_CHAPTER XXXV_.
_LAON_.
From this day forward, the French Ambassador hurried his journey asmuch as he had hitherto delayed it. The necessary rest was scarcelyallowed to the horses, and they travelled night and day as if under thepressure of some political interest of weighty moment.
A grave and careworn expression had succeeded the usually gay andjovial air of the French Count; he spoke rarely, and only in answer tohis daughter's questions. Although much fatigued, Richenza stillassured her father that she was strong enough to go on; but, from timeto time, she looked at the German noble, as if to say,--
"I bear all the annoyances of our journey, rather than be separatedfrom you."
As they neared the French frontier, Erwin met several noblemen of hisacquaintance; for Barbarossa had summoned all the spiritual andtemporal princes to meet him at Laon. A great number had alreadyarrived, and were encamped along the banks of the Saone.
Soon the towers of Laon, where Louis VII. held his court, began tostand out in bold relief upon the distant horizon. Crowds of horsemenand foot-passengers were pressing towards the city, and the road becamemore animated as they approached the gates. Numerous huts lined thecauseway, offering refreshments at a moderate price; and citizens andsoldiers were carousing gayly, under the trees.
Near the drawbridge, in a position to see all who passed, were seated,around a jug of wine, our three old acquaintances, Antonio, PietroNigri, and Cocco Griffi.
Pietro seemed much changed. His country's ruin had broken down hisproud spirit, and he showed, in his features, the grief he so keenlyfelt. As to Cocco, he was always the same, and his attentions to thebanquet made up for his companions' neglect.
"I came from Dole yesterday," said Pietro; "all the houses are filledwith knights, and you can see nothing anywhere but couriers andsoldiers. King Louis will find out one of these days where Barbarossawill take him. If he does not intend to support the Emperor's tyranny,and become his vassal, these German savages will occupy the frontiers,and ravage the French territory with fire and sword, until Louis suesfor mercy."
"You are a profound statesman, Pietro," said Antonio, with a laugh; "weare not there yet, and we will not be soon. I grant you that Barbarossawill do his best to frighten the king; but he will think twice beforehe attacks the allied powers of France and England."
"France and England, allied powers!" exclaimed Pietro. "I thought thatthe two kings had quarrelled?"
"Ask Pope Alexander if he agrees with you.
"I only know this much, that Alexander has hitherto taken great painsto bring about a reconciliation. But I also know, as every one elsedoes, that Louis has threatened to give the Pope up to Barbarossa!"--
"Louis' threats are not serious," said Antonio. "He must yield tocircumstances."
"Circumstances! To my thinking, they are not very favorable!"
"One must not tell all one knows," said Antonio, shrewdly.
"So much the better, if you know all the State secrets; as for me, Iexpect nothing good from the future. If France ever becomes a vassal ofthe Emperor, it is all over with the liberty of Italy."
"Come, friend Pietro, do not worry over these things. Think rather ofthe business which has brought you to France. Do you know what hasbecome of Hermengarde? How did she receive you?"
"Very kindly; but she informed me of her betrothal."
"Count Erwin is certainly a good match; still, the affair may yet fallthrough.--Eh! what do I see? There he is!--Richenza is with him.--Lookat the young Countess."
The brilliant retinue of the Count of Champagne was advancing throughthe midst of a crowd of admiring spectators. Richenza rode, at the headof the escort, between Rechberg and her father. Pietro glared at theyoung Count, with a muttered curse. Antonio turned his back, and onlyresumed his place when the clatter of the horses' hoofs had died awayin the distance.
"Malediction on all whom the tyrant protects!" said Pietro, sullenly."Shame on me, not to have killed him!" and he drank deeply.
"It is a good lesson, friend Pietro! you must profit by your chances,in future."
"I swear to revenge myself!" cried Nigri, scowling with hatred. "Let meonly meet him in the plain, or elsewhere, and he will soon make theacquaintance of my sword."
"It would be much more simple to break off his marriage," sneeredAntonio.
"Can you do that?" asked Pietro, eagerly. "Antonio, my life, my fortuneare yours, if you can accomplish this!--But, alas! it is impossible!"
"And why so? I have my own plan, and I wish him to marry Richenza."
"Explain yourself, dear Antonio!"
"I will see Hermengarde, and tell her of the widely-spread reports ofher betrothed's marriage with the beautiful and wealthy Countess ofChampagne."
"Will she believe you?"
"And why not? I already see the effect which my revelation will produceon Hermengarde!"
"Excellently imagined, Antonio."
"We need skill and cunning. The only difficulty will be to procure, inproper time, the necessary proofs. But the Count of Champagne has hiscastle in the neighborhood of the city.--Hermengarde is not fardistant.--Leave it to me."
During this conversation, Count Henry and his retinue moved towards thecity. He had already dispatched a nobleman to the royal chancellor,Bishop Manases of Orleans. On leaving the north gate, they came at oncein sight of the castle, which was built upon an eminence overlookingthe park which surrounded the hill.
