Munnich had turned very pale while the duke was thus speaking, and a

sombre inquietude was depicted on his features.

"I know not," he stammered, with embarrassment.

"But I know!" thundered the duke, "and in your terror-struck face I

read the confirmation of what I have said. Look in the glass, sir count,

and you will make no further attempt at denial."

"But the question here is not about what I might have once thought, but

of what you promised me. Your highness, I have made my first request!

It is for you to grant it. I implore your on the strength of your ducal

word to name me as the generalissimo of your troops!"

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"No, never!" exclaimed the duke.

"You gave me your word!"

"I gave it as Duke of Courland! The regent is not bound by the promise

of the duke."

"I made you regent!"

"And I do not make you generalissimo!"

"You forfeit your word of honor?"

"No, ask something else, and I will grant it. But this is not feasible.

I must myself be the generalissimo of my own troops, or I should no

longer be the ruler! Ask, therefore, for something else."

Munnich was silent. His features indicated a frightful commotion, and

his bosom heaved violently.

"I have nothing further to ask," said he, after a pause.

"But, I will confer upon you a favor without your asking it!" proudly

responded the duke. "Count Munnich, I confirm you in your offices and

dignities, and, to prove to you my unlimited confidence, you shall

continue to be what you were under the Empress Anna, field-marshal in

the Russian army!"

"I thank you, sir duke," calmly replied Munnich. "It is very noble in

you that you do not send me into banishment for my presumptuous demand."

Clasping the offered hand of the duke, he respectfully pressed it to his

lips.

"And now go, to kiss the hand of the young emperor, that you may not be

accused of disrespect," smilingly added Biron; "one must always preserve

appearances."

Munnich silently bowed, while walking backward toward the door.

"We part as friends?" asked the duke, nodding an adieu.

"As friends for life and death!" said Munnich, with a smile.

But no sooner had the door closed behind him than the smile vanished

from his features, and was replaced by an expression of furious rage.

He threateningly shook his fist toward the door which separated him from

the duke, and with convulsively compressed lips and grating teeth he

said: "Yes, we now part as friends, but we shall yet meet as enemies! I

shall remember this hour, sir duke, and shall do my best to prevent your

forgetting it. Ah, you have not sent me to Siberia, but I will send you

there! And now to the Emperor Ivan. I shall there meet his parents, the

shamefully-slighted Ulrich of Brunswick, and his wife Anna Leopoldowna.

I think they will welcome me."




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