The count’s countenance cleared up and assumed a triumphant expression when the four officers had left his cabinet, and he was now once more alone.

“I shall now be rid of that quarrelsome and dangerous man, Burgsdorf,” he said complacently, as he sank apparently exhausted into an easy chair.  “I have rendered him harmless and shoved him aside without his being really conscious of it.  He does not suspect that we advanced and promoted the others only to remove him, Burgsdorf, to a distance, without exciting remark or scandal, and in order to be freed from his scurrilous tongue and insolent presence.  I am truly glad and content that we have succeeded in this, and at the same time have taken these unreflecting and short-sighted gentlemen into service and allegiance to the Emperor and the empire.”  With a hurried “Who is there?” the count interrupted himself, starting from his seat.  “Who dares to enter here unannounced?”

“I dare,” said an earnest voice, and a tall, slender gentleman, wholly enveloped in a heavy traveling coat, his head covered with a great fur cap, strode through the apartment toward the count.

“Count Lesle, lord high chamberlain to the Emperor!” exclaimed the Stadtholder in surprise.  “Is it you?  Are you direct from Regensburg?”

“Yes, Count Schwarzenberg, I have come here direct from Regensburg, to depart again without delay.  My traveling carriage stands without before your door, and I shall presently enter it, and journey hence again.  You will on that account excuse my want of ceremony, but as the Emperor Ferdinand permits me to enter his apartments at any time, I thought that the Stadtholder of the Mark would not be less affable.  Moreover, I could not send in my name, for no one besides yourself is to know of my being here, and I wish to travel incognito.  Will you, then, pardon me, Count Schwarzenberg, and am I excused?”

“I am the one to sue for forgiveness, on account of my impatience, and I do so most cordially.  And now I entreat you, count, first of all, make yourself comfortable.  Permit me to assist you in laying aside your cumbrous traveling habit, and accept some ease and refreshment.”

With officious zeal he busied himself in aiding his visitor to emerge from his wrappings, and soon Count Lesle stood before the Stadtholder of the Mark in the beautiful, unique Spanish garb, such as was worn at the imperial court.

“How glorious you look in those magnificent velvet robes!” cried Count Schwarzenberg, with a sigh, “and how much your Spanish costume makes me long for the sumptuous life of the imperial court!  Ah! my dear count, here among us you find hardly a trace of this costly, splendid living, and an imperial valet or house servant has more pleasure and enjoyment than an Electoral Stadtholder in the Mark.”

“Yet it is a fine and sonorous title,” said Count Lesle, smiling, while he stretched himself out comfortably in the great armchair which Count Schwarzenberg had rolled forward for him, “and it is also a great and influential office.  The Emperor’s Majesty knows very well what a mighty and potent man the Stadtholder in the Mark is, and that Count Schwarzenberg is really Elector of Brandenburg.”