_CHAPTER IX_.
_FILIAL DEVOTION_.
The oftener Bonello saw his daughter, the more unwilling he became todie. Alas! what will become of her, poor orphan, he thought. Thenagain, at times, he turned to his project of her marriage with Nigri,and felt reassured. But Pietro had so deeply wounded her feelings byhis violent and inconsiderate outburst, that he no longer desired thatunion for his child. She might perhaps seek shelter in a convent! Yet,in those times of civil strife, the walls of a cloister were but aninsecure protection! Whilst he lamented in the bitterness of histhought, Pietro Nigri recommenced his wild harangue on the subject ofthe expected pardon.
"I should be sorry, sir knight, to allow Frederic to suppose for aninstant that I feared death."
"Our positions are very different, young man," replied Bonello. "Thecares and sentiments of a father are often more potent than thechivalrous heroism of a youth!"
"You should be able to master your emotions," said Nigri. "The ties ofmere human affection should be as nothing compared with the dutieswhich we owe to our country. If we fear the rope and the scaffold,--ifthe approach of death is to excite our tears,--we will deserve, by ourweakness, to bear the German yoke."
"You really do yourself injustice, Pietro!" said the prisoner, glancingtowards the window where his daughter stood, anxiously awaiting thereturn of the Abbot. At last she perceived some horsemen approachingthe eminence on which the fortress was built. It even seemed to herthat she could distinguish the monk's robe; but what meant those armedmen? Were they the Abbot's escort? Her heart beat violently. They drewup at the foot of the hill, and the prelate, leaving his attendants,ascended with hasty steps the path which led to the Castle.
"It is he!--he is coming--he is coming," cried Hermengarde, excitedly."See how the holy man hastens. No! his is not the air of a messenger ofevil; it is mercy and pardon that he will announce! My father!--oh, myfather!" said she, embracing Bonello, and smiling through her tears.
"You are right, perhaps, my child; but wait a moment."
"Oh! do not doubt it, it is certain! You are pardoned; a voice fromwithin tells me that I am right!"
The key grated in the lock, and the Abbot entered with a solemn anddejected mien.
"I have come in person," he said, "to communicate the result of mymission. I have only partially succeeded. Sir Knight. But the Emperorhas respited you for to-day."
The prisoner was not for an instant deceived by the mild form underwhich the Abbot veiled his failure. But the childish sentiments ofHermengarde did not take in at once the dread truth.
"Holy Father," said she, "your vague words alarm me. I implore you,tell me clearly if the Emperor has pardoned my father?"
The prelate looked sadly at the young girl.
"At first the Emperor positively refused to listen to my prayers formercy; however, by my persistent supplications I have attained asatisfactory result."
"Ah! only for to-day!"
"We may feel perfectly easy, dear child. To-day not a hair of yourfather's head will be harmed!"
"But to-morrow!--Great God! what may happen tomorrow?" she cried, withanguish.
"Trust in God, my child," said the monk; "he alone is master of thefuture."
"Oh! unhappy creature that I am.--You hesitate to tell me the fearfultruth!--You dread my tears!--Do you not see, dearest Father, that myeyes are dry?--that I am calm and resigned?--For God's sake, speak tome!" cried Hermengarde. "This uncertainty is worse than death! I amstrong enough to bear anything but that,--we have no time to lose inidle tears now. The few short hours that are left us must be spent intrying to avert to-morrow's fearful doom!"
Hermengarde spoke earnestly, and her touching distress suggested a lasthope to the good Abbot.
"Your pleadings may soften the Emperor, my child," he said. "I willgladly use my influence to get you to his presence.--You may be moresuccessful than I."
"You have failed! Then, indeed, all hope is lost," she cried,despairingly.
"Calm yourself, my child," said Guido, "all is not lost yet."
"Oh! I am calm, my Father; my mind is entirely composed.--Reverend Sir,take me at once, I beseech you, to the Emperor!"
