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?"

"Willingly, if I can, Guardian."

"Very well. I must first inform you that your imprisonment is likely to
be very short. You are to know that the harmony supposed to exist in
Stolzenfels is largely mythical