"An Intercessionale in favour of the prisoner by the Herr von Schindel, resident of this place, and now laid up with the gout," said Erasmus to the council. "The petitioner presumes to defend the accused, uncalled for, and to impugn the competency of our tribunal. Ad acta!"
"The Frau von Netz, too, waits below in great trouble," added the servitor, "and implores, in Heaven's name, a secret audience of your excellency."
"The proud nobles can now stoop themselves to entreaties," exclaimed the burgomaster triumphantly; "but it's all of no use."
He went out. The poor Althea stood there, her face in a veil wet with tears, and she approached him with clasped and uplifted hands.
"Will it please you to walk in?" asked Erasmus with cold politeness, and opened the door of the little audience-chamber.
She tottered after him. He placed a chair f motioned to her to sit down, and placed himself opposite.
"What is your pleasure, noble lady?" he asked, after a short time, during which she was unable to speak from sobbing. "Our time is peculiarly valuable to-day."
"Mercy!" at length cried the poor petitioner in the most moving tones of anguish; "Mercy for my intended husband!"
"That is with God!" replied Erasmus. "In my weighty office I recognize but the duty of justice. If such a crime were to remain unpunished, I should have to account hereafter to the Highest for the innocent victims, which might in future be sacrificed to the arrogance of the nobles."
"I do not pray for the absolution of the unfortunate one; I only pray that the business may be brought before the bishop or the emperor, and I offer to be his security till then with my whole property."