The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-04-17

plkeman. fronted with shining
breastplate Of metal. The counts con-
ductor Knocked gently at the closed
door. then opened it. holding it SO that
the count could pass in, and when he
had done 80 the door closed softly be-
hind him. To his amazement Winnie
burg saw before him, standing at the
farther end Of the small room. the
Emperor Rudolph entirely alone. The
count awkwardly was about to kneel
when his liege strobe forward and
prevented hin.
Count Winneburg," he said, from
what I hear Of you, your elbow joints
are more supple than those of your
knees; therefore let us be thankful
that ON this occasion there is no need
to use either. see you are under the
mistaken impression that the emperor
is present. Put that thought from your
mind and regard me simply as Lord
Rudolph-one gentleman wishing to
have some little conversation with an
other
your majesty" stammered the
count.
II have but this moment suggested
that you use the title my lord. But
leaving aside all question OF salutation,
let us get to the heart of the matter,
for think we are both direct men.
You are summoned to Frankfort be
cause that high and mighty prince of
the church, the archbishop of Treves,
has made complaint to the emperor
against you. alleging what seems to be
an objectionable indignity suffered by
him at your hands,"
Your majesty-my lord. mean."
faItered the count the indignity
was Of his own seeking; he sat down
in my chair. where he had no right to
place himself, and-1-persuaded him
to relinquish his position"
$50 am informed-that Is to say, SO
his majesty has been informed" re-
piled Rudolph. slight smile lowering
round his finely chiseled lips. 1--WE are
not here to comment upon any of the
archbishop's delinquencies, but grant
ing, for the sake of argument. that he
had encroached upon your rights. new.
ertheless he was under your roof, and
honestly fail to see that you were
justified in cracking his heels against
the same.'
We'll. your majesty-again 1 beg
your majesty's PARDON
"Oh. no matter" said the emperor
"Call me what you like; names signify
little"
III. then. the emperor" continued
the count. found an intruder sitting
on his throne. would he like it. think
your
His feeling perhaps would be one OF
establishment, my lord count. but
speaking for the emperor am certain
that he would never lay hands on the
usurper. or treat him like sack OF
corn in a yeoman's barn."
The count laughed heartily at this
and was relieved to find that this quit
ted him Of the tension which the grea1
presence had at first caused.
Truth to tell, your majesty, an
sorry touched him. should have re
Quested him to withdraw, but my arm
has always been more ready in actor
than my tongue, as you can readily SEE
since l came into this room'
Indeed, count. your tongue does 70,
very good service" continued the EN-
peror, land am glad to have from
you an expression of regret l hope
therefore, that you will have no hest
tation in repeating that declaration II
the archbishop of Treves."
"Does your majesty mean that an
to apologize to him?"
Eyes," answered the emperor.
There was a moments pause; theI
the count said slowly:
81 will surrender to your majesty
my person, my sword, my castle an(
my lands; will, at your word, pros
trate myself at your feet and humbl.
beg pardon for any offense have com
mitted against you. but to tell tn,
archbishop am sorry when l am no
and to cringe before him and suppl
cate his grace, well, your majesty, al
between man and man, I'll see hin
ID first!"
Again the emperor had some Difficult
ty in preserving that rightly Of ex
preston which he had evidently re
solved to maintain.
Have you ever met ghost, my lort
cOunt?" he asked. Winneburg crossed
himself devoutly, sudden pallor com
M