Barbarossa; An Historical Novel Of The XII Century Part 54

_CHAPTER XLVII_.

_THE DUEL_.

Richenza's arrival at Cluny surprised Erwin; but she manifested so sincere a sympathy with the misfortunes of the d.u.c.h.ess Clemence, that he related to her all the details of the outrage. The influential position of the Count of Champagne permitted him to lodge in the dependencies of the cloister, and his apartments opened upon an immense garden ornamented with flowers, groves, and shady walks.

Richenza and her retinue had just entered the garden, followed at a distance by brother Severinus; and Erwin, after leaving the table, went thither to join the party. Antonio, who was constantly on the watch over Rechberg's movements, at once left the cloister and hurriedly proceeded to the village, where Hermengarde was awaiting his return with feverish anxiety. At last he came, and entered the lady's presence with an air of supreme indifference.

"Your absence has been long, Antonio; was it not possible for you to give my message yesterday?"

"n.o.ble lady, Rechberg remained quite late with the Count of Champagne and the other n.o.bles. He rose late this morning, and I was unable to give him your message until a few moments since, as he was going to the garden with the Countess Richenza. The time was ill-chosen."

"Well! what was his answer?"

"'Hermengarde here?' he said, with surprise. 'Come to see her!--you say. I am very sorry; but it is no longer possible----'"

"Go on, Antonio, and tell the truth!" said she. "Is he in the garden?"

"Precisely; now, as the garden is close to the road near the mountain, you can see for yourself."

"Yes, and that is what I mean to do," replied Hermengarde, who seemed to have all at once regained her courage. "Wait for one moment, gentlemen; I will be back again soon;" and she left the room.

"You have done a stupid thing," said Pietro. "If she succeeds in entering the garden----"

"Pshaw! she cannot get over a ten-foot wall."

"And if Rechberg were to perceive her?"

"He! his eyes are not clear enough to see so far."

Hermengarde returned in a few minutes, and at once set out, followed by the two Italians and her nurse Hedwige.

In a short time they were on the road which overlooked the garden.

Antonio led the way to an elevation, from which they could see all the adjoining country, and the young girl followed, without heeding the words which the spy still continued to address to her. Suddenly she paused, and then, before her companions could interfere, ran towards a little gate in the cloister-wall.

As soon as Antonio perceived her intention, and that the door was open, he sprang towards her.

"For the love of G.o.d!" he cried, "where are you going? Your entrance into the convent may have disastrous results!"

She turned her head a little, glanced at Antonio, and disappeared.

Hedwige and Pietro followed, but the other remained behind.

"That door open!--unlucky mishap!" he said; "all is lost! The best thing for me to do is to run away, and escape the Count's anger;" and he hastily left the place.

A narrow path wound through several clumps of bushes, and terminated at a conservatory surrounded by vines. Hermengarde stopped here. At about a hundred yards in front, Richenza and the young n.o.bleman were walking together, in earnest conversation. Brother Severinus stood near the door, reading his breviary.

"The d.u.c.h.ess of Saxony is a n.o.ble woman," said Richenza; "and what did she say of her husband's disloyal conduct?"

"Galdini Sala was obliged to repeat three times the Duke's words: 'Clemence ceased to be my wife by the Pope's decree, and with my consent. No one, not even Alexander, can change my determination.' At first the d.u.c.h.ess seemed thunderstruck. She repeated only, 'With his consent!' in a tone which I cannot describe. It seemed at first as though her heart would break, and then her eyes flashed with anger. The Duke of Saxony had lost all claim to her affection. 'My lord Count,'

she said to me, 'accept my thanks for all the trouble I have given you;' and taking a rich jewel, 'Accept this,' she said, 'it is the only way in which the repudiated d.u.c.h.ess can show her grat.i.tude.' Then she went to see His Holiness, and this morning left Cluny, escorted by some of the Austrian men-at-arms."

"How n.o.ble! how truly great! but, alas! how unfortunate!" said Richenza, with emotion.

"Now that the d.u.c.h.ess has gone," said Erwin, "and the object of my journey is accomplished, I can return to Laon, where I have business of great importance."

"It can be put off a little longer, and we will go there together,"

urged Richenza.

"I regret that it is impossible; but everything is prepared, and I must leave Cluny to-day. Allow me, n.o.ble lady, to bid you farewell."

He was interrupted by a piercing shriek.

"Erwin! my Erwin!" cried a voice from the conservatory.

The Count approached. In the dim light he saw a group of three persons, one of whom lay fainting on the ground. He had recognized the voice, but he could scarcely believe that Hermengarde was there. But it was she, and Rechberg knelt in astonishment beside his lady-love, from whose face all signs of life had disappeared. Suddenly the Count was seized, and thrust violently away.

"Back! wretch," cried Pietro, whose anger broke out at the sight of his rival. "Back! you have no longer the right to tend her, German savage."

Rechberg gazed first at the Lombard and then at the fainting girl.

Nigri again pushed him away.

"If you dare to approach her again, I will plunge my sword into your breast." And Pietro, sword in hand, placed himself between the Count and the lady.

"Who are you, who dare to separate me from my affianced wife?" cried Rechberg.

"Draw and defend yourself," said the Italian furiously.

"Here, in her presence? No, sir!" replied the Count. "Put up your sword; elsewhere I will chastise you as you deserve."

"You shall not escape me thus! Villain, defend yourself!" said Pietro.

And his sword's point grazed Erwin's breast.

"Hold!" cried the Count. "Would you dare to a.s.sa.s.sinate me?"

"I will take your life.--If you will not defend it," said Nigri, striking Rechberg, as he spoke, with the flat of his sword. Scarcely had the Count felt the blow, when his sword, quick as lightning, flashed from the scabbard, and the fight began. Hermengarde still lay upon the ground, her head upon Hedwige's knee. During the progress of the duel, she opened her eyes and called her lover's name, but Erwin saw and heard nothing except his antagonist who had slightly wounded him. Suddenly, he saw his opportunity, and with a rapid thrust stretched Pietro lifeless on the ground. Just then the chamberlain.

rushed forward to prevent the combat, but it was too late, and as he saw the b.l.o.o.d.y corpse,--

"Woe to us!" he cried, "a murder has been committed within the cloister-walls. Wretch, what have you done?"

But Rechberg paid no attention to the question; he wished to approach the young girl, who was seated with her nurse upon a neighboring bench, but she motioned him away.

"I was present during the whole affair," said brother Severinus, who endeavored to apologize for the Count. "I saw it all, worthy father; the Count would have gone elsewhere, but this unhappy man, whose soul is before his G.o.d, tried to kill him; he was obliged to defend himself."

"That certainly diminishes the enormity of the offence," replied the chamberlain, "but a crime has been committed within the cloister, and it is to be judged here at Cluny. Follow me, Count."