Put it this
way if you like. Would you rather pleasure me or pleasure the
Archbishop of Treves?"
"There is no question as to that," answered the Count.
"Then it will please me well if you promise to apologise to his
Lordship the Archbishop of Treves. That his Lordship will be equally
pleased, I very much doubt."
"Will your Majesty command me in open Court to apologise?"
"I shall request you to do so. I must uphold the Feudal law."
"Then I beseech your Majesty to command me, for I am a loyal subject,
and will obey."
"God give me many such," said the Emperor fervently, "and bestow upon
me the wisdom to deserve them!"
He extended his hand to the Count, then touched a bell on the table
beside him. The officer who had conducted Winneburg entered silently,
and acted as his guide back to the thronged apartment they had left.
The Count saw that the great crimson curtains were now looped up,
giving a view of the noble interior of the room beyond, thronged with
the notables of the Empire. The hall leading to it was almost deserted,
and the Count, under convoy of two lancemen, himself nearly as tall as
their weapons, passed in to the Throne Room, and found all eyes turned
upon him.
He was brought to a stand before an elevated dais, the centre of which
was occupied by a lofty throne, which, at the moment, was empty.
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