And with wonderful stoicism she began her preparations; for though herheart was wellnigh breaking within her, she had summoned all hercourage for this one last effort.
"Pietro," said she, after a moment's hesitation, "will you not comewith me?"
"Pardon me, noble lady, if I cannot accede to your request; the sightof the tyrant has always been insupportable to me.--What will it benow, when I behold you a suppliant at his feet?"
"Ah! Pietro, do not refuse me the support of your arm!"
"Fear not, my daughter," said the Abbot; "I will not leave you for aninstant. This young man appears too much excited, and we must act withthe greatest calmness!"
Hermengarde seized the prelate's hand, and they immediately left thetower.
Conrad's retinue was composed of gentlemen of the Imperial household,for Barbarossa always treated with great distinction all those whosefavor he wished to gain. As they descended the hill, Hermengarde'sbeauty attracted the admiration of the knights, one of whom dismountedas she approached, and respectfully held the stirrup for her to mount.For her remarkable loveliness could not fail to conciliate the kindfeelings of all those who in that chivalric age treated woman with suchdistinguished courtesy. The little band moved slowly along the mainroad to the Imperial tent, for such was the bustle and movement thattheir progress was more than once arrested by the crowd. Although forthe first time within the precincts of a camp, Hermengarde scarcelyremarked the tumult, nor noticed the looks of open admiration which herbeauty called forth from all, so entirely was she a prey to her own sadthoughts. As they passed the tent of Henry the Lion, they met, theChancellor Rinaldo, who, richly dressed and surrounded by a brilliantretinue, was about to pay a visit to the Duke.
"Whither go you thus, my lord Abbot?" he asked; "ah, well! I see youare not easily discouraged; and in truth," he added, bowing to theyoung girl, "your _protegee_ is worthy of your best efforts, to which Isincerely wish you every success."
"The result would most certainly be successful, my lord," said Conrad,"if my slight influence was but backed by you."
Rinaldo said nothing, but as he gazed on Hermengarde, his boldimagination at once conceived a plan of which it alone was capable.
"My support is cheerfully offered, my lord Abbot," said he, after amoment's silence. "As much through respect for you, as from interest inthis amiable young lady; but we must take every precaution, and not actrashly. I have a trifling affair to arrange with the Saxon Duke, andwill then at once join you. Pray, in the meanwhile go into my tent."
The Count directed one of his attendants to show every respect to theprelate and his suite during his absence, and then, after a few wordsof cheer to the young girl, continued on his way.
"What a lucky meeting!" said the Chancellor, who never neglected eventhe most unimportant circumstance. "The Lion can never look at thisgirl calmly. She is rather young, it is true, and a few years morewould be in her favor; still, compared with Clemence, the Duke will nothesitate an instant."
He had by this time arrived at the Saxon tent, and dismounting, he lefthis escort in the ante-chamber, passing himself into an innerapartment. Beckoning to a servant who was in waiting,--
"Can I speak with your master?" he asked.
"In a few moments, my lord! The Duke is at present with his family, anddesires not to be interrupted."
In the adjoining room he could hear the deep voice of a man minglingwith the gay laugh and joyous prattle of children.
"There is no hurry about it," replied Dassel.
And he paced the ante-chamber, seemingly immersed in grave thought, butin reality listening to what was said in the Duke's chamber.
Henry the Lion was a bold and courageous monarch, ever occupied in theextension of his territories. His dream was to un
ite under his sway allthe provinces of Northern Germany, as Frederic had done with those ofthe South. Under the pretext of converting the heathen, he had beenengaged for many years in a war with the Slaves, but the aggrandizementof his kingdom was a motive far more potent than could be the triumphof the true faith.
