t you were already old and
in your twenty years of waiting ought to have learned a little prudence!
But you had learned nothing at all and could not wait, and gave me up with
wild impatience because I would not be guilty of criminal disrespect
toward my father."

"Most gracious sir, you cut me to the quick! Each of your words is a
dagger aimed right at my heart. Let me go; let it bleed in solitude and
retirement."

And old von Burgsdorf turned and went to the door.

"Stay there!" called out the Elector in commanding tone, arising from his
seat and standing proudly erect. Burgsdorf, who had just laid his hand
upon the door latch, let it glide down, and stood abashed and humble.

"You gave me up and forsook me that time in Berlin," continued Frederick
William, "scolded and upbraided me, merely because I wished to learn and
wait. That proves to me that you have never learned and never waited.
Learn now, Colonel Conrad von Burgsdorf. Withdraw into that window recess,
and wait until I speak to you again and tell you my decision with regard
to you." And once more the Elector opened the door of the antechamber and
called Chamberlain Werner von Schulenburg into his cabinet.

III.--DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS.

"Schulenburg," said the Elector to the advancing chamberlain, "you will
set out immediately. Go to Berlin and inform the Stadtholder in the Mark,
Count von Schwarzenberg, of my father's death. Announce to his excellency
that it is my urgent and pressing request, that he continue to burden
himself with the duties of the Stadtholdership."

An involuntary growl issued from the window where Burgsdorf was stationed.
The Elector took no notice of it, and proceeded: "Moreover, request the
Stadtholder in my name to write to me immediately, advising me what to do
with regard to the Regensburg Diet, because we can not now with the
required dispatch rightly apprehend and maturely consider the matter on
account of our great affliction."[36]

A second growl issued from the window, and called a slight, passing smile
to Frederick William's face.

"Then," continued the Elector, "notify the Stadtholder that I shall he
glad to retain the present governors and garrisons of the forts; but that
it would please me if we could inflict some injury upon the enemy at one
place or the other; but, mindful of his hitherto glorious and successful
management, I feel that I need only direct his attention in a special
manner to the fortresses."