alists, and my dear husband was grievously wounded
in the defence. He was brought hither a prisoner, and Thekla and I also
carried here. As the count still lies ill with his wounds he is not
placed in a prison, but we are treated as captives and a close watch
is kept upon us. The count is threatened with the forfeiture of all his
possessions unless he will change sides and join the Imperialists, and
some of his estates have been already conferred upon other nobles as a
punishment for the part he has taken.

"Were my husband well and free he would treat the offers with scorn,
believing that the tide will turn and that he will recover his
possessions. Nor even were he certain of their perpetual forfeiture
would he desert the cause of Protestantism. Moreover, the estates which
I brought him in marriage lie in the north of Pomerania, and the income
there from is more than ample for our needs. But the emperor has ordered
that if the count remain contumacious Thekla shall be taken from us and
placed in a convent, where she will be forced to embrace Catholicism,
and will, when she comes of age, be given in marriage to some adherent
of the emperor, who will with her receive the greater portion of her
father's lands.

"She is now sixteen years old, and in another year will be deemed
marriageable. My heart is broken at the thought, and I can scarce see
the paper on which I write for weeping. I know not why I send to you,
nor does the count know that I am writing, nor does it seem possible
that any aid can come to us, seeing that we are here in the heart
of Bohemia, and that Wallenstein's army lies between us and you. But
somehow in my heart I have a hope that you may aid us, and at any rate I
know that you will sympathize with us greatly. I feel sure that if there
be any mode in which we may be aided it will be seized by your ready
wit. And now adieu! This letter will be brought to you by a messenger
who will be hired by a woman who attends us, and who has a kind heart
as well as an eye to her own interests. Send back by the messenger
some token which she may pass on to me, that I may know that you have
received it. Send no written answer, for the danger is too great."

Malcolm twisted off two or three links of the chain which had long
before been presented to him by the count, and then, until relieved from
duty, paced up and down, slowly revolving in his mind what could best
be done to aid his friends. His mind was at last mad