roaring
+without in the entrance hall of his house. Suddenly it became gentler, and
+finally ceased altogether. Then, after a pause, rang forth a loud shout of
+joy, and again the street filled with soldiers, again was heard the loud
+tramp of feet, the uproar and confusion of many tongues. "The wretches
+have marched off," murmured Count Schwarzenberg to himself. "Yes, yes,
+with money we buy love, with money hatred and--"
+
+"Hurrah! Long live Count Schwarzenberg!" sounded below his windows. "Long
+live the Stadtholder in the Mark!"
+
+"That shout costs me six hundred dollars," said he, shrugging his
+shoulders. "To-morrow, most likely the mob will come again to threaten me,
+that I may again purchase a cheer from them. Well, for the present at
+least I have rest. Nobody shall disturb me. Nobody shall intrude upon me."
+
+He stepped to the doors leading into his sleeping room and antechamber,
+and bolted them both. He did not think of the secret door which led to the
+little corridor and thence to the private staircase, and did not bolt
+that. Why should he have done so? The steps were so little used, so few
+knew of them, so few, of the existence of the little side door which led
+to them. It was not necessary to lock that door, for no one would come to
+him in that way.
+
+He was alone, God be praised, quite alone! And now again he remembered
+the important letter, which he had forgotten while the soldiers' riot was
+in progress. There lay his son's letter, on his writing table. He hastened
+thither and seated himself in the armchair, taking up the letter and
+examining its address. The sight of his son's handwriting rejoiced his
+heart, as a greeting from afar.
+
+He drew a deep sigh of relief. All anguish, all cares had left him as soon
+as he took his son's letter in his hand. Even the warning voice in his
+heart had hushed, even the Fury no longer stood behind his chair; he no
+longer heard her death cry. All was silent in that spacious apartment
+behind him, on which he turned his back.
+
+He took the letter, broke the seal, and slowly unfolded the paper. But now
+he put off reading its contents for one moment more. This sheet of paper
+contained the decision of his whole future, it would either exalt him into
+a reigning prince by bringing him the Emperor's sanction, or lower him
+into an underling of the Elector, making him a nobody, if--But no, it was
+impossible! The Emperor would not disavow him! It was folly to think of
+such a thing!
+
+He fixed his eyes on the paper and began to read. But as he read, his
+breath came ever quicker, his cheeks became more pale, his brow more
+clouded. His hands began to tremble so violently that the paper which they
+held rattled and shook, and finally dropped on the table.
+
+Motionless and gasping for breath the count sat there, staring at the
+letter. Then its contents flashed through him like a sudden shock, and,
+collecting his faculties, he once more snatched up the paper.
+
+"It is impossible!" he cried aloud, "I read falsely! That can not be! My
+eyes surely deceived me! My ears shall lend their evidence! I will hear my
+sentence of condemnation!"
+
+And with loud voice, occasionally interrupted by the convulsive groans
+which escaped his breast, he read: "I am grieved to announce to you,
+beloved and honored father, that our affairs have not prospered, as we
+hoped and expected. Through the intercession of good Father Silvio, I had
+a long interview yesterday with the Emperor. And the result of it is this:
+The Emperor loves you, it is true; he calls you his most faithful servant,
+and promises ever to be a gracious Sovereign to you, but he will never
+further your projects of becoming an independent ruler, and will not
+assist you to effect the Elector's ruin, that you may usurp his place. He
+rather wishes you to remain what you are--Stadtholder in the Mark--and to
+exert all your energies in maintaining that position, since the Emperor
+relies upon your good offices for securing him an ally in the Elector. The
+Mark is to remain Frederick William's domain, but the Elector must become
+an Imperialist. Such is the will and pleasure of the Emperor. He urged me
+to beg you to evince more complaisance and deference for the Elector, that
+you may acquire influence over him. The Emperor had been much shocked by
+the news sent him from Koenigsberg by Martinitz. It appears certain from
+this information, my dear father, that the Elector is much set against
+you, and that he only makes use of your continuance in office as a mask,
+behind which he may, unseen, direct his missiles against you. The Elector
+has taken your refusal to come to Koenigsberg upon his invitation in very
+ill part, and it has excited his highest displeasure. We have played a
+dangerous game, and I fear we have lost it."
+
+"Lost!" screamed the count, crushing the paper in his hand into a ball and
+dashing it to the ground. "Yes, I have lost and am ruined! The end and aim
+of my whole life are defeated! I aimed at the summit, and when I have
+nearly reached my goal an invisible hand hurls me back, and I am plunged
+into an abyss!"
+
+"As serves you right, for God is just!" said a solemn voice behind him,
+and a hand was laid heavily upon his shoulder.
+
+Count Schwarzenberg uttered a shriek of horror and turned round. A soldier
+stood behind him--an Imperial soldier in dirty, tattered garments, a poor,
+miserable man. And yet the count sprang from his chair, as if in the
+presence of some prince or superior being before whom he must bow with
+reverence. With bowed head he stood before this soldier, and dared not
+look him in the face!
+
+Yes, it was a prince, it was a superior being before whom he bowed! He
+stood before his judge, he stood before his conscience! He knew it, he
+felt it! A cold hand was laid upon his heart and contracted it
+convulsively; it was laid upon his head and bowed it low. Death was there,
+and his name was Gabriel Nietzel!
+
+"Gabriel Nietzel!" murmured his ashy pale lips, "Gabriel Nietzel!"
+
+"You recognize me, then?" said the soldier quietly and coldly. "Look at
+me, count, lift your eyes upon me! I want to see your countenance!"
+
+With a last effort of strength Count Schwarzenberg resumed his
+self-control. He raised his head, affecting his usual proud and
+self-satisfied air. "Gabriel Nietzel!" he cried, "Whence come you? What
+would you have of me? How did you come in here?"
+
+"How did I come in?" repeated he. "Through yon door!"
+
+And he pointed at the door opening upon the secret staircase. "I came
+twice and begged to be allowed access to you, but was refused. This time I
+admitted myself. You once sent me down the secret stairway, and pointed
+out that mode of exit to me yourself, when your son was coming to visit
+you. What do I want? I want you to give me my wife, my Rebecca; and if you
+have murdered her, I want _your life_!"
+
+"Would you murder me?" exclaimed the count in horror, while moving slowly
+backward. Keeping his eyes fixed upon Gabriel Nietzel, he sought to gain
+the door to his bedchamber. But Nietzel guessed his design and disdainfully
+shook his head. "Do not take that trouble," he said. "I have abstracted
+both keys and put them in my pocket. You can not escape me."
+
+Count Schwarzenberg's eyes darted a quick, involuntary glance across at
+the round table on which stood his bell. Nietzel intercepted this glance
+and understood that the count meant to call his people. He took up the
+bell and thrust it into his bosom.
+
+"Give up your efforts to evade me," he said. "God sends me to you. God
+will punish your crime by means of this hand, which you once bribed to
+commit a murderous deed. Count Schwarzenberg, you have acted the part of
+the devil toward me! You have robbed me of my soul! Give it back to me! I
+demand of you my soul!"
+
+"He is insane," said Count Schwarzenberg, softly to himself. But Nietzel
+caught his meaning.
+
+"No," he said sorrowfully--"no, I am not insane. God has denied me that
+consolation. I know what has been, and what is. There was a time--a
+glorious, blessed time--when I forgot everything, when all pain was
+banished, and I was happy--ah, so happy! They said, indeed, that I was
+mad; they called it sickness, forsooth, and locked me up, and tormented
+me. But I was so happy, for _I_ saw my Rebecca always before me, she was
+ever at my side and--Count, where have you left my Rebecca? Where is she?
+Give her to me! I will have her again, my own Rebecca! Give her back to
+me, directly, on the spot!"
+
+He seized him with both his arms, his hands clutching his shoulders like
+claws. "Where is Rebecca--my Rebecca?"
+
+Gabriel Nietzel stared at the count with frenzied fury, with devouring
+grief. Schwarzenberg cast down his eyes, a shudder passed over his frame,
+and terror-stricken he turned his head. It seemed to him as if, while
+Gabriel pressed upon his shoulders in front, some one came stealthily up
+to him from behind. He heard a cry--a death cry! The Fury was there again!
+He could not escape her now!
+
+"Let me go, Gabriel Nietzel," he said feebly. "Quit your hold, go away. I
+will give you treasures, honors, distinctions, if you only quit your hold
+and go away!"
+
+"What will you give me, if I let you go?" screamed Gabriel Nietzel,
+tightening his grasp and shaking him violently. "What will you give me?"
+
+"I will give you a fine house, I will give you thousands, I will give you
+rank and titles. Tell me what you want, and I will give it to you!"
+
+"Give me Rebecca! I want _her_ and her alone! Tell me where she is or I
+will kill you!"
+
+"She is in my house at Spandow," said the count hastily. "Come, we will go
+away. You shall have your Rebecca again. Come, let us go! Rebecca is
+longing for you! Come!"
+
+"You are deceiving me!" laughed Gabriel Nietzel. "I see it in your eyes,
+you are deceiving me. You want me to open the doors, and then you will
+call your people. There is no truth in what you say. Rebecca is not at
+Spandow; I know that, for I have been there. I stood many hours before the
+windows of your palace and called upon her name. She would have heard if
+she had been there; she would have come to me--she would have freed me
+from all my sufferings. For, you must know, my Rebecca loved me! Because
+she loved me, that she might expiate the crime which you had tempted me to
+commit, that she might lift the weight of sin from my head, she went back
+to Berlin and bade me go on with our child. I had solemnly sworn that to
+her, and I kept my oath. I went on, following the route we had agreed upon
+together. I waited for her at every resting place, and always waited in
+vain. I came to Venice, and went to the house of Rebecca's father; but she
+was not there. I wanted to go in search of her, but they held me fast,
+they imprisoned me in a dark dungeon. And there I sat a whole century, and
+yet was patient, ever waiting for the moment when I might escape from them
+and go to look for my Rebecca. And at last the moment came. The jailer
+entered to bring me my food; we were quite alone, and they had taken off
+my chains, for I had been harmless and gentle for some months past. I
+seized him, choked him, so that he could not scream, took his keys, and
+fled. God helped me; he always pities the poor and unfortunate--he knew
+that I wanted to search for Rebecca. I came to Germany; I enlisted as a
+soldier, for I durst not die of hunger, else I could not reach Berlin and
+find my Rebecca. But now I am here, and ask you in the name of God and in
+view of the judgment day, where is Rebecca?"
+
+"I do not know," murmured Count Schwarzenberg, whom Gabriel Nietzel still
+held closely pinioned in his grasp.
+
+"You do not know?" shrieked Gabriel Nietzel. "I read it in your face, you
+have murdered her. Yes, yes, I see it, I feel it--you have murdered her!
+Confess it, wretch! fall down upon your knees and confess that you have
+murdered Rebecca!"
+
+Schwarzenberg would have denied it, but he could not; conscience paralyzed
+his tongue, so that it could not utter the falsehood. He wanted to make
+resistance against those dreadful hands which held him fast, but he had no
+more power. Everything swam before him, there was a roaring in his ears,
+his knees tottered and shook, and the perspiration stood in great drops
+upon his brow.
+
+"Mercy," he murmured, with quivering lips--"mercy! I will make good again,
+I--"
+
+"Can you give me Rebecca again?" asked Gabriel, who now suddenly passed
+from the extreme of wrath to a cold tranquillity. "Can you undo and make
+null your evil deeds? Can you take from me the guilt you brought upon me?
+_No_, you can not, and therefore you must die, for crime must be expiated!
+You murdered my Rebecca, and therefore I shall murder you. Adam
+Schwarzenberg, pray your last prayer, for I am here to kill you!"
+
+"No, you will not!" cried Schwarzenberg. "No; you will be reasonable--you
+will accept my offers! I promise you wealth and consideration, I--"
+
+"Silence and pray, for you must die! Death is here, Adam Schwarzenberg,
+for Gabriel Nietzel is here!"
+
+He saw it, he knew that Gabriel spoke the truth. He knew that this man,
+with the pale, distorted, grief-worn face, with those large eyes flaming
+with the fires of insanity, was to be his murderer. Death had come to
+summon him away--death in the form of Gabriel Nietzel!
+
+And so, he was to die! He, the mighty, the rich, the noble Count
+Schwarzenberg! _He_ whose name all Germany revered, _he_ before whom all
+bowed in humility, who had had control over millions! _He_ was to die by
+the hand of a madman, to die alone, unwept! If his son were only with him,
+his dear, his only son, who loved him, who--"Have you prayed?" asked
+Gabriel Nietzel, who had been waiting in silence.
+
+"No," said Schwarzenberg, startled out of his train of thought--"no, I
+have not prayed! Why do you ask that?"
+
+"Because you must die!" replied Gabriel Nietzel, grasping him more firmly
+with his left hand, and with his right drawing forth a dagger from his
+breast. The count profited by this moment, tore himself loose, jumped
+back, and rushed toward the open door of the secret passage. But Nietzel
+sprang past him, and already stood before the door, confronting him again!
+As he saw the dagger glitter in the air, he remembered, with the rapidity
+of thought, the instant when he had stood before Rebecca, with the drawn
+dagger in his hand.
+
+She had cried "Mercy! mercy!" He wanted to cry so, too, but could not!
+Like a flash of lightning it darted across his eyes, like a crushing blow
+it fell upon his brain. He uttered a piercing shriek, tumbled backward,
+and fell upon the ground, with rattling in his throat and with dimmed
+eyes!
+
+Gabriel Nietzel bent over him and looked long into that convulsed
+countenance, and into those eyes which were fixed upon him with a look of
+entreaty! Nietzel understood that look. "No," he said roughly--"no, I do
+not forgive you, I have no pity upon you. Be you cursed and condemned, and
+go to the grave in your sins! God has been gracious to me; he has not
+willed it that I should be stained with your blood. He has laid his own
+hand upon you and smitten you. You will perhaps have long to suffer yet.
+Suffer!"
+
+He put up his dagger, strode through the apartment, stepped out upon the
+secret passage and closed the door behind him.
+
+"And now," he said, when he found himself outside--"now I shall go and
+acknowledge my sins to the Elector. He will be compassionate, and allow me
+to mount the scaffold. I shall then have atoned for all, and will once
+more be united to my Rebecca!"
+
+Was it possible that this wretched, sobbing, deathly pale something, lying
+there on the floor of the cabinet, was but a few hours since the proud,
+the mighty, the dreaded and courted Count Adam von Schwarzenberg, the
+Stadtholder in the Mark? Now he was a poor dying beggar, longing for a
+drink of water, and with no one near to hand him the refreshing draught;
+who longed for a tear, and had no one to weep for him; who longed for
+forgiveness, and God himself would not forgive him! Hours, eternities of
+anguish went by, and still he lay helpless and solitary upon the floor! He
+plainly heard how they came and knocked, and then moved softly away,
+because they supposed that he had shut himself up to work. He heard them,
+but he could not call, for his tongue was palsied! He could not move, for
+his limbs were paralyzed!
+
+Hours, eternities of anguish went by. Then his old valet came through the
+secret door, creeping softly in, and found him, that pitiable creature, on
+the floor, and screamed for help. Then the doors were broken down, and the
+servants came and the physicians. They lifted him up and bore him to the
+divan. He breathed, he lived! Perhaps help might not yet be impossible!
+
+Everything was tried, but all in vain. He still lived and breathed, but he
+was paralyzed in all his limbs, and soon the inner organs, too, refused to
+exercise their functions. They removed the invalid to Spandow because the
+mutinous regiments were perpetually threatening to renew their attack upon
+the count's palace, and might disturb the repose of the dying man. There
+he lay in his castle, a living corpse for four days more, with open eyes,
+giving token that he heard and understood what was passing about him.
+Finally, at the end of four days, on the 4th of March, 1641, Count Adam
+von Schwarzenberg closed his eyes, and of the haughty, powerful, dreaded
+Stadtholder in the Mark, nothing was left but cold, stiff clay![47]
+
+
+
+
+VII.--THE SEALING OF THE DOCUMENTS.
+
+
+A courier, sent to Regensburg by Herr von Kracht, commandant of Berlin,
+immediately upon the decease of Count Adam Schwarzenberg, had prompted his
+son Count John Adolphus to expedite his departure from that place, and to
+journey by forced stages to Berlin. He repaired first to Spandow. and had
+his father's embalmed remains interred with great pomp in the village
+church. After having thus discharged this first filial duty, he proceeded
+to Berlin to take possession of the inheritance left him by his father.
+
+The whole inheritance! Not the smallest part of it should be abstracted
+from him! In his father's lifetime he had been appointed his coadjutor in
+the Order of the Knights of Malta; now, since his father was dead he must
+be his successor, must be Grand Master of the Order of St. John. He sent
+orders to Sonnenberg, summoning a solemn chapter of the order to hold its
+sitting, and to send in the oath of service due him. In his father's
+lifetime he had been his associate in the office of Stadtholder; now, his
+father being no more, he claimed the stadtholdership in the Mark as his
+lawful heritage. And his friends and adherents strengthened the ambitious
+young count in these pretentions. As soon as John Adolphus had taken up
+his residence in Berlin, Commandant von Kracht placed guards before the
+gates of his palace, and every evening demanded a watchword from the young
+nobleman.
+
+Commandant von Rochow of Spandow placed himself and his garrison wholly at
+the disposal of the "young Stadtholder," and Colonel von Goldacker swore
+that he would obey the orders of none other than Count John Adolphus,
+Grand Master of the Order of St. John and Stadtholder in the Mark.
