The
window itself was then thrown wide. Cheering ceased, and in the new
silence, from out the darkness there stepped with great dignity an old
man, gorgeous in his long robes of office, and surmounting that splendid
intellectual head rested the mitered hat of an Archbishop. After the
momentary silence the cheers seemed to storm the very door of the sky
itself, but the old man moved no muscle, and no color tinged his wan
face.
"By the Kings," whispered Roland, during a temporary lull, "what a man!
There stands power embodied, and yet I venture 'tis his first taste of
popularity. I am glad we have seen this sight, both mob and master. How
quick are the people to understand who is the real ruler of Germany! I
wish he were my friend!"
Slowly the Archbishop raised his open hands, holding them for a moment
in benediction over the vast assemblage. Once more the cheers died away,
and every head was bowed, then the Archbishop was in his place no
longer. Unseen hands closed the windows, and a moment later the shutters
blinded it.
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