ake to coerce you. You were quite right
in relating what your own eyes saw here in Frankfort, and although the
inference drawn was wrong, you were not to blame for that. I recognize
your scruples, but nevertheless protest that already I possess the
sanction of the Archbishop, which has never been withdrawn."

"Prince Roland, if you bring hither the Countess von Sayn to-morrow
afternoon, when the bells strike three, I will marry you, and gladly
accept whatever penances ensue. I fear the monk's robe has not crushed
out all the impulses of the Sayn blood. In my case, perhaps, it has only
covered them. And now, good-night, and God's blessing fall upon you and
her you are to marry."

Roland went directly from the chapel to his own room, where he slept the
sleep of one who has made up his mind. Nevertheless, it was not a
dreamless sleep, for throughout the night he seemed to hear the tramp of
armed men marching upon unconscious Frankfort, and this sound was so
persistent, that at last he woke, yet still it continued. Springing up
in alarm, and flinging wide the wooden shutters of his window, he was
amazed to see that the sun was already high, while the sound that
disturbed him was caused by a procession of heavy-footed horses,
dragging over the cobble-stones carts well-laden with farm produce.

Having dressed and finished breakfast, he wrote a letter to the
Archbishop of Mayence:

"My LORD ARCHBISHOP,--There are some important proposals which I
wish to make to the Electors, and as it is an unwritten rule that I
should not communicate with them separately, I beg of you to
convene a meeting to-morrow, in the Wahlzimmer, at the hour of
midday. Perhaps it is permissible to add, for your own information,
that while my major proposition has to do with the relief of
Frankfort, the minor suggestions I shall make will have the effect
of clearing away obstacles that at present obstruct your path, and
I venture to think that what I say will meet with your warmest
approval."

It was so necessary that this communication should reach the Archbishop
as soon as possible that Roland became his own messenger, and himself
delivered the document at the Archbishop's Palace. As he turned away he
was startled by a hand being placed on his shoulder with a weight
suggesting an action of arrest rather than a greeting of friendship. He
turned quickly, and saw the Lieutenant who had so discourteousl