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Updated: June 19, 2025
Mannstein returned to Anna and Munnich with this joyful intelligence, and received orders to penetrate into the palace with twenty men, to capture the duke, and even kill him if he made resistance. Without opposition Mannstein again returned to the palace with his small band, carefully avoiding making the least noise in his approach.
When they had finished their artistic labor, they handed to Munnich the pen for his signature. He calmly took the pen, and, while affixing his signature, said with a contemptuous smile: "Was I not right? In this way it is rendered much easier for you to make of me a very respectable criminal, and I have only the trouble of writing my name! I thank you, gentlemen, for this indulgence."
"But what shall we do with this small Biron, when he is no longer the great regent?" asked Ostermann. "We will make him by a head smaller," said Munnich, laughing. "No," vehemently exclaimed Leopoldowna "no, no blood shall flow! Not with blood shall our own and our son's rights be secured! Swear this gentlemen, or I will never give my consent to the undertaking."
"I hope," proudly responded the prince, "Count Munnich will comprehend that this position, which places the whole power of the empire in the hands of him who holds it, is suitable only for the father of the emperor!" Count Munnich made no answer. Already so near the attainment of his end, he saw it again elude his grasp. Again had he labored, struggled, in vain.
No, for this time I must be present, to the vexation of Munnich, that he may not put all Russia in his pocket! The good man has such large pockets and such grasping hands!" Nodding and smiling to himself, Ostermann opened the door of the anteroom. A rapid, searching glance satisfied him that he was alone there, but his brow darkened when he observed Count Munnich's mantle lying upon a chair.
It is true the regent raised him to the post of first minister; but Ostermann, who recovered his health after the successful termination of the revolutionary enterprise, by various intrigues attained to the position of minister of foreign affairs; while to Golopkin was given the department of the interior, so that only the war department remained to the first minister, Munnich.
From Anna he came to her favorite, Baron of Courland, who did not venture to remove one whose talents had gained for him so distinguished a reputation, and who in any case might prove a very dangerous enemy. But with Count Ostermann it had gone as with Count Munnich.
I shall therefore secure my own position, both for the present and future! Confess to me, field-marshal, that these were your thoughts and calculations." "The regent, Sir Duke of Courland, has a great knowledge of human nature, and hence I dare not contradict him," said Munnich, with a constrained laugh.
He, therefore, had no longer the time to lay his request before the princess; consequently Count Ostermann had accomplished his object, and secretly triumphing, he loudly groaned and complained of his sufferings. Count Munnich took his leave. "I go now," he smilingly said, "to take my last dinner with the Duke of Courland. I shall return this night at the appointed hour.
"To represent wisdom in council," said the prince, "and for that, you are precisely the man, count." "Ah, Count Ostermann," at this moment interposed Munnich, "it is well you have come. You will be best able to tell their excellencies whether I am right or not." "Field-Marshall Munnich is always right," said Ostermann, with a pleasant smile.
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