do so by my colleague of Treves.  Whatever justice there may be in disciplining Father Ambrose, there is none at all for exaggerated censure upon my lady, the Countess of Sayn, and before pronouncing a further censure I beg your Lordship to take into consideration the circumstances of the case, by which a young girl, without any previous warning or preparation, is called upon suddenly to make the most momentous decision of her life.  I say it is to her ladyship’s credit that she refused the highest station in the land in the interests of what she supposes to be, however erroneously, the cause of honesty, sobriety, and, I may add, of Christianity; qualities for which we three men should stand.”

“My Lord,” objected Treves, “we meet here as temporal Princes, and not as Archbishops of the Church.”

“I know that, my brother of Treves, and my appeal is to the temporal law.  Prince Roland, despite his high lineage, is merely a citizen of the Empire, and a subject of his Majesty, the Emperor.  It is therefore impossible that the crime of treason can be committed against him.”

During this protest and discussion the Elector of Mayence had leaned back again in his usual attitude of tired indifference; his keen eyes almost closed.  When he spoke he made no reference to what either of his two confreres had said.

“Madam,” he began, without raising his voice, “it is the sentence of this Court that you shall be imprisoned during its pleasure in the Castle of Pfalzgrafenstein, which stands on a rock in the middle of the Rhine.  Under the guardianship of the Pfalzgraf von Stahleck, who will be responsible for your safe keeping, I hope you will listen to the devout counsel of his excellent wife to such effect that when next you are privileged to meet a Court so highly constituted as this you may be better instructed regarding the language with which it should be addressed.  You are permitted to take with you two waiting-women, chosen by yourself from your own household, but all communication with the outside world is forbidden.  You said something to the effect that this Court dared not pronounce such sentence against you, but if you possessed that wisdom you so conspicuously lack, you might have surmised that a power which ventured to imprison the future Emperor of this land would not hesitate to place in durance a mere Countess von Sayn.”

The Countess bowed her head slightly, and without protest sat down again.  The Elector of Cologne arose.

“My Lord, I raised a point of law which has been ignored.”

“This is the proper time to raise it,” replied Mayence, “and you shall be instantly satisfied.  This Court is competent to give its decision upon any point of law.  If my Lord of Treves agrees with me, your objection is disallowed.”

“I agree,” said the Elector of Treves.

“My Lord of Cologne,” said Mayence, turning towards the person addressed, “the decision of the Court is against you.”