HAROLD. You're right! They weren't there in the beginning. There are two niches there behind the pictures. They were going to put up two statues in the style of the period. Then the places were covered with those canvasses there. LANDOLPH (_interrupting and continuing_). They would certainly be out of place if they really were paintings! BERTHOLD. What are they, if they aren't paintings? LANDOLPH. Go and touch them! Pictures all right ... but for him! (_Makes a mysterious gesture to the right, alluding to Henry IV._.) ... who never touches them!... BERTHOLD. No? What are they for him? LANDOLPH. Well, I'm only supposing, you know; but I imagine I'm about right. They're images such as ... well--such as a mirror might throw back. Do you understand? That one there represents himself, as he is in this throne room, which is all in the style of the period. What's there to marvel at? If we put you before a mirror, won't you see yourself, alive, but dressed up in ancient costume? Well, it's as if there were two mirrors there, which cast back living images in the midst of a world which, as you will see, when you have lived with us, comes to life too. BERTHOLD. I say, look here ... I've no particular desire to go mad here. HAROLD. Go mad, be hanged! You'll have a fine time! BERTHOLD. Tell me this: how have you all managed to become so learned? LANDOLPH. My dear fellow, you can't go back over 800 years of history without picking up a bit of experience. HAROLD. Come on! Come on! You'll see how quickly you get into it! ORDULPH. You'll learn wisdom, too, at this school. BERTHOLD. Well, for Heaven's sake, help me a bit! Give me the main lines, anyway. HAROLD. Leave it to us. We'll do it all between us. LANDOLPH. We'll put your wires on you and fix you up like a first class marionette. Come along! (_They take him by the arm to lead him away_). BERTHOLD (_stopping and looking at the portrait on the wall_). Wait a minute! You haven't told me who that is. The Emperor's wife? HAROLD. No! The Emperor's wife is Bertha of Susa, the sister of Amadeus II. of Savoy. ORDULPH. And the Emperor, who wants to be young with us, can't stand her, and wants to put her away. LANDOLPH. That is his most ferocious enemy: Matilda, Marchioness of Tuscany. BERTHOLD. Ah, I've got it: the one who gave hospitality to the Pope! LANDOLPH. Exactly: at Canossa! ORDULPH. Pope Gregory VII.! HAROLD. Our _bête noir_! Come on! come oh! (_All four move toward the right to go out, when, from the left, the old servant John enters in evening dress_). JOHN (_quickly, anxiously_). Hss! Hss! Frank! Lolo! HAROLD (_turning round_). What is it?