The Archbishop shook his head.

“I could not accept such donation.”

“Why not?  The former Archbishop of Cologne accepted Linz from my ancestress Matilda.”

“That was intended to be but a temporary loan.”

“Well; call my benefaction temporary if you like, to be kept until I call for it, but meanwhile to be used at your discretion.”

“It is quite impossible,” said the Archbishop firmly.

“Does that mean you will not allow me to adopt the religious life?”

“It means, my child, that I should not feel justified in permitting this renunciation of the world until you knew more of what you were giving up.”

“I know enough already.”

“You think so, but your experience of it is too recent for us to expect unbiased judgment this morning.  I should insist on a year, at least, and preferably two years, part of that time to be spent in Frankfort and in Cologne.  I anticipate a great improvement in Frankfort when the new Emperor comes to the throne.  If at the end of two years you are still of the same mind, I shall offer no further opposition.”

“I shall never change my intention.”

“Perhaps not.  I am told that the determination of a woman is irrevocable, so a little delay does not much matter.  Meanwhile, another problem passes my comprehension.  I have thought and thought about it, and am convinced there is a misunderstanding somewhere, which possibly will be cleared away too late.  I am quite certain that Father Ambrose did not meet Prince Roland in Frankfort.”

“Do you, then, dispute the word of Father Ambrose?” asked the girl, quickly checking the accent of indignation that arose in her voice, for humility was to be her role ever after.

“Father Ambrose is at once both the gentlest and most truthful of men.  He has undoubtedly seen somebody rob a merchant in Frankfort.  He has undoubtedly been imprisoned among wine-casks; but that this thief and this jailer was Roland is incredible to me who know the young man, and physically impossible, for Prince Roland at that time was himself a prisoner, as, indeed, he is to-day.  Prince Roland cannot be liberated from Ehrenfels without an order signed by Mayence, Treves, and myself.  I alone have not the power to encompass his freedom, and Mayence is equally powerless although he is owner of the Castle.  Some scoundrel is walking the streets of Frankfort pretending to be Roland.”

“In that case, my Lord, he would not deny his identity when accosted on the bridge.”

“A very clever point, my dear, but it does not overcome my difficulty.  There might be a dozen reasons why the rascal would not incriminate himself to any stranger who thus took him by surprise.  However, it is useless to argue the question, for I persuade you as little as you persuade me.  The practical thing is to fathom the misunderstanding, and remove it.  Will you assist me in this?”