Part 43 (1/2)
”Yes, that is true,” said Scharuhorst, ”Field-Marshal Kalkreuth did so, and it is no fault of his that Baron von Stein, with his friends, one of whom I happen to be, was not secretly seized and carried off by the French. Fortunately, dear Count St. Marsan did not believe the field-marshal who betrayed his German countryman.
The French amba.s.sador allowed himself to be deceived by the stillness that reigned in the garret, which, according to the statement Kalkreuth made to him, was inhabited by dangerous Minister von Stein.” [Footnote: Beitzke, vol. i., p. 170.]
”Well, and this man, the head of the French party, they wish to appoint general-in-chief of the Silesian army,” said Blucher, mournfully. ”Amelia, pack up our traps; let us return to Kunzendorf.”
”But Field-Marshal Kalkreuth has not yet been appointed,” Said Scharnhorst, smiling; ”I believe his two compet.i.tors have as good-- nay, better prospects than he has.”
”It is true, I forgot the second compet.i.tor,” grumbled Blucher. ”Who is it?”
”It is Lieutenant-General Count Tauentzien, in whom the Emperor Alexander takes a great deal of interest.”
”Of course,” said Blucher, sarcastically, ”he is a count, and he has such a polish, and courtly manners; he knows how to flatter the sovereigns, and tell them only what is agreeable. But now, you yourself must admit, Scharnhorst, that it is best for me to set out immediately for Kunzendorf, and that I have no prospects--none whatever! The two sovereigns, the king and emperor, alone will make the appointment, will they not?”
”Of course, they alone!”
”Well, each of them has a candidate of his own. The emperor is in favor of Count Tauentzien, and the king is for Field-Marshal Kalkreuth. Who, then, is to think of and speak for me?”
”Your glory will speak for you, general,” said Scharnhorst, feelingly; ”the love which every soldier feels for you will speak, and you will speak for yourself by your n.o.ble appearance--your self- reliant bearing, your energy and strength, which do not shrink from truth. Come, let us get ready for the ball, and, my friend, do not impose any restraint upon yourself there; give the reins to your discontent; tell every one frankly and bluntly that you are dissatisfied--that you ardently desire to be appointed general-in- chief, and that you would consider it a great misfortune if another man should be preferred to you.”
”But, dear general,” exclaimed Madame von Blucher, in dismay, ”how can you give Blucher such advice? You know how hot-headed and rash he is! He will rave about so, that the king and the emperor themselves will hear him.”
”Well,” said Scharnhorst, smiling, ”it is sometimes very well that there should be a man courageous enough to tell the kings and emperors the truth, and prove to them that mankind do not always fawn upon them with polite submissiveness.”
”Scharnhorst is right,” exclaimed Blucher, suddenly straightening himself; ”yes, I will go to the ball, and tell them there at least what sort of men those are whom they wish to appoint, and what we may expect from them. They shall not afterward excuse themselves by saying that they were not forewarned, and that no one had called their attention to Blucher. I will do it myself--yes, thunder and lightning! I will remind them of Blucher, and they shall hear and understand me.”
”Well,” cried Madame von Blucher, ”I beg permission to stay at home, for Blucher will have a scene, at which I do not wish to be present.”
”Oh, no, there will be no scene whatever,” said Blucher. ”I shall make my obeisance to their majesties and then step aside, but of course I am not to keep altogether still, and--well, you know my motto, 'At them!' [Footnote: ”Immer drauf:”] Well, then, 'at them!'
Let us go to the bail. You must accompany me, Amelia, there is no help for it; for it may be necessary for you to bring me back to reason. You know well that no one but you can do that.”
”I am sure, madame, you will not abandon us at this critical hour?”
begged Scharnhorst. ”You do not desire his guardian angel to leave him?”
”Yes, I will go with you,” she said, smiling, ”if for no other purpose than to restrain my fiery thunderer in proper time.”
”Well, it may not be of any avail,” said Blucher, dryly. ”By Heaven!
I must unbosom myself a little to-day--I must tell them the truth, which no one here at Breslau likes to hear.--Well, Amelia, do me the favor to turn toward the window. I wish to take off my dressing-gown and pat on my uniform coat--then I am dressed; only my coat is wanting; it lies on the chair yonder; wait until I have put it on, and then we shall ride to the ball. I will call John to a.s.sist me.”
”Do not call any one,” said Scharnhorst, ”but permit me to a.s.sist you. Here is the coat.”
”And here I am,” cried Blucher, throwing off the dressing-gown and quickly plunging into the coat which Scharnhorst handed him.
”But now listen, general,” said Scharnhorst, handing Blucher the sword and belt. ”As you arc so very amiable and kind, I will tell you good news. Gneisenau will be here to-morrow.”
”What? Is he no longer in England?” asked Blucher, joyously.
”No, he is in Germany, and, as he wrote to me, will arrive to-morrow at the latest. He landed nearly a week ago from a Swedish s.h.i.+p at Colberg, where he was received with enthusiasm. The whole city was illuminated on the evening of his arrival, and the citizens marched in procession to his lodgings. [Footnote: Beitzke, vol. i., p. 196.]
You see the old hatred and the old love are still alive in the people; they have not forgotten their oppressors, nor their heroes either.”