This prelude appeared to cause considerable emotion. There was visible agitation throughout the assembly.
Count von Crenneville felt encouraged, and was about to continue his appeal, when one of the electorals started from his seat and spoke:
"I beg pardon of the imperial envoy; but I must ask permission of the imperial representative-resident to make a personal remark."
"The permission is granted," replied Count Spaur, solemnly.
The envoy then continued, in loud and agitated tones: "I must, then, call the attention of this august assembly to a flagrant violation of the compact agreed between the first and second class of these ambassadors, by the latter. They have advanced their arm-chairs until the four legs of the same are now resting upon the carpet."
"We merely advanced our seats, to hear what his excellency had to say," remarked the envoy from Bremen.
"Nevertheless," replied Count Spaur, "I must request these gentlemen to recede. The understanding was, that their chairs were to rest partly on the carpet, partly on the floor."
Back went all the chairs, but their occupants looked daggers at the envoy from Mentz.
Count von Crenneville then resumed the broken thread of his discourse: "I earnestly request the assembly to come to a decision this very day. The country is in imminent danger, and can only be saved by unanimity and promptitude of action."
Here he was interrupted by the envoy from Bremen, who rose and begged to be allowed to make his personal remark.