_CHAPTER XXVII_.
_THE BETROTHAL_.
The entrance of several of the princes turned Barbarossa's attention toa subject of serious importance. Rinaldo's treachery had excitedgeneral indignation. The nobles thought themselves dishonored, andtheir arrival announced a storm. They came in abruptly; their obeisanceto the Emperor was less respectful than usual, and all glanced angrilyupon the minister.
"To what do we owe the honor of this unexpected visit?" asked Frederic,as they took their seats.
"We have come," replied the Landgrave Louis, "to demand the condignpunishment of your Chancellor Rinaldo, who traitorously attacked theMilanese when their envoys, confiding in the sanctity of our word, andwith full trust in our honor, were on their way to the Court."
"Your complaints deeply grieve us," said the Emperor; "we foresee allthe evils which may result from these misunderstandings. But let us bejust before all things. My lord Chancellor, what have you to plead inyour defence?"
Dassel assumed an air of injured innocence, and in an insinuating tonereplied,--
"The accused should have the right to defend his cause always, andparticularly in the present case, where there are many excuses to beurged. My fidelity to your Majesty, and the respect which I have alwaysprofessed for the nobility of the Empire, are in themselves a guaranteefor my innocence. May God preserve me from violating a princely word!Had I been aware that the Milanese, although the avowed enemies of theEmperor and the Empire, had approached our camp with a safeguard, Ishould not have presumed to attack them. I can only crave my pardon onthe ground of ignorance, if such an excuse be in your eyes worthy ofacceptance."
"But, Chancellor, did we not cry, and that too, loudly, that theItalians were under the protection of our word, and that they must notbe molested?"
"True, my lords; but the fighting had already begun!" answered Dassel."The Milanese hemmed me in on all sides, and I was no longer theaggressor, but in the position of legitimate defence."
"Your representations are not sufficient!" said the Duke of Bohemia;"your tongue is more skilful than ours, and you are our superior in allthat is tricky; but your treason must and shall be punished! Are youready to clear yourself of this stain in single combat?"
"Your lordship must be aware," replied Dassel, with a smile, "that thecanons of the Church forbid this mode of justification to theArchbishop of Cologne?"
"Bah!" said the Count. "You are only a layman like us; only aconsecration can make you a priest or a bishop. So long as you are notan ecclesiastic, you have no right to shelter yourself behind theprivileges of the Church."
"My lords!" cried the Emperor, angrily, "we will not permit thisassault upon a man whose honor and veracity are known to us; we declarehim absolved from all blame; we are satisfied with his explanations!"
Rage and mortification were expressed on the faces of the knights.
"If your Majesty wishes to shield your Chancellor, we must obey," saidConrad; "but as some amends for the outrage, we request that you willrelease the consuls who were captured despite our word of honor asgentlemen and knights."
"It cannot be!" answered Barbarossa. "These consuls are the chiefs ofthe rebellion, the ringleaders of the conspiracy, which, for manyyears, has been plotting against us. It would be gross folly, on ourpart, to send away the promoters of the disorder. They must remain withus as captives, until the surrender of the fortress."
"But, Sire," added the Duke of Bohemia, with difficulty restraining hisindignation, "the Milanese will say that we are _disloyal felons_, whodesire, not the reduction, but the destruction of their city!"
"As for me," said Conrad, boldly, "my honor is at stake, and I willavoid all intercourse with the Chancellor.--To-morrow, I and my troopswill return to our homes."
"Your term of service has expired, and we have no right to detain you,"answered Barbarossa, calmly. "However, I shall expect you next spring,when you will return with more numerous and better disciplined troops.If, before that time, Milan shall have fallen, there will still remainenough to do in Italy, before we can restore the Empire to its ancientsplendor."
Although these last words were prompted by a desire to flatter thenobles, they left his presence with a discontented and dissatisfiedair.
Meanwhile Rechberg, Bonello, and Nigri were standing in front of thecity gate, near which the consul's tent was pitched, and Erwin relatedthe circumstances which had induced the order for his banishment fromItaly. The sad and despondent tone of the young man moved Bonello'ssympathy.
"If my daughter could esteem you more than she does already," he said,"this injustice would have that effect. I am confident, however, thatshe will now yield to my wishes and consent to leave Italy."
"You desire then to abandon your country?" asked Rechberg, withsurprise.
"Yes, and perhaps forever!" replied Guido. "It is too painful to livein the vicinity of a struggle which threatens one's very existence,without being able to share in it. This, and some other motives, decideme to go to France, where I will remain until the storm is over."
They dismounted, and Gherardo Nigri was released upon his engagement toreturn, provided Hermengarde was not immediately given up to herfather.
"Since you refuse to enter within the city," said Nigri to Erwin, "waithere for a few minutes, and you will be assured of the lady'sliberation. Accept my thanks for the energy with which you defendedyour honor and my safety against Barbarossa."
Erwin seated himself upon a stone in front of the gate, with his facetowards the city, in anxious expectation. At last he heard a loudnoise, the massive portals swung back, and Bonello appeared, leadinghis daughter by the hand, while a crowd of wondering citizens lined theramparts. The young man rose slowly. The thought of their separationand his arbitrary exile saddened him.
"Everything goes on as I desired and predicted," said Bonello."Hermengarde is glad to leave the country from which you are banished.Indeed, I believe that, in spite of all obstacles, she would preferSuabia to France."
"Are those obstacles insurmountable?" asked Erwin. "Although the wardand vassal of the Emperor, I alone am master in my father's castle."
"It is impossible," replied Bonello, gravely. "You have told me whatthe Emperor has said, and I fully understand the reasons for which hehas sent you away from Italy. Barbarossa is not a man to allow hisplans to be thwarted, and we should scarcely arrive in Suabia, beforean order for our expulsion would be issued."
Erwin's countenance fell, for he could not deny the truth of theobjection.
"Still you can do us a great service," said Guido. "The roads are notsafe, and perhaps you can procure an escort?"
"I will attend to that," answered Rechberg; "when do you wish to setout?"
"To-day, without fail; and the sooner the better."
"I will see the Duke of Austria at once. He will be delighted to do allin his power for one who has become so celebrated for her filialaffection as your fair daughter."
"Many thanks, noble Count! Well! Hermengarde, have you not one word ofacknowledgment for our benefactor?"
"My lord Count," said she, with a trembling voice, "even could I findwords in which to clothe my gratitude, my voice would expressimperfectly all the feelings of my heart. We will never forget you, andeach day our prayers will mount to the throne of that God in whosehands is the destiny of all mortals."
"Well said, daughter, you are right. Could I be fortunate enough,Count, to gratify one of your wishes?--Come," continued Bonello, seeingthat Erwin was too agitated to speak, "you should at least have courageenough to ask me, but I think I can reward you? Well, if you won't, Imust; take her, my son! My children, I betroth you in the sight ofHeaven, and before this assemblage."
The people applauded, as Erwin took her hand; he had forgotten thepast, and his eyes shone with a courage and a determination which wouldhave defied the universe.
"My dear Bonello, I leave you, full of hope in a brighter future!Farewell, Hermengard
e, and fear nothing; our separation will be only abrief one."
He mounted and rode away, followed by the cheers and good wishes of thecrowd.
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