“It is not necessary,” said the Empress.
“Your Majesty perhaps forgets,” persisted the minister, “that pardon has already been proffered by the Emperor under certain conditions that commended themselves to his imperial wisdom, and that the clemency so graciously tendered was contemptuously refused.”
At this veiled opposition all the suspicion in Brunhilda’s nature turned from Wilhelm to the high official, and she spoke to him in the tones of one accustomed to prompt obedience.
“Prepare an unconditional pardon, and send it immediately to the Emperor without further comment, either to him or to me.”
The minister bowed low and retired. The Empress dismissed the court, detaining Elsa, and said to Wilhelm:
“Seek us half an hour later in the Red Room. Your wife I shall take with me, that I may learn from her own lips the adventures which led to your recognition as the heir of Schonburg, something of which I have already heard. And as for your outlaws, send them word if you think they are impatient to lead virtuous lives, which I take leave to doubt, that before another day passes they need fear no penalty for past misdeed, providing their future conduct escapes censure.”
“They are one and all eager to retrieve themselves in your Majesty’s eyes!”
“Promise not too much, my young Lord, for they may be called upon to perform sooner than they expect,” said Brunhilda, with a significant glance at Wilhelm.
The young man left the imperial presence, overjoyed to know that his mission had been successful.