"Hilda," he said solemnly, "your guardian thought the Archbishop of
Mayence had relented, and would withdraw his opposition to our marriage.
Has Mayence said anything to corroborate that estimate?"
"Nothing."
"Has your guardian broached the subject to him?"
"Yes; but the attitude of my Lord of Mayence was quite inscrutable.
Personally I think my guardian wrong in his surmise. The Archbishop of
Treves murmured that Mayence never forgives. I am certain I offended him
too deeply for pardon. He wishes the future Empress to be a pliable
creature who will influence her husband according to his Lordship's
desires, but, as I have boasted several times, I belong to the House of
Sayn."
"Hilda, will you marry me in spite of the Archbishops?"
"Roland, will you forego kingship for my sake?"
"Yes; a thousand times yes!"
"You said 'For the Empress; not for the Empire,' but if I am no Empress,
you will as cheerfully wed me?"
"Yes."
"Then _I_ say yes!"
He caught her in his arms, and they floated into the heaven of their
first kiss, an ecstatic melting together.
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