XIV
THE PRISONER OF EHRENFELS
There is inspiration in the sight of armed men marching steadilytogether; men well disciplined, keeping step to the measured clank oftheir armor. Like a great serpent the soldiers of Cologne issued fromthe forest, coming down two and two, for the path was narrow. They wouldmarch four abreast when they reached the river road, and the evolutionswhich accomplished this doubling of the columns, without changing stepor causing confusion, called forth praise from the two southernArchbishops.
A beautiful tableau of amity and brotherly love was presented to thetroops as they looked up at the three Archbishops standing together onthe balcony in relief against the gray walls of the Castle. Theofficers, who were on horseback, raised their swords sky-pointing fromtheir helmets, for they recognized their overlord and his two notableconfreres. With the motion of one man the three Archbishops acknowledgedthe salute. The troops cheered and cheered as the anaconda made itssinuous way down the mountain-side, and company after company cameabreast the Castle. The Archbishops stood there until the last mandisappeared down the river road on his way to Coblentz.
"May I ask you," said Mayence, addressing Treves, "to conduct me to theflat roof of your Castle? Will you accompany us?" he inquired ofCologne.
Cologne and Treves being for once in agreement, the latter led the way,and presently the three stood on the broad stone plateau which affordeda truly striking panorama of the Rhine. The July sun sinking in the westtransformed the river into a crimson flood, and at that height the coolevening breeze was delicious. Cologne stood with one hand on theparapet, and gazed entranced at the scene, but the practical Mayencepaid no attention whatever to it.
"Your troublesome guest, Treves, has one more request to make, which isthat you order his flag hoisted to the top of that pole."
Treves at once departed to give this command, while Cologne, withclouded brow, turned from his appreciation of the view.
"My Lord," he said, "you have requested the raising of a signal."
"Yes," was the reply.
"A signal which calls your men from the Lahn to the landing atStolzenfels?"
"Yes," repeated Mayence.
"My Lord, I have kept my promise not only to the letter, but in thespirit as well. My troops are marching peaceably away, and will reachtheir barracks some time to-morrow. Although I exacted no promise fromyou, you implied there was a truce between us, and that your army, likemy company, was not to be called into action of any kind."
"Your understanding of our pact is concisely stated, even though myshare in that pact remained unspoken. A truce, did you say? Is it notmore than that? I hoped that my seconding of the nomination you proposedproved me in complete accord with your views."
"I am not in effect your prisoner, then?"
"Surely not; so contrary to the fact is such an assumption that Iimplore you to accept my hospitality. The signal, which I see is now atthe mast-head, calls for one barge only, and that contains no soldier,merely a captain and his ten stout rowers, whom you may at this moment,if you turn round, see emerging from the mouth of the Lahn. I present toyou, and to the Countess von Sayn, my Schloss of Martinsburg for as longas you may require it. It is well furnished, well provisioned, andattended to by a group of capable servants, who are at your command. Isuggest that you cross in my barge, in company with the Countess and herkinsman, the Reverend Father. You agree, I take it, to convoy the ladysafely to her temporary restraint in Pfalz. It was her own request, youremember."
"I shall convoy her thither."
"I am trusting to you entirely. The distance is but thirteen leagues,and can be accomplished easily in a day. Once on the other side of theriver she may despatch her kinsman, or some more trustworthy messenger,to her own Castle, and thus summon the two waiting-women who will shareher seclusion."
"Is it your intention, my Lord, that her imprisonment shall--?"
The Archbishop of Mayence held up his thin hand with a gesture ofdeprecation.
"I use no word so harsh as 'imprisonment.' The penance, if you wish soto characterize it, is rather in the nature of a retreat, giving herneeded opportunity for reflection, and, I hope, for regret."
"Nevertheless, my Lord, your action seems to me unnecessarily severe.How long do you propose to detain her?"
"I am pained to hear you term it severity, for her treatment will be ofthe mildest description. I thought you would understand that no othercourse was open to me. So far as I am personally concerned, she mighthave said what pleased her, with no adverse consequences, but sheflouted the highest Court of the realm, and such contempt cannot beoverlooked. As for the duration of her discipline, it will continueuntil the new Emperor is married, after which celebration the Countessis free to go whither she pleases. I shall myself call at Pfalz fourdays from now, that I may be satisfied the lady enjoys every comfort theCastle affords."