+
+Count John Adolphus allowed himself to be rocked in these olden dreams of
+power and ambition, believed in their realization, and was firmly
+determined to do everything to prove their truth. He accepted the guard,
+gave the watchword, and sent orders to Sonnenburg, as if he were already
+elected grand master; he required an oath of fealty from all those places
+which had been pledged to his father by the Elector George William. He
+also issued his mandates in Berlin, and toward magistrates and judiciary
+he assumed the attitude of Stadtholder in the Mark. And nobody ventured to
+contradict him, no court had the spirit to oppose him, for the young count
+stood at the head of a host of powerful and influential friends; the
+courts were weak and powerless, and as yet no instructions had been
+received from the Elector at Koenigsberg.
+
+Count John Adolphus husbanded his time well. He sent messengers in all
+directions, corresponded with all his father's friends and adherents,
+summoning them to rally around him, and to come sword in hand. He held
+correspondence also with the father confessor Silvio at Vienna, nay, even
+with the Emperor himself. Restlessly active was he from morning till
+night, his whole being absorbed in this one effort--to ruin the Elector,
+and to win for himself his rank and power! His friends seconded him in
+striving to attain this great end. Everywhere they were active, everywhere
+they sought to work for him and to procure him adherents. At Spandow and
+Berlin the Commandants von Kracht and von Rochow declared themselves ready
+to place garrison and fortress entirely under his direction; Colonel von
+Goldacker, commandant of Brandenburg, had betaken himself to his post, and
+only awaited the count's word to sound the tocsin of war. In Koenigsberg
+the Court Marshal von Waldow was most energetically massing the friends of
+Schwarzenberg, and his brother, Sebastian von Waldow, traveled from place
+to place, to gain friends and partisans for Count John Adolphus, and to
+ask them to come to Berlin, that, in case of danger, the count might be
+prepared to make a bold front against his foes. His friends everywhere led
+a life of bustle and stir, and all proclaimed themselves ready joyfully to
+unsheathe their swords in behalf of the young count, and to do battle for
+him if the Elector should refuse to confirm him in all his father's
+appointments.
+
+"He will not refuse," said John Adolphus to himself, when he had just
+finished reading the report of his agent, Otto von Marwitz, which had only
+that morning reached him, "No, the weak, impotent Elector will not dare to
+refuse to acknowledge me as my father's successor; for he must be well
+aware that I am even now more powerful in the Mark than himself, and
+enjoy, moreover, the favor and protection of the Emperor. He will not dare
+to attack me. I shall be sustained by him in my position of Stadtholder in
+the Mark, and then--from Stadtholder to independent Sovereign requires but
+one step, which I mean to take, and--"
+
+The door was violently burst open and Sebastian von Waldow rushed in.
+
+"Count!" he cried, gasping for breath--"Count, we are lost!"
+
+"What is the matter? Say, what is the matter?"
+
+"Conrad von Burgsdorf has captured the letters sent to you and myself,
+from Koenigsberg, by my brother, the marshal, in which was a full statement
+of a plan for open war."
+
+"For God's sake, who says so? How do you know that?"
+
+"One of our secret friends, who keeps his eye upon Burgsdorf, came to tell
+me, that I might have opportunity of warning you. In the course of a ride
+taken by Burgsdorf and his men in the environs of Berlin, they captured
+the servant whom my brother had intrusted with dispatches for you and
+myself.[48] The dispatches he sent forthwith by a courier to Koenigsberg,
+and the servant was hurried off to the fortress of Kuestrin, that he might
+be unable to communicate with us."
+
+"That is bad news indeed," said John Adolphus thoughtfully. "It also
+explains to me why Burgsdorf and his men have taken up their abode here,
+and frequently talk so captiously and insolently when excited by wine. It
+is palpable that he has been commissioned to watch and, if need be, arrest
+us. We must therefore be on our guard, too, and render him harmless; that
+is to say, we must imprison him, so that he can not imprison us."
+
+"If I only knew the contents of the package," murmured Sebastian von
+Waldow. "In the last letter which I received from my brother he stated
+that he hoped soon to be able to announce with certainty whether the
+Elector would nominate you Stadtholder or select some one else. Now this
+very letter has been intercepted, and we are left in utter darkness and
+uncertainty."
+
+"Gracious sir," proclaimed an advancing lackey, "an officer from
+Commandant von Kracht begs to be admitted, as he is charged with a verbal
+message from the commandant."
+
+"Admit him," ordered the count, going hastily to meet the officer, who was
+just stepping into the room.
+
+"Sir Count, I have bad news for you. Colonel von Kracht has just been
+arrested. He commissioned me to convey the tidings to you as he was led
+away."
+
+Count John Adolphus grew slightly pale, and exchanged a rapid glance
+of intelligence with Sebastian von Waldow. "Who arrested Colonel von
+Kracht?" he asked.
+
+"Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf, most gracious sir. He showed Herr von
+Kracht his orders, signed by the Elector himself, and, as he came with a
+strong posse, the colonel could not resist, but was obliged to submit."
+
+"It is well; I thank you," said John Adolphus quietly, and the officer
+took his leave. "Well, Sebastian," he said, turning to his confidant,
+"you were right, the captured papers must have been of dangerous import,
+for we already see the results. Our enemies are active, and I like that,
+for thereby the _denouement_ will be hastened and our victory brought
+nearer. For conquer we will!"
+
+"Conquer or die!" sighed Sebastian von Waldow.
+
+Again was the door thrown open violently, and the count's high steward
+hurried in, trembling and pale as a sheet. "Your grace, Colonel von
+Burgsdorf, Colonel von Burgsdorf," stammered he.
+
+"What of him?" inquired the count hastily. "Speak, answer me, Wallenrodt,
+what of Colonel von Burgsdorf?"
+
+"Nothing further than that he ordered your high steward to conduct him
+hither and announce him to you," said a rough, mocking voice behind the
+count.
+
+It was Conrad von Burgsdorf who thus spoke. He had just entered the
+apartment, and strode forward without apology or more formal salutation.
+
+"Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg," continued Burgsdorf, approaching
+close to the count, "I have come to do what should have been done long
+before, to seal the papers of the late Stadtholder in the Mark, and to
+take them with me."
+
+"Very fine," returned the count contemptuously. "Will you have the
+goodness to tell me whether my revered father imparted any such
+instructions to you before his death, and if so, show me the written
+order, for otherwise I would not be inclined to give you credence."
+
+"Have received no orders from the deceased count," replied Burgsdorf,
+shrugging his shoulders. "Would have received no orders from him, for
+there is only one under whom I serve, and that one is my master, the
+Elector Frederick William. He ordered me to affix his signet to all the
+papers left by Count Adam Schwarzenberg, and I have therefore come to obey
+these orders."
+
+"Where is the written order?"
+
+
+"Have no written order, but obtained a verbal one just a half hour ago."
+
+"Ah, it pleases you to jest," cried Count Adolphus scornfully. "You have
+come from Koenigsberg here in a half hour? If you will condescend to
+receive no commands save from the Elector, then you must have spoken with
+him, and, as far as I know, the Elector is at Koenigsberg."
+
+"Your knowledge goes not far, my pretty sir," said Burgsdorf
+contemptuously. "You are in everything a very unadvised and ignorant young
+gentleman. The Elector is indeed at Koenigsberg, but, nevertheless, he has
+made known his will to me through the newly appointed Stadtholder in the
+Mark, who arrived here, _incognito_, early this morning."
+
+"Stadtholder in the Mark!" cried Count John Adolphus defiantly. "I know no
+one who can lay claim to that title but myself alone!"
+
+"But I know some one who has not merely the title but the office itself,
+and that person is the Margrave Ernest von Jaegerndorf. Herr von Metzdorf,
+come in!"
+
+In answer to Burgsdorf's loud call a young officer advanced through the
+door leading from the adjacent room, which had been left ajar, and stood
+on the threshold awaiting further orders.
+
+"Hand Count Adolphus von Schwarzenberg the Stadtholder's printed
+manifesto," said Burgsdorf. Lieutenant von Metzdorf drew near the count,
+extending toward him a huge sheet of paper. "Read, my dear little count!"
+cried Burgsdorf. "Only read! Yes, yes, it contains very interesting
+intelligence. Margrave Ernest informs the citizens of Berlin and Cologne
+that he has been nominated by our gracious Elector Stadtholder in the
+Mark, and has entered upon the duties of his new office. He further
+informs the good folks of Berlin, that his Electoral Grace has been
+pleased to appoint Conrad von Burgsdorf superintendent of all the
+fortresses within the Electorate and Mark of Brandenburg. Colonel Conrad
+von Burgsdorf am I, and in my province as superintendent of all the
+fortresses I shall have all those arrested who refuse to swear allegiance
+to their Sovereign and Elector. Colonel von Kracht has experienced this,
+and his confederates shall soon enough acquire like knowledge. Count von
+Schwarzenberg, will you have the goodness to let me proceed to seal the
+papers, or must I use force by virtue of my right and authority?"
+
+"You are the stronger," replied the count, shrugging his shoulders, "or,
+rather, brute force is on your side, and against this 'twere irrational to
+contend. Do what I can not hinder. Seal up my father's papers. I should
+think, however, that my own papers would be exempt from this procedure,
+and I hope the contents of my own desk will be respected." As he spoke he
+cast a furtive glance upon his steward von Wallenrodt, who, nodding almost
+imperceptibly, slowly retreated to the door.
+
+"I shall seal indiscriminately all the papers and desks found in the
+palace," exclaimed Colonel von Burgsdorf. "This whole palace, with all it
+contains, belonged to Count Adam Schwarzenberg, and my orders are to seal
+and remove all papers left by that gentleman. You see that I can not and
+will not make distinctions as to what is yours and what your deceased
+father's."
+
+"I believe, indeed, that the art of reading is for you difficult, nay
+almost impossible, Colonel von Burgsdorf!"
+
+"You believe so? You are mistaken, my young sir. I can even read what is
+written upon men's faces, and read upon your brow that you are not merely
+puffed up with self-importance, but that you are likewise forging wicked
+and dangerous plans, and have been led away by your ambition to desire
+things unsuitable for you. Come now, count, and accompany me into your
+father's cabinet."
+
+"No!" cried the count--"no, I will do no such thing! It shall not be said
+that I voluntarily submitted to treason and brutal violence!"
+
+"Well, my little count," cried Burgsdorf, laughing, "if you will not act
+as guide of your own accord, you must be forced to do so _nolens volens_.
+You need not show us the way, for we will merely go from chamber to
+chamber and affix our seal to all the papers we can find. But the law
+requires your presence, and your presence we shall have. Lieutenant von
+Metzdorf and Lieutenant von Frohberg, each of you give an arm to Count von
+Schwarzenberg. Sustain and support him well, for the young gentleman feels
+a little unwell and can not go alone."
+
+The two officers approached the count, who looked at them with threatening
+mien. "Do not dare to touch me!" he cried angrily. "I will not follow you!
+I will not go!"
+
+"You will not go, will you not? Not even when my officers offer you their
+arms?"
+
+"I will not go, but I shall complain to the Emperor of the violence done
+me, and he will procure me satisfaction."
+
+"Well, we shall bide our time," said Burgsdorf placidly. "For the present
+it only concerns us to obtain your honored companionship. Since, however,
+you declare that you can not go afoot, I shall carry you!"
+
+And before the young count could prevent it, Burgsdorf had seized him in
+his gigantic arms and lifted him up.
+
+"Forward now, gentlemen," he said, stepping briskly a few paces in
+advance, bearing the count as lightly and easily in his arms as if he had
+been an infant.
+
+"Let me descend from the wine cask, Colonel von Burgsdorf," said Count
+Adolphus, smilingly and composedly. "I have attained my end. I only wanted
+to defer the sealing for a few minutes. Having succeeded in effecting
+this, I shall no longer oppose any obstacle to your progress."
+
+"So much the better," cried Burgsdorf, setting him on the ground. "For,
+even if you were as light as a feather, I would rather have free use of my
+arms and hands; and, besides, do not like such close contact with any
+birds of your plumage. Now, Sir Imperial Counselor, let us to work and
+commence the process of sealing."
+
+"Well and good," said Count John Adolphus, "only permit me to ask one
+question. To what end this sealing, and when will the signet be removed? I
+am my father's sole heir; already I have had the will opened and read in
+the presence of competent witnesses, and in accordance with my father's
+expressed desire entered into possession of the whole inheritance. The
+affixing of the seal appears to me, therefore, to be superfluous. If done
+at all, it should have been attended to before the opening of the will."
+
+"It has been delayed, alas!" replied Conrad von Burgsdorf, "and it has
+resulted from the fact that since the Stadtholder's death there has been
+nobody to issue orders or defend the right. But now, as we have once more
+a Stadtholder in the Mark, all will be different, and those who put
+themselves in opposition may be on their guard, for we seal not merely
+papers, but men. As regards your question, count, the sealing affects your
+inheritance only in so far as you have presumed to include among your
+estates several districts and domains pertaining to the Elector, and have
+been in indecent haste to take possession of them."
+
+"These domains were given in pledge to my father, and never redeemed."
+
+"That remains to be decided, and, for the purpose of setting this as well
+as many other matters, the Elector has ordained that a judicial court
+shall sit. He himself named the gentlemen who were to constitute this
+board of investigation, which will enter upon its duties early to-morrow
+morning, and begin by removing the seal from the papers which I am to make
+myself master of to-day. The chairman of this committee is the president
+of the privy council, von Goetze."
+
+"I know of no President von Goetze."
+
+"Yes, yes, your father deprived Herr von Goetze of his office because he
+would not dance to the Stadtholder's piping, and was not his devoted
+servant to say yes to everything. But for that very reason our young
+Elector has installed him again in his office, and given orders, moreover,
+that he be the president of the committee of investigation. And now, as I
+have answered all your questions with praiseworthy patience and to my own
+satisfaction, let us at last proceed to sealing, and make a beginning in
+this very room. Shut the doors, Lieutenant von Metzdorf, and allow no one
+to go out who was here at our entrance."
+
+"Colonel," replied the lieutenant, "the high steward von Wallenrodt left
+the room a while ago, but, as you had given no orders to that effect, I
+could not detain him. He went out just when you took the count up in your
+arms."
+
+"Humph! That is the reason why the count wanted to divert my attention for
+some minutes, that his steward might have time to execute his secret
+commission!" cried the colonel stamping his foot passionately. "We ought
+to have reflected that we had sly foxes to deal with, and guarded every
+outlet beforehand. Lieutenant von Metzdorf, place a man at every door and
+let no one out. Lieutenant von Frohberg, take with you four soldiers, and
+search the whole palace; if you find von Wallenrodt, arrest and search
+him."
+
+"Colonel, that is going too far!" cried Count John Adolphus, pale with
+rage and excitement. "You have no right to arrest and search my servant. I
+interpose my protest, and will bring you to account before his Majesty the
+Emperor."
+
+"I shall take care of that," replied the colonel composedly. "If I have
+done wrong, let the committee of investigation call me to account. The
+Emperor in Vienna has nothing to do with me, and has no right to meddle in
+the administration of justice among us."
+
+"We shall see about that!" cried the count, with a threatening gesture.
+
+"Yes, we shall see! But first we must see where the papers are, which we
+are to seal and carry off. Open that table drawer, count, and let us see
+what it contains."
+
+Count Adolphus had to submit to having every desk and table searched, and
+wherever papers were found, the great seal of the Electoral privy council
+was affixed, and they were then removed. He had also to submit to having
+the whole palace ransacked from garret to cellar in search of the steward
+von Wallenrodt. The sealing he could not prevent, but he had the
+satisfaction of seeing the soldiers fail in discovering the hiding place
+of his steward after making the strictest possible search, as well as of
+witnessing Colonel Burgsdorf's disappointment on opening Count Adolphus's
+own writing desk to find it perfectly empty.
+
+"I said so," growled Burgsdorf. "We forgot that we were dealing with sly
+foxes, and barred the doors too late. Count John Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg, the sealing is over. Now comes the performance of my second
+duty. I have to announce to you on the part of Margrave Ernest, Stadtholder
+in the Mark, that you are under arrest in your own house until further
+notice, and are on no account whatever to be allowed to leave the palace.
+Here is the warrant, that you may not say I am acting without orders."
+
+He drew forth a paper, unfolded it, and handed it to the count, who
+rapidly glanced over it.
+
+"I see," said he, with proud composure, "you are acting under authority,
+and are merely your master's faithful beadle. May I keep this warrant?"
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"To hand it to the Emperor, and show him with what disrespect they have
+dared to act against his counselor and chamberlain."
+
+"Keep the bill of indictment," said Burgsdorf quietly. "I shall be much
+surprised if you shortly find yourself in a condition to present it to the
+Emperor in person. Certainly not just now, for you are under arrest, and
+can not have control of your own movements. You will therefore have the
+gratification of having a guard at your door, although you are  not the
+Stadtholder. Farewell, Count John Adolphus!"
+
+Bowing to the young count, who with a scornful laugh turned his back upon
+him, he left the apartment, followed by his officers.
+
+"Metzdorf," he said outside to the young officer in the antechamber, "to
+you I intrust the guarding of the palace. I know you are incorruptible,
+and will not allow the young gentleman to escape. Go round the palace on
+the outside, and before each door station two soldiers, who are to leave
+their posts neither by day or night. Relieve them every four hours. The
+Stadtholder, alas! did not order us to guard the inner doors of the house,
+so we must only be watchful and circumspect outside. I commit the guarding
+to you, and if he escapes, the responsibility rests upon yourself."
+
+"Unless he is a magician who can vanish through the air, he shall not
+escape me, colonel," said the young officer, smiling. "I will stake my
+head upon his not going by ordinary means through the doors."
+
+"Very well, lieutenant; but hark! Place two more sentinels at the garden
+railing opposite the palace. They are to watch the windows night and day,
+sounding an alarm as soon as they observe anything suspicious. Come now.
