The Sword Maker

in person, and the welcome they received left nothing to be desired in point of cordiali

ints of the compass, and from this height she could view the Rhine up to the stern old Castle of Marksburg, and down past Coblentz to her own real

ther of these grand dames had much to say, and the conversation at the meal rested chiefly with the two Archbishops. Indeed, had the Countess but known it, her presence there was a great disappointment to the two no

f refreshment in the smallest room of the suite reserved for him, where

sentimental Archbishop compared to the blush on a bride's cheeks, the social aspect of the midday refection was overshadowed by an almost indefinable sense of impending danger. In the pseudogenial conversation of the two Archbishops there was something forced: the attitude of the elderly hostess was one of unrelieved gloom. After a few conventional greetings to her young guest, she spoke no more during the meal. Her

him, ready at a signal to pounce upon Stolzenfels like birds of prey, capturing, and if necessary, slaying. She remembered the hearty cheers that welcomed them on their arrival at Coblentz, yet every man who thus boisterously greeted them, waving his bonnet in the air, was doubtless an enemy. The very secrecy, the unknown nature of the danger, depressed her m

the doorway, and bowed low when the three ladies passed through. The silent hostess conducted her guest to a parlor on the same floor as the dining-room; a

formal farewell of Countess von Sayn, who turned to the sole o

ed to dine with u

ree Archbishops might have something confidential to say to yo

me that all the world might not hear; second, the rest of the company, the sister and the niece of Treves, were so doleful that you would have proved

ly to your estate and my management of it. We s

then, of the reason why

Hildegunde, I am a

dark," murmured the Countess, "a

disclaimer, that the discussion will per

ely. Did you say anyt

nkf

made of my visit unless his Lordship asked questions provin

. Did my guardian ask you to

I should not

e, and what instruction

o circumstances was I to offer any remark upon the proceedings. Indeed, I am not allowed to sp

lay in ambush. She shuddered slightly, wondering what was the meaning of these preparations, and in the deep silence became aware of the accelerated beating of her heart. She felt but little reassured by the pre

lapse of time the dual reveries were broken by the entrance of an official go

y Lords the Archbishop

*

outh of the Lahn, and the more ornamental Schloss Martinsburg at the upper end of Oberlahnstein. The latter edifice, built by a former Elector of Mayence, was rarely occupied by t

l, was a very great lady by right of descent and rank. She acknowledged their courtesy by a graceful inclination of the head, and the three Princes of the Church

on occasions when Royalty visited the Castle. To this sumptuous seat the scarcely less gorgeous functionary conducted the girl, and when she had taken her place, the three Archbishops seated themselves. The glorified menial then bent himself until

known all her life; Treves she had met that day, and rather liked, although feeling she could not este

determined." With a flash of comprehension she understood now her guardian's warning not to thwart him. It was easy to cre

I may add, in an informal manner, but his selection is not likely to be canceled, unless by some act of his own which would cause us to reconsider our decision. Our adoption was made very recently in my castle of Ehrenfels, and we are come together again in the Castle of my brother Treves,

put to you several questions concerning your future duties to the State

in, and her guardian, who watched her very intently across the table, saw her face become so pale that he feared she was abo

in a voice scarcely audible,

ed her guardian soothin

here, and you must addr

dsh

terruption, and whose lips were more firmly closed. He sat there imperturbable, refusing the besee

is to be the

merged from convent life, I have led you into an error. The Court of Electors is not convened for the purpose of securing

marry this unknown man,

s my me

at had gathered in her eyes disappeared as if licke

"Ask your questions,

, I must have your consent

hear my answer to your questions, you will v

ing uneasily in his chair, now leaned for

h nothing but your very greatest good and happiness." The spark in her eyes died down, and they beamed kindly on the courtier Elector. "You see before you three old bachelors, quite unversed in the ways of women. If

r the single name I have asked for. Am I a peasant girl to

and I quite appreciate the reluctance of my Lord of Mayence to mention it, but I think in this ins

