"In the Fiend's name, do so!" cried Heinrich, who with wrinkled brow had at last comprehended his guest's volubility, whereupon the archer waited no further permission but took himself off with a celerity which caused more than one smile to brighten the anxious faces in the room.
"You are doubtless as hungry as your man-at-arms," said Heinrich, turning to Rodolph, "but will possibly pardon the necessity that intervened between you and the board."
"Indeed, my Lord, I care little for food to-night, being more in need of rest, and, if I have your leave, would be glad to get sight of bed, especially as I hold it necessary to be early astir to-morrow, if we are to make Frankfort before nightfall."
"It is not my intention that you go to Frankfort; I have changed my mind. It will profit my niece nothing to go to Frankfort, for even if the Emperor were there, he is nothing but a hare-brained fool."
"I most emphatically agree with your estimate of him, my Lord."
"I thought you were a friend of his?"
"I am, and therefore know him well, and so with easy conscience can perform the part of candid friend and amply corroborate what you say concerning him."
"I know him not, and judge him but by hearsay. He is a foreigner and no true German, and was elected by the two Archbishops for their own purposes and cannot therefore be either a fighter or a man of brains. He lacks wisdom, think you?"
"He has no more wisdom, my Lord, than I, who mix with other people's quarrels and get scant thanks for my pains."
"A man can scarcely be expected to give thanks when he finds that others have arranged a war for him without his knowledge or sanction."