"Notwithstanding my pessimism," said Roland, "I still think so well of my countrymen as to believe there are many such. Not to make any recommendation to those so much better qualified to judge than I, but merely to give a sample, I mention the Grand Duke Karl of Hesse, who fulfills every requirement I have named."
For what seemed to the onlookers a tense period of suspense, the old man seated and the young man standing gazed intently at one another. Mayence knew at once that in some manner unknown to him the Prince had fathomed his intentions; that his Highness alone knew why the Election had been delayed, yet the Prince conveyed this knowledge directly to the person most concerned, in the very presence of those whom Mayence desired to keep ignorant, without giving them the slightest hint anent the actual state of affairs.
The favorable opinion which the Archbishop had originally formed of Roland in Ehrenfels during this conference became greatly augmented.
Even the most austere of men is more or less susceptible to flattery, and yet in flattering him Roland had managed to convey his own sincerity in this laudation.
"We will suppose the Grand Duke Karl elected," Mayence said at last.
"What then?"
"Why then, my Lord, the three differing bodies of troops at present occupying Frankfort would be withdrawn, and the danger line crossed over to the right side."
Mayence now asked a question that in his own mind was crucial. Once more he would tempt the young man to state plainly what he actually knew.
"Can your Highness give us any reason why you fear danger from the presence of troops commanded by three friendly men like my colleagues and myself?"
"My fear is that the hands of one or the other of you may be forced, and I can perhaps explain my apprehension better by citing an incident to which I have already alluded. I had not the slightest intention of burning Castle Furstenberg, but suddenly my hand was forced. I was responsible for the safety of my men. I hesitated not for one instant to fire the Castle. Of the peaceful intentions of my Lords the Archbishops there can be no question, but at any moment a street brawl between the soldiers, say, of Cologne and Treves, may bring on a crisis that can only be quelled by bloodshed. Do you see my point?"
"Yes, your Highness, I do, and your point is well taken. I repose such confidence in our future Emperor that voluntarily I shall withdraw my troops from Frankfort at once. Furthermore, I shall open the Rhine, by sending along its banks the ultimatum you propose, not supported by my army, but supported by the name of the Archbishop of Mayence, and I shall be interested to know what Baron on the Rhine dare flout that t.i.tle. Will you accept my aid, Prince Roland?"
"I accept it, my Lord, with deep grat.i.tude, knowing that it will prove effective."
His Lordship rose in his place.
"I said this was not an Electoral Court. I rise to announce my mistake.
We Electors here gathered together form a majority. I propose to you the name of Prince Roland, son of our late Emperor."
"My Lord, my Lord!" cried Roland, raising his hand, "you do not know all."
"Patient Heaven!" cried the irritated Archbishop, "you make too much of us as father confessors. Do not tell us now you have been guilty of a.s.sa.s.sination!"
"No, my Lord, but you should know that I have married the Lady Hildegunde, Countess von Sayn, whom you have already rejected as Empress."
"Well, if you have accepted the dame, the balance is redressed. I am not sure but you made an excellent choice."
It was now the turn of the amazed Archbishop of Cologne to rise to his feet.
"What his Highness says is impossible. The Lady von Sayn has been in my care ever since she entered Frankfort, and I pledge my word she has never left my Palace!"
"We were married yesterday at three o"clock, in the chapel of the Benedictine Fathers, and in the presence of four of them. We left your Palace, my Lord, by a door which you may discover in the wall of your garden, near the summer-house, and my wife is present in the adjoining room to implore your forgiveness."
Cologne collapsed into his chair, and drew a hand across his bewildered brow. The situation appeared to amuse Mayence.
"I wish your Highness had withheld this information until I was sure that my brother of Treves will vote with me, as he promised. My Lord of Treves, you heard my proposition. May I count on your concurrence?"
Treves" house of cards fell so suddenly to the ground that under the compelling eyes of Mayence he could do no more than stammer his acquiescence.
"I vote for the Prince," he said in tones barely audible.
"And you, my Lord of Cologne?"
"Aye," said Cologne gruffly.
"The Count Palatine?"
"Yes," thundered the latter. "A choice that meets my full approval, and I speak now for the Empress as well as the Emperor."
"Durnberg!" cried Mayence, raising his voice.
The doors were instantly opened, and the cringing Romer-meister appeared.
"Is the banquet prepared?"
"Ready to lay on the table, my Lord."
"The wine for the fountains?"
"Needs but the turning of the tap, my Lord."
"Order up the banquet, turn the tap; and as the new Emperor is unknown to the people, cause heralds with trumpets to set out and proclaim the Election of Prince Roland of Frankfort."
"Yes, my Lord."
The Archbishop of Mayence led the way out into the grand Kaisersaal, and the new Empress rose from her chair, standing there, her face white as the costume she wore. Mayence advanced to her, bending his gray head over the hand he took in his own.
"Your Majesty," he said gravely, and this was her first hint of the outcome, "I congratulate you upon your marriage, as I have already congratulated your husband."
"My Lord Archbishop," she said in uncertain voice, "you cannot blame me for obeying you."
"I think my poor commands would have been futile were it not for the a.s.sistance lent me by his Majesty."
The salutations of the others were drowned by the cheers of the great a.s.semblage in the Romerberg. The red wine and white had begun to flow, and the people knew what had happened. In the intervals between the clangor of the trumpets, they heard that a Prince of their own town had been elected, so all eyes turned to the Romer, and cries of "The Emperor! The Emperor!" issued from every throat. The mult.i.tude felt that a new day was dawning.
"I believe," said Mayence, "that hitherto only the Emperor has appeared on the balcony, but to-day I suggest a precedent. Let Emperor and Empress appear before the people."
He motioned to Herr Durnberg, and the latter flung open the tall windows; then Roland taking his wife"s hand, stepped out upon the balcony.
THE END