_CHAPTER XXXIV_.
_THE DIVORCED DUCHESS_.
Count Henry's journey was long and tedious. He halted in every localitywhich seemed to offer any attraction, and even remained nearly threeweeks at Chanbery. But these delays were prompted by political reasons,and many couriers came and went between the Count and the Courts ofGermany and France. He also visited several of the principal towns ofItaly, and his frequent interviews with the Pisan and Genoese envoyspresaged the conclusion of an offensive and defensive alliance betweenthese maritime republics and France and the Emperor. Although the Countregretted this forced seclusion of his daughter, the fair Richenzascarcely seemed to regret her monotonous existence. On the contrary,accustomed to excite universal admiration in the gay and brilliantFrench Court, the ceremonious politeness of the young German nobleamused her. It was in vain that, to further her father's projects, shetreated him with marked distinction; he remained always the same,perfectly courteous, but cold and reserved. At last the young Countessgot piqued, but Erwin cared little for this; he had been warned by theUnknown of the Emperor's designs, and he was on his guard. Still, thisconstant struggle between duty and temptation rendered his position apainful one, and he regretted a hundred times his acceptance of themission in which he was now engaged.
One day, in the midst of a profound revery, he heard a light rap at thedoor of his apartment.
"Come in!" he cried.
A veiled woman entered, but although she remained covered, Rechbergrecognized her as one of the attendants of the unknown lady whomAntonio had intrusted to his care. Our hero was ignorant of her rankand position, for he had never seen her face; and she always remainedin her tent, or else was so deeply veiled that he could neitherdistinguish her features nor even the sound of her voice. He often rodeby her side, less through curiosity than as a chivalrous duty; still itwas impossible to penetrate the mystery which enveloped her, and onething alone was evident, that she was the victim of some crushingmisfortune.
Now at last, the lady had sent to request his visit, and Rechbergfollowed the messenger through many tortuous streets to a house whichseemed chosen with an especial view to retirement and melancholy, andit was not without emotion that Erwin entered the apartment, where,surrounded by her attendants, the lady was reclining upon a divan. Uponhis entrance, she rose and advanced a step to reply to his courteousbow, and then motioned him to a seat. There was a long silence, duringwhich Erwin looked attentively at the lady, whose stature and dignifieddeportment announced to be of high position.
"Count," she said, in a calm, sweet voice, "first let me thank you forthe kind protection which you have given to a very wretched woman.Pardon me, if I have been compelled, by circumstances, to conceal myname and character; but I still need your aid, and I trust that, thoughunknown, I may count upon it."
"I have merely discharged the duties imposed by the laws of chivalry,"replied Erwin; "I am always ready to serve you."
"Thank you, my lord. You probably know that His Holiness the PopeAlexander III. has taken refuge in France, and is at present in amonastery on the frontiers of the Empire, not for from Laon. It isthere, near to the Father of the faithful, the support of the afflictedand the unhappy, that I am now going."
She paused for a reply, and it seemed to Erwin that her voice wasfamiliar, and that he had already heard it at the Court.
"I now learn," she resumed, "that the Holy Father, through fear for hispersonal safety on account of the alliance between France and theEmperor, intends to go to England. Should he do so, I shall lose thisopportunity of laying my sorrows at the feet of the Vicar of JesusChrist. To be so near the only person who can aid me in my misfortunes,and yet not see him, will be an additional trial. You, Count, canrelieve my unhappiness by consenting to accompany me to Laon."
"What do you ask me to do?" said Erwin. "I cannot leave the Count ofChampagne, without violating all the rules of courtesy and incurring mysovereign's displeasure; but I will do all in my power to persuade himto hasten his journey."
"Your efforts will be vain. The Count of Champagne is merely astatesman who is influenced by reasons of political expediency, but notby pity for the sufferings of a stranger."
"Still I will try."
"You will lose your time; but, perhaps, when you see my face, you willconsent to do what you have refused to a mere unknown."
She raised her veil;--Clemence, Duchess of Saxony, pale and dejected,stood before him, the living image of grief.
"Great God!" he cried, "can it be you, noble lady? You, the mostpowerful princess of the Empire, here, unprotected, without the retinuewhich belongs of right to the Duchess of Saxony and Bavaria!"
"Calm yourself," she answered. "What are rank and dignities? I amnothing now but a poor, divorced wife, who implores your aid and pity."
"It is true then? That infamous deed, of which they spoke socautiously, has really been consummated?" cried Erwin, indignantly."Duke of Saxony, they call thee 'the Lion,' but thou art only a lion incruelty! Henry, thou art an unnatural husband, a prince without honor,the disgrace of knighthood!"