"And also, perhaps, to be certain she is there immured."
Mayence's thin lips indulged in a wry smile.
"I need no such assurance," he said, "since my Lord of Cologne haspledged his word to see that the order of the Court is carried out."
The conversation was here interrupted by the return of Treves. Alreadythe great barge was half-way across the river. The surging, swiftcurrent swept it some distance below Stolzenfels, and the rowers, five aside, were working strenuously to force it into slower waters. Lord,lady, and monk crossed over to the mouth of the Lahn, and the bargereturned immediately to convey across horses and escort.
As the valley of the Lahn opened out it presented a picture of quietsylvan beauty, apparently uninhabited by any living thing. TheArchbishop of Cologne rose, and, shading his eyes from the still radiantsun, gazed intently up the little river. No floating craft was anywherein sight. He turned to the captain.
"Where is the flotilla from Mayence?" he asked.
"Flotilla, my Lord?"
"Yes; a hundred barges sailed down from Mayence in the darkness eitherlast night or the night before, taking harbor here in the Lahn."
"My Lord, even one barge, manned as this is, could not have journeyedsuch a distance in so short a time, and, indeed, for a flotilla toattempt the voyage, except in daylight, would have been impossible. Nobarges have come down the Rhine for months, and had they ventured thelittle Lahn is too shallow to harbor them."
"Thank you, captain. I appear to be ignorant both of the history and thegeography of this district. If I were to ask you and your stout rowersto take me down through the swiftest part of the river to Coblentz, howsoon would we reach that town?"
"Very speedily, my Lord, but I could undertake no such voyage except atthe command of my master. He is not one to be disobeyed."
"I quite credit that," said Cologne, sitting down again, the momentarydesire to recall his marching troops, that had arisen when he saw theempty Lahn, dying down when he realized how effectually he had beenoutwitted.
When the horses were brought across, Father Ambrose, at the request ofthe Countess, rode back to Sayn, and sent forward the two waiting-womenwhom she required, and so well did he accomplish his task that theyarrived at Schloss Martinsburg before ten of the clock that night. At anearly hour next morning the little procession began its journey up theRhine, his Lordship and the Countess in front; the six horsemen bringingup the rear.
The lady was in a mood of deep dejection; the regret which Mayence hadanticipated as result of imprisonment already enveloped her. It was onlytoo evident that the Archbishop of Cologne was bitterly disappointed,for he rode silently by her side making no attempt at conversation. Theyrested for several hours during midday, arriving at Caub before the redsun set, and now the Countess saw her pinnacled prison lying like ananchored ship in midstream.
At Caub they were met by a bearded, truculent-looking ruffian, whointroduced himself to the Archbishop as the Pfalzgraf von Stahleck.
"You take us rather by surprise, Prince of Cologne," he said. "It istrue that my overlord, the Archbishop of Mayence, called upon me
severaldays ago while descending the Rhine in his ten-oared barge, and saidthere was a remote chance that a prisoner might shortly be given into mycare. This had often happened before, for my Castle covers some gruesomecells that extend under the river,--cells with secret entrances noteasily come by should any one search the Castle. It is sometimesconvenient that a prisoner of State should be immured in one of themwhen the Archbishop has no room in his own Schloss Ehrenfels, so I paidlittle attention, and merely said the prisoner would receive a welcomeon arrival. This morning there came one of the Archbishop's men fromStolzenfels, and both my wife and myself were astonished to learn thatthe prisoner would be here this evening under your escort, my Lord, andthat it was a woman we were to harbor. Further, she was to be given thebest suite of rooms we had in the Castle, and to be treated with allrespect as a person of rank. Now, this apartment is in no state ofreadiness to receive such a lady, much less to house one of the dignityof your Lordship."
"It does not matter for me," replied the Archbishop. "Being, as I maysay, part soldier, the bed and board of an inn is quite acceptable uponoccasion."
