"
"A very clever point, my dear, but it does not overcome my difficulty.
There might be a dozen reasons why the rascal would not incriminate
himself to any stranger who thus took him by surprise. However, it is
useless to argue the question, for I persuade you as little as you
persuade me. The practical thing is to fathom the misunderstanding, and
remove it. Will you assist me in this?"
"Willingly, if I can, Guardian."
"Very well. I must first inform you that your imprisonment is likely to
be very short. You are to know that the harmony supposed to exist in
Stolzenfels is largely mythical: I left behind me the seeds of discord.
I proposed that the glum niece of Treves, whom you met at our historic
lunch, should be the future Empress. This nomination was seconded by
Mayence himself, and received with unconcealed joy by my brother of
Treves."
"Then for once the Court was unanimous? I think your choice an admirable
one."
"The Archbishop of Mayence does not agree with you, my dear."
"Then why did he second your nomination?"
"Because he is so much more clever than Treves, who a few minutes later
would have been the seconder.
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