It was not until midday that he was able to see the duke. Wallenstein
had been greatly angered as well as alarmed at the resistance which his
scheme had met with on the previous evening. He had believed that his
favours and liberality had so thoroughly attached his generals to
his person that they would have followed him willingly and without
hesitation, even in a war against the emperor, and the discovery that,
although willing to support him against deprivation from his command,
they shrunk alarmed at the idea of disloyalty to the emperor, showed
that his position was dangerous in the extreme.

He found that the signatures to the document had for the most part been
scrawled so illegibly that the writers would be able to repudiate them
if necessary, and that deceit was evidently intended. In the morning he
called together the whole of the generals, and personally received them.
After pouring out the bitterest reproaches and abuse against the court,
he reminded them of their opposition to the proposition set before them
on the previous evening, and declared that this circumstance had induced
him to retract his own promise, and that he should at once resign his
command.

The generals, in confusion and dismay, withdrew to the antechamber, and
after a short consultation returned to offer their apologies for their
conduct on the previous evening and to offer to sign anew the engagement
which bound them to him. This was done, and it now remained only for
Wallenstein to obtain the adhesion of Gallas, Altringer, and Coloredo,
which, as they held important separate commands, was necessary for the
success of his plan. Messengers were accordingly sent out at once to
request them to come instantly to Pilsen.

After this business was despatched and Wallenstein was disengaged he was
informed that Malcolm desired earnestly to speak to him on particular
business. Greatly surprised at the request, he ordered that he should be
shown in to him.

"Your excellency," Malcolm began when they were alone, "what I am about
to say may anger you, but as I trust that much advantage may arise from
my communication, I implore you to restrain your anger until you hear me
to the end, after which it will be for you to do with me as you will."

Still more surprised at this commencement, Wallenstein signed to him to
continue.

"I am, sir," Malcolm went on, "no clockmaker, although, indeed, having
worked for some time in the shop of Master Jans