Barbarossa; An Historical Novel of the XII Century.
Page 9
_CHAPTER VII_.
_FATHER AND DAUGHTER_.
On a rough stone, in the deep and gloomy dungeon of the fortress ofCinola, sat Guido de Bonello, his body bent forward until his headalmost rested upon his knees, his manacled hands hanging helpless underthe weight of his fetters, and his tearful gaze fixed despondingly uponthe ground. He was a brave man, and had often looked death boldly inthe face; and if he was now so unmanned, it was from no thought of hisown sad fate; his fears were for his daughter, so soon to be leftwithout a protector. Suddenly the sound of steps met his ear, and heraised his head quickly, in the fond hope of distinguishing the lightfootfall of a woman. The key grated in the lock, the door swung backupon its hinges, and the chief turnkey, followed by Lanzo and theAbbot, entered the cell.
"Here is the priest," said the jailer, sullenly; "get through yourbusiness as soon as possible, for you must be hung at once. If I am tohave as much trouble with all my other prisoners, in future, I wouldrather resign my office now, and have done with it."
"I am entirely at your service, my son," said the Abbot, kindly, as heapproached the prisoner.
"Thanks, holy father," replied Guido; "but you are mistaken if youexpect to find a criminal here!"
"Of course!" exclaimed the jester. "Nowadays they never hang any buthonest men; the scoundrels go scot-free. Come, come, cousin, if fornothing else, you merit the gallows for being such a tender father, andtouching a fool's heart. God knows it was nothing but pity whichprompted me to get you a confessor."
Without noticing the idle babble of the fool, the prisoner gazedearnestly upon the Abbot, who seemed deeply grieved at the sight of hissad condition.
"You have no hardened criminal to deal with," said he, divining thepriest's thoughts. "My sole fault has been that I drew my sword toresist the bloody despotism of the Emperor. I feel confident that youhave not visited the camp of Barbarossa to encourage the crimes anderrors of the heretic, for your calm and pious eyes show clearly thatyou are no sycophant sold to the tyrant! As an unworthy sinner, I willgladly avail myself of your kind arm in this my last journey. But firstlet me beg you to administer aid to my spiritual necessities." Theclatter of horses' feet in the court-yard interrupted the prisoner; thesound of light footsteps was heard along the passage; the door swungopen, and a slight veiled form entered the dungeon;--the daughter ofBonello was in her father's arms. In the doorway stood Pietro Nigri,gazing, with deep emotion, upon the scene.
The prisoner, passionately embracing his daughter, wept and sobbedbitterly; for the thought that he held now to his heart, perhaps forthe last time, all that he loved on earth, was agonizing in theextreme.
The young girl's face was calmer. She uttered neither complaint norlamentation. For a moment her head reposed upon her father's breast,and then, raising it, she put back the gray hairs which covered hisbrow, and gazed fondly into his eyes.
"My father!" She could say no more; but the tone was enough to show theworld of deep emotions which filled her heart at this awful moment.
Disengaging herself from his embrace, she looked around her.
Women, in trying circumstances, often give proof of marvellous energyand force of character. Mastering for the moment her grief,--dismissingevery painful thought,--the young girl sought only to cheer the lasthours of the condemned.
"Take off these heavy fetters which crush him," said she to the jailer;"put him in some other less frightful cell, I implore you!"
"I have no desire to be hung in his place," growled the man.
"Oh!" said she, pleadingly, "it can be no crime to soothe the lastmoments of a dying man!" and she emptied the contents of her purse intothe jailer's hand.
The effect of the gold was magical; he smiled, bowed, and muttered someexcuse for his churlishness.
"Noble lady--you are too kind--yes, you are right, it would be inhumanto torture the poor wretch unnecessarily. I will conduct him to theupper tower, and, as he cannot wear his chains on his last journey, Imay as well rid him of them now."
And, taking a key from the bunch at his girdle, Guido's manacles fellupon the ground.
"Captain Hesso would be incensed, were he to see this, but it matterslittle; he won't come back again today, and to-morrow all will beover."
These last cruel words wellnigh broke the young girl's heart. Thejester observed her changing face, and his own ready sympathies wereawakened.
"Yes," said he, "to-morrow all will, probably, be over; but, one wordfrom me to the noble Duke, would falsify your prediction. I cut therope once, and I would do it again if the fancy took me."
