250 A JACOBITE EXILE

it began. It is an affair between Saxony and the Swedes;
let them fight it out. It would be a bad day for Poland if
Augustus and the Russians were to overcome and despoil
Sweden. We want no addition of territory, for that would
be to strengthen our kings against us. We see the trouble
caused by Augustus having Saxony at his command, and
if he had other territory the country would be divided into
two parts, one of which would have nothing in common
with the other. Still less do we wish to see Russia gain
territory to the north of us. Hitherto we have thought
but little of the Muscovites, but this war has shown that
they can put great armies into the field, and the czar is
making them into a nation which may some day be for-
midable to us.

“Charles has sent every assurance that he has no ill-will
towards Poland, and is.an enemy not of the country but
of its king,—who had formed a coalition against him ina
time of profound peace,—and that his hostility will alto-
gether cease with the overthrow and expulsion of Augustus.
So you see we who live at a distance from the capital, and
hold ourselves altogether aloof from the intrigues of court,
look on at the fray as if it were one in which we have no
part or lot. If Augustus drives out the Swedes, we shall
probably have trouble with him afterwards. If Charles
drives out Augustus we shall have a fresh king, and shall
no doubt choose one upon the recommendation of Charles,
who will then march away again, leaving us to manage
our own affairs. ‘Therefore, we have no animosity what-
ever against you as a Swedish officer, but for comfort’s sake
it is better that nothing should be said of this, and that I
should introduce you to my friends simply as an English
gentleman who has rendered me the greatest possible ser-
vice.”

The countess retired to bed a short time after they had
finished their meal, and the others sat up talking until late