"You have done a stupid thing," said Pietro. "If she succeeds in entering the garden----"
"Pshaw! she cannot get over a ten-foot wall."
"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 God!" 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 nobleman were walking together, in earnest conversation. Brother Severinus stood near the door, reading his breviary.
"The Duchess of Saxony is a noble 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 Duchess 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 Duchess can show her gratitude.' Then she went to see His Holiness, and this morning left Cluny, escorted by some of the Austrian men-at-arms."