Rechberg's eyes flashed, and his hand sought his sword-hilt, as thoughhe would chastise the crime.
"Restrain yourself, do not blame him," said Clemence. "The fault isentirely theirs who have led him astray, and estranged his heart fromthe sentiments of duty."
"Not at all, noble Duchess; your excuses only render him more guilty.But tell me how such iniquity could be perpetrated under the very eyesof the Emperor? Why this visit to the Pope? Is not our sovereign theguardian of our rights? Why did you not appeal to him?"
"I have done so, but in vain! Frederic pities my fate, but he neithercan, nor will defend my rights."
"You say that he cannot?"
"Those were his own words. The marriage is invalidated by ourconsanguinity; he is not competent to decide in matters of divorce."
"As if it were not the duty of the Emperor to prevent or punish everyact of injustice! You are related to your husband, and the discoveryhas only just been made!--This is still more extraordinary."
"The discovery is entirely due to the hatred of the Chancellor Rinaldo.Oh! how happily we lived together until that evil man came across ourpath!--Then, my husband was great and noble, a lion in war, but a lambat home, a loving and attentive father, a tender and affectionatehusband!--And now, O my God!"
And her tears, impatient of all restraint, burst forth in torrents.
"Calm yourself, madam! believe me, such a deed cannot be lawfullyrecognized. Were there any formal proceedings? Has any sentence beenpronounced?"
"The Emperor presided at his tribunal, and the Pope decreed thedivorce! It was in vain I tried to defend my cause; I begged on myknees for mercy; all was useless.--At last, moved by my tears andentreaties, Victor confessed that our consanguinity was notestablished, and that he had annulled the marriage by the expresscommand of His Majesty, and against his own convictions."
"Alas!"
"Consanguinity," said he, "is a mere pretext; State reasons of thehighest importance have compelled the Emperor to this course."
"Heavens! is it thus that justice is administered? Madam, your tale haschanged my intentions. Since the Emperor cannot protect your rights, Iwill accompany you to the Holy Father. Make your arrangements, noblelady, we will start immediately."
Gero met his master at the door, and received orders to prepareeverything for their departure. Erwin then went to his apartment,where, with many a bitter invective against Barbarossa's conduct, hebegan to put on his armor.
"And yet, I cannot go!" he said to himself, as he left his chamber."How annoying! What ought I to do? A true knight owes as much respectto courtesy as to his other duties."
He laid down his lance, and went to call on Richenza. The youngCountess had just finished her toilette, as he entered, and wasexquisitely dressed in white.
"Deign to excuse my early visit, noble lady," said the Count; "I wasunable to defer it.
Reasons of grave importance oblige me to leave yourparty immediately; I have come, according to custom and courtesy, tocrave your permission."
"Unless you will tell me the reasons, I cannot grant your request. Sitdown, dear Count, and explain yourself. I will see if there is no meansof making you change your intentions."
He was forced to obey, and he took his seat with an embarrassment whichdid not escape the young girl's notice.
"I am less able to accede to your demand, dear Count, because it iscontrary to all our arrangements. The Emperor has chosen for my escortthe best lances of German chivalry, so that you cannot, withoutdisrespect to His Majesty, leave me before the end of my journey."
"It is true, noble lady, that it is an honor for me to escort you; butthere are some circumstances in which one duty must yield to another,whose claims are still more imperative."
"Circumstances! May I ask you again for some explanations?"
"It is on account of an unfortunate lady, who up to the present momenthas travelled under my protection."
"I scarcely expected, Count, that this mysterious person would playsuch a trick as this, and carry you away from us. Believe me, I amseriously interested in her troubles, on account of the influence sheappears to exercise over you. You say that she is to be pitied; what isthe cause of her sorrow?"
"The most terrible which can possibly afflict a wife. I cannot saymore."
"Has she been married?"
"Yes; and she has always been amiable, faithful, but now is mostunfortunate."
Richenza breathed more easily. She had no cause for uneasiness; Erwinwas still free.
"The interest you take in this misfortune is very praiseworthy," shesaid.
"Grant me leave, noble lady; this unhappy woman's only hope is in PopeAlexander's sympathy and protection; I ought to accompany her to hiscourt, and I must go without delay."
"Pope Alexander should be in the Imperial camp at Laon; are we notgoing in that direction?" asked Richenza.
"I believe so; but we travel so slowly."
"You have not then heard that my father has been hastily summoned toLaon? Your visit prevented me from putting on my riding-dress. Listen!everything is ready, and the escort is already mounted."
They went to the window, and saw the knights and squires issuing fromtheir tents, and drawing up in line, upon the square in front of thepalace.
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