"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.
When he arrived at the village, Pietro hailed him from a window, and on his entrance received him with every demonstration of friendship.
"Let me recover a little, my dear Pietro; it is all so extraordinary, that my ideas are somewhat confused."
"What is the matter with you?"
Antonio made no answer.
"Are you mad, Antonio?--Look me in the face! Come!"
"I am undone! I cannot repair what you have compromised. And why did you tell Hermengarde that Erwin was at Cluny? Your mistake has spoiled everything."
"Enough, Antonio, enough! I know that I have made a mistake; why then do you take pleasure in increasing my regrets for it."