_CHAPTER XXXII_.
_ALEXANDER'S AMBASSADOR_.
On the very next morning Erwin could judge of the truth of at leastsome of the stranger's assertions. Frederic arrived early, and contraryto the expectations of all, received our hero with open arms and everytoken of sincere affection. Rechberg himself was surprised, for noallusion whatever was made to the previous misunderstanding.
"You are welcome, Erwin," said the monarch, when Eberhard presented theyoung man; "I heard of your arrival in Pavia, and was pleased to thinkthat you could accompany us to France."
He pressed the Count's hand with so much warmth, that the latter couldno longer doubt that his sovereign had some ulterior designs in view.The Chancellor also was most amiable, and during their return to Pavia,which took place the same day, rode constantly by his side, speaking ofthe contemplated council which was to be held in France, at which theFrench and English monarchs were to be present. He took such pains tovaunt the riches and elegance of the French ambassador, Count Henry ofChampagne, whose sister had just married King Louis, that Rechberg wascompletely puzzled, and resolved to be more than ever on his guard.
A magnificent reception had been prepared by Frederic's order in Pavia.Victor and his partisans had left the city, and everything which couldpossibly remind any one of the Antipope, had disappeared, even to thearms which hung over his palace.
The zealous Omnibonus, Bishop of Verona, a stanch adherent ofAlexander, and the uncompromising opponent of Victor, received theMetropolitan at the entrance of the cathedral. Barbarossa haddetermined that the Archbishop should have no pretext for discontent,and that he himself would appear free from all party spirit, and onlydesirous of assuring the peace and unity of the Church. The piousEberhard, whom nothing could fatigue, was delighted with the state ofthings. As it appeared, Pope Alexander, previous to his departure fromGenoa, had written to him to request his mediation with the Emperor,and the prelate hoped to experience little difficulty in influencinghim to a kind and moderate course of action, particularly, as, duringtheir journey from Rivoli, Frederic had acknowledged, in a flatteringmanner, the personal merits of the Pope. Eberhard, with Bishop Hermanof Brixen, immediately waited upon the Emperor, and were at oncereceived. As soon as Alexander's name was mentioned, a look of angercrossed the monarch's face and his eyes flashed. It was gone in aninstant, but the Archbishop had perceived it, and although Fredericlistened calmly to his explanations, he feared to encounter aninveterate and irreconcilable hatred. Judging that the Pope's letterwould best define his position, he laid it before the Emperor.
"The explanations offered by the Cardinal Roland are scarcely inaccordance with the efforts made by him to prolong the resistance ofthe Milanese," remarked Barbarossa. "We hold positive proofs that heencouraged the rebels, by presenting the revolt to them under theappearance of a sacred war. You will acknowledge yourself, as a holyand honorable ecclesiastic, that this is not the action of a loyalsubject."
"Sire," replied Eberhard, "Pope Alexander never either encouraged orapproved of the insurrection. The documents which your Majesty holdsare forgeries and valueless, as the work of people little worthy ofcredit, who seek to advance their own selfish ends by sowing discord inthe Church. What is true, is, that Alexander thanked the Milanese fortheir loyalty to him, and their opposition to the Antipope; in this, heonly did his duty."
"It is a sad business!" said Frederic, with a sigh. "Suppose, forexample, that we became the protector of Victor, and that the peoplewere excited to disobey him, the rebellion would be nothing but acrusade against the schismatic Frederic of Hohenstauffen--"
"It is never lawful for Christians to fight against their sovereign,"replied Eberhard. "In the time of Nero, they became martyrs for theirfaith, but never rebels."
This observation seemed to reassure the Emperor.
"Very well," said he. "Personally, we have no cause of complaintagainst Alexander. If the approaching council to be held at Besancon,at which the bishops of our Empire and those of France and England areto assist, pronounces the claims of Alexander to be legitimate, weshall be the first to recognize his supremacy."
"The decision scarcely appears doubtful," said Herman of Brixen:"Victor has violated every law too audaciously."
"As for ourselves," resumed Barbarossa, "we are not so proud but thatwe are ready to acknowledge our error, so soon as it shall be proved."
"May the Divine grace produce good fruit to your desires," said theArchbishop. "The Holy Father writes to you:--'I beg and supplicate theEmperor to take pity on the Church, and grant her peace. Let him notbelieve that aught of good can result from the evil which he haspromoted, for as the abyss of heresy widens, a still greater number ofsouls plunge into it and are lost. Assure him that we are ready tostretch forth our hand to bless him, as soon as he will renounce thebonds of iniquity, and cease to protect the disloyal Octavian.' Wordstruly evangelical!" added Eberhard; "with what joy the Holy Father willlearn that you do not spurn his offered hand!"
"Again, I must assure you, my lord Archbishop, that our decision isentirely dependent upon that of the council," replied Barbarossa,refraining from the discussion of a subject which diplomacy forbade himto broach under its true light. "We understand that the relics of thethree kings will arrive to-morrow. We desire that they be received withall the honor which they merit, and that they be exposed, for a fewdays, in Pavia. It will gratify us should your Reverence deign toorganize the proper ecclesiastical ceremony."
