d person might be
tempted to do. That he should be a good Churchman goes without saying--"

"A truce, a truce!" cried Mayence sternly. "Again we are running into a
moral catalogue impossible of embodiment. Is there any such man in your
mind, or are you merely treating us to a counsel of perfection?"

"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occupying Frankfort would be withdrawn, and the danger line crossed over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 stree