ntlemen will do likewise. Count Graevenitz, I hold the first court
charge, and I command you to depart.' It was true; at Ludwigsburg the
Landhofmeisterin was entitled to command even the ministers, by reason of
her high official capacity. She rose from her knees and looked yearningly
at the lover of her youth.

'Will Serenissimus recover?' she whispered.

'Without a doubt now, your Excellency,' returned the physician.

She was passing out when her eye caught sight of the red-stained cloth
with which they had stanched the blood from Eberhard Ludwig's arm.
Tenderly she lifted it; it seemed to her that it was heavy with her
beloved's lifeblood--a precious relic. She carried it away through the
quiet, sunlit gardens. It was partly a despairing woman's whim, an
absurdity, and partly she was prompted by her magic practices to take the
cloth. There was an infallible life elixir and a powerful love potion,
one of whose ingredients was the blood of the loved one. She would brew
this mixture, Eberhard Ludwig should drink it, then the old happiness
would return. He would be strong and well again, and with health would
come love and happiness.

The Graevenitz's witch practices had long been an eyesore to his Highness.
In the first place, he feared magic exceedingly, and knowing the
Landhofmeisterin's extraordinary magnetic power, he believed entirely in
her witchcraft. Friedrich Wilhelm had thoroughly alarmed his Highness;
doubtless a curse rested on him for his sin. Surely, thus to harbour an
avowed witch would inevitably draw down the wrath of God, and 'we princes
must make personal sacrifices for State reasons.' Then too Eberhard
Ludwig, having ceased to love the Graevenitz, was in a propitious mood for
returning to duty.

When the Duke regained consciousness he found himself with the kindly
court physician, who told him of the Landhofmeisterin's visit, and of how
it had been her touch on his hand which had first roused him from his
swoon. The good man prated amiably to his Highness, thinking to please
him, but the Duke's face grew dark. The physician had seen her
Excellency's care of his Highness during his illness in the preceding
autumn, and had been deeply impressed by her charm which she had chosen
to exercise upon him.

At this moment the Duke's valets entered to remove the blood-filled bowl
and the cloth used to stanch the blood, these having been left by the
physician's orders, as it was imperative for Serenissimus