+Reconnoiter the outer doors and post the sentinels. I am going to report
+to the Stadtholder."
+
+Colonel Burgsdorf left the count's palace, and repaired to the Electoral
+castle, where the Margrave Ernest von Jaegerndorf had taken up his
+residence.
+
+Count John Adolphus had stood listening at the door, and heard every word
+spoken by Burgsdorf to his lieutenant, and then listened to his heavy,
+retreating footstep. Now he heard the slamming of the front door, and
+rushing to the window, saw Burgsdorf mount his horse and ride off,
+followed by his companions and a wagon loaded with the papers which had
+been seized.
+
+"Waldow!" cried the count, springing back from the window, "he has gone,
+and we have, God be thanked! no guard inside the house. We are unobserved."
+
+"What good will that do us, Sir Count," sighed Waldow. "We can not leave
+the house, and your papers have been seized."
+
+"Not my papers, Waldow! No, God be praised! not my papers!" exulted the
+count. "Did you not see that my writing desk was empty?"
+
+"And what does that signify?"
+
+"It signifies that my trusty steward von Wallenrodt understood my hint,
+and, while I detained Burgsdorf, abstracted and concealed my papers."
+
+"Think you so?" asked Waldow, shrugging his shoulders. "It seems to me
+more likely that the steward has imitated the rats, who always forsake a
+sinking ship, and has gone off. The palace has been ransacked and von
+Wallenrodt was nowhere to be found. He has probably gone to the new
+Stadtholder, thinking to benefit himself by betraying you."
+
+"You slander my faithful servant," said the count. "I know him better, and
+am confident that he will not betray me. Come, Waldow, accompany me to my
+father's cabinet.
+
+"I will now show you that you have judged my steward falsely," he
+continued, when they had reached the cabinet.
+
+"This apartment conceals a mystery, known only to my father, myself, and
+Wallenrodt. Now, you shall become acquainted with it, and learn at the
+same time that there is still good faith in the world."
+
+He crossed the spacious apartment to the large mirror, which, reaching
+down to the floor, filled up the whole space between the windows. He
+pressed an ornament of the frame, and the mirror flew back, having become
+a door, which opened and revealed a niche concealed in the wall. From this
+niche stepped forth the steward, with a great roll of papers in his hand.
+
+"Most gracious sir," he said quietly, handing the roll to the count, "here
+are the papers of your writing desk."
+
+"Thank you, my faithful Wallenrodt!" cried Adolphus Schwarzenberg,
+offering him his hand. "I knew that I could count upon you, and, when the
+writing desk was found empty, knew that you had understood my glance. But
+now, before we advise as to what is further to be done, let me examine
+these papers, for I do not exactly know whether they contain all that I
+would wish to conceal from Burgsdorf and my other enemies. Step into that
+window recess, friends, and let me look over these papers."
+
+The two gentlemen retired into the deep window niche, and conversed
+together in whispers, while Count Adolphus rummaged over the papers with
+quick and nervous fingers. Ever quicker, ever more nervous became the
+movements of his hand, ever darker grew his brow, ever more anxious his
+countenance. As he laid aside the last sheet a sudden pallor overspread
+his face, and for a moment he leaned back in the fauteuil, quite faint and
+exhausted.
+
+"Dearest sir!" cried the steward, hurrying toward him, "are not the papers
+all in order?"
+
+"It is just as I feared," said the count, sighing. "My whole
+correspondence with my father, during my last sojourn at Regensburg,
+besides copies of my letters to the Emperor and Marwitz, were in the
+drawer of my father's writing table, and have been carried off with the
+rest."
+
+"And did these letters compromise you, count?" asked Herr von Waldow,
+drawing nearer to him.
+
+"With these letters in his hand, President von Goetze, the chairman of the
+committee of investigation, can arraign me as guilty of high treason and
+condemn me to death."
+
+A long pause ensued. With gloomy countenances all three cast their eyes
+upon the ground. Then the steward lifted up his head, with an expression
+of firm resolve.
+
+"You must flee, gracious sir," he cried earnestly.
+
+"Flee?" repeated the count, shrugging his shoulders. "Ah, you have not
+heard of what further happened after you withdrew to your place of
+concealment!"
+
+"The whole palace is surrounded by soldiers," completed Herr von Waldow.
+"At each door stand two sentinels, and even at the park gate two guards
+are stationed."
+
+"You see plainly, Wallenrodt, that flight is impossible," said the count.
+
+The steward smiled. "Through doors and windows you can not escape, in
+truth. There is a third way, however."
+
+"What sort of way, Wallenrodt?"
+
+"The secret passage, count."
+
+"I know of no secret passage."
+
+"But I do, count. Your late revered father had this secret passage built
+at the time the cities revolted and the Swedes were threatening Berlin. He
+had fifty workmen brought from Vienna, who were kept concealed in the
+palace, and worked every night upon this subterranean passage, and as soon
+as it was completed he had the men sent back to Austria. It is not to be
+supposed that you should know anything of this, count, for it happened at
+least fifteen years ago, when you were but a lad. While the work lasted
+the count resided at Spandow, taking all his household with him, that no
+one might know anything about the secret passage. Only the old castellan
+and I remained behind, to overlook the work. We were the only two besides
+the Stadtholder who knew the secret. You must flee through the
+subterranean passage, gracious sir."
+
+"Whither does the secret passage lead?" asked the count.
+
+"Winding along underground, it has its outlet in the little pavilion in
+the center of the park. The key to the outer door hangs within the
+passage, as does also the key to the garden gate. All is in good order,
+for, fearing that the count's affairs might take a bad turn, I examined
+the passage through its whole extent until I arrived at the pavilion. Your
+grace can escape in that way unperceived."
+
+"And you, my faithful friends, will accompany me," said the count,
+extending his hands to the two gentlemen. "You were right just now,
+Waldow, when you said we should conquer or die. It seems now as if we must
+be ruined. Our enemies have gone to work with more zeal and determination
+than ourselves. While we pondered, they acted; while we tarried, they
+strode energetically forward. The young Elector has made good use of his
+time, and like a spider has caught us in the net with which he had lightly
+and secretly encircled us. All my foes, all the sworn adversaries of my
+father, has he called out to battle against us. Envy, hatred, malice, are
+the regiments which the young lord musters into the field, and by means of
+these he has for the moment conquered us. But only for the moment. A day
+of reckoning will come to the haughty young sir. He thinks himself free
+and independent, but he shall learn that there is one higher than he to
+whom he must bow, to whom he owes obedience. Yes, the Emperor Ferdinand
+will avenge me upon this arrogant young man. He will cause his proud neck
+to bend, and force his vassal to give me satisfaction, and to reinstate me
+in all my offices and dignities, which he would unjustly withhold from me.
+I shall go to the Emperor at Vienna, and--Ha, what a thought!" he
+exclaimed, interrupting himself. Rushing across to his writing table,
+whose empty drawers were stretched wide open, he tore one out and thrust
+his arm into the vacant space.
+
+"The secret compartment," he cried triumphantly. "Old Burgsdorf's keen
+scent failed him this time. Here it is, safe and inviolate. Here!"
+
+When he drew forth his hand it contained a small box, which he opened by
+touching a spring. The lid flew open; the box contained nothing but a
+dainty, perfumed note. Still the count esteemed it a precious possession.
+He took the paper and waved it exultingly above his head.
+
+"This is my salvation!" he cried. "With this paper in my hand I am armed
+against all the villainy and malice of the Elector. Oh, my dear, noble
+father, I must thank you for this security, thank you that I shall come
+forth victor from this contest with my enemy. It was you who pointed out
+to me the significance of this paper, who gave me the wise counsel to
+preserve it for future use. Thank you, oh, my father! At this hour this
+paper is the most precious inheritance which you have left me. I shall use
+it in accordance with your views, and as actuated by your spirit.
+
+"Now, my friends," he continued, "now am I ready for flight. Let us
+consider what is to be done."
+
+"Gracious sir, I have already considered," replied Wallenrodt warmly, "and
+I hope you will approve my plan. You can not make use of the subterranean
+passage by day, for, as I said before, it has its outlet in the center of
+the park, and if you pass through the lower garden gate in safety, you
+have still to go through the suburbs of Cologne. Every one would recognize
+you, and who knows whether Colonel von Burgsdorf may not have placed
+sentinels there too? You must, therefore, make your escape by night. I, on
+the contrary, dressed as a simple burgher, will take advantage of the
+subterranean passage now, and, watching my opportunity, when the street is
+quiet will leave the park and go away."
+
+"Where are you going, Wallenrodt?"
+
+"To Spandow, gracious sir, to Colonel von Rochow. I want to inform him of
+the course events have taken--to tell him that you are forced to leave
+Berlin. When nightfall comes your grace will be pleased to go through the
+subterranean passage in company with Herr von Waldow, emerge into the
+park, and then proceed up the street. Without especial haste, for any
+appearance of haste might excite remark, you will go to the Willow-bank
+Gate. Outside I will await you with two saddled horses. These you will
+mount, and ride at full gallop to Spandow, where Herr von Rochow will be
+ready to receive your grace. From that place the count can depart when so
+disposed."
+
+"Your plan is good and feasible," said the count. "I accept it. Hasten,
+therefore, good friend, hasten to Colonel von Rochow with tidings of what
+has befallen us here. Tell him that the time for hesitancy and delay has
+passed, that the hour of action has come. He has hitherto manfully refused
+to give in his oath to the Elector, and therefore the fortress of Spandow
+belongs to the Emperor, the sworn lord of its commandant, rather than to
+the Elector of Brandenburg. The walls of the Imperial fort will afford us
+protection and security, and from that point we can begin our contest with
+the enemy, who has so treacherously attacked us. Be off, my Wallenrodt, be
+off, and may we meet to-night in freedom and joy!"
+
+"Only forget not to arm yourself, gracious sir, and take care that no one
+watches and pursues you."
+
+"I shall precede the count with two loaded pistols," cried Herr von
+Waldow. "I will shoot down whoever shall dare to oppose him, and open a
+free path for him to the Willow-bank Gate, where you will be waiting for
+us, Wallenrodt."
+
+"We will both go armed and defend ourselves bravely," said Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg. "We would rather die than fall into the hands of our
+enemies. Go now, Wallenrodt, for you have verily a long way before you.
+The road to Spandow is long."
+
+"In three hours I shall be there, honored sir. We shall then have ample
+time to make our preparations for defense, and meet you here at twilight
+with horses. Come now, gentlemen, that I may show you the approach to the
+subterranean passage. It is in the little corridor next your late father's
+cabinet."
+
+
+
+
+VIII.--THE FLIGHT.
+
+
+How dreary and desolate was the day which Count Adolphus now passed in the
+palace--how the hours lengthened into days, and the minutes into hours!
+How glad were they when twilight at last drew near, what sighs of relief
+they breathed when night at last set in!
+
+A dark, silent night. The sky was obscured by clouds, not a star was to be
+seen. A night well fitted for enveloping fugitives in her friendly mantle,
+and concealing them beneath her gloomy shades. Away now, away! Night is
+here! Freedom beckons! The spacious palace was to-day nothing but a close,
+oppressive prison. Nothing did Count Adolphus hear but the walking to and
+fro of the sentinels and the corporal's call to relieve guard. Nothing did
+he see, when he went to the window, but soldiers slowly pacing their round
+before the park railing.
+
+Away from this prison, whose splendor and luxury seemed like sheer
+mockery, away from this house teeming with bitter memories of past
+grandeur and glory!
+
+Night was here, the night of deliverance. Away, away!
+
+They wrapped their cloaks about them, drew their hats low over their
+foreheads, and entered the subterranean passage. Waldow lead the way, a
+burning taper in one hand, a pistol in the other. Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg followed him, a pistol in either hand, firmly determined to
+shoot down whoever might dare to oppose his progress.
+
+The passage was traversed, and safely the two emerged into the open air in
+the park pavilion. Now forward quickly, down the dark alley to the lower
+garden gate. The key was in his pocket, there was nothing to obstruct
+their flight.
+
+One moment they paused within the half-opened gateway and listened.
+Nothing moved in the street without. All life seemed already extinct, all
+the inhabitants of the wretched houses had retired to rest. Not a light
+glimmered through the windows. All was hushed and still. They pushed open
+the gate and stepped out upon the street. They looked up and down; nowhere
+did they see a sign of movement, nowhere a human form, nor anywhere hear a
+rustling sound. Forward now, forward up the street, around the corner of
+the park, across the cathedral square.
+
+The night was quite dark, and the two fugitives looked ever ahead, not
+once behind them. They did not see that another shadow followed their
+black shadows, nor that a second shadow glided across the cathedral square
+to the Electoral castle.
+
+To that castle, too, were Count Schwarzenberg's eyes directed. There it
+loomed up, veiled in mystery and gloom, its dim outlines barely
+distinguishable from the mass of overhanging clouds in the background. In
+the lower story, where was situated the guardroom, burned a bright light,
+shining like a clear, yellow star, and irradiating the darkness of the
+night.
+
+Count Adolphus saw it, and also saw the light suddenly eclipsed by a
+shadow; then flame forth again. He saw the shadow, but did not suspect
+that it bore any relationship to his person or movements. He only
+continued to look toward the castle, and to think of the past, taking
+farewell of his memories, farewell of the dreams of his youth! He thought
+of the insult put upon him that dreadful night when he had been mocked and
+deceived by her whom he loved, and he vowed vengeance for the tortures
+endured by him that night!
+
+"Forward, Waldow, forward!" He took his friend's arm, and they pressed on.
+The shadow behind them advanced when they advanced and stopped when they
+stood still. Through the pleasure garden the pair proceeded with hurried
+steps, through the gate at the castle moat they entered upon the
+Willow-bank suburb, then down the deserted little streets of wretched
+huts. They reached the great Willow-bank meadow without the walls, passing
+through a gate not far from the bridge over the Spree.
+
+"Wallenrodt, are you here?" whispered Schwarzenberg.
+
+"Yes, count, I am here."
+
+The tramp of horse's hoofs, the voices of men speaking in whispers.
+
+"Colonel von Rochow expects your grace. The whole fortress is at your
+service. He will defend you to the last man, and would rather blow the
+whole fortress into the air than surrender you to the enemy."
+
+"Yes, better be blown up by gunpowder, than fall into an enemy's hands!"
+cries the count, vaulting with glad heart into the saddle.
+
+"Are you ready, my friends?"
+
+"Yes, we are ready."
+
+The count gave the word of command, "Forward!" and grasped tighter his
+horse's reins.
+
+"Halt! halt!" called a loud voice, and the shadow which had crept behind
+them now changed into the form of a tall and powerful man, who sprang
+through the gate and seized the count's horse by the bridle.
+
+"Back!" shouted Adolphus Schwarzenberg furiously.
+
+"Halt! halt!" cried the other. "You shall not escape. In the name of
+Colonel von Burgsdorf I arrest you, Count John Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg."
+
+"Who are you, poor man, who are you who dares to oppose me?"
+
+"I am the police master Brandt. I arrest you in the name of the Stadtholder
+in the Mark!"
+
+"Wretched traitor! You swore fidelity to my father, and have now become
+the tool of his enemies. Hands off! It will cost you your life! Back!"
+
+"No, I will not leave you, I arrest you. You must stay here!"
+
+"Let us make an end of this, count," shouted von Waldow "The night is so
+pitch-dark that we can not distinguish friend from foe, else I would have
+shot him long ago."
+
+"For the last time, hands off my horse, or I shall shoot you."
+
+"For the last time. Yield peaceably, or I shall shoot you. Living or dead
+I must keep you, I have--"
+
+A flash, the report of a pistol, a death groan interrupted the police
+master's words. The three horsemen bounded forward into the night. Forward
+at breakneck speed, but for the sand, that dreadful sand. This is the
+Rehberg, they know it by the sand in which the horses sink, from which
+they extricate themselves only to sink again. Yet what matters it if they
+do make rather slow progress? They will surely reach Spandow before
+daybreak, and Colonel von Burgsdorf will be cheated out of his precious
+prisoners.
+
+What is that? What strange sound does the night wind bear to the three
+riders? Simultaneously all three turn in their saddles and listen.
+
+They hear it quite plainly. It is the noise made by trotting horses. It
+comes on--it comes nearer.
+
+"Wallenrodt, Waldow! We are pursued!"
+
+"Yes, count, but we have the Rehberg almost behind us, and they must go
+through it. We have a good start. They will not overtake us."
+
+"Forward, my friends, forward!"
+
+They put spurs to their horses, they press their knees into their flanks,
+and the animals struggle faster through the sand. In spite of every
+hindrance they have now reached firmer ground and bound bravely forward.
+But the noise behind them has not ceased, not even become more remote.
+They must have good steeds, those pursuers, for they seem to come nearer
+and nearer.
+
+"Friends, better die than fall into the hands of the enemy!" shouts the
+count. "I tell you the very moment Burgsdorf touches me I shall shoot
+myself. Greet my friends for me. Bid them farewell forever!"
+
+"You will not shoot yourself, count, for the enemy will not overtake us.
+Forward! Put spur to your horses. Heigh! Huzza! Forward!"
+
+They rush through the darkness!
+
+Clouds dark and threatening course swiftly through the sky, horsemen dark
+and threatening course swiftly over the earth.
+
+"Waldow! they come nearer! But we have still the start of them!"
+
+"Only see, count! That dark mass there against the sky. That is our goal.
+Just one quarter of an hour and we shall be safe in Spandow."
+
+"One quarter of an hour! An eternity! Heigh! Huzza! On! on!"
+
+"Halt!" is heard behind them. "Halt! in the name of the Elector, in the
+name of the law! Halt! halt!"
