It was true, but Rupert only said: “Not yet, sister! But I think you ought not to make such an ado about a murderous soul. In the end you may sympathize with that wretch as well as with Maximilian, who took away our inheritance without a sting of conscience.” The Electoress grew visibly pale. It was always so when she heard the name of the man who had defeated her husband’s army at Prague. The oldest Prince, desirous of pacifying his brother, who was somewhat impetuous and outbreaking, said: “Now I will say a word for the sisters who have often expressed themselves as to Maximilian. I may not repeat what they said here, but I remember it. Believe me as to one thing. Had no battle been fought at Prague and had not Maximilian usurped our birthright, I should still have despised him from the bottom of my soul and ranked him far below Wallenstein. How basely he acted! He first suggested his removal. Then when Gustavus Adolphus had driven him into straits, he whined like a dog at Wallenstein’s door and begged for protection and assistance. But hardly is Gustavus Adolphus gone when he again begins his machinations, and continues them until Wallenstein is killed by an assassin.” “Do you seriously mean, cousin,” said the Electoral Prince, “that Maximilian was the only cause of Wallenstein’s murder?” “Not the only one, but the principal one.” Prince Ludwig now spoke: “I do not believe it. Maximilian had a hand in the game, but the Emperor is mainly responsible. What a weak successor the Emperor’s oldest son will prove!” “He is only nominally commander-in-chief of the army. The real leader is Gallas, and he has learned from his great predecessors. It almost seemed as if Tilly or Pappenheim were again leading the Imperialists, so bravely did they fight at Nordlingen, where Marshal Franz Horn was captured.” “This is also an inestimable loss for our side,” said the Electoress with a sigh. “With my own ears I have heard Gustavus Adolphus call him his right hand. As long as the Swedes had a Marshal Franz Horn and a Chancellor Oxenstjern they decided to continue the war against the Emperor and the League. But Horn has been languishing in prison for several years.” “Twenty years,” began Prince Ludwig, “the war has already lasted. If the Elector of Saxony did not continually temporize, possibly some settlement might be reached, but that vacillating gentleman thinks only of his own advantage. The Protestant cause has been left in the lurch. He does not consider our rights in treaties of peace with the Emperor. But the enraged Swedes now in his country will pay him off.” The Electoress folded her hands. “May the Almighty,” she sighed, “soon bring peace to the German Empire and restore us our rights!” Prince Ludwig replied: “Mother, we three must also play some part upon the stage of war. There is still much remaining to be done.” The wild Rupert exclaimed: “Even if peace could be made, I would not have it so until I have done something in the field.”