The Electoral Prince rose and with flashing eyes passionately exclaimed: “Cousin, woe to you or me, if I have heard aright!”
The rest of the company were alarmed. They were familiar with Rupert’s wildness and impetuosity, but now they had experienced Frederick William’s resoluteness and passionate sense of honor.
“Dear cousin,” said Ludwig, “our brother only refers to the Elector of Saxony.”
The mother and the princesses confirmed the statement and demanded of Prince Rupert by look and action that he should agree with them.
He remained silent, and his manner caused the apprehension that he was disinclined to answer his cousin. His mother’s look, however, had such power over him that he overmastered his furious temper. He said: “Far be it from me to tarnish your father’s honor with a breath from my mouth.”
The Prince was outwardly satisfied with the explanation. Political conversation was dropped, and they talked about The Hague, which the Electoral Prince was going to visit during the next few days.
In the bright moonlight Frederick William rode back to Arnheim.
Chapter XXI
Sweden’s Revenge
There had been many changes in Brandenburg. They feared the Swedes now as greatly as they had once feared the Emperor’s army. The cause of this will be found in the following statement:
At the beginning of the year 1637 Emperor Ferdinand the Second died, and his successor, Ferdinand the Third, exhibited a friendly attitude toward Brandenburg. In March of the same year Bogislav the Fourteenth died childless, and Brandenburg made preparations to enforce certain rights in Pomerania which were provided in the treaty. Its most important cities at the time were beset by Swedish troops. Sweden also asserted certain claims in the dukedom, which it would not yield until it was assured of ample indemnity for the great sacrifices it had made in maintaining the good cause. When George William summoned Stettin to take the oath of allegiance, the Swedish commander Banner was so infuriated that he ordered the herald bearing the summons to be hanged. It was only by the greatest exertions that the Duchess-widow saved the poor man’s life.