XIX
THE BETROTHAL IN THE GARDEN
Next morning Prince Roland sent a letter to the Archbishop of Mayenceinforming him that the Empress had taken up her abode in the Palace ofher old friend, the Lord of Cologne, giving the reasons for this moveand his own desertion of the Imperial Palace, and asking permission tocall upon his mother each day. The messenger brought back a promptreply, which commended the delicacy of his motives in leaving the RoyalPalace, but added that, so far as the three Archbishops were concerned,the Saalhof was still at their disposal: of course Prince Roland'smovements were quite untrammeled, and again, so far as concerned thethree Archbishops, he was at liberty to visit whom he pleased, as oftenas he liked.
While waiting for the return of his messenger, Roland called upon HerrGoebel, and told him that twenty emissaries had gone forth in everydirection from Frankfort to inform the farming community that a markethad been opened in the city, and in exchange learned what the merchanthad already done towards furthering the necessary organization.
"Oh, by the way, Herr Goebel," he cried, suddenly recollecting, "justwrite out and sign a document to this effect: 'I promise Herr Roland,sword maker of Sachsenhausen, to supply him with the capital necessaryfor carrying out his contract with his Lordship the Archbishop ofCologne.'"
Without demur the merchant indited the document, signed it, and gave itto the Prince.
"If any emissary of Mayence pays you a domiciliary visit, Herr Goebel,asking questions about me, carefully conceal my real status, and replythat I am an honest, skillful sword maker, anxious to revive theiron-working industry, and for this reason, being yourself solicitousfor the welfare of Frankfort, you are risking some money."
In the afternoon Roland walked to the Palace of Cologne and boldlyentered, with no attempt at secrecy, the doorkeeper on this occasionoffering no impediment to his progress. He learned that the Empress,much fatigued, had retired to her room and must not be disturbed; thatthe Archbishop was consulting with the Count Palatine, while theCountess von Sayn was walking in the garden. Roland passed with somehaste through the Palace, and emerged into the grounds behind it:grounds delightfully umbrageous, and of an extent surprisingly large,surrounded by a very high wall of stone, so solidly built that it mightsuccessfully stand a siege.
Roland found the girl sauntering very slowly along one of the mostsecluded alleys, whose gravel-path lay deeply in the shade caused by thethick foliage of over-hanging trees, which made a cool, green tunnel ofthe walk. Her head was slightly bowed in thought, her beautiful facepathetic in its weariness, and the young man realized, with a pang ofsympathy, that she was still to all intents and purposes a prisoner,with no companions but venerable people. She could not, and indeed didnot attempt to suppress an exclamation of delight at seeing him,stretching out both hands in greeting, and her countenance cleared as ifby magic.
"I was thinking of you!" she cried, without a trace of coquetry.
"I judged your thoughts to be rather gloomy," he said, with a laugh, inwhich she joined.
"Gloomy only because I could see or hear nothing of you."
"Did you know I came yesterday?"
"No. Why did you not ask to see me?"
"I was informed you were entertaining the Count Palatine."
"Ah, yes. He is a delightful old man. I like him better and better astime goes on. My guardian and I were guests of his at Gutenfels justbefore I occupied the marine prison of Pfalz."
"So your guardian told me."
They were now walking side by side in this secluded, thickly-woodedavenue, just wide enough for two, running in a straight line from wallto wall the whole length of the property, in the part most remote fromthe house.
"Nothing disastrous has happened to you?" she asked. "I have hadmiserable forebodings."
"No; I am living a most commonplace life, quite uneventful."
"But why, why does the Archbishop of Mayence delay the Election?"
"I did not know he was doing so."
"Oh, my guardian is very anxious about it. Such postponement, Iunderstand, never happened before. The State is without a head."
"Has your guardian spoken to Mayence about it?"
"Yes; and has been met by the most icy politeness. Mayence wishes thisElection to take place with a full conclave of the seven Electors, threeof whom have not yet arrived. But my guardian says they never arrive,and take no interest in Imperial matters. He pointed out to Mayence thata quorum of the Court is already in Frankfort, but his Lordship of theUpper Rhine merely protests that they must not force an Election, all ofwhich my guardian thinks is a mere hiding of some design on the part ofMayence."
