'He is a Catholic,' said he after a pause, 'but he is cold, his ambition is stronger than his faith; his longer influence would be perilous both for us and Catholicism. There is no doubt.'
'But, as far as I know, it is impossible to overthrow him,' said the guest. 'Is the Princess strong enough?'
'By her face and character?' whispered the Jesuit. 'Do you think, then, that in that quiet nature of the Prince, there will ever arise the blood and the passions of Augustus the Strong? Is it possible? Then of what account would the Princess be? Sulkowski will suggest other women to him, in order to rule through them.'
The stranger frowned.
'Your views are too gloomy,' said he 'we must find some remedy.'
'I have thought it over beforehand,' began Guarini seating his guest on the sofa and taking a chair beside him. 'We must have near the Prince a man whom we can be sure will serve us, who would also depend upon us. Frederick is lazy, we must make him a soft bed, provide him with his favourite amusements, give him operas, hunting and pictures. Who knows, perhaps something more,' said he sighing.
Again the stranger frowned.
'It is too bad,' he interrupted, 'that for so great a purpose, we must use base means; it is sad--'
'Cum finis est licitus, etiam media licita sunt,' quoted Guarini quietly. 'We cannot limit the means: they are different in every case.'
'I understand,' said the guest, 'it is of the greatest importance that we do not expose ourselves to calumny. The question is about the salvation of our souls, about holding our position here, where previously Luther was omnipotent. We have tools, it would be sinful if we dropped them for the sake of scruples, we must rather lose one soul than sacrifice thousands.'