"Perhaps you will explain why, during three months and six days, we have never seen you? My father gave you a most cordial invitation. You know under what obligations we felt ourselves, and were certain of the pleasure which your presence would cause. Why then did you not come?" "Because, noble lady, I am not free; all my time belongs to the Emperor." "And the Emperor does not wish you to visit the Bonelli? I should have thought of that." "Oh, no!" answered Rechberg quickly; "the Emperor's great mind never cherishes a mean thought. He speedily forgets the past, but he enforces strict discipline in his army. Neither prince nor knight is his own master in the field." "What rigorous severity!" said Hermengarde. "It is necessary, I assure you. Think what would happen if every one could leave camp when he pleased." "Well, well! I accept your excuse; duty before everything. But look, what a beautiful grove! How the grass and the flowers bloom, and the pines spread out their verdant branches! It is truly charming; but it wants the grandeur of our Alpine forests." "If you wish, we will go on a little further; there is a lovely spot above, where I have often dreamed in secret," replied the Count. She assented. Gero was left with the horses; and accompanied by Hedwige, they followed the narrow path which led to the top of the hill. As soon as they had arrived, Rechberg spread his mantle on the grass, and Hermengarde took her seat. The dense foliage of the trees stretched above them like a dome of verdure, in which the birds were chirping their gay songs. Through an opening of the forest could be seen the towers and spires of Milan, but all around the forest was thickly planted, and the eye could penetrate with difficulty through the underbrush. Scarcely had the young girl seated herself, when two men began to creep up silently and cautiously towards the little group, and concealing themselves behind a tree, listened eagerly to the conversation. One of them was in complete armor, and wore his visor down, but his eyes glared fiercely through the bars of his helmet. The other had only a cuirass, and beneath his hat appeared the cunning face of the Milanese Cocco Griffi. "You have chosen a beautiful spot," said Hermengarde; "and this perspective is admirable." "Yes; and it was in some degree on that account I selected this wild site----" At this moment the man in armor uttered an angry exclamation through his visor, and disappeared in the thicket, followed by his companion. _CHAPTER XXV_. _THE CAPTURE_. "What say you of this adventure?" asked Griffi of the knight, with whose long strides he could scarcely keep pace; "I know that you are entirely disinterested in the question."