"The lady of Castellamare!" said Erwin, whose heart was beating violently.
"As you are the only person who has shown me any courtesy, you shall know the whole affair. Hermengarde, for so the lady is named, has been betrothed for six years past to the Emperor's cousin, the famous Count Erwin of Rechberg. But the Count went to Palestine, where, it is said, he fell a victim to the Saracens; and Bonello, the lady's father, now wishes her to choose another husband."
"And Hermengarde?" said Erwin, trembling.
"She will obey, provided the Count be really dead, but she still doubts the fact."
The young man grew pale.
"Count Rechberg!" he spoke wildly as if he scarcely knew the import of his words. "But I have heard of him; I think that I remember."
"Where then is he? does he live?" inquired Rapallo, with a voice of mixed joy and sadness.
"He does live."
"God be thanked!"
"Do you know him who seeks Hermengarde's love?" asked Rechberg.