Now, to give you an instance. Your guardian last night
was simply panic-stricken at my audacity in visiting him. He said I must
not come again, refusing me permission to see you; he told you nothing
of my conference with him: he felt certain I was being tracked by spies,
and could not be made to understand that my presence here was of no
consequence one way or another."
"Then why are you here now?"
"I am just coming to that. I asked your guardian to invite my mother as
his guest. Have you met her yet?"
"No; they told me the Empress was too tired to receive any one. I am to
be introduced at dinner to-night."
"Well, this morning I wrote to the Archbishop of Mayence, telling him of
my interview with your guardian, the reason for it, and the results. His
reply came promptly by return." Roland produced the document. "Just read
that, and see whether you detect anything sinister in it."
She read the letter thoughtfully.
"That is honest enough on the surface."
"On the surface, yes; but why not below the surface as well? That is a
frank assent to a frank request.
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