"With infinite joy, Sire; I will be careful that the clericalprescriptions are observed."
The monarch accompanied the prelates to the door of his apartment,where he dismissed them. Scarcely had he re-entered, when Rinaldoappeared.
"How did your Majesty sustain the first shock?" he inquired.
"Pretty well. We will recognize Alexander as soon as the councilacknowledge his claims."
"Excellent," said Dassel; "but we will take care that the council donot acknowledge him. The presence of one as holy as Eberhard hasalready begun to bear its fruits! He enjoys so vast a reputation ofsanctity among the people, that his visit suffices to make of theschismatic Barbarossa the most faithful of the faithful. You mustacknowledge, Sire, that you really owe me a debt of gratitude for mydiscovery. But let us not forget what is equally material: the wind hascompletely shifted at the French Court. The Count of Champagne hasshown me a letter from the royal Chancellor, giving him full powers toconclude an arrangement with you. This excellent Count is besidehimself with joy, for if he had been in his senses, he would mostcertainly not have been quite so communicative."
"There is no reason to be astonished if the noble Count should havelost his wits. Did we not promise him castles, and bailiwicks, andfortresses along the Lorraine frontier?" replied the Emperor.
"It needed a tempting bait to catch the Count of Champagne; but adiplomatist should never hesitate to make promises. The Frenchambassador is yours, body and soul; ask him what you please, there isno fear of a refusal."
"What can have caused this fortunate change?"
"Oh! little enough. Alexander received Louis' envoy quite roughly; hepreached a long sermon to the Abbot Theobald of St. Germains, andthreatened the Archbishop of Orleans, the royal Chancellor, withcanonical censure. The courtiers complain; the king is hurt, andproposes to abandon Alexander."
"Very well!--What do you advise me to do now?"
"Let the Count, in the name of his sovereign, notify the Frenchecclesiastics, and announce Alexander's coming. If, in the meanwhile,Louis should change his mind, which, with the French character, is notat all unlikely, either the Count will oblige the King to keep hisword, or he must be himself disavowed. In which latter case, Troyes,Champagne, and the rich provinces which belong to them, will be happilyannexed to the Empire, and the French kingdom necessarily weakened."
"Your advice is good," said Frederic; "send in the Count, and have thecontract ready."
"The Count will doubtless
remind your Majesty of my promises; do nothesitate, ratify everything, and affix your seal, without scruple, toall which he may propose."
"Best content," replied Barbarossa, as the Chancellor left theapartment.
"Alexander, your death-knell has sounded!" exclaimed the Emperor; "andsoon the most dangerous enemy of our Imperial supremacy, the mostintrepid and cunning opponent to our wishes, will regret his haughtyconduct. Ah! for the Emperor to be altogether Emperor, the Pope mustnot seek to divide the Empire with him. The pagan emperors calledthemselves _Pontifices maximi_, and they were; why should I not be thehead of Church as well as State?"
Meanwhile Count Dassel was making every preparation for the treaty. Onhis passage through the palace he approached a window looking into thegarden.
"He is not there yet," he said. "Ah! still--there they are; it is allright!" and with a scornful sneer he disappeared.
It was towards Rechberg that the Chancellor's attention had beendirected. The Count was approaching, accompanied by a young nobleman,whose appearance offered a certain resemblance to that of Rinaldohimself. They were conversing with animation, and the bright look, thegraceful bearing, the elegant shape and ironical expression of thenobleman, vividly recalled the German statesman.
"Your description of the Countess is calculated to excite one'scuriosity. Who is her father?" asked Erwin.
"Count Henry of Champagne, the ambassador and brother-in-law of theKing of France," replied the nobleman.
"Count Dassel has spoken to me of the father, but has said nothing ofthe daughter."
"Indeed! he said nothing of her whom all Pavia is talking of,--nothingabout Richenza?"
"And you say that she leaves for France to-morrow?"
"I have heard so; she only came to do homage to the sacred relics."
"Where does she live?" asked Erwin.
"Outside of the city walls, in a villa; for the Count, though in everyway polite and courteous, keeps his daughter secluded. He seems like amiser who watches anxiously over his treasure."
"He is a prudent father, Hellig."
"He would have done better to leave her at home."
"What frightful egotism! Richenza came here not to be seen, but tosee."
"You are right. But I shall not look at her again, although I shallhave the best chance in the world tomorrow at Pavia."
"Still you will go with me, Hellig?"
"What is the use of it? Must I point the sun out to you, and then tellyou it is there? You should take more care of your peace of mind; yourneighbor's misfortunes ought to serve you as a warning."
"Don't be alarmed. Suppose that I already possess a jewel whosebrilliancy eclipses all others; you tell me: Come, and see thebrightest diamond in the world! I shall go, although I am surebeforehand that this treasure is naught in comparison to mine."
At this moment a courtier appeared with an invitation to Count Rechbergto be present as a witness at the interview about to take place betweenFrederic and the Ambassador of France.
Barbarossa; An Historical Novel of the XII Century. Page 34
