proudly and
independently."

And on the 7th of October, 1641, Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg
made his entry into Warsaw. At the head of his splendidly equipped
regiment rode old Conrad von Burgsdorf, his broad, bloated face flushed
crimson, and, as he stroked his long, light moustache, he bowed right and
left, saluting the fair ladies, who looked down upon the glittering
procession from windows hung with tapestry and decorated with flowers and
ribbons. But the fair ladies took but little notice of old Burgsdorf.
Their bright eyes were all turned to the handsome young nobleman, who,
quite alone, followed the regiment of soldiers. Behind him was seen a
brilliant array of gentlemen in handsome uniforms; but all this vanished
unnoticed. Only upon _him_, yon youth who rides his horse so proudly and
so gracefully, upon him alone were all eyes fixed. How finely his figure
was outlined in that closely fitted velvet coat, trimmed with golden
"Brandenburgs," and crossed by the golden shoulder belt from which hung
his German broadsword. How gracefully fell his long brown hair over his
shoulders, how boldly sat upon his head the cocked felt hat, with its
crest of black and white ostrich plumes! How fiery and penetrating the
glance of those dark-blue eyes, and how sweet and captivating the smile of
those full, fresh lips.

Oh, King's daughter, King's daughter, shield your heart, lest it glow with
love for the handsome stranger who now draws near, and whom they call the
young Elector of Brandenburg! He looks not at _you_, he thinks not of
_you_. But _you_--you look at him and think of him. They have told you
that they will wed you to him, that the little Elector will esteem it a
great honor to become the husband of a daughter of the King of Poland.
Why, she is a princess of imperial blood, for her mother is an archduchess
of Austria, a daughter of Emperor Ferdinand I! It will, indeed, be a great
honor to the little Elector, if they bestow upon him the hand of a king's
daughter, an emperor's grandchild, and happy will he be to be allowed to
receive it, and to become great by means of his great connections!

Look closely at him, Princess Hildegarde; look at him with your heart and
soul, rejoice in his youth, beauty, and proud bearing, for he is to be
your husband! Your father will do him the honor to receive him as his
son-in-law, and the Emperor will condescendingly admit him to his
relationship! See now he has approached