“I should like to know whether you resemble me,” he said thoughtfully; “I should like to know whether I was ever such a lively, jovial young man.”

“You are more than that, most respected father,” cried his son; “you were handsome and possessed of irresistible attractions.  I know that, for you are still so.”

“So, it seems that my son has learned to flatter at the imperial court!”

“No, no; I speak the truth, and I swear that every one who has the good fortune to be admitted to your presence will confirm my testimony.  You understand the art of fascinating men, and once let any one love you, then you can never be forgotten.  The Emperor Ferdinand spoke of you with genuine admiration, and Princess Lobkowitz assured me that you were the only man whom she had ardently and truly loved.  And yet they say that Princess Lobkowitz has had many admirers and still has.”

“Princess Lobkowitz!” repeated Count Adam thoughtfully—­“how fine that sounds, Princess Lobkowitz!  Yet I well remember the time when Lobkowitz was quite a poor, inconsiderable count, who esteemed himself peculiarly happy when I lent him some of my pocket money, which, by the bye, I never saw again.  We were both at that time pages at the court of Emperor Ferdinand I, and swore eternal friendship.  But how vain are such oaths!  I afterward left the imperial court and came to the court of Cleves, and thence here to Prussia.  I have restlessly labored, and may well say that I have wielded the helm of state in this country for twenty years, and—­am still nothing but plain Count Schwarzenberg!  The little, insignificant Count Lobkowitz, on the other hand, has now become a Prince through the Emperor’s favor, as have also Eggenberg, Liechtenstein, and Fuerstenberg.”

“You shall be a Prince, too, father,” said Count Adolphus softly.  “Yes, without doubt, you have only to hint your wish to receive the title of Prince, and the Emperor Ferdinand will gladly remunerate you in that way, if he first sees his own desires fulfilled through you.”

The count started, and cast an inquisitive, questioning look upon his son.  “I thank you, Adolphus,” said he, “you have led back our conversation, or rather, my lord treasurer, our conference, to the subject in point, in a manner as tender as diplomatic.  Yes, the question is, first of all, to learn what news you bring for me from his Majesty, and what orders the Emperor has to give me.”

“First of all, cher pere, the Emperor wishes that every possible obstruction be interposed to prevent the Electoral Prince’s marriage with the Princess of the Palatinate, and that, if practicable, the Electoral Prince be deterred from forming any matrimonial connection.  It would greatly complicate affairs if the Electoral Prince should chance to have offspring soon, and thereby outwardly give more firmness and durability to the house of Brandenburg.”

The count’s eyes flashed upon his son’s countenance, which still preserved its placid, innocent expression.  “Who told you that?” said he, “Who spoke such strange, mysterious words?  Not the Emperor, no, he can not have said that!”