The Electress had listened to her son with ever-growing amazement.  Her glances had grown more and more indignant; she had often turned from her son to Leuchtmar, as if to read in his features whether or not he shared her astonishment and irritation.  Now, when the Prince was silent, she stepped across to Leuchtmar, and laid her hand upon his arm.

“Leuchtmar,” she asked with trembling voice, “is he in earnest?  Has he actually altered so entirely?  Has he really gone over to our enemies and adversaries?”

“Most gracious lady, the Electoral Prince is by far too tender a son ever to become alienated from his mother,” replied the baron earnestly.

“He speaks the truth, my dearest mother,” exclaimed Frederick William, nearing his mother.  “Never could I alter toward you, never forget the gratitude and love I owe you, never go over to your enemies and adversaries.  But why should we carry politics into private life, and what have Swedes and Imperialists, Catholics and Reformers to do with our family life and our domestic circle?  Let us hand politics over to those whose duty it is to deal with them; let us not seek to meddle in the government, for we have no right to do so, and should step aside for those who understand matters far better than we do, and who manage the machine of state with as much foresight as wisdom.  I, at least, am determined to hold myself aloof from all such burdensome affairs, to enjoy my youth and freedom, and I thank God that I have not to bear the weight of administering the government, but have only the pleasant task allotted me of permitting myself to be governed!”

“It is not possible!” cried the Electress, with an outburst of passion—­“no, it is not possible that my son can so speak and think!  O Leuchtmar! what have you made of my son?  Who has changed him, my darling, my only son?  I hoped that he would come back a hero, around whom would cluster all those who are true to our house, our faith, and our fatherland!  I hoped that in him I should find a refuge against the aggressions, the villainy, and the wiles of my enemy!  I hoped that the son would succeed in winning back his father’s heart, and turning him against that proud man who rules him entirely, and who will crush us all.  O God! my God! for three long years I have been looking forward to his return as the time of vengeance and retribution, and now that son is here, and what do I find in him?  A son weakly obedient to his father, a submissive admirer of Count Schwarzenberg, a weakling who longs not at all for honor and influence, who is glad that he has not to govern and work, but that others must govern and work for him!  Alas!  I am a poor mother, and much to be pitied, for in vain have I hoped that my son would assist me to avenge the misfortunes of my house, and punish and bring my enemies to account!”