The Conference of the Dead
A legend of later date than most of the Rhineland tales, but still of sufficient interest to merit inclusion among these, is that which attaches to the palace of Biberich. Biberich lies on the right bank of the river, not very far from Mainz, and its palace was built at the beginning of the eighteenth century by George Augustus, Duke of Nassau.
The legend states that not long after the erection of the palace a Duchess of Nassau died there, and lay in state as befitted her rank in a room hung with black velvet and lighted with the glimmer of many tapers.
Outside in the great hall a captain and forty-nine men of the Duke’s bodyguard kept watch over the chamber of death.
It was midnight. The captain of the guard, weary with his vigil, had gone to the door of the palace for a breath of air. Just as the last stroke of the hour died away he beheld the approach of a chariot, drawn by six magnificent coal-black horses, which, to his amazement, drew up before the palace. A lady, veiled and clad in white, alighted and made as though she would enter the building. But the captain barred the way and challenged the bold intruder.
“Who are you,” he said sternly, “who seek to enter the palace at this hour? My orders are to let none pass.”
“I was first lady of the bedchamber to our late Duchess,” replied the lady in cold, imperious tones; “therefore I demand the right of entrance.”
As she spoke she flung aside her veil, and the captain, instantly recognizing her, permitted her to enter the palace without further hindrance.
“What can she want here at this time of night?” he said to his lieutenant, when the lady had passed into the death-chamber.
“Who can say?” replied the lieutenant. “Unless, perchance,” he mused, “we were to look.”