Prince Roland meditated on this for a few moments, then, as if shakingoff his doubts, he said:
"It never occurs to one Archbishop that either of the others may bespeaking the truth. There is so much mistrust among them that theynullify all united action, which accounts for the prostrate state ofthis city, the capital of one of the most prosperous countries under thesun. So far as I can see, taken individually, they are upright,trustworthy men. Now, to give you an instance. Your guardian last nightwas simply panic-stricken at my audacity in visiting him. He said I mustnot come again, refusing me permission to see you; he told you nothingof my conference with him: he felt certain I was being tracked by spies,and could not be made to understand that my presence here was of noconsequence one way or another."
"Then why are you here now?"
"I am just coming to that. I asked your guardian to invite my mother ashis guest. Have you met her yet?"
"No; they told me the Empress was too tired to receive any one. I am tobe introduced at dinner to-night."
"Well, this morning I wrote to the Archbishop of Mayence, telling him ofmy interview with your guardian, the reason for it, and the results. Hisreply came promptly by return." Roland produced the document. "Just readthat, and see whether you detect anything sinister in it."
She read the letter thoughtfully.
"That is honest enough on the surface."
"On the surface, yes; but why not below the surface as well? That is afrank assent to a frank request. I think that if the Archbishops wouldtreat each other with open candor they would save themselves a good dealof anxiety."
"Perhaps," said the girl, very quietly.
"You are not convinced?"
"I don't know what to think." Then she looked up at him quickly. "Wereyou followed last night?"
"Ah!" ejaculated Roland, laughing a little "apparently not, so far as Icould see, but the night was very dark." Then he related to her theincidents succeeding the return to his room, while she listened withbreathless eagerness. "The Lieutenant," he concluded, "did not deny thathe was in the service of Mayence when I hinted as much, but, on theother hand, he did not admit it. Of course, I knew by his uniform towhom he belonged. He conducted my examination with military abruptness,but skillfully and with increasing courtesy, although I proclaimedmyself a mechanic."
"You a mechanic!" she said incredulously. "Do you think he believed it?"
"I see you doubt my histrionic ability, but when next he waits upon me Ishall produce documentary evidence of my status, and, what is more, I'lltake to my workshop."
"Do you possess a workshop?" cried the girl in amazement.
"Do I? Why, I am partner with a man named Greusel, and we own a workshoptogether. A gruff, clumsy individual, as you would think, but who,nevertheless, with his delicate hammer, would beat you out in metal abrooch finer than that you are wearing."
"Do you mean Joseph?"
"Yes," replied Roland, astonished. "What do you know of him?"
"Have you forgotten so soon? It was his stalwart shoulders that burst inmy door at Pfalz, and you yourself told me his name was Joseph Greusel.Were all those marauders you commanded honest mechanics?"
"Every man of them."
"Then you must be the villain of the piece who led those worthyironworkers astray?"
Roland laughed heartily.
; "That is quite true," he said. "Have I fallen in your estimation?"
"No; to me you appeared as a rescuer. Besides, I come of a race ofruffians, and doubtless on that account take a more lenient view of yourvillainy than may be the case with others."
The young man stopped in his walk, and seized her hands again, which sheallowed him to possess unresisting.
"Hilda," he said solemnly, "your guardian thought the Archbishop ofMayence had relented, and would withdraw his opposition to our marriage.Has Mayence said anything to corroborate that estimate?"
"Nothing."
"Has your guardian broached the subject to him?"
"Yes; but the attitude of my Lord of Mayence was quite inscrutable.Personally I think my guardian wrong in his surmise. The Archbishop ofTreves murmured that Mayence never forgives. I am certain I offended himtoo deeply for pardon. He wishes the future Empress to be a pliablecreature who will influence her husband according to his Lordship'sdesires, but, as I have boasted several times, I belong to the House ofSayn."
"Hilda, will you marry me in spite of the Archbishops?"
"Roland, will you forego kingship for my sake?"
"Yes; a thousand times yes!"
"You said 'For the Empress; not for the Empire,' but if I am no Empress,you will as cheerfully wed me?"
"Yes."
"Then _I_ say yes!"
He caught her in his arms, and they floated into the heaven of theirfirst kiss, an ecstatic melting together. Suddenly she drew away fromhim.
"There is some one coming," she whispered.
"Nothing matters now," said Roland breathlessly. "There is no one in theworld to-day but you and me."
Hildegunde drew her hands down her cheeks, as if to brush away theirtell-tale color and their warmth.
"'Tis like," said Roland, "that you marry a poor man."
"Nothing matters now," she repeated, laughing tremulously. "I am said tobe the richest woman in Germany. I shall build you a forge and enlistmyself your apprentice. We will paint over the door 'Herr Roland andwife; sword makers.'"
