"I vote for the Prince," he said in tones barely audible.
"And you, my Lord of Cologne?"
"Aye," said Cologne gruffly.
"The Count Palatine?"
"Yes," thundered the latter. "A choice that meets my full approval, and
I speak now for the Empress as well as the Emperor."
"Durnberg!" cried Mayence, raising his voice.
The doors were instantly opened, and the cringing Romer-meister
appeared.
"Is the banquet prepared?"
"Ready to lay on the table, my Lord."
"The wine for the fountains?"
"Needs but the turning of the tap, my Lord."
"Order up the banquet, turn the tap; and as the new Emperor is unknown
to the people, cause heralds with trumpets to set out and proclaim the
Election of Prince Roland of Frankfort."
"Yes, my Lord."
The Archbishop of Mayence led the way out into the grand Kaisersaal, and
the new Empress rose from her chair, standing there, her face white as
the costume she wore. Mayence advanced to her, bending his gray head
over the hand he took in his own.
"Your Majesty," he said gravely, and this was her first hint of the
outcome, "I congratulate you upon your marriage, as I have already
congratulated your husband.
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