“You owe something to one woman,” thought Count Piper, “if she has wrought this change of mind in you.”
And he wondered what Viktoria Falkenberg had said.
“Russia does not think that anyone is likely to oppose him,” continued Karl. “Is it not so? He believes that there is no man in Europe would face him and his savages.”
“He certainly thinks,” replied the minister, “that your Majesty will be easily despoiled. ’Tis a man with many noble qualities who seeks to bring his country forward in an honorable manner in Europe—yet unscrupulous and fierce—a barbarian teaching civilization to others—but,” he added, “before your Majesty thinks of Russia, there is Denmark.”
“I attend the council to-morrow,” said Karl, “and in a week’s time I hope to leave Sweden. The Dutch and English will help us—at least indirectly. I think it is not to King William’s interest that I should be overwhelmed. I mean to make a feint on Copenhagen and compel Denmark to a peace.”
“The Danish fleet protects Spaelland, sire,” said Count Piper quickly.
“But I have looked at the map,” replied the King, “and I see that one might pass through the Eastern Sound.”
“Which is not held to be navigable, sire.”
Karl did not seem to pay much attention to this remark.
“King Frederick is older than I, by ten years,” he said, reflectively. “Do you think that he is a great man, Count?”