"Honor and duty enjoin on our vassals to answer our summons; do you think they would hesitate to obey?" said Louis.
"The situation is perhaps more critical than you imagine, Sire. If you destroy the contract made with the Emperor, if you protect Alexander, Barbarossa will cross the frontier at once. All will desert your cause, even my brother."
She hid her face in her hands, and wept bitterly.
"What is that you say, Adèle?" exclaimed the King. "Is it, as we hope, merely anxiety which makes you speak thus, or have you really any knowledge of such treachery?"
"My dear husband, be prepared for the worst! Yes, the Count Henry of Champagne and Troyes, the most powerful of your vassals, has promised to go over to the Emperor, if you violate a single article of the treaty which he signed."
"What do you say, madam?" cried Louis, angrily.
"He confessed it to me secretly. In spite of my prayers and my tears, he has sworn to keep his oath."
"Ah! the villain, the caitiff!" he cried, pacing the room. "By Saint Denis! we will arrest and imprison the traitor."
"It is too late, dear husband. The Count has left the Court."
"What! has the wretch retired to his castle?"