It's a rare trap this, I can tell you."
The news heightened Malcolm's uneasiness. The capture of Duke
Bernhard, the most brilliant of the German generals on the Protestant
side, would be a heavy blow indeed to the cause, and leaving his
supper untasted Malcolm walked up and down his cell in a fever of
rage at his impotence to prevent so serious a disaster.
At last he ate his supper, and then threw himself upon the straw,
but he was unable to sleep. The death of Wallenstein had made
a deep impression upon him. The Imperialist general was greatly
respected by his foes. Not only was he admired for his immense
military talents, but he carried on the war with a chivalry and
humanity which contrasted strongly with the ferocity of Tilly,
Pappenheim, and Piccolomini. Prisoners who fell into his hands
were always treated with courtesy, and although, from motives of
policy, he placed but little check upon the excesses of his soldiery,
no massacres, such as those which had caused the names of Tilly and
Pappenheim to be held in abhorrence by the Protestants of Germany,
were associated with that of Wallenstein. Then, too, the princely
dignity and noble presence of the duke had greatly impressed
the young soldier, and the courtesy with which he had treated him
personally had attracted his liking as well as respect. To think
that this great general, this princely noble, the man who alone had
baffled the Lion of the North, had been foully murdered by those
he had trusted and favoured, filled him with grief and indignation,
the more so since two of the principal assassins were Scotchmen.
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