“Be assured, your Highness, that ultimately you will be traced to the Royal Palace.”

“Again not so, my Lord.  They will be led across the bridge into the mechanics’ quarter of Sachsenhausen, and if the watch continues, they must make a night of it, for I shall enter my humble room there and go to bed.”

“I see you have it all planned out,” commented the discomfited Archbishop.

The young man laughed.

“I anticipate an interesting life, my Lord, because it is my habit to think before I act, and I notice that this apparently baffles the Electors.  The truth is that you three are so subtle, and so much afraid of one another, so on the alert lest you be taken by surprise, that a straightforward action on my part throws all intrigue out of gear.  Now, I’ll warrant you cannot guess why I came here to-night.”

“Oh, I know the reason very well.”

“Do you?  That astonishes me.  What is the reason?”

“You came to see the Countess von Sayn.”

“Ah, is the lady within?  Why, of course, she must be.  I remember now, she was to accompany you to Frankfort, and it naturally follows she is your guest.”

“She is my guest, your Highness, and one reason why you cannot see her is because at this moment the lady converses with the Count Palatine, who has just arrived from Gutenfels.  As the Countess and myself enjoyed his hospitality not long ago in that stronghold, I have invited him to be my guest until the coronation ceremonies are completed.”

“My Lord, I regret that your hospitality halts when it reaches your future Emperor.  Why may I not be introduced to the Count Palatine?”

“Such introduction must not take place except in the presence of the other Electors.  I am very anxious, as you may perceive, that nothing shall be done to jeopardize your own prospects.  We have arrived, your Highness, at a critical moment.  History relates that more than one candidate has come to the very steps of the throne, only to be rejected at the last moment.  I am too sincere a friend to risk such an outcome in your own case.”

“Then you think it injudicious of me to see the Countess until after the Election?”

“I not only think it injudicious, your Highness, but I intend to prevent a meeting.”

Again the young man laughed.

“’Tis blessed then that I came for no such purpose; otherwise I might be deeply disappointed.”

“For what purpose did you come, Highness?”

“The Imperial Palace, my Lord, belongs no more to my mother.  If she or I continue there to reside, we seem to be taking for granted that I shall be elected Emperor; an assumption unfair to the seven Electors, whose choice should be untrammeled by even a hint of influence.  I beg of you, therefore, my Lord, to extend your hospitality to my mother.  I have spoken to her on this subject, and she will gladly be your guest, happy, I am sure, to forsake that gloomy abode.”