_CHAPTER XXII_.
_VANITY_.
As soon as Herman's sentence had been pronounced, Erwin left the Camp,and sought the solitude of a neighboring wood, where he might meditateat his leisure.
He had considered it his duty to complain of Herman's conduct, but thedemeanor and profound despair of the culprit almost made him regret thestep which he had taken. Rechberg, like all generous-hearted men, waspainfully impressed by the sight of even a well-merited punishment, andas he reflected upon the sufferings of the disgraced soldier, he wasforcibly reminded of his own troubles. Would the inflexible will of theEmperor consent to Bonello's pardon? The question was a doubtful one,but he hoped for the best, and it needed all this hope to sustain hisfaltering courage. His reverie was long and absorbing, but suddenly astrange restlessness took possession of his imagination; and yieldingto his presentiments, he retraced his steps to the Camp as hurriedly asthough he had been informed of the arrival of his lady-love. Still hecould not possibly expect it, for he was ignorant of the designs of theEmpress. However, Hermengarde had really come, and had entered theImperial tent at a most opportune moment. Beatrice felt some slightapprehension of her husband's anger, but as the Emperor and theChancellor Rinaldo had gone over to Lodi after the audience of theambassadors, she was reassured as to the success of her plans, for afew days at least.
Her reception of Hermengarde was cordial in the extreme, and was atfirst attributed by the latter to the kind offices of Count Rechberg,but Her Majesty's words undeceived her.
"I cannot express to you," said she, "the pleasure which I experiencein receiving a young girl whose noble self-devotion made no account ofeither dangers or difficulties in her father's cause. I desire toassure you of my sincere respect and admiration, and will hope that theCourt may derive new lustre from your presence."
These flattering words surprised Hermengarde, whose ingenuous soul,devoid of all pride, had no desire to become conspicuous in any way. Atthe end of the reception, which had been wearily lengthened out by themany formalities then in usage, she withdrew to her own chamber torepose from the fatigues of the journey.
Beatrice's expectation of the Italian's beauty had been greatlysurpassed by the reality. Herself very handsome, and perfectly aware ofher charms, she had in her invitation neither been influenced by herguest's merits nor Rechberg's wishes, but simply by the curiosity ofseeing one whose beauty was so widely renowned. Up to this moment herown rank and loveliness had given her the first place at Court, and nowshe found herself in the position of a general who sustains anunexpected defeat after a long career of victories. The haughtysovereign was disappointed and provoked, and although she made everyeffort to retain her calmness, each movement betrayed the thoughtswhich agitated her mind.
"Well, madam, what do you think of the young lady's beauty?" askedRichilda, who rather liked to tease her mistress.
"Take away those draperies; it is suffocatingly hot," said Beatrice."Oh, you ask me what I think?--Do you find her pretty?"
"I have never seen any one like her!" said the tire-woman, boldly. "Itis to be supposed that my taste is not perfect, but it is theexpression of my opinion. She is beautiful, wonderfully beautiful!"
"Indeed? you think her wonderfully beautiful?" repeated Beatrice, witha mixture of scorn and anger. "You are very enthusiastic, it seems!"
"I only wished to express the highest point of beauty. Perhaps I shouldhave said beautiful as an angel!--And, indeed, your Majesty, I alwaysimagined that an angel would look like her!"
Beatrice endeavored to restrain her anger, but in spite of herself, shecolored and grew pale by turns.
"Oh! she is only a child yet, not fourteen they say, and before the ageof twenty she may change a great deal. You know that pretty childrenoften grow up into ugly women."
"The proverb will be wrong here, your Majesty. The young girl's beautyis still only in the bud, but we can already foresee what it willbecome. When the rose shall be fully blown, I would advise no one tocome near who is not perfectly sure that she can bear the comparison."
"Enough of this nonsense! Hermengarde is betrothed to Count Rechberg,and I wish to do everything to please him. Go and find out if Rechbergwill be here soon, for I am curious to witness their meeting. You mayinvite her to the collation of which I will partake with her."
Barbarossa; An Historical Novel of the XII Century. Page 24
