_CHAPTER XXVI_.
_TREACHERY_.
Events of great importance had attracted the attention of all theCourt, and Erwin's prolonged and unusual absence had in consequencepassed unnoticed.
Influenced by their sincere admiration for the heroic resistance madeby the citizens, and out of respect for the nobility of the Guelphicfaction, the Count Palatine Conrad, Count Ludwig, and the Duke ofBohemia, decided to employ all their influence in case the besiegedshould seek to negotiate terms of surrender. The Milanese Consuls wereagreeably surprised by the proposal, and eagerly accepted the offeredmediation.
A short time after Erwin's departure from the camp, the noblespresented themselves in a body before the Emperor and made known theirviews on the subject. At first Frederic was astonished, and disposed toreject any arrangement, but the firmness of the princes finallypersuaded him that some concession must be made to the chivalrousspirit of the age, and the Milanese were notified that His Majestywould deign to receive a flag of truce.
Barbarossa attached more importance to this step than it reallymerited; for, accustomed to look at everything from the standpoint ofhis pretensions to universal sovereignty, he thought himself aggrieved,not by the interference of his knights, but by what seemed anencouragement given to rebels. Besides, he was provoked at theopposition made by the Duke of Austria to the contemplated divorcebetween Clemence and Henry the Lion, and particularly by theconversation which Beatrice had repeated to him. Rinaldo, who was sentfor, went still further, and loud words and threats were overheard inthe Imperial chamber, which the Chancellor did not leave until aftermidnight. What passed between the Emperor and his minister was neverknown, but the chronicles of the Court leave us in doubt whether thelatter was ever informed of the efforts made by the princes in favor ofthe Milanese.
Such being the condition of affairs, it was not surprising that theabsence of the Count and the lady passed unnoticed, and that Erwincould quietly retire to his chamber and prepare for the combat whichwas to take place on the ensuing day.
At dawn everything was ready, for Gero had faithfully attended to hisduty. Rechberg put on a shirt of fine chain-mail, with a hood for theneck and back of the head, and his arms and legs were protected with.brassarts and greaves of linked steel. Above all this, he wore a suitof plate armor with gauntlets, and a polished helmet. A poniard and along sword completed his equipment, while a page, according to thecustom of that time, carried his lance and shield.
Preceded by a herald, Erwin left the camp and took his way towards theappointed place of meeting. What was his surprise to find the gatesopen and the garrison drawn up in line upon the towers and ramparts.Entirely ignorant of the arrangement which had been made, he was at aloss to explain the situation. The noise of arms could be heard in thatdivision of the camp occupied by the troops of the Archbishop ofCologne, and still there could be no mistake on the part of thebesieged, whose movements were slow and precise, and among whom couldbe seen the consuls in their robes of ceremony, escorted by a showyretinue.
Whilst Rechberg was gazing with curiosity on the scene, the trumpetssounded, and the Cologne troops marched rapidly from their camp andcharged the Milanese, who, unprepared for the attack, were unable, forsome moments, to organize themselves. On all sides was heard the cry of"Treachery," and at the same time reinforcements issued from the cityto the support of the assailed.
Rechberg felt the more surprised that he perceived the standard of theDuke of Bohemia in the midst of the Milanese. The strife became moredeadly every moment, and Rinaldo was in serious danger, for the Duke ofBohemia, after endeavoring in vain to quell the trouble, had withdrawnfrom the _melee_. Erwin rode hastily towards Count Ludwig, and theother nobles on whose faces he read an expression of settled anger.
"We are eternally disgraced!" said the Count Palatine Conrad.
"The villain! the treacherous villain!" said the Duke of Bohemia. "Thatinfamous Chancellor! I will insult him to his face, when he returns."
"His return will be a difficult matter," added Goswin; "see how he issurrounded; and how his men are falling! Look there, that lance-thrustwill hurl him from his saddle!"
Count Dassel, in truth, was in mortal danger, hemmed in on all sides bythe enraged Milanese. At this moment the Emperor and his knights, infull armor, rode up.
"How is this, my lords? What means this combat? How! Cologne is inperil, and you remain idle?"
"Pardon, Sire," answered Count Ludwig; "the Chancellor has,treacherously, attacked the Milanese, who, confiding in our word, hadleft the city. He is justly suffering the punishment of his treason."
"It is possible that the Chancellor may have erred, but you are equallyguilty if you allow our Germans to be crushed!" replied Frederic. "Rideto the camp, Goswin! and bring up your men; and you, Erwin, take thistroop, and charge the enemy on the flank."
Whilst Rechberg, in the execution of the order, put himself at the headof the column, Barbarossa turned to the princes and nobles, and withprayers and threats endeavored to force them to take part in thecombat; but it was in vain he spoke.
"It has never been our duty, Sire, to defend traitors!" said the CountPalatine Conrad.
"Take care, sir," replied the Emperor, menacingly; "you may have causeto repent your conduct." He spurred to the head of a small body ofmen-at-arms who had assembled in the mean time.
"Courage, my faithful knights!" he cried, couching his lance; "think ofGerman glory!--a German flag is in danger! Charge to its rescue!" andwith levelled lances, the men-at-arms hurled themselves upon the foe.
