ent Herman and the knight sprang to their feet, while
their looks expressed their horror and surprise. But Father Omehr kept
his seat, and said calmly:

"Will your highness inform us more fully?"

The duke resumed: "A messenger, post haste from Goslar, brought me the
news this morning at Zurich. Henry refused to meet the Pope in council
to take measures for the purification of Milan, Firmano, and Spoleto,
and has thus replied to the threat of excommunication. The nominee is
Hidolph, who is attached to his own chapel, a man of no merit whatever,
but devoted to the emperor; and whose principal endeavor it has been to
remedy by art the unprepossessing exterior which nature has given him."

"I know him," said Father Omehr. "Is he yet consecrated?"

"No! All Germany is indignant at the choice, and the people of Cologne
are imploring the monarch to make another appointment."

"It will serve but to confirm the nomination," said the priest of
Stramen.

"What remains to His Holiness?" inquired Rodolph.

Slowly and solemnly the missionary pronounced the single word:

"Excommunication!"

"Henry is preparing for it!" exclaimed the duke, rising and addressing
the Lord of Hers; "he convened at Goslar all who respected his
summons--among whom was the Duke of Bohemia: and he has liberated Otto
of Nordheim, my adversary at Hohenburg, and received him into his most
secret councils. It must _come_, my friend," he added, grasping the
baron's hand; "we shall not be separated here; and, if I mistake not, we
have in Gilbert one who is not to be awed by the lion of Franconia!"

Father Omehr beheld with sorrow the meaning glances of the proud nobles,
as they eagerly joined hands; and he read in the animated features of
the hero of Hohenburg that the impending excommunication would be the
signal for a revolt. He rose, and, exchanging a few words in an
undertone with Herman, explained the necessity he was under of
returning at once to the Castle of Stramen.

"I will accompany you," said the duke, "if you will delay your departure
a few minutes."

Father Omehr expressed his assent, and retired to the chapel with
Herman, leaving the two knights in close converse. Gilbert ran to order
the best horse for the duke, and to see that his venerable benefactor
should want nothing to carry him safely over the intervening hills.
After exchanging many kind adieus, Rodolph and the missionary, near the
close of twilight, started for the Castle of