“And the Poles?”
“They broke and fled at the first cannonade.”
Peter made an impatient gesture.
“And Augustus still thinks to raise an army from these materials?”
“He is at Lublin or Marienbourg, sire, endeavoring to rouse the Palatinates.”
“Oh, he had better return to Dresden and amuse himself with his toes,” said Peter contemptuously.
“Karl would not leave him in peace, even in Dresden.”
“He will grovel?” asked Peter.
“I think he will,” replied Patkul. “He sent the Countess von Königsmarck to make terms. I know this, although the matter was kept secret.”
“A fribble and a fool!” cried Peter. “Have I ever had a chance, Patkul, with two such allies? This Saxon weakling—and Denmark, what does Denmark do?”