“Do you feel any shyness about meeting this formidable conclave? Remember you have at least two good friends among them.”
The girl placed her hand in his, and looked affectionately upon him.
“When you are with me, Roland, I am afraid of nothing.”
“I should not ask you to pass through this ordeal were it not for your guardian. His astonishment at the announcement of our marriage will be so honest and unacted that even the suspicious Mayence cannot accuse him of connivance in what we have done. Of course, the strength of my position is that I have but carried out the formal request of their three Lordships; a request which has never been rescinded.”
Before she could reply the hour of twelve rang forth. The deferential Herr Durnberg entered from the Wahlzimmer, and softly approached them.
“Your Highness,” he said, “my Lords, the Electors, request your presence in the Wahlzimmer.”
“How many are there, Romer-meister?”
“There are four, your Highness; the three Archbishops and the Count Palatine.”
“Ah,” breathed Roland, relieved that Mayence had not called up his reserve, and assured now that the seventh Elector had not arrived. With a glance of encouragement at his wife, Roland passed into the presence.
Herr Durnberg, anxious about the outcome, showed an inclination to close the door and remain inside, but a very definite gesture from Mayence wafted the good man to outer regions.