rtly after the date
of the last chapter. Gilbert had gained his chamber as the morn was
breaking, and had hardly time to review the exciting events of the
night, before an attendant announced his father's arrival. The Lord of
Hers had reached Zurich on his return, just as the tidings from Rome had
been received; and without pausing an instant, he hurried across the
lake to convey the intelligence to the King of Arles. The baron was
himself too much excited with the momentous results at last developed,
and the still more momentous sequel already shadowed forth in the
uncertain future, to remark the nervous and somewhat jaded appearance of
his son. His first words, after hastily embracing Gilbert, were:

"Where is the duke?"

"At Stramen Castle," replied the youth.

"When did he arrive?"

"Last night," answered Gilbert, without reflecting that he was, as
effectually as possible, giving his father a clue to his hare-brained
expedition with Humbert. It was well for him that the baron was too well
satisfied with the information to inquire how it had been obtained; for,
incapable of deceiving his parent, he would have been compelled, very
reluctantly, to submit a brief account of his connection with Ailred of
Zurich, the minnesinger. A chilly anticipation of the question struck
him, just as the words escaped his lips, and his cheek tingled as the
blood came creeping against it. But, to his great relief, his father,
without noticing his confusion, turned to a soldier who stood behind
him, and thus addressed him:

"Mount your best horse and ride for life and limb to Stramen Castle!
Here!" continued the baron, taking a fold of parchment from his breast,
as the man, prompt to obey without question or hesitation, bowed and
was going; "this for his highness, the King of Arles. Guard it with your
life from the enemies of the duke, and if you meet the serfs of Stramen,
proclaim your errand. Away! spare neither spur nor rein!" cried the
knight, as the man dashed fearlessly down the hill.

Rodolph of Suabia was scarcely less anxious to see the Lord of Hers,
than the latter had been to acquaint the duke with Gregory's rigorous
measures. He felt assured that the infamous conventicle at Worms must
have been already met by the Pope, and he thirsted for news from Rome.
He knew that the Lord of Hers would be first in possession of the facts,
from his position along the Rhine; and anxious not to lose a moment in
executing his plans, wh