"I regret that I cannot comply with His Majesty's wishes. Nigri is already at liberty."
"What!" cried Dassel; "you have already sent him back to Milan?"
"He has not yet gone, but he will be dispatched shortly."
"Do not be too hasty; at least, wait until I have informed the Emperor!" and the courtier hurriedly left the room.
"My lord Count," said Guido, who had anxiously listened to the conversation, "you will do wisely in acceding to His Majesty's desires."
"Not at all," answered Rechberg; "the prisoner belongs to me, and to me only!"
At this moment the Chancellor reappeared.
"The Emperor desires your immediate presence," he said.
"Very well, my lord; I will obey at once. As for you, my lord Bonello, go to the consul Nigri and inform him upon what conditions he can obtain his release. Gero, show this gentleman the way to Berthold's quarters; I will be there soon myself."
"Be prudent, young man," said Dassel, after Guido had left them. "Take my advice, and comply with your godfather's wishes. You know that everything should give way before State reasons."
"It is well; let us go on," replied Erwin.
"I would deeply regret should your interest for this Italian lady prompt you to refuse to accede to the Imperial desires. I beg you to be prudent, and do nothing which might compromise your good fortune."
Rechberg was silent, and they entered the Emperor's apartment. With a gracious smile, Frederic motioned them to approach.
"We are not altogether satisfied with you, Erwin; you keep up an intimacy with one who has incurred our Imperial displeasure, and even receive the traitor's visit in our own quarters. And, more than this, we are inexpressibly surprised at these projects of marriage with Bonello's daughter, whose invitation, on the part of the Empress, to visit the Court has displeased us. We desire and insist that such things do not occur again."
Rechberg heard this sharp rebuke in silence.
"To-day's battle," continued Frederic, "in which you took a very distinguished part, has given into your hands the consul Nigri. He belongs to you, according to the laws of chivalry; and as we are unwilling to be guilty of any act of injustice, we merely express a simple desire that he may be delivered over to our charge."