+
+"That is Burgsdorf's voice!" cries Count Schwarzenberg, and spurs his
+horse with such violence that it rears and then shoots forward, swift as
+an arrow from a bow. But the pursuers, too, dash forward, as if borne upon
+the wings of the wind, and the distance between them constantly grows
+less. Already they hear the horses pant; ever clearer, ever more distinct
+become the passionate outcries of Colonel Burgsdorf.
+
+He swears, he threatens, he rages! He orders the fugitives to halt, and
+swears to shoot them if they do not.
+
+What care they for threats or orders? Forward! forward! Behind them sounds
+a shot--a second, then a third! The balls whistle past their ears, and
+they laugh aloud, to prove to the enemy that they are still alive.
+
+Before them flash lights, like golden stars, like bonfires of rejoicing.
+
+"Count, those are the lights of Spandow! Just see those torches there! The
+commandant is waiting for you at the entrance to the fort with his
+torchbearers."
+
+"On! on!" shout the three, and they race onward at lightning speed. And at
+lightning speed the pursuers follow. Nearer they come, ever nearer.
+
+"I have them! I have caught them!" exults Burgsdorf, springing forward and
+stretching out his hands toward the fugitives, for it seems to him as if
+he can indeed lay his hand upon them. "Halt! halt! in the name of the
+Elector!"
+
+"Forward! forward! What care we for the Elector? What care we for
+Burgsdorf? Forward!"
+
+The lights increase in size and brilliancy. Now they distinguish
+torches and the figures of men.
+
+"Are you there, count?" calls down Colonel von Rochow from the wall.
+
+"It is I, colonel!"
+
+The gate is open, they gallop in!
+
+Over the wooden bridge gallop the pursuers after them. Now they are at the
+gate. But the gate slams to with thundering sound. The pursuers are left
+without.
+
+"Undo the bolts, Colonel von Rochow! I command you, undo the bolts!"
+
+"Who is it that dares to command me?" calls down Colonel von Rochow from
+the fortification walls.
+
+"I command you! I, the commandant in chief of all the fortresses in the
+Mark!"
+
+"I know no commandant in chief, and trouble myself about no such person. I
+am commandant of Spandow, and have sworn to serve the Emperor, and him
+alone."
+
+"Colonel von Rochow, in the name of the Elector and in the name of the
+Stadtholder in the Mark, I command you for the last time to open the gate!"
+
+"The Elector is not my master to command me, and as to the Stadtholder in
+the Mark, here he is at my side. Only Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg do I
+recognize as such, and he forbids my opening the gate. Go back quietly to
+Berlin, colonel, for the night is cold, and your ride will warm you."
+
+"And I must pocket this insult," muttered old Burgsdorf, gnashing his
+teeth. "I can do nothing but turn around and go back with shame!" Almost
+tearfully he gave his men the order to face about and return to Berlin.
+
+In the castle within, Count John Adolphus cordially offered his hand to
+Commandant von Rochow.
+
+"Colonel, you have saved my life by furnishing me a refuge. I would have
+shot myself if Burgsdorf had overtaken me. I shall commend you to the
+Emperor's Majesty for this friendly service."
+
+
+
+
+IX.--THE LETTER.
+
+
+"Well, here you are at last," exclaimed Elector Frederick William, holding
+out his hand to Baron Leuchtmar von Kalkhun. "You have at last returned
+from your difficult journey."
+
+"Yes, gracious sir, you may well call it a difficult journey. Four long
+months of endless debate, wrangling, and dispute with those arrogant
+Swedish lords, who were ever ready to take but never to give. Such was my
+experience day by day for four long months."
+
+"Yes, you are right," said the Elector thoughtfully. "Four months have
+indeed elapsed since you set out upon your journey and I undertook the
+duties of ruler. My God! it seems to me as if many years had rolled by
+since then, and as if I had become an old, old man! I do not believe I
+have laughed once during these four months, or enjoyed one quarter of an
+hour of pleasure or relaxation. Discord and discussion everywhere with
+Emperor and empire, with the States, with Poland, Juliers and Cleves. They
+are all my foes, and not one single hand is held out to me in friendship.
+I have felt at times right lonely, Leuchtmar, and sorely sighed for you.
+It could not be, though, and I have learned already to submit to
+necessity. Necessity alone is the despotic mistress of all princes, and we
+nothing but her humble vassals. It is a humiliating thought, but
+nevertheless true. I must learn to endure mortifications, and to consider
+them but the price which I pay for my future."
+
+"It grieves me to perceive that your highness is somewhat downcast and
+discouraged," sighed Leuchtmar, looking sadly at the Elector's pale, sober
+countenance, upon which the last four months had indeed left the imprint
+of years.
+
+"Downcast? Yes," cried Frederick William; "for my affairs progress but
+slowly, and to gain anything I am compelled on all sides to make
+unpleasant concessions and to submit to irksome restraints. But
+discouraged--no, Leuchtmar, I am not discouraged, and by God's help never
+shall be! I know my purpose, which I shall pursue with immovable
+steadfastness, and, although the results of these first four months of
+government are barely discernible, I comfort myself that in as many years
+I shall have accomplished much. It is strange, Leuchtmar, that you have
+returned to-day, the very day which brings home my Polish ambassador with
+the tidings that the King of Poland is ready solemnly to invest me with
+the dukedom of Prussia, thanks to our money and our fair speeches. This
+very day I also expect decisive news from Colonel von Burgsdorf at Berlin.
+On the self-same day I sent you forth. You were like doves sent from a
+storm-tossed ark to seek for land. Almost at the same time you return to
+the ark, but I fear that none of you brings with him an olive branch."
+
+"Yet, most noble sir, I do bring you a small olive leaf," replied
+Leuchtmar, with a gentle smile. "I come to announce to your grace that I
+have at last succeeded, after a four months' contest, in wringing from the
+Swedish lords a few concessions, and concluding an armistice, which is to
+be binding for two years."
+
+"A two years' cessation of hostilities is equivalent to ten years of
+refreshment, of reinvigoration!" cried the Elector with radiant looks.
+"Tell me, Leuchtmar, what concessions did these hard-headed Swedes make at
+the last moment?"
+
+"Your highness, they have pledged themselves not to allow their soldiery
+to enter the Mark, unless unavoidably compelled to march through on their
+way elsewhere, and that then they shall be quartered and fed only under
+the direction of an Electoral commissary; and that, moreover, separate
+agreements shall be entered into with regard to the maintenance of the
+Swedish garrisons of forts in Pomerania and the Mark." [49]
+
+"Yes," murmured the Elector, with dejected mien, "so low are we reduced
+that if they even acknowledge our natural rights, it strikes us in the
+light of a concession, a grant, and we must esteem ourselves happy in
+having obtained it! Ah! Leuchtmar, when will the time come when I can take
+my revenge for these humiliations, the time when they will bow to _me_,
+and when it will be for _me_ to concede and grant favors? Hush, ambitious
+heart, be soft and still! Go on, tell me what further settlements you
+concluded with the Swedes."
+
+"Gracious sir, I have no other concessions to mention, except that
+something has been done for the protection of our mutual traffic by sea
+and land. But that is as much to the advantage of the Swedes as of
+ourselves. The demands of the Swedes are truly far greater than their
+concessions!"
+
+"What do they demand?"
+
+"They demand in advance that they be left in undisturbed possession of the
+fortresses they are now masters of."
+
+"I have not the power to take them by force of arms!" cried the Elector,
+shrugging his shoulders. "Let them keep what I can not force from them!
+What else?"
+
+"They demand, besides, that the Werben fortress be delivered up to them."
+
+"I will not deliver it up to them!" cried the Elector; "but I will have it
+destroyed, that it be not seized by the Imperialists. What else?"
+
+"The Swedes further desire that the Kuestrin Pass be closed to imperial
+troops."
+
+"To that I willingly consent, for it is in accordance with my own
+interests," said Frederick William, smiling. "By Kuestrin is the road to
+Stettin, and it is important for us, too, that this way be closed to the
+Imperialists. Methinks a time will come when it shall be closed to the
+Swedes as well, and once closed, I shall not open it again. What else?"
+
+"The Swedes crave the privilege of having a resident at Kuestrin, who shall
+attend to carrying out this article."
+
+"That I shall never consent to!" cried the Elector passionately. "No, that
+can not be, for such a permission would involve degradation, and the
+concessions which I am willing to make for the welfare of my torn and
+bleeding land need not go to the extent of degradation. I must have an
+armistice, that my subjects may recover from the effects of these bloody,
+trying times, and gather strength for renewed existence. I must have an
+armistice, in order to gain time for the re-establishment of law and
+order. But there need be no armistice tending to dishonor me, and place me
+under Swedish surveillance in the midst of my own land. No, no Swedish spy,
+no resident at Kuestrin--that is the condition of my agreeing to the
+armistice. All else I acquiesce in."
+
+"And I hope to prevail upon the Swedish lords to recede from this claim
+yet," said Leuchtmar. "Rest is very essential to them also just at this
+time, for they have enough to do to contend with the Imperialists, and the
+Danes are threatening them with war. They will not desire to be embroiled
+with Brandenburg at the same time. I will guarantee the conclusion of the
+armistice, and, if it meets your highness's approbation, will travel again
+to Sweden to effect this alteration and then bring the articles to your
+highness for your signature."
+
+"So be it, dear Leuchtmar. Return to Stockholm. Strike the iron while it
+is hot. Much I hope from this armistice. It will make the lords of Warsaw,
+Regensburg, and Vienna more pliant and yielding, for it will show them
+that the Elector of Brandenburg is no longer drifting helplessly about in
+a leaky boat, but that he has succeeded at least in stopping one hole and
+keeping himself above water! And now, friend Leuchtmar, how fared you in
+your secret mission? Did you hand my letter to the young Queen?"
+
+"Yes, your highness; I even had the opportunity of delivering it to her in
+a private audience without witnesses."
+
+"And did she accept it in a kind and friendly manner?"
+
+"Gracious sir," replied Leuchtmar, smiling, "a queen of fourteen years of
+age is very sensitive with regard to her dignity, and takes it very ill if
+she is not treated with due reverence and extreme devotion."
+
+"Was my missive wanting in these respects?" asked Frederick William.
+
+"I beg your highness's pardon, but the young Queen seemed to be rather of
+this opinion. She was visibly delighted when I handed her your letter, and
+especially delighted that she received it secretly, without witnesses, and
+not in the presence of Chancellor Oxenstiern, whose guardianship seems to
+be very irksome and unpleasant to her. The young Queen blushed, sir, when
+she took your letter, and I must confess that at this moment she looked
+pretty and graceful enough to be the wife of my gracious master. But her
+countenance soon became clouded, as she read your communication, whose
+contents seemed to afford her little satisfaction."
+
+"But she answered my letter, did she not, and you bring me her reply?"
+
+"Oh, yes, most gracious sir, she answered it, and I have with me Queen
+Christina's reply. But I must beforehand make your grace an apology for
+this answer."
+
+"Well, let me see it, Leuchtmar. Give me the answer."
+
+Leuchtmar drew a folded paper from his pocket, and handed it to the
+Elector, who unfolded it. A number of torn bits of paper fell to the
+floor.
+
+"What is that, Leuchtmar?" asked the Elector in amazement.
+
+"Your highness," replied Leuchtmar, "that is Queen Christina's answer."
+
+The Elector picked up a few of the larger scraps of paper, and examined
+them attentively. "It seems to me, Leuchtmar," he said, "that I recognize
+specimens of my own penmanship. Yes, yes, it is my writing!"
+
+"Yes, indeed, your highness, it is your own writing. It is your letter to
+Queen Christina of Sweden."
+
+"She sends it back to me torn?"
+
+"She tore it with her own exalted hands, trampled it under her royal feet,
+and literally wept for rage."
+
+"My heavens! what have I done to enrage her little Majesty so?"
+
+"In the first place, noble sir, you wrote to the Queen in German instead
+of Latin, and she found that very wanting in respect, and thought you
+might have given yourself the trouble to write to her in the language most
+agreeable to her.[50] In the second place, you addressed the young Queen
+as 'Your highness,' when she is entitled to be called 'Most serene
+highness.' She is certain of that, for Oxenstiern had told her that he
+gained the title for her as an especial prerogative for her from your
+father and the house of Brandenburg. And in the third place, the Queen was
+annoyed that your writing was so cold and serious, and contained so few
+love words. 'If the Elector had nothing more to say to me than is
+contained in this letter,' cried the Queen, 'he need not have troubled
+himself to send it privately. This is a political document, which might
+have been handed by his envoy to the assembled States, and read aloud in
+public. But, if I do run the risk of receiving and reading a letter
+secretly, contrary to the high chancellor's wishes, let it at least be a
+love letter. I merely gave you audience because I was curious to get a
+love letter at last, and to know how such feelings are expressed. This is
+no love letter, though, and to such a note I have no other answer than
+this.' And then the Queen tore the letter into little bits and scattered
+them on the floor. I gathered up the pieces, in which she aided me
+assiduously, lest Chancellor Oxenstiern, whom she momentarily expected,
+might notice something peculiar, and suspect that she had received a
+secret missive. I asked her most serene highness if I should bring your
+grace these torn bits of paper as her answer. She replied with a
+bewitching smile that I must do so. Her cousin Frederick William might
+thereby learn to write her a better letter, when she would give him a
+better answer. This, gracious sir, is the story of the letter you
+intrusted to me for Queen Christina of Sweden."
+
+The Elector laughed aloud. "A charming story!" he cried, "for which I must
+thank my young relative, for she has lighted my somber existence by a ray
+of sunshine. It pleases me that my cousin is so forward, and thereby
+candid. The little maid of fourteen sighs for a love letter, and hopes
+that her cousin Frederick William, who sues for her hand, will write her
+one, and is so innocent as to suppose that he woos her because he loves
+her. Poor child, disappointed in her curiosity and her wish to know
+herself beloved! Yes, yes, it is the perpetual longing of the young heart
+to be loved, and when the first love letter is received, the foolish young
+creature fancies itself the happiest being upon earth, and feels itself
+transported into the blessedness of paradise. Alas! they know not that all
+this is only an illusion, a sweet morning dream from which they will
+speedily be roused by rude, ungentle hands. Leuchtmar, I can not gratify
+the little Queen of Sweden in her wish; I can write her no love letter,
+for I would be guilty of deceiving this young heart. No, I can utter no
+tender protestations, while my heart is still bleeding from inflicted
+wounds. But a cordial, friendly letter I will write to my dear cousin. I
+will write to her in faultless Latin, and couch it in most reverential
+terms. Who knows, perhaps I may yet win her heart, and she heal mine! I
+will write the letter, and you shall secretly transmit it to Queen
+Christina. I will so express it that it shall not seem to her fitted to be
+read before the assembled States, even though it be no love letter. Go
+now, Leuchtmar, and rest after the fatigues of your journey. But to-morrow
+evening, when business is ended, come to me in my cabinet, and let us read
+a couple of Horace's odes for my strength and encouragement, as we used to
+do when I was still a free young man and not the Elector, the slave of
+position."
+
+He offered the baron his hand, and affectionately conducted him to the
+door himself. Just at this moment that door was quickly opened, and a page
+appeared.
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," was his announcement, "the imperial envoy,
+Count Martinitz, craves an audience for himself, a special messenger from
+the Emperor, and his attendant."
+
+"Admit his Majesty's envoys," replied Frederick William, as he again
+crossed the room and seated himself in the armchair before his writing
+table.
+
+
+
+
+X.--A SECRET AUDIENCE.
+
+
+The three persons announced entered the Electoral cabinet. First came
+Count Martinitz with important air, dressed in the richly embroidered
+costume of a Spanish courtier, followed by an old man of venerable aspect
+and the bearing of a scholar, clad in a suit of black velvet, and by a
+young lord in a magnificent court dress. The Elector sprang up on
+beholding the latter, and a flush of indignation suffused his
+countenance.
+
+"Count Martinitz," he asked hastily, "whom do you bring to me?"
+
+"Your highness," replied. Martinitz, with firm, composed voice--"your
+highness, I beg to be allowed to present these two lords to you. This is
+Dr. Gebhard, a very learned and wise man, the Emperor Ferdinand's cabinet
+and privy counselor, sent by his Majesty to your highness, charged with a
+confidential and secret errand. Permit me now to present to your highness,
+this other gentleman."
+
+"I know him!" cried the Elector, with flashing eyes and angry mien. "I am
+only too well acquainted with Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg and all the
+plots and intrigues concocted by him in Berlin, and his efforts to lead my
+officers into insubordination and revolt. But when I ordered investigations
+to be made into these matters, and the count should have justified his
+actions, the boastful lord showed himself to be but a cowardly deserter!"
+
+"Your highness!" exclaimed the count coming forward with long strides, and
+touching the hilt of the dress-sword hanging at his side--"your highness,
+I have come to justify myself against the calumnies of my enemies. Will
+you be pleased to hear me patiently, and not impugn my honor as a
+gentleman and a count of the empire before you have listened to my
+justification?"
+
+"You would justify yourself! Do you dare to attempt this?" asked the
+Elector indignantly. "Look, here on my table lies the paper which the
+States of the Mark have addressed to me, and in which they accuse you. The
+Emperor's Majesty has sent me a scholar, who can certainly read it aright,
+if I perchance have made some mistake. Read, if you please, Dr. Gebhard,
+read these lines, and hear what the States write to me!"
+
+He handed the imperial legate the document and pointed out with his finger
+the passage in point.
