or his holy
gospel that John Huss ended his days at the stake.

_Theobald, (surprised.)_ Were not this Huss and his friend Jerome
infidels?

_Arnold_. Ah, Theobald! was that John Huss an infidel, who, when the
sentence that condemned him to be burned was read to him, immediately
threw himself on his knees, exclaiming, "O, Lord Jesus, pardon my
enemies! Pardon them, for the love of thy great mercy and goodness?"

_Theobald, (affected.)_ Arnold! did John Huss, indeed, speak thus?

_Arnold_. He did! John Huss knew Jesus, and, like Jesus, prayed for his
murderers. No, Theobald; he who loves--who loves unto death, and who can
pray for his executioners--is not an infidel.

"O, Hildegarde! Hildegarde!" exclaimed Theobald, groaning; "what hast
thou done, and what have I done! Poor prisoners! What injustice!"

_Arnold_. Your heart is oppressed, Theobald; some sorrowful remembrance
distresses you.

The chevalier was about to reply, when a noise was heard at the door,
which was opened by Gottfried, holding Erard by the hand.

"Here they both are!" said the old man to the child. "Look, Erard, and
see whether the chevalier hates thy father. See, if what Ethbert told me
was not true!

"This dear child," added he, "had some fears for his father: for he
knows all, Theobald."

_Theobald, (with tenderness.)_ Come, then, Erard, and give me your hand.
Come, my child, and also pardon me. O, how I need pardon from every
heart here! Say, Erard, will you not forgive me?

_Erard, (giving his hand to the chevalier.)_ I love you much, since my
father loves you.

"Well, my son!" said Gottfried. "Go now to Ethbert, and tell him to be
in readiness to accompany me."

_Theobald_. Shall you leave us again? Will it be for many hours?

_Gottfried_. It is on your behalf, chevalier, that I must now act. The
express which we expected, did not come, and I feared that my message
had not reached your dear Hildegarde. I, therefore, went myself to tell
her of your welfare.

_Theobald_. Is it possible! O, tell me if all is well with her!

_Gottfried_. Thanks to God, Hildegarde and her precious children are
well--very well. She has been very anxious until last night. My message
did not reach her until then; and her express, who did not start until
day-break, was detained on the way. I met him, and bring you more than
he would have said himself.

_Theobald_. She knows, then, that her husband is---- with the Count of
Winkelthal?

_Gottfried_.