"Did not Pietro Nigri's servant pay you a visit?"
Antonio started, but recovered himself promptly.
"Yes, Cocco Griffi came to see me; but I did not intend to speak of a visit which was not a pleasant one for your Lordship."
"Speak freely; you have nothing to fear."
"I know that, but I dislike to wound those whom I esteem. Pietro Nigri has sent to request me to meet him on a matter of great importance; for you must know that we are intimate friends; this ought to suffice you."
"Not at all. Why this invitation, and what is this important business?"
"Since you mention her name, I will confess that it has. But compose yourself; nothing is lost yet; as we return to 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.