Barbarossa; An Historical Novel of the XII Century.
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_CHAPTER XVIII_.
_CONFIDENTIAL SECRETS_.
Rinaldo took his way towards the Imperial pavilion, for he was anxiousto report the result of his interview with the Duke of Saxony. He wasinformed by one of the chamberlains that Frederic had gone to theapartments of the Empress, and Dassel decided to await his return in anadjoining room. He had taken but a few steps in a hall littered withcuirasses and swords and lances, when he heard the Emperor's voice,speaking in an angry tone. It was scarcely calculated to produce areassuring effect upon the statesman, but he approached the partitionand listened attentively.
Upon leaving the Empress, Frederic had met Count Rechberg in theantechamber. For some time the young man had been thinking seriously ofasking the Emperor's consent to his marriage with Bonello's daughter,and the uncertainty of the result of his application produced a stateof painful anxiety. He was seated in a corner, his head resting on hishands and his elbows on his knees, when the monarch entered, and was soabsorbed in his reflections that he was unconscious of his presence.Frederic looked at him with some surprise, and shook his head. At thismoment Erwin sighed deeply, and the Emperor involuntarily shuddered.
"Erwin!" said he, with a loud voice.
The young count sprang up hastily, and stood, with heightened color,before his sovereign.
"What is the matter, my boy? For some time past you seem out ofspirits. Can nothing amuse your sad thoughts? Tell me what ails you."
Erwin only answered by a still deeper blush. The man who by a wordcould render him happy, was before him, and yet, trembling like acriminal, he did not dare to speak.
"Are you dumb? Ah! now I begin to be really curious to learn the secretwhich saddens your young heart."
"I must really help this poor fellow," thought Rinaldo.
"Come, Erwin, your reticence displeases me. What motive can there befor silence with your godfather?"
Rechberg looked sadly at the Emperor, as if to show him how painfullyhe felt this reproach.
"Well! if you have confidence in me, speak out! What is the matter? Forsome time past I have noticed your mournful and dejected appearance,and I hoped to have received your confession without being obliged toask for it."
"Pardon, Sire; it is not my want of confidence in your Majesty whichhas closed my mouth, but rather the conviction that my cares wereunworthy of your notice."
"Your cares!" resumed Barbarossa, looking at the young man moreattentively. "True, true, it is some piece of childishness; I mighthave guessed it sooner."
Rinaldo's entrance on one side, and the Empress on the other,interrupted Frederic.
"Beatrice," said he, "I give this sick boy up to your care. I know thatyou are a skilful physician;" and he left the room with the Count ofDassel.
Beatrice, the wealthy daughter of Count Reinald, of Upper Burgundy, wasbut sixteen years of age when she was chosen by Frederic as his wife.In spite of the opposition to his marriage made by Pope Adrian IV; inspite of the representations of the Church and the reputation of theworld at large, Barbarossa's passion was so violent that he disregardedevery obstacle, and on the repudiation of his first wife, Adelaide,conducted Beatrice to the altar.
At the time of which we speak, Beatrice was twenty-one years of age;beautiful, gracious, and accomplished; she was considered the mostamiable princess of the age, and she gladly undertook to console ayouth whom she esteemed as much for his own virtuous qualities as onaccount of his relationship to the Emperor.
Dismissing her attendants, she called the young man to her side, and ina few moments had learned his story. She listened to him coldly,without even a smile, and when all was told, merely remarked,--
"I desire that you make a formal demand for the hand of the fairHermengarde as soon as possible."
"I humbly thank your Majesty; but I scarcely dare to take a step whichmay not be approved."
"What do you mean? Not approved! and by whom?"
"By the Emperor, who will never consent to my marriage with thedaughter of one whom he looks upon as a traitor."
"Nonsense, Erwin! the Emperor cares nothing about love-affairs! He onlywants to see you happy."
"Your Majesty may be mistaken in this," replied Rechberg.
"Has the Emperor ever said anything to you on this subject?"
"Nothing. But I feel assured that he will refuse his consent."
"I understand, my dear Erwin. You are one of those people who like totake trouble on interest. I see that I must help you, as His Majestyhas ordered me to be your physician. So, the very first medicine whichI shall prescribe is to keep up your spirits. In the meantime, I amgoing to prepare you a sovereign remedy;" and she left the room.
"Richilda," said Beatrice, entering her private chamber, "can you notpoint out some knight whom I can intrust with a message of importance?"
"The whole army is at your Majesty's orders," replied the waiting-maid.
"No! no! I mean a good sword, on whom I can entirely depend."
"What does your Majesty think of the knight Goswin? He is brave,discreet, and would ride to Egypt for your Majesty."
The Empress' clear and musical laugh rang through the room.
"You are crazy, Richilda! Goswin, that vulgar soldier! Upon my word, hewould be a beautiful messenger."
"Pardon, madam; I had no intention of offending you; but, not to beguilty of another mistake, it would be well if I knew your Majesty'sintentions."
"Ah! you are curious! But after all, you may as well know all. I havelong desired to see this Hermengarde, who has so dazzled with herbeauty all the knights who have met her. I think of sending a brilliantembassy to invite her to my court."
"A most excellent idea," said Richilda.
"I have heard a great deal of her noble efforts in her father's behalf,and I am curious of knowing intimately one whose filial devotion I haveso much admired."
"But will your invitation be accepted? The lady of Castellamare is onlya child yet,--I believe not more than fourteen years of age. She cannotleave the castle without her father's permission, and it is scarcelyprobable that he will allow his daughter to go where he was treated soroughly himself."
"Your objections are not entirely unreasonable," replied the Empress."But, as a general thing, parents are not opposed to their children'shappiness, and will do a good deal to advance it, even if they have toforget their own personal injuries. But I have just thought of amessenger who will probably be a successful one. Come, let us go towork at once."