"Oh no, your Highness, such a hardship is not to be thought of. TheCastle of Gutenfels, standing above us, is comfortable as any on theRhine. Its owner, the Count Palatine, is fellow-Elector of yours, and avery close friend of my overlord of Mayence, and I am told they votetogether whenever my overlord needs his assistance."
"That is true," commented Cologne.
"My overlord sent word that anything I needed for the accommodation ofher ladyship, he recognizing that my warning had been short, I shouldrequisition from the Count Palatine, so at midday I went up to call uponhim, not saying anything, of course, about State prisoners, male orfemale. The moment he heard that you, my Lord, were visiting thisneighborhood, he begged me to tender to you, and to all your companionsor following, the hospitality of his Castle for so long as you mighthonor him with your presence."
"The Count Palatine is very gracious, and I shall be glad to acceptshelter and refreshment."
"He would have been here to greet your Highness, but I was unable toinform him at what hour you would arrive, so I waited for you myself,and will be pleased to guide you to the gates of Gutenfels."
The conversation was interrupted by a great clatter of galloping horses,descending the hill with reckless speed, and at its foot swinging roundinto the main street of the town.
"Ha!" cried the amateur jailer, "here is the Count Palatine himself;"and thus it is our fate to meet the fourth Elector of the Empire, who,added to the three Archbishops, formed a quorum so potent that it couldelect or depose an Emperor at will.
The cavalry of the Count Palatine was composed of fifty fully-armed men,and their gallop through the town roused the echoes of that ancientbailiwick, which, together with the Castle, belonged to the Palatinate.The powerful noble extended a cordial welcome to his fellow-Elector, andtogether they mounted to the Castle of Gutenfels.
At dinner that night the Count Palatine proved an amiable host. Underhis geniality the charming Countess von Sayn gradually recovered herlost good spirits, and forgot she was on her way to prison. After all,she was young, naturally joyous, and loved interesting company,especially that of the two Electors, who were well informed, and hadseen much of the world. The Archbishop also shook off some of hissomberness; indeed, all of it as the flagons flowed. Being asked hispreference in wine, he replied that yesterday he had been regaled with avery excellent sample of Oberweseler.
"That is from this neighborhood," replied the Count. "Oberwesel lies buta very short distance below, on the opposite side of the river, but wecontend that our beverage of Caub is at least equal, and sometimessuperior. You shall try a good vintage of both. How did you come byOberweseler so far north as Stolzenfels?"
"Simply because I was so forward, counting on the good nature of myfriend of Treves, that I stipulated for Oberweseler."
"Ah! I am anxious to know why."
"For reasons of history, not of the palate. A fair English Princess wasguest of Stolzenfels long ago, and this wine was served to her."
"In that case," returned the Count, "I also shall fall back on history,and first order brimming tankards of old Caub. Really, Madam," he said,turning to Hildegunde, "we should have had Royalty here to meet you,instead of two old wine-bibbers like his Highness and myself."
The girl looked startled at this mention of Royalty, bringing to hermind the turbulent events of yesterday. Nevertheless, with greatcomposure, she smiled at her enthusiastic host.
"Still," went on the Count, "if we are not royal ourselves, 'tis adegree we are empowered to confer, and, indeed, may be very shortlycalled upon to bestow. That is true from what I hear, is it not, yourHighness?"
"Yes," replied the Archbishop gravely.
"Well, as I was about to say, this Castle belonged to the Falkensteins,and was sold by them to the Palatinate. Rumor, legend, history, call itwhat you like, asserts that the most beautiful woman ever born on theRhine was Countess Beatrice of Falkenstein. But when I drink to thetoast I am about to offer I shall, Madam," he smiled at Hildegunde,"assert that the legend no longer holds, a contention I am prepared tomaintain by mortal combat. Know then that the Earl of Cornwall, who waselected King of Germany in 1257, met Beatrice of Falkenstein in thisCastle. The meeting was brought about by the Electors themselves, who,stupid matchmakers, attempted to coerce each into a marriage with theother. Beatrice refused to marry a foreigner.
