“Yes, your excellency, I have paid good heed, and understood everything well,” returned Master Gabriel, on whose brow the sweat stood in great drops.

“Well, I have only this to add:  Should the unfortunate accident really happen that the Electoral Prince is attacked by robbers and killed in Westphalia or somewhere else, then look to it, that you be found that day among his defenders, and bear off as token some wound received—­for instance, a sabre thrust on the right arm.  With this true sign of your valor and your faithfulness come here to Berlin, and be assured that no one shall dare to suspect you when he witnesses your grief and especially your sabre thrust.  It need be no deep wound, and surely the fair Rebecca has a healing balm which she can apply to you.  Besides, the Electress will protect you, and be certain that I will stand by you with all my might and influence.  And now, master, we have concluded all our business, and you will set out in an hour.  I permit you, however, first to take leave of your fair Rebecca and the pretty child.  Only, you must not be alone again with the beautiful woman, and therefore I have given orders that your wife and son be brought here.  You will be pleased to stay so long at my chamberlain’s house; luncheon shall be served there for yourself and your family, and you can take it in the presence of my chamberlain.  I have already imparted to you the needed commands, and taken care to have your wife and child fetched directly here.  A vehicle is also prepared, ready to convey your wife to Spandow; I have a good, trustworthy housekeeper in my house there, and with her the two can dwell, and shall want for nothing, except it be yourself.”

“Most gracious sir,” said Gabriel Nietzel, with an expression of deep anguish, “I love my wife and child above everything, and am prepared to suffer and endure everything for them.  But if I returned home and found my wife sick, or dead, or, what were yet worse, found her—­

“Well, why do you hesitate, master?  Faithless, found her faithless, would you say—­well, what then?”

“Well, then life would have no value at all to me,” said Gabriel Nietzel firmly and decidedly.  “Then would it be quite indifferent to me whether I were hanged or burned; then would I desire nothing but to die, and—­before my death to avenge myself.”

“Ah!  I understand you quite well, master, and know you well.  You please me uncommonly with your energetic defiance and your hidden threat.  In return I, too, will give you an open, candid answer.  Master Gabriel Nietzel, I am no enamored fool, who runs after every apronstring, or generally takes any special pleasure in women.  I have neither time nor inclination for that, and leave such things to the young, the idle, and men who have no ambition and no head, but only a heart.  I, Master Gabriel, have no heart at all, or at least none now any longer, and I herewith give you my word of honor as a nobleman and gentleman that your lovely Rebecca has nothing to dread from me.  On the contrary, I shall have her watched and guarded, as if she were a ward intrusted to me, for whose honor I held myself responsible.”