The innovations attempted by Frederic in the affairs of the Church metwith little favor in his eyes, for he made no secret of his leaningstowards orthodoxy, and although, as a vassal of the Empire, he foughtagainst the Lombards, still in his heart he sympathized with theirresistance to the encroachments of the Emperor. He refused to recognizeVictor, the anti-Pope, whose slavish nature he despised, and whom heopenly treated with contempt as occupying a position to which he wasnot legally entitled. It needed all Frederic's diplomacy to secure theco-operation of the Duke in the struggle which he was about toinaugurate, for Barbarossa had long felt the necessity of detaching himfrom the support of Alexander III., and it seemed as though the craftyChancellor had discovered a sure means of success.
Whilst the minister was plotting his dishonorable combinations, theDuke, all unconscious of the visit awaiting him, was seated in thebosom of his family, Henry was a tall, powerfully built man, with darkhair and eyes, a heavy beard, and a frank open expression upon hissun-burned features. His remarkable strength had gained him the surnameof the Lion. He was impatient of all repose, and chafed bitterly at theinaction to which the Emperor had condemned him.
Near him sat the Duchess, busied with her embroidery. Not withoutpersonal and intellectual attractions, she was sincerely attached toher husband, but the affection which he had once felt for the lovelyClemence had long since made way for other sentiments. Honoring hervirtues, he could not but feel deeply mortified that he was without anheir, and to his intimate associates he had more than once hinted atthe possibility of a divorce.
"Look, Clemence! what a fine boy our little Hildegarde would make,"said the Duke, playing with the silken curls of the child who hadglided between his knees. "He would be old enough now to play witharms, or sharpen arrows, and in a few years could fight by my side!"
"And perhaps die there, husband!"
"Our five daughters run no risk of dying a hero's death!" he repliedbitterly. "Ah! I would give the half of my left hand if one of thosegirls were a boy!"
"Henry, do not cherish such gloomy thoughts. You make me tremble forour future!"
"Never mind! a hand for a son!" continued Henry, with growing rage. "Ifmy death-bed could be surrounded by five sons, I should feel that mytoils had not been altogether unavailing. Ah! those five young lionscould complete the work which their father had begun, and theircombined efforts might defy the Emperor. But it is a painful, abitterly painful thought, that I shall die and leave to helpless girlsthe great work which I have so painfully achieved."
Clemence let fall her work and gazed upon her husband; despite hergentle nature and her sentiments of Christian resignation, she was muchdepressed by his violent outburst.
"Pardon, dear Henry!" she said; "your views are selfish ones. He whotoils only for earthly fame, gives little thought to Eternity. In thisworld, we should be contented with the consciousness that we havealways acted honestly and from noble motives!"
"A sad fate!"
"But the best, the most really meritorious! The true crown of glory iseternal and unfading! What we accomplish on earth is often valuelesshereafter, for what then avails a lifetime spent in strife, and storms,and troubles! I implore you, dear husband, do not question the decreesof Providence; think less of earthly greatness, for pride leads toforgetfulness of God, and to eternal perdition!"
"You are right," said the Prince, who had listened calmly whileClemence was speaking, "if we are to measure honor's reward by whatcomes after death; but I maintain that I would gladly exchange someleaves of my heavenly crown, for the prospect of an earthly heir."
A slight noise was heard, the curtains were lifted, and Lanzo with aserious face entered the room.
"Whence come you, knave?"
"From the gallows, godfather!"
"What! am I the sponsor of a gallows-bird?"
"You have no reason to be ashamed of it, cousin, since it appears to bethe fashion, nowadays, to hang honest people!"
"Who has been hanged?"
"Oh! just now, no one; but those who have the halter around their necksare not always the worst off. It may be that your Grace or the Emperorwould send an honest citizen to execution; but, when the devil inperson leads a man to the scaffold, it is another thing!"
"You are not bright to-day, Lanzo!"
"And why not, master?"
"This stupid speech about the devil leading a man to the scaffold."
"My luminous idea was a true one, though," said the jester. "Would youlike me to show you one of Satan's tricks?"
"I am somewhat curious; let us see."