Two men appeared at the end of the alley, and stood still; the one witha frown on his brow, the other with a smile on his lips.
"Oh!" whispered the Countess, panic striking from her face the colorthat her palms had failed to remove, "the Archbishop and the CountPalatine!"
His Lordship strode forward, followed more leisurely by the smilingCount.
"Prince Roland," said Cologne, "I had not expected this after ourconference of last night."
"I fail to understand why, my Lord, when my parting words were 'Tellyour porter to let me in without parley.' That surely indicated anintention on my part to visit the Palace."
"Your Highness knows that so far as I am concerned you are very welcome,and always shall be so, but at this juncture there are others toconsider."
Roland interrupted.
"Read this letter, my Lord, and you will learn that I am here with thefull concurrence of that generous Prince of the Church, Mayence."
Cologne, with knitted brow, scrutinized the communication.
"Your Highness is most courageous, but, if I may be permitted, just atrifle too clever."
"My Highness is not clever at all, but merely meets a situation as itarises."
"Prince Roland," said the Countess, her head raised proudly, "may Iintroduce to you my friend, and almost my neighbor, the Count Palatineof the Rhine?"
"Ah, pardon me," murmured the Archbishop, covered with confusion, butthe jovial Count swept away all embarrassment by his hearty greeting.
"Prince Roland, I am delighted with the honor her ladyship accords me."
"And I, my Lord, am exceedingly gratified to meet the Count Palatineagain."
"Again?" cried the Count in astonishment, "If ever we had encounteredone another, your Highness, I certainly should not have been the one toforget the privilege."
The Prince laughed.
"It is true, nevertheless. My Lord Count, there is a namesake of mine inthe precincts of your strong Castle of Gutenfels; a namesake who doesmore honor to the title than I do myself."
The Count Palatine threw back his head, and the forest garden echoedwith boisterous laughter.
"You mean my black charger, Prince Roland!" he shouted. "A noble horseindeed. How knew you of him? If your Highness cares for horses allow meto present him to you."
"Never, my Lord Count. You are too fond of him yourself, and I havealways had an affectionate feeling towards you for your love of thatanimal, which, indeed, hardly exceeds my own. I grasped his bridle-rein,and held the stirrup while you mounted."
"How is that possible?" asked the astonished Count.
"I cared for Prince Roland nearly a month, receiving generous wages,and, what I valued more, your own commendation, for you saw I was asfond of horses as you were."
"Good heavens! Were you that youth who came so mysteriously, anddisappeared without warning?"
"Yes," laughed the Prince. "I know Gutenfels nearly as well as you do. Iwas a spy, studying the art of war and methods of fortification. Istopped in various capacities at nearly all the famous Castles of theRhine, and this knowledge recently came in--"
"Your Highness, your Highness!" pleaded the Archbishop. "I implore youto remember that the Count Palatine is an Elector of the Empire, and, asI told last night, we are facing a crisis. Until that crisis is passedyou will add to my already great anxiety by any lack of reticence onyour part."
"By the Three Kings!" cried the Count, "this youth, if I may venture tocall him so, has bound me to him with bands stronger than chain armor. Ishall vote for him whoever falters."
"His Highness," said the Archbishop, with a propitiatory smile, "hasbeen listening to the Eastern tales which our ancestors brought from theCrusades, and I fear has filled his head with fancies."
"Really, Archbishop, you misjudge me," said the young man; "I am themost practical person in the Empire. You interrupted my boasting to herladyship of my handiwork. I would have you know I am a capable mechanicand a sword maker. What think you of that, my Lord?" he asked, drawingforth his weapon, and handing it to Cologne.
"An excellent blade indeed," said the latter, balancing it in his hand.
"Very well, my Lord, I made it and tempered it unassisted. I beg you tore-enter your palace, and write me out an order for a thousand of theseweapons."
"If your Highness really wishes me to do this, and there is no concealedhumorism in your request which I am too dull to fathom, you mustaccompany me to my study and dictate the document I am to indite. Ishall wait till you bid farewell to the Countess."
A glance of mutual understanding flashed between the girl and himself,then Roland raised her hand to his lips, and although the onlookers sawthe gallant salutation, they knew nothing of the gentle pressure withwhich the fingers exchanged their confidences.
"Madam," said the Prince, "it will be my pleasure and duty to wait uponmy mother to-morrow. May I look forward to the happiness of presentingyou to her?"
"I thank you," said the Countess simply, with a glance of appeal at herguardian. That good man sighed, then led the way into the house.