t 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
title. Will you accept my aid, Prince Roland?"

"I accept it, my Lord, with deep gratitude, 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
assassination!"

"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.