to our Elector, but also because
we are neighbors, and of one religion and one faith. Oh, my gracious young
sir, do not allow Schwarzenberg to make us Catholics and Imperialists!
Free your country, your subjects, and yourself from this man, who weighs
upon us like a scourge from God!"

"But, Burgsdorf, just consider what you say there. I, who have but just
returned from a three years' absence, I, who am almost a stranger to these
combinations and circumstances, _I_ am to free you from this most mighty
and influential man, the Stadtholder in the Mark! I should like to know
how to go about it."

"Gracious sir, I will tell you," replied Burgsdorf, with smothered voice
and coming close up to the Prince. "Only say that you will place yourself
at our head; give me only a couple of words in your own handwriting to
give assurance to your friends and adherents that you will at their head
battle for your good rights and for the faith and law of the land. Do
this, and then just wait eight days."

"And what will happen after these eight days?"

"Then will happen that you shall see an army assembled about you, my
Prince, in eight days. We have all been long making our preparations in
secret, and putting everything in position, to be able to break forth as
soon as you should appear and place yourself at our head. Every nobleman
belonging to our party has procured arms and ammunition for the equipment
of his people, and a brave, well-appointed host will be ready to execute
your orders. You will take Schwarzenberg prisoner in his proud palace; you
will be able by persistency to drive the Elector to dismiss the hated
minister and his hated son from their offices and dignities, and to banish
them forever from the country. You will be able to force the Elector to
nominate you Schwarzenberg's successor, and then, having the power in your
own hands, it only depends upon yourself to break, with the Emperor, to
recognize the peace of Prague no longer, but to renew the alliance with
the Swedes, and united with them to battle against the encroachments of
the Emperor, and in behalf of religion!"

"Just see, colonel, you have your plan already cut and dried!" cried the
Prince. "If I should accede to it I would have nothing further to do than
to execute what you have previously determined and arranged, and I should
be nothing more than a tool in your hands. Now, I must confess to you that
such a part would not at all suit me, even if I were re