tter,
who was developing a rare gift for sculpture, had lately made a statue
to decorate this room; and on Louis entering Frederick was gazing with
passionate fondness at this new work of art. Louis was straightway
called upon to observe its loveliness, and even as Frederick was
descanting thus, a number of the guests who had remarked their host's
temporary absence trooped into the room, among them being Leonora of
Luzenstein. She was in ill-temper, for Frederick had not so much as
troubled to salute her on her arrival; and now, finding him deep in
admiration of a statue, its subject a beautiful girl, her rancour
deepened apace. But who was the girl? she wondered; and as divers other
guests were also inquisitive on this head, it soon transpired that
Rafaello's model had been Eugenia. Leonora knew that this girl had been
Frederick's playmate in youth, so her wrath turned to fierce malice, for
she suspected that in Eugenia she had a rival who might wreck all hopes
of the Luzensteins becoming united to the Palatine house.

But Frederick regarded Eugenia only as a sister. He knew that she and
the sculptor who had hewn her likeness loved one another, and he longed
to see their union brought about, his genuine affection for the young
Italian being the greater on account of Rafaello's blossoming talents
as an artist. Leonora, however, knew nothing of the real situation;
she fancied she had been insulted, and demanding of her father that he
should cease all negotiations regarding Frederick's suggested engagement
to her, she proceeded to take stronger measures. Readers of Sir Walter
Scott's Anne of Geierstein will recall the Vehmgericht, that 'Secret
Tribunal' whose deeds were notorious in medieval Germany, and it chanced
that the Luzensteins were in touch with this body. Its minions were
called upon to wreak vengeance on the younger Palatine prince. On
several occasions his life was attempted, and once he would certainly
have been killed had not Rafaello succoured him in the hour of need.

Meanwhile a son was born to Louis, and in celebration of the event a
tourney was held at Heidelberg, competitors coming from far and near,
all of them eager to win the golden sword which was promised to the man
who should prove champion. One after another they rode into the lists,
Frederick being among the number; and as each presented himself his name
was called aloud by the herald. At length there came one of whom this
functionary cried, "