“You believe so?  You are mistaken, my young sir.  I can even read what is written upon men’s faces, and read upon your brow that you are not merely puffed up with self-importance, but that you are likewise forging wicked and dangerous plans, and have been led away by your ambition to desire things unsuitable for you.  Come now, count, and accompany me into your father’s cabinet.”

“No!” cried the count—­“no, I will do no such thing!  It shall not be said that I voluntarily submitted to treason and brutal violence!”

“Well, my little count,” cried Burgsdorf, laughing, “if you will not act as guide of your own accord, you must be forced to do so nolens volens.  You need not show us the way, for we will merely go from chamber to chamber and affix our seal to all the papers we can find.  But the law requires your presence, and your presence we shall have.  Lieutenant von Metzdorf and Lieutenant von Frohberg, each of you give an arm to Count von Schwarzenberg.  Sustain and support him well, for the young gentleman feels a little unwell and can not go alone.”

The two officers approached the count, who looked at them with threatening mien.  “Do not dare to touch me!” he cried angrily.  “I will not follow you!  I will not go!”

“You will not go, will you not?  Not even when my officers offer you their arms?”

“I will not go, but I shall complain to the Emperor of the violence done me, and he will procure me satisfaction.”

“Well, we shall bide our time,” said Burgsdorf placidly.  “For the present it only concerns us to obtain your honored companionship.  Since, however, you declare that you can not go afoot, I shall carry you!”

And before the young count could prevent it, Burgsdorf had seized him in his gigantic arms and lifted him up.

“Forward now, gentlemen,” he said, stepping briskly a few paces in advance, bearing the count as lightly and easily in his arms as if he had been an infant.

“Let me descend from the wine cask, Colonel von Burgsdorf,” said Count Adolphus, smilingly and composedly.  “I have attained my end.  I only wanted to defer the sealing for a few minutes.  Having succeeded in effecting this, I shall no longer oppose any obstacle to your progress.”

“So much the better,” cried Burgsdorf, setting him on the ground.  “For, even if you were as light as a feather, I would rather have free use of my arms and hands; and, besides, do not like such close contact with any birds of your plumage.  Now, Sir Imperial Counselor, let us to work and commence the process of sealing.”

“Well and good,” said Count John Adolphus, “only permit me to ask one question.  To what end this sealing, and when will the signet be removed?  I am my father’s sole heir; already I have had the will opened and read in the presence of competent witnesses, and in accordance with my father’s expressed desire entered into possession of the whole inheritance.  The affixing of the seal appears to me, therefore, to be superfluous.  If done at all, it should have been attended to before the opening of the will.”