The count is threatened with the forfeiture of all his possessions unless he will change sides and join the Imperialists, and some of his estates have been already conferred upon other nobles as a punishment for the part he has taken.
"Were my husband well and free he would treat the offers with scorn, believing that the tide will turn and that he will recover his possessions.

Nor even were he certain of their perpetual forfeiture would he desert the cause of Protestantism.

Moreover, the estates which I brought him in marriage lie in the north of Pomerania, and the income there from is more than ample for our needs.

But the emperor has ordered that if the count remain contumacious Thekla shall be taken from us and placed in a convent, where she will be forced to embrace Catholicism, and will, when she comes of age, be given in marriage to some adherent of the emperor, who will with her receive the greater portion of her father's lands.
"She is now sixteen years old, and in another year will be deemed marriageable.

My heart is broken at the thought, and I can scarce see the paper on which I write for weeping.