swered ind

e here three Electors of equal powe

ore, and never objected to it. The carrying of some unimportant point in op

g forward and addressing the man at the other

lied Cologne, wi

announce to you, Madam, that the young man chosen for our fu

rvously clutched the soft ve

g as calmly as though she were Mayence himself. "May I

he stern face of Mayence, who n

doing wel

replied

e concealed

N

r heard of

or the fame of the Countess von Sayn has tr

he ag

oyfully, it s

ntess. "Did he make any inquiry, whether I was tall or

well satisfied w

most ingratiating manner, his tones soft and honeyed. He was so evidently pleased with his own diplomacy that even the ey

s if I were a sack of grain, his whole mind intent on one thing o

ountess," said C

true, made no stipul

he was compelled to make with you, and now I announce to the Court that no power on earth will induce me t

lector of Treves was leaning back in his chair discomfited by her abrupt desertion of him. The Elector

My reading of his character is that so far as concerns the love you spoke of, he knows as little of it as yourself, and thus he agreed to our proposal with a seeming indifference which you entirely misjudge. If you, then, have any belief in my goodwill towards you, in my deep anxiety for your welfare and happiness, I implore you to agree to the suggestion my Lord of Mayence has made. You speak of love kno

e girl buried her face in her hands, and he could see the tears trickle between her fingers. A

of Mayence broke the stillness

consent,

shoulders quivering with emo

ntiment issuing from both sides of me. This is a business meeting, and not a love-feas

raight, grasping with nervous hands the arms of the th

said. Do you consent to mar

nted," she re

h him that he may carry out the

ts are for the goo

my question. Will you use your influence with him that

influence wit

y questio

degunde," ple

to him sw

for you; all for you. I cannot stand any more. This is torture to me. Let

credited all three was being amazingly dispelled. He could not understand why this girl should show such emotion at th

to me. This matter of business"-he emphasized the word-"must be settled to-day, and to clear away all misapprehension, I desire to say that your guardian has really no influence on this matter. It wa

t?" demanded

f repeating m

ison me-me, a C

smoldering fire bequeathed to her by the Crusaders, an

sor of mine once hanged

the same Emperor that chastised an Archbishop of Mayence, and brought him, cringing, to his kne

oland, and learn," said t

to her feet, a-q

but a cutthroat who holds his sword to the breast of an unarmed merchant while he filches from him his gold. Added to that, a drunkard as his father is; and, above all, a hypocrite, as his father is no

ogne was the first to

is mad!" h

till, a sour smile on his lips, yet

kly as it had risen. "What I say is true, and it may be that our meeting, turbulent as it has been, will

cusations against him? What should a girl living in secl

u, my Lord of Treves. Even my Lord of Mayence will, I think, comprehend my abhorrence when such

e trembling

never f

Ambrose, co

brose, waking f

r experiences

ed to speak," o

"What, sir, have you had to d

that I was not to mention my visit to Frankfort un

patiently. "The subject is brought up before three Archbishops, inste

eep sigh, began his reci

ever-increasing amaz

s chair, face impertur

d firmer as the n

, his Reverence of Colog

, why did you not tell

elplessly at his kinswo

am responsible for the journey to Frankfort and its consequences, whatever they may be. You invoked the name of Heaven just now, my Lord, and I would have you know that I am

upon her sorrowful eye

I am, or have been, your guardian, and should, I think, have been consulted b

till with the haute

to learn whether or not the state of Frankfort was as disturbed as rumor alleged. Finding matters there to be hopeless, the project of a visit was at once abandoned, and knowing nothing of the honor about to be conferred on Prince Roland, I thought it best to keep what had been discovered regarding his character a secret b

ree. Mayence slowly turned his head, and looked upon the colleague at his right,

the perturbed monk, who knew that, in some way he did not qu

s, "would you kindly tell us the exact date

s Day," replied

day you were incarcerated in t

my L

u to know, Father Amb

many days previous to t

n his Lordship of Maye

was quite impossible fo

, or anyw

persisted Father Ambrose, with t

es s

lodge in Fran

ine Monastery in

wine? Frankfort is, and always has been, the chief mar

sted on the arm of her throne, and she placed her own hand upon his as if to encourage him to resent the implied

e, my Lord, and doubtless the wine is good

of Mayence spoke scarcely above a whis

happened, for it is merely a case of mistaken identity, and my sympathy goes out entirely towards the unknown; a man who knew his own mind, and being naturally indignant at an interference