+
+Dr. Gebhard read: "Count John Adolphus Schwarzenberg, however, eluded the
+investigation by flight in the night-time, and despite a guard set. In an
+unusual way and in utter contempt of your highness's received orders, he
+secretly escaped."[51]
+
+"Now," cried the Elector passionately, "would you maintain, that my States
+have reported to me what is not true?"
+
+"It is true," said Count Schwarzenberg. "I saw myself forced to escape
+unjust pursuit, and--"
+
+"Forced by your bad conscience, sir," interrupted the Elector impatiently.
+"You left it for others to draw out of the fire the chestnuts which you
+had thrown in, and when you found out that I was not the timid, powerless
+Prince you supposed me to be, who could be frightened at a contest with
+you and your faction and awed by your glory and dignity; when you saw that
+I would bring you to justice, you evaded the course of law and fled
+precipitately from the judges."
+
+"Because I knew that these judges were my enemies, and that he who was at
+their head, President von Goetze, had been my father's implacable foe of
+old."
+
+"That is to say, he had been of old an honest, true Brandenburger, not
+merely having proved himself an incorruptible man, but never having
+condescended to bribe others for the sake of obtaining honor, position,
+or wealth for himself."
+
+"Your highness," called out the count hastily, "would you defame my father
+even in his grave?"
+
+"Have I pronounced your father's name?" asked the Elector, with dignity.
+
+"Is it not rather you who asperse your late father's fame by referring to
+him what I said with regard to bribery?"
+
+The count cast down his eyes and was silent. Frederick William now turned
+by a slow movement of the head to Count Martinitz.
+
+"Sir Count," he said gravely and ceremoniously, "I interrupted you in your
+presentation. Continue it, and introduce this gentleman to me. I must know
+in what capacity he dares return to my dominions and intrude upon my
+presence."
+
+"Your Electoral Highness, I have the honor of presenting to you the count
+of the empire, Adolphus John von Schwarzenberg, imperial privy counselor
+and chamberlain, also _attache_ and associate of the Emperor's ambassador
+extraordinary, furnished with a safe conduct signed by the Emperor
+himself."
+
+"I well knew," cried the Elector, "that this gentleman had made sure of
+his own safety before venturing near me. That was the reason of my
+question. As imperial officer and chamberlain he is secure against my just
+wrath, and his Majesty's safe conduct a glorious wall behind which to hide
+himself. Let him profit by it; I shall not see him behind the wall, but
+instead only a piece of white paper, on which his Imperial Majesty has
+inscribed his name, and accordingly I shall respect this piece of paper,
+which otherwise I would tear in twain."
+
+"Your highness!" cried Count Schwarzenberg--"your highness, I--"
+
+"Count von Martinitz," interposed the Elector haughtily, "I empower you to
+say to the ambassador extraordinary of his Imperial Majesty, that I give
+him leave to deliver the Emperor's message to me and to impart to me his
+Majesty's desires."
+
+"Most respected lord and Elector," said Dr. Gebhard with solemnity, "his
+Majesty the Emperor Ferdinand sends me to your highness in the assured
+hope that in your justice and exalted wisdom your grace will be superior
+to all personal enmities, and not visit upon the son faults, perhaps
+unintentional, committed against you by the father."
+
+"Of what father and son do you speak, sir?" asked the Elector.
+
+"Of the father who for twenty years was the honored counselor and friend
+of Elector George William, who, faithful even beyond the tomb, forsook the
+earth no longer tenanted by his lord and Elector. Of the son who has
+committed no crime except that of being his father's heir, and not
+allowing his patrimony to be diminished and torn from him. For this son,
+in the Emperor's name, I would plead with your Electoral Highness for
+grace and favor, beseeching you not to deprive him of his rights, but to
+restore to him what belongs to him."
+
+"Tell me, Dr. Gebhard," asked the Elector, "what those rights are of which
+I have deprived him, according to his Majesty's opinion, and what things I
+have taken from him which belong to him?"
+
+"Already in his father's lifetime Count John Adolphus Schwarzenberg was
+elected his coadjutor in the Order of St. John, therefore on his father's
+demise he had a right to the vacant dignity of grand master, and yet this
+has not been accorded him by your highness. As his father's heir, Count
+John Adolphus received all his father's property, and entered into
+possession of it. Yet this your highness did not allow him uncontested,
+and withheld what was his. Nay, your highness even instituted a criminal
+process against the young count, his father's heir. This last proceeding
+is especially distasteful and annoying to his Majesty; the Emperor wishes
+above all things that your highness withdraw this criminal suit, referring
+it to the imperial court at Vienna, and that you again receive Count John
+into favor." [52]
+
+"Truly his Imperial Majesty asks and requires a great deal of me," cried
+Frederick William, with flashing eyes and cheeks flushed with anger. "More
+than a prince dare give, who has to act not merely in subjection and
+dependence, but as Sovereign of his people. It seems to me as if no one
+had cause to interfere in this affair of Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg, for
+it concerns the interior interests of my realm. Within the limits of my
+own country I alone am lord and ruler, and only one lord there is, before
+whom I bow, and whom I recognize as my superior--_the law_! Law is
+properly supreme within the Brandenburg provinces, and shall and must
+reign over high and low! But my favor, sir, my favor, can only flow
+spontaneously from within, and can not be arbitrarily bestowed even at an
+Emperor's behest. I have not withdrawn my favor from Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, for he never possessed it. Law and right alone must decide
+for or against him. Many of my subjects have brought accusations against
+him, and for these I am pledged to procure justice at the hands of the
+courts of justice. What was done in my lands must be also judged in my
+lands, else my subjects might be wounded in their sense of right; and to
+assign this suit to the imperial court at Vienna would be in the highest
+degree derogatory to the Electoral power and jurisdiction. I can not
+therefore gratify his Imperial Majesty in this wish.[53] As concerns his
+right to the place of grand master, that appointment belongs not to me,
+but to the members of the order. They, however, will not elect the young
+count, and I can not compel them to do so. Lastly, as regards the estates
+claimed by the heir of the Stadtholder in the Mark, his title to them is
+wanting, and, moreover, there are no accounts to prove that the money for
+which the estates were mortgaged was ever used by the Stadtholder for my
+father's benefit. Besides, even if such contracts existed, they were
+entered into without the consent of the States, and consequently by the
+laws of the land were null and void. This is the reply I have to make to
+the imperial envoy, of which I can alter and abate nothing, however I may
+deplore any apparent disrespect to his Imperial Majesty's wishes. Return
+to Vienna, Dr. Gebhard, return with your associate and _attache_, and
+repeat to the Emperor what I have said to you. You are dismissed,
+gentlemen."
+
+"Your Electoral Highness will pardon me for venturing to add one more
+word," said Count Martinitz, "but I am empowered to do so by the imperial
+order. The Emperor Ferdinand commissioned me in his own handwriting, in
+case that your highness refused to accede to the demands made by Dr.
+Gebhard--"
+
+"Demands?" broke in the Elector. "I did not hear Dr. Gebhard make use of
+any such term. Mention was made only of imperial wishes and requests. You
+mean that in case I do not grant Dr. Gebhard's requests--Proceed, Count
+Martinitz."
+
+"I am in that case commissioned to desire your highness in the Emperor's
+name to grant a private audience to the _attache_ of the imperial embassy,
+the Emperor's privy counselor and chamberlain, Count Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg, as he wishes to make an important and confidential
+communication to your highness."
+
+Frederick William's piercing eyes were fixed with a questioning expression
+upon the count's face, whose eyes returned the look with a bold and steady
+gaze.
+
+"You presume greatly upon the respect I owe the Emperor," said the Elector
+after a pause. "I have wished to regard you hitherto merely as a piece of
+paper hallowed by the Emperor's superscription. But now you voluntarily
+step forth from behind the protecting paper, and present yourself to me as
+a man, a self-dependent individual, who is responsible for his words and
+actions. Consider well what you risk, sir, and take my advice: retreat,
+while yet there is time! Ask me not to look upon you as you actually are,
+but be content, inasmuch as in you I respect the Emperor's safe conduct.
+Reflect once again, and then speak!"
+
+"Your Electoral Highness," said the count after a pause, "the Emperor has
+condescended to request a secret audience for me of your grace. I entreat
+your highness to grant it to me."
+
+"You desire it? Be it so, then!" cried the Elector. "You, gentlemen, Count
+von Martinitz and Dr. Gebhard, are dismissed. Count Schwarzenberg may
+remain. For the Emperor's sake I am ready to grant him the secret audience.
+Take your leave, gentlemen! Your audience is at an end!"
+
+The two gentlemen bowed low and withdrew. The Elector followed them with
+his eyes until the door closed behind them. Then he slowly turned his head
+toward Count Schwarzenberg.
+
+"Speak now," he ordered coldly and severely. "Say what you have to say,
+but weigh well each word, and take heed of rousing my wrath, for I tell
+you the measure of my patience and forbearance is well-nigh exhausted!
+What would you have of me? What do you want?"
+
+"Justice, your highness, justice! Enter into no contest with me! Take not
+away from me the estates given in pledge by the Elector George William to
+my father, which have not yet been redeemed. Acknowledge me as the Grand
+Master of the Knights of St. John, graciously nominate me Stadtholder
+in the Mark, and I swear to you that I shall be your faithful and devoted
+servant, your mediator with Emperor and empire! You see, your highness, I
+ask for nothing but justice!"
+
+"Justice!" repeated Frederick William, while with flashing eyes he
+approached one step nearer the count. "Beware of reminding me that I have
+not exercised justice toward you! Ask it not, for then I must needs summon
+a guard and have you arrested! Then must I call a court-martial, have you
+tried, and see you mount the scaffold!"
+
+"The scaffold!" exclaimed the count, turning pale. "But then the Emperor
+would call you to account for this deed of violence, and--"
+
+"Deed of violence, you call it?" interposed the Elector. "You are
+mistaken, sir; it would only be a merited punishment! You deserve this
+punishment, not on account of anything done by your father, although in
+sooth you bore a full share in his deeds, but on account of your own
+crime."
+
+"Crime, your highness?"
+
+"Yes, count, crime! You are a conspirator, a rebel! You incited my
+officers to revolt, entangled them in a conspiracy, and when I would have
+brought you to judgment you fled like a cowardly woman."
+
+"Your highness!" screamed the count, "I beseech you, weigh your words,
+provoke me not too much! Otherwise I might forget the respect due you."
+
+"And if you should venture, I have ample means of leading you back to the
+proper bounds, of forcing you to respect me, to fall down in the dust, and
+plead for pardon! Do you know what you are? Do you know what you were?"
+
+"What I was I know," cried the count. "I was the favored lover of your
+sister, Princess Charlotte Louise!"
+
+"Ah! Now at last you drop your mask, now you show your real face. The face
+of a slanderer, a liar! For you utter a falsehood. You calumniate the
+virtue of a noble lady, and boast of a favor you never received."
+
+"I speak the truth, your highness, and am in a condition to prove it.
+Princess Charlotte Louise gave me her favor, and went further than was
+seemly for a modest maiden. She volunteered to grant me a rendezvous
+impelled by ardent love."
+
+"That is not true."
+
+"It is true, sir, and I can prove it! I have the writing with me, in which
+your sister invites me to a rendezvous in the castle at Berlin. She wrote
+it with her own hand, and signed it with her name. Until now, no one has
+known the secret, and no one shall know it if we can agree."
+
+"We agree?"
+
+"Yes, your highness, _we_! Your sister's letter is well worth what I ask.
+I demand nothing but my rights. Leave me my estates, acknowledge me as
+grand master, appoint me my father's successor, give me the hand of
+Princess Charlotte Louise."
+
+"My sister's hand to _you_?"
+
+"To me, for I have a right to that hand. The Princess engaged herself to
+me, and granted me favors."
+
+"Wretched man, to boast of them!" interrupted the Elector.
+
+"She appointed a meeting with me to take place by night," continued the
+count quietly. "Your honor would be destroyed if any one knew of this. Let
+me keep it intact! Give me your sister's hand! For I tell you if you do
+not the world shall hear of this _faux pas_ on the part of the Princess. I
+shall publicly expose the letter she wrote to me, and a laugh of scorn
+will pursue both you and her through the whole of Germany! Give me your
+sister's hand!"
+
+"Were you the Emperor himself I would not give her to you. And if you were
+in a position to defame my whole house, I would not give her to you! And
+were my sister to fall at my feet weeping at my refusal, I would not give
+her to you! Yes, and if I knew that my lands and wealth would be doubled
+by this marriage, I would _never_ give my sister to you! I asked you just
+now if you knew what you were and what you are. To the first question you
+replied that you were my sister's lover. Now I will tell you what you are:
+you are the son of a poisoner and a murderer!"
+
+"Sir!" screamed the count, bounding forward in fury and with a sudden
+movement drawing his dagger from its sheath--"sir, you assail my father in
+his grave, I will defend him! You owe me satisfaction for this insult! It
+is not the Elector who stands before me, but a man who has wounded my
+honor, and I demand satisfaction. You dare not refuse it, or--"
+
+"Or you will complete your father's work, will you? Will hire murderers to
+do what you dare not attempt yourself? Oh, you may very probably find a
+second Gabriel Nietzel, whom you may goad on to crime, profiting by his
+agony and distress of mind to change a thoughtless deceiver into a
+poisoner! Do not stare at me in such amazement, as if you understood not
+my words! You know Gabriel Nietzel well, and your dagger would not have
+fallen from your hand if your conscience had not struck it down!"
+
+"I know nothing of Gabriel Nietzel!" cried the count, "I only know that
+you have called my father a murderer and--"
+
+"And, I did wrong in this, for certainly the murderous deed miscarried!
+_I_ live! And _he_ was forced to die. Do you know of what your father
+died?"
+
+"Of grief, and the humiliations which you prepared for him!"
+
+"No, he died of remorse. A stroke, they say, put an end to his life. Yes,
+it was conscience that smote him to the earth. Gabriel Nietzel stood
+before him and reminded him of his deeds, demanding of him his wife, whom
+your father murdered because she saved my life!"
+
+"Horrible!" muttered the count, with sunken head and downcast eyes.
+
+"Yes, horrible!" repeated the Elector. "Gabriel Nietzel was the avenging
+sword sent from on high for your father's punishment. He, the unhappy one,
+himself confessed his crime to me, and I have forgiven him. I will forgive
+your father also, for he stands before a higher tribunal, and _He_ who
+tries the heart, will reward him according to his deeds. But I am your
+judge, and your deeds accuse you before me! I could have you arrested and
+tried, and, believe me, I would do so, despite the imperial safe conduct,
+behind which you have ensconced yourself, but I honor in you the memory of
+my father, who loved yours, and would not have the world discover how
+shamefully the magnanimous heart of George William was deceived. Regarding
+the property you claim from me, let the law decide; regarding the military
+title you aspire to, let the knights of the order decide; but regarding
+the accusation which you bring against my sister, and the offer you make
+me on her account, the Princess alone is the proper person to consult. You
+shall speak with her this very hour, for I would not have your vain heart
+puffed up with the idea that the Princess loves you, and that it is only
+my tyranny which separates you from her. No, you shall speak with the
+Princess herself, and she shall decide the question between you. And that
+you may not suppose that I have influenced my sister, you shall speak to
+her before I communicate with her myself."
+
+He took the handbell and rang; a page appeared. "Request her Electoral
+Grace the Princess Charlotte Louise to have the kindness to come to me."
+
+"Your Electoral Grace," said the page, "Colonel von Burgsdorf has just
+come into the antechamber, and urgently insists upon my announcing him to
+your grace."
+
+"Admit him and call the Princess. When the gracious young lady has entered
+the antechamber, let me know. Admit the colonel."
+
+"Here I am, your highness, here I am!" cried Conrad von Burgsdorf, coming
+in with hasty steps. "I am just from Berlin, and bring my dearest lord
+good news, and--But what is that?" interrupted he, fixing his lively gray
+eyes upon Count Schwarzenberg, who, pale and visibly disconcerted, had
+withdrawn into one of the window niches.
+
+For one moment Burgsdorf stood still, as if bewildered by the unexpected
+sight, then he sprang forward like a tiger, and laid his hands like iron
+claws upon the count's shoulders.
+
+"In the name of the Elector and the law, I arrest you Count Schwarzenberg!"
+he shrieked.
+
+"Let him go, Burgsdorf," commanded Frederick William.
+
+"No, gracious sir," cried Burgsdorf, "I can not, must not let him go. I
+must hold fast to my prisoner until I have put him in a safe prison. If I
+take my hands off him, he will surely find some mousehole to creep
+through. I know the fine gentleman, and have had experience of his
+mouselike nature. I thought I had him safe at Berlin, imprisoned in his
+own palace, and sentinels stationed everywhere. A man could not have
+escaped, but a mouse can find a hole to retire to almost anywhere. Master
+Mousy here slipped off through an underground passage. Fortunately I had
+stationed a couple of spies in front of the park, and one of them came to
+inform me that they had seen two suspicious personages issue from the
+park, while the other dogged their footsteps. I flew to horse, and,
+thinking that the young count would make for Spandow, raced with my men to
+the Spandow Gate. Exactly, they had just fled on before. We gave them
+chase. Huzza! that was a hunt! Already I thought I had the fugitives
+within my reach, and stretched out my hand to grasp them, when they
+galloped into the fortress, the gate was shut, and I stood baffled on the
+outside, and had my mortification increased by hearing Colonel Rochow's
+mocks and jeers from the wall above. And now when I can take my revenge,
+when I at last have my prisoner trapped and caught, now, your highness
+commands me to let him go. No, your highness, it is impossible; for trust
+me, as soon as I let him go he will find his way to some mousehole. I
+arrest you in the name of the Elector and the law, Count John Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg!"
+
+"Burgsdorf!" cried the Elector in a commanding tone, "once more, I command
+you to let him go, and come here. Obey without delay!"
