Frederick William’s piercing eyes were fixed with a questioning expression upon the count’s face, whose eyes returned the look with a bold and steady gaze.

“You presume greatly upon the respect I owe the Emperor,” said the Elector after a pause.  “I have wished to regard you hitherto merely as a piece of paper hallowed by the Emperor’s superscription.  But now you voluntarily step forth from behind the protecting paper, and present yourself to me as a man, a self-dependent individual, who is responsible for his words and actions.  Consider well what you risk, sir, and take my advice:  retreat, while yet there is time!  Ask me not to look upon you as you actually are, but be content, inasmuch as in you I respect the Emperor’s safe conduct.  Reflect once again, and then speak!”

“Your Electoral Highness,” said the count after a pause, “the Emperor has condescended to request a secret audience for me of your grace.  I entreat your highness to grant it to me.”

“You desire it?  Be it so, then!” cried the Elector.  “You, gentlemen, Count von Martinitz and Dr. Gebhard, are dismissed.  Count Schwarzenberg may remain.  For the Emperor’s sake I am ready to grant him the secret audience.  Take your leave, gentlemen!  Your audience is at an end!”

The two gentlemen bowed low and withdrew.  The Elector followed them with his eyes until the door closed behind them.  Then he slowly turned his head toward Count Schwarzenberg.

“Speak now,” he ordered coldly and severely.  “Say what you have to say, but weigh well each word, and take heed of rousing my wrath, for I tell you the measure of my patience and forbearance is well-nigh exhausted!  What would you have of me?  What do you want?”

“Justice, your highness, justice!  Enter into no contest with me!  Take not away from me the estates given in pledge by the Elector George William to my father, which have not yet been redeemed.  Acknowledge me as the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, graciously nominate me Stadtholder in the Mark, and I swear to you that I shall be your faithful and devoted servant, your mediator with Emperor and empire!  You see, your highness, I ask for nothing but justice!”

“Justice!” repeated Frederick William, while with flashing eyes he approached one step nearer the count.  “Beware of reminding me that I have not exercised justice toward you!  Ask it not, for then I must needs summon a guard and have you arrested!  Then must I call a court-martial, have you tried, and see you mount the scaffold!”

“The scaffold!” exclaimed the count, turning pale.  “But then the Emperor would call you to account for this deed of violence, and—­”

“Deed of violence, you call it?” interposed the Elector.  “You are mistaken, sir; it would only be a merited punishment!  You deserve this punishment, not on account of anything done by your father, although in sooth you bore a full share in his deeds, but on account of your own crime.”