He interrupted himself abruptly at the sight of Hermengarde, who fell fainting upon a chair.
"Enough of this, my lord Conrad, you may withdraw," and he motioned that they should take away the girl.
At this moment Erwin advanced, already deeply interested in Hermengarde's suffering; his godfather's stern refusal to her appeals affected him painfully. Bowing to the Emperor, with a bright flush upon his face, he said,--
"Pardon, Sire, if I venture to recall to Your Majesty's memory the recent battle, and the promise then made to grant me a favor."
"Ah! I trust that you will not make an improper use of my promise, Erwin?"
"An improper use--no, upon my honor. The favor which I now solicit, Sire, is the life and liberty of Bonello, this young girl's father."
"Is this petition serious, Count?" said Barbarossa, turning to him, angrily.
"It cannot be more so, Sire," answered the young man, promptly.
"Reflect well, boy, on what you ask," said the Emperor, fiercely. "Do not play with our promise--it is sacred; but----"
And he raised his right hand menacingly.