Otto looked up, pale, staring.
Count Ludeger advanced and knelt before the emperor.
"My liege—what shall I say to the Electors?"
There was a breathless silence.
Then Otto raised himself erect on his couch.
"Say to them,—that I will die in Rome—in Rome—"
He checked himself and looked round.
"Leave me! Begone all of you!" he said. "Set double guards at the doors of this chamber and admit no one on pain of death.—I choose to be alone to-night!"
"And may not I even share my sovereign's solitude?" questioned Benilo with a look of feigned concern in his eyes.
"I wish to be alone!" Otto replied, then he beckoned Count Ludeger to his side. After all had departed, the King turned to the Count Palatine.