Leuchtmar interrupted: “May he not contemplate taking it up again? Then he will make more extortionate demands than the former ones.”
“Very possible,” replied Burgsdorf. “He has a penetrating foresight.”
The Preceptor now asked: “Was the arrival of Gustavus Adolphus known at that time to Regensburg?”
“No,” replied Burgsdorf; “otherwise the Emperor would have had most substantial reasons for deferring the dismissal of his favorite, who has now retired to his kennel in Prague. But who can tell what is going on now in his brains? What may they be hatching—cruel scenes of blood and revenge? But let us drop this fiend and speak of that brilliant hero, Gustavus Adolphus! It seems to me that the lightning of his sword is already flashing all over Germany. He will measure himself with Tilly, who is now in supreme command of the Catholic army.”
“Truly, this news,” said Leuchtmar, “is soul-inspiring. I feel already as if a new order of things had come. But how are affairs at the court? Above all, what does Schwarzenberg say?”
Burgsdorf made a bitter grimace. “He has been trying in every way to induce the Elector to join the Emperor, and failing in that, he continually urges him to remain neutral and not to recognize Gustavus Adolphus. Now, as you know, there is a party at the Elector’s court which for a long time has practically been on the side of Sweden. That I belong to it you will not doubt. The Electoress is decidedly on our side. The Elector remains quiet, and no one knows what is passing in his mind. One remark of Gustavus Adolphus concerning Schwarzenberg is well known. He called him a traitor, and added that he richly deserved to have his neck broken. To prevent a meeting of the two, the Elector has sent Schwarzenberg on business to Treves. I wish that he might never come back.”
They spoke of many other distinguished persons and important events. At last Burgsdorf told them that he was commissioned to arrange for the return of the Prince to Cüstrin, as it was safer there than at the hunting-castle. For this reason no letter had been sent, as he had undertaken to convey the message personally.
It was between three and four o’clock in the morning when they sought their beds.
Chapter XVI
Gustavus Adolphus
When Gustavus Adolphus took his solemn farewell of the Swedish council he confided himself to the protection of the Almighty. His last words, “I bid you all a heartfelt farewell, perhaps forever; perhaps we see each other for the last time,” brought tears to the eyes of all present. After a moment’s silence the King closed with a fervent prayer.