Page:History of the Thirty Years' War - Gindely - Volume 1.djvu/153

 tenstein, Z̃erotín, and a considerable portion of the Catholic nobility had come together for the approaching Diet. Their spirits, already depressed, were made still sadder by Náchod’s unsuccessful attempt, and they deemed it best to soothe the enemy by friendly advances. When the company of nobles on their way from Znaim had approached within about seven miles of Brünn, they saw a procession of the Catholic nobility coming from the city to greet them, which they regarded as less an act of civility than a recognition of their inceptive power. Arrived in Brünn, the Protestant Estates took, in the public square, an oath that they would, at the cost of property and blood, stand together in the defence of their cause. On the same day, or the day following, came the news in Brünn that Waldstein had attempted a stroke similar to that of Náchod, and had in like manner failed.

On the next day the Estates went to the lodgings of the Cardinal and asked him whether he, as the General appointed by the Diet for the defence of the land, had been privy to the defection of Náchod and Waldstein. Before the Cardinal had time to protest his innocence, some noblemen threatened him with the fate of the Bohemian Regents, and pointed to the window where he might be thrown out. Dietrichstein was frightened to death, and averred with the exaggeration which his fright inspired that he had had no suspicion of the intention of the two colonels, much less any complicity with them. He was willing to lay down his command, that the Estates might provide at pleasure for their defence, and promised that he would obligate himself with them to fidelity and firmness. The humble assurances of this ecclesiastical prince, hitherto so proud and defiant, banished the thoughts of murder, if such had indeed really been entertained, and