“Oh, gracious sir, in that you go too far!  You know yourself how much Schwarzenberg is hated in all your territories, how ardently all patriots long for his deposition from the government; for the league with the Emperor is detestable to everybody, and fear of Catholic domination and desire for the Swedish alliance prevail among all your subjects.”

“Yes,” cried the Elector, “adherents of Sweden there are in my dominions, and Schwarzenberg has indeed opponents enough.  But he has friends as well, whom he has purchased with his good money and his protection.  But tell me, where is an Electoral party, one deserving the name by its unity and determination, a party which looks not to the right or left, but straight ahead in the direction that I shall take?  The old friends of my house are dispersed, hunted into banishment, exiled, or dead; on whom else could I depend?  All positions in the army and government, all offices has Schwarzenberg filled with his own creatures; and should I venture to step, in their way, and endeavor to effect their and his ruin, I might easily come to ruin myself.  In what direction, then, can I look for help?”

“To yourself, most noble sir, to your own mind and heart!” cried Leuchtmar, with enthusiasm.

“It is as you say, I should be a fool were I to seek protection elsewhere.  Protection from the Emperor, the empire, Poland?  Protection from comrades in the faith or blood relations?  My empire is within myself, and by God’s help the foundations shall be laid!  ‘Man forges his own fortunes.’  That is a good old proverb.  Well, I will try to be a good smith.  I have played anvil long enough, and hard enough have been the blows dealt me by Count Schwarzenberg.  I shall now try being the fist that guides the hammer, and I think I have a tolerably strong fist, that will be able so to wield the hammer as to fashion for myself a worthy scepter.”

“A great and noble task has God committed to your highness,” said Leuchtmar; “to you is it given to create your own state, and what you shall be hereafter you will owe to your own powers.”

“And to the assistance of true servants, tried friends and followers!” cried the Elector, cordially extending his hand to his faithful counselor, “although now I only know two men on whom I can rely—­yourself and Burgsdorf.  But together we form no contemptible trio, and I am confident that great results will follow our efforts, and, in order that you may see what I am projecting, tarry here while I call in old Burgsdorf.”

With alert step the Elector moved to the door and opened it.  “Colonel von Burgsdorf!” he cried, then turned, strode through the cabinet and seated himself in the armchair before his father’s writing table.

In the door of the entrance hall now appeared Colonel von Burgsdorf, his broad, red face wearing an embarrassed expression.  Standing still in the doorway, he looked across at the Elector, who, his back half turned, seemed to take no notice of his approach.