I have also written you a letter to the commander
of any Swedish force which may enter this town, telling him who
you are, and praying him to forward you under an escort to Nuremberg."
"But what shall I do without you?" Thekla sobbed.
"I trust, my dear, that you will not have to do without me, and feel
convinced that tomorrow we shall be upon our way to the Swedish
outposts. I only give you instructions in case of the worst.
It troubles me terribly that I am forced to do anything which may
possibly deprive you of my protection, but my duty to the country
I serve compels me to take this step, which is one of supreme
importance to our cause."
It was long before Thekla was pacified, and Malcolm himself was
deeply troubled at the thought that the girl might be left alone
and unprotected in a strange place. Still there appeared every
probability that she would be able to remain there in safety until
an opportunity should occur for her to make her way to Nuremberg. It
was with a heavy heart, caused far more by the thought of Thekla's
position than of danger to himself, that he took his way to the
castle; but he felt that his duty was imperative, and was at heart
convinced that Wallenstein would eagerly embrace his offer.
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.
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