, stan

but a beseeching look from her now thoroughly frightened

I beg therefore, to inform you, that in the judgment of this Court you are considered unworthy of the exalted position which, before knowing your true ch

e, has been put forward with a sincerity that none of us can question; indeed, it was the intention of Father Ambrose to keep his supposed knowledge a secret, and you both saw with what evident reluctance he spoke when commanded to do so by my colleague of Treves. Whatever justice there may be in disciplining Father Ambrose, there is none at all for exaggerated censure upon my lady, the Countess of Sayn, and before pronouncing a further censure I beg your Lordsh

eet here as temporal Princes, and

pite his high lineage, is merely a citizen of the Empire, and a subject of his Majesty, the

n in his usual attitude of tired indifference; his keen eyes almost closed. Wh

devout counsel of his excellent wife to such effect that when next you are privileged to meet a Court so highly constituted as this you may be better instructed regarding the language with which it should be addressed. You are permitted to take with you two waiting-women, chosen by yourself from your own household, but all communication with th

ly, and without protest sat down a

a point of law whic

stantly satisfied. This Court is competent to give its decision upon any poi

aid the Elec

ning towards the person addressed, "the

ict, she could not but admire the quiet, conversational tone adopted

nexpected," said Cologne, "and I re

quite unfit for the transaction of public business, and even if such were not th

a power that even Emperors must o

thousand men concealed in the forest behind

struck speechless. A sudden pallor swept the usual ruddiness from his face. The Lord of Mayence

oured the country in the forests, and along the river almost to the gates of my city of Mayence, they appeared to labor under the illusion that I could move my soldiers only overland. Naturally, they met no sign of such an incursion, because I had requisitioned a hundred barges which I found

eed, Stolzenfels was put in condition to withstand a siege very shortly after you and your ward entered it, and it is garrisoned by two hundred fighting men, kindly provided at my suggestion by my brother of Treves. I doubt if its capture is possible, even though you gave

stood with bent head and frowning brow. It

n my countrymen. I have no desire to enact the part of Helen of Troy. I am therefore ready and willing to be imprisoned, or to marry

y, "there are not now two al

instantly to Pfalz Castle, and I ask that my g

ich the three Electors were convened is not yet accomplished, I request you to withdraw until

ned the Elector of Cologne, whose eyes followed his departing ward, did not fail to observe that the lobby was thronged with armed men, and he realized now, if he had not done so from Mayence's

took his place at Mayence's right hand. The latter spoke

ct to your commander. Inform him that we three Electors wish to review your troops from the northern balcony, and bid them file past from the hills to the river road. They are to cross the Moselle by the old bridge, and so return to your city. You will perhaps pledge faith that no sign

" replied

o scrutinized the document with some care before passing it o

eague how to get that message safel

p the hill behind this Castle until he comes to my sentinels, whom he knows personally, the

Treves once more re

or the station we intended her to occupy. I think her guardian must be convinced now, even though he had little suspicion of it before, that this lady would not easily be in

time, the Elector

ess under our influence is out of the question. I therefore make a proposal with some confidence, quite certain it will please you both

of his widowed sister's child to the Imperial throne was an advantage so tremendous, and came about so unexpectedly, that for the mom

e would be entirely under the influence of her uncle, of whose household she had been a pliant member ever since childhood. Yet what was Mayence to do? Should he object to the nomination, he would at once obliterate the unswerving loyalty of Treves, and if this happened, Treves and Cologne, joining, would outvote him, and his objection would prove futile. He would enrage Treves without carrying

nce, and his decision had been arrived a

re indeed to second so admirable a nomination, the more so that I am thus permitted to offer my congratulations to an esteemed colleague and a valued friend. My Lord of Trev

ty, "I-I-of course will agree to whatever the Court decides.

e task for which we are convened is accompl

onclave and answer the questions to be put to her, but Cologne perceived the omission, and knew that from that moment Mayence would set his subtility at work to nullify the nomina

e steady tramping of disciplined men, and the

f reviewing the brave troops of Cologne. Lead the way, m

g on air, guided his gues