+
+The colonel muttered between his teeth a few wild words of wrath, but
+released the count, and with bowed head and chagrined air slunk toward the
+Elector.
+
+"You treat me like a well-trained pointer, your highness!" he growled.
+"You whistle for me, and I drop the prey which you would not have me keep."
+
+"You do yourself too much honor, old Burgsdorf," said the Elector,
+smiling. "A well-trained pointer does not follow a false scent, and that
+was what you were doing just now. Did you expect to find a fugitive in
+your master's cabinet? You thought that this was Count John Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, whom I was compelled to arraign as a criminal, and who, in
+his consciousness of guilt, took refuge from trial in flight. Look closely
+at what is in the window niche and acknowledge that you were mistaken, and
+that it is not Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg."
+
+Colonel Burgsdorf, perfectly bewildered, gazed with wide-open eyes first
+on the Elector and then on the count, who returned his stare with a
+scornful smile.
+
+"Most gracious sir," he then cried, "my head is not clear enough to
+discern your meaning, and I stick to it: that is Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, my escaped prisoner."
+
+"And I repeat it, you are mistaken, your old eyes deceive you! Look once
+more right sharply and closely, and you will perceive your error and
+comprehend that this is not Count Adolphus Schwarzenberg, to whom I could
+never have granted an audience in my cabinet. Only look closer and you
+will see, old Burgsdorf, that there is nought in the window niche but a
+great sheet of parchment, inscribed with manifold characters, furnished
+with the seal of the empire, and signed by the Emperor Ferdinand's own
+hand. I know that you do not read with ease, and therefore will tell you
+what is marked on this parchment, and what it means. It means a safe
+conduct, and the Emperor himself has written upon it that this parchment
+must be held in honor and sacred from all attack."
+
+"Ah!" cried the colonel--"ah! I begin to understand now."
+
+"Well truly that is a fortunate circumstance," said the Elector, smiling.
+
+"Yes, your highness," repeated Burgsdorf, "I begin to understand. Let me
+examine the thing narrowly once again."
+
+He covered his eyes with his hand, as if he were blinded by a ray of
+light, and again stared at the window niche.
+
+"Yes, indeed," he said slowly--"yes, I see it quite plainly and distinctly
+now. Yes, that is no man, but a veritable piece of parchment, and I
+recognize, too, the imperial seal and the Emperor's handwriting. Where
+were my eyes that I did not see it from the first, and what a stupid fool
+I was to suppose that I saw a man there! What misfortune would have ensued
+if I had defaced the Emperor's handwriting or broken the seal, perhaps!"
+
+"It would have been a wrong done to Imperial Majesty itself," smiled the
+Elector, "and might have brought me under the ban of the empire, or
+perhaps produced a war."
+
+"Good heavens! a war about an ass's hide," exclaimed Burgsdorf, with an
+expression of horror.
+
+"Surely, your highness," shrieked the count, stepping forth from his place
+of retirement, pale and trembling with passion, "you can not ask me any
+longer to submit in silence to such gross insults."
+
+"Gracious sir," asked Burgsdorf, "may the ass's hide speak? May a piece of
+parchment, merely because hallowed by the Emperor's signature, venture to
+leave its place and threaten?"
+
+"Hush, Burgsdorf! And you, sir, step back into your recess, stay in the
+place pointed out to you, and wait."
+
+"Learn to wait!" cried Burgsdorf. "Oh, gracious sir, that is the very
+window niche in which I was once forced to stand in order to learn to wait.
+I thank you, gracious sir, for in this hour you give me my revenge. Now it
+is for my enemy to learn; and I beseech Your Grace to give me leave to
+open my budget from Berlin. The parchment must hear it and learn. Oh, I
+know how it feels to have to listen in silence to have to learn to wait!"
+
+"Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf," said the Elector with majesty, "you are
+here to bring me tidings from Berlin. Speak out and be assured that no one
+will venture to interrupt you. In the first place, have you executed my
+orders?"
+
+"Yes, gracious sir, according to the best of my abilities and the means at
+my disposal."
+
+"As their superior officer, have you required an oath of allegiance to me
+from the commandants and garrisons of the forts?"
+
+"I sent your orders everywhere, requiring the commandants to swear their
+men into service in your name, and to come to Berlin that I might
+administer the same oath to themselves."
+
+"And have they done so? Have my officers and troops sworn to serve me
+faithfully?"
+
+"A few commandants have done so, but Kracht, Rochow, and Goldacker have
+refused, declaring that they would rather blow their fortresses up than
+swear fealty to the Elector. Hereupon I forthwith had the commandant of
+Berlin, Colonel von Kracht, arrested, and would have proceeded in like
+manner against the Commandants von Rochow and von Goldacker, but the
+traitors got wind of my intentions. Goldacker left Brandenburg with thirty
+horse, and, report says, went over to the Imperialists. Colonel von
+Rochow, however, in his fortress assumed a warlike attitude, and gave out
+that he was ready to do battle with the enemy to the death. Meanwhile
+Margrave Ernest conferred with him under a flag of truce, and the
+committee of investigation at Berlin diligently prosecuted their labors,
+and brought to light heinous offenses committed by the two colonels and
+Count John Adolphus von Schwarzenberg."
+
+"Do you know the particulars? The colonels were accused of cheating and
+embezzlement, were they not?"
+
+"Yes," said Burgsdorf with a little embarrassment, "the question regards
+the payment of the troops enlisted, for which the colonels received money,
+and--and--"
+
+"And yet the men were not enlisted," said the Elector, with an
+imperceptible smile. "Had they done nothing more than this, I would have
+pardoned them; if they had shown themselves in other respects true and
+faithful, and repented of their folly."
+
+"But this they have by no means done!" cried Burgsdorf eagerly. "They have
+rather shown themselves to be obstinate and untoward. Goldacker has been
+extorting bonds in Fuerstenwald, plundering whole villages, and putting the
+magistrates in chains, because they would not say that Goldacker gave the
+press money to the young fellows of the village, although these had not
+made their appearance. Colonel von Rochow put the clerk of his muster roll
+in irons, and had him condemned to the gallows by a court-martial, because
+the poor fellow would not bear false witness and swear that the colonel
+had made payments to him. When the Stadtholder demanded the clerk's
+release, Colonel von Rochow insolently refused to give him up, and now the
+margrave ordered me to arrest him. But von Rochow did as his
+accomplices--he fled and made his escape to the Imperialists."
+
+"Let the Imperialists keep Goldacker and Rochow," said the Elector. "I
+would have them know that I from this time forth cheerfully resign their
+services, and yield them up with good grace to the Emperor and empire.
+With these two, therefore, we have done. Tell me now, how the
+Schwarzenberg affair stands. We gave orders that in due time the papers
+found in the palace of the deceased count should be sealed and handed over
+to the committee of investigation. Was this done, and has it perhaps been
+made evident from the examination of the papers, that the son of the
+Stadtholder was innocent of complicity in the intrigues of his father and
+friends, and been falsely accused by us?"
+
+"On the contrary, your highness, it was proved that Count John Adolphus
+had conspired, not merely with the rebellious officers, but with other
+persons not subjects of your highness. Among the papers of the old count
+was found the young gentleman's secret correspondence. It was in cipher,
+it is true, but there are very learned men on the committee of
+investigation, and they discovered the key, and were able to read the
+letters. Oh, most gracious sir, all your faithful servants were shamefully
+slandered and calumniated in these letters. Your highness even was not
+spared, and the young gentleman expressly wrote that he would do all he
+possibly could to effect the downfall of the Elector Frederick William.
+Of the States, he said that they were almost all friends of the Swedes and
+foes of the Emperor, and, above all, he represented me, Conrad von
+Burgsdorf, as a bitter enemy to the Emperor, and said that on that account
+all orders came to me. But the States will complain to the Emperor that
+the rebellious slanderer, Count Schwarzenberg, has blackened them so
+abominably and accused them of high treason."
+
+"They can do so," said the Elector--"they can call the slanderer to
+account, and you can do so too, Burgsdorf, if it seems necessary to you."
+
+"But it does not seem at all necessary to me, your highness," cried the
+colonel. "I have only one master, yourself, and if I had injured your
+grace I should have been guilty of high treason. Henceforth I shall be
+nothing but the most devoted and diligent servant of my dear young lord
+and Elector, and I care very little about Schwarzenberg's having aspersed
+me to the Emperor if I am only blessed with your favor."
+
+"I have recognized you as a true and faithful servant," said the Elector
+kindly, "and I am no ingrate. You shall experience this hereafter, for I
+shall find means to reward my old friend as he deserves!"
+
+"Your highness, you have rewarded me already," cried Burgsdorf--"you have
+called me your friend, my Elector, and I thank you out of a full heart."
+
+The Elector nodded. "In time all the world shall learn that I honor and
+esteem you as my friend," he said. "But now tell me, what progress has
+been made in quieting the refractory soldiery in the Mark? Have you begun
+that difficult task?"
+
+"We have begun, your highness, and will also end, although at first there
+was much insubordination and mutiny, and although the cart had been driven
+so deep into the mire that we could not have drawn it out altogether
+without great difficulty, even if there had been more of us."
+
+The door of the antechamber opened, and the page made his appearance.
+
+"In accordance with your highness's request, the Princess has entered the
+antechamber."
+
+"Beg the young lady to wait a moment. I will come directly to conduct her
+grace into my cabinet."
+
+"Burgsdorf," said the Elector, turning to the colonel, "go up now, and pay
+your respects to my mother. You can tell her what is going on at Berlin.
+Her grace will hear you gladly, for she takes great interest in the cities
+of Berlin and Cologne."
+
+"Very curious stories I can tell the Electress, since your highness
+accords me that permission!" cried the colonel. "Many thrilling affairs
+have happened, and--"
+
+"Go now, my friend," said the Elector, pointing to the door through which
+Burgsdorf had entered. Then he crossed over to the opposite end of the
+apartment himself and opened the door of the inner room.
+
+
+
+
+XI.--MEETING AND PARTING.
+
+
+"Be kind enough to come in, dear sister," said the Elector, standing in
+the doorway and smilingly greeting the Princess, who now entered the
+apartment.
+
+"I have come at your bidding, Frederick," said the Princess, accepting her
+brother's proffered hand, and looking up at him with a sweet, affectionate
+smile.
+
+In the window niche stood John Adolphus Schwarzenberg, and the fires of
+passion and resentment burned in the glance which he fixed upon the
+Princess, whom he now saw for the first time after a lapse of three years.
+How much pain and mortification had he not suffered during these three
+years on her account? The only change wrought in the Princess by the
+flight of time was a more perfect development of beauty and of grace of
+carriage. The count heaved a deep, painful sigh, and the rage of despair
+took possession of his soul at the sight of that noble, tranquil
+countenance.
+
+"She has not suffered," he said to himself. "She never loved me, and will
+now despise me!"
+
+"Forgive me, sister, for troubling you to come to me," said Frederick
+William, nodding affectionately to the Princess. "I ought indeed to have
+come to you, but I wished to speak with you on a matter strictly
+confidential, which I did not wish our mother and sister to know anything
+about."
+
+"Is it really a secret, then?" asked Charlotte Louise--"no bad secret, I
+hope, Frederick?"
+
+"It at least touches very grave matters," replied the Elector. "Look
+yonder at that window niche."
+
+The Princess turned quickly, and looked in the direction indicated. A low
+scream escaped her lips, and she sank trembling upon a seat.
+
+"Adolphus!" murmured her quivering lips.
+
+This single utterance spoke more eloquently to both men than the most
+elaborate arrangement of sentences could have done. It told them that
+years of separation had not estranged the Princess from Count
+Schwarzenberg; that her heart still called him by the familiar name
+accorded him by love; that with the count, Charlotte Louise was not the
+proud Princess, but only the humble, loving maiden. The Elector understood
+this, and a cloud overshadowed his brow.
+
+The count understood it, too, and his dark countenance brightened. With
+uplifted head he rushed from the window niche to the Princess, and,
+kneeling before her, seized her hand to press it to his lips. But this
+touching of her hand seemed to restore to the Princess her strength and
+self-possession. By a hasty movement she released her hand and rose.
+
+"Brother," she said, "is it customary to greet princesses in this style?
+Be pleased to tell me, for you know I have been but little in the world,
+and am, therefore, but little conversant with its forms."
+
+"No, Louise, it is not customary," replied Frederick William, breathing
+more freely; "but Count Schwarzenberg seems to suppose, that as your
+favored lover he need not regard the laws of ceremony."
+
+"As my favored lover?" asked the Princess, a blush suddenly suffusing her
+brow and neck, while her blue eyes, usually so soft, sparkled with
+indignation. "Did I hear aright? Did you actually say that to _me_,
+brother, to your sister? Did you call this or any other man my favored
+lover?"
+
+"I only repeated the words made use of by Count John Adolphus von
+Schwarzenberg in suing for your hand, sister. This gentleman affirms that
+you have granted him more favor than was seemly in a modest maiden. And
+when I doubted it he replied that he could prove it, for he possessed a
+note, written with your own hand, in which you invited him to a
+rendezvous by night."
+
+"He said that!" cried the Princess. "He said that, and you did not kill
+him on the spot?"
+
+"I did not kill him," answered the Elector gravely and solemnly, "because
+no one should die for the truth. And he maintains that he speaks the
+truth: that by means of this letter of yours he can dishonor you and my
+house in the eyes of the whole world. Say then, Louise, is it true; does
+he actually possess such a letter?"
+
+Charlotte Louise shuddered and tottered backward.
+
+"Yes!" she breathed--"yes, he speaks the truth--he does possess such a
+letter!"
+
+"No!" cried the count, "he did not speak the truth! Oh, forgive me,
+Princess, forgive me this slander, which my lips uttered, uttered in the
+delirium of pain, love, and despair! I lied, Princess, you never wrote to
+me, never! I said that in order to force your brother to give me your
+hand, because I love you, Princess, you know not how dearly! Ah! you
+little imagine with what fervor of devotion my soul clung to you, and what
+you did that time when you mocked and betrayed me, treating me like a
+despised beggar! That hour wrought a change in my whole nature! The most
+sacred blossoms of my love had been crushed by you, and I trampled them
+under foot and strove to bury my despair in mirth and pleasure. I did not
+succeed. The sacred old song of the buried love was forever making itself
+heard in low, sweet strains. I would not listen, I tried to drown it. I
+became a conspirator, a rebel, for I longed to take vengeance upon you and
+your house. Fate was against me; my revenge constituting my punishment. I
+must flee, I must leave as a fugitive the land in which you live. The
+Emperor received me graciously, giving me rank and titles, and bestowing
+upon me marks of favor and regard, thus opening to the ambitious heart a
+career of fame, dignity, and honor. All was in vain, though. I felt too
+late that love, not ambition, had urged me into the dangerous paths of
+insurrection and revolt. I could not forget you. Like a radiant star, you
+ever shone upon the midnight darkness of my soul. I must see you again, to
+obtain from your own lips my sentence of pardon or condemnation. I
+despised all danger, even the order of arrest issued against me, and
+obtained the Emperor's leave to accompany his ambassador here. I came and
+suffered the severest mortification that a man can suffer. I subjected
+myself to your brother's scorn and contempt. Then at last my heart
+rebelled, and when he scornfully refused your hand to me, I claimed it as
+my right, by virtue of the love you once vowed to me. The Elector disputed
+your love for me, and then, in the rage of my heart, I boasted of a favor
+which I never received, boasted of having received from you a letter, and
+an invitation to a rendezvous. Oh, forgive the madman who kneels here at
+your feet and suffers the agony of death. He has no right to claim
+anything, he only implores from you an act of grace!"
+
+While the count thus spoke in passionate excitement, the Elector had
+slowly retired, and, standing apart with folded arms, gazed upon the
+couple with melancholy eyes. In the beginning the Princess had sunk upon a
+chair, with bowed head and hanging arms, pale as a drooping lily. But the
+glowing words which fell upon her ear seemed to find an echo, a painful
+echo, in her heart. Slowly she raised her head, and breathlessly listened
+to his words, while the color once more mounted to her cheek. When the
+count stopped, she slowly rose and proudly and indignantly drew herself
+erect.
+
+"You speak falsely now, Count Schwarzenberg," she said, "for what you told
+my brother was true. Yes, three years ago, in the childish folly of my
+heart, I granted you a favor unseemly for a modest maiden. Yes, I wrote
+you a note with my own hand, inviting you to a rendezvous in the castle at
+nine o'clock in the evening. Brother, I confess this, although I know that
+I am thereby forever forfeiting your esteem. But this man has accused me,
+and I honor the past of my heart, while I acknowledge the fault of which
+he accuses me. Yes, I have loved him, warmly, inexpressibly, and have wept
+and lamented him in a manner little becoming a princess, but in my love I
+was only a poor simple maiden, who wanted nothing in the whole world but
+his heart. Well I know that I sinned grievously against my mother and the
+laws of virtue and propriety in carrying on a clandestine love affair, in
+allowing my heart to be deceived by his ardent protestations of love and
+even in my delusion going so far as to grant him a rendezvous--nay, even
+to ask for one."
+
+"Did you really do that, sister?"
+
+"I did, and have repented it for three long years. That I confess this,
+that I reveal my secret, should prove to you that I now speak the truth.
+And therefore you will believe me, Frederick William, when I affirm that
+this is the only favor of which the count can boast. I have to blush
+before you, but not before him."
+
+"Not before me either, Louise," said the Elector. "I know love, and in my
+own heart have battled with all its follies and illusions. I know what you
+suffer, by remembering my own experiences. It is a bitter grief to be
+obliged to admit that you have wasted the holiest feelings of your heart
+upon an unworthy object."
