And he left Antonio, who soon after might have been seen upon the road leading from Cluny to the neighboring village. Accustomed to pick up information from every source, he approached a man who was going in the same direction as himself. "Do you know," said the stranger, "that they wish to capture the person of His Holiness? The Count of Champagne is on his way with a strong party of knights and varlets to seize and give him up to the Emperor, who will put him to death." "That is a very likely story, my good man!" "You think it is an invention of mine, do you?--But I tell you that I saw him and his daughter Richenza in the village last night." "With his daughter?" repeated the Italian, looking with stupid amazement at the stranger. "Yes, with his daughter and a troop of his retainers; but I swear that they shall not give the Pope up to Barbarossa. The people will rise in his defence." Without listening further to the conversation of the old man, Antonio began to reflect over the fact of Richenza's presence at Cluny. It seemed so strange, so unlikely, that he could attribute it only to the designs of the Emperor to enforce the marriage with his cousin, as soon as possible. When he arrived at the village, Pietro hailed him from a window, and on his entrance received him with every demonstration of friendship. "Let me recover a little, my dear Pietro; it is all so extraordinary, that my ideas are somewhat confused." "What is the matter with you?" Antonio made no answer. "Are you mad, Antonio?--Look me in the face! Come!" "I am undone! I cannot repair what you have compromised. And why did you tell Hermengarde that Erwin was at Cluny? Your mistake has spoiled everything." "Enough, Antonio, enough! I know that I have made a mistake; why then do you take pleasure in increasing my regrets for it." "Let me console you, Pietro; the Count of Champagne is expected every moment." "What matters that to me?" "His daughter Richenza is with him; I foresee that the Emperor has designs on young Rechberg." "Something may be made out of this circumstance," said Pietro. "Do you think so? your eyes are at last opened to the light? You begin to understand now why I was anxious? My plans have failed! It was necessary for Erwin to leave to-morrow to avoid meeting Hermengarde; but now he must remain!" "What have you decided to do?" "Ask me no questions, but do as I bid, for I have no confidence in you, friend Pietro; did you speak of me to Hermengarde?" "No; she only knows that a friend of mine, named Antonio, came here with me." "Very well! present me at once, for there is no time to be lost." They entered a room where two of the retainers were seated at a chess-board. Their armor hung upon the wall, and their lances stood in a corner. "Ubaldo, ask the waiting-woman if your mistress will receive my friend?" said Pietro to one of the soldiers. In a few moments the soldier returned with an affirmative reply.