Part 38 (2/2)
But as Gotzkowsky gave him a more detailed account, and related the sacrilegious barbarity which did not spare even the sacred art-treasures, the king's brow became more darkened, and for a moment a burning flush of anger shot across his pale cheek. At one time he raised his arm threateningly, as if he would bring down the thunderbolts of heaven upon such wickedness and ruthlessness.
As Gotzkowsky finished, the king said, curtly and vehemently, ”Good, very good!” and traversing the room with hasty steps, he threw open the door which led into the antechamber, and called out, ”Saldern!”
Immediately General von Saldern appeared at the open door. The king commanded him to enter and shut the door; then, addressing him in a short, decisive tone: ”Go to-morrow, quietly, with a detachment of infantry and cavalry, to Hubertsburg, take possession of the castle, and have all the valuable furniture carefully inventoried and packed up. I will have none of it. The money obtained from its ransom will be turned over to the Lazaretto, and I will not forget you.”
There was a pause. General von Saldern remained at the door motionless, in stiff military att.i.tude.
The king looked at him with astonishment. ”Well! did you hear?”
”Yes, your majesty, I heard. But, may it please your majesty, this is against my honor and my oath.”
The king compelled himself to be composed, for he loved General Saldern as a brave and n.o.ble officer. ”You would be right,” said he, ”if I did not use this desperate means to a good object. But let me tell you, the head of the great lord does not feel it if you tear out the hair of his subjects. You must hit, then, where it hurts him; and that I intend to do. The Elector of Saxony shall find out how it feels when one's most cherished possession is destroyed. We will teach him to be humane, and behave himself. Go, therefore, to Hubertsburg, and do as I told you.”
General von Saldern turned pale, and his countenance was expressive of deep suffering, as he answered gravely and firmly: ”Your majesty may send me right off to attack the enemy and his batteries, and I will obey with my whole heart; but against my honor, my oath, and my duty, I cannot, dare not act.”
The king stamped with his foot, and his eye flashed with threatening anger.
”You must obey, as is your duty; you are bound to obey no other voice than that of your king who commands you,” said he with a voice of thunder.
General Saldern answered, calmly: ”But, sire, I must obey the voice of my honor! Your majesty can easily transfer this commission to another.”
The king turned from him with an involuntary frown, and, walking up and down hastily, he stopped near Saldern, and laid his hand gently on his shoulder. ”Look ye, Saldern, obey--go to Hubertsburg.”
”I cannot, sire!”
”You do not desire to enrich yourself?” said the king, as he turned away. ”Do you wish your discharge? I have no use for soldiers who do not consider obedience their first duty.”
”I herewith ask for my discharge, sire!”
”You have it--go!”[5]
Without saying a word, General von Saldern made a military obeisance, and left the room.
”You go too!” said the king to Gotzkowsky, who had been a silent, involuntary spectator of this scene--”go and tell my adjutant to send Quintus Icilius to me.”
In a few minutes Major Quintus Icilius entered. ”Go to Hubertsburg with a detachment of infantry and cavalry, and clear out the castle.”
Major Quintus Icilius took good heed not to contradict the king. He had already, in the antechamber, heard of General von Saldern's fate, and he was not indisposed to execute the king's commission.
”Only a hundred thousand dollars you hand over to the Lazaretto, the rest you can keep for yourself.”
”As you command, sire! Shall I proceed at once?”
The king cast a look of disgust on him. ”Are you in such a hurry to be rich?” said he. ”Go--I will appoint the time and the hour more particularly.”[6]
When the king was alone again, he paced up and down the room in deep thought. At one time he stopped at the window, and his bright blue eyes were turned mournfully toward heaven. ”Poor fools that we are!”
said he, with a sigh. ”We have only a moment to live, and we make this moment as bitter as possible to each other. We take pleasure in destroying the master-pieces of industry and art, at the same time we are erecting an accursed monument to our own devastation and our cruelty.”[7]
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