Rechberg was already in the thickest of the fight, sowing death anddestruction around him, in his efforts to relieve the Chancellor; butit was in vain that he sought the Unknown, whom he was to recognize bythe glove upon his helmet.
The fresh troops from the camp and the Milanese were now engaged in afierce hand-to-hand conflict. The confusion was immense; without orderor preconcerted plan, each man attacked his adversary wherever he couldfind him. The ground trembled under the hoofs of the charging horses,swords clashed, and lances rose and fell; and the shrill blasts of thetrumpets, and the cries of rage and agony, formed a fittingaccompaniment to the sombre tragedy. Erwin pressed forward to where theconsuls stood, unable either to advance or retreat; but before he couldaccomplish his object, a loud shout was heard on the left, where theEmperor was fighting. Rechberg looked around; the Emperor haddisappeared, but a fierce struggle was going on, and the cry "theEmperor is down!" ran through the ranks; and then the Germans, with awild yell, began to drive back the enemy, who were giving way on allsides; and at this moment the Emperor regained his saddle and chargedforward.
Erwin had finally reached the consuls, while the Milanese were breakingin great confusion.
"Surrender!" he shouted, placing his sword's point on the breast ofGherardo Nigri.
"I yield," replied the Italian, "on the usual terms of chivalry."
The Count confided the prisoner to one of his companions.
"Friend Berthold," he said, "accompany this gentleman to your tent, andremain with him until my return."
The rout had now become general, and the Germans pursued the fugitivesto the very gates of the city. Eighty men-at-arms and two hundred andsixty-six infantry, who had left the town to aid the Consuls, wereprisoners, while heaps of dead and wounded covered the field of battle.
Before taking off his armor, our hero repaired to the tent where he hadplaced his prisoner.
Nigri looked up with an air of reproach, as Rechberg entered.
"I beg you to accept my excuses, my lord, for the unfortunate eventswhich have occurred this morning, whose cause I entirely ignore, but inwhich my honor compelled me to engage."
"My lord Count," replied Gherardo, "I can find no fault with yourexplanation; the Chancellor's hatred for my country is such, that togratify it, he considers himself at liberty to use even disloyalweapons against us."
"No apology can be made for
Dassel's conduct; but Milan also countsamong her citizens some whose loyalty is most questionable," repliedErwin.
"I understand you," said Nigri: "you allude to a matter which interestsyou personally--and me also. The capture of Hermengarde is a mostreprehensible action."
Rechberg was surprised, but his astonishment increased when the Consul,after a brief pause, continued.
"My son's act is very reprehensible, it is true; but perhaps undersimilar circumstances you would have done the same. Pietro is not yetformally betrothed to Hermengarde, but their marriage has been incontemplation for many years.--Put yourself in Pietro's place and tellme if his conduct does not seem less culpable?"
The Count was thunderstruck; he looked wildly at the Consul, and thenpaced the room in great agitation.
"Indeed?" said he, "I was not aware of this."
"You perceive, then, that Pietro's claim to the young lady somewhatpalliates his violence."
"Yes! yes! naturally."
"Still, what he has done is unworthy of a knight, and I count upon yourgenerosity not to make the father responsible for--"
"No; but your son's action will in some degree modify the conditions ofyour release. Excuse me for a moment. My friend Berthold will, duringmy absence, discharge the duties of host."
"With pleasure, Count," said Berthold; "I look upon it as an honor toentertain your prisoner."
Erwin mounted and rode over to the Imperial tent; for he wished to bealone for a short time. On his arrival, Gero announced that a Guelphicknight urgently desired to see him.
"You are not wounded, I trust, my lord?" said the squire, as he wastaking off his armor.
"No!"
"It is a pity that your duel was prevented. But perhaps the Unknown hasnot come off scot-free, and indeed he may have been killed or captured,for we have taken prisoner a great many knights."
"That will do now, Gero; you may put away the armor and then leave me.I wish to be alone."
The squire obeyed without another word; for he had never seen hismaster so sorrowful and dispirited.
"May I bring the stranger in when he returns?" he asked, as he wasretiring.
"Yes," replied the knight, seating himself sadly in a chair, andalready plunged in a gloomy revery, which betrayed itself in hisfeatures.
Bonello of Castellamare entered a moment afterwards, and met with areception whose coolness he at once attributed to its proper cause.
"My daughter," he said, "has been severely punished for visiting thecourt without my permission."
"Do you think so?" asked Erwin.
"Do you doubt it, my lord Count?"
"From what I have just learned, her marriage with Pietro Nigri has beendefinitely settled for some time," remarked the young German.
"The project is abandoned; Hermengarde will never be the wife of PietroNigri."
"Still, the Consul, who appears to be an honorable man, and who for afew hours has been my prisoner, tells a very different story."
"Because he is ignorant of certain facts. It is true that, a few yearsago, a marriage between our children was contemplated. But I have neverspoken to Hermengarde on the matter, and I know that Pietro's mannershave in some way of late displeased her. Besides, after your visit toCastellamare, she herself informed me that she would never be his wife,and as my intention is in no way to coerce her inclinations, she isperfectly free."
