Church militant, and God strengthened my heart and enlightened my mind, and he gave me power over men to guide the threads of their fate. I have often held a fearful and demoniacal power; but my good angel has not failed me, the hellish power has served heaven, as the gigantic power of steam obeys the pressure of the human hand. And ought I to hesitate and doubt," he cried passionately, "in the choice of the weapons whereby the victory, the great and holy victory, may be won? ought I to throw away the power I have gained over the enemy, and make myself and the cause I serve the laughing-stock of the world? Oh! I fear not the powers of hell, this hand is strong enough to bend them to my will, and in the name of God to compel the evil ones to work his good pleasure!" The abbé looked with admiration at the count's perfect and animated face. "Forgive me, my master," he said humbly, "if I doubted; and do not withdraw your strong hand from me, to guide and to support." The count held out his hand. "Your powers, too, will be steeled in the battle," he said, "but never forget that though man, the weak and sinful creature, may venture to wield these weapons, only he has a right to seize them who renounces all, that he may live and die an instrument to increase the glory of God!" The door opened, Herr Balzer entered. He saluted the count with his usual vulgar familiarity, and the shameless confidence habitual to him. The count responded by a proud inclination of the head, and looked at him coldly. "You wished to speak to me, count," said Herr Balzer, "how can I serve you?" "I hope our conversation will be short," replied the count, "I have a proposal to make to you which you will accept, as it will free you from a very bad position." Herr Balzer was alarmed at the severe, decided tone in which the count spoke to him. His confidence seemed to give way a little. "A proposal?" he said with surprise; then he added with a vulgar laugh, "I always like to hear proposals, especially if acceptable." "I wish your wife to be perfectly free," said the count shortly. "That will be a little difficult!" cried Herr Balzer with a look of satisfaction, "a separation--she must turn Protestant, and the scandal----" "She would be free--as a widow," said the count. Herr Balzer sprang backwards from the speaker. He looked round anxiously, then he gazed into the count's calm face, and said, with a constrained smile: "You jest, sir?" "Certainly not," said the count; "you will have the goodness to listen to me quietly and without interruption, and I do not doubt that you will perfectly agree with me." Herr Balzer seemed not to know what he thought of this strange calm man, but he bent his head as an intimation that he was willing to hear. In the simplest way in the world the count proceeded: