'That is exactly what I have the duty to remind your Highness,' returned the Prelate. 'The Duchess Johanna Elizabetha, your wife----' Eberhard Ludwig started violently; he saw that he had blundered. 'I do not speak of my _late_ wife, Monsieur le Prelat. She is no longer my wife! She who holds that position is Wilhelmine, Countess of Urach.' 'Impossible, Serenissimus, as long as the Duchess Johanna Elizabetha lives,' replied Osiander. 'By all the rites of the Church, by the law of God and man, I am truly wedded to the Countess of Urach!' the Duke answered passionately. 'As long as your Highness lives in mortal sin the Church denies you the Sacraments. I am the representative of the Church, your Highness, and in the presence of your Privy Council I pronounce this ban upon you,' said the Churchman severely. 'Let me remind you that there is another Church. Remember I am Pope in my land! If you of the Lutheran confession will not serve me, I will seek consolation in an older faith!' cried Eberhard Ludwig. The Geheimraethe, huddled together in a whispering, wavering, frightened group, had listened to Osiander's grave words in silence, but at this speech of his Highness's they broke into agitated exclamations: 'His Highness does not know what he says! Roman idolatry! Ah! Monseigneur! It is contrary to the testament of Eberhard the Ancient and the true laws of Wirtemberg!' Eberhard Ludwig paid no heed to these varied ejaculations of his Privy Councillors. He was watching Osiander's stern face, and his own expression was as unrelenting as the Prelate's. 'Is this your last word, Monsieur Osiander?' he said quietly. 'Yes, Monseigneur, my last word, and the decision of the Church which I represent.' 'Then, sir, I can dispense with your presence in my castle of Urach,' replied the Duke haughtily. The Prelate withdrew without a word. Eberhard Ludwig waited till Osiander passed out of the Golden Hall, then: 'Gentlemen, you have heard. Now I require you to sign this document. Those who do not sign, cease to be members of my Privy Council.' He drew a large folded paper from his breast, and laying it open upon the table desired one of the Geheimraethe to read it aloud. It was a repetition in formal legal terms of his Highness's speech to the Council, and had been drawn up and cleverly worded by Schuetz, the fraudulent attorney of Vienna. 'Your Highness takes the entire responsibility of this act?' questioned one of the councillors. 'Yes, noble sirs, and I have but to add that such of you as do not sign will be arrested immediately.' He moved back a few paces, and pushing open the door revealed to the councillors a detachment of Silver Guards stationed in the corridor without. Seven Geheimraethe approached the table and without more ado affixed their signatures to the document. Only Herr von Hespen remained. 'I await your decision, sir,' said Serenissimus harshly. 'I shall not sign,' replied Hespen.