Many of those to whom it was handed
signed it at once without reading the engagement; but one more
sober than the rest insisted on reading it through, and at once
rising to his feet, announced to the others that the important words
"as long as Wallenstein shall employ the army for the emperor's
service," which had been inserted in the first draft agreed to by
Wallenstein and the deputation, had been omitted.
A scene of noisy confusion ensued. Several of the officers declared
that they would not sign the document as it stood. General Piccolomini,
who had only attended the meeting in order that he might inform
the emperor, to whom he was devoted, of what took place there,
had drunk so much wine that he forgot the part he was playing, and
rose to his feet and with drunken gravity proposed the health of
the emperor.
Louder and louder grew the din of tongues until Count Terzky, who
was alone with Illo and Colonel Kinsky in Wallenstein's confidence,
arose, and in a thundering voice declared that all were perjured
villains who should recede from their engagement, and would,
according to their agreements be treated as enemies by the rest.
His menaces and the evident danger which any who might now draw
back would run, overcame the scruples of the recalcitrants, and
all signed the paper. This done the meeting broke up, and Malcolm,
stealing away from his post of observation, made his way back to
his lodgings.
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