Wallenstein was superstitious, and his studies in astrology gave him the belief that a much higher destiny awaited him. Here was the opportunity: he offered to raise and command a second army, in the Emperor's service. Ferdinand II. accepted the offer with joy, and sent word to Wallenstein that he should immediately proceed to enlist 20,000 men. "My army," the latter answered, "must live by what it can take: 20,000 men are not enough. I must have 50,000, and then I can demand what I want!" The threat of terrible ravage contained in these words was soon carried out. Wallenstein was tall and meagre in person. His forehead was high but narrow, his hair black and cut very short, his eyes small, dark and fiery, and his complexion yellow. His voice was harsh and disagreeable: he never smiled, and spoke only when it was necessary. He usually dressed in scarlet, with a leather jerkin, and wore a long red feather on his hat. There was something cold, mistrustful and mysterious in his appearance, yet he possessed unbounded power over his soldiers, whom he governed with severity and rewarded splendidly. There are few more interesting personages in German history. CHAPTER XXVIII. TILLY, WALLENSTEIN AND GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS. (1625--1634.) The Winter of 1625--6. --Wallenstein's Victory. --Mansfeld's Death. --Tilly defeats Christian IV. --Wallenstein's Successes in Saxony, Brandenburg and Holstein. --Siege of Stralsund. --The Edict of Restitution. --Its Effects. --Wallenstein's Plans. --Diet at Ratisbon. --Wallenstein's Removal. --Arrival of Gustavus Adolphus. --His Positions and Plans. --His Character. --Cowardice of the Protestant Princes. --Tilly sacks Magdeburg. --Decision of Gustavus Adolphus. --Tilly's Defeat at Leipzig. --Bohemia invaded. --Gustavus at Frankfort. --Defeat and Death of Tilly. --Gustavus in Munich. --Wallenstein restored. --His Conditions. --He meets Gustavus at Nuremberg. --He invades Saxony. --Battle of Lützen. --Death of Gustavus Adolphus. --Wallenstein's Retreat. --Union of Protestant Princes with Sweden. --Protestant Successes. --Secret Negotiations with Wallenstein. --His Movements. --Conspiracy against him. --His Removal. --His March to Eger. --His Assassination. [Sidenote: 1626. WALLENSTEIN.]