"The Chronicles are a little vague about the most interesting part ofthe negotiations, but minutely plain about the outcome. In some mannerthe Earl and Beatrice met, and he became instantly enamored of her. Thisis the portion so deplorably slurred by these old monkish writers. Ineed hardly tell you that the Earl himself succeeded where the sevenElectors failed. Beatrice became Cornwall's wife and Queen of Germany,and they lived happily ever afterwards.
"I give you the toast!" cried the chivalrous Count Palatine, rising. "Tothe cherished memory of the Royal lovers of Gutenfels!"
The Archbishop's eyes twinkled as he looked across the table atHildegunde.
"This seems to be a time of Royal betrothals," he said, raising hisflagon.
"'Seems' is the right word, Guardian," replied the Countess.
Then she sipped the ancient wine of Caub.
Next morning Hildegunde was early afoot. Notwithstanding her trouble ofmind, she had slept well, and awakened with the birds, so great is theinfluence of youth and health. During her last conscious moments thenight before, as she lay in the stately bed of the most noble room theCastle contained, she bitterly accused herself for the disastrousfailure of the previous day. The Archbishop of Cologne had given hergood counsel that was not followed, and his disappointment with theresult, generously as he endeavored to conceal it, was doubtless thedeeper because undiscussed. Thinking of coming captivity, a dream ofgrim Pfalz was expected, but instead the girl's spirit wandered throughthe sweet seclusion of Nonnenwerth, living again that happy, earliertime, free from politics and the tramp of armed men.
In the morning the porter, at her behest, withdrew bolt, bar, and chain,allowing exit into the fresh, cool air, and skirting the Castle, shearrived at a broad terrace which fronted it. A fleecy mist extendingfrom shore to shore concealed the waters of the Rhine, and partiallyobliterated the little village of Caub at the foot of the hill. Whereshe stood the air was crystal clear, and she seemed to be looking out ona broad snow-field of purest white. Beyond Caub its surface was piercedby the dozen sharp pinnacles of her future prison, looking like a bed ofspikes, upon which one might imagine a giant martyr impaled by theverdict of a cruel Archbishop.
Gazing upon this nightmare Castle, whose tusks alone were revealed, thegirl formulated the resolution but faintly suggested the night before.On her release should ensue an abandonment of the world, and theadoption of a nun's veil in the convent opposite Drachenfels, an islandexchanged for an island; turmoil for peace.
At breakfast she met again the jovial Count Palatine, and her
more soberguardian, who both complimented her on the results of her beauty rest,the one with great gallantry, the other with more reserve, as befitted aChurchman. The Archbishop seemed old and haggard in the morning light,and it was not difficult to guess that no beauty sleep had soothed hispillow. It wrung the girl's heart to look at him, and again she accusedherself for lack of all tact and discretion, wishing that her guardiantook his disappointment more vengefully, setting her to some detestedtask that she might willingly perform.
The hospitable Count, eager that they should stop at least another nightunder his roof, pressed his invitation upon them, and the Archbishopgave a tacit consent.
"If the Countess is not too tired," said Cologne, "I propose that sheaccompany me on a little journey I have in view farther up the river. Wewill return here in the evening."
"I should be delighted," cried Hildegunde, "for all sense of fatigue hasbeen swept away by a most restful night."
The good-natured Count left them to their own devices, and shortlyafterwards guardian and ward rode together down the steep declivity tothe river. The mist was already driven away, except a wisp here andthere clinging to the gray surface of the water, trailing along as ifdrawn by the current, for the air was motionless, and there was promiseof a sultry day. They proceeded in silence until a bend in the Rhineshut Caub and its sinister water-prison out of sight, and then it wasthe girl who spoke.
"Guardian," she said, "have I offended you beyond forgiveness?"
A gentle smile came to his lips as he gazed upon her with affection.
"You have not offended me at all, my dear," he said, "but I am grievedat thwarting circumstance."
"I have been thinking over circumstances too, and hold myself solely toblame for their baffling opposition. I will submit without demur towhatever length of imprisonment may please, and, if possible, soften theArchbishop of Mayence. After my release I shall ask your consent that Imay forthwith join the Sisterhood at Nonnenwerth. I wish to divide mywealth equally between yourself and the convent."
The Archbishop shook his head.
"I could not accept such donation."
"Why not? The former Archbishop of Cologne accepted Linz from myancestress Matilda."
