“It would be pleasant to the Emperor if the Electoral Prince came to his court,” remarked Count Lesle; “it would be a token of confidence, and make an impression throughout the Holy Roman Empire upon friend and foe.”

“Alas! the most important requisite of all is wanting—­we want money,” sighed Count Schwarzenberg, shrugging his shoulders.

“Well, that shall furnish no ground for objection, Sir Stadtholder.  The Emperor commissioned me expressly to announce to you that his Imperial Majesty would gladly hold himself ready to furnish some assistance, yes, if needful, all the money required for the expenses of this journey.[15] And the Emperor would not be niggardly with his supplies of money for traveling, but give such sums that the Electoral Prince need not come merely to his Majesty at Vienna, but also make a little excursion to Innsprueck.  For at Innsprueck the Archduke Leopold now holds his court, and the Electoral Prince could not fail to enjoy himself there, for the court at Innsprueck is brilliantly gay, and the archduke’s youthful daughter, Clara Isabella, is peculiarly fond of pleasure, and is a beautiful and attractive young lady.”

With a sudden movement of the head Count Schwarzenberg turned toward Lesle.  “You do not mean it?” he asked hesitatingly.

Count Lesle nodded.  “It is much to be desired,” he said, smiling.

“But I fear it is impossible!” cried Schwarzenberg.  “Every one here will be opposed to it; no one in favor of it.  It is simply not to be thought of, and impossible that the Electoral Prince should marry a Catholic.”

“It only seems probable, and to effect it, it is only necessary to go to work in the right way,” said Count Lesle quietly.  “You see by yourself how the inconceivable can still become matter of reality.  Would it not have been supposed impossible that at this court, where there are none but heretics, where Reformers and Lutherans contend for precedence, that a Catholic and an imperialist could have become prime minister and confidential adviser to the Elector?  And yet so it is, and for twenty years past the Catholic Count Schwarzenberg has been the favorite and I may say the controller of the Elector of Brandenburg.  And why should not the Catholic minister and Stadtholder be able to negotiate a Catholic alliance?  You underrate your power, count, and are by far too modest.”

“Say rather I know the ground on which I tread, Count Lesle.  Believe me, it is slippery and marshy soil, and a single incautious step may cause me to sink.”

“Then guard against an incautious step, but advance boldly forward in the interests of his Imperial Majesty, and be assured that Ferdinand will prove himself to be a grateful and a gracious lord.  And now, count, you know all that I came to communicate to you, and it is time for me to set out again.”

“Will you set forth again so soon, Count Lesle, before you have done me the honor of taking a little breakfast and drinking a glass of wine with me?”