Page:Zawis and Kunigunde (1895).djvu/193

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PLOTS AND COUNTERPLOTS
189

remember that party will exact tenfold slavery by the very confessions that intensify its new-found zeal. Rudolph smiled at these demonstrations, and directly refused to adopt any measure against the lord of Fürstenberg. He felt more than content to discover palpable evidences of hot dissensions in Bohemia in the near future. To the clerical party the retirement of Zawis caused only mild gratification. They dreaded to create antagonism between Bohemia and Albert, already openly attempting to render the imperial throne hereditary. The quiet character of Tobias, the bishop, precluded demonstrations from that quarter; and he prudently awaited developments, before declaring to which side he perceived the victory would incline.

A bishop from the Witkowici, Dietrich of Neuhaus, now governed Olmütz as successor to Bruno; and that strong family alliance still remained unbroken.

A state council necessarily assembled for the purpose of enabling the new administration to present to the king a full statement of public affairs. At this council were present Wenzel, Duke Nicolas, Tobias, Burkhard of Janowic, Zdislas of Lowenberg, and Benes of Wartenberg.

The notarius employed by Lord Zawis, Nicolas Jaroslav, also attended to make explanations if necessary. The king had already become familiar with the military administration and knew its condition.

At length Nicolas arose. “I must call the attention,” he said, “of my lords, to a deficiency in the revenues from Gratz in the dukedom of Troppau,