+
+"Yes indeed, it is a bitter grief," sighed the Princess.
+
+"O Princess! spare yourself this grief!" cried the count, still kneeling
+before her. "You have freely owned that you love me. Why, then, will you
+turn away from me? Accept me as your husband, and I will love you, serve
+you, obey you, ask nothing but the privilege of looking upon you, and
+basking in your presence."
+
+She gave him a long, cold look. "And if I decline your hand, you will
+revenge yourself, will you not, by displaying my note to the Emperor and
+the whole world, you will defame me and all my house? Was not that your
+threat?"
+
+"I spoke in frenzy, in despair. But you shall see that I will ask nothing
+from you for fear, but all for love. See, here is the note. I have
+hitherto preserved it as my most precious jewel; my father bade me do so,
+and told me that this paper might save me in the hour of greatest peril.
+This hour is now at hand, but I will not have it save me. Here is the
+note; I offer it to you. Take it, tear it up, and then decide!"
+
+With outstretched hands he held out the paper, but she took it not, and
+quickly stepped back.
+
+"Keep the paper," she said. "Why should I ask whether you will turn it
+into a weapon against me? I will accept no favor or advantage from you.
+Only let it be known at the imperial court, to the whole world, that I
+loved you; show this paper everywhere, and all will turn from you, all
+women will despise you, and all men blush for the traitor to love!"
+
+"No one shall despise me, no one shall turn, from me!" cried the count,
+springing to his feet. With trembling hands he tore the paper into little
+bits, and threw them on the floor.
+
+"There lies the secret, Princess! Now I am entirely in your power! Now I
+have no weapon of defense. Call Burgsdorf, your highness, have me
+arrested, if it seems good to you, I renounce the Emperor's safe conduct,
+as I just now renounced your sister's letter."
+
+"We accept no act of generosity or renunciation from you," replied the
+Elector with dignity. "The Emperor's safe conduct I shall respect, and as
+I allowed you to speak quietly to my sister, although you misrepresented
+much and put matters in a false light, so I will allow you to depart
+unmolested. As regards the love letter, your excuse for demanding my
+sister's hand, the fragments testify as strongly against you as the letter
+itself. My sister alone has to reply to your offer."
+
+"I have no answer to give this man, for he dare not ask anything more of
+me," said the Princess proudly. "He who can betray the secrets of the
+heart degrades himself. The man who boasts of a favor received is unworthy
+of it, and every woman will despise him. Not merely now, in the hour of
+danger, have you bethought yourself of my letter, Count Adolphus
+Schwarzenberg, but you had spoken of it previously to your father. You
+have turned a young girl's letter into a political bond, which, as a
+cunning merchant, was to be redeemed and converted into money. Now you
+have redeemed it; there lies the letter! I give you for it my contempt."
+
+"I think you have now received my sister's answer," said the Elector, "and
+we have nothing more to say to one another, for the courts must settle
+other subjects of dispute between us. Go, Count Schwarzenberg, return home
+to Vienna, for your mission is ended. You are dismissed."
+
+The count answered not a word. One long glance of grief and rage he cast
+upon the Princess, who stood loftily erect at her brother's side. Then,
+with a slight bow of salutation, he turned and strode through the room.
+
+Not a sound interrupted the solemn silence save the count's footsteps as
+he advanced to the door. There he once more paused and turned back his
+livid, wrathful countenance. The Princess still stood erect, calm, and
+unmoved, beside the Elector. Schwarzenberg cast down his eyes and left the
+room. The Princess heard the door shut, and a heavy sigh escaped her
+breast. "He has gone," she murmured softly, "he has gone; I shall never
+see him again."
+
+She leaned her head upon her brother's shoulder and wept bitterly.
+
+"You loved him very dearly, then?" asked the Elector gently, throwing his
+arms around her neck.
+
+"Yes," she whispered softly, "I loved him dearly, and I am afraid I love
+him still, and will mourn for him forever. No one on earth has mortified
+me so deeply as he, and yet I shall never love another as I have loved
+him."
+
+"Poor child," said Frederick William sadly, "you love him still, although
+you despise him!"
+
+With folded arms he walked several times to and fro, while his sister
+dropped into a chair, covered her face with her hands, and quietly wept.
+The Elector stopped in front of her and gently drew her hands from before
+her face.
+
+"Sister," he said tenderly, "I will dry your tears, for I may do so, and
+in this hour of most sacred confidence not the shadow of an untruth shall
+lie between us. When you wrote that billet to the count three years ago he
+did not come to the rendezvous, did he?"
+
+"No!" cried the Princess; "he dared to let me expect him in vain, to
+decline the interview which I had granted him. O Frederick! when I think
+of this I could die for very shame, so much do I hate him who humiliated
+me so deeply, so much do I despise myself for having incurred and merited
+this humiliation."
+
+"Louise," said the Elector softly, "if that is your only reason for hating
+him, then you can love him again, for this is probably the only fault of
+which he is innocent. Lift up your head, sister, for I can relieve you
+from this humiliation. It was Count Schwarzenberg's wish to keep the
+appointment. He stood for two hours before a locked door seeking
+admission. I, however, stood on the other side of the door, guarding it,
+and did not depart until he had gone away in despair."
+
+"You, brother?" asked the Princess, whose cheeks grew suddenly crimson.
+"You knew about it? You prevented the interview?"
+
+"I wanted to guard my sister against her own indiscretion; I wanted to
+preserve her from error."
+
+"You knew it and kept silence, magnanimously kept my secret from my
+mother? Oh, and _he_ is innocent? He did not scorn and insult me? I can
+think of him without anger, without--No, no; forgive me, brother, I--"
+
+"Hear me, Louise," said he softly. "I will prove to you how much I have
+your happiness at heart, and how gladly I would promote it. If in spite of
+all that you have learned to-day, in spite of his mode of wooing, you
+still love Count Schwarzenberg--so love him that for his sake you can
+forever--mark well my words, _forever_--give up mother, brother and
+sister, home, country, yea, religion itself, sundering all the ties which
+bind you here--if you so love him that he is family, home, everything to
+you, then tell me so, sister, and I will overcome my repugnance and have
+the count recalled, will accept his offer, and bestow you upon him in
+marriage. Only you must choose between him and us. In that hour, when I
+join your hands, we have seen each other for the last time, and never will
+your return home be possible. But if you really love him, go, for well I
+know that love only finds its home in the heart of the beloved one.
+Choose then, sister. Will you follow him? Speak, I shall not reproach
+you--speak, and I will have him recalled!"
+
+She flung her arms around his neck and gently laid her head upon his
+breast. "No," she said softly--"no, do not call him back. He has betrayed
+and desecrated love. My heart revolts from him and turns with deep
+affection to you. Thank you, brother, for acquainting me with the truth
+and taking that weight of humiliation from my soul. Now I shall be
+comforted, now I can hold up my head again. I am not the rejected, but the
+rejecter. Yes, brother, I have renounced love and happiness. The golden
+morning dream is over, and I am awake! Let me weep, Frederick, my last
+tears for a lost love!"
+
+The Elector bent over her and imprinted a kiss upon her brow. "Weep,
+sister, weep," he said softly. "And if it can in any degree console you,
+know that I have wept and suffered as you do now."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Wladislaus IV, King of Poland]
+
+XII.--THE INVESTITURE AT WARSAW.
+
+
+At last all matters of dispute were settled, all difficulties smoothed
+over. King Wladislaus of Poland had declared himself ready to receive the
+oath of allegiance from his vassal the Elector of Brandenburg, and to
+invest him with the duchy of Prussia. Hard conditions, truly, were those
+imposed upon the young Elector, and heavy the sacrifices which the King
+and, more pressingly yet, the members of the Polish Diet required. That
+the Elector should pay a yearly tribute of thirty thousand florins,
+besides a hundred thousand florins from the naval taxes, was a condition
+to which he had agreed without a struggle; but much severer and more
+humbling compliances he had to make.
+
+They wished to make him feel that the King of Poland was still lord
+paramount of Prussia, and that the Elector must give way to him. The
+nobility of Prussia were therefore to have the right, in all civil and
+difficult cases, to appeal from the decision of the Elector to that of the
+King. On the other hand, the Elector was not, without the King's express
+permission, to occupy a neutral position with regard to any enemy of
+Poland; he was to receive the King's commissioners whenever it pleased the
+latter to send them to inspect the fortresses of Memel and Pillau. But the
+hardest thing was, that the Elector must pledge himself to protect and
+exalt the Roman Catholic worship in Prussia with all his might, and to do
+nothing for the further spread of the Reformed Church in Prussia. He was
+to build up the decaying Catholic Church at Koenigsberg, and, besides that,
+have a new one built. The Catholics were to be protected in the free
+exercise of their worship, and guarded against every attack of the
+Protestant preachers.
+
+Hard and degrading were these conditions, but the Elector had accepted
+them. He had bowed his proud heart and constrained it to be humble. Tears
+of indignation had stood in his eyes as they handed him the document on
+which were inscribed all these conditions; his hand had trembled when he
+took the pen, but still he had appended his signature, and none but
+Burgsdorf had seen the tears which fell from Frederick William's eyes upon
+his hand as he signed.
+
+"Burgsdorf," he said, pointing to his signature, "do you know what I have
+written there?"
+
+"No, your highness, that I do not. I am not stupid enough to give myself
+much trouble deciphering the scratches of a pen. But I know and have read
+what is written upon your face, sir."
+
+"Well, and what stands written there, old friend?"
+
+"Most gracious sir, it is written there that you suffer now, but will be
+revenged hereafter. It says that you now in a submissive manner offer your
+hand to the insolent, cursed Pole, but that on some future day you will
+shake your fist in his face, and amply requite his haughty arrogance."
+
+"Well done; you have read correctly," exclaimed the Elector, laughing.
+"You have divined my most secret thoughts."
+
+"And may a good God only deign to grant me this one favor, that I may live
+long enough to see your thoughts put in action, gracious sir! May he
+preserve me from gout and paralysis, that I too, may have a hand in the
+deeds of that blessed day, and strike a few well-aimed blows."
+
+"Well, it is to hoped that not many years will elapse ere the dawning of
+that day," said the Elector. "I shall not know ease or rest until it is
+here, and I can have my revenge. Let us think of this, old friend, and be
+meekly patient and wear a placid mien on our way to Warsaw, to humble
+ourselves. You know a man must sometimes swallow bitter medicine when he
+is sick and faint, and the bitterest will appear sweet if he drinks it in
+order to imbibe new life and health. My poor country is, indeed, sick unto
+death, and therefore I go to Warsaw to swallow a bitter pill for the
+health and salvation of my land. But we go on crutches, two hard
+crutches."
+
+"I know the names of those crutches, your highness," said Burgsdorf. "One
+crutch is called 'Imperial,' the other 'Polish.'"
+
+"You have guessed correctly, old friend," answered the Elector. "But some
+day we will throw aside the crutches on which we must now lean, and
+Prussia shall be the sword which we shall unsheathe and draw against all
+our foes. I must now submit to having a lord over me, but the time will
+come when the Prussian black eagle will feel itself strong enough to do
+battle against the white eagle of Poland, and soar aloft on bold, strong
+wing. Once more I tell you, old friend, think of that, if we do go now to
+Warsaw! You are to accompany me, and when you ride into Warsaw at the head
+of my soldiers, as their colonel and chief, show a smiling visage to the
+fair Polish women and enchant them by your grace."
+
+"I will so enchant them, your highness," laughed Burgsdorf, "that for
+rapture at sight of me they will not look at you, and not even make an
+attempt to win your heart."
+
+"My heart, Burgsdorf?" said the Elector. "I have no heart, at least no
+personal one. My thoughts and feelings belong only to my country, my
+ambition, and my future. I now go to Warsaw and bow my head in the dust,
+that at a later period I may lift it up the more proudly and
+independently."
+
+And on the 7th of October, 1641, Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg
+made his entry into Warsaw. At the head of his splendidly equipped
+regiment rode old Conrad von Burgsdorf, his broad, bloated face flushed
+crimson, and, as he stroked his long, light moustache, he bowed right and
+left, saluting the fair ladies, who looked down upon the glittering
+procession from windows hung with tapestry and decorated with flowers and
+ribbons. But the fair ladies took but little notice of old Burgsdorf.
+Their bright eyes were all turned to the handsome young nobleman, who,
+quite alone, followed the regiment of soldiers. Behind him was seen a
+brilliant array of gentlemen in handsome uniforms; but all this vanished
+unnoticed. Only upon _him_, yon youth who rides his horse so proudly and
+so gracefully, upon him alone were all eyes fixed. How finely his figure
+was outlined in that closely fitted velvet coat, trimmed with golden
+"Brandenburgs," and crossed by the golden shoulder belt from which hung
+his German broadsword. How gracefully fell his long brown hair over his
+shoulders, how boldly sat upon his head the cocked felt hat, with its
+crest of black and white ostrich plumes! How fiery and penetrating the
+glance of those dark-blue eyes, and how sweet and captivating the smile of
+those full, fresh lips.
+
+Oh, King's daughter, King's daughter, shield your heart, lest it glow with
+love for the handsome stranger who now draws near, and whom they call the
+young Elector of Brandenburg! He looks not at _you_, he thinks not of
+_you_. But _you_--you look at him and think of him. They have told you
+that they will wed you to him, that the little Elector will esteem it a
+great honor to become the husband of a daughter of the King of Poland.
+Why, she is a princess of imperial blood, for her mother is an archduchess
+of Austria, a daughter of Emperor Ferdinand I! It will, indeed, be a great
+honor to the little Elector, if they bestow upon him the hand of a king's
+daughter, an emperor's grandchild, and happy will he be to be allowed to
+receive it, and to become great by means of his great connections!
+
+Look closely at him, Princess Hildegarde; look at him with your heart and
+soul, rejoice in his youth, beauty, and proud bearing, for he is to be
+your husband! Your father will do him the honor to receive him as his
+son-in-law, and the Emperor will condescendingly admit him to his
+relationship! See now he has approached quite near the throne which has
+been erected upon the square fronting the palace. On the throne sits King
+Wladislaus in the rich national costume. Beside him stands his brother,
+Prince Casimir, while to the right and left on the steps of the throne
+stand the magnates with their insignia of rank, the bishops and prelates.
+Close behind the throne is the kingly palace, and there, upon a balcony
+hung with gold brocade, stands the Queen; to the right and left of her the
+two royal Princesses, both so lovely to look upon in their picturesque
+Polish garb, their raven tresses surmounted by the Polish cap with its
+heron's plumes.
+
+Oh, King's daughter, King's daughter, you need not fear, you are so
+charming, so attractive; surely you will win his heart, and he will woo
+you not merely from political motives, but from love!
+
+Does he see you, and is he looking up at you? No, he only looks up at the
+King as he now stands at the foot of the throne, beside that magnificent
+cushion studded with emeralds and pearls. His knights and bodyguard range
+themselves to the right and left of the throne, and reserve a small open
+space in the midst of the broad square, which is densely thronged by
+masses of people behind the closed ranks of the soldiers. In this small
+vacant space stands he, the young Elector of Brandenburg!
+
+High is his head, radiant the glance which he now lifts higher than the
+King's throne. Looks he at you, Princess Hildegarde, gazes he upon you,
+fair maiden of a royal line?
+
+No, his glance mounts higher; to heaven itself he raises both eye and
+thought! He communes with God and the forefathers of his house, who once,
+like him, stood at the foot of that throne. And he vows before God and his
+ancestors that he will be the last Hohenzollern to submit to such
+humiliation and bend the knee as vassal to the Polish King. He will free
+his land and crown, and be the vassal of none but God alone!
+
+So swore the Elector Frederick William as he stood at the foot of the
+throne on which sat the Polish King, resplendent with his crown and
+scepter, and this oath made his countenance beam with joy and his eyes
+flame with energy and spirit.
+
+Now is heard the flourish of trumpets and kettledrums, and the bell of
+every tower in Warsaw rings, for the solemn act begins: the Duke of
+Prussia is to swear allegiance to the King of Poland!
+
+Three cannon thunder from the ramparts! The bells grow dumb, the trumpets
+and drums are silent! A breathless stillness pervades that spacious
+square. The people with dark, flashing eyes gaze curiously upon the
+heretic, the unbeliever, who is to swear fealty to his Catholic Majesty.
+The Polish deputies look threateningly upon the bold duke, who dared to
+enter upon the government of Prussia before he had given his oath of
+allegiance; the papal nuncio turns his head aside with sorrowful looks,
+and can not bear to see a heretic, an apostate, invested with authority
+over a Catholic country.
+
+The King, however, smiles good-naturedly, and the ladies from the balcony
+in the rear kindly incline their heads and blushingly greet the young
+Elector, who, doffing his plumed hat, gracefully salutes them.
+
+Three senators approach the Elector. One holds out to him the red feudal
+banner, which the Elector grasps firmly in his right hand. The second
+offers him the _Juramentum fidelitatis_ (oath of fidelity), on which the
+young Prince is to lay his hands and swear. The third holds in his hand
+the parchment on which is inscribed the feudal oath. The high chancellor
+now descends from the steps of the throne and takes the parchment out of
+the senator's hands. The Elector bends his knee upon the richly
+embroidered cushion, a crimson glow flushes his cheeks, and deep in his
+soul he repeats: "I shall be the last Hohenzollern to submit to such
+humiliation and bow in the dust before another Prince. I shall make my
+Prussia and Brandenburg great. I shall free them from Emperor and King,
+and shall own no superior but God! To that end, O Lord, grant me thy
+blessing, and hear the vow my heart utters while my lips are speaking
+other words!"
+
+The King waves his golden scepter and the lord chancellor begins with
+resonant voice to read off the oath of allegiance couched in the Latin
+tongue.
