"The Count will doubtless remind your Majesty of my promises; do not hesitate, ratify everything, and affix your seal, without scruple, to all which he may propose."
"Best content," replied Barbarossa, as the Chancellor left the apartment.
"Alexander, your death-knell has sounded!" exclaimed the Emperor; "and soon the most dangerous enemy of our Imperial supremacy, the most intrepid and cunning opponent to our wishes, will regret his haughty conduct. Ah! for the Emperor to be altogether Emperor, the Pope must not seek to divide the Empire with him. The pagan emperors called themselves Pontifices maximi, and they were; why should I not be the head of Church as well as State?"
Meanwhile Count Dassel was making every preparation for the treaty. On his passage through the palace he approached a window looking into the garden.
"He is not there yet," he said. "Ah! still--there they are; it is all right!" and with a scornful sneer he disappeared.
It was towards Rechberg that the Chancellor's attention had been directed. The Count was approaching, accompanied by a young nobleman, whose appearance offered a certain resemblance to that of Rinaldo himself. They were conversing with animation, and the bright look, the graceful bearing, the elegant shape and ironical expression of the nobleman, vividly recalled the German statesman.
"Your description of the Countess is calculated to excite one's curiosity. Who is her father?" asked Erwin.
"Count Henry of Champagne, the ambassador and brother-in-law of the King of France," replied the nobleman.
"Count Dassel has spoken to me of the father, but has said nothing of the daughter."
"Indeed! he said nothing of her whom all Pavia is talking of,--nothing about Richenza?"