"I owe you many thanks, my kind friend," said Bonello, pressing thehand of the jester. "I would not be here now, if your kind heart andgood knife had not acted so promptly."
"Pshaw! It Was a silly thing to do, my good sir; but if you would dosomething really of use, you should send this reverend gentleman to theEmperor, to get His Majesty to open your cage."
"If you have access to the court, holy father," said Bonello, "use yourinfluence in my behalf! I have never opposed the Imperial supremacy,and only took up arms to resist oppression; but if the Emperor willspare my life, I will consecrate it, hereafter, entirely to my child."
"Sir knight, be assured that I will do all in my power. A mission ofgrave importance summons me to the Emperor's presence without delay.May God grant that I may find him mercifully disposed! I will return asspeedily as possible, to announce to you the result of my efforts."
And the prelate, followed by Lanzo, took his departure for the Camp,while Guido, his daughter, and Pietro Nigri, were conducted by thejailer to a lofty and well-lighted chamber of the upper tower.
"If you wish anything," said he, "open this window and call; I shall beclose at hand."
He lingered for an instant, and then left the room, carefully lockingthe door behind him.
The travellers evidently stood in need of refreshments; but the sadfate awaiting Bonello, had prevented his child from all consciousnessof physical wants. Every movement of the girl betrayed her inwardsuffering; but, with the desire of soothing his last moments, shestrove bravely to conceal every trace of her own emotion.
Pietro was pale and suffering; although severely wounded in the lateunlucky battle, the proud Milanese felt still more deeply the dangersmenacing his beloved country. Wrapped in contemplation of the Germancamp, he stood at the open window, entirely forgetful of theunfortunate Guido and his daughter.
"I have been awaiting you impatiently, for two days past, my child!Were you delayed by the insecurity of the road?"
"Not at all, father; it was Pietro's wound which prevented metravelling more rapidly."
"Were you not annoyed?"
"On the contrary," she replied; "the German knights paid us everyattention in their power."
"What strange people those Germans are!" said Guido. "I have oftenadmired their courteous treatment of women. But your appearance intheir camp would, of itself, bring you a host of valiant champions."
"Heaven preserve us from such chivalrous support," said Pietro, whoseviolent hatred for the Germans would not suffer him to listen to a wordin their praise.
"To be just towards the virtues of our enemies, is no proof of eitherweakness or treason."
"No; but to admit the virtue of an enemy, is not becoming in a sincerepatriot," replied Nigri.
Bonello knew Pietro's blind hatred for everything that was German, andhad calculated upon a similar answer, the injustice of which it wasmost easy to show by simple facts. During their discussion, Hermengardehad approached the window, and now gave way to the emotions which shehad so long controlled. The tears coursed down her cheeks, for shecould see distinctly the gallows and the executioners. Raising her eyesappealingly towards Heaven, which shone clear and pure above thesmiling landscape, she thought of the promised intercession of the holyabbot, and she prayed to God and the Holy Virgin, for the safety of herbeloved and unfortunate father.
Her tear
s ceased, and in a calmer tone, she turned towards him:--
"Without doubt, the Emperor will pardon you. The Almighty knows yourinnocence, and will not suffer you to die the death of the guilty."
"Let us hope so, my child!"
"For my part, I expect nothing," said Nigri. "The heart of the tyrantBarbarossa knows neither pity nor justice.--Hermengarde, resignyourself to the worst, and do not cherish a vain hope."
"Oh! Pietro," said she, turning away.
"Rather be proud of your father's death; he is a martyr to the cause ofhis country's freedom!"
"Enough! enough!" interrupted Bonello. "A girl of fourteen cannotunderstand such heroic sentiments, dear Pietro! But if my hours arenumbered, as you seem to think; if I am soon to leave you forever,"(and Guido mustered up all his courage to preserve the appearance ofcalm resignation,) "it is you, Pietro, who must endeavor to replace me.You know my wishes; receive Hermengarde's hand now, until the priestcan unite you forever."
Tears streamed from the prisoner's eyes and fell upon his gray beard,as he took his daughter's hand to place it in that of Pietro. But thewords of the young man had made too painful an impression upon herheart, and turning from him, with a burst of bitter weeping,Hermengarde threw herself upon her father's bosom.