"Yes," replied Count Kinsky, with a shrug. "The emperor is so inordinately fond of the Duke of Lorraine that he fancies him endowed with military genius."
"General," whispered the Margrave of Baden to Count Starhemberg, "I wish to say something to you in private. Can I rely upon your discretion?"
"Your highness does me honor," was the reply, "and I promise absolute silence as regards any thing you may be pleased to communicate."
"Then I will go to the point at once. The Duke of Lorraine must not have the command of the Austrian army. Do you sustain me?"
"Ah! Your highness, too, hates him."
The margrave smiled. "My dear general, that little word 'too ' proves that we are of one mind. Yes, I hate the Duke of Lorraine, not per se, nor for any evil quality that I know of. I hate him as one dangerous to the welfare of the state, and too influential with its ruler, the emperor. Though he has the reputation of being a great general, he longs for peace and retirement among his books and maps at home; and he would rather submit to be humbled by foreign powers than declare war against their aggressions, however insolent. In other words, he hates bloodshed, and, if he is a soldier, he is one that loves the pen far more than he does the sword."
"Your highness is right," returned Count Starhemberg; "the duke is no soldier, and his appointment to the chief command of her armies would be a misfortune for Austria. And, worse yet, he is so opiniated that he never will listen to advice."
"Therefore we must work together to avert his appointment. We need a young commander, brave, ambitious, and eager for renown."
"Like Prince Louis of Baden?" asked Von Starhemberg, smiling.
"Yes, like Prince Louis of Baden," said the margrave, emphatically. "He is quite as brave and skilful as the duke; but he is modest, is willing to listen to advice, and to be guided by the experience of good counsellors. Instead of ruling the war department, he will be ruled by it, and thus we will have unanimity both in field and council. It is to your interest, therefore, to defeat the Duke of Lorraine, and secure the appointment of my nephew."