The door opened, and Hermengarde entered. She was dressed simply in white, with a blue sash around her waist.
"Pardon me, dearest," said the Count, tenderly; "pardon me for all I have made you suffer." But Hermengarde was already assured of Erwin's innocence before he had even spoken.
"Count," she replied, "you need make no excuses; only tell me why I did not see you yesterday?"
"I had no idea that you were at Cluny."
"Then Antonio did not carry you my message?"
"Most certainly not! You seem surprised, Hermengarde; but you do not know all. That villain Antonio was in a plot to separate us, and his measures were skilfully taken."
"Fortune sometimes favors the wicked," said the noble girl. "But was the arrival of Richenza merely the result of chance?"
"It may have been a part of the plot! I intended to return to Laon, and was taking my leave, when--"
He suddenly paused, for the recollection of the scene in the garden seemed painfully depicted on Hermengarde's features. She sat down and gazed silently at her lover, whose attentions to the young Countess she had fancied meant more than was called for by the mere requirements of chivalrous courtesy. But it was impossible to cherish a suspicion of Erwin's loyalty after his frank and honest explanations.
"Ah! Erwin," she said; "but that murder, that fearful crime!"