This revelation changed at once Rechberg's expression, and in hisdelight he almost threw himself into Bonello's arms; but suddenly hiscountenance fell as he thought of Hermengarde still a prisoner inMilan.
"My daughter will leave the city to-day," Bonello hastily added."Gherardo Nigri is your prisoner, and Pietro will not refuse toexchange Hermengarde for his father."
Before Rechberg could answer, the Chancellor entered, and after ahurried glance at Bonello, saluted the Count, with many warm thanks forhis opportune assistance during the battle.
"I merely did my duty," replied Erwin, "and am delighted that you havecome out of it safely."
"I escaped myself," said Dassel, gravely; "but fully two-thirds of mymen have fallen. May God rest their souls! With his thanks, His Majestyhas also commissioned me to deliver you a message. The influentialconsul Gherardo Nigri has, I have heard, fallen into your hands. TheEmperor requests that you will deliver him up to himself."
"I regret that I cannot comply with His Majesty's wishes. Nigri isalready at liberty."
"What!" cried Dassel; "you have already sent him back to Milan?"
"He has not yet gone, but he will be dispatched shortly."
"Do not be too hasty; at least, wait until I have informed theEmperor!" and the courtier hurriedly left the room.
"My lord Count," said Guido, who had anxiously listened to theconversation, "you will do wisely in acceding to His Majesty'sdesires."
"Not at all," answered Rechberg; "the prisoner belongs to me, and to meonly!"
At this moment the Chancellor reappeared.
"The Emperor desires your immediate presence," he said.
"Very well, my lord; I will obey at once. As for you, my lord Bonello,go to the consul Nigri and inform him upon what conditions he canobtain his release. Gero, show this gentleman the way to Berthold'squarters; I will be there soon myself."
"Be prudent, young man," said Dassel, after Guido had left them. "Takemy advice, and comply with your godfather's wishes. You know thateverything should give way before State reasons."
"It is well; let us go on," replied Erwin.
"I would deeply regret should your interest for this Italian ladyprompt you to refuse to accede to the Imperial desires. I beg you to beprudent, and do nothing which might compromise your good fortune."
Rechberg was silent, and they entered the Emperor's apartment. With agracious smile, Frederic motioned them to approach.
"We are not altogether satisfied with you, Erwin; you keep up anintimacy with one who has incurred our Imperial displeasure, and evenreceive the traitor's visit in our own quarters. And, more than this,we are inexpressibly surprised at these projects of marriage withBonello's daughter, whose invitation, on the part of the Empress, tovisit the Court has displeased us. We desire and insist that suchthings do not occur again."
Rechberg heard this sharp rebuke in silence.
"To-day's battle," continued Frederic, "in which you took a verydistinguished part, has given into your hands the consul Nigri. Hebelongs to you, according to the laws of chivalry; and as we areunwilling to be guilty of any act of injustice, we merely express asimple desire that he may be delivered over to our charge."
"Pardon me, Sire! It is impossible for me to comply with your wishes,"said Erwin, respectfully but firmly. "Hermengarde was carried off byNigri's son; her release depends upon that of the consul. In thiscircumstance, I feel sure that your Majesty will make no opposition tothe course which I have taken, and which is entirely consistent withthe laws of chivalry."
"Ah! the duties of chivalry!" cried Barbarossa, angrily. "Under thispretext our vassals have hesitated to protect their sovereign in thelate battle; and Count Rechberg, always on the same plea, refuses whatthe Emperor requests. When will this stop? If it goes on, all ourvassals will soon be false to their oaths of fealty."
"Loyalty and courage are a part of the duties of chivalry," repliedErwin, "and they are as sacred as the others."
"You appear to set great store by them, young man. It is very lucky forBonello! But do not go too far,--and fear our displeasure."
Erwin-bore with calmness the monarch's angry looks.
"It is strange," resumed the Emperor, still more violently; "it isstrange how this girl seems always to glide between us. I tell you, itis high time that you return to reason, and discard these absurdillusions. The daughter of the traitor Bonello is no fit wife for aCount of Rechberg."
The young man was in a most unpleasant position; but after a moment'shesitation, he answered,--
"Sire, I cannot, I must not comply with your wishes."
"Very g
ood!" said the enraged monarch; "since you will not do as I ask,it would be absurd to test your courage any further. Go and prepare foryour journey. To-morrow you will return to Germany."
Erwin had not expected this result. He felt sure that with one word hecould soften Frederic's displeasure by yielding to his demand. But,--
"No!" he muttered to himself, "I cannot!" and bowing respectfully, heturned and left the Imperial chamber.
"If we could put his disobedience out of the question, we should thinkhim charming," said Frederic. "Did you notice that he would not giveway to his emotions, even although his heart was full to bursting?"
"It seems to me entirely natural," replied the Chancellor; "he is aRechberg, and all of his family bear in this respect a strikingresemblance to their relatives of Hohenstauffen."
"We shall miss him greatly," resumed the Emperor. "But the healthy,bracing air of Suabia will soon cure him of these stupid and absurdideas of marriage."
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