And, in the best event, his Highness could now look for
nothing from their love. All might be reckoned for lost that could not be
extorted by force.
    This state of things had been brought about by the dreadful Masque,
seconded, no doubt, by those whom he had emboldened and aroused within; and, as
the climax and crowning injury of the whole, every day unfolded more and more
the vast importance which Klosterheim would soon possess as the centre and key
of the movements to be anticipated in the coming campaign. An electoral cap
would perhaps reward the services of the Landgrave in the general pacification,
if he could present himself at the German Diet as the possessor de facto of
Klosterheim and her territorial dependencies, and with some imperfect possession
de jure; still more, if he could plead the merit of having brought over this
state, so important from local situation, as a willing ally to the Swedish
interest. But to this a free vote of the city was an essential preliminary; and
from that, through the machinations of The Masque, he was now further than ever.
    The temper of the Prince began to give way under these accumulated
provocations. An enemy for ever aiming his blows with the deadliest effect; for
ever stabbing in the dark; yet charmed and consecrated from all retaliation;
always met with, never to be found! The Landgrave ground his teeth, clenched his
fists, with spasms of fury. He quarrelled with his ministers; swore at the
officers; cursed the sentinels; and the story went through Klosterheim that he
had kicked Adorni.
    Certain it was, under whatever stimulus, that Adorni put forth much more
zeal at last for the apprehension of The Masque. Come what would, he publicly
avowed that six days more should not elapse without the arrest of this ruler of
Klosterheim by night. He had a scheme for the purpose, a plot baited for snaring
him; and he pledged his reputation as a minister and an intriguer upon its
entire success.
    On the following day, invitations were issued by Adorni, in his Highness's
name, to a masqued ball on that day week. The fashion of masqued entertainments
had been recently introduced from Italy into this sequestered nook of Germany;
and here, as there, it had been abused to purposes of criminal intrigue.
    Spite of the extreme unpopularity of the Landgrave with the low and middle
classes of the city, among the highest his little court still continued to
furnish a central resort to the rank and high blood, converged in such unusual
proportion within the walls of Klosterheim. The schloss was still looked to as
the