"That was intended to be but a temporary loan."
"Well; call my benefaction temporary if you like, to be kept until Icall for it, but meanwhile to be used at your discretion."
"It is quite impossible," said the Archbishop firmly.
"Does that mean you will not allow me to adopt the religious life?"
"It means, my child, that I should not feel justified in permitting thisrenunciation of the world until you knew more of what you were givingup."
"I know enough already."
"You think so, but your experience of it is too recent for us to expectunbiased judgment this morning. I should insist on a year, at least, andpreferably two years, part of that time to be spent in Frankfort and inCologne. I anticipate a great improvement in Frankfort when the newEmperor comes to the throne. If at the end of two years you are still ofthe same mind, I shall offer no further opposition."
"I shall never change my intention."
"Perhaps not. I am told that the determination of a woman isirrevocable, so a little delay does not much matter. Meanwhile, anotherproblem passes my comprehension. I have thought and thought about it,and am convinced there is a misunderstanding somewhere, which possiblywill be cleared away too late. I am quite certain that Father Ambrosedid not meet Prince Roland in Frankfort."
"Do you, then, dispute the word of Father Ambrose?" asked the girl,quickly checking the accent of indignation that arose in her voice, forhumility was to be her role ever after.
"Father Ambrose is at once both the gentlest and most truthful of men.He has undoubtedly seen somebody rob a merchant in Frankfort. He hasundoubtedly been imprisoned among wine-casks; but that this thief andthis jailer was Roland is incredible to me who know the young man, andphysically impossible, for Prince Roland at that time was himself aprisoner, as, indeed, he is to-day. Prince Roland cannot be liberatedfrom Ehrenfels without an order signed by Mayence, Treves, and myself. Ialone have not the power to encompass his freedom, and Mayence isequally powerless although he is owner of the Castle. Some scoundrel iswalking the streets of Frankfort pretending to be Roland."
"In that case, my Lord, he would not deny his identity when accosted onthe bridge."
"A very clever point, my dear, but it does not overcome my difficulty.There might be a dozen reasons why the rascal would not incriminatehimself to any stranger who thus took him by surprise. However, it isuseless to argue the question, for I persuade you as little as youpersuade me. The practical thing is to fathom the misunderstanding, andremove it. Will you assist me in this?"
"Willingly, if I can, Guardian."
"Very well. I must first inform you that your imprisonment is likely tobe very short. You are to know that the harmony supposed to exist inStolzenfels is largely mythical: I left behind me the seeds of discord.I proposed that the glum niece of Treves, whom you met at our historiclunch, should be the future Empress. This nomination was seconded byMayence himself, and received with unconcealed joy by my brother ofTreves."
"Then for once the Court was unanimous? I think your choice an admirableone."
"The Archbishop of Mayence does not agree with you, my dear."
"Then why did he second your nomination?"
"Because he is so much more clever than Treves, who a few minutes laterwould have been the seconder."
"Why should his Lordship of Mayence think one thing and act another?"
"Why is he always doing it? No one can guess what Mayence really thinks,if he is judged by what he says. Were Treves' niece to become Empress,her uncle would speedily realize his power, and Mayence would lose hisleadership. Could Mayence to-day secretly promote you to the position ofEmpress, he would gladly do so."
"But won't he at once look for some one else?"
"Certainly. That choice is now occupying his mind. His seconding of thenomination was merely a ruse to gain time, but if he proposes any oneelse he will find both Treves and myself against him. His only hope ofcircumventing the ambition of Treves is that something may happen,causing you to change your mind concerning Prince Roland."
"You forget, Guardian," protested the girl, "that his Lordship ofMayence said he would not permit me to marry Prince Roland after the wayI had spoken and acted."
"He said that, my dear, under the influence of great resentment againstyou, but Mayence never allows resentment or any other feeling to standin the way of his own interests. If you wrote him a contrite letterregretting your defiance of him, and expressing your willingness to bowto his wishes, I am very sure he would welcome the communication as ahappy solution of the quandary in which he finds himself."
"You wish me to do this, Guardian?" she asked wistfully.
