"So soon as you shall have arrived?" "Halloa, without there! my cloak!" cried the Duke. "Oh! there is no need of such haste!" said Dassel. "Before starting, I must solicit a favor of your Highness." "On what subject, pray?" "Oh, a mere peccadillo! But, by your leave, I would make my confession in secret." As they entered an adjoining room, Lanzo hurriedly concealed himself behind the hangings, as though this presumption was one of his privileges. "What is the matter?" asked the Duke of Rinaldo, who stood before him with down-cast eyes, and an appearance of irresolution and discouragement. "I am really a guilty man," said the Chancellor, after a moment's silence. I meant to await a more favorable occasion; but--I was an unwilling listener to your conversation with the Duchess, and much as I dislike to interfere with your domestic happiness, I have been unable to restrain myself.--That you, the most powerful prince of the Empire, should be without an heir to your glory--so mighty a tree, full of sap and vigor to remain barren--truly, it is a sad reflection!"--The Lion raised his eyes upon the Chancellor, whose face wore an expression of deep chagrin. "A sad reflection, say you!--A man must learn to carry the burden which he cannot shake off!" "Which he cannot?--Very true, _if_ he cannot; but, for my part, I have imagined that this accident, so fatal to your race, might be remedied. Mayhap, it will need great strength of mind on your part, or even some violence?" said the tempter, in an insinuating tone. "Nothing more?" "I cannot now say! The Emperor's first wife was childless; he divorced her and married Beatrice. This union has been blessed with a numerous progeny." An expression of mingled regret and anger passed over the features of the Duke, who sat twisting his beard, in silence. "Frederic could do it;--Adelaide was his relative!" "Oh, that was the pretext, I know," said the Chancellor; "but we can easily find another equally good; and it is certain that the Pope Victor will gladly yield to a demand made by the Emperor, or even, indeed, to your own request. If consanguinity were a substantial ground for a divorce, it seems to me that the extinction of a noble house would be quite as valid a plea. Do not let this matter drop. I feel sure that your Grace will pardon my indiscretion and importunity." "There is no indiscretion, my lord! It is not the first time that I have pondered over this matter; but it is strange, how different an almost familiar thought appears when couched in words!" "It is merely the realization of our long cherished desires," said the statesman but he thought within himself,--"It is a remorse for an evil deed!" For a moment the Duke was silent, and then, with his eyes turned towards the ground, he resumed,--