"Has it, indeed! Dietho, what did you charge this gentleman?"
"Twelve pieces of gold for the three nobles, and twelve pennies for the servants.--Pardon me if my demand was too moderate."
"It was, indeed, too moderate," cried Herman, glancing towards Bonello.--"You traitors have compelled the Emperor to cross the Alps, and now, if I am to judge by your lowered visor, you wish to force the bridge!--Very well, come on. We are ready for you!"
The Count, at last fully convinced that the Governor was as guilty as his soldiers, raised his visor, and showed his face flushed with anger.
Herman was thunderstruck, and could scarcely falter out,--
"Oh, my dear Count, pardon! I crave you a thousand pardons! It is all a mistake,--but who could have supposed for a moment--?"
But the more he endeavored to apologize for his villainy, the more embarrassed he became. The soldiers, meanwhile, perceiving the sudden change in their master's demeanor, hastened to remove the barrier.
"It is not my place to pardon," said Rechberg; "you must explain your gross abuse of authority to His Majesty, who shall be acquainted with everything."
He turned abruptly, and crossed the bridge with his companions.
The prefect tore his hair with impotent despair as he saw the troop file past him.