"And for this it is necessary to drive the Habsburgs over the Alps?"
Something very like a gleam of impatience, if not of anger, shot into his eyes.
"Could such a confederacy take place and the Emperor Ferdinand consent?" he asked.
"No! Nor could it take place while the Order of Jesus exists."
"That also must go!" He showed plainly how indifferent it was. "But how did you learn so much of my intentions?"
"The dead gave up what the living had not sufficient trust to reveal!" she said with some air of being hurt.
"So von Teschen is dead! At Breitenfeld?"
She nodded.
"He was a useful servant, but too rash! Still, I am sorry to have lost him!"
"Was it altogether worthy of Albrecht von Waldstein to wait the issue of a battle, and then to send congratulations to the victor?" The voice of Ottilie von Thüringen conveyed sorrow. Her eyes, wide open, searched the Duke's face, which showed nothing.