Conrad descended to his boat without further ado, and again Rodolph paced up and down the room with even more impatience than he had shown the previous night. It seemed hours before he heard the lover returning, and when the young man appeared—
"Well, well, well?" cried the waiting Emperor, "when do they come, when do they come?"
"That I cannot yet tell, my Lord."
"Good heavens! May not a conclusion be more speedily reached on a subject so trivial? What did Hilda say?"
"She asked the Countess whether it was her will or no to go out in the boat, as had been formerly proposed. Her ladyship seemed strangely moved by so simple a question. She wrung her hands, Hilda said, and wept a little, crying that she knew not what to do. Hilda assured her I held myself in readiness, upon which the Countess walked up and down the room in agitation, and asked Hilda to beg me not to fail her, if she called upon me."
"There is more in this than appears on the surface. Go on, go on."
"She asked Hilda to inquire particularly where I lived, and where the boat was kept; whether any one else was in the house with me, and the like. Then she said she might go to-morrow night, but would let me know. She said she must see the Archbishop first."
"The Archbishop!" cried Rodolph. "In God's name, did she say why? Is she a prisoner?"
"Hilda thinks she wishes to get his permission."
"A thousand terrors! This is most awkward. It will mean guards, a retinue, and what not. Why did you not urge Hilda to beg her to come without such ceremony?"