The Elector nodded and smiled. "It is as you say--you are to go to Sweden.
A great danger threatens my country. The Swedes are on the frontiers, or
rather within my territories, for they hold possession of Pomerania, which
is mine. They are on the point of invading the Mark, Banner again
threatens my poor, exhausted lands, and it is said that he has already
issued orders for the demolishing of Berlin. Schwarzenberg for that very
reason had the suburbs of Berlin and Cologne burned down, thus laying the
city open to assault; from Saxony, also, the Swedish general Stallhansch
advances upon Brandenburg, and all is in a fair way to encircle the Mark
in the flames of war. But, as you know, I have no money and no soldiers,
no power and no lands. I can not conduct a war! My single purpose must now
be, in the first place, to withdraw my oppressed land and people from
these flames of war into lasting repose and a peaceful security, and then
to govern them well.[41] I shall send you to Sweden, therefore, Leuchtmar,
to conclude for me a temporary armistice with the Swedes, and also to
negotiate the conditions of a peace. I must have peace at any price, for
on no terms can I carry on a war. Chancellor Oxenstiern is indeed a proud
and overbearing man, who will probably make hard conditions, but we must
accommodate ourselves to them, yield gracefully now, and defer our revenge
for a later day. Only if he demands Pomerania as the price of peace, you
may not yield; we will indeed be yielding, but not suffer ourselves to be
humbled. We can grant much, but not allow ourselves to be imposed upon in
everything. If Oxenstiern desires money and other material things, promise
them, but land and towns you may not give."

"Not a single title to land or town, your highness!" cried Leuchtmar, "for
you have said that you would substantiate your titles, and give kernels to
the empty shells; therefore the Swede shall not crack a single one of your
nuts."

"Not a single one," repeated the Elector, while he smilingly extended his
hand to his friend. "And now, one thing more, Leuchtmar. Do you remember
the plan about which my great-uncle Gustavus Adolphus spoke to my mother,
when he was here on a visit?"

"Yes, indeed," returned Leuchtmar promptly, "I remember it, and think it
were time now to carry it into execution. There is one means of uniting
Sweden and Brandenburg in the bonds of peace, without reducing Brandenburg
to humiliation. Only follow the