“Yes, you are right,” said the Elector thoughtfully.  “Four months have indeed elapsed since you set out upon your journey and I undertook the duties of ruler.  My God! it seems to me as if many years had rolled by since then, and as if I had become an old, old man!  I do not believe I have laughed once during these four months, or enjoyed one quarter of an hour of pleasure or relaxation.  Discord and discussion everywhere with Emperor and empire, with the States, with Poland, Juliers and Cleves.  They are all my foes, and not one single hand is held out to me in friendship.  I have felt at times right lonely, Leuchtmar, and sorely sighed for you.  It could not be, though, and I have learned already to submit to necessity.  Necessity alone is the despotic mistress of all princes, and we nothing but her humble vassals.  It is a humiliating thought, but nevertheless true.  I must learn to endure mortifications, and to consider them but the price which I pay for my future.”

“It grieves me to perceive that your highness is somewhat downcast and discouraged,” sighed Leuchtmar, looking sadly at the Elector’s pale, sober countenance, upon which the last four months had indeed left the imprint of years.

“Downcast?  Yes,” cried Frederick William; “for my affairs progress but slowly, and to gain anything I am compelled on all sides to make unpleasant concessions and to submit to irksome restraints.  But discouraged—­no, Leuchtmar, I am not discouraged, and by God’s help never shall be!  I know my purpose, which I shall pursue with immovable steadfastness, and, although the results of these first four months of government are barely discernible, I comfort myself that in as many years I shall have accomplished much.  It is strange, Leuchtmar, that you have returned to-day, the very day which brings home my Polish ambassador with the tidings that the King of Poland is ready solemnly to invest me with the dukedom of Prussia, thanks to our money and our fair speeches.  This very day I also expect decisive news from Colonel von Burgsdorf at Berlin.  On the self-same day I sent you forth.  You were like doves sent from a storm-tossed ark to seek for land.  Almost at the same time you return to the ark, but I fear that none of you brings with him an olive branch.”

“Yet, most noble sir, I do bring you a small olive leaf,” replied Leuchtmar, with a gentle smile.  “I come to announce to your grace that I have at last succeeded, after a four months’ contest, in wringing from the Swedish lords a few concessions, and concluding an armistice, which is to be binding for two years.”

“A two years’ cessation of hostilities is equivalent to ten years of refreshment, of reinvigoration!” cried the Elector with radiant looks.  “Tell me, Leuchtmar, what concessions did these hard-headed Swedes make at the last moment?”

“Your highness, they have pledged themselves not to allow their soldiery to enter the Mark, unless unavoidably compelled to march through on their way elsewhere, and that then they shall be quartered and fed only under the direction of an Electoral commissary; and that, moreover, separate agreements shall be entered into with regard to the maintenance of the Swedish garrisons of forts in Pomerania and the Mark.” [49]