Part 24 (1/2)
From the armoury, both Kings proceeded to the palace, as Charles wished to pay his respects to the Queen, for whom he had as great a respect as he had contempt for Augustus.
In the meantime, the news that Charles XII. was in Dresden spread rapidly through the city.
His name always excited great interest. The Protestants, knowing what he had done for their coreligionists in Silesia, were anxious to see him. That young King, a few years over twenty, was the wonder of all Europe. Count Flemming and all who were attached to Augustus II. were indignant at the boldness of the young hero, who thus set the conquered King at defiance, by coming unarmed into his capital. Flemming and Cosel were furious, and uttered threats of vengeance. The former ordered some of the soldiers to be fetched from the garrison, and wished to capture the enemy, despite the King's prohibition. Anna seized a pistol, and declared she would follow him down the street, and shoot him.
The excitement was considerable and universal, and could not fail to be noticed by Augustus and Charles as they pa.s.sed to the palace. The King alone was perfectly calm, and by his manner commanded every one to keep quiet. He, as well as Charles, noticed the preparations that had been made, but the Swede's courage did not fail him for a moment, neither did he lose his self-possession. He made no attempt to shorten his visit, and as Augustus was pleased to entertain him, perhaps to test his courage, his visit was a long one. He remained for half an hour at the castle, and this gave Flemming plenty of time to collect the soldiers and place them in readiness; then, fearing the King would not consent to his enemy being captured in Dresden, he despatched a detachment of cavalry to capture him on his way to Meissen.
While Charles XII. was talking with the Queen, Flemming succeeded in calling Augustus from the room. ”Your Majesty,” he exclaimed vehemently, ”this is the only moment in which we shall be able to avenge all our wrongs. Charles XII. is in your Majesty's hands.”
”Trusting to my honour,” replied Augustus, ”therefore not a hair of his head shall be hurt.”
”It would be ridiculous to show magnanimity to a man who has brought such calamities on your Majesty. I shall capture him, even if I am beheaded for so doing.”
”There is something far more important than your head to be considered in this matter,” replied the King, ”and that is my honour as a King. Do not dare to do anything of the sort!”
”Then there is nothing further for me to do than to break the sword with which I have served your Majesty.” He made a movement as he spoke, as though about to carry out his threat, but Augustus stopped him.
”Flemming,” said he, sternly, ”do not forget that I am here; that this is my business, and that no one commands here except me!”
Flemming's wrath was extreme.
”Your Majesty will lose another crown by acting thus!”
With these words he rushed away, and the King returned quietly to the Queen's apartments, where he had left his guest. Charles XII. did not even look at him as he entered, although he guessed that outside the door he had been the subject of conversation.
While this was taking place at the castle, Cosel was watching in the street, waiting to fire at Charles XII. as soon as he appeared. Zaklika endeavoured to dissuade her from her purpose, telling her that the populace would immediately rise in his defence, for Charles was a staunch protector of the Protestants. And indeed this would have been the feeling among the greater portion of the crowd now waiting in the streets.
When Charles XII. was ready to depart, Augustus ordered his own horse to be brought, so that he might accompany his guest. The streets were thronged with people, the windows were filled with curious heads, a profound silence reigned, as the two Kings rode along the streets; it seemed as though the waiting mult.i.tude held their breath, in their anxiety to catch the conversation of the riders. All eyes were turned towards Charles, who rode calmly along without exhibiting the least sign of feeling or emotion. Beside him rode Augustus, looking gloomy and thoughtful, but at the same time majestic. They turned towards the gate leading to Meissen. The King had sent orders that three cannons should be fired in honour of the Swede. When the first shot was fired, and Charles turned to express his thanks, Augustus touched his hat, and smiled indifferently. At the gate, the cannon were fired a second time.
Charles now wished to take leave of his host, but Augustus knew Flemming and his people too well not to suspect that they had prepared some ambush. He knew also that the only way in which he could protect the Swede was by accompanying him until he was out of reach of danger.
Augustus accompanied his guest to Neudorf; here they shook hands and parted. Charles XII. galloped on his way, but Augustus sat motionless for a few moments, gazing straight before him, wondering whether after all he had done well in listening to the dictates of honour.
He was still waiting there, when Flemming arrived foaming with rage.
”Your Majesty,” said he, ”doubtless thinks that Europe will admire your magnanimity, but if you imagine that it will counterbalance the imprisonment at Patkul, you are greatly mistaken. The people will laugh at such heroism.”
”Silence, Flemming,” cried the King threateningly, then turning his steed, he galloped away alone in the direction of the city.
He dismounted at the Palace of the Four Seasons, where he found Cosel even more indignant than Flemming.
”Do not come near me!” she exclaimed, sobbing. ”You have made a grievous mistake. I do not wish to see you any more. Twenty millions of money, hundreds of thousands of soldiers, the death of your officers, your own shame, all this you might have avenged, and you would not. You were afraid!”
The King threw himself on the sofa, and allowed the Countess to storm as she pleased--he did not utter a word. Only when, exhausted by pa.s.sion, she sank into an arm-chair, he remarked coldly,--
”I had no wish to stain my honour with such a revenge!”
The next day, seeing that every one reproached him for his lenity, he summoned a council of war, which being presided over by Flemming, declared that it would have been right to imprison the Swedish King, and force him to sign a fresh treaty, seeing he had so frequently violated all the laws of nations.
The King heard them in silence.