Rodolph and Heinrich watched the departure in silence, the latter still struggling with his suppressed emotions, more than half feeling that he had not acquitted himself as a man should, by neglecting to fling back in the teeth of his enemy the contemptuous phrases he had received.
"My Lord Count," said Rodolph, "you have conducted the negotiations most admirably, and I desire to offer you my congratulations."
"I would rather have cut his beggarly throat than bestowed smooth words upon him," muttered the Count.
"There is much that is commendable and even alluring in the project, and doubtless before the sun has set, Bertrich will wish you had, for I do not envy him the meeting with his master. Never was the Archbishop so rascally served. One of two things will happen now, thanks to your diplomacy. The Archbishop of Treves, proud as he is, will be compelled to humble himself before his haughty ally, and declare that Bertrich failed to speak the truth, or the Archbishop of Cologne will gather his men about him and depart down the Rhine to the less picturesque precincts of his famous city. Even if a peace be patched up between them, there will be deep distrust in von Hochstaden's mind against the crafty Isenberg, for, knowing the wily Arnold as he does, Cologne will never believe but his envoy blurted out the truth, in spite of his master's assurance that it is a lie. Believe me, you might have rained blows on Bertrich's back and he would consider the chastisement as nothing compared with the humiliating dilemma in which your words and calmness have placed him."
"The words were not mine, but yours," said Heinrich, much mollified.
"I will not have you say so. I did indeed give you some hints but you clothed them in your own language, and in every case added force to them. It is not flattering to say I did not expect such from you, but I have to admit the truth. Words, my Lord Count, are often more deadly than swords. The man of words who can keep his temper will ever rule the man of the sword. As you acted this morning you might guide an empire."
"And as I acted yesterday, I could not rule my own household," said Heinrich, dryly.
"So far as I am concerned, my Lord, yesterday is dead. I do not remember what happened. I deal only with to-day."
"Lord Rodolph," cried Heinrich, with sudden exultation, "we shall beat these villains yet."