Alighting at the door of the colonel's quarters, he led Thekla to
his apartments. The colonel received him with the greatest cordiality
and welcomed Thekla with a kindness which soon put her at her ease,
for now that the danger was past she was beginning to feel keenly
the strangeness of her position.
She remembered Colonel Munro perfectly, as he and the other officers
of the regiment had been frequently at her father's during the stay
of the regiment at Maintz. The colonel placed her at once in charge
of the wife of one of the principal citizens, who upon hearing that
she was the daughter of the Count of Mansfeld, well known for his
attachment to the Protestant cause, willingly received her, and
offered to retain her as her guest until an opportunity should
occur for sending her on to Nuremberg, should Malcolm not be able
at once to continue his journey to that city.
"That," Colonel Munro said as soon as Malcolm informed him of
the extremely important information he had gained, "is out of the
question. Your news is of supreme importance, it alters the whole
course of events, and offers hopes of an early termination of the
struggle. There is no doubt that Wallenstein is in earnest now,
for he has committed himself beyond reparation. The only question
is whether he can carry the army with him. However, it is clear
that you must ride with all haste to Oxenstiern with your tidings;
not a moment must be lost.
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