Before speaking to his relatives, Heinz informed the monarch that he had
successfully executed his commission and, receiving a few words of thanks
and appreciation, modestly but with urgent warmth entreated the Emperor,
if he was satisfied with his work, instead of any other reward, to save
from further persecution the faithful servant who for his sake had borne
the most terrible torture.

The face of the sovereign, who had welcomed Heinz as if he were a long-
absent son, assumed a graver expression, and his tone seemed to vibrate
with a slight touch of indignation, as he exclaimed: "First, let us
settle your own affairs. Serious charges have been made against you,
my son, as well as against your servant, on whose account I have been so
tormented. A father, who is one of the leading men in this city, accuses
you of having destroyed his daughter's good name by forcing yourself into
his house after assuring his child of your love."

Heinz turned to Eva, to protest that he was here to atone for the wrong
he had done her, but the Emperor would not permit him to speak. It was
important to silence at once any objection which could be made against
the marriage by ecclesiastical and secular foes; therefore, eagerly as
he desired to enjoy the happiness of the young pair, he forced himself
to maintain the expression of grave dissatisfaction which he had assumed,
and ordered a page to summon the imperial magistrate, the First Losunger
of the city, and his protonotary, who were all amongst the guests, and,
lastly, the Duchess Agnes.

He could read the latter's child eyes like the clear characters of a
book, and neither the radiant glow on her face at Heinz Schorlin's
entrance nor her hostile glance at the Countess von Montfort had escaped
his notice. Both her affection and her jealous resentment should serve