The unhappy Duchess of Saxony gratefully accepted the Count'sinvitation to remain in his castle during her stay at Laon. It wasthere she retired with her protector, the only person who knew hersecret, until he could accompany her to the papal court; for Alexanderhad not yet arrived at the town, but was residing in the celebratedAbbey of Cluny.
As soon as he reached his apartment, the lord of the castle hastened tochange his costume. He was very uneasy, for the good understanding,reported to exist, between Alexander and king Louis, threatened todestroy the hopes held out to him by Rinaldo of increasing hispossessions. Naturally he wished to be positively certain of the factbefore presenting himself to his sovereign. No one could furnish morecorrect data than the Bishop Manases, who, equally desirous of seeingthe Count, hastened to the castle, accompanied by only two servants.Scarcely had Henry of Champagne perceived the horsemen, when hedescended to the court-yard, and embracing the prelate with greatcordiality, led him to his cabinet for a private interview.
Manases, by the laxity of his conduct in ecclesiastical matters, hadincurred the Pope's displeasure. Alexander did not deceive himself asto the possible consequences of his reprimands. He knew that the Bishopwould endeavor to destroy the amiable relations existing between himand the feeble King of France; but the illustrious Pontiff had tooexalted a regard for what he considered his duty, to allow himself tobe influenced by any worldly considerations.
The exterior of the Bishop of Orleans was at once a mixture of theecclesiastic and the man of the world. All his movements were stampedwith a certain affected grace which was not at all natural to him. Hisdress was in no way different from that of other courtiers of rank, andthe episcopal ring alone indicated his position. The cut of his hair,which he wore long and flowing in perfumed curls, did not conform tothe canons, which enjoined that this luxury should be left entirely tothe laity. His delicate moustache was turned up at the ends, whilst thechin and cheeks were closely shaved. A casual examination indicatedthat the prelate was inclined to the pleasures of the table.
"You have acted wisely," said Manases, as soon as his host had relatedto him the result of his interview with Frederic; "you have actedwisely in disguising the principal point of your mission; above all,you have done well in not stating that yon were disposed to secede,with your domains, to the Emperor, in case Louis refused to ratify thecontract."
"What does it matter! the contract is signed, attested, and must beobserved," answered the Count. "Our King's gallantry cannot be use
d asa pretext to injure me. But how is it that Louis has so suddenlychanged his intentions and become reconciled with Alexander?"
"I can scarcely explain it to myself. The Pope invited him to aconference, which, in spite of my remonstrances, took place atMontpeleier. It hardly lasted a half-hour, but it was sufficient togain over the king. It seems as though he has enlightened him on thesubject of Frederic's ambition; at least since then, Louis often speaksuneasily of the Emperor's warlike preparations and his hostileintentions towards France."
"Nothing is more apparent than Frederic's pretensions to universalempire," replied the Count, carelessly; "but what matters it? Great menhave indisputable rights to take the lead of weaker princes."
"I see, my dear Count, that you have not lost your time at the ImperialCourt," said the Archbishop, ironically; "still you will do well not toparade the result of your mediations at the Court of France. Few of thecrown vassals would understand you."
"I will follow your advice. But I must avow that Frederic's views inall that concerns the Papacy do not seem right and proper. It is not somuch Alexander's person that he hates, as the pontifical chair. It isnot very Christian, and is very dangerous for the other States."
"You go too far, Count: Frederic hates only Alexander. He only wishesto humble the proud and inflexible prelate Roland, and we must aid himin the work. Yes," added Manases, passionately, "this pious man has themost absurd ideas about bishops. He would like to turn them into monksand hermits, and shut them up in a cloister, that he may the moreeasily rule them. He has already published a bull about the length ofthe hair; soon, I suppose, he will give directions about the prelates'houses, their retinues, and their style of dress."
"Ah! I begin to understand: Alexander is too severe with the jovialprelates," said the Count, with a smile.
"Yes," replied Manases, "and he will punish also the noble lords andcounts who profit by every opportunity to get an award of some fragmentof Church property! But enough on this subject.--As we have alreadyagreed, the King must know nothing more than he knows already. Aboveall, conceal your personal arrangements with Barbarossa; that of itselfwould suffice to enrage him."
"Must he then not be informed of the determination which has been takento bring Alexander before the Council, whether he will or not?"
"That must depend on circumstances. Let me act first; I will giveyou notice in due time. I will go to work at once. Come to the Courtto-morrow."
"Why not to-day?" the Count asked.
"Because I must first prepare the King's mind. But be perfectly easy;you are wearied by this long journey and need rest.--Louis, you know,is very sympathetic in all bodily ailments."
"Very well, we understand each other perfectly. Farewell."
The Count accompanied the Chancellor to the courtyard, where the lattermounted his horse and rode over to meet the King.
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