"Pardon, Sire," said the Abbot, bowing respectfully to the Emperor and the nobles; "my faith in your generosity emboldens me to plead, once more, in favor of the unfortunate. Before you stands a wretched daughter, whom the father's death will leave a helpless orphan, at a time when a fierce war is raging throughout the land. Will not your Majesty deign to lend an ear to pity?--it is a virtue which becomes a monarch, as much as justice." While Conrad spoke, Hermengarde had fallen upon her knees; but spite all her efforts, she could only falter out-- "Pity--mercy!--for the love of God! Be merciful!" Barbarossa remained seated; his scowling gaze turned upon the Abbot. "You might have spared yourself this effort, my lord Abbot," said he violently; "do you imagine that a woman's tears could succeed, where your arguments have failed?" "I had hoped it, Sire. It is natural to the human heart to be touched by the tears and prayers of the innocent. I hoped for nothing less from your Majesty's!" They were alarmed at the bold demeanor of the Abbot, but the Lion bowed his head approvingly, and Barbarossa's scowl deepened. During the scene, Rinaldo had narrowly scanned the Duke's countenance, as if to mark the effect produced upon him by the remarkable beauty of the fair suppliant. But the crafty statesman was wrong if he imagined that a man of the Lion's character could be ensnared so easily. Had the Duke given any indication that the plot so skilfully imagined would be successful, the Chancellor would have urged Bonello's cause, but Henry's countenance remained impassive. Hermengarde was still upon her knees weeping bitterly, and her face hidden in her hands. At times she looked upon the Emperor, striving to collect her thoughts, but the stern face of the monarch appalled her. "Pity!" she cried. "Spare my father's life; he regrets his crime! Oh! pardon him!" "Enough of these lamentations!" said Barbarossa; "let some one lead this woman hence!" The Bishop Gero hastened to comply with the Emperor's wishes, whilst the latter explained to those present the crime of which Bonello had been guilty. "If you consider our sentence unjust, speak, and the criminal shall be released," said he. "Bonello is a valiant soldier, although he has drawn his sword in a bad cause," replied Otho. "Still, I implore you to pardon him for his daughter's sake." "Pardon him, Sire. I fear your sentence may cause the death of two persons," said Henry, pointing to the pale and trembling Hermengarde. "This time justice must take its course," answered Barbarossa. "The sentence is perfectly just," added Werner, of Minden. "Who would deserve death, if traitors were allowed to go unpunished?" The two other bishops nodded in token of approval; they never dissented from any apparent desire of Barbarossa. "You perceive, my lord Abbot, that it is impossible for us to pardon----" He interrupted himself abruptly at the sight of Hermengarde, who fell fainting upon a chair.