Barbarossa; An Historical Novel Of The XII Century Part 25

"Enough of this nonsense! Hermengarde is betrothed to Count Rechberg, and I wish to do everything to please him. Go and find out if Rechberg will be here soon, for I am curious to witness their meeting. You may invite her to the collation of which I will partake with her."

_CHAPTER XXIII_.

_THE MEETING_.

Hermengarde felt very uneasy at the Empress' silence with regard to Erwin. Was he no longer in the Camp? Had he accompanied the Emperor to Lodi, or perhaps returned to Germany? The doubts annoyed her, and in her agitation she paced her room with hurried steps.

"You must be tired," said the maid who attended her. "Why in the world do you run about in that way? I feel quite broken down, and yet you seem as lively as if you had not ridden fourteen miles to-day."

"Youth bears fatigue easily, but I have been wrong, dear Hedwige, to make you come such a tiresome journey."

"Wrong! and who but I should accompany you? Your father was away, and you could not come to the Court alone."

"Oh! Hedwige, you remind me that I have been doubly wrong: first in tiring you, and then in coming away without my father's permission."

"You could not have declined such an honor. How silly! Many a prince's daughter would have been flattered by such an invitation! No, no; you did quite right to accept it."

"But my father's consent?"

"Nonsense! Your father would have been proud of the honor paid you; do not doubt it a moment."

"Still"--

"Hush!--some one is coming."

At this moment, Richilda, accompanied by several ladies of honor, entered, bearing a most cordial invitation to visit the Empress. She was surprised at Hermengarde's sad expression.

"I trust that you are not unwell, n.o.ble lady?" she asked, kindly.

"Oh, it is nothing," replied Hermengarde, blushing; "I am only a little homesick: it is a malady felt by all spoilt children."

"You must forget, for a few days, your Alpine retreats, although Count Rechberg has given such a vivid picture of their charms, that I can scarcely wonder that you regret your castle in the midst of all this turmoil of the camp."

"Has the Count returned to Germany?" asked Hermengarde.

"Oh no! you will meet him at the banquet to which Her Majesty has commissioned me to invite you."

In a few moments she left her apartment, preceded by several ladies, who composed an escort of honor. At the head of the procession walked the master of ceremonies, holding the silver wand of his office. They pa.s.sed through several sumptuously furnished apartments, and finally arrived in the reception-hall.

"The n.o.ble Lady of Castellamare!" cried the master of ceremonies, with a loud voice.

These words interrupted a serious and animated conversation between the Empress and the Duke of Austria; but Beatrice came forward cordially to welcome her guest, and at once presented her to the prince.

"I have heard a great deal of you, n.o.ble lady, and I am happy now to make your acquaintance: you realize the ideal; a lovely soul under a most perfect exterior.--You have given to all children a most beautiful example to be followed, and you have gained honor and renown. Allow me to express all my admiration."

"You are taking the true course to make our Hermengarde proud.

Frankness is to be lauded, but must not be abused."

"I crave your Majesty's pardon!" said the Duke, to whom Beatrice was no stranger, and who knew that the girl's beauty annoyed her; "but I must say that you have added to your chaplet a pearl whose l.u.s.tre will dazzle more than one n.o.ble gentleman."

"Oh, you are not frank now," said the Empress, with suppressed rage.

"But come, the banquet awaits us; it is served in a woman's fashion, but I will not accept a refusal."

Just then the hangings of the door were lifted, and Erwin of Rechberg entered the room. All eyes were turned upon the youthful pair. The Count stood motionless, as though rooted to the ground, and with open eyes seemed to fear to advance lest the lovely vision might fade from his sight forever.

The Empress, holding the young girl's hand, approached.

"It is no dream, as you seem to fear, Erwin," said she.--"Well, Count, why do you remain dumb and unmoved? this surprise, I am persuaded, cannot be a disagreeable one to you."

"A thousand pardons, the----it is so unexpected."

And stepping forward, he kissed his lady's hand. They sat down to table. On the right of the Empress was placed Hermengarde, on her left the Duke of Austria, and next to the young Italian was Erwin of Rechberg. The court attendants were at the foot of the table, with Hedwige in the place of honor among them; and the worthy nurse had enough to do in answering all the questions which the curiosity of the other women prompted them to make. The food, consisting of fowls, game, fruit, honey and other sweetmeats, was served on silver dishes; but, except by the Austrian, who quaffed long draughts from a golden goblet, there was very little attention paid to the choice wines set before them.

The conversation went on naturally; Rechberg and Hermengarde had so much to say that they soon forgot to eat or drink, while the Duke resumed the discussion which the Italian's arrival had interrupted.

"Yes, madame," he said, "it is an irreligious, an impious act. Clemence is a n.o.ble wife, and this pretext of consanguinity is unfounded. Such a transaction might take place among Moors and Pagans, but among Christians, never! Clemence is the lawful wife of the Duke of Saxony, and should he marry another woman, the union would be illegal. That is my way of looking at the question, and if the affair is debated publicly, I will state my opinion frankly."

This discourse was highly unpleasant to the Empress, whose position towards Frederic was involved in the condemnation so freely expressed.

His first wife was still living, and Beatrice, consequently, had no legitimate claims to the t.i.tle. Her flashing eyes indicated her displeasure, as she replied,--

"I had not supposed your relationship so close."

"My relationship! Most certainly it is painful for me to see my cousin's daughter repudiated so disgracefully, but I have many other reasons for opposing the divorce. The Emperor may, for reasons of policy, overthrow everything in Church and State; but, believe me, this state of things will not continue. To despise the holy teachings of the faith, to break sacred bonds, to be recreant to every law which is revered by nations and sovereigns, are acts of impiety which cannot always go unpunished."

"You are a skilful preacher," said Beatrice, whose frivolous temperament was little disposed to serious questions. "One can see that you were educated by the monks."

"The memories of my youth do not influence my opinions on holy matters.

However, I owe many thanks to the good priests of Fulva."

"And I see that your ducal robes are only a species of cowl!"

"Your Majesty, I perceive, agrees with the Emperor; he also has little affection for the monks."

"And very naturally, too. They oppose energetically all development of the Imperial power, for these pious people will not tolerate any division of authority."

"At least they will not acknowledge his spiritual supremacy, and in this they are perfectly right," said the Duke, with his usual frankness.

"Heavens! how you warm with this subject! But let us drop the discussion; neither of us will convince the other."

"Pardon me, madam! I have just learned the story of this divorce.

Astonished, furious at the infamy of the proceeding, I came here to express my views frankly to the Emperor; but, as His Majesty unfortunately is absent, I have ventured to express my sentiments to you. May I hope that you will sympathize with me, and use your influence in the defence of this ill-used woman?"

"Enough," said she. "Your conversation has been very instructive, for, until to-day, I was not aware that she who took the place of a divorced wife was no better than a courtesan. You may rest a.s.sured, my lord, that the Emperor, as well as myself, will appreciate the lesson as it deserves."