"Be good enough then to open wide the eyes of your understanding, forhe who is blind in spirit, although carnally lucid, cannot discover thewiles of the demon. The works of his diabolical Majesty are, likeBeelzebub himself, of a spiritual essence. The first and chief agent ofthe devil is--guess what, cousin!"
"What do you mean?"
"Pride! Whenever Satan can entangle a man in the meshes of pride, it isall over with him! Pride rises, and aspires to rise. Let us supposethat our individual is a duke, he covets the Empire; and to accomplishhis purpose, would destroy every barrier to his ambition, even were itnecessary to be guilty of a crime. Should he be an Emperor, he desiresthe power of God, and even the Pope must be his humble vassal. If youlook around, cousin, you can see for yourself, that is, if your eyesare worth anything. Should the proud man have an excellent wife, whoseonly fault is that she has not borne him a son, the poor creaturebecomes a martyr, for pride has no respect for the feelings or rightsof others, and only dreams of seeing his own power and glory reflectedin the persons of his descendants, long after his own flesh has becomethe food of worms!"
The Duke started, and turned towards his wife; but Clemence seemedabsorbed in her work and heedless of the fool's discourse.
"Shall I show you some more of the devil's tricks, cousin?"
"No! I have had enough for to-day!"
"His diabolical Majesty has not only snares and pitfalls to catchfools, but also executioners to hunt them up! If I mistake not, one ofthese gentry is about to pay you a visit, cousin! Come, I will show himto you, but take good care of yourself, noble Lion!"
The prince looked anxiously to where Lanzo pointed, for he knew thathis jester often veiled really serious truths beneath the semblance offrivolity.
"Here is His Majesty's servant!" said the fool, as Rinaldo entered,with a smile.
"Forgive me, my lord, for thus disturbing your family party for amoment; I could not resist the temptation of being the messenger ofgood news!"
"You are welcome, my lord; and these news are?"
"That to-morrow we break camp, and march upon Milan."
"At last!" cried the soldier; "it is, indeed, good news that you bringme. Camp-life is demoralizing, and we should have finished long sincewith our enemies!"
"So I have urged," replied Rinaldo. "His Majesty wished at first toawait the arrival of the Austrian duke, but your counsels have modifiedthe plan. I must really admire your influence over one who is so littlepatient of advice or control. Your Highness is as great in the councilas in the field."
[Transcriber's note: Initial text of paragraph missing--possibly "TheDuke was ..."] secretly flattered by this homage to his pride. "Myobservations have only served to develop the great military talent ofthe Emperor."
"With an ironical smile, scarcely perceptible around the corners of hismouth, Rinaldo answered,--
"A monarch is none the less great, because he listens to reason andfollows good advice! But I have come to summon your Highness to acouncil of war, in which the plan of campaign against Milan is to bediscussed. It will be very select, and only a few princes and prelates,who are experienced in the art of war,
will be present."
"At what hour?"
"So soon as you shall have arrived?"
"Halloa, without there! my cloak!" cried the Duke.
"Oh! there is no need of such haste!" said Dassel. "Before starting, Imust solicit a favor of your Highness."
"On what subject, pray?"
"Oh, a mere peccadillo! But, by your leave, I would make my confessionin secret."
As they entered an adjoining room, Lanzo hurriedly concealed himselfbehind the hangings, as though this presumption was one of hisprivileges.
"What is the matter?" asked the Duke of Rinaldo, who stood before himwith down-cast eyes, and an appearance of irresolution anddiscouragement.
"I am really a guilty man," said the Chancellor, after a moment'ssilence. I meant to await a more favorable occasion; but--I was anunwilling listener to your conversation with the Duchess, and much as Idislike to interfere with your domestic happiness, I have been unableto restrain myself.--That you, the most powerful prince of the Empire,should be without an heir to your glory--so mighty a tree, full of sapand vigor to remain barren--truly, it is a sad reflection!"--The Lionraised his eyes upon the Chancellor, whose face wore an expression ofdeep chagrin.
"A sad reflection, say you!--A man must learn to carry the burden whichhe cannot shake off!"
"Which he cannot?--Very true, _if_ he cannot; but, for my part, I haveimagined that this accident, so fatal to your race, might be remedied.Mayhap, it will need great strength of mind on your part, or even someviolence?" said the tempter, in an insinuating tone.
"Nothing more?"
"I cannot now say! The Emperor's first wife was childless; he divorcedher and married Beatrice. This union has been blessed with a numerousprogeny."
An expression of mingled regret and anger passed over the features ofthe Duke, who sat twisting his beard, in silence.
"Frederic could do it;--Adelaide was his relative!"
"Oh, that was the pretext, I know," said the Chancellor; "but we caneasily find another equally good; and it is certain that the PopeVictor will gladly yield to a demand made by the Emperor, or even,indeed, to your own request. If consanguinity were a substantial groundfor a divorce, it seems to me that the extinction of a noble housewould be quite as valid a plea. Do not let this matter drop. I feelsure that your Grace will pardon my indiscretion and importunity."
"There is no indiscretion, my lord! It is not the first time that Ihave pondered over this matter; but it is strange, how different analmost familiar thought appears when couched in words!"
"It is merely the realization of our long cherished desires," said thestatesman but he thought within himself,--"It is a remorse for an evildeed!"
For a moment the Duke was silent, and then, with his eyes turnedtowards the ground, he resumed,--
"I agree with you, that my marriage has become insupportable tome; but to commence the affair, and to carry it to a satisfactoryresult,--hum!--I think that rather comes within the scope of yourtalents and intelligence, my dear Chancellor!"
"With pleasure!--You can count upon me in every way," replied Rinaldo,and, for once, he spoke the truth. "But, in the first place, it will benecessary to secure the Emperor's consent, and, through him, that ofthe Pope. Perhaps, to-day you may have the opportunity of discussingthe matter before four competent persons,--will that suit your Grace?"
They left the room. Henry called for his cloak, and sword and helmet.Lanzo was seated on the ground, playing with his bells.
"Cousin!" said he, looking up, as they approached, "have you forgottenall about the snares of the devil?"
As if to increase the Duke's remorse, Clemence and her children enteredthe room. The Duchess had heard her husband and hastened, according tothe old German custom, to bring him his sword and helmet. TheChancellor bowed low before the princess, and his calm and smiling facegave no presage to the noble lady of the misfortune which menaced herhappiness; but Henry, less skilled in dissimulation, averted his gaze,as he said,--
"You should not take this trouble, Clemence!"
"It is ever my pleasure to serve my noble husband," she replied,presenting him his helmet.
The Chancellor's visit alarmed her, for she knew the violent andimpetuous temper of her lord, and she feared lest some misunderstandingmight arise between him and the Emperor.
"Where are you going, Henry?" she asked. "Are you summoned to HisMajesty?"
"Summoned,--no; that is to say, yes. I am summoned to a Council of Warabout to take place;" and, in company with the Chancellor, he left thetent.
"Great God! what is the matter?" said Clemence. "I have never seen himthus!"
"Nor I neither," replied Lanzo, who was still seated upon the ground."He looks marvellously like a man whom the devil is leading to thegallows!"
"What a fearful speech, Lanzo!"
"What a wicked man, Clemence!"
"Do you dare to speak thus of your master, Sirrah?"
"Oh! I have given him up, noble lady, and have entered your service;for, methinks you will soon have grievous need of a faithful servant!"
"Why so?"
"Why so?--hum!--the why would only worry you. Never question a fool tooclosely, noble dame, for fools tell the truth!"
"But I would know the truth, Lanzo!"
"Good! Then pray for your husband."
"I have already done so, to-day."
"Then do it again."
"But why?"
"Because he is in bad company, and needs your prayers!"
Barbarossa; An Historical Novel of the XII Century. Page 11