+
+Loud and clearly the Elector speaks each word after him, loud and clearly
+his lips pronounce words of which his heart knows nothing. To be a
+submissive vassal, his lips swear--to fulfill faithfully and obediently
+all the obligations due from him as Duke of Prussia to the King, as is
+written in the oath of fealty subscribed by him. How full and strong is
+his voice, sounding distinctly over all the square, and yet how sweet
+and harmonious every tone!
+
+Oh, King's daughter, King's daughter, shield your heart! Look not down
+upon his lustrous eyes, heed not his voice, though it ring like music in
+your ear! Beware of loving him, for you know not whether his heart
+inclines toward you!
+
+God be praised! The formula of the oath is ended. The Elector may rise
+from his knees, and, as he does so, he says to himself: "Never again shall
+this knee bend to man! Never again shall I endure what I have endured
+to-day!"
+
+But his countenance betrays nothing of the emotions of his soul, and with
+a smile upon his lips he ascends the steps of the throne, and takes his
+place upon a seat at the left hand of the King.
+
+And again are heard the ringing of bells and nourishing of trumpets, as
+they announce to the city of Warsaw, that the Elector Frederick William
+has just sworn allegiance to the King of Poland. The solemnity is over,
+and the King, the Elector, and the nobles of his realm, repair to the
+palace to partake of a banquet which has been prepared there for them.
+
+A sumptuous banquet! The tables glitter with gold and silver plate, around
+which are ranged the nobles in their striking national costumes. The
+Brandenburg officers are arrayed in gold-laced uniforms, and between them
+sit the beautiful Polish ladies, richly adorned with flowers and sparkling
+gems, themselves the fairest flowers and their eyes the most brilliant
+gems. Between the King and Queen sits the young Elector, opposite him the
+two Princesses.
+
+Oh, King's daughter, shield your heart. He talks with you, indeed, and
+smiles upon you, and sweet words flutter like butterflies across!
+Butterflies take speedy flight, sweet words are scattered to the wind!
+Nothing remains of them but a painful memory! If it should be so with you,
+King's daughter!
+
+The Elector is no longer the humble vassal with serious face and
+melancholy mien; he is the young ruler, the hero of the future. His eyes
+glisten, his lips smile, witticisms drop from his mouth, his countenance
+beams with merriment and youthful joy. Not merely are the ladies delighted
+with him, but the men also, and the royal pair are glad of heart, for well
+pleased are they to present such a husband to their amiable daughter.
+
+Not until late at night is the _fete_ concluded, and when the Elector goes
+home to the Brandenburg Palace, all the nobility attend him with torches
+in their hands--a long procession of five thousand torches! Like a golden
+flood it streams through the streets of Warsaw, flashes in at all the
+windows, and inscribes on every wall in shining characters, "The Elector
+of Brandenburg, Duke of Prussia, has given the oath of vassalage to the
+King of Poland!"
+
+The _fete_ is over, but the next morning ushers in new festivities! To-day
+the Elector gives a splendid entertainment to the royal family and the
+chief nobility. At table the Queen sits on his right hand, on his left
+Princess Hildegarde, the King's daughter.
+
+The Elector is cheerful and unembarrassed in manner; she is thoughtful,
+reserved, and silent. She is wont to be so lively and talkative in her
+girlish innocence. The Elector, however, knows not that her manner is
+changed. His heart is a stranger to her, and his glances say no more to
+her than to all other pretty women! In the evening he dances with her
+at the Queen's ball--that is to say, the Elector dances with the King's
+daughter, but not the young man with the beautiful young girl.
+
+Will he not propose? The Queen hints at the great honor which they destine
+for him; the King says tenderly to him that he would esteem himself happy,
+if he could call so noble a young Prince his son. But the Elector
+understands neither the Queen nor the King, he is silent and does not
+propose. He is so modest and diffident--perhaps he dare not. They must
+wait awhile. If he has not declared himself on the last day of his visit,
+they must take the initiative and woo him, since he will not woo.
+
+On this last day it is the Princesses who give a ball to the Elector--a
+splendid masquerade, for which they have been preparing three months,
+arranging costumes and practicing dances. A half mask is to-day well
+chosen for the Princess Hildegarde, for it conceals her agitated features,
+her anxious countenance. She knows that to-day her fate is to be decided!
+She knows that at the close of this _fete_ she is to be betrothed to the
+Elector of Brandenburg.
+
+Yes, since he will not woo, he must be wooed! The King's daughter, the
+Emperor's grandchild, is exalted so high over the little Elector, the
+powerless duke, that he actually can not venture to sue for her hand, but
+must have his good fortune announced to him.
+
+Count Gerhard von Doenhof is selected by the King to execute this delicate
+commission, and doubts not that his proposition will be auspiciously
+received.
+
+He requests of the Elector an interview in the little Chinese pavilion
+near the conservatory, and with smiling, free, and cordial manner tells
+him how much the Queen and King love him.
+
+"And I reciprocate their feelings with all my heart," answers the
+Elector. "These delightful days, like brilliant stars, will ever live in
+my remembrance. Tell their Majesties so."
+
+"Your highness should carry home with you a lasting memento of these
+days," whispered the courtier.
+
+"What mean you, Count Doenhof?"
+
+"I believe that if you were to ask the hand of Princess Hildegarde,
+their Majesties would cheerfully grant you their consent and bestow upon
+you a royal bride."
+
+Gravely the Elector shook his head. "No," he said solemnly--"no, Count
+Doenhof, so long as I can not govern my land in peace, I dare seek no other
+bride than my own good sword." [54]
+
+And smilingly, as if he had heard nothing, as if nothing uncommon had
+happened, the Elector returns to the conservatory.
+
+The Princess Hildegarde also smiles, looks cheerful and happy, and dances
+with all the cavaliers. But not with the Elector! He does not approach her
+again.
+
+She seems not to perceive this, and maintains her cheerfulness, even when
+at last he approaches the Princesses to take leave of them.
+
+"Farewell, Sir Elector! May you have a prosperous journey home and be
+happy!" So say her lips. What says her heart?
+
+That nobody knows. The Princess has a tender but proud heart! Only at
+night was heard a low sobbing and wailing in the Princess's chamber. When
+morning broke though it was hushed. That is the deepest grief which must
+shun the light of day, and only find vent and expression in the curtained
+darkness of night.
+
+Poor Hildegarde! Poor King's daughter! Scorned! The Emperor's grandchild
+scorned by the little Elector of Brandenburg!
+
+He has returned home; he has shaken from his feet the dust of that
+humbling pilgrimage. The States of the duchy of Prussia had long delayed
+swearing allegiance to the Elector, feeling that they had been aggrieved
+as to their rights and privileges. Now at last all difficulties had been
+adjusted and the deputies of Prussia were ready to do homage to their
+Duke. Upon an open tribune before the palace stood the Elector, with bared
+head and radiant countenance, and in front of him at the foot of the
+throne the deputies from his duchy. They swore faithfulness and devotion,
+and, as in Warsaw, so in Koenigsberg the bells rang, and trumpets and drums
+sent forth triumphant sounds. The roar of cannon announced to Koenigsberg
+and all Prussia that to-day the Duke and his States were joined in a
+compact of concord, love, and unity!
+
+"Leuchtmar," said the Elector, inclining toward the friend whom
+he had summoned from Sweden, on purpose to be present at this
+festivity--"Leuchtmar, in this hour the first germ of my future
+has put forth buds!"
+
+"And a great forest will grow therefrom, a forest of myrtle and laurel,
+your highness!"
+
+"Leave the myrtle to grow and bloom, Leuchtmar. I care not for that! But I
+want a rapid growth of laurel! I long for action; and one thing I will
+tell you, friend: to-day marks a new era of my life. Until now I have been
+forced to bear and temporize, to bow my head, and patiently accommodate
+myself to the arrogance and caprices of others. I was so small and all
+about me so great. I was nothing, they were everything! I must become a
+diplomatist in order to gain even ground enough on which to stand."
+
+"And now you have gained ground. One title, at least, you have
+substantiated, and may now claim to be veritably Duke of Prussia. You have
+now won your position; and my Elector never recedes--he always moves
+forward!"
+
+"Yes, from this day he moves forward!" cried the Elector, with enthusiasm.
+"Forward in the path of glory and renown! Hear you the ringing of bells
+and thundering of cannon! God bless Prussia, my Prussia of the future--my
+great, strong, mighty Prussia, as I feel she _will_ become. To her I
+dedicate my life. Not in pride and vain ambition, but in genuine humility
+and devotion to my duty and my calling. I will have nothing for myself,
+all for my people, for the honor of my God and the good of my country! In
+the discharge of my princely functions I shall be ever mindful that I
+guard not my own, but my people's interests. And this thought will give
+me strength and joy! This be the device of my whole future: _Pro deo et
+populo_!--For God and the people!"
+
+"God save our Duke!" cried and shouted the people, as the Elector now
+descended the steps of the throne in order to return to the palace.
+"Blessings on our Duke!" cried also the representatives and deputies from
+the Prussian towns and provinces.
+
+The Elector bowed to right and left, smilingly acknowledging their
+salutations. His heart swelled with joy and love as he saw all these glad,
+happy faces, the faces of his own people; and in the recesses of his soul
+he repeated his oath, to devote his whole life and being to his
+country--"_Pro deo et populo_!--For God and the people!"
+
+END OF THE VOLUME.
+
+
+
+
+ENDNOTES
+
+
+[Endnote 1: The exact words of the deputies from Cleves. _Vide_ Droysen,
+History of the Prussian Policy, vol. in, part I, p. 175.]
+
+[Endnote 2: The Elector's own words. See F. Forster, Prussia's Heroes in
+War and Peace, i, p. 15.]
+
+[Endnote 3: Historical. _Vide_ Nicolai, Description of the Capital City
+Berlin, Introduction, p. 27.]
+
+[Endnote 4: The peace of Prague was concluded in 1635, and in this the
+Elector of Brandenburg renounced alliance with the Swedes and assumed a
+neutral position.]
+
+[Endnote 5: Historical. _Vide_ Nicolai, i, p. 33.]
+
+[Endnote 6: _Vide_ von Orlich, History of the Prussian State, etc., part
+1, p. 34.]
+
+[Endnote 7: _Vide_ von Orlich, History of the Prussian State, etc., part
+1, p. 35.]
+
+[Endnote 8: This palace of Count Schwarzenberg was situated on Broad
+Street, and the open square in front of it was where now stand the houses
+of the so-called Stechbahn. In the middle of this square stood the
+cathedral, and behind this, near the Spree, arose the electoral castle. It
+is the spot where the King's apothecary now has his stand.]
+
+[Endnote 9: A historical fact. _Vide_ von Orlich.]
+
+[Endnote 10: King, Description of Berlin, part I, p, 237.]
+
+[Endnote 11: Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, part 3, p. 172.]
+
+[Endnote 12: Count Lesle's own words. _Vide_ von Orlich, History of
+Prussia, part I, p. 40.]
+
+[Endnote 13: The Elector Frederick V of the Palatinate, brother to the
+Electress of Brandenburg, was (after the Archduke Maximilian had been
+declared to have forfeited the Bohemian throne) elected by the Bohemians
+to be their King. He accepted the nomination, but a few days after his
+coronation was defeated in the battle of the White Mountain in Austria
+(1620); wandered about homeless for a long time, and died in 1632 in
+Mainz. His wife was a daughter of the King of England, and his mother a
+Princess of Orange, wherefore his wife and children found a refuge and
+protection at The Hague.]
+
+[Endnote 14: Count Lesle's own words. _Vide_ Droysen, History of Prussian
+Politics, vol. iii, p. 173.]
+
+[Endnote 15: Historical. _Vide_ von Orlich, part 1, p. 42.]
+
+[Endnote 16: Historical. _Vide_ von Orlich.]
+
+[Endnote 17: Historical. _Vide_ von Orlich, vol. ii, p. 456.]
+
+[Endnote 18: The Elector's own words. See von Orlich, vol. i.]
+
+[Endnote 19: The precise words of the Electoral Prince, See C.D. Kuester,
+The Remarkable Youth of the Great Elector, p. 39.]
+
+[Endnote 20: Count Adam Schwarzenberg's own words. _Vide_ Droysen,
+History of the Prussian Policy, vol. iii, part I, p. 35.]
+
+[Endnote 21: Count Adam Schwarzenberg's own words. _Vide_ Droysen,
+History of the Prussian Policy, vol. iii, part I, p. 35.]
+
+[Endnote 22: Shortly before the Electoral Prince left home he found one
+evening under his bed a man armed with two daggers. Upon the Prince's
+outcry, his servants hurried to his assistance and succeeded in capturing
+the murderer, who endeavored to make his escape. He confessed that he had
+come to murder the Electoral Prince, and that he had not done so of his
+own accord, but had been bribed to undertake the deed by a very
+distinguished lord. This assertion was confirmed by a considerable sum of
+money, which was found in his pockets upon being searched. They put him in
+prison, but two days afterward he had vanished, and with him his jailer,
+who had connived at his flight. The Electoral Prince was firmly convinced
+that this murderer had been suborned by Count Schwarzenberg, and shortly
+before his death himself related this story to his physician. _Vide_
+Kuester, Youthful Life of the Great Elector.]
+
+[Endnote 23: von Orlich, History of the State of Prussia, vol. i, p. 42.]
+
+[Endnote 24: Historical. _Vide_ King, Description of Berlin, part 1.]
+
+[Endnote 25: Historical. _Vide_ Archives of Historical Science in Prussia.
+Edited by Leopold von Ledebur, vol. iv, p. 97.]
+
+[Endnote 26: They still made use of white as mourning in those days, and
+in half mourning wore black gloves. Therefore the White Lady appeared
+altogether in white when the death of the reigning sovereign or his wife
+was to be announced; but if only some member of their family, in white
+with black gloves.]
+
+[Endnote 27: _Vide_ Historical; Archives]
+
+[Endnote 28: _Vide_ Buchholz's History of Brandenburg.]
+
+[Endnote 29: See von Orlich, The Great Elector, vol. i, p. 50.]
+
+[Endnote 30: Von Orlich, p. 53.]
+
+[Endnote 31: Frederick William's own words. See Droysen's History of
+Prussian Policy, vol. in, p. 215.]
+
+[Endnote 32: The Elector's own words. _Vide_ Droysen, vol. iii, p. 217.]
+
+[Endnote 33: Historical. _Vide_ Letters of the Duchess of Orleans to
+Countess Louise.]
+
+[Endnote 34: In the year 1638 a ship, on board of which were all the
+Electoral jewels to the amount of sixty thousand gulden, was plundered by
+a detachment from the corps of General Monticuculi, and all the jewels
+abstracted. Count Schwarzenberg had three officers concerned in it
+arrested, and carried to Spandow for trial. Although the Emperor himself
+desired the release of the imperial officers, the Stadtholder not only
+refused this, but even subjected the three officers to the torture, in
+order to extort from them a confession of the place where the jewels had
+been hid. But they confessed nothing, meanwhile remaining in confinement
+until the Elector Frederick William restored to them their freedom.
+_Vide_ von Orlich, The Great Elector, vol. _i_, p. 53.]
+
+[Endnote 35: Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, p. 180.]
+
+[Endnote 36: The Elector's own words. _Vide_ Droysen, History of Prussian
+Politics, vol. iii, p. 220.]
+
+[Endnote 37: The Elector's own words. See von Orlich, History of Prussia.]
+
+[Endnote 38: Burgsdorf's own words. _Vide_ History of Prussia, by von
+Orlich, vol. ii, p. 390.]
+
+[Endnote 39: The Elector's own words. See Droysen, History of Prussian
+Politics, vol. iii, p. 223.]
+
+[Endnote 40: Burgsdorf's own words. See ibid., p. 224.]
+
+[Endnote 41: The Elector's own words. See Droysen, vol. in, p. 223.]
+
+[Endnote 42: Schwarzenberg's own words. See Droysen, History of Prussian
+Politics.]
+
+[Endnote 43: See von Orlich, History of Prussia, vol. i, p. 60.]
+
+[Endnote 44: See Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, vol. in, p. 223.]
+
+[Endnote 45: Rochow's own words. See Droysen, vol. in, p. 224.]
+
+[Endnote 46: This whole scene is historical. See von Orlich, History of
+Prussia, vol. i, p. 59.]
+
+[Endnote 47: Count Schwarzenberg was buried in the Tillage church at
+Spandow, his entrails in a separate case beside him. The sudden and
+unexpected death of the Stadtholder excited uncommon attention through
+Germany, and a report was circulated that upon the count's retiring to
+Spandow on account of ill health the Elector had caused him to be
+arrested, and secretly beheaded in prison. Even as late as the times of
+Frederick the Great this report was commonly believed, and Frederick, when
+he wished to write a history of the reigning house, had the count's coffin
+opened to ascertain whether the head was separate from the body. No trace
+of a violent severing of the head from the body was, however, discovered.
+See Pollnitz, Memoirs, vol. iv, p. 40; Droysen, vol. in, p. 232.]
+
+[Endnote 48: See Droysen, History of Prussian Polities.]
+
+[Endnote 49: See Droysen, vol. iii, p. 239.]
+
+[Endnote 50: Droysen, vol. iii, p. 237.]
+
+[Endnote 51: See Droysen, History of Prussian Politics, vol. iii, p. 236.]
+
+[Endnote 52: See von Orlich, History of Prussia, vol. i, p. 61.]
+
+[Endnote 53: The Elector's own words.]
+
+[Endnote 54: The Elector's own words. See von Orlich, History of Prussia,
+vol. vi, p. 77.]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Youth of the Great Elector, by L. Muhlbach
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