"Not until you are satisfied that Prince Roland is innocent of thecharges you make against him."
"How can I receive such assurance?"
"Ah, now you come to the object of this apparently purposeless journey.I have had much experience in the world you are so anxious to renounce,and although I have seen the wicked prosper for a time, yet my faith hasnever been shaken in an overruling Providence, and what happened lastnight set me thinking so deeply that daylight stole in upon mymeditations."
"Oh, my poor Guardian, I knew you had not slept, and all because of aworthless creature like myself, and a wicked creature, too, for I didnot see the hand of Providence so visible to you."
"Surely, my dear, a moment's thought would reveal it to you. Rememberhow we came almost to the door of the prison, when a temporary reprievewas handed to us by that coarse reprobate, the Pfalzgraf. Your suite ofrooms was not yet ready, and thus we found bestowed upon us another freeday; a day of untrammeled liberty, quite unlooked for. Now, much may bedone in a day. An Empire has been lost and won within a few hours. Withthis gift came a revelation. That wine-blotched Pfalzgraf would hav
eshown no consideration for you: to him a prisoner is a prisoner, to becast anywhere, lock the door, and have done, but a wholesome fear hadbeen instilled into him by his overlord. The Archbishop of Mayence hadtaken thought for your comfort, ordering that the best rooms in theCastle should be placed at your disposal. Hence, after all that hadpassed, his Lordship felt no malignancy against you, and I dare saywould have been glad to rescind the order for your imprisonment, were itnot that he would never admit defeat."
"Oh, Guardian, what an imagination is yours! I am sure his Lordship ofMayence will never forgive me."
"His Lordship of Mayence, my dear, is in a dilemma from which no oneexcept yourself can extricate him."
"His own cleverness will extricate him."
"Perhaps. Still, I'm not troubling about him. My thoughts are much tooselfish for that. I wish you to lift me from _my_ uncertainty."
"You mean about Prince Roland? I shall do whatever you ask of me."
"I place no command, but I proffer a suggestion."
"It shall be a command, nevertheless."
"We have left your own prison far behind, and are approaching that ofPrince Roland. To the door of that detaining Castle I propose to leadyou. I am forbidden by my compact with the other Electors to see PrinceRoland or to hold any communication with him. The custodian of theCastle, who knows me well, will not refuse any request I make, even if Iask to see the young man himself. He will therefore not hesitate toadmit you when I require him to do so. To take away any taint ofsurreptitiousness about my action, interfering, as one might say, withanother man's house, I shall this evening write to the Archbishop ofMayence, tell him exactly what I have done, and why."
"Do you intend, then, that I should see Prince Roland and talk withhim?"
"Yes."
"My dear Guardian!" cried the girl, her face flushing red, "what onearth can I say to him? How am I to excuse my intrusion?"
"A prisoner, I fancy, does not resent intrusion, especially if theintruder is--" The old man smiled as he looked at the girl, whose blushgrew deeper and deeper; then, seeing her confusion, he added: "There aremany things to say. Introduce yourself as the ward of his Lordship ofCologne; reveal that your guardian has confided to you that PrinceRoland is to be the future Emperor; ask for some assurance from him thatthe property descending to you from your ancestors shall not bemolested; or perhaps, better still, with the same introduction, tell himthe story of Father Ambrose. Add that this has disquieted you: demandthe truth, hearken to what the youth says for himself, thank him, andwithdraw. It needs no long conversation, though I am prepared to hearthat he wished to lengthen your stay. I am certain that five minutesface to face with him will completely overturn all Father Ambrose hassaid to his disparagement, and a few simple words from him will probablydispel the whole mystery. If someone is personating him in Frankfort itis more than likely he knows who it is."
They traveled a generous furlong together in silence, the girl's headbowed and her brow troubled. At last, as if with an effort, she cleareddoubt away, and raised her head.
"I will do it," she said decisively.
The Archbishop heaved a deep sigh of relief. He knew now he was out ofthe wood.
"Is this Assmannshausen we are coming to?" she asked, as if to hint thatthe subject on which they had talked so earnestly was finally done with.
"No; this is Lorch, and that is the Castle of Nollich standing aboveit."
"I hope," said the girl, with a sigh of weariness, "that no EnglishPrincess about to marry an Emperor lodged there, or no Englishman whowas to become an Emperor--"
The Archbishop interrupted the plaint with a hearty laugh, the first hehad enjoyed for several days.
"The English seem an interfering race," she went on. "I wish they wouldattend to their own affairs."
"Nollich is uncontaminated," said the Archbishop, "though in olden daysa reckless knight on horseback rode up to secure his lady-love, and Ibelieve rode down again with her, and his route is still called theDevil's Ladder."
"Did the marriage turn out so badly?"
"No; I believe they lived happily ever after; but the ascent was socliff-like that mountain sprites are supposed to have given theirassistance."
"How much farther is Assmannshausen?"
"Less than two leagues. We will stop there and refresh ourselves. Areyou tired?"
"Oh no; not in the least. I merely wish the ordeal was past."
"You are a brave girl, Hildegunde."
"I am anything but that, Guardian. Still, do not fear I shall flinch."
After partaking of the midday meal at Assmannshausen, the Countessproposed that they should leave their horses in the stable, and walk theshort third of a league to Ehrenfels, and to this her guardian agreed.
He found more difficulty with the custodian than had been expected. Theman objected, trembling. Without a written order from his master he darenot allow any one to visit the prisoner. He would be delighted to obligehis Lordship of Cologne, but he was merely a poor wretch who had nooption in the matter.
"Very well," said Cologne. "I have just come from your master, who isstopping with my brother Treves at Stolzenfels. If you persist I mustthen request lodgings from you until such time as a speedy messenger canbring your master hither. This journey may cause him greatinconvenience, and should such be the case, I fear you will fare illwith him."
"That may be, my Lord, but I must do my duty."
"Are you sure you have already done it on all occasions?" asked theArchbishop severely.
The man's face became ghastly in its pallor.
"I don't know what you mean, my Lord."
"Then I will quickly tell you what I mean. It is rumored that PrinceRoland has been seen on the streets of Frankfort."
"How--how could that be, my Lord?"
"That is exactly what I wish to know. I believe the Prince is not inyour custody."
"I assure you, my Lord," said the now thoroughly frightened man, "thathis Highness is in his room."
"Very well; then conduct this lady thither. Although she does not knowthe Prince, a relative of hers who does asserts that he met his Highnessin Frankfort. I said this was impossible if you had done that duty youprate so much about. The lady merely wishes to ask him for someexplanation of this affair, so make your choice. Shall she go up withyou now, or must I send for the other two Archbishops?"
There was but one comforting phrase in this remark, namely, that thelady did not know the Prince. Still, it was a dreadful risk, yet thecustodian hesitated no longer. He took down a bunch of keys, and askedthe Countess to follow him. Ascending the stair, he unlocked the door,and stood aside for the Countess to pass through.
Some one with wildly tousled hair sat sprawling in a chair; arms on thetable, and head sunk forward down upon them. A full tankard of winewithin his reach, and a flagon had been overset, sluicing the table withits contents, which still fell drip, drip, drip, to the floor.
The young man raised his head, aroused by the harsh unlocking of thedoor, and with the crash it made as his father flung it hard against thestone wall for the purpose of giving him warning, but the youth was inno condition to profit by this thoughtfulness, nor to understand thesignals his father made from behind the frightened girl. He clutchedwildly at the overturned flagon, and with an oath cried:
"Bring me more wine, you old--"
Staggering to his feet, he threw the flagon wide, then slipped on thespilled wine and fell heavily to the floor, roaring defiance at theworld.
The panic-stricken girl shrank back, crying to the jailer:
"Let me out! Close the door quickly, and lock it!" an order obeyed withalacrity.
When Hildegunde emerged to the court her guardian asked no question. Thehorror in her face told all.
"I am sorry, my Lord," said the cringing custodian, "but his Highness isdrunk."
"Does this--does this happen often?"
"Alas! yes, my Lord."
"Poor lad, poor lad! The sins of the fathers shall be vis
ited on thechildren to the third and fourth generation. Hildegunde, forgive me. Letus away and forget it all."
The next morning the Countess began her imprisonment in Pfalz.