Louisa of Prussia and Her Times

w police minister, Count von Saurau, who had given him an account of the safe removal of th

ngary both will be safe enough, for I think I have intimidated the H

ered there, two years ago," said Count Saurau, smiling, "

ble and obedient since the day they saw Hebenstreit, the commander of the garrison, on the scaffold, and Baron Riedel, the tutor of the imperial children, at the pillory. And the Hungarians, too, have learned to bow their heads ever since the five noble conspirators were beheaded on the Generalwiese, in front of the citadel of Ofen. Believe me, count, that day has contributed more to the submissiveness of Hungary than all the favors and privileges which the Emperors of Austria have bestowed upon the Magyars. Nations are always frivolous and impudent children: he who tries to educate them tenderly is sure to spoil them;

unt Saurau, "and perhaps he may get into our meshes on s

ent such things on the spot," Count Thugut excla

as accustomed to such insults at the hands of the powerful and proud prime minister, and everybody knew that Thugut, the son of a poor ship-bui

on me," said the police minister, after a short pause. "I believe we have discovered another conspiracy h

yfully-"tell me at once what it is! A

rtant conspiracy! A conspiracy

nch Republic. It would have been a splendid example for all those hare-brained fools who are so fond of repeating the three talismanic words of the republican regicides, and who are crazy with delight when talking of Li

desires which the senseless reforms of the Emperor Joseph have stirred up, are still prevalent, and the people only submit with reluctance and with spiteful feelings to the reforms which your excellency has inaugurated with a view to the best interests of Austria. Abr

me tell you, my dear little count, I really fancy that my person has nothing to fear either from daggers, or from pistols, or from poisoned cups. Do you believe in a Providence, count? Ah!-you look surprised, and wonder how such a question could fall from infidel lips like mine. Yes, yes, I am an infidel, and I honestly confess that the heaven of Mohammed, where you are smoking your chibouk, seated on cushions of clouds, while houris, radiant with beauty

?" asked Saurau. "I pray your excellency to tell m

dence has created me to be useful to Austria, and to be her bulwark against the surging waves of the revolution, and against the victorious legions of General Bonaparte. I am an instrument of Providence, and therefore it will protect m

s whatever are to be taken against the crimina

possible of the fate of these criminals. The public punishment of an assassin who failed to strike me, only instigates ten others to try if they cannot hit me better. But the noiseless disappearance of a culprit fills their cowardly souls with horror and dismay, and the ten men shrink back from the intended deed, merely because they do not know in what manner their eleventh accomplice has expiated his crime. The disappearance of prisoners, the oubliettes, are just what is needed. You must quietly remove your enemies and adversaries-it must seem as if some hidden aby

e Venice, too, into the pale of his Italian republics. The city is full of French emissaries, who, by means of the most eloquent and insidious appeals, try to bring about a rising of

eyes and ears toward the window. A confused

e wide street extending from the Kohlmarkt to the minister's palace. A vast mass of heads, broad shoulders, and uplifted arms,

to pay me a visit," said Thugut, with great composure. "Just listen how the fel

the police minister, angrily. "Your e

nd took his hat, but Thugut's

going, count?"

ask him why he permits this nonsense, and order him

give the prime minister their good advice, and tell him what they think of the state of affairs. Just give them this permission, and they will believe they have performed a most heroic deed, and it will seem to them as if they could boa

e ministerial palace, the front door of which had been locked and barred already by the cautious porter. Vigorous fists hammered violently against the door, and as an acco

rthrow you and me, that wants to make peace with France at any price, and to keep Belgium united with Austria-this party has hired the villains below to

"Compel ME!" sai

er than ever, and the shout-"Peace

blows against the front d

imed the police minister, perfectly beside himself

t any longer. This is my breakfast-hour, and I invite

ron Thugut was in the habit of keeping every day open table for seven uninvited guests, and his intimate acquaintances, as well as

ind the chairs. Well aware of their master's stern and indomitable spirit, they occupied their usual places, but their faces were very pale, and their eyes t

is chair at the upper end of the table and bec

ily opened, and the steward, pale and with