Laon to-morrow, we shall
have time enough to see your betrothed and remind her of her promises."

Erwin grew pale and red by turns, and then became very serious. Turning
his back upon the Italian, he walked towards the window to reflect.

"May I ask," inquired Antonio, after a brief pause, "whether you will
leave to-morrow?"

"Leave! and what for?" answered Rechberg, dreamily. "Ah! well,--yes,
to-morrow."

And he left Antonio, who soon after might have been seen upon the road
leading from Cluny to the neighboring village. Accustomed to pick up
information from every source, he approached a man who was going in the
same direction as himself.

"Do you know," said the stranger, "that they wish to capture the person
of His Holiness? The Count of Champagne is on his way with a strong
party of knights and varlets to seize and give him up to the Emperor,
who will put him to death."

"That is a very likely story, my good man!"

"You think it is an invention of mine, do you?--But I tell you that I
saw him and his daughter Richenza in the village last night."

"With his daughter?" repeated the Italian, looking with stupid
amazement at the stranger.

"Yes, with his daughter and a troop of his retainers; but I swear that
they shall not give the Pope up to Barbarossa. The people will rise in
his defence."

Without listening further to the conversation of the old man, Antonio
began to reflect over the fact of Richenza's presence at Cluny. It
seemed so strange, so unlikely, that he could attribute it only to the
designs of the Emperor to enforce the marriage with his cousin, as soon
as possible.

When he arrived at the village, Pietro hailed him from a window, and on
his entrance received him with every demonstration of friendship.

"Let me recover a little, my dear Pietro; it is all so extraordinary,
that my ideas are somewhat confused."

"What is the matter with you?"

Antonio made no answer.

"Are you mad, Antonio?--Look me in the face! Come!"

"I am undone! I cannot repair what you have compromised. And why did
you tell Hermengarde that Erwin was at Cluny? Your mistake has spoiled
everything."

"Enough, Antonio, enough! I know that I have made a mistake; why then
do you take pleasure in increasing my regrets for it."

"Let me console you, Pietro; the Count of Champagne is expected every
moment."

"What matters that to me?"

"His daughter Richenza is with him; I foresee that the Emperor has
designs on y