"We shall see, Antonio; you promised to bring about Richenza's marriage with this cousin of the Emperor, and so far I can see very slight progress in the affair, although it appears that the young man is still an inmate of her father's castle. If Louis were even to suspect this project, it would be all over with the Count of Champagne, for the alliance is inimical to the interests of France." "I confess, my lord, that so far I have been unsuccessful. But it is not my fault. The Count of Champagne himself----" "You do not understand me; the Count desires to remain neutral; it is your business to arrange it. Rechberg is already betrothed, you tell me, and his future wife is in the neighborhood.--Come, Antonio, you should be able by some clever piece of rascality, to destroy all their projects; I trust that you will succeed." Manasés paused, and then after making a few steps in the room, resumed,-- "The Duchess Clemence is secretly staying at the castle." "Yes." "She must go to Cluny to-morrow; you will accompany her." The order disconcerted Antonio, who had proposed visiting Hermengarde on the ensuing day, in company with Pietro. "I am ready to obey you, my lord," he replied, after a moment's reflection. "When you are at Cluny," continued Manasés, "keep your ears and eyes open; let nothing escape you. Watch, above all, the prelates who reside there, and see upon what terms Henry and Alexander appear to be. Mingle with the servants of the house, for you must know every nook and corner in it, and the vassals will suspect nothing." "You will be satisfied with me, my lord." "But, take care, the Italian roads are infested with banditti, and Clemence cannot travel without an escort." "You need have no apprehension on that score; the best sword in Germany will accompany her." "Who will it be?" "Erwin of Rechberg." "Very good; he will then leave the castle. But are you sure of him?" "Perfectly. Rechberg is a valiant knight: if it be necessary, I will tell him her name, and that will be sufficient for him to consider it a duty not to leave her until she is at her journey's end." "Antonio, be active, faithful, and discreet, and you will lose nothing. Now go; invent some pretext to hasten your departure." Antonio found the Duchess ready, but Erwin was not to be found; he had gone, early in the morning, to the Imperial camp, and thither the spy went to look for him. _CHAPTER XXXVIII_. _THE QUEEN OF FRANCE_.