"And now," said the Archduke Ferdinand, "insomuch as General Nigel Charteris, being a trusted officer of the Emperor, has endeavoured to desert, carrying with him the daughter of the Emperor and our sister, in which he has committed two heinous crimes against the Emperor's majesty, he will be immediately arrested and tried by a court-martial for the first crime, and by ourselves for the second. Of the issue there can be no doubt."
"I deny, your Highness," said Nigel in a loud firm voice, "that I ever had the intention of deserting the Emperor's service. Nor have your Highnesses any evidence of such intention. My services are a complete answer to the charge.
"As to marrying the Archduchess Stephanie, I am a Scottish gentleman whose forebears are of as old and gentle a race as your own. I admit the right of no man, be he called Elector or Emperor, to say me nay."
"Arrest him!" said the Archduke.
"You must reach him through my body!" said the Archduchess, throwing herself in front of Nigel.
"You had best bid your lover good-bye, and waste no words!" said the Elector grimly, and motioned the captain of the guard to come forward.
"Halt!" rang out a grim harsh voice, which resounded strangely through the domes and hollows of the church.
And the solitary onlooker of the two, who had witnessed the marriage, strode into the ring of light, fronting the Elector.
"I am Sir John Hepburn of the Scots Brigade, serving Gustavus of Sweden!"
The Elector scanned his lineaments. The Archduke had never seen this renowned leader in the field as the Elector had, and was inclined to doubt.