"The insurgents will respect my pilgrim's cape," replied the young man. It was true, the pious spirit of this age forgot every party feeling in presence of the crusader's staff, and even Frederic's hatred was obliged to do this justice to his adversaries. Rechberg left the Emperor to search for his faithful Gero. As he passed through the palace he met a nobleman who was entering at the gates. It was Heribert of Rapallo. "Have you aught to lay before His Majesty, sir knight?" asked Rechberg. "Yes, if you will assist me," replied Heribert, who was attracted by the frank demeanor of our hero; "but I can find no one to present me to him. I have already spoken fruitlessly to several persons, but it is absolutely necessary that I communicate to the Emperor a message from the lady of Castellamare. I must speak with him." "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. "It is I." "And yet you would rejoice at the Count's safe return?" "With all my heart! Hermengarde would have married me only through obedience to her father's wishes." "You are a noble heart," said Rechberg, taking the other's hand. "Yes, Erwin of Rechberg still lives, and he stands before you now." Heribert uttered an involuntary ejaculation of surprise and started back; then he bowed respectfully. "The Emperor's cousin is your friend for life," said Erwin; "it can never be otherwise, after such noble self-devotion. Come with me to my own apartments, for I have many questions to ask you."