after the issue of the masqued
ball, and of so many other public denunciations, that The Masque would keep his
word to the letter.
    It followed of necessity that everybody was on the tiptoe of suspense, and
that the interest hanging upon the issue of this night's events swallowed up all
other anxieties, of whatsoever nature. Even the battle which was now daily
expected between the Imperial and Swedish armies ceased to occupy the hearts and
conversation of the citizens. Domestic and public concerns alike gave way to the
coming catastrophe so solemnly denounced by The Masque.
    The Landgrave alone maintained a gloomy reserve, and the expression of a
haughty disdain. He had resolved to meet the summons with the liveliest
expression of defiance, by fixing this evening for a second masqued ball, upon a
greater scale than the first. In doing this he acted advisedly, and with the
counsel of his Swedish allies. They represented to him that the issue of the
approaching battle might be relied upon as pretty nearly certain; all the
indications were indeed generally thought to promise a decisive turn in their
favour; but, in the worst case, no defeat of the Swedish army in this war had
ever been complete; that the bulk of the retreating army, if the Swedes should
be obliged to retreat, would take the road to Klosterheim, and would furnish to
himself a garrison capable of holding the city for many months to come (and that
would not fail to bring many fresh chances to all of them), whilst to his new
and cordial allies this course would offer a secure retreat from pursuing
enemies, and a satisfactory proof of his own fidelity. This even in the worst
case; whereas, in the better and more probable one, of a victory to the Swedes,
to maintain the city but for a day or two longer against internal conspirators,
and the secret co-operators outside, would be in effect to ratify any victory
which the Swedes might gain by putting into their hands at a critical moment one
of its most splendid trophies and guarantees.
    These counsels fell too much into the Landgrave's own way of thinking to
meet with any demurs from him. It was agreed, therefore, that as many Swedish
troops as could at this important moment be spared should be introduced into the
halls and saloons of the castle on the eventful evening, disguised as masquers.
These were about four hundred; and other arrangements were made, equally
mysterious, and some of them known only to the Landgrave.
    At seven o'clock, as on the former occasion, the company began to assemble.
The same rooms were thrown