The guests had not all assembled. Maximilian himself, though talking affably with the principal burghers, the few officers present, or some of the ladies, looked gloomy. Indeed he had much to occupy his mind. The latest advices from Ingolstadt told that the fortress town still held out stoutly, and was still closely beset by Gustavus. Of movement towards Ratisbon there were rumours enough, but Maximilian was being well served with information, and these rumours did not trouble him so much as they did the burghers. As in all the great free cities, there was a party favouring Gustavus, another favouring the Emperor, a third whose one desire was to maintain an exact neutrality. All wished the war was at an end, because it interfered wofully with trade.
"I had thought to have seen the Archduchess here to-night!" said Maximilian to the brother of the absent lady.
"In truth," said Ferdinand, "I cannot tell. She is accustomed to follow her whims. I learned that she went out riding to-day. It may be that she is late in returning, and is even now at supper."
Maximilian smiled sombrely and made some polite and meaningless reply, but his manner suggested that he was not at his ease.
"At what hour, Burgomaster, do you close the city gates?" Maximilian asked of his next fellow-guest.
"At eight, your Highness!"
"And the keys?"
"Are brought to my house, your Highness!"
"Ah! Very salutary! You have all things well-ordered in Ratisbon."
"Your Highness is good enough to commend us. Nevertheless, there are many things that may well be improved."