“We will see to that,” responded Rudoph, now sensible of his degradation, and aware how he had been duped.
During this conference another scene had been enacted out of doors. A small cortege approached Vienna. As it drew near the gate on the Moravian side, an elderly woman, closely veiled, was observed to start rapidly towards the imperial schloss for the time. As she hurried, another woman, limping and poorly clad, placed herself beside her, and at once started to clicket her wooden leper rattle. This fearful sound instantly attracted attention. “The lepers, the lepers!” at once became the cry, and the most angry demonstrations drove both women far out of the town. The cortege proceeded uninterrupted and on signal readily obtained admission. With a daring and fidelity that could be exhibited only in full reliance on thousands of sympathizers in Vienna, the schloss attendants, first loudly knocking, boldly announced to the astonished conference, “The queen of Bohemia, your highness, and her retinue.” Albert frowned both from anger and disappointment. He had confided in Teresa to announce the approach of the cortege in time at least to create difficulties. Bruno and Brother Primus looked chiefly at the faces of those accompanying the queen. The persons who entered were Queen Kunigunde, Lady Ludmila, Eudocia, Lord Zawis, Lord Drda, and Solomon. Rudolph smiled, but continued seated. “A sudden visitation, but not unwelcume,” exclaimed the emperor, his smile somewhat clouded. “What cheer,
