"You are taking the true course to make our Hermengarde proud. Frankness is to be lauded, but must not be abused."
"I crave your Majesty's pardon!" said the Duke, to whom Beatrice was no stranger, and who knew that the girl's beauty annoyed her; "but I must say that you have added to your chaplet a pearl whose lustre will dazzle more than one noble gentleman."
"Oh, you are not frank now," said the Empress, with suppressed rage. "But come, the banquet awaits us; it is served in a woman's fashion, but I will not accept a refusal."
Just then the hangings of the door were lifted, and Erwin of Rechberg entered the room. All eyes were turned upon the youthful pair. The Count stood motionless, as though rooted to the ground, and with open eyes seemed to fear to advance lest the lovely vision might fade from his sight forever.
The Empress, holding the young girl's hand, approached.
"It is no dream, as you seem to fear, Erwin," said she.--"Well, Count, why do you remain dumb and unmoved? this surprise, I am persuaded, cannot be a disagreeable one to you."
"A thousand pardons, the----it is so unexpected."
And stepping forward, he kissed his lady's hand. They sat down to table. On the right of the Empress was placed Hermengarde, on her left the Duke of Austria, and next to the young Italian was Erwin of Rechberg. The court attendants were at the foot of the table, with Hedwige in the place of honor among them; and the worthy nurse had enough to do in answering all the questions which the curiosity of the other women prompted them to make. The food, consisting of fowls, game, fruit, honey and other sweetmeats, was served on silver dishes; but, except by the Austrian, who quaffed long draughts from a golden goblet, there was very little attention paid to the choice wines set before them.
The conversation went on naturally; Rechberg and Hermengarde had so much to say that they soon forgot to eat or drink, while the Duke resumed the discussion which the Italian's arrival had interrupted.
"Yes, madame," he said, "it is an irreligious, an impious act. Clemence is a noble wife, and this pretext of consanguinity is unfounded. Such a transaction might take place among Moors and Pagans, but among Christians, never! Clemence is the lawful wife of the Duke of Saxony, and should he marry another woman, the union would be illegal. That is my way of looking at the question, and if